Trump, Sanders Win New Hampshire

Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders easily won the New Hampshire presidential primary election Tuesday night.  Businessman Trump is seeking the Republican Party nomination. Senator Sanders of Vermont wants the Democratic Party nomination. ​The results are not a surprise. Public opinion studies had predicted the two men would win. The real race was who would finish second among Republican candidates. That position went to Ohio Governor John Kasich. Candidate Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, called Sanders to congratulate him on his victory. Sanders remains behind Clinton in most national studies. But he been steadily narrowing the distance between them. Sanders spoke to supporters at a school in Concord, New Hampshire. He thanked Hillary Clinton for her call and praised her “vigorous campaign.” Sanders also praised the “record-breaking voter turnout” in New Hampshire. "Together we have sent a message that will echo from Wall Street to Washington, from Maine to California. And that is that the government of our great country belongs to all the people and not just a handful of wealthy campaign contributors and their Super PACS (independent campaign committees)," Sanders said.   Donald Trump opened his victory speech with a simple “Oh wow.” He thanked New Hampshire voters, his family and campaign volunteers. "We are going to make America great again," Trump told supporters. "But we're going to do it the old-fashioned way."  Like Sanders, Trump also talked to his supporters about the money in politics. He said it was very important that he was “self-funding” his campaign. “I see all of this money being poured into commercials, and it’s not their money, it’s special interest money.”   He suggested that he would not be influenced by special interests as a result of funding his own campaign. It is still unclear just how big Sanders' and Trump's leads will get. With about three quarters of the votes counted, Sanders had just under 60 percent, compared to 38 percent for Clinton. On the Republican side, Trump had 34 percent of the vote. Kasich had 16 percent. Close behind him were former Florida governor Jeb Bush and Senator Ted Cruz of Texas. Florida Senator Marco Rubio had hoped to gather Republican support behind his candidacy after a strong showing in Iowa. It was not to be, as Rubio came in fifth. Frank Luntz is a leading conservative pollster. He says Trump must win New Hampshire by at least 10 percentage points to secure his frontrunner position. Luntz told VOA, "When you consider all the negative comments that are made about him, all the attacks. If he can survive it, and beat all these guys by 10 points or more, then he's clearly the frontrunner." I'm Caty Weaver. Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. ­­­­­­­­­­­­­Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story turnout – n. the number of people who go to or participate in something contributor – n. someone who gives (something, such as money, goods, or time) to help a person, group, cause, or organization old-fashioned – adj. typical of the past in a pleasing or desirable way pollster – n. someone who makes questions for a poll, asks questions in a poll, or collects and presents results from a poll negative – adj. expressing dislike or disapproval Are you following the US presidential race? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Sfb6xX
via IFTTT

VOA English Newscast: 2200 UTC February, 9 2016

  From Washington, this is VOA news… I'm Dave DeForest reporting New Hampshire votes: Residents formed long lines at polling stations to vote in America's first primary election of the 2016 presidential race. Polling stations will be open between now until 0 hour UTC. The U.S. spy chief told Congress Tuesday that North Korea has restarted a plutonium reactor that could provide fuel for nuclear weapons. "Pyongyang continues to produce fissile material and develop a submarine-launched ballistic missile.  It is also committed to developing a long-range nuclear-armed missile that is capable of posing a direct threat to the United States, although the system has not been flight tested." Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, he says the North has been operating the reactor long enough that it could capture the plutonium from the reactor's spent fuel within weeks or months. In his annual assessment of worldwide threats, Clapper also told the Senate Armed Services Committee that Islamic militants will continue to plot against U.S. targets overseas . The World Food Program has begun distributing food to tens of thousands of people fleeing heavy fighting in Allepo and other areas of Syria.  Lisa Schlein reports. "The United Nations reports more than 30-thousand people replaced by the relentless bombing of Allepo, are stranded along the Syrian side of the border with Turkey.  Aid agencies report the civilians, most of whom are women and children, are in dire straits and urgently need shelter and food. The World Food Program reports it has transported food from Turkey into the small town of Azaz in northwest Syria.  More refugees are expected if fighting continues.  Lisa Schlein, Geneva." And for more on the Syria situation check our website voanews.com. This is VOA news. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Newscast assessment –n. an idea or opinion about something relentless –adj. continuing without becoming weaker or less severe strand v. to be left in a place with no way to get out dire straits –idiom to be in a very bad situation

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Q662FK
via IFTTT

Syrian Government Forces Move Northward

Russian airstrikes in Syria have helped Syrian government forces in their offensive against rebels. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have moved within 25 kilometers of the country’s border with Turkey for the first time since August 2013. Activists and rebel commanders say the offensive has left moderate rebel groups disorganized and unable to fight effectively. The fighting has also pushed more Syrian civilians toward the border area. Turkish officials warn that the Russian air attacks and heavy fighting in Syria could force as many as 600,000 civilians to flee the country. Turkey has said it wants the civilians to stay on the Syrian side of the border. The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister said, “Our objective for now is to keep this wave of migrants on the other side of Turkey’s borders as much as is possible, and to provide them with the necessary services there.” However, a Syrian Arab Red Crescent official told VOA Monday that at least 25,000 refugees have crossed the border in Oncupinar, along the far western part of the border. There are reports that some Kurdish groups are working with forces loyal to the Assad government. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, known as the YPG, entered two Sunni Arab villages near the city of Aleppo. Some rebel commanders have rejected reports that territory held by the YPG is being bombed. They also speak of what they call clear evidence that Syrian Kurdish leaders are colluding with the Syrian government. The YPG denies this. Anti-Assad rebels have held the Menagh airbase near Aleppo since August of 2013. There have been unconfirmed reports suggesting that Kurdish fighters may have attacked the base. However, the YPG denies that it is working with the government. YPG commanders say their control of towns near Aleppo prevents Iranian and Shi’ite fighters from Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Afghanistan from moving forward. The YPG says it moved Sunni Arab families who are fleeing the fighting to the Kurdish community of Afrin. The group said the refugee transfer is supposed “to prove to everyone that Syria is for all its citizens.” The YPG added that it is not fighting Arabs, as some media reports say. Salih Muslim is the head of the Democratic Union Party, which controls the YPG. He told VOA that he is not sure the current government offensive would affect Syrian Kurdish hopes for semi-autonomy. He said his group would not fight Islamic State forces west of the Euphrates River unless they were working with the U.S.-led international coalition. He said his biggest concern is that Turkish forces would be pulled into the fighting. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Edogan has warned that his country will not permit Kurdish gains in northern Syria. He also said Turkey will not permit a semi-autonomous Kurdish group to gain control of Syria. On Sunday, Edogan said the United States has to choose between Turkey and the YPG. Turkey has banned the YPG and another Kurdish group, the PYD. A European Union diplomat told VOA the situation hurts moderate militias and helps more extreme Islamist fighters in the area. I’m Mario Ritter.   Jamie Dettmer reported this story. Mario Ritter adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   collude – v. to work with others secretly, often to do something illegal semi-autonomy – n. the state of having some of the powers and rights to govern oneself; a state of being partly separate wave – n. something that has the shape or movement of a wave transfer – n. the act of moving someone or something from one place to another

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/23VzMj2
via IFTTT

Florida Manatees Have Fans on Facebook

This is What’s Trending Today… A video of hundreds of Florida manatees has gone viral.  Manatees are aquatic mammals. The friendly creatures are sometimes called “sea cows.” But they are actually an aquatic relative of the elephant. In the winter, the Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River is a warm-water refuge for Florida manatees. The water temperature in the springs stays at about 71 degrees F, or 21 degrees C, year-round. And visitors from around the world come to Crystal River for a chance to see the gentle animals in the wild. On Monday, though, Three Sisters Springs announced it could not permit tourists to visit. Why? Because too many manatees were in their waters. The weather in Crystal River has been unusually cold. On Monday, as many as 300 manatees sheltered close together in the clear, shallow waters of Three Sisters Springs. A short, 20-second video of the hundreds of manatees in Three Sisters Springs went viral on Facebook. And “Three Sisters Springs” became a trending topic. On Tuesday, Three Sisters Springs announced it had reopened to visitors. But with expected cold temperatures, they might have to close again if more and more manatees come to shelter in their warm waters. The manatee population in Florida has increased from just 1,267 to more than 6,300 in the last 25 years. Just last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to downgrade the West Indian manatee from “endangered” to “threatened.” But, recent media reports say that some conservation groups do not welcome the proposal. While the Florida population of manatees is growing, West Indian manatees also live in the Caribbean and Central and South America. Manatee populations in other areas may face stronger threats to their habitats. And that’s What’s Trending Today.   I’m Ashley Thompson  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   viral - adj. relating to an image, video, advertisement, etc., that is circulated rapidly on the Internet​ aquatic - adj. living or found in or near water shallow - adj. having a small distance to the bottom from the surface or highest point ​

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

Japan Market Sees Biggest Drop in 3 Years

The leading measure of Japanese stock prices dropped more than 5 percent Tuesday. It was the biggest one-day loss in Japan’s Nikkei Stock Average in nearly three years. In Europe, leading measures of stock prices also were lower on Tuesday. Investors across the world have a number of concerns. They include slower growth in the world economy, concerns about the financial health of big European banks, and low oil prices, according to Dick Hofschire of Fidelity Investments. Hofschire said China may help determine future share prices. If China can recover from slower growth, he believes prices will move higher. Adding to concerns is North Korea. On Tuesday, the Japanese parliament passed a resolution that criticized North Korea’s decision to launch a rocket last Sunday. The resolution said the launch hurts international peace. The measure passed with no opposition. In the United States, a new study showed growing public concern about the economy. For the week ending Feb. 7, 31 percent of U.S. adults rated the current economy as “poor,” compared to 26 percent who rated it “excellent” or “good.” Fifty-eight percent of Americans surveyed said the economy is “getting worse,” compared to 38 percent who said it is “getting better.” The Gallup organization reported the findings. I’m Bruce Alpert.   VOA’s Victor Beattie reported on this story. Bruce Alpert adapted this report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   stock – n. a share of the value of a company which can be bought, sold, or traded as an investment determine – v. to be the cause of or reason for something survey – v. to ask (many people) a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/23VxxfB
via IFTTT

February 9, 2016

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

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

Saudi Arabian Women's Sports Bust Stereotypes

Women athletes in Saudi Arabia say sports are helping to break down traditions that crush the voices of many women. In the city of Jeddah, a group of basketball players is urging women and girls to get out of their homes and become active in public life. The group’s members say they can do this by connecting sports to health issues. All of the players are women. Saudi Arabia is one of the richest countries in the Middle East. In many ways, Saudi Arabia is as modern as any place on earth in terms of public health services, transportation and other infrastructure. But activists say the country has a long way to go in terms of women's rights. They say by persuading women and girls to play sports, they are working in support of good health. The activists say they also are breaking down the image of Saudi women as being silent members of their society. The Jeddeh United women’s team was in Malaysia recently for a game. Officials say that by playing internationally, the Saudi women improve their understanding of the world and the nations they visit. Lina Almaeena heads the Jeddah United Sports Company. "We played in the United States, Malaysia, in Jordan and the U.A.E. as well as Riyadh and other cities in Saudi Arabia. So, we do that to promote sports locally and internationally to try to change stereotypes and show a different segment in Saudi Arabia." At an event in Jeddeh for disabled boys and girls, female basketball players say women’s sports are increasingly popular at home. Men do not attend games. The players wear head coverings and white uniforms that extend over their arms and legs. Player Nour Gary says resisting commonly accepted ideas in Saudi Arabia requires pushing against limits, without breaking them. "It is not even against the law or against the religion. It is just people having their own beliefs and trying to close it on other people. So, yes, being open towards sports, they have more flexibility towards other things." Players say women's rights in Saudi Arabia have come a long way in recent years, but many freedoms, like the right to drive a car, still seem far away. Last year, women in Saudi Arabia voted for the first time. Twenty women were elected into local office. Like politicians, female athletes say they believe women's' sports will eventually be accepted more publicly. Deborah Parkwood is the head of the Jeddah United basketball team. "We have great athletes here in Saudi Arabia, some of them. The girls, they want to play harder, they want to train harder and they would love to compete for their country internationally." For now, players say campaigning for women's sports locally is having an immediate result on society. They say it shows mothers the good effects of physical exercise for themselves, and for their children. I’m Marsha James. Heather Murdock reported on this story for VOANews.com. Marsha James adapted her story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   athlete – n. someone who competes in a sport stereotypes – n. a commonly accepted, but sometimes unfair idea that many people have about all members of a group   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1PAw7h1
via IFTTT

Zimbabwe Appeals for Funding to Avert Food Shortages

The government of Zimbabwe is asking for financial help to avoid food shortages in the country. The government says nearly 2.5 million people in Zimbabwe are facing hunger. That is more than one quarter of the country’s population. The country is currently battling a drought that has affected much of southern Africa. The government blames the drought on El Niño, an extreme weather pattern. El Niño is a warm Pacific Ocean current that causes extreme changes in the worldwide weather conditions. David Phiri is the southern Africa coordinator with the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. He said Zimbabwe must invest in irrigation to prevent more food shortages. “We need to increase the area under irrigation,” Phiri said. “Zimbabwe…has the highest number of water points, dams and rivers. There is water in Zimbabwe.”  He also said Zimbabwe and other governments should encourage conservation agriculture. The goal of conservation agriculture is to protect, improve and make more effective use of nature. Its policies are designed to increase agricultural production and protect the environment. Conservation agriculture would better protect citizens from food shortages during periods of extreme weather, Phiri said. Although some observers blame Zimbabwe’s current food shortage on El Niño, others blame government policy. Critics blame President Robert Mugabe’s land reform program of the early 2000s.  The program forced experienced white commercial farmers off their land. They say the program worsened Zimbabwe’s economic problems and reduced its farming output. I’m Pete Musto.   Sebastian Mhofu reported on this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson 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   El Niño – n. a flow of unusually warm water along the western coast of South America that causes many changes in weather in other places  drought – n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain irrigation – n. to supply land with water by using artificial means encourage – v. to tell or advise (someone) to do something conservation – n. the careful use of natural resources to prevent them from being lost or wasted dormant – adj. not active but able to become active

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/20TSsx9
via IFTTT

Islamic State Smuggling Timber in Afghanistan

Afghan tribal leaders said that the “government has done nothing” to stop the Islamic State terror group from smuggling timber to Pakistan. Residents of eastern Afghan provinces said the terror group has brought tree-cutting machines to the Nangahar province. They said trucks with timber are sent to Pakistan every day. Some of the timber is also sold in the provinces. Malak Afsar is a tribal leader in Achin. He said locals, working as middlemen, transported the timber for the IS terror group. He added, "The government has done nothing in this regard." A provincial spokesman said the issue of tree cutting has not been raised with the government. But an acting agricultural director has heard reports of tree cutting. The acting director, known as Engineer Shakir, said, "Dehbala is the only district where the tree cutting is still going on, and we are communicating with local elders in the district to stop it." Tree cutting (and timber harvesting) is against the law in Afghanistan. The country’s environmental protection agency says forests cover only two percent of the country. And the U.N. Environmental Program says forest cover has decreased by about 50 percent over the past three decades as timber smuggling has continued. In addition to profits from the sale of smuggling timber, residents said the IS terror group also recruited locals to join the group. I'm Anne Ball.   Zia-U-Rahman Hasrat reported this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   smuggling – v. to move something from one country into another illegally and secretly lumber – n. wooden boards or logs that have been sawed and cut for use timber – n. trees that are grown in order to produce wood middlemen – n. people that buy goods from a producer and sell them to someone else

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Q7BwBV
via IFTTT

Airplane Concert in India Lands Crew in Trouble

Five crew members for a chartered flight in India are suspended after permitting a Bollywood star to sing to the passengers. The Jet Airways crew let singer Sonu Nigam use the plane’s announcement system in flight on January 4. Jet Airways confirmed the suspensions after video of the airplane performance appeared online. An official said all cabin crew members from the flight have been taken off flight duty during the investigation. Reports say passengers asked Nigam to sing for them once they realized he was on the flight from Jodhpur to Mumbai. He agreed. He sang two of his popular songs over the plane's announcement system. Passengers posted video of the performance on social media. The video went viral. Government officials who learned of the incident asked the airline to take action. The incident has led to strong arguments online both for and against the action. Supporters of the airline's decision to suspend the crew say misuse of the announcement system puts passengers at risk. But, others say the concert only gave passengers a bit of fun. I’m Ashley Thompson.   Ashley Thompson adapted this report for Learning English from VOANews.com. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you think the in-flight Bollywood concert put passengers in danger? We want to hear from you! Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   chartered - adj. hired for temporary use viral - adj. relating to an image, video, advertisement, etc., that is spread rapidly on the Internet.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Q5STN2
via IFTTT

NASA: Big Asteroid Could Pass Near Earth Next Month

Experts at America’s space agency, NASA, are watching a 30-meter wide asteroid as it comes near the Earth in March. According to NASA, the asteroid has no chance of hitting Earth. It could fly as close as within 17,700 kilometers of the planet on March 5. Paul Chodas leads the space agency's Near-Earth Objects Studies office. He said in a statement, "The possibilities of collision on any of the three future flyby dates are far too small to be of any real concern.” This asteroid was discovered in 2013 and is named TX68. The asteroid is about twice the size of another one that exploded over Russia in 2013. That explosion shattered glass, destroyed buildings, and injured more than 1,000 people. If an asteroid the size of TX68 entered the Earth's atmosphere and exploded, NASA estimates it would be twice as powerful as the 2013 Russian asteroid blast. TX68 is expected to approach the Earth again on September 28, 2017. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Jim Dresbach adapted this story for 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   asteroid – n. any one of thousands of small planets that circle around the sun flyby – n. a flight of a meteor, asteroid or spacecraft past a planet or moon shatter – v. to break suddenly into many small pieces

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