Famous US Groundhog to Make Annual Weather Forecast

Weather-watchers across the United States are poised Tuesday to hear whether they can count on an early spring, or six more weeks of winter. But the accuracy of this annual forecast is dubious, as the prediction is made by a groundhog. February 2 marks Groundhog Day, when traditionally a Pennsylvania groundhog known as “Punxsutawney Phil” …

Jenna Bush Hager Uses Dad’s Post-9/11 Words Over Trump Immigration Order

Former first daughter Jenna Bush Hager is registering her opinion on Republican President Donald Trump’s order temporarily suspending immigration from seven Muslim-majority nations with the words of her father, former President George W. Bush. Bush Hager posted an excerpt on Twitter Tuesday from a 2001 speech her father, a fellow Republican, gave at the Islamic …

Quietly, AU Encourages Withdrawal From International Criminal Court

The African Union is moving forward on what it calls a “withdrawal strategy” from the International Criminal Court, a move that could alter peace, security and justice on the continent. Dozens of heads of state — some of whom have been accused of war crimes or are wanted by the International Criminal Court — quietly …

Over 1,000 State Department Personnel Officially Dissent to Immigration Order

More than 1,000 foreign service officers and civil service personnel of the U.S. State Department have now signed a dissent document about the president’s recent order on refugees’ travel restrictions, sources told VOA on Tuesday.​ The number of signatures, if it does total some 1,000, is “unprecedented” and about 20 times the number of dissenters …

Homeland Secretary Defends Immigration Ban, Denies Targeting Muslims

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has defended the implementation of President Donald Trump’s executive order restricting immigration, saying “we cannot gamble with American lives.” “This is not a travel ban, this is a temporary pause that allows us to review the existing refugee and vetting visa system.” Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said. He …

To Get Story, Somali Journalists Risk Bullets and Bombs

On Wednesday, January 25, events in Mogadishu showed again why the Somali capital might be the most dangerous city in the world for journalists. Reporters had rushed to the Dayah Hotel after al-Shabab militants detonated a truck bomb at the hotel’s main gate and then stormed the premises, exchanging gunfire with security guards. The entire …

Behind-the-camera Female Oscar Nominees Falls 2 Percent

Women earned a number of barrier-breaking Oscar nominations this year, but overall representation of women in Oscar-nominated behind-the-scenes categories fell two percent according to a report from the Women’s Media Center published Monday. The report, authored by awards blogger Sasha Stone, noted landmark achievements — like how Jackie composer Mica Levi became the first women …

Behind-the-camera Female Oscar Nominees Fall 2 Percent

Women earned a number of barrier-breaking Oscar nominations this year, but overall representation of women in Oscar-nominated behind-the-scenes categories fell two percent according to a report from the Women’s Media Center published Monday. The report, authored by awards blogger Sasha Stone, noted landmark achievements — like how Jackie composer Mica Levi became the first women …

Trump Brings Whirlwind of Change in Early Days

During last year’s presidential campaign, Donald Trump’s supporters were thrilled with the idea that he would become Washington’s “disrupter-in-chief.” Less than two weeks into his presidency, no one could dispute that Trump is doing all he can to follow through on that pledge. Since his inauguration January 20, Trump has moved quickly to deliver on …

Dutch Elections, Anyone? 81 Parties Make It a Quandary

Peter Plasman showed up at the Netherlands’ national electoral commission’s offices Monday to register one of the more unusual parties bidding to take part in the upcoming Dutch election — a party for people who don’t vote. Plasman was hardly an exception when it came to flouting convention. A record 81 parties have expressed interest …

White House Brushes Off Foreign Service Dissent Over Immigration Order

U.S. State Department personnel who have a problem with President Donald Trump’s immigration order “should either get with the program or they can go,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters Monday. “This is about the safety of America.” Spicer acknowledged that the dissent memo circulating among foreign service officers and other State Department employees …

Dulles Dispatch: Protesters Greet Travelers With Smiles As U.S. Travel Ban Confusion Persists

DULLES INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Virginia — Travelers filing out of the airport international exit on January 30 were greeted with smiles, signs, and songs on the third day of protests against President Donald Trump’s temporary ban on foreign travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries. Dozens of demonstrators lined the corridor leading out of the international arrivals hall …