United States of America

United States Senator for California Kamala Harris attends the "Families Belong Together: Freedom for Immigrants" March in Los Angeles, June 30, 2018.

Harris veep pick welcomed by diasporas; Scottish passenger train derails; New Zealand reimposes lockdown measures

Joe Biden’s selection of Sen. Kamala Harris as his running mate for the 2020 presidential contest is drawing attention from a wide range of groups. And, a passenger train derailed during storms on Wednesday in the Aberdeenshire area of Scotland. Also, in New Zealand, government officials are looking into the possibility that freight could be the source of the first COVID-19 infections in over three months.

Harris veep pick welcomed by diasporas; Scottish passenger train derails; New Zealand reimposes lockdown measures
A group of MoMA security guards pose with artist Chemi Rosado-Seijo, far right, creator of an audio guard where the guards explain their favorite works of art.

In a new MoMA audio guide, security guards are the art experts

In a new MoMA audio guide, security guards are the art experts
A man in shadow near greenery

Why did Trump withhold military aid from Ukraine?

Why did Trump withhold military aid from Ukraine?
Catholic high school students from all over the country attended Friday's "March for Life" event in Washington, DC. This group from Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School in Wichita, Kansas took buses to be there.

For some Christians, being 'pro-life' isn’t just about being against abortion

For some Christians, being 'pro-life' isn’t just about being against abortion
The Christmas tree at Faneuil Hall marketplace in downtown Boston is from Long Island, New York. But is it a religious symbol? Many people say, not really.

Are Christmas trees religious? Well, yes … and no.

Are Christmas trees religious? Well, yes … and no.
Local residents ride a horse by a destroyed building after Hurricane Maria in Jayuya, Puerto Rico

As Puerto Rico continues to struggle, so do the island's small businesses

Nearly two months after devastating hurricanes tore through Puerto Rico, small businesses are still struggling to get on their feet.

As Puerto Rico continues to struggle, so do the island's small businesses
People pray in the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs where 26 people were killed in a shooting attack on November 5, 2017. The church was opened to the public as a memorial to those killed.

After a mass shooting, thoughts and prayers. But then what?

No place in America feels safe from gun violence these days — not even the pews in a small-town Texas church. So, how are people of faith thinking about the problem?

After a mass shooting, thoughts and prayers. But then what?
A man holds the sight of a rifle up to his right eye. More rifles are in racks on his left and right.

How other countries can help us understand America's mass shooting crisis

Researchers say America's gun culture doesn't compare to anywhere else in the world. We went to Yemen, El Salvador and Norway for answers.

How other countries can help us understand America's mass shooting crisis
TV meteorologist

In hurricane-prone Miami, one meteorologist is forecasting the future

John Morales was one of the first TV meteorologists to start talking about how climate change will impact his audience. Intense weather hit close to home this fall, as Hurricane Maria struck his home island of Puerto Rico.

In hurricane-prone Miami, one meteorologist is forecasting the future
 US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Assistant Field Office Director Jorge Field (L), 53, arrests an Iranian immigrant in San Clemente, California.

ICE agents are increasingly playing the roles of both police and judge

Under President Donald Trump, immigration arrests have jumped by nearly 35 percent. They’re happening at courthouses, restaurants and in front of people’s homes. And these days, anyone who isn’t authorized to be in the country — from gang members to church pastors — is fair game.

ICE agents are increasingly playing the roles of both police and judge
A pharmacist holds prescription painkiller OxyContin, 40mg pills, made by Purdue Pharma L.D. at a local pharmacy.

Why the opioid crisis is an American problem

America leads the world in drug overdose deaths and opioid consumption. And it has a lot to do with the ways prescription painkillers are advertised and regulated in the US compared to other countries.

Why the opioid crisis is an American problem
Former barrack turned into a house in nearby town of Parker, Arizona.

Japanese Americans weren't the only US citizens housed in camps

This is why the head of Indian Affairs offered up a Colorado reservation as a site to imprison Japanese Americans during World War II.

Japanese Americans weren't the only US citizens housed in camps
A woman gets her pulse checked at Jericho Road Community Health Center, a health center that focuses on culturally sensitive health care for refugees.

Some refugees suffer culture shock — with their health care

For some women from conservative Muslim families, US health care practices can clash with what they are used to.

Some refugees suffer culture shock — with their health care
A man walking through a hall

Bannon out as chief strategist

Trump parted ways with controversial chief strategist, Steve Bannon. Recently, Bannon contradicted the president's plans on North Korea and called white supremacists "losers" and "clowns."

Bannon out as chief strategist
An attendee leaves flowers for Nabra Hassanen, a teenage Muslim girl killed by a bat-wielding motorist near a Virginia mosque, during a vigil in New York City, U.S. June 20, 2017.

Nabra Hassanen's murder feeds anti-immigrant rhetoric on the conservative internet

Nabra Hassanen's killer was found to be an undocumented immigrant from El Salvador, spurring the claim that undocumented immigrants are dangerous.

Nabra Hassanen's murder feeds anti-immigrant rhetoric on the conservative internet