Americans: Jobs More Important Than Terrorism

Better jobs, pay and economy are the top issues for voters, a Voice of America informal study revealed. VOA listened to the questions that voters ask presidential candidates. These are questions voters ask at rallies and meetings. Rallies were recently held in New Hampshire, Iowa, South Carolina and Illinois. Of all the questions voters asked of candidates, 27 percent were about the economy. “What plans do you have to create better-paying jobs than minimum wage?” a man asked Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders in Iowa last week. Health care came in second-most asked, at 15 percent of the questions. Concerns about immigration came in at 12 percent. Just 10 percent of the questions asked of the candidates were about national security or terrorism. A Gallup poll in December found 16 percent of Americans listed terrorism as their top concern. VOA observed that Republicans were more likely to ask about terrorism than Democrats. Sometimes, the issues were connected, or overlapped. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who is a Republican and says he wants to be president, was asked about terrorism and gun violence. “It may score [political] points to mention ISIS and the threats to America, but more people have been killed in America by homegrown extremists than by international terrorists,” a man said to Christie. “When do we consider gun violence a credible threat to our safety and security?” Candidates were often asked about the Second Amendment. That amendment states that “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Many Americans interpret, or define it, different ways. That has led to conflict about gun use in America. More people were killed in America in the past 10 years by guns (280,000) than by terrorism (24), according to numerous news sources and confirmed by PolitiFact. PolitiFact “is a fact-checking website that rates the accuracy of claims by elected officials and others who speak up in American politics.” It is staffed by editors and reporters at the Tampa Bay Times. Democratic contenders were often asked to assist in solving problems aligned with their party. For example, Hillary Clinton repeatedly hears questions on healthcare insurance and the economy. Republican candidates were more likely to be asked about welfare abuse and immigration. Questions about climate were asked 5 percent of the time. Race issues were asked 2.5 percent of all questions. Republican candidate Donald Trump was not part of the VOA study. He does not field questions from audiences at his campaign events. I’m Jim Tedder.   This Article was written by Michael Bowman for VOAnews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think is the biggest problem facing America? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   aligned – v. in line with, of interest to stance – n. a publicly stated opinion

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VOA English Newscast: 2200 January 8, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News. I’m David Byrd reporting. Mexican authorities have captured the notorious drug cartel kingpin known as “el Chapo.” Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto announced Joaquin Guzman's recapture in a brief announcement in Spanish on Twitter Friday. Guzman was arrested after a shootout with Mexican marines in Sinaloa, his home state. The leader of the Sinaloa cartel escaped from a maximum security prison in July by using a 1.5-kilometer-long underground tunnel, dug in secret from his cell to a nearby village. The escape was a major embarrassment for President Pena Nieto, who had been praised for his administration's aggressive push against Mexico's top drug lords. U.S. officials have arrested two refugees from Iraq on terrorism charges, but it does not appear that the men were planning any attacks in the United States. At the White House, spokesman Josh Earnest said the arrests show how the U.S. government is working to fight terrorism. "This case, these cases in particular are good examples of how the Department of Homeland Security, the Intel community, law enforcement, and other national security agencies work effectively together to keep us safe." Aws Mohammed Younis Al-Jayab was arrested Thursday in Sacramento, California. He was charged with making false statements involving international terrorism. Omar Faraj Saeed Al-Hardan, 24, was arrested in Houston, Texas. He is accused of attempting to provide material support, including "training, and expert advice and assistance" to the Islamic State group. Both men were Palestinians from Iraq who have been in the U.S. for several years. This is VOA News ______________________________________________________ Words in this Newscast notorious –adj. well known or famous, especially for something bad cartel –n. a group of businesses that agree to fix prices to make more money kingpin –n. a person who generally controls an organization or activity maximum –adj. the most, the highest level

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Most Wanted Drug Kingpin ‘El Chapo’ Arrested

Fugitive drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman has been captured six months after his bold escape from prison. He was one of the most wanted men in the world. Guzman was arrested in a raid on a home before dawn in Los Mochis, reported USA Today. That city is in Guzman’s home state of Sinaloa. The Mexican Navy said that marines acted on a tip about Guzman’s location. Guzman escaped from a maximum-security prison in Mexico last July 11. He broke out of the prison in a mile-long tunnel from his prison cell shower. News outlets broadcast pictures of the elaborate shower and tunnel. A motorcycle carried him through the long tunnel, away from the prison. Authorities have been hunting him ever since. It was not his first time he escaped a maximum-security prison. The drug lord was first jailed after being forcibly returned, or extradited, from Guatemala in 1993. He escaped his maximum security prison in 2001. That time he was said to have escaped in a laundry cart. He was found 13 years later in the seaside resort of Mazatlan. Guzman was returned to prison, only to break out again about 16 months later. The Mexican government has been criticized for Guzman’s escapes. Critics questioned whether El Chapo was able to buy off officials to escape. Guzman is a wealthy drug lord. He is worth about $1 billion, say news reports. The U.S. wants him arrested for trafficking illegal drugs to this country.  If he is extradited to the U.S., he would be held at a maximum security prison in this country. That would make another escape very difficult. CNN said the U.S. had a $5 million reward for his capture, and the Mexican government was offering $4 million for him as well. Guzman is nicknamed “Shorty” for his small height. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story.  Kathleen Struck was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   bold – adj. not afraid of danger or difficult situation tunnel – n. a passage that goes underground shower – n. the area that holds the device to spray water on your body elaborate – adj. planned or carried out with great care laundry cart – n. a wagon to hold and move clean or dirty clothes   

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German Officials Suspect 18 Asylum Seekers in New Year's Attacks

German officials say 18 asylum-seekers are among the suspects in thefts and sexual assaults on women in Cologne on New Year's Eve. Interior Ministry official Tobias Plate spoke to reporters Friday morning. He said police have identified 31 suspects. Eighteen had earlier requested asylum in Germany. Plate said two of the 31 suspects are German. Nine are Algerian, eight are from Morocco, five are Iranian, and four are Syrians. The remaining three are from Iraq, Serbia and the United States. Police have documented 32 criminal acts. Plate said the large majority were tied to theft and physical injury. Three were tied to sexual assaults. Also Friday, officials forced the police chief of Cologne to retire. He had faced growing criticism of the way his department dealt with the New Year’s Eve attacks. About 1,000 men had gathered near Cologne's main train station around midnight, throwing fireworks. After police moved in to stop them, smaller groups of men began surrounding women in the area. They reportedly groped the women and stole from them. A policewoman said she was among those attacked. About 90 people have filed criminal complaints, including one report of a rape. The assaults have intensified the debate over Germany's immigration policies. Some 1.1 million people registered as asylum seekers in Germany last year. Both Germany’s chancellor and its justice minister have called for the perpetrators to be punished. On Thursday, the German justice minister said any asylum-seekers among the suspects could be deported if found guilty. I’m Caty Weaver. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   assault – n. the crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically​ grope – v. to touch (someone) in an unwanted and unexpected sexual way​ complaint – n.a formal charge saying that someone has done something wrong​ perpetrator – v. the doer of something that is illegal or wrong deport – v. to force a person to leave a country ​of which she or he is not a citizen​

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Comedian-in-Chief Appears On Seinfeld Web Show

If you think that the most powerful man on earth would have time to tape a 19-minute comedy about nothing, some would say that you are crazy. But, American President Barack Obama did just that. Obama got together recently with Jerry Seinfeld to record an episode of the comedian’s popular web series. “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” is in its seventh season. The show usually features Seinfeld and a guest comedian driving around in a cool car. They go to a coffee shop to drink and talk. Obama may not be a comedian by profession. But Seinfeld explains on the show that the president "has gotten off just enough funny lines to qualify for getting on this show." The two men meet when Seinfeld taps on the window of the Oval Office at the White House where Obama is at his desk working. Seinfeld and Obama go for a ride. Seinfeld has brought a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. Obama calls it "a sweet car," that, as a kid, he dreamed of owning someday. Seinfeld drives the president down to the gate of the White House grounds. But the Secret Service tells him, firmly, that he cannot take the president out. So they drive back toward the house. Seinfeld asks Obama what he would like to do that he currently cannot because he is president. Obama says he would like to take a Saturday morning walk where he could run into a friend and have a chat. He says, "Anonymity is not something you think about as being valuable.” Seinfeld disagrees. "With all due respect, I remember very well not being famous. It wasn't that great." Seinfeld notes the love American children have for presidents. Obama agrees, “I do really well with the zero to 8 demographic. Partly ‘cause, I think, my ears are big, and so I look a little like a cartoon character.” The two continue their talk in the White House restaurant where they make a pot of coffee. "How many world leaders, do you think, are completely out of their mind?" Seinfeld asks the president.   Obama answers, "A pretty sizable percent. The longer they stay in office, the more likely that is to happen." The show lasts about 19 minutes. Toward the end, Obama notes that he did not have the chance to discuss his health care plan, the Affordable Care Act. "Usually the only reason I do these things is because I am promoting health care," the president says. Seinfeld looks directly into the camera and says to viewers, “It’s a great thing. Please try Obamacare today.” After the airing of the episode, Seinfeld went on "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" to talk about it. Seinfeld said, “the idea that anybody thinks they should be President. You gotta be out of your mind ... You gotta be crazy.” Stephen Colbert, another comedian, replied, “You know what else is crazy? You have a little Internet show. And you drive around and drink coffee and crack jokes. And then you get the Commander-in-Chief to be on the show. What is up with that?” I’m Caty Weaver. Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Do you watch funny shows on the web? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   episode – n. a television show, radio show, etc., that is one part of a series comedian – n. a person who performs in front of an audience and makes people laugh by telling jokes or funny stories or by acting in a way that is funny cool – adj. very fashionable, stylish, or appealing in a way that is generally approved of especially by young people chat – v. to talk with someone in a casual way demographic – n. a group of people that has a particular set of qualities— usually singular out of one’s mind – expression to be mentally unstable

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Shooter of Police Officer Pledged Allegiance to Islamic State

A man shot a police officer in Philadelphia on Thursday and said he did it to support the Islamic State terror group. Officer Jesse Hartnett was hit multiple times after a 30-year-old man fired 13 shots into his vehicle. Hartnett was wounded, but managed to return fire, striking the attacker multiple times. Hartnett is expected to recover. He was shot three times in the arm. The shooter was captured later by other Philadelphia officers. Police released images from a security video showing the shooter taking aim at the police officer who sat in his police car. Police commissioner Richard Ross said “it’s amazing he’s alive.” Police Captain James Clark says after the shooter was captured, he pledged his allegiance to the Islamic State terror group. Hartnett will require multiple surgeries to repair his gunshot wounds. But Ross says “this could easily have been a police funeral.” I’m Dan Friedell.   VOANews.com wrote this story. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of what happened in Philadelphia? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   allegiance – n. loyalty to a person, country, group, etc. amazing – adj. causing great surprise or wonder : causing amazement pledge – n. a serious promise or agreement surgery – n. medical treatment in which a doctor cuts into someone's body in order to repair or remove damaged or diseased parts

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Trending Today: A Dramatic Owl Fly-By and a Sad Raccoon

  This is What’s Trending Today… Snowy Owl Fly-By Snowy Owls are native to the Arctic. But in the winter, they head south. Some wind up in southern Canada and the northern United States. For example, two years ago, a snowy owl made news when it was hit by a bus in Washington, D.C. The National Zoo treated the owl to help it heal. It even received some artificial feathers so it could fly again. This week, another snowy owl made headlines because of a unique fly-by in Canada. A traffic camera in Montreal caught some images of a dramatic pass by a snowy owl on Jan. 3. The transport minister of Quebec tweeted about the owl on Thursday and then released a video of the fly-by later in the day. Take a look for yourself. The female owl swoops by, looking directly into the camera lens. The CBC posted the video on its Facebook page. It has been seen almost 4 million times in less than a day. A bird expert from McGill University in Montreal tells the CBC a snowy owl sighting is rare, even though it is the official bird of Quebec. A Mystery for a Raccoon Earlier this week there was a lot of sympathy for a raccoon in Japan that tried to eat some cotton candy. A video showed the raccoon with a block of sweet, white cotton candy. But the raccoon dipped the candy into a pool of water and it dissolved. The raccoon lost its treat! Lots of people on Twitter and Facebook posted about how sad they were for this raccoon. But then, more video came out later in the week showing that the raccoon was part of a Japanese television show that demonstrated how raccoons like to put their food in water before they eat it. The longer video showed the raccoon trying to wash its cotton candy block twice, and it dissolving twice. But then the raccoon learned about how cotton candy worked. And it kept the treat out of the water this time. The raccoon was happy, and people on social media were relieved. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.   Have you ever seen a snowy owl or another rare bird? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dissolve – v. to mix with a liquid and become part of the liquid lens – n. a clear curved piece of glass or plastic that is used in eyeglasses, cameras, telescopes, etc., to make things look clearer, smaller, or bigger swoop – v. to fly down through the air suddenly

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'The Last Leaf,' by O. Henry

  Our story today is called "The Last Leaf." It was written by O. Henry. Here is Barbara Klein with the story. Many artists lived in the Greenwich Village area of New York. Two young women named Sue and Johnsy shared a studio apartment at the top of a three-story building. Johnsy's real name was Joanna. In November, a cold, unseen stranger came to visit the city. This disease, pneumonia, killed many people. Johnsy lay on her bed, hardly moving. She looked through the small window. She could see the side of the brick house next to her building. One morning, a doctor examined Johnsy and took her temperature. Then he spoke with Sue in another room. "She has one chance in -- let us say ten," he said. "And that chance is for her to want to live. Your friend has made up her mind that she is not going to get well. Has she anything on her mind?" "She -- she wanted to paint the Bay of Naples in Italy some day," said Sue. "Paint?" said the doctor. "Bosh! Has she anything on her mind worth thinking twice -- a man for example?" "A man?" said Sue. "Is a man worth -- but, no, doctor; there is nothing of the kind." "I will do all that science can do," said the doctor. "But whenever my patient begins to count the carriages at her funeral, I take away fifty percent from the curative power of medicines." After the doctor had gone, Sue went into the workroom and cried. Then she went to Johnsy's room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime. Johnsy lay with her face toward the window. Sue stopped whistling, thinking she was asleep. She began making a pen and ink drawing for a story in a magazine. Young artists must work their way to "Art" by making pictures for magazine stories. Sue heard a low sound, several times repeated. She went quickly to the bedside. Johnsy's eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and counting -- counting backward. "Twelve," she said, and a little later "eleven"; and then "ten" and "nine;" and then "eight" and "seven," almost together. Sue looked out the window. What was there to count? There was only an empty yard and the blank side of the house seven meters away. An old ivy vine, going bad at the roots, climbed half way up the wall. The cold breath of autumn had stricken leaves from the plant until its branches, almost bare, hung on the bricks. "What is it, dear?" asked Sue. "Six," said Johnsy, quietly. "They're falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head hurt to count them. But now it's easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now." "Five what, dear?" asked Sue. "Leaves. On the plant. When the last one falls I must go, too. I've known that for three days. Didn't the doctor tell you?" "Oh, I never heard of such a thing," said Sue. "What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well? And you used to love that vine. Don't be silly. Why, the doctor told me this morning that your chances for getting well real soon were -- let's see exactly what he said – he said the chances were ten to one! Try to eat some soup now. And, let me go back to my drawing, so I can sell it to the magazine and buy food and wine for us." "You needn't get any more wine," said Johnsy, keeping her eyes fixed out the window. "There goes another one. No, I don't want any soup. That leaves just four. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I'll go, too." "Johnsy, dear," said Sue, "will you promise me to keep your eyes closed, and not look out the window until I am done working? I must hand those drawings in by tomorrow." "Tell me as soon as you have finished," said Johnsy, closing her eyes and lying white and still as a fallen statue. "I want to see the last one fall. I'm tired of waiting. I'm tired of thinking. I want to turn loose my hold on everything, and go sailing down, down, just like one of those poor, tired leaves." "Try to sleep," said Sue. "I must call Mister Behrman up to be my model for my drawing of an old miner. Don't try to move until I come back." Old Behrman was a painter who lived on the ground floor of the apartment building. Behrman was a failure in art. For years, he had always been planning to paint a work of art, but had never yet begun it. He earned a little money by serving as a model to artists who could not pay for a professional model. He was a fierce, little, old man who protected the two young women in the studio apartment above him. Sue found Behrman in his room. In one area was a blank canvas that had been waiting twenty-five years for the first line of paint. Sue told him about Johnsy and how she feared that her friend would float away like a leaf. Old Behrman was angered at such an idea. "Are there people in the world with the foolishness to die because leaves drop off a vine? Why do you let that silly business come in her brain?" "She is very sick and weak," said Sue, "and the disease has left her mind full of strange ideas." "This is not any place in which one so good as Miss Johnsy shall lie sick," yelled Behrman. "Some day I will paint a masterpiece, and we shall all go away." Johnsy was sleeping when they went upstairs. Sue pulled the shade down to cover the window. She and Behrman went into the other room. They looked out a window fearfully at the ivy vine. Then they looked at each other without speaking. A cold rain was falling, mixed with snow. Behrman sat and posed as the miner. The next morning, Sue awoke after an hour's sleep. She found Johnsy with wide-open eyes staring at the covered window. "Pull up the shade; I want to see," she ordered, quietly. Sue obeyed. After the beating rain and fierce wind that blew through the night, there yet stood against the wall one ivy leaf. It was the last one on the vine. It was still dark green at the center. But its edges were colored with the yellow. It hung bravely from the branch about seven meters above the ground. "It is the last one," said Johnsy. "I thought it would surely fall during the night. I heard the wind. It will fall today and I shall die at the same time." "Dear, dear!" said Sue, leaning her worn face down toward the bed. "Think of me, if you won't think of yourself. What would I do?" But Johnsy did not answer. The next morning, when it was light, Johnsy demanded that the window shade be raised. The ivy leaf was still there. Johnsy lay for a long time, looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was preparing chicken soup. "I've been a bad girl," said Johnsy. "Something has made that last leaf stay there to show me how bad I was. It is wrong to want to die. You may bring me a little soup now." An hour later she said: "Someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples." Later in the day, the doctor came, and Sue talked to him in the hallway. "Even chances," said the doctor. "With good care, you'll win. And now I must see another case I have in your building. Behrman, his name is -- some kind of an artist, I believe. Pneumonia, too. He is an old, weak man and his case is severe. There is no hope for him; but he goes to the hospital today to ease his pain." The next day, the doctor said to Sue: "She's out of danger. You won. Nutrition and care now -- that's all." Later that day, Sue came to the bed where Johnsy lay, and put one arm around her. "I have something to tell you, white mouse," she said. "Mister Behrman died of pneumonia today in the hospital. He was sick only two days.  They found him the morning of the first day in his room downstairs helpless with pain. His shoes and clothing were completely wet and icy cold. They could not imagine where he had been on such a terrible night. And then they found a lantern, still lighted. And they found a ladder that had been moved from its place. And art supplies and a painting board with green and yellow colors mixed on it. And look out the window, dear, at the last ivy leaf on the wall. Didn't you wonder why it never moved when the wind blew? Ah, darling, it is Behrman's masterpiece – he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell." ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   apartment – n. a usually rented room or set of rooms that is part of a building and is used as a place to live pneumonia – n. a serious disease that affects the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe carriage – n. a large vehicle with four wheels that is pulled by a horse and that carries people drawing – n. a picture, image, etc., that is made by making lines on a surface with a pencil, pen, marker, chalk, but usually not with paint leaf – n. one of the flat and typically green parts of a plant that grow from a stem or twig ladder – n. a device used for climbing that has two long pieces of wood, metal, or rope with a series of steps or rungs between them ​

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January 8, 2016

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

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English @ the Movies: 'Scaredy-cat'

Have you heard the phrase, "scaredy-cat?" It is today's English @ the Movies phrase from the movie "Goosebumps." If you are scared, you are frightened. Do you think scaredy-cat is about cats, or people? Watch, listen, and find out.

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China Facing Weakness in Currency, Falling Stock Values

China stopped trading on its stock market Thursday for the second time this week. Stock shares fell seven percent in value before trading was halted. The China Securities Regulatory Commission used its “circuit-breaker” system to keep share prices from falling even further. The value of country’s currency, the yuan, fell after the People’s Bank of China pushed down its guidance rate one half of one percent. It is now 6.56 yuan for one U.S. dollar, the lowest level in almost five years. Observers say the situation in both the stock and money markets could worsen in the coming days. On Thursday, the Chinese stock market fell five percent shortly after opening, and then another two percent in just one minute after the time-out. Some investors are blaming the commission for developing the circuit-breaker rules. The measures force the stock exchange to halt trading for 15 minutes if share prices fall five percent. The exchange is forced to close for the day if prices drop seven percent or more. Chinese officials enacted the rule to cool the market, but it ended up causing concern among investors, says Johnny Fang. He works for Z-Ben Advisors, a financial advisory service. “The effect on the market is opposite of what was expected. Investors regard the circuit breaker as an accelerator for the bear market,” he added. This also affected stock markets around the world. The leading measure of American stocks fell more than two percent Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down nearly 400 points. Investors are worried about China’s economy and falling world oil prices. Late Thursday, China’s regulators met to decide whether they should use the circuit breaker on Friday or not. They decided against using the system. A spokesman for the regulatory commission said “the negative effect of the mechanism outweighed its positive effect.” The Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges will not use the circuit breaker on Friday. I’m Dan Friedell.   Saibal Dasgupta wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Additional information came from Agence France Press, The Guardian and Bloomberg. George Grow was the editor.   Are you worried about China’s economy? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________   Words in This Story   accelerator – n. a pedal in a vehicle that is pressed down to make the vehicle go faster commission – n. a group of people who have been given the official job of finding information about something or controlling something circuit-breaker– n. a switch that automatically stops the flow of electricity to a place or device if the current becomes too strong or another dangerous problem occurs regulate – v. to set or adjust the amount, degree, or rate of (something)

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