English @ the Movies: 'Shaking Us Down'

With English @ the Movies we teach you American sayings you might not know. Here is one from the movie "Joy," based on a true story. Wonder what it means when the woman named Joy says "seems like you're shaking us down?" Watch, and find out.

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

VOA English Newscast 1500 UTC February 18, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News.       I’m Ira Mellman. Turkey is pointing blame for a bombing in their capital city… Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu is blaming the Syrian Kurdish militia, the YPG, for killing 28 people in the bombing of a military convoy Wednesday in Ankara. Dorian Jones reports from Istanbul the prime minister called for Western allies to stand with Turkey in the fight against the Syrian Kurdish group, which some European countries and the United States support in its fight against the Islamic State. “Prime Minister Davutoglu claims his security forces have uncovered irrefutable evidence the Syrian Kurdish group -- the YPD -- and its military arm -- the YPG -- were behind Wednesday’s bombing of two military buses in the Turkish capital. “He says the YPG attack was carried out with logistical support from PKK militants inside Turkish territory. Turkish security forces claim to have recovered the fingertips of a Syrian national linked to the Syrian Kurdish group from the scene of the bombing. “Ankara has long insisted the YPG is linked to the Kurdish rebel group the PKK, which Turkish security forces are fighting. “Dorian Jones, VOA News, Istanbul.” There is growing concern about the fate of thousands of Syrians working inside the war-shattered country for Western non-profits or on development and governance projects funded by U.S. agencies and European governments. Western officials fear they will be targeted by the Assad regime as a government offensive continues to grab back more towns and territory from the rebels. And behind-the-scenes, officials are urging Turkey to admit Syrian NGO workers and political activists who want to flee. This is VOA News. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This New   convoy – n. a group of vehicles that are traveling together irrefutable – adj. not able to be proven wrong logistical – adj. of or related to logistics (things that must be done to organize a complex activity) fingertip – n. the very end of the finger scene – n. the place of an action insisted – v. to demand that something happen fate – n. the things that will happen to a person or thing in the future shattered – adj. broken funded – v. financially supported regime – n. a form of government grab back – v. to regain control of behind-the-scenes – adj. happening in private without being seen by the public  

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

VOA English Newscast: 1600 UTC February 17, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News.      I’m Frances Alonzo reporting. Ugandans are preparing to vote in presidential and parliamentary elections on Thursday, after candidates concluded their campaigns Tuesday. Some voters say peace and stability are most important for them, while others want change and a new regime. Lining the streets of Kampala, blue and yellow campaign posters compete for space on billboards, walls, and t-shirts. Blue represents the Forum for Democratic Change party of main opposition candidate Kizza Besigye, while yellow is synonymous with the National Resistance Movement party of incumbent Yoweri Museveni. The two men are the top contenders competing for Uganda’s presidency. The UN's mission chief in Mali paid tribute Wednesday to seven Guinean peacekeepers killed in a jihadist attack on their base last week, including the first woman to die as part of their deployment. The assault on the camp, belonging to the UN force, took place on Friday in the northeastern town of Kidal and was claimed by the Malian Islamist group Ansar Dine. Seven bodies draped with the UN flag were displayed during the tribute, awaiting repatriation to Guinea Wednesday. Niger needs millions of doses of meningitis vaccines to ward off a possible epidemic after a spike that has seen dozens of cases reported since January, according to the United Nations Wednesday. "The (Nigerian) health authorities estimate that they need 3.2 million vaccination doses in case of a meningitis epidemic." That came from the local branch of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Adding to existing reserves, the additional doses would allow officials to immunize 2.8 million people. VOA News. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This New concluded – v. stopped or finished stability – n. the quality of something that is not easily changed regime – n. a form of government poster – n. a sign, usually hung in a public place billboard – n. a large sign for advertisements t-shirt – n. clothing that is worn over chest, has short sleeves and is usually made of cotton synonymous – adj. having the same meaning incumbent – n. someone who holds an office or position contenders – n. a person who has a good chance of winning something mission – n. a job that someone is given to do; a military or naval operation pay tribute – v. to honor and praise jihadist – adj. of or related to Muslims who actively support action against non-believers assault – n. attack draped – v. covered displayed – v. shown in public repatriation – v. returning to one’s own country dose – n. the amount of medicine that is taken at one time ward off – v. to avoid being hit by something epidemic – n. an event in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects many people spike – n. a sudden rise or jump dozens – n. large numbers of people or things according – v. as stated by or in authorities – n. officials branch – n. a local office of a company or organization reserves – n. supplies of something that is stored allow – v. to permit immunize – v. to give a vaccine to prevent infection by disease

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

Pope Francis Attracts Crowds at US-Mexico Border

Pope Francis is finishing a six-day trip to Mexico by saying Mass near the Mexican-United States border. The pope will say Mass in the city of Cuidad Juarez. The city that sits next to El Paso, Texas, is known as a transit point to the north.  Mexicans and Central Americans will also be watching with hope. For them, the pope is their advocate for the chance of immigration to the United States. Pope Francis has said immigration is an important issue to him. When he visited the United States in 2015, he told immigrants, “do not be discouraged by whatever challenges and hardships you face.” The pope is hugely popular in Mexico and where Mexicans live in America. Mass was broadcast inside a sports stadium in El Paso, called the Sun Bowl, to a crowd of immigrants and Catholics. Many lined the American side of the Rio Grande, the river between Mexico and the U.S., to hear the pope speak. Following Mass at the border, Francis will return to Rome. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Jim Dresbach reported on this story for VOANews.com. His report made use of stories from Reuters, the New York Times and Vatican Radio. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of the pope’s visit to Mexico? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   pope – n. the head of the Roman Catholic Church transit point – n. a stop on a trip, normally one made only to change flights or form of transportation discourage – v. to make someone less hopeful or sure of themselves stadium – n. a very large sports center

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Vocb4V
via IFTTT

App Feels Earthquakes Through Mobile Phones

A new phone app uses vibrations from smartphones to alert people about earthquakes. The phone app recognizes sudden shaking of the earth's surface through sensors in smartphones. The new app is called MyShake. It is the work of four researchers at the University of California, Berkeley. They said they created a worldwide warning system that would inform people and give them time to prepare. Other earthquake apps include QuakeFeed, Quakes and Earthquake. They show where earthquakes have happened, at what strength, and the aftershocks. Those use data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The MyShake app is available only for Android phones. How MyShake Works Smart phones are equipped with accelerometers. These instruments measure movement, like that of a car or airplane. They can also measure the shaking of a machine, building or other structure. Accelerometers are used in activity trackers and apps that count steps or other exercise. They also are used in global positioning system apps, also called GPS. MyShake uses phone accelerometers to measure seismic activity. It has been programmed to know the difference between normal activity and earthquake movement. The software developers say their app is right 93 percent of the time. A smartphone sends seismic information to the app developers. If the developers receive several notifications from one area, it recognizes that an earthquake may be taking place or will take place soon. Using information sent from the app, the network then estimates the location and strength of the quake in real time. MyShake can record magnitude 5.0 earthquakes at distances of 10 kilometers or less. MyShake uses very little power, according to its developers. Only when seismic activity is sensed by the app does it become active and sends data to the network. This video shows how MyShake works: The app works best when your phone is resting on a flat surface, like a table. The developers hope that MyShake can add to information collected by the U.S. Geological Survey. That U.S. agency has created the Earthquake Early Warning System, also known as the EEW. The EEW has deployed sensors for measuring quakes in many areas. In places where no such equipment exists, MyShake may be the only method of early quake detection.  The app also shows ways to stay safer during an earthquake. The developers say it will become more effective as more people use it. "Our goal is to build a worldwide seismic network and use the data to reduce the effects of earthquakes on us as individuals and on society as a whole," say the researchers. The developers say they hope to add a feature that would warn people about a possible tsunami, or the huge waves after an earthquake. I’m Kathleen Struck.   Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this story for Learning English. The editors were George Grow and Kathleen Struck. Do you live in an earthquake zone? Do you use any earthquake apps? Share your thoughts in the Comments section below and on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vibration - n. movement alert - v. to inform or warn data - n. information of facts often used to plan something detect - v. to discover or notice the presence of (something that is hidden or hard to see, hear, taste, etc.) network - n. a system of computers and other devices accelerometer - n. a device that detects its own acceleration and is used in mobile phones to determine the phone's orientation tracker - n. a device that follows and records the movements of someone or something seismic - adj. relating to, or caused by an earthquake program - v.  to give (a computer) a set of instructions to perform a particular action: to create a program for (a computer) anonymous - adj. not named or identified location - n. a place or position table - n. a piece of furniture that has a flat top and one or more legs magnitude - n. the size, extent, or importance of something feature - n.  an interesting or important part, quality, ability, etc. tsunami - n. a very high, large wave usually caused by an earthquake 

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1orgS3v
via IFTTT

February 17, 2016

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

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

Phone App Fights Fraud in Ugandan Election

This week, 15 million registered voters in Uganda will go to the polls to elect a president, parliament and local officials. Incumbent president Yoweri Museveni faces two opposition candidates: Kizza Besigye and Amama Mbabazi. Museveni took over Uganda in 1986 by force after a civil war. Before that, the country was controlled by a series of dictators, including Idi Amin. Amin ruled the country in the 1970s. Museveni won his first election in 1996. Observers who follow elections around the world say Uganda does not have a free election process. They say the country’s elections are manipulated and opposition candidates are not free to campaign. For example, just three days before the election, Bessigye was detained for a short time. The BBC reports that police said he was disrupting traffic on his way to campaign event. Freedom House is a pro-Democracy organization that monitors elections around the world. The organization releases a report called “Freedom in the World” each year. In 2015 Uganda was rated “not free” and was given  a score of 6 for political rights. Seven is the worst score. But a team of recent computer science graduates from Makerere University is hoping their new app, called “E-Poll” will be able to change that. The developers say the app is supposed to make elections more fair. It compares the number of voters at polling places with official numbers announced by Uganda’s Electoral Commission. Observers are looking for a difference between the number of votes and the number of voters reported by poll. If there is a difference, the election results could be challenged. Shafiq Kauma is one of the developers. He says an election-tracking app seemed like a good way to help his country. The developers say the time it takes to certify the election in Uganda allows those in power to rig the election. They believe their app can help make election results more clear. Kauma says election results from each polling place pass through a number of stages before they reach the electoral commission. E-poll sends election data straight from the polling place to the tally center, Kauma says. There is another way officials in Uganda hope to make this year’s election more transparent. A system that uses biometrics, or a person’s physical characteristics, is in place to confirm voters’ identities. Those characteristics include fingerprints, faces and the retina of the eye. A scanner can read those characteristics and confirm identities.  I’m Dan Friedell.   Serginho Roosblad wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you think the election in Uganda will be more free this year? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   manipulate – v. to control something in an unfair way incumbent – adj. holding an office or position rig – v. to control or affect something in a dishonest way biometric – n. a physical characteristic that is different from person to person – fingerprints, for example transparent – adj. easy to understand app – n. a computer or mobile phone program

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

China Places Missiles in South China Sea

Officials in Taiwan and the United States say China has deployed surface-to-air missiles on a disputed island in the South China Sea. The news comes as President Barack Obama completes a summit with Southeast Asian leaders in California. During the meeting, the president urged restraint and a halt to the militarization of disputed maritime areas. Fox News reported on images released by civilian satellite company ImageSat International. The report says the images show two batteries of eight surface-to-air missile launchers. It says a radar system has been deployed to the area called Woody Island. US and Taiwan confirm reports Reports of the missiles brought criticism from the U.S. State Department. A U.S. defense official confirmed the deployment. Taiwan’s Defense Ministry spokesman Major General David Lo agreed. Wednesday, Lo said, "Interested parties should work together to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea region and refrain from taking any unilateral measures that would increase tensions." Woody Island is called Yongxing Island in Chinese and Phu Lam in Vietnamese. The island is the largest of the Paracel Islands. It is in the northern part of the South China Sea, east of the central Vietnamese city of Da Nang. Woody Island has been under China’s control since 1956. Vietnam and Taiwan also claim the island. China’s foreign ministry and U.S. State Department react China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke to reporters Wednesday.  He said Western media should pay more attention to lighthouses and meteorological facilities China is building in the South China Sea.  Wang did not deny reports about the missile deployments after a meeting with visiting Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop. However, he called them “an attempt by certain Western media to create news stories.” Wang said China had a right to limited and necessary self-defense facilities on its islands and reefs. "This is consistent (with) self-preservation and self-protection that China is entitled to under international law. So there should be no question about that," Wang said. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry disagreed. In reaction to the recent reports, the secretary noted: “We have said repeatedly with respect to China that the standard that should be applied to all countries with respect to the South China Sea is no militarization.” China’s claims in the South China Sea China’s claims in the South China Sea have concerned its neighbors. In recent years, China has built runways and artificial islands to increase its territorial claims. Alexander Huang is an assistant professor at Taiwan’s Tamkang University. He said the deployment was sending contradictory signals about China’s future activities in the South China Sea. Huang said this is because China has repeatedly said that it would not militarize the disputed islands. President Obama speaks at the ASEAN summit At a two-day summit with the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, President Barack Obama spoke about the need to avoid tension. It was the first time the group met in the U.S. Obama said the group supported a “strong commitment to a regional order where international rules and norms – and the rights of all nations, large and small – are upheld.” He said U.S. and ASEAN leaders “discussed the need for tangible steps in the South China Sea to lower tensions, including a halt to further reclamation, new construction and militarization of disputed areas.” Freedom of navigation actions  Experts say actions by the U.S. Navy to ensure free navigation have not changed Chinese building in the South China Sea. Ross Darrell Feingold is a top advisor at DC International Advisory, a group that studies political risk. He said the action could show China’s ability to deal with more than one major issue at a time. “There is the aftermath of the North Korea missile test and nuclear test, the ASEAN Summit, significant political change in Taiwan, ongoing domestic challenges – economy, corruption investigations – yet the Chinese leadership remains confident it can, at the same time, manage the international reaction to its missile deployment,” he said. I'm Mario Ritter.   Bill Ide reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   batteries –n. a group of two or more weapons such as large guns or missiles refrain –v. to stop oneself from doing something reefs –n. rocks or corral formations just below or just above the surface of the ocean meteorological –adj. related to meteorology: the science that deals with the atmosphere and weather artificial –adj. not happening or existing naturally; man-made norms –n. standards of proper or acceptable behavior

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

28 Dead After Car Bomb Explodes in Turkey

[Editor's Note: This is a breaking news report. Audio will follow. Thank you for your patience.] At least 28 people have been killed and 61 others wounded in a large explosion in Turkey's capital, Ankara. The blast occurred where military buses drove by, a few hundred meters from a military base. A car bomb is suspected to have caused the blast, said Ankara’s governor. The attack was well-planned but police did not have information who exploded the bomb. No one has claimed responsibility. Police are investigating. The government imposed a media blackout on images of the explosion. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu cancelled his trips to Brussels and Azerbaijan. The U.S. Embassy in Ankara extended its sorrow for the attack on Twitter. Omer Celik, the spokesman for the ruling AK Party, tweeted “terror has attacked treacherously in Ankara. We curse this attack.” Last year, Ankara was the target of the country’s worst terror attack in which more than 100 people died. A pro-Kurdish rally was hit by two suicide bombers. That attack was blamed on the Islamic State militant group.   VOA News and Dorian Jones reported this story. Kathleen Struck adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   explosion -- n. a great force and noise, or a device that is created to cause such force that things are destroyed by it governor -- n. a person who leads a group or region  extended -- v. reached forward sorrow -- n. sadness about a loss 

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

Trending Today: Beatles McCartney ... Not Famous Enough?

This is What’s Trending Today…. The Grammy Awards honor the best music each year in America. This year’s awards were given Monday night in Los Angeles. Paul McCartney was one of the Beatles, an early rock ‘n’ roll group that some say is the greatest of all time.  McCartney has 18 Grammy awards. Some of his songs with the Beatles are, “Let it Be,” “Hey Jude,” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.” He even had the honor of recording the sound effects for Valentine’s Day-themed “LoveMojis” for Skype.  McCartney is the definition of a “living legend.” On the night of this year’s Grammy’s, he wanted to party with everyone else. And for good reason. He usually gets into any music event he wants. But on Monday night, he was turned away from an event for younger celebrities. The rapper Tyga was performing at a club called the Argyle. The club was full, the doorman said. The celebrity news website TMZ captured the conversation on video. McCartney was with famous musicians Beck, and Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters. Listen to the conversation. “How VIP do we gotta get?” McCartney asks. In English, when someone says VIP, it stands for “very important person.” A VIP could be the president or a famous singer like McCartney. Then McCartney says “We need another hit guys, we need another hit. Work on it.” Beck says “Next year, next year.” And they walk away, laughing. A “hit” is another term for a successful song or record. For example, the music magazine Billboard says the first Beatles “hit” was “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” in 1964. The Beatles had 20 No. 1 songs. The video has many people talking. And even Tyga says he would not have prevented McCartney from entering if he had known the singer was outside. But after all this, McCartney and his friends turned up at another party hosted Republic Records, where they were welcomed by everyone. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. If you had a club, would you let Paul McCartney in? Or would you turn him away? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   celebrity – n. a person who is famous living legend – n. a famous or important person known for doing something extremely well hit – adj. a big success, or a strike or blow VIP – adj. a person who is important or famous party – v. to spend enjoyable time eating, drinking, dancing, etc., with a group of people

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Ws8njh
via IFTTT

Buddhist Monks, Troops Clash in Thailand

Buddhist monks fought with troops in Thailand on Monday during a protest against government interference. Television reports showed troops and monks clashing after the soldiers tried to stop them from entering a park in Nakhon Pathom province, west of Bangkok. Some protestors held signs calling on the government to name Buddhism as the country’s national religion. Most Thais are Buddhists. There is fighting over which monk will lead them. The top candidate is 90 years old and being investigated for financial crimes. Last year, Thai Buddhism’s ruling Sangha Supreme Council said the monk was not guilty of charges he had stolen millions of dollars. Critics say Thai Buddhism has been hurt by leaders who have many luxuries, use illegal drugs and have improper sexual relations. Buddha Issara is an activist monk. He says “we need to reform Thai Buddhism because it has become rotten…” I’m Dorothy Gundy.   The Reuters news agency reported on this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   luxury – n. something that is expensive and not necessary rotten – adj. not morally good

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