Informing, engaging & connecting the people of the world. NOVEMBER 14, 2019

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The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services naturalized 833,000 people, an 11-year high in new citizenship, during the 2019 fiscal year. This fiscal year, USCIS administered the Oath of Allegiance to 60 of America’s newest citizens, from 51 different countries, during a recent naturalizing ceremony.

ON THIS DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY On November 14, 1889, journalist Elizabeth Jane Cochrane, who wrote under the pseudonym Nellie Bly, boards a steamship in New Jersey to begin her attempt to travel around the world in 80 days or less. Bly wanted to beat the pace set by Phileas Fogg, a character in the Jules Verne book Around the World in 80 Days . On January 25, 1890, 72 days, six hours, 11 minutes, and 14 seconds after she left, cheering crowds welcomed Bly home to New Jersey.

There was no indication of any breakthrough following talks Wednesday between the leaders of Turkey and United States at a time when the relationship is at a low ebb. Donald Trump and Recep Tayyip Erdogan described their discussions at the White House as productive and sincere.

VIDEO: Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests entered a new, more violent phase this week, following the death of a young protester. VOA reports on how the semi-autonomous Chinese territory’s 24-week-old protest movement is changing.

VIDEO: Microsoft is bringing holograms to the office. The company recently started shipping its seond version of HoloLens, a headset that allows users to touch and interact with 3D holograms in everyday settings. As VOA reports, various industries have begun experimenting with the new computing device.

VIDEO: In Ghana, as in the rest of Africa, football is the most popular sport. But the “beautiful game” has been tarnished by widespread corruption uncovered in 2018. The scandal led to league game suspensions and some football clubs closing their doors. But one club that stayed open is working to keep young men off the streets.