Officials Say They Failed Women in Cologne Attacks

Police, government officials and journalists say they failed the women attacked in Cologne, Germany on New Year’s Eve. Groups of young men sexually attacked and robbed women that evening. The attacks occurred outside Cologne’s main train station.   Prosecutors said police received 945 complaints from the victims of the attacks. More than 430 were for sex crimes. Prosecutors named 35 suspects, 32 of them from North Africa. The attacks reduced support for immigration in Germany. A study by YouGov, a European polling agency, found 62 percent of Germans believe there are too many asylum seekers in Germany. That is up nine percentage points from before the Cologne attacks. The Cologne attacks led to painful debates about government, news media and police. Some questioned whether Germany should accept more immigrants. There have been large anti-immigration demonstrations in Cologne and elsewhere in Germany. Police were criticized for what many victims viewed as a slow and inadequate response to the attacks. News organizations were asked why they took so long to provide full coverage of the attacks. Lutz Frühbrodt is a professor of journalism at Wurzburg-Schweinfurt University. He said some German news organizations failed to report that most attackers were from the Middle East and North Africa. He said they did not want to raise opposition to immigration. But others said the German press encouraged anti-immigrant feelings. They reported over and over that the attackers were from outside Germany, wrote Free University of Berlin Professor Joachim Trebbe. Normally the German media does not report the ethnic or national background of accused criminals, he said. The Cologne attacks also produced charges of sexism and “blaming the victim.” Cologne Mayor Henriette Reker was widely criticized after she said young women should make themselves less of a target. She also said young women should “keep a certain distance” from groups of young men. German Justice Minister Heiko Mass said her comments were not acceptable.  “It is not women who bear responsibility, but the perpetrators,” Mass wrote on Twitter. There have been admissions from various officials in recent days that the attacks were not handled well. An internal police report found that police on duty New Year’s Eve in Cologne “could not cope” with the attacks. Most took place in the square in front of the city’s main train station. It said women were “forced to run the gauntlet” of gangs of drunken men who groped them, pulled their hair and ran off with phones and wallets. Some news organizations apologized for not giving the story much attention during the first hours and days after the attacks. Elmar Thevessen, deputy news editor of German public broadcaster ZDF, said his news organization waited too long to air a story. The mayor of Cologne took a much tougher stand against the attackers. “Women were sexually harassed in a massive way,” she told Spiegel Online. “I always thought these were the kinds of dangers people faced in very distant countries. It's not something I could have imagined in Germany. We cannot accept it.” Syrian refugee Basheer Alzaalan says the attacks by fellow immigrants in his home town of Cologne makes him angry. He says Germany offered him a safe home after he left the civil war in Syria. “Germany for the Syrians was some kind of mother, and at the head of that, (Chancellor) Angela Merkel,” he told VOA in an interview at a Cologne cafe. Alzaalan says he hopes people understand most refugees are good people. He taught English in Syria before he fled to Germany with his wife and two children. He wrote in the Guardian that he and his family fled their home in 2014 after terrorist groups took over. "I feared for the lives of my wife, our three and four-year-old daughter and our unborn son," he wrote. "Bombs had been dropping where we lived on a daily basis." Alzaalan says he wants to help Germany help refugees adjust to German life. I'm Caty Weaver. Henry Ridgwell reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   complaint – n. a formal charge saying that someone has done something wrong prosecutor – n. a lawyer who represents the side in a court case that accuses a person of a crime and who tries to prove that the person is guilty inadequate -- adj. not enough or not good enough encourage – v. to make (someone) more determined, hopeful, or confident bear – v. to accept or endure something handle – v. to touch, feel, hold, or move (something) with your hand gauntlet – n. situation in which someone is attacked by many people drunken – adj. a person who has had too much to drink grope – v. to touch a person in an unwanted sexual way wallet – n. a small folding case that holds money and credit cards harass – v. to annoy or bother someone. massive – n. very big

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Wages for Women Lag Years Behind Men

Women in northern European nations are closest to equality with men on wages, education, health and education. That is the finding of a report by the World Economic Forum. The United States ranked 28th. On Friday, President Barack Obama announced the government will require large businesses to report how much they pay men and women. The data will be used to target companies that pay women less to do the same jobs. According to the World Economic Forum report, women worldwide continue to lag behind men on wages. Based on current trends, they will need 126 years to catch up, according to the report. Women are making progress. But they still only earn what men did 10 years ago, say the report’s authors. The report measures the gender gap for women in 145 nations for health, education, economic opportunity, and political power. Women have not achieved equality in any of the 145 nations included in the survey, says the report. Women came closest to equality in four Northern European nations – Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden. Ireland ranks No. 5. At the bottom of the women’s gender ratings are Yemen, Pakistan, Syria, Chad, Iran and Jordan. More women than men are attending colleges in 97 nations. But women make up a majority of skilled workers in only 68 nations. Women control the majority of government and political positions in only four. At last week’s World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer at Facebook, spoke about gender equality.  “The reason to work towards equality – whether woman or man – is that it is better for you,” Sandberg said. “We should be doing this not because it’s the right thing, but because it’s the smart thing. … So do it because it will help you.” The World Economic Forum completed its worldwide 2015 gender gap survey in November. I'm Anne Ball.  Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. ­Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   equity – n. fairness in how people are treated opportunity – n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done gender – n. male or female

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Chinese Miners Rescued After 36 Days

Four miners were rescued in eastern China after spending 36 days underground, reported the country’s state-run news agency. The workers were lifted from a mine in Shandong Province Friday night. They were pulled up through emergency holes drilled in the ground to supply them with food and clothing. The gypsum mine collapsed on December 25, trapping 29 miners. Fifteen miners have escaped or were rescued. One person was confirmed dead. Thirteen others are still missing and are believed dead. I’m Mary Gotschall.     Mary Gotschall adapted this story from VOANews.com for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ ​Words in the Story   underground – n. located or occurring below the surface of the earth drill – v. to make a hole in something with a drill  or a tool used for making holes in hard substances gypsum – n. a white mineral that is used to make plaster of paris

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Thai Officials Worry About Child Doll Superstition

It’s the biggest craze in Thailand.  Life-size dolls believed to possess the spirits of child angels have become popular in recent months.   The dolls, known in Thai as luk thep, are believed to bring good fortune. These dolls are purchased for hundreds of dollars and are blessed by Buddhist monks. Many owners attend to the dolls as if they are their children. Shops are selling clothing, jewelry and beauty treatments for the dolls. A buffet restaurant in the Thai capital, Bangkok, offers them children's meals. But the privileges spent on them have also drawn concern and warning from authorities and psychologists in Thailand. Nattasuda Taephant is director of psychological wellness at Chulalongkorn University. She says if the dolls help their owners feel better, then the fad is rather harmless. "But if it crosses the boundary of reality, and they believe they can talk to the luk thep doll, that would be something concerning in terms of mental health," she said. Thai mental health officials have issued an appeal for people to stick to mainstream religious values and reject such unbelievable things. But the belief is rooted in ancient Southeast Asian superstitions. Traditionally, when babies were stillborn, some spiritual leaders in Thailand and other countries in the region took the babies away. They roasted the bodies, blessed them, and covered them in gold leaf. In Thailand, such household divine effigies are known as kuman thong for male figures and hong phrai for female ones. The practice has mostly stopped. But the dolls might represent a return to a more superstitious age. "I'm really wondering how part of Thai society has come to this point," said Sermsuk Kasitpradit, a veteran editor and popular blogger. "As a Buddhist I am feeling much shame as it is totally against the teaching of our Lord Buddha who preached not to believe in superstition," Sermsuk told VOA. Others worry that the modern incarnations may be put to evil use, according to authorities. Nearly 200 "yaba" methamphetamine pills were found Monday stuffed into the chest of a girl doll. The doll had been placed in a suitcase for retrieval in the airport at Chiang Mai, said police Lt. Col. Kom Chetkhuntod. Another police official said the dolls give criminals "a new way to smuggle drugs, into the country. Now, all officers at airport and border checkpoint are instructed to screen dolls. Police officers on Tuesday carried out raids in Bangkok against doll vendors suspected of avoiding import taxes. Three vendors were arrested and authorities seized more than 100 luk thep dolls, mostly imported from China. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. Steve Herman reported on this story for VOANews.com. Marsha James adapted the report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have superstitions in your country? Would you have a luk thep doll? Please leave us a Comment and post on our Facebook page.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fortune – n. the good and bad things that happen to someone fad – n. something that is very popular for a short time boundary – n. something that shows where an area ends and another area begins superstition –n. a belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck effigy – n. an image of a person incarnation – n. one of a series of lives that a person is believed to have had in the past in some religions

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Everyday Grammar: Onomatopoeia

Learn more with Everyday Grammar: Pow! Whizz! What Are Onomatopoeia? in Level Three

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Migrants Cower as Raids Target Illegal Immigrants

The United States recently launched a campaign to expel illegal immigrants from Central America. The Obama administration targeted people who stayed after they were told to leave the country. Government agents detained 121 Central Americans, many of them women and children. VOA’s Carolyn Presutti recently spoke with a number of undocumented migrants just after their homes were raided. They came to the U.S. mainly for economic reasons. Their full names are not made public because of the sensitivity of the issue. Maria, age 8, said she was cleaning her teeth and preparing to go to school, when she heard a noise at the door. She opened the door and found eight immigration agents. “I said, ‘Who are you?’ and they didn’t tell me their names. They said, 'Is there a grown-up here?' And I said, 'Yes,' ” she continued. Maria said she was “trying to be brave,” knowing “they would never get my family because my family hasn’t done anything bad.” But Maria’s Aunt Sofia is in the United States illegally. So are other adults who were not at home when the agents arrived. Sofia hid in a ground floor bedroom with her three baby boys during the raid. Agents went room to room, but never looked in the basement. “I thought they were going to enter the room with my children there and take me,” Sofia said. While she was able to avoid getting detained by the immigration agents, Sofia said she is still full of fear. “Now, I don’t know what I can do. I’m not even going to the grocery store anymore. I’m scared to go,” she said. The Obama administration said the raids are designed to send a message to people in Central America. It wants to prevent more mass migration to the United States. The administration wants to avoid a repeat of the 2014 immigration crisis. Two years ago, tens of thousands of Central Americans were traveling across the Mexican border. Many were children. Jeh Johnson heads the federal agency that organized the raids. “Our borders are not open to illegal migration,” said Johnson, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. “If you come here illegally, we will send you back consistent with our laws and values.” Immigrant advocates call the raids inhumane. Cecillia Wang is director of the American Civil Liberty Union’s Immigrants' Rights Project. She says “The administration is doubling down on a system that is rigged against these families. Many of these mothers and children had no lawyers because they could not afford them. "Without counsel, traumatized refugees don't understand what is happening in court and cannot get their legitimate asylum claims heard." But two candidates for the Republican presidential nomination, Donald Trump and Ted Cruz, want to do much more. Both said they would try to expel all estimated 11 million illegal immigrants in the United States. Trump also promises to build a fence along the Mexican border and get Mexico to pay for it. “You're going to have a deportation force, and you're going to do it humanely," he said on MSNBC. “Don't forget that you have millions of people that are waiting in line to come into this country, and they're waiting to come in legally. And I always say the wall, we're going to build the wall. It's going to be a real deal. It's going to be a real wall." Immigration activists have reacted to the recent raids by holding meetings and handing out “Know Your Rights” cards. The cards have the following message in both English and Spanish: “I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution, unless you have a warrant.” Maria tells VOA she does not plan to get to that point. “I’ve learned to never open the door and to look out the window,” she says. I’m Mary Gotschall. Carolyn Presutti reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   migrant – n. a person who goes from one place to another especially to find work basement – n. the part of a building or house that is entirely or partly below ground doubling down – v. moving ahead with a program or policy with energy rig – v. to control or affect something in a corrupt way afford – v. to be able to pay for something counsel -- n. a lawyer who represents a person or group in a legal matter traumatize – v. to cause (someone) to become very upset in a way that often leads to serious emotional problems deportation – n. to force a person to leave the country warrant – n. a document issued by a court that gives the police the power to do something  

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Cameras Capture Pictures of Mysterious Bush Dog

Scientists say they have captured photographs of one of the most mysterious known animals: bush dogs. Bush dogs live in Central and South America.  They are a rarely seen and threatened species. But the photos suggest they may be more common than scientists thought. Scientists used cameras that take photos in the forest when an animal passes by. Photos of the bush dogs were taken in wild areas of Panama. The traps can be found across the country from its Costa Rican border to its border with Colombia. Ricardo Moreno is a research associate for the Smithsonian Institution. He and a team of biologists from Yaguará, Panama are studying large, wild mammals in that country. He says, “The bush dog is one of the rarest species that we photograph.” The researchers describe the animals as “short-legged and stubby, standing only about a foot (30cm) tall at the shoulder.” Like other dogs, bush dogs hunt in packs of up to 10. They are known to communicate to each other using “high-pitched whines.” They eat mostly large forest rodents. The bush dog is so elusive that photos of the animal were made only 11 times over 32,000 camera days. That is the number of cameras multiplied by the days in operation. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says bush dog populations have dropped by up to 25 percent over the past 12 years. It is considered a “near-threatened” species. Humans do not hunt or directly threaten bush dogs. But, habitat loss is affecting their numbers. They live mainly in rainforests. Scientists think the animals may require large forest spaces to survive. It is estimated that Panama lost 15 percent of its rainforest from 1990 to 2010. I’m Kathleen Struck.   Caty Weaver adapted this story from a VOA news report. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to know what you think of this story. Post a message in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   pack - n. a group of usually wild animals that hunt together​ whine - v. to make a high, crying sound​ rodent - n. a small animal (such as a mouse, rat, squirrel, or beaver) that has sharp front teeth​ elusive - adj. hard to find or capture​ habitat - n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows​

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Venice Throws Wild Party Before Lent

The canals of Venice, Italy were packed with boats this week to launch a period of celebration leading up to Lent. The city kicks off its Carnival with a boat parade. “Carnival” means “farewell to meat,” and Carnival covers the days leading to a period of denial, called Lent. Some observant Christians will also fast during holy days in the Lenten period. Those 40 days lead to Easter, the highest holy day for Christians. The Venice Carnival lasts until Shrove Tuesday, also known as Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, on February 9. The Venice Carnival is one of the world’s oldest and most colorful. It includes the boat parade in Venice’s famous canals, a ball where people dress in beautiful costumes, and the king’s banquet. People from all over the world come to Venice’s festival. One woman came from England. She says the festival has a great atmosphere. “Great people, great food, getting to have a look around and see the great culture that's here as well." The festival comes at the same time that many large European cities are on guard against terrorist attacks. But Carnival visitors say terrorist threats will not prevent them from enjoying themselves. One Italian woman says she thinks a terrorist attack could come at any time, so she wants to live her life instead of being worried. “We have decided to come anyway to take part in this festival because it really is the most beautiful." Historians think the Carnival celebration has roots in ancient Roman times. Festivals were named after gods. One was called Saturnalia and honored Saturn. Another was called Bacchanalia and honored Bacchus. People of all backgrounds celebrated life together. Slaves could wear masks and dine at the same tables as their masters. Historians think those traditional festivals became the inspiration for Carnival when Christianity became a religion. I’m Dan Friedell.   Zlatica Hoke wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Would you want to visit the Venice Carnival someday? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   background - n. the part of a picture that is farthest from the person seeing it banquet – n. a dinner held for many people, usually to celebrate a special event carnival – n.  a celebration held before Lent that includes music and dancing costume – adj. involving people wearing costumes fast - v. to eat no food for a period of time festival – n. a special time or event when people gather to celebrate something kicks off - v. to start or begin mask – n. a covering used to hide or disguise your face master - n. someone with control over another person; the owner of a slave  

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Businesses Weak on Cyber-Crime Protection

A new report says businesses around the world are not keeping up with the new and increasingly tricky methods of cyber criminals. The international technology company Cisco Systems released the report. It says businesses are trying to prevent cyber-security breaks using old technology and policies. However, the report also says the increased threat is creating many new jobs for those able to help defend computer systems. The report describes major mistakes businesses have made in trying to stop attacks. It said there was a 10 percent recent drop in updates to security measures among businesses. Cisco examined 115,000 devices. It said 92 percent of them had security weaknesses in their software. Jason Brvenik is a top Cisco engineer. He told VOA that computer criminals will attack any system, whether it is owned by a company or an individual. He said criminals will work together to target a computer system to try to steal information. Brvenik said companies are beginning to use defensive measures that watch over their computer systems continuously. He said that helps them know if they are being attacked and to quickly answer such attacks. He said many companies currently do not discover attacks until 100 or more days have passed. He said new programs are able to identify attacks within hours. Cisco says it is able to identify attacks on its systems within about 17 hours. The fight against computer criminals is creating many jobs. Tara Sinclair is the chief economist at the jobs listing website Indeed.com. She says computer attacks have caused a large increase in the need for computer security experts. She says companies need workers who can protect them from attacks. Cisco estimates 1 million people are needed to fill cyber security jobs. The company Symantec is the largest seller of security software in the world. It says the number of people needed for computer security jobs will grow to 1.5 million by 2019. Cisco's Jason Brvenik said universities are working to train students for the growing cyber security market. He said 90 percent of the universities Cisco studied for its report offer cyber-security training. I’m Caty Weaver. VOA Correspondent Ramon Taylor reported this story from New York. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story into VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cyber – adj. of or relating to computers, computer systems, the Internet, etc.    

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White House Protester Dies After Longest Vigil

You probably saw Concepcion Picciotto if you visited the White House over the past 35 years or so. She lived in a camp, in Lafayette Park, right across the street from the official home of U.S. presidents. Picciotto was a peace activist. Holding up homemade signs with anti-war messages, she kept a vigil in the park through rain and snow and heatwaves. She opposed war, nuclear weapons and violence against children. She died January 25 at N Street Village, a shelter for homeless women in Washington. The Washington Post says she had the longest continuous act of political protest in the United States. When she died, Concepcion Picciotto was believed to be about 80 years old. She was also known as “Connie” or “Conchita.” She came to the United States as a Spanish immigrant when she was 18. Through the years she spoke English with an accent. The small woman wore a wig and a scarf over a metal helmet. Walt Palmer worked for ABC News in Washington. Sometimes he was sent to the White House. “I remember talking to her one spring day in the mid-1980s,” Palmer says. “She had particularly big hair. Asking about it, she removed the wig she wore to cover the cooking pot on her head to protect from the 'government X-rays.' '' It was a story Picciotto told many people. She thought the government was trying to hurt her by aiming X-rays at her head. Only a few people would believe that to be true, and many people questioned her mental health. Others thought she had a clear mind. Either way, she provided food for thought for people coming to see one of the most famous houses in the world. Susan McQuillin Bonney works in Washington, D.C. In 2001, she took two children to see the White House. “They were much more fascinated with Concepcion Picciotto and how and why she lived outside than they were with the White House,” Bonney says. “They asked her how she ate and where she went to the bathroom. She told them how a group of people took care of her and the other activists on the vigil. I remember it was hard to explain later what nuclear weapons were.” It would be impossible to know how many times Picciotto spoke with people passing by. But many people who saw her protest signs would talk about them. Some were even inspired by her peace vigil. She was married once and had adopted a child with her husband, according to the Washington Post. She was separated from her family and the newspaper says she last saw her child when the girl was very young. She met a man named William Thomas on the streets of D.C. Together they started the protest in Lafayette Park. Others joined them, including a woman who later married Thomas. He has since died and his wife moved away. Others have worked with Picciotto to keep the vigil. U.S. Park Police rules say that a temporary shelter must be occupied or it will be taken down. Once, years ago, when Picciotto had let others stay at her camp, they left it empty. The Park Police took it down. Eleanor Holmes Norton stepped in to help Picciotto. Norton is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Saying the Park Police action was “outrageous,” Norton picked up the telephone, called the police and had Picciotto’s home put back in the square. Norton says Picciotto was successful in influencing efforts to limit the production of nuclear weapons. Norton says Picciotto is an inspiration to her and her fight for D.C. statehood. “She inspires me and the great struggle of the people of the District of Columbia for statehood, and she inspires all of us who want peace in this world, and a world free of nuclear arms.” And what about the future of the vigil? A spokesperson for the U.S. Park Police, says it can stay as long as it is occupied. And for now, the group of peace activists who had kept the vigil with Concepcion Picciotto are still there -- right across the street from the White House. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think of Concepcion Picciotto’s more than 30-year vigil for peace? Write to us in the Comments section and post on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vigil – n. an event or a period of time when a person or group stays in a place and quietly waits, prays, etc accent – n. a way of pronouncing words that occurs among the people in a particular region or country wig – n. artificial hair that you wear on your head because you are bald or in order to change your appearance scarf – n. a piece of cloth worn around your head food for thought – phrase. something that should be thought about or considered carefully inspire – v. to make someone want to do something helmet - n. a hard hat that is worn to protect your head adopted - v. taking a child of other parents legally as your own child according - adv. as stated in or by            

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Ice Boats Race Like the Wind

Who says you have to stay inside your home when it is cold outside? There’s an unusual sport practiced in the northern United States, and the season only starts when winds start blowing and the temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius. The sport is called ice boating. Clement Chua, who comes from a much warmer climate, is learning all about ice boating. He is an exchange student from Singapore and attends the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Chua signed up for an ice boating class because he wanted to do something he could not do at home. “Ice boating is a most unique class,” he says. One experienced ice boater calls the sport “ephemeral.” In other words, the conditions for ice boating do not happen very often. And when the conditions are right, they are not right for very long. “You can go weeks in the winter when you can’t go ice boating,” says 81-year-old Lloyd Roberts. Roberts has been ice boating for 40 years. He says dedicated ice boaters make the sport a major event in their lives, just after funerals and weddings. The capital of ice boating in the United States is now the northeastern state of Maine. It once was New Jersey. But the capital moved north because Maine has warmer winters than before, and New Jersey’s winters are sometimes too warm for good ice to form. Maine gets cold enough in the winter that lakes and ponds will freeze, but it is no longer so cold that the ponds are covered with snow. Chua says he does a lot of windsurfing back home in Singapore, a place where water sports are popular. The sport of ice boating also uses wind to power a small vessel. But that is where the similarities end. Ice boats are like small sailboats, but they have sharp blades designed for skimming over the ice. The boats catch the wind and move fast on clear, smooth ice. Roberts says there are only about six good ice boating days each winter. Jim Thieler is a serious ice boater. He says there is always a concern about getting wet, because sometimes the ice is not strong enough to support the weight of both the boat and the boater. “They say there’s two kinds of ice boaters: those that have gone swimming, and those who are going to. Me, personally, yeah, I’ve gotten wet up to my thighs before.” That is why ice boaters always go out in groups, and wear special equipment. You need to wear shoes with metal cleats to avoid slipping on the ice. You also need warm clothing, because sometimes the wind will stop blowing, and boaters can stay in the cold for long periods before they make it back to land. They also carry ice picks, so they can pull themselves out of the water in case the ice breaks. The ice boaters say it is easy to get started in the sport. But the costs for new gear and new boats add up fast. The cost may just be the price people have to pay when faced with the other option: spending the long winter indoors. I’m Dan Friedell.   Arash Arabasadi wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English with reporting from the Portland Press Herald. George Grow was the editor. Would you want to try ice boating someday? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dedicated – adj. having very strong support for or loyalty to a person, group, cause, etc. cleat – n. a piece of rubber, wood, or metal that is fastened to the bottom of a shoe or boot to prevent slipping — usually plural ephemeral – adj.  lasting a very short time gear – n. supplies, tools, or clothes needed for a special purpose pond – n. an area of water that is surrounded by land and that is smaller than a lake practice – v. to do (something) regularly or constantly as an ordinary part of your life skim – v.  to move quickly or lightly along, above, or near the surface of something windsurf – v. to ride along the surface of the water while standing on a long, narrow board that has a sail attached blade – n. the sharp metal piece on the bottom of an ice skate option – n. a choice of possibility  

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China Charges Canadian with Spying and Stealing

China said Friday it has charged a Canadian with spying and stealing state secrets. Kevin Garratt was arrested in August 2014 with his wife, Julia. She was released after six months but is not allowed to leave China. She and her husband ran a coffee shop in Dandong in northeastern China. They also conducted Christian aid work for North Koreans. "During the investigation, authorities found that Kevin Garratt may also be involved in gathering information for Canadian information agencies," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said in Beijing. Garratt's parents said their son was arrested because he is Christian. Hua rejected that it has anything to do with religion. She said "he was indicted because of spying and stealing Chinese state secrets.” China's concept of state secrets can be very broad. Canada said it was concerned about the Garratt indictment. It has raised the issue with the Chinese government "at high levels."  A week ago, Canada accused Chinese hackers of breaking into a key computer network. News of the indictment reached Canadian officials one day after they attended a lavish party hosted by China in Ottawa, the Canadian capital. It marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. I’m Anne Ball.    Kathleen Struck adapted this story for Learning English from VOA news. Hai Do was the editor. Now it's your turn. Please leave a comment or post on our Facebook page.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   indicted –v. to be formally charged with a crime concept –n. the idea of what something is or how it works hacker –n. person who secretly gets access to a computer system to get information, or cause damage lavish –adj. giving or using a large amount of something

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English in a Minute: 148 Head Over Heels

Have you ever been "head over heels" for someone? Find out what this dizzying expression means in this week's English in a Minute!

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World Freedom Declines for 10th Year

A human rights group says the slowing world economy, a crackdown on dissidents and dislike of foreigners fleeing their country have led to a sharp drop in freedom around the world for the 10th consecutive year. Freedom House, a U.S.-based human rights group, measured freedom in 195 countries. Its Freedom in the World 2016 report shows a decline in 72 of those countries last year. It was the largest decline since the 10-year-long drop began. The report says 50 countries are “not free” and 59 “partly free.” Countries with the worst record It says levels of freedom were lowest in Syria, the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China, Somalia, North Korea, Uzbekistan and Eritrea. Also on the list of least-free countries were Turkmenistan, Western Sahara, Central African Republic, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia. The report says the Middle East and North Africa were the areas where people had the least freedom in 2015, followed closely by Eurasia. It says leaders of countries in those three areas increased their punishment of rights activists and other critics. Decline in “free” countries Many democratic countries in Europe and North America continued to be rated “free” in the report. However, the report says civil liberties in democratic countries -- especially in Europe -- have been threatened as those countries deal with terrorist attacks and an increase in refugees. Many people have fled Syria and other conflict areas and have sought asylum in Europe. The United States had one of the top ratings in the report. But it also showed a drop in freedom. The report blames the influence of money in election campaigns, legislative gridlock, failed promises of open government and racial discrimination for the drop. Economy and unrest contribute to the decline The group says the world’s economic problems and fear of unrest caused the governments of Russia, China and other countries to take stronger actions against their critics. It says Russian President Vladimir Putin continued his repressive policies and took action against independent journalists and those who support homosexuals. The report criticizes Putin for his continued support for rebels in eastern Ukraine and for ordering airstrikes to support the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Freedom House says China’s communist government increased its attacks on human rights lawyers, journalists and minority rights activists. And it says China has expanded its targets to include labor and public health activists and defenders of women’s rights. It notes that countries where freedom had declined sharply in 2014 had not improved in 2015. These include Thailand, Egypt, Crimea and South Sudan. Improvement in some countries The report finds an increase in freedom in 61 countries, including Latin America. And it says there is a possibility that levels of freedom will increase in Iran and Myanmar this year. In Myanmar, the new government led by the National League for Democracy will face pressure to meet its promises to make the country freer. And in Iran, reformers are preparing for parliamentary elections next month. There will also be an election for the group that names the country’s top religious leader. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA’s Smita Nordwall reported on this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   crackdown – n. a serious attempt to punish people for doing something that is not allowed; an increased effort to enforce a law or rule consecutive – adj. following one after the other in a series; following each other without interruption gridlock – n. a situation in which no progress can be made journalists - n. news reporters; news media workers homosexuals - n. people with a sexual interest in members of their own sex  

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US Religious Colleges Test Anti-Discrimination Law

  Justin Massey chose to study at Wheaton College in 2011 because of the university’s strong religious and academic record. "I grew up as a very strong Christian and my faith was an important part, thinking about moving forward with my academic studies. And Wheaton, from what I came to know, was widely understood as one of the best academic institutions if you’re looking for somewhere with a strong Christian tradition." Massey, 23, thought that a Christian university would be a welcoming place. But there was one problem: Massey is a gay, or homosexual, man. Religious universities across the U.S. have asked the Department of Education for permission to deny equal treatment to homosexual and transgender students. Title IX is a section of a group of laws called the United States Education Amendments of 1972. Originally, Title IX prevented discrimination based on gender at schools receiving federal money. This includes any school with students who use federal loans to pay for their studies. But Title IX does include a special exemption for religious schools. Any school run by a religious organization can ask to ignore Title IX. The schools can make this request if they believe Title IX disagrees with their religious beliefs. For example, some schools that train men to be members of the clergy ask to deny access to women. Some religions prevent women from training to be clergy members. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is part of the U.S. Department of Education. The OCR enforces Tile IX. The OCR also processes the exemption requests. Seth Galanter is the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the OCR. Galanter said schools have always had the right to make this type of request: 227 schools have received exemption from some part of Title IX since 1972. Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, received an exemption in 1985. But Justin Massey said that the school does accept different types of people. "I think Wheaton College, as a whole, is a pretty loving environment… It’s just stuck in a … political position." Problems began for Massey when he started working with the administration. Massey became involved in student government during his first year at Wheaton. At that time, he had not openly identified himself as gay. But he did start organizing meetings to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (or LGBT) students. During his second year, Massey tried to create a formal group supporting LGBT students at Wheaton, called Refuge. But the school’s administration learned that Massey was already involved in student government. They did not want a student with connections to a controversial issue to be part of the student government. The administration told Massey he could not be the leader of the group he started. "What I took that to mean was that it was because I was gay and that there was no other similar situation in which a student wouldn’t be allowed to head up a group because of a so-called conflict of interest." Galanter said that the exemptions do not allow schools to discriminate in any way they want. "There is not a wholesale exemption. A school, private college or university is only exempt when Title IX conflicts with the religious organization's tenets and only to that extent. And there is an opportunity for an individual who has been harmed to challenge the exemption in an individual case." But a growing concern among the LGBT community is that the number of exemption requests has increased greatly since 2013. These requests directly involve the parts of Title IX protecting students based on their gender identity and sexual orientation. The Human Rights Campaign (or HRC) is an organization that protects and supports the rights of LGBT people. The HRC released a report in December 2015 on the religious universities that requested and received these exemptions. The report showed that before 2013, only one school had requested an exemption from the part of Title IX involving gender identity. There were at least 43 similar requests in 2015. Sarah Warbelow is the Legal Director for HRC. She wrote the report, called "Hidden Discrimination." Warbelow says it is important that this information becomes widely known. "The majority of these schools did this under the cover of silence. Very few of them talked about it publicly. They were not telling their students." The HRC report also claimed that the increase in requests is in response to several recent actions by the U.S. government. These actions have been in support of the LGBT community. A transgender student accused the Arcadia Unified School District in Arcadia, California of discrimination in 2011. The U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Education decided in 2013 that the school system must provide the student with facilities that matched their gender identity. The Department of Justice is pursuing a similar solution in another case. A transgender student accused the Gloucester County Public School system in Virginia of discrimination in 2015. The U.S. Supreme Court also decided that the Constitution protects the right of same-sex marriage in 2015. Massey chose to publicly declare his sexual orientation in his third year at Wheaton. He also became very involved in LGBT rights issues. He often had problems with the administration. "There was just so many times that Wheaton was very quick to react to me or what was happening on campus because they were fearful of what it meant." VOA contacted Wheaton College for a comment. But the school did not give a formal response. VOA emailed 45 of the schools that have received or requested an exemption. Several schools declined to comment. Some offered written statements. Biola University in La Mirada, California is the only school with a religious exemption to Title IX that agreed to an interview. Jerry Mackey is the university’s Legal Counsel. Mackey said there was no controversy when the school received its exemption in 1985. "To my knowledge, there was really no reaction; public, private within the institution… I just don’t think it was a controversial issue at the time at all." Mackey said the media is trying to cause problems for religious colleges and universities. He also said that Biola is a loving place that tries to treat all of its students with care. But, Mackey said, students are free to study at any school they want. "People are here because they believe this is the place that they want to be…  So nobody’s forced to come to Biola or any school." But Massey does not agree. Massey believes that not all young people have total control of where they can study. Some students need their parents to pay for their education. If they do not go to the school their parents want, they will not receive any higher education. Other students do not completely understand their own sexuality when they first make their choice of school. Massey chose to finish his four-year degree at Wheaton for several reasons. He did not have enough money to change schools. Also, he had made many friends at Wheaton whom he did not want to leave. In addition, he felt the school needed students willing to fight for LGBT rights. Massey enjoyed his experience, but says it was difficult. "If I had known what I was going to go through, I probably would have been hesitant... It’s not the duty of any minority person to change an institution... But I don’t regret having been at Wheaton College." He also believes there are still more fights to come. I’m Pete Musto.   Pete Musto reported and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Now it’s your turn. How are LGBT people treated in your country? Why is it important for everyone to have access to equal education? Please let us know in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education faith – n. strong religious feelings or beliefs homosexual – adj. sexually attracted to people of the same sex transgender – adj. of or relating to people who have a sexual identity that is not clearly male or clearly female gender – n. the state of being male or female exemption – n. freedom from being required to do something that others are required to do lesbian – adj. a woman who is sexually attracted to other women bisexual – adj. sexually attracted to both men and women formal – adj. made or done in an official and usually public way controversial – adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument allowed – adj. given permission to do something wholesale – adj. affecting large numbers of people or things tenet(s) – n. a belief or idea that is very important to a group extent – n. used to indicate the degree to which something exists, happens, or is true challenge – v. to say or show that something may not be true, correct, or legal gender identity – n. a personal belief of oneself as male or female, or rarely, both or neither sexual orientation – n. the state of being bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual facilities – n. a room or rooms with a sink and toilet and usually a bathtub or shower hesitant – adj. slow to act or speak especially because you are nervous or unsure about what to do ​

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Do You Know This Blizzard of Winter Words?

Hello and welcome to the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories! People all over the world love to talk about the weather. Today, we talk about expressions that come from extreme winter weather. Winters in the northern United States are cold and snowy. Sometimes, the snows come with extremely strong winds. These snowstorms are called blizzards. It is difficult to see through the fast blowing snow of a blizzard. So, they are often described as blinding.                         The dictionary Etymology Online says blizzard came to mean a severe snow storm during the late 1800s. Before then, the word blizzard had nothing to do with snow. It had several other meanings. One was a sharp blow, like hitting a ball with a stick. Another meaning was a gun shot. And blizzard was also defined as a most extreme statement or event. These days, we do not use blizzard to mean any of those things. Blizzard is only used to mean an extreme snow storm. The first such use was in 1870. An especially violent and heavy snowstorm struck the state of Iowa. This storm was the worst winter storm in a long time. A newspaper editor in a small Iowa town called the terrible storm a blizzard. Much like a blizzard, the use of the word blew across the country over the next few years. Just as snow sticks to the ground, the word blizzard stuck as meaning any really bad winter storm. Snow changes the world around us. When snow is falling, the world seems somehow soft, peaceful and quiet.  But blizzards are different. They can be dangerous. Blizzards create white-out conditions. A white-out is when snow is falling fast and winds drive the snow so much that is impossible to see. Driving a vehicle in driving snow can be deadly. Cities sometimes declare a temporary state of emergency. This tells people to stay off the roads. This prevents accidents and also lets the snow removal trucks do their work. Deep, heavy snow is difficult to move. Clearing snow from roads and sidewalks is hard work. During a blizzard, people often get snowed in. They cannot leave their houses because snow drifts block doorways. To make matters worse, high winds and heavy snow can break limbs off trees. These limbs often hit power lines, cutting power and sometimes heat to homes and businesses. People who stock up on food and supplies are better prepared to deal with a blizzard. They hunker down -- or remain in their homes for many days. Often before a blizzard, people panic shop. Stores see a run on things like bread, milk, eggs and toilet paper – all classic blizzard supplies. Even though blizzards can be dangerous, some people still enjoy the excitement caused by this extreme weather. But no one likes to be snowed. Snow as a verb means to tell someone many pleasant but false statements. This action is also called a snow job. If someone tries to snow you, you could say they are being cold, meaning their actions are rough, mean or unfeeling. Blizzards may be hard to see through. But if you are smart, snow jobs are not. For example, if someone tells you that you can learn English without working hard, they are trying to snow you.  But listening to VOA Learning English is a good way to help your English studies. And that is no snow job. I’m Anna Matteo. ["The Blizzard," by Jim Reeves, is sung in the background.] Learning English reporter Anna Matteo wrote this story. Caty Weaver was the editor. Do you have blizzards where you live? Monsoons? Typhoons? Let us know in the Comments and on our Facebook page. 

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Chaos at Deadly Attack on Saudi Mosque

Muslim worshippers ran in panic after attackers set off bombs and fired shots in a mosque in Saudi Arabia. Five died and 18 others were wounded. Attackers wore suicide belts and carried assault rifles into a Shi'ite mosque in eastern Saudi Arabia during Friday prayer services. It was at least the fifth such attack in under a year. Amateur video showed worshipers inside the Imam Reda Mosque as a bomb explodes. The explosion broke windows, doors and ceiling tiles. Men were heard shouting religious slogans. The lights went out and gunshots were heard. Eyewitness Mohammed al Ahmed told Saudi TV that worshipers inside the mosque blocked its doors after the attack began. But one terrorist entered after the blast. Several minutes after worshipers locked the doors, an explosion went off, he said. The lights went off and smoke filled the room. A man with an assault rifle took shots, but was wrestled to the ground and disarmed after he was hit with a chair. Security forces exchanged fire with the attackers outside the building. Al Arabiya TV reported that security forces arrested two men. Other media reported that one man was arrested and a second blew himself up. At least four other such attacks on Shi'ite mosques have taken place inside Saudi Arabia during the past year. Saudi TV reported that security forces have been able to prevent more than a half dozen other attacks. Middle East analyst Theodore Karasik told VOA that the attack Friday “is reminiscent of previous Islamic State attacks targeting Shi'ites.” He said that IS has been calling for more attacks in recent weeks. This “may be the start of a new wave” in Saudi Arabia. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attack.   Edward Yeranian reported this story for VOA. Kathleen Struck adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Please leave us a Comment, and post on our Facebook page.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   panic – n. a feeling of extreme fear that makes someone unable to act or think normally assault rifle – n. a gun that can shoot many bullets rapidly and is designed for the military amateur – n. a person who does something (such as a sport or hobby) that is not part of their job slogan – n. a word or phrase that is easily remembered that is used by a group or business to gain attention reminiscent – adj. something that reminds a person of some memory, fact or incident

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VOA English Newscast: 1400 UTC January 29, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News. I’m Steve Karesh reporting. The human rights group Amnesty International says satellite images and witnesses point to possible mass graves in Burundi that appeared after security forces retaliated against rebel gunmen in Bujumbura.  And that the images suggest a deliberate effort by authorities to cover up the extent of the killings by their security forces and to prevent the full truth from coming out. The U.N. also is investigating.  The Burundi government has not commented. Political violence has raged in Burundi since President Pierre Nkurunziza announced last April that he was going to run for a third term. Also in Burundi, Authorities have arrested two foreign journalists  British photographer Phil Moore and the Africa chief for the French daily Le Monde, Jean-Philippe Remy. Burundi's security minister said the two men were arrested Thursday in Bujumbura in the company of armed criminals. Le Monde says Moore and Remy were arrested while meeting with government opponents.  It says both men were working for the paper and were doing their job by meeting with all parties involved in Burundi's political crisis. The World Health Organization is convening an emergency meeting on the Zika virus Monday. This after the agency's director said the mosquito-borne virus is spreading at an alarming rate. The WHO warns that millions of people in the Americas could be impacted by the virus, which has been linked to serious birth defects. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning pregnant women against traveling to areas with the Zika outbreak, such as Brazil. This comes as tens of thousands of people are poised to descend on Brazil later this year for the Olympics, possibly making the games a springboard to transmit the virus around the world. There is no vaccine for the Zika virus. From Washington, This is VOA News. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Newscast Retaliate –v. to seek revenge on someone or a group Deliberate –adj. done in a way that is planned or intended Rage –v. to happen or continue in a destructive, violent or intense way Impact –v. to have a strong and often bad effect on someone or something Poised –adj. ready or prepared to do something

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Trending Today: Sia, Jimmy Fallon and The Roots

This is What’s Trending Today. If you have not heard of Sia Furler, you have now, thanks to “Iko Iko” and Jimmy Fallon of the Tonight Show. Sia Furler is an Australian singer and songwriter. Known as Sia, she is famous for her songs “Chandelier,” “Titanium,” “Breathe Me,” and “Elastic Heart.” She also wrote songs for Christina Aguilera, Rihanna and Adele. She appeared on the late-night TV show “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” earlier this week to promote her new record “This is Acting.” Fallon, The Roots, actress Natalie Portman and Sia sang the folk song “Iko Iko” together. It is a song with roots in African and Creole cultures from New Orleans. The video shows all the performers dressed in black and white, wearing blonde and black wigs. Sia is known for being a little shy. She does not like to show her face when she performs. Because of this, she wears costumes or even uses stand-ins – like dancers or mimes – when she performs. In this video, she wears a wig with extra-long bangs that obscure her face. She also wears a short, white dress, and a big, white bow in her hair. See if you can count all the unique percussion instruments in the “Iko Iko” video, especially one band member using cups to provide the beat. People played the video almost 1.5 million times since it came out Wednesday night. And Sia’s new album already is No. 1 in many countries. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think of the way Sia presents herself? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bangs – n. the front section of a person's hair when it is cut short and worn over the forehead blond – adj. of a yellow or very light brown color chandelier – n. a large, decorated light that hangs from a ceiling and has branches for holding many light bulbs or candles creole – n. people descended from the colonial settlers of Louisiana huge – adj. very great in size, amount, or degree mime – n. a form of entertainment in which a performer plays a character or tells a story without words by using body movements and facial expressions percussion – n. musical instruments (such as drums, cymbals, or xylophones) that you play by hitting or shaking shy – adj. feeling nervous and uncomfortable about meeting and talking to people unique – adj. very special or unusual wig – n. artificial hair that you wear on your head because you are bald or in order to change your appearance

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White Actor to Play Michael Jackson in Comedy

“Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon” is a British comedy show based on an unconfirmed story of a road trip taken by Michael Jackson, Elizabeth Taylor and Marlon Brando. But no one is laughing at the casting of Joseph Fiennes in the role of Michael Jackson. Joseph Fiennes is white. The late Michael Jackson was black. Hollywood is already dealing with controversy about the “color” of the upcoming Academy Awards. Like last year, there is not a single African-American nominee for an acting award. The lack of diversity has led to a planned boycott of the so-called "white Oscars." Now people are expressing their condemnation and shock about “Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon.” A tweet Wednesday on BET’s Twitter page read: “A White Actor will play MJ. Because we aren't whitewashed enough in Hollywood, apparently.” Another Twitterer, @nicomadden, posted this message: “So Joseph Fiennes (A WHITE DUDE!) is gunna play Michael Jackson... I say Denzel Washington plays Elvis in the next movie just to be fair.” ​ Michael Jackson, known as the King of Pop, died in 2009 at age 50 of an accidental drug overdose. Jackson suffered from a condition called vitiligo that causes areas of a person’s skin to lose color. After Jackson’s death, investigators found a large amount of a skin lightening cream at his home. “Elizabeth, Michael and Marlon” is based on a 2011 report in Vanity Fair magazine. It tells of a trip the three performers took just after the September 11 attacks in New York City. Michael Jackson had performed there the night before. The three reportedly shared a car and drove across the country. Stockard Channing plays Elizabeth Taylor, and Brian Cox plays Marlon Brando. The show is set for broadcast later this year in Britain. I’m Caty Weaver.

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Businesses Want to Ban Bad Online Reviews

In 2009, John and Jen Palmer posted a critical online comment about a business. The Palmers said they ordered and paid for a small toy and a keychain for $20 from KlearGear.com, but never got the items. They said they could never reach anyone at KlearGear to fix the problem. They posted their complaint on RipoffReport.com. Three years later, Jen Palmer said her husband received an email from KlearGear demanding they remove the post. If not, he was told, he would have to pay a $3,500 fine. KlearGear said the Palmers violated the company’s policy that bars customers from posting critical comments. It is becoming common practice for businesses to demand money from customers who criticize them online, according to Eric Goldman, a Santa Clara University law professor. He follows Internet legal issues. These “do not criticize” clauses come as review sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, Angies List and ZocDoc become more popular. Comscore, an online research company, lists Yelp and TripAdvisor among the top 50 websites in the U.S. The sites have more visitors than even Netflix and ESPN. Jen Palmer said she and her husband tried to remove their critical post, but could not get Ripoff Report to take it down. They refused to pay the $3,500 fine demanded by KlearGear. They said they did not believe the company had the right to demand it. Two years later, a judge agreed with them. He said the company was wrong to demand money and to report the couple’s refusal to pay to a credit rating agency. That hurt the Palmers credit rating and made it impossible for them to finance the purchase of a furnace and car, Jen Palmer said. The judge awarded the couple over $300,000 in damages. At a recent Senate hearing, consumer advocates said what happened to the Palmers is not unusual. They gave some examples: A New York City inn fined newlyweds $500 for every critical review posted by them or their wedding guests. A dentist demanded $100 a day from a patient for each day he kept an online posting accusing the dentist of overcharging him.  The U.S. owner of a Paris rental apartment barred renters from using “blogs or websites for complaints.”   In all three cases, the business owner either backed down or was ordered to stop by a court. But Senator John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota, said the public will never know how many critical online postings get taken down under pressure. Most people, he said, would “rather avoid the “threat of excessive penalties, costly litigation or damage to their credit scores.” Since that November Senate hearing, the Senate passed Thune’s bill to stop companies from blocking critical online comments. The bill is now pending in the House of Representatives. The U.S. Constitution guarantees free speech. But backers of the Thune legislation say the guarantee applies mostly to government, not private businesses. The First Amendment Center notes that the Supreme Court has said that private organizations can limit free speech on their property. Some business groups complain that some online reviewers make up problems. One hotel owner wrote that a customer who described his hotel as a “filthy” did not even stay there. TripAdvisor has responded to such criticism. The website said it allows businesses to respond to every review – positive or negative. And most hotels get many reviews, making it hard for a single very negative or very positive review to have much effect, TripAdvisor said. Bruce Alpert researched and reported this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   post – v. to write an online message keychain – n. a holder of keys customer – n. someone who buys goods or services from a business clause – n. legal language in a contract or document review -- n. an act of carefully looking at or examining the quality or condition of something newlyweds – n. A newly married couple overcharge – v. to charge too much for something excessive – adj. going beyond what is usual, normal, or proper penalty -- n. punishment for breaking a rule filthy – adj. very dirty  

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Asian-Americans Active in US Politics

A growing number of Asian Americans are becoming active in politics, according to demographic researchers. The Pew Research Center says an estimated nine million Asian Americans were registered to vote in the United States in 2014. Among those voters, political researchers say Asian Americans currently relate more with the Democratic Party than the Republican Party. Yet Asian American voters have supported Republican candidates in the past. Thirty years ago, Asian Americans were big supporters of Ronald Reagan. In 1992, President George Herbert Walker Bush lost in his re-election effort to Bill Clinton. Yet Bush received 55 percent of the Asian American vote. But a move away from Republican candidates has taken place over the years. In the 2008 presidential election, 62 percent of Asian Americans voted for Barack Obama, a Democrat. In voting four years later, Obama won 73 percent of the Asian-American vote. Nearly half of Asian American voters are not registered with any political party. They consider themselves politically independent. Hugh Tra is an immigrant from Vietnam. He now lives in southern California. Tra says he identifies with the Democrats, and has been politically active since high school. As the two main parties begin their nominating process, Tra considers how each candidate stands on the issues. He feels immigration and income inequality are two big issues. He also thinks the time is now for candidates from both parties to attract Asian voters. Hugh Tra says “I think there hasn’t been enough effort by either party to outreach to Asian Americans. Definitely both parties need to step up their game and reach out to us.” As of now, Tra said he is thinking he may support Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, a Democrat. The Asian American population is one of the largest growing groups in the United States. By 2040, nearly one in 10 people in the U.S. is expected to be Asian American. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Elizabeth Lee reported on this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   according - adv. as stated by or in demographic – adj. relating to the qualities (such as age, sex, and income) of a specific group of people incumbent – n. a person who holds a particular office or position outreach – n. the activity or process of bringing information or services to people attract – v.  to cause someone to like or be interested in something

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'Benito Cereno,' by Herman Melville, Part Three

Herman Melville

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sometimes (adverb)

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January 28, 2016

A look at the best news photos from around the world.

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Egyptians Face Charges for Bad Repairs to Ancient Mask

Eight Egyptians may go to trial for their bad repairs on the gold mask of ancient King Tutankamun. Known as “King Tut,” the ancient King’s famous golden burial mask was damaged by museum workers in 2014. News reports said that Egyptian prosecutors allege the employees of Cairo’s Egyptian Museum “dealt recklessly” with the mask. The well-known object is 3,300 years old. Reports say museum workers accidentally broke the blue and gold braided beard off the mask while fixing a light in its case. The staff then glued the piece back onto the young pharoah’s burial mask with a lot of epoxy, a type of glue. It left a ring of glue around the edge of the beard that could be seen clearly. When workers tried to remove the ring of glue, they made fine scratches, or marks, on the mask. German Christian Eckmann was brought in as the lead restoration specialist. The damage to King Tut’s mask has since been repaired by Eckmann and his team. It was put back on in its place at the museum last month. Reports say the fine scratches cannot be seen by most people. The New York Times reported “the German experts carefully removed the epoxy and restored the solid gold mask using beeswax, the adhesive used by the ancient Egyptians.” Investigators want to know how the beard came off, and why the workers used too much epoxy. The former museum director and former head of restoration are two of the eight people facing charges. The charges include negligence and violating professional and scientific rules. The accused officials have been suspended from their jobs, but will not go to prison, said the New York Times. However, they could lose those jobs and have to pay large fines.  The mask and other items related to the famous pharaoh bring many tourists to Egypt and Cairo’s Egyptian Museum. The museum houses ancient Egyptian objects and mummies. The mask is one of the best-known pieces in the museum. Monica Hanna is an archaeologist and a member of Egypt’s Heritage Task Force. She told the New York Times that the museum has become increasingly neglected in recent years. “There’s been a shift in the people working there,” she told The New York Times.  “The experience people have retired, and the new ones do not have adequate training.” A new museum called the Grand Egyptian Museum near the famous pyramids is behind schedule for it’s opening. Another museum, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization is finished, but not yet open to the public. British archaeologists discovered King Tut’s tomb in 1922.  It was a great find. Unlike many other royalty’s tombs, the burial room had not been touched since King Tut died, more than 3,000 years ago. The discovery made King Tut famous. Objects from his tomb have traveled around the world. It gave people the chance to see the ancient pieces up close. But in recent years, Egypt’s all-important tourism has suffered badly. It started with the unrest after President Hosni Mubark’s fall in 2011. Then, there has been more unrest in 2013 after the military took over the government. Tourists have also been attacked by Islamist extremists. Last October a suspected bomb brought down a Russian airliner near a Red Sea resort, killing 224 people.  However, interest in ancient Egypt increased recently. British Egyptologist Nicholas Reeves said he believes that tomb of Queen Nefertiti may lie behind a wall in King Tut’s tomb. Researchers are still working to find out if the famous queen was buried there, or not. I'm Jim Tedder.   This story was based on reports from VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted the story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   alleged – adj. accused of having done something wrong or illegal but not yet proven guilty recklessly – adv. not showing proper concern about the possible bad results of your actions glue –n. a substance used to stick things tightly together negligence –n. lack of normal care or attention mummies –n. (plural) a dead body of a person or animal prepared for burial in the manner of the ancient Egyptians by treating it with oils and wrapping it in strips of cloth neglected –adj. not given enough attention or care adequate – adj. enough for some need or requirement

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Taiwan President Visits Disputed South China Sea Island

The president of Taiwan flew to the South China Sea Thursday to send a signal that reached as far as Washington. President Ma Ying-jeou flew on a military aircraft to Itu Aba, a disputed island also known as Taiping Island. About 200 people live there. Some are members of Taiwan’s coast guard. The other people are mainly medical workers and scientific researchers. Ma returned to Taipei Thursday night. His visit again brings attention to the major territorial dispute in the South China Sea. Taiwan has developed Taiping Island, a land formation in the Spratley Islands. Taiwan has set up a coast guard base with solar energy projects there. The medical workers are available to help crews from ships that pass through the waterway. “President Ma emphasizes that Taiping Island is an inherent territory of the Republic of China,” said a presidential spokesman. The Republic of China is Taiwan’s legal name.      Five other governments claim all or part of the South China Sea. Ma’s trip comes while China continues to develop other islands there with landfill materials. Vietnam has built man-made islands in the sea. Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines also claim parts of the area. ​Taiping Island is 1,600 kilometers from Taiwan. The island is less than a square kilometer in area and has been used mainly as a coast guard base. The Reuters news service reports that Taiwan just completed a port improvement project and built a new lighthouse on the island. Wednesday, the U.S. State Department called the Taiwanese leader’s trip “unhelpful” to easing disputes in the South China Sea.  Ma called the trip to Taiping one of his biggest personal successes while president. He must leave office in May because of term limits. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Ralph Jennings reported on this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   landfill – n. an area where waste is buried under the ground or dumped in a sea or ocean lighthouse – n. a tower with a powerful light that is built on or near the shore to guide ships away from danger solar – adj. of or related to the sun inherent – adj. existing in something

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Trending Today: Barbie Reimagined

This is What’s Trending Today. The Barbie doll has been a part of American culture for more than 50 years. Tall, blond and blue-eyed, the doll became a symbol of the “all-American girl.” But in recent years, critics targeted the doll. Social commentators said Barbie was not a good representation of what women do or should look like. The toy company that makes Barbie made some changes over the years. For example, it widened Barbie’s waist in more realistic proportion to the rest of her body. But that apparently was not enough for consumers or critics. So on Thursday, the manufacturer announced three new Barbie body types. Time magazine reported the story. Mattel describes the new dolls as tall, petite and curvy. The dolls will also represent different ethnicities, with a range of skin colors and hair styles. Lots of people commented about the news on Twitter and Facebook. Some people were excited to see the changes. Geek Girl Diva tweeted, “The curves are cool. I’m way more stoked about the hair color.” Another Twitterer, Maura Brannigan, posted: “Welcome to the 21st Century, Barbie.” But others were not as excited about the news. They say people should not get so worked up about a toy. Facebook user Michon Martin posted: “I never saw anything negative about her body or standards … she’s a fictitious piece of plastic.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.   What do you think of the new Barbie dolls? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   symbol – n. an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality curvy – adj. a term used to describe the shape of a woman’s body, a smooth, rounded line petite – adj. having a small and thin body — usually used to describe a woman or girl range – n. a group or collection of different things or people that are usually similar in some way stoked – adj. very excited worked up – adj. very angry, excited, or upset about something fictitious – adj. not true or real

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Panel Clears Planned Parenthood, Charges Its Accusers

A Texas grand jury decided this week to clear the health care organization Planned Parenthood of charges that it sells body parts from aborted fetuses. The decision has angered those who oppose abortion. A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, refused to file charges against Planned Parenthood. Instead, it filed charges against two people who made a secret video of Planned Parenthood employees. Those responsible for the video said they showed Planned Parenthood employees willing to sell body parts. Planned Parenthood and their supporters have said the video showed no illegal or unethical behavior. David Daleiden is one of the two people charged. The 27-year-old is the director of the anti-abortion group, Center for Medical Progress. He was charged with damaging a government record, because he allegedly created a fake driver’s license. He was also charged with illegally purchasing human organs. In the video, Daleiden posed as a medical research employee interested in buying fetal tissue. Another Center for Medical Progress employee, Sandra Merritt, was also charged with damaging a government record. The grand jury’s decision came after months of emotional debate, followed by  the group’s release of its secret videotapes last summer. Republicans in Congress have tried to end all federal funding for Planned Parenthood, but have failed. Republican presidential candidates promise to end funding for Planned Parenthood if they are elected. After the secret videos were released to the public, Planned Parenthood apologized for the casual way in which an employee discussed the transfer of fetal tissue and body parts. But the organization said the discussion centered on fees to cover Planned Parenthood costs, not profits. And it said the employee believed she was discussing a transfer with a real medical research company. Planned Parenthood said the grand jury’s decision showed the charges against it were false. “These anti-abortion extremists spent three years creating a fake company, creating fake identities, lying, and breaking the law,” said Eric Ferrero, a Planned Parenthood vice president. “When they couldn’t find any improper or illegal activity, they made it up.” Daleiden, the director of the Center for Medical Progress, defended his actions. “The Center for Medical Progress uses the same undercover techniques that investigative journalists have used for decades in exercising our First Amendment rights of freedom of speech and the press, and follows all applicable laws,” he said. Melissa Hamilton is a legal scholar at the University of Texas. She explains the reasons for the charges both Daleiden and Merrit face.  “If you are purporting to use a driver’s license, which is a public record, that is beyond the pale -- because there are reasons for society to want to protect the legitimacy of purported government records.” Supporters and opponents of abortion rights had different reactions to the grand jury’s decision. Greg Abbot is the Governor of Texas, and a Republican who opposes abortion. He said, “Nothing about today’s announcement in Harris County impacts the state’s ongoing investigation. The State of Texas will continue to protect life, and I will continue to support legislation prohibiting the sale or transfer of fetal tissue.” But Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders said the decision shows that Republican attacks on Planned Parenthood are wrong. “The Texas grand jury decision undercuts the entire Republican attack on Planned Parenthood,” Sanders said. “Planned Parenthood is doing an excellent job and should be supported and expanded, not defunded.” I'm Kathleen Struck.   Greg Flakus reported on this story from Houston, Texas. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   abortion – n. a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy unethical – adj. morally bad pose – v. to pretend to be (someone or something) in order to deceive people casual – adj. done without much thought, effort, or concern journalist – n. a person who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares news to be broadcast on radio or television. purport – v.  to claim to be or do a particular thing when this claim may not be true       pale – (n). an area or the limits within which one is protected prohibit – v. to order people not to use or do something transfer – v. to move something from one place to another undercut – v. to show a position or point of view is not correct

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Boko Haram Dents Chad, Cameroon Economies

  Attacks from Boko Haram militants are hurting the economies of Chad and northern Cameroon. The militants often attack trucks transporting goods to the two central African nations. Some of the goods come from Borno state in nearby Nigeria. Naffissa Adja works at one of the most popular stores in N’djamena, the capital of Chad. She says she was not paid last month. She adds that the store has not received supplies from Borno state for several months. Business is slow because of attacks on the store’s supply trucks. Tocba Haman is a truck driver. He says he no longer goes to Nigeria for supplies because Boko Haram targets trucks and kills drivers. He says the militants continue to control Nigerian villages, especially around Borno state. They also seize goods and kill traders. He says business activity in Chad will continue to decrease, even with many soldiers on roads and in markets. Abdoul Said is a customs official in Chad. He says Boko Haram attacked trucks last Saturday in Gambarou, a Nigerian town on the border with Cameroon. He says Boko Haram fighters have attacked and seized many vehicles in the past two weeks. He says recently, the militants seized three trucks carrying goods to northern Cameroon and N’djamena. The Chadian capital is less than 50 kilometers from Borno state, an area currently under the control of the Islamist group. Many goods arriving in Chad and northeastern Cameroon are shipped from Maiduguri, in the center of Borno state. Abba Kabbir is a member of Cameroon’s national assembly. He says the economies of northern Cameroon and Chad are suffering because the militants control roads in Nigeria. Simple goods and manufactured products like telephones and farming tools enter Chad on these roads. He says if Boko Haram continues to control the border roads, economic activity will continue to be paralyzed in Chad, northern Cameroon and parts of northeastern Nigeria. He says he and others want the military to stop the attacks. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Edwin Moki Kindzeka reported on this story from N’djamena, Chad. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report into Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   paralyze – v. to make (someone or something) unable to operate, act or move  

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Thailand Reports Second MERS Case

Thailand’s Public Health Ministry says the country has a second case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome, or MERS. A public health official said Sunday that a 71-year-old man from Oman came to a hospital in Bangkok Friday. He had a high body temperature and a cough. He received some treatment in his home country that did not help. Like other travelers from the Middle East, he decided to go to Thailand to get medical care. The man is now at Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute, near Bangkok. Tests there showed he has the MERS virus. Officials are closely watching 37 people who came in contact with the man. They include family members who traveled with him, a taxi driver, passengers who sat near him, flight attendants and hospital workers. These people are in quarantine to prevent them from passing the disease to others. The first case of MERS in Thailand was reported in June 2015. That case was also a man from Oman. He survived the disease. Because of the earlier MERS case, the Thai health ministry says it has improved its methods of finding the virus, monitoring and treating patients. MERS is the same type of virus as the common cold. It is caused by a coronavirus. MERS is similar to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, or SARS, another coronavirus. MERS kills more than 30 percent of the people who are infected with the virus. The main cause of death is respiratory infections. People with MERS have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing. There is no vaccine, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control says that the National Institutes of Health is looking into developing one. The Mayo Clinic says treatment includes rest, fluids, pain relievers and oxygen therapy. MERS does not spread easily. It usually only affects people who are in close contact with an infected person. The first case of MERS in humans was found in Saudi Arabia in 2012. Most of the cases have been in the Middle East. I’m Jill Robbins.   Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English based on reports from Reuters and the Wall Street Journal. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Now it’s your turn. Have you heard of MERS? What do you think of traveling to get medical treatment? Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cough - n. expelling air from the lungs suddenly with an explosive noise respiratory – adj. of or relating to breathing or the organs of the body that are used in breathing quarantine – n. the situation of being kept away from others to prevent a disease from spreading monitor – v. to watch, observe, listen to, or check (something) for a special purpose over a period of time coronavirus – n. a type of virus that usually causes mild to moderate upper-respiratory illness fever – n. a body temperature that is higher than normal (98.5 degrees Fahrenheit or 37 degrees Celsius)  

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English @ the Movies: 'Bigger Than They Are'

Today's English @ the Movies phrase is taken from "Concussion." A concussion is a brain injury that can happen when people hit their heads hard. The movie is about a doctor taking on the football industry. What is the phrase? "Bigger than they are." Watch, and listen.

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Improve Your Writing with Contrast and Concession

For VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar. Today we are going to talk about words that connect opposing ideas. We call these ideas contrast or concession. Some of these adverbs are but, although, however and despite. These words will help you communicate more complex ideas. They will improve the flow and clarity of your writing. Contrast versus concession  Let us begin by understanding the differences between contrast and concession. Here are two examples: I used to live in Malaysia, but now I live in Thailand. Even though I live in Malaysia, I work in Thailand. The first example shows a simple contrast. The first sentence, “I used to live in Malaysia” indicates my previous place of residence. The second part of the sentence, “but now I live in Thailand”, shows that I now live in another place. The statement contrasts these two different places: the one where I used to live and the one where I live now. In the second example, “Even though I live in Malaysia” tells you where I live now. But this sentence contains a surprise for my readers: “I work in Thailand.” When the opposing idea is something readers do not expect or that surprises them, we call it concession. But Let us start with but, the most common way to show contrast. But is a coordinator. We use it to connect ideas that are more or less of equal value. Here are some examples: The students were tired after the test, but were happy with their results. Some refugees have found new homes, but others are still living in camps. Luca tried to solve the math problem for two hours, but he could not find the answer. In the second and third examples, notice that the conjunction but connects two independent sentences or clauses. In this case, we use a comma before but. However, nevertheless, nonetheless A more formal way to say but is however. Consider the examples: We really wanted to go to that concert; however, we could not afford the tickets. Car prices went up fast. However, motorcycle prices are still the same. In these examples, you can replace however with nevertheless or nonetheless. The idea will remain the same. However and nonetheless can make your sentences more formal. You have some options for punctuation. You could write, “I am tired. [period] However, [comma] I will finish the job.” Or you could write, “I am tired; [semicolon] however, [comma] I will finish the job.” The semicolon is a punctuation option to connect two independent clauses that are closely related. It is up to the writer to decide whether to use a period or a semicolon. Although, even though, and though Although and even though are two common adverbs to express unexpected results or surprises. They are subordinators: adverbs that show that one idea is more important than the other. Here are some examples: I managed to fall asleep although we were watching an action movie. Although we were watching an action movie, I managed to fall asleep. In both sentences, the subordinating conjunction although is attached to the clause that contains the less important idea. “Although we were watching an action movie,” cannot stand alone as a sentence; it is a subordinate clause. If the subordinate clause comes first, we must separate the two by using a comma. If the subordinate clause comes second, there is no comma. Here are two examples with even though. These students already know how to read even though they are still in kindergarten. Even though these students are still in kindergarten, they already know how to read. Though is less formal than although and even though. It is more common in spoken English. Here are some examples: Though Indra waited for almost an hour, his doctor never showed up. Indra’s doctor never showed up though he waited for almost an hour. To make your sentence even more conversational, you can move though to the end: Indra waited for almost an hour. His doctor never showed up, though. In spite of, despite In spite of and despite are also subordinators to show unexpected results. They also come attached to the subordinate clause. However, they require a different sentence structure. Consider the examples: That man has saved a lot of money in spite of earning a small salary. That artist is very creative despite having limited resources. In these examples, in spite of and despite are followed by a gerund. A gerund is the “-ing” form of a verb which functions like a noun. In the sentences above, “earning a small salary” and “having limited resources” are gerund phrases. Despite and in spite of can also be followed by noun phrases. My brother has managed to save a lot of money in spite of his small salary. That artist is very creative despite her limited resources. His small salary and her limited resources are noun phrases. In spite of that In spite of that can also be used to indicate contrast or concession, but it works as a coordinating conjunction. Therefore, it is used to connect two independent clauses. For example: Most students had understood the explanation; in spite of that, the teacher wrote a few more examples. It rained for almost three hours non-stop. In spite of that, the ground is already dry. Practice The best way to master these transition words is to make up a few sentences of your own. After you start practicing, you will naturally begin to remember when and how to use these words more accurately. Try to write a few sentences using the transition words above and post them here for comments. I’m Jill Robbins. And I’m John Russell.   This article was written by guest writer Fabio de Oliveira Coelho. Fabio is a linguist and bilingual educator. He has worked on education and development projects in Brazil, the United States, Nicaragua, Indonesia, and Guinea-Bissau. He was born in Brazil and is a now U.S. citizen. Fabio is an English Language Fellow with the U.S. Department of State in Semarang, Indonesia. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   contrast - n. a difference between people or things that are being compared concession - n. grammar. a clause which begins with "although" or "even though" and which expresses an idea that suggests the opposite of the main part of the sentence. clause - n. grammar. a part of a sentence that has its own subject and verb semicolon – n.  the punctuation mark ; that is used to separate major parts in a sentence and to separate items in a series if the items contain commas subordinate clause – n. grammar. a clause that does not form a simple sentence by itself and that is connected to the main clause of a sentence gerund – n. grammar. an English noun formed from a verb by adding -ing ​

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How America Elects: Caucuses & Primaries

Caucuses are more complicated than primaries. People who are registered in one of the parties gather for an evening of discussion and debate around the state. At the end of the night, everyone votes.

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Trump Leads in Iowa, Bloomberg May Join the Race

For nearly a year, candidates have been telling American voters that they are best qualified to become the next U.S. president. On Monday, voters will have their say in an evening of discussion and debate known as the Iowa caucus. Monday’s caucus in the Midwestern state of Iowa is the first in a series of caucuses and primaries to select a nominee for the Republican and Democratic parties. In the Republican presidential field, businessman Donald Trump expands his lead over the crowded field of candidates. A Fox News poll in Iowa shows Trump leading 23 to 34 percent above Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Another poll by CBS News has Trump with a smaller lead over Cruz in Iowa -- 34 to 39 percent. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida is in third place in both polls. Nationally, support for Trump is also increasing, according to a new CNN poll on Tuesday. It shows Trump with the support of 41 percent of Republican voters across the United States. Cruz is in second place with 19 percent. On the Democratic side, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont are in a virtual tie among Iowa voters. The CBS poll of Iowa voters shows Clinton leading 46 to 47 percent. But Clinton still has a large lead over Sanders nationally in the new CNN poll. Her lead is 38 percent to 52 percent. As a candidate, Trump has called for deporting undocumented immigrants and for banning Muslims from entering the U.S. On the opposite side, Sanders has called for breaking up large financial institutions. He also wants free college tuition at public colleges. Rival candidates have called their proposals as unrealistic and “not serious.” But Trump, on the Republican side, and Sanders, on the Democratic side, continue to gain strength among primary voters. “There seems to be an extraordinary amount of anger in the United States, both on the left and on the right and maybe even in the center and it’s a little disconcerting,” said political analyst Stan Collender. “I don’t think anyone saw this coming or anyone predicted it.” Will Bloomberg enter the race? Over the weekend, The New York Times reported that former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is considering a run for president as an independent. The paper reported that Bloomberg would run if Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump were the Democratic and Republican nominees. Bloomberg, a billionaire like Trump, was mayor of New York City for 12 years. Since he has left office, Bloomberg has spent much of his own money calling for tougher gun control laws. The threat of another billionaire in the race brought quick response from the candidates. On NBC's Meet the Press, Clinton said, “Well, I’m going to relieve him of that and get the nomination so he doesn’t have to.” Trump said he would be happy if Bloomberg ran. Trump said he and Bloomberg have been friends, but “perhaps we’re not friends anymore.” Sanders’ candidacy is largely a promise to reduce big wage differences between wealthy and poor Americans. “If Donald Trump wins and Mr. Bloomberg gets in, you’re going to have two multi-billionaires running for president of the United States against me,” Sanders said on Meet the Press. He said Americans do not want to see “billionaires control the political process.” Obama weighs in Even President Barack Obama felt the need to say something about the race. In an interview this week with Politico, Obama described Clinton as “wicked smart,” and “extraordinarily experienced.” He also praised Sanders, but not as much, according to Politico. Obama said Sanders gets the benefit of being a new candidate for president. Clinton also ran in 2008, when she lost the Democratic presidential nomination to Obama. “You’re always looking at the bright, shiny object that people haven’t seen before — that’s a disadvantage to her (meaning Clinton),” Obama said. But he had nothing good to say about Trump and Cruz, the two leading Republican candidates. “When I ran against (Senator) John McCain, John McCain and I had real differences, sharp differences, but John McCain didn’t deny climate science,” Obama told Politico.  “John McCain didn’t call for banning Muslims from the United States. … [The] Republican vision has moved not just to the right, but has moved to a place that is unrecognizable.” I'm Kathleen Struck.   VOA's Jim Malone reported on this story. Bruce Alpert adapted his report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   caucus – n.  a meeting of members of a political party for the purpose of choosing candidates for an election qualified – v. having the necessary skill, experience, or knowledge to do a particular job or activity  poll – n. an activity in which several or many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something virtual – adj.  very close to being something without actually being it deport – v. to force a person who is not a citizen to leave a country extraordinary – adv. very different from what is normal or ordinary disconcerting – adj. cause for concern billionaire – n. a rich person who has at least a billion dollars tougher – adj. stricter, more demanding relieve – v., to reduce or remove something replace – v. to be used instead of something wicked – adj. very much vision – n. what conditions a candidate or person wants in the future

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