The 16 cities of the first World Cup spread across three nations were revealed, and FIFA President Gianni Infantino made a bold statement summing up the goal of the 2026 tournament, to be played largely in the United States. “By 2026, futbol — soccer — will be the No. 1 …
your ad hereUS Open Will Allow Russian, Belarusian Tennis Players
Citing “concern about holding individual athletes accountable for the actions and decisions of their governments,” the U.S. Tennis Association will let Russian and Belarusian tennis players participate in the U.S. Open later this summer. Wimbledon will still maintain the ban on those athletes, which will include the world’s No. 1 …
your ad hereFrom DRC to NBA, Congolese Player Biyombo Gives Others a Shot at Better Life
Growing up in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bismack Biyombo dreamed of playing professional basketball in the United States. His dream has been reality ever since he was drafted into the NBA more than a decade ago. But what he’s doing off the court gives a notable assist to his …
your ad hereNew Saudi-Sponsored Golf Tour Roils US Golf
A startup professional golf tour backed by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund has roiled the usually staid world of professional golf — the PGA Tour — in the United States. The PGA suspended 17 professional players last week for participating in the inaugural Saudi tournament, which began June 9. The …
your ad hereMultimedia Exhibit Explores Intersections of Gender Identity, Disability
June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month. In the Western U.S. state of Colorado, multimedia artists are exploring the intersections of gender identity and disability. VOA’s Scott Stearns has the story from Denver. WARNING: The video contains a brief depiction of nudity. …
your ad here‘A Strange Loop’ Makes History at Tonys; ‘Company’ Wins 5
“A Strange Loop,” an irreverent, sexually frank work about Blackness and queerness took home the best new musical crown at the Tony Awards on Sunday, as voters celebrated Broadway’s most racially diverse season by choosing an envelope-pushing Black voice. Michael R. Jackson’s 2020 Pulitzer Prize drama winner is a theater …
your ad hereTony Awards Begin With Non-acting Honors Handed Out in NYC
Darren Criss and Julianne Hough kicked off the four-hour Tony Award celebrations at Radio City Music Hall on Sunday night, handing out mostly design awards exclusively on the streaming Paramount+. Criss opened the telecast with the original song, “Set the Stage,” as he and Hough energetically danced up ladders, on …
your ad here1,500-Year-Old Cambodian Hindu Sculpture Honored at American National Museum
An exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is showcasing a sculpture of a Hindu god that was carved into a Cambodian mountain around year 600. VOA’s Chetra Chap reports on the importance of this Hindu sculpture to a nation that is now primarily Buddhist. …
your ad hereMo Donegal Wins Belmont Stakes as Rich Strike Misses
Favorite Mo Donegal romped to victory at the 154th Belmont Stakes on Saturday while Rich Strike, the longshot winner of the Kentucky Derby could not pull off another surprise at Elmont, New York. Mo Donegal, fifth at the Kentucky Derby, settled in midpack for much of the mile-and-a-half race then …
your ad hereIn War-Torn Ukraine, Art Plays Powerful Role
Although the war in Ukraine has entered its fourth month, local artists have not stopped working. For many Ukrainians, art during the wartime is a powerful tool that helps people stay strong and inspired. Omelyan Oshchudlyak has the story. Video Editor: Yuriy Dankevych …
your ad hereUK Prosecutors Authorize Indecent Assault Charges Against Harvey Weinstein
British prosecutors said on Wednesday they had authorized charges to be brought against former Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein on two counts of indecent assault against a woman 26 years ago. “Charges have been authorized against Harvey Weinstein, 70, following a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police …
your ad hereGolfers Put Aside ‘Reprehensible’ Saudi Moves to Join Series
The stars of the new Saudi-funded golf league tried to fend off concerns on Tuesday about human rights abuses and signing up to accept hundreds of millions of dollars, despite the risk of being banned from long-standing events. After announcing he quit the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf …
your ad hereFigure Skating Minimum Age Rises to 17 Before 2026 Olympics
No 15-year-old figure skaters will be allowed to compete at the 2026 Olympics following the controversy surrounding Russian national champion Kamila Valieva at this year’s Beijing Games. A new age limit for figure skaters at senior international events was passed Tuesday by the International Skating Union in a 110-16 vote …
your ad hereOn Broadway, More Visibility, But Also an Unseen Threat
At a lunch for Tony Award nominees last month, veteran theater producer Ron Simons looked around and smiled. It seemed appropriate that the gathering was held at The Rainbow Room. “I can guarantee you I have not seen this many people of color represented across all categories of the Tony …
your ad hereJennifer Lopez, ‘Spider-Man’ Highlight MTV Movie & TV Awards
Jennifer Lopez made an emotional speech about how believers and skeptics contributed to her success as she accepted a career achievement honor at the MTV Movie & TV Awards on Sunday. “I want to thank the people who gave me joy and the ones who broke my heart — the …
your ad hereFormer Bon Jovi Bassist, Founding Member Alec John Such Dies
Alec John Such, the bassist and a founding member of the iconic rock band Bon Jovi, has died. He was 70. The group on Sunday announced the death of Such, the New Jersey band’s bassist from 1983 to 1994. No details on when or how Such died were immediately available. …
your ad hereA Long-Dead Muslim Emperor Vexes India’s Hindu Nationalists
Narendra Modi rose from his chair and walked briskly towards the podium to deliver another nighttime address to the nation. It was expected the speech would include a rare message of interfaith harmony in the country where religious tensions have risen under his rule. The Indian prime minister was speaking …
your ad hereElvis Wedding Crackdown Leaves Las Vegas All Shook Up
Every year thousands of visitors to Las Vegas can’t help falling in love — at least long enough to get married by an Elvis impersonator. But the company that controls the rights to the King’s likeness has sparked outrage in Sin City by cracking down wedding chapels offering Elvis-themed nuptials. …
your ad hereAfghan Artists Who Fled Taliban Face Deportation in Pakistan
Afghan and Pakistani artists held a protest in front of press club in Peshawar, Pakistan, against the crackdown on Afghan artists who fled their country after the Taliban’s takeover. Muska Safi has more from Peshawar in this report, narrated by Nazrana Yousufzai. Contributors: Nazrana Yousufzai, Roshan Noorzai …
your ad hereSpecial Olympics Drops Vaccine Rule After Threat of $27 Million Fine
The Special Olympics has dropped a coronavirus vaccine mandate for its games in Orlando after Florida moved to fine the organization $27.5 million for violating a state law against such rules. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis on Friday announced the organization had removed the requirement for its competition in the state, …
your ad hereHarini Logan Wins US Spelling Bee In 1st-Ever Tiebreaker
Harini Logan was eliminated from the Scripps National Spelling Bee once, then reinstated. She missed four words in a grueling standoff against Vikram Raju, including one that would have given her the title. In the first-ever lightning-round tiebreaker, Harini finally claimed the trophy. The 13-year-old eighth grade student from San …
your ad hereA Somali Search for Stardom
In Mogadishu, a group of young filmmakers are hoping to take their vision to the world. VOA’s Abdulkadir Zubeyr reports. …
your ad hereQueen Elizabeth II to Salute Jubilee From Palace Balcony
Queen Elizabeth II will make two appearances on the Buckingham Palace balcony on Thursday, kicking off four days of public events to mark her historic Platinum Jubilee. The extent of the 96-year-old monarch’s involvement in the celebrations for her record-breaking 70 years on the throne has been a source of …
your ad hereJury Sides With Johnny Depp on Lawsuit, Amber Heard on Counterclaim
A jury on Wednesday ruled in favor of Johnny Depp in his libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, vindicating his stance that Heard fabricated claims that she was abused by Depp before and during their brief marriage. The jury also found in favor of Heard, who said she was defamed …
your ad hereK-pop Supergroup BTS Visits White House to Shine Light on Anti-Asian Discrimination
President Joe Biden hosted K-pop supergroup BTS on May 31, 2022, to raise awareness of anti-Asian discrimination. Members of the Grammy-nominated South Korean group also serve as U.N. ambassadors. VOA White House Correspondent Anita Powell reports from the White House. …
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