Student Newspapers at U.S. Colleges Face Pressure

  Freedom of the press is one of the most valued rights protected under the United States Constitution. Among other things, the constitution’s First Amendment bars creation of any law limiting freedom of speech, or of the press. American colleges and universities have a long history of producing journalists for the country’s news media. And many of them get their start by working at their college’s student newspaper. These student reporters write about many subjects, from school sports to local events. But a new report suggests that some newspapers publishing stories critical of their colleges are under attack. Who or what is threatening these publications? The report claims school administrators are to blame. The report is called “Threats to the Independence of Student Media.” It is a joint project of four groups: the American Association of University Professors, the College Media Association, the National Coalition against Censorship, and the Student Press Law Center. All four organizations say they support academic freedom in higher education. Released in December, their report lists actions that college and university administrators have taken because of critical stories in student newspapers. For example, the University of Kansas reduced financial support for its student newspaper after the student government voted to do so in April 2015. The paper’s student editors then took a university administrator to court. They claimed the vote was retaliation for a 2014 story critical of the student government election process. Finally, the student government agreed to give the newspaper its full funding. The report also lists actions taken against advisors to student-operated newspapers. In the U.S., almost every student newspaper has an individual with journalism experience guiding the reporters. Cheryl Reed was one example. Northern Michigan University (NMU) asked Reed to serve as its student media advisor for the school’s newspaper, The North Wind, in 2014. The university also made her a professor of investigative journalism because she has years of experience in the field. However, it was not long before Reed and her student journalists began to experience problems. In fall 2014, school officials decided to close a popular, independent coffee shop on campus. The school then replaced it with a Starbucks owned by a former NMU student. The newspaper began to investigate the issue and requested copies of the Starbucks contract. The school first refused before eventually agreeing. Next, the paper requested copies of emails between administrators discussing the activities of The North Wind. As NMU is a public university, these emails were public record. However, the school tried to charge the newspaper for use of the information. At this point, the publication board that governs the newspaper became involved. The board’s members voted against paying for the emails. The student journalists then went to social media. The attention that followed led to the school releasing the documents free of charge. But the problems did not end there. The newspaper published several stories critical of Northern Michigan University. This included reports about sexual assault and payments for travel costs made to one of the school’s trustees. Then, in April 2015, the newspaper board, made up of students, NMU officials, teachers and community members, voted to remove Reed as the advisor. She and a student editor then took four of the board’s student members and an NMU representative to court. They argued the board violated their free-speech rights because of the critical stories. During the court case, one student board member made a sworn statement against NMU. She said the board’s administrative representative met with her individually. She said this meeting was designed to persuade her to vote against paying for access to the emails. She also believed the representative influenced other students so they would vote to remove Reed. Yet, the judge decided there was no violation of constitutional rights. Reed has since left NMU for personal reasons. Also, she fears that many administrators are more concerned with the school’s image than education. Administrators see colleges more and more as a business, and that in itself is a threat to student journalism, she says. "There’s this conflict between how administrators want to sell their campuses … and how student journalists see their role in all of this in terms of their trying to report about their campus from a journalistic means. And that means … How does the campus do business? … How safe are these campuses? … These are all major issues for students. And that’s what the journalists are trying to do, cover them in a way that is responsible but also as any journalist would." Derek Hall is the assistant vice-president of communications at NMU. He denies the board’s action was retaliation or that the administration has power over them. He says the board made its decision for several reasons. This includes concerns about the accuracy of some stories in the newspaper. But Hall was unable to provide VOA with direct examples of the board expressing these concerns to the paper. And he says he has some regrets about the experience. "I’m not going to rationalize much of anything that happened there. It was a lot of petty back and forth … A lot of mistakes were made on both sides." The report on college media lists several other examples of similar actions taken against advisors at other universities. Frank LoMonte, executive director of the Student Press Law Center, says the problem seems to be growing. LoMonte notes that 40 years ago, students and parents would be shocked at the actions of these university administrations. But, now young people worry much more about bad reputations reducing the value of their college degrees. "What seems to be different is that colleges have recognized they can get away with very open and undisguised acts of retaliation because their communities accept that protecting the reputation of the institution is a legitimate use of authority." LoMonte says students worry that if their school’s public image is damaged, they will be less likely to find employment. Also, administrators warn students against speaking out, he says. If they do, they risk losing their school’s support in finding a job. Chris Evans is with the College Media Association. He says student journalists can play an important role. Many newspapers around the world have reduced their work force greatly in recent years. And an American research group, the Brookings Institute, reported just 1.4 percent of news stories were about education in 2009. Evans says universities need journalists to criticize them and make sure they are doing the job of educating as best they can. If few news organizations are reporting on education, students must produce education-related stories. But, he notes, schools must let students learn the correct skills to become the best possible journalists. "Good journalism involves questioning authority, not getting permission from authority to publish something.  We develop these habits when we’re young. We develop them in high school and then we take them on to college if we are able to go to college, and then out into the newsroom. And … that’s what perpetuates our democracy, in theory." In 1988, the U.S. Supreme Court decided high school administrators could control their student newspapers however they like. That is why Evans, LoMonte and Reed all support passing legislation called “New Voices” laws. These measures are designed to protect high school and college student journalists from administrative control. At least 10 U.S. states now have “New Voices” laws. Evans says as more administrators take business-minded attitudes, this is the best way to protect the next generation of journalists. I’m Pete Musto. Pete Musto reported on this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Does your university have a student-run newspaper? How much control does your school’s administration have over what the newspaper reports? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   journalist(s) – n. a person whose job is collecting, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education editor(s) – n. a person whose job is to prepare something written to be published or used retaliation – n. something bad done to someone who has hurt you or treated you badly campus – n. the area and buildings around a university, college or school board – n. a group of people who manage or direct a company or organization trustee(s) – n. a member of a group that manages the money of an organization accuracy – n. freedom from mistake or error rationalize – v. to think about or describe something, such as bad behavior, in a way that explains it and makes it seem correct petty – adj. relating to things that are not very important or serious reputation(s) – n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something legitimate – adj. permitted as directed or required by rules or laws perpetuate(s) – v. to cause something to continue

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A Look Back at the 2016 US Presidential Race

In 2016, Americans voted for a new president. The result was a surprise to many people. Learning English takes a look back at what happened along the way in this unusual election year.

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US Soldier Who Helped Stop Killing of Unarmed Vietnamese Villagers Dies

  American Larry Colburn, who became famous for his actions during the Vietnam War, died earlier this month. He was 67 years old. Lisa Colburn, his wife of 31 years, told the Associated Press that Colburn died three months after they learned he had cancer. “He was a very peaceful man who had a great desire for there to be a peaceful world,” she said. Lawrence Colburn joined the United States military during the Vietnam War. The U.S. government supported South Vietnam in its battle against North Vietnam and its allies. Colburn was the last surviving member of an army helicopter crew that halted the killing of hundreds of Vietnamese civilians by American soldiers. The incident took place in the village of My Lai on March 16, 1968. It is now called the My Lai massacre. The three-man crew had been sent to the village to try to find enemy soldiers. Instead, they found murdered, unarmed civilians and U.S. soldiers who were prepared to kill more villagers. Hugh Thompson, the pilot, landed the helicopter between villagers who were still alive and troops who were planning to shoot them. Thompson told Colburn and the other crew member, Glenn Andreotta, to prepare to shoot the Americans if they tried to kill the civilians. Colburn and Andreotta agreed. In 2006, Colburn told the Democracy Now radio program that the helicopter crew saw troops walking toward about 10 villagers who were hiding in a bunker. He said the crew “decided that if we didn’t do something within the next 30 seconds, these people would die. So (Thompson) landed the aircraft in between the advancing American troops” and the villagers. Thompson spoke to the leader of the soldiers “and asked him how we could get these people out of the bunker. They were obviously civilians. And the lieutenant replied he’d get them out with hand grenades. Mr. Thompson, who was outranked by this lieutenant, actually gave the lieutenant an order, told him to keep his people in place. He had a better idea, and I think he told him, ‘If you fire on these people when I’m getting them out of the bunker, my people will fire on you.’” An Army investigation later found that the soldiers had begun killing the villagers without warning. Before the helicopter crew was able to stop the killing, 504 civilians -- mostly women, children and old people -- were dead. Trent Angers wrote a biography about Thompson called “The Forgotten Hero of My Lai: The Hugh Thompson Story.” He said that Colburn “stood up, shoulder to shoulder with Hugh and Glenn, to oppose and stand down against those who were committing crimes against humanity. Without his assistance, Hugh might not have done what he did.” Many years after the incident, Colburn and Thompson were given the U.S. Army’s Soldier’s Medal. It is the U.S. military’s highest award for bravery not involving conflict with the enemy. Glenn Andreotta was killed in battle three weeks after the My Lai shootings. Hugh Thompson died in 2006. In 2008, 40 years after the My Lai massacre, Larry Colburn returned to the village. He met Do Ba, whose life Colburn had saved on that day.  Charles Pierce wrote on Esquire.com that Colburn’s actions are “one of the more astonishing displays of courage of which I’ve ever heard.” He wrote that Colburn’s funeral should “be on national television. Children (should) read about him in school. There (should) be memorials on the National Mall and at West Point.” I’m Jonathan Evans. The New York Times and the Associated Press reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the reports 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 bunker – n. a strong building that is mostly below ground and that is used to keep people, soldiers, weapons, etc., safe from attacks grenade – n. a small bomb that is designed to be thrown by someone or shot from a rifle outrank – v. to have a higher rank or position than (someone) shoulder to shoulder – expression united together to achieve a shared goal astonishing – adj. causing a feeling of great surprise or wonder National Mall – n. an area in Washington, DC where there are many monuments and memorials West Point – n. town in New York where the United States Military Academy is located. The USMA trains young men and women to be military officers.

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A National Park for the Father of Parks

  The U.S. National Park Service has been celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016. Woodrow Wilson, America’s 28th president, established the National Park Service in 1916 to “protect the wild and wonderful landscapes” in the United States. But it is an earlier leader who is considered the father of the America’s national parks. In 1906, Theodore Roosevelt, America’s 26th president, signed the American Antiquities Act. The law permitted him – and future presidents - to take immediate action to protect important cultural or natural resources. The Antiquities Act led to the creation of many of the 413 sites within the National Park Service today. No president has played a bigger role in protecting the country’s natural and cultural resources than Theodore Roosevelt. During his time in office, he established five new national parks and 18 national monuments. In all, he protected over 93 million hectares of public land. He became known as “the conservationist president.” Roosevelt’s concern for the land and environment came from the time he spent in the Dakota Territory, beginning in the 1880s. The area where he traveled is now the state of North Dakota. Today, you will find a national park there named in his honor. The park protects badlands, wildlife, [and] scenic views, as well as two ranches where Roosevelt himself once lived.  Welcome to Theodore Roosevelt National Park! Theodore Roosevelt came to Dakota Territory in September 1883. He was a young, married man from New York, where his political career was just beginning. He came to Dakota in hopes of hunting huge animals called bison. He also had a great interest in the Western frontier lifestyle. Roosevelt soon developed an interest in raising cattle. Cattle ranching in Dakota was a big business in the 1880s. Cattle fed on the land’s healthful grasses. He and a partner entered the business. Roosevelt invested $14,000 to build the Maltese Cross Ranch. Roosevelt returned to New York while workers constructed the ranch. He resumed his political duties in Albany, the state capital. But, in early 1884, he experienced two great personal losses. His mother and wife died of illnesses on the same day, February 14. Roosevelt described the pain and loss in his diary with only one sentence: “The light has gone out of my life.” Roosevelt again headed west in the summer of 1884. He sought to escape the reminders of his recent losses. He arrived at his newly built Maltese Cross Ranch. He also decided to build a second ranch in a quieter, more remote area. He called that ranch Elkhorn. Roosevelt traveled between New York and Dakota, working both as a state lawmaker and a cattle rancher. In late 1884, he helped form an organization in Dakota to help protect ranchers’ rights. In 1885, Roosevelt published his first book about his experiences as a rancher and hunter. In it, he predicted that the cattle industry of the Dakota Badlands was not sustainable. In other words, it would not last. Roosevelt was right. Severe weather struck the area in 1886 and 1887. In the winter, a terrible freeze killed many cattle. The animals that survived the cold soon starved. Roosevelt himself lost over half of his cattle. He decided to get out of the business. The experience, however, shaped Roosevelt’s beliefs about the need for conservation in America. Those beliefs, in turn, helped shape his policies as president. Visiting the park Visitors to Theodore Roosevelt National Park today can experience the badlands just as Roosevelt did hundreds of years ago. They can also visit the Maltese Cross Cabin as well as the Elkhorn Ranch area. The park has three main areas -- the South Unit, the North Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. In the South Unit, visitors can drive along the Scenic Loop road. It offers many places to see wildlife and the surrounding badlands. Badlands are very dry places with little vegetation. Wind and water shape badlands, mainly through erosion. The process leaves behind high, flat-topped hills of clay and other soft rock. Many visitors stop to look at Painted Canyon. It gets its name from the colorful exposed rocks there. Trails near the canyon offer visitors a chance to see animals, from the huge American bison to small black-tailed prairie dogs. These animals are not really dogs. They are rodents. Roosevelt described prairie dogs as the “most noisy and inquisitive animals imaginable.” The North Unit also offers several hiking trails. Some paths are short and easy. Others may take two days to complete. The Achenbach trail is a 28-kilometer-long path. It crosses the Little Missouri River and takes visitors into the heart of the Theodore Roosevelt wilderness. The third area of the park is the Elkhorn Ranch Unit. This is what Roosevelt described as his “home ranch.” He wrote of the ranch in this way: “My home ranch-house stands on the river brink. From the low, long veranda, shaded by leafy cotton-woods, one looks across sand bars and shallows to a strip of meadowland, behind which rises a line of sheer cliffs and grassy plateaus.” Today, the Elkhorn cabin itself no longer stands. Visitors will find only stone rocks where the cabin once was. The area that surrounds Elkhorn, however, is among the most beautiful, wild and quiet places in the badlands of North Dakota. It is this peace and beauty that appealed to Roosevelt after the deaths of his mother and wife. But the Dakota badlands did more than just help Roosevelt overcome his pain. They helped shape the kind of president he would later become. In the words of Theodore Roosevelt himself, "I would not have been president had it not been for my experience in North Dakota."   I’m Ashley Thompson. And I’m John Russell.   Ashley Thompson wrote this story with materials from the National Park Service. Caty Weaver was the editor.   Editor's Note: Each week in 2016, VOA Learning English has been exploring some of the many sites within the National Park Service. While this is the final week of our America's National Parks series, we will continue to write about this topic in the future! Let us know if you have any ideas or suggestions.  _______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story   badlands - n. a region in the U.S. where weather has worn away rocks into strange shapes and where there are very few plants ranch - n. a large farm especially in the U.S. where animals (such as cattle, horses, and sheep) are raised cabin - n. a small, simple house made of wood frontier - n. a distant area where few people live sustainable - adj. able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed erosion - n. the gradual destruction of something by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice) conservation - n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources​ inquisitive - adj. having a desire to know or learn more veranda - n. a long, open structure on the outside of a building that has a roof strip - n. a long, narrow piece of something sheer - adj. almost straight up and down plateaus - n. a large flat area of land that is higher than other areas of land that surround it

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December 30, 2016

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

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Russia’s President: No Expulsions to Answer US Punishments

  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that he has decided not to expel American diplomats from his country. Russia’s foreign minister had suggested expelling United States diplomats and other measures to answer U.S. sanctions against Russia. On Thursday, President Barack Obama ordered 35 Russians to be expelled from the United States and other measures. The moves came after U.S. intelligence agencies said Russia hacked Democratic Party computers and released stolen emails. The agencies said this was done to interfere with the U.S. presidential election. Putin said Russia “has reasons” to take action against the U.S. But he said he will wait to “plan out further steps” based on the policies of the incoming administration. Republican Donald Trump will replace Democrat Barack Obama as president on January 20. The Russian officials were ordered to leave the country within 72 hours. In addition, Obama ordered the closing of two Russian properties inside the U.S.  He also ordered sanctions against nine Russian individuals, companies and agencies, including the Russian intelligence service. “All Americans should be alarmed by Russia’s actions,” Obama said in a statement. He said the “theft” of computer emails and other data, and their release through WikiLeaks, were done to “interfere” with the 2016 U.S. election. A senior Obama administration official said the United States believes Russia “will continue to interfere” with elections in other countries” and in future U.S. elections. Trump also released a statement after Obama’s announcement. He said, “It's time for our country to move on to bigger and better things.” Trump added: “Nevertheless, in the interest of our country and its great people, I will meet with leaders of the intelligence community next week in order to be updated on the facts of this situation." When Trump becomes president, he could move to cancel the sanctions ordered by Obama. But he might find opposition from Republicans in Congress who have called for punishments against Putin and his government. Putin’s decision not to take action against the new U.S. sanctions came as a surprise. Just hours before Putin’s announcement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested Russia would remove 31 American diplomats and take other action. Putin said he decided against any actions -- for now. “The Russian diplomats returning home will spend the New Year holidays with their relatives and dear ones,” Putin said in a statement. “We will not create problems for U.S. diplomats. We will not expel anybody.” Putin said he is inviting all children of U.S. diplomats to holiday parties at the Kremlin. Dmitry Trenin is director of the Carnegie Moscow Center. Trenin said Putin’s decision not to act against the U.S. sanctions appears to be an “investment” in the possibility of better relations with President-elect Donald Trump. Trenin made his comment on Twitter. I’m Jonathan Evans. Daniel Schearf reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English and did additional reporting. 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 sanctions –n. diplomatic or economic measures taken against a country to punish it for actions considered wrong or illegal hacking - n. to secretly get access to the files on a computer or network in order to get information, cause damage further - adj. additional alarm - v. to be worried theft - n. the act or crime of stealing nevertheless - adv. in spite of what has just been said

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'A Princess of Mars,' by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Part One

American writer Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote about a man's journey from Earth to Mars and the world of strange beings he met there.

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Can People Die of a Broken Heart?

Debbie Reynolds’ son, Todd Fisher, said his mother told him that the death of her daughter, Carrie Fisher, was “too much” for her. On Wednesday, one day after Fisher’s death, Reynolds, 84, died. “I want to be with Carrie,” is what she said just before her death, Todd Fisher told the Associated Press. Can people die because they are so upset over the loss of a loved one? Some call it “broken heart syndrome.” The American Heart Association lists a “broken heart” as a medical condition. It reports that it can lead to sudden intense chest pain, especially for women. The good news, it said, is most people make a full recovery. Debbie Reynolds was a movie star, beginning with her starring role in 1952 with Gene Kelly in “Singin’ in the Rain.” Fisher, 60, won fame through books, movies and plays. She is best known for playing Princess Leia in four of the “Star Wars” movies. All of Us Feel Loss Susan Gennaro is dean of the William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College. She said all people have felt or will feel the loss of a loved one that leaves them feeling like their heart is breaking. That can bring on stress, which can affect a person’s health, Gennaro said. That is especially true for a person who already has health problems. Gennaro said she does not believe people know how to control their bodies “to the point that we can will ourselves to die.” But, people can make the decision to “give up” on life, or to fight and hang on, she said. “I don't know why we are surprised as we also all have stories of people who were dying and waited until a loved one arrived before dying or some other important event,” Gennaro said. For people who believe that death is followed by an afterlife, it can make sense to want to join a loved one who passed away, Gennaro added. “It makes all the sense in the world that Debbie Reynolds having lived a full life would prefer to ‘pass’ to another existence with her daughter,” Gennaro said. Grief brings with it stress Harvard University’s School of Public Health did a study in 2013 that examined health information for 26,000 Americans over age 50. It found an increased chance of dying after a spouse dies. People who lost a wife or a husband had a 66 percent increased chance of dying three months after the spouse’s death, the Harvard researchers said. David Kessler is a grief expert who has written five books about losing a loved one. “There is a stress that comes with deep heart break and that stress can affect your heart,” Kessler said. “For some people that passes. But, in some cases, people die from it.” Kessler said his advice to people experiencing loss of a loved one is to accept the pain and sadness. “We often want to run away from the pain, but that grief will actually help us heal in time if we don’t run away from it,” Kessler said. Kessler is still dealing with his own grief. His 21-year-old son died unexpectedly on September 12. “I’ve worked many years with people going through grief,” Kessler said. “This year, it’s personal. I certainly feel a kinship with Debbie. Your heart is just so broken when you lose a child. I can see at 84 years old, she was just done.” I’m Bruce Alpert. And I'm Jill Robbins.   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   upset - n. a period of worry and unhappiness caused by something that has happened syndrome - n. a disease or disorder that involves a particular group of signs and symptoms stress - n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life existence - n. the state of existing spouse - n. someone who is married -- a husband or a wife grief - n. deep sadness caused especially by someone's death actually - adv. used to refer to what is true or real

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English @ the Movies: 'Fresh Start'

On English @ the Movies today, we talk about the expression "fresh start." It comes from the movie "Max Steel." The story is about a teenager who discovers he has special powers he got from his dad. Watch here to find out if you know what "fresh start."

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Some of 2016’s Top News Stories Were Big Surprises

  Today we look back at some of the biggest news stories of 2016. With stories of conflict, tension and peace, it was a “complicated” year. First on many people’s list was the result of the U.S. presidential election. The U.S. presidential election tops most lists On Election Day, the New York Time’s reported that Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton had an 85 percent chance of winning the presidency. But it was Republican Donald Trump who won. It was one of the biggest political upsets in United States history. Trump will become America’s 45th president on January 20. The billionaire businessman and television star was not even expected to win the Republican Party nomination. At the beginning of the year, political experts expected one of his many Republican opponents to become the party’s nominee. But Trump won the most Republican primaries. Then, on November 8, Trump won four important industrial states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin. Those key victories helped him win the presidential election. Trump has promised to bring back factory jobs lost to other nations. During his campaign, he promised to “make America great again.” Here is how Trump explained his victory over Clinton: “As I’ve said from the beginning, ours was not a campaign, but rather an incredible and great movement made up of millions of hard-working men and women who love their country and want a better, brighter future for themselves and for their families.” The presidential campaign was divisive. Trump called his opponent “crooked Hillary.” Clinton described Trump as being “temperamentally unfit and totally unqualified to be President.'' Clinton won the national popular vote by more than 2 million votes. But she lost several industrial states that Barack Obama, also a Democrat, won in 2008 and in 2012. Those losses hurt her; she was not able to receive enough electoral votes in the Electoral College. Members of the Electoral College base their votes on the winner in each of America’s 50 states and the District of Columbia. Trump gained more than the 270 electoral votes needed to be the winner. President Barack Obama campaigned for Clinton. After the election, he told National Public Radio (NPR) that the Democratic Party failed “to give people in rural areas” a sense “day-to-day that we’re fighting for them.” Surprise result in Vote on EU Membership in Britain Another political surprise took place with Britain’s referendum on whether the nation would remain in the European Union. The movement was known as “Brexit.” London, Scotland and Northern Ireland voted to remain in the European Union. But, other parts of Britain voted in favor of Brexit. Many supporters of Brexit were shocked -- as were opponents of the move -- when they won the vote on June 23. British Prime Minister David Cameron, who supported remaining in the E.U., resigned as a result of the vote. That cleared the way for Britain’s second woman Prime Minister Theresa May. She has promised to start the process of leaving the group. It will require new agreements on everything from trade to security. British money, the pound, lost exchange value against other currencies after the vote. Europe hit with terror attacks Several major terrorist attacks took place outside of conflict areas in 2016. The deadliest terrorist attack took place in France when a man drove a truck through a celebrating crowd on Bastille Day, July 14, in the coastal city of Nice. Eighty-six people were killed and more than 400 were injured. The driver was a Tunisian man living in Nice. He was shot and killed by police. French President Francois Hollande promised new security efforts. “Nothing will make us give way in the fight against terrorism,” he said. Germany faced a similar attack days before the Christmas holiday. A man drove a truck into a crowd at a Christmas market in Berlin. Twelve people died and injuring many more. In July, attackers killed 41 people and wounded about 240 more with gunfire and explosives at Istanbul’s main airport in Turkey. Earlier in the year, suicide attackers killed 32 people in bombings at the city’s airport and a subway station in Brussels, Belgium. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks.   A summer of gun violence shakes U.S. In the U.S., a series of shootings brought attention once again to gun violence. The deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history happened in June at a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida. The gunman, Omar Mateen, killed 49 people over three hours before dying in a shootout with police. Many more people were injured. During the incident, police said Mateen called himself an Islamic soldier and promised loyalty to the Islamic State. In July, a series of incidents involving police shootings and attacks on police made news. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a white police officer shot and killed Alton Sterling, a black man, during a struggle outside a store. The incident was captured on video and widely watched on social media.  This led to large protests, violence and mass arrests. About two weeks later, a gunman in Baton Rouge killed three police officers and wounded three others.  Soon after the shooting of Sterling, Philando Castile was shot and killed by a police officer during a traffic stop in Minnesota. Part of the incident was captured on video by Castile’s girlfriend. Then, a peaceful demonstration against those police shootings turned deadly when five police officers were shot and killed in Dallas, Texas. The gunman, who was black, told police he was targeting white officers. He was killed with an explosive device on a law enforcement robot. President Barack Obama and other officials attended a memorial service in Dallas for the officers killed. The U.S. Supreme Court goes to work with only eight justices United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia died suddenly in February. President Obama nominated Merrick Garland, a U.S. Court of Appeals judge, to fill the nine-member court. However, Republicans in the Senate did not want Obama to appoint a replacement for Scalia, who was a strong conservative voice on the court. The Senate refused to consider the nomination, saying it was too close to the end of the president’s term. The refusal angered Senate Democrats and left the Supreme Court with eight instead of nine justices. A humanitarian crisis continues in Aleppo, Syria The conflict in Syria remained intense during 2016. Forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al Assad regained control of rebel areas of the city of Aleppo, with help from Russia. The cost was a humanitarian crisis made worse by many failed attempts at a ceasefire in the city. The United Nations says more than four million Syrian refugees have fled to neighboring countries. Hundreds of thousands are seeking asylum in Europe. Experts say E.U. member nations are becoming less willing to accept immigration requirements coming from E.U. headquarters in Brussels. North Korea tests two nuclear devices Only one country has tested nuclear devices in the 21st century. In 2016, North Korea carried out two nuclear tests: first in January and then in September. In both cases, the United Nations Security Council answered by placing strong sanctions on the country. The sanctions included trade restrictions. North Korea’s actions worried its East Asian neighbors. South Korea answered the North’s threats with its own sanctions. It also closed the Kaesong Industrial center, a joint development project meant to build trust. In response to missile threats, South Korea agreed to the deployment of the U.S. THAAD missile defense system on its territory. The move led to increased tensions with China. American President visits Cuba For generations of Americans, the idea of a U.S. president visiting the island of Cuba seemed impossible. No American president had visited the country since Communist revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro took over in 1959. But in March, President Barack Obama made a historic to Cuba. His visit came seven months after the U.S. reopened its embassy in the capital city of Havana. The U.S. still has trade restriction on the country and denounces the island nation’s human rights record. In November, Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro died at the age of 90. His passing could signal political change for Cuba. But his brother, Raul Castro, still remains in power. The younger Castro has ruled Cuba since 2008. Colombia peace agreement approved The Colombian government and the country’s largest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, reached a peace deal this year. The agreement aimed to end more than 50 years of conflict that has claimed more than 220,000 lives. The public signing of the deal earned a Nobel Peace Prize for Colombia’s president Juan Manuel Santos.  However, the Colombian people voted against it in a referendum held in October. Critics, including former president Alvaro Uribe, said the deal gave amnesty to drug traffickers. This week, Colombia’s Congress approved a law giving amnesty to thousands of FARC guerillas guilty of minor crimes. The deal does not include fighters who have carried out war crimes or human rights violations. The law also extends to the country’s military. Both the Congress and Senate have passed the new agreement. It includes reforms and payments to victims. FARC will become a political party under the deal. And those are some of the top news stories for 2016. I’m Alice Bryant. I'm Dorothy Gundy. And I'm Mario Ritter. Bryan Lynn wrote the story on terrorism and U.S. gun violence with additional material from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. Bruce Alpert wrote on the U.S. presidential election. Mario Ritter adapted the remaining stories for VOA Learning English using material from VOA News, AP and Reuters. Ashley Thompson was the editor. What did you think the biggest news story of 2016 was? What do you think was missed by the news media? Tell us in the comment section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story upset - n. occurrence in which a game or election is won by a person or team that had been expected to lose primary - n. an election in which members of the same political party run against each other for the chance to be in a larger and more important election temperamentally - adv. unpredictable in behavior or performance unqualified - adj. not having the skills, knowledge, or experience needed to do a particular job subway – n. a system of transit trains operating underground gay – adj. sexually attracted to someone of the same sex amnesty –n. a decision to put aside punishment for a person or group

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China Places a New, and Higher, Tax on Pollution

Recently, dangerous levels of air pollution spread over several major cities in China. The problem shows that China has much to do to fight pollution. But China is also changing the way it deals with the problem. In the past, local governments, including officials in the capital Beijing, would have denied the problem. But, during the recent period of smog, schools and some polluting factories were closed. Also, the number of cars permitted on city streets was limited.  Environmental groups say the number of clear days is increasing. More people are paying attention to the deadly effects of microscopic air pollutants called PM 2.5. These small particles can harm human lungs.   During the five-day pollution crisis, state-run Xinhua news agency reports that 15 million face masks were sold online. Recently, China’s National People's Congress passed a new environmental tax. The tax affects polluters of air, water and solids. Noise pollution is also among the things that can be taxed.  The new law aims to pressure polluters and give the government more enforcement power.   Weak local enforcement The law aims to deal with the failure of local governments to watch, enforce, and punish polluters. For nearly 40 years, China has been collecting fees from polluters. However, the system did not work well.  Under the old pollution fee law, local governments placed more importance on economic growth than the environment. Yuan Ying works for the Climate and Energy Unit of Greenpeace East Asia in Beijing. She said a pollution tax is a good step. She said the new policy will help cause local governments to make tougher rules for companies that pollute. In the past, local officials from China's Ministry of Environmental Protection were responsible for collecting pollution fees and the system was easy to abuse. Earlier this month, state media reported that investigations this year have led to the punishment of more than 3,700 officials for not effectively protecting the environment. Now, local tax officials will send the money directly to the local governments, instead of local environmental protection departments. Environmental officials will be responsible for monitoring polluters. War on Pollution For years, China has been criticized for not limiting pollution because of the effect it could have on economic growth. Critics of China include Peter Navarro, the man President-elect Donald Trump has appointed as the head of what he is calling the National Trade Council. These critics argue that weak enforcement is unfair because China uses it to cut costs for its companies. These savings can make their products more competitive. But, in recent years, public awareness and opposition has grown.  Pressure to clean up the environment has increased. Chinese leaders see the problem affecting not only the country's water, soil and air, but social stability too. ​ Too little, too slow The effect of the tax is not yet known. The new law does not take effect until January 2018. Information released by state media shows that few companies will feel pressure to pollute less. For example, the tax on one ton of dangerous waste is about $144. Coal mines and users are expected to pay less than one dollar for one ton of waste. And the cost for releasing one kilogram of the chemical sulfur dioxide is about 17 cents.  But officials say the increase in money received from the tax will be large. Last year, under the old system, officials collected $2.5 billion from about 280,000 polluters. The new tax law is expected to collect as much as $50 billion during its first year. Greenpeace's Yuan Ying said that based on their estimates the current rate is still too low, especially for coal-burning power plants. She said the current cost to polluters is not enough to limit or pay for the environment costs.   I’m Alice Bryant.   William Ide reported this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story smog - n. fog mixed with smoke : a cloud of dirty air from cars, factories, etc., that is usually found in cities microscopic - adj. able to be seen only through a microscope; extremely small mask - n. a covering used to protect your face or cover your mouth ton - n. a unit for measuring weight that equals 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms) monitor - v. to watch, observe, listen to, or check (something) for a special purpose over a period of time stability - n. the quality or state of being stable power plant - n. a building or group of buildings where electricity for a large area is produced

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