On World Press Freedom Day, VOA launches a special report on threats facing journalists worldwide. Newest stories include looks at press issues in Uganda, Algeria, Russia, China and Ethiopia.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On May 3, 1933, James Joseph Brown Jr. is born in Barnwell, South Carolina. A major figure in American music and dance, James Brown’s career spanned five decades. The so-called “Godfather of Soul” had his first hits as a member of the Famous Flames with “Please, Please, Please” and “Try Me.” Often referred to as the “Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” Brown was a force of nature on the stage and his live shows were legendary. His influence was felt in gospel, soul, rock, funk, and hip-hop, and his dancing influenced Michael Jackson and Prince. Brown died on Christmas of 2006.

U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s canceled appearance before a congressional committee Thursday added to a long list of thorny legal conflicts and power struggles between America’s executive and legislative branches.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet next week in Finland, as tensions simmer between the countries over the crisis in Venezuela.

VOA spoke to Melinda Gates about women’s empowerment, work in Africa, the work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and how men can benefit from women’s empowerment. The interview also touched on other issues such as the anti-vaccination movement.

Britain’s Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel are conducting separate visits to Africa this week, the latest in a flurry of visits by European leaders and officials as Western states look to expand their engagement on issues like trade, migration and security.