News America

Saturday, February 4, 2017

English in a Minute: One Tough Cookie

A cookie is a sweet baked treat. What makes a person "one tough cookie?" This week's English in a Minute is here to help!

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Friday, February 3, 2017

'The Masque of the Red Death,' by Edgar Allen Poe

We present the short story "The Masque of the Red Death, by Edgar Allen Poe. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. The Red Death had long been feeding on the country. No sickness had ever been so deadly — so great a killer — or so fearful to see. Blood was its mark — the redness and the horror of blood. There were sharp pains, and a sudden feeling that the mind was rushing in circles inside the head. Then there was bleeding through the skin, though it was not cut or broken — and then, death! The bright red spots upon the body and especially upon the face of the sick man made other men turn away from him, afraid to try to help. And the sickness lasted, from beginning to the end, no more than half an hour. But Prospero, the ruler of that land, was happy and strong and wise. When half the people of his land had died, he called to him a thousand healthy, happy friends, and with them went far away to live in one of his palaces. This was a large and beautiful stone building he had planned himself. A strong, high wall circled it. This wall had gates of iron. The gentlemen, after they had entered, brought fire to heat the iron of the gate to make them close so firmly that nobody could open them. Here they could forget the sickness, the Red Death. They would leave the outside world to care for itself. Prospero had supplied everything they needed for pleasure. There was music. There was dancing. There was beauty. There was food to eat and wine to drink. All these were within the wall, and within the wall they would be safe. Outside the wall walked the Red Death. It was near the end of their fifth month there that Prospero asked his friends to all to come together for a dancing party, a masquerade. Everyone was asked to come dressed in fine clothes and with his eyes, or perhaps his whole face, covered by a cloth mask. It was a scene of great richness, that masquerade. There were seven rooms in which Prospero’s friends danced. In many old palaces, the doors can be opened in such a way that rooms like these seven can be seen all at the same time. In this palace, it was different. Little more than one of them could be seen at one time. There was a turn every 20 or 30 yards. To the right and left, in the middle of each wall, was a tall pointed window. The windows were of colored glass, of the same color that was used in each room. The first room had blue cloth hangings on the wall — and blue were its windows. The second room had wall hangings of that blue-red known as purple, and here the windows were purple. The third was green, and so was the glass of the windows. The fourth had hangings and windows of yellow — the fifth of white — the sixth of violet. But the seventh room had hangings on the walls made of a rich, soft cloth which was black, black as night. And the floor, too, was covered with the same heavy black cloth. In this room the color of the windows was not the same. It was red — a deep blood color. All the rooms were lighted through the outside windows. The resulting light was strange indeed, as it colored the shapes of the dancers. But the light that fell on the black hangings through the blood-colored glass was the most fearful of them all. It produced so wild a look on the faces of those who entered that there were few of the dancers who dared to step within those dark walls. In this room stood a great clock of black wood. Gently it marked the seconds as they passed; and when it was time to mark the hour the clock spoke with a loud, clear voice: a deep tone as beautiful as music, but so strange that the music and the dancing stopped and the dancers stood still to listen. And then, after another 60 minutes, after another 3,600 seconds of Time, of flying Time, the clock struck again, and the dancers stopped as before. Nevertheless, it was a happy and beautiful masquerade. And you may be sure that the clothes the dancers chose to wear, their costumes, were strange and wonderful. The dancers looked like the forms we might see in troubled dreams. And these — the dreams — danced softly through the rooms, taking the color of the rooms as they moved. It did not seem that their steps followed the music, but that the music rose from their steps. But into the seventh room the dancers do not go, for the red light coming through the windows, and the blackness of the wall hangings, make them afraid — and he who enters hears more deeply the striking of the great black clock. But the other rooms are crowded, and in them beats hotly the heart of life. And the dance goes on until at last the clock begins to strike 12. Again the music stopped. Again the dancers stood without moving while the slow striking sound continued. Before the clock was quiet again, many in the crowd saw that in the first room, the blue room, there was a masquerader who had not been seen before. As they talked softly to each other about him, a feeling of surprise spread through all the dancers, then a feeling of fear and sickening horror. In such a group as this, only a very strange masquerader could have caused such a feeling. Even among those who laugh at both life and death, some matters cannot be laughed at. Everyone seemed now deeply to feel that the stranger should not have been allowed to come among them dressed in such clothes. He was tall and very thin, and covered from head to foot like a dead man prepared for the grave. The mask which covered his face — or was it really a mask? — the mask which covered his face was so much like the face of a dead man that the nearest eye could not see the difference. And yet all this might have been acceptable — but the masquerader whom no one knew had made himself look like the Red Death itself! His clothes were spotted with blood. And the mask over his face was covered with the terrible red spots…or perhaps it was indeed his face! When Prospero looked upon this fearful form, he was first filled with terror — and then with anger. “Who dares?” he cried. “Take him! Seize him! Pull off his mask so that we may know who we must hang at sunrise!” Prospero stood in the blue room when he spoke these words. They sounded through the 7 rooms, loud and clear. At first, as he spoke, some of the dancers started to rush toward the strange masquerader. But they stopped, afraid, and no one dared to put out a hand to touch him. The stranger started to walk toward the second room. He passed within a few feet of Prospero, who stood still, surprised. And while the dancers moved back from the center of the room, the stranger moved quietly, without being stopped, with a slow, measured step, through the blue room to the purple room — through the purple room to the green room — through the green to the yellow — through this to the white — and then to the violet room. As the stranger was entering the seventh room, Prospero suddenly and angrily rushed through the six rooms. No one dared to follow him. He held a sharp knife high over his head, ready to strike the stranger. When he was within three or four feet, the strange masquerader, the stranger, turned and stood silent, looking firmly into Prospero’s eyes. There was a cry — and the knife dropped shining upon the black floor, upon which a minute later Prospero himself fell, dead. The dancers then rushed into the black room. The strongest of the men tried to hold the masquerader, whose tall form stood beside the black clock. But when they put their hands on him they found inside the grave-clothes no human form, no body — nothing! Now they knew that it was the Red Death itself that had come in the night. One by one, the dancers fell, and each died as he fell. And the fires died. And the clock stopped. And darkness and decay and the Red Death ruled forever over all. Download a lesson plan to use with this story here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. How should leaders deal with major problems like diseases in their countries? Who do you think was the bad guy in this story, Prospero or the Red Death? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story horror – n. the quality of something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock palace(s) – n. the official home of a king, queen, president or ruler wine – n. an alcoholic drink made from the liquid part that can be squeezed out of a small, round fruit that is green, dark red, or purplish-black in color masquerade – n. a party at which people wear masks and often costumes mask – n. a covering for your face or for part of your face nevertheless – adv. in spite of what has just been said decay – n. the process or result of being slowly destroyed by natural processes

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Americans Prepare for 'Super Bowl Sunday'

This is What’s Trending Today. The Super Bowl is this Sunday. The game is the National Football League championship. The Atlanta Falcons play the New England Patriots in Houston, Texas. The Patriots are based in the northeast state of Massachusetts; the Falcons are from the southeast state of Georgia. The Patriots will try to win their fifth Super Bowl title. The Falcons are aiming to win for the first time. Tom Brady is the Patriots’ quarterback. He is 39 years old and has been the Patriots’ quarterback in the Super Bowl seven times. Football fans have debated whether Brady should be considered the best quarterback of all time. If he wins on Sunday, that argument may end. The Atlanta Falcons are a strong team, too. They are one of the most powerful offensive teams in the NFL. Atlanta scored the most points in the NFL this year. The Falcons’ quarterback, Matt Ryan, is also one of the best at his position. This season was the most successful of his career so far. He often throws the ball to teammate Julio Jones, one of the best receivers in the league. Experts are predicting this year’s Super Bowl to be a high-scoring game. They are predicting that the two teams could collectively score about 60 points. But Super Bowl Sunday is not just a game day. It is also an all-day event. People plan parties around the game. Even people who do not pay any attention to football during the regular season watch the Super Bowl. Last year, almost 115 million people watched the game on television. Some people are more interested in the commercials that play during the broadcast. Many are also interested in watching the halftime show. This year, Lady Gaga is performing. People are debating whether the singer will make a political statement during her performance. Singer Tony Bennett is one of Lady Gaga’s friends. He told fans that her show will be “spectacular.” Google created graphics that show how much attention the Super Bowl gets each year. One showed that the Patriots were the most-searched team in all but four states. People in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama searched for news about the Falcons. And, one of the other popular Google search terms this time of year is “Superb Owl.” That is a misspelling of Super Bowl. Fans and experts have been talking about which team will win for two weeks. New England is expected to win by about three points. But it seems that many fans might be tired of seeing the Patriots win the Super Bowl. In a public opinion study, 51 percent of those questioned said they thought Atlanta would win. Others have been talking about what they plan to eat during the game. Some popular food items include pizza, chicken wings, chips, and, of course, beer. One person said she was asked if she was excited for the Super Bowl. She responded: “Ohh, you mean food day? Yes.” Although the Super Bowl is a big deal in America, there are still plenty of people who do not plan to watch the game. One person tweeted that she will be watching tennis instead. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thomspon was the editor. Will you follow the Super Bowl this Sunday? Let us know in the comments section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story receiver – n. a player who catches passes thrown by the quarterback quarterback – n. a player who leads a team's attempts to score usually by passing the ball to other players offensive – adj. of or relating to the way that players try to score against an opponent in a game or contest collectively – adv. shared or done by a group of people : involving all members of a group halftime – n. the period of rest between the end of the first half and the beginning of the second half in games like football and basketball spectacular– adj. causing wonder and admiration : very impressive graphic – n. a picture, drawing, or graph used as a decoration or to make something (such as magazine article) easier to understand

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Why Some Worry About Trump’s Tweets

By early Friday morning, President Donald Trump was back on Twitter. He tweeted about U.S. relations with Iran and Australia, “radical Islamic terrorist” and “Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger.” Just the day before, the president had already tweeted that “Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile.” And he questioned if government financial aid should stop for a California university where protestors prevented a Breibart News editor from speaking. Trump, entering his third week as president, is tweeting often – just as he did during his successful campaign for president. Why some are concerned about his tweets His frequent postings on Twitter are raising questions. Some want the White House to keep all of Trump’s tweets as part of the official administration records to be turned over after he leaves office. Others worry his Twitter account can be “hacked,” while some question if his tweets will make it difficult for him to govern. Shontavia Johnson is director of the Intellectual Property Law Center at Drake University Law School in Iowa. Johnson said some might ask “what’s the big deal” saving Trump’s tweets for presidential records. But she said it is important the White House keep all tweets so National Archives and Records Administration experts can organize them for study by historians after Trump’s presidency ends. Concern about hacking Chris Dore is a Chicago lawyer who works on privacy and technology issues. Dore said he worries people will hack into Trump’s Twitter account and post fake material. “Twitter accounts get hacked all the time,” Dore said. If people got a hold of Trump’s Twitter account, they could pass on false information about a business, or create an international crisis, so they could gain financially, he said. Already tweets from the @realDonaldTrump have affected the price of stocks. The Wall Street Journal reported that, after Trump criticized companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Ford, General Motors and Toyota, their stock prices dropped. Trump aide says president wants to connect with people Kellyanne Conway is a Trump adviser. She said Trump continues to tweet because it is “a very powerful way for him to communicate and connect directly with people.” But Trump’s tweets have not always helped him. On Tuesday, Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer talked about the president's order temporarily blocking travel to the U.S. from seven majority-Muslim nations. Spicer said news reports were wrong to call it a travel ban. Reporters noted that Trump himself had called it a ban just the day before on Twitter. Using Twitter to hit back at critics As he did as a presidential candidate, Trump uses Twitter to hit back at people and organizations he believes have been unfairly critical. He accused Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer of showing “fake tears” to criticize Trump's travel restrictions. And he continues to attack news organizations, saying they are dishonest and providing "fake news." Theodore Glasser is a professor of communications at Stanford University in California. During a recent talk on Trump’s relations with the news media, he complained that Trump is not always truthful in his tweets and statements. “There is no commitment to ‘facts’ or ‘truth,” he said. Glasser said Trump has done “more damage to the quality of public discourse than any president I can remember.” Carole Bell is a communications expert at Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. She said Trump supporters enjoy reading tweets directly from Trump on how he feels about issues and his critics. It gives him “authenticity,” she said. But Bell said Trump is bringing that same “informality” to more formal settings. She cited speeches at the National Prayer Breakfast and for Black History Month that drew questions whether he was taking the events seriously enough. John Wihbey, another Northeastern University communications expert, said tweeting helped Trump win over voters during the election. But Wihbey said tweeting his opinions in 140 characters or less as president might not be helpful as he tries to govern and negotiate health and tax bills, or new international trade deals. I'm Bruce Alpert. And I'm Anne Ball. Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do 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 formally – adv. made or done in an official and usually public way ballistic missile – n. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes editor – n. a person whose job is to prepare (something written) to be published or used: an editor can make changes, correct mistakes, etc., in (something written) frequent – adj. happening often account – n. an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company hack – v. to secretly get access to the files on a computer or network in order to get information or cause damage fake – adj. not real stock – n. share of the value of a company which can be bought, sold, or traded as an investment complain – v. to say (something that expresses dislike or unhappiness) commitment – n. a promise to do or give something discourse – n. a long talk or piece of writing about a subject authenticity – adj. real or genuine cite – v. to mention (something) especially as an example or to support an idea or opinion

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Argentina Amends its Immigration Law, Speeds Up Deportations

Argentina made a major change to its immigration law Monday. The change makes it easier to expel foreigners who do crimes or who are under investigation. President Mauricio Macri ordered the change to the 2003 immigration law. The presidential order notes a rise in organized crime by foreigners. It prevents entrance to immigrants who are serving sentences or have criminal records. It also speeds up expulsion for those who do crimes, including selling drugs and weapons or hiding illegal money. The government said officials had faced administrative barriers in expelling foreigners who did such crimes. The new law is designed to lower a sharp increase in crime. The issue is a top concern among Argentinians who will vote in congressional elections later this year. Foreigners represent 4.5 percent of the 40 million people living in Argentina. Human rights activists said the changed law could cause Argentinians to wrongly judge that part of the population. The group Amnesty International said it is a mistake to think of the migration crisis as just an issue of national security, and to link immigrants with criminals. The human rights group said a country cannot violate its constitution and international human rights treaties to make new immigration policies. Amnesty said the changes reduce guarantees of lawful processes and violate immigrant rights to fair protection. Argentine Vice President Gabriela Michetti defended the new measure. She told a local radio station that "Argentina is an open country that will always be in favor of diversity.'' She also rejected suggestions that the new law is like an immigration order signed last month by Donald Trump, the new president of the United States. Argentine activist Adolfo Perez Esquivel said President Macri is “criminalizing immigration through executive orders” that change national laws and international commitments. Esquivel won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1980 for his defense of human rights during Argentina's "dirty war.” He said Argentine officials clearly violated human rights in the name of security when they made the law without involving lawmakers. In his words, “security problems can and should be solved respecting our constitution and increasing our rights, not reducing them.” I’m Alice Bryant. The Associated Press reported this story. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story migration - n. to move from one country or place to live or work in another diversity - n. the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures dirty war - n. a period (1976-1983) when Argentina’s military-led government hunted down and killed opponents

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Muslim Countries Hope for More Visitors after US Travel Restrictions

Some areas hope for more foreign students and visitors because of the new United States restrictions on people from seven Muslim-majority countries. The U.S. order includes a 120-day suspension of refugee admissions and a 90-day entry ban for individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Asia’s largest budget airline company, Air Asia, is based in Malaysia, one place hoping to profit from the restrictions. The head of the company, Tony Fernandes, suggested the U.S. move could lead to more Muslims traveling to Southeast Asia. “With the world now getting more isolationist, it’s time for ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) to start making it easier for tourists to come.” Fernandes published the comment on the social media network Twitter. Malaysia is a popular stop for tourists from the Middle East. Nearly 200,000 people arrived there in 2016 from countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Qatar, the Reuters news service reported. Many people go to Malaysia for medical treatment. Because most Malaysians are Muslim, it is easy for visitors to find halal food products. Other countries also hope to profit from the U.S. travel restrictions. Ajay Mittal is director of International Placewell Consultants in New Delhi. His company places Indian students in colleges and universities overseas. Mittal said Germany and Singapore had increased efforts to advertise their colleges and universities. He said some students are worried that, even if they go the United States for an education, they might not get a job there at the end of their studies. He noted that the new U.S. administration has announced plans to tighten work visa rules. Mittal said some students are very worried. “Of particular concern are plans to review the Optional Practical Training, or OPT program, which gives foreign graduates in fields like science, technology, engineering” or mathematics “the right to find jobs in the U.S. for up to 36 months,” he said. Rod Jones is head of the education business Navitas, Ltd. He said the company has received fewer requests for its U.S.-based English language courses. “We have started to see students back off from the U.S. because of their concerns about potential issues they may face,” said Jones. Reuters reported that Jones said foreign students should also consider Canada and Australia. “The Canadian Prime Minister has come out and said ‘if the U.S. doesn’t want you, we’d love to have you’ and I think it is the approach of Australia too,” he said. U.S. President Donald Trump has called for stronger measures to limit immigrants and refugees from some countries for security reasons. Critics say such measures, like the temporary ban on immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries, treat Muslims unfairly. They also say measures limiting immigration hurt America’s image as a place that welcomes people from other countries. I’m Mario Ritter. The Reuters news service reported on this story. Mario Ritter adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think about the temporary restrictions on immigrants and refugees by the United States? Let us know in the comments section below. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tourism – n. visiting another country for pleasure isolationist – adj. relating to the belief that a country should not be involved in the matters of another country halal – adj. able to be eaten for those observing Muslim law graduate – n. someone who has successfully completed a study program

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February 3, 2017

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

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English @ the Movies: 'My Heart Was Broken'

Today our English @ the Movies saying is "my heart was broken." This comes from the movie "Manchester by the Sea." It is about a man whose brother died and now he must care for his son. Does "my heart was broken" mean you need to see a doctor? Watch our video to find out!

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