Newsletter Archive

A North Korean missile could conceivably reach Hawaii in about 20 minutes, according to estimates from US officials. It would take 5 minutes for authorities to determine its target, leaving about 12-15 minutes to warn the public. Given the tensions between Pyongyang and Washington these days, Hawaii isn’t taking any chances when it comes to preparedness. Along with its monthly tsunami warning tests, the aloha state will soon begin testing its ‘Attack Warning’ siren for the first time since the Cold War.

An albino student from western Kenya is shattering stereotypes after acing a critical national primary school exam. About a million children took the exam and Goldalyn Kakuyas outscored them all. What makes her success even more extraordinary is that many in Africa believe albinos can’t learn as well as other students, but Goldalyn’s achievement proves them wrong.

Nursery children given sleeping pills, being pricked with needles, or undergoing naked examinations. Child abuse allegations have triggered a nationwide inspection of early learning facilities in China. The early childhood education industry is booming there, especially since the government sees it as crucial to transforming China into a global education powerhouse. In Beijing, VOA examines why problems with China’s early childhood education system might have started when the country began opening up to economic reforms.

What is America doing in the sparsely populated region of Africa were four US soldiers were killed last month? Even some prominent US lawmakers — like Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), and Sen. Chuck Schumer, (D-New York) – say they weren’t aware of the number of US troops on the ground in Niger. It turns out that the heightened US presence in the Sahel dates back to at least 2007.

With tablets, smartphones and time in the classroom, it seems American children aren’t getting outside much anymore. But that’s not the case at a Virginia preschool where classes are held outside all of the time, even in the rain. It’s a novel way of bringing the great outdoors into the classroom.

VIDEO: Five acid attack victims and a transgender person are now working for India’s High Court. The idea is to help these people integrate into society after all the suffering they’ve endured. VOA meets the newest workers at the Delhi’s High Court, where there is hope other government departments will also take steps to provide similar opportunities to victims and other marginalized people.