Outrage at Video Swift in Mexico, But Will It Derail Proposed Law?

The apparent execution of a wounded fuel theft suspect by a Mexican soldier caught on video has provided graphic evidence of a long-suspected practice and put the government in an awkward spot as it tries to pass a security law critics say could shield troops.  Outrage at the surveillance camera video posted by media this …

Diplomat: N. Korea-US Talks Possible If Conditions Right

A senior North Korean diplomat who handles relations with the United States said Saturday that Pyongyang would have a dialogue with the U.S. administration if conditions were right, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. Choe Son Hui, North Korea’s foreign ministry director general for U.S. affairs, made the comment to reporters in Beijing as she …

Border Wall Would Doom Ocelots, Other Wildlife

Strolling through campus at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), you will notice a vivid black-and-yellow sign: “Drive slowly. Ocelots.” Don’t be fooled. You are unlikely to see an ocelot anywhere on campus or anywhere else in the country. While the striped-and-spotted wild cat was a former school mascot, it is also a …

Syrian Refugees Earn Money Teaching Arabic Online

Resettled Syrian refugees not only have to contend with a new country, culture and language, but with securing employment as well. Turns out, the ability to speak Arabic can translate to extra income. VOA reporter Tina Trinh profiles a New York-based startup connecting language students with Syrian refugee tutors. …

Brazilian Boy’s Survival of Brain Injury is Fatima ‘Miracle’

The parents of a Brazilian boy whose recovery from a severe brain injury is being cited by the Vatican as the “miracle” needed to canonize two Portuguese children broke their silence Thursday to share the story. Joao Baptista and his wife, Lucila Yurie, appeared before reporters at the Catholic shrine in Fatima, Portugal, on the …

Trump’s Trade Nominee Easily Overcomes Senate Hurdle

President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. trade representative easily cleared a Senate hurdle Thursday despite clear frustration among some Republicans with the administration on trade.   The Senate voted 81-15 to advance Robert Lighthizer’s nomination. A final confirmation vote could come as early as Thursday afternoon. Lighthizer served in the Reagan administration and has …

Buddhists Across Asia Mark Vesak With Prayers, Processions

Buddhists across Asia commemorated the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha in Vesak celebrations this week. This year, the United Nations held its special Vesak Day celebrations in Sri Lanka, where a colorful lantern festival was organized with moving light displays and stalls to hand out free food and drinks to visitors. “This has given …

Ohio’s African Immigrants Hope Wait Over for Advocacy Board

Members of Ohio’s growing African immigrant community say they’re hopeful a decade-long wait for their own state advocacy board is almost over. Immigrant groups backing the board say they’ve submitted names of potential commission members several times over the years to the House and Senate, which then make recommendations to the governor for appointment. The …

Death Toll Mounts in Venezuela Protests

The streets of Venezuela’s capital were scenes of violent clashes between anti-government protesters and security forces once again Wednesday. One person was killed and dozens were injured as national guardsmen tear-gassed protesters in Caracas as they tried to march to the Supreme Court. Protesters lobbed bottles filled with feces at government troops armed with tear …

Amazon Trounces Rivals in Battle of the Shopping ‘Bots’

Earlier this year, engineers at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. who track rivals’ prices online got a rude surprise: the technology they were using to check Amazon.com several million times a day suddenly stopped working. Losing access to Amazon.com Inc.’s data was no small matter. Like most big retailers, Wal-Mart relies on computer programs that scan prices …