After Prisoner Exchange with Iran, US Imposes Limited Sanctions

A day after lifting economic sanctions against Iran for meeting the terms of the nuclear agreement, the U.S. announced new, limited sanctions against several Iranian citizens and companies for helping Iran’s ballistic missile program. The new sanctions were announced shortly after a plane carrying Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and two other American citizens, freed in a prisoner exchange, arrived in Switzerland. On Saturday, the U.S. released or dropped charges against seven Iranians either convicted or accused of helping Iran avoid the longstanding sanctions in exchange for Iran’s release of five Americans. The exchange came after the United Nations nuclear agency confirmed that Iran had met the conditions of an agreement it signed last July after two years of negotiations to limit its nuclear activities. Under the agreement, Iran moved almost all of its nuclear fuel out of the country, destroyed and removed its nuclear equipment and gave international inspectors greater access to its nuclear facilities.  Shortly after the announcement that Iran had met the terms of the agreement, the United States and other world powers lifted oil and economic sanctions. They had severely damaged the Iranian economy. On Sunday, President Barack Obama said that “strong American diplomacy” led to the end of sanctions and the release of American prisoners held by Iran. Also on Sunday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the new sanctions on five individuals and several companies. The president said last year’s nuclear agreement “was never intended to resolve all of our differences with Iran. We will continue to enforce these (new) sanctions vigorously. We are going to remain vigilant about it.” Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech to the Iranian people that the country had entered a “new chapter” in its history. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed the nuclear agreement since it was announced. Saturday, after the UN said Iran had met the terms of the agreement, he warned that Iran has not ended “its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilize the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world.”  Many of President Obama’s political opponents also criticized the end of the sanctions. I’m Jonathan Evans. VOANews.com reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sanction – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. (usually plural) condition – n. something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen access – n. permission or the right to enter, get near, or make use of something or to have contact with someone (usually + to) vigorous – adj. done with great force and energy vigilant – adj. carefully noticing problems or signs of danger

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Tensions Increase Between North and South Korea

  Tensions between North and South Korea have increased sharply since the North’s announcement that it tested a nuclear weapon for the fourth time. North Korea claimed that it conducted a nuclear test around January 6. That ended a short time of cooperation. Both sides have avoided direct military actions that could quickly start a war. But each has taken steps to show their military strength. South Korean officials said an unmanned plane, or drone, crossed into South Korea on Wednesday, across the heavily-guarded border. South Korean forces fired about 20 shots at it, but reportedly did not hit it. A spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean military said the military warned the drone to leave the area, then fired warning shots. He said it then quickly returned to the northern side of the border. There have also been reports this week that printed propaganda materials that support North Korea have been dropped in the South Korean capital Seoul and neighboring areas by a large balloon from the North.  Ahn Chan-il fled the North. He now works as a North Korea expert at the World Institute for North Korean Studies in Seoul. He says there is no worry that the propaganda will affect people living in the South. He noted that the South has a far larger and more successful economy and is a democracy. He says “South Koreans have a high-level psychological understanding about North Korea. Even if (North Korean dictator) Kim Jong Un brags about conducting a fourth nuclear test, South Koreans will not be” angered or influenced. ​Activists in the South have used balloons to send propaganda against Kim Jong Un to the North. They also have sent DVDs that have South Korean television programs and other news. Such materials are banned in North Korea. Last year the two sides reached an agreement to end actions that increased tensions. South Korea stopped activists from using balloons to send information to North Korea. And the agreement permitted families that had been separated by the division of the peninsula after World War II to be reunited. But when the North announced its nuclear test earlier this month, the South restarted its anti-North Korea broadcasts at the border. The border is also called the demilitarized zone, or DMZ. On Thursday, South Korea’s defense ministry said it is preparing to place large signs or electronic billboards -- similar to those used in sports centers -- in the DMZ. South Korea last used the billboards in 2004. They showed messages such as “Come Over to the Republic of Korea.”   Diplomats from the United States, Japan and South Korea met in Seoul on Tuesday to talk about working together to develop economic restrictions, or sanctions, on North Korea. They want the sanctions to punish the North and gain the support of China. Sung Kim is the United States Special Representative for North Korea policy. He said he hopes Chinese leaders “agree with us that we simply cannot take the business-as-usual approach to this latest provocation. We will be working very closely with them to come up with a meaningful resolution.” China supports North Korea economically. Without Chinese support, any sanctions will have little effect. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA's Brian Padden reported on this story from Seoul, with help from producer Youmi Kim. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report 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 psychological - adj. of or related to the mind conduct – v. to plan and do (something, such as an activity) brag – v. to talk about yourself, your achievements, your family, etc., in a way that shows too much pride (often + about) defect – v. to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy billboard – n. a large sign for advertisements that is next to a road, on the side of a building, in a sports center, etc. sanctions – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. (usually plural) business-as-usual – expression used to say that something is working or continuing in the normal or usual way provocation – n. an action or occurrence that causes someone to become angry or to begin to do something reluctant – adj. feeling or showing doubt about doing something; not willing or eager to do something    

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Technology Provides New Tools for Blind Students in Kenya

In Kenya, blind students and those with poor eyesight were still using Braille books for their studies until recently. Their books used the Braille system of raised dots to represent words and numbers. Those with limited or no eyesight can “read” by touching those markings. But Kenyan schools for the blind are now beginning to use technology that provides material in an audible form. This has expanded possibilities for the students and taught them new ways to interact with technology.  Seventeen-year-old Lucas Mwanzia is visually impaired. For the past two years, he has been attending computer classes at the Thika School for the Blind. Lucas Mwanzia is in eighth grade. He started school at a later age because of his poor eyesight. But using the new technology, he can search the Internet for biology class. He says the technology has opened doors that once were closed. He says that Braille books are costly and you have to spend a lot of money to buy one. With computers, he says, the books are available at little or no cost. “So we download the books to read and when are done we just close the program,” he says. The school started using assistive technology six years ago. It enables blind and visually-impaired students to get information from computers and iPads.  Zachary Muasya was born blind. He is now one of the school's teachers. He has been teaching the students how to use the technology for about two years now. He says the technology opens up possibilities that can level the playing field for his students. “Assistive technology equips the learners with very many skills that really make them independent in life,” says Muasya. “They can read materials like books, magazines, newspapers by themselves. And apart from that -- assistive technology equips them with employable skills.” The assistive technology costs $1,000 to set up. But a non-governmental organization called InAble has provided it to the schools at no cost. Peter Okeyo, the program manager at InAble, says blind students using the technology may still face difficulties when they move to higher education. He says students who have used the technology up through high school might not have it at the university they attend. Those students might have difficulties if they have to go back to braille, he adds. Four out of Kenya's 11 schools for the blind are using the technology. Inable says it will provide the financing for the remaining schools to join the effort. I’m Mario Ritter.   Lenny Ruvaga reported this story from Kenya. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dot – n. a raised surface or marking audible – adj. able to be heard assistive – adj. meant to help someone do or learn something impaired – adj. limited in a specific ability, not fully operating level the playing field – idiom. to bring a person’s chances of success up to the same level as others

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Everyday Grammar: Will vs. Be Going to

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Conflict Puts 24 Million Children Out of School

Nearly 24 million children around the world are unable to attend school because of conflict. That is what UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, said recently. UNICEF officials studied 22 countries affected by conflict. The UN agency found that “nearly one in four of the more than 109 million kids of primary and lower secondary school age, who live in conflict zones, are missing out on their education.” Lisa Bender is an education specialist with UNICEF. She says not only are more children affected by conflict, but conflicts are lasting longer. She adds that children are missing important years for learning. “We’re primarily talking about the key ages between six and 15. So this doesn’t even count children who are missing early learning opportunities. We’re really talking about primary school through lower secondary school: the key years for learning.” The results, Bender says, are that children are not able to get the skills they need to survive. “We mean that they won’t have the skills that they need to access the job market. They won’t have the basic skills that they’ll need to negotiate life. In countries where we have seen children access education in small villages, in Afghanistan, for example, where I visited, these children play a crucial role in negotiating contracts for their parents; being able to understand how to get good prices at the local market. So, we’re talking about daily living skills, as well as the long term skills they need to become future teachers and doctors and leaders of their country.” If children grow up without these skills, Bender says, countries suffer in the long term. Economies and public health could worsen, while girls become more vulnerable to sex abuse. Conflicts are fueling huge population movements in some areas, including the Middle East. Syria is the country largely driving Europe’s migrant and refugee crisis. Lisa Bender says Syria once had most of its boys and girls in school. Now, she says, it is difficult to get information on the subject. “We’ve seen many children in Syria who are now not able to attend school because of the conflict. But there’s been such a huge population movement, as you know, into the surrounding countries. And now with the European migrant crisis that it’s hard to say exactly how many of those children are accessing learning opportunities -- if they’re formal or non-formal. We’re doing our best to provide services with many partners for these children, but it’s very hard to get a specific number.” UNICEF says Africa’s newest nation, South Sudan, is at the top of the list of countries where conflict is disrupting education. Over half of its children, 51 percent, are out of school. Niger and Sudan are also near the top of the list. UNICEF says Afghanistan has made progress. But 40 percent of its children are out of school. UNICEF and its partners are calling on donors and governments to help make education a major part of humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. “We need to shift our attitude from saying we’ll get back to school when things calm down to saying that we can’t afford to let education stop.” I’m Ashley Thompson.   VOA’s Joe De Capua reported on this story from Washington. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   zones – n. an area that is different from another crucial – adj. very important vulnerable – adj. open to attack, harm or damage access – v. to be able to use or enter disrupt – v. to prevent the normal progress of an activity

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English in a Minute: Face the Music

Playing music, or just listening to music, is a fun activity. But, "facing the music" can often be unpleasant. Learn how to use this expression in this week's English in a Minute!

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Taking Steps Toward a Great College Paper

Strong writing is one of the most important skills for any college student. Many non-native English speakers have no idea what professors in the U.S. expect from a college paper. A college paper is a piece of writing than can be as long as 20 or more pages. Even native English-speaking college students struggle with how to succeed with such a difficult responsibility. Deborah Dessaso is the Writing Resource Coordinator at the University of the District of Columbia. Dessaso helps students reach the level of writing that college professors expect. She says college writing is very different from what many students experience earlier in their education. "Usually… a lot of high schools stress a lot of creative type writing. And so you can pretty much say what you want. Meaning is what you say it is. When you get to college you need to be able to formulate an argument and then defend it using credible sources." A credible source provides verifiable information from experts. This includes books, interviews, newspapers or studies. Most U.S. high schools teach students how to write five paragraph essays. Students are often unprepared for the amount of research they have to do for a college paper. Nabila Hijazi is one of the assistant directors of the University of Maryland Writing Center. Hijazi is also an international student from Syria in the second year of her PhD program in English studies. She says the language barrier is not the biggest problem for students whose first language is not English. "Sometimes I see international students who know English grammar more than the native or the U.S.-born students. But maybe… they do not know about the writing systems that we have here, in terms of organization, thesis, transition… They do not know how to connect sentences; how to be direct." In a traditional paper, the first paragraph often contains the thesis statement. This statement is a one-sentence summary of the paper's main argument. The first paragraph of a college paper, or any paper, is usually the most challenging. The first paragraph is also the most important because it will guide the structure and show the voice of the entire paper. But not every type of writing is the same. There are also case studies and field reports in addition to traditional papers. Dessaso says that the best option for a student who wants improve their writing is to read. "One professor tells me, 'You write something in your head before you write it on paper'… Until you learn to imagine when you read, you'll never be able to imagine something that you have to write before you have to write it." Reading examples of the type of paper your professor expects you to write can be very helpful. Professors sometimes provide examples. You can also search the Internet for examples of papers about similar topics. But, you should never copy another person's work. Professors will find out if the work is copied and you will get in a lot of trouble.  Hijazi adds that writing a paper takes time. Students should let other students read their work and listen to criticism. "I try to teach them that the first draft is not the final draft. They need to be open to the idea that writing is a process. They have to go through different steps, different revisions." College graduates around the world will tell you they have all been in this situation. It is the middle of the night. Your paper is due in eight hours and you have no idea what to write. Let's imagine that your professor tells you to write a five-page paper on this topic: "The SAT is an unfair test for international students and should no longer be required. Do you agree or disagree?" Here are four examples of how to begin writing on this topic: 1. Tell a Story – "Nadia dreamed of going to Harvard from the time she was 5 years old. 'It was my mother's dream for me,' she said. Every Saturday, she spent 10 hours at a "cram school" studying for the SAT while her friends went to the mall and watched movies…" 2. Use a Quote – "All the SAT measures is how well you take the SAT. It does not show how smart a person you are," wrote blogger Amanda Chan. Chan is one of a growing number of people who argues that SAT is unfair. 3. Present a Fact – "Of the 1.6 million students who took the SAT in 2013, only 43 percent of test-takers met the SAT's definition for being prepared for college. It is natural to blame teachers and test takers for not studying hard enough. But perhaps the test itself has problems…" 4. Describe a Problem – "Every year millions of international students are unhappy with their performance on a single test — the SAT. Years of hard work are reduced to a single test on a single day. Is the SAT the best way for universities to choose the best students? ..." The next time you have to write a paper, remember that planning is very important. Think about what you are going to write before you start writing. Think about all the information you need to include and how you will present it. If the ideas still are not coming, read your class materials again with these four methods in mind. Sooner or later, an idea will come. I'm Pete Musto.   Adam Brock first wrote about this topic for the Learning English blog. Pete Musto updated and added to the story. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Now it's your turn. What is some writing advice teachers or other students have given you? In your opinion, what is the most difficult part of writing a paper? Let us know in the comments sections or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   page(s) – n. one side of a sheet of paper especially in a book or magazine stress – v. to give special attention to something formulate – v. to create, invent, or produce something by careful thought and effort credible – adj. able to be trusted or believed verifiable - adj. something you can prove or show to be true paragraph – n. a part of a piece of writing that usually deals with one subject, that begins on a new line, and that is made up of one or more sentences transition – v. a change from one state or condition to another case studies – n. published reports about a person, group, or situation that has been studied over time field report(s) – n. a collection of information that explains something that is in the process of happening or recently happened draft – n. a version of something such as a document that you make while working on a project or task revision(s) – n. a change or a set of changes that corrects or improves something graduate(s) – n. a person who has earned a degree or diploma from a school, college, or university blogger – n. a person who uses a Web site to write about their personal opinions, activities, and experiences

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Terror Attacks Expand Worldwide

UPDATE: In Burkina Faso, at least 23 people from 18 countries were killed after suspected Islamist militants attacked a hotel this weekend, say Burkina Faso government officials.   They said 126 hostages -- some wounded -- were rescued Saturday at the Splendid Hotel in Ouagadougou. Islamic jihadists were also killed during the fight between terrorists and government forces.     Terrorist attacks last week in Indonesia, Turkey, Cameroon, Pakistan and other countries display the growing reach of terror groups. The Islamic State terror group took credit for the attacks in Istanbul and Jakarta, Indonesia. The attacks left 10 German travelers dead in Istanbul, and seven dead, in Jakarta. That included five attackers. In Pakistan, 15 people were killed Wednesday in a suicide bombing near a medical clinic claimed by IS-related Taliban. In Cameroon, 13 were killed Wednesday in a market bombing claimed by Boko Haram. The goal of the terror groups is to generate fear across the globe. The attack in Indonesia is a big display that the Islamic State has expanded to Indonesia. Indonesia is the largest Muslim country. However, the bombings there could have been worse. Indonesian officials said a large bomb and five smaller devices did not explode. Officials said that showed attackers wanted to cause more destruction than they did, like the Paris attacks in November 2015 that killed 130. “Thank God it didn’t happen,” said Anton Charliyan, an Indonesian National Police Major General. Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged people to stay calm. “This act is clearly aimed at disturbing public order and spreading terror among people,” the president said. “The state, the nation, and the people should not be afraid of, or be defeated, by such terror acts.” In Turkey, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said his country took strong action after the attack Tuesday near Istanbul’s famous Blue Mosque. Davutoglu said Turkish bombing along the border with Syria and in northern Iraq killed 200 Islamic State militants. The terrorists targeted areas in Istanbul and Jakarta that are popular with Western tourists. There are two likely reasons. One, to kill Westerners. And two, to discourage travel. That would hurt their economies. James Gelvin, co-director of UCLA’s Center for Near Eastern Studies, told VOA that Turkey was chosen because it is close to the Syrian border. Also, he said, Turkey backs U.S. military operations against the Islamic State, and recently joined the fight. The Islamic State terror group has recruited Indonesians who speak Malay. They are brought to Raqqa, Syria, to train for terror activities. Raqqa is the unofficial capital city of the IS terror group, said Gelvin. “ISIS was interested in using them not only as fighters, but to attract more Indonesians to their territory," Gelvin said. Debate on approach to combat IS In his State of the Union address, President Barack Obama defended his balanced approach to the Islamic State fight. “Priority No. 1 is protecting the American people and going after terrorist networks,” Obama said. “Both al Qaeda and now ISIL pose a direct threat to our people, because in today’s world, even a handful of terrorists who place no value on human life, including their own, can do a lot of damage. … We have to take them out,” he said. “But as we focus on destroying ISIL, over-the-top claims that this is World War III just play into their hands. Masses of fighters on the back of pickup trucks, twisted souls plotting in apartments or garages -- they pose an enormous danger to civilians; they have to be stopped. But they do not threaten our national existence,” he said. Republicans say the president’s strategy is not working. They point to a growing number of deadly Islamic State attacks, including the killing last year of 14 by two IS terror group sympathizers in San Bernardino, California. “Our nation does not need lofty words,” said Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona. “It needs bold action. Our nation does not need abstract calls to hope. It needs a concrete strategy to confront the challenges of a more dangerous world. Unfortunately, it appears these tasks will be left to the next president.” In addition to the attacks in Turkey and Indonesia, the Islamic State took credit for these other attacks during the first two weeks of 2016: On January 8, gunmen carrying an ISIS flag opened fire on a Red Sea resort in Egypt. At least two tourists were injured. On January 4, militants linked to the Islamic State tried to capture an oil port along Libya’s coast. At least seven people were killed. On January 11, a teenager attacked a Jewish teacher with a machete in Marseille, France. Police said the teenager told them he acted for God and the Islamic State. The teacher survived. On January 2, seven Indian military workers were killed during an attack on an air base in India. India blames the Jaish-e-Mohammad terror group, based in Pakistan.   Bruce Alpert researched and wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   display -- v. to put something where people can see or notice it. clinic – n. place where people get medical help generate – v. to produce or cause something to be produced disturbing -- v.  to worry or upset someone discourage – v. to make someone less determined, hopeful, or confident recruit – v. to find suitable people and get them to join their cause or group pose – v. to create a problem or threat handful – n. an amount that you can hold in your hand strategy – n. a plan or method for achieving a particular goal sympathizer – n. a person who feels or shows support for or approval of something lofty – adj. rising to a great height abstract – adj. relating to or involving general ideas or qualities rather than specifics task – n. a job for someone to do We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page.

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Ghana’s Yaro Is Second Pick in MLS Draft

Joshua Yaro unfurled his new scarf with a smile. He is a new player with the Philadelphia Union soccer team in Major League Soccer (MLS). Yesterday he was a college student from Ghana at Georgetown University. The team chose him second in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft to play for the Philadelphia Union team. That is a long way from home. “Growing up, it was always a dream to play professionally. But where exactly, I had no idea. This day has been a day I have worked for my whole life. And yeah it’s a fun day.” Yaro grew up in Kumasi, Ghana and then moved to Accra as a 12-year-old to play soccer with the Right to Dream Academy for two years. He earned a spot at the academy because of his playing skill and became a team captain. Right to Dream is designed to give African soccer prospects the chance to attend school, learn soccer and travel to international tournaments so they can be seen by coaches around the world. There are Right to Dream graduates playing soccer around the world as professionals, university students and high school students. Some of them are playing in the best leagues in the world in England, France and the Netherlands. Yaro moved to California to attend a high school near Santa Barbara. Host families helped him understand America and  acclimate to life in the United States. Yaro knew English before he moved to the U.S., but one thing he worried about was saying the wrong thing in conversations or being misunderstood. He says he is still learning American English and customs now. “Culturally, things are different. And the way that people dress, the way people act and the way people talk and all that. It’s different. And just learning to adapt to the culture, and the way of life here in order not to offend people or fit in was tough. It took me a while to figure all those things out. But it happened. And I’m still learning. But it’s not as hard as it was when I first got here.” He played so well at his high school that Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., scouted him and offered him a soccer scholarship. Yaro spent three years on the team at Georgetown, while attending school. He studied international relations, government and anthropology. While he was there, the team won 44 of 55 games and was one of the best college teams in the United States. Yaro is a central defender, and he was named the best defensive player in the Big East Conference last season. He is expected to play center back for Philadelphia. In soccer, the center back is responsible for leading his team’s defense and preventing the opposition from getting easy scoring chances. Sometimes, center backs are physically imposing. But Yaro makes up for what he lacks in size with good soccer instincts and speed. He is about 1.8 meters tall, [5 feet, 11 inches] and weighs 72 kilograms [or 163 pounds]. His coach at Georgetown, Brian Wiese, says Yaro always played his best when the rest of the team struggled. “We had a playoff game this year, and we had a playoff game the year before where we were struggling as a team in the match at times and that’s when he really rose up and was accounted for. And if you’re sitting there watching, you’re saying – well, he’s a special player. If he’s not the best player in the country, I don’t know who is...” During the lead-up to the draft, many people thought Yaro would be the first player chosen. Instead, the Chicago Fire chose Jack Harrison from England, who attended Wake Forest University. Then, the Philadelphia Union chose Yaro. Yaro says he is not worried about not being the first player picked. “It doesn't matter where you end up. You're going to start from scratch when you get to pre-season,” he says. “It didn't really matter number one, number two, number three, number 20. You're still going to be on the team and have to work your way up.” In a surprise, the next player picked, also by Philadelphia, was Yaro’s Georgetown teammate, Keegan Rosenberry. The team starts its season with a preseason match in Florida on February 6 and then opens the regular season in Dallas a month later. Steven Goff is the soccer writer for the Washington Post. He says he thinks Yaro will be able to make an impact on MLS as a first-year player. “He’s a terrific athlete. And I think that gives him an advantage. He knows the game so well, he reads the game so well. So I would imagine he will probably be a starter in this league right away.” Yaro says he is looking forward to the chance to start his new career and prove himself for his new team. But he took time to reflect on how he got from Ghana to one of the most important days of his life. “It has been a long road, and it has been a tough one. But I’m grateful for everything that happened and all the things that have happened to make me what I am today. Coming from Ghana, to Santa Barbara and Georgetown and now here and to Philly, it’s been a really great road and it’s been a really fun one. And a learning experience. And something that’s helped build me up as a person. It hasn’t been easy. But at last, I can look back and say it was worth it.” Yaro says he wants to help people understand Africa better during his playing career, and to work in diplomacy afterward. Since he is now a professional athlete, Yaro will put his studies on hold temporarily. But he should be able to finish his degree while starting his professional career. Goff says his salary will be close to $200,000 per year, based on similar players in past drafts. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think about Joshua Yaro making it to MLS from Ghana? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   professionally - adj. related to a job that requires special training, education or skill prospects - n. someone or something that is likely to be chosen or successful acclimated – v. to adjust or adapt to a new climate, place, or situation athlete – n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength preseason – n. a period of time before the regular season when players train and people or teams play against each other in unofficial games terrific – adj. extremely good scouted – v. to watch or look at (someone or something) in order to decide if that person or thing is suited for a particular job or purpose unfurl – v. to open something up scholarship – n. an amount of money that is given by a school, an organization, etc., to a student to help pay for the student's education

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John Adams: The Nation's Second President

Do you recognize that song? It is the opening to the show “The Addams Family.” But today we are talking about a different Adams family — one from the history books, not the television program of the 1960s. Being second is not always easy.  When you are the second president of a new country, following a popular first president such as George Washington, it is even harder. John Adams, patriot lawyer from Boston, Massachusetts, found himself in that difficult position. In 1796, he was elected the second president of the United States of America.  John Ferling is an historian who has written about the colonial times. In 2015, he published a book called “Whirlwind: The American Revolution and the War That Won It.” Ferling says a big problem for John Adams is that, unlike George Washington, he really had no experience as an executive before becoming president. Adams had a different background: he served two terms as vice president under Washington, and he served in the Congress and as a diplomat abroad. But he had never managed an army, a business or a country. “And the result was Adams made a key blunder at the very outset of his presidency, and the blunder he made was the he retained Washington’s cabinet.” Adams kept Washington’s official advisers – his cabinet – mostly to satisfy some of his political opponents. These opponents were members of Adams’ own party, but they did not support Adams. Later, Adams learned that some of his advisers did not support him either. They were more loyal to the former secretary of the treasury, Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton did not hold elected office at the time, but he continued to influence the nation’s affairs. Historian John Ferling says Adams was “in kind of over his head, and started swimming upstream” almost from the start of his presidency. “He didn’t know what he was getting into. I don’t think he really understood their loyalty to Hamilton. Maybe he was just incredibly naive.” Adams also was known for getting angry easily and often acting depressed. Ferling says the second president may have suffered from an immune disorder called Graves’ disease, which could have caused his dramatic changes in emotion. The busiest lawyer in Boston Even though Adams struggled as president, he was successful in other parts of his life. He grew up outside the city of Boston, Massachusetts. His father was a farmer, as well as a church official and town leader. He hoped his son would be a minister; however, John Adams chose to attend Harvard University and become a lawyer. Adams was a very good lawyer. In fact, he was one of the busiest lawyers in Boston. His success enabled him to buy a big, two-story house that still stands in Quincy, Massachusetts. At that time, the average farmer lived in a home the size of today’s two-car garage. The Adams family He also had a happy marriage. John Adams married Abigail Smith in 1764. They had six children together. John and Abigail’s relationship is one of the most well-known of that time because they wrote many letters to each other over the years they were apart. More than 1,000 of their letters still survive today. John and Abigail Adams were both passionate patriots who supported the American Revolution. They also agreed about the issue of slavery. John and Abigail believed it was a “revolting institution,” according to historian John Ferling. Unlike many founding families of the U.S., the couple did not own slaves and spoke out against the practice of people owning other people. A troubled presidency Adams was elected president at a fragile time for the United States. People did not know if the country would hold together in the transition from one president to the next. The election of 1796 followed the original rule in the U.S. Constitution. At that time, the Constitution said the person who received the majority of votes became president. The person with the second largest number of votes became vice president. In 1796, that rule meant that Adams became the nation’s second president, and his political opponent, Thomas Jefferson, became the vice president. Even though the two leaders were personal friends, they often struggled over competing ideas about the role of the federal government. In addition to the challenges of leading a divided administration, Adams struggled to deal with a foreign policy crisis. The Revolution in France threatened to spread to other European countries. Many countries, including Great Britain, answered the threat by allying against France. Historian John Ferling says that the crisis in Europe shaped Adams’ presidency and “caused him endless troubles.” Adams worked hard to make sure the United States did not get pulled into a war between France and Great Britain. But France did not trust the U.S.; it tried to interrupt trade between the U.S. and Great Britain by seizing U.S. ships. John Adams wanted to resolve the problem peacefully. He threatened military action, but he also sent diplomats to talk with French officials. Adams aimed for “an honorable peace” with France. Eventually, he got it. “My sense of Adams’ presidency, is while there were a great many failures in Adams’ presidency, ultimately he succeeded. He succeeded in avoiding war.” In fact, many years later, Adams wrote that “the greatest jewel in his crown” was achieving peace with France. No friend of immigrants Something that Adams was not favorably remembered for is signing the Alien and Sedition Act in 1798.  The four Acts extended the time from five to 14 years that immigrants had to wait before becoming U.S. citizens. They permitted the government to detain citizens from enemy nations without a reason during wartime. They allowed the president to deport foreign citizens he believed were dangerous. And they made it a crime to criticize the president or Congress. Adams said the laws aimed to control people in the U.S. who supported France. But many politicians at the time—as well as historian John Ferling—pointed out that the laws mostly affected people who supported the opposing political party, the Republicans. “I think it’s purely partisan and what they were trying to do, on the one hand, was silence the Republican press, and second they were trying to reduce the number of voters who would be voting for the Republican Party.” Ferling says Adams may have been using the Alien and Sedition acts to protect his political career. But in fact, they damaged the president’s reputation. They made many immigrants flee the country, and raised the question for the first time of whether states had the right to ignore a federal law if they disagreed with it. Adams and Jefferson Adams faced a difficult re-election in 1800. His old friend Thomas Jefferson opposed him. Both parties carried out ugly personal attacks. When Jefferson won, Adams retired to his farm in Massachusetts. His loss, however,  was not the end of a John Adams in the presidential mansion. One of his six children, John Quincy Adams, served as the sixth president of the United States from 1825-1829. In his later years, Adams wrote an autobiography and many letters. They eventually included long letters to Thomas Jefferson. The two men often corresponded in the last years of their lives. They discussed their families, their thoughts on politics and religion, and their nation’s history. Adams and Jefferson were the last living members of the original Americans who started a new county. Then, on July 4, 1826 – the nation’s 50th birthday – these friends, patriots and former U.S. presidents both passed away. On the same day. The last words John Adams ever spoke were:  “Jefferson lives.” In fact, Jefferson had died five hours earlier. But, in the days before telephones or Internet, Adams had no way of knowing his friend had gone before him. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story.  Kelly J. Kelly was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   patriot – n. person who supported the revolutionary war for freedom from Britain executive – n. a person in charge of a business as a manager blunder – n. a stupid, careless, mistake naïve – adj. do not understand what is going on, lack of knowledge or judgment revolting - adj. extremely unpleasent fragile - adj. something that can break easily challenge - n. to test the ability, skill, or strength of something correspond -v. to write someone 

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Taiwan Elects Tsai as First Female President

[Editor's Note: The audio will follow shortly. Thank you for your patience.] The ruling Nationalist Party (KMT) of Taiwan lost the presidential election Saturday. Tsai Ing-wen of the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) will become the first female president of the island nation. Tsai takes over from President Ma Ying-jeou, who had served eight years. The changes are expected to bring historic changes to Taiwan, one of Asia’s most vibrant democracies. Tsai will face the tasks of dealing with China, which is Taiwan's biggest trading partner. Making stronger Taiwan's failing economy and wages — particularly for young workers — are other challenges she will face. In a speech hours after voting ended, KMT candidate Eric Chu apologized for failure and congratulated his opponent, "We've lost," Chu said. "The KMT has suffered an election defeat. We haven't worked hard enough and we failed voters' expectations." Ma could not run again because of limits on how long he could serve. William Ide of VOA News reported this story. Kathleen Struck of VOA Learning English adapted it.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   historic -- an event that will be marked in time because of its importance vibrant -- bright, exciting, colorful, active, lively democracies -- the system of government in which the majority rules

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