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Anthony LaBruto

Produced by Anthony LaBruto

December 23, 2023
Analysis: Pope Francis Announces New Church Guidelines for Same-Sex Couples

Pope Francis made a historic announcement at the Vatican on Monday allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples. The announcement is seen as a radical shift in policy aimed at making the church more inclusive while maintaining its strict ban on gay marriage. Parts of a document from the Vatican’s doctrine said; “there is no intention to legitimize anything, but rather to open one’s life to God, to ask for his help to live better, and also to invoke the Holy Spirit so that the values of the gospel may be lived with greater faithfulness.” For analysis, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to Ntal Alimasi, the president emeritus of National Association of African Catholics in the U.S.
December 20, 2023
Congolese Diaspora Participates in December 20 Election

Members of the Congolese diaspora, for the first time, had the opportunity to cast their ballots Wednesday in the country’s general election at the Democratic Republic of Congo embassy in Washington. For more, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA reporter Ginny Niwa at the Congolese embassy.
December 15, 2023
UN Deputy Director Speaks on Gaza Destruction

Israeli forces and Hamas militants battled fiercely throughout Gaza on Friday, as witnesses say Israel's ground offensive was meeting stiffer resistance. VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to Carl Skau, the deputy executive director of the United Nations’ World Food Program, who recently returned from Gaza, about the death and desperation of civilians including their need for food, medicine, sanitation and other essential commodities and how humanitarian organizations are assisting.
December 14, 2023
Commonwealth Secretary Speaks on COP28 Summit

The conclusion of COP28 yielded some concrete results in how countries are expected to phase out fossil fuels and address the impacts of climate change worldwide. In an exclusive interview, VOA’s Peter Clottey spoke to Patricia Scotland, secretary-general of the Commonwealth of Nations, about the conclusion of COP28 and what Scotland says are lack of climate resilience opportunities and funds for countries already dealing with the effects of climate change.
December 13, 2023
AfriNext Conference Seeks to Bridge African Markets and Western Investment

High-level experts and innovators at AfriNEXT, a conference hosted by the Atlantic Council and global development company DAI, showcased the call for investment in African markets, as well as the importance of situating investments and other partnerships towards the continent. VOA's Paul Ndiho discusses some of the strategies companies are employing to reach the African diaspora and international markets.
December 08, 2023
Ugandan Youth Activist Speaks on Gender-Based Violence Activism

As the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence comes to a close, VOA’s Anthony LaBruto spoke to Inviolah Nambi, Ugandan gender-based violence activist and child welfare advocate, about her work combating gender-based violence in the capital city, Kampala’s Nakawa Division and in schools throughout Uganda.
November 28, 2023
Online Youth Engagement in the Israel-Hamas War

Social media is giving young people across the world instant and almost unlimited access to both sides of the Israel-Hamas conflict that shape their opinions, unlike their parents in earlier major geopolitical conflicts. VOA’s Anthony LaBruto investigates how social media is impacting young people’s perception of the war and their own place within it.
November 24, 2023
Additional Aid Enters Gaza on First Day of Ceasefire

The first hostages have been released in Gaza following the start of the four-day truce in the Israel-Hamas war. Leonard Rubenstein, a human rights lawyer and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health tells VOA’s Carol Van Dam it is a hopeful day for Palestinians, Israelis and others around the world who want to see an end to hostilities in the region.
November 17, 2023
Ghana Takes Lead in Calling for Reparations for Slave Trade in Africa

Delegates at a reparations summit in Ghana agreed this week to establish a Global Reparation Fund to push for overdue compensation for millions of Africans enslaved centuries ago during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Ghana's President Nana Akufo-Addo, who hosted the Accra Reparation Conference, said the world can no longer ignore accountability for more than 10 million Africans uprooted from the continent during the trans-Atlantic slave trade. VOA's Anthony LaBruto reports.
November 14, 2023
Analyst: Africa Union Lacks Firm Position on Israel-Hamas Conflict

The African continent’s leaders have taken divided positions since the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7th. The African Union has remained relatively silent on the issue compared to individual member states such as South Africa due to its goal of presenting unified solutions for the continent. For an analysis into the complicated position the Africa Union holds in the Israel-Hamas conflict, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to Michael Walsh, a Senior Fellow in the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Institute.
November 04, 2023
Washington-Based Gallery Hosts African Modernism Works

The Washington-based Phillips Collection, a museum of modern art, has debuted an exhibition titled "African Modernism in America: 1947 to 1967," exploring the relationship between contemporary African artists and American cultural institutions in the context of the intertwined histories of the Cold War, decolonization and civil rights. The artworks also represent the diverse artistic practices that emerged in Africa from the 1940 through the 1960s. For more, VOA’s Esther Githui-Ewart spoke to VOA’s Jackson Mvunganyi live from the Phillips Collection art gallery.
November 03, 2023
US to Expel Four African Countries from AGOA

U.S. and African trade representatives are gathering in South Africa for the annual African Growth and Opportunity Act forum. AGOA gives eligible African countries duty-free access to the U.S. market. U.S. President Joe Biden plans to drop four countries from the trade program, Uganda, Gabon, Niger and the Central African Republic, for what the U.S. says is gross violations of human rights and failure to protect the rule of law. VOA’s Haydé Adams spoke to U.S. trade and investment analyst, Dennis Matanda, about the impact of President Biden’s decision.
October 25, 2023
Stalemate in US Congress Blocks International Funding

The U.S. House of Representatives Republicans' leadership fight dragged into a 23rd day on Wednesday, with the narrow majority trying to unite around Representative Mike Johnson after ousting their leader and blocking three potential replacements. The long standoff, started by a handful of party hardliners angry about a bipartisan deal that averted a partial government shutdown, has left the chamber unable to respond to the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, or to take action to keep federal agencies funded past Nov. 17. For more on the implications of the U.S. federal budget, VOA's Vincent Makori spoke to VOA's Jackson Mvunganyi outside the U.S. Capital.
October 24, 2023
Can Long-Term Peace be Achieved in Israel-Hamas Conflict?

As the Israel-Palestine conflict continues and with the threat of an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza imminent- is peace a viable option? VOA’s Anthony LaBruto spoke to local faith leaders and scholars in the Washington, D.C. area about what peace would look like for the region in the short term and what additional steps could be taken to ensure peace lasts.
October 10, 2023
Friend of Family Slain by Hamas Speaks on Atrocity

A photograph of a father, mother and the three children caught in the crossfire following Hamas's surprise attack against Israel has been circulating online. The family was killed over the weekend when the Palestinian militant group entered their safe room, located near the Gaza- Israel border where they were sheltering. Earlier, VOA's Linord Moudou spoke to the Dor Pundark, a friend of the family who was in contact moments before they went silent.
October 06, 2023
Analyst: US House of Representatives in Disarray Over Speaker Removal

Washington is reeling from the unprecedented removal of Kevin McCarthy from his position as the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. The move has left the House in a state of disarray and with an extended recess for the remainder of the week, while Republicans use the time to unify their ranks and prepare for the election of a new Speaker scheduled for the following week. Sarah Binder, a senior fellow at The Brookings Institution and professor of political science at George Washington University tells VOA’s Carol Van Dam the House is operating under an untested rule since this marks the first time ever a U.S. Speaker has been expelled.
October 03, 2023
VOA Creole Chief Reacts to Kenyan Police Moving to Haiti

Haitians’ reaction to the United Nations Security Council’s decision to move Kenyan police to the country remain mixed, with strong doubts that the force will be able to take on the established Haitian gangs entrenched in the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince. VOA Creole Service Chief Sandra Lemaire spoke to Africa 54 on the decision and its impact for Haiti.
October 03, 2023
Morocco Pledges $11.7 Billion to Help Earthquake Victims

Morocco’s government this week has pledged $11.7 billion US dollars to help victims of the recent 6.8 magnitude earthquake rebuild homes, businesses, and infrastructure over the next five years. With an expected 4.2 million Moroccan people now looking for some form of aid, how are non-governmental organizations helping such a large section of Morocco’s population in the longer term? VOA’s Anthony LaBruto has more.
September 14, 2023
Rebuilding Remote Villages in Morocco

In Morocco, the damage caused by the most powerful earthquake to hit the North African country in over 100 years has caused unimaginable destruction. VOA’s Anthony Labruto spoke to Mehrdad Sasani, a professor of civil engineering at Northeastern University, on why the earthquake was so devastating to remote areas and how authorities should rebuild going forward.
September 12, 2023
Moroccan Resident Details Challenges of Earthquake Rescues

Badder Manaouch, a primary school teacher and social worker in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco spoke to VOA’s Anthony LaBruto about the challenges reaching the epicenter of the quake in the remote mountainous villages because of landslides and avalanches. Manaouch also talks about government response he witnessed and how the Moroccan locals have come together to help those in need.

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