After March, More Women Ready to Run for Office

More women may be running for elected office in the United States as a result of the Women’s March on Washington. The march in the U.S. capital took place one day after the inauguration of President Donald Trump. “I never thought about running for office before,” said Lisa Perry of Florida. “All those women inspired me.” Perry is considering running for city council, a local office, where she lives in the southern state of Florida. She and Theresa Darlington helped organize residents from their Florida community for the Women’s March on Washington. Those taking part filled three buses. The two women supported Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, for president. Both were upset and worried after Republican Donald Trump defeated Clinton in the election. But they were inspired to see so many women opposing Trump’s policies. An estimated 500,000 people took part in the march. Both women are angry that Trump is ending some of former President Barack Obama’s policies on the environment, immigration and health care. “I want to do whatever I can to be most effective and that might mean running for office,” Perry said. Angry people are active Carrie Almond, president of the National Federation of Republican Women, agrees angry people are more likely to get involved in politics. Industrial workers from Midwest states such as Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania are an example, she said. They felt government was ignoring the loss of good jobs in their areas. Many supported Trump. Their support helped Trump win states that voted for Obama, a Democrat, in the last two elections. “I don’t think the march is going to help Democrats very much,” Almond said. “There (was) a lot of screaming about all sorts of issues, but I think the message was too diluted to have a lasting effect.” By diluted, she meant too many issues were raised. Democratic Group Hearing from more Women Amanda Litman helped organize the group “Run for Something,” which trains Democrats to run for elected office. Since the march, over 800 women “told us they are ready to run,” said Litman, who worked for Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign. Two other groups that train both Democratic and Republican women for elections also reported increases in the number of people seeking to run for office. They are VoteRunLead and the Center for American Women and Politics. The Center, based in New Jersey, said women now hold fewer than 20 percent of the seats in the U.S. Congress. Only four of the 50 U.S. governors are women. And, women are mayors of only 19 of the hundred largest cities. With Clinton losing the 2016 presidential election to Trump, the United States still has not had a woman president. 'Tears and Fears' “The election brought some tears and fears in my house,” said Kathleen Daniel, 46, a single mom in Brooklyn, New York. “But after the march, and the energy of all those diverse women sharing our strong concerns about what Trump will do to our country, the sneakers are back on. I’m ready to go.” Daniel is running for the New York City Council. Erin Vilardi started the group VoteRunLead. She said women face disadvantages when they run for office. Women are often asked something that men are almost never asked, Vilardi said. That question is whether they have the time to serve in elected office because of their duties to care for their children and spouses. Had Clinton become the country’s first woman president, she would have inspired more women to run for office, said Jessica Loyet Gracey. She teaches political science at Northwest Missouri State University. However, Loyet Gracey said Clinton’s loss might lead even more women to run. “I think more women are feeling a lot more threatened than they would have if she had won and so they’re ‘fighting back’ by deciding to get more involved in politics.” Kelly Dittmar is a scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics. She said it is impossible to know for sure if Clinton lost the election because of her gender. But it surely hurt her, Dittmar said. “The presidency is one of the most masculine positions in American politics,” Dittmar said. “That’s clear -- given that all the presidents have been men.” She said that Trump used this to help his campaign. Trump often said he had great energy and that Clinton seemed tired or sick, Dittmar said. He even suggested she did not look presidential. Why Doesn’t She Smile More? Dittmar said some reporters also showed a different standard. There were suggestions that Clinton needed to smile more and comments about her clothing. She said this was “something not done with male candidates.” Caroline Heldman is a political science professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles, California. She said the 2016 elections are likely to create the third time in America when more women candidates ran for public office. The first, she said, came early in the 20th century when women were fighting for the right to vote. The second time came in 1992. It was called “The Year of the Women.” More women were elected to the U.S. Senate after the Senate confirmed Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court. He was approved although he was accused of sexual harassment by a woman who worked in his office. “Clinton’s loss in 2016 will likely inspire another wave of female candidates to run for public office,” Heldman said. 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   inspire - v. to make someone want to do something scream - v. to say something in a loud voice sorts - n. all kinds of things diverse - adj. different from each other sneakers - n. a shoe with a rubber sole designed for people to wear while running, playing sports or walking disadvantage - n. something that makes someone less likely to succeed than others masculine - adj. suited for a man smile - v. an expression on your face that makes the corners of your mouth turn up and that shows happiness harassment - n. to attack or annoy someone  

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Trump Being Compared to Former President Andrew Jackson

  Donald Trump has done a lot in his first week as president of the United States. Trump canceled several of former President Barack Obama’s executive orders. He signed some of his own executive orders. He also met with members of the U.S. intelligence community. In between, the new president chose artwork to hang in his office at the White House. One is a painting of former President Andrew Jackson. Some Americans say his choice of the painting is not a surprise. Many have been comparing President Trump with the former president. Jackson became America’s seventh president in 1828. Historians consider the 1828 election one of the more negative presidential campaigns. Many people say the 2016 election campaign was also extremely negative. That is just the beginning of the comparisons between Trump and Jackson, observers say. Both men campaigned as populists – candidates who say they represent ordinary people. Both are also known as political outsiders and conservatives. And, both are known for having strong personalities. Jackson, like Trump, was fiercely independent. He said that he alone would define his administration’s policies. Trump spoke about conditions in the United States, and around the world, at the Republican Party’s national convention last summer. “I alone can fix it,” he said. Trump was talking of, in his words, “poverty and violence at home,” and “war and destruction abroad.” Observers have also noted similar parts of his inaugural speech to the speech given by former President Jackson. Andrew Jackson served two terms in office. He was a member of the Democratic Party -- the conservative party at that time in American history. Donald Trump once considered himself a Democrat. He was also, at one time, an independent. He is now a Republican -- the major conservative party in America today. But there are some clear differences between the two presidents, says writer Richard Dean Young. He has argued that Trump is not exactly a modern-day Jackson. “Historical comparisons are tricky,” Young told VOA. One difference is that Jackson served in the U.S. military, Young said. He fought in battles against Native Americans and, later, against British forces. Trump, on the other hand, is a billionaire businessman from New York City. In Young’s words, Trump is “a city boy with absolutely no experience in military matters.” "Jackson was ‘one of the people,’ definitely not a city boy,” Young said. Margaret O’Mara is a professor of history at the University of Washington in Seattle. She said Trump’s populist-conservative message does resemble that of Andrew Jackson’s. O’Mara said, “Trump is extraordinary.” And the country, she said, has never elected a populist quite like him before. O’Mara said it is still too early to predict Trump’s place in history. "It is too soon to make judgments about his place in presidential history. That will depend on what he does, how he does it," O’Mara said. I'm Caty Weaver.   Catherine Maddux wrote this report for VOANews.com. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   resemble – v. to look or be like (someone or something)​ negative – adj. showing or talking about the bad qualities of someone or something​ ordinary – adj. normal or usual: not unusual, different, or special​ convention – n. a large meeting of people who come to a place for usually several days to talk about their shared work or other interests or to make decisions as a group​ inaugural – adj. happening as part of an official ceremony or celebration when someone (such as a newly elected official) begins an important job: happening as part of an inauguration​

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Israel Builds World's Largest Solar Tower

Israel, a sunny country along the Mediterranean Sea, is a perfect place for solar power. Even so, solar power supplies only a small percentage of the country's energy needs. But that situation is beginning to change. A giant solar tower In 2018, Israel's small solar industry will take a giant leap forward when a new solar tower starts working. The tower will be 250 meters tall. It will be the tallest solar tower in the world. This information comes from Eran Gartner, the CEO of Megalim Power Limited, which is responsible for part of the solar project. The power station, Gartner says, will be what is called concentrated solar power. It will be surrounded by 50,000 mirrors spread over 3 square kilometers. The mirrors will concentrate all of the sunlight onto the solar tower. Here is how it works: Gartner explains that a boiler is at the top of the tower. It will use the heat of the sun to turn water into steam. The steam will make a turbine turn. The turning will create power. There are already a dozen similar solar tower fields around the world. Currently, the largest is the Ivanpah plant in California. It has some 170,000 mirrors around three towers which are each 140 meters tall. Renewable energy goals The new tower, along with three other similar solar projects in the Negev Desert, are part of Israel's plans to develop its renewable energy sector. The Israeli government has set a renewable energy target of 10 percent by 2020. Together, the new solar projects will generate some 310 gigawatts of power, or about 1.6 percent of the country's energy needs, reports the Associated Press. Eran Gartner of Megalim Power explains why Israel has not developed its solar power potential before. He says that Israel did not want to dedicate the land necessary for large-scale solar power production. Such large-scale projects also require access to infrastructure, such as water and electricity, which are difficult to connect to remote areas in the Negev Desert. Israel's Finance Ministry said it has tried to promote the solar industry in other ways. It created incentives for solar power and reduced bureaucracy for Israelis who want to install solar panels on their roofs. Natural gas vs. renewable energy Leehee Goldenberg is with the Israel Union Environmental Defense, a non-profit organization. He says that even though Israel is making progress, it is still behind in taking advantage of its renewable energy. "Compared to other countries such as Germany whose renewable resources, renewable energies (are) 35 percent of its entire energy mix, here in Israel we're still at 2.5 percent renewable energies," he said. In addition to its solar potential, Israel has major natural gas deposits offshore. The country now gets some 70 percent of its energy from natural gas. Yaron Szilas is the CEO of Shikun and Binui Renewable Energy, the lead developer of a second solar-thermal plot in the Negev Desert. He said the natural gas discovery has delayed the promotion of solar energy. "With all the sun we have and how progressed we are in technology, these goals are very, very, very modest," he said. "But these are the goals that were set, and we are working toward it." I'm Anne Ball.   Kevin Enochs wrote this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted it for Learning English with additional information from AP. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. See how well you understand this story by taking a listening quiz! Play the short video and then choose the best answer. ​ _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mirror – n. a piece of glass that reflects images concentrated – adj. existing or happening together in one place : not spread out boiler – n. a large container in which water is heated to produce steam in an engine turbine – n. an engine that has a part with blades that are caused to spin by pressure from water, steam, or air  

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Thousands Who Left Fukushima Face Hardship

  Nearly six years after Noriko Matsumoto and her children fled Japan's Fukushima area, they face a new possible hardship: cuts to government assistance for housing. People who lived near the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear center feared for their health after a powerful earthquake and tsunami hit Japan on March 11, 2011. The nuclear center’s reactors released high levels of radiation. It was the worst nuclear accident since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in the Soviet republic of Ukraine in 1986. Matsumoto is among nearly 27,000 people who left areas that the government did not identify as required evacuation zones. Now, the Fukushima local government is preparing to cut unconditional housing assistance at the end of March. Many people will face the choice of returning to places they fear are still unsafe or learning to deal with financial hardship. "Because both the national and the local governments say we evacuated 'selfishly,' we're being abandoned. They say it's our own responsibility," Matsumoto, who is 55, told reporters, her voice shaking. "I feel deep anger at their throwing us away." A local official noted that while the housing assistance ends on March 31, smaller amounts of aid will still be provided, if needed. The official spoke on the condition that media not identify the official by name. At the time of the earthquake, Matsumoto lived with her husband and two daughters in Koriyama city, about 55 kilometers west of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant. Japanese officials declared a ‘no-go’ zone 30 kilometers around the plant, but Koriyama was outside of that area. When her younger daughter, then 12, began suffering nosebleeds and diarrhea, Matsumoto and her children moved to Kanagawa, near Tokyo. Her husband, who operates a restaurant, stayed behind in Koriyama to ensure they could make payments on their home loan and other bills. But, because of travel costs, the family can only meet every one or two months, and they face social pressure. "People like us, who have evacuated voluntarily to escape radiation, have been judged by our peers as if we selfishly evacuated for personal reasons," said Matsumoto. She feels her only support is housing aid that the Fukushima government gives to voluntary evacuees, who numbered 26,601 by October 2016. The payment is generally about 90,000 yen, or $795, for a family of two or more in Matsumoto's area, a Fukushima official said. He added that full rental payments on housing are covered until March 31. "Things here now are safe, but there are people who are still worried about safety and we understand that," he said. The housing assistance will no longer be given to all families. Instead, officials will consider the needs of individual families. A city official said radiation levels in Koriyama are now safe, that they have decreased by time and clean-up efforts. But areas where radiation is high remain, say activists, and Matsumoto still worries. "I'm a parent, and so I'll protect my daughter," she said. "Even if I have to go into debt, I'll keep her safe from radiation." I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant adapted this Reuters story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tsunami – n. a great sea wave produced by a volcanic explosion or movement of the earth evacuate - v. to remove a person or people from a dangerous place zone - n. an area that is different from other areas in a particular way abandon - v. to leave and never return to (someone who needs protection or help) diarrhea - n. an illness that causes you to pass waste from your body very frequently and in liquid rather than solid form peer - n. a person who belongs to the same age group or social group as someone else

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Saudi Arabia Uses University Scholarships to Influence Indonesians

  Ulil Abshar-Abdalla was the top student in his Arabic language class at a madrasa in Indonesia when he was a teenager. A madrasa is a place where people learn about Islam, the religion of Muslims. Abshar-Abdalla’s madrasa was in his hometown of Pati, Central Java. The teenager received a prize for his success in the class. He got six months of free education at the Institute for the Study of Islam and Arabic, or LIPIA. It is a university in Jakarta that Saudi Arabia built and supports. When the six-month period ended, Abshar-Abdalla was given six more months of free education. When he completed the year of study, he was offered -- and accepted -- four years of free education at the university. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Islamic law, or shariah. In 1993, after five years at LIPIA, Abshar-Abdalla was offered a scholarship to study in Saudi Arabia. This time, he said no.  “Once you accept that, you’re on their payroll for life,” he told VOA. It was not easy to reject the free study. Abshar-Abdalla said Saudi Arabia made a very appealing offer. “I am from a poor family, and it was quite tempting. I think they managed to pull a few good minds from my generation that way.” Saudi Arabia has been using education to quietly spread Salafism in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, since 1980. The two ways Saudi Arabia does this is through the LIPIA and scholarships for higher education in Saudi Arabia. Salafism is a severe form of Islam. Its believers want Islamic laws -- as defined by the Koran -- to govern the world. The Koran is the Islamic holy book. LIPIA teaches Wahhabi Madhab. A religious expert from the 1200s, Ibn Taimiyah, led this version of Salafism. People who have studied at LIPIA and in Saudi Arabia hold powerful positions throughout Indonesia, including in a conservative political party and the top levels of government. Some have also become preachers and religious teachers. They work to spread Salafism throughout the country. An agency linked to the Saudi Arabian embassy in Jakarta gives scholarships to students to study in Saudi Arabia. But Saudi diplomat Saad Namase would not tell VOA how many students are given free education. He said “we don't really work with the Indonesian government. We just try to strengthen cultural ties between our two countries by, for example, holding Koranic recitation competitions.” He said many countries, including the Netherlands and the United States, give scholarships to Indonesian students. He said the Saudi program is just one of many that help students pay for their studies. Din Wahid is an expert on Indonesian Salafism at the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta. He says the Saudi agency pays the wages of well-known Salafi preachers, and sends Arabic teachers to schools throughout Indonesia. Several Saudi Arabian universities also give scholarships directly to Indonesian students. Dadi Darmadi is a researcher who studies the yearly pilgrimage to Mecca, called the Hajj. Darmadi says the Indonesian government is not likely to try to stop the Saudi efforts. He says it is concerned that Saudi officials might react by limiting the number of Indonesians who can travel to Mecca. Darmadi says Saudi Arabia just gave permission for 10,000 extra Indonesian visitors for the Hajj this year. Divergent Paths Hidayat Nur Wahid is a member of Indonesia’s House of Representatives and a leader of the Prosperous Justice Party. He is one of the best-known national politicians to have studied in Saudi Arabia. He received scholarships for undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees in theology and the history of Islamic thought at the Islamic University of Medina. In his words, “The majority of Islamic texts are in Arabic, which is why I wanted to study in Saudi Arabia. Plus, the spirit of the Prophet Muhammad animates Medina. I enjoyed my years there.” Nur Wahid praised his studies in Medina. “We just learned how to be good Muslims,” he said. “And it’s a misconception that everyone who studies in Saudi Arabia becomes a preacher or religious teacher. Many graduates become officials or politicians like me.” Researcher Din Wahid said many Muslims think Saudi Arabia represents true Islam because it is the birthplace of Islam. Abshar-Abdalla became a critic of the Salafi movement during his studies. He began to read other Islamic books, including ones written by Sufi and Shia Muslims. In 2001, he created the Liberal Islam Network. Some Indonesian officials worry that Saudi-educated preachers are leading Indonesian Muslims to become more conservative in their beliefs. They are even more worried that Salafi teachings could incite terrorism or extremism. Hidayat Nur Wahid says Saudi Arabia is helping many Indonesian students but that it is not clear what changes Salafism will bring to his country. He says all that is clear is that Salafism is “here and it’s growing.” I’m Marsha James.  And I’m John Russell.   Correspondent Krithika Varagur reported this story from Jakarta. 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   scholarship – n. an amount of money that is given by a school, an organization, etc., to a student to help pay for the student's education payroll – n. a list of the people who work for a company and the amount of money that the company has agreed to pay them tempt – v. to cause (someone) to do or want to do something even though it may be wrong, bad or unwise managed – v. was able to generation – n. a group of people born and living during the same time preacher – n. a person who speaks publicly about religious subjects in a religious center or other public place recite – v. to read (something) out loud or say (something) from memory usually for an audience animate – v. to bring life to misconception – n. a wrong or mistaken idea              

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Everyday Grammar: While vs. Whereas

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US Presidents Make History with Executive Orders

President Donald Trump has signed many documents in his first week in office. The documents set out Trump’s policies on health care and international trade, among other things. Some of these measures are called executive orders. Others are considered White House or presidential memoranda. In this report, we explain the difference between the two and tell what kind of power each has. We also tell about some of the famous executive orders American presidents have signed. Executive orders vs. memoranda Both executive orders and memoranda have what is known as the “force of law.” In other words, they have the same power as legislation approved by Congress and signed by the president. But there are differences. Executive orders are numbered and published in the Federal Register, the official record of actions of the United States government. Memoranda do not need to be published in the Federal Register. Executive orders must identify whether the order is based on the U.S. Constitution or a law. They must also tell the cost of carrying out the order. Memoranda do not have to state such a cost, unless it is more than $100 million. Every president except one has signed executive orders and memoranda. The exception is William Henry Harrison, who served just one month in office. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the only president who served more than two terms, signed 3,721 executive orders – more than anyone else. Most of them dealt with measures to help the country fight the Great Depression and World War II. Some executive orders have changed history. Here are some of the most famous: The Emancipation Proclamation President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. This executive order freed all slaves living in states not under Union control during the Civil War. Since the southern states had rebelled against the federal government and left the Union, the order had little effect. But it did ensure that any slaves who escaped to the northern states were free. The New Deal During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt signed many executive orders designed to create work for jobless Americans. In 1933, he used an executive order to create the Civil Works Administration. This created about four million new government jobs. He also used an order to create the Export/Import Bank. In 1934, he used an order to create the Rural Electrification Administration to bring electricity to rural, undeveloped areas of the country. Japanese-American Internment President Roosevelt signed an executive order shortly after the Japanese attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 1941. The order gave military leaders rights to identify some parts of the country as “military areas … from which any or all persons may be excluded.” It also required the military to give food, transportation and housing to anyone forced to leave their home. As a result of the order, 120,000 men, women and children were required to leave the U.S. West Coast and stay in internment camps between 1942 and 1945. Most of them were American citizens of Japanese descent. Desegregation of the Military In 1948, after the end of World War II, President Harry Truman signed an executive order that officially ended racial barriers in the United States military. The words of the order were simple: “There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the Armed Services without regard to race, color, religion or national origin.” Before the order was signed, military forces trained, worked and even fought in groups separated by race. A sign of the times Very few of the thousands of executive orders and memoranda are as famous as those noted in this story. Some of them are signed because a president was dealing with a Congress unwilling to pass legislation that he wants. Others express the president’s opinions about a subject of importance. Together these documents tell about American history and the goals of each president and the times in which he served. I’m Dorothy Gundy..   Kevin Enochs reported this story for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his 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   memoranda – n. written records or communication; directives exclude – v. to prevent or restrict; to bar from consideration or inclusion internment camps – n. places where Japanese Americans were held during World War II descent – n. the fact or process of coming from an ancestor national origin – n. the country where you or your ancestors lived   

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Could NATO Survive without US Support?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is seeking ways to save NATO if the United States decides to cut back on its support for the alliance.   European leaders are not sure what to expect under the new U.S. administration. President Donald Trump has questioned the future of the 67-year-old alliance, calling it “obsolete.” Trump accused European nations of not paying their fair share to support NATO operations. In addition, he has said the alliance has not been used effectively to fight terrorism.   On Thursday, British Prime Minister Theresa May said she believes NATO should continue guaranteeing the security of Europe. But she thinks the alliance needs to be reformed. ​ May spoke to Republican Party leaders during a visit to the U.S. city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NATO cannot have one single “democratic mandate,” she said. Instead, it should seek to serve the needs and interests of all members. “So I share your [Trump’s] reform agenda and believe that, by working together, we can make those institutions more relevant and purposeful than they are today.” May also spoke about her talks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. She said they discussed the need for the alliance to also be equipped to fight terrorism and cyberattack threats. ​ “America’s leadership in NATO – supported by Britain – must be the central element around which the alliance is built.” The British leader also called on other NATO members to “step up and contribute as they should.”   She noted that Britain is the only G20 country other than the United States to meet a target promise to spend 2 percent of Gross Domestic Product on defense. At least 20 percent of this spending should be for military equipment, she added. May said she already raised this issue with other European leaders and had urged them to meet the 2 percent defense spending goal.  European Union leaders are saying that now is the time for Europe to take more responsibility for its own defense. German Chancellor Angela Merkel recently told reporters that “Europeans have our fate in our own hands.” But military observers say it would be difficult for E.U. nations to recover from a possible reduction in U.S. support for NATO. Jonathan Eyal is a defense and security expert with Britain’s Royal United Services Institute. “While there is a lot of discussion about closer cooperation in the European Union, there simply is no substitute for American military power. Up to 75 percent of all the military assets in NATO belong to the United States.” Germany, France, Spain and Italy say they support closer military and intelligence cooperation among E.U. member countries. This idea also has the support of NATO’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini. She spoke about the future of the alliance during a visit to the recent World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland. “Europeans have started to take seriously their security. We have started to do this, well before the U.K. referendum, well before the U.S. elections - because security is a priority for Europeans.” On January 24, German and Belgian troops arrived in Lithuania in the latest NATO deployment. The troops are part of a 4,000-strong NATO force sent to Baltic countries and Poland. The forces were sent to NATO’s eastern border to guard against possible Russian aggression.     I’m Bryan Lynn.   Henry Ridgwell reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English, with additional material from the Associated Press. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Do you think European nations should take action to strengthen NATO if the U.S. cuts support? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   obsolete – adj. outdated and no longer used mandate – n. an official order to do something relevant – adj. current, having to do with the matter at hand fate – n. power believed to control what happens in the future asset – n. a valuable person or thing referendum – n. a vote in which all voters cast ballots to decide an issue rather than representatives in government contribute – v. to give or supply to others G20 – n. short for the Group of 20 countries Gross Domestic Product – n. the total value of goods and services produced in a country during a year cyberattack – n. an attack on computers or computer systems  

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Iranians Concerned About Health Effects of Broadcast Jamming Equipment

  A protest in Iran has raised concerns about broadcast jamming equipment and its effect on human health. The protest took place on January 9 in the southern city of Shiraz. Demonstrators gathered outside the offices of the governor of Fars province. One demonstrator sent a video of the protest to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). The station reports to the Broadcasting Board of Governors, which also supervises Voice of America. RFE/RL says the protesters blamed the government’s jamming operations for health problems among local residents. People accused the equipment of causing problems such as a sharp pain in the head and even cancer. Iran’s government has long interfered with Persian language broadcasts by Western media to try to stop Iranians from watching or listening to them. Some jamming equipment uses electromagnetic waves that critics say are responsible for the health problems. Former Iranian lawmaker Ali Akbar Mousavi investigated the issue of jamming. Mousavi now lives in the United States. He told VOA the Shiraz protesters were concerned about a comment reportedly made by Iran’s deputy health minister, Reza Malekzadeh. The official spoke about a link between jamming equipment and public health. Malekzadeh reportedly said “preliminary studies” found that electromagnetic jamming signals can increase the risk of cancer. Iran’s state-operated news agency, IRNA, reported the comment in a story published in December of 2016. It said he was speaking during a visit to a cancer research event in Shiraz. He provided no further details on the studies that he noted. Iran’s Financial Tribune newspaper noted that Health Minister Hassan Ghazizadeh Hashemi later questioned the importance of his deputy’s comments. Hashemi reportedly said his ministry still lacked “strong scientific evidence to prove that jamming can enhance the risk of cancer or exacerbate health problems.” The United Nations’ World Health Organization (WHO) says scientific research does not confirm any health effects from exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields. It also said, “Some gaps in knowledge about biological effects exist, and need further research.” Ali Akbar Mousavi served as vice-chair of the Iranian parliament’s information and communications technology committee. In an email to VOA, he said he had seen “many” reports of Iranian lawmakers and civil society members speaking out in recent years against the government’s jamming activities. “My colleagues and I raised the same concerns (about jamming) as members of the 6th Iranian parliament and succeeded in stopping it through public pressure,” he said. “Unfortunately, the government started jamming again when (former President) Mahmoud Ahmadinejad came to power (in 2005).” Jamming is barred under rules of the International Telecommunications Union, of which Iran is a member. Mousavi said he expects criticism of jamming to continue until the Iranian government stops what he called an “illegal” practice. I’m Kaveh Razaei.   Michael Lipin reported on this story for VOANews.com. Afshar Sigarchi provided additional information George Grow adapted their report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   jamming – n. the act of interfering with broadcast signals on purpose resident – n. someone who lives in a place or area preliminary – adj. coming before; beginning or partial exacerbate – v. to make more violent or severe exposure – n. the condition of being unprotected; the condition of being subject to an effect or influence gap – n. a separation in space; a break in a barrier colleague – n. a co-worker; someone who works with you practice – n. an activity   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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Words and Their Stories: Put Your Best Foot Forward!

  Now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. On this program, we explore common expressions in American English. Today we talk about a part of our body that is usually very busy – our feet! Feet help us walk, run, dance, and jump. The words feet and foot are also used in everyday speech. For example, the English language has feet idioms that describe different kinds of people. To be under someone’s feet means to be troublesome. In other words, you are standing too close to someone and are getting in their way. Some adults criticize children for being under foot. Speaking of children, if someone says their home will soon have the pitter-patter of tiny feet, it means the family is expecting a baby! Now, people who are active do not let grass grow under their feet. They are never in once place for very long. People who can think and take action at the same time are said to be able to think on their feet. Some people appear to have it all. They have money, a good education, good looks, a great family and a large circle of friends. You could say they have the world at their feet. This means whatever they want seems to be there for them. People who have both feet firmly on the ground are realistic and practical. They are not dreamy. You might say such a person is well grounded. If you are a bad dancer, you might be accused of having two left feet. To dance well, it is better to have a right foot and a left foot. Besides describing different people, feet expressions can be helpful when talking about jobs and careers. Let me tell you about a man named Sam. He has worked at a government job for years. But now he is looking for a new career. He wants to do something he loves -- something exciting! Sam loves skiing. He thinks that it would be fun to own a ski resort high in the mountains. But he knows nothing about operating a business. So, he decides to get his feet wet. In other words, he wants to get used to a new situation. He joins an organization for resort owners and attends their conferences. He travels to ski areas all over the United States. This helps Sam get his foot in the door. Having a foot in the door is a starting point, an opportunity. This expression comes from people selling things door-to-door. They would block the door with their foot so people couldn’t close the door on them. The more Sam learns about the ski business, the more excited he gets. All this information is a great start. But it isn’t enough to make his dream a reality. He finally gets a firm foothold when he finds some mountain top property for sale in West Virginia. He gets a loan from a bank and buys the land! Getting a foothold is finding a starting point that makes further progress possible. Sam is so excited that he jumps in with both feet. If you start a new job or project with much energy, you can say you jumped in with both feet. Sam works hard with ski slope designers and engineers. At the end of each day, all of them are dead on their feet. They are so tired that they have trouble standing up. So, Sam and his team decide to put their feet up. They rest and take it easy. Finally, Sam faces opening day – the day he has been dreaming about. But the night before his business is to open, Sam gets cold feet. He is so nervous that he wants to call everything off. He’s afraid that his resort will be a total failure. To get cold feet means to become afraid about something at the last minute. But then, Sam takes a deep breath and calms down. He gets his feet back under him. He decides that his opening day will be wonderful! However, there is a problem. The ski lift is broken. This makes Sam really angry. He wants to know what went wrong. So, he holds the mechanic’s feet to the fire. This expression means to make someone take responsibility for a mistake. Sam instructs the mechanic to fix the ski lift. But she drags her feet. This means she is slow to fix it. So, Sam fires her and hires another mechanic to fix the ski lift. After it is fixed, Sam is able to land on his feet. To be back on your feet or to land on your feet is to recover from trouble. Soon skiers are happily skiing down the slopes! It is a great success! Sam’s ski resort has been open for three seasons. And every year it is easier for Sam to find his feet in this new and exciting career. It is easier for him to get used to his new situation. Now, Sam’s ski resort is popular with skiers and he has a successful new career. To thank his friends and family who helped him during that difficult first year, he invites them to the resort for a weekend of skiing. And, of course, he footed the bill. This means he paid for everything! And that is Words and Their Stories. Hopefully this story has given you a firm foothold on using feet and foot expressions. I’m Anna Matteo.   Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. The Manhattan Rythym Kings play “Happy Feet” at the end.   _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   idiom – n. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own practical – adj. logical and reasonable in a particular situation slope – n. an area of land on a mountain that is used for skiing resort – n. a place where people go for vacations engineer – n. a person who has scientific training and who designs and builds complicated products, machines, systems, or structures : a person who specializes in a branch of engineering fire – v. to dismiss from employment hire – v. to engage the personal services of for a set sum   Listen to this episode of English in a Minute to here "two left feet" used in a short dialogue. 

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Students in Amsterdam Share Housing With Refugees

  Finding quality, low-cost housing can be a problem for university students, especially in The Netherlands. Last year, the average cost to rent a house in Amsterdam rose to over 2,000 euros a month. Now, students have another choice: they can live with refugees. The "Startblok" project is a group of city-owned apartment homes that opened in July 2016. The project has 463 studio apartments and 102 rooms. Half of them are for Dutch students and recent university graduates. The other half are for refugees who have official permits to live there. In exchange for low-cost housing, the students and refugees are expected to take care of the property together. The goal is to mix the two sides together so they learn more about each other's culture. Everyone in Startblok is between the ages of 18 and 27. The Dutch are mostly students or those who recently finished their studies. Of the refugees, two-thirds come from Syria and Eritrea. City officials hope that as the young people share the responsibility of operating the apartments, the refugees will become a part of the local community sooner. Nahom Berhane is a 24-year-old Eritrean refugee. He arrived in Europe after crossing the Mediterranean Sea by boat. He says he is happy the local government found a place for him in Startblok. "The life here is more of observing from a lot of people around me. When I see them, I can learn a lot of things from them. Whenever I have problems with translation, homework or anything, everyone is open to help you any time..." A graduate student in architecture, Abdellah Zkert fled the war in Syria. He enjoys living with other students much more than living in a refugee shelter. "We got something so important, it's the friendship. We have a lot of friends in here, and maybe if we are out of Startblok, we will not get these friends..." Tequisha Begeer is a Dutch university student. She moved to the project because she could not find low-cost housing in Amsterdam. She says she had never met a refugee before living here. "In the beginning, I had my thoughts about it because of the culture difference. But from the beginning (that) I was living here, it was all gone." Other European cities are interested in the Startblok model. Fleur Eymann is a graduate student who also takes care of public relations for the project. She is surprised by how much good attention they are receiving. "So there's, for example, the municipality of Antwerp, Berlin, Athens, Vienna. They all came over here and showed interest..." The Netherlands has accepted large numbers of refugees. Other programs in Amsterdam have given refugees space for a short period in old prisons. I’m Jill Robbins.   Marthe Van Der Wolf wrote this report for VOANews.com. Dr. Jill Robbins adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Now it’s your turn. Does your country host refugees? How are they becoming part of the communities where they now live? Write to us in the Comments section. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   apartment - n. a usually rented room or set of rooms that is part of a building and is used as a place to live rent - v. to pay money in return for being able to use (something that belongs to someone else) graduate – n. someone who has completed a study program translation – n. the act or process of taking one language, and changing the words into a different language  

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