Sunday, July 31, 2011

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Major Study Aims to Evaluate Environment, Genetic Factors Involving Child Health



VOAVideo: Major Study Aims to Evaluate Environment, Genetic Factors Involving Child Health

U.S. health officials have embarked on one of the most comprehensive evaluations of child health ever undertaken in the United States. Researchers will be collecting data on a host of environmental and genetic factors that impact children's health and the health of the adults they will become. As VOA's Carol Pearson reports, doctors hope the results will shed new light on risk factors for autism, obesity and a host of other childhood health problems. (read more)

Friday, July 29, 2011

US Debt Crisis



VOAVideo: US Debt Talks

** 1:54-2:04 How the debt cris can affect Senior Citizens
** 2:04-2:41 How the debt cris can affect China and the world economy

Also see VOANews: Obama Encourages Bipartisan Solution to Avoid Debt Default

wh.gov: US Debt Graphic

President Obama: "There are plenty of ways out of this mess. But we are almost out of time. We need to reach a compromise by Tuesday so that our country will have the ability to pay its bills on time, as we always have -- bills that include monthly Social Security checks, veterans’ benefits and the government contracts we’ve signed with thousands of businesses. Keep in mind, if we don’t do that, if we don’t come to an agreement, we could lose our country’s AAA credit rating, not because we didn’t have the capacity to pay our bills -- we do -- but because we didn’t have a AAA political system to match our AAA credit rating.

And make no mistake -– for those who say they oppose tax increases on anyone, a lower credit rating would result potentially in a tax increase on everyone in the form of higher interest rates on their mortgages, their car loans, their credit cards. And that’s inexcusable.

There are a lot of crises in the world that we can’t always predict or avoid -– hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes, terrorist attacks. This isn’t one of those crises. The power to solve this is in our hands. And on a day when we’ve been reminded how fragile the economy already is, this is one burden we can lift ourselves. We can end it with a simple vote –- a vote that Democrats and Republicans have been taking for decades, a vote that the leaders in Congress have taken for decades."

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Researchers See Trend of People Moving Between Texas, California



VOAVideo: Researchers See Trend of People Moving Between Texas, California

The recession and collapse of the housing industry in the United States is causing many Americans to move in search of jobs and a cheaper place to live. But a researcher at the University of California says there has been an unexpected decline in overall state to state migration since the recession. He calls it the "staying home phenomenon." Of those who did move, many are moving between California and Texas. (read more)

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Chinese Basketball Superstar Yao Ming Retires



VOAVideo: Chinese Basketball Superstar Yao Ming Retires

China's towering basketball star Yao Ming has announced his decision to retire from the National Basketball Association after a series of injuries made it impossible for him to continue to compete for the Houston Rockets. Yao Ming says he's not leaving basketball, however, and will continue to work for his former Chinese team, the Shanghai Sharks, as well as with his charity group the Yao Foundation. VOA's William Ide has more from Beijing.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Drive Idioms - BBC Learning English (The Teacher)



BBCLearningEnglish: Drive Idioms - BBC Learning English (The Teacher)

In this episode The Teacher introduces you to three idioms connected with driving:

1. In the driver's seat

2. A backseat driver

3. A Sunday driver

Monday, July 18, 2011

E-Waste



VOAVideo: E-Waste

As much as 80 percent of discarded electronics end up in the trash rather than being recycled in a responsible manner. Even worse, some environmentalists say, they are dumped in developing countries where low paid workers take apart computers, televisions, cell phones and other electronic equipment in ways that are neither safe for the worker nor the environment. U.S. lawmakers recently initiated a bill that would make the practice illegal.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Final Harry Potter Ends With Emotional Bang



VOAVideo: Final Harry Potter Ends With Emotional Bang

The global release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2," brings the famous movie franchise to an end. Thousands of fans are gathering at movie theaters the world over to say goodbye to "the boy who lived," and to the magical world of Hogwarts created by British author J.K. Rowling.

Friday, July 15, 2011

ESL Podcast 703 – Attending an Auction

ESL Podcast 703 – Attending an Auction

Want to experience an exciting way to shop? Go to an auction in this episode and learn the English you’ll need to buy that Monet you’ve always wanted. Download Podcast

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Monday, July 11, 2011

Express English: Proposals



BBCLearningEnglish: Express English: Proposals

We asked people in London: "What would be your ideal marriage proposal?"

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Words and Their Stories: Mouth Expressions


VOAVideo: Words and Their Stories: Mouth Expressions

People use their mouths for many things. They eat, talk, shout and sing. They smile and they kiss. In the English language, there are many expressions using the word mouth. But some of them are not so nice...(read more)

Friday, July 8, 2011

ESL Podcast 701 – Improving Your Looks

Before..

ESL Podcast 701 – Improving Your Looks

They say real beauty is on the inside. Find out what to do when that isn’t good enough in this episode. Download Podcast

After...

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Hopes for First Female Prime Minister in Thailand's Male Dominated Politics



VOAVideo: Hopes for First Female Prime Minister in Thailand's Male Dominated Politics

Thailand is set to have its first female Prime Minister in Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Her victory as leader of the opposition Pheu Thai party has raised hopes that women can play a larger role in the country's male-dominated politics. But many question if she can emerge from her brother's shadow, let alone challenge Thai society's cultural and social barriers for women. VOA's Daniel Schearf reports from Bangkok.

Monday, July 4, 2011

San Jose Rose, White, and Blue Parade 2011



San Jose Rose, White, and Blue Parade 2011

The San Jose Rose, White, and Blue Parade 2011 along The Alameda, in the Rose Garden District. Cameo appearances by Judy Connell, Marshal Connell, Kansen Chu, and SJ Mayor Chuck Reed.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

English Express: Photographs



BBC English Express: Photographs
We asked people in London: "What is your most treasured photograph
and why?" Listen to what they told us and join the conversation at http://bbc.in/mEttPR

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Crowd of Superheroes at the Movie Theater

VOALearning English:A Crowd of Superheroes at the Movie Theater

New releases include "Green Lantern and “X-Men,” but also family films like “Kung Fu Panda 2” THIS IS AMERICA (download mp3)

Friday, July 1, 2011

Urban Farm Prospers in Downtown Area



VOAVideo: Urban Farm Prospers in Downtown Area

Ninety year old Charlie Koiner cares for a small plot of land just a few blocks from a busy downtown near Washington DC. He has been growing fruits and vegetables here since this suburb was mostly undeveloped rural land, and selling his produce in local farmers markets.