In Malawi, a young albino man is using music to fight discrimination and misconceptions about the genetic condition in a country where more than 100 people with albinism have been attacked since 2014. Lazarus Chigwandali has long been performing on the streets of Lilongwe.  But after catching the eye of …

In Malawi, a young albino man is using music to fight discrimination and misconceptions about the genetic condition in a country where more than 100 people with albinism have been attacked since 2014. As teens, Lazarus Chigwandali and his late brother, who also had albinism, played on the streets of Lilongwe, …

When Viola Davis started her production company nearly a decade ago, she was determined to bring about change in Hollywood with a strategic mandate: Normalize people of color on screen.”We’re not social statements. We’re not mythical creatures all the time … you can literally put pen to paper and write …

Harriet Tubman, a slave, renegade and human rights activist, is still a topic of controversy three years after the U.S. government announced it was putting her face on the $20 bill.In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a congressional hearing that plans to release the bill next year have been …

Harriet Tubman, a slave, renegade and human rights activist, is still a topic of controversy three years after the U.S. government announced it was putting her face on the $20 bill.In May, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin told a congressional hearing that plans to release the bill next year have been …

New York staged a huge Gay Pride march Sunday, one of several in major U.S. cities marking the 50th anniversary of the clash between police and gay patrons at the city’s Stonewall Inn bar that sparked the modern gay rights movement.The New York parade could attract three million rainbow flag-waving …

Some might think musicians who perform in New York City subway stations just show up there to earn a little cash and entertain commuters. But that’s not the case. They have to compete to perform in the coveted spots. The city’s ‘Music Under New York’ program has been holding auditions …

In the United States, dog owners often treat their pets like family. When people go on vacation, they may not take their dogs with them but want them to be well taken care of while they are gone. Doggie boarding facilities are popular alternatives where pets can stay overnight or even …

Elton John on Friday called out Russian President Vladimir Putin for saying that liberalism is “obsolete” and conflicts with the “overwhelming majority” in many countries.In a story published by the Financial Times newspaper, Putin said “the liberal idea has become obsolete. It has come into conflict with the interests of …

R. Kelly’s lawyers want a Chicago judge to toss a 2019 lawsuit alleging the singer sexually abused a minor a little over 20 years ago.The Chicago Sun-Times reports their motion to dismiss was filed Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court.   The lawsuit says the abuse occurred in 1998. Kelly’s …

Authorities in the Dominican Republic say they have arrested the mastermind behind the shooting of baseball great David Ortiz earlier this month in an apparent case of mistaken identity.   Police said Friday that Victor Hugo Gomez was detained in the Caribbean country. No further details were immediately released.   …

World champion race walker Ines Henriques is aiming for gender equality by asking the Court of Arbitration for Sport to add the women’s 50-kilometer event to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.CAS said Thursday it will hear her appeal against the International Olympic Committee and the IAAF on July 29-30.On the Olympic …

U.S. Women’s National Team soccer star Megan Rapinoe took the Internet by storm when she said she wouldn’t visit the White House if the team won the ongoing Women’s FIFA World Cup.“I’m not going to the f—ing White House. No. I’m not going to the White House. We’re not gonna …

Facebook is agreeing to help French police identify hate speech suspects, in what the French government is celebrating as a global first.   France’s digital affairs minister, Cedric O, said that Facebook will provide authorities “IP addresses to help identify authors of hateful content.” Speaking on broadcaster France-Info, he expressed …

Kenya’s only ice hockey team is still trying to earn a bid for the 2022 winter Olympics, being held in Beijing. In a two-day friendly event held in Nairobi last weekend, the team qualified for the finals but fell to team USA in a nail biter. In eastern Africa’s only ice …

Steve Dunleavy, a reporter and columnist for the New York Post who helped define the tabloid’s modern style, died. He was 81.The Post reported that Dunleavy died at his home on Long Island on Monday night.Steve Dunleavy was one of the greatest reporters of all time,” Post owner Rupert Murdoch …

Michael Jackson’s estate paid tribute to his artistry and charity Tuesday as fans make final preparations for gatherings to celebrate his memory on the 10th anniversary of the King of Pop’s death.   Ten years ago today, the world lost a gifted artist and extraordinary humanitarian,” the Jackson estate said …

A Kenyan ice hockey team, the only one in East Africa, has hosted an exhibition tournament with teams made up by foreign diplomats.  The Kenya Ice Lions hope to bring more attention to the sport and its bid to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics.  Sarah Kimani reports from Nairobi. …

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the International Olympic Committee announced Monday.Milano-Cortina elected as Host City for the Winter Olympic Games 2026 @MilanoCortina26#MilanoCortina2026pic.twitter.com/v9MHpRMfLB — Olympics (@Olympics) June 24, 2019The Italian delegation rejoiced as the winning host’s name was read off a card.The country had been …

BBC executive Ann Sarnoff was named chief of Warner Bros. on Monday, making her the first woman to head the movie studio in its 96-year history. Her appointment follows the departure in March of Kevin Tsujihara, who stepped down after misconduct allegations. WarnerMedia chief executive John Stankey announced Sarnoff’s hiring, concluding …

A smaller Woodstock 50 festival could possibly be held at an upstate New York harness track and casino.   Town of Vernon Supervisor Randy Watson tells the Poughkeepsie Journal that Woodstock 50 has applied for a permit to hold its concert Aug. 16-18 at Vernon Downs, about 35 miles (56 …

In a predominantly conservative country like Pakistan, for most people; dreams of becoming a music artist remain just that; a dream. Parents don’t always encourage their children to pursue music as careers. So, what do you do if you are a working adult and still interested in music? National Music …

Best-selling author Judith Krantz — whose novels of sex, scandal, and luxury won her global fame and riches — has died at 91.Her son, television executive Tony Krantz, said his mother died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles.He describes his mother’s talent as a “rare combination of …

Museums across the United States are striving to be more accessible to everyone. That includes touchable versions of photographs and paintings for people who may not be able to see them. At a recent expo by the American Alliance of Museums in New Orleans, new technology was used to help …

VOA’s national security correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. The U.S. warned Iran on Sunday that it should not mistake as “weakness” President Donald Trump’s last-minute decision to not militarily retaliate for Tehran’s shoot-down of an unmanned U.S. drone near the Strait of Hormuz. “Neither Iran nor any other …