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New York City is often called “the city that never sleeps.”

It is the business and cultural capital of the United States.

New York is also referred to as “The Big Apple”.

A multitude of theatrical shows, art exhibitions and musical performances takes place in New York City every day.

You can also find restaurants from all over the world on the streets of  New York.

Words

multitude: a large amount, number.
theatrical: relating to the theater.

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Would you pay $1,000 for a pizza? A restaurant owner in New York City is hoping that some people might.

Nino Selimaj has created the “Luxury Pizza” at his Nino’s Bellissima restaurant.

The 30 cm pizza contains lobster and six types of caviar. It is divided into eight slices.

A person must ask for the “Luxury Pizza” at least 24 hours in advance so that the caviar can be ordered.

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Paris and New York have long had a reputation for being the home of some of the best restaurants in the world.

However, it is Tokyo which has received the most Michelin stars. Tokyo restaurants were given 191 stars. Paris and New York received 98 and 49, respectively.

Michelin gives out very few stars, and only the best restaurants are able to get one.

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A pilot was able to save the lives of 155 people aboard a flight from New York to Charlotte, North Carolina last Thursday.

The plane lost power in both its engines shortly after takeoff.

Pilot Chesley Sullenberger decided that the best chance to save lives was to land the plane in the Hudson River.

Passengers went onto the wings of the plane after it landed in the freezing water.

Within a few minutes, ferries in the river were able to bring all the passengers on the plane to safety.

Words

aboard: on or in a bus, ship, plane, etc.

takeoff: (of a plane) departure, leaving the ground.

This piece originally appeared in January 2009.

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Feline fanciers will be attending a cat championship this weekend at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

More than 300 cats from across the United States will be judged in many different categories.

The money from the show will go to help cats which need a home.

Words

feline: belonging to the cat family.
fancier: a person who has a special liking towards something: ie, John likes dogs, he is a dog fancier.

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Two billion people will watch and listen to Live Earth in 120 countries on Saturday.

The event is being organized by former American Vice President Al Gore.

Madonna, the Black Eyed Peas and the Police will be among the performers.

Live concerts will be held in Shanghai, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Hamburg, Sydney, London and New York.