VALLEJO, Calif. — The ordeal of Denise Huskins, whose kidnapping from her boyfriend’s Northern California home was first dismissed as a hoax by law enforcement, is getting renewed attention as the subject of a new Netflix docuseries, American Nightmare. Here’s a look at the facts of the case, which captivated the country: The kidnapping On March…
Devotees Splurge on Jets, Gold Idols for Hindu Temple Opening in India
AYODHYA, India — The private jet parking lots at airports near the Indian city of Ayodhya are full and the shops have run out of gold-plated idols, as wealthy devotees prepare for the invitation-only opening ceremony of one of Hinduism’s holiest temples. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, are among the…
Бригада Нацгвардії Київської області безпідставно нараховувала собі бойові премії
СБУ викрила «тилових» командирів Нацгвардії, які незаконно присвоїли собі майже 14 млн «бойових» премій. Військова контррозвідка Служби безпеки спільно з ДБР та за сприяння нового керівництва Національної гвардії викрила у лавах Нацгвардії ще одну «схему» безпідставного нарахування премій за нібито участь у боях на передовій. Цього разу на оборудках з державними грошима викрито командування однієї…
НАБУ викрило п’ятьох дегенератів із заволодіння 1200 га державних земель під Києвом
НАБУ викрило розкрадання земель під Києвом вартістю майже 2 млрд грн. 15 серпня 2023 року НАБУ і САП викрили 5 осіб – учасників організованої групи, яка заволоділа земельними ділянками під Києвом площею понад 1200 га. Їх дії призвели до заподіяння понад 1,8 млрд грн збитків державі. Серед підозрюваних: – колишній заступник керівника ДП «Головний науково-дослідний…
Очільник Нацполіції України Іван Вигівський проти надання зброї українцям
У Нацполіції вважають, що українці готові до легалізації зброї. Водночас службовець проти носіння “короткостволів” на вулицях. Наразі суспільство більше готове до легалізації зброї, ніж раніше. Про це заявив очільник Національної поліції України Іван Вигівський. Водночас, очільник Нацполіції виступає проти носіння “короткостволів” посеред вулиці. За його словами, у людей має бути культура поводження зі зброєю. До…
Актор гліб михайличенко, який раніше виступав для ЗСУ, втік до кацапів
Актор, який грав у київському Театрі юного глядача на Липках, тепер працює на російську компанію, що спеціалізується на створенні інтерв’ю та інших комерційних відеороликів і навіть знімається в рекламі цієї компанії. При цьому на початку повномасштабного російського вторгнення Гліб Михайличенко виступав для бійців ЗСУ. «А коли актор в 2022 їздить з концертами до наших військових,…
ВОЇНИ ДОБРА: наша мета – справедливість
Доки перед безхвостими мавпами, якими насправді є наші чиновники, український народ не поставить умову: обкрадання Держави це шибениця, – проблема корупції не буде подолана ніколи!
Baldwin Indicted on Involuntary Manslaughter Charge in Movie Set Shooting
SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO — A grand jury indicted Alec Baldwin on Friday on an involuntary manslaughter charge in a 2021 fatal shooting during a rehearsal on a movie set in New Mexico, reviving a dormant case against the actor. Special prosecutors brought the case before a grand jury in the city of Santa Fe in…
In Documentary, Director Ivory Portrays Beauty of Afghanistan
Paris — The oldest person ever to win an Oscar, renowned director James Ivory, is still making films at 95, with a documentary about his formative trip to Afghanistan in 1960. Though American, Ivory is best-known for a string of costume dramas about the repressed emotions of Brits, including Remains of the Day and Howard’s End,…
Malaysian Filmmakers Charged with Offending Religious Feelings in Banned Film
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — The director and producer of a banned Malaysian film that explores the afterlife were charged Wednesday with offending the religious feelings of others in a rare criminal prosecution of filmmakers, slammed by critics as an attack on freedom of expression. Mohamad Khairianwar Jailani, the director and co-scriptwriter of Mentega Terbang, and producer…
Professional Riders Brave Eight Seconds on a Bucking Bull
In the Western United States, professional bull riders risk serious injury on the back of bulls that can weigh more than 700 kilograms. But eight seconds on a bucking beast can mean thousands of dollars. VOA’s Scott Stearns takes us to the show. …
Russia Puts Ukrainian Winner of Eurovision Song Contest on Wanted List
Russia has placed a Ukrainian singer who won the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest on its wanted list, state news agencies reported Monday. The reports said an Interior Ministry database listed singer Susana Jamaladinova as being sought for violating a criminal law. The independent news site Mediazona, which covers opposition and human rights issues, said Jamaladinova…
Trans Women Welcome Pope’s Message of Inclusivity
Pope Francis’ recent gesture of welcome for transgender Catholics has resonated strongly in a working class, seaside town south of Rome, where a community of trans women has found help and hope through a remarkable relationship with the pontiff forged during the darkest times of the pandemic. Thanks to the local parish priest, these women…
Artists Push for US Copyright Reforms on AI, But Tech Industry Says Not So Fast
Country singers, romance novelists, video game artists and voice actors are appealing to the U.S. government for relief — as soon as possible — from the threat that artificial intelligence poses to their livelihoods. “Please regulate AI. I’m scared,” wrote a podcaster concerned about his voice being replicated by AI in one of thousands of…
Fan Dies at Taylor Swift Concert in Rio Amid Heat Complaints, No Water
A 23-year-old Taylor Swift fan died at the singer’s Eras Tour concert in Rio de Janeiro Friday night, according to a statement from the show’s organizers in Brazil. Both fans and politicians reacted to the news with outrage. While a cause of death for Ana Clara Benevides Machado has not been announced, fans complained they…
Censored Artwork Finds Second Opportunity at New Barcelona Museum
A drawing of a nude Donald Trump. A punching bag sculpture shaped like a woman’s torso. A display of women’s party shoes standing proudly on prayer rugs. All are pieces of contemporary art that have provoked debate and, sometimes, violent reactions. These pieces and dozens more that were subjected to some sort of censorship have…
Cricket-Mad India Readies for World Cup Final Against Australia
India captain Rohit Sharma said Saturday his players understand the pressure of being Indian cricketers and remain “calm and composed” for the World Cup final against five-time champion Australia. The hosts are undefeated in 10 matches and will eye their first global trophy in over a decade in front of around 130,000 fans at the…
Community Gardens Blossom in Malaysia
Many of Malaysia’s urban communities are adding a rural touch. Community gardens are popping up as residents look for ways to bring the great outdoors closer to home. Dave Grunebaum has the story. …
AS Byatt, Who Wrote Bestseller ‘Possession,’ Dies at 87
British author A.S. Byatt, who wove history, myth and a sharp eye for human foibles into books that included the Booker Prize-winning novel Possession, has died at the age of 87. Byatt’s publisher, Chatto & Windus, said Friday that the author, whose full name was Antonia Byatt, died “peacefully at home surrounded by close family”…
Uyghur Poet’s Memoir on China’s Abuses Earns Recognition
Tahir Hamut Izgil witnessed firsthand, China’s repressive treatment of the Uyghur ethnic minority group and experienced how society changed over time in Xinjiang, an autonomous region in northwest China. His memoir, published this year has gained attention by readers and recognition by two prominent U.S. publications this week, while China describes accusations of repression as…
Hollywood Actors Offered Protections Against AI in Labor Deal
Leaders of the union representing Hollywood actors announced a tentative deal recently with film and television studios to end a strike that started in July. It includes pay raises, streaming bonuses for actors, and the industry’s first protections against the use of artificial intelligence. From Los Angeles, Genia Dulot has our story. …
Pakistani American Muslim Superhero Makes Her Big-Screen Debut
Marvel Comics’ first Muslim superhero is making her big-screen debut in “The Marvels” movie. From Los Angeles, Genia Dulot brings us the story of the teenage Ms. Marvel. …
Iranian, Afghan Tapestries Mix With Contemporary Fashions
Designers in the Western U.S. state of Colorado are mixing modern fashion with cultural textiles from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Tibet. VOA’s Scott Stearns has our story. …
‘The Marvels’ Melts Down at Box Office, Marking New Low for MCU
Since 2008’s “Iron Man,” the Marvel machine has been one of the most unstoppable forces in box-office history. Now, though, that aura of invincibility is showing signs of wear and tear. The superhero factory hit a new low with the weekend launch of “The Marvels,” which opened with just $47 million, according to studio estimates…
Indians Set World Record Celebrating Diwali as Worries About Air Pollution Rise
Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Sunday with a new Guinness World Record number of bright earthen oil lamps as concerns about air pollution soared in the South Asian country. Across the country, dazzling multicolored lights decked homes and streets as devotees celebrated the annual Hindu festival of light symbolizing the victory of light over…
Creole in Louisiana: A Ubiquitous Culture Remains Hard to Define
“Creole isn’t about a specific skin tone or country, it’s about a culture,” said Mona Lisa Saloy, author of the poetry collection Black Creole Chronicles. “It’s food, it’s music, it’s architecture, it’s style and it’s traditions,” she told VOA. “There are millions of Creole people in countries across the world and, still, we are…
Pope Forcibly Removes Leading US Conservative, Texas Bishop Strickland
Pope Francis on Saturday forcibly removed from office the bishop of Tyler, Texas, a conservative active on social media who has been a fierce critic of the pontiff and some of his priorities. A one-line statement from the Vatican said Francis had “relieved” Bishop Joseph Strickland of the pastoral governance of Tyler and appointed the…
Hollywood Actors Union Board Approves Strike-Ending Deal
Board members from Hollywood’s actors union voted Friday to approve the deal with studios that ended their strike after nearly four months, with the union’s leadership touting the gains made in weeks of methodical negotiations. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists’ executive director and chief negotiator, announced at a Friday…