Florida’s Key West: Close to Perfect, Far From Normal

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, don’t go to Key West. As winter spreads over the northern United States, tourists and retired “snowbirds” are heading south for warmer weather. Key West, Florida, with its tropical weather, white sand beaches, and lively nightlife, is a popular escape. The island’s motto is “close to perfect” and “far from normal.” Key West is part of the Florida Keys, a string of tropical islands off the southern tip of Florida. It is about a three-hour drive or 30 minute flight from Miami. Key West is the end of the road, in geography and in spirit. It is connected the mainland of the United States by a series of bridges called the Overseas Highway. The island is known for its liberal and tolerant culture. It has long attracted artists and writers, along with people who want to escape mainstream American culture. Conch Republic The local people, known as “conchs”, have a spirit of independence. A conch is a type of sea shell that has become a symbol of the Florida Keys. In 1982, the U.S. government set up a roadblock on the Overseas Highway. Federal police stopped cars, looking for drugs and illegal immigrants. Island residents were angry because the roadblock made travel difficult and hurt tourism.   To protest, the Florida Keys declared their “independence” on April 23, 1982. Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow declared himself the prime minister of the new Conch Republic. Part joke and part protest, Wardlow declared “war” on the United States. He surrendered after one minute. Today, the flag of the Conch Republic flies all over the Florida Keys next to the American flag. Although they were never independent, residents of the Florida Keys celebrate their “independence day” every April 23rd. The roadblock is gone. Trouble in Paradise Key West might seem like paradise, but it has problems like anywhere else. “This is truly the end of the road,” local resident Katherine Baxter said. “People come here to get away from things.” Baxter, a case manager at the local hospital, sees a side of Key West that tourists rarely see. Drug and alcohol abuse are serious problems here. Monroe County, where Key West is located, has the highest suicide rate in Florida.  The extremely high cost of housing has left some people homeless. A modest one-story house here can easily sell for $1 million. But most of the jobs in Key West are low-paying jobs in hotels and restaurants. Some longtime residents are leaving the island, fed up with drunk tourists, low wages, and high living costs. Ernest Hemingway House Key West’s most famous resident was the brilliant but troubled writer Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway is one of the most important American writers of the 20th century. Ernest and his wife, Pauline, lived in Key West from 1931 to 1939. The house, a Spanish style mansion, was a wedding gift from Pauline’s father. In this house, Hemingway wrote some of his most famous stories, including “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and “To Have and Have Not.” Hemingway had a cat with six toes named Snow White. Today, about 50 of Snow White’s descendants live on the grounds of the Hemingway house. Some of the cats have six toes. Key Lime Pie No trip to Key West is complete without trying its famous dessert: Key lime pie. Key limes, which grow in Florida, are smaller less sweet than Persian limes. Key lime pie is made with Key lime juice, egg yolks, and condensed milk on a graham cracker crust. The dessert is topped with cream made from egg whites. These days it is popular to serve Key lime pie frozen on a stick, dipped in chocolate. You can find Key lime pie just about anywhere in the Florida Keys. Kermit’s Key Lime Pie Shoppe on Elizabeth Street is the most famous. In 2006, the Florida state legislature named Key lime pie the official pie of Florida. Southernmost Point A short walk from the Ernest Hemingway house is the most photographed site in Key West. It is a marker showing the southernmost point in the United States. Tourists wait in long lines to take pictures in front the monument. It reads “90 miles to Cuba.” In fact, Key West is closer to Havana than Miami. The Southernmost Point reminds Americans that Cuba is so close, but so far away. There have been no direct transport connections between Key West and Cuba since the 1950s. Relations between the U.S. and Cuba have improved in recent months. In March, the U.S. government gave permits to four companies to run ferries from Key West to Havana. But ferry service cannot start until new customs and immigration facilities are built. For now, the Southernmost Point of Key West is as close as most Americans can get to Cuba. [music: Dire Straits "The Sultan of Swing"] Thank you good night and now it's time to go home And he makes it fast with just one more thing We are the sultans We are the sultans of swing   I’m Jonathan Evans. Adam Brock wrote and produced this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.   Words in This Story snowbird – n. a northerner who moves to a warmer southern state in the winter motto – n. a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group tolerant – adj. willing to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own mainstream – adj. the thoughts, beliefs, and choices that are accepted by the largest number of people snail – n. a small animal that lives in a shell that it carries on its back, that moves very slowly, and that can live in water or on land roadblock – n. a place where police or military officers stop drivers especially in order to examine vehicles modest – adj. simple, not fancy fed up with – phrasal verb. to be angry about something brilliant – adj. showing extreme intelligence : extremely clever mansion – n. a large and impressive house : the large house of a wealthy person descendent – n. a plant or animal that is related to a particular plant or animal that lived long ago egg yolk – n. the yellow part in the center of an egg graham cracker – n. a popular American snack food made with bleached flour ferry - n. to carry or move (someone or something) on a vehicle (such as a boat or a car) usually for a short distance between two places    

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1QM843H
via IFTTT

FIFA Bans Blatter, European Soccer Chief

The International Football Association’s ethics committee banned its president, Sepp Blatter, from the organization for eight years on Monday. The association is known as FIFA. Also getting an eight-year ban was Michel Platini, the head of the European soccer federation, UEFA. The ruling came because of a $2 million payment from FIFA to Platini in 2011. The two men called it salary for advising the president. But according to the Associated Press news service, Platini had no such contract with FIFA at the time. The payment is also being investigated by authorities in Switzerland. Blatter was already serving a provisional ban over the scandal earlier this year when 14 FIFA officials were arrested on corruption charges. The organization will elect a new president in February. For many years, it was anticipated that Platini would take over for Blatter. That is not likely after the news of his eight-year ban. Also, Platini is not on the list of candidates for the upcoming election. Blatter promised to fight the ban in the Court of Arbitration for Sport. He denied doing anything wrong by authorizing payments to Platini, calling the lack of a contract an administrative error. Blatter said “I am now suspended eight years, suspended eight years. But, I will fight. I will fight for me and I will fight for FIFA.” Blatter has been the president of FIFA since 1998.   I’m Dan Friedell.   Lisa Schlein wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English with more reporting from the Associated Press. Kathleen Struck was the editor. How can FIFA recover from this ethics breach? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   anticipated – v. to expect or look ahead to (something) with pleasure : to look forward to (something) arbitration – n. a process of settling an argument or disagreement in which the people or groups on both sides present their opinions and ideas to a third person or group authorize – v. to give legal or official approval to or for (something) ethics– n. rules of behavior based on ideas about what is morally good and bad provisional – adj. existing or accepted for the present time but likely to be changed scandal – n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1OJA4yW
via IFTTT

Indonesian Police Arrest Nine Terror Suspects

Indonesian police have arrested nine people they believe were planning suicide attacks in the capital of Jakarta. The attacks were allegedly planned for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.  Police say the Islamic militant suspects were linked to two terrorist networks. They say one of the networks was linked to the Islamic State terror group. A police official said books on jihad were found in the house of one of the suspects, along with bomb-making supplies. There was also a map of Jakarta.  Information about the alleged planning was given to Indonesian police by American and Australian law enforcement agencies. The arrests took place in five cities on the island of Java.  Police say they are searching for more suspected terrorists. An Indonesian news website reported that the country’s military chief said he plans to deploy more than 150,000 security forces to guard churches and public places during the holidays. I’m Dan Friedell.  VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   suicide – n. of or relating to killing oneself; used especially to describe something that is done by a person who plans and expects to be killed while doing it jihad – n. a war fought by Muslims to defend or spread their beliefs  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Yvh7KT
via IFTTT

Refugees in Hong Kong Face Slim Odds for Asylum

There are more than 10,000 refugees seeking asylum in Hong Kong. But most are trapped in legal limbo. Hong Kong is not bound to the 1951 Refugee Convention. That treaty established refugee rights and the responsibilities of nations that grant asylum.  But Hong Kong is bound to the Convention Against Torture. That convention is an international treaty saying Hong Kong cannot expel people at risk of torture. Because of the conventions, refugee claims can take years to decide. The odds of winning asylum in Hong Kong are low. Since 1992, Hong Kong was given 31 people protection status. Today’s Hong Kong refugees are mostly from India, Vietnam, Indonesia and Africa. They live in poverty on animal farms and slums. “They [refugees] still don’t have any legal status here in Hong Kong,” Victoria Wisniewski Otero, a refugee advocate, said. “Technically they are treated as illegal over-stayers. They have no right to work. They have no income.” The low number of those receiving protection status creates other problems. Hong Kong media reported that an international black market racket produced false asylum claims. The claims were made as cover for illegal workers to fill labor shortages throughout Hong Kong. Shannon Van Sant wrote this story for VOAnews.com.  Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think about the worldwide refugee problem? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   limbo – n. in an uncertain or undecided state or condition              slum – n. an area of a city where poor people live and the buildings are in bad condition racket – n. a business that makes money through illegal activities   

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1JsIfhe
via IFTTT

up

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1JsFpsB
via IFTTT

December 22, 2015

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1OlYc0g
via IFTTT

Black Actress Cast in Role of Hermione, Star Wars Sets Records

This is What’s Trending Today. Black actress from England cast as Hermione Fans of the “Harry Potter” books and movies got to know actor Emma Watson, who played the character Hermione. But a new stage play has cast British actress Noma Dumezweni as Harry’s friend, Hermione. Dumezweni is black, and her family is from Swaziland in Africa. Dumezweni has an impressive list of credits in theater, film and television. She won a major award for a role in “A Raisin in the Sun” and performed in a number of Shakespearean roles. You can see her work in these videos, where she reads sonnets, or poems, by Shakespeare. Dumezweni will appear in a London play called “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” that follows the famous characters 19 years after the books ended. All the actors playing Harry, Ron Weasley and Hermione are adults. It is scheduled to open next July. The name Hermione appeared over 225,000 times on Twitter on Monday. Dumezweni was endorsed by J.K. Rowling, the creator of the series. “White skin was never specified,” Rowling replied to a tweet on Twitter. That reply was re-tweeted over 50,000 times. Star Wars opening sets records People lined up all week just to see, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” The film set a box-office record for a new movie over the weekend. Star Wars sold almost $250-million in tickets since it opened Thursday night, beating the record set over the summer by “Jurassic World.” Around the world, the movie set a record with $529 million in ticket sales. It is an impressive number, considering the film does not open in China until January. The Chinese market added $90 million to “Jurassic World’s” sales, and “Star Wars” should reach at least that number. One media analyst called the opening “the Super Bowl, the World Series and the Kentucky Derby all rolled into one perfectly realized movie event.” Most fans and reviewers were happy with the film, giving it a 94 percent “fresh” score on the website RottenTomatoes.com. Even Hillary Clinton got in on the Star Wars frenzy. At the debate among Democratic presidential candidates Saturday, she ended with “may the force be with you.” That is possibly the most famous line from all the Star Wars movies.   And that’s What’s Trending. I'm Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of the a black actress being cast as Hermione? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ___________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   endorse – v. to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of (someone or something) sonnet – n. a poem made up of 14 lines that rhyme in a fixed pattern frenzy – n. great and often wild or uncontrolled activity anticipation – n. a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1J3mnhw
via IFTTT

Taliban Attack Kills Six US Soldiers

A U.S. military official said six American soldiers were killed Monday in a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan. The official said that two other U.S. soldiers were injured. The official asked not be named. The attack occurred near the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan. It is the biggest U.S. military facility in Afghanistan. The Taliban took credit for the deadly attack. A Taliban statement sent to journalists said a suicide bomber riding a motorbike carried out the attack. Monday’s attack comes almost two weeks after a group of heavily armed Taliban suicide bombers hit a southern Kandahar air base. That base also houses U.S. soldiers.That attack lasted more than 29 hours and more than 54 people were killed. They included 39 civilians, 13 Afghan national army soldiers and two Afghan national police officers, according to the Associated Press. In August near Kabul, three attacks within 24 hours left at least 35 people dead. One of the attacks, on a U.S. special operations forces base, killed one U.S soldier and eight Afghan civilian contractors. Another killed three American contractors.  I'm Caty Weaver. Ayaz Gul reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story occur – v. to take place journalist – n. activity or job of collecting, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio motorbike – n. a motorized bike special operations forces -- n. troops given special training to handle difficult missions We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1IlhBw3
via IFTTT

More Than 90 Reported Missing in Landslide in China

  Officials in China say 91 people are missing after a landslide in the southern city of Shenzhen Sunday morning. The Ministry of Land and Resources said heavy rain soaked a 100-meter tall pile of construction waste and dirt. The pile was too big and too tall, which caused “instability and collapse.” Witnesses say huge waves of mud swept into the area. Thirty-three buildings were destroyed or damaged. They include 14 factories, two office buildings and three buildings where workers lived. More than 1,500 emergency workers are searching for survivors. The landslide also caused an explosion at a natural gas pipeline in the area. The country’s official news agency Xinhua says 59 men and 32 women are missing. About 900 people were removed from the area before the landslide happened. Shenzhen is in Guangdong province, near the border with Hong Kong.  I’m Anna Matteo.    VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mud – n. soft, wet dirt pile – n. a group of things that are put one on top of another soaked – adj. made completely wet by water or another liquid ​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1QGlf63
via IFTTT

December 21, 2015

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1QUOKQb
via IFTTT

Miss Universe Pageant Mixes Up Crown

There was a surprising finish to this year’s Miss Universe pageant. At first, it looked as if Colombia’s contestant had won. But it turned out the show’s host announced the wrong winner. Steve Harvey read the name of the second-place finisher, Ariadna Gutierrez Arevalo, as the new Miss Universe. She and Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach of Philippines, who thought she had finished second, hugged. Arevalo accepted the crown and waved to the crowd, thinking she was the winner. Harvey then realized he made a mistake. “I have to apologize,” he said, while standing next to Arevalo. Then he awarded the crown to the real winner. The crown went to Wurtzbach. Wurtzbach looked shocked. Arevalo looked confused. The audience gasped and screamed. It was an awkward moment for everyone. Harvey said he misread the card he had been given. The episode led to a long night of confusion, hurt feelings and apologies. “Nobody feels worse than me,” Harvey told reporters after the show. Harvey wrote about the mistake on Twitter, saying, “I'd like to apologize wholeheartedly to Miss Colombia & Miss Philippines for my huge mistake. I feel terrible." But that was only after he deleted an original message that had spelled both countries’ names incorrectly. Politicians from both Colombia and Philippines congratulated their contestants. The on-stage slip-up was not the only thing that clouded the pageant. Outside of the Planet Hollywood hotel in Las Vegas where the pageant took place, a car drove onto the sidewalk and killed one person and injured 37 others. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting from the Associated Press. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Did you see the Miss Universe pageant and the mix-up? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   awkward – adj. not easy to deal with contestant – n. a person who is trying to win something delete – v. to remove (something, such as words, pictures, or computer files) from a document, recording, computer, etc. embarrass – v. to make (someone) feel confused and foolish in front of other people pageant – n. beauty contest

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1ZlK4Wo
via IFTTT