A Quick Lesson in Ways Businesses Are Organized

VOA Learning English: A Quick Lesson in Ways Businesses Are Organized

An explanation of individual proprietorships, partnerships and corporations ECONOMICS REPORT (download mp3)

T-Shirt Designer - a Young Entrepreneur to Watch

VOAVideo: T-Shirt Designer - a Young Entrepreneur to Watch

Micha Weinblatt is considered one of the 10 'Generation Next' entrepreneurs to watch. The 28-year-old T-shirt designer launched his Crooked Monkey company in 2005. Our reporter profiles the designer - whose shirts are playful and irreverent - and appeal to a younger generation. (read more)

Amazon Launches E-Book Lending for Libraries

VOA Special English: Amazon Launches E-Book Lending for Libraries

The new service in the US will let Kindle users download books from thousands of local libraries TECHNOLOGY REPORT (download mp3)

NY Bookstore Survives Changes in Publishing Industry

VOAVideo: NY Bookstore Survives Changes in Publishing Industry

Books and bookstores, have been having a hard time in the United States in the last few years. Not long ago, large discount booksellers drove many small, independent book stores out of business. Now, those superstores are taking a hit from on-line and digital book sellers. Borders -- the country's number two book chain -- recently declared bankruptcy and Amazon says it is now selling more e-books than printed ones. But in New York City, there's a family-owned, independent book store that is still going strong.

US Postal Service Warns of Default

VOA Learning English: US Postal Service Warns of Default

The post office has proposed cutting over 100 thousand workers and Saturday mail delivery ECONOMICS REPORT (download mp3)

Company Helps Home Gardeners

VOAVideo: Company Helps Home Gardeners

A growing number of Americans grow fruit and vegetables at home in their own gardens. These small plots let gardeners savor the flavor of fresh-picked produce and improve their diet. Our correspondent tells us about a company in Los Angeles that helps new gardeners get started.

Obama Proposes $3 Trillion Deficit, Debt Plan

VOANews: Obama Proposes $3 Trillion Deficit, Debt Plan

Saying all Americans, especially wealthy, need to help fix economy, President issues second set of key financial proposals in 10 days

Stimulus Spending Creating Green Jobs in Rust Belt Town

VOAVideo: Stimulus Spending Creating Green Jobs in Rust Belt Town
As President Obama works to build support for his new jobs plan, Congress prepares to debate his bill. One portion of the bill proposes spending to create jobs -- much like an earlier stimulus plan put into effect in 2009. While there are differences of opinion about how effective that first round of stimulus spending was, VOA's Derek Henkle tells us about one company -- and one family -- that are now thriving because of it.

ESL Podcast 720 – Buying Office Furniture

ESL Podcast 720 – Buying Office Furniture

Moving into a new office, or just want a new desk? Go shopping for office furniture in this episode. Download Podcast

Stylist's Job Is to Make Food Look Pretty for the Camera

VOA Learning English: Stylist's Job Is to Make Food Look Pretty for the Camera

To Lisa Cherkasky, every detail makes a big difference. She is looking for just the right position for this topping on a salmon sandwich. Finally, everything seems picture perfect . . . Today, Cherkasky is styling bread from the Gold Crust Baking Company. Nausika Lyubinsky is a part owner of the company. Cherkasky prepares the food so that it is camera-ready. She often employs tricks or devices designed for other uses.

America and the Struggle for Jobs

VOA Learning English: America and the Struggle for Jobs

Author Don Peck has one answer: "Young people need to be extremely aggressive ... and have humility" THIS IS AMERICA

Mobile Restaurant Redefines Green, Organic

VOAVideo: Mobile Restaurant Redefines Green, Organic

In major metropolitan areas across the United States, food-vending trucks have become a common sight. For the truck merchants selling everything from fresh vegetables to fast food to fancy meals, they are an easy, low-cost way to run a business, and cost a fraction of what it would take to start a restaurant. But how good are they for the environment? From Los Angeles, VOA's Monaliza Noormohammadi profiles one brand of food truck that was built to be "green." (download mp3)

ESL Podcast 700 – Starting a New Workweek

ESL Podcast 700 – Starting a New Workweek

Everybody’s working for the weekend – or so I’ve heard. Find out how not to start a new week at work in this episode. Download Podcast

Americans Focus on National Unity on September 11 Anniversary

VOAVideo: Americans Focus on National Unity on September 11 Anniversary

As Americans prepare to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, public-opinion polls suggest the country is in a pessimistic mood, largely because of the domestic economy. A recent Time Magazine poll found 71 percent of Americans see the U.S. as worse off than it was a decade ago, and a recent Gallup poll found that 88 percent of those asked are dissatisfied with the direction of the country. But as VOA National Correspondent Jim Malone reports, there are Americans hoping to rally national unity as the country prepares to mark the anniversary of that terrible day in September.

More US Companies Look Global as Domestic Demand Drops

VOAVideo: More US Companies Look Global as Domestic Demand Drops

The U.S. International Trade Administration recently formed a partnership with America's seaports to encourage U.S. businesses to export. It is part of an effort to double U.S. exports by 2014. Some U.S. companies that historically depend on the domestic market are starting to look elsewhere for business to boost their bottom line, especially since the 2008 economic recession. But as Elizabeth Lee reports from Los Angeles, there are reasons why most American businesses do not export their products.

President Obama Presents American Jobs Act (Enhanced Version)

wh.gov: President Obama Presents American Jobs Act (Enhanced Version)

Shares plan to create jobs with joint session of Congress. September 8, 2011.

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Home Construction Industry Suffers in Dismal US Housing Market

VOAVideo: Home Construction Industry Suffers in Dismal US Housing Market
In 2010, about 323,000 new homes were sold in the United States. That's the worst year on record since 1963. The dismal housing market in the United States, flooded with abandoned properties and foreclosures, has forced many out of the home construction industry. As VOA's Kane Farabaugh reports, the building suppliers and construction workers who remain in the U.S. Midwest are trying to deal with the worst economic environment their industry has seen in decades.

So You Want To Be A Doctor?

VOA Learning English: So You Want To Be A Doctor? Medical Studies and Hospital Training Are Hard Work

A look at medical training in the United States SCIENCE IN THE NEWS (download mp3)

US Job Growth Grinds to a Halt in August

VOAVideo: US Job Growth Grinds to a Halt in August

US job growth ground to a halt in August as government layoffs erased meager gains in the private sector. The Labor Department says American businesses added only 17,000 jobs last month, far short of the 100,000 jobs analysts were expecting. To make matters worse, cuts in state and federal employment offset those gains. The net result - zero jobs added in August.

Three Stories for Labor Day

VOANews: In US, a Labor Day Short of Celebration
Americans welcome Labor Day with high unemployment, fears of new recession

VOANews: US Companies, Labor Unions Struggle Over Politics Profits, Wages
Relations between workers and employers have been contentious in the United States this year

VOANews: 'Radium Girls' Remembered for Role in Shaping US Labor Law
Case of women who painted clock faces in small town in Midwest state of Illinois helped raise awareness to dangers of radium

Tough Labor Day for Workers, Labor Unions

VOANews: Tough Labor Day for Workers, Labor Unions

Some Americans will take an extra day off from work this week to celebrate the Labor Day Holiday. The annual celebration traditionally marks the end of summer but it's also a day to honor the contribution that workers have made to the economic and social well being of the country. But for millions of unemployed Americans on this Labor Day Holiday, there is precious little to celebrate. Mil Arcega takes a look at the state of work and workers in the United States.