Mia the Beagle Acts Like a Real Dog at Westminster Dog Show

  This is What’s Trending Today… You probably have heard about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The four-day event opened last Saturday in New York City. The world-famous competition, known as “America’s Dog Show,” dates back to 1877. Today around 200 breeds of dogs from across America and several other countries take part in the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. The dogs compete against each other in different groups, based on their breeds. An overall winner takes the “Best in Show” prize.  One dog that will not be taking home a prize this year is a beagle named Mia. But she has already won the hearts of people across the country. As the Washington Post newspaper wrote, Mia “absolutely stole the show.” Earlier this week, Mia the beagle took part in the agility competition. The event requires dogs to run, jump over bars, and climb over objects. The dogs must complete the entire course quickly. Trainers work with the dogs to teach them to ignore noises, smells or other possible distractions. Mia, however, was not able to ignore the distractions. When it was her turn to compete, she stopped to smell the ground. She wandered away from the course. She bent over to lick herself. The crowd then started to laugh and make noises, which distracted the animal even more. Mia finally finished the event in 66 seconds. That was more than 30 seconds slower than the fastest competitors that day. The television announcer called it, “a delightfully entertaining run.” A video of Mia’s performance soon went viral on social media. People said they liked that Mia acted like a normal dog. One person wrote, “Mia wanted to do her best at the agility course, but she also just wanted to be a dog and do dog things.” Another wrote, “Mia the beagle is a hero.”   ​  And that’s What’s Trending Today.   I’m Ashley Thompson. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   breed - n. a particular kind of dog, cat, horse, etc. : a kind of animal that has been produced by breeding beagle - n. a type of small dog used for hunting that has smooth black, brown, and white fur win the hearts (of someone). - expression.  steal the show - expression.  agility - n. the ability to move quickly and easily course - n. a path or route that runners, skiers, bikers, etc., move along especially in a race distraction - n. something that makes it difficult to think or pay attention wander - v.  to go away from a path, course, etc. delightfully - adv. in a way that is very pleasant

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February 14, 2017

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

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Half-brother of Kim Jong Un Killed in Malaysia

  South Korean media say the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been killed in Malaysia. A South Korean government official said that Kim Jong Nam was killed Monday, the Yonhap news agency reported. The official did not provide additional information. Two unidentified female agents reportedly used poisoned needles to kill Kim at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The two then fled the area in a taxi. The women are believed to have been working for North Korea. South Korea’s National Intelligence Service neither confirmed nor denied the story. Kim Jong Nam spent large amounts of time outside North Korea. He also had voiced disapproval of his family’s control of the country. He and his younger brother, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, are both sons of former North Korean leader Kim Jong Il. However, they had different mothers. The older brother was once considered to be the heir of his father and was expected to lead the country. However, Kim Jong Nam fell from favor with his father in 2001. That year, he attempted to enter Japan with a false passport, reportedly to visit Tokyo Disneyland. Since that time, he has lived mainly in the Chinese territory of Macau. Kim Jong Nam was believed to be close to his uncle, Joang Song Thaek. Joang was considered the second most powerful man in North Korea, but he was executed in 2013. Kim Hong Un reportedly ordered his execution. In previous years, Kim Jong Nam expressed disinterest in leading North Korea. “Personally, I am against third-generation succession,” he told Japan’s Asahi TV in 2010. Kim Jong Il died in December 2011, when Kim Jong Un took power. “I hope my younger brother will do his best for the sake of North Koreans’ prosperous lives,” he reportedly said. I’m Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His report was based on a report by Wayne Lee, Reuters and other news sources. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   heir – n. the person who has the legal right to receive property when its owner dies fall from favor – expression. to once be considered very good but no longer so succession – n. the state of having followed someone else to assume a position, title or other office

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Russia Looks to Tillerson after Flynn Resignation

Russian officials hope the new U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson will work to improve relations between the two countries despite the resignation of Michael Flynn, the national security advisor. Flynn resigned Monday night following reports that he had not told the truth about his contacts with Russian officials. In his resignation letter, Flynn admitted that he had given “incomplete information” about his phone conversations with Sergey Kislyak, Russia’s ambassador to the United States. Last week, the Washington Post and New York Times newspapers reported that Flynn had talked with the ambassador about economic restrictions, or sanctions, that the Obama administration had placed on Russia. The Trump administration had earlier denied that Flynn had done so. Relations between the two countries worsened after Russia annexed Crimea and began to support separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine in 2014. The United States answered those moves with economic sanctions and bans on visas for some Russian officials. Flynn was often seen as President Trump’s key contact with Moscow. In 2015, he was paid by Russia to attend a dinner for Russia Today, a state-funded television network. He sat next to Russian President Vladimir Putin during the event. Russian reactions to Flynn’s resignation The Associated Press news agency reported the criticisms of Konstantin Kosachev, a member of Russia’s parliament. Kosachev said on Facebook that removing a national security adviser for his contacts with Russia is “not just paranoia but something even worse.” But later in the day, Russian officials were less critical. Leonid Slutsky is chairman of the foreign affairs committee of the lower chamber of parliament. Soon after Flynn’s resignation he said it was a “negative signal” for relations between the United States and Russia. But later he said it “cannot fundamentally influence Russia-U.S. ties.” Dmitry Peskov is a spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Associated Press asked him if Russia still hopes that relations with the United States will improve. He said it is “too early to say” since “Trump’s team has not been shaped yet.” Alexei Makarkin is an analyst at the Moscow-based Center for Political Technologies. He said Tillerson would be negotiating with Russia, not Flynn. As the former head of the oil company ExxonMobil, Tillerson developed close business ties with Russia. In 2013, Putin even gave him the Order of Friendship. Tillerson is to meet this week with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. I’m Anne Ball.   VOA News Writer Penny Dixon reported this story from Washington. We also used material from the Associated Press news agency. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the VOA and AP reports for Learning English. Hai Do 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   annex – v. to add (an area or region) to a country, state, etc.; to take control of (a territory or place) paranoia – n. an unreasonable feeling that people are trying to harm you, do not like you, etc. shape – v. to influence the development of (something)

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Explainer: Supreme Court Justices Process

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'Hello' to Five Grammys for Adele

The British singer Adele was the big winner at the 59th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles Sunday night. Adele won three major awards: album of the year for “25,” as well as record of the year and song of the year, for the single “Hello.” Beyonce was among the competition for all three Grammys. Adele expressed shock that she received the honors over Beyonce. “My dream and my idol is Queen Bey, and I adore you,” she said. “You move my soul every single day, and you have done for 17 years.” Adele also won awards for the best popular performance by a single artist and best pop vocal album. Earlier in the show, Beyonce gave a performance that recognized mothers everywhere. The singer, who is pregnant with two babies, won the award for best urban contemporary album for “Lemonade.” The Grammy Awards show is the biggest night of the year for the American music industry. Among the many performances was a surprising combination of pop star Lady Gaga and heavy metal band Metallica. There were also performances in honor of artists who died in 2016. The band The Time and singer Bruno Mars performed several Prince songs including “Let’s Go Crazy.” Adele performed in honor of George Michael, who died on Christmas Day. She was not satisfied with her singing at first, so she stopped her performance and began again. She told the crowd, “I can’t mess this up for him (Michael).” Chance the Rapper won three Grammys, including best new artist. He did this without selling a single record or music download. The 23-year-old hip-hop artist releases his music only through streaming. David Bowie won Grammys for best rock performance and best rock song for his recording of “Blackstar.” The singer died in January 2016. Solange Knowles, Beyonce’s little sister, won the Grammy for the best rhythm and blues performance for "Cranes in the Sky.” And Maren Morris won the best country song performance for “My Church.” Morris said in her acceptance speech that she took part in the recording industry’s first Grammy Camp 11 years ago. The camp program teaches young people about the music business. Hours before the awards ceremony, came news that American singer Al Jarreau had died at a Los Angeles hospital. No cause of death was given. He was 76 years old. Jarreau had won seven Grammy awards himself over the years. He was admitted to the hospital last week for what doctors described as exhaustion. His Facebook page reported last Friday that he had been “recovering slowly and steadily.” But it said he had been forced to cancel his remaining performance dates for 2017. Jarreau was considered one of jazz’s greatest singers. His hits included “We’re in This Love Together,” “After All,” and “Moonlighting.” I’m Dorothy Gundy.   Parke Brewer and Fern Robinson reported on this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted their report for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   album – n. a collection of musical works or other things twin – n. two children produced at a birth urban – adj. of or related to a city contemporary – adj. modern inaudible - adj. very quiet; sounds you cannot hear confront – v. to oppose; to cause to meet uncomfortable – adj. causing a feeling of being uneasy idol – n. a representation of sign of an object adore – v. to honor someone else or something soul – n. the spirit of a human being mess up – v. to make a mistake streaming – n. the act or process of one song played after another exhaustion – n. the condition of being extremely tired   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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World Press Photos of the Year Announced

This is What’s Trending Today. The photo taken last December of a man assassinating Russia’s ambassador to Turkey was named World Press Photo of the Year on Monday.    Associated Press photographer Burhan Ozbilici took the photo. He was immediately asked to tell its story. Ozbilici said he took the photo because he needed to “represent good journalism.” Ozbilici’s photos quickly made their way around the world. He said he thought something interesting might happen at the art exhibition in Ankara, Turkey. So, he went to the event at the last minute and brought his camera. Mevlut Mert Altintas killed ambassador Andrei Karlov and shouted “Don’t forget Aleppo! Don’t forget Syria!” Altintas opposed Russia’s involvement in the Syrian civil war. Ozbilici said he moved to a safe place in the gallery and took his photos because he would not have had a good answer if people asked him later: “Why didn’t you take pictures?” Many people praised Ozbilici’s bravery. Stuart Franklin is the photo competition’s top judge. He said the photos were, in his words, “terrific” and Ozbilici “had extraordinary composure in being able to sort of calm himself down in the middle of the fray and take the commanding pictures that he took.” Franklin thought the photo was good, but in an opinion article published by The Guardian, he said he voted against naming the photo as the best of the year.  He wrote that the photo showing a murder was “problematic,” and he did not think a terrorist’s message should be “amplified” by awarding a prize for the photo. Franklin said other photos in the competition better served humanity. While Ozbilici’s photo was the press photo of the year, others received prizes, too. Photographers won awards in many categories, including: Contemporary Issues, Daily Life, Nature, People, Sports and Long-Term Projects.  Jonathan Bachman of the Reuters news service won the Contemporary Issues category for his photo of Ieshia Evans being detained by police in Louisiana during a protest over the shooting death of an African-American man. Evans was wearing a long dress and not resisting as officers ran up to her with plastic handcuffs. Franklin said Bachman’s photo was “an unforgettable sort of comment on passive resistance. It's really a lovely photograph. You'll never forget it.”   Other award-winning photos show problems around the world. For example, the winning nature photo by Brent Stirton was a reminder of how endangered species are threatened by poachers. The photo showed a dead rhino, killed for its horn, in a game preserve in South Africa. Another image showed a Cuban woman in a taxi days after the death of Fidel Castro. It was part of a series of winning photos in the “Daily Life” category by freelance photographer Tomas Munita. He documented the changes in Cuba as the country moved to normalize relations with the United States. You can see more winning images at worldpressphoto.org and by following WorldPressPhoto on Twitter. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. What did you think of the press photos of the year? Let us know in the comments section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   at the last minute –idiom the last possible time when something can be done assassinate – v. to kill (someone, such as a famous or important person) usually for political reasons composure – adj. calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance fray – n. a fight, struggle, or commotion that involves many people problematic – adj. difficult to understand, solve, or fix amplify – v. to make something stronger contemporary – adj. happening or beginning now or in recent times passive – adj. used to describe someone who allows things to happen or who accepts what other people do or decide without trying to change anything lovely – adj. attractive or beautiful especially in a graceful way normalize – v. to bring (someone or something) back to a usual or expected state or condition

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Love: A Chemical Explosion in Your Brain

Turkmen President Re-elected with 98 Percent of Vote

  The president of Turkmenistan won re-election with nearly 98 percent of the votes, the country’s election commission reported. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov was elected to a third term which will last for seven years. He was first elected president in 2006. The election results were announced Sunday night by the Central Asian nation’s election commission. The commission said 97 percent of eligible voters turned out to vote. Berdymukhamedov is a dentist by training. He has kept almost total control over the former Soviet republic of 5.3 million people. He replaced Saparmurat Niyazov as president following his death in 2006. Berdymukhamedov has largely kept in place Niyazov's repressive political system. The country blocks most political opposition and public protest. Early in his presidency, Berdymukhamedov ordered some reforms. He brought back foreign languages to schools, and expanded required schooling from nine years to 12 years. He reopened hospitals closed down by former President Niyazov. Berdymukhamedov also cancelled some of Niyazov’s unusual rules, such as bans against opera and gold teeth. Turkmenistan's official news organization reported that international observers found only minor voting problems, which did not affect the election results. But Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported that two days before the election, students were filling in ballots in favor of Berdymukhamedov. The ballots were put in ballot boxes for people who did not show up to vote, according to a person at the school. Independent election monitors have not declared any of Turkmenistan’s elections free or fair since the country gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Eight candidates ran against Berdymukhamedov. But all were mostly unknown and their campaigns received little attention from the government-run news service. Michal Romanowski is with the German Marshall Fund. He said, “Every election in the past 25 years has been rigged and there is no real opposition in the country.” He added that independent news reporting is mostly unavailable to Turkmenistan residents. Berdymukhamedov is known in Turkmenistan as Arkadag, which means “the protector” in English. But he has not been able to keep his country’s economy strong. It has been hurt by low global energy prices. According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, many government employees are not being paid on time. Shortages are reported for products such as cooking oil, sugar and medicine. This has led to large price increases paid by Turkmenistan residents. During the election, the government ordered private traders to lower food prices, according to merchants and residents. On Monday, Vladimir Putin congratulated the re-elected Turkmenistan president. He said, “The election’s outcome confirms your high level of political influence, wide recognition for all you have accomplished while in office as president, and support for your policy of continued efforts to strengthen Turkmenistan’s economy and raise living standards.”   VOA News reported on this story. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English with additional reporting. 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   eligible - adj. able to do or receive something opera - n. a kind of performance in which actors sing all or most of the words of a play with music performed by an orchestra teeth - n. plural of tooth, used by people to chew food monitor - n. a person who has the job of checking or watching some activity or behavior rigged - adj. a corrupt system in which the results are pre-determined accomplished - v. what a person has done, or achieved

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Experts Weigh Influence of China-Led Development Banks

  In a little over one year, Chinese-based development banks have made $3 billion available for projects in a number of countries. Yet some observers question whether the banks will provide support for China’s One Belt, One Road program. It seeks to expand trade between Europe and Asia, similar to the ancient Silk Road linking China and the West. The new banks are the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, known as the AIIB. The New Development Bank was the idea of China and four other countries: Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa – a group known as BRICS. The New Development Bank says its members have equal voting power in the bank, which is based in Shanghai. The AIIB is based in Beijing. China has the largest share of voting power in the bank. Fifty-six other countries are also members. They include Britain, France and Germany – three non-Asian allies of the United States. Jin Liqun is the head of the AIIB. He recently said the United States could still become a member. The administration of President Barack Obama decided against joining when the bank was set up in 2015. Jacob Kirkegaard is with the Peterson Institute of International Economics, based in Washington, D.C. Kirkegaard said, “Setting up AIIB and showing that Beijing intends to play by the established rules has helped China.” However, he added that the development banks are helpful mostly for diplomatic or political reasons. He said they will not help China in economic competition with American businesses. Julian Evans-Pritchard is an economist for the research company Capital Economics. He says, “China has gained in terms of soft power because it could bring several European powers on the table through AIIB.” This could increase cooperation between China and European countries, he adds. The AIIB most recently approved a loan to build the Trans-Anatolian gas pipeline. The pipeline will transport natural gas from Azerbaijan to Europe. The project would support China’s One Belt, One Road plan, to connect Europe through Central Asia. Will the U.S. become a member? Speaking to Chinese media, AIIB head Jin suggested that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump may choose to join the bank. “I was told that many in his team have an opinion that Obama was not right not to join the AIIB, especially after Canada joined, which was a very loud endorsement of the bank.” The Trump administration has yet to comment on the AIIB. Some observers do not believe the United States is likely to join. They say such a move would give added credibility to the bank. Jin said that, at first, the U.S. government resisted the AIIB because it appeared to be in competition with established banks like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Lourdes S. Casanova is with the Emerging Markets Institute at Cornell University in New York. She says the United States will not join because of the importance of investments in public works projects domestically. She also says the U.S. has been critical of multilateral organizations. In the past year, the AIIB has lent $1.7 billion for nine projects. They include roads in Tajikistan and Pakistan, a hydro power project in Pakistan and a port in Oman. However, experts note that all these projects have been studied and approved by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. The problems, they say, will come when the AIIB must identify good projects on its own. Evans-Pritchard says many project are not good investments. Local opposition to some projects could be another problem, he notes.   “There is a risk of running protests in several countries were projects are planned,” he says. “There is a protest against an industrial zone in Sri Lanka, which is part of the OBOR program.” The One Belt, One Road, or OBOR, program may also face opposition from protectionist governments in Europe. They may be less willing to increase economic ties with other countries. I’m Mario Ritter.   Saibal Dasgupta reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   intend – v. to want to, to mean to do something advantages – n. benefits, good results of doing some action soft power – n. gaining influence through economic and cultural ties domestically – adv. taking place or having to do with one’s home country multilateral – adj. involving many different countries our groups

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For Love's Sake...Hang Up the Phone!

Forget the chocolates, flowers and jewelry. This Valentine’s Day, February 14, perhaps the best gift you can give the love of your life is your undivided attention. Sadly, for many of us, that is easier said than done. An international study of more than 13,000 adults found that many people say modern technology has affected relations with their partner. Almost 40 percent of those questioned said their partner paid more attention to their mobile device than to them. Intel Security Group, a private company, paid for the study. It examined how romantic relationships are affected by a person's use of social media and the Internet. The research included both old and new relationships. Thirty-three percent of those asked reported that they had to compete against a mobile device for attention on a first date. Apparently, we have as much love for our digital devices as for the people we love. Intel’s survey found that adults spend almost equal amounts of time online at home as they do interacting directly. And a lot of married couples, friends and family members argue about time spent on mobile devices. Gary Davis is the chief consumer security officer at Intel Security. He says recognition of our electronic device involvement is important. “If you have a pattern where you’re at dinner, you’re out on a date, you're home having a quiet evening, maybe watching a show, or just enjoying a fire…and a device comes into play, it’s that awkward thing that I don’t think enough people think about. And when they don’t think about it, they don’t understand the wear and tear it’s causing on the relationship.” Edward Spector holds a similar opinion. “We’re not thoughtfully progressing in terms of how we’re using technology.” Spector works as a psychologist in Bethesda, Maryland. He studies human behavior, and specializes in technology dependence. "So, we have to be thoughtful about the consequences of connecting to a particular social network, or allowing yourself to have the habit of the last hour and a half of your evening be checking your Facebook, or always responding to a text immediately." Rules or time limits on a device might be good, in theory. However, Intel’s survey found that 45 percent of those questioned do not set rules. Another 45 percent said they got into arguments about how much they are on their phones when spending time with loved ones. The lack of social rules about digital behavior might be the result of the newness of the issue. Past generations did not have the technologies, said psychologist Spector. “In this situation, our elders know nothing. In fact, the knowledge and competence is moving towards the youngest generation that’s using the technology because they’re the ones bounding forward fearlessly, and finding out what ways you can get in trouble.” That trouble may include the sharing of sensitive information. Intel’s research found nearly 30 percent of couples share passwords to social media sites. This could be a problem when relationships end. Intel’s Gary Davis advises that people step away from electronic devices to truly connect with other people. “Understand the value of distancing yourself from your device and allow yourself to be engaged with that person that means the most to you,” said Davis. I'm Caty Weaver.   VOA’s Tina Trinh reported this story from New York. Caty Weaver adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story romantic – adj. relating to love between two people date – n. an agreement to meet someone at a particular time or on a particular day pattern – n. something that happen in a regular and repeated way awkward – adj. not graceful wear and tear – expression damage that occurs naturally particular – adj. used to indicate one specific person or thing allow – v. permit habit – n. a usual way of behaving competence – n. the ability to do something well bound – v. to move with long, energetic steps engage – v. to get and keep someone's attention

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