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Cherry Blossom Season Marks Beginning of Spring in US Capital

Washington celebrates 110 years of cherry blossoms in a festival not only marking the beginning of spring but also commemorating the birth of an international tourist destination and marking the ties between the United States and Japan.  Each year, the …


Kashmir Film Sharpens Political Divisions in India

The phenomenal box-office success of a new film set in 1990s Kashmir has sharpened political divisions in India and prompted a re-examination of a violent campaign against Hindus in the Muslim-majority region three decades ago. “The Kashmir Files,” directed by …


Ancient Grain Teff Takes Root on US Plains

Teff, an ancient grain from the Horn of Africa, has found new enthusiasts in the United States. It’s being cultivated in the American West and Midwest, where growers note its appeal as a gluten-free “super food.” VOA’s Tewelde Tesfagabir reports …


Will Smith Apologizes to Chris Rock for Oscars Slap

Actor Will Smith apologized to comedian Chris Rock one day after slapping him across the face during Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony following a joke Rock made about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith’s apology Monday came after the Academy …


Academy Condemns Will Smith Oscars Slap, Opens Investigation

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences issued a formal statement Monday condemning Will Smith’s behavior for slapping comedian Chris Rock and announced it was initiating an investigation.  Smith slapped Rock across the face during a live broadcast of the 94th Academy …


Chris Rock Not Pressing Charges After Will Smith Oscar Slap

Comedian Chris Rock will not be pressing charges against actor Will Smith following a physical altercation at the 94th Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.  Smith slapped Rock across the face during a live …


Women, Minorities Making History at the 94th Academy Awards

The 94th Academy Awards ceremony ended in a climactic way, giving the Oscar for Best Picture to “CODA,” a seeming underdog that celebrated deaf representation. Other highlights included an unexpected scuffle and women sweeping the Oscars for Best Director, Best …


List of 2022 Oscar Winners 

After a movie year often light on crowds, the Academy Awards named an unabashed crowd-pleaser, the deaf family drama “CODA,” best picture Sunday, handing Hollywood’s top award to a streaming service for the first time. The feel-good moment came after …


Oscars Set for Return to Normal, Except All the Changes

For the first time in two years, the Academy Awards are rolling out the red carpet at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre for what the film academy hopes will be a back-to-normal Oscars. Except for all the stuff that’s changed. The …


Foo Fighters Drummer Taylor Hawkins Dead at 50

Taylor Hawkins, for 25 years the drummer for Foo Fighters and best friend of frontman Dave Grohl, has died during a South American tour with the rock band. He was 50. There were no immediate details on how Hawkins died, …


‘CODA,’ ‘Audible’ Spread Awareness of Deaf Culture

((EDS: This can be used before or after Sunday’s Oscar Awards show. This intro can be adjusted if one of both films win on Sunday.)) Two films, CODA and Audible, have received multiple Oscar nominations. Whether they will nab the …


Oscar Preview: 5 Big Questions Ahead of Sunday’s Awards

The Academy Awards have always loved a comeback story. This year, the Oscars are attempting to star in one, too.  On Sunday, the Academy Awards will try to bounce back from a 2021 ceremony that was plagued by pandemic restrictions, …


Beyoncé, Billie Eilish to Sing Nominated Songs at Oscars

Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and other nominees for best original song will perform at Sunday’s Oscars, the show’s producers announced Tuesday. Beyoncé will perform her nominated song “Be Alive” from “King Richard,” and Eilish and her brother and co-writer Finneas will …


Russian, Belarusian Swimmers Banned from World Championships

Russian and Belarusian swimmers, divers, water polo players and artistic swimmers will no longer be able to compete in the upcoming world championships over the war in Ukraine, swimming’s governing body announced Wednesday.  Soon after the invasion, swimming’s governing body, …


Rachel Zegler Invited to Present at Oscars, Report Says 

“West Side Story” star Rachel Zegler may get her Oscars moment after all. The 20-year-old actor has been invited to be a presenter at the ceremony, according to a report in The Hollywood Reporter.  The gesture came two days after …


Surprise Hit ‘Flee’ Tells Human Story of Refugees

An Oscar-nominated Danish documentary chronicling a gay Afghan refugee’s perilous journey to Europe tries to show that being a refugee is what happens to you, not who you are, its director told AFP. “Flee,” an animated film which is up …