Virginia

A Kurdish security officer escorts Alexanda Kotey, left, and El Shafee Elsheikh

Former ISIS member is found guilty in US federal court

El Shafee Elsheikh, a former British citizen accused of taking part in a brutal ISIS hostage-taking scheme, has been convicted in a federal court in Virginia of assisting in the kidnapping and deaths of four Americans between 2012 and 2015.

Former ISIS member is found guilty in US federal court
Qasim Rashid is a congressional candidate in Virginia. He sees attacks on himself as an opportunity to open up a dialogue with people. 

This Muslim American congressional candidate sees hateful messages as a chance for dialogue

This Muslim American congressional candidate sees hateful messages as a chance for dialogue
Ferkat Jawdat, a Uighur living in Virginia, has asked the US government to pressure China to release minorities, including his mother, from "re-education camps." 

'I just couldn't sleep': Uighur activist calls for China to stop targeting minorities

'I just couldn't sleep': Uighur activist calls for China to stop targeting minorities
illustration of a black wood cutter.

In search of refuge during the American Revolution, this enslaved black man joined the British army

In search of refuge during the American Revolution, this enslaved black man joined the British army
A closeup photo of a blonde woman wearing a blue shirt beside her husband, whose face has been blurred for privacy.

Americans’ immigration emergency: Their spouses could be deported or exiled if they seek green cards

Americans’ immigration emergency: Their spouses could be deported or exiled if they seek green cards
A black woman stands with a staff.

Amid 1619 anniversary, Virginia grapples with history of slavery in America

As Virginia marks 400 years since the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in the English colonies, it confronts the problem of silenced voices in history.

Amid 1619 anniversary, Virginia grapples with history of slavery in America
A couple is backlit against a stark stone fort interior.

Pirates brought enslaved Africans to Virginia’s shores. Where, exactly, is debatable.

This year marks 400 years since the first Africans were taken from Africa and sold as slaves in the English colonies. It was the largest migration in history: 12 million or more Africans forcibly moved to places across the Atlantic Ocean to be slaves. Today, all of those places are still dealing with the fallout.

Pirates brought enslaved Africans to Virginia’s shores. Where, exactly, is debatable.
A voter carries a 'blue wave' poster at a rally

The US midterms 'blue wave' has mixed results for the environment

The 2018 US midterm elections ushered in a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives — along with new Democratic governors — who pledge to act on climate change. It also ushered out some climate-denying Republicans. Yet overall, the elections had mixed results for the environment.

The US midterms 'blue wave' has mixed results for the environment
Wood scraps

The UK’s move away from coal means they’re burning wood from the US

Europe and the US say wood pellets are a carbon neutral alternative to coal. Many experts say otherwise.

The UK’s move away from coal means they’re burning wood from the US
People fly into the air as a vehicle is driven into a group of protesters demonstrating against a white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017.

Is Ryan Kelly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph an American ‘Guernica’?

There are uncanny echoes of Picasso’s “Guernica” in Kelly’s photograph.

Is Ryan Kelly’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph an American ‘Guernica’?
US Army Reserve color guard soldiers carry the colors on Fifth Avenue during the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade in New York, Nov. 11, 2017.

New York officials join the investigation into a veterans 'charity' that spends all that it raises on itself

New disclosures show embattled group’s leader continues to draw a large salary.

New York officials join the investigation into a veterans 'charity' that spends all that it raises on itself
Hudson generating station

More states join the fight to reduce global warming

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, known as RGGI, may be growing. New Jersey’s new Democratic Governor has vowed to bring his state back into the compact and Virginia is the first coal-producing state to take steps to join.

More states join the fight to reduce global warming
President Donald Trump visits the Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi, Dec. 9, 2017.

Trump attends opening of Mississippi civil rights museum, but African American leaders stay away in protest

Trump toured the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and delivered brief remarks, paying tribute to African Americans who fought institutionalized racism, including Medgar Evers, the civil rights activist who was murdered outside his home in Jackson in 1963.

Trump attends opening of Mississippi civil rights museum, but African American leaders stay away in protest
White nationalists carry torches on the grounds of the University of Virginia, on the eve of a planned Unite The Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, US August 11, 2017. Picture taken August 11, 2017.

How often have you dealt with racism? Her friends' answers surprised her.

Nayomi Munaweera asked her Facebook friends to talk about race. She was deluged with stories about friends' experiences — and new ways of thinking about America.

How often have you dealt with racism? Her friends' answers surprised her.
Richard Spencer

Poland's right-wing nationalist government objects to visit by US white supremacist Richard Spencer

Poland's foreign ministry has objected to a planned visit by US white supremacist Richard Spencer.

Poland's right-wing nationalist government objects to visit by US white supremacist Richard Spencer