before (preposition)

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Climate Change Talks Move Beyond Deadline

Leaders in Paris negotiating a  climate change agreement missed their deadline Friday. Representatives from 195 countries have spent two weeks in Paris trying to reach agreement at the United Nations climate talks, known as COP21. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius extended the deadline until Saturday when the deadline could not be met. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said a lot of progress has been made, but he said, some “very difficult” issues must be resolved. He met with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius Friday after what sources said was a hard night of negotiations. The biggest sticking points are financial aid and the long-term goal. First, how much financial aid will the rich nations give the poorer nations to help them cut gas emissions? Second, what will the final long-term goal say in the agreement? This conference was working toward capping a rise in global temperatures this century. They wanted to limit the rise to two degrees Celsius above temperatures of the mid-1700s. That is the time that the industrial revolution began. But there is discussion of making that a rise in 1.5 degrees instead. The latest draft of the agreement calls for “the widest possible cooperation by all countries” to cut emission of greenhouse gases. Scientists say those gases are warming the planet and changing the climate to an extreme. A major point of disagreement has been who will pay for reducing these emissions. Representatives of 134 developing countries objected to conditions suggested by richer industrialized nations. Richer countries – like the U.S. and China - have produced most of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Those gases are blamed for rising temperatures on the planet. Poorer nations want developed ones to pay for measures that arrest pollution. Scientists warn that rising temperatures will make Earth more difficult for human life. They say there will be rising sea levels, damaging storms and severe droughts. Some island nations at the conference said they will disappear underwater when higher global temperatures raise sea levels. The World Health Organization (WHO) called for a strong agreement to cut global emissions at the conference.  It warns that climate change is already blamed for tens of thousands of deaths each year. These deaths are caused by changing borders of disease, extreme weather events and worsening air and water quality and sanitation. Nations have met since 1992 to discuss ways to stop global warming. And while the COP21 labored to agree over how to deal with climate change, these stories were happening: Aviation emissions deal An agreement on limiting carbon dioxide emissions from aviation will likely be reached next year. That is what a senior official from the International Air Transport Association said Thursday. The aviation industry is not covered by the climate talks in Paris because it is under a separate U.N. body, the International Civil Aviation Organization. It is working on ways for airlines to reduce emissions.  Company to mass produce eco-friendly plane A company in Slovenia is hoping to revolutionize the airplane industry with electric planes. The electric two-seater airplane Taurus Electro is made by the Slovenian company Pipistrel. It is powered by battery. Its 15-meter wingspan allows it to be carried by the wind, once it reaches the altitude of 2,000 meters. Pipistrel plans to produce the plane and sell it for about $120,000. But for now, only a few countries will allow electric aircraft. French farmer sues wind farm over stressed cows In the northern Picardy area of France, a dairy farmer is suing the energy company that owns a wind farm next to his property.  The farmer says the wind turbine creates a low frequency sound that humans cannot hear, but it troubles animals. He says his cows will not lie down to eat and rest near the wind farm, and so they have stopped producing milk. The case goes to court next month. Cambodia “deadliest” country for environmental reporting A new report says at least four Cambodians were killed in trying to uncover environmental crimes. This makes Cambodia the “deadliest” place in the world for such reporting. The Paris-based organization Reporters without Borders says that both Cambodia and India were deadly countries for environmental journalists. It says 10 environment reporters have died worldwide since 2010. In Cambodia, journalists killed in rural parts of the country have also been suspected of criminal activity. For example, demanding money from illegal loggers to cut back their reporting on forestry crimes.   I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story from material by VOA reporters and wire services. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sticking point – n. something that people disagree about and keeps them from making progress in discussions drought – n. a time with very little rain global – adj. involving the whole world. sanitation  - n. promotion of hygiene and preventing disease by removing sewage and trash aviation –n. the business or practice of flying airplanes and helicopters carbon off-sets – n.  a credit that an organization can buy to negate a carbon footprint battery – n. a device placed inside a machine to supply it with electricity turbine – n. an engine that has a part with blades that spin by pressure from air frequency – n. the number of times that something, like a sound wave, is repeated in a period of time

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'A White Heron,' by Sarah Orne Jewett

The forest was full of shadows as a little girl hurried through it one summer evening in June. It was already 8 o'clock and Sylvie wondered if her grandmother would be angry with her for being so late. Every evening Sylvie left her grandmother's house at 5:30 to bring their cow home. The old animal spent her days out in the open country eating sweet grass. It was Sylvie's job to bring her home to be milked. When the cow heard Sylvie's voice calling her, she would hide among the bushes. This evening it had taken Sylvie longer than usual to find her cow. The child hurried the cow through the dark forest, following a narrow path that led to her grandmother's home. The cow stopped at a small stream to drink. As Sylvie waited, she put her bare feet in the cold, fresh water of the stream. She had never before been alone in the forest as late as this. The air was soft and sweet. Sylvie felt as if she were a part of the gray shadows and the silver leaves that moved in the evening breeze. She began thinking how it was only a year ago that she came to her grandmother's farm. Before that, she had lived with her mother and father in a dirty, crowded factory town. One day, Sylvie's grandmother had visited them and had chosen Sylvie from all her brothers and sisters to be the one to help her on her farm in Vermont. The cow finished drinking, and as the 9-year-old child hurried through the forest to the home she loved, she thought again about the noisy town where her parents still lived. Suddenly the air was cut by a sharp whistle not far away. Sylvie knew it wasn't a friendly bird's whistle. It was the determined whistle of a person. She forgot the cow and hid in some bushes. But she was too late. "Hello, little girl," a young man called out cheerfully. "How far is it to the main road?"  Sylvie was trembling as she whispered "two miles." She came out of the bushes and looked up into the face of a tall young man carrying a gun. The stranger began walking with Sylvie as she followed her cow through the forest. "I've been hunting for birds," he explained, "but I've lost my way. Do you think I can spend the night at your house?" Sylvie didn't answer. She was glad they were almost home. She could see her grandmother standing near the door of the farm house. When they reached her, the stranger put down his gun and explained his problem to Sylvie's smiling grandmother. "Of course you can stay with us," she said. "We don't have much, but you're welcome to share what we have. Now Sylvie, get a plate for the gentleman!" After eating, they all sat outside. The young man explained he was a scientist, who collected birds. "Do you put them in a cage?" Sylvie asked. "No," he answered slowly,  "I shoot them and stuff them with special chemicals to preserve them. I have over 100 different kinds of birds from all over the United States in my study at home." "Sylvie knows a lot about birds, too," her grandmother said proudly. "She knows the forest so well, the wild animals come and eat bread right out of her hands." "So Sylvie knows all about birds. Maybe she can help me then," the young man said. "I saw a white heron not far from here two days ago. I've been looking for it ever since. It's a very rare bird, the little white heron. Have you seen it, too?" he asked Sylvie.  But Sylvie was silent. "You would know it if you saw it," he added. "It's a tall, strange bird with soft white feathers and long thin legs. It probably has its nest at the top of a tall tree." Sylvie's heart began to beat fast. She knew that strange white bird! She had seen it on the other side of the forest. The young man was staring at Sylvie. "I would give $10 to the person who showed me where the white heron is." That night Sylvie's dreams were full of all the wonderful things she and her grandmother could buy for ten dollars. Sylvie spent the next day in the forest with the young man. He told her a lot about the birds they saw. Sylvie would have had a much better time if the young man had left his gun at home. She could not understand why he killed the birds he seemed to like so much. She felt her heart tremble every time he shot an unsuspecting bird as it was singing in the trees. But Sylvie watched the young man with eyes full of admiration. She had never seen anyone so handsome and charming. A strange excitement filled her heart, a new feeling the little girl did not recognize … love. At last evening came. They drove the cow home together. Long after the moon came out and the young man had fallen asleep Sylvie was still awake. She had a plan that would get the $10 for her grandmother and make the young man happy. When it was almost time for the sun to rise, she quietly left her house and hurried through the forest. She finally reached a huge pine tree, so tall it could be seen for many miles around. Her plan was to climb to the top of the pine tree. She could see the whole forest from there. She was sure she would be able to see where the white heron had hidden its nest. Sylvie's bare feet and tiny fingers grabbed the tree's rough trunk. Sharp dry branches scratched at her like cat's claws. The pine tree's sticky sap made her fingers feel stiff and clumsy as she climbed higher and higher. The pine tree seemed to grow taller, the higher that Sylvie climbed. The sky began to brighten in the east. Sylvie's face was like a pale star when, at last, she reached the tree's highest branch. The golden sun's rays hit the green forest. Two hawks flew together in slow-moving circles far below Sylvie. Sylvie felt as if she could go flying among the clouds, too. To the west she could see other farms and forests. Suddenly Sylvie's dark gray eyes caught a flash of white that grew larger and larger. A bird with broad white wings and a long slender neck flew past Sylvie and landed on a pine branch below her. The white heron smoothed its feathers and called to its mate, sitting on their nest in a nearby tree. Then it lifted its wings and flew away. Sylvie gave a long sigh. She knew the wild bird's secret now. Slowly she began her dangerous trip down the ancient pine tree. She did not dare to look down and tried to forget that her fingers hurt and her feet were bleeding. All she wanted to think about was what the stranger would say to her when she told him where to find the heron's nest. As Sylvie climbed slowly down the pine tree, the stranger was waking up back at the farm. He was smiling because he was sure from the way the shy little girl had looked at him that she had seen the white heron. About an hour later Sylvie appeared. Both her grandmother and the young man stood up as she came into the kitchen. The splendid moment to speak about her secret had come. But Sylvie was silent. Her grandmother was angry with her. Where had she been? The young man's kind eyes looked deeply into Sylvie's own dark gray ones. He could give Sylvie and her grandmother $10 dollars. He had promised to do this, and they needed the money. Besides, Sylvie wanted to make him happy. But Sylvie was silent. She remembered how the white heron came flying through the golden air and how they watched the sun rise together from the top of the world. Sylvie could not speak. She could not tell the heron's secret and give its life away. The young man went away disappointed later that day. Sylvie was sad. She wanted to be his friend. He never returned. But many nights Sylvie heard the sound of his whistle as she came home with her grandmother's cow. Were the birds better friends than their hunter might have been? Who can know? You have been listening to the story called "A White Heron" by Sarah Orne Jewett. Dona de Sanctis wrote this version for VOA Learning English. Your narrator was Kay Gallant. _________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   whistle - n. a high and loud sound made by forcing air through your lips or teeth preserve - v. to keep (something) in its original state or in good condition heron -  n. a large bird that has long legs and a long neck and bill nest - n. the place where a bird lays its eggs and takes care of its young handsome - having a pleasing appearance that causes romantic feelings in someone Now it’s your turn. Imagine you are Sylvie​. Would you do the same thing she did - keep silent about the heron? If not, what could you say to the young man to make him stop killing birds?    

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More Violence in Syria as Diplomatic Push Continues

A series of truck bombs in northeast Syria has killed at least 22 people, a human rights monitoring group said Friday. This latest violence comes as negotiators meet in Riyad, Saudi Arabia to seek a solution to the war in Syria. The bombs exploded near a vegetable market and a health center in the Kurdish-held town of Tel Tamer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The human rights group said many were also wounded in the attack late Thursday. The truck bombing death toll is expected to rise in the coming days. No group has claimed responsibility for the bombings. Tel Tamer is controlled by the Kurdish People’s Defense Forces (YPG, in Kurdish). For months, they have battled Islamic State extremists in the area. Syrian opposition groups united Thursday to agree on talks with President Bashar al-Assad’s government. More than 100 Syrian politicians and military leaders met in Riyadh, and gave their support to negotiations for a possible peace deal. The talks in Saudi Arabia resulted from a plan agreed to last month. That plan was developed by 20 world powers in Vienna. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry welcomed the “positive outcome” of the meeting. Kerry said meetings may be held in New York next week. These meetings would be a follow-up to the Vienna talks. In other diplomatic news, officials from the United States, Russia and the United Nations also met Friday in Geneva to advance the Syrian peace process. I'm Mario Ritter. The VOAnews.com staff wrote this story. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of the recent diplomatic events in Syria? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   toll – n. the number of people who are killed or injured in an accident, disaster or war advance --v. to move forward

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Old Sex Comedy Gets Modern in Spike Lee’s ‘Chi-Raq’

  Filmmaker Spike Lee reached back thousands of years to a Greek comedy for the inspiration of his latest film, “Chi-Raq.” The musical is a modern, urban telling of the ancient Greek comedy, “Lysistrata.” In that story, wives stop having sex with their husbands to try to stop them from warring. “Chi-Raq” combines the words for the places Chicago, Illinois, and Iraq. The name refers to two deadly battlefields -- the Midwestern city a victim of gang violence and the war zone of Iraq. “Homicides in Chicago, Illinois have surpassed the death toll of American special forces in Iraq." The Spartans and the Trojans are two competing gangs in south Chicago. After an 11-year-old girl dies in the crossfire, the women in the area take action – or inaction. Lysistrata, the wife of Spartan gang leader Chi-Raq, leads the group. She is played by Teyonah Parris. “We force our men to negotiate peace by exercising self-control and total abstinence from knocking the boots.”  The character is talking about sex. The women refuse to have sex with their husbands and lovers until they stop the violence. “Chi-Raq” explores the power of women in bringing an end to violence. Like Aristophanes’ play “Lysistrata,” Spike Lee’s script is written in rhyming verse. “Dude, this is about life and death, about a community that’s a wreck. And you want to sit here and talk about how women behave? Fool, we try to free these slaves! Slaves to the madness, slaves to this violence. And what you just want us to silence? We’re gonna make sure these fools put down these guns!” Director Lee told VOA that sexual boycott to stop wars is not just the stuff of comedy. It can work, he said. “A sex strike happened in Liberia, earlier, I think, 2004. A woman named Leymah Gbowee won the Nobel Peace Prize for using that tactic, a sex strike to stop the second civil war in Liberia. So, it worked in ancient Greece and it worked in Liberia. And there is a woman today who saw the trailer from ‘Chi-Raq’ and she is starting a sex strike movement in Chicago.” The film deals with current political and social issues, including poverty, unemployment, racism and guns in America. The film is critical of the United States for supporting foreign wars instead of ending violence at home.   “Chi-Raq” echoes the 2,500-year-old message of “Lysistrata:” women have a unique power to end war. The legitimacy of that message, however, is debatable. Several critics already have raised objections. Ernest Owens is one of them. He is a nationally published opinion writer, originally from Chicago. He wrote in the Huffington Post after seeing the “Chi-Raq” trailer. He expressed concern about “seeing all those black women being used only for the discussion of sexual purpose of men.” And, of course, women around the world are fighters themselves. They serve in militaries, join rebel groups and even are members of violent gangs in America. I’m Caty Weaver. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   urban – adj. of or relating to cities and the people who live in them homicide – n. the act of killing another person script – n. the written form of a play, movie, television show, etc. tactic – n. an action or method that is planned and used to achieve a particular goal unique – adj. used to say that something or someone is unlike anything or anyone else We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.  ​

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TALK2US: Dual Language Education

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Golden Globes, Human Rights Day and a New Serial Podcast

This is What’s Trending Today. Golden Globe Nominees The Academy Awards, also known as The Oscars, may get plenty of attention in Hollywood each year. But the Golden Globes are important film and television awards, too. Many show business insiders say the Golden Globes can sometimes predict which movies will be recognized at the Academy Awards. That explains why lots of people were paying attention to the Golden Globes nomination list when it came out on Thursday. There were over 100,000 tweets about the Golden Globes in the first few hours. ​ The awards ceremony will take place on January 10, 2016. That gives voters and movie lovers exactly one month to catch up on all the films and TV shows they may have missed in 2015. The movies with the most nominations this year were “Carol” and “The Big Short.” The first film is based on a 1950s book called “The Price of Salt,” written by Patricia Highsmith. Highsmith was mostly known for mystery novels and thrillers. She wrote “The Price of Salt” under a pseudonym – a make believe name authors sometimes use to keep their real identity secret. In this case, Highsmith used experiences from her own life to write about a lesbian romance. The other film, “The Big Short,” is based on a book about the banking industry by Michael Lewis. Two of his earlier books, “Moneyball” and “The Blind Side,” were made into successful films. As for television, shows like “Veep,” “Mad Men,” “Empire” and “Mr. Robot” all received Golden Globe nominations. Human Rights Day Every December 10 is Human Rights Day. It marks the day in 1948 that the United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The declaration says “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The document has 30 articles. Each one adds more clarity to the idea of freedom and equality in the first article. The declaration condemns slavery, torture and cruelty. It notes the ideals of security, the right to practice a religion and express ideas freely. There were more than 150,000 tweets using the hashtag #HumanRightsDay on Thursday. Many organizations used the day to express their desire to ensure Human Rights around the world. A number of agencies like UNESCO and UNICEF offered their support, as did people who have become symbols of freedom like Malala Yousafzai and Caitlyn Jenner. Serial Podcast, Season Two One of the most-talked about podcasts last year was “Serial.” The show’s producers used multiple episodes to examine a difficult topic – some might call it a mystery. Last year, “Serial” investigated the murder of a high school student from Maryland in 1999. The producers spoke with friends, family members, students and lawyers who were involved in the case that year. They were asked to remember events leading up to the murder. Serial had 12 episodes, and according to a CNN.com story, each episode was downloaded an average of 3.4 million times within the first few months. It was the fastest podcast ever to reach 5 million downloads and has 100 million downloads since it came out. The first episode from the new season came out Thursday. The show will report on Bowe Bergdahl, the American soldier who was held captive in Afghanistan for five years. Berghdal agreed to provide information for the podcast. The surprise release of the podcast resulted in the Serial website crashing because so many people tried to download the new episode. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Which movies do you need to see before the Golden Globe awards? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   download – v. to move or copy (a file, program, etc.) from a usually larger computer system to another computer or device episode – n. a television show, radio show, etc., that is one part of a series lesbian – n. a woman who is sexually attracted to other women : a female homosexual romance – n. an exciting and usually short relationship between lovers thriller – n. a novel, movie, etc., that is very exciting : a story full of exciting action, mystery, adventure, or suspense serial – adj. broadcast or published in separate parts over a period of time symbol – n. a person or thing that represents something else author – n. writer

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December 10, 2015

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

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Kendrick Lamar Leads Grammy Nominations

Kendrick Lamar has had a good week. The hip-hop artist led the music industry in nominations for its most important awards, the Grammys. The Recording Academy honored him with 11 nominations, including album of the year for “To Pimp a Butterfly.” His song “Alright” was also nominated for song of the year. Taylor Swift had a good week, too. She is up for seven 2016 Grammys. Her album “1989” will compete against Lamar’s for album of the year. Her hit “Blank Space” was nominated for song of the year. Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar are also nominated together for two Grammys. The musicians collaborated on the song “Bad Blood.” For that effort they could share Grammys for best pop group/duo performance and best music video. R&B star The Weeknd also received seven Grammy nominations. His “Beauty Behind the Madness” is up for album of the year. The other nominees are “Sound and Color” by the rock band Alabama Shakes and country singer Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller.” Five nominees are up for the much-sought Grammy for best new artist. They are Tori Kelly, Sam Hunt, Courtney Barnett, James Bay and Meghan Trainor. The Recording Academy will present the awards at a ceremony in Los Angeles, California on February 15. I'm Caty Weaver. Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you listen to any of the nominated musicians we reported about? Who do you think should win? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the comments section.  ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story pimp - v. to get customers for prostitutes blank - adj. without any writing, marks, or pictures collaborate - v. to work with another person or group in order to achieve or do something ​

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At Least 50 Dead in Attack on Afghanistan Airport

Eleven Taliban fighters attacked an important airport in southern Afghanistan early Tuesday, killing at least 50 people, Afghan officials say. The Afghan Defense Ministry said 38 civilians, 10 soldiers and two police officers were killed. The attack on the Kandahar Air Field lasted 20 hours, reported the Washington Post. Among the dead were women and children, the newspaper wrote. The airport includes a military base with troops from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. There were no reports that NATO troops were killed or injured in the attack. A spokesman for the Taliban says fighters entered the base and attacked local and foreign military troops. He said more than 150 soldiers were killed in the attack. The Taliban often makes claims about the results of their attacks that are not true. Taliban attacks have grown in number and strength in Afghanistan this year after the withdrawal last year of combat troops from other countries.  I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. This story was reported by Correspondent Ayaz Gul in Islamabad. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck 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   base – n. a place where a military force keeps supplies and where people in the military live and work  

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A Long Recovery Ahead for Myanmar Chin State

Floods and landslides in the Chin region of Myanmar displaced thousands of people this summer, but recovery has just begun.   Almost 20,000 people were displaced by severe weather in western Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, say relief groups. Locals called the heavy rains of July the worst natural disaster in memory. Towns and villages across the region were destroyed.   Months after the landslides, roads in the capital of Chin state, Hakha, have been cleared. But in the rural areas, aid is hard to find. Many of the emergency supplies sent to help Chin state had to pass through many flooded towns and villages. Supplies ran out before arriving in Chin. Peter Brimble, a development official for Myanmar, said Chin’s location hurt recovery efforts. “It’s tough to get in, and it’s tough to get out. … That causes a challenge … to get materials in and out to rebuild [damaged] assets,” Brimble said. Another strategy to help people recover is moving them. The Myanmar government is spending about $3 million dollars to relocate residents. Critics have two objections. The first is that contracts to rebuild will go to friends of favored officials. The second is that rebuilding will be rushed and low quality.   Outside of Hakha, 700 new homes are being built. Inspectors have complained that this group of homes is in a remote location. Those waiting to move into the homes have been living in camps for nearly five months.     Daniel De Carteret and Simon Lewis wrote this story for VOAnew.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck 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   asset – n. a valuable person or thing remote – adj. far away; distant

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