Who's Lying in this Presidential Campaign?

Did you know that U.S. General John Pershing shot 49 terrorists with bullets covered in pig’s blood? No? But presidential candidate Donald Trump told that story to at least 2,000 people at a campaign rally recently. The story is nothing more than Internet rumor, according to Snopes.com. It found “nothing that documents” Trump’s story about General John Pershing in the Philippines more than 100 years ago. Snopes.com examines the truth of Internet rumors. Trump’s story on General Pershing is one of a large number of untrue or unconfirmed statements from the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Is this an unusual campaign season? Trump, a billionaire businessman and front-runner for the Republican presidential nomination, is making the most false statements, according to Brendan Nyhan. He is a political science professor at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Nyhan said there is “no scientific way” to determine if more lies are being told in this campaign than any other. However, “With that said, I think it is fair to say Donald Trump is” going beyond “norms for inaccuracy among top presidential contenders.” FactCheck.org checked the facts when Trump denied that he called female critics “fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals.” “He used all of those terms,” Factcheck.org said. PolitiFact.com, another fact checker, looked at 93 statements by Trump. It found 77 percent either mostly false, false or “Pants on Fire" false. Nineteen percent were in the “Pants on Fire” category. That is a listing for statements not only false, but ridiculous, PolitiFact said. One explanation for the phrase centers on a child who took his father’s cigar. He lit up the cigar, and when his father appeared, he put it in his pocket in an attempt to hide the theft. Following Trump among the leading candidates for falsehoods is Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican. PolitiFact found 59 percent of his statements false, though only 7 percent were in the “Pants on Fire” category. Lou Jacobson, a senior correspondent for PolitiFact, said some voters are concerned about the truthfulness of their candidates. Other voters, however, “do not always trust or believe” reports that “their candidate” is not telling the truth, he said. Telling a lie is not new to American politics. Even the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, known as “Honest Abe,” did not always tell the truth. He did not tell members of Congress about negotiations to end the Civil War in 1865, according to a 2014 James Conroy book on Lincoln. It is called, “Our One Common Country: Abraham Lincoln and The Hampton Roads Peace Conference Of 1865.” A newspaper backing John Adams for president in 1800 said that if his opponent, Thomas Jefferson, was elected, terrible things would happen. “Murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will be openly taught and practiced,” the newspaper said. That information comes from the Miller Center at the University of Virginia. Newspapers and TV stations in the United States began grading campaign ads for truth in the late 1980s, according to Bill Adair, director of Duke University’s Reporters’ Lab. Factcheck.org started a formal rating system in 2003 and PolitiFact followed in 2007. Adair said fact-checking groups now operate in 37 nations. Trump has led the pack of candidates in bending the truth. Among his “Pants on Fire” claims was when he said the U.S. government was not reporting the national unemployment rate correctly. It was not 5 percent, as reported by the government, Trump said. It was “28, 29, as high as 35 [percent]. In fact, I even heard recently 42 percent.” Not true. Trump rejects PolitiFact’s criticism. He said the group is a “left-wing group” and treats him unfairly. PolitiFact says it holds conservatives and liberals to the same fact-checking standards. The Democratic candidates for president did better in “fact-checking” by PolitiFact. PolitiFact examined 150 statements by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dating back to 2008. It found 72 percent true, mostly true, or half true, and 28 percent mostly false, false or “Pants on Fire” false. Two were listed as “Pants on Fire,” both from her unsuccessful 2008 presidential campaign. PolitiFact looked at 64 statements by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. PolitiFact said 69 percent were true, mostly true, or half true and that 32 percent were either mostly false or false. None were “Pants on Fire” false. On the Republican side, Senator Marco Rubio, a Florida Republican, is seen as the most likely challenger to front-runners Trump and Cruz. PolitiFact checked 135 Rubio statements. It found 57 percent true, mostly true or half true, and 43 percent mostly false, false or “Pants on Fire” false. Clinton, during a CBS interview February 18, was asked about former President Jimmy Carter promising the American people, “I will not lie to you." The reporter asked Clinton if she ever lied. “You’re asking me to say, ‘Have I ever?’ I don't believe I ever have,” Clinton said. “I don't believe I ever have. I don't believe I ever will.” Trump is not only delivering more false statements than his top competitors for president. He has been a victim of a few, as well. FactCheck.org said this about a Ted Cruz advertisement saying Trump bulldozed the home of an elderly widow to build a parking lot for his New Jersey casino: “The ad leaves the false impression that the widow lost her home, and she didn’t,” FactCheck said. What did happen was that a government agency, acting on behalf of Trump, tried to obtain the home. But they were blocked by the courts, according to FactCheck. I'm Bruce Alpert.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or our Facebook Page. Share your views on what is being said in the U.S. presidential campaign. What do you think is untrue?   Words in This Story   rumor -- n. information or a story that is passed from person to person but has not been proven to be true inaccuracy – adj. not correct contender – n. a candidate for office slob – n. a person who is lazy and dirty or messy disgusting – adj. so unpleasant to see, smell, taste, consider, etc., that you feel slightly sick ridiculous – adj. extremely silly or unreasonable adultery – n. sex between a married person and someone who is not that person's wife or husband incest – n. sexual intercourse between people who are very closely related bulldoze – v. knock down widow – n. a woman whose husband has died

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1QdWuK5
via IFTTT

College Student Tells Whopper to Skip Exams

This is What's Trending Today. Terrell Finner is a student at Columbia University in New York City. He is studying to be a doctor. But he should have his degree in social media. Finner posted a photo on social media dressed as if he were sick and in a hospital. He posted the photo in hopes of being excused from an upcoming exam. In the photo, he used his bed sheets to look like a hospital gown. He put iPhone earbuds in his nose to make it look like he needed oxygen. And he used a computer charger to look like he was receiving intravenous fluids. He even made a bracelet like the ones hospitals give to patients. Along with the photo, he wrote several tweets. In the tweets, he complained about a nosebleed. He said he was in the hospital. And then he posted other photos with the captions “Current situation.” And “God got me.” He also wrote: “I'm emailing these pics (or pictures) to my chem prof (or professor) because I had a nosebleed & had to be hospitalized & can't take this midterm Wednesday.” One Twitter follower caught on to his joke quickly. He noted the pictures showed earbuds in Finner’s nose. But that did not stop others on Twitter and social media from enjoying the joke and “liking” the pictures thousands of times. Some people probably thought he was serious about being in the hospital. Others were just enjoying his creativity. One of Terrell's friends wrote: “It’s one thing when your foolishness is just amongst us, but now it’s spread worldwide.” Finner later wrote: “I didn’t expect it to become this popular.”   Finner became a story himself when a blog posted some of his tweets. Finner later posted another photo of himself, saying he was released from the hospital. But he still needed oxygen, and those earbuds were still in his nose.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What would you do to get out of an exam? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ___________________________________________________________________   Words in This Story foolish – adj. having or showing a lack of good sense or judgment; silly intravenous – adj. entering the body through a vein excused - v. forgiving someone for doing something wrong or making a mistake bracelet - n. a piece of jewelry worn around the wrist caption - n. a sentence or group of words that appears next to a picture to explain what is being shown

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/24pRETB
via IFTTT

Tornadoes Crush Mobile Homes in South US

  Tornadoes crushed mobile homes and destroyed neighborhoods in the southeastern United States during severe weather Tuesday. At least three people were dead when tornadoes hit southern Louisiana and Mississippi. The National Weather Service said that seven tornadoes were confirmed, from west of New Orleans to southern Mississippi. In Mississippi, one person died when a tornado destroyed a mobile home. In Louisiana, two people were killed and more than a 100 mobile homes and recreational vehicles were demolished by a tornado 100 kilometers west of New Orleans. Police and volunteers were still searching the mobile-home park for survivors. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said people are still missing. “These travel-trailers were picked up, thrown a considerable distance and just mangled,” he said after visiting the scene. Ambulances from surrounding communities transported more than 30 residents of the neighborhood to hospitals. Edwards declared a state of emergency in the severely damaged areas of Louisiana. Tornadoes were spotted near New Orleans’ Louis Armstrong International Airport and Lake Pontchartrain. Severe storms around New Orleans destroyed roofs and downed trees. Many residents were without electrical power Wednesday in the region. Other states receiving bad weather from the storm included Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. A tornado was reported near Pensacola, Florida. That tornado caused property damage and injuries. Schools in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida cancelled school classes ahead of Wednesday’s storm threat. Heavy rain and severe weather are forecasted from Washington, D.C., to Florida on Wednesday. I’m Dorothy Gundy.   VOANews.com reported on this story. Jim Dresbach 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   tornado – n. a violent and destructive storm in which powerful winds move around a central point mobile home – n. a house that is built in a factory and then moved to the place where people will live in it recreational vehicle– n. a large vehicle that often has a bathroom, kitchen, and beds for use during travel and camping trailer park – n. a large piece of land where vehicles can be parked and connected to electricity and water supplies demolish – v. to damage something so that it cannot be repaired mangle – v. to injure or damage (something severely by cutting, tearing or crushing ambulance – n. a vehicle used for taking injured or sick people to the hospital especially in emergencies

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1p5pAod
via IFTTT

Trump Wins Nevada Caucus

Donald Trump won another state in his effort to become the Republican Party nominee for president. He earned 46 percent of the vote in the Nevada caucus. Florida Senator Marco Rubio won 24 percent of the vote, and Texas Senator Ted Cruz came in third with 21 percent. Retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and Ohio Governor John Kasich were far behind. It is Trump’s third win in a row after winning primaries in New Hampshire and South Carolina earlier this month. Trump said he is now “winning the country,” and he will pick up more Republican supporters as his rivals drop out of the race. The next big test for Trump and the other candidates is March 1. That day is called “Super Tuesday.” More than 10 states will hold primaries and caucuses that day. By then, the Republican nomination process will be almost one-third over. A candidate needs at least 1,237 delegates in order to earn the party’s nomination heading into the election in November. A poll of voters by CNN showed Trump had supporters across most demographic groups. Trump said he was happy he was the top vote-getter among Hispanic voters in the caucus. He has support even though he said he wants to build a wall between Mexico and the United States. He said he wants Mexico to pay for it. Matt Dallek is an assistant professor at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management. He says some important questions emerge after Trump’s winning streak. “Where can he be stopped? Where is he deprived of a victory – or multiple victories – and who will do the stopping?” The answer will become clearer next week. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English based on reporting by VOANews.com. Kathleen Struck was the editor. How do you think Donald Trump will do in the events of Super Tuesday? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   streak – n. a period of repeated success or failure in a row – n. following one after another demographic – n. the qualities (such as age, sex, and income) of a specific group of people primary – n. an election in which members of the same political party run against each other for the chance to be in a larger and more important election rival – n. a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1Q0SFty
via IFTTT

VOA English Newscast: 1500 UTC February 24, 2016

  From Washington, this is VOA News.      I’m Frances Alonzo reporting. Bolivian President Evo Morales conceded Wednesday that he had lost a bid to seek a fourth term, after over 51 percent of voters cast “no” ballots in a weekend referendum. "With respect to the results, it is part of democracy," the socialist leader told a press conference at the presidential palace. "We have lost a battle, but not the war." You can read more details on that story at VOANews.com. Afghanistan's Taliban says it is unaware of upcoming peace talks with the Kabul government, reiterating no such move can succeed until foreign forces completely withdraw and Sharia is enforced in the country. Tuesday, a four-nation group working for Afghan peace invited all Taliban and other groups to participate through their authorized representatives in the first round of direct peace talks with the Afghan government. However, a spokesman for the Taliban's so-called political office in Qatar, Mohammad Naeem, told VOA he has seen media reports about possible peace talks with the Afghan government, but said the insurgent group was unaware of any such plans. Meanwhile, Russia has delivered 10,000 Kalashnikov rifles, along with millions of rounds of ammunition, to the Afghan government as part of a security agreement between the two nations. The rifles were delivered at a ceremony Wednesday at Kabul's military airport. Russia's ambassador in Kabul says his country is committed to helping the Afghans and Afghan forces combat problems like terrorism and drugs. U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting Jordan's King Abdullah II at the White House today. They will have talks focused on the battle against the Islamic State and the humanitarian fallout from the war in Syria. Jordan has been taking part in the U.S.-led coalition, conducting airstrikes against Islamic State targets in both Iraq and Syria.  This is VOA News. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Newscast   conceded – v. to say that you accept the existence of something cast – v. to vote referendum – n. a special election respect – n. a relation to a thing or situation palace – n. the official home of a head of state unaware – adj. not having knowledge of something upcoming – adj. possible reiterating – v. restating or repeating Sharia – n. the religious laws based on Islam’s holy book, the Koran enforced – v. to make active or effective participate – v. to take part or involve authorized – n. officials round – n. one in a series of similar events or things so-called – adj. used for a name or description that you think is not really right insurgent – adj. rebel or opposition delivered – v. to take something to a person or place rifle – n. a gun with a long barrel committed – v. to decide to use for a purpose combat – v. to battle or fight hosting – v. to serve as an organizer of an event focused – v. directing one’s attention on something fallout – n. bad or harmful effects conducting – v. carry out We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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

data (noun)

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1oB5stn
via IFTTT

English in a Minute: Wiggle Room

To "wiggle" means to move up and down or from side to side with short, quick motions. But, what could "wiggle room" possibly mean? Find out in this week's English in a Minute!

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

Outer-Space 'Music' Heard in 1969 NASA Recordings

This is What’s Trending Today…. The English rock band Pink Floyd released the album Dark Side of the Moon in 1973. But four years earlier, in 1969, NASA astronauts on the Apollo 10 space mission heard what sounded like outer-space music -- from the dark side of the moon. And nearly 50 years later, those mysterious noises on Apollo 10 have become a trending topic on social media. In May of 1969, the Apollo 10 crew approached the far side of the moon. The three astronauts, Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Eugene Cernan, would have no contact with the Earth.  But just as they approached the far side of the moon, the crew heard strange “music.” "That music even sounds outer-spacey, doesn't it? Do you hear that, that whistling sound?" "Yeah." That was the conversation between astronauts Eugene Cernan and John Young after hearing the strange sounds. The story of the unusual space noises will appear on a television series called NASA’s Unexplained Files. A preview of the episode appeared on YouTube earlier this week. Some news reports and social media posts wrongly said that the Apollo 10 audio files were recently ‘declassified’ -- or made public. But the audio files have actually been publicly available at the National Archives since 1973 -- the same year that Pink Floyd released its hit album.   And that's What's Trending Today. I’m Ashley Thompson.   (Click here to listen to the noises and the astronauts’ conversation!) The full transcript of the recordings is available here. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   outer space - n. the region beyond the Earth's atmosphere in which there are stars and planets whistle - n. a sound made by blowing mysterious - adj. strange, unknown, or difficult to understand ​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/21dY7Sg
via IFTTT

Obama Announces Plan to Close Guantanamo

United States President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday his proposal to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. But leaders of the Republican-controlled Congress quickly criticized and re-stated their opposition to the plan. Obama said at the White House that Guantanamo Bay “does not advance our national security, it undermines it.” He asked "If, as a nation, we don't deal with this now, when will we deal with it?" The president appealed to Congress to be “on the right side of history” and asked the nation to act on the “lessons” learned over the past 15 years. Paul Ryan is the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Republican speaker said, "Congress has left no room for confusion. It is against the law—and it will stay against the law—to transfer terrorist detainees to American soil." Michael McCaul is the House Homeland Security Chairman. He said, “We are at war, yet incredibly the president is more focused on relocating and releasing enemy combatants than on detaining new ones.” Guantanamo Bay opened after 9/11 The Guantanamo Bay prison opened in 2002 under the administration former President George W. Bush. Its opening followed the September 11 terror attacks in New York and Washington. Obama promised during his 2008 presidential campaign that he would close the prison. The center has become known for its aggressive treatment of detainees. Some accused the United States of torture. This week, Obama said that Guantanamo is “viewed as a stain on our broader record of upholding the highest standards of rule of law.” Almost 800 detainees have been held at Guantanamo Bay. Many of them remained there for long periods of time without being charged with a crime or put on trial. Many of the detainees have been sent back to their home countries. Others have been sent to nations willing to take them in. Fewer than 100 detainees remain there. Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo On Tuesday, the U.S. Defense Department delivered Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo to the United States Congress. The plan proposes 13 sites within the United States where the military could transfer a group of about 30 to 60 detainees. The proposal does not recommend which U.S. site should be chosen for the transfer. The proposed sites include federal prisons in Kansas, Colorado and South Carolina, as well as military centers. Current U.S. law bans the transfer of Guantanamo Bay detainees to locations within the United States. Some say those transfers could bring security concerns. However, a top administration official said closing the prison is important to national security. The official said that the facility has “inspired” jihadists and served as a recruiting tool for terrorists. Obama said that when he took office, there was Congressional support from both Democrats and Republicans for closing the prison. But, over time, lawmakers have become "worried about the politics" of it, he said. With less than a year left in his presidency, 91 detainees remain. I’m Caty Weaver.   Carla Babb reported this story from Washington. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English, with additional materials from Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   confusion - n. a situation in which people are uncertain about what to do or are unable to understand something clearly stain - n. something that causes people to have less respect for someone transfer  - v. to move (someone or something) from one place to another inspire  - v. to make (someone) want to do something recruit - v. to find suitable people and get them to join a company, an organization, the armed forces, etc.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1La1sum
via IFTTT

Turkey Demands Total US Support Against YPG

Turkey asked the United States for unconditional support in the fight against the Syrian Kurdish YPG. The United States supports the YPG, also known as People’s Protection Units, in the battles against the Islamic State in Syria. The Turks believe the YPG was responsible for Wednesday’s bomb attack in Ankara that killed scores of people. The YPG is a section of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party. Turkey says they are terrorists. The U.S. does not agree. American officials could not confirm nor deny that the YPG was behind the bombing. A Kurdish militant group based in Turkey – the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK) – claimed responsibility for the bombing. A Turkish government official rejected TAK’s statement as a false claim last week. President Barack Obama spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan by telephone Friday. Obama shared his concern about the fighting in Syria. Obama promised the U.S.’s support for the Turks. The two NATO members said they would remain united against the Islamic State. I’m Jim Dresbach.   Information for this story came from VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this 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   unconditional -- adj. without limits, complete scores of - adj. a large number; many section - n. part of a larger group of organization NATO – n. short for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/20TG0Ma
via IFTTT

EU Unlikely to Lift Trade Barriers on China

The European Union is unlikely to lift some trade barriers on China later this year because of worries that Chinese exports will lead to job loss in member nations. That is what the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing said in a report announced Monday. Earlier this month, workers representing trade unions in 17 countries demonstrated in Brussels. Some carried signs that read: “Stop China Dumping” and “Say No to MES for China.” MES means Market Economy Status. The unions blame both China and Russia for creating job losses. Job growth in Europe has been slow for 19 straight months up to last December. Joerg Wuttke is president of the European Chamber of Commerce in China. He says unrest is making it extremely difficult for European politicians to support China’s request for being granted the status of a market economy. Dumping of goods is one concern The European Parliament has discussed China’s market economy status request. If it is granted, the move would reduce trade barriers and make it easier for Chinese exports flow to Europe. Critics warn that could lead to the dumping of goods at unfairly low prices. In trade, dumping is defined as selling a product in a foreign country at below its price at home. “My personal observation of the parliament is that it is pretty much unified that China is challenging jobs in Europe and it doesn’t matter whether you are a north or south (of Europe) parliamentarian,  you are pretty much against it,” Wuttke said. The group says Chinese companies have machine overcapacity and low demand. Companies have tried to export surplus steel, which has pushed down global prices. Factories in Europe have closed. It has also resulted in a growing number of anti-dumping investigations into Chinese products, the European business group said. Job losses remain a worry in EU and China The European Chamber of Commerce released a report entitled, “Overcapacity in China.” Wuttke said researchers estimate job losses in Europe could be between 100,000 and 10 million. However, China needs to export more goods to save jobs at home. The group of countries that make up the European Union is China’s biggest trade partner. But, the EU has introduced anti-dumping cases that can block the flow of Chinese goods. China has been open about the problem as it has offered a plan to close down so-called “zombie” corporations. These companies continue to make more than they sell, and keep workers on wage rolls though their machines are idle. The government’s plans include cutting 100 million to 150 million tons of low-end steel capacity and 500 million tons of coal production. But the government is reluctant to follow through on its own plans because of the massive job losses that would follow. Preserving jobs remains a key concern. Last year, a state-owned coal company laid off 100,000 workers over a three-month period. Hundreds of thousands in the coal and steel sector could lose their jobs in the coming months. Government still supports growth Wuttke said some government agencies are encouraging some businesses to grow even as they struggle with overcapacity. According to the chamber, only one of the eight industry sectors it studied was not affected by overcapacity. All others were suffering from extremely low demand for the amount of goods they can produce. Regional governments and local banks are encouraging such companies because they continue to chase economic growth. They are also blocking mergers and acquisitions because they are worried about the tax losses that could bring. I'm Mario Ritter. Bill Ide and Saibal Dasgupta reported on this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted their report for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   overcapacity –n. the situation in which a company or industry produces more of something than it can sell dilemma –n. a situation in which you have to make a difficult choice idle –adj. not being used, not working challenging –adj. difficult, often in a way that can be rewarding encouraging –adj. causing a hopeful feeling sectors –n. a part of the economy merger –n. the act of combining two or more businesses acquisition –n. when a business buys or acquires another business

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/1WH9V9a
via IFTTT