Crash Turns Tour de France into Running Event

This is What’s Trending Today. The Tour de France is the most famous cycling event in the world. It takes place every year over three weeks in July. Some of the most important stages of the event finish on top of mountains. That is because it is a chance for riders who are good at going uphill to move ahead of slower riders. British cyclist Chris Froome is one of those riders. He won the Tour de France in 2013 and 2015. Heading into Thursday’s stage he was leading the race by 28 seconds. Stage 12 finished on top of Mont Ventoux. The riders covered about 180 kilometers on Thursday. Mont Ventoux is famous for its steep sections. Near the end of the stage, Australian rider Richie Porte was in front of Froome. Then he crashed into a motorcycle. Froome crashed into Porte, and his bike was so damaged, he could not keep riding. The road was packed with spectators. Froome’s support vehicle had a replacement bike, but it could not get through. Instead of waiting, worried that he would lose time, Froome decided to run up the mountain. He was about 1 kilometer from the finish when he started running. Froome was running fast even though he was wearing shoes meant only for cycling! Most people could not remember a cyclist running during a bike race. In fact, riders are not supposed to finish a stage without their bike. Froome’s run was so surprising; it was a worldwide trending topic on Twitter. Many people used photo editing software to show Froome running in unique places. One person showed him running away from bulls, as if he were in Pamplona, Spain. Another showed him finishing ahead of sprinter Usain Bolt. A third showed him running with Forrest Gump from the famous Tom Hanks movie. A lot of people had fun with Froome’s panic. But some people were worried Froome would lose time on his rivals. ​ Luckily for Froome, the crash did not affect his position in the race. Because the crash was not his fault, race officials adjusted his time. Froome finished the stage with same time as the other riders he was with at the time of the crash. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. What did you think of Froome running in the Tour de France? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   stage – n. a section or period of an event spectator – n. a person who watches an event, show, game, activity, etc., often as part of an audience panic – n. a state or feeling of extreme fear that makes someone unable to act or think normally adjust – v. to change the position of (something) steep – adj. almost straight up and down : rising or falling very sharply edit – v. to prepare (something written) to be published or used : to make changes, correct mistakes, etc., in (something written)  

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France in Shock after Truck Attack in Nice

A driver killed more than 80 people and injured more than 100 others when he crashed a large truck into a crowd in Nice, France Thursday night. People had gathered in Nice for a celebration of Bastille Day, France’s independence holiday. Nice is the fifth-largest city in France. It is a port city about 30 kilometers from the Italian border. About 350,000 people live there. The driver was shot and killed. Police identified him as a 31-year-old French-Tunisian who lived in Nice. Police said he was known as a violent person and longtime criminal. But security forces did not suspect him of having links to terrorist groups. The driver entered a street that was closed to traffic at the time. He crashed through a barrier, then drove through the crowd for up to two kilometers, speeding up and targeting people as they tried to flee. French President Francois Hollande spoke to the nation early Friday. He said “nothing will make us give way in the fight against terrorism.” He talked about the terrorist attacks in Paris last November. He said all of France is being threatened by the Islamic State terrorist group. Hollande extended the country’s state of emergency -- which was to end later this month -- for three months. He has also ordered 10,000 members of the military to help security forces throughout the country. And he said France will increase its roles in Syria and Iraq. This is the third large attack in France since last year. An attack in Paris in November killed at least 130 people and a series of attacks in January 2015 that began with an assault on the offices of the magazine Charlie Hebdo killed 17 people. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted this story for Learning English based on VOA news reports. 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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France in Shock After Truck Attack in Nice

Global reaction to Bastille Day terror attack in Nice, France.

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Amateur Video Captures Nice Truck Attack

A driver killed over 80 people and injured more than 100 others when he steered his speeding truck into a crowd in Nice Thursday night at a celebration of Bastille Day, France's independence holiday.

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The Sounds of Grammar with Betty Azar

For VOA Learning English, this is Everyday Grammar. Today we have a special guest host. Betty Azar is the most successful writer of grammar textbooks in the world.  Generations of English learners will recognize her best-selling book Understanding and Using English Grammar. The famous blue grammar book, now in its fourth edition, is in use at language schools across the world. Ms. Azar also supports research and professional development in the English language teaching field.  Today Ms. Azar will offer some advice on how to hear the sounds of grammar. STUDENT: "English speakers talk too fast!  I can't understand what they're saying." BETTY AZAR: Does that sound familiar?  It's a common complaint of English language learners, one I've heard often from my university-level ESL students through the years.  Normal contracted speech, especially in everyday conversational usage, can speed by like a bullet train.  It can leave learners feeling a little dazed as they try to catch the meaning. For most adult learners, reading is, of course, much easier to understand.  When understanding English is just between you and the written page, you can go as slowly as you want. You can go back and read words again, perhaps break down the grammar.  You can even leisurely look up the meaning of a word. And at least in writing there are spaces between words.  If only that were true in speaking!  If only speakers paused briefly between words, it would be so much easier for learners. Teachers in second language classes often speak slowly and distinctly, as I am doing now. But in the real world, well, it's not going to happen.  Or, to say that in normal contracted speech, Well, i'snotgonnahappen. Speakers squeeze sounds together, or drop sounds, or say them so softly and quickly that a listener can barely hear them.  When you listen to my sentence again, notice that the t is almost completely dropped from it's, and going to becomes gonna. Well, i'snot gonna happen.  As a teacher, I've often heard students say things like     Bye. I leaving now.  I see you tomorrow.  What's missing?  The grammar sounds are missing, in this case the m and l sounds for am and will.  Listen for them in the corrected sentences: Bye. I'm leaving now.  I'll see you tomorrow.  The m and l sounds are barely said aloud.  But a native speaker hears them.  Do you?  Listen again.  Bye. I'm leaving now.  I'll see you tomorrow.  And then, sometimes native speakers drop not only sounds but complete words.  Listen to this: Bye.  ‘M leavin' now.  See you tomorrow. If you're saying "Not fair!," you're not the first English learner to feel that way! Grammar students learn that am, is, are and helping verbs (for example, will, have, would) are often contracted with pronouns in both speaking and writing, as in I'm and I'll.  But most students also find it helpful to know that in everyday spoken English these verbs are usually contracted with nouns and question words, too.  Here's a sentence about a man named Tom.  Tom is a noun. In writing, you will see Don't worry. Tom will be here soon.  In speaking, you will hear Don't worry.  Tom'll be here soon.  Listen for Tom will again:         Don't worry.  Tom'll be here soon. Here's another example of a contraction with a noun: My book is on the table. becomes My book's on the table.  And another example, this time with are: In writing you will see My books are on the table. In speaking you will hear My books're on the table.  Again: My books're on the table. The verb sounds are so quick that it's almost impossible to hear them unless you expect to hear them.  Listen again: My book's on the table.  My books're on the table. Question words (such as where, when, why) are similarly contracted in speech. In writing, each word is separate. For example: Where are the students?  Where have they gone? In spoken English, the question word is contracted with the verb: Where're the students?  Where've they gone? Again: Where're the students?  Where've they gone? No wonder it's hard for learners to catch these grammar sounds!  If you think English speakers talk really fast, you're right.  They do! Do and did are also often reduced. Listen for do you : D'you know Mrs. Lee? Again: D'you know Mrs. Lee? Did can be a quick d sound when it's combined with a question word.  Listen for where did and what did: Where'd she go?  What'd she do? Again: Where'd she go?  What'd she do? Here's another example of shortened spoken English that my students usually enjoy.  Two people are talking. D'ja eat yet? No, d'joo?  In other words, spoken slowly: Did you eat yet? No, did you? Did is a good example of a function word.  A function word gives grammar information.  In the sentence Did you eat yet?, did tells us that the speaker is talking about the past and is asking a question.  In contrast, eat is a content word. So are words such as Tom, yesterday, lunch. Content words have specific meanings.  Function words are the ones that are the hardest to hear in speech.  Content words are usually said more clearly and loudly. Along with helping verbs, other common function words are and, to, the, and a.   Let's look at and.  And shows the relationship between two nouns:  Bob and Tom tells us there are two people. Like most function words, and is usually reduced: I had lunch with Bob ‘n Tom yesterday. A learner could easily think that "Bobbintom" is one word! To is usually reduced to a slight t sound: Let's ask Tom to come with us. sounds like Let's ask Tom t'come with us. Again: Let's ask Tom t'come with us. The and a can be especially hard for learners to hear.  Listen for the and a: In class yesterday, I asked the teacher a question.   Even if you know the and a are supposed to be there, you have to listen hard to hear them.  Listen again: In class yesterday, I asked the teacher a question.   Native speakers can hear the softer sounds of function words, but it can be very difficult for second language learners to hear them. Knowing some grammar can help.  For example, learners are more likely to hear and to say Bye. I'm leaving now.  I'll see you later if they are familiar with the forms and meanings of verb tenses. If learners don't know what grammar sounds they're supposed to hear,  chances are they won't hear them. If they don't hear them, chances are they won't include them in their own speaking and writing. In other words, an awareness of grammar can prepare you to understand what you're hearing, and hearing the sounds of grammar can, in turn, help you use English more accurately. I'm Betty Azar.   Betty Azar wrote this story as a contributor for VOA Learning English. Adam Brock was the producer. Jill Robbins was the editor. You can visit Betty Azar's website at www.azargrammar.com. Betty Azar would like to thank Stacy Hagen for sharing her expertise in the grammar-listening connection. Learners can find many answers to grammar questions at the Azar Grammar Exchange. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   contracted – participial adj. shortened dazed –  participial adj. confused and surprised squeeze – v. push close together leisurely – adv. in a slow, relaxed way contraction – gramm. two words combined into one word, e.g., I am = I'm chances are (that) - idiomatic phrase. it is probable (that) in turn - idiomatic phrase. as a result Try this quiz on the article to test your understanding. Now it's your turn. Do you have trouble understanding spoken English? What advice do you have for learners?  

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Travelers Detail Dangerous Escape from South Sudan

  Tens of thousands of people are fleeing South Sudan after five days of fighting in Juba, the capital city. Many people are heading south towards Uganda, but the trip is considered extremely dangerous. The South Sudanese are fleeing fighting between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and those who support First Vice President Riek Machar. Some of the people who have made it across the border are talking about their experiences. One young woman says she barely escaped before a bomb hit her home. Two of her relatives died. She hid for a while in the northern part of Juba before finding a bus and heading south. At military checkpoints, men in government uniforms asked for money and other bribes before letting the bus continue south. People gave away cell phones, laptop computers and even clothing. Edwin Taylor of Liberia made it through South Sudan as well. He and his brother made the journey safely, but said others were not so lucky. “You will see bodies on the road which are foreigner bodies, cars on the road. People who were coming from the capital...They killed these people, took their cars, robbed them. It's not easy. It was by the grace of God we maneuvered to come here,” Taylor said. One Ugandan woman made it home from South Sudan. She said government soldiers were preventing South Sudanese from leaving the country. The United Nations says at least 272 people have been killed during recent fighting in South Sudan. At least 36,000 residents of South Sudan are displaced. Many are staying at United Nations bases and churches in Juba. The South Sudanese government says the fighting started when opposition leader Riek Machar posted a false news report. The report said president Salva Kiir was planning to arrest Machar. Armed bodyguards loyal to Machar arrived at the presidential palace in 21 vehicles. A dispute started and one guard was killed. A spokesman for the South Sudan army said he does not know of new checkpoints or more violence on the road to Uganda. But police in Uganda say more people are arriving in Uganda with gunshot wounds. Ugandan authorities say they are preparing for more refugees. They are also placing armed vehicles along the border to make sure fighting does not spread into Uganda. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Lizabeth Paulat wrote this story for VOANews.com. Dan Friedell adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. What do you think of the dangerous journey these people took to Uganda? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   scary – adj. causing fear checkpoint – n. a place where people, cars, etc., are searched by someone (such as a police officer) before being allowed to continue bribe – n. something valuable (such as money) that is given in order to get someone to do something

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Ocean Swallowing West African Coastline

  Water, the saying goes, will find its way. And so it seems to be the case in West Africa. Rising sea levels and erosion along the coast are threatening the homes and jobs of hundreds of thousands of people across West Africa. Grand-Lahou is one example. The Ivory Coast tourist town is about 100 kilometers west of Abidjan. The waves are swallowing the coastline of Grand-Lahou’s old town at a rate of one to two meters a year. It is a problem along much of West Africa’s coast. The effects could be serious. One-third of the area’s people live by the sea. The coastal areas contribute about half of the area’s GDP, or gross domestic product. Eugene Koffi has spent all his life on a shrinking patch of land between the sea and lagoon. It is called Lahou-Kpanda. Pointing out across the water, Koffi says the sea used to be back there, two kilometers away. But now, it comes up to just a few meters away from where he stands. He says there used to be people living there, and coconut trees. But now, many houses have been abandoned along the coast.  Residents moved inland. Coastal erosion is not new. It is a natural event. But experts say human activity is speeding up the process. With global warming, the sea levels are rising around the world. Grand-Lahou has been hurt by nearby government dams and the practice of taking sand to build houses. Many buildings from the early 20th century have washed away. Water has eroded the fence around the church. It regularly fills the courtyard.  And at the cemetery, the tombstones are slowly being covered by sand. For the few thousand fishermen there, making a living has become harder. One says the mouth of the river is stuck in the sand, and they cannot cross with their boats. Barthelemy Bamba is the director of the Center for Ocean Research in Abidjan. They work on prevention and awareness issues. They also advise the Ivorian government on developing future structures like coastal roads. He says there were mangroves—a kind of tree—that grow in the salt water of the lagoon. The problem starts when the river mouth is closed, blocking the salt water. The lagoon becomes fresh water and the mangroves die. But the mangroves are very important for biodiversity—keeping different kinds of life in the area.  If the mangroves die, Bamba says, it basically ends fishing there. The fishermen say the government could help by removing the sand from the mouth of the river. But experts say the rising sea level is irreversible—there is no way to turn it back. In the end, the people will be pushed inland, too. I’m Anne Ball.   Emilie Iob reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section below, and find us on our facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   lagoon – n. an area of sea water that is separated from the ocean by a reef or sandbar erode – v. to gradually destroy something by natural forces cemetery – n. a place where dead people are buried tombstone – n. a marker for where a person is buried, usually made of stone

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Supreme Court Justice Regrets Comment on Donald Trump

United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says her recent comments about Donald Trump were “ill-advised.” The Justice added that she, “regret(s) making them.” In interviews with media organizations in the past week, Ginsburg criticized the presumptive Republican nominee for president. She said she did not want to think about the possibility of Trump winning the election. She also called Trump a “faker.” Trump asked the justice to resign from her position. On social media, he criticized her comment as, in his words, “dumb.” He tweeted, “Her mind is shot – resign.” Republicans and some newspaper editorial writers were critical of the Justice’s comments. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said her comment “shows bias.” Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said it was “totally inappropriate” for Ginsburg to criticize Trump. Both The New York Times and The Washington Post wrote editorials saying she should stay out of presidential politics. Justice Ginsburg seemed to agree with the criticism. In a statement released by the court’s public information office, she said: “Judges should avoid commenting on a candidate for public office. In the future, I will be more circumspect.” Ginsburg has served on the Supreme Court since 1993. President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, appointed her. At the time, she was only the second woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court. At 83, she is the oldest member of the court. Ginsburg is known for speaking out on many issues. Her comments are often reported in blogs and were even turned into a book. Reporters question Josh Earnest about her criticism of Trump on Wednesday. The president’s spokesman said, “She didn’t earn the nickname the 'Notorious RBG' for nothing.” I’m Mario Ritter.   Hai Do wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   presumptive –adj. considered to be, but not yet officially confirmed circumspect –adj. thinking carefully about possible risks before doing or saying something notorious –adj. well-known, often for something bad  

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A Home for Killers Is Now a Museum

  In 1924, architects created a modern house for a wealthy family in Beirut, Lebanon. People called it the Yellow House. The building was well known for its unusual style. But after 1975, when a civil war struck Beirut, the Yellow House became known for another reason. The building stood at the intersection of what was known as the city’s "Green Line.” The line divided the warring parties of east and west Beirut.  Its location made the Yellow House perfect for people who wanted to look over the city and kill others. Snipers took over the house.   “It went from an avant-garde, innovative presence in the city to become a tool for killing, a murderous house,” explained Youssef Haidar. He is the architect responsible for renovating the building, which is now called Beit Beirut – or Beirut House. The building will re-open to the public in September. This time, it will be a “memory museum.” Some people don’t want to remember because they were guilty of crimes in the war, Haider explained. But, he added, “I believe that remembering is important.” Horror and hope Mona Hallack is the person who is most responsible for transforming the Yellow House into a museum.  She first stepped into the abandoned building in 1994. On the floor, she saw things from families and businesses that once used the space: school photos, letters, film from a photography shop. At the same time, the building still had snipers’ sandbags, graffiti, and bullet holes. On one wall, someone had written the word “Hell.”  Hallack said being in the house reminded her of the war. She recalled the snipers, and the stories about people being killed. But she also felt hope. Changing a murderous house The city planned to tear the building down. But Hallack fought to keep it. She and others eventually succeeded in making it a museum. Evidence of the war – including the bullet holes and graffiti – remain. But architects have also added an underground theater and a glass façade. Hallack is now gathering exhibits for the museum. She explained she hopes they will allow people to "tell their stories." Beirut is changing, she said. Many of the old buildings are being replaced by modern apartments and offices. She said something is being lost. That includes the unusual architecture of the Yellow House, and the things people left on its floor.  “These aren’t just buildings, it is the traditions and quality of the lives of those who lived there,” Halleck said. Those traditions and lives, she explained, make Beirut different from Dubai, or from any other city. Never again Beit Beirut may focus on the past, but it has the power to shape the future. Some early visitors to the museum included the family of Fouad Kozah. Kozah was an architect in 1932. He added two floors to the original Yellow House. Kozah’s daughter is named Nadine. She hopes that younger generations will visit the building and learn from it as “a reminder of never again.” I’m John Russell.   John Owens wrote this story for VOA news. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly 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   architect – n. a person who designs buildings sniper – n. a person who shoots at another person from a hidden place avant-garde – adj. related to people who develop new and often very surprising ideas in art, literature, etc. innovative – adj. introducing or using new ideas or methods renovate – v. to make changes and repairs to an old house or building, so that it is back in good condition abandoned – adj. left without needed protection or care sandbag – n. a bag filled with sand and used as a weight or to build temporary walls, dams, etc. graffiti – n. pictures or words painted or drawn on a wall or building facade – n. the front of a building

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2016 Most Dangerous Year Ever for Afghan Journalists

  The year 2016 has been the most violent year ever for reporters in Afghanistan, a new report says.   The Afghan Journalists Safety Committee released its latest report Monday. The group observes the safety situation of reporters in the country. Ten members of the media have been killed this year. That is the most in the country’s history. The group reports a total of 54 incidents of violence against journalists since January 2016. That is a 38 percent increase compared to the first half of last year. The report also says the government was involved with 21 of the violent incidents. It did not, however, provide details about the people involved. The report also notes the number of Taliban-linked cases has increased. The Taliban reportedly was responsible for 16 cases of violence against journalists. The safety committee's latest report also says that the number of women working in media in Afghanistan has decreased since 2014. However, the report calls Afghanistan’s mostly free media and freedom of expression “the greatest achievements of the past 15 years.” But, it said Afghan media still faces “serious challenges.” This was the seventh report produced by the Afghan Journalists Safety Committee. I’m Ashley Thompson.   Joshua Fatzick wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson and Caty Weaver were the editors. 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 mission – n. a task or job that someone is given to do challenge – ​n. a difficult task or problem : something that is hard to do

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NASA Juno Spacecraft Sends First Photos of Jupiter

This is What’s Trending Today. Juno is the name of the spacecraft made by NASA that is now orbiting Jupiter after a five-year journey. NASA recently activated Juno’s solar-powered camera to send images of Jupiter back to Earth. NASA posted the first of what is expected to be many images of the solar system’s largest planet earlier this week on Facebook. And people have been sharing and liking these photos. Others leave comments on NASA’s page about Juno. Chrissa Hanna explained how Juno got its name. It honors the story of Jupiter and Juno in Roman mythology. Jupiter was the most powerful god. He was married to Juno. But he had other lovers: Io, Callisto, Europa, and Ganymede. Those are the names of Jupiter’s moons. In Roman mythology, Juno went to investigate Jupiter. Just like what NASA is doing now. NASA thinks Jupiter is the oldest planet in the solar system. One of its goals is to see what lies beneath the swirling clouds that surround Jupiter. And Juno should be able to answer some questions about how Jupiter formed. The first photo shows Jupiter on the left, partly in shadow. Three moons can also be seen. One is Io, another is Europa and the third is Ganymede. The photo was taken 2.7 million miles away from Jupiter. NASA promises better, higher-resolution images on August 27 when the spacecraft moves closer to Jupiter. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Will you be following Juno’s investigation of Jupiter? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   resolution – n. the ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail solar – adj. of or relating to the sun; powered by the sun’s light swirling – adj. something that moves in circles mythology – n. the legends or beliefs of a particular group or culture

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