America's Birthplace: Independence National Historical Park

  This week, our U.S. National Parks journey takes us to the eastern city of Philadelphia, an important place in American history. Philadelphia sits along the Delaware River in the northeastern state of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, often called “Philly,” served as the nation’s capital from 1790 to 1800. Earlier, it was the capital of the American colonies during the war for independence from Britain. Philadelphia became the central meeting place for the men who created the United States government. The buildings where the founders worked still stand in an area called the Old City. The National Park Service protects much of Philadelphia’s Old City. In honor of the America’s 240th Independence Day, we visit the birthplace of the United States: Independence National Historical Park. The national historical park is 22 hectares. It covers 20 city blocks of Philadelphia’s historic area. Within these city blocks are some of the most important places in American history. The main site in the park is Independence Hall. It is here that colonial leaders declared independence from Britain. Later, they debated the creation of a government for the new country, and signed the U.S. Constitution. The building that is now Independence Hall was completed in 1753. It was originally the site of Pennsylvania’s colonial government. But 22 years later, Independence Hall would become the site of something much bigger. The Pennsylvania legislature loaned its Assembly Room to those in the Second Continental Congress in May of 1775. The second Congress included delegates from the 13 colonies. The men gathered just weeks after gunshots fired in Massachusetts marked the start of the Revolutionary War. The Congress prepared for war. It also approved George Washington as the first Commander in Chief of the new army. And, the men worked to produce a statement of American independence from Britain. On July 2, 1776, they voted to approve the resolution for independence. On July 4, they approved a document written by five of the founders, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and John Adams. That document was the Declaration of Independence. It includes these famous words: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” During the summer of 1787, the Assembly Room had another important use. Delegates held a federal convention there and wrote the U.S. Constitution. Guided tours National Park Service guides will take visitors through the Assembly Room, where the two historical documents were signed. It is a popular place among tourists. Visitors must order entrance tickets ahead of their visit.  The Assembly Room also held important relics of American history.  The Liberty Bell The Liberty Bell arrived from England in the middle 1700s. It was to hang in what was then the Pennsylvania statehouse. But the bell cracked soon after it arrived. So in 1753, it was melted and reformed. The new bell was rung many times for public announcements, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In the 1830s, a group that was trying to ban slavery in the United States began calling it the Liberty Bell. On it are words from the Christian holy book, the Bible. They read, "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." In 1846, the Liberty Bell cracked again. No one knows why. The Liberty Bell has not been rung since. It remains cracked and still served as an important national symbol.  About 2 million people visit Independence National Historical Park each year. They come to view history, celebrate independence, and walk in the footsteps of the nation’s founders. Reminders of these men can be found all over the park, from the statue of George Washington in front of Independence Hall, to the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Visitors can also search for the sign that marks where Abraham Lincoln once stood outside Independence Hall. He arrived there in February of 1861, as a president-elect on his way to Washington. Soon after, he took office as the 16th President of the United States. Lincoln gave a speech inside Independence Hall. It centered on freedom and liberty. He said that day, "I have never had a feeling politically that did not spring from the sentiments embodied in the Declaration of Independence." I'm Caty Weaver.  And I'm John Russell. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   loan - v. to give (something) to (someone) for a period of time evident - adj. clear to the sight or mind relic - n. something that is from a past time, place, culture, etc.  spring from - phrasal verb. to start from or be caused by (something) sentiment - n. an attitude or opinion

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Spacecraft Moving in for Jupiter Close-up

  Jupiter, our solar system’s largest planet, is about to show its secrets. On July 4, a NASA spacecraft will enter Jupiter’s orbit and start sending data back to Earth. It will be the first time scientists will be able to see what lies under the planet’s thick atmosphere and clouds. People around the world will be able to follow the mission online. To do so, download software called Eyes on the Solar System from the NASA website. Juno mission The mission is called Juno, after the spacecraft that will take the pictures. Its name tells the story of the mission. Juno was an ancient Roman goddess. In Roman mythology, Juno could see through clouds. Scientists say their Juno’s mission will be to look under Jupiter’s clouds to show its mysteries. Scientists hope to learn what is inside the planet, how it was formed, and other important information. NASA, America’s space agency, launched the Juno spacecraft five years ago from Florida. NASA announcer:  “And liftoff of the Atlas 5 with Juno on a trek to Jupiter, a planetary piece of the puzzle on the beginning of our solar system.” Finally, on the evening of July 4, Juno will fire its main engine and go into orbit around Jupiter. For the next 20 months, the spacecraft will circle Jupiter around its poles 37 times and map the whole surface of the planet. Juno will also study the planet’s auroras. But Jupiter presents a hostile environment for the spacecraft. Juno project scientist Steve Levin explains. “Jupiter is the biggest, baddest planet in the solar system, and it's got a bigger magnetic field, bigger aurora, bigger radiation belts, bigger gravity. Everything about it, really, is bigger.” In fact, the radiation is so intense that scientists built a protective vault, or box, to keep the electronics of the spacecraft safe.  “... which is basically a huge titanium box, and we've put all our most sensitive electronics inside the vault to help protect it against the damage that Jupiter would do (to) us.” Jupiter NASA says it hopes the data from Juno will tell scientists more about the planet's beginnings, structure, atmosphere and magnetosphere. This is a big job, partly because Jupiter is the largest and most massive planet in our solar system. It contains more than two times the amount of material of all the other bodies orbiting our sun combined, according to NASA. Most of the material left over after the sun was made went to Jupiter and formed what is called a gas giant. There is no solid surface, but scientists think there may be a solid center, about the size of Earth. Colorful cloud bands and spots make a pretty picture of the planet.  Jupiter is especially known for the Great Red Spot, a spinning oval of clouds that is much wider than Earth.         NASA says Jupiter’s spots and clouds come from the planet’s fast rotation — it spins around completely in only 10 hours. NASA says the speed creates jet streams that turn the clouds into bands. Because there is no solid surface to slow them down, Jupiter’s spots and clouds can last a very long time. In addition, NASA says Jupiter has at least 62 moons. Together they form a kind of miniature solar system. Kevin Hussey is NASA’s Visualization Technology Manager. He says that starting on Monday, you can tune in to see history in the making. “On the night of July 4th, you're going to be able to witness this historic event, the Juno spacecraft being captured by Jupiter into orbit...” And that event, scientists hope, may shine light on how our solar system was formed. I’m Anne Ball.   Mike O’Sullivan reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English. Kelly J. Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, and find us on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mythology – n. the myths of a particular group or culture aurora – n.  streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions caused emission of light from atoms vault – n. a room or place for safekeeping valuables magnetosphere – n. an area of space surrounding an object in space that is dominated by the object’s magnetic field rotation – n. the act of moving around a central point jet stream – n. a strong current of fast winds high above a planet’s surface

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July 1, 2016

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

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US Audiences Say 'Hello' to Adele

British singer Adele opens a series of shows in the United States this week in the small city of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Three hundred thousand people live in St. Paul. But it is part of a larger metropolitan area that is home to more than 3 million people. It is on the east side of the Mississippi River, across from Minneapolis. The two are often called the “Twin Cities.” The city of Saint Paul has recognized the importance of Adele’s visit. It took this chance to make fun of the competitiveness between the two cities. The Saint Paul Visitors and Convention Bureau produced a marketing video using Adele’s song “Hello,” but with different lyrics. The singers in the video urge people to visit the “east side” of the river. They describe all the fun things that people can do there. Hard to know what might draw those on the “west side” over the river more: a funny video or the real “Hello” singer herself. The tickets for the concert and the rest of Adele’s tour, however, sold out last December.​ Adele will play again in Saint Paul July 6. Then she leaves Minnesota for three performances in the big city of Chicago, Illinois. Top 10 Again Adele’s most recent album “25” was released in November of last year. It spent 10 weeks at the top of Billboard magazine’s list of best-selling albums. Now, Billboard reports the album is climbing the charts again after its June 24 release on streaming services. Industry experts expect the album to sell as many as 37,000 digital copies by June 30. That would put it back in the top 10. Several of the album’s songs, including “When We Were Young,” were released as singles on streaming services earlier this year. Adele is an expert “breakup” songwriter. She told the New York Times newspaper that she knows she has written a good song when it makes her cry. But other people’s songs make her cry, too. In a People magazine interview, Adele told about the songs of heartbreak that move her. One is, “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” from Bonnie Raitt’s 1991 album hit album “Luck of the Draw.” Raitt sings: I can’t make you love me if you don’t / you can’t make your heart feel something it won’t. ​Adele will perform in more than 15 U.S. cities during her tour in the country. She spends the most time in Los Angeles and New York. Her last appearance will be in Houston, Texas in November. I’m Marsha James.   Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Have you seen Adele in concert? Do you have a favorite song by the music star? _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   metropolitan - adj. of or relating to a large city and the surrounding cities and towns​ twin - adj. forming one of a pair of related or connected ideas or places​ lyrics -​ n. the words of a song​ chart -​ n.  a list that shows which music recordings have sold the most during a recent period of time​ break-up -​ n. the end of a relationship, marriage, etc.​

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Austria’s Highest Court Orders New Presidential Election

Austria will have its second presidential election this year in September or October. That is because the country’s highest court overturned the results of the presidential election in May. The court pointed to problems in the counting of ballots sent in the mail.  In the May election, former Green Party leader Alexander Van der Bellen defeated Norbert Hofer, leader of the Freedom Party. Hofer lost by about 31,000 votes -- or less than one percentage point. The Austrian Constitutional Court ruled that more than two times that number of votes were subject to questionable counting. The court’s ruling halted plans for Van der Bellen to be sworn-in as president on July 8. It also gives Hofer another chance to win the election. Hofer has campaigned openly against immigration. He reportedly carried a gun during campaign appearances. Public support for anti-immigrant parties has been rising in some European countries in recent months. The Austrian court’s ruling raises concerns in the European Union, one week after a British vote to leave the EU. Hofer has called for an Austrian vote on the country’s EU membership “within a year” unless the organization makes major reforms. Van der Bellen strongly supports keeping Austria in the European Union. The office of president is mostly a ceremonial position. The head of government is the chancellor, a position now held by Christian Kern of the Socialist Democratic Party. But the president has the power to dismiss the chancellor and call for new elections. Hofer has said he would use that power and others to push his agenda for stopping immigration and blocking free trade agreements. In its ruling, the Constitutional Court said some mail ballots were counted earlier than permitted under the law. It also said some ballots were counted by individuals without power to do so. The court’s president, Gerhard Holzinger, said the judges found no evidence of cheating. “The decision…doesn’t make anyone a loser or a winner,” he said. “It should only serve one purpose – to strengthen trust in our legal system and therefore our democracy.” I’m Bruce Alpert.   Esha Sarai and Isabela Cocoli reported this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted their reports 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   inaugurate – v. to introduce a newly elected official into a job or position with a formal ceremony agenda – n. a list of things to be considered or done cautious – adj. careful about avoiding danger or risk  

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“Finding Dory” Movie Audience Surprised in California

This is What’s Trending Today: The movie “Finding Dory” is one of the most popular currently playing in the United States. It is the sequel to the successful film from 2003, called “Finding Nemo.” It is an animated movie about a fish named Dory, who is looking for her parents. Disney made “Finding Dory” with very young children in mind. Most of the people who attend the movie are parents and young children. Before “Finding Dory,” however, a theater in California played the trailer for a different film by mistake. It is film for grown-ups called “Sausage Party.” “Sausage Party” is an animated movie about what happens to the food we buy in the grocery store once we get it home. Even though it is a cartoon, it has a lot of adult jokes and is not for children. In the movie, sausages, bread, carrots and potatoes all have voices and personalities. The food items are friends in the grocery store. They talk about how excited they will be when a shopper buys them and brings them home. But the vegetables, peanut butter and spaghetti do not know they will later be eaten by humans. Some of the scenes in the trailer used words that parents did not want their children to hear. Other scenes showed the “death” of food items – like a potato that screams as it is peeled before being dropped into boiling water. The news about the theater’s mistake came out in late June. The vice president of the movie theater, located near Oakland, California, apologized. The theater has multiple screens, he said. “Finding Dory” was so popular, the theater scheduled a last-minute showing in a theater that had been playing a movie made for adults. The “Sausage Party” trailer was supposed to be shown before a different movie, not with “Finding Dory.” After the news came out, the grown-up version of the “Sausage Party” trailer is up to 8.5 million views on YouTube. The version of the trailer that is safe for all ages now has almost 1 million views. One person enjoyed hearing about the mistake. That is actor Seth Rogen, whose voice is in “Sausage Party.” He wrote: “This made my day.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Some of his report was based on information from The East Bay Times. Adam Brock was the editor. What do you think about the movie mistake? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   peel – v. to remove the skin from (a fruit, vegetable, etc.) peanut butter – n. a creamy food made from ground peanuts usually spread on bread spaghetti – n. a food made from a mixture of flour, water, and sometimes eggs that is formed into long, thin strips and boiled cartoon – n. a film or television show made by photographing a series of drawings : an animated film or television show animated – adj. produced by the creation of a series of drawings, pictures, etc., that are shown quickly one after another : produced through the process of animation trailer – n. a selected group of scenes that are shown to advertise a movie sequel – n. a book, movie, etc., that continues a story begun in another book, movie, etc.

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'From the Cabby's Seat,' by O. Henry

  We present the short story "From the Cabby's Seat," by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State.   The cabby has his own special place from which he looks at life. His view of people is simpler, perhaps, than the view of a man who does any other kind of work. From the high seat of his cab, he looks down upon everybody. People are not important to him unless they wish to go somewhere. Then they are only something to be carried from one place to another. You may be a president or you may be no one, but to a cabby you are only a fare — only someone who rides in his cab for a price. You get into his cab, he shakes you a while, and he puts you down. Then the time for payment has arrived. If you pay him the lawful amount and no more, you can easily see what he thinks of you. He thinks you’re less than nothing. If you discover suddenly that you have no money with you, you will wish you were dead. It is probably true that the cabby’s view of life is formed by the shape of his cab. He sits up there on his seat, high as a god. The seat is small; no one shares it with him. While you are in his cab, your future is in his hands. You are helpless. The cab shakes you. You can’t get out until he stops his horse. If you want to speak to him, you must talk through a little hole in the back of the cab. In a cab you no longer feel like a person. You may be someone very important. But in a cab you’re no more than something in a box, being carried from one place to another. One night there were sounds of pleasure and joy in the big house beside McGary’s Family Restaurant. The sounds seemed to come from the rooms of the Walsh family. A crowd of interested neighbors stood outside the door. Again and again a waiter came bringing food or drink from the restaurant. The neighbors stood aside every time to let him pass. Then they would move near the door again. And all the time they were talking about what was happening inside. Anyone who listened would have learned quickly and easily that Norah Walsh was being married. After some time had gone by, the happy people started coming out the door. They mixed at once with the neighbors who were standing there. Joyful cries and laughing voices rose in the night air. All this noise was born of the drinks from McGary’s Restaurant. At the edge of the street stood Jerry O’Donovan’s cab. No cleaner or more shining cab could be found. And Jerry’s horse! I tell you he was fat with good food. Among the moving crowd Jerry’s high hat could now and then be seen. His nose, too, could be seen; it was thick and red, for it had been beaten by fares who wanted to fight. And also now and then, his fine green coat appeared. It was easy to see that Jerry had had more than enough to drink. Everyone had noticed it. Out of the crowd on the street or perhaps from among the people walking past the house, came a young woman. She stopped beside the cab. Jerry saw her there. A fare! He made a sudden move, and three or four people near him fell down. He himself — No! He caught himself in time and did not fall. Quickly he went up to his seat. When he was there, he was safe. All of McGary’s drink could not throw him down from there. “Step in, lady,” said Jerry. The young woman stepped into the cab. The door closed. The crowd in the street jumped away. The horse started and the fine cab rolled down the street. The horse went fast at first, but after a little time he went more slowly. Then Jerry called down through the hole in the back of the cab. He tried to make his voice soft; he wished to please. “Where will you be going to?” “Any place you wish,” was the answer. The voice was happy. It sounded like music. “She’s riding for pleasure,” thought Jerry. And then he said: “Take a trip in the park, lady. It will be cool and fine.” “Just as you wish,” answered the fare, pleasantly. The cab turned toward Fifth Avenue, then went north on that perfect street. Jerry was moved up and down in his seat, and from one side to the other. McGary’s drinks moved at the same time, and seemed to rise inside his head. He began to sing. Inside the cab the fare sat up straight on the seat. She looked to the right and to the left at the lights and the houses. It was dark inside the cab, and her eyes were shining like stars. When they came to Fifty-Ninth Street, Jerry was half asleep. But his horse went through the park gate. The horse knew where they were. The horse pulled the cab into the park every night. And the fare sat there, as if in a happy dream. She could smell the clean fresh smell of green leaves and flowers. And the wise animal pulling the cab moved as usual. He was at home here. Jerry too tried to do as he did every night. His voice was thick, but he asked the questions that cabbies always ask in the park. “You want to stop at the Casino Restaurant, lady? Have something to eat? Listen to the music? Everyone stops.” “I think that would be nice,” said the fare. They made a sudden stop at the door of the restaurant. The cab door opened. The fare stepped out. At once she seemed caught by the wonderful music. The lights and the colors were bright, almost blinding. Someone put a piece of paper into her hand. On it was a number — 34. She looked around and saw her cab. It was 20 yards away, taking its place in a line with other waiting cabs. She was led inside, and soon she was seated at a table. She realized that she was expected to buy something. She had a little money. She counted it and found enough to buy something cold and fresh to drink. There she sat, drinking slowly and looking at every- thing around her. Life here had new color, a new shape. It did not seem real. It was like a beautiful dream. At 50 tables sat people who looked to her like kings and queens. She thought their clothes and jewels were wonderfully rich. And now and then one of these people would look at her. They saw a small woman in a simple dress. They saw a plain face. But on that face they saw an expression of love of life, and the queens wished that they could look the same. While she sat there, two hours passed. The kings and queens began to leave. Their cabs rolled away. The music ended. The waiters took everything off tables near hers. She was sitting there almost alone. Jerry’s fare stood up and held out the numbered piece of paper. “Is someone going to give me something for this?” she asked. A waiter told her that it was for her cab. He said that she should go to the door and give it to the man there. This man took it and called the number. Only three cabs stood in line now. The driver of one of them went and found Jerry asleep inside his cab. Jerry spoke a few words in anger, and then went up to his seat. He turned the horse and the cab rolled to the door and stopped. His fare entered. The cab turned again, and went through the cool darkness of the park, following the street that would lead most quickly to the gate. At the gate, Jerry began suddenly to think. He was still half asleep, but there was a doubt in his mind. There were one or two things he had to ask about. He stopped his horse, and his voice came down through the hole in the back of the cab. “I want to see four dollars before we go any farther. Have you got the money?” “Four dollars!” laughed the fare, softly. “No. I’ve only got a few cents with me.” Jerry made the horse run. The animal’s feet were very loud on the street. But above the noise of the horse’s feet, Jerry’s voice could be heard. He was full of anger. He shouted at the stars in the sky. He shouted at other cabs as they passed. His words were so bad that another driver, hearing them, could not believe his ears. But Jerry knew what he could do about this fare without money. He knew where he was going. At the building with the green lights beside the door he pulled his horse to a stop. He opened the cab door and he jumped to the ground. “Come on, you,” he said, and his voice was hard. His fare came out with the dreaming smile still on her plain face. Jerry took her by the arm and led her inside. He was going to tell the cops what had happened. They would do something about it. A gray-haired cop looked across the table. He and the cabby were no strangers. Jerry began, in his loud, hard voice, “I’ve got a fare here that—” Jerry stopped. He put his hand, reddened by the weather, to his face. The drink from McGary’s Restaurant no longer clouded his mind so darkly. “A fare, sir,” he continued, with a wide smile, “that I want you to meet. It’s my wife that I married at old man Walsh’s this evening. And a wild time we had, it’s true. Shake hands with him, Norah, and we’ll go home.” Before stepping into the cab again, Norah took a long deep breath. “I’ve had a very nice time, Jerry,” said she said.   Download activities to help you understand this story here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. Have you ever treated someone you care about badly without knowing you were behaving badly? How often do newly married people make mistakes? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cabby – n. a person who drives a cab view – n. cab – n. a vehicle that carries passengers to a place for an amount of money that is based on the distance traveled fare – n. a passenger who pays to travel on a bus, train, boat, or airplane or in a cab park – n. a 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 jewel(s) – n. a piece of jewelry such as a necklace or a bracelet that is made of valuable metal and precious stones — usually plural cent(s) – n. a unit of money that is equal to a smaller part of the basic unit of money in many countries  cop(s) -  n. a person whose job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests

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English @ the Movies: 'Signed Up For'

Our English @ the Movies phrase is from the movie "400 Days." The phrase is "signed up for." The story is science fiction. It is about astronauts who signed up for an experiment on humans in space. What does "signed up for" mean? Listen and find out.

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Rodrigo Duterte Takes Office in the Philippines

  The new president of the Philippines has promised to be “relentless” in the fight against crime. Rodrigo Duterte was sworn in Thursday. He won the office on his promise to defeat crime and corruption within six months.   Duterte is known for carrying out strong policies to crush crime as mayor of Davao, the country’s second largest city.  During his swearing-in speech in Manila, the leader defended his methods for cutting crime. “I know that there are some who do not approve…,” he said. “Let me say that I have seen how corruption works. I have seen how illegal drugs ruin individuals and relationships…I have seen how corruption bled government funds.” He also said that as a lawyer, he knows “the limits of the powers” of the president. “You mind your work and I will mind mine. I know what is legal and what is not,” he said. Duterte’s critics accuse him of ordering extreme punishment of criminals, including unlawful killings. Human Rights Watch says he used death squads to kill more than 1,000 people. The accusations were investigated in 2009, but the case never went to trial. Many people in Davao say they forgive Duterte for any death squad activity because the city is safer. Duterte appealed to voters who consider crime, government corruption and poverty as major problems. Many Filipinos also liked his outspoken style during the campaign. He sometimes used offensive language, made threats and told crude jokes.   The spokesman for the city of Davao, Leo Villareal, said Duterte was successful in reducing crime because he was unpredictable. He said no one could stop Duterte as a result. The new president said he would be “relentless” during his “sustained” fight against corruption, criminality and illegal drugs. But he also said these problems are only signs of a disease affecting all of Philippine society. Duterte demanded openness and honesty in government and equality for people for both wealthy and poor people. Some political observers have raised concerns that the president’s main goal of fighting crime and corruption could slow the country’s economy. The Philippines saw continued economic growth under former president Benigno Aquino. Duterte is the first president to come from the country's south, where a Muslim rebellion has continued for years. Harvey Gamas teaches at Ateneo de Davao University. He said the president’s roots might help him deal with the separatist problem. Duterte met with two rebel groups in mid-June to propose a federal system of government to give Muslims more self-rule. Another issue Duterte is expected to deal with is the Philippines’ relationship with China. The two countries have been in dispute since 2012 about territorial rights in the South China Sea. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also claim territory in the area. In recent years, Chinese crews have built islands in the sea, complete with airfields. China's official news agency Xinhua reported Thursday that President Xi Jinping sent a message of congratulations to Duterte. He said he was "willing to work with Duterte to push for improvement of relations between the two countries.” I’m Caty Weaver. Ralph Jennings reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn it for Learning English with additional information from Associated Press and Reuters.  Caty Weaver was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story relentless – adj. to continue without becoming weaker death squad – n. a group of people given the task of killing others, usually with the indirect approval of government crude – adj. rude, especially language of a sexual nature sustained – adj. continuing for an extended period of time erosion – n. the process of gradually being destroyed

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Activists Critical of Latest Human Trafficking Report

  Activists are voicing concerns about a new United States government report on human trafficking. The State Department released its 2016 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report Thursday. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke to reporters at the department’s headquarters. He said human trafficking remains a major problem in some areas of the world. Human trafficking has been described as organized criminal activity in which human beings are treated as possessions. The new report explores issues such as the use of modern slavery, child soldiers, and forced marriage. It also describes steps taken by governments around the world to fight trafficking. The State Department and rights groups estimate that the trafficking industry earns about $150 billion dollars a year. They say 20 million people leave their home countries and go overseas to be abused as laborers. The report rates countries, placing each in one of three tiers, or groups, and also to a watch list. In the first tier are countries that meet minimum standards for dealing with human trafficking. The second tier is made up of countries that do not meet the minimum levels, but are making efforts to comply. Tier 3 is the group of countries judged to do the least to fight human trafficking. Thailand has been at the center of trafficking groups that operate across Southeast Asia. Activists are criticizing the State Department’s decision to move the country from Tier 3 to its Tier 2 Watch List. The U.S. ambassador to Thailand is Glyn Davies. He says the country’s higher ranking is a sign of better efforts against trafficking. But some activists disagree. Kristen Abrams is the director of the Alliance to End Slavery and Trafficking, a group known as ATEST. She said, “The conditions are worsening in that country for migrant workers. There continues to be egregious labor abuse, particularly in the seafood industry.” Abrams said she believes Thailand should be in Tier 3. She also disagreed with Malaysia’s ranking in the Tier 2 Watch List. Malaysia was upgraded one step last year. The Migrant Workers Rights Network said it supported the upgrade for Thailand, saying it had made “significant improvements.” The group claims to have 4,000 members in Thailand and Myanmar. Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha also praised the upgrade. “We’ve done much better than in previous times,” he said earlier this week. Prayuth, a former general in the Thai military, ousted Thailand’s civilian leadership two years ago. He has used his powers to try to reduce trafficking in Thailand. Thailand’s eastern neighbor, however, was downgraded in the new U.S. report. Myanmar, the country also known as Burma, was placed in Tier 3. The report said Myanmar had not done enough to stop the use of child soldiers and forced labor. It also noted the treatment of Rohingya Muslims in the Buddhist-majority country. Myanmar’s government has faced criticism for not doing enough for the group. In fact, the government refuses to use the word Rohingya when talking about the group. Myanmar considers them Bengalis who are illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Myanmar is now in its first year of a largely democratically elected government. The TIP report places Myanmar with Iran, North Korea and more than 20 other countries said to be the worst in dealing with the trafficking of humans. The State Department describes the report as a tool to work with foreign governments on the issue of human trafficking. I’m Mario Ritter. Steve Herman and Ken Bredemeier reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   exploit – v. to use, usually involving misuse or mistreatment minimum standards – n. the most basic qualities that meet required needs comply – v. to do what has been asked or ordered egregious – adj. very easy to notice, very bad

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June 30, 2016

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

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