December 20, 2016

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

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At Least 9 Killed After Truck Drives Through Berlin Market

A truck plowed into a crowded Christmas market in the center of Berlin, German, Monday evening, killing at least nine people and injuring as many as 50 others.

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United Nations Calls for Observers in Aleppo, Syria

The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution urging the immediate deployment of U.N. monitors to the eastern part of the Syrian city of Aleppo.  Syrian rebels had controlled that area for about four years.  France said it is very important to have observers in the area to avoid “mass atrocities” by Syrian forces and militias. The resolution calls for the U.N. and other groups to monitor evacuations from eastern Aleppo.  It also calls for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to talk with Syria and other parties on security and preparations for the monitors’ deployment. Ban’s term as secretary-general ends December 31. France and Russia drafted the resolution.  It asks all parties to allow immediate access for humanitarian aid and medical care, without conditions.  It also asks parties to respect and protect all civilians across Aleppo and throughout Syria. The evacuation of Aleppo began last week after Turkey and Russia negotiated a cease-fire with government forces.  The Syrian forces were about to attack the rebels' last base in the country's largest city. Now, evacuations are continuing from the last rebel-held areas of Aleppo and two villages Foua and Kefraya. Turkey’s Foreign Minister said 20,000 people had been evacuated from eastern Aleppo by late Monday. Thousands of people are still in eastern Aleppo.  Rebels took control of the area in 2012. Recently they lost nearly all of their territory during an offensive by government troops. On Monday, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) said that 47 children have been evacuated from an orphanage in Aleppo.  They are now safe although some are in critical condition. Agency spokeswoman Malene Jensen says that the agency and its partners are feeding the children, as well as giving them clothes and medical care. UNICEF warned that many other "vulnerable children'' are still in eastern Aleppo. Humanitarian situation remains serious The head of the humanitarian group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdul-Rahman, said he expected the Aleppo evacuations to be completed late Monday. The evacuations are said to involve very complicated negotiations between many parties.  The parties include rebel groups opposed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and Iranian, Russian and Syrian commanders. Others involved are the militant group Hezbollah, and the Lebanese Shi’ite movement. Free Syrian Army legal adviser Osama Abo Zaid says the negotiators for the Aleppo evacuations are the Russians and the rebels.  However, any evacuations from the towns Foua and Kefraya are discussed between Syrian rebel groups and Iranian Revolutionary Guard commanders.  The commanders send the discussions to Hezbollah fighters. The Free Syrian Army is supported by the United States and countries in the Persian Gulf area. Osama Abo Zaid said the humanitarian situation is very serious in eastern Aleppo.  A large number of people are sleeping outdoors while waiting to be evacuated.  He said there is a lack of medics and doctors.  There are only three doctors and one field hospital operating.  This means the evacuated people who arrive in western Aleppo need urgent medical care, shelter, and food. Opposition leaders and activists say that more than 70 percent of the buildings in western Aleppo have been destroyed.  There is also a severe shortage of food and medical supplies. I’m Phil Dierking This story was originally written for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for VOA Learning English. He also used information from other media. Mario Ritter was the editor. What do you think of the evacuation in Aleppo? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   evacuation – n. to remove someone from a dangerous place humanitarian – n. a person who works to make other people's lives better monitor – n. a person who has the job of checking or watching some activity or behavior vulnerable – adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally

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China Says It Will Return US Drone Taken from South China Sea

  China says it will give back an American drone it seized Thursday in international waters in the South China Sea. Military officials of the United States and China were holding talks on the return of the unmanned vehicle, a foreign ministry spokeswoman said Monday. China's defense ministry said a Chinese naval ship observed what the ministry called “unidentified equipment” off the coast of the Philippines. China says naval officials decided to take the object to make sure other ships could pass safely through the area. Chinese officials later discovered it was an unmanned underwater vehicle belonging to the United States. U.S. officials have said the drone was operating in the area to collect scientific information related to water conditions and temperature.  U.S. officials have protested the incident. They say the seizure was unlawful. They have demanded the drone's immediate return. U.S. legal experts said the seizure happened inside an economic area belonging to the Philippines, possibly violating international law. Arizona Senator John McCain, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told CNN Sunday the taking of the drone was a "gross violation of international law.” On Saturday, Chinese defense officials said the U.S. equipment would be returned, in their words, “in an appropriate manner.” U.S. defense officials confirmed they were in contact with China about the issue. The United States and other countries have raised concerns about China's growing military presence in the South China Sea. Last week, an American-based research group released satellite images appearing to show that China had added weapons to man-made islands it built in the South China Sea. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) reported the weapons included anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems. China created the man-made land formation in the Spratly Islands in recent years by building up sand on top of coral reefs. The Spratly Islands are made up of many small islands, coral reefs and other land formations in the South China 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. I’m Jonathan Evans. Ken Bredemeier reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English, with additional material 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   drone – n. a small flying machine flown remotely by a pilot seizure – n. act of taking something by force or violence gross – adj. very serious or unacceptable appropriate – adj. right or suited for a specific purpose  

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Was 2016 the Worst Year Ever?

  This is What’s Trending Today. The year 2016 is soon coming to an end. People on social media are looking back on the year. Many are saying 2016 was one of the worst years in recent memory. Television personality John Oliver, for example, spent much of his final show of the year discussing how bad the last 12 months were. He said, “Let’s face it: 2016 has been one calamity after another.” He showed images of the Brexit campaign, migrants in Europe, protests in U.S. cities, flooding, lead-poisoned water in Flint, Michigan and more. The producers of his show interviewed people on the streets of New York City. One man said, “if we could erase 2016 off the calendar, it would be perfectly good with me.” Another said “it was a pretty rotten year, I think most people would admit that.” But on Monday, some people used the Twitter hashtag #UpsideOf2016 to discuss some of the good news during the last 12 months. When someone discusses “upside,” it means something good or optimistic. Some people responded to the prompt by saying the best thing about 2016 is that it is almost over. But others said they celebrated graduations, engagements, weddings, births and other happy things.   One poster remembered that we got to experience one extra day because 2016 was a Leap Year. Another celebrated her recovery from cancer. The singer Chaka Khan reminded everyone that one #UpsideOf2016 is that “we’re still here,” and she wrote “live a #Superlife NOW. Tomorrow is not promised.”  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 2016? Let us know in the comments section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   calamity – n. an event that causes great harm and suffering rotten – adj. very bad or unpleasant engagement – n. an agreement to be married  prompt – n. a message that appears on a computer screen asking the user to do something or to provide information 

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Trump Softening Some Immigration Positions

  President-elect Donald Trump is pulling back from some of the immigration policies he proposed as a candidate. Trump is still promising stronger enforcement of immigration laws. He also continues to call for a new wall along the United States southern border with Mexico. But he no longer calls for the removal of 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. His campaign proposal to block all Muslim immigrants was modified before the November 8 presidential election. The new proposal calls for more careful “vetting” of people seeking to enter the United States. Trump says he will cancel some of President Barack Obama’s executive orders, but he is suggesting a willingness to compromise. What About Dreamers? During the campaign, Trump often talked about ending one immigration order by Obama. It permits about 700,000 immigrants brought illegally to the United States as children to remain in the United States and to apply for work permits. They are sometimes called, “dreamers.” Trump softened his position in a recent discussion with Time magazine. “We’re going to work something out that’s going to make people happy and proud,” Trump said. “They got brought here at a very young age, they’ve worked here, they’ve gone to school here. Some were good students. Some have wonderful jobs.” Trump also said that he will not try, as he once said during his campaign, to remove all illegal immigrants. Instead, Trump said he will order the removal of undocumented immigrants who have committed crimes. But that will not be easy. The Obama administration faced opposition from some countries that refused to accept the return of their citizens. Still Promising to Build a Wall Trump said he is keeping his campaign proposal to build a big wall along the United States southern border. He spoke about the wall during a recent speech in Wisconsin. “We’re going to build the wall,” Trump said. “We have to. We have got to stop the drugs from coming in and the wall is going to be a big, big factor.” During the campaign, he said Mexico would pay for the wall although Mexican officials have said they have no plans to do so. Trump has said he also plans to move ahead with his proposal to cut federal funding for cities that refuse to hold undocumented immigrants. He has pointed to serious crimes, including murder, committed by some undocumented immigrants who were released after serving sentences for earlier crimes. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sometimes requests to be told when a non-citizen is released from a state or local prison. This would permit the agency to take that person into custody and decide if the person should be deported. But some local and state governments do not do this for several different reasons. One reason they give is that immigration enforcement is not their responsibility. Another reason given is that if they help to deport people it might lead to distrust between immigrant communities and local police agencies. Cities that do not inform the federal government about the release of undocumented immigrants are sometimes known as “sanctuary cities.” Some Mayors Say No Rahm Emanuel is the mayor of the American city of Chicago. He is one of a number of mayors who say his city will continue its sanctuary city policy, even if results in loss of federal funds. “Since the presidential election, there has been a sense of uncertainty among many immigrant communities in Chicago and across the nation,” Emanuel said. “I want to assure all of our families that Chicago is and will remain a sanctuary city.” But Trump does not appear likely to soften his position on this issue. He nominated Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions for attorney general, the federal government’s top law enforcement position. Sessions proposed a bill as a senator to cut federal funding to cities that do not hold and turn over undocumented immigrants to federal immigration officers. Roy Beck heads Numbers USA, a Virginia-based group that supports more limits on immigration. He said Trump’s promise to limit immigration was a major reason he won the presidential election. Beck expects Trump to focus on cutting temporary permits for foreign workers and other programs that might take away jobs from American citizens.  Bill de Blasio is mayor of New York City, America’s most populated city. He supported Hillary Clinton for president, but recently met with Trump. He urged Trump not to cancel President Obama’s executive order that allows people who came to the United States as children to remain in the U.S. and get work permits. ​             “One of the thing I thought was most important about my meeting with him (Trump) was to say -- ‘This is your city, I know you love your city; and there are many, many thousands and thousands of people, hundreds of thousands of people who are fearful right now,” the mayor said.​ I'm Bruce Alpert.  And I'm Ashley Thompson.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   undocumented - adj. not having the official documents that are needed to enter, live in, or work in a country legally vetting - n. to investigate thoroughly to see if they should be approved -- in this case for entry to the U.S. executive - adj. a decision made by the person in charge funding - n. an amount of money that is used for a special purpose custody –n. the state of being kept in a prison or jail sanctuary –n. a place where someone or something is protected or given shelter assure - v. to say something is certain

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Ready for Takeoff: New Device Makes Personal Flying a Reality

  An American company says it has developed the world’s first true jetpack for personal flight. California-based JetPack Aviation recently demonstrated its flying device to the public. It looks simple enough that almost anyone could use it to fly around. The company’s JB-10 flying machine is built like a backpack. It looks similar to the bags people use to carry anything from food to books on their back. Jetpack Aviation’s device is powered by two jet engines. The engines can operate on either airplane fuel or automobile diesel fuel. The JB-10 can fly for periods up to 10 minutes. It can reach 100 kilometers per hour and fly up to 3,000 meters in the air. The company says its personal flight vehicle has performed more than 400 test flights with no major problems. It says the jetpacks are still being developed and improved. The company recently launched a crowdfunding campaign online - with a $1 million goal - to raise money for more research and testing. JetPack Aviation’s chief executive officer, David Mayman, says developments in technology over the past 10 years have finally made the jetpack a reality. “Ten years ago, the sensors weren’t available, and iPhones and smartphones have sort of led the way with sensors.” Mayman says these sensors are used to measure speed and movements. In the past, he adds, this kind of equipment could cost up to $100,000. Now it costs less than one dollar. Lower costs and improvements in turbine technology have made it possible for the company to develop several other devices.   Another version of the jetpack, the JB-11, will be even more powerful. Mayman predicts this model will be used by first responders or the military during search and rescue operations.   “That’s where JB-11 comes in, that’s for moving somebody. It produces more power, it’s more automated. And that enables one of their guys that’s in trouble to get out very quickly.” The public demonstration of the JB-10 clearly showed the jetpack giving its passenger a smooth takeoff and landing. The equipment also appeared easy to operate and the device provided a stable test flight.   But the chance to own this futuristic flyer comes at a very high price. The JB-10 device is currently listed at $250,000. In addition to its jetpacks, the company is also working on a quick-deploying parachute, as well as a personal flying vehicle. I’m Bryan Lynn. George Putic reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. was the editor. What do you think about personal flying devices? Would you be willing to try one out? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   jetpack – n. device worn on a person’s back that uses fuel or water to push them into the air backpack – n. a bag worn on the back and used to carry things crowdfunding – n. getting a large number of people to give small amounts of money to finance a business project or cause sensor – n. device that detects or senses heat, light, sound, etc. turbine – n. large machine that produces power using gas or steam enable – v. to make able to do something stable – adj. in a good, steady state not likely to change  

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Scientists Find New Step in Brain Development

  Over the years, scientists and medical researchers have spent much time studying the human brain. Even after countless studies, the workings of the brain remain largely a mystery. New research, however, is shining light on how this complex organ develops. Scientists in California say they have discovered a formerly unknown period of brain development in newborn babies. They say the discovery may help answer questions about the human thought process. It may also lead to a better understanding of diseases of the human nervous system. Scientists once thought that the wiring of most babies’ brains -- their brain’s circuitry -- develops before they are born. But new research shows that this circuitry is a work-in-progress. It continues developing for months after birth. Scientists at the University of California in San Francisco (UCSF) studied neurons that are believed to form deep in the brain. They found that these cells move to the brain’s prefrontal cortex. The prefrontal cortex is an area that influences personality development and much more.   The findings may lead to a better understanding of how the human brain grows and develops. Arturo Alvarez-Buylla is a Professor of Neurological Surgery at the university. He says the discovery shows that neurons make very long trips in the brain. They migrate like some animals -- moving from the place where they are born to their final resting place. At this location, the cells become part of a complex system of wiring, which makes up our brain. The professor calls this a “fascinating phenomenon.” "It is just a fascinating phenomenon when it happens in the embryo, and it's happening in a much more complex brain that is bigger and much more complex. ... That fact that these cells can make these long migrations, journeys from the site where they are probably born to their ultimate locations, where they are going to become integrated into circuits."   These circuits, or pathways, in the prefrontal cortex are thought to be linked to neurological disorders, such as autism and schizophrenia. The professor says the progress made by the scientific community is fascinating. But, he adds, they still have a long way to go. "We have learned tremendously about brain development, but it's still a very small fraction of what we need to know to really understand how the brain functions and gets assembled. So it's fascinating that we are making progress so fast, but we have a long way to go." So, as newborn babies sleep quietly in their beds, their brains are busy. They are busy making connections that will shape their reasoning, personalities and perception of the world. I’m Anna Matteo.   Deborah Block reported this story for VOANews.com. Anna Matteo adapted and presented the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   phenomenon – n. something (such as an interesting fact or event) that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully perception – n. the way you think about or understand someone or something neuron – n. a cell that carries messages between the brain and other parts of the body and that is the basic unit of the nervous system neurological – adj. the scientific study of the nervous system and the diseases that affect it fascinating – adj. very interesting or appealing embryo – n. a human or animal in the early stages of development before it is born, hatched, etc. integrated – adj. having different parts working together as a unit circuit – n. the complete path that an electric current travels along

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December 19, 2016

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

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Russian Ambassador to Turkey Killed in Shooting

EDITOR'S NOTE: Audio for this report will be available soon.   A gunman shot and killed the Russian ambassador to Turkey on Monday in Ankara. Russian Foreign Ministry official Maria Zakharova confirmed Andrei Karlov had died of his wounds. "Today in Ankara as a result of an attack the Russian ambassador to Turkey Andrei Karlov received wounds that he died from," Zakharova said. "We qualify what happened as a terrorist act." The shooting took place as Karlov spoke at a photo exhibition organized by Russian embassy. The exhibit was called “Russia as Seen by Turks.”   The Associated Press news agency said one of its photographers was there when the shooting took place. The photographer reported that a man shouted "Allahu Akbar'' and fired at least eight shots. "Don't forget Aleppo! Don't forget Syria!" he then shouted in Turkish. "Stand back! Stand back! Only death will take me out of here. Anyone who has a role in this oppression will die one by one.'' A witness told VOA that attendees passed through a metal detector to get into the exhibit. However, they said it did not seem that there was any extra security for the Russian ambassador’s presence. Bahar Bakir, a diplomacy reporter for Haberturk TV, told VOA’s Turkish Service that she and other witnesses “threw ourselves to the ground with the gunshot sounds. "I saw that the gun was aimed at the ceiling and I saw the ambassador on the ground unfortunately." Bakir said she heard 20 to 30 shots as she and others ran from the area. The Turkish news channel NTV reported that police later shot and killed the gunman. Early reports said the attacker may have been a police officer. Ankara's mayor wrote on Twitter that "the attacker is a policeman." Russia's RIA news agency said security around the Russian embassy in Ankara has been increased following the shooting. Statements of condemnation U.S. State Department spokesman John Kirby denounced the attack. "We condemn this act of violence, whatever its source,'' Kirby said.  "Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.'' The United Nations made a similar statement. "We condemn the gun attack on the Russian ambassador to Turkey," a U.N. spokesman said. "There can be no justification for an attack on a diplomat or an ambassador." German Interior Minister Thomas De Maiziere said his government is "in solidarity with Turkey in the common fight against terrorism." Career diplomat Karlov, 62, served as Russia's envoy to North Korea in 2001-2006. He later headed the Foreign Ministry's consular department. He became Russia's ambassador to Turkey in 2013. I’m Caty Weaver.   VOANews reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. ­­­­­­­­­­Ashley Thompson was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   exhibition - n.  a public show of something role - n. a part that someone or something has in a particular activity or situation detector - n. a device that can tell if a substance or object is present  unfortunately - adv. used to say that something bad or unlucky has happened justification - n. an acceptable reason for doing something envoy - n. a person who is sent by one government to represent it in dealing with another government  

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Giraffes Facing ‘Silent Disappearance’ in Africa, Report Says

  The number of giraffes has dropped by as much as 40 percent since the 1980s, says a new report on endangered species. The Red List is a study of threatened species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The group now considers the giraffe “vulnerable” to extinction for the first time. Earlier, it had a rating of “least concern.” The giraffe is the tallest animal on land. These beautiful creatures are one of the best-known species in Africa. They are known for their very long necks, long legs and the brown and white patterns that cover their bodies. Decreasing numbers Craig Hilton-Taylor is head of the Red List program. He says in 1985, there were between 152,000 and 163,000 giraffes. But now, he tells VOA, their numbers have fallen to about 98,000. “It is a huge tragedy and it’s been sort of a silent disappearance that we just really hadn’t detected until now.” Fifty years ago, groups of giraffes usually had 20 to 30 animals in them.  Now, observers are only seeing six animals in a group, called a herd. The Red List experts have been gathering information about giraffes over the last five years. They counted the animals from airplanes, land vehicles and on foot. They say that until now the disappearance of the animals had not been observed closely. One reason could be because giraffes live in a wide area across Africa. Why the decrease? What is causing this decrease? Hilton-Taylor says: humans. “The reasons are all due to the impact of people, whether it’s people causing loss of habitat for the species, hunting of the species for food or harvesting for medicine, medicinal purposes, or for timber.” He says pollution and the effects of climate change are just a few of the other problems affecting the species. Some people are moving into protected areas where giraffes and other animals live because of a lack of rain that affects food production. Sometimes the graceful, plant-eating animals are killed for their meat. Also, civil wars and unrest in Africa make it more difficult to protect the animals. It is harder to do conservation work—to protect the animals in danger—in areas of armed conflict. “So tackling the giraffe issue is not just purely about conservation of the species, it’s also about dealing with governments, about political control, about people’s rights and resources, access to resources, so it’s quite a complex set of things you have to address.” Hilton-Taylor says the fact the giraffe is now listed as vulnerable means that it has “a high risk of going extinct in the wild unless we do something about it.” It is not too late But, he says giraffes can be helped. “It’s not too late, we can turn things around. We know in parts of Africa giraffes are doing well some of the populations are increasing in size, so we can see what is being done in those areas.” Some of the ideas that work include community involvement and tourism. Tourism, for example, provides jobs for local residents. He also says there needs to be a giraffe action plan put in place to observe and survey the animals across the continent of Africa. Hilton-Taylor adds that finding answers to the problems people face, like drought linked to climate change, food shortages and civil unrest, will provide answers to help giraffes. The Red List is considered an important source of information about risks to animals and plants. The program says 24,307 of the 85,604 species of animals and plants it studied were in danger of extinction. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story for VOA Learning English with material from Reuters. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   species –n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants vulnerable –adj. open to attack, harm, or damage extinction –n. the state or situation that results when something (such as a plant or animal species) has died out completely detect –v. to discover or notice the presence of (something that is hidden or hard to see, hear, taste, etc.) habitat –n. the place or type of place where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives or grows timber –n. trees that are grown in order to produce wood tourism –n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure survey –n. an act of studying something in order to make a judgment about it

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