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Israel to Revise Eurovision Entries Said to Allude to Hamas Attack
Jerusalem — Israel on Sunday said it had asked lyricists to revise its proposed Eurovision Song Contest entries, potentially heading off a dispute with organizers over political content. Authorities last week said Israel would not be able to participate in this …
Raye Sets Record at BRIT Awards, Britain’s Pop Music Honors
LONDON — Singer-songwriter Raye was the big winner Saturday at the BRIT Awards, the biggest night in British music, setting a new record for most prizes in one night at the annual ceremony. Raye won six awards, including for artist of …
Pope Francis Asks Aide to Read Ceremonial Speech Due to Bronchitis
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, who has been suffering from influenza, said he delegated the reading of a speech at a ceremony Saturday to an aide because he was unable to read it due to bronchitis. “I have prepared a speech …
Alaska’s Iditarod Dogs Get Neon Visibility Harnesses After Crashes
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The Iditarod, the annual sled dog race celebrating Alaska’s official state sport, is set to get under way Saturday with a new focus on safety after five dogs died and eight were injured in collisions with snowmobiles while …
Iris Apfel, Fashion Icon Known for Her Eye-Catching Style, Dies at 102
NEW YORK — Iris Apfel, a textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style, has died. She was 102. Her death was confirmed by her commercial agent, Lori Sale, who called Apfel “extraordinary.” No cause of death …
Rooted in Nature, Washington Festival Explores Ideas About Forests, Conservation
Exploring the relationship between humanity and nature, the Reach to Forest international festival brings artists together to plant ideas among viewers about the environment and conservation. From the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, VOA’s Cristina …
Athletes’ Village Handed Over to Paris Olympics Organizers
Paris — The organizers of the Paris Olympics took possession of the newly built athletes’ village on Thursday on schedule, reinforcing growing confidence that they will be ready for the Games. At an inauguration ceremony in northern Paris, chief organizer Tony …
Cricket Tournaments in Indian-Administered Kashmir Boost Local Economy
Srinagar, Indian administered Kashmir — The blanket of snow covering one of the prominent cricket grounds at the Magam neighborhood of Budgam district on the Indian side of Kashmir has melted. The ground is set to host a monthlong local cricket …
What Might Happen Without a Leap Day? More Than You Think
NEW YORK — Leap year. It’s a delight for the calendar and math nerds among us. So how did it all begin and why? Have a look at some of the numbers, history and lore behind the (not quite) every four-year …
The Rise of Female Skateboarders in South Africa
In South Africa, skateboarding is enjoying something of a revolution. The once predominantly male pursuit is attracting more and more women. VOA’s Zaheer Cassim reports from Johannesburg. …
‘One Love’ Gets More Box Office Love, No. 1 for Second Week 1
Los Angeles — For a second straight week, biopic “ Bob Marley: One Love” continues to exceed expectations by claiming the No. 1 spot at the box office, overcoming two debut films and Sony’s “Madame Web” that’s still producing subpar numbers. …
Israel Threatens Eurovision Pull-Out if Entry Vetoed
Jerusalem — Israel on Sunday warned that it may withdraw from this year’s Eurovision Song Contest if organizers reject the lyrics from its entry as too political. Eden Golan and her song “October Rain” were chosen to compete in the …
Japan’s ‘Naked Men’ Festival Succumbs to Aging of Population
Ōshū, Japan — Steam rose as hundreds of naked men tussled over a bag of wooden talismans, performing a dramatic end to a thousand-year-old ritual in Japan that took place for the last time. Their passionate chants of “Jasso, joyasa” (meaning …
Eva Peron Maintains Grip on Argentina Decades After Her 1952 Death
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — Early every morning, just as she reaches her workplace at a labor union in Buenos Aires, Ángeles Celerier heads to the chapel and prays to Saint Cajetan, Saint Teresa and Eva Perón. Perón — unlike the others …
Dior Postpones Hong Kong Fashion Show ‘Indefinitely’
HONG KONG — Dior has postponed a fashion show set to be held in Hong Kong next month, a city official confirmed Saturday, dealing a blow to the financial hub’s ambitions to boost its economy through major events. Hong Kong is …
Gender-Neutral Baby Names Gain Popularity, but Traditional Names Still Rule
US parents get more creative when deciding what to name their children …
Artists Reflect on Black Experience in America
It’s Black History Month in the United States. In Los Angeles, there is an exhibit of black artists sharing their experiences growing up in America. Genia Dulot takes us there. …