Newsletter Archive

Will President Donald Trump’s 100th day in office be marked by the government shutting down? Congress has until April 28 to pass a budget and avert a federal closure. Not sure how the budget process works? Here’s a quick guide.

Silicon Valley isn’t the only place to find the next Mark Zuckerberg. New York City is home to nearly 9,000 tech startups. Their offerings reflect the unique needs of America’s most populous city.

At first, critics dismissed French centrist Emmanuel Macron’s bid for the presidency as a champagne bubble that would quickly burst. But Macron topped the poll in yesterday’s first round that featured eleven candidates. He’ll now face off with National Front leader Marine Le Pen, who’s seen as an ideological bedfellow of President Donald Trump. But Macron’s rise also shares some similarities with Mr. Trump’s capture of the White House.

The flashing red light atop your car is a coveted status symbol in India. The screaming sirens and red beacons make policemen jump to attention, halt traffic and wave VIP vehicles through crowded roads and red lights, sometimes even as ambulances wait. Now, this symbol of ‘VIP culture’ is being dismantled, and ordinary citizens are thrilled.

Cameroon’s two English-speaking regions are back online after a 3-month blackout. The government cut web access in January to prevent striking teachers and lawyers from airing their grievances via social media. In Yaounde, VOA visits internet-dependent businesses that had to relocate to survive the strike as the government promises to impose more internet controls.

VIDEO: Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans in big cities continue to demonstrate against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. VOA is in Caracas, one of a number of cities where violent clashes between government security forces and protesters, as well as riots, have left dozens injured, hundreds detained, and at least a dozen dead.