Indonesia Seeks to Balance Sea Claims, Economic Interests

Indonesia says its armed forces will expand their watch around a group of islands in the South China Sea to keep away Chinese fishing crews. Indonesian President Joko Widodo said in October that his government would never compromise on claims around the Natuna Islands. The Natunas are a group of about 270 very small islands and land formations northwest of Borneo. Chinese ships often sail in nearby waters. China claims most of the South China Sea and the area’s natural resources, such as fish, oil and natural gas. Widodo visited the Natuna islands during military exercises in September and October. An Australian researcher says many Indonesian officials believe they can press territorial claims to the islands and develop economic links with China at the same time. David McRae is a researcher with the Asia Institute at the University of Melbourne.  “There’s a strong feeling among many Indonesian officials that it can both assert its rights over the area it claims as its exclusive economic zone around the Natunas and develop strong economic ties with China at the same time.” Last year, President Widodo called on China and Indonesia to increase two-way trade to $150 billion by the year 2020. That would double total trade between the countries from 2014 levels, according to the World Bank. The two sides already have strong trade ties. Indonesia imports more from China than any other country. China also is Indonesia’s second biggest export partner. But Indonesia’s cabinet has developed plans to claim the area around the Natunas as an exclusive economic zone. China says its boats have long fished in the same waters. Indonesian fisherman oppose illegal fishing Indonesians, especially fishers, dislike illegal fishing. Yet illegal fishing has become a problem in Indonesia because of a lack of enforcement around the country’s 13,000 islands. Yet Indonesia has been increasing enforcement efforts in the South China Sea. And Widodo has said his country should harvest fish and recover the gas that are said to be in and around the Natunas. In March, a Chinese coast guard vessel prevented Indonesian officials from stopping a Chinese ship. Two months later, Indonesia’s navy stopped a Chinese fishing boat. Then, in June, the navy fired on another Chinese boat. One sailor may have been injured. Researcher David McRae notes that China has not protested or threatened economic measures against Indonesia. Experts say Indonesia mainly has tried to prevent problems around the Natuna islands, instead of reacting to them. Indonesian officials also avoid discussing past incidents or making warnings like the Philippines did from 2010 to early this year. In 2012, China reduced trade and cut back on visitors to the Philippines. Trade between the sides continues Last year, Widodo and Chinese President Xi Jinping signed eight agreements. They were partly meant to increase Chinese involvement in the development of roads, ports and other infrastructure. And this year, both sides agreed to work together on energy, agriculture and building an industrial park. As construction projects become too competitive at home, Chinese companies are looking overseas, experts say. The Chinese government has described Indonesia as part of a “maritime silk road.” China wants to develop trade and relations with countries across this area, stretching from Asia to Europe. Some experts say the “silk road” idea increases the importance of the ties between China and Indonesia. Natalie Sambhi is a researcher at the Perth USAsia Centre in Australia. “Indonesia is an important component of the way China sees the strategic landscape in the Asia Pacific, particularly as a key state in Southeast Asia, and it would be a boon for China to maintain its relationships with Indonesia on the basis of its wanting to implement things like its 21st Century maritime silk road and its one belt, one road initiative.” But some observers say Indonesia can press its territorial claims in the South China Sea because it does not depend much on China economically. Carl Baker directs programs at the Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu, a foreign policy research group. He says Indonesia is less dependent on China than other countries in Southeast Asia. “Indonesia feels less concerned about Chinese response because it’s less dependent on Chinese invest and infrastructure development than some of the other more dependent countries in Southeast Asia.” Indonesia is a major exporter of commodities, such as agricultural products. The country also has a large market at home of 250 million people. Total exports were valued at more than $176 billion dollars in 2014. Indonesia has been a member of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank since January. China is the bank’s biggest shareholder. However, Indonesia’s biggest export partner is Japan. I’m Mario Ritter. Ralph Jennings reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write us in the comments section below. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story exclusive – adj. available to only one person or group authorities – n. people who have power to make decisions and enforce rules strategic – adj. relating to a long-term plan to reach a goal boon – n. something that is helpful, that provides a good outcome implement – v. to put in place or into action initiative – n. the power or opportunity to do something before other do it vessel – n. a ship or boat commodities –n. goods that are traded widely

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US Air Force Has Severe Shortage of Pilots

  The United States Air Force is reporting a shortage of pilots of fighter airplanes. The lack is so severe that some generals say it may affect the service’s ability to carry out operations as soon as next year. The Air Force is training about 135 more fighter pilots this year than two years ago. But it will be a long time before they are ready for action. Pilots must train for years -- at a cost of millions of dollars -- before they are qualified to fly fighter jets. The high-tech aircraft could be described as flying supercomputers so lengthy training is required. The Air Force is permitted to have 3,500 fighter pilots. However, there are now about 725 fewer.  Major General Scott Vander Hamm and Lieutenant General John Cooper supervise Air Force pilots and mechanics who take care of the planes. They recently spoke with VOA about the pilot shortage. General Vander Hamm says the Air Force does not have enough pilots to meet the needs of commanders. Pilot numbers began to fall following budget cuts that took effect after the United States left Iraq in 2010 and had plans to leave Afghanistan. But General Cooper says that did not happen. “We didn’t plan for ISIS -- we planned to come home.” VOA spoke with some fighter pilots at an Air Force base in Virginia. They said longer and additional deployments have hurt morale. One pilot said the rotations were 45 days at first. Then they increased to 90 and later 120, he said. Now, he said, the pilots are deployed for six months or even a year. And pilots must often spend much of their non-deployed time on administrative duties and additional training. After 10 years of service, jet fighter pilots are offered an additional payment if they agree to stay on active duty. But this year only about 40 percent of the pilots agreed to stay. The Air Force says it must keep at least 65 percent of its pilots to complete its missions. The fighter pilot shortage has happened at the same time private airlines are hiring more pilots. Private airlines pay more and their pilots spend less time away from home. This Air Force fighter pilot said his family will decide whether he stays in the service. “If it’s up to just me, I definitely would stay in, but my family has a vote and so if they're doing well and they're enjoying where we’re at, then we’ll stay. If they want me to leave to do something else, then that’s probably what I’ll end up doing.” Tom Hunt left the Air Force in 2013. He earns more money working as a lawyer in Washington, D.C. than he was paid as a fighter pilot. He says the Air Force could end the shortage if it paid the pilots a large bonus. “Some people say you can’t throw money at everything (but) you can. You absolutely can. If you said ‘The pilot bonus is now $500,000, single-lump sum payment,’ (I) guarantee you will solve your pilot shortage.” The Air Force is asking Congress for money to increase the bonus from its current $25,000 to $48,000 a year. It would be the first bonus increase since 1999. The Air Force hopes that amount will be enough to persuade experienced pilots to stay in the service. It says they are needed to help the Air Force succeed in its missions and to train new pilots. The generals also have agreed to reduce administrative work for pilots who are not deployed. The generals say they are still able to meet the demands for fighter jet support. But they say if more pilots do not join the Air Force and stay in, the service will soon be unable to meet the demands of commanders. They warn that this could possibly cost the lives of troops and civilians. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb reported this story from Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report 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   qualify – v. to have the necessary skill or knowledge to do a particular job or activity; to have the qualifications to do something morale – n. the feelings of enthusiasm and loyalty that a person or group has about a task or job rotation – n. the group of people who take turns doing something mission – n. a specific military or naval task bonus – n. an extra amount of money that is given to an employee throw money at – expression. to try to solve (a problem) by spending a large amount of money on it, sometimes without giving enough thought to exactly what should be done absolutely – adv. completely or totally (often used to make a statement more forceful) lump sum – n. an amount of money that is paid at one time; a single sum of money

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News Words: Avatar

Learn what this week's news word means with Anne Ball and Jonathan Evans.

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Businessman Moise Set to Win Haiti's Presidential Election

  Haitian officials say businessman Jovenel Moise has won the country's second presidential election in two years. Moise easily defeated 26 other candidates in the November 20 election. Haiti’s election council announced the unofficial results on Monday. It said he received 55.6 percent of the votes. Just 21 percent of Haitians with a right to vote marked ballots. The voting took place a year after Haitian officials cancelled the results of the earlier presidential election. Jovenel Moise was the candidate of the ruling PHTK, the party of former President Michel Martelly. Moise is a banana exporter and new to politics. He used the nickname “the banana man” during the election campaign to avoid being mistaken for another candidate whose name also included “Moise.” There were 27 presidential candidates in this election. With so many other candidates, it is unusual to reach a 35 percent lead over the second-place candidate. Moise’s lead gave him a clear majority. That means the country will not need a runoff, or follow-up, election. The second-place finisher, Jude Celestin of the Lapeh party, had 19.5 percent of the vote. The Associated Press reported that he and two other candidates plan to reject the preliminary results and take their case to the electoral court. Haiti’s electoral court confirms the final vote count. The court will announce the winner on December 29. Until then, political parties can dispute the results. At long last After a long wait for this election, the voting process was relatively problem-free, said Uder Antoine, the director of Haiti’s election council. There were two major delays leading up to the election of Jovenel Moise. The first came in October of 2015, when presidential election results were cancelled because of reported cheating. A commission that examined that election said the main issue was a lack of skill by election workers, not political fraud. Moise had also received the most votes in the 2015 election. The second problem was Hurricane Matthew. The storm hit the country in October and caused severe damage to some areas.   Destruction from Hurricane Matthew and an earthquake in 2010 are still barriers to voting for many Haitians who live far from major cities, noted Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera. Another problem was the lack of voting stations in these areas. Jocelerme Privert, Haiti’s current president, was chosen in February to rule temporarily until the new president is confirmed. Privert has remained in power since Martelly’s term ended in February 2016.   An uncertain future Haitians are hoping that their new leader will end a year of struggles and insecurity, while uniting the country and creating jobs. Violent protests affected parliamentary elections earlier last year. Election results were canceled in about a fourth of the voting districts. This time, more than 13,000 police officers and United Nations peacekeeping troops were on guard to protect voting stations. Haiti has long been known as the poorest nation in the Americas. Thousands of people who lost their homes in the 2010 earthquake are still living in shelters, and the population of Haiti's tent cities has grown since the hurricane last month. A cholera epidemic that took place after the earthquake has remained, and the number of infections rose sharply in recent weeks. Earlier this month, Haiti began a campaign to vaccinate more than 800,000 people against cholera. The disease spreads quickly in places where water supplies are unsafe and clean conditions are lacking. Cholera had not been a problem in Haiti until it was accidentally brought there by U.N. peacekeepers. The U.N. force was deployed to help with earthquake security and repairs after the quake. I’m Alice Bryant. Alice Bryant adapted this story from several VOA news reports for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story preliminary - adj. coming before the main part of something fraud - n. the crime of using dishonest methods to take something valuable from another person cholera - n. a serious disease that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and that often results in death epidemic - n. an occurrence in which a disease spreads very quickly and affects a large number of people

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Islamic State Calls Ohio Attack Suspect 'Soldier of Caliphate'

  The Islamic State terror group has called a man who attacked people with a car and a knife at Ohio State University a "soldier of the caliphate.”   The group made the statement on the Amaq news agency website, which is linked to Islamic State, or IS. Police say Abdul Razak Ali Artan carried out the attack, which injured eleven people, at the university in Columbus, Ohio Monday. Police then shot and killed him. Artan was a refugee born in Somalia. He was a legal permanent resident of the United States studying business at Ohio State University. He posted a statement on the social media network Facebook shortly before the attack.  In it, he blamed America for killing Muslims in other countries. He also praised al-Qaida cleric Anwar al-Awlaki as a hero, law enforcement officials told U.S. media. Officials are still investigating why Artan carried out the attack. But, in his statement, he said he was willing to kill, those he called, “infidels” to stop America from "interfering with other countries." Columbus Police Chief Kim Jacobs said terrorism is a possibility in the attack. Artan drove a car into a group of people near the street. He then got out of the car and began stabbing people with a knife. Jacobs said, because Artan drove onto the sidewalk, police believe the attack may have been planned.  Leaders of the Muslim and Somali communities in Columbus condemned the attack. They said they were "heartbroken" by it. Hassan Ali Omar, Chairman of the Somali Community Association of Ohio, told VOA the Somalis he spoke to were distressed to learn Artan was a Somali refugee. "Some women told me they felt sick, they were heartbroken, they were shocked because they feel they have had enough troubles already," he said. Omar was one of the community elders who visited Artan’s family. He said he met his mother and siblings and they told him they are feeling, "at a loss and a lot of pain." "They said he was (a) hard-working person who loved education. They said their son had good culture and that they were not expecting that he would do this kind of act," he said. There are nearly 60,000 students at Ohio State University’s main campus. The people injured in the attack include both employees and students. Police Chief Jacobs noted a previous terrorism case linked to Columbus. Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud was arrested in 2015 after returning from Syria. Mohamud, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was charged with providing material support to terrorists. Columbus has one of the largest Somali communities in the United States. I’m Mario Ritter. Alice Bryant adapted this report from VOA news. VOA Somali service's Harun Maruf and VOA National Security Correspondent Jeff Seldin contributed to this report. Mario Ritter was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story caliphate – n. an area that is supervised by an Islamic leader cleric – n. a member of the clergy in any religion infidel – n. a person who does not believe in a religion that someone considers the true religion campus – n. the area of and around a university, college, school heartbroken – adj.to be very sad elders – n. a person who is older We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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Seven Hidden Google Games

Google has some secret fun with at least seven hidden games you can play when you need a break from life. These games are free and can be a great way to escape from stress. You may even learn as you play. Some of these games bring back memories of classic arcade games. One game tests your knowledge of the world. Another game helps you learn how to fly a plane. An infographic shows you what the games are, how to find them, and how addictive they are.                                                               Google Maps and Earth Games Lovers of flight and geography will enjoy these games hidden in Google Maps and Google Earth. Flight Simulator Flight Simulator is a hidden game in Google Earth that lets you fly a virtual jet across the sky. Go to Google Earth and download the Google Earth software to your computer to become a virtual pilot. Click on Tools, then Enter Flight Simulator to begin playing the game. Choose the kind of airplane you want to fly. Then, decide on a departure airport. Maybe you would enjoy a takeoff from the Katmandu airport. You could cyber-soar above the Himalaya mountains. Users can operate the plane with the keyboard or a joystick. Follow the Flight Simulator guidelines to learn how to do it. A video from Google Earth shows you how to fly using Flight Simulator.   Smarty Pins Test your knowledge of geography and more with Smarty Pins. The game provides questions about places around the world. You answer by placing a marker on Google Maps.   smartypins.withgoogle.com Once you are on the website the first step is to choose a subject . These include Arts and Culture, Science and Geography, Entertainment and more. You will be asked five questions. The answer could be a country, city or building. Place your marker on Google Maps where you think the answer should be. Click the plus + button to zoom in and place your marker on a location. Smarty Pins gives you 1000 miles or kilometers to use. If your answers are correct, and you place your marker on the exact place, you keep all your miles. If you miss by a certain distance you lose that number of miles. You can play until all your miles or kilometers are gone. After answering five questions, you may get an award. But, do not expect any prize money! Google Search Games Use Google search to find hidden games you can play on your computer, phone or tablet. Atari Breakout Google lets you play the classic arcade game Atari Breakout without needing to drop coins into a machine. Type "Atari Breakout" into Google Image Search. The game will appear and you can start playing immediately.   Move the bar at the bottom of the screen to bounce the ball and hit the colored squares. When you have hit all the squares you are done. You can then use the pause button to get a link for sharing your Breakout score with others. Learn more about the game at the Atari Breakout website. Zerg Rush Zerg Rush is based on the game Starcraft. Zerg Rush will attack and destroy your Google search results. Go to the Google search page and type in "zerg rush". Zeros will start dropping from the top of your screen, erasing your search results. Click on the zeros to erase them and protect your results. A video on YouTube shows how Zerg Rush works.   Pac-Man This classic arcade game was re-created as a Google Doodle on May 21, 2010 to celebrate Pac-Man's 30th birthday. You can play it by typing "Pac-Man Google Doodle" in Google search. Click the Pac-Man Google Doodle result to play. You move the Pac-Man so it can eat the dots, just like in the famous arcade game. Watch out for the destructive ghosts! Android Device Games If you have an Android phone or tablet, Google has some surprises for you. Check out these hidden games for new ways of having fun. Flappy Droid Flappy Droid is Google's version of the game Flappy Bird. This game is hidden on devices running Android versions 5 and 6, also known as Lollipop and Marshmallow. To find Flappy Droid go to Settings => About Phone => Android version. You will see the version of Android your phone is running. Tap the Android version text several times and a new screen will open showing the letter “M.” Press and hold the “M” to see a lollipop or a marshmallow.   Tap either image to begin playing the game. Move your Droid through barriers. Be quick! The game moves very fast. T-Rex But what about when you do not have Internet? T-Rex is a game for offline play. Open Chrome on your Android device and search for "t-rex." If you are not connected to the Internet, you can begin playing the T-Rex game. Tap on the screen to have your T-Rex hop over barriers. You can remain playfully occupied as you wait for reconnection to the Internet! I’m Caty Weaver and I'm Kaveh Rezaei Carolyn Nicander Mohr wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Did you know about these hidden Google games? Do you know about any other hidden Google games? Which of these games have you tried? Share your thoughts in the Comments Section below or on our Facebook page. * Infographic courtesy of eurooffice.co.uk Words in This Story infographic - n. a visual image such as a chart or diagram used to represent information or data geography - n. an area of study that deals with the location of countries, cities, rivers, mountains, lakes, etc.​ virtual - adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the Internet departure - v. the act of leaving a place especially to start a journey joystick - n. a lever used to control the movement of images on the screen in a computer or video game bounce - v. to cause (a ball, rock, etc.) to hit against a surface and quickly move in a different and usually opposite direction  

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Report: Vietnam Expands Military Runway in South China Sea

  Vietnam is extending a military runway on a small island in the South China Sea, according to an American-based research group. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) says the Vietnamese government is developing one of the Spratly Islands. It said the runway was once 762 meters long, but now stretches 1,005 meters from end to end. The center published satellite images to support its findings. The CSIS says the longer runway will make it easier for Vietnamese surveillance aircraft to operate in the South China Sea. Vietnam is also building airplane hangars there, the group said. The Spratly Islands are made up of many small islands, known as islets, coral reefs, and other land formations in the sea. China, Taiwan and Vietnam each have claimed much of the area and its natural resources. Malaysia, the Philippines and Brunei also claim parts of the waterway. Vietnam is extending the runway because of Chinese efforts to develop military bases in the Spratly Islands, CSIS said. China’s activities in the area have increased tensions with its neighbors. They also have raised concerns in Japan and the United States. The Chinese government has reclaimed land on several disputed reefs by dredging, and also built airfields and ports. Vietnam has already completed landfill work on 27 small islets in the South China Sea - more than any other claimant. It has also bought submarines and spent a lot of money on other military equipment over the past eight years, observers say. Adam McCarty is an economist at Mekong Economics in Hanoi. He says Vietnam needs to be careful about how it reacts to Chinese moves in the sea. “They don’t really want to provoke China, but they also can’t just let China do whatever it wants to do.” The South China Sea is an important waterway through which more than $5 trillion worth in trade passes each year. The area is filled with rich fishing grounds and believed to hold oil and natural gas. McCarty adds that as China keeps developing disputed islands, Vietnam’s claims will likely be harder to defend. Last week, the Philippines announced plans to build a seaport in the South China Sea next year. Officials said the port would greatly improve access for people living on the island of Thitu. About 200 fishermen live on the island, as do about 50 Philippine military troops. In addition, the proposed port will also provide better access to the other eight Philippine-claimed areas in the Spratly Islands. Lawmaker Johnny Pimentel said the Philippine government has set aside about $9 million for work on the island. He said the port will make it easier for more people to settle there. The Philippines has occupied Thitu Island since 1970. It is the second largest island in the Spratlys. Plans for building a seaport there began in 2012. But the project was halted after the Philippines asked an international court to consider Chinese claims in the South China Sea. In July, the court ruled against China, rejecting the government’s historical claims to large areas of the sea. China has disputed the ruling.​ Since the ruling was announced, Pimentel has urged the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte to restart oil and gas exploration in the South China Sea.   But analysts say additional moves to expand economically or militarily in the South China Sea are likely to lead to reactions from other claimants, especially China. I’m Bryan Lynn. Ralph Jennings reported this story for VOA News.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 surveillance –adj. intelligence-gathering hangar – n. a large building where aircraft are kept dredging - v. to dig out and clear material from a body of water provoke - v. to do something that angers others or causes them to take action  

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AIDS Vaccine Testing Taking Place in South Africa

  Thursday is World AIDS Day. For almost 30 years, the United Nations has marked World AIDS Day on December 1. People often note the number of deaths from AIDS, short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The virus has killed tens of millions of people since it was first identified in the 1980s. But on this World AIDS Day, there is more hope than ever before that researchers are getting close to finding a vaccine to protect against infection. Much has happened since the first World AIDS Day observance in 1988. Countries where people did not talk about the virus now test people and treat those who are infected. Mothers with HIV -- the virus that causes AIDS -- can give birth to healthy babies and live to raise them. Drugs can keep the virus from spreading. And now, scientists are discussing the possibility that a vaccine and cure may be developed. On Monday, researchers in South Africa began injecting thousands of volunteers with a possible vaccine. Other researchers are examining whether the body’s own defenses against disease can help fight the virus. An American study shows this may be possible. One of the researchers was Pablo Tebas of the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Tebas spoke to VOA on Skype. “We infuse antibodies into the patients, the participants in the study, and we want to see if those antibodies will control the HIV virus -- will keep it quiet, and prevent the virus from coming back when we stop antiretroviral therapy.” The research in controlling HIV with antibodies is similar to that being done in the fight against cancer. Proteins are used to attack cancer cells. Like cancer, HIV hides in cells. If a person stops taking anti-AIDS drugs, the virus returns. “You want to eliminate the cells that harbor the virus and by making the immune system more active, in finding and eliminating those cells.” The researchers discovered that the antibodies suppressed HIV for 21 days. The goal is to find a combination of antibodies that can suppress the virus for six months to a year. Then, those infected will no longer have to take medicine every day for the rest of their lives. A new test using two antibodies should begin in the next few months. I’m Anne Ball.  VOA’s Carol Pearson reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the 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 infuse – v. to cause (something, such as a quality) to be added or introduced into a person or thing antibody – n. a substance produced by the body to fight disease participant – n. a person who is involved in an activity or event; a person who participates in an activity or event  (often + in) antiretroviral therapy - n. medicines used to control and suppress HIV, the virus that causes AIDS harbor – v. to hold or contain (something)

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Pirelli Calendar Features Women Without Makeup

  This is What’s Trending Today. Pirelli is known for making high-performance tires used on racing cars. The Italy-based, Chinese-owned company is also known for producing calendars at the end of the year. In years past, Pirelli calendars had photographs of models wearing very little clothing or nothing at all. But this year, the company decided to publish photos of Hollywood movie stars. In many ways, all calendars are the same. They list the days of the year in exactly the same order. But people do not buy calendars just to know what day it is. Over the years, calendars have become popular gifts because many are filled with beautiful pictures. Pirelli’s 2017 calendar has photos of 14 women who won Academy Awards. They include actors Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Helen Mirren. This week, the company released some of the images to the media. All of the pictures are in black-and-white. None of the women are wearing makeup. Some look different from the way they do in movies. A story on the Facebook page of the magazine Harper’s Bazaar listed comments both for and against the photos.   Some people said the pictures are a sign of progress for the “no makeup movement.” That is a movement where well-known women are trying to look more natural. Some performers say going out without putting on beauty products makes them feel more at ease in public. One of the performers is the American singer Alicia Keys. Keys wrote that since people know what she looks like without wearing makeup, she feels more relaxed when she goes out in public. She appears in a television program with her “natural” look.  Other personalities have been taking selfies without makeup and posting the pictures on social media sites. Until last year, the Pirelli calendar’s photos had subjects in provocative poses. This year, the photographer was Germany’s Peter Lindbergh. While his photos do not show women as the Pirelli calendar has in the past, they do show the women without another kind of covering: beauty products. Lindbergh said he wanted his photos to show “a different beauty, more real and truthful and not manipulated…” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Jill Robbins. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think of the images from the Pirelli calendar? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story manipulate – v. to deal with or control (someone or something) in a clever and usually unfair or selfish way provocative –adj. causing sexual feelings or excitement selfie –n. a picture that you take of yourself especially by using the camera on your smartphone trend – n. a way of behaving, proceeding, etc., that is developing and becoming more common relax – v. to become or to cause (something) to become less tense, tight, or stiff  

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Obamas Prepare for Their Final White House Christmas

  This is What’s Trending Today… President Barack Obama and his family will celebrate their eighth and final Christmas in the White House next month. On Tuesday, White House staff and first lady Michelle Obama revealed this year’s holiday decorations. They include nearly 70,000 ornaments, 63 Christmas trees, 56 gingerbread houses, and two very large statues of the Obama family’s dogs, Sunny and Bo. An estimated 68,000 people will visit the White House during the holiday season. There is no cost to enter. But, the very first people to see this year’s decorations were military members and their families. Michelle Obama welcomed them to the White House Tuesday. The first lady said the gold ornaments on the official White House Christmas tree honor military heroes. The Christmas tree is almost six meters tall and stands in the Blue Room. This year’s theme is “The Gift of the Holidays.” Many of the decorations represent important gifts in America, including the “gift of a great education,” Michelle Obama said. In the White House Library, another Christmas tree is decorated with ornaments that honor girls. The word “Girls” is printed in a different language on each ornament. A program called Let Girls Learn has been a major effort of Michelle Obama’s. It aims to help girls and young women around the world get a quality education. Another “gift” is the gift of good health. A tree in the White House Green Room is hung with fruit grown in the White House Garden. Healthful eating and exercise have also been important issues during Obama’s eight years as first lady. Most of the ornaments and other decorations were reused, the White House said. Just 10 percent were new. More than 90 volunteers worked on the decorations. On Tuesday, the first lady thanked the volunteer decorators. “We can’t wait to start welcoming people into their White House this holiday season. To everyone who created these stunning displays…. I want to once again say thank you. You all did a phenomenal job of turning this house into a magical place.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. Ashley Thompson adapted this report from the Associated Press, with additional materials from WhiteHouse.gov. Caty Weaver was the editor.  ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   staff - n. a group of people who work for an organization or business​ reveal - v. to show (something) plainly or clearly​ decorations  - n. ​things that are added to something else to make it more attractive ornaments  - n. ​small balls, figures, etc., that are hung on a Christmas tree for decoration​ gingerbread  - n. ​a cake or cookie made with molasses and ginger​ theme  - n. ​ the main subject that is being discussed or described in a piece of writing, a movie, etc.​ stunning - adj. very beautiful or pleasing​ phenomenal ​- adj. ​very good or great​  

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Thailand’s Parliament Officially Invites Prince to Be King

  Thailand’s parliament has officially invited Crown Prince Vajiralongkorn to become the country’s next king. The parliament acted after Thailand’s cabinet named the prince to be the new king. The president of the National Assembly, Pornpetch Wichitcholchai, officially nominated the prince. He urged legislators to “give their blessings” to the new king. Parliament members then stood up and replied, “Long live the king.” Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej died last month at the age of 88. He was the world’s longest serving monarch and served as king for 70 years. The process for choosing a new king is described in a 1924 Thai law. The law gives the king power to choose who should succeed him. In 1972, Bhumibol chose Vajiralongkorn – his second child and only son - to be his successor.  ​ The last step is for the prince to meet with leaders of the National Assembly before being formally named king. Government officials said that meeting is expected to happen soon. The 64-year-old prince spends much of his time outside Thailand. He is often in Germany, where he owns property. The prince has yet to gain the same respect in Thailand as his father. King Bhumibol was greatly beloved across Thailand, a mainly Buddhist country. He was known as a humble leader who directed many social and economic development projects. Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said shortly after Bhumibol's death, the prince told him he did not want to immediately become king. He said he needed more time to mourn his father. The government declared a full year of mourning for all public offices after the king’s death. Many Thais have dressed in black or white since then to honor him. The king's remains have been on display at the Grand Palace in Bangkok so Thai people can pay their respects. His body will be cremated in a special ceremony likely to take place a year or more after his death. The official coronation of Vajiralongkorn will happen after the cremation. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from 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   blessing – n. approval that allows something to go forward monarch – n. a king or queen humble – adj. not proud or believing you are important cremate – v. to burn a dead body coronation – n. a ceremony to officially crown a king or queen  

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