The Guinea-Bissau Writers Association gathers dozens of people from different backgrounds who share the same goal: to improve the literature of a small West African country with one of the world’s lowest literacy rates. The authors and poets trickle in one by one, to the meeting of minds taking place …

Spectators at the home stadium of Real Madrid saw its team’s hopes to keep La Liga title fade away Saturday as Barcelona rolled to a 3-0 El Clasico victory, opening a 14-point lead over the current champions.  Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Aleix Vidal each scored, while Real Madrid’s Cristiano …

The Guinea-Bissau Writers Association gathers dozens of people from different backgrounds who share the same goal: to improve the literature of a small West African country with one of the world’s lowest literacy rates. …

For millions of Britons, a traditional Christmas Day includes turkey, Brussels sprouts, Christmas pudding, and a special seasonal episode of “Doctor Who.”  The global success of the venerable sci-fi series means that fans around the world will also tune in Monday to watch Peter Capaldi’s final adventure as the space-hopping …

The sounds of the holidays have a familiar ring in cities across the United States, and in cities in South Korea, Japan, Chile and many European countries. In November and December, bell ringers stand next to Red Kettles belonging to the Protestant Salvation Army organization. VOA’s Deborah Block takes us …

Mention “the fat one” in the United States in December, and someone might think you were referring cheekily to Santa Claus. But say it in Spain, and it’s a reference to the world’s richest lottery prize. Spanish schoolchildren drew this year’s numbers for the Spanish Christmas Lottery on Friday, for …

A U.S. jury has convicted two former soccer officials from South America on charges of corruption, the first trial verdicts in a U.S. investigation into world soccer’s governing body, FIFA.  The federal jury in New York deliberated for a week before Friday’s verdict and will continue deliberations next week for a …

Every year around the holidays, there is a spike in the viewership of Christmas movie classics. According to the American Film Institute, Frank Capra’s 1947 heartwarming drama It’s A Wonderful Life tops the list of all-time Christmas favorites.  The story centers on George Bailey, a generous man driven to bankruptcy. …

Every year around the holidays there is a spike in the viewership of Christmas movie classics. According to the American Film Institute, Frank Capra’s 1947 heartwarming drama It’s A Wonderful Life tops the list of all time Christmas favorites. VOA’s Penelope Poulou spoke with Todd Hitchcock, Associate Director of the …

For several decades Carol of the Bells or the Ukrainian Bell Carol has been an essential part of the American Christmas tradition – just like Christmas trees or presents. One can hear the song on radio or in TV-commercials, it has rock, jazz or metal versions. What makes it so …

Dick Enberg, the sportscaster who got his big break with UCLA basketball and went on to call Super Bowls, Olympics, Final Fours and Angels and Padres baseball games, died Thursday. He was 82. Engberg’s daughter, Nicole, confirmed the death to The Associated Press. She said the family became concerned when …

Three opera singers and a classical musician say that world-renowned conductor Charles Dutoit sexually assaulted them — physically restraining them, forcing his body against theirs, sometimes thrusting his tongue into their mouths, and in one case, sticking one of their hands down his pants. In separate interviews with The Associated …

Grief-stricken fans braved Seoul’s winter cold on Thursday to bid farewell to Kim Jong-hyun, the lead singer of top South Korean boy band SHINee, who died in hospital in a suspected suicide. Weeping, wailing and embracing one another, young men and women dressed in grey and black lined the road …

Cities around the United States are getting ready for Christmas. And when it comes to the season’s decorations, New York City stands out for turning Manhattan’s streets into a big, dazzling holiday display. Faiza Elmasry has this report narrated by Faith Lapidus. …

Clifford Irving, whose scheme to publish a phony autobiography of billionaire Howard Hughes created a sensation in the 1970s and stands as one of the all-time literary hoaxes, died after being admitted to hospice care. He was 87. Irving’s wife, Julie Irving, confirmed that he died Tuesday at a hospice …

Throughout the year, young members of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps beautify the city — cleaning and planting trees, and creating trails and green spaces in the city. They get a break at the holidays to share holiday cheer.  “We all come together to have fun,” says Corps member Chrishana …

Laurie Metcalf has won three Emmys and a Tony Award in her nearly 40-year year career, but the veteran stage and screen actress still feels uncomfortable in front of a camera. She says even after all her years on “Roseanne,” she still finds that a camera recording her makes her …

While most musicians seek to avoid a frosty reception at concerts, for Norwegian composer and performer Terje Isungset a chilly feeling is nothing to fear: he performs with instruments he makes himself out of ice. A recent performance at London’s Royal Festival Hall featured a set including ice horns, ice …

The Associated Press recently caught up with a few celebrities and asked them about their favorite holiday cards from fellow notables. Hugh Jackman of The Greatest Showman wouldn’t name any names, but he said some cards are remarkable. He even rates them. Liam Neeson, who stars in The Commuter, really …

A judge on Tuesday dismissed the lawsuit brought by a choreographer who alleged Michael Jackson molested him as a child, resolving one of the last major claims against the late singer’s holdings. Judge Mitchell L. Beckloff’s summary judgment ruling against the now-35-year-old Wade Robson found that the two Jackson-owned corporations, …

We’re thawing out the five most popular songs in the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles chart, for the week ending Dec. 23, 2017. It’s a festive time of year for many of us, so here’s something to celebrate: a new number one single! Number 5: Imagine Dragons “Thunder” Imagine Dragons …

The traditional Ukrainian Bell Carol has become an essential part of the American Christmas tradition. “Carol of the Bells” is a popular Christmas carol composed by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych in 1914 with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a Ukrainian folk chant called “Shchedryk.” …

Brushstroke by brushstroke, muralist Robert Vargas is telling the story of this changing metropolis, using the facade of a 14-story downtown apartment building as his canvas. Vargas suggests the massive painting, an homage to his hometown, was inevitable.  He grew up in East Los Angeles “on a street called City View, and …

Pop star Lady Gaga is swapping touring for a two-year stint in Las Vegas, joining the likes of music divas Celine Dion, Britney Spears and Shania Twain who have recently taken up concert residencies in the entertainment mecca. Gaga, 31, said on Tuesday she will start a two-year engagement at …

Artist Carlos Carmonamedina is curious about his surroundings. Since growing up in Mexico, traveling around to Europe for school, he’s always seen the cultures in a city’s periphery. When he moved to Washington D.C. two years ago, he was inspired to create a work that represents the city’s visual identity.  …