Photography is a medium Derek Blanks knows well. With his own style, Blanks captures the essence of his subjects with flair and creativity. He has taken photographs of many Hollywood celebrities and entertainers such as Janelle Monae, Chaka Khan, Usher, Beyonce, Cuba Gooding Jr. and many more .

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On September 13,1814, Francis Scott Key writes a poem that, when set to music, became the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” in 1931. Key originally called his poem “The Defense of Fort McHenry,” based on his experience seeing the fort bombarded by British forces during the War of 1812. Key was apparently inspired by a U.S. flag still flying over the fort the morning after the attack.

VIDEO: Millions of Venezuelans fled to neighboring countries due to a growing crisis that brought shortages of food and medicine, and a government crackdown. VOA contributor Greta Van Susteren talks with a chief justice of the Venezuelan Supreme Court currently in exile, and a former U.S. ambassador .

Even before U.S.-China trade tensions began escalating dramatically, foreign businesses that operate in China were warning about the impact tariffs could have. And now, according to a newly released joint survey from the American Chamber of Commerce in China and AmCham Shanghai, many are already feeling the pinch.

The United States is threatening automatic sanctions to deter Russia and any other current or future adversary from interfering in the country’s elections. President Donald Trump declared a national emergency Wednesday, signing an executive order that mandates a range of economic sanctions and other penalties against any person, group or country assessed to have meddled with the upcoming midterm elections November 6.

For former U.S. president Barack Obama , it must seem like old times. Obama has started to hit the campaign trail on behalf of Democrats ahead of the November midterm elections, setting up what amounts to a proxy battle with the man who succeeded him, President Donald Trump .