Poland's Lech Walesa Says Poverty Hurts Reform Efforts in North Korea

  A Nobel Peace Prize winner thinks it unlikely that opposition groups will rise up in North Korea.   Former Polish President Lech Walesa says, “It is questionable at this point whether North Koreans will fight for freedom because they are too poor.” Walesa helped formed and led the Solidarity labor movement in Poland during the 1980s. He spoke with VOA during a visit to Seoul. He was in South Korea to attend a meeting on how the international community can influence peaceful change in North Korea. Facing repression The former president spoke about his part in the Solidarity movement. He said what was important to that movement was the power of belief. “What we emphasized was that they could kill us or imprison us, but we had a belief that we would never give up,” Walesa said. “We wanted to emphasize that we would not work for communism while they at some point would give in.” He noted the conditions in North Korea today are worse than those that existed in Poland in the early 1980s. In 2014, a United Nations Commission of Inquiry released a report on human rights abuses in North Korea. The report accused the North Korean government of holding 120,000 people in political prisoners. And it gave a list of abuses that include “forced labor, torture, imprisonment, rape, forced abortions and other sexual violence.” Walesa said the government of Kim Jong Un mistreats its people while supporting a program to develop nuclear weapons. He said such behavior can only bring harmful effects. Nuclear activities North Korea has tested nuclear devices five times since 2006. Two tests have taken place this year. The country also has tested medium- or long-distance missiles about 25 times this year. The most recent international sanctions appear to have little or no effect on North Korea. The United Nations Security Council has considered additional measures against the North. But, reports say China has postponed negotiations on new sanctions until after the American presidential election. A different approach from increasing pressure Lech Walesa suggested that South Korea and other countries should open up talks with the North about peaceful reunification of the Koreas. Of North and South Korea, Walesa said, “Both need to cooperate well and understand each other. The world is open for North Korea. North Korea does not need to escape. Freedom opens many doors,” he said. Those opinions are similar to ones discussed by a task force organized by a U.S.-based group, the Council on Foreign Relations. Its members suggested offering North Korea incentives for agreeing to suspend nuclear and missile tests. The goal would be for the North to return to international talks and to restate the goal of banning all nuclear weapons from the area. The plan described by both Walesa and the task force are similar to the Sunshine policy of former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung. He received a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in 2000. I’m Mario Ritter. Brian Padden reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   emphasize – v. to give special attention to sanctions – n. measure against a country to force it to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country incentives – n. something that encourages a person or group to do something

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Minnesota Elects First Female Somali American Lawmaker

  History was made this week when a 34-year-old former refugee was elected to the Minnesota state legislature. The woman, Ilhan Omar, will become the country’s first Somali-American lawmaker. Omar was the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party candidate for the legislature in Minnesota’s 60th district. She easily defeated her Republican opponent on Tuesday. Omar told supporters Tuesday night that her victory means a lot. "My success is not only for me but for every Somali, Muslim and minority, particularly the young girls in the Dadaab refugee camp where I lived before coming to the U.S.," she said.     From Refugee to Representative As a girl, Omar fled her home in Somalia because of the country’s civil war. She spent four years at the Dadaab Camp in Kenya, before moving to the United States with her family. She was 12 years old at the time.  Her family first began their new life in Arlington, Virginia, and then settled in their current home in Minneapolis. Omar began her career as a community activist. She is currently director of policy at the Women Organizing Women Network. The group works with immigrant women, helping them become engaged citizens and community leaders. Concerns about Trump Minnesota is home to the largest population of Somali refugees and immigrants in the United States. Many Somalis who spoke to VOA before the election said they were supporting Hillary Clinton for president because they felt that Donald Trump was anti-Somali. Earlier, Trump has said there are problems in Minnesota caused by poor vetting of refugees. He said there were large numbers of Somali refugees entering the state, and that this was unknown to state officials. He also said that some of the refugees had joined the Islamic State group. He accused them of spreading their extremist ideas “all over our country and all over the world.” Asha Ahmed, a Somali American, said "We are shocked that Trump is president, but we got relief that Ilhan will be representing us at our state House of Representatives. For me, America is my country, it is where my future and dreams always depended on and the only home for my children... [Omar's] success means a lot to me and my family, three children and a husband." Jibril Mohamed, a lecturer at Ohio State University, expressed satisfaction at Omar’s election to the Minnesota state legislature. "It is like an anti-pain relief for the Somalis, who voted against Trump because of Trump's anti-Somali rhetoric that continued even to the last days of the election campaign," he said. Ahmed Hirsi, Omar's husband, told VOA that the campaign was a long struggle for his family to witness this day. "It is a big historic day for us and Ilhan, a symbol and role model for many Somali refugee girls. It is a success that came through hard work and the support of our Minnesota people," he said. I’m Phil Dierking.   Mohamed Olad Hassan wrote this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for Learning English. He also used information from other media. George Grow was the editor. What do you think of this story? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story concentration – n. a large amount of something in one place engage – v. to get and keep someone's attention or interest​ relief – n. a pleasant and relaxed feeling that someone has when something unpleasant stops or does not happen rhetoric – n. the art or skill of speaking or writing formally and effectively especially as a way to persuade or influence people vet – v. to check something carefully to make sure it is acceptable  

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Trump Meets Obama at the White House

President Barack Obama invited President-elect Donald Trump to the White House today. It is part of the process for a peaceful transition of power. Trump will be inaugurated as president on January 20, 2017.

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World Leaders Reach Out to US President-elect Donald Trump

  World leaders congratulated Donald Trump on his presidential election victory over Hillary Clinton. Many also have voiced a willingness to meet with the president-elect to begin talks on beginning a new phase in relations with the U.S. Japan Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga, said Thursday that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will meet with Trump next week in New York City. It will be Trump’s first meeting with a foreign leader since he won Tuesday’s presidential election. Suga said the two spoke by telephone on Wednesday. Trump and Abe said they remain committed to continue U.S.-Japan cooperation on Asia-Pacific security, he added. Trump often said during his campaign that Japan and other allies should be required to pay more of the costs to keep U.S. forces in their countries. The candidate also suggested U.S. forces might withdraw from nations that do not support more of those costs.               China Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory message to Trump on Wednesday, state television reported. Trump criticized China’s trade policies during the campaign. He said he supported placing import taxes, or tariffs, on Chinese goods coming into the U.S. The report said Xi told the president-elect that the two biggest economies in the world share a responsibility to support global development and prosperity.  “I place great importance on the China-U.S. relationship, and look forward to working with you to uphold the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation,” Xi was quoted as saying. South Korea The office of South Korean President Park Geun-hye said she spoke with Trump by telephone on Thursday. It said the president-elect promised he would make sure the U.S. will stand with South Korea “100 percent.” In a statement, Park’s office said the two agreed to continue U.S.-South Korean efforts to counter North Korea’s military threats. Australia Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said he briefly spoke with Trump to discuss the history of military cooperation between the two countries. Turnbull also said he spoke about why Australia supports U.S. approval of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. Trump has criticized trade deals, including the TPP. He has called a “disaster” that would kill many American jobs. Mexico Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said he agreed to meet with Trump soon to discuss cooperation on a number of issues. Nieto said he welcomed Trump’s victory speech promising to seek common ground and partnerships with other countries. “Dialogue to make agreements is still the best for Mexico, and my government will seek opportunities that benefit both nations in this new phase of bilateral relations,” Nieto said. However, Mexican Foreign Minister Claudia Ruiz Massieu repeated her government’s position about Trump's proposal to build a wall to keep illegal immigrants out of the U.S. She said her government did not want to pay the cost of the wall. “Paying for a wall is not part of our vision," she told a local television station. Trump made his promise to make Mexico pay for the wall a major part of his campaign. Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a telegram to Trump after his victory on Wednesday. The Russian leader said he looked forward to “a constructive dialogue based on the principles of equality and mutual respect.” Putin also promised to work with Trump to help solve “the current crisis” in Russia-U.S. relations. During the presidential campaign, U.S. officials repeatedly accused the Russian government of being involved in attacks on American computer systems. They also warned that Russia may launch cyber attacks meant to disrupt the U.S. election. Russia denied the accusations, with one official saying the idea was an attempt by U.S. officials to create “anti-Russian hysteria.” Israel Israel's leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reacted by calling Trump a "true friend of the state of Israel." In a video message, he said he believes the two leaders “will continue to strengthen the unique alliance between our two countries and bring it to ever greater heights.” European Union In a joint letter, the leaders of the European Commission and EU Council congratulated Trump on his win and invited him to come to Brussels for talks. Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker and council leader Donald Tusk noted it was “more important than ever to strengthen transatlantic relations.” They promised to cooperate with a Trump administration on issues including climate change, migration, counter-terrorism, and “the threat to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.” I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for Learning English based on VOA News reports from Daniel Schearf, Luis Ramirez, Mark Young, the Associated Press and Reuters. Mario Ritter 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   phase - n. a stage or period counter –v. to act against or to balance out dialogue – n. discussions; communications opportunity – n. a good chance for advancement or progress mutual – adj. shared by two or more people or groups hysteria – n. – extreme fear, excitement or anger unique – adj. very special or unusual​ 

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Day After U.S. Election Marked By Protests

This is What’s Trending Today. Groups of Americans protested Donald Trump’s election on Wednesday night and into Thursday. The events were both peaceful and violent. They happened in many places around the country, from New York to California. More demonstrations were planned for Thursday and into the coming weekend. People filled Midtown Manhattan in New York City Wednesday night. Videos and photos showed a huge crowd marching past Rockefeller Center. People also gathered in front of a building with Trump’s name on it in New York City, as well as around a new Trump hotel in Washington, DC. The hotel in Washington is a short distance from the White House. Protesters held signs that read “Love Trumps Hate.” Many of the Americans who gathered this week were protesting against the views Trump expressed about women, minorities and immigrants during the presidential campaign. Trump promised to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. and to build a wall along the border with Mexico if he were elected. Trump also said he would cancel a public healthcare law passed by President Barack Obama. He also spoke about renegotiating huge international trade agreements. Protests also took place in Philadelphia, Boston, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. Police arrested some people who blocked a large road in Los Angeles. In front of the Los Angeles city hall, people shouted together, “we reject the president-elect” and “support women of color.” A protester in Chicago told the Associated Press news agency that Trump will “divide the country and stir up hatred.” The Reuters news agency says more protests are planned for the weekend. Demonstrations are also expected to take place on January 20, the day Trump takes office. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. What did you think of the protests in the U.S.? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story trump – v. to be more important than stir-up – v. to cause a reaction renegotiate – v. to discuss again the details of a formal agreement especially in order to change them   

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November 10, 2016

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

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Protests Break Out After Trump Elected President

Protests Break Out After Trump Elected President

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Melissa Fitzgerald: From Hollywood Actress to Passionate Activist

  Each year on November 11th, Americans observe Veterans Day. Veterans Day honors men and women who serve, or have served, in the United States military. But who serves them? Melissa Fitzgerald, for one. The former Hollywood actress is senior director of the nonprofit organization, Justice for Vets. The organization is a part of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, NADCP. She says what inspires her to serve is a quote by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “There’s a quote that has inspired me for many years, and my old friends will know it is the Martin Luther King Jr. quote, which is, everybody can be great because everybody can serve.” Justice for Vets helps to grow the number of veterans treatment courts and to expand their role. These courts were created to meet the specific needs of veterans involved in the criminal justice system. Many veterans return from combat with mental health problems related to their service. Some suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. Some abuse drugs. These difficulties can lead to unemployment, homelessness and arrest. The veterans treatment courts help soldiers find solutions to break the cycle of drug abuse and crime. Melissa Fitzgerald knows that every veteran’s journey back into civilian life after active duty military life is not the same.     “The vast majority of our veterans are returning home as leaders in our communities. They’re living incredibly productive lives and they are truly civic assets.  Some of our veterans are struggling and when they come home and they are struggling and they get in trouble with the law because of a substance use disorder, mental health condition or trauma and our mission at Justice for Vets is to put a veterans treatment court within reach of every veteran in need so they can receive treatment instead of incarceration.” Fitzgerald has visited many veterans in courts across the country. She says the programs are very rigorous and are part of the court system. “You know it’s an interdisciplinary court team that includes a judge, prosecutor, defense, probation, mental health care providers, among others. That they work together as a team and they are specially trained by us (because we do training and technical assistance) to assess and treat the veterans who appear before them. The first veterans treatment court that I went to visit, it was a miracle to me. It was miraculous to see a judge speaking with the veteran who’s appearing before him and thanking him for his service and saying we’re here to make sure that you succeed. And we are all grateful for your service to this country. And seeing, you know, certainly I’ve seen many veterans stand a little taller.” Not only are the veterans treatment courts effective, Melissa says, they are also places of hope and healing.  "And it is amazing to support the work that's going on there because it's remarkable. And on top of that, veterans treatment courts are effective. And they are returning healthy veterans to our communities. And you know, I think one of the things that I that really struck me when I have visited the courts around the country is that all of our veterans, including the ones who are struggling, are of our nation's greatest and most valuable civic assets.” Sgt. Tommy Rieman is one of those assets. “He served in Iraq. He was shot several times – 11 shrapnel wounds.  He used his body as a human shield to protect his men. He refused to be carried off until everyone else was and he returned home as, obviously, a hero. President Bush acknowledged Tommy in the State of the Union address and the entire time Tommy was struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder. His family life fell apart. His wife left with the children. After a night of heavy drinking and pills, he drove his truck into a tree and survived.” Melissa Fitzgerald remembers Tommy’s story well. She says if it had not been for the NADCP, life would have been different for him. “And this was right before I started, Justice for Vets had been advocating with the governor in North Carolina to open a veterans treatment court and during this time, a veterans treatment court opened in North Carolina. The first one in Harnett County, which was several hours from where Tommy lived.  And in that program Tommy received the accountability, the treatment, the structure, a mentor and he was able to get his life back.” Melissa Fitzgerald left her life in Hollywood behind to come work for Justice for Vets. For years, she played the character of Carol Fitzpatrick on the hit TV show, “The West Wing.”  But Melissa has always helped people in need.  Melissa is co-founder of the nonprofit group Voices in Harmony. The organization uses the theater arts to mentor at-risk teens. “I started Voices in Harmony in 1995 with several other actors and we kept working on that program as volunteers while we were still having our acting careers and we were struggling like crazy as actors, but Voices in Harmony was flourishing. And we just kept getting inspired to do more and more and, you know, then I got "The West Wing" and continued to do Voices in Harmony through that entire time.” In 2007, Melissa traveled to Africa with several others to be of service. “During "The West Wing" you have a good chunk of time off in the summer.  So I, one summer, went to South Africa and volunteered and, as a result, had the opportunity to go somewhere else, too, through international medical corps. And I chose to go to Northern Uganda because I’d been working with teens and there was a child soldier issue where children were being abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army there. And I think that experience really opened my eyes to the effects of war on communities. I get emotional thinking about it, but that really inspired me to feel like we actually have the ability to make change. All of us do if we work together.” Melissa also helped produce the documentary film, “Halfway Home.” The film features U.S. veterans from wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam. The soldiers recount their experiences in war and in their transitions to civilian life. There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States.  They are the ones who have fought, sacrifice and served this country. Now, Melissa Fitzgerald says we all owe them everything. “I think our country owes our military veterans to embrace them when they come home, be there for them with the programs that work for them and for their families.  A lesson that I learned in acting is when you want to know who your character is when you're reading a new script or a new play, what do you do? Do you look at what they say, that's one way. Do you look at what other people say about them? That's another way and maybe even a better way than what they say. But the real way you know who your character is is what do they do. So I think that's very true about life. And I think that if we say and use the words that we honor our veterans, thank you for your service and we are a grateful nation, those must be backed up by actions, real actions. And I think real actions are supporting programs that work. And that's why I feel like Justice for Vets and the work that we are doing in veterans treatment courts is important, powerful, necessary and essential to really expressing our true gratitude. Because I do feel like the American people are grateful for the service of our veterans.” I’m Marsha James. Marsha James wrote this story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. Next time on People in America,  meet Evan Lutz, CEO and Co-founder of Hungry Harvest. Listening Quiz See how well you understand this story by taking a listening quiz. Play each video, then answer the question. ________________________________________________________________ Words In This Story      nonprofit – adj. not existing or done for the purpose of making money quote – v. to write or say the exact words of someone civilian life – exp. life after one gets out of the military or armed services vast – adj. very great in size, amount or extent incarceration – v. to put someone in prison miraculous – adj. very wonderful or amazing flourish – v. to be very successful: to do very well

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France Breaks Up Migrant Camps in Paris, Calais

Last Friday, French police began tearing down a huge camp in northeastern Paris. The camp was home for thousands of Afghans and Africans. Their removal to shelters is part of a government effort to stop migrants from living on the streets. The migrant camp was sometimes called “Stalingrad” because it was near the French capital’s Stalingrad metro station. Aid groups said at least 3,000 people occupied the camp; however, broadcaster CNN said the number was closer to 4,000. Most migrants leave their home countries in search of work or a better life. But many of the people who lived in Stalingrad are considered refugees. They were forced to leave their home country because of war or oppression.  Some migrants held their possessions while waiting for buses to take them to holding centers around Ile de France, a French province that includes Paris.   Didier Leschi is the director of the French Immigration and Integration Office. He promised his agency’s teams would be present at the holding centers. He also said language aides would be available. The migrants will be able to stay in Ile de France temporarily. Then they will be sent to reception centers all over France. At the centers, they will be told how to make an official request for asylum. Orientation process The police operation to clear Stalingrad came a week after French President Francois Hollande ordered the destruction of another camp near the port of Calais. That camp was known as "the Jungle." Hundreds of migrants fled to Stalingrad after the Jungle’s demolition. Calais is near the English Channel. Thousands of migrants used the camp as a temporary stop on their way to Britain. Many risked their lives by traveling through the Channel Tunnel, an underwater transportation link connecting France to Britain. President Hollande said 5,000 migrants had been evacuated from the Calais camp in the past week and sent to 450 centers around France. Hollande also said he spoke with British Prime Minister Theresa May to ensure that British officials would "play their part" in welcoming the new arrivals.  France’s refugee crisis After the demolition of “The Jungle,” France began busing an estimated 1,500 unaccompanied young people to other parts of France. Most of them were from South Sudan and Afghanistan. The youngsters will be taken to temporary shelters around the country, while British and French officials consider their individual cases. People who lived in the temporary camps have made long and dangerous trips, often by boat, to Europe from Sudan, Afghanistan, Syria, or other countries. The terrible conditions in France’s migrant camps have become a sign of Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II.  France’s Interior Minister told the Reuters news agency that 85 percent of the Calais migrants are expected to meet the government’s requirements for asylum. Migrants in the Jungle faced severe security and health problems, such as scabies and tuberculosis, according to a study in 2015. A water source was also polluted with deadly bacteria. Leigh Daynes, director of charity group Doctors of the World, told The Guardian newspaper that Calais was a “humanitarian emergency.” The residents were already hungry, he said. But their suffering was made worse because of their unsafe and difficult trips to reach France. Hollande said his country should not accept the camps because they are “not worthy of France.” They are not a long-term answer for migrants and refugees, he said.  A mixed welcome Throughout France, people have shown mixed feelings toward the Calais migrants. Some towns have been filled with protesters for and against migrants. Some local leaders launched a campaign against taking them in. But some towns around France are happy to receive the migrants from Calais. For example, people in Reims offered hot coffee and treats to 29 Afghans and Sudanese as they arrived in October. Residents have been calling aid groups to donate clothes for the migrants and volunteer their services. Philippe Wattier is the director of the Salvation Army office in Reims. He said that a number of migrants have a poor image of France because many people, including police, have mistreated them. Sometimes, there are threats of violence against migrants. A letter to the Salvation Army last week threatened to burn down the buildings where migrants are staying. Wattier said the hostility in the letter is similar to feelings in other parts of Europe and the United States. I’m Jill Robbins. Alice Bryant adapted this story for Learning English from many reports from VOANews.com and other media. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.   _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   province - n. any one of the large parts that some countries are divided into reception – adj. of or related to a place where people are received, welcomed or accepted migrant – n. someone who moves from one place to another to find work English Channel - n. a body of water that separates France from England  tunnel - n. a passage that goes under the ground, or through a hill or mountain unaccompanied - adj. in the context of this story, “unaccompanied” means without the presence of parents play ____ part – expression. to do what you can or should do to help reach a goal. The structure of the expression is: play + possessive pronoun + part. scabies - n. a disease that is caused by small insects and that causes itching and red spots on the skin

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Thai Rice Farmers Hurt by Dropping Prices

Thai rice farmers are hurt by the drop in rice prices throughout Asia

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News Words: Sacred

This news word is used with respect. Learn what is means with Anne Ball and Jonathan Evans.

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