MUMBAI, India — Krystyna Pyszková of the Czech Republic was crowned Miss World at a glittering contest held in India on Saturday night. Yasmina Zaytoun of Lebanon was the first runner-up among 112 contestants in the competition held in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment capital. “Being crowned Miss World is a …
your ad here‘Game of Thrones’ Makers Turn to Iconic Chinese Sci-Fi
Paris — The makers of “Game of Thrones” return with “3 Body Problem,” the adaptation of an iconic Chinese sci-fi trilogy. It premieres this weekend at the South by Southwest Festival in Texas before launching on Netflix on March 21. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, coming off their huge …
your ad hereAnd the Oscar Goes To … The Movie Most People Have Seen
US Muslims to Begin Ramadan Observance as War Rages in Gaza
WASHINGTON — The Islamic holiday of Ramadan is being observed this year as the Israel-Hamas war surges in Gaza, where the United Nations is warning of a growing humanitarian crisis. Imam Talib Shareef of Masjid Muhammad, the Nation’s Mosque, in Washington said there will be differences in how Muslims observe this …
your ad hereOlympics Opening Ceremony Closed to Tourists Amid Security Concerns
Tennis Player Halep’s Doping Ban Cut From 4 Years to 9 Months
GENEVA — Former Wimbledon and French Open champion Simona Halep had her four-year doping ban cut to nine months by the top court for global sport on Tuesday, making the former world number one eligible to return to competition immediately. Halep was initially banned for four years for two separate anti-doping …
your ad hereSinead O’Connor’s Estate Tells Trump: ‘Stop Playing Her Music at Rallies’
LONDON — The estate of Sinead O’Connor asked Donald Trump Monday not to play her music at campaign rallies, saying the late singer considered the former president a “biblical devil.” Trump has played O’Connor’s biggest hit, “Nothing Compares 2 U,” at events as he campaigns for the Republican presidential nomination. In …
your ad here‘Dune: Part Two’ Brings Spice Power to Box Office With $81.5 Million North American Debut
Israel to Revise Eurovision Entries Said to Allude to Hamas Attack
Jerusalem — Israel on Sunday said it had asked lyricists to revise its proposed Eurovision Song Contest entries, potentially heading off a dispute with organizers over political content. Authorities last week said Israel would not be able to participate in this year’s edition of the popular competition if organizers rejected the …
your ad hereRaye Sets Record at BRIT Awards, Britain’s Pop Music Honors
LONDON — Singer-songwriter Raye was the big winner Saturday at the BRIT Awards, the biggest night in British music, setting a new record for most prizes in one night at the annual ceremony. Raye won six awards, including for artist of the year, album of the year for My 21st Century …
your ad herePope Francis Asks Aide to Read Ceremonial Speech Due to Bronchitis
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, who has been suffering from influenza, said he delegated the reading of a speech at a ceremony Saturday to an aide because he was unable to read it due to bronchitis. “I have prepared a speech but as you can see, I am unable to read …
your ad hereIris Apfel, Fashion Icon Known for Her Eye-Catching Style, Dies at 102
NEW YORK — Iris Apfel, a textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style, has died. She was 102. Her death was confirmed by her commercial agent, Lori Sale, who called Apfel “extraordinary.” No cause of death was given. It was also announced on her verified Instagram …
your ad hereAlaska’s Iditarod Dogs Get Neon Visibility Harnesses After Crashes
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Iditarod, the annual sled dog race celebrating Alaska’s official state sport, is set to get under way Saturday with a new focus on safety after five dogs died and eight were injured in collisions with snowmobiles while training on shared, multiuse trails. For the first time, mushers …
your ad hereRooted in Nature, Washington Festival Explores Ideas About Forests, Conservation
Exploring the relationship between humanity and nature, the Reach to Forest international festival brings artists together to plant ideas among viewers about the environment and conservation. From the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, VOA’s Cristina Caicedo Smit has the story. Camera: Phillip Datcher …
your ad hereAthletes’ Village Handed Over to Paris Olympics Organizers
Paris — The organizers of the Paris Olympics took possession of the newly built athletes’ village on Thursday on schedule, reinforcing growing confidence that they will be ready for the Games. At an inauguration ceremony in northern Paris, chief organizer Tony Estanguet received a symbolic key for the complex in front …
your ad hereCricket Tournaments in Indian-Administered Kashmir Boost Local Economy
Srinagar, Indian administered Kashmir — The blanket of snow covering one of the prominent cricket grounds at the Magam neighborhood of Budgam district on the Indian side of Kashmir has melted. The ground is set to host a monthlong local cricket tournament from March 3. Hundreds of youths from various parts …
your ad hereWhat Might Happen Without a Leap Day? More Than You Think
NEW YORK — Leap year. It’s a delight for the calendar and math nerds among us. So how did it all begin and why? Have a look at some of the numbers, history and lore behind the (not quite) every four-year phenom that adds a 29th day to February. By the …
your ad hereThe Rise of Female Skateboarders in South Africa
In South Africa, skateboarding is enjoying something of a revolution. The once predominantly male pursuit is attracting more and more women. VOA’s Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg. …
your ad here‘Past Lives,’ ‘American Fiction’ And ‘The Holdovers’ Are Big Winners at Independent Spirit Awards
‘One Love’ Gets More Box Office Love, No. 1 for Second Week
Los Angeles — For a second straight week, biopic “ Bob Marley: One Love” continues to exceed expectations by claiming the No. 1 spot at the box office, overcoming two debut films and Sony’s “Madame Web” that’s still producing subpar numbers. The Paramount film starring Kingsley Ben-Adir pulled in $13.5 million …
your ad hereIsrael Threatens Eurovision Pull-Out if Entry Vetoed
Jerusalem — Israel on Sunday warned that it may withdraw from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest if organizers reject the lyrics from its entry as too political. Eden Golan and her song “October Rain” were chosen to compete in the annual competition, which is being held in May in Malmo, Sweden. …
your ad here‘Oppenheimer,’ Lily Gladstone Win at 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards
Gender-Neutral Baby Names Gain Popularity, but Traditional Names Still Rule
US parents get more creative when deciding what to name their children …
your ad hereArtists Reflect on Black Experience in America
It’s Black History Month in the United States. In Los Angeles, there is an exhibit of black artists sharing their experiences growing up in America. Genia Dulot takes us there. …
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