Voice of America offers public-domain weekly news articles with audio, including relevant information about all aspects of American life.
Here are this week’s news headlines. Click on the links and improve your American English while learning about life in the U.S.A.
You’re encouraged to write comments and let us know what you’ve learned as well as your questions.
Have a Headache? You Are Not Alone
On SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: Information about headaches, from the mildly unpleasant to the extremely painful.
Wheat Production Rises in Face of World Demand
On AGRICULTURE REPORT: The F.A.O. points to a big increase in winter plantings in northern countries. But low supplies may keep prices from coming down quickly.
Snow Business in US: Skiing Into the World of Winter Wonderlands
On THIS IS AMERICA: Skiing, snowboarding and mountain resorts add up to billions of dollars. Why an industry that can make its own snow is still concerned about climate change.
A Business Plan for Social Change
On DEVELOPMENT REPORT: TechnoServe is a 40-year-old group that has helped create or improve more than 2,000 businesses in the developing world.
Annie Oakley, 1860-1926: One of the Most Famous Sharpshooters in American History
On PEOPLE IN AMERICA: A Broadway musical, “Annie Get Your Gun,” tells her story.
Blizzard: Don’t Let This Expression Snow You
On WORDS AND THEIR STORIES: A violent and heavy blizzard is not the only thing that can snow you under.
Castro Retires as President, but Not Much May Change in Cuba
On IN THE NEWS: A look back at almost 50 years of Fidel Castro’s Cuba and its stormy relationship with the U.S.
On ECONOMICS REPORT: A study finds that a $90 wine is not as tasty when it costs only $10.
There Will Be Stars on Sunday at the Academy Awards in Hollywood
On AMERICAN MOSAIC: A look at the movies, actors and music nominated for this year’s Oscars.
When Trouble With Math Equals a Learning Disability
On EDUCATION REPORT: Our series on learning disabilities continues with a report on dyscalculia.
American History Series: Struggle to Balance Power Between Big States and Small States
On THE MAKING OF A NATION: For weeks, delegates at the constitutional convention in 1787 debated how states would be represented in a national government. In time, the “Great Compromise” was reached.
WHO Sees Tobacco Risk to a Billion Lives This Century
On HEALTH REPORT: The World Health Organization calls on governments to follow six policies to reduce smoking rates.
On EXPLORATIONS: Experts in different areas of study are looking at the meaning and cause of happiness.
