This is What’s Trending Today.

Bao Bao was born in the United States, but she was always destined to go to China.

A giant panda named Mei Xiang gave birth to Bao Bao at Washington’s National Zoo in 2013. She was the zoo’s first surviving panda cub since 2005.

Visitors got to see Bao Bao for the first time in early 2014.

The zoo’s first giant pandas arrived in 1972. They were a gift to the United States after President Richard Nixon’s historic trip to China.

The U.S. agreement with China states that the cubs of pandas loaned to the National Zoo must go to China by age four.

Zoo officials have a number of events planned for Bao Bao before she travels overseas. For example, she will receive a cake made of ice. Officials say it will recognize the people who give money to the National Zoo to help finance research into animals.

People around the world will be able to watch Bao Bao’s final days in Washington on the zoo’s Panda cam.
There will be several Facebook Live events, including videos of zookeepers preparing Bao Bao for her trip and a program showing how to make panda-themed art projects.

Bao Bao’s final hours at the zoo will be shown on Facebook Live on February 21.

Some of her human friends are using the hashtag #ByeByeBaoBao to say goodbye.
On Twitter, Lisa wrote “I am going to miss Bao Bao so much!! I have met so many people because of her.”
The user @CharmCityPanda wrote: “I love you sweet girl – thanks for the joy.”
Bao Bao will leave for China next Tuesday on a flight called the Fed Ex “Panda Express.”

If you are sad about seeing her go, there are three other pandas at the zoo. You can still see her parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and her brother, Bei Bei.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Caty Weaver.

On Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November, most Americans gather with friends and family. They pause, reflect on their blessings, cook up a storm, and eat.

A lot.

The star of most Thanksgiving dinners is a roasted turkey. Many families add traditional side dishes, too, such as mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cranberries, and green bean casserole. A casserole is a dish that cooks slowly in an oven.

One of the most popular Thanksgiving side dishes is stuffing. Stuffing usually includes bread, celery, onions, and a thin soup called broth. The ingredients are mixed together and then put – or stuffed –into the hollow turkey.

Anna Mateo here at Learning English says the smell of turkey and stuffing roasting together is the quintessential smell of Thanksgiving for her. “Quintessential” means the perfect example of something.

The meal does not end with the turkey, stuffing, and side dishes, though.

The quintessential Thanksgiving dessert is pie. Pumpkin, cherry, apple or pecan pie are all popular ways to finish off Thanksgiving.

Before everyone takes a nap, that is.

Happy Thanksgiving to all from Learning English!

I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.

This is What’s Trending Today:

Elizabeth Murphy and Ryan Barclay were posing for wedding photos along a path in New York City’s Central Park.

It was already an exciting day in their lives.

Murphy was wearing a beautiful, white wedding dress. Barclay was wearing a formal black suit called a tuxedo.

And then, actor Tom Hanks showed up. He was exercising in the park. He was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and a sweatshirt.
The couple was surprised when he walked up and introduced himself. He said, “Hi, I’m Tom Hanks.”

Elizabeth asked, “Can we get a photo with you?”

And he said, “By all means.”

Video and photos from the encounter are being shared on social media this week.
Hanks is one of the most popular movie actors of all time. He is known for playing Forrest Gump; a stranded traveler on a small island in “Cast Away”; and Woody the cowboy in the “Toy Story” animated films.

His current film, “Sully,” is the top new movie in the U.S. It tells the true story of a pilot who safely landed a commercial airplane on the Hudson River near New York City after both engines failed.

Hanks posed with the couple, kissed the bride on the hand and cheek, and even took a selfie with his own phone.
The meeting took just over a minute.

One person in the group invited Hanks to the wedding, saying, “We have extra seats.” But the actor declined, saying, “I think I have a dinner engagement.”

On Facebook, many people praised Hanks for being so friendly.

One person wrote: “Such a gem of a human being.”

Others joked about his many movie roles.

One man wrote: “This guy is amazing! I saw on TV that he landed a plane on the Hudson River and now he’s crashing wedding pictures, pretty cool guy.”

One woman posted a photo she took with Hanks at a Los Angeles restaurant. She wrote: “Tom Hanks is such a nice guy!”

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Anna Mateo.

Some Facebook users can now order food and buy tickets on the social media site.

The new service launched in the United States this week. Facebook designed it as a new way to connect users with local business.

This idea is not new. There are many smart phone applications that already let users to search, order and buy many different products and services.

But, Facebook’s service is a little different. It lets users share information about their favorite places and things with family and friends. Facebook says its new tool makes it easier for users to organize their friends’ favorite places and things in one place.

When users write Facebook posts seeking advice on local places or services, they can choose whether to turn on the new feature, called Recommendations. If a user turns this on, Facebook friends can then comment on those posts and give suggestions.
Users can also go directly to a Recommendations bookmark on Facebook to ask a new question or to offer help to their friends.

The new service lets people order food directly from the Facebook pages of some restaurants. Users can also purchase tickets to movies, music events or other activities. They can also make appointments for personal services, such as getting a haircut.

Facebook is testing the service in the United States. It plans to offer it to international users in the future.

The new service is part of recent efforts by Facebook to expand its offerings and get people to spend more time using the social media app.
A few weeks ago the company launched a feature called Marketplace, which allows people to locally buy and sell things. It also announced the start of Facebook at Work, which helps people connect in the workplace.

This week, the company also gave users the chance to officially endorse a political candidate on the app. Facebook users can show approval for presidential candidates as well as those running for Congress or local office.

Users can choose which Facebook friends can see their endorsements. If users make their choices public, political candidates are permitted to make the endorsement visible on their own Facebook page.

The 2016 U.S. elections are on November 8.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.

Exercise is good for us. It reduces the risks of dying from all causes, including cancer and heart disease. This is according to the World Health Organization.

But many people who work all week have little time for exercise.

So, they might try to do something to increase their heart rates over the weekend – go for a long run, take a bike ride, hike in the mountains or do a strenuous chore around the house, such as raking leaves, shoveling snow or digging a garden.
We sometimes call people who exercise only on Saturdays and Sundays “weekend warriors.” But is it healthy to avoid exercise during the work-week and then try to fit it all in during the weekend?

A new study suggests that, yes, it is healthy: Even weekend warriors may reduce their risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Benefits of being a weekend warrior

Australian researchers at the University of Sydney conducted the study. It took place over a nine-year period.

During that time, the researchers looked at the self-reported exercise habits and health examinations of more than 63,000 adults in England and Scotland. Then they connected that information to mortality – or, death – records.

The researchers found that people who exercised only one or two days a week improved their chances of living longer than people who did not exercise at all.

Even those who are very overweight – or, obese – could extend their lives by exercising a couple of days per week. Exercises included playing sports and taking a brisk walk.

First, let’s look at cancer. When compared to those who did not exercise at all, weekend warriors had an 18 percent lower risk of dying from cancer.

As for cardiovascular disease, weekend warriors had a 40 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease than inactive people, or so-called «couch potatoes.» Couch potatoes are people who don’t exercise. They simply sit all day like, well, like potatoes.

Emmanuel Stamatakis is the senior author of the study. He says that he found it «very encouraging» that even people who exercised as little as one or two times a week appear to lower their risk of early death.

In other words, their health improves even if they don’t meet the suggested weekly amount of physical activity. However, to be in the best health, Stamatakis says, more exercise is better.

The WHO suggests that the average adult get at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense activity per week. For the best results, the organization suggests 75 minutes per week of vigorous physical activity.

However, if you are busy with work and family duties, exercise as much as you can. Research seems to show that even a little is definitely better than none at all.

The researchers published their findings in the journal JAMA (JAM-ah) Internal Medicine.

And that’s the Health & Lifestyle report. I’m Anna Matteo

This is What’s Trending Today…

Maria Sharapova will be able to return to competitive tennis next April, after the Court of Arbitration for Sport reduced her doping ban from 24 months to 15 months.

Sharapova was banned from play after she failed a drug test in January. Tests at the 2016 Australian Open showed she had used meldonium, a banned substance.

Meldonium is made in Eastern Europe. It is said to be popular with some athletes from Eastern European countries. The drug is said to increase blood flow. It helps carry oxygen to muscles.

Sharapova admitted she had been taking a drug called Mildronate for over 10 years. But she did not know it was the same as meldonium. The World Anti-Doping Agency banned use of meldonium at the beginning of 2016.

At first, the International Tennis Federation banned Sharapova from competitive tennis for two years. The ban was to end January 25, 2018.

But Sharapova appealed the ruling in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. It ruled on Tuesday to reduce her sentence by nine months. Sharapova will now be able to play in any event that starts after April 25, 2017. As a result, she could compete at the French Open next May.

Sharapova said in a statement that she has “gone from one of the toughest days of my career last March when I learned about my suspension to now, one of my happiest days, as I found out I can return to tennis in April.”

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

It is coming very soon. You can hear about it in a song performed by American singer Victoria Vox.

«Oooo, I’m waiting on a supermoon to come into view, on the horizon…”

Sky watchers will have a special treat Monday night. That is when a supermoon appears in the night sky.

So what is a supermoon?

It is a full moon that appears bigger and brighter than normal. The American space agency, NASA, says the full moon on Monday will be the closest full moon of the year. In fact, the moon has not been this close to Earth since 1948.

The moon’s orbit around Earth is slightly elliptical – it does not move in an even circle. That means it sometimes moves closer to our planet. But other times it is farther away.

A supermoon is when the moon and Earth are closer than they usually are, if only by a small amount. But even that small distance can make the moon appear up to 14 percent larger and 30 percent brighter than a normal full moon.

Even if the skies are cloudy where you are on November 14th, the moon will still be very bright this weekend. The best time to see it is just before sunrise.

“I’ve been telling people to go out at night on either Sunday or Monday night to see the supermoon,” said Noah Petro, who works for NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. He said that the difference between Sunday night and Monday night will be very small, so either night will be good.

“Anytime after sunset should be fine” to see the moon, he said. “You don’t have to stay up all night to see it, unless you really want to!”

The name supermoon is fairly new. It was the idea of astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979.

In the past, some people called a supermoon, a “mega beaver moon.” That name comes from a best-selling book, the Old Farmer’s Almanac. It said the name was first used before the creation of the United States. It said that “for both the colonists and the Algonquin tribes, this was the time to set beaver traps before the swamps froze, to ensure a supply of warm winter furs.”

This will be is the second of three supermoons in recent months. If you miss this one, the next chance is on December 14.

The bad news about next month’s supermoon is that its brightness will limit what we can see of another light show in the night sky — the Geminid meteor shower. That is when as many as 100 or more shooting stars move fast across the night sky every hour.

The moon, however, will not be this close again until November 25, 2034.

But for now you can enjoy more of Victoria Vox’s song, Supermoon.

I’m Anne Ball.

More and more American families own pets.

A recent study says that 85 million families in the United States own a pet.

The American Pet Products Association’s study for the years 2017-2018 says that represents 68 percent of all families in the U.S.Thirty years ago, when the study was first done, 56 percent of families owned a pet.

The survey found dogs are the most popular pets. Sixty-point-two percent of homes own one. Cats are the second most popular with 47.1 percent of families reporting they had a cat. Freshwater fish came in third with 12.5 percent.

Nicki Dobson is head of marketing and communication for Three Dog Bakery. The business calls itself the «original bakery for dogs.» She said pets have become especially popular among Americans in the past 10 years.

She said, «People are having more pets and less children. People are concerned about what they eat. Our whole premise was trying to make things with human-grade ingredients and a focus on nutrition. They look like human food, but they’re meant for pets.»

Another company, Posh Puppy Boutique, sells clothes, jewelry and other items for dogs.

There are also pet hotels and pet health centers. One study found that Americans spend about $126 each month on their pets.

Three Dog Bakery opened in 1989. Dobson says there are now 45 bakeries around the world, including in Canada and China. She said cakes are the most popular item. She added that some people pay $50-75 on baked goods each week for their pets.

Some younger Americans seem to be choosing pets over having children. Some are making big life decisions, such as buying a home, around the lives of their pets.

The SunTrust banking company did a study in 2017 of people under the age of 40 buying their first home. The study found that 33 percent said a good yard or good space for their pets influenced them to buy a new home. Only 25 percent said marriage was a reason, and 19 percent said the birth of a child.

Some companies now offer pet benefits such as pet insurance. They are also offering «pawternity» leave, which gives workers free time to spend with their new pets.

Dobson noted that taking dogs to work is now popular in places that permit it.

Americans’ love for their pets is even influencing their travel plans. A recent survey found that 49 percent of pet owners have not left the country since owning their pet. Sixty-eight percent of those said it was because they feel guilty leaving their pets alone.

Health experts say pets can improve the health of their owners. The American-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says pets can reduce blood pressure, cholesterol levels and feelings of loneliness.

The CDC adds that pets also offer chances for outdoor exercise and socialization with other people.

McDonald’s is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its world famous Big Mac.

The Big Mac has been one of the most popular and best-selling items in the company’s history. It is known for being bigger than a usual hamburger, with two pieces of meat separated by an extra piece of bread in the middle. It is also made with special sauce and toppings.

As part of a memorable advertising campaign in the 1970s, the Big Mac’s ingredients were sung to music to help keep them in people’s minds.

Two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.

The Big Mac generally contains the same ingredients in McDonald’s restaurants around the world.

The Big Mac was invented in 1967 by Jim Delligatti, the local operator of several McDonald’s in the American state of Pennsylvania. He urged the company to let him sell the special hamburger at all the restaurants that he ran.

Delligatti died in 2016 at the age of 98. In a 2007 interview with Reuters, he said it took a long time to persuade McDonald’s that the Big Mac was a good idea. “I felt that we needed a big sandwich,” he said. “But you couldn’t do anything unless they gave you permission.”

McDonald’s finally agreed to let Delligati sell the sandwich at one of his McDonald’s restaurants. The company required him to use the same bun that other McDonald’s burgers were made with. For that reason, Delligati said, it did not sell well at first. When he changed to a bigger bun — topped with sesame seeds – sales of the sandwich increased by more than 12 percent.

After similar results at other stores, McDonald’s decided to add the Big Mac to all its restaurants in 1968. The Big Mac then grew to become an international food star. The Economist magazine has even used the price of the Big Mac to measure the purchasing power of different international currencies.

To celebrate the Big Mac’s lasting popularity, McDonald’s is launching a series of collectible MacCoins. They will available starting August 2 around the world. The company chose that day because August 2 would have been Jim Delligatti’s 100th birthday.

The coins can be shared or collected. People can also trade them in for a free Big Mac. McDonald’s plans to give away more than 6.2 million MacCoins in more than 50 nations. The coins come in five designs, each representing a different 10-year period with the Big Mac.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

Croatians and Frenchmen are set to cheer for their teams in the final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Moscow on Sunday. For others, there is a choice between pelmeni or khachapuri.

In the past month, football fans from all over the world have come to Russia to cheer on their countries’ teams. Many have a chance to taste Russian food for the first time.

There is borscht soup made with beets and red cabbage. Pelmeni are Russian dumplings packed with lamb, pork or beef. Smoked salmon or salted herring are sometimes served with pancakes. And Russian salad is known internationally as potato salad. However, Russians claim their salad is fresher and crispier.

David Gregory is a football fan from England.

«We have been eating some traditional Russian food. Smoked meat and bean soup, lovely, and I have had the mutton stew.”

His friend Simon Jones tried other dishes. «I had the chicken wings and the smoked bean, casserole as well. Great food, great culture.»

Some Brazilian fans tried dishes that went beyond traditional Russian food. Marcello Magalhaes from Sao Paulo says his group tried a cheese filled bread called khachapuri, a dish from Georgia. It was served in the shape of a boat.

He said, «It was a pasta which had an egg yolk and a light cheese. It was really tasty so I ordered another and another and another.»

Beer has been a popular drink among fans as well. One bar manager decided to give his customers a special treat. He served them beer in a traditional Russian container usually used to heat water for tea.

No matter who wins the World Cup match on Sunday, many fans are going home with new favorite foods.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Another royal baby has arrived.

Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, gave birth Monday to a healthy baby boy. It is the third child for her and her husband, Prince William.

The family’s Kensington Palace’s office announced the news. The palace said the baby was born at 11:01 a.m. or 10:01 UTC. He weighs 3.8 kilograms. The palace also noted that mother and child were both doing well.

The baby is a younger brother to 4-year-old Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who turns 3 next week.

Monday was also St. George’s Day, England’s national day. But the baby is unlikely to be given that name since his older brother already has it.

The baby was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. Since early April, reporters and fans of the royal family had been set up outside the hospital waiting for news of the prince’s birth.

John Loughrey is a longtime royal-watcher. He waited outside the hospital for two weeks. He said the baby would be “very good for our country and of course Her Majesty the queen.”

British Prime Minister Theresa May congratulated the royal family on the birth. She wrote on Twitter, “My warmest congratulations to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby boy. I wish them great happiness for the future.”

The new baby is Queen Elizabeth II’s sixth great-grandchild. He is fifth in line to the British throne, after grandfather Prince Charles, father Prince William and his two siblings.

Princess Charlotte is the first royal daughter to stay ahead of a younger brother in the line of succession. Before rules were changed in 2012, male heirs came first.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

This is What’s Trending Today…

American first lady Melania Trump wore a piece of clothing that read “I really don’t care, do u?” on her way to visit migrant children at a holding center in Texas. Some of the young people were children taken from their parents at the U.S. border with Mexico.

The green, military-style jacket is from the clothing seller Zara. The words were written in large white letters on the back.

Melania Trump’s spokeswoman, Stephanie Grisham, was asked to about the message on the clothing. She answered, “It’s a jacket. There was no hidden message. After today’s important visit to Texas, I hope the media isn’t going to choose to focus on her wardrobe. ”

Grisham underscored that message in a tweet with the hashtags #SheCares and #ItsJustAJacket.

However, a tweet from President Trump suggested there was a message. He wrote: “I REALLY DON’T CARE, DO U?” written on the back of Melania’s jacket, refers to the Fake News Media. Melania has learned how dishonest they are, and she truly no longer cares!»

Trump changed into a different jacket before her plane landed in McAllen, Texas. She visited the Upbring New Hope Children’s Center there. It is holding 55 of the thousands of children under U.S. government supervision.

The first lady’s jacket quickly made her a trending topic on Twitter.

Twitter user RiotGrl posted: «If Michelle Obama had worn the jacket Melania Trump wore today, there would be civil war right now.»

Media personality Toure wondered in a Tweet whether Melania Trump or those around her gave much thought to the message on the jacket. He posted: «I’m confused about Melania’s jacket. I don’t believe she really meant to say she doesn’t care. I don’t buy that she’s that callous. But I don’t believe that neither she nor her staff realized the message she was sending. They all can’t be that clueless. So, I’m confused.»
Zara is a Spanish-based company with a large presence in the United States and around the world. It had no comment on the story. The jacket belongs to the company’s spring-summer 2016 season.

It is not the first time Melania Trump’s fashion choices have been criticized. Last August, the media and public discussed the high-heeled shoes she wore to fly to Texas to view Hurricane Harvey destruction. She had changed into white sneakers by the time she and the president landed.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Caty Weaver.

A new study suggests many Americans have not visited the most popular places of interest around the country or even in their hometown.

The study found that 25 percent of Americans have yet to visit «iconic landmarks» in their own cities. Twenty-three percent said they had not visited any of the nation’s natural wonders, famous buildings or historic battlefields.

The study was a project of the research service OnePoll and Zipcar, a car-sharing company.

Researchers questioned 2,000 Americans. Only 33 percent of them said they had been to Niagara Falls and just 28 percent had been to Arizona’s Grand Canyon. The study showed that only 30 percent had been to New York’s Empire State Building. Only 22 percent had ever visited the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Many Americans say they would like to travel more. More than half of those questioned said they would like to get out more. Forty-nine percent reported being «creatures of habit.» By that, they mean they generally do the same things in the same way. That would leave little time to visit local or national landmarks.

The researchers found that the main reasons keeping Americans from exploring their cities or the country were money, lack of time and a lack of good transportation.

On social media, one Twitter user reacting to the study named a few reasons for not visiting famous places. The writer noted that “most of us don’t get paid days off, get punished for taking a day off, or simply can’t afford to visit anything or go anywhere anymore.»

The Twitter user added, «Childcare costs more than College, College Loans costs more than a mortgage payment, and jobs don’t even pay for one of those things.”

The study found that three of the places Americans wanted to visit were Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park and the Statue of Liberty.

The researchers also found that, on average, Americans go to a new coffee shop every five months, and a new restaurant every four months. They also spent time at a lake or near the ocean once every six months, and go to a park every five months.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

This is What’s Trending Today.
That is the sound of Big Ben.

People from London like to call the ringing of Big Ben “bongs.” They mark the start of a new hour.

Big Ben is the name of the large bell inside the clock tower above Britain’s Houses of Parliament. The tower is part of the Palace of Westminster. There are other smaller bells, too.

The structure that houses Big Ben is one of the most famous sights in the country. It is called the Elizabeth Tower.

Big Ben started making its bongs 158 years ago. But beginning on August 21, it will go silent for four years. The bell will ring for the last time at 12 noon.

The bell will be disconnected from the clock as crews launch a major repair project in the tower.

The clock, however, will continue to tell the time, silently.

The only time people in London will hear the bells will be on Remembrance Sunday, which falls on November 12th this year, and New Year’s Eve.

Some people are making plans to be in London for the final bongs before the four-year silence.

The renovation project will cost about $40 million, said Steve Jaggs. He is known as “The Keeper of the Great Clock.”

Jaggs said the goal is to keep the building safe and the famous timepiece working for future generations to enjoy.

The clock faces and many of the clock’s moving parts will be taken apart and cleaned. Rust will be removed and an elevator will be built for workers to use.

The last time the bell stopped ringing for repairs was in 2007. It was also silent for the funerals of former Prime Ministers Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher.

There was reaction to the silencing of Big Ben on social media.

Joana reacted to the news on Twitter. She proposed that there be “one minute of silence for the lost bongs of Big Ben.”

1 min of silence for the lost bongs of big ben
— Joana August 14, 2017

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Dan Friedell.

Thousands of girls have now joined the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, across the United States.

The previously all-male organization announced last year it would begin permitting girls to join the Cub Scouts in 2018. The Cub Scouts is a similar group for younger children.

The BSA also plans to create a new program next year for older girls wishing to join the organization.

The Cub Scout program officially begins nationwide later this year. But the BSA gave local councils the choice to get started earlier than planned. About two-thirds of U.S. councils chose to begin early, with about 3,000 girls accepted into the Cub Scouts so far.

The new plans call for smaller Cub Scout groups to be either all-boys or all-girls. Larger Cub Scout groups will have the choice to remain single gender or welcome both boys and girls.

When the new program for older girls begins, it will let them earn the highest level of scouting in the BSA, the rank of Eagle Scout.

BSA spokeswoman Effie Delimarkos said the organization had received a clear message that many girls could not wait to join. “We heard from our families, ’OK, you’ve made the decision. Can you please give us a way to do this right now because we’ve got families and daughters that are just really excited about it,” she said.

Delimarkos added that the Boy Scouts have received many reports that girls have been warmly welcomed by leaders and the boys themselves.

Tuck Pescosolido is a Cub Scout leader in Durham, New Hampshire. He told the Associated Press some of the new female members are friends the boys suggested, while others are sisters of Scouts.

One of his recent projects involved the Cub Scouts building wooden toolboxes. Pescosolido said the only difference he saw was that some girls remained a little calmer than the boys. He added that the girls were just as active in the project as the boys, but did not become as easily distracted by other things.

Boy Scouts of America officials have said the decision to admit girls was made, in part, to make things easier for busy families. But the move was criticized by the country’s other major scouting organization, the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Girl Scout officials have suggested the change was driven partly by a need to raise money because of BSA’s financial problems.

The leader of the Girl Scouts in the New Hampshire area, Patricia Mellor, said the BSA’s decision should also not have been made just to make things easier for families.

“You’ve made the choice for your son based on what you thought was best for him, and the daughter should be getting a similar decision,” Mellor told the Associated Press. “We know facts prove that the Girl Scout program is the better program for the girls and young women we serve,” she added.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

This is What’s Trending Today…

While many people were busy looking at the solar eclipse on Monday, something else happened at Harvard University in the state of Massachusetts.

Malia Obama, the eldest daughter of former U.S. president Barack Obama, moved into her room at Harvard University.

Harvard is one of the most famous universities in the United States. Both Barack and Michelle Obama attended law school at Harvard.

Malia graduated from high school in Washington, D.C. last year. She spent what is known as a “gap year” doing an internship with a film producer in New York City.

Many people used social media to post messages saying they saw Malia or her famous parents on campus.

One Twitter user, Kyle, wrote: “Malia Obama is moving into her dorm like 30 yards from mine as I’m typing this…”

The Boston Globe newspaper sent a reporter to the campus to ask Malia questions. The reporter saw her standing outside an old brick building, talking with other students. She looked like any other freshman, the reporter wrote. The word freshman refers to a first-year college student.

Malia told the reporter she could not speak with him, but “politely returned a handshake.”

The reporter spoke with the parents of another student who lives in the same building, known as a dormitory, as Malia Obama. The parent said she was glad her son would be living in a building that probably would be a little safer than the others.

Another daughter of a president is starting at a new school this week, too. That is Tiffany Trump. She is going to law school at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Malia and Tiffany are the latest in a long line of famous young people going to colleges.

Chelsea Clinton went to Stanford University in the 1990s when her father was president. Actress Emma Watson, from the Harry Potter movies, recently went to Brown University. She followed the footsteps of actresses Jodie Foster at Yale and Brooke Shields at Princeton University in the 1980s.

Ellis Cashmore is a sociology professor. He told The Washington Post that college campuses are filled with smart, experienced young people. In many cases, they have done just as many interesting things as the celebrities. He said other students would look “pathetic” if they were caught taking photos of Malia Obama.

Malia Obama has one big advantage compared to Chelsea Clinton or Tiffany Trump. Her father is no longer president.

Chelsea came to California with her parents aboard Air Force One, the president’s airplane. She drove to campus along with a number of other cars, known as a motorcade, that protect the president. She was protected by the U.S. Secret Service.

The Secret Service will still keep an eye on Malia, too. But probably not in the same way it will watch over Tiffany Trump.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Anna Mateo.

A newly released study finds that London is still considered the most attractive financial center in the world.

London was followed by New York City. The study showed that the British capital extended its lead over New York compared to past years.

Some politicians and economists have suggested that London would lose its top rating because of Britain’s planned withdrawal from the European Union. But the study shows there are few signs of that happening — at least not yet.

The Z/Yen Global Financial Centers Index rates 92 financial centers on things such as public services and the availability of experienced and well-educated workers.

New York, in second place, finished 24 points behind London. That is the largest difference between the two cities since the study was first published in 2007. Hong Kong finished in third place, and Singapore finished fourth.

New York’s overall rating fell 24 points from its rating the year before. That is the biggest fall among top cities. Study organizers say the large drop probably resulted from “fears over U.S. trade.”

Since becoming U.S. president in January, Donald Trump has removed the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal. Critics have described his economic policy as isolationist.

TheCityUK is the most powerful group working in support of Britain’s financial industry. The group says its members are saying that they do not know enough about what will happen when the country leaves the EU.

Miles Celic leads TheCityUK. He says because it is not clear what will happen then, “many firms have already started to activate their contingency plans and others will undoubtedly follow suit if these aren’t confirmed as soon as possible.»

The survey was completed in June. Since then, talks between Britain and the European Commission about Britain’s planned withdrawal from the EU have become increasingly unpleasant.

And in the past two months, most major U.S., British and Japanese banks have said they will open offices in Frankfurt, Germany or Dublin, Ireland. A year ago, Frankfurt finished in 23rd place in the study. This year it rose to 11th. Dublin was 33rd last year. This year it moved up to 30th place.

November 11 is Veterans Day in the United States. But because Veterans Day falls on a Saturday this year, Friday, November 10 is a federal holiday.

A “veteran” is anyone who has served in the armed forces. Veterans Day honors the living. A separate holiday, Memorial Day in May, honors those who died in military service.

The United States has about 18.5 million veterans. The term veteran is not just for those who have served in wars. It describes anyone who has ever been in the military.

On November 11, communities across the country hold ceremonies and parades to mark Veterans Day. Military bands play. Public officials take part in the events. And soldiers fire guns into the air in a salute to remember those who died in service to their country.

The history of Veterans Day relates to World War I. Many people at the time called it “the war to end all wars.”

The United States entered the fighting in Europe in 1917. But the U.S. armed forces were small. So the government began to draft men between the ages of 21 and 31.

The men came from cities and farms. Some were rich. Others were poor. There were doctors, lawyers, businessmen, and college students. Many were married.

The following year, the government expanded the draft. Now it called on men between the ages of 18 and 45. More than 13 million reported for duty.

Many women joined the armed forces, too. Most got office jobs at military bases in the United States. Some, however, went to France to work as nurses in battlefield hospitals.

World War I ended when Germany surrendered at 11 o’clock in the morning on November 11, 1918 — in other words, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The following year, President Woodrow Wilson signed a declaration to observe November 11th as Armistice Day in the United States. It would be a day to honor the men and women who had served in the U.S. armed forces during the war.

In 1926, Congress made Armistice Day a national holiday.

But new problems were on the way. Soon, everyone knew that World War I would not be the war to end all wars.

In all, more than 4,000,000 Americans served in the armed forces during the first World War. And 16 million would serve during the second one.

Armistice Day in 1945 was a special day in the United States.

Germany had surrendered in May 1945. And Japan surrendered in August of that year.

Most of the men and women who had served in the war were home. So, instead of honoring just veterans of World War I, Americans also honored veterans of World War II.

In 1954, Congress decided to change the name of Armistice Day. The holiday became Veterans Day.

I’m Dorothy Gundy.

A new study suggests that dark markings on the planet Mars represent sand – not water.

Research in 2015 had suggested that lines on some Martian hills were evidence of water. Yet American scientists now say these lines appear more like dry, steep flows of sand.

If water is present, they said, it is likely to be a small amount. Water in liquid form would be necessary for microbial life.

NASA, the American space agency, said more research is needed.

Michael Meyer is the lead scientist for NASA’s Mars exploration program. He noted that the latest study does not reject the presence of water. But he admitted, «It just may not be as exciting as the idea of rivers going down the sides of cliffs.»

NASA’s Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter provided the images of dark lines. Thousands have been reported on the Red Planet.

The new findings come from a team led by Colin Dundas of the United States Geological Survey in Flagstaff, Arizona.

His team measured 151 of these lines in 10 areas. Most of the lines end with slopes between 28 degrees and 35 degrees. These measurements are similar to active sand dunes on both Mars and Earth, the researchers noted. They said a small covering of dust that moves and sometimes becomes lighter might help explain the markings. They usually appear in the Martian summertime, then disappear until the next year.

If these lines are dry, «this suggests that recent Mars has not had considerable [large] volumes of liquid water,» the researchers wrote.

Dundas and his research team say that many questions remain.

To Meyer, the large number of questions is what makes Mars so fun. Scientists have long gone changed their thinking about the planet depending on the findings of the most recent studies.

“I still think that Mars poses a great potential for having had life early on in its history,” Meyer said. “As long as that’s true, we also have a reasonable possibility of life still being on Mars. It just happens to be cryptic or well hidden.”

NASA currently has no robotic vehicle — either on Mars or in development — with the ability to climb steep slopes. The lack of such equipment has engineers coming up with ideas like Martian helicopters or drones.

“But going from a clever idea that works in your sandbox to something that goes to Mars takes a fair amount of engineering development,” Meyer said.

I’m John Russell.

Valentine’s Day celebrates love. It is a day to exchange flowers, candy, and greeting cards with your husband or wife, or someone else you desire. It is a popular day to become engaged and to get married.

Historians argue about the earliest roots of Valentine’s Day. Many say it is linked to the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was observed on the 15th of February. That day celebrated the coming of spring and female fertility.

Then, around 1,500 years ago, Christians supposedly began to celebrate the feast day of St. Valentine on February 14.

However, there are several Saint Valentines and several stories about them. One involves Valentine of Terni, a Christian clergyman. He was said to have violated the orders of Roman Emperor Claudius the 2nd.

Claudius was having trouble getting married men to serve as soldiers. So, he banned marriage. Valentine considered the ban immoral and secretly married young Christian lovers, anyway. When the Emperor learned of the actions, he ordered Valentine’s death. The execution is said to have happened on February 14, around the year 300.

Some people say this is the reason the holiday is linked to love.

The exchange of valentines, or written expressions of love, began in the 1500s. The tradition remains popular today. Valentine cards usually include images of hearts, flowers, or Cupid, the Roman god of love and desire. The cards also often include poems. One valentine from the year 1910 reads: “When we meet: The flowers look brighter, And all on earth seems sweet, My heart is always lighter, My darling, when we meet.”

But Valentine’s Day is not only for romance. It can also be a day to celebrate love of family and friends.

I’m Dorothy Gundy.

Russia has begun enforcing a nationwide ban on the popular messaging service Telegram.

A Russian government agency said on Monday that it had sent a notice to telecommunications providers to block Telegram. The order came from the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media.

Last Friday, a Russian court ruled against the messaging service. The court said Telegram should be blocked until it obeys a government order to provide users’ encrypted messages to the Federal Security Service (FSB).

Russian officials have said they need to read the messages to investigate the use of Telegram by violent extremist groups.

Telegram has repeatedly refused to surrender access to messages, arguing this would violate its users’ privacy.

The service is the creation of Russian businessman Pavel Durov, who criticized the ban Monday in a statement on social media.

“We consider the decision to block the app to be unconstitutional and we will continue,” he said.

Durov added that the ban will only hurt the quality of life for 15 million Russian users, and not do anything to improve security. “The terrorist threat in Russia will stay at the same level, because extremists will continue to use encrypted communication channels — in other messengers, or through a VPN,” he said.

Durov said last week that Telegram had “built-in” features so people could continue using the service during the government’s ban.

In addition to being popular with the Russian public, Telegram has also become the messaging app of choice for many government officials.

For example, it has been used in the past to set up conference calls between officials and reporters. But on Monday, the Russia spokesman’s office said it will now start using a different app.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

This is What’s Trending Today…

Almost 20 years ago, Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio starred together in the film Titanic. They played the movie’s two lovers, Rose and Jack.

Ten years later, they appeared together in the 2008 film “Revolutionary Road.”

This week, Winslet and DiCaprio are coming together again. But it is not for a film. It is for a dinner. And one lucky fan will get to join them.

The prize of a private dinner is part of the yearly fundraising event for the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation. The organization gives money to environmental causes. Last year’s auction raised $45 million. Famous guests like Bono, Mariah Carey and Bradley Cooper attended the event.

This year’s gala takes place on July 26 in southern France.

The person who offers the most money will win the dinner with the Titanic co-stars. The dinner reportedly must take place in October or November in New York City, because of the two stars’ busy schedules.

News of the dinner made DiCaprio and Winslet trending topics on social media. Many said they were excited at the idea of Winslet and DiCaprio being together again.

But some posts described the costly prize as a chance to be a “third wheel” on a romantic dinner date.

A “third wheel” is a person who is not needed or is ignored in a situation.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Ashley Thompson.

This is What’s Trending Today.

Avocado toast is a popular thing to eat in some parts of the world.

It is very easy to make.

You find some good, thick, bread and you toast it. Then you take an avocado fruit, cut it open, and remove the soft, green part. You mash it on top of the toasted bread. You add salt and pepper and, if you want, put an egg, tomato or meat on top.

That is it.

Avocado toast is on the breakfast and brunch menus at many popular restaurants. And, in some places, it costs about $15 per serving.

This week, an Australian investor who buys and sells houses and builds buildings told a news program that young adults – or millennials — should stop eating avocado toast and start saving their money so they can buy a home.

Tim Gurner is 35 years old. He has already made hundreds of millions of dollars in his career.

He told Australia’s 60 Minutes, “When I was trying to buy my first home, I wasn’t buying smashed avocado for $19 and four coffees at $4 each.”

Many people reacted to Gurner’s comments. “Avocado toast” soon became a popular topic on Facebook and Twitter.

Some young people are insulted by Gurner. They say that he is accusing them of not being smart with their money.

Twitter user Kaleb Horton wrote: “If I stopped eating avocado toast every day, I would be able to afford a bad house in Los Angeles in 642 years.”
Other people on social media explained that they do not spend their money on avocado toast. Instead, they spend it on things like rent, college loans and transportation.

TIME Magazine wrote about Gurner’s comments. It reported on research by investment firm Goldman Sachs, which shows that young people have different values than older generations.

When people who are 60 years old today were in their 20s and 30s, they chose to buy homes and cars, TIME wrote. Today’s 20 and 30 year olds, however, value life experiences over things.

And The New York Times reported that millennials — people between the ages of 18 and 34 — do not actually spend any more money on travel and eating at restaurants than earlier generations.

It also said “it would take a lot of skipped avocados to put a dent in the heavy costs of home ownership.” And it said that investing in a home is not always a good financial decision.

The New York Times story did suggest, however, that fans of avocado toast would be better off saving money and making their own breakfast at home. As one Twitter user wrote, homemade avocado toast only costs about $1.65.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Dan Friedell.

This is What’s Trending Today.

Mandy Harvey is a 29-year-old singer from the American state of Florida.

She suffers from connective tissue disorder. She lost most of her ability to hear when she was 18.

As a child and during her teenage years, Harvey was a singer. But she stopped singing for a time after she went deaf.

But she decided to start singing again after she learned how to feel a song’s beat through the wooden floor of a stage or theater. She uses visual aids to make sure her musical instruments are tuned correctly and she is singing in the correct pitch.

Harvey is now a professional singer. But until Tuesday night, not many people in the United States had heard of her.

That changed when she appeared on the television show “America’s Got Talent.” The show has four judges who watch people perform and decide if they should continue in the competition.

Different versions of the “Got Talent” show are seen around the world.

Mandy Harvey appeared on stage with a small instrument: a ukulele. A sign language interpreter stood next to the judges.

One of the judges, Simon Cowell, asked Harvey about the condition that caused her to go deaf.

Then she got ready to perform. She sang a piece she wrote, called “Try.” Harvey said: “After I lost my hearing, I gave up. But I want to do more with my life than just give up.”

Cowell said: “Good for you,” and clapped his hands loudly.

As she was singing, one camera cut away to capture images of people in the theater. Many were seen crying.

At one point, everyone stood up and cheered.

By Wednesday afternoon, a video of Harvey’s performance had been played 46 million times.

Why?

Shortly after she finished singing, Cowell smiled, and said “Mandy, I don’t think you’re going to need a translator for this.”

And he reached over and hit a button that released golden confetti into the air. That meant Harvey automatically moved on to the final part of the talent competition.

Cowell said, “I’ve done this a long time, and that was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen and heard.”

Thousands of people wrote about the performance on Facebook.

Many wrote that Harvey’s performance was inspiring, and they will not give up on anything they want to do, either.

And that’s What’s Trending Today.

I’m Dan Friedell.

Chef Bruno Abate owns one of the best pizzerias in Chicago.

His restaurant makes thin pizzas, heated in an oven with a wood-burning fire. They come with toppings like mushrooms, onions, olives, tomatoes and Italian meats.

Each pizza sells for between $12 and $18 at Abate’s restaurant, Tocco.

But did you know you can get a similar pizza for half the price at the Cook County Jail in Chicago?

Abate leads a cooking school at the jail. He shows prisoners how to make pizza, pasta, and Italian ice cream, called gelato.

The cooking school is called “Recipe for Change.”

There, behind the jail’s barbed wires and security barriers, a number of students, including Shaquille Slater, are making pizzas. “I like everything I do,” he says.

Slater makes pizza dough, and then adds toppings to the dough. He makes sure the pizza and its toppings look just right before they come out of the oven.

Jonathan Scott says working with food makes him forget about being in jail.

“[It brings up] memories of when you was free and when you was having a good time,” he says.

Workers at the cooking school make about 200 pizzas every week. The pizzas are sold to other prisoners in the jail for about $7 each.

Scott says the eyes of the prisoners “light up like it’s Christmas” when their pizzas arrive. “They love it,” he says. “They keep ordering every week.”

Abate says he is teaching cooking skills to the prisoners, and how to use good, fresh ingredients. Many of the students did not know how to use basil or zucchini before taking the class.

When they finish the class, the students have skills they can use to find jobs when they are released from prison.

A website called Munchies published a long story about Abate and the program. It told the story of one former inmate, who now works in Tocco’s kitchen.

Abate says his program teaches more than how to make food.

Shaquille Slater says Abate helps his students learn that they need to have a plan for their future so they do not return to prison once they are released.

“Through food, I try to teach, you know, how to change in life,” Abate says.

I’m Dan Friedell.

This is What’s Trending Today…

People continue to react to reports that Hollywood actor Angelina Jolie has asked her husband, actor Brad Pitt, for a divorce.

The move appears to end their marriage and a relationship that some media have called “Brangelina.” Jolie and Pitt were among the most powerful married couples in America’s show business industry.

On Monday in Los Angeles, Jolie filed legal documents to end their marriage. Jolie is also seeking rights to raise the couple’s six children.

Jolie’s lawyer said Tuesday that her decision to divorce was made “for the health of the family.”

Jolie and Pitt were together for 12 years and married two years ago, in August 2014.

They became close while filming the 2005 movie, «Mr. & Mrs. Smith.» That led to widespread reports in the media that Jolie led to Pitt’s divorce from Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston. Pitt and Jolie denied that.

Aniston and Pitt announced their separation in early 2005. Pitt’s divorce from Aniston, and his relationship with Jolie, became one of the most talked-about stories in Hollywood.

Many people reacted to the end of Brangelina on social media. Some used GIFs of Jennifer Aniston. They made predictions about what Aniston’s reaction to the news might be.

One person called September 20 “Jennifer Aniston Meme Day.”

British singer Adele reportedly was deeply saddened by what seemed to be the end of Brangelina. She decided to dedicate her show in New York City Tuesday night to Jolie and Pitt.

Later, Madame Tussaud’s museum in London announced on Twitter that it had officially separated its wax statues of Jolie and Pitt.

Это то, что сегодня актуально …

Люди продолжают реагировать на сообщения о том, что голливудская актриса Анджелина Джоли попросила мужа, актера Брэда Питта, развестись.

Похоже, что этот шаг закончил их брак и отношения, которые некоторые СМИ называли «Бранджелина». Джоли и Питт были одними из самых влиятельных супружеских пар в индустрии шоу-бизнеса Америки.

В понедельник в Лос-Анджелесе Джоли подала юридические документы, чтобы закончить брак. Джоли также ищет права воспитывать шестерых детей пары.

Адвокат Джоли заявил во вторник, что ее решение о разводе было сделано «для здоровья семьи».

Джоли и Питт были вместе в течение 12 лет и поженились два года назад, в августе 2014 года.

Они стали близки во время съемок фильма 2005 года, «Mr. & Mrs. Smith. »Это привело к широко распространенным сообщениям в СМИ о том, что Джоли привела к разводу Питта с голливудской звездой Дженнифер Энистон. Питт и Джоли это отрицали.

Анистон и Питт объявили о разводе в начале 2005 года. Развод Питта с Анистон и его отношения с Джоли стали одной из самых обсуждаемых историй в Голливуде.

Многие люди отреагировали на конец Бранджелина в социальных сетях. Некоторые использовали GIF Дженнифер Энистон. Они делали прогнозы относительно реакции Энистона на новость.

Один человек по имени 20 сентября «День Дженнифер Энистон Меме».

Британская певица Адель, по сообщениям, была глубоко опечалена тем, что, казалось, было концом Бранджелина. Она решила посвятить свое шоу в Нью-Йорке во вторник вечером Джоли и Питту.

Позже музей мадам Тюссо в Лондоне объявил на Твиттере, что официально отделил восковые статуи Джоли и Питта.