Newsletter Archive

At least seven African countries are being investigated for violating UN sanctions against North Korea. The probe comes at a time when many countries across the continent have deepened economic ties with Pyongyang. Across Africa, more than $100 million worth of goods are traded with North Korea annually. But the countries targeted in the probe are suspected of receiving military assistance from North Korea.

Conspiracy theories hound media coverage of the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. Many in the largely Buddhist country view the media as biased against Myanmar. About 400,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution in northern Rakhine state, a situation the UN has likened to ‘ethnic cleansing.’ VOA is in Yangon, where theories abound that even respectable organizations like the BBC and UN have been bought off by Muslims.

Making a splash. The annual General Assembly debate is proving to be an opportunity for the Trump team to find its foreign policy footing. The annual gathering of world leaders  also offers insight into President Trump’s policy-making inner circle.

VIDEO EXPLAINER: President Trump recently struck a deal with Democrats to increase the debt ceiling. Here’s how the US system of limiting how much money the federal government is allowed to borrow works.

Music that tells America’s story. When people think of American music, they probably think of rap, rock-and-roll or jazz. But all of these ‘American” sounds are tied to a common origin — music rooted in African American slave spirituals and work songs.

VIDEO: The Native American celebration known as a pow wow is typically a day-long event of singing, dancing, socializing and playing traditional games. The gatherings are also an opportunity for America’s indigenous people to celebrate their heritage.