VOA’s Steve Ember with some important information about the fight against malaria.

And I’m Jim Tedder in Washington, thanking you for spending some time with us on this last Thursday of October. It is a special day in the United States, and in many other parts of the world. It’s Halloween, or “All Hallow’s Eve.” Young and old alike dress up in scary costumes and either attend parties, or go door-to-door saying, “Trick or treat,” and asking for candy.

Historians say it is a very old holiday that started in Europe 1400 years ago. So to one and all, “Happy Halloween” from all of us at VOA. More learning English programs are right around the corner, as is world news, at the beginning of the hour.