VOANews.com

American LifePeople, Places & Issues in the News Across America

08 January 2009 

Today from VOA:

News in 45 Languages
American Life: Places
In this photo released by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, pink corals are seen on the Palmyra Atoll in the Pacific in this photo, date unknown
Bush Establishes Huge Pacific Marine Sanctuary  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
US president takes action to safeguard parts of three remote Pacific island chains that are US possessions
Barack Obama
Young New York City Immigrants, Parents Greet Obama Presidency Warmly  Video clip available
44th President will lead an increasingly multicultural US
Because of long periods of isolation from the rest of the continent by rising and falling sea levels, the Lake Wales Ridge has one of the highest concentrations in North America of endemic(locally-restricted)species
Sandy Strip of Florida Land Holds Ancient Secrets  Audio Clip Available
Lake Wales Ridge home to ecosystem of rare and endangered plants and animals
The U.S. flag is raised during a ceremony marking the opening of the new United States Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, 05 Jan 2009
New US Embassy Opens in Baghdad
Washington's largest diplomatic outpost in the world cost more than $600 million and will house more than 1,000 employees
President-elect Barack Obama, Mrs. Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha (7) and Malia (10) at the Hay Adams Hotel in Washington, DC, getting ready for the first day of school, 05 Jan 2009
Obama Joins Family in Washington
President-elect arrived late Sunday as his children prepare for first day of school in nation's capital
The tourist are gone and the slow pace has returned
Crawford, Texas Loses Tourists as Bush Term Wanes  Video clip available
Some residents welcome the calm, but business on Main Street declines
Fireworks explode over Sydney Harbour during the pre-New Year's celebrations on Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, 31 Dec 2008
Asia, Europe and New York City Ring in the New Year
Celebrations mixed due to global economic hardships
plastic bag
San Francisco's Plastic Bag Ban Gets Mixed Reviews  Video clip available
City measure banning plastic shopping bags welcomed by some shoppers, store owners, but also criticized
Mountains near Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, New Mexico: Then and Now  Audio Clip Available
Once-secret town where atomic bomb was developed has grown into research hub
Bob Brazell helps shovel out his daughter Julia's car in Crested Butte, Colo., 26 Dec 2008
Floods Could Follow Ice in Midwestern US
National Weather Service is warning that rain, rising temperatures, thick fog could lead to flooding after days of cold weather, heavy snow, ice
Customers gather outside of convenient store in Honolulu,  during blackout, 27 Dec 2008
Hawaiian Island Blackout Leaves Obama in Dark
Authorities suspect lightning strike Friday night cut power to nearly entire island of Oahu, including beach complex where president-elect, his family are vacationing
Firefighters, Bomb Squad personnel, Los Angeles County Sheriff officials stand near crime scene in Covina, Calif., 25 Dec 2008
Gunman in Santa Suit Kills 9 in California
Investigators say man apparently distraught over recent divorce; ex-wife, her parents believed to be among dead 
Many New Orleans residents are wary of another hurricane as they contemplate their futures
New Orleans Still Recovering from Hurricane Katrina  Video clip available
Three years later, city struggles to recover physically and emotionally
Most of the shops in the Hampden Village, downtown Baltimore, Maryland, are one of a kind carrying items not found in any shopping mall
Businesses Urge US Consumers to Buy Locally  Video clip available
A unique group of entrepreneurs in US city of Baltimore asks consumers to support small business in economic downturn