Newsletter Archive

America’s new top diplomat will be current CIA chief Mike Pompeo, a 53-year-old former three-term congressman from Kansas. Known for his tough views on terrorism, torture and Iran, Pompeo has earned a reputation as a strong ally of the president. Still, the move from leading the US spy agency to leading the US diplomatic corps is unusual. And while Pompeo initially won praise from the intelligence community, he’s also alienated some of those under his command.

President Trump, the GOP, and Democrats all face a major test today. Voters in Pennsylvania are casting ballots in a special congressional election with national implications for the president and the opposition party. The race is in a district Trump won easily in 2016, but the Democratic candidate could pull off an upset.

Superstition and religious beliefs are making a cholera outbreak in Malawi even worse, warn government officials who say some of the sick are refusing treatment at hospitals. Cholera spreads via contaminated food and water, but some afflicted Malawians believe it’s the result of witchcraft. In Malawi, Health Ministry spokesperson Joshua Malango tells VOA that some churches are prohibiting their sick members from seeking medical help.

VIDEO: A New Delhi neighborhood has turned into a public art gallery thanks to vibrant street paintings adorning everything from buildings to metro stations. It’s a trend that’s spreading to other cities and villages throughout India. VOA checks out the colorful outdoor paintings that are transforming a drab slum in Mumbai where residents say the new look brightens their outlook on life.

She’s an anomaly in the male-dominated sport of boxing. And in a country that clings tightly to traditional roles for men and women, she’s an inspiration. VOA visits Peshawar to meet Shahnaz Kamal — the only professional female boxing coach in Pakistan.

VIDEO: Oscar-nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay is the first woman of color to direct a Disney live action movie with a budget of more than $100 million budget. Her film, A Wrinkle in Time, features a 13-year-old bi-racial girl who travels through space and time to save her father. The film features a diverse cast and a message that people who look and think differently can be heroes.