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Anthony LaBruto

Produced by Anthony LaBruto

March 12, 2024
Violence Escalates in the Haitian Capital

Gang violence in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, is escalating as residents of the city flee and aid workers are no longer able to distribute food and maintain other basic services. VOA Creole reporter Jacquelin Belizaire has the latest on what brought about the spike in violence and the international community’s response to it.
March 08, 2024
Amnesty International Combats Femicide in Kenya

At least 500 women and girls have been murdered in Kenya since 2016, despite the country's efforts to prevent gender-based violence, says Africa Data Hub, a regional network of data organizations that traces such killings based on newspaper reports. In January, thousands of women and men marched in Nairobi and other major cities in Kenya calling for an end to Femicide and violence against women. Houghton addresses what is fueling the killings and measures being taken to stem them.
March 05, 2024
US Voters Head to Polls for Super Tuesday

As former President Donald Trump seeks a decisive win to secure the Republican Party’s candidacy in the November Presidential election against his likely opponent, incumbent President Joe Biden, U.S. voters cast their votes in “Super Tuesday,” a day set aside for primary elections which analysts say are pivotal to determining who will likely be the presidential nominee of each political party. For more, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to reporter Carol Van Dam who was at a voting center in Arlington, Virginia.
February 29, 2024
‘Urban Renewal’ Legacy Hinders Black Progress in US

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, urban planners in the United States heavily discriminated against Black communities through “urban renewal” policies. One of the most destructive tactics, inner city freeway building, sought to permanently sever neighborhoods of color by building highways through them. VOA’s Anthony LaBruto spoke to historians documenting the phenomena and the new generation of African urban planners looking to rejoin communities of color.
February 29, 2024
Maryland Resident Uncovers Abandoned Black Cemetery

As Black History Month concludes in the United States, previously unknown aspects of Black culture are being rediscovered across the country. In Potomac, Maryland, a resident of the town recently uncovered a 150-year-old Black cemetery that included her ancestors, and enslaved people from the area that was being used a dumping ground. VOA’s Carol Van Dam traveled to the site and has this report.
February 23, 2024
Washington DC Hosts Model African Union Conference

The 22nd International Model African Union Conference is taking place in Washington, DC, with collegiate-age delegates from across the United States, Canada and the African continent debating and creating resolutions the current AU assembly is considering. VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA’s Jackson Mvunganyi live at the Conference, where delegates are in their second day of debate.
February 15, 2024
African Art Sees Rise in Popularity in Washington, DC

African art is exploding in popularity in the Washington, D.C., area as curators and galleries feature more and more fine art works from the continent. VOA’s Anthony LaBruto traveled to one such gallery, African Art Beats, and has this report.
February 03, 2024
Washington DC Hosts 2024 Rwanda Day

Over 12,000 Rwandans gathered in Washington for Rwanda Day celebrations, a program that started on Friday and will run for three-days. Among the expected attendees in President Paul Kagame and other reputable citizens of the East African nation. For more, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to Jackson Mvunganyi who was in attendance of the opening ceremony.
January 31, 2024
Violence in Sudan Spreads to Most Domestic States

Sudan’s war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has now spread to most of the country’s 18 states. Sudanese political activist and environmentalist Nisreen Elsaim, chairperson of the United Nation Secretary-General's Youth Advisory Group on Climate Change, traveled to northern Sudan earlier this month to speak with young people and learn what they have endured since the fighting broke out. Elsaim tells VOA’s Carol Van Dam that several Sudanese told her both the Army and the RSF are forcibly conscripting young people.
January 30, 2024
US, Diaspora Engagement Director Speaks with VOA

VOA's Peter Clottey recently sat down with Deniece Laurent-Mantey, the director of the United States Presidential Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement. She spoke about the need for the first-of-its-kind engagement council, as well as the importance of United States’ presenting diplomacy through sports at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament that is being held in Ivory Coast.
January 25, 2024
Russian Foreign Policy in Africa Mirrors Colonial Past

Russian influence has been growing across Africa in recent years, as the country seeks more resources and allies. Some analysts say Moscow’s military, diplomatic, and economic interest in Africa is not any different than it was in the Cold War years. For an analysis into Russia’s current foreign policy on the continent, VOA’s Vincent Makori spoke to Vanda Felbab-Brown, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
January 24, 2024
Ugandan Opposition Leader's Film Nominated for Oscar

Ugandan opposition leader and celebrity Bobbi Wine’s documentary titled “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” has been nominated for a best documentary film Oscar, alongside four others, including a Tunisian documentary, “Four Daughters”. VOA reporter Douglas Mpuga recently spoke to Wine about his nomination and the decision to create a documentary about his life.
January 20, 2024
Commonwealth Secretary-General Speaks on NAM Summit

The Non-Aligned Movement Summit, held every three years, is taking place in Kampala, Uganda. VOA’s Peter Clottey spoke with Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, about the summit and how the bloc is addressing issues such as poverty and systemic inequality.
January 17, 2024
VOA Exclusive: US Ambassador to Ivory Coast on the Importance of AFCON

VOA reporter Muqbil Yabarow spoke with the United States Ambassador to Ivory Coast, Jessica Davis Ba, on the importance of AFCON and African athletics for the United States, as well as the infrastructure improvements made to the city Abidjan ahead of the tournament.
January 16, 2024
Washington DC Celebrates MLK Day

As U.S. President Joe Biden observes the annual Martin Luther King, Junior holiday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hundreds of people are expected to gather in Washington D.C. to honor Martin Luther King Junior’s legacy. This year’s theme is ‘Living the Dream: It Starts With Me-- Spreading Hope, Courage and Unity.’ VOA’s Anthony LaBruto spoke to VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart live from the Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, DC for a look into how people are honoring the late civil rights icon.
January 16, 2024
MLK Landmarks Featured Ahead of Observance

Every January, the United States observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, or MLK Day, to mark the birthday of the prominent civil rights leader who fought to end racial segregation. VOA Africa’s Anthony LaBruto visited some of the famous landmarks in Washington, D.C. where Dr. King rallied his supporters in the early 1960s that are still revered today.
January 08, 2024
White House Spokesperson: Administration 'All In' on Africa

In an interview with VOA's White House correspondent Paris Huang on January 4, John Kirby, coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, reiterated that President Joe Biden and his administration are “all-in” on cooperation with the African continent in the coming year.
January 05, 2024
Washington Gyms See Rise in Memberships in the New Year

As people welcome 2024, one of the most common New Year's resolutions, or yearly goals, is to get more exercise to better overall physical health. VOA's Linord Moudou joined VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart from downtown Washington to discuss the rise in gym memberships and what people can do to stay consistently healthy now and throughout the year to achieve their New Year’s goals.
January 01, 2024
2024 Welcomed Across African Cities

People from across the world welcomed the year 2024 with fireworks, celebrations, and excitement for what’s to come. From New York City’s famous Times’ Square ball drop to the African continent, VOA’s Anthony LaBruto takes a look at how the New Year’s holiday is being celebrated around the world.
December 23, 2023
Washington Decorates for Upcoming Holiday Season

Washington is preparing for the Christmas holiday with many businesses, homes, and public areas decorated with bright lights, wreaths, and Christmas trees. VOA’s Anthony LaBruto takes a look at some of unique holiday decorations around the United States capital and the traditions behind them.

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