The popular U.S. race car series NASCAR is investigating what it called Sunday a “heinous act” after a noose was found in the team garage of Bubba Wallace, its only top-level Black driver. Wallace said he was “incredibly saddened” and added that the act is “a painful reminder of how much further we have to …
your ad hereK-pop Idol Yohan Mourned by Family, Fans
Yohan, a member of K-pop group TST, died last week. He was 28 years old. “We are sad to relay the most unfortunate, sorrowful news,” wrote TST’s record label, KJ Music Entertainment, in a June 17 release to Allkpop, a U.S.-based Korean pop website. “On June 16, TST member Yohan …
your ad hereTom Petty’s Family Condemns Trump Campaign’s Use of Late Musician’s Song
The family of late rock musician Tom Petty has filed a cease and desist motion after President Trump’s campaign played a song by Petty at a campaign rally. Trump played the song “I won’t back down” at his campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on Saturday. Hours later, Petty’s family …
your ad hereComedian DL Hughley COVID-19 Positive after Fainting Onstage
Comedian DL Hughley COVID-19 Positive after Fainting Onstage Comedian D.L. Hughley announced he tested positive for COVID-19 after collapsing onstage during a performance in Nashville, Tennessee. The stand-up comedian, 57, lost consciousness while performing at the Zanies comedy nightclub on Friday night and was hospitalized, news outlets reported. On Saturday, Hughley posted …
your ad hereTiz the Law Wins Belmont Stakes
Tiz the Law won the Belmont Stakes in front of empty stands on Saturday, clinching the first leg of Thoroughbred horse racing’s Triple Crown.The colt was followed by Dr Post and Max Player at the New York event, which is usually the last leg of the three races that make …
your ad hereBeyoncé Drops Surprise Single ‘Black Parade’ on Juneteenth
Beyoncé did not let Juneteenth pass without dropping one of her signature surprises — a new single called “Black Parade.””I’m going back to the South, I’m going back where my roots ain’t watered down,” Beyoncé sings, opening the track. At several points on Friday’s release, the singer tells listeners to …
your ad here‘Hamilton,’ ‘Phantom’ Will Be Off London Stages Until 2021
Some of London’s biggest West End shows, including “Hamilton” and “The Phantom of the Opera,” won’t reopen until next year, producers announced Wednesday, as arts bodies warned that Britain faces a “cultural catastrophe” because of the coronavirus pandemic. Producer Cameron Mackintosh, his producing partners and his Delfont Mackintosh Theatres group …
your ad hereBoy Who Sang of Being Young Black Man Signs Recording Contract
Keedron Bryant, the 12-year-old who grabbed attention on social media with his passionate performance about being a young black man in today’s world, has signed a deal with Warner Records. The song’s official release on Friday coincides with Juneteenth, which commemorates the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. VOA Correspondent …
your ad hereDame Vera Lynn, Britain’s World War Two ‘Forces’ Sweetheart,’ Dies at 103
Dame Vera Lynn, the woman whose voice boosted British spirits during the darkest days of World War Two, has died at 103.Her family did not give a cause of death when it announced her passing Thursday in East Sussex.Along with Winston Churchill’s, Lynn’s was the most recognized and renowned British …
your ad hereFilms Offer Window into Police Brutality, Racial Injustice in US
The death of George Floyd while in police custody has sparked protests across the country and abroad about police brutality against African Americans. Acclaimed films have shone a light on racial injustice against African Americans since the 1960s. VOA’s Penelope Poulou looks at some of these works. …
your ad hereFresh Scandal Tests Spain’s Monarchy
Inside the Zarzuela Palace, the spacious residence of King Felipe VI of Spain, there is a corridor dedicated to cartoons about the royal family.Most of the light-hearted jokes are by Spanish media but there is also one from France’s Le Monde.Conspicuous by its absence is the Spanish satirical magazine El …
your ad here‘That 70s Show’ Actor Danny Masterson Charged in 3 Rapes
“That ’70s Show” actor Danny Masterson was charged with the rapes of three women in the early 2000s, Los Angeles prosecutors said Wednesday, the culmination of a three-year investigation that resulted in a rare arrest of a famous Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era. The three counts of rape by …
your ad hereVirtual Global Pride Event to Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Community
In place of crowded and festive in-person parades and celebrations, national pride networks have organized a virtual 24-hour international FILE – People attend the annual Pride in London parade, in London, Britain, July 6, 2019.For Oliva, Global Pride will be a time to reflect and be grateful for the efforts …
your ad hereNetflix CEO to Donate $120M to Historically Black Colleges
Netflix CEO Reed Hastings and his wife, Patty Quillin, are donating $120 million toward student scholarships at historically black colleges and universities. The couple is giving $40 million to each of three institutions: the United Negro College Fund, Spelman College and Morehouse College. The organizations said it is the …
your ad hereHigh Court Decision Spotlights GOP Divide Over LGBT Rights
Democrats flooded Twitter and email inboxes this week with praise for the watershed Supreme Court decision shielding gay, lesbian and transgender people from job discrimination. Republicans — not so much. The court’s 6-3 ruling came just two days after an event that played out in the opposite direction. Freshman …
your ad hereNY Governor Approves Plan to Proceed with US Open in August
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced the U.S. Open tennis tournament is on schedule to be held this year in Queens, N.Y. from Aug. 31 to Sept. 13 without spectators due to health concerns associated with the coronavirus. Cuomo said the United States Tennis Association (USTA) “will take extraordinary precautions to protect players …
your ad hereNFL Commissioner Goodell Encourages Team to Sign Kaepernick
Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season. The NFL commissioner said during ESPN’s “The Return of Sports” special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn’t played the past three seasons. Kaepernick was with the San …
your ad herePoll: Americans Are the Unhappiest They’ve Been in 50 Years
Spoiler alert: 2020 has been rough on the American psyche. Folks in the U.S. are more unhappy today than they’ve been in nearly 50 years.This bold — yet unsurprising — conclusion comes from the COVID Response Tracking Study, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that just …
your ad hereBritish Academy Film Awards Postpones Ceremony by 2 Months
Next year’s British Academy Film Awards have been postponed by two months, organizers said Tuesday. The move follows a decision by Hollywood’s film academy to shift the 2021 Oscars from February to April because of the coronavirus pandemic.The British Academy said the awards will be held on April 11, rather …
your ad hereAcademy Delays 2021 Oscars Ceremony Because of Coronavirus
For the fourth time in its history, the Oscars are being postponed. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the ABC Television Network said Monday that the 93rd Academy Awards will now be held April 25, 2021, eight weeks later than originally planned because of the pandemic’s effects …
your ad hereDrake Tops BET Awards Nods; Show to Air on CBS for 1st Time
Drake is the leading nominee at the 2020 BET Awards, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary later this month.BET announced Monday that Drake is nominated for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. For both best collaboration and the viewer’s choice award, Drake is nominated …
your ad hereSenegalese Artists Take a Stand for Black Lives Matter Movement
Senegalese artists are taking a stand against racism and police brutality after George Floyd died in police custody in the United States. One street art crew is creating a fresco in the capital, Dakar, where Senegalese have held demonstrations this month in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.Camera: Estelle Ndjandjo Produced by: Rod James …
your ad hereSouth Korean Box Office Sales Slump During the Coronavirus Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on South Korea’s film industry – one of the world’s most vibrant. And with growing concern over continuing outbreaks, it’s uncertain when audiences will feel safe enough to return to movie theaters. Most South Korean cinemas never shut their doors during the pandemic even though box office …
your ad hereBollywood Actor Found Dead in Mumbai Home
Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, 34, was found dead in his Mumbai home Sunday.Citing police sources, local media reported that the actor was found hanging in his apartment in an apparent suicide, but that no note was found.“It pains us to share that Sushant Singh Rajput is no longer with …
your ad hereProfessional Football Resumes in Italy but Still in Empty Stadiums
Professional soccer has resumed in Italy after a three-month stoppage caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Juventus played against AC Milan in Turin in the second leg of the Italian cup semi-final. To the happiness of football fans all over Italy, matches in the country’s top league will resume June 20. …
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