Newsletter Archive

The arrest of a naturalized American of Afghan descent in connection with weekend bombings in New York and New Jersey is likely to renew the already contentious debate about allowing Muslim refugees into the United States. The Obama Administration says it vigorously vets all refugees, with those from Syria undergoing an extra layer of screening. But surveys show that most Americans remain opposed to Syrian refugees entering the country.

VIDEO: The Obama administration intends to admit 110,000 refugees over the next year— a 30 percent increase over this year. VOA recently went to the Washington, D.C., suburbs to meet a newly-arrived Syrian family.

A place to call home. Drawn by good jobs at the local penitentiary, African immigrants are making themselves at home in one Texas town, bonding with their fellow residents through church, community service and the desire for a better life.

Feeling left behind. Seven years into the recovery, economic frustration appears to be a driving force behind voter anger this election cycle. While economic data suggests more Americans are working and making more, some people feel the economic recovery has passed them by.

Blacks need not apply? Using the Twitter hashtag #AirbnbWhileBlack, African-American users have accused Airbnb hosts of racial discrimination. The popular worldwide home-sharing company allows people to rent rooms, apartments or entire homes on a short-term basis. Airbnb transactions are confirmed using photographs and personal profiles. Enter Noirbnb, a new home-sharing company geared toward people of color who have found Airbnb less than welcoming.

Lost no more? South Sudan’s ‘Lost Boys and Girls’ might soon be found in their native country again. With Congress’s help, up to 500 men and women could return to their homeland to help rebuild. A proposed bill would pay transportation costs for former lost boys and girls, who now work in the United States but want to put their expertise to work at home.

The historically working-class Brussels neighborhood of Molenbeek has come to the world’s attention as a breeding ground for the Muslim extremists linked to the Paris and Brussels terror attacks in the past year. The enclave’s residents are tired of discussing Islamic radicalization and instead focus on getting youngsters involved in sports and neighborhood projects that can be vital to discouraging the path to extremism.

VIDEO: From Donald Trump’s yellow-orange hair to Hillary Clinton’s pantsuits, U.S. political cartoonists have plenty of material to work with this presidential campaign. Every physical characteristic and personality trait of the candidates is a potential subject for satire. When it comes to this political season, some American cartoonists tell VOA it’s never been so easy to find inspiration.