Newsletter Archive

Four New York City taxi drivers have killed themselves over the past four months and their fellow drivers say declining business is to blame, thanks in part to the rise of app-based services like Uber and Lyft. A city yellow cab taxi license had a value of $1 Million in 2014, but now it’s worth about $200,000. The steep decline has sent many cabbies who borrowed money to acquire the once-coveted medallions plunging into debt.

The West could end up on the losing end of the expulsion tit-for-tat this week between Russia and the West. Collectively, more than 115 Russian ‘diplomats’ were given their marching orders in response to what’s believed to be a Kremlin-approved attempt to poison a former Russian spy on British soil. Former US intelligence officials tell VOA the expulsions could hit the West harder because Russia runs far more sleeper agents and other spies under non-official cover.

VIDEO: Interested in operating an SUV with your smartphone? The latest technology is on display at the New York auto show, where enthusiasm about self-driving cars continues to surge. Despite a recent fatality involving a self-driving car, industry types point out that 94 percent of all crashes are caused by driver error. That’s why they expect autonomous vehicles to account for 25 percent of all vehicles sold by 2040.  

VIDEO: While Easter is a solemn holiday for Christians, it’s also a time for American families of different backgrounds and religions to get together for a meal, which means the run-up to the holiday can be a particularly profitable time for merchants. VOA visits an Italian market in the nation’s capital as it preps for the Easter rush.

The art lover. Shahrooz Shekaraubi isn’t an artist but he has a keen appreciation for people who are. The Iranian-American, who was born in the US state of Virginia, is on a mission to support Iranian-American artists and promote their works. Whether through art exhibits, comedy shows or concerts, the artists are inspired to use their works to build bridges and connect with other cultures.

QUICK TAKE VIDEO: Art was forbidden under Islamic State rule but that didn’t stop one young Iraqi artist from pursuing his passion. Ibrahim Malali remained inside his home for more than two years — the entire time IS had control of Mosul. He says most of his work focuses on women to raise awareness of women’s rights.