The Battle of the Brains

EDUCATION REPORT:Last month, students from one hundred three universities in 88 countries took part in an international computer programming contest. The Battle of the Brains took place in Harbin, China.

President Hayes Promises Only One Term in Office

THE MAKING OF A NATION: In early 1877, Rutherford Hayes was sworn-in as the 19th president of the United States. He became president after a disputed election. (Rerun)

Almost 5 Million Lives Saved Through AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Treatment

Global Fund reports success in fighting three major killers | HEALTH REPORT

Famous Outlaws and Gunmen of the Wild West, Part 1

EXPLORATIONS: Luke Short, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday and William Matthew Tilghman (Rerun)

Health Problems Caused by Smoking

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: This week, we talk about smoking -- the leading cause of cancer worldwide.

About Broccoli and Cauliflower

AGRICULTURE REPORT: Some people say broccoli looks like small trees, and cauliflower like gathered clouds.

Molly Brown, 1867-1932: A Social and Political Activist Who Survived the Titanic

THIS IS AMERICA: I put this into the Biographies section at http://www.manythings.org/voa/people/

Military Expressions

WORDS and THEIR STORIES: doughboy, GI, GI Joe, We GI’d the place, a grunt, leatherneck (Rerun)

Todd Duncan, 1903-1998: He Opened Doors for Other Black Classical Singers

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Today we tell the story of Todd Duncan -- a concert singer and music teacher. He is the man who broke a major color barrier for black singers of classical music. (Rerun)

‘The Open Boat’ by Stephen Crane, Part 1

AMERICAN STORIES: This was written by Stephen Crane and is based on what really happened to him in 1896.

Tea Party Conservatives Make Their Voices Heard

IN THE NEWS: Some conservatives in the United States have found a new voice. The Tea Party is not a nationally recognized political party. So far it is a movement loosely organized around a common identity.

How a Corporation Is Like a Person

ECONOMICS REPORT: Recently the United States Supreme Court decided a big case about political speech. Political speech is considered the most protected form of free speech under the Constitution.

Tim Burton's Art Exhibit in New York

AMERICAN MOSAIC: Also Religion in America and Muisc from Vampire Weekend

Studies Link Girls' Sports to Gains in Life

EDUCATION REPORT: Most schools in the United States receive money from federal programs. That means most schools must obey a federal law known as Title Nine.

Hayes Wins the 1876 Presidential Election (American History Series)

THE MAKING OF A NATION: The two administrations of President Ulysses Grant were noted for their dishonesty. The president himself was not involved directly in any shameful incidents. (Rerun)

The Museum of Chinese in America (New York, New York)

EXPLORATIONS: Today we go to New York City to visit the Museum of Chinese in America. Last year, MOCA reopened in a new and much larger building in the city's Chinatown neighborhood. (Added to http://www.manythings.org/voa/places/

The Argument Over Salt and Health

HEALTH REPORT: Last month we reported about a study that showed eating even a little less salt could greatly help the heart.

Science in the News: Atrial Fibrillation, Seabirds and White Roofs

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: 3 Reports: Atrial Fibrillation, Seabirds and White Roofs

Want to Grow a Root? Beets Are Hard to Beat

AGRICULTURE REPORT: Beets are a tasty root vegetable that do not require much work to grow. People might think beets are always dark red. But they can also be pink, yellow or white. Beets with circles of red and white inside are known as candy cane or candy stripe beets. (Rerun)

The Law of LIfe (By Jack London)

American Stories: (Rerun) - You can also see a 'listen and read along' video at http://www.manythings.org/b/e/180

The Danger of Counterfeit Drugs (Second of Two Parts)

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: We talked last week about counterfeit medicines and how the problem is especially bad in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The World Health Organization says up to 30% of the medicine sold in many developing countries is not real.

A Crowded Field for Best Picture at Academy Awards

THIS IS AMERICA: Next Sunday night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present the Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. Today we tell about the movies nominated for best picture. And we hear about some people's favorites.

Words and Their Stories: Where Did 'OK' Come From?

OK, okay, A-OK, okey-dokey, okey-doke, okely-dokely

Billie Holiday, 1915-1959: The Lady Sang the Blues

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: She was one of the greatest jazz singers in America. (Rerun)

Health Care Effort in the US

IN THE NEWS: This week, President Obama led a meeting of Democratic and Republican lawmakers to discuss health reform.

Americans Set Record at Winter Olympics

AMERICAN MOSAIC: Today on our program, we play music from the new young pop star, Justin Bieber. But first we tell about winning American athletes at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

'I Am Deeply Sorry,' Toyota Chief Tells US Congress

ECONOMICS REPORT: In Washington, Congress will again discuss the safety problems at Toyota.

8 US States to Test High School Changes

EDUCATION REPORT: The Obama administration says American schools should produce students who are "college and career ready."

Vaccine-Autism Study Is Withdrawn

HEALTH REPORT: The Lancet, a leading British medical journal, has withdrawn a study that scared many parents and angered many experts. The study, published twelve years ago, suggested a link between autism and the vaccine against mumps, measles and rubella.

Explorers, Danger and a Guiding Presence

EXPLORATIONS: Today we tell about an unusual and mysterious experience that can affect people in extreme situations of danger. People who live through life threatening situations sometimes describe a calming presence or guiding voice that helps them survive.

Scientists Seeking Better Treatments for Multiple Sclerosis

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: This week, we tell about the disease multiple sclerosis. Multiple sclerosis is not easy to say. Those who suffer from the disease may also have difficulty naming it. (Rerun)

Winter Gives a Hard Chop to Washington's Cherry Trees

AGRICULTURE REPORT: Official snowfall records for Washington date back to 1884. By early February, this winter had already broken them with 142 centimeters of snow measured.

The Dangers of Counterfeit Drugs (First of Two Parts)

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Counterfeit medicines are a widespread problem in developing countries.

Music Spotlight: Reba, Zac Brown Band and More

THIS IS AMERICA: This week on our program, we have music from the latest albums by country singer Reba McEntire and saxophonist David Sanborn. We also tell you about a hot new group, the Zac Brown Band. And we play music from the movie 'Crazy Heart.'

Jackson Pollock, 1912-1956: He Invented a New Kind of Painting

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Today, we tell about the famous artist Jackson Pollock who helped redefine modern art in the United States.

Words and Their Stories: Fall Guy, Be Fixed, Take the Fall, Take the Rap, ...

WORDS AND THEIR STORIES: a fall guy, be fixed, take the fall, take the rap, receive a bum rap, be framed

American Stories (2010-02-19) - To Those Who Wait (By Elick Moll)

AMERICAN STORIES: This story won second prize in the 1937 O. Henery Awards. (published in Scribner's Magazine) NO TRANSCRIPT this week.

The Committee to Protect Journalists Says 2009 Was a 'Bad Year'

IN THE NEWS: The Committee to Protect Journalists says at least 71 members of the media were killed last year around the world. A single act of political violence in the Philippines raised the number sharply compared to the year before.

With Loan Guarantees, Obama Looks to Nuclear Energy for Jobs

ECONOMICS REPORT: It has been one year since President Obama signed the economic recovery bill aimed at pulling the country out of recession. The new bill promised jobs -- including many in the nuclear energy industry.

In America, the New Economics of Marriage

AMERICAN MOSAIC: The New Economics of Marriage, WWE Professional Wrestling and Music from Lyle Lovett

About the TOEIC Test

EDUCATION REPORT: This week on our program, we answer a question from Japan. A listener named Maki would like to know if the test known as the TOEIC is popular in the United States. TOEIC is the Test of English for International Communication.

American History Series: Grant's Political Battles

MAKING OF A NATION: Ulysses Grant was elected president of the United States in 1862. Grant was a military hero. He led Union troops of the North to victory over Confederate troops of the South in the Civil War. (Rerun)

Treating an Abnormal Heartbeat

HEALTH REPORT: A condition called atrial fibrillation produces an abnormal heartbeat. People feel their heart race and they lose their breath. It may last a few seconds, but it can get worse and worse with age, leading to a heart attack or stroke.

About Chocolate and Its History

EXPLORATIONS: Chocolate Has a History as Rich as Its Taste: Today we travel around the world exploring the history of chocolate. Its story begins with a plant whose scientific name, Theobroma cacao, means 'food of the gods.' (Rerun)

Less Salt for Better Health / How Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work / Antidepressant Drugs / Running Shoes

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: This week, we will tell how less salt can lead to better health. We will also tell about the helpful effects of omega-three fatty acids. And, we will share details of recent studies about antidepressant drugs and running shoes.

Burros Can Do More Than Work Just as Pack Animals

AGRICULTURE REPORT: A burro is a small donkey. Another way that people say it is BOOR-oh. The name comes from Spanish and, before that, from a Latin term for a small horse. (Rerun from 2008)

UNICEF Appeals for Aid for Women and Children

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: UNICEF is appealing for more than one billion dollars in aid for women and children around the world.

Tombstone, Arizona

THIS IS AMERICA: The United States has thousands of "ghost towns." These are communities that once were successful but all the population moved to other places. Today on our program, we visit a town in the western state of Arizona that was saved from being a ghost town by a violent history. (Rerun from 2008)

Jane Jacobs, 1916-2006: Activist, Writer, Moral Thinker And Economist

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Today we tell about Jane Jacobs. She was an activist for improving cities. Jane Jacobs was an activist, writer, moral thinker and economist. She believed cities should be densely populated and full of different kinds of people and activities.

Great Scott (It Expresses Surprise or Shock)

WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. Every language has its ways of expressing strong emotions: Great Scott!, Holy Mackerel!, Holy Toledo!

Short Story: Surviving Adverse Seasons (Barry Targan 1979)

AMERICAN STORIES: Abel Halleck was 59 years old when his wife Estelle died. Her death was sudden and unexpected, the kind of death you cannot forget. Abel Halleck buried his wife, then he stopped doing anything. His work, the world, life and all its possibilities were no longer important to him. He had learned quickly that the laws about life he had trusted did not really exist after all.

Yanukovych Is Greeted as the Winner in Ukraine

IN THE NEWS: World leaders have been congratulating Viktor Yanukovych as Ukraine's next president. Among Western leaders, President Obama phoned on Thursday to welcome the opposition leader.

On the Web, a Site for Baby's First Clicks

AMERICAN MOSAIC: Today on our program, we listen to music from Norah Jones ... And we answer a question about George Washington. But first, we tell you about a Web site for children too young to even use a mouse.

Need Help With Your Writing? Try This Web Site

EDUCATION REPORT: Many colleges and universities in the United States have writing centers to help students improve their skills. Some materials are available free at Web sites like the Purdue Online Writing Lab, or OWL.

EU Offers Words of Support to Greece

ECONOMICS REPORT: Leaders of the European Union say they will help Greece as it struggles under a mountain of debt.

American History Series: The Election of 1868

MAKING OF A NATION; In the years just after the Civil War, America was led by Andrew Johnson. The Democrat rose from vice president to president when Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in April of 1865

Winter Olympics Open Friday in Vancouver

EXPLORATIONS: Today we tell about the Winter Olympic Games that open February 12th in Vancouver, Canada.

Needle Injuries to Medical Students Often Go Unreported

HEALTH REPORT: For medical students, real experience begins not in a classroom but at a teaching hospital. These doctors in training are supervised. But sometimes accidents happen and the students get injured.

Some Crops Can Help Farmers Prepare for Disasters

AGRICULTURE REPORT: Farmers may not be able to prevent natural disasters, but they can at least try their best to reduce losses. For example, they can plant crops that are more likely to survive extreme weather.

About Seat Belts and Kevlar

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: I'm Shirley Griffith. BOB DOUGHTY: And I'm Bob Doughty. Today we tell about two recent inventions that have helped to save lives. We will also tell about the people who developed them.

Valentine's Day Offers a Chance to 'Refocus on What Love Is All About'

THIS IS AMERICA: These are important days for makers of sweets and sellers of flowers. For owners of fine restaurants and publishers of greeting cards. For salespeople at clothing stores. And for all the people whose job is to make other people's hair and fingernails look their best.

Increasing Food Security in Dry Areas of the Middle East

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Agricultural experts have launched a land and water management project in the Middle East. The project seeks to increase food security in dry areas.

Short Story: A Jury of Her Peers (By Susan Glaspell)

AMERICAN STORIES: The transcript is at http://skyel.net/zh-hans/node/5724 (Rerun from 2008)

Some People's Names Have Special Meanings in American Expressions

WORDS AND THEIR STORIES: a cup of Joe, an average Joe, did not know Jack, John Q. Public, Jeez Louise, for Pete's sake, be a doubting Thomas, Joe Blow, a plain Jane, No way, Jose, did not know either of these two people from Adam, a Jack of all trades, Uncle Sam, sign his John Hancock, Johnny One Note (Rerun from 2008)

Arthur Ashe, 1943-1993: Tennis Champion and Civil Rights Activist

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Today we tell about the life of tennis champion Arthur Ashe. He was an athlete and a social activist who died before he was fifty.

US Military Officer, Admiral Mike Mullen, Says to Let Gays Serve Openly

IN THE NEWS: Last week President Obama again called for ending a ban against people in the military who are openly homosexual.

US Groups Working to Help Earthquake Victims in Haiti

AMERICAN MOSAIC: Also Super Bowl 44 (American Football Championship) and Music of Grammy Award Winners

Toyota Cars Recent Problems with Cars that Speed Up Unexpectedly

ECONOMICS REPORT: Toyota became the world's largest automaker in 2008. But after years of building loyalty, the Japanese company may have put its quality brand name at risk, at least temporarily.

Some US Students Learn Mandarin With China's Help

EDUCATION REPORT: Some schools in the United States and other countries offer Chinese language classes with government support from China.

American History Series: Rebuilding the South

MAKING OF A NATION: In March, 1868, Congress tried to remove President Andrew Johnson from office. At that time, Congress was controlled by radical members of the Republican Party. They opposed Johnson, a Democrat.

Two Studies Give a Lift to Running Barefoot

HEALTH REPORT: Two new studies suggest that modern running shoes could increase the risk of injuries to runners.

The Vatican Museums Hold Some of the World's Greatest Art Treasures

EXPLORATIONS: The Vatican in Rome, Italy, is the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. But the Vatican is more than a religious center. Over the centuries, church leaders gathered priceless objects including cloth textiles, books, documents, paintings and sculptures. (Rerun from 2005)

Mapping the Way to a Better Soybean

AGRICULTURE REPORT: Soybeans are eaten by people and fed to animals. Some farmers grow them to replace lost nitrogen in the soil. Soybeans were first grown in Asia thousands of years ago.

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: Winter conditions are affecting many countries in Earth's northern hemisphere. Winter brings cold weather and, with it, a danger as old as man's knowledge of fire. The danger is death or injury by carbon monoxide poisoning. (Rerun from 2008.)

Breathing Easier: The Art of Stove Making

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: More than three billion people are at risk from indoor air pollution because of the heating or cooking fuels they use.

Reaching Out to the People of Haiti

THIS IS AMERICA: The January twelfth earthquake in Haiti killed or injured hundreds of thousands of people.

Farm Expressions

WORDS AND THEIR STORIES: farm, hedge, hedging, hedging his bet, make hay while the sun shines, not worth a hill of beans, altogether not worth a bean

Pioneers Who Shaped the Sounds of Radio

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Guglielmo Marconi, Lee De Forest, Edwin Armstrong, David Sarnoff, William S. Paley, Edward R. Murrow and William Shirer

Short Story: Wanderlust (By Charles Kuralt)

AMERICAN STORIES: The word 'wanderlust' means a strong desire to travel. For many years Mr. Kuralt traveled across America, telling interesting stories about Americans. (The transcript is at http://www.wwenglish.com/en/voa.)

Obama Urges His Party Not to 'Run for the Hills'

IN THE NEWS:President Obama gave his first State of the Union speech Wednesday night.

The International Civil Rights Center and Museum

AMERICAN MOSAIC: A new museum to honor power of a sit-n protest, Americans' favorite winter sports and music from singer/songwriter Jason Mraz

For Youths in US, a Jump in Media Use

ECONOMICS REPORT: American children and teenagers have increased their use of entertainment media by more than one hour a day in the last five years. On an average day they now spend seven and a half hours using media.

Students' Writing and the Web: Motivator or OMG?

EDUCATION REPORT: Web browsers first appeared on computers in the early 1990s. Since then, the Internet has greatly changed the way people communicate. But some teachers think the changes are not all for the better.

American History Series: Impeachment Trial of President Andrew Johnson

MAKING OF A NATION: After America's Civil War ended in 1865, tensions grew between Congress and the President. Radical members of the Republican Party controlled Congress. They wanted strong policies to punish the southern states who left the Union and were defeated. (Rerun from 2005)

The United States Capitol in Washington, DC

EXPLORATIONS: The United States Capitol in Washington, D.C., is one of the most recognized buildings in the world. Its design was influenced by the classical buildings of ancient Greece and Rome. *Added to 'About Places' (http://www.manythings.org/voa/places/)

Less Salt Can Mean More Life

HEALTH REPORT: Even a small reduction in salt in the diet can be a big help to the heart.

In Consumer Electronics, the Money Is on 3-D and All Things Wireless

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: This week, we look at the newest devices demonstrated at the recent International Consumer Electronics Show.

New Understanding of How Plants Use Water

AGRICULTURE REPORT: Scientists have discovered more details about how plants use water.

Steps Urged to Prevent Snakebites, Improve Treatments

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: Snakes bite an estimated five and a half million people worldwide each year. Experts say tens of thousands of people die from venom poisoning.

How the Lomax Family Helped Save American Folk Music, Part 2

THIS IS AMERICA: This week on our program, we finish the story of the Lomax family.

Short Story: A Girl for Walter (By Theodore Jacobs)

AMERICAN STORIES: See the transcript at http://www.unsv.com/voanews/specialenglish/scripts/2010/01/23/0045/printer.html

Words and Their Stories: Back, Shoulders and Chest

WORDS AND THEIR STORIES: on my back, get off my back, turn my back on her, behind my back, stab in the back, pat on the back, I will scratch your back if you will scratch mine., straight from the shoulder, on her shoulders, rub shoulders, cold shoulder, at the top of my lungs, off my chest, save my breath

Scott Joplin, 1867-1917: Ragtime Music Composer

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: Today we tell about the life and work of one of America's greatest music writers: Scott Joplin, the King of Ragtime. (Rerun from 2006)

Weighing the First Year of Obama as President

IN THE NEWS: President Barack Obama has begun his second year in office. The 44th president, and first African-American president, was inaugurated last January 20th.

New Orleans Still Struggles to Recover from Hurricane Katrina of 2005

AMERICAN MOSAIC: We also play music from several of the city's many jazz bands.

President Obama Is Proposing Rules to Limit the Size of Banks

ECONOMICS REPORT: President Obama is proposing rules to limit the size of banks and the risks they can take. He wants to prevent banks from using government-insured deposits to make risky investments.

The Green Charter Schools Network

EDUCATION REPORT: Charter schools operate with public money but without many of the rules that govern traditional public schools.

Andrew Johnson: The Story of America's 17th President

MAKING OF A NATION: In the spring of 1865, America's Civil War was over. The man who had led the Union during the war, Abraham Lincoln, was dead. He had been assassinated before the final surrender of Confederate forces. (Rerun from 2005)

Study Adds to Understanding of Language and the Brain

HEALTH REPORT: A new study of the brain is helping scientists better understand how humans process language.

From 'Dracula' to 'Twilight,' Vampires Evolve with the Times

EXPLORATION: Today we get to know more about a famous creature known for its pale skin, pointy teeth and big hunger for human blood. Vampires have held an important place in the popular imagination since ancient times.

Revisiting the Accord From Copenhagen

SCIENCE IN THE NEWS: This week, we will tell about an agreement to limit temperatures in Earth's atmosphere. We will tell about an incident that brought attention to climate change disputes. And we will report on a study of China's giant pandas.

Giving Grasslands a Rest

Grasslands need time to rest when cattle and other animals feed on them. Moving animals from one area of pasture to another can provide the time needed for new growth. This is called rotational grazing. (Rerun from 2009-01-05)

New Vaccine Joins Campaign to End Polio

DEVELOPMENT REPORT: The World Health Organization has begun to use a new vaccine against polio. Officials say it will become a major tool in the campaign to end a disease that mainly affects children under age five. The new formulation is known as B.O.P.V. , or bivalent oral polio vaccine.

How the Lomax Family Helped Save American Folk Music

THIS IS AMERICA: Lomax is a name well known to historians of American musical culture. Today we have the first of two programs about how the Lomax family helped keep American folk music from being lost.

Margaret Mead, 1901-1978: A Public Face of Anthropology

PEOPLE IN AMERICA: People around the world mourned when Margaret Mead died in 1978 The president of the United States at the time, Jimmy Carter, honored the social scientist with America's highest award for civilians.

A Race Against Time to Get Help to Haitians After the Earthquake

IN THE NEWS: Food. Water. Medicine. Hope. All that and more is urgently needed after a powerful earthquake wrecked much of Haiti's capital on Tuesday.

Katherine Paterson Becomes the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

AMERICAN MOSAIC: This week on our program we listen to music from superstar Whitney Houston. And answer a question about the Old Believers religious group. But first, we meet a new ambassador in Washington whose wants to spread the message that reading is fun.