US Announces Single Largest Transfer of Guantanamo Inmates

  Fifteen people are no longer prisoners at the United States military’s prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Twelve detainees from Yemen and three Afghans were released to the government of the United Arab Emirates. The release was announced on August 15. It was the largest transfer of detainees from the prison during the nearly eight- year presidency of Barack Obama. The move comes during a renewed push to reduce the number of people jailed at Guantanamo. The U.S. Department of Defense said on Monday that 61 detainees are still held there. The prison has mostly been used to hold those captured by the government’s war on terrorism. President Obama is facing his own deadline to close the prison. Obama will leave office in January 2017. He promised to close Guantanamo when he was first elected in 2008. The president faces opposition about the future of the prison from many members of Congress. A top official with the rights group Amnesty International believes Guantanamo will remain open. "…[T]here is a significant possibility this is going to remain open as a permanent offshore prison to hold people, practically until they die," said Naureen Shah, Amnesty’s U.S. director for security and human rights. One of the detainees who just left Guantanamo spent more than 13 years there. He was identified as an Afghan national named Obaidullah. He had been accused of hiding and storing mines to be used against U.S. forces in Afghanistan.   I’m Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth. VOA Pentagon correspondent Carla Babb wrote this report. Jim Dresbach adapted her report for Learning English. Additional information came from the Reuter news service. George Grow was the editor. What should be done with the U.S. military prison in Guantanamo? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   deadline – n. a date or time when something must be finished; time limit transfer – n. an act of moving someone or something from one place to another offshore – adv. at a distance from the coast; outside the country

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Fine Feared Too Small for Dead Fish Damage in Vietnam

  Observers and activists in Vietnam are concerned about a fine against a foreign-owned steel factory for polluting ocean waters along the coast. The observers and activists say the record pollution fine would not pay all victims of the environmental disaster. They also say it does not send a strong enough warning to other export manufacturers. The steel factory, Formosa Ha Tinh, was accused of letting toxic waste pollute the ocean in April. The pollution caused 80 tons of fish to wash up on coastal beaches. In June, the government fined the Taiwanese-financed steel plant $500 million for fish deaths along 200 kilometers of a coastline southeast of Hanoi. That is believed to be the largest fine ever against a company in Vietnam. The plant apologized and agreed to clean up the wastewater system. But people familiar with the issue say the fine cannot cover the continued losses to fishermen, seaside businesses and local people. Some have developed skin diseases from touching the water. The sale of seafood has slowed throughout Vietnam. That has hurt the fishing industry. Citizens hope Vietnamese officials will test the ocean water to make sure it is safe.   Other foreign investors are watching How involved the Vietnamese government gets in the fish death case will send a message to foreign investors. Some people think the government went easy on Formosa Ha Tinh to protect the company’s $10 billion investment in Vietnam. Foreigners have built export-manufacturing factories in the country to save on costs. Those plants helped to expand Vietnam’s economy by 30 percent over the past five years to $193 billion in 2015. Le Cong Dinh is a lawyer at a law office in Ho Chi Minh City. He said the government will use the fish kill fine as an alert to all doing business in Vietnam. “… [W]e want them to comply with the laws, and satisfy the condition of the environment,” he added. Environment Minister Tran Hong Ha told local media in June the fine covers only direct material damages. The money does not cover psychological losses to fishermen, who suffered a drop in earnings. He called the fine “too small.” Vietnamese living in Taiwan protested last week. They called for the steel plant’s investor -- Formosa Plastics Corporation -- to leave Vietnam. Criticism of government Vietnamese officials say the fish deaths affected about five million people. Some have not recovered, said Duc Truong, an independent reporter and member of the non-governmental organization Brotherhood for Democracy. Fishers in the oceans near the plant are catching less fish than a year ago. Fish sauce producers are suspected of using the dead fish illegally, Duc and other activists said. An  An activist said environmental experts should test the water quality of the once-polluted seas. Tran Bang is an engineer and activist in Ho Chi Minh City. He said an independent report showed high levels of six chemicals. But officials in the coastal city of Da Nang told local media in April that its waters were already safe for swimming. I’m Anne Ball. Ralph Jennings wrote this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it 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   toxic – adj. containing poisonous substances beaches – n. areas covered with sand or small rocks that are next to an ocean or lake alert – n. a message that tells people there is some danger or problem comply – v. to do what you have been asked or ordered to do

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Researchers Exploring Ways to Fight Roundworm Infection

  Researchers in Ireland and England may have discovered a new way to fight roundworm parasites. The researchers say they identified a method that could possibly turn an animal at risk for the disease into one that can fight the infection. Their findings were published in PLOS, the Public Library of Science. More than 800 million people around the world are infected with the parasite. The highest infection rates are in parts of Asia, south-central Latin America and Africa, south of the Sahara. The World Health Organization says roundworm is one of many neglected diseases in warm climates. In other words, not much research is being done to stop these diseases. Roundworm is the most common of three diseases transmitted through soil. Most humans infected with roundworm do not show signs of the disease. People only realize they are infected after the parasite leaves the body in the person’s waste or vomit. Fertilized roundworm eggs are left in the soil from human waste. When the eggs enter the body, they hatch in the intestine. The roundworm larvae then move into the liver where they grow larger. They then travel through the bloodstream into the lungs. After a few days, the worms leave the lungs and enter the throat, where they are either swallowed or expelled from the body. If they return to the intestines, the female worms can produce up to 200,000 eggs a day. The eggs are deposited into the soil when a person defecates. This restarts the cycle of infection. Roundworms can be especially harmful to children. Adult worms can live in the body for up to two years, blocking the intestines. The larvae can also cause breathing problems when they enter the lungs. The WHO fights the parasite by “deworming” people who live in areas with high rates of infection. Patients are given strong medicines designed to kill the parasites. Graham Medley is a professor of Infectious Disease Modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. He noted that deworming is effective at stopping the disease from spreading, but it does not end the health threat. His comments were published in the British medical journal The Lancet. Medley told VOA that “roundworms are a major public health problem in low-income countries, and having a drug that prevents infection would be a major advance.” Researchers have found that some people are more likely to be infected with roundworm than others. But it is costly to study humans, so researchers use mice that have the same chance of being infected. When these animals are infected, a larger number of the parasites enter their lungs than enter those of mice that are resistant to the parasites. Earlier research suggested that the livers of these two genetically-different mice must be different. Jim Carolan works at Maynooth University in Ireland. He told VOA that humans should be able to stop the parasite from entering our bodies. “But it doesn’t,” he said, “because the [roundworms] have evolved ways to evade or suppress the system.” Carolan wanted to learn how the organisms did that. So he studied the liver proteins of the two genetically-different mice. He and his team found that the liver cells of resistant mice had more copies of a protein than the mice that were more likely to be infected. The proteins create a chemical which the researchers believe could be toxic to the parasitic cells. But they are not sure. Carolan notes that more research must be done before drugs can be developed and tested on humans. But he said the research is “pointing us in a direction that we need to focus on.” I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA’s JoEllen McBride reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her 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   parasite – n. an animal or plant that lives in or on another animal or plant and gets food or protection from it neglect – v. to fail to take care of or to give attention to (someone or something) transmit – v. to cause (a virus, disease, etc.) to be given to others vomit – n. the food, liquid, etc., that comes out of your body through your mouth when you vomit hatch – v. of an egg: to break open as a young bird, insect, fish, etc., is born larva – n. a very young form of an insect that looks like a worm defecate – v. to pass solid waste from the body cycle – n. a set of events or actions that happen again and again in the same order; a repeating series of events or actions advance – n. progress in the development or improvement of something evolve – v. to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex, or more advanced state; to develop by a process of evolution evade – v. to avoid doing toxic – adj. containing poisonous substances focus – v. to cause (something, such as attention) to be directed at something specific (usually + on)  

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August 15, 2016

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

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August 14, 2016

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

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Hong Kong Protest Leaders Avoid Jail Time

  Three leaders of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests in 2014 were sentenced on Monday. All three avoided jail time. A judge sentenced Joshua Wong, 19, to 120 hours of community service. Nathan Law, 23, was ordered to perform 80 hours. The most famous leader of the protests, 19-year-old Alex Chow, was sentenced to three weeks in prison. But his sentence was suspended for a year while he attends school in Britain. The three student activists entered a fenced-off area of Hong Kong’s government offices in September 2014. They were protesting Chinese government plans to restrict elections in Hong Kong. Police detained the young men and other protesters. The arrests led to a massive demonstration along major Hong Kong streets. The protest shut down much of the territory for 79 days. Judge June Cheung said she handed down light sentences because the three men had no previous criminal history. She said the court also felt the activists did not mean to harm anyone else or to help themselves by their actions. “The court believes the three defendants are expressing their views and demands genuinely out of their political beliefs or their concern for society,” the judge said.   Hong Kong, a former British colony, returned to Chinese rule in 1997. The territory has autonomy from China, but the government in Beijing has refused to grant full democracy. Pro-democracy activists have expressed concerns that China is moving to reduce personal freedoms in Hong Kong. The three activists spoke outside court after the sentences were announced. Chow said the protests showed that the people “are advocating self-determination, or even Hong Kong independence.” “It is out of their frustration and their hope for a better Hong Kong, a more democratic Hong Kong, a more just Hong Kong,” he said. Wong promised to keep pushing for political reforms in Hong Kong. He said by taking part in non-violent protests, he can show his “commitment and persistence to fight for human rights, democracy and freedom in Hong Kong.” I’m Ashley Thompson. Richard Green reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sit-in – n. protest in which people stay in one spot and refuse to leave until their demands are met tear gas – n. gas that makes people’s eyes hurt, used by police or military to control crowds assembly – n. group gathered in a place for a common purpose benefit – v. to be useful or helpful genuinely – adv. in a truthful way autonomy – n. the right of a country or group to govern itself advocate – v. express support for a cause persistence – n. continue to do or pursue something  

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Are UN Sanctions Against North Korea Working?

  United Nations’ economic restrictions ordered against North Korea in March have produced mixed results. Prices for goods in North Korea have remained stable. Reports note that business has slowed at the economic development zones. These zones were designed to appeal to foreign investment. Lim Eul-chul is a professor of Korean Studies at Kyungnam University in South Korea. He spoke with VOA’s Korean Service. He said economic activity decreased in two development zones near the Chinese border in the last five months. Lim said China had planned to invest in the Mubong Economic Development Zone and the Onsung Island Economic Development Zone. But development in the zones stopped after China took part in the U.N. sanctions against North Korea. The U.N. sanctions increased financial restrictions on companies that do business with North Korea. The United States also ordered sanctions against North Korea. They include measures to seize money and property from organizations and individuals involved with North Korean industries. Adam Cathcart is an East Asia expert at Leeds University in Great Britain. He said that even without sanctions, international companies are reluctant to invest in North Korea's economic development zones. He added the zones do “not provide enough infrastructure.” China slowdown China is important to the North Korean economy. Close to 90 percent of North Korean trade flows either to or through China. Last year, North Korean exports dropped almost 15 percent before the sanctions were in place. The Bank of Korea says the economic slowdown in China was the main cause of the drop. Other reports suggest that sanctions are having some effect. Observers noted a drop in vehicle traffic at the Chinese and North Korean border. Some money transfers to North Korean banks have been suspended. Officials also have increased inspections of North Korean shipments entering Chinese ports. However, there are also reports that say sanctions have not affected food and fuel prices. News reports from Seoul show that the price of rice, corn, pork and fuel remained stable over the last year. The reports say the price of gasoline increased by 45 percent immediately following the announcement of sanctions. But reports say the prices soon returned to normal. Some experts say the growth of private markets under leader North Korean Kim Jong Un kept food and fuel supply prices stable. North Korea reacted to the U.N. sanctions by testing multiple short- and medium-distance missiles. China called on North Korea to end its nuclear program. But, China also wants a stable North Korea as balance to the U.S. and South Korean military alliance. I’m Caty Weaver. Brian Padden wrote this story for VOA News with additional information from Kim Jung-woo and Youmi Kim. Jim Dresbach adapted the story for 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   stable – adj. in a good state or condition that is not easily changed or likely to change​ zone – n. an area that is different from other areas in a particular way sanctions – n. actions that are taken or orders that are given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country asset – n. a valuable person or thing​ infrastructure – n. the basic equipment and structures such as roads and bridges that are needed for a country​ to function transfer – n.  to cause something to move from one place​ reluctant - adj.  feeling or showing doubt about doing something​

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In Ivory Coast, Shea Butter Is 'Women's Gold'

Shea butter, which is used in makeup and food, is popular around the world. In Africa, it is called “women’s gold” because so many women there earn money making and selling it. The ivory-colored butter, or karite, comes from the nut of the shea tree. Millions of women across the Sahel earn money from making it. The Sahel is an area of the African continent south of the Sahara desert. It stretches across Northern Africa like a belt, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. It is 5,400 kilometers long and between a few hundred and a thousand kilometers wide. In northern Ivory Coast, some women are working together to create a large business that makes and sells shea butter. People are selling a lot of shea butter in a local market in Korhogo. Shea butter is popular with people who live in the area, like Awa Ouattara.   She says “it nourishes my skin; it beautifies it and makes it more firm.” About 50 kilometers from the market, Alice Koné Maridiouma sweeps the grass to pick up the fallen shea nuts in one of the many shea fields in the area. The harvest season has begun. Like she does every year, Koné will process the nuts in the traditional way her grandmother taught her. She will heat, dry and grind the nuts. She will work hard for hours to make the shea butter, which is then sold at the market. She says sometimes she can make a lot of money selling shea butter. But she says when the harvest is not good, she must sell other products. Like Koné, most women in the shea industry in Ivory Coast work independently and sell their product near their homes. But there is great demand for shea butter worldwide. It is used in makeup or as a substitute for cocoa butter in chocolate. Two neighboring countries -- Burkina Faso and Ghana -- are among the top exporters of shea butter. Burkina Faso earns an estimated $33 million every year exporting it. Ivory Coast is trying to increase the amount of shea butter it exports. In Natio-Kobadara, processing shea is a traditional activity that almost all of the families in the village have taken part in for many years. But a few years ago, some of the women created a separate company, called a co-op. In an open area, they lay strips of shea kernels to dry under the sun. Nearby, many women operate ovens to heat the shea nuts. A mill grinds the kernels. Ahoua Coulibaly is the president of the co-op. She says when people work in a group, they create many ideas. And she says such a group may be given money to expand. She says the women have received some money to build a storage building. She says if women work alone, they cannot build such a warehouse. Coulibaly says the co-op still needs more machines and a fence to guard the open area. In some fields in the area, a new kind of shea tree is being planted. It produces more nuts than traditional shea trees. Two years ago, the government began working to help shea butter producers. Ali Keita leads the effort. He says when there is a strong cooperative organization, Ivory Coast will be able to sell shea butter in China, Europe and the United States. Keita is also trying to convince countries that produce shea butter to work together. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.    Correspondent Emilie Iob reported this story from Korhogo, Ivory Coast. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for 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. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   makeup – n. substances (such as lipstick or powder) used to make someone's face look more attractive nut – n. a small dry fruit with a hard shell that grows on trees, bushes, etc. stretch – v. to continue for a specified distance; to extend over an area belt – n. figurative a band of material (such as leather) that is worn around a person’s waist nourish – v. to provide (someone or something) with food and other things that are needed to live, be healthy, etc. firm – adj. fairly hard or solid; not soft sweep – v. to remove dust, dirt, etc., from (something) with a broom or brush grind – v. to crush or break (something) into very small pieces by rubbing it against a rough surface or using a special machine substitute – n. a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else mill – n. a machine for grinding or crushing pepper, coffee, etc.  

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How Should Schools Deal with Misbehaving Students?

About 2.8 million American children were told at least once during the 2013-2014 school year to leave public school for bad behavior. In the United States, forcing a student to leave school is a punishment known as suspension. It is designed to stop misbehaving students from interfering with classroom activities. But a number of recent studies suggest the punishment does not work. One group, for example, found that suspended students are more likely to be arrested by police or drop out of school. The Council of State Government carried out the study. Another survey found that suspensions in 10th grade alone cost U.S. taxpayers $35 billion for extra prison and social welfare spending. That finding came from researchers at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). And suspensions may unfairly target African-Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Education. It reported in June that African-Americans are 3.8 times more likely to receive one or more suspensions as white students. Education officials across the country are debating what to do with students who talk loudly in class, throw things at other students or arrive late. There is more agreement that a student who physically attacks a fellow student or teacher should be removed. Misbehaving students must face “consequences” Lynette Stream has three children attending public schools in Oskaloosa, southeastern Iowa. Oskaloosa is home to about 12,000 people. In her daughter’s kindergarten class, Stream said, some students arrive late all the time. She said this forces teachers to repeat lessons, taking away teaching time. Some students refuse to sit down in the classroom, choosing instead to walk around and talk. This makes it hard for other students to keep their attention on what the teacher is saying, Stream said. Bad behavior is even more of a problem in middle school, she added. “Students know they can run all over the teachers,” Stream told VOA. “Students need to know there will be consequences if they don’t behave.” ‘Alternatives’ that keep students in school Better ways than suspension are available to deal with misbehaving students. So says Daniel Losen, director of the Center for Civil Rights Remedies at UCLA. “There are many alternatives that teach good behavior and hold students accountable for their conduct while keeping them in school,” he said. Russell Skiba is an education specialist and professor at Indiana University. He said more counselors for students and training teachers to deal with misbehaving students work better than suspensions from school. “No one argues that we should be tolerating students who are disrupting classes. But I think it is the schools’ responsibility to make it clear to parents there are more effective methods,” he said. Shaun Harper directs the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for the Study of Race and Equity. Harper said he found a successful alternative program at 40 small public high schools in New York City. ​The program uses student-led groups, working with teachers and counselors, to decide punishment for misbehaving students. Harper said the students are more likely to react positively when they are “part of finding a solution.” John King is the U.S. Secretary of Education. In June, he reported a nearly 20 percent reduction in school suspensions nationwide. “Fewer suspensions is an important sign of progress,” King said. But he said concern remains over continued higher suspension rates for African-Americans. Union questions ban on suspensions Recently, the labor union representing 200,000 New York City teachers objected to a plan to ban suspensions for young children. Under the plan, school officials would be barred from removing boys and girls in grades K (Kindergarten) through Grade 2. “In a perfect world, no child under the age of eight would ever be suspended,” said union president Michael Mulgrew. But he said the proposed ban would hurt thousands of children “who will lose” education time because of disruptive students. Mulgrew said ending suspensions will only work when New York City officials agree to more counselors and better teacher training. In Texas, a member of the Dallas school board also proposed a ban on suspensions for students from pre-kindergarten through 2nd grade. Miguel Solis said his proposal would make suspensions the “last alternative” for students in grades 3-5. Some Dallas school board members worry about doing anything to make it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn, reported the Dallas Morning News. The board decided to study the suspension issue before voting on the suspension ban proposal. Solis understands. “I think it best that we take a hard look at our own practices to see if they are adding to the problem,” he told VOA. Solis worries about higher suspension rates for African-Americans and higher school dropout and arrest rates for suspended students. I’m  Bruce Alpert.   Bruce Alpert reported this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. What are your ideas on how to deal with students who disrupt classes? ____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   consequence - n. something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions alternative - n. something that can be chosen instead of something else accountable - n. required to explain actions or decisions to someone conduct - n. the way that a person behaves in a particular place or situation counselor - n. someone, usually a trained professional, who provides advice to someone tolerate - v. to allow something that is bad or unpleasant to exist or happen disrupt - v. to interrupt normal progress or activity practices - n. the way a group or agency carries out its work

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One Hour of Exercise a Day Fights Damage of Sitting

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. When it comes to your health, It seems that sitting too much may be as bad for you as smoking. If you sit for many hours a day in a traditional office job, you may be interested in a new study. This study suggests that you should get an hour of “brisk exercise” every day. Researchers say this brisk exercise can help office workers reduce their risk of an early death. Many office workers spend a large part of their time seated and physically inactive. A lack of physical activity is linked to some 5.3 million deaths worldwide each year. The researchers say that makes a sedentary lifestyle more deadly than smoking. The new report said that a sedentary lifestyle can cause many diseases, including heart disease, diabetes and even some cancers. These diseases cost the world economy $67.5 billion every year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests adults get 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise every week. In addition, CDC officials advise adults to get an additional two hours of muscle strengthening per week. Ulf Ekelund is with the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences and the University of Cambridge. He was the lead writer of the report. Ekelund says that "For many people who commute to work and have office-based jobs, there is no way to escape sitting for prolonged periods of time.” He says he and the other researchers “cannot stress enough” the importance of getting exercise. Ekelund suggests going for a run in the morning, riding a bicycle to work, or taking a walk in the middle of the work day. An hour of physical activity is “ideal,” he adds. But if this is not possible, he suggests doing at least some exercise each day to reduce the risk of disease and an early death. For the study, researchers looked at 13 earlier studies on the effect of inactivity. Study subjects were grouped according to the amount of activity they reported. The range of activity reported varied greatly -- from less than 5 minutes a day to up to 75 minutes a day. The study found that those who sat for eight hours a day, but got the suggested amount of exercise reduced their chances of dying at an early age. These people did better than those who sat less but were not active. Ekelund says, "There has been a lot of concern about the health risks” linked “with today's more sedentary lifestyles.” He says the message from his team is a positive one: it is possible to reduce, or even eliminate, these risks if we are active enough,” even without taking up sports or going to the gym." A report on the study appeared in the publication Lancet. I’m Anna Matteo.   VOANews.com reported on this story. Anna Matteo adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   brisk – adj. done with quickness and energy offset – v. to cancel or reduce the effect of (something) : to create an equal balance between two things prolong – v. to make (something) last or continue for a longer time ideal – adj. exactly right for a particular purpose, situation, or person range – n. a sequence, series, or scale between limits (a wide range of patterns) :  the limits of a series :  the distance or extent between possible extremes varied – adj. having many forms or types : including many different things positive – adj. thinking about the good qualities of someone or something : thinking that a good result will happen : hopeful or optimistic eliminate – v. to remove (something that is not wanted or needed) : to get rid of (something)

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Usain Wins Third 100-Meter Gold Medal

  This is What’s Trending Today. The world stopped and watched Usain Bolt on Sunday night for less than 10 seconds. But it was more than enough time to see the Jamaican sprinter win his third-straight gold medal in the 100-meter dash. It is the first time a runner has won the event at three Olympic Games in a row. Bolt was not the fastest out of the starting blocks. But he crossed the finish line ahead of American Justin Gatlin. He ran the race in 9.81 seconds. Next, Bolt will try to win three gold medals in three straight Olympics in the 200-meter race. First he must qualify for the final with a good time on Tuesday morning in Rio de Janeiro. The 200-meter final is on Thursday night. Bolt said he will try to break his own 200-meter world record. “I'm going to go out there and leave it all on the track,” he said. Bolt dedicated his victory Sunday to the people of Jamaica. Puerto Rico’s First Gold Medal Also this weekend, Monica Puig of Puerto Rico won the women’s tennis tournament. She defeated German Angelique Kerber. It was the first-ever gold medal for Puerto Rico, a territory of the United States. Athletes from the island can choose to represent either the U.S. or Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games. Puerto Rico first sent athletes to the Olympics in 1948. Before the Rio Olympics, it had won eight Olympic medals, but never gold. Puig was a surprise winner. She was ranked 34th in the world before the tournament. “I couldn't really believe what just happened,” Puig said.   Irish Rowers Go Viral Two rowers from Ireland won the country’s first medal of the 2016 Olympics. Brothers Paul and Gary O’Donovan won the silver medal in the lightweight double sculls rowing event. But they gave an interview on Irish television that some said was worth a gold medal. People around the world enjoyed hearing the Irish accents and listening to the brothers talk about their experience in Rio. The video interview has more than 4 million views. “It’s been a bit of circus since we finished the race,” Gary O’Donovan said. “We’re just taking it all in and trying to enjoy it the best we can.” American actor Mia Farrow wrote on Twitter that the brothers should get the gold medal for best interview. And that’s What’s Trending Today.   I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Can you understand the O’Donovan brothers? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dedicate – v. to say that (a book, song, etc.) was written or is being performed to honor or express affection for (someone) qualify – v. to have the right to do, have, or be a part of something medal – n. a piece of metal often in the form of a coin with designs and words in honor of a special event, a person, or an achievement rank – v. to place (someone or something) in a particular position among a group of people or things that are being judged according to quality, ability, size, etc.    

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