Grand Tetons National Park is for Exploring

This week on our National Park series we travel to a dramatic western landscape in Wyoming. The area’s huge mountains rise and rise and rise some more. Their jagged peaks shadow the beautiful valley of Jackson Hole. Rushing rivers wind their way through the land. Wild animals roam and flowers, trees and other plants thrive.  Welcome to Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton sits 16 kilometers south of Yellowstone National Park. It is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest ecosystems in the world.     Humans first came to the area more than 11,000 years ago. Native Americans hunted animals, gathered plants and collected rocks for tools. To this day, native groups consider the mountains sacred. In the early 1800’s, the area was popular with fur trappers because of the many animals there. Around that time, French-Canadian fur trappers named the mountains the Grand Tetons. Some say this was because of the presence of Teton Indians in the area. In 1862, the United States Congress passed the Homestead Act in order to settle the western lands. The law permitted any current or future citizen to claim a plot of land for just ten dollars. Many did. But the extreme weather and rocky soil of the Teton area made it difficult to raise crops and cattle. By the early 1900s, some homesteaders opened dude ranches. These were places where wealthy people could pay to experience the cowboy life. The cost included lodging, food, the use of a horse and involvement in outdoor activities. Millionaire businessman John D. Rockefeller toured the Grand Teton area in 1926. He fell in love with the mountain scenery. He bought land in and around the Jackson Hole valley. A few years later, Congress created a small national park that protected the Teton Range and its lakes at the foot of the mountains.           Later, around 1950, the small park and Rockefeller’s land were combined to form the present-day Grand Teton National Park. Working ranches still exist in Jackson Hole today. The local economy, however, depends on tourism and wealthy homeowners. Visitors almost anywhere in Grand Teton can look up and see beautiful, pointed mountain peaks. The Teton Range is relatively young. At almost 4,200 meters high, Grand Teton is the tallest of the range. But all the mountains are pretty tall. Nine other Teton peaks reach higher than 3,600 meters. They rise suddenly along the western side of the valley. Forests blanket the mountainsides. Many lakes are found at the foot of the hills.           The Snake River runs through the Grand Teton National Park from north to south. The park has some of the oldest rocks of any U.S. National Park. Some are as old as 12 million years.            Mormon Row is one of the most historic places in the park. The Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints, or Mormons, established the area in the late 1800s. The settlers moved into the area from nearby Idaho. They became farmers. They built water systems which led to their great success in farming. On Mormon Row sits two picturesque barns. Homesteaders and brothers John and Thomas Alma Moulton built them in 1913. The barns sit in a field with a clear view of the Teton range. Beyond the barns, there are many other historical homesteads to explore.         Mormon Row leads to Antelope Flats. That is where we find the open grass and prairie lands of the Jackson Hole area. It is a perfect place to see wildlife such as antelope, elk, bison, moose, and coyote.         Grand Teton National Park offers many activities including hiking, swimming, skiing and fishing. And it remains a place where visitors can go if they dream of a taste of the cowboy life. I’m Dorothy Gundy. And I’m Caty Weaver.  Dorothy Gundy reported on this story for VOA News Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story ecosystem – n. all living things, such as plants and animals, and things that are not living, such as rocks, soil, sunlight, and water in one environment sacred - adj. worthy of religious worship, very holy​ fur trappers – n. a person whose business is the trapping of animals  homesteaders – n. people who go to live and grow crops on land given by the government, especially in the past dude ranch – n. a large farm especially in the western U.S. where people on vacation can ride horses and do other activities that cowboys typically do lodging – n. a place to live or stay scenery - n. a view of natural features (such as mountains, hills, valleys, etc.) that is pleasing to look at​ picturesque – adv. very pretty or charming, like a painted picture We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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US Brings Legal Action Against Chinese Company for North Korea Ties

The United States announced criminal charges and economic sanctions against four Chinese individuals and a Chinese company earlier this week. The U.S. government said it acted to punish them for suspected support for North Korea's nuclear weapons program. On Wednesday, a State Department official suggested that more Chinese companies and individuals could face investigation for suspected violations of sanctions on North Korea. The State Department’s coordinator for Sanctions Policy, Daniel Fried, spoke to the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee. He said, “It would also be useful if Chinese banks and companies understood that increasingly dealing with North Korean companies, especially those that are sanctioned, is going to be risky.” Two days earlier, the Treasury Department announced criminal charges and economic actions against a Chinese seller of industrial machinery. It named four top officials of Dandong Hongxiang Industrial Developmental Company Limited (DHID). The four include the company’s chairwoman, Ma Xiaohong. They are accused of plotting to avoid sanctions against North Korea, and using American financial businesses to hide the money they earned illegally. Chinese officials also are investigating the company. They are looking at its connection with the Kwangson Banking Corporation, a North Korean bank. U.S. and United Nations have said the bank has provided financial services in support of North Korea’s weapons programs. A State Department officials said, “This shows we can work cooperatively with China; we both see it in our interests to apply greater pressure on North Korea.” On Tuesday, a Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs official spoke to reporters about the U.S. action. Spokesman Geng Shuang said China was prepared to support U.N. resolutions against North Korea. The resolutions call for sanctions to punish the North for its nuclear and missile tests. However, the spokesman expressed opposition to other countries using their own laws against companies or people within China. “I want to stress that we oppose any country enacting so-called ‘long-arm jurisdiction,’ using its own domestic laws against a Chinese entity or individual,” he said. In March, China agreed to the strongest U.N. Security Council sanctions yet to limit trade with North Korea. The council's members have approved other actions to punish the country for its nuclear activities and missile program. Those restrictions have largely halted North Korean trade with countries other than China. North Korea has faced severe international sanctions to punish the country for its nuclear activity and missile program. Those restrictions have largely halted North Korean trade with countries other than China. However, new research suggests that North Korean state-operated businesses are using middlemen in China to avoid sanctions. I’m Mario Ritter. This story was written from reports by Pete Cobus and Nike Ching for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story entity –n. a legal business or organization, something that exists by itself and is separate from other things middlemen –n. people who buy goods from a producer and sell them to someone e

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American Golf Fan Putts Better than the Professionals

This is What’s Trending Today. American David Johnson is now a hero to every sports lover who ever thought “I could do it better than the professional.” Johnson was in the crowd as pro golfers warmed up for the Ryder Cup on Thursday in the American state of Minnesota. The Ryder Cup is a golf competition between teams of men from Europe and the United States. The event takes place every two years. It runs through Sunday. Johnson was watching the European players work on putting at the sixth hole of the Hazeltine National Golf Club. The players were Rory McIlroy, Andy Sullivan, Henrik Stenson and Justin Rose. They are four of the best golfers in the world. And they were unable to hit the ball into the hole from about four meters away. They tried a number of times and continued to miss. From the crowd, Johnson shouted that he could make the putt. And the golfers asked him to come out and show them. One of the pro golfers even told Johnson he would give him $100 if he made the putt. So Johnson, wearing blue jeans, a baseball cap, and a red jacket, took a putter and studied the green. As he prepared, another person said “there’s millions of people watching!” Johnson took a short stroke, hit the ball, and it went right into the hole. Thousands of people cheered. Johnson pumped his arms, made a fist and raised his hands into the air. The four pros all gave him a handshake. Johnson, a 30-year-old from North Dakota, became a star almost immediately. After the show, he spoke with sports reporters for television stations and news agencies. McIlroy recorded the incident on his mobile phone and put the video on Twitter. One golf lover tweeted: “they ask him to try, and BOOM #GoUSA.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think of Johnson’s putt? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tournament – n. a competition or series of events that involve many players or teams and that usually continues for several days putt – v. to hit a golf ball with a special club (called a putter) so that it rolls along the ground toward the hole jacket – n. clothing worn around the upper body, usually during cool weather fist – n. a hand with the fingers bent down toward the palm mobile – adj. able to be moved from one place to another

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Report: Smoking May Permanently Damage Genetic Material

Here is another reason to not light up a cigarette. Smoking can permanently damage your genetic material, according to a new study. Researchers at the Hebrew SeniorLife Institute for Aging Research say smoking leaves a long-term “footprint” on a person’s DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid. The researchers have ties to Harvard Medical School in the American state of Massachusetts. DNA is the genetic material of which all living things are formed. Health problems, like heart disease and cancer, are believed to be at least partly a result of damage to a person’s DNA. The changes in the genes are a result of a natural process called “DNA methylation.” It changes how the DNA works or operates, and possibly affects the body’s natural defenses against disease. Roby Joehanes is the first author of a report on the study. He said the researchers found ‘compelling evidence’ that smoking has a long-lasting influence on our ‘molecular machinery.’ “The encouraging news is that once you stop smoking, the majority of DNA methylation signals return to never smoker levels after five years, which means your body is trying to heal itself of the harmful impacts of tobacco smoking," he said. However, cigarette smoking can still have an influence on people’s health more than 30 years after they stopped smoking, he said. The researchers studied blood samples from 16,000 people, smokers and non-smokers alike. They found that for most, DNA damage resulting from smoking slowly disappeared five years after people quit smoking. But some of the damage appeared to be permanent. Researchers said in the study, the smokers experienced changes to more than 7,000 genes. That is about one-third of known human genes. DNA methylation is one of the ways genes are expressed, or show up, in the body. It affects which genes ‘turn on’ and that can lead to the development of smoking-related diseases, said Dr. Stephanie J. London. She works at the U. S. National Institutes of Health and was another author of the study. “Equally important is our finding that even after someone stops smoking, we still see the effects of smoking on their DNA,” she said. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable health disorders. It kills an estimated 480,000 Americans every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking is believed to cause more than 6 million deaths worldwide each year, mostly through cancer, heart disease and lung disease. Campaigns to get people to give up smoking have seen some success in the United States. Smoking levels have dropped. Now only an estimated 15 percent of the adult population smokes. The study was published in the American Heart Association journal, Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics. I’m Anne Ball.   This report was based on a story from VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story compelling – adj. very interesting and able to hold your attention methylation – n. the process in which certain chemicals called “methyl groups” are added to proteins, DNA and other molecules author – n. someone who is a writer impacts – n. effects quit – v. stop doing something

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'The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky' by Stephen Crane, Part Two

From VOA Learning English, this is American Stories. Our story is called “The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky.” It was written by Stephen Crane. Today, we will hear the second and final part of the story. “Don’t know whether there will be a fight or not,” answered one man firmly, “but there’ll be some shooting -- some good shooting.” The young man who had warned them waved his hand. “Oh, there’ll be a fight fast enough, if anyone wants it. Anybody can get in a fight out there in the street. There’s a fight just waiting.” The salesman seemed to be realizing the possibility of personal danger. “What did you say his name was?” he asked. “Scratchy Wilson,” voices answered together. “And will he kill anybody? What are you going to do? Does this happen often? Can he break in that door?” “No, he can’t break in that door,” replied the saloon-keeper. “He’s tried it three times. But when he comes you’d better lie down on the floor, stranger. He’s sure to shoot at the door, and a bullet may come through.” After that, the salesman watched the door steadily. The time had not yet come for him to drop to the floor, but he carefully moved near the wall. “Will he kill anybody?” he asked again. The men laughed, without humor, at the question. “He’s here to shoot, and he’s here for trouble. I don’t see any good in experimenting with him.” “But what do you do in a situation like this? What can you do?” A man answered, “Well, he and Jack Potter -- ” “But,” the other men interrupted together, “Jack Potter’s in San Antonio.” “Well, who is he? What’s he got to do with this?” “Oh, he’s the town policeman. He goes out and fights Scratchy when he starts acting this way.” A nervous, waiting silence was upon them. The salesman saw that the saloon-keeper, without a sound, had taken a gun from a hiding place. Then he saw the man signal to him, so he moved across the room. “You’d better come with me behind this table.” “No, thanks,” said the salesman. “I’d rather be where I can get out the back door.” At that, the saloon-keeper made a kindly but forceful motion. The salesman obeyed, and found himself seated on a box with his head below the level of the table. The saloon-keeper sat comfortably upon a box nearby. “You see,” he whispered, “Scratchy Wilson is a wonder with a gun -- a perfect wonder. And when he gets excited, everyone gets out of his path. He’s a terror when he’s drunk. When he’s not drinking he’s all right -- wouldn’t hurt anything—nicest fellow in town. But when he’s drunk -- be careful!” There were periods of stillness. “I wish Jack Potter were back from San Antonio,” said the saloon-keeper. “He shot Wilson once, in the leg. He’d come in and take care of this thing. ”Soon they heard from a distance the sound of a shot, followed by three wild screams. The men looked at each other. “Here he comes,” they said. A man in a red shirt turned a corner and walked into the middle of the main street of Yellow Sky. In each hand the man held a long, heavy, blue black gun. Often he screamed, and these cries rang through the seemingly deserted village. The screams sounded sharply over the roofs with a power that seemed to have no relation to the ordinary strength of a man’s voice. These fierce cries rang against walls of silence. The man’s face flamed in a hot anger born of whiskey. His eyes rolling but watchful, hunted the still doorways and windows. He walked with the movement of a midnight cat. As the thoughts came to him, he roared threatening information. The long guns hung from his hands like feathers, they were moved with electric speed. The muscles of his neck straightened and sank, straightened and sank, as passion moved him. The only sounds were his terrible invitations to battle. The calm houses preserved their dignity at the passing of this small thing in the middle of the street. There was no offer of fight -- no offer of fight. The man called to the sky. There were no answers. He screamed and shouted and waved his guns here and everywhere. Finally, the man was at the closed door of the saloon. He went to it, and beating upon it with his gun, demanded drink. The door remained closed. He picked up a bit of paper from the street and nailed it to the frame of the door with a knife. He then turned his back upon this place and walked to the opposite side of the street. Turning quickly and easily, he fired the guns at the bit of paper. He missed it by a half an inch. He cursed at himself, and went away. Later, he comfortably shot out all the windows of the house of his best friend. Scratchy was playing with this town. It was a toy for him. But still there was no offer of fight. The name of Jack Potter, his ancient enemy, entered his mind. He decided that it would be a good thing if he went to Potter’s house, and by shooting at it make him come out and fight. He moved in the direction of his desire, singing some sort of war song. When he arrived at it, Potter’s house presented the same still front as had the other homes. Taking a good position, the man screamed an invitation to battle. But this house regarded him as a great, stone god might have done. It gave no sign. After a little wait, the man screamed more invitations, mixing them with wonderful curses. After a while came the sight of a man working himself into deepest anger over the stillness of a house. He screamed at it. He shot again and again. He paused only for breath or to reload his guns. Potter and his bride walked rapidly. Sometimes they laughed together, quietly and a little foolishly. “Next corner, dear,” he said finally. They put forth the efforts of a pair walking against a strong wind. Potter was ready to point the first appearance of the new home. Then, as they turned the corner, they came face to face with the man in the red shirt, who was feverishly loading a large gun. Immediately the man dropped his empty gun to the ground and, like lightning, pulled out another. The second gun was aimed at Potter’s chest. There was a silence. Potter couldn’t open his mouth. Quickly he loosened his arm from the woman’s grasp, and dropped the bag to the sand. As for the bride, her face had become the color of an old cloth. She was motionless. The two men faced each other at a distance of nine feet. Behind the gun, Wilson smiled with a new and quiet cruelty. “Tried to surprise me,” he said. “Tried to surprise me!” His eyes grew more evil. As Potter made a slight movement, the man pushed his gun sharply forward. “No, don’t you do it, Jack Potter. Don’t you move a finger toward a gun yet. Don’t you move a muscle. The time has come for me to settle with you, and I’m going to do it my own way -- slowly, with no interruption. So just listen to what I tell you.” Potter looked at his enemy. “I haven’t got a gun with me, Scratchy,” he said. “Honest, I haven’t.” He was stiffening and steadying, but at the back of his mind floated a picture of the beautiful car on the train. He thought of the glory of the wedding, the spirit of his new life. “You know I fight when I have to fight, Scratchy Wilson. But I haven’t got a gun with me. You’ll have to do all the shooting yourself.” His enemy’s face turned pale with anger. He stepped forward and whipped his gun back and forth before Potter’s chest. “Don’t you tell me you haven’t got a gun with you, you dog. Don’t tell me a lie like that. There isn’t a man in Texas who ever saw you without a gun. Don’t think I’m a kid.” His eyes burned with anger and his breath came heavily. “I don’t think you’re a kid,” answered Potter. His feet had not moved an inch backward. “I think you’re a complete fool. I tell you I haven’t got a gun, and I haven’t. If you’re going to shoot me, you’d better begin now; you’ll never get a chance like this again.” So much enforced reasoning had weakened Wilson’s anger. He was calmer. “If you haven’t got a gun, why haven’t you got a gun?,” he asked. “Been to church?” “I haven’t got a gun because I’ve just come from San Antonio with my wife. I’m married,” said Potter. “And if I had thought there’d be a fool like you here when I brought my wife home, I would have had a gun, and don’t you forget it.” “Married!” said Scratchy, not at all understanding. “Yes, married. I’m married,” said Potter, clearly. “Married?” said Scratchy. Seemingly for the first time, he saw the pale, frightened woman at the other side. “No!” he said. He was like a creature allowed a glance at another world. He moved a pace backward, and his arm, with the gun, dropped to his side. “Is this the lady?” he asked. “Yes, this is the lady,” answered Potter. There was another period of silence. “Well,” said Wilson at last, slowly. “I suppose we won’t fight now.” “We won’t if you say so, Scratchy. You know I didn’t make the trouble.” Potter lifted the bag. “Well, I guess we won’t fight, Jack,” said Wilson. He was looking at the ground. “Married!” He was not a student of good manners. It was merely that in the presence of this foreign condition he was a simple child of the wildlands. He picked up his fallen gun, and he went away. His feet made deep tracks in the heavy sand. Try this Listening Quiz to check your understanding. ___________________________________________________________________ Words in this story feverishly - adv. done in a way that involves intense emotion or activity : feeling or showing great or extreme excitement muscle - n. a body tissue that can contract and produce movement Old West / Wild West - expression. the western United States in its frontier period characterized by roughness and lawlessness pace - n. a single step or the length of a single step passion - n.  a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something saloon - n. a business where alcoholic drinks are served saloon-keeper – n. a person who runs a bar; a bartender whiskey - n. a strong alcoholic drink made from a grain (such as rye, corn, or barley) Teachers, here is a lesson plan for this story:  

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English @ the Movies: 'I've Lost Direction'

Today's English @ the Movies saying is "I've lost direction." It is from a movie called "A Hologram for the King." If someone says "I've lost direction," what do you think it means? Watch our story, test your self, and see if you get it right.

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The Bride Comes to Yellow Sky Part II. by Stephen Crane

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"Superbug" Linked to Chicken Sickens People

An international team of scientists has identified a new kind of “superbug” -- or strong bacteria -- that has made people sick. They link the development of the superbug to the use of antibiotic drugs in farm animals. The scientists say this new strain of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus -- known as MRSA – sickened at least 10 people in Denmark. They said the bacteria is resistant to several antibiotics and can kill chickens. This strain is not found in Denmark. The researchers believe the Danes likely got sick from it by eating or being close to imported chicken. Most people do not get MRSA from animals used as food. The bacteria usually spreads through person-to-person contact in hospitals or other buildings where people live in small, crowded spaces. Farm workers have a higher risk of staph infections. The researchers compared the strains of MRSA in the 10 Danes to staph infections in other people and in livestock. They found the strain came from poultry -- animals like chickens and turkeys. The contaminated meat in Denmark was imported from other countries, including France, the Netherlands and Germany.  The findings were published in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases. They show that this strain of the virus may be more-easily passed from meat to people. Last week, the United Nations held a high-level meeting of experts on antibiotic resistance. They talked about how resistance could become an international crisis if steps are not taken. One of their main worries is the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. If the drugs are used too often they can become ineffective. More superbugs like MRSA will develop, the experts said. They called on governments and private companies to work together to stop the overuse and misuse of antibiotics. Laura MacCleery was at the meeting. She works for the Washington, D.C.-based Consumers Union. She says animals that are raised on farms for food are often given antibiotics to prevent disease and help them grow faster. MacCleery said the experts discussed measures to reduce resistance to antibiotics. She said, "Drug pricing and availability at a level of provider incentives -- those are the kinds of things that governments can do to discourage inappropriate prescribing among physicians, and to educate consumers about the potential risk of antibiotic resistance.” MacCleery says her organization has persuaded restaurants like McDonald’s to agree not to sell chicken treated with antibiotics.  I’m Jonathan Evans. VOA Health Correspondent Jessica Berman reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report 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 strain –n. one of several closely related infectious micro-organisms contaminated –n. infected, containing something harmful routinely –adv. regularly sub-therapeutic doses –n. less than the required amount of a medicine unsanitary –adj. not clean incentives –n. something that encourages someone to carry out some action prescribe –v. to officially tell someone to use a medicine or treatment to get better  

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September 29, 2016

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

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US Congress Overrides Obama Veto of 9/11 Bill

The United States Congress has voted to overrule a presidential veto of a bill supported by families of victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The bill would let the families take legal action against Saudi Arabia for the attacks. Both houses of congress voted Wednesday to reject President Barack of Terrorism Act. Obama's first veto setback The House of Representatives voted 348 to 77 to overrule the veto. In the Senate, the vote was 97 to one. A two-thirds majority is required to cancel the president’s action. It was the first time in Obama’s presidency that Congress has overturned one of his vetoes. Under the legislation, U.S. courts will have power to consider cases against foreign states that support terror acts carried out on U.S. territory. Claims can involve terrorism-related injuries, death or damages. Fifteen of the 19 hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks were from Saudi Arabia.  Opens door for Saudi lawsuits Some relatives of the victims accuse Saudi Arabia of backing the attackers. They plan to bring cases against the Saudi government in U.S. courts. Saudi Arabia has long denied any part in the attacks. Senator John Cornyn of Texas is a member of the Republican Party. He believes the legislation will send a message to international sponsors of terrorism. “The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act will send a strong message to those who sponsor terrorist attacks on American soil, including foreign governments, [they] will answer to those victims and pay for the death and destruction they cause.” President Obama opposed the measure because it would limit the idea of sovereign immunity. Sovereign immunity is the legal policy that protects a government or its agencies from legal action. The Obama administration has said the bill could endanger Americans working overseas. New York Senator Chuck Schumer, a member of the Democratic Party, said he favored the bill, to finally give terrorist victims a chance at justice. “The victims of 9/11 and other terrorist attacks have suffered such pain and heartache. But they certainly should not be denied justice.” The president told CNN television he thought the congressional action was “basically a political vote.” “Sometimes you have to do what's hard. And, frankly, I wish Congress here had done what's hard.” CIA director opposed The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, John Brennan, said he thinks the bill will have “grave implications” for U.S. national security. By failing to support the sovereign immunity standard for other countries, “we place our own nation’s officials in danger,” he said. Brennan added that the bill could also make the Saudi government less willing to cooperate with the United States in anti-terrorism efforts. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His report was based on stories from VOA’s Michael Bowman, the Associated Press and Reuters. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story sovereign immunity – n. the idea that a government is protected from legal action without its consent or acceptance grave – adj. very serious overrule – v. to rule against something or someone sponsor – n. a person who takes the responsibility for someone else or something   

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Candidate Gary Johnson's "Aleppo Moment"

This is What’s Trending Today. Gary Johnson is the Libertarian Party candidate for president. His name will appear on ballots in every U.S. state and territory on Nov. 8. It will be next to prominent candidates from the two main political parties, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump. Johnson is the former governor of the southwestern state of New Mexico. And his name has been on the ballot before. He was the Libertarian candidate in 2012. He received about 1 million votes, but Barack Obama and Mitt Romney received many millions more. Johnson does not have enough support in public opinion studies to be included in the televised presidential debates like the one between Clinton and Trump on Monday night. But a television news program did give Johnson a chance to speak about himself and some political issues on Wednesday. And it did not go well. The host of the show asked him to name a foreign leader he admires. Johnson had trouble coming up with a name. Later, he said he was trying to recall the name of former Mexican president Vicente Fox. Johnson worked with Fox when he was governor of New Mexico. Johnson said he was having “an Aleppo moment” when he could not think of Fox’s name.  “Aleppo moment” is trending on Twitter. The phrase refers to the time in early September when Johnson was asked about Aleppo, the city at the heart of the Syrian civil war. And he replied by asking “and what is Aleppo?” People criticized Johnson for not knowing enough about the war in Syria to identify one of the country’s major cities. On Thursday, people reacted to Johnson’s trouble with the names of foreign leaders. They also wanted to remind the candidate that problems in Syria should not be minimized. Many people posted news of bombings or deaths in Aleppo while mentioning Johnson and saying “This is an Aleppo moment.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. What do you think of Johnson’s “Aleppo moment?” We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story prominent – n. important and well-known admire – v. to feel respect or approval for (someone or something) minimize – v. to treat or describe (something) as smaller or less important than it is trending – adj. a comment or story popular, or often repeated on social media

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American Businessman Announces Plans for Mars Colony

Businessman Elon Musk says his company is building a powerful, reusable rocket and a spaceship that may travel to the planet Mars. The spacecraft would eventually be able to take as many as 100 people and their equipment to the red planet, he said. The entrepreneur announced his plan on Tuesday at the 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. Elon Musk is the founder of the American company SpaceX. It designs, manufacturers and launches rockets and spacecraft. During his speech in Mexico, Musk did not talk about the September 1 explosion of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and the satellite it was carrying. But Musk did say he wants to establish a city on Mars. He said the planned city would be able to support itself -- complete with the ability to make iron, as well as pizzas. Musk wants human beings to be able to live on more than just one planet. And he said the best way to do that is to first colonize Mars. He wants many people to be able to travel to the red planet. “Really the key is making this affordable to almost anyone who wants to go...” Reusing rockets and spaceships will help lower the cost for each person, he explained. The spaceships would also be able to refuel in orbit. He suggested the production of methane and oxygen on Mars would provide fuel for the trip back home. Musk says a self-supporting colony on the planet would require about 1 million people. To get them there and to build the colony, it would take between 40 and 100 years -- or about 10,000 flights with 100 people per flight. Musk said the trip would last between 80 and 150 days. Eventually, the cost would go down. “The very first flights will be fairly expensive, but the architecture allows for a cost per ticket of less than $200,000.” No date has been set for the first flight. But Musk said he wanted to send the first manned mission to Mars by 2024. He added that he plans to start transporting supplies to the planet as soon as 2018. Musk invited other companies to join the Mars effort, which reportedly would require about a $10 billion investment. The American space agency NASA has its own program for sending astronauts to Mars. NASA will be using its own equipment. Currently, the space agency does use Space X for taking supplies to the International Space Station. Musk, a wealthy entrepreneur, is also known for his Tesla Motors company, which makes electric cars. I’m Anne Ball.   George Putic wrote this story for VOA News. Anne Ball wrote it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story entrepreneur – n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money affordable – adj. to be able to pay for something architecture – n. the method or style of building expensive – adj. costing a lot of money ticket – n. a piece of paper that allows you to travel on a vehicle mission – n. a job that someone is given to do

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New Tech Tools Might Help Americans Choose a President

Six weeks remain until elections in the United States. Yet many Americans say they still do not know who they want as president. Now, there are some new tech tools that might help them decide. Startup businesses are creating products that try to change behavior and increase political activity. Brigade is one of those startups. The California-based company runs a social media site and mobile app. It did not even exist in 2012, when the U.S. held its last presidential election. Brigade is a platform for debating and deciding political positions. Users can follow the political issues that interest them, such as gun rights, immigration or the environment. Matt Mahan was a creator of Brigade and now serves as its chief executive officer. He says a few problems need to be solved to increase American civic involvement. “We need to give people easy access to the information they need to make decisions, but we also need to embed that within their social lives, we need to make it part of the conversations they’re having with friends, and we need to create cultural norms around participating." Brigade lets users debate issues and try to influence other people online. Users can also see how their opinions compare with other users as well as political candidates. "I think that's kind of the point of democracy -- is to create this public square where people can discuss and debate their values, and their perspectives on issues and, ultimately, create trade-offs and come to a conclusion about what's the best way to move forward to kind of create the greatest good for the most people." Crowdpac is another politically-minded technology company. It also did not exist at the time of the 2012 presidential election. Gisel Kordestani is Crowdpac’s chief operations officer. The company is, in her words, “using technology to try to help the average citizen to connect and engage in politics.” The Crowdpac website describes itself as the first crowdfunding site designed for politics. It provides information about individuals seeking public office. It also helps users find and support the candidates who share their opinions. And, it helps those running for office raise money. It does this through crowdfunding. Crowdfunding is the activity of raising money through small donations from a lot of people. Generally, crowdfunding takes place on the Internet. Kordestani said technology companies are changing how Americans take part in politics by creating new ways for political participation. That is why, she thinks, politicians should look to Silicon Valley, America’s technology center. “This region has just grown over the last four decades, has grown into not a powerhouse just in the U.S. but globally, in setting the technology, the platforms and the rules of engagement of society, for work, for the environment, globally.” Kordestani said many tech companies in Silicon Valley also recognize the importance of working with politicians and the government to create positive changes.   I’m Caty Weaver.     Elizabeth Lee reported on this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story startup – n. a new business mobile – adj. able to move from one place to another access – n. a way of getting at or close to something or someone embed – v. to set or place firmly in something else conversation – n. a talk or discussion participate – v. to be involved with others in doing something crowdfunding – n.       the act of seeking donations from a large number of people, especially on social media or through a website globally – adj. of or related to the whole world platform – n. a structure where people or machines do work We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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The Excitement of Three-Part Phrasal Verbs

Popular music can teach you a lot about the English language. You may not realize it, but musicians are actually teaching you about English grammar in each song they perform. Consider this song by the famous reggae artist Bob Marley. It tells about the need for equality and justice: ​Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up. Don’t give up the fight This song is called “Get Up, Stand Up.” It shows you how to use the three-part phrasal verb, "stand up for." "To stand up for" means "to defend (someone or something) with words.” Today, we explore three-part phrasal verbs – idiomatic expressions that can be difficult for students of English to understand. What are phrasal verbs? As you may remember from other Everyday Grammar programs, a phrasal verb is a verb with two or more words. Most phrasal verbs contain just two words: a verb and a preposition, such as “look up,” which means “to research” or “to search for.” “Look” is the verb and “up” is the preposition. Note that “look” and “up” are words with literal meanings. In some situations, you would use the literal meaning of “look” and “up.” For example, you can say, “When I looked up, I saw a beautiful bird.” In that sentence, “look” means “to direct your eyes to a specific direction” and “up” means “toward the sky or top of the room.” But, when used as a phrasal verb, “look up” becomes idiomatic, which means you cannot understand their meaning from the individual meanings of the separate words. Instead, when the words are put together as phrasal verbs, they mean something else. While many phrasal verbs consist of just two words, there are several that have three words. Three-part phrasal verbs have a verb and two particles. A particle is a word that must appear with another word to communicate meaning: Three-part phrasal verb = verb + particle + particle Three-part phrasal verb = stand + up + for In Bob Marley’s song, the main verb “stand” has two particles: “up” and “for.” When these three words are combined, they become a three-part phrasal verb. Here is an easy way to remember how to use three-part phrasal verbs: all three words always appear together, and the order of the three words never changes. So, although using these verbs may seem daunting at first, do not fear! If you learn the most common ones, you will be able to recognize them and use them yourself. Why do we use three-part phrasal verbs? Three-part phrasal verbs are important if you want to express yourself in English in the most natural way possible. You can use many of these verbs in both casual and formal English. For example, “The meeting lasted three hours. Now, I need to catch up on my work.” To “catch up on” is both casual and formal. It means “to do something you have not had time to do earlier.” But, some three-part phrasal verbs are more common in casual English than in formal, written English. Listen for a three-part phrasal verb in this song by the blues singer B.B. King: Oh, I'm sorry for you baby But you know I just can't put up with you This song, called “Get These Blues Off Me,” uses the verb “to put up with,” which means “to tolerate or accept something unpleasant.” Three-part phrasal verb = verb + particle + particle Three-part phrasal verb = put + up + with In English, many songs about love, or love lost, use the verb “to put up with.” But you probably would not use this verb in formal situations. For example, if you reported your noisy neighbors to police, you might want to avoid saying, “I have put up with the noise for a long time.” Instead, you might say, “I have tolerated the noise for a long time.” How often do we use three-part phrasal verbs? In social, personal, and professional communication, three-part phrasal verbs are often the most natural and least wordy choice. That is why we use these verbs every day. For example, when we have not seen friends or family members for a long time, we want to “catch up with” them. We want to learn about the new things happening in their lives. Note the similarity between “catch up with” and “catch up on.” Yet the meanings are different. Changing any word of a three-part phrasal verb creates a new meaning. A work situation where you might use a three-part phrasal verb is when you run out of time. In the workplace, you can also run out of ideas or supplies. “To run out of” means “to have used all of something.” Speaking of running out of time, we are almost out of time for this program. So here are three ideas to help you with three-part phrasal verbs. Tip #1 The first thing to remember is that these verbs are inseparable, meaning that the three words cannot be separated by an object or any other part of speech. Bob Marley did not say, “Stand up your rights for” or “Stand your rights up for.” And, as we noted earlier, the words will always appear in the same order: Bob Marley also did not say, “Stand for up your rights.” Tip #2 Changing any part of three-part phrasal verbs changes their meanings. Remember that the verbs “catch up with” and “catch up on” do not mean the same thing.   Tip #3 Now, a final point: The examples we have used today are from American English. Many of these verbs are the same in British English and other forms of English. But remember that some of them may have a different meaning or may not be used at all outside of the United States. Three-part phrasal verbs can be difficult to understand, but learning and using them will make your speaking and writing sound realistic and natural. I’m Alice Bryant. And I’m Pete Musto. This program was written by Alice Bryant. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. You can read more about phrasal verbs here. At the end of this page, you can find a list of common phrasal verbs along with their meanings. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story grammar – n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language idiomatic – adj. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but has a separate meaning of its own consist – v. to have (something) as an essential or main part literal – n. involving the common or usual meaning of a word daunting – adj. making people frightened or less sure of themselves; very difficult to do or deal with casual – adj. designed for or permitting normal behavior or clothing; opposite of formal formal – adj. requiring or using serious and correct behavior or clothing wordy – adj. using or containing too many words tolerate – v. to let (something that is bad or unpleasant) to exist, happen, or be done   Reference Three-part Phrasal Verbs Meanings “Stand up for your rights.” To defend yourself (with words or other non-violent actions) “I’m sorry, but I’ve run out of time. Let’s meet tomorrow instead.” To have used all of something, such as time, a food, product, or concept. “His mom is not willing to put up with his messy room anymore.” To allow (someone or something unpleasant or annoying) to exist or happen; to tolerate an unpleasant thing or person “We are teaming up with the community garden center to bring fresh food to the school.” To collaborate with a person group of people to achieve a common goal ”He looks up to his older brothers.” To respect and admire (someone) ”He looks down on everyone.” To think of or treat (someone or something) as unimportant or not worthy of respect ”I’m looking forward to vacation! We’re going to New Orleans.” To be excited about something in the future ”That meeting lasted three hours. Now, I need to catch up on my work.” To do something you have not had time to do earlier ”I can’t wait to catch up with you!” To learn about new things happening in someone’s life, usually a friend or family member ”I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn’t been for you meddling kids.” To escape blame or punishment ”Let’s come up with some ideas on where to hold the birthday party.” To contribute, for example, a suggestion or plan “I don’t feel well. I think I’m coming down with the flu.” To get sick; to recognize that you are getting sick. ”She broke up with her boyfriend last month.” To end a romantic relationship ”She made up with her boyfriend yesterday.” To reunite after breaking up with a romantic partner  

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The Excitement of Three-Part Phrasal Verbs

Popular music can teach you a lot about the English language. You may not realize it, but musicians are actually teaching you about English grammar in each song they perform. Consider this song by the famous reggae artist Bob Marley. It tells about the need for equality and justice: ​Get up, stand up. Stand up for your rights Get up, stand up. Don’t give up the fight This song is called “Get Up, Stand Up.” It shows you how to use the three-part phrasal verb, "stand up for." "To stand up for" means "to defend (someone or something) with words.” Today, we explore three-part phrasal verbs – idiomatic expressions that can be difficult for students of English to understand. What are phrasal verbs? As you may remember from other Everyday Grammar programs, a phrasal verb is a verb with two or more words. Most phrasal verbs contain just two words: a verb and a preposition, such as “look up,” which means “to research” or “to search for.” “Look” is the verb and “up” is the preposition. Note that “look” and “up” are words with literal meanings. In some situations, you would use the literal meaning of “look” and “up.” For example, you can say, “When I looked up, I saw a beautiful bird.” In that sentence, “look” means “to direct your eyes to a specific direction” and “up” means “toward the sky or top of the room.” But, when used as a phrasal verb, “look up” becomes idiomatic, which means you cannot understand their meaning from the individual meanings of the separate words. Instead, when the words are put together as phrasal verbs, they mean something else. While many phrasal verbs consist of just two words, there are several that have three words. Three-part phrasal verbs have a verb and two particles. A particle is a word that must appear with another word to communicate meaning: Three-part phrasal verb = verb + particle + particle Three-part phrasal verb = stand + up + for In Bob Marley’s song, the main verb “stand” has two particles: “up” and “for.” When these three words are combined, they become a three-part phrasal verb. Here is an easy way to remember how to use three-part phrasal verbs: all three words always appear together, and the order of the three words never changes. So, although using these verbs may seem daunting at first, do not fear! If you learn the most common ones, you will be able to recognize them and use them yourself. Why do we use three-part phrasal verbs? Three-part phrasal verbs are important if you want to express yourself in English in the most natural way possible. You can use many of these verbs in both casual and formal English. For example, “The meeting lasted three hours. Now, I need to catch up on my work.” To “catch up on” is both casual and formal. It means “to do something you have not had time to do earlier.” But, some three-part phrasal verbs are more common in casual English than in formal, written English. Listen for a three-part phrasal verb in this song by the blues singer B.B. King: Oh, I'm sorry for you baby But you know I just can't put up with you This song, called “Get These Blues Off Me,” uses the verb “to put up with,” which means “to tolerate or accept something unpleasant.” Three-part phrasal verb = verb + particle + particle Three-part phrasal verb = put + up + with In English, many songs about love, or love lost, use the verb “to put up with.” But you probably would not use this verb in formal situations. For example, if you reported your noisy neighbors to police, you might want to avoid saying, “I have put up with the noise for a long time.” Instead, you might say, “I have tolerated the noise for a long time.” How often do we use three-part phrasal verbs? In social, personal, and professional communication, three-part phrasal verbs are often the most natural and least wordy choice. That is why we use these verbs every day. For example, when we have not seen friends or family members for a long time, we want to “catch up with” them. We want to learn about the new things happening in their lives. Note the similarity between “catch up with” and “catch up on.” Yet the meanings are different. Changing any word of a three-part phrasal verb creates a new meaning. A work situation where you might use a three-part phrasal verb is when you run out of time. In the workplace, you can also run out of ideas or supplies. “To run out of” means “to have used all of something.” Speaking of running out of time, we are almost out of time for this program. So here are three ideas to help you with three-part phrasal verbs. Tip #1 The first thing to remember is that these verbs are inseparable, meaning that the three words cannot be separated by an object or any other part of speech. Bob Marley did not say, “Stand up your rights for” or “Stand your rights up for.” And, as we noted earlier, the words will always appear in the same order: Bob Marley also did not say, “Stand for up your rights.” Tip #2 Changing any part of three-part phrasal verbs changes their meanings. Remember that the verbs “catch up with” and “catch up on” do not mean the same thing.   Tip #3 Now, a final point: The examples we have used today are from American English. Many of these verbs are the same in British English and other forms of English. But remember that some of them may have a different meaning or may not be used at all outside of the United States. Three-part phrasal verbs can be difficult to understand, but learning and using them will make your speaking and writing sound realistic and natural. I’m Alice Bryant. And I’m Pete Musto. This program was written by Alice Bryant. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. You can read more about phrasal verbs here. At the end of this page, you can find a list of common phrasal verbs along with their meanings. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story grammar – n. the set of rules that explain how words are used in a language idiomatic – adj. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but has a separate meaning of its own consist – v. to have (something) as an essential or main part literal – n. involving the common or usual meaning of a word daunting – adj. making people frightened or less sure of themselves; very difficult to do or deal with casual – adj. designed for or permitting normal behavior or clothing; opposite of formal formal – adj. requiring or using serious and correct behavior or clothing wordy – adj. using or containing too many words tolerate – v. to let (something that is bad or unpleasant) to exist, happen, or be done   Reference Three-part Phrasal Verbs Meanings “Stand up for your rights.” To defend yourself (with words or other non-violent actions) “I’m sorry, but I’ve run out of time. Let’s meet tomorrow instead.” To have used all of something, such as time, a food, product, or concept. “His mom is not willing to put up with his messy room anymore.” To allow (someone or something unpleasant or annoying) to exist or happen; to tolerate an unpleasant thing or person “We are teaming up with the community garden center to bring fresh food to the school.” To collaborate with a person group of people to achieve a common goal ”He looks up to his older brothers.” To respect and admire (someone) ”He looks down on everyone.” To think of or treat (someone or something) as unimportant or not worthy of respect ”I’m looking forward to vacation! We’re going to New Orleans.” To be excited about something in the future ”That meeting lasted three hours. Now, I need to catch up on my work.” To do something you have not had time to do earlier ”I can’t wait to catch up with you!” To learn about new things happening in someone’s life, usually a friend or family member ”I would have gotten away with it, too, if it hadn’t been for you meddling kids.” To escape blame or punishment ”Let’s come up with some ideas on where to hold the birthday party.” To contribute, for example, a suggestion or plan “I don’t feel well. I think I’m coming down with the flu.” To get sick; to recognize that you are getting sick. ”She broke up with her boyfriend last month.” To end a romantic relationship ”She made up with her boyfriend yesterday.” To reunite after breaking up with a romantic partner  

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News Words: Allegations

Learn words in the news with Anne Ball and Jonathan Evans. This week's word is allegations.

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1100 UTC English Newscast for September 29, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News. I'm Ira Mellman reporting. Pakistan says India killed two of its soldiers in an unprovoked attack. Pakistan says the attack occurred when India fired across the border of the disputed region of Kashmir, while India said it had carried out a "surgical strike'' against terrorists, in an exchange that marks an escalation of tensions between the uneasy and nuclear-armed neighbors. Pakistan’s claim is that India killed the Pakistan soldiers in an unprovoked attack. Talking to reporters in New Delhi Thursday, Lt. Gen. Ranbir Singh is director general of military operations for the Indian Army,. (He) said "surgical strikes'' were carried out in Pakistani-controlled Kashmir late Wednesday. "During these counter terrorist operations, significant casualties have been caused to the terrorists and those who are trying to support them. The operations aimed at neutralizing the terrorists have since ceased. We do not have any plans for further continuation of the operations; however, the Indian armed forces are fully prepared for any contingency that may arise.” Pakistan dismissed the Indian military reports that it had carried out strikes against "terrorist launch pads'' inside the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir. Russia said Thursday it supports a 48-hour cease-fire in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo, but not a longer truce proposed by the United States. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said a week-long cease-fire would give militants time to regroup and replenish supplies. His comments came a day after U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told Russia they are making plans to suspend bilateral engagement. This is VOA News. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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September 28, 2016

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

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Tom Hanks Surprised Bride and Groom

  This is What’s Trending Today: Elizabeth Murphy and Ryan Barclay were posing for wedding photos along a path in New York City’s Central Park. It was already an exciting day in their lives. Murphy was wearing a beautiful, white wedding dress. Barclay was wearing a formal black suit called a tuxedo. And then, actor Tom Hanks showed up. He was exercising in the park. He was wearing shorts, a t-shirt and a sweatshirt. (embed video) The couple was surprised when he walked up and introduced himself. He said, “Hi, I’m Tom Hanks.” Elizabeth asked, “Can we get a photo with you?” And he said, “By all means.” Video and photos from the encounter are being shared on social media this week. Hanks is one of the most popular movie actors of all time. He is known for playing Forrest Gump; a stranded traveler on a small island in “Cast Away”; and Woody the cowboy in the “Toy Story” animated films. His current film, “Sully,” is the top new movie in the U.S. It tells the true story of pilot who safely landed a commercial airplane on the Hudson River near New York City after both engines failed. Hanks posed with the couple, kissed the bride on the hand and cheek, and even took a selfie with his own phone.  The meeting took just over a minute. One person in the group invited Hanks to the wedding, saying, “We have extra seats.” But the actor declined, saying, “I think I have a dinner engagement.” On Facebook, many people praised Hanks for being so friendly. One person wrote: “Such a gem of a human being.” Others joked about Hanks’ many movie roles. One man wrote: “This guy is amazing! I saw on TV that he landed a plane on the Hudson River and now he’s crashing wedding pictures, pretty cool guy.” One woman posted a photo she took with Hanks at a Los Angeles restaurant. She wrote: “Tom Hanks is such a nice guy!” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Anna Mateo. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. What do you think of Tom Hanks’ surprise? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story formal – adj. requiring or using serious and proper clothes and manners encounter – n. a meeting that is not planned or expected strand – v. to cause (something, such as a boat or a sea animal) to become stuck on land — usually used as (be) stranded animated – adj. produced by the creation of a series of drawings, pictures, etc., that are shown quickly one after another : produced through the process of animation selfie – n. a picture that you take of yourself especially by using the camera on your smartphone engagement – n. a promise to meet or be present at a particular place and time gem – adj. excellent or admirable crash – v. to go to (a party) without being invited  

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New York Orchestra Gives Life, Energy to Classical Music

  That music is Symphony No. 2, known as the Resurrection Symphony. Austrian Gustav Mahler composed the piece in the late 1800s. Classical musician David Titcomb feels strongly about the composer and his work. “Mahler is just… It’s so evocative. It’s so emotional and maybe those are cheap thrills, but to me they are deep emotional works especially the Resurrection Symyphony.” Music has filled Titcomb’s life from almost the start. An inspiring music teacher handed young David a trombone to play in elementary school.  He could barely make a sound at that time. But, he stuck with it. Titcomb studied music at the State University of New York, Purchase. He went on to receive a Master of Fine Arts degree at Yale University School of Music. David Titcomb played the trombone professionally for more than thirty years. He says it was a difficult decision to stop playing and to do something else. “When I had to decide to stop my career as a player and move on to just the organizing of an orchestra, it was my heart and soul to play in orchestras and after a 30 year career I think I had done my part and wanted to move aside, now I’m semi-retired I only play the trombone in my wife’s rock and roll band now, but for 30 years I was a member of the New York City Opera Orchestra and I also played very often with the Metropolitan Opera and various other freelance organizations and the New York City Ballet as well.”   Now, Titcomb is the Managing Director for the Philharmonia Orchestra of New York (PONY). The organization held its first performance last March. It hopes to bring new audiences to classical music. It aims to make performances higher tech and more affordable.  Titcomb praises the more than eighty orchestra musicians, describing them as among New York’s finest. “The Philharmonia Orchestra of New York its comprised of many musicians who I have worked with over the last 30 years and many of them continue to work in the major companies at  Lincoln Center including Metropolitan Opera, New York Philharmonic, New York City Ballet, New York City Opera and we came together shortly after the nuclear disaster and tsunami in Japan.” Mahler Symphony No. 2 music is reflective of a project dear to David Titcomb’s heart. David Titcomb has worked effortlessly along with PONY Principal Conductor Maestro Atsushi Yamada on bringing the Philharmonia Orchestra of New York and more than 100 choral students from Japan together to perform. The program is called Project Hand-in-Hand. Project Hand in Hand aims to use performance to support disaster relief, cultural exchange, and education. David Titcomb says it is a collaboration.  “With our good friend Atsushi Yamada whose our conductor who we worked with at New York City Opera back in the early 2000s and we started as the friends of Japan orchestra we played a concert actually it was Resurrection symphonies about a year after the disaster in northern Japan and we brought over 100 kids just to kind of show them that we were still paying attention and we wanted to give them some inspiration to continue to deal with their troubles and manage.” The joint performance with the PONY musicians and Japanese high school choir also includes students from American universities. Titcomb says the collaboration makes him happy. “Bringing the kids over to play at Lincoln Center a lot of these kids have never been out of there prefecture let alone been on a jet into New York to perform at Lincoln Center. So seeing an orchestra of 90 players on the stage and making music together with a chorus of 200 that what makes me smile.”   Hand in Hand was created in response to the earthquake and tsumani in Japan. Earlier this year, Japan marked the 5th anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated the country in 2011. More than 18,000 people died or disappeared. The 9.0 magnitude quake struck offshore, creating a huge, powerful surge of water that rushed inland. Whole towns were destroyed in moments. And, the tsunami caused a major failure at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant. The result was the worst nuclear disaster the world had ever seen. More than 150,000 people were forced to leave their homes. Many have not been able to return because of radiation danger. David says just like the Resurrection Symphony No. 2 by Mahler the music starts dark and has feelings of loss and by the end of the symphony, it is a triumph resurrection and things are reborn. This is the hope David Titcomb and PONY have for the victims of the 2011 disaster in Japan. I’m Marsha James. Marsha James wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Try this video quiz to test your understanding of the story. Next time on People in America, meet Exceptional Minds Vocational Center & Animation Studio For Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum.   ___________________________________________________ Words In This Story    evocative adj. bringing thoughts, memories or feelings into the mind thrill – n. a feeling of great excitement or happiness resurrection – n. the act of causing something that had ended or been forgotten or lost to exist again symphony – n. a long piece of music that is usually in four large, separate sections and that is performed by an orchestra semi-retired – adj. working only part time at a career or job because you have reached the age at which you no longer need to work full-time freelance – adj. working for different companies at different times rather than being permanently employed by one company comprise – v. to be made up of something triumph – n. a great or important victory reborn – adj. brought back to life

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US Presidential Debate Shows Disagreement on Asia Policy

  Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump set out sharply different ideas about America’s allies in Asia during their debate Monday night. Clinton, a former United States Senator and Secretary of State, is the candidate of the Democratic Party. Trump, a businessman, is the Republican Party’s choice for president. In the debate, Clinton noted existing U.S. agreements to defend the Asian allies with conventional or nuclear weapons, if necessary. She sharply criticized Trump’s earlier statements that suggested he might withdraw troops from Asia if elected. “He has said repeatedly that he didn’t care if other nations got nuclear weapons … Japan, South Korea, even Saudi Arabia.” Trump reacted to her comment by saying that Clinton was misrepresenting his position. He repeated his call for the allies to pay a greater share of security costs. “All I said was they may have to defend themselves or they have to help us out.” Trump also said that he wanted to negotiate a better deal to get more support for defense efforts aiding both sides. One reason is the U.S. government’s budget deficit. “We are a country that owes 20 trillion dollars, they have to help us out.” The two candidates did appear to agree on one thing. Both said that nuclear weapons were the biggest problem facing the world today. The Republican nominee said the possibility that terrorists might gain a nuclear device is “the single greatest threat facing the United States.” Clinton criticized the way Trump had spoken about nuclear weapons and the possibility that nations in Asia could acquire them. “His cavalier attitude about nuclear weapons is so deeply troubling. That is the number one threat we face in the world and it becomes particularly threatening if terrorists ever get their hands on any nuclear material.” U.S. nuclear policy has long been to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Central to this effort is the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, which first became effective in 1970. Trump calls for greater defense cost-sharing In the past, Trump has called Japan and South Korea “free riders.” The United States has 50,000 troops in Japan and about 28,000 troops in South Korea. The U.S. forces are stationed there to help support peace and security in East Asia. However, Trump has said that these countries and others contribute too little to support the American troops. Trump has argued that, because the U.S. has large budget deficits, it no longer has enough money to keep large numbers of troops in bases overseas. It is estimated that Japan pays $1.6 billion toward the costs of U.S. troops there and South Korea pays $866 million. On Tuesday, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck said his country is closely watching the U.S. election. Officials there are considering how the vote might affect relations with the U.S. and the alliance with it. Cho said, “I can tell you that our government has been contributing and playing a role to maintain and strengthen Korea-U.S. joint defense capability and provide stable conditions for the USFK (U.S. Forces Korea) to be stationed.” On Monday, the United States and South Korea carried out joint naval exercises, one of several major exercises this year. The commander of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, Brad Cooper, said the exercise was organized to show “the unwavering strength and resolve” of America and its military allies. Some U.S. lawmakers have moved to restate the country’s longstanding guarantee of protection to its allies. In July, two members of the U.S. Senate wrote a commentary together. In it, Republican John McCain and Democrat Robert Menendez said the U.S. will meet its mutual defense treaty obligations no matter who is the next president. However, some lawmakers in South Korea’s ruling Saenuri Party have expressed concern over the U.S. defense alliance. They are urging the South Korean government to develop its own nuclear weapons to defend against the growing North Korean threat. I’m Mario Ritter. Brian Padden reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story acquire – v. to get, to come to own something cavalier – adj. without concern for something important or serious station – v. to put in place, to assign a person or group to an area for a period of time contribute – v. to give unwavering – adj. to continue without decreasing obligation – n. something that must be done mutual – adj. shared by two or more people or groups​ conventional – adj. common or not unusual; traditional

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David Titcomb: Passionate About Transforming Classical Music with New York’s Philharmonia Orchestra

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PONY and Choir Performs Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"

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Gustav Mahler Symphony No. 2 "Resurrection"

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Russian Culture Rooted in San Francisco

Russian Hill is one of the highest points in the city of San Francisco. And the neighborhood’s name has a lot of history behind it. Historian Andrew Zabegaylin says a Russian cemetery was once nearby. People discovered it in the early days of San Francisco, over 150 years ago. That is when San Francisco was known for being the center of gold mining and trading in the United States. Earlier in Northern California, traders and sailors from the Alaskan Russian American Company called San Francisco home. And that is where they were buried. Some people call San Francisco “the Paris of the West.” But it has more Russian than French influences. For example, Holy Trinity Church was the first Russian church in the city. It opened in 1857 and was an important gathering place for Russian immigrants. At the Holy Trinity Church, Saint Tikhon of Moscow once worked with worshippers. He became an American citizen in the early 1900s. Years later, he became Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. He led the Church from 1917-1925. San Francisco is also home to the Holy Virgin Cathedral. It is the largest Russian Orthodox church on the U.S. west coast. A second group of Russian immigrants came to San Francisco after 1917, during Russia’s civil war. Their legacy is still felt at the Russian Center. At the center, you can visit the Museum of Russian Culture. Yves Franquien is the director of the museum. He said it is the largest Russian museum in the West. “Many Russian immigrants from around the world donated their personal and family artifacts,” Franquien said. “This is a museum which reflects Russian life before and during the Bolshevik revolution and reflects the life of San Francisco’s Russian colony since the 1920s.” The Russian Center organizes events and classes for young people. They include kindergarten classes, dance classes and gymnastics. The center is also open to people who do not speak Russian. Zoya Choglokova works at the center. She said the goal is not only to serve adults, but also help young people stay connected to their Russian roots. I’m Dorothy Gundy. Vadim Massalsky wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Are you surprised San Francisco has so much Russian culture? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story cemetery – n. a place where dead people are buried legacy – n. something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past artifact – n. a simple object (such as a tool or weapon) that was made by people in the past  

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Investigators: Missile That Hit Malaysian Airliner in 2014 Came from Russia

International investigators say a missile transported to Ukraine from Russia was responsible for shooting down Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The Malaysian airplane crashed over eastern Ukraine in July 2014.  The investigators released their findings Wednesday. They confirm an earlier investigation by the Dutch Safety Board. It found that the plane was brought down by a Russian-made surface-to-air missile. Russia has denied the Dutch finding. A year ago, the missile’s manufacturer said it investigated the incident. It said the missile was an older model and no longer being used by the Russian military. The manufacturer also said the missile was launched from an area under Ukrainian government control. On Wednesday, investigators said there is strong evidence that the territory from which the missile was fired “was controlled by pro-Russian fighters.” The earlier investigation identified a 320-square kilometer area from which the rocket launch must have taken place. The investigators did not state clearly who fired the missile. But all of the land was under the control of separatists fighting Ukrainian forces. Wednesday, Russia said information from its radars proved that no rocket was fired from within territory held by pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine. Dmitry Peskov is a spokesman for the Russian government. In a telephone call with reporters, he said Russian radar had identified all flying objects over the rebel territory, and did not show a rocket had been fired. “The data are clear-cut...there is no rocket,” he said. “If there was a rocket, it could only have been fired from elsewhere.” All 298 people on the aircraft died after it broke apart while on a flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The majority of passengers were Dutch. Many were scientists planning to attend an international AIDS conference in Australia. The plane was also carrying citizens of Australia, Belgium, Malaysia and Ukraine. Wednesday morning, before the announcement of the findings, officials met with family members of some of the people who died in the crash. One of the family members -- Robby Oehlers -- told the Reuters news service the investigation had identified 100 people who could have launched the rocket. He said they found that it was launched from within rebel-held territory. I’m Jonathan Evans. VOA’s Joshua Fatzick and Wayne Lee reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into Special 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   board – n. a group of people who have been chosen to learn information about something, to give advice, etc. spokesman – n. someone who speaks for or represents a person, company, etc. clear-cut – adj. free from doubt or uncertainty; very definite aircraft – n. a machine (such as an airplane or a helicopter) that flies through the air        

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National Voter Registration Day

  This is What’s Trending Today. Tuesday was National Voter Registration Day in the United States. And two related hashtags were popular on Twitter. The social networking service publicized #iRegistered. The service did something special for users who noted U.S. voter registration and used #iRegistered. Twitter included an Uncle Sam-like hat emoji with the user’s tweet. The hashtag #NationalVoterRegistrationDay was also trending. The U.S. elections are on November 8. The leading candidates for president are businessman Donald Trump and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. American voters will also elect a new U.S. Congress and local government representatives. In some areas, voters can express support or dislike for gun control, marijuana use, taxes or other issues. Voting is not a legal requirement for U.S. citizens. But those who want to vote must register before the elections. In many states, the last day to register is between October 10 and 20.  A website called NationalVoterRegistrationDay.org says six million Americans were unable to vote eight years ago because they missed the registration deadline. Some famous people have made videos urging Americans to register, regardless of which candidate they support. Singer Katy Perry made a funny video telling people they could vote while wearing any kind of clothing they wanted, as long as they register in time. The video showed people voting while wearing the same clothes they wore to bed the night before.  Former U.S. President Bill Clinton also appealed to Americans to register for the elections. He wrote: “Your vote counts, but only if you register!” Another Twitter user told people that their voter registration for this year’s elections will still be good in the future. He called it a “pro tip.”  One Facebook user’s video tied to the registration campaign was popular on social media. He said he mailed his registration form right after seeing Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in their first debate Monday night. Even the crew of the Broadway musical “Kinky Boots” made a video dealing with voter registration. Actor Harvey Fierstein and singer Cyndi Lauper said all Americans need to register. The video is called “Every Voter Say Yeah!”   And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Do you have to register for elections where you live? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   _______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story tip – n. a piece of advice or useful information hashtag – n. a word of term that starts with the sign # and that briefly states what the message is about emoji – n. an image thought to represent something trending – n. moving in an upward direction deadline - n. a time limit regardless – adv. without being stopped by difficulty or trouble tip – n. suggestion

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First U.S. Presidential Debate 2016: Clinton vs. Trump

Americans will vote for a new president on November 8. Watch highlights of the first of three debates between Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton and Republican candidate Donald Trump.

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September 27, 2016

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

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Philippine President to Seek Closer Ties with China & Russia

  Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte says he is at a “point of no return” in relations with the United States and will seek closer ties with Russia and China. Speaking to reporters Monday, Duterte said he is not ready to break ties completely with the US. But he said he will open up the other side of the ideological barrier. Duterte said he will soon travel to Beijing for talks with President Xi Jinping on forming closer ties. The Philippines has recently been at odds with China over competing claims in the South China Sea. In July, an international court ruled in favor of Manila in a case challenging China's historical claims to large areas of the sea. China has rejected the ruling. Duterte said he has already spoken with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, whom he plans to meet in Moscow. “I would need your help in everything – trade, commerce – and I will open up,” he said he told Medvedev. He announced that both Chinese and Russian companies would be able to lease land in the Philippines for up to 120 years. U.S. - Philippines relations The comments come at a time of strained relations between the United States and the Philippines. The two countries have a long history of strong economic and defense ties. Recently, U.S. officials criticized the Philippine leader’s bloody crackdown on illegal drugs. Police and other groups in the Philippines have so far killed more than 3,000 people reportedly involved in the drug trade. The Americans’ criticism drew strong condemnation from Duterte. He repeatedly has said he is looking to distance the Philippines from the United States. Last month, U.S. officials canceled a meeting between Duterte and President Barack Obama, after Duterte called Obama a "son of a whore." Duterte later expressed regret for the comment. He said he was warning U.S. officials not to speak out about the drug crackdown. On  Monday, Duterte also expressed concerns about a defense treaty signed by the two countries in 1951. He said the agreement does not guarantee that the U.S. would come to Manila’s defense if the Philippines was attacked. He said this is because the U.S. president must first get the approval of Congress. E.U.-Philippines relations Other countries and the United Nations have also criticized the Philippine government’s drug war. The president has reportedly permitted death squads to kill accused drug offenders. The European parliament recently issued a statement calling on Duterte’s government to "put an end to the current wave of extrajudicial executions and killings.” It also expressed concern about the high number of people killed during police operations. Duterte singled out the European Union criticism during a speech last week in Manila. “Why would you insult me?” he asked. He also used a vulgar term to refer to the E.U. and displayed an obscene finger sign directed at the organization. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and AFP. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story ideological – adj. based on a particular set of ideas or beliefs whore – n. an offensive term for someone who engages in sex for money death squad – n. a group of people given the task of killing others, usually with the indirect approval of government extrajudicial – adj. justice delivered without legal authority vulgar – adj. offensive language obscene – adj. very offensive, insulting  

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China to Trade its Currency in US

China has established a clearing center for its money in the United States. The Bank of China’s office in New York City is the first U.S. clearing center for the renminbi, or RMB. Chinese officials made the announcement last week. Premier Li Keqiang spoke at a dinner with the Economic Club of New York. He invited other banks to work with buyers and sellers of the RMB. “We also welcome banks in New York that meet the requirements to become a clearing bank for renminbi,” Li said. The South China Morning Post reported his comments. Some people see China’s move as an attempt to show that the RMB, also known as the yuan, is competitive with the U.S. dollar as a major currency. They say there is no reason for China to have U.S. banks serving as clearing centers for its money. Currently, there are clearing banks in a number of financial centers, including Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Toronto. On October 1, the RMB is to become the fifth currency in the International Monetary Fund’s group of Special Drawing Rights. The four others are the U.S. dollar, the British pound, the Japanese yen and the euro. Christopher Balding teaches at Peking University. He says China is buying up available RMB on international markets in an effort to increase its value. He told VOA that the value of Chinese money would drop sharply if it were freely traded. China’s recent policy has been to keep the money stable -- to avoid sharp increases or decreases in value against other currencies. The exchange rate is currently between six and seven RMB to the dollar. For many years, China has sought to make its money one of the important currencies of international trade. Cornell University professor Eswar Prasad says this presents Chinese officials with difficult choices. He said, “China’s government faces a conundrum that other reserve currency economies have faced in the past - how to promote the currency’s role in global finance without losing control over the currency’s value." Prasad said China’s actions suggest that a stable currency is more important than the RMB’s role in international finance. Some experts say Chinese efforts to control its currency are not meant to make the country’s exports less costly and, therefore, more competitive. Scot Kennedy is deputy director of the Freeman Chair in China Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He says a stable exchange rate has been most important to China in recent months. “China is most interested in maintaining basic stability of its currency and limiting volatility,” he said. Kennedy added, “The recent modest depreciation is not geared to support exports.” I’m Mario Ritter. Saibal Dasgupta reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story clearing – n. the process of carrying out an exchange transaction for others stable – adj. not changing too much or too quickly conundrum – n. a puzzle, a confusing or difficult problem volatility – n. the quality of changing in a sudden or extreme way modest – adj. not by a large amount depreciation – n. a decrease in the value of something gear – v. to prepare for something currency – n. money

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Rights Group: Pakistan’s Police Abusing, Killing Suspects

A New York-based human rights group has called on Pakistani officials to reform the country’s police force. Human Rights Watch said Pakistan’s police system dates back to British colonial rule. It said the system is filled with “disgruntled” and “corrupt” officers who abuse suspects without facing punishment for their actions. Human Rights Watch said it documented police abuses in three of Pakistan’s four provinces. The abuses include torture, arrest and detention of suspects without a court order, extrajudicial killings and other abuse of detainees. The arrests and detentions sometimes resulted in the deaths of suspects, the group reported on Monday. The report said that police forces in Punjab, Baluchistan and Sindh faced “improper pressure” from politicians and local community leaders. For years, governments failed to carry out reforms or hold police responsible for abuse, it noted. Retaliation fear Human Rights Watch said families of victims are failing to report police abuse because of fear of being threatened or falsely accused in other cases. “Those from … groups [like] refugees, the poor, religious minorities, and the landless — are at particular risk of violent police abuse,” said the 102-page report. The report is based on statements by police officers, victims of police abuses, their families, experts, activists and witnesses to police abuses. Call for reforms Human Rights Watch called on Pakistan to improve working conditions and job-related awards for police officers. It said the police force is “under-resourced and under-equipped,” noting officers are not trained in methods of professional investigation and forensic studies. It said this lack of training leads to officers unlawfully forcing suspects to provide information or admit guilt. Human rights activists and local media often comment on and criticize suspected police abuses. “Custodial torture remained one of the gravest and most pressing human rights issues in Pakistan," noted the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in a report. Critics say that Pakistani politicians use the police to suppress opponents in an effort to stay in power. They say this has effectively persuaded governments from enacting reforms and punishing abusive police officers. I’m Anne Ball. Ayaz Gul wrote this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted his report 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 disgruntled – adj. unhappy and annoyed province – n. any one of the large parts that some countries are divided into gravest – adj. very serious extrajudicial – adj. done in violation of the law  

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Virginia Towns Deal with Loss of Coal Jobs

Tammy Mondrage lost her job because of cutbacks in America’s coal industry. Mondrage worked as a nurse at a high school in Southwestern Virginia. In June, school board officials cancelled more than 40 positions, including hers, for budgetary reasons. “The budget cuts came because of the loss of the coal industry,” she said. Tammy Mondrage lives in the community of Steinman, Virginia. Steinman was named for the Steinman Brothers, who operated a coal mine in the area about 100 years ago. Over the years, the coal industry has kept unemployment levels down and helped pay for schools and other government services. But that is changing. A year ago, Tammy Mondrage’s husband David lost his job with the Paramont Coal Company. Their son, Zachary, also lost his job at Paramont. Stronger environmental rules, lower oil prices and demand for cleaner energy led to reduced coal production. The production levels fell 10 percent just in the one year, 2014-2015. “When I was growing up, everybody was a coal miner’s kid,” said Tammy Mondrage. “That is what this community was. That is what everybody knew. It was big.” The question of what the future should be for the coal industry is an issue in the United States elections. The Republican Party has nominated businessman Donald Trump as its candidate for president. Trump has said he would cancel rules designed to reduce rising temperatures in Earth’s atmosphere. Many of those rules were created during the presidency of Barack Obama. Trump blames Obama administration policies for the coal industry’s problems. And he thinks things will worsen if Hillary Clinton becomes president. Trump said the coal mines “will be gone if she gets elected.” Clinton is the candidate of the Democratic Party. She has said environmental rules are needed to reduce pollution linked to climate change. But she also wants to help retrain coal workers and make sure they do not lose earnings during their retirement years. “I firmly believe that if you spent your life keeping the lights on for our country, we can’t leave you in the dark,” Clinton said. Some coal towns are trying to make changes to deal with lost coal industry jobs. Cleveland is a small town in Virginia’s coal country. The town had four food stores, banks, a hotel and a train station in the 1950s. None remain. And all of the town’s schools have closed, said Cleveland Mayor David Sutherland. But Cleveland did not lose its picturesque mountain trails. A river continues to run through the town. Recently, a rental store for rafting and boating opened up near the Town Hall. Sutherland said Cleveland sees a future with tourism. The nearby town of Haysi has been working to make its buildings nicer looking for tourists. It is replacing old windows and doors and painting the downtown buildings. Zachary Mondrage, who lost his coal industry job at Paramont Coal Company, is joining the move from coal to tourism. He is studying for a new job in outdoor tourism.  “The reason why I decided to get into this is because I have always been an outdoor enthusiast as far as hunting, fishing and just being outdoors and enjoying it,” he said. “And I thought that would be a great career opportunity to get into.” I’m Bruce Alpert.   Nadeem Yaqub reported this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. Do you know people who lost a job in an industry that has cut back employment in recent years? ____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story nurse – n. a person who is trained to care for sick or injured people enthusiast – n. a person who enjoys something very much opportunity – n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done picturesque – adj. very pretty or charming: like a painted picture​ rafting – n. the activity of traveling down a river on a raft tourism – n. the activity of traveling to a place for fun and enjoyment downtown – adj. of or related to the center of a city

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Clinton and Trump Meet for First Presidential Debate

American presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton spent Monday night criticizing each other during their first debate. Trump and Clinton each spoke about their plans to strengthen economic growth and what role the United States should have in the world. The two disagreed with each other for almost all of the 90-minute long debate. They often spoke up while the other was speaking. Trump, a businessman, is the presidential candidate of the Republican Party. Clinton, the former Secretary of State, is the Democratic Party’s candidate. Libertarian Party candidate Gary Johnson and the Green Party candidate, Jill Stein, were not invited to the debate in Hempstead, New York. The event began with Clinton and Trump shaking hands. But it did not take long for the two candidates to start attacking each other. Trump questioned many of Clinton’s answers. He repeated his belief that she is not healthy enough to serve as president. “I’ve been all over the place. You decided to stay home and that’s OK...” “I think Donald just criticized me for preparing for this debate. And yes, I did. And you know what else I prepared for -- I prepared to be president.” Trump also said Clinton’s policies have caused many problems, including the threat from ISIS.  “She’s telling us how to fight ISIS. Just go to her website. She tells you how to fight ISIS on her website." “Well, at least I have a plan to fight ISIS.” “No, no, you're telling the enemy everything you want to do.” “No, we’re not.” Clinton said Trump’s economic plans would help only wealthy people. She said Trump does not want to release his tax records because they could show the businessman is not as rich as he claims he is. That led Trump to raise a question about the private email server she used while serving as America’s top diplomat. “I will release my tax returns against my lawyer’s wishes when she releases her 33-thousand emails that have been deleted.” “And I have no reason to believe that he's ever going to release his tax returns because there's something he's hiding.” Clinton said she had gained experience during her time as secretary of state by traveling to 112 countries, and negotiating peace deals and ceasefires. Trump said she may have experience, but called it “bad experience.” He sharply criticized the nuclear deal the United States and other powers reached with Iran to limit that country’s nuclear program. Clinton said it was an example of effective diplomacy that stopped Iran from building nuclear weapons. Trump criticized the Obama administration’s decision to withdraw nearly all U.S. troops from Iraq. He said at least 10,000 should have stayed there. He said that would have prevented the creation of the Islamic State. Clinton noted that the Iraqi government failed to offer legal protection to the U.S. forces if they stayed. She said that was one of the reasons the troops did not remain in Iraq. Mark Cuban, a billionaire businessman who supports Clinton, said he was happy with her debate performance. “She gave depth to her answers. She didn’t hesitate. He was a counterpuncher, and like a lot of counterpunchers, when you throw your jab and it misses, you get frustrated and you press...” David Plouffe worked on President Barack Obama’s two successful presidential campaigns. “I think he (Trump), as the debate went on, had a hard time retaining focus. I mean, Trump had some moments where it’s hard to keep track of what he was really talking about...” Former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani said Trump showed he is better prepared than Clinton to help the American economy. “She’s a total phony. She was a failed secretary of state and what she demonstrated tonight is an incredible ignorance of the economy. How are you going to keep jobs in this country if you tax businesses more? Why would a business want to pay more taxes?” Hans Noel is an assistant professor of government at Georgetown University. He told VOA “I think that what we saw was very, very much the Trump that we’ve been seeing up until now, and the Clinton that we’ve been seeing up until now. And so probably most voters are going to have the same material that they had before.” Noel said he did not think the first debate would cause many Americans to change their opinion about which candidate to support. He noted that people who watched the debate are likely to believe the candidate they have already decided to support. “Most people have already made up their mind, so when Trump says something and someone challenges him on the facts and he says ‘No, no, I’m still right,’ the people who are inclined to like Trump are going to continue to think that way,” he said. “They’re going to believe that. And the same when Clinton says something and some people challenge her on that or push back and then they're going to say ‘I’m going to believe her’ because they already did.” Cary Covington teaches political science classes at the University of Iowa. He said that Trump was “very forceful, very assertive.” He said Clinton appeared “more calm, and in control.” He told VOA “Hillary Clinton demonstrated commands of policy questions. Donald Trump focused in on a small number of issues that he wanted to talk about, [but] wasn’t as adept at speaking broadly to the range of topics that were asked about.” Covington said presidents must be prepared for any issues that affect the country. He thought Clinton did a better job during the debate of dealing with many issues. “Trump’s goal has to be to overtake Clinton. That’s a much more difficult task. That means persuading people who are either on the sidelines or are leaning towards Clinton to come over to his side,” he said. ​“I don’t think he did much to help himself on that goal. But it’s a more demanding goal than the one that Hillary Clinton faced. Hillary Clinton needed to reassure voters who don’t want to vote for Trump that she’s acceptable. She’s already got the lead. She was able to give that impression.” The candidates will meet in two more debates, before the presidential election on November 8th. The next debate will be October 9th.  I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOANews.com reported this story from Washington and from Hofstra University in New York. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted their reports into VOA Special 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 ISIS - n. short for the Islamic State militant group role – n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation (usually + in) return – n. a report that you send to the government about the money that you have earned and the taxes that you have paid in one year delete – v. to remove (something, such as words, pictures, or computer files) from a document, recording, computer, etc. hesitate – v. to be unwilling to do something because of doubt or uncertainty counterpunch – v. to hit someone quickly after they have hit you or criticized you frustrate – v. to cause (someone) to feel angry, discouraged or upset because of not being able to do something focus – n. a subject that is being discussed or studied; the subject on which people's attention is focused (usually singular) keep track of – expression to follow; to understand; to be aware of how something is changing, what someone is doing, etc. phony – n. a person who pretends to be someone else or to have feelings or abilities that he or she does not really have; a person who is not sincere inclined – v. to think or to cause (someone) to think that something is probably true or correct (followed by to + verb) assertive – adj. confident in behavior or style adept – adj. very good at doing something that is not easy topic – n. someone or something that people talk or write about sideline – n. the space outside the area where a game is played on a field or court (usually plural); often used figuratively

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