2021-10-31 Eek! Ghosts in our Expressions
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. In the United States, October 31 is Halloween – the night when magical, frightening creatures and ghosts, the spirits of…
2021-11-04 Leaders Call for Ceasefire as Conflict Spreads in Ethiopia
African and Western nations on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire in Ethiopia. Tigrayan forces from the country’s north have been nearing the capital this week. The U.S. special envoy…
2021-11-04 US Workers Object to Vaccine Requirements
Workers around the United States who refuse to get vaccinated against COVID-19 may lose their jobs. Some say they do not want the vaccine because of religious concerns. Others say…
2021-11-03 Language ‘Speed Dating’ Attracts Jewish, Palestinian Students
Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs in Jerusalem are learning Hebrew and Arabic from each other modeled on the idea of speed dating. About 20 students meet weekly to learn each…
2021-11-02 Congo to Ban Log Exports to Reduce Pressure on its Forests
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s environment minister said on Thursday the country plans to ban all log exports. The country also plans to take measures to lessen threats to its…
2021-11-02 Son Takes Over Famous Bangkok Food Stand after Father Dies of COVID-19
The son of a famous street food seller in Bangkok, Thailand, has taken over the stand of his father, who died of COVID-19. Every morning, Adulwitch Tangsupmanee places a picture…
2021-11-01 Why Is It so Hard to End Coal Burning?
This week at the United Nations climate change conference, leaders are talking about ways to end the world’s dependence on coal for fuel. Alok Sharma represents Great Britain. He said…
2021-11-01 Ethiopian Textile Industry at Risk if US Suspends Trade over Tigray
The United States is considering suspending Ethiopia’s tax-free trade position to punish it for violence and food shortages in Tigray. Ethiopia launched a military campaign in the northern state a…
2021-10-31 In Somalia, a Female Artist Creates an Image of Peace
The east African country of Somalia is slowly leaving behind years of war and Islamic extremism. The arts community is just now beginning to find its voice in society –…
2021-10-30 Turkey’s Lake Tuz Dries up Because of Climate Change, Farming Policies
Lake Tuz, Turkey’s second-largest lake and home to several kinds of birds, has entirely dried up this year. Water has also gone down at several other lakes across Turkey. Experts…
2021-11-05 Indians Celebrate Festival of Lights amid COVID Fears
Indians began celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, on Thursday. The celebration comes as the country is still dealing with the coronavirus pandemic as well as rising air pollution.…
2021-11-01 Japanese Gardens Bridge Indoor, Outdoor Space
Japanese-style gardens first gained attention in the United States at the 1893 world exposition in Chicago, Illinois. Over 120 years later, they continue to be a great part of American…
2021-10-31 US Businesses Give in to Worker Demands to Keep Employees
As many American businesses struggle to fill jobs, some have started negotiating demands that used to be non-negotiable for most hourly employees. One of the top demands for many workers…