An oppressive political climate marked by a lack of rights and freedoms is now a key factor driving emigration from Russia, with more than 1.5 million Russians leaving the country since Vladimir Putin became president, according to the Atlantic Council.  …

New York City garbage man Nelson Molina has been seeing value in other people’s garbage for the past three decades. For years he has been saving unique items that their owners threw away. Vladimir Lenski met with the unusual collector.   …

Chinese authorities have warned Australia not to interfere in the case of a Chinese-Australian writer who has been formally arrested in China on suspicion of spying.  Yang Hengjun, who was born in China but is an Australian citizen, has been held in Beijing since January.  Australia has become increasingly critical of China’s treatment of him … continue reading -> “China Warns Australia Not to Interfere in Case of Writer Suspected of Spying”

A new koala-tracking app and a marsupial hospital are the latest moves to protect one of Australia’s most famous native animals.  The furry, tree-dwelling marsupials are in decline in eastern Australia, and authorities hope a multi-million dollar rescue plan will help to save them.  The app will help authorities map and track koala populations in New … continue reading -> “New Koala App Helps Protect One of Australia’s Most Famous Animals”

President Donald Trump’s path to re-election next year seems to be getting more complicated. Trump continues to boast about a strong economy despite warnings from a number of economists that the U.S. may be headed for a recession in 2020. And the president must now fend off a primary challenge from within his own party … continue reading -> “Economic Worries Cloud Trump Re-Election Hopes”

Almost two dozen Polish former ambassadors are telling U.S. President Donald Trump that Poland’s democracy is at risk, and urging him to use an upcoming visit to pressure the country’s populist government to respect human rights and stop flouting the constitution. “Mr. President, you are coming to a country where the rule of law is … continue reading -> “Ex-diplomats Urge Trump to Pressure Poland on Rule of Law”

Consumer confidence dipped slightly in August after a big rebound in July. The Conference Board, a business research group, said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index edged down to 135.1 in August, slightly below a July reading of 135.8, which had been the highest since November. Economists had been looking for a bigger drop in … continue reading -> “US Consumer Confidence Dips Slightly in August”

More than 800 Namibian refugees in Botswana have vowed to stay put despite a court ruling saying they must return to their country, 20 years after fleeing following a secessionist uprising. Felix Kalula and hundreds of other Namibian refugees fled to Botswana in 1999, after violent clashes with Namibian government forces broke out over the … continue reading -> “Namibian Refugees Refuse to Leave Botswana”

A collection of 27 outfits worn by Hollywood legend Olivia de Havilland is going up for auction next month, some of which she  wore on screen during her acting career more than 50 years ago. The Sept. 17 online auction at Chicago-based Hindman also includes haute couture designs by Christian Dior that de Havilland, who … continue reading -> “Hollywood Legend Olivia de Havilland’s Dior Outfits Up for Auction”

The U.S. government plans to launch a program in roughly one month that narrowly focuses on protecting voter registration databases and systems ahead of the 2020 presidential election. These systems, which are widely used to validate the eligibility of voters before they cast ballots, were compromised in 2016 by Russian hackers seeking to collect information. … continue reading -> “US Officials Fear Ransomware Attack Against 2020 Election”

A Brazilian Supreme Court justice believes jailed ex-President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva deserves a retrial after leaked social media conversations appeared to show the judge hearing Brazil’s largest-ever corruption case collaborated with prosecutors. Justice Gilmar Mendes said in an interview with Reuters that the so-called Car Wash investigation was a success in battling the … continue reading -> “Brazil Supreme Court Judge Says Lula Deserves Retrial”

It might not be obvious at the supermarket, but the banana industry is fighting to protect the most popular variety of the fruit from a destructive fungus. A disease that ravages banana crops has made its long-dreaded arrival in Latin America, the biggest exporter of the crop. That’s reigniting worries about the global market’s dependence on a single type … continue reading -> “Banana Industry on Alert After Disease Arrives in Colombia”

Stock markets in Asia traded down Monday as investors processed the latest round of reciprocal tariffs imposed by the United States and China. The slump hit major markets in Japan, China and Hong Kong. China’s top trade negotiator Vice Premier Liu He said Monday that China is willing to negotiate with the United States to … continue reading -> “Asian Stocks Fall Amid US-China Trade Uncertainty”

Nigeria’s agency for combating human trafficking is repatriating and re-settling women who have been subjected to forced labor and prostitution after being smuggled into Europe on false promises of working at well-paying jobs.  Thousands of Nigerian women have been trafficked in recent years, though some were lucky enough to be able to return to their … continue reading -> “Nigerian Human Trafficking Victims Rebuild Their Lives After Returning Home”

Africans and African Americans participating in events marking 400 years since the start of slavery in the United States say everyone must work harder to unite societies divided along racial and economic lines. VOA reporter Kennes Bwire reports from Norfolk, Virginia, where people gathered Saturday to observe the anniversary of the beginning of more than … continue reading -> “Commemoration of 400th Anniversary of Slavery Brings Calls for Reflection, Unity”

SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ, FRANCE – U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted their trilateral trade agreement in their meeting at the sidelines of the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France. “Quite frankly, around the table there’s a lot of people wanting to make trade deals with each other,” Trudeau said, adding that the U.S. … continue reading -> “Trump Touts USMCA in Meeting with Canada PM Trudeau “

The leaders of the world’s major industrialized countries are holding their annual summit.  The Group of Seven, or G-7, is meeting in Biarritz, France.  U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on French wine, one of the most iconic industries of the host country, ahead of the summit has added to the tension among … continue reading -> “G-7 Meets in France”

Paul Whelan, a U.S. citizen whom Russia accuses of being a spy, will remain in custody while Russian authorities continue their investigation of the former U.S. Marine. Whelan, his family and the United States believe the charges are baseless. Yulia Savchenko reports from Moscow. …

Syrian state media report that government forces now control all of northern Hama province for the first time since 2012 and that they have encircled a Turkish military monitoring post in the town of Morek. Turkish President Erdogan says that he will discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet next week. … continue reading -> “Syrian Forces Take Control of Northern Hama Province for First Time Since 2012”

India’s former finance minister, Arun Jaitley, died Saturday in a New Delhi hospital months after he stepped away from the job due to deteriorating health. A close associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 66-year-old Jaitley was credited with steering landmark economic reform that helped create a single market in India for the first time … continue reading -> “India’s Former Finance Minister Dies at 66”

Afghanistan’s eastern Nangarhar province, a stronghold of Islamic State’s Khursan branch, was hit with more than a dozen bomb blasts recently, wounding more than 120 people, including 30 children. Among those children was Basharyar, who fled Afghanistan with his family years ago to neighboring Pakistan. VOA’s Zia Urahman Hasrat reports from Nangarhar. …

Comedian Dave Chappelle plans to host a special block party and benefit concert in Ohio for those affected by the recent mass shooting. Chappelle will be among national and local entertainers planned for the main stage at the “Gem City Shine” event in Dayton Sunday. WDTN-TV reports the City of Dayton along with the Downtown … continue reading -> “Dave Chappelle to Host Benefit Concert for Ohio Shooting”

The Rolling Stones have rocked stages around the world in their more than 50-year career. But now their influence has gone into space after NASA’s Mars InSight Mission named a rock on the planet after the band. Slightly larger than a golf ball, the “Rolling Stones Rock” is said to have rolled about 3 feet … continue reading -> “Like a Rolling Stone: NASA Names Mars Rock After the Band”

Italian President Sergio Mattarella agreed to a new round of consultations with party leaders Tuesday to resolve Italy’s political crisis. Speaking to reporters in Rome Thursday, two days after the collapse of the country’s populist government, the president said if no coalition wins a parliamentary approval, he could form a caretaker government or hold early … continue reading -> “Italian President Gives Parties Until Tuesday to Solve Political Crisis”

The first Official Comic Book Convention or Comic Con for short, happened in New York in 1964. Since then, the world of comic books has moved to TV, the movies, and video games, and these conventions have become huge events. We visited one to get a feel for how they work. VOA’s Dhania Iman reports. … continue reading -> “From Humble Beginnings, Comic Cons Have Become Huge Events”