Israeli singer Rita to tour U.S., Mexico

The Israeli pop star Rita is planning a concert tour in the United States and Mexico next month. Accompanied by a nine-person band, Rita will perform in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, New York, Maryland and Mexico City. The concert, entitled "My Joys," will showcase mainly songs from her latest gold album by the same name, which features world music and Persian songs she has treasured since childhood. This is Rita's second such tour in the United States. On Sunday, the Iranian-born singer and actress was awarded the World Academy of Arts, Literature and Media's Persian Golden Lioness Award for pop music in 2012. (Uri Zer Aviv )