What Bathroom Should Transgender People Use?

The latest issue dividing Americans is about public bathrooms. At issue is what bathroom -- men’s or women’s – transgender people should use. Transgender people are born with male or female bodies, but feel they were born into the wrong sex, according to the Intersex Society of North America. The bathroom dispute is even more divisive than other cultural issues, such as same-sex marriage. People can choose to attend weddings of same-sex couples or to get married to a same-sex partner. But going to a public bathroom is something most people can’t avoid. North Carolina law sparks debate North Carolina recently passed a law requiring people to use public bathrooms for the sex listed on their birth certificates. There are calls for similar laws in other states. Supporters say such laws are needed to protect women and children from sexual attacks. Peter Sprigg is a senior fellow at the conservative Family Research Council. He said people using public bathrooms or locker rooms have “always been able to count on being separated” from people of the opposite sex. Opponents of the North Carolina law say it is dangerous to transgender people – making it hard for them to do something as normal and necessary as going to the bathroom. One of the best-known transgender people is Caitlyn Jenner. She was formerly known as Bruce Jenner, an Olympic gold medal winner. She wrote that allowing transgender people to use the “right bathroom” is not dangerous. There have been “no increases” in sexual assaults in the states and cities that have laws protecting transgender people from discrimination. She said the North Carolina law would lead people to demand “that women and girls prove they are actually female” to use a bathroom. Some people have called for boycotts of North Carolina and Mississippi, which passed a law allowing businesses to refuse service to same-sex couples. A boycott is when people deny business to a state, company or other group. A transgender experience Payton McGarry, 20, is one of those who oppose the bathroom law in North Carolina. He is suing to remove the law. McGarry said his birth certificate says he was born a girl. But he felt like a male since he was a young child. Since he started getting hormone treatments two years ago, his voice has deepened and his face and body became more masculine in appearance, according to his lawsuit. McGarry said that would make it uncomfortable both for him and for women using a women’s bathroom. In high school, he said he got pushed and hit “every time I went into a female bathroom.” The North Carolina law says people can use either the bathrooms for the sex listed on birth certificates, or bathrooms for both sexes. But McGarry said there are very few bathrooms for both males and females at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he is about to enter his junior year. “Being able to go the bathroom is something that we all need to do,” he told VOA. Boycott from both sides of the dispute Musicians Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, and Nick Jonas cancelled concerts in North Carolina because they view the bathroom law as discriminatory. And New York State joined the cities of Seattle and San Francisco in banning most government funded trips to North Carolina. The National Basketball Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association said they may move sporting events outside North Carolina in protest. A number of American businesses, including American Airlines, Apple and Dow Chemical have also criticized the law. One business, Target, has nearly 1,800 stores across the U.S. About 50 stores are in North Carolina. Target said customers and employees could choose the bathroom they feel most comfortable using at the stores. The American Family Association recently called for a boycott of Target. Tim Wildmon is the president of the association. He said Target’s policy: “Means a man can simply say he ‘feels like a woman today’ and enter” the women's bathroom – “even if young girls or women are already in there.” Target responded by saying that it understands some people might disagree with the store’s policy. And that it offers small bathrooms at many stores for use by both men and women. “As a company that firmly stands behind what it means to offer our team an inclusive place to work — and our guests an inclusive place to shop — we continue to believe that this is the right thing for Target,” the company said. What will happen with the dispute? The bathroom issue is also subject of a court case in Virginia. A court-ruled April 18 that a Virginia school board was wrong to stop transgender student Gavin Grimm, 16, from using the boys’ bathroom at his high school. The court said that policy is discriminatory. The ruling could help those suing over North Carolina’s transgender bathroom rule. I’m Bruce Alpert.   William Gallo and Katherine Gypson reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story and did additional reporting for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Share your views in the Comments Section or on our Facebook Page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bathroom – n. a room in a public place with a toilet and sink birth certificate – n. a document that lists your date and place of birth wedding – n. a marriage ceremony sue – n. to use a legal process by which you try to get a court of law to force a person, company, or organization that has treated you unfairly or hurt you in some way to give you something or to do something hormone – n. natural substance that is produced in the body and that influences the way the body grows or develops masculine – adj. of, relating to, or suited to men or boys uncomfortable – adj. causing a feeling of physical discomfort locker room – n. a place where people change clothing and, in many cases, take a shower inclusive – adj. open to everyone

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Dinosaurs Already Decreasing Before Asteroid Hit

  Dinosaurs—those big prehistoric creatures— may have already been decreasing in population long before an asteroid crashed into the Earth, and killed them. Until now, it was thought that an asteroid, or meteorite, that hit the Earth 66 million years ago was the main reason the reptiles became extinct. But a new study finds that they may have already been decreasing in numbers millions of years before that. Dr. Manabu Sakamoto is a dinosaur expert – a paleontologist – at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. He led the research in the new study. “We were not expecting this result,” Sakamoto said. The effect of the asteroid hitting the Earth is still considered the main reason for the dinosaurs’ final disappearance, Sakamoto said. But, he added, “it is clear that they were already past their prime in an evolutionary sense.” In other words, Sakamoto means that dinosaurs were already starting to disappear from the land before the asteroid struck the Earth. The researchers studied the fossil record. Fossils are remains of plants or animals that lived in ancient times that one can now see in some rocks. The new study says that 50 million years before the asteroid struck Earth, there was a decline of all types of dinosaurs. The long-necked sauropods were decreasing more quickly than other kinds of dinosaurs. The population of dinosaurs like the fierce Tyrannosaurus rex was decreasing at a slower rate than other dinosaurs. Sakamoto called the results of the study “groundbreaking.” “Once again, it will change our understanding of the fate of these mighty creatures,” Sakamoto said. He also said that while the asteroid may have been what finally led to their extinction, “something else had already been preventing dinosaurs from evolving new species as fast as old species were dying out.” Sakamoto said this suggests that for tens of millions of years before they finally died out from the asteroid effects, dinosaurs were beginning to lose their position as the leading animals on Earth. Dinosaurs ruled the Earth for about 150 million years. Mike Benton was the co-author of the new study. He is a paleontology professor at the University of Bristol. He said that dinosaurs had lost their ability to evolve – or change – quickly enough to deal with environmental changes on the planet. Some of these changes came from volcanic activity and the breaking up of continental landmasses. When the asteroid hit the Earth, its force was so strong it blew rocks and dust and particles into the atmosphere, covering the Earth. That stopped the sunlight from reaching the ground, so plants could not grow. With their food supply gone, the dinosaurs died off too. Some scientists believe the asteroid hit the Earth in an area that is now part of Mexico. The study is published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story from VOA News sources for Learning English.  Ashley Thompson was the editor. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   extinct – adj. no longer exist, or alive paleontologist – n. a person who studies the fossils of animals and plants that lived a long time ago, including dinosaurs prime – adj. time when they are at their best evolutionary - adj. changes and development over time groundbreaking – adj. introducing new ideas or methods fate – n. a power that is believed to control what happens in the future

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European Space Agency Plans a ‘Moon Village'

  The European Space Agency plans to build a base on the Moon. The agency said it would like a “Moon village” to be in working order in 20 years. Johann-Dietrich Woerner is the director general of the European Space Agency. He said building a permanent base on the Moon is a “stepping stone” and a “test bed” for a visit to Mars. The American space agency, NASA, has set a goal of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s. “I think we should go first to the Moon and then further on,” Woerner said. The effort to set up the Moon base is expected to be a collaborative one among countries that have or are developing space programs. That would include the United States, Russia, China and India. Woerner said the village would be used for scientific experiments. He added the Moon’s minerals and other resources would be used to build and maintain the base. It has been more than 50 years since men visited the Moon. Apollo 17 commander Gene Cernan was the last man to walk on the Earth’s only natural satellite on December 14, 1972. I’m Mario Ritter. The staff at VOA News wrote this story. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English and VOANews.com. Mario Ritter 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   collaborative –adj. involving two or more people or groups working together to reach a goal maintain – v.  to keep something in good condition by making repairs or correcting problems

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Cambodia Royal Turtle Near Extinction

The so-called royal turtles of Cambodia are close to disappearing forever. The group Wildlife Conservation Society says fewer than 10 Cambodian royal turtles remain in the wild. The society says sand removal and deforestation in Cambodia has led to habitat loss for the turtles. The turtle is also known as the Southern River terrapin. It is one of the world’s 25 endangered freshwater turtles. The turtle is only located in the Sre Ambel river system in Cambodia. The Cambodian Fishery Administration and the Wildlife Conservation Society have joined together to protect the turtles. But they have reported a decrease in the number of royal turtle nests. Four nests were found in 2015. One was found this year. The Royal Turtle was believed to be extinct. In 2000, scientists reported the discovery of a small group of the turtles. Their human protectors since have saved about 40 nests and more than 550 eggs. Over 300 eggs hatched successfully. I’m Pete Musto.   The Associated Press reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver 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   royal – adj. of or relating to a king or queen habitat – n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows nest – n. a place where an animal lives and usually lays eggs or takes care of its young extinct – adj. no longer existing hatch – v.  to come out of an egg; to be born by coming out of an egg

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Suicide Rates Increase in US

  A new study by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows suicide rates increased 24 percent between 1999 and 2014. The study showed that the number of suicides increased sharply after 2006. Economic conditions in the U.S. began to worsen at that time. A recession began in 2008. The suicide rate increased for men under the age of 75 by 43 percent between 1999 and 2014. For women under the age of 75, the greatest rate of increase was among those between 45 and 64. The suicide rate among those women was 80 percent higher in 2014 than in 1999. Men are much more likely to kill themselves than women. However, the study showed the rate of women who took their own lives grew much faster than among men. The study found men are more likely than women to use a gun. Fifty-five percent of men who killed themselves in 2014 used a gun. Among women, 31 percent used a gun. About 34 percent of women used poison. Suffocation is more common now than it was in 1999, when 20 percent of those who killed themselves used the method. In 2014, the rate increased to 25 percent. The suicide rate for non-Hispanic black men was lower in 2014 than in 1999. Black men are the only ethnic group of either gender whose suicide rates decreased. Experts say most people who try to kill themselves are not successful. They say taking steps to try to convince someone not to kill themselves is important. Researchers say removing the methods people use to kill themselves, such as guns or poison, can help for a short period. This can give long-term treatment time to take effect. The CDC said the suicide rate is increasing while the rate of all deaths is declining. It said suicide is one of the top ten causes of death in each age group from 10 to 64 years old.   I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. Summary of CDC Report: From 1999 to 2014 the suicide rate in the United States increased 24 percent. The growth rate was faster after 2006. Suicide rates increased from 1999 through 2014 for both males and females and for all people ages 10 to 74. The percentage increase in suicide rates for females was greatest for those between 10 and 14. For males, the greatest percentage increase was among those between 45 and 64. In 2014, more than 55 percent of men who killed themselves used guns. The most-used method among women was poisoning. More than 34 percent used this method. The percentage of suicides from suffocation increased for both genders between 1999 and 2014.   VOA News Writer Marissa Melton reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter 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   suicide – n. to kill oneself suffocation – n. to die from lack of oxygen gender – n. the sex someone is

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Everyday Grammar: Present Unreal Conditionals

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Iraqi Parliament Collapses, Lawmakers Flee Baghdad

Baghdad is in a state of emergency after protestors led by Shi’ite clergyman Muqtada al-Sadr entered the parliament building in the International Zone Saturday, forcing lawmakers to flee. On Sunday morning, the demonstrators gathered in front of the now-empty parliament building and in what is known as the zone’s “Celebration Square.” Later, they announced they would temporarily leave the area. In a statement, Sadr’s office said the decision was made because a major Shi’ite religious observance is taking place. About 60 lawmakers -- most of them from the minority Kurdish and Sunni parties -- flew out of the capital to Irbil and Suleymania, in the northern, self-governing Kurdish part of the country. “It was dangerous for all of us,” one parliament official told VOA. He said some lawmakers were beaten. Usually, only people with special documents are permitted to enter the secure area, which is also known as the Green Zone. A United Nations office and many foreign embassies are in the zone. The parliament official said “at any time, the protesters could attack any embassy, any institution they want, or abuse anybody passing by. It seems al-Sadr wants to keep them inside the (zone) so he can force the government to do what he wants.” The protest took place after weeks of political disputes and increasing instability. Many Iraqis are angry with the government. They want better government services and security and they want corruption to end. The parliament official said “al-Sadr has the power of the people. One speech and he can deliver thousands of people to do what he wants. It is the power of the populace. Al-Sadr is capable of running and leading the anger within each Iraqi person.” Iraqi security forces have stopped anyone from entering the city, and the military is watching closely to see what happens next. I’m Jonathan Evans. Correspondent Sharon Behn reported this story from Irbil, Iraq. 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.

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Lesson 12: Meet My Family

Summary Anna is feeling homesick. Marsha helps her by listening to her talk about her family.   Speaking In this video, learn to say the new words. Learn to ask a friend to talk about a problem. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about your family. Pronunciation ​In this video, you ​learn about how Americans pronounce the word "aunt" in different parts of the country. Conversation   Anna: Hello! Washington, D.C. has many beautiful parks. In fact, this park reminds me of my home very far away. Marsha: Anna, here's your coffee. Anna: Thanks, Marsha. Marsha: What's wrong? Anna: I'm thinking about my family. I'm feeling homesick. Marsha: Do you want to talk about it? Anna: Sure! I have some photos. Marsha: Yes. Yes, you do! Anna: Photos really help. Anna: This is my mother and this is my father. They are rodeo clowns. Marsha: What do rodeo clowns do? Anna: They make jokes at a rodeo. They make people laugh. Marsha: That-That';s very different. Marsha: Who is that woman in the picture? Anna: That is my Aunt Lavender. She is my mom's sister. She loves gardening and makes spoons. Marsha: She makes spoons? Anna: Of course. Marsha: That, too, is very different. Anna: Oh! This is my Uncle John. He is my father's brother. Marsha: What does Uncle John do? Anna: He's a chicken farmer. And makes guitars. He's awesome, and I'm his favorite niece. Marsha: Who are they? Anna: They are my cousins. They are my Uncle John's daughter and son. Marsha: What do they do? Anna: They raise sheep and make sweaters. Marsha: Yeah, that's not a surprise. Marsha: Thanks for showing me your family photos. Your family is very different. Anna: I do feel better. Thanks for listening. I have many more photos! Marsha: Yeah. Yeah, you do. Anna: Washington, DC is my new home. But I like remembering my old home, too. Anna's Family Tree This is a family tree. Anna tells Marsha about her parents. Her mother and father are rodeo clowns. Her father's parents are from Italy. These grandparents speak Italian. Anna's mother's parents live in California. These grandparents have a farm and raise horses. Anna's mother's sister is Aunt Lavender. She loves gardening. Anna's father has a brother. His name is John. Uncle John makes guitars. Uncle John has a daughter and a son. They are Anna's cousins. They raise sheep. Anna's brother has two children. They are Anna's niece and nephew.   Writing Are you from a big family or a small family? Write to us to tell us about two people in your family. What do they do? What do they make? Send us an email or write about them in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice with a friend.   Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Find Patterns. Learning is easier when you can find and apply patterns. Here is an example. Carlos is learning the names of family members in English. He sees a pattern. Some words change when you talk about the next generation. "Father" changes to "grandfather." When someone is related by marriage, the word "in-law" is used. "Sister" changes to "sister-in-law." Carlos thinks he can use this pattern to help remember the new words in English. How do you find and use patterns in studying English? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.   Listening Quiz Desktop Computer: Click here to go directly to the Listening Quiz. Click on the button below if you are on a mobile device or our mobile site. ______________________________________________________________ New Words clown - n. someone who often does funny things to make people laugh different - adj. not ordinary or common; unusual feel - v. used to describe or ask about someone's physical or mental state garden – v. to work in a garden; to take care of the plants in a garden guitar - n. a musical instrument that is held against the front of your body and that has usually six strings which are played with your fingers or with a pick homesick - adj. sad because you are away from your family and home joke - n. something said or done to cause laughter laugh - v. to show that you are happy or that you think something is funny by smiling and making a sound from your throat make - v. to build, create, or produce (something) by work or effort park -  n. piece of public land in or near a city that is kept free of houses and other buildings and can be used for pleasure and exercise photo (photograph) -  n. a picture made by a camera raise -  v. to keep and take care of (animals or crops) remind - v. to cause (someone) to remember something rodeo - n. an event in which people compete at riding horses and bulls, catching animals with ropes, etc. sheep - n. an animal with a thick woolly coat that  is often raised for meat or for its wool and skin spoon - n. an eating or cooking tool that has a small shallow bowl attached to a handle sweater - n. a warm usually knitted piece of clothing for the upper part of your body Family Relationships aunt - n. the sister of your father or mother or the wife of your uncle brother - n. a boy or man who has one or both of the same     parents as you cousin - n. a child of your uncle or aunt daughter - n. a female child family - n. a group of people who are related to each other father - n. a male parent mother - n. a female parent nephew - n. the son of your brother or sister niece - n. a daughter of your brother or sister sister - n. a girl or woman who has one or both of the same parents as you son - n. a male child uncle - n. the brother of your father or mother or the husband of your aunt   ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice a conversation about activities.     For Teachers ​ See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Auxiliary do and the verb make Topics: Family members​; family relationships., Learning Strategy: Find and Apply Patterns Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Ask about a problem; varied ways to pronounce "aunt" ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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Schools in US Don’t Get Same Funding

Education spending in the United States differs from school to school. In the southern state of Mississippi, a school in Brookhaven spends $6,417 per student. Just 100 kilometers west, Natchez spends nearly $3,000 more. Shannon Eubanks is a school principal, or head of school, in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He told VOA “Our kids don’t have a chance.” Less money means students in Brookhaven don’t have a music or arts teacher, Eubanks said. Students must share computers and they ride old buses that should have been removed from service years ago. Eubanks worked hard on a proposal last year to increase money for every Mississippi public school. But Mississippi voters defeated it. “We just have to keep trying,” Eubanks said. Who is paying for the schools? For six months, National Public Radio (NPR) worked on a detailed report about what it calls education’s “money problem.” It reported that even school districts located near each other get very different amounts of money. The reason is that districts get money from a number of places, NPR explained. All states give money for schools, but some states give more than others. Some states give more money to poor school districts than rich districts. The idea is that poorer districts need more help than richer districts. But other states give out money equally to rich and poor districts. The federal government has programs to help poor districts, but the effect is limited. The federal government only pays for about 8 percent of Kindergarten-12th grade public school costs. The largest share comes from local taxes on property. Communities with lots of wealthy people collect more property taxes and, as a result, have more money to spend on schools. The opposite is the case for poor communities. Funding for education across the U.S. The U.S. Census Bureau reported last year on school spending for the largest U.S. school districts. In the largest school district, New York City, per student spending is $20,331, the Census Bureau said. That is nearly twice as much as in Los Angeles, California. In Chicago, Illinois, it is $12,284 per student, $8,725 in Miami, Florida, and $8,295 in Houston, Texas. Education Week also researched funding levels for all 50 U.S. states. The differences are large. On average, New York, Alaska, and Wyoming spent more than $17,000 per student in 2013, while California, Oklahoma and Nevada spent about half that amount, Education Week reported. The average for the U.S. as a whole is about $12,000 per student. Here is how the small state of Wyoming came to be on the high end of school spending: The state receives taxes from oil and coal production. In the past, the extra money helped communities with the most production. That changed in the 1990s, when courts ruled all school districts in Wyoming should share in the oil and coal taxes. It led to increased money for all Wyoming public schools, said Kari Eakins of Wyoming Department of Education. The biggest change was reducing class size in early grades. The state now requires no more than 16 students per teacher in grades kindergarten through 3rd grade. Recent cuts in education funding The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities looks at public spending on services such as education. It said the big U.S. recession in 2008 led states to lower spending on education. Falling house prices meant property taxes, which provide the majority of school funding, dropped, too. The recession is over, but funding for schools remains below 2008 levels in most states, the center said. The center said those cuts mean schools will produce fewer “qualified workers” to fill the growing demand for “well educated” workers. How much money a school gets matters, said Eubanks, the Mississippi principal. His school serves 840 students in a rural community -- from kindergarten through 12th grade. Eubanks said, “We have a lot of issues well beyond education problems trying to serve poor students in a poor state.” He added the school is not giving them services “available in districts with more money.” I'm Bruce Albert.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English with additional information from NPR and Education Week. Hai Do 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   principal – n. the person in charge of a public school district – n. an area established by a government for official government business  

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One Minute of Exercise May Be All You Need

There is good news for people who think they do not have time to exercise. A group of researchers from a university in Canada recently published a study that says short bursts of high-intensity exercise are good for you. In fact, this kind of exercise is just as good as spending up to an hour riding a bike or running steadily. The research team followed 27 men who were not very active for 12 weeks. They divided the men into three groups. One group did short, intense workouts on a bicycle three times a week. Another group rode a bicycle for about 50 minutes, three times a week. A third group did nothing. The researchers found something they did not expect. The group that exercised for only 10 minutes each session was just as healthy after 12 weeks as the group that exercised for 50 minutes each session. That is because of the way the researchers organized the workouts. Each group started with a two-minute warm-up and finished with a three-minute cool-down. But in-between, the high-intensity group sprinted for 20 seconds, followed by a two-minute recovery period. They did three sprints for a total of 10 minutes of exercise. This kind of exercise is known as interval training. The lead author of the study says interval training is both time efficient and effective. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report from VOANews.com. Mario Ritter was the editor. Can you find 12 minutes in your busy schedule for exercise? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   burst – n. a short period of producing or doing something that begins suddenly session – n. a period of time that is used to do a particular activity interval – n. a period of time between events efficient – adj. capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy  

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Turkey Expands Media Crackdown

  Journalists attempting to work in Turkey are facing new pressures as the government enforces a ban on insulting the president. American reporter David Lepeska was denied entry to Turkey on Monday. He told followers on social media that he was stopped at Istanbul Ataturk Airport and immediately put on a flight to Chicago. Last Sunday, Turkish police detained Dutch journalist Ebru Umar at her home in the town of Kusadasi. Her detention resulted from a series of tweets on social media. In those messages, she repeated parts of her recent story about Turkey's president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan. She was later released, but told not to leave the country.  Erdogan has enforced the rarely-used law that makes it illegal to insult the president. Since his election in 2014, the government has brought charges against nearly 2,000 people. Many are reporters or work for media companies. Sevgi Akarcesme is a Turkish journalist. To avoid legal action, she said, most people simply say or write ‘the Palace’ -- meaning the offices of the president. She said she has been in court not only for her tweets, but for a comment left, without her knowledge, under one of the tweets. She received a suspended jail sentence. Akarcesme was the editor of the English language newspaper Today’s Zaman. The courts seized the paper last month on suspicion of supporting terrorism. Laws against terrorism have been used against two of the country’s most famous journalists. Can Dundar and Erdem Gul are with the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet. They were charged with publishing a story critical of the Turkish state. The article accuses the Turkish government of secretly giving weapons to Syrian rebels. The collapse of the ceasefire between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is seen as one reason for the government’s campaign against journalists.  The government argues the country is facing an unprecedented threat from the PKK and the self-declared Islamic State militant group. On Thursday, a Turkish court sentenced two journalists to two years in prison for inciting “public hatred.” But the journalists were found not guilty of “insulting religious values.” The charges were announced after the two reproduced a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad. The picture first appeared in the French weekly Charlie Hebdo. Concern about media freedom continues to grow among Turkey’s allies, including the United States. The State Department, the European Parliament and Council of Europe voiced their concern about legal pressure against the media in Turkey. I’m John Russell.   Dorian Jones wrote this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow 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   journalist – n. a person who collects, writes, and edits news stories for newspapers, magazines, television or radio tweet – n. a message sent using social media unprecedented – adj. never done or known before cartoon – n. a simple image showing its subjects in a humorous way

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