NASA Paints Pluto Wild With Color

NASA, the U.S. agency that explores outer space, calls this image “Psychedelic Pluto.” Pluto is the furthest planet in our solar system. The word “psychedelic” means bright, edgy colors, and Pluto looks pretty wild in this image. The New Horizons spacecraft flew by Pluto and sent pictures back to Earth. NASA’s New Horizon scientists manipulated this image of Pluto. It highlights the many different areas on Pluto. The pictures were taken 35,000 kilometers away from the planet with the spacecraft’s Ralph/MVIC color camera. It was captured on July 14, 2015. On Earth, that is Bastille Day, which celebrates French independence.  Image Credit: NASA/JHUAPL/SwRI Anne Ball reported this story. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of Psychedelic Pluto? We want to hear from you in the Comments section and on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   outer space –n. the area beyond Earth’s atmosphere where there are planets and stars psychedelic –adj. the effects of certain drugs that bring bright colors and strange sounds. edgy –adj. a new and unusual way spacecraft –n. a vehicle used to travel in outer space manipulated – v. to change something highlight –v. to bring attention to  

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Pope Talks to Africa About Poverty, Climate and Greed

It is the first time this Pope has been to Africa.  Three countries, 19 speeches, and big issues to address. These issues include poverty, the environment, and finding peace between Muslims and Christians. The African continent plays an important role for the Catholic Church. PEW Research says there are more than 170 million Catholics in sub-Saharan Africa. Both Catholics and Muslims are projected to increase “dramatically” over the next 35 years in Africa, according to Pew. With stops in Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, human rights supporters hope he will push for political rights, religious tolerance and respect for minorities. Large, adoring crowds have turned out to see the popular pope. Pope Francis put poverty front and center in Kenya. His visited the slum of Kangemi, to show his support of the poor. He spoke at the St. Joseph the Worker Catholic church. Speaking through a translator, Pope Francis said he understands the difficulty the poor deal with every day. “I am here,” he said, “because I want you to know that your joys and hopes, your troubles and your sorrow, are not indifferent to me. I realize the difficulties which you experience daily. How can I not denounce the injustices which you suffer?” People cheered when he said that keeping water from people is a great injustice. The pope said it is a serious problem when people do not have access to infrastructure or basic services. Electricity, schools, roads and hospitals are human rights, he said. Even studios and workshops for artists and workers. He blamed “a selfish minority” for holding power and wealth that makes others poor. Later, the crowd cheered as he arrived at a rally for young people at a sports stadium. He stood and waved from his partly open, partly protected, white vehicle, called the “pope-mobile.” Pope Francis told tens of thousands of young Africans to resist corruption. He said corruption is like sugar: One can develop a taste for it, but in the end, it is destructive. The head of the Catholic Church also told the crowd to give up tribalism. Loyalty to tribes are sometimes stronger than political ties in Africa. It can lead to violence, like female genital mutilation (FGM). While in Kenya, the pope spoke about the environment. At the United Nations Environment Program in Nairobi on Thursday, he called for immediate action to stop climate change. He said: “In this international context, we are confronted with a choice which cannot be ignored: either to improve or to destroy the environment.” His comments come just days before a U.N. meeting on climate change in Paris. He said it would be catastrophic if nothing is done to stop climate change. “In a few days, an important meeting on climate change will be held in Paris," he said. "It would be sad, and I dare say even catastrophic, were particular interests to prevail over the common good.” Also while in Kenya, the pope spoke to a group of Christian and Muslim leaders. He said they must talk about guarding against radical behavior, and acts of violence in the name of God. Pope Francis said talk between the two religions is “essential.” He said too often, young people are “radicalized in the name of religion” to spread “discord and fear.” The second stop of the pope’s African tour is Uganda, where his plane touched down Friday. Arriving in Entebbe, he praised the country for its “outstanding” response in welcoming refugees. The U.N. says Uganda hosts more than a half-million refugees. Most of them have fled from war and conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Pope Francis said Uganda has shown outstanding concern for refugees and helped them “rebuild their lives in security, with a sense of dignity.” He said how we deal with refugees “is a test of our humanity.”  And, he said, the “world looks to Africa as the continent of hope.” His comments come as Europe and the United States struggle with placing refugees from Syria and other countries at war. This, after the terrorist attacks in Paris by Muslim extremists. The final stop on his tour is the Central African Republic on Sunday, where he will again hope to address issues between Muslims and Christians. Many hope that the pope’s visit can bring peace to a country that has seen violence between Muslims and Christians. Some question if it is safe for him to travel there. Since 2013 the country has been in chaos. A rebel takeover led to bloody violence between Muslims and Christians.      The pope is scheduled to visit a mosque in Bangui’s PK5 neighborhood. Many of the city’s mosques were destroyed in violence that started at the end of 2013. It continues to simmer even now. PK5 is the last place in the capital where Muslims can live. The conflict killed thousands and displaced nearly a million more. Most of the country’s Muslims fled to other countries. The pope is then scheduled to go home to Rome Monday. I'm Anne Ball.    Anne Ball reported on this story with information from VOA News correspondents. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section and post on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tolerance – n. willingness to accept feelings, habits, iedeas, or beliefs different from your own adoring -- adj. to love, and or admire, very much slum -- n. part of a city where poor people live in bad conditions indifferent -- adj. not interested in something injustice -- n. unfair treatment --  the rights of a person or a group of people are ignored infrastructure -- n. the basic equipment and structures, like roads, needed for a country, and area or organization to function properly destructive -- adj. causing a very large amount of damage or  harm female genital mutilation -- n.  the cutting, or partial or total removal, of the external female genitalia for religious, cultural, or other non-medical reasons catastrophic -- adj. disastrous radicalized -- v. to cause someone to be more radical in religion or politics chaos -- n. complete confusion and disorder takeover -- n. when a person, people or company takes complete control of something

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US 'Open Doors' for International Students

More international students are studying at U.S. colleges and universities than ever before, a new report says. The report shows that nearly a million international students are studying at U.S. universities. That's among more than 20 million students at all U.S. universities. This is the highest number of international students on record since 1954. International students added $30.8 billion to the U.S. economy over the past year. Open Doors is the name of the report. Every year the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education (or IIE) work together to release an annual report. IIE studies and supports international student exchange. The Department of State and IIE released the 2015 Open Doors report last week. Allan Goodman, Ph.D., is the president of IIE. Goodman told VOA he thinks having more international students in the U.S. is good for the future. "I think it's clear that being a global citizen… matters deeply to the next generation of students and our future leaders... We're hoping here at the Institute that international [study] increasingly becomes a part of everybody's education… because it's the only way we can really learn about the world we share." The number of international students in the U.S. has increased since 2006. It increased 10 percent between 2014 and 2015. That was the highest increase in 35 years. China sent more students to study in the U.S. in 2015 than any other country, the report states: 304,040. That is an increase of 10.8 percent from last year. India sent more students to the U.S. than it had in its past. It sent the second largest number of students to the U.S. with 132,888. Rajika Bhandari is the Deputy Vice President of Research and Evaluation for IIE. She said more Indian students are coming to the top-level science and technology facilities at U.S. universities. "What the data shows us is that the United States is still the Number One destination for students who seek a global education." Bhandari also said that programs for international students can make a lot of change. She suggested that a program called "One Hundred Thousand Strong in The Americas" helped increase the number of students from Latin America and the Caribbean. “One Hundred Thousand Strong in the Americas" is a combined effort of the U.S. Department of State and several education and development organizations. The program helps make international study between Latin America and the U.S easier and more affordable. "The number of students from Latin America and the Caribbean increased by almost 20 percent … making this the fastest growing region of origin for international students." Brazil sent 23,675 students to the U.S. That is 79 percent more than in 2014. The Brazil Scientific Mobility Program helped pay for the students. This program pays for science and mathematics students to study at U.S. universities for one year. Government scholarships were also important for students from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia had the fourth highest number of students in the U.S., with 59,945. That is an increase from last year of 11.2 percent. Kuwait increased its number of students by 24 percent. Both countries' governments have programs that pay for some of their students to study in other countries. Foreign governments pay 7.7 percent of fees for their students to study in the U.S. The U.S. government is also trying to increase the number of U.S. students studying in foreign countries. Evan Ryan is the Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs for the U.S. Department of State. She said that international student exchange makes stronger connections between countries. "Exchange programs help… U.S. foreign policy goals. They develop the relationships between people and communities… And they [give students] the language skills and global perspectives they need to succeed in their careers," she said. The number of U.S. students studying in foreign countries increased by 5.2 percent to 304,467 in 2014, the Open Doors report says. The Department of State opened a Study Abroad office in Washington, D.C. in March. The office manages several scholarship programs for American students who want to study in other countries. The office's website also shares news and resources for students and parents. The goal is to increase the number of U.S. university students who study in other countries. "It is [very important] that we continue to work to make study abroad more accessible. These exchanges [improve] ties between the United States and countries around the world," Ryan said. I'm Pete Musto. Pete Musto reported and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story annual – adj.  happening once a year global – adj. involving the entire world facilities – n. something such as a building or large piece of equipment that is built for a specific purpose data – n. facts or information used usually to calculate, analyze, or plan something destination – n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent affordable – adj. at a low enough cost that it is easy to pay for region – n.  a part of a country or the world that is different or separate from other parts in some way origin – n.  the place, social situation, or type of family that a person comes from scholarship(s) – n. an amount of money that is given by a school, government or organization to a student to help pay for the student's education perspective(s) – n. a way of thinking about and understanding something such as a particular issue or life in general accessible – adj.  able to be used or obtained Now it's your turn. Do you want to study at University in the United States? What are the options for students from other countries who want to study at a university in your country? Let us know in the comments section below or on our Facebook page. ​

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Eating Our Way Along Route 66 With Pizza, Fries, Burgers and Mole

  Americans celebrated Thanksgiving this week. The holiday centers on a big meal shared with family and friends.  The #Route66VOA team decided to get in the spirit. This week, we introduce you to some of the meals we shared along the Mother Road.​ Chicago Deep Dish Chicago, the eastern starting point of Route 66, is home to deep dish pizza. Chicago deep dish is very different from pizzas in other American cities. And it could just be the richest, cheesiest and most satisfying pizza around. It starts with a round cooking pan, between 5 and 8 centimeters deep. Then comes the pizza dough. The dough is usually made of wheat flour and some butter or oil. That helps make a thicker and sweeter crust. For Chicago deep dish, the dough is spread up and around the side of the pan. Next, the pizza maker fills up that bowl of dough. First comes the cheese, and plenty of it. Then, any meat or vegetables go on top of the cheese. The final step is tomato sauce. Unlike most pizzas, the sauce goes on top of Chicago deep dish.                                     Deep dish pizza takes much longer to bake than flat pizza. But it is worth the wait. The Horseshoe Springfield, Illinois, is known as the home of Abraham Lincoln. But it is also known as the home one very hearty meal: the horseshoe. Many decades ago, local railroad workers in Springfield would go to small diners to eat late at night. The cooks gave them a mix of everything that was left in the kitchen. That included ingredients like bread, meat, potatoes and cheese. A horseshoe starts with a big, thick piece of bread called Texas toast. A piece of meat is on top of the bread. Diners today can choose between beef, pork, chicken, and even fried fish. On top of the meat is a very large pile of French fries. And on top of the fries? A lot of cheesy sauce. A real horseshoe is a piece of iron attached to the bottom of a horse’s hoof. At D’arcy’s Pub in Springfield, our server told us just how the meal got its name. She said the French fries represent the nails in a horseshoe, and the thick piece of bread represents the horse’s hoof.  Cafes and restaurants in Springfield and other cities serve horseshoes all day long -- for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Whatever time of day you eat it, a horseshoe will probably keep you full for many, many hours. Mole in Santa Fe                  Santa Fe, New Mexico, is home to many cultures. And that diversity is reflected in its food, a mix of Mexican, Spanish, and Pueblo Native American cuisine. In most cafes around town, you’ll find mole on the menu. Mole is a sauce used in many New Mexican dishes. There are many different kinds of mole. But in this part of the world, the most famous is mole poblano. One of the best places to try it is at the friendly Plaza Café. It is the city’s oldest restaurant, and right next to Santa Fe’s main square. In the main square, we talked to an unofficial expert on mole. Rick Maguire was visiting from Tempe, Arizona. He is a big fan of mole. “Mole is a mixture of chocolate and about 20 to 27 different spices that they put together. And it’s got some chili in it. Some mole can be a little spicier, depending on how much of the chili part they put in there.” The thick, brown sauce is not sweet. The chocolate gives it a sort of smoky flavor. Mole is usually used in chicken and pork dishes. Rick Maguire says it was once only eaten by Mexico's elite. “Chocolate was invented in this part of the world -- that is where the cocoa plant is from. And chocolate was actually considered for the high end -- you know, the priests and things like that.” With its rich flavor, it is easy to understand why mole was once the food of priests. Irv’s Burgers Irv’s Burgers has served Route 66 travelers -- and Hollywood locals -- since 1950. Actually, it was not always Irv’s. It first opened in 1950 as Queenies Burgers. Then it changed to Joe’s Burgers. It became Irv’s Burgers in the early 1970s, when Irv Gendis bought the business. The original Irv owned it until 2000. That year, a Korean-American family bought Irv’s Burgers. The Hongs -- Sonia, Sean and Momma Hong -- have served up simple, fresh burgers and fries on paper plates for 15 years. They write personal messages on the plates for each customer. And the Hongs know many customers by name.                      The Hongs have had to fight to keep the burger stand open. And devoted Hollywood locals have helped them in the fight to keep this Route 66 gem in business.                       Irv’s did close briefly, but it re-opened in a new location in 2014. They have settled in just fine.                          The phone at Irv's rings non-stop, with customers calling ahead to place their orders. During lunchtime, the line spills out of the tiny restaurant. The menu at Irv’s is not very long, but the taste and quality of the food brings people back again and again. I'm Ashley Thompson.  And I'm Caty Weaver. Join us again next week for another report about Route 66.  Caty Weaver and Ashley Thompson wrote this story. Kathleen Struck edited the article. What are some famous foods in your city or country? Tell us about some of your favorites in the comments section, or visit us on our Facebook page!  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   hearty - adj. large enough to satisfy hunger ingredients - n. things that are used to make a food or meal hoof - n. the hard covering on the foot of an animal such as a horse or pig elite - n. the people who have the most wealth or status in a society devoted - adj. having strong love or loyalty for something or someone gem - n. something that is admired for its excellence

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After Years on Death Row, Freed Man Helps Others

Anthony Graves spent 12 years on death row as a prisoner in a Texas jail. But Graves was innocent. He spent many years fighting his sentence. A court overturned his conviction. He was exonerated. He now fights for criminal justice reform in the United States. Graves was convicted of murdering a family of six in 1994. The 49-year-old man spent 19 years in prison. For over half of those years, he was scheduled to be executed. Graves was cleared of the murder charges and was released from prison five years ago. Today, he speaks of criminal injustice while making public appearances. Graves says he has no bitterness over his years in jail. He says he uses his story “to educate people” about “the injustice that is going on in our criminal justice system.” Even when he was cleared in 2000, Graves remained in prison. Ten years later, he finally became the twelfth Texas death row prisoner cleared of criminal charges. Graves wants the justice system reformed – including the death penalty and crime lab misconduct. He was named to Houston’s Forensic Science Center board of directors earlier this year.  He hopes to prevent future convictions that are wrong. “I want to stay in your face every day to remind you that we need to do better,” Graves said of the criminal justice system. And the prosecutor who put Graves in jail? His license to practice law was taken away this year. A panel of attorneys found Charles Sebesta guilty of misconduct. Graves said he “never thought that a young, African-American man from the projects could file a grievance against a powerful, white DA in Texas and win,” he told Texas Monthly. Still, Graves said, Sebesta “should be tried before a court of law to answer to charges of attempted murder.” That would have been Graves’ execution. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly. Greg Flakus wrote this story for VOAnews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   convict – v. to prove that someone is guilty of a crime in a court of law exonerate– v. to prove that someone is not guilty of a crime death row – n.  part of a prison where prisoners who will be killed as punishment for their crimes live until they are killed forensic – adj. relating to the use of scientific knowledge or methods in solving crimes penalty – n. punishment for breaking a rule or law   ​

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Sunni IS Terrorists Say They Attacked Bangladesh Shi'ite Mosque

The Islamic State terrorist group says it is responsible for an attack on a Shi’ite Muslim religious center in northern Bangladesh on Thursday. One person was killed and three were injured in the attack. Gunmen shot people praying at the mosque in Bogra, which is about 200 kilometers northwest of Dhaka. Arifure Rahman Mondal is a police official in Bogra. He spoke to VOA about the attack by telephone. He said the gunmen entered the mosque and began shooting worshippers. He says four people were shot and taken to the hospital. The muezzin, or the person who calls Muslims to prayers, died at the hospital. Mondal told VOA “we have already launched a country-wide operation to hunt out the assailants." The muezzin was 70-year-old Moazzem Hossain. Television stations in the area reported the three injured men were seriously wounded. Mohammed Ukil is a family member of the muezzin. He said the attackers appeared to be worshippers. He said when the worshippers bowed in prayer, the attackers shot their weapons from the back of the mosque. Then they ran away, he says. This is the second attack on the small Shi’ite community. Last month, a bomb exploded at a gathering there of Shi’ite Muslims. Two people were killed. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina strongly criticized the attackers: “A good Muslim can never resort to terrorism. The gunmen who attacked the worshipers at the mosque cannot be called Muslim. In the name of religion these perverts are killing people, indulging in terrorism and bringing (a) bad name to Islam.” Officials in Bangladesh are worried about an increase in the number of militant Islamists in the country. Between February and October, four secular, or non-religious, writers and one publisher were killed in Bangladesh. They publish their opinions on the Internet. Police say they were murdered by Ansarullah Bangla Team, a strict Islamist group. In recent weeks, gunmen also killed two foreigners -- an Italian aid worker and a Japanese farming expert -- in separate attacks. The Islamic State terrorist group claimed responsibility for those attacks and for the bomb attack on the Shi’ite gathering. Officials say Islamic State terrorists have claimed responsibility for recent attacks in the country. But those officials blame the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party and its ally, Jamaat-e-Islami, for the attacks.   On Thursday, police said the Jamayetul Mujahideen Bangladesh group carried out the attack on the Shi’ite religious gathering last month. The Islamist group has been banned. Police also said they shot and killed the group’s leader during a raid on Wednesday. They killed another commander during the raid, as well. They also said they arrested five members of the group suspected of being involved in the bombing. About 96 percent of the 149 million Muslims in Bangladesh are Sunni. The rest are Shi’ites. Imran H. Sarker is an activist in Dhaka. He says the two groups have lived close to one another for a long time and have not fought. He told VOA many people were surprised when the bomb attack happened because many Sunni Muslims were at the gathering. The attack on the mosque on Thursday worries Shi’ite Muslims in neighboring India. Bilal Hussain is a Shi’ite community leader in New Delhi. He is part of a group based in India that works to reduce tensions between Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims. He told VOA he was shocked by the attacks. He says they appear to be new attempts to divide Muslims. He said “IS is trying to set the Sunnis in Bangladesh against the Shias. The group is an enemy of Islam.” I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. Correspondent Shaikh Azizur Rahman reported this story from Bangladesh. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck edited this story. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words In the News   mosque – n. where religious services for Muslims are held worshipper – n. a person who shows respect, love or adoration for something or someone, usually a god  muezzin – n. a man who calls Muslims to prayer from a mosque assailant – n. a person who attacks another person bow – v. to turn your body or head toward the ground  resort to – phrasal verb to do (something) especially because no other choices are possible in the name of – expression acting on behalf of a belief or other person pervert – n. a person whose behavior is not normal or acceptable indulge in – phrasal verb to become involved in, such as a treat bad name – expression to be known for bad behavior or actions secular – adj. not religious  

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The Beautiful and Mysterious Shenandoah, and Its Native American Roots

English in a Minute: Wake-Up Call

Have you ever gotten a wake-up call? This expression can be used in many situations. Find out more about this idiom in this week's English in a Minute.

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In Japanese, Onigiri Means Love and Comfort

In Japan, onigiri rice balls are more common than sushi. And in Japanese culture, making onigiri is a way to show love. "You can make an onigiri by rolling rice in the palms of your hands,” said teacher – or sensei -- Takako Taniwaki at an onigiri-making class in Washington, D.C. Onigiri is a comfort food in Japan. People bring rice balls for lunch. They are good for a picnic, field trip and school event because they are easy to carry. And Taniwaki calls onigiri the soul food of the Japanese. Mothers and grandmothers make rice balls for their children or grandchildren with love. That kindness goes beyond Japan. Three organizations in Washington, D.C. hosted an onigiri-making class to raise funds.Their fund-raising goal is to tackle hunger. Hunger is a worldwide issue. More than 150 countries celebrated World Food Day on October 16 to increase awareness of food-related issues. Mayumi Uejima-Carr is co-president of Table for Two, one of the organizations raising funds and awareness. It is conducting its “One Million Itadakimasu" campaign until November 30. Itadakimasu is a Japanese word that expresses gratitude for food. It is a blessing said before eating. "We want to think about children who need help," said Uejima-Carr. Table for Two invites people to upload photos of making or eating onigiri to their website. The organization works with international companies to donate five meals for each photo uploaded. More than 2,300 photos have been uploaded so far from across the world. Table for Two also supports schools in low-income neighborhoods in the U.S. Uejima-Carr explained that food businesses donate 25 cents to upgrade a child’s school meal. That adds fresh vegetables to the meal.   Onigiri is also called omusubi. O is a Japanese word giving honor to someone or something. Nigiri comes from the verb nigiru, meaning to grasp and musubi comes from the verb musubu, meaning to tie or roll. The words express ideas of connection and closeness. What’s in onigiri? There are seasonings on the rice, pickled Japanese plums and baked salty salmon. The students at the onigiri-making class uploaded their photos to the fund-raising website. Then they ate onigiri together and said, “Itadakimasu!" I’m Jill Robbins. Now it’s your turn. Have you ever made a rice ball? Do you want to try a rice ball? What do you say when you start eating in your country? Please write to us in the comments section or on our Facebook page. Haruka Takeuchi wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. HOW TO MAKE ONIGIRI Ingredients: Rice Fillings of your choice (Tuna, Pickled plum, chicken, salmon and so on) Water Salt Dried seaweed Steps: Cook rice Put half a cup of steamed rice in a rice bowl. Wait for it to cool down. Wet your hand with water, or cut out about 10 inch sheet of plastic wrap. Put salt on your hands or on your plastic wrap. Place the rice onto your wet hand or onto the plastic wrap. Slightly spread the rice. Put the filling on the center of the rice then wrap it with the rice around it. Roll the rice in your hands and make it into a triangle, a ball or a cylinder. Wrap the rolled rice with seaweed. If you used plastic wrap, unwrap the rice and then put the seaweed on. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   grasp ­– v. to take and hold (something) with your fingers, hands, etc  

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Black Friday, Cyber Monday Start Holiday Shopping Season

  America’s holiday shopping season started on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving. It is the busiest shopping day of the year. Retailers make the most money this time of year, about 20 percent to 30 percent of all revenue all year. The National Retail Federation (NRF) says about 136 million people will shop during the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend.     More and more will shop online. In an era of instant information, shoppers can use their mobile phones to find deals. Nearly 80 percent of this year’s holiday shoppers, or about 183.8 million people, will shop on Cyber Monday, says the NRF. More than half of all holiday purchases will be made online, they say. One-in-five Americans will use a tablet or smartphone.    Pam Goodfellow is an analyst at Prosper Funding LLC. It is an online lender. “Given how shoppers today overall gravitate towards all things digital, there’s a high likelihood online shopping will be bigger than ever over the holiday weekend and on Cyber Monday,” she told the NRF. Online spending on Black Friday will rise 15 percent to hit $2.7 billion this year. Cyber Monday spending will increase 12 percent to $3 billion, says Adobe Systems Inc.   NBC News reported that for many, shopping online was “a more comfortable alternative” than crowded malls.  The shift to online shopping has had a big impact on “brick and mortar” shopping malls. Since 2010, more than 24 shopping malls have closed and an additional 60 are struggling, according to Green Street Advisors. It tracks the mall industry. However, Fortune says the weakest of the malls have closed. The sector is thriving again, it says. The International Council of Shopping Centers said 94.2 percent of malls were full, or occupied, with shops by the end of 2014. That is the highest level in 27 years. Economist Gus Faucher said lower unemployment and rising wages could give Americans more money to spend. According to the NRF, the average American consumer will spend about $805 on gifts. That’s about $630.5 billion between November and December – an increase of 3.7 percent from last year. Nonetheless, Cyber Monday is not the biggest online shopping day in the world. That distinction goes to China’s Singles’ Day, celebrated November 11, which posted record sales of $14.3 billion this year. I’m Mary Gotschall.     Mary Gotschall compiled this story for Learning English with reports from VOA News and other sources. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have an opinion about this topic? Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   retailer – n. a person or business that sells things directly to customers for their own use instant – adj.  happening or done without delay  mobile – adj. able to be moved gravitate – v. to be attracted to or toward something or someone digital – adj.  using or characterized by computer technology likelihood – n. the chance that something will happen destination – n. a place to which a person is going or something is being sent alternative – n. something that can be chosen instead of something else : a choice or option brick and mortar – adjectival phrase  used to describe a traditional store or business that is in a building instead of on the Internet mall – n. a large building or group of buildings containing stores of many different kinds and sizes occupy – v.  to fill or be in (a place or space) distinction – n. a special honor, recognition, or award    

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Americans Distrust Their Government, Poll Says

  Most Americans don’t have much trust in their government, says a new poll. Only 19 percent of Americans trust the government “always or most of the time,” the survey by the Pew Research Center finds. Pew says trust levels are among the lowest in surveys of the past 50 years. The trust level today is a big change from 15 years ago, right after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. At that time, 60 percent of Americans said they trusted the government, Pew said. Since then, trust in government has taken a major drop after the unpopular Iraq War and a dull economy. However, most Americans have a long list of things they want their government to do. That includes dealing with threats of terrorism, response to disasters and improving education. Air and water quality were also concerns. But Americans say they have little faith in government’s ability to respond. Only 20 percent of people polled by Pew say they would describe government programs as well run. The influence of money on politics may add to the distrust of government, says Pew. More than three-quarters of those polled say money “has a greater influence on politics and elected officials today than in the past.” Sixty-four percent say the large sums of money needed to run for president “discourages many good candidates from running.” The poll confirms divisions between Democrats and Republicans. Eighty percent of Republicans say they want smaller government.  Only 31 percent of Democrats say they want smaller government. About one-third of Republicans say government should help people gain health care coverage. More than three-quarters of Democrats say they want government to improve health care. Eighty-five percent of Republicans and 80 percent of Democrats tell Pew they believe the government should manage immigration. But Democrats and Republicans in Congress disagree on key immigration issues, such as what to do about Syrian refugees seeking admission to the United States. Pew says it surveyed 6,000 Americans in the trust survey. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA News reported this story. Bruce Alpert adapted it into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   poll – n. an activity in which several or many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something response - n. reaction discourage - v. to show disapproval; to make someone feel disheartened faith – n. strong belief or trust in someone or something manage - v. to direct or supervise  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1TbJjLK
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