US Court to Hear Arguments on New Travel Ban

  A court in the United States has ordered a hearing next week on President Donald Trump’s new executive order on immigration. The order suspends the country’s refugee admissions program and bars entry to people from six countries. In all six, most of the population is Muslim. Officials in Hawaii have disputed the legality of the order, which is to take effect on March 16th. The court will hear arguments in the case March 15th. The executive order blocks the approval of new U.S. visas to citizens of Iran, Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia and Sudan. The travel ban will be in effect for 90 days. The order also bars refugees from entering the United States for 120 days. Trump says the measure is necessary to protect national security. He has dismissed critics who say it targets Muslims. U.S. federal courts suspended enforcement of an earlier version of the executive order. The top law enforcement official in Hawaii said on Monday that the new order is just a new version of a Muslim ban. State attorney general Doug Chin said “under the pretense of national security, it still targets immigrants and refugees.” The executive order says the government must improve its investigation of those who seek to enter the United States. It says the six countries named in the order have a compromised ability to provide the necessary information to ensure people entering the U.S. are not a threat. Iraq was included in the first executive order, but was removed after Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said his office was in contact with the Iraqi government. He said they were working to improve the system for investigating the security risk of Iraqi citizens. Iraqi Foreign Minister Ahmed Jamal told the Associated Press that removing his country from the order will improve cooperation in the fight against Islamic State militants. Mohamed Naji works for the Sudan Tribune news website in Paris. He said officials in Sudan are “furious” about the order because they were “involved in a process that was supposed to lead to all U.S. sanctions being lifted.” Naji said that process began during the presidency of George W. Bush. He said Sudan “is wondering if there has been a setback in the process, especially given that President Trump’s executive order lists Sudan among states sponsoring terrorism.” In the United States, several congressional leaders have expressed support for the new executive order. Trump’s Republican Party controls both the House of Representatives and the Senate. But most Democratic Party lawmakers and human rights organizations oppose the measure. Some critics called it “racist and anti-Islamic.” House Speaker Paul Ryan said the order helps to support “our shared goal” of protecting the United States. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said he believes the new order will not be considered as a religious ban and will not be blocked by the courts. Reports say the new order was written to deal with the concerns of the federal judges who blocked the first order. Graham said he believed the new order to be “a ban on individuals coming from compromised governments and failed states.” Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders expressed sharp disagreement with Republican supporters of the ban. He said the order targets Muslims in “an attempt to divide us up. This isn’t about keeping America safe. A president who respected our traditions of religious freedom would not have resorted to hateful, anti-Islamic rhetoric to justify [the] ban.” The International Rescue Committee provides humanitarian aid to 40 countries and has helped resettle refugees in 28 U.S. cities. It said the new order is a threat to the 60,000 refugees who have already been investigated, but are still in crisis areas. The IRC said the American resettlement program is considered “the world’s most successful and secure.” It said there has not been a deadly terrorist attack by a refugee in the U.S. since the resettlement program began in 1980. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   VOA’s Chris Hannas, Lou Lorscheider, James Butty and Timothee Donangmaye reported this story from Washington. John Smith adapted their reporting into VOA 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   executive order – n. an order that comes from the U.S. President or a government agency and must be obeyed like a law pretense – n. a false reason or explanation that is used to hide the real purpose of something furious – adj. very angry sanction – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country setback – n. a problem that makes progress more difficult or success less likely resort to – phrasal verb to do or use (something) especially because no other choices are possible

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March 8, 2017

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

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March 7, 2017

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

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March 8 Marks 'A Day Without a Woman'

This is What’s Trending Today… March 8 is International Women’s Day. In the United States, some people will be marking the day by protesting. Wednesday is being called “A Day Without a Woman.” Organizers of the Women’s March on Washington proposed the demonstration in the United States. Like that march in January, organizers say the protest is in reaction to President Donald Trump’s position on women’s issues and comments he has made about women. But unlike the women’s march, Wednesday’s protest centers on the absence of women. Organizers are calling for women to take the day off work and are urging them not to spend money Wednesday. They say “A Day Without a Woman” is a way to bring attention to, in their words, “the enormous value that women of all backgrounds add to our socio-economic system -- while receiving lower wages and experiencing greater inequalities.” Organizers also are asking supporters to wear the color red to show love and sacrifice. Some U.S. school districts have already canceled classes for Wednesday. Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia said more than 300 staff members requested to take off work Wednesday. As they did with the women’s march, the organizers for the “A Day Without a Woman” strike have largely used social media to gain support and spread the word. But, some people on social media have been sharply critical of the protest. They say that, because many women cannot afford to take a day off work, the protest only includes those at a higher economic level. A writer for the Los Angeles Times describes Wednesday’s protest as “A Day Without a Privileged Woman.” “Privileged” means having special rights or conditions that most other people do not have. The organizers, however, have said that women who can protest will strike for those who cannot. “Many women in our most vulnerable communities will not have the ability to join the strike, due to economic insecurity,” organizers said on their website. “We strike for them.” Women in more than 50 countries around the world will also protest on March 8. The movement is part of the International Women’s Strike. They will be protesting violence against women and demanding equal rights. And that’s What’s Trending Today. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   enormous - adj. very great in size or amount background - n. the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person's past afford - v. to be able to pay for (something) privileged- adj. having special rights or advantages that most people do not have vulnerable - adj. open to attack, harm, or damage

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WikiLeaks: US Intelligence Can Use Electronic Devices to Spy

WikiLeaks has published documents it says show how the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) collects information from electronic devices. The anti-secrecy group did not say how it received the 8,700 documents and files connected to the CIA’s Center for Cyber Intelligence. But WikiLeaks said the number is greater than the National Security Agency (NSA) documents provided by Edward Snowden in 2013. Snowden formerly worked as a contractor for the NSA. VOA and other news media could not confirm if the documents released on Tuesday accurately describe CIA efforts to get information from smart phones, televisions and computers. Jonathan Liu, spokesman for the CIA, said the agency does not comment on whether leaked documents are real. One of the more sensational examples of hacking reported by WikiLeaks involved Samsung smart televisions. WikiLeaks said the CIA infected some smart TVs with a computer virus known as “Weeping Angel.” The virus created a “fake off” button that left owners thinking the receiver wasn’t operating. But while in the “off position,” the TV reportedly would record discussions and send the recordings over the Internet to a CIA computer. WikiLeaks said the agency developed tools that could also work around security measures on Apple iPhones and Google’s Android phones. Infected phones could be programmed to send the CIA the location of the user, along with messages and other information. The hack also activated the phone’s camera and microphone, WikiLeaks reported. The website described one program it says has been tested against Microsoft’s Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 computer operating systems. It enters coding information that enables a hacker to gain use of the program’s memory and other controls. All this happens, WikiLeaks said, without the knowledge of the computer’s owner. WikiLeaks also said the CIA was looking into ways to infect control systems used on modern cars. The purpose is not known WikiLeaks suggested it could allow the agency to kill enemies and terrorists. WikiLeaks said the CIA also collected information on how other countries, including Russia, do internet spying. In addition to its main offices in Virginia, the agency also has an office in Frankfurt, Germany. It serves as a secret base for computer spying in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, WikiLeaks said. Bob Ayers, a retired U.S. intelligence official, told the Associated Press that damage from WikiLeaks’ latest release is high. But he said WikiLeaks has said it plans to release even more material, which could do even more damage. WikiLeaks said the person or persons who provided the documents did so to start a discussion on whether the CIA is going beyond its official powers. Sean Spicer, press secretary for President Donald Trump, would not comment on the WikiLeaks report. WikiLeaks publishes secret information, often provided by people who do not want to be identified. It was founded in 2006 by Julian Assange. Some U.S. intelligence officials have said that WikiLeaks provided information used to hurt former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the 2016 elections. Clinton was the Democratic Party’s candidate for president. Officials accused Russian intelligence agencies of using the information to help Donald Trump, the Republican candidate. Trump won the election and now is in his 2nd month as president. I'm Jonathan Evans.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. His story is based on reports by VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources. George Grow 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   contractor - n. a person who is paid to perform work or to provide goods at a certain price or within a given time determine - v. to find out information accurately - adv. free from mistakes or errors sensational - adj. causing very great excitement or interest with shocking details hacking - n. to secretly gain use to the files of a computer or computer network in order to get information or cause damage fake - adj. not real microphone - n. a device into which people speak or sing in order to record their voices or to make them sound louder coding - n. of or related to a series of directions for a computer    

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Space Tourism and Business Looking Up

  It was a surprising announcement: SpaceX, a private company, said it will fly two people to the moon next year. This has not been attempted since NASA’s Apollo moon landings about 45 years ago. The news came from SpaceX founder and chief executive officer, Elon Musk. He is a billionaire who made his money from technology. In a news conference, he said two people have already paid SpaceX a “significant” amount of money to send them on a weeklong flight just beyond the moon and back. No one has been to the moon since 1972. NASA flew 24 astronauts around it, and twelve Americans walked on its surface beginning in 1969. Elon Musk’s plan is “a bold challenge” says Eric Stallmer, president of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF). The group has more than 70 members in the spaceflight business, including Musk’s SpaceX. Stallmer says Musk’s work in the last ten years is “incredibly impressive.” He started SpaceX with his money, and now has large contracts with NASA and the U.S. defense department. And he is building reusable rockets. But Musk is not alone in the business race into space. Blue Origin, owned by Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos, is also developing reusable rockets. Using them will bring down the cost of going into space. Last September, Bezos announced a new “heavy-lift” rocket—one that will be able to deliver people and supplies to low-Earth orbit and farther, too. Other companies, like Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, are building space airplanes to take passengers for a ride up into space and back — 62,000 miles above Earth. Other companies are developing and building many products for spaceflight, like rockets, and housing for humans traveling and working in space.  The business of space travel But why space?  Why are wealthy business people sending their money into space? Some of them dreamed of space travel as children, and now they have the money to chase those dreams. So there is adventure, and yes, there is money. Stallmer says there is “a huge marketplace to be had in space.” “There’s tremendous opportunities to be made, from the commercial aspect of it. Whether it is providing data or communications or remote sensing information. There’s that aspect of it. And then the idea that people just want to go to space.” Plus, he says, the cost of doing space business is coming down with new technology. “There's eighth graders that are building small satellites, these microsats that are going up and performing real world missions for hundreds, and  maybe a thousand dollars. And you are seeing companies that are building larger satellite constellations, very affordably.” The commercial space business took off around 2008 when the country was in an economic recession, and many high-tech scientists were out of a job. Since then, CSF claims, its members have created “thousands of high-tech jobs driven by billions of dollars” invested by wealthy people. Some question whether private companies will be safe as they race into orbit. Stallmer answers that safety comes first for these companies, and that much “attention to detail has to be paid to everything” that they do. If a company does not have the safest vehicle out there, he says, “you’re not going to be in business very long.” Companies that have had failures, like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, have worked to fix their technology. Elon Musk’s plan to go to the moon is “a very risky mission,” says Derrick Pitts, chief astronomer with The Franklin Institute science museum in Philadelphia. He says that while people may question whether a non-government group can achieve this goal, he thinks SpaceX can. The trip to the moon fits into Musk’s “very clear plan” to build a colony on Mars, Pitts explains. The astronomer sees two kinds of private space business developing.  Some companies provide launch services-- like rockets to send satellites into space and deliver supplies for the International Space Station. Others build vehicles to provide space tourism. “This is a brand new track in which companies are trying to provide opportunity for regular people, non-astronauts, non-military to be able to consider a trip to space as a viable vacation option.” Now, for about $5,000, a company called Zero G provides rides in a specially designed plane to give people short moments of experiencing the weightlessness of being in space. “The prices are already beginning to drop and more opportunities will be available for all the rest of us to possibly have some piece of that adventure of being a space explorer.” What will happen to NASA and other space agencies? Until now, space explorers have been astronauts from NASA, Russia, China or a few other countries. A small number of people also paid governments large sums to travel in space. As commercial space companies grow, the role of NASA in the U.S. is changing. Some critics say NASA is too careful and too slow and that has left it behind these private companies. But Pitts defends the U.S. space agency, saying NASA is limited by what lawmakers in Congress allow the agency to do. “It’s not that NASA doesn’t have the talent, doesn’t have the desire, they certainly do. But these independent companies don’t have to deal with the bureaucratic problems that NASA also has.” Pitts praises the work NASA has done getting information about our solar system by using vehicles, probes and remote spacecraft. “It’s really just amazing,” he says. Pitts says going forward commercial companies can take care of matters closer to Earth, like satellites and supplies. Then NASA can concern itself with “the big exploration tasks that might carry people out to the deeper reaches of the solar system.” As commercial space business is growing, some predict there will be a human settlement on the moon in 10 years. And that will be just a step on the way to colonize Mars. I’m Anne Ball.   Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English with material from the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   commercial – adj. related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services federation – n. an organization that is made by of joining together smaller organizations bold – adj. not afraid of danger or difficult situations remote sensing –n. the use of satellites to collect information about and take photographs of the Earth microsats – n. very small satellites constellation – n. a group of people or things that are similar in some way viable – adj. capable of being done or used

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Kenyan Students Win Prize for Solar Power Project

Editor's note: This story was written by a participant in the VOA Learning English online course, "Writing Science in Plain English" at the American Resource Center in the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. A writing contest followed the online course. His winning story, A Loyalty Program to Save Mother and Child was the first place winner. This new story tells about a happy event for science students at his school.     From VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report. A group of students from Kenya was among winners of the 2017 Zayed Future Energy Prize. The 10-member team is receiving a $100,000 award to make their school a “green energy” institution. The Zayed Future Energy Prize winners were recognized at a ceremony in January in Abu Dhabi. The prize is named after the founder of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The award is presented every year through a competitive process. It goes to organizations or individuals with new ideas about renewable energy to help in efforts against global warming. Scientists have evidence that temperatures in Earth’s atmosphere and oceans are slowly rising. They blame the temperature increase on pollution from carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Over the past 100 years, the Earth’s atmospheric temperature has risen by between 0.4 and 0.8 degrees Celsius. The United States government says last year was the warmest year on record. “The 2016 globally averaged surface temperature ended as the highest since record-keeping began in 1880,” U.S. scientists reported. The Kenyan students were recognized for their plan to improve the Starehe Girls’ Centre and School, a secondary school about 20 kilometers north of Nairobi. The students say they will use some of the prize money to create a 25-kilowatt embedded solar carport. Under their proposal, the school would set up solar equipment to collect energy from the sun. The system is expected to reduce the school’s dependence of electric power centers by 20%, or $1,100 a month. Jane Soita is the Starehe school's director. She noted: “It costs $850 per girl in Starehe Girls Centre. Through this project, savings in electricity will enable us to support 10 more needy girls per year.” The students' plan includes 10 solar-power street lights and 4 solar water heaters. The heaters will give the girls a chance to wash with warm water. The hot water system will also serve the school's food service area and medical center. The Kenyan team competed in designing and modeling a solar powered car at the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi. The car’s solar panel creates electricity from sunlight. The students tested their vehicle in a race. It finished in fourth place out of 15 schools. The team’s success has led to at least one offer of more money for the school. Kenya’s Ministry of Education, through the National Commission of Science and Innovation, promised an additional $20,000. A representative of the Solar Sisters organization promised to partner with the school in empowering the girls on clean energy. Solar Sisters works with women interested in setting up solar energy businesses. The organization operates in Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda. But the project had an effect on the representative, who promised to extend Solar Sisters’ work to Kenya. The Starehe Girls Centre sits on 55 hectares of land. Andrew Simolo is a project mentor and Geography teacher at the school. He notes that, “Fifty percent of the school is covered with a forest and a water reservoir. We believe ecosystems sustain life.” The school administration and teachers believe in protecting the environment. They have a custom of asking every visitor at the school to plant a tree on the property. The ideas suggested by the Kenyan students show their great potential. “We are young ambassadors of change in the world through creative thinking and implementing a clean energy development project,” noted Wilkista Onyango. She is a Starehe Girls graduate and served as a project leader. Young minds play an important role in leading others to developing technology. This will help to fight issues facing the world, such as climate change and sustainable energy.  I’m Jill Robbins.   John Njoroge and David Mwangi wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. This is a video of the school's proposal:   This is a news report after the students won the prize. ​_________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   carport ­- n. a shelter for a car that has open sides and that is usually attached to the side of a building sustain - adj. able to be used without being completely used up or destroyed mentor - n. someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person innovation - n. a new idea, device, or method implement - v. to make (something) active or effective embedded – adj. to make something a part of Has a school near you started any green energy programs? What are students in your area doing to make their school or town more sustainable? Write to us in the Comments Section.

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China to Step Up Observations, Tourism in South China Sea

China is expanding its presence in the South China Sea with plans to build an underwater observation system and to send tourists to the disputed areas. Chinese media say the government is planning to build an underwater observation system to provide real-time information on many different seabed conditions. The Chinese government newspaper, Global Times, says it will study the physical and chemical qualities of the sea. Experts say the effort will help China to better explore the area for valuable resources such as oil and natural gas. Each year, five trillion dollars worth of trade passes through the South China Sea. China claims territorial rights to most of the sea. China expands control of the area Some observers say the observation equipment is another way for China to strengthen its claims to the area. The Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia hold competing claims in the South China Sea. Satellite images suggest that China has added military weapons to some of the islands. The Global Times reports that the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Acoustics and Shanghai’s Tongji University together will build the observation system. An Academy official reportedly said that the undersea project would also cover areas in the East China Sea. Both China and Japan claim a group of islands in the East China Sea, located about 220 kilometers northeast of Taiwan. Japan calls the islands Senkaku. China calls them Diaoyu. Experts say they think the system will include an underwater platform with a series of wires linked back to China. They say it could collect information for undersea mineral gathering or oil drilling, but also for military purposes. ​ Euan Graham is an East and South China seas security expert with Australia’s Lowy Institute for International Policy in Sydney. He said it is very likely that scientific findings will be passed to China’s military. “It’s possible all of those things can inter-operate in the rather gray space between oceanography and military science.” Yun Sun is with the East Asia Program at the Washington-based Stimson Center. She agreed that China’s military will probably use the information the observation system gathers. But she noted that the observation project will also be valuable for civilian uses. “I think the military element is part of it, but the civilian part of it is not negligible for this project," she said. "At the minimum, if this system is deployed, it will help China better collect information on both (seas).”                                                                                                               Tourism in disputed waters Meanwhile, Chinese media reported a new passenger ship began its first trip to the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea. Xinhua news agency reported the Chinese ship left Thursday from Sanya, in the southern province of Hainan. It was carrying 308 passengers on a four-day trip. Tourists would be visiting three islands in the disputed Paracels, Xinhua added. According to the South China Morning Post, officials are also planning to launch tourist flights to the Paracel Islands. The officials are currently seeking approval from government ministries and the military for the flights, the newspaper reported. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Ralph Jennings reported this story for VOANews.com. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Do you think China should further open up tourism in parts of the South China Sea. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   real-time – adj. actual time during which a process or event happens  platform – v. raised structure with a flat surface where people or machines work rather – adj. to some degree or level negligible – adj. small, not important minimum – adj. the least amount of something  

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Russia Marks 100-Year-Old Revolution

The Russian Revolution took place 100 years ago. The revolution ended a political system based on the leadership of a single person. It also led to the rise of the Soviet Union. A century ago, Russia’s Tsar Nicholas the Second was forced to give up power because of a rebellion against his rule. It is known as the “February” Revolution because Russia used the Gregorian calendar for record-keeping purposes. Some Russians still defend the old system and its leaders. Some of them hope Russia will someday have a new tsar. The Russian revolution led to the creation of a provisional or temporary government. Months later, Bolshevik activists overthrew that government. That led to the rise of the Soviet Union and the spread of communism. World War I was taking place 100 years ago. Russia fought on the side of the Allies, which included Britain, France and the United States. They were fighting the Central Powers, which included Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. In St. Petersburg, living conditions worsened as the fighting continued. Many Russians were unhappy with the corruption they saw. Tens of thousands of factory workers turned against the tsar. Igor Savrasov is the director of the Kirov Factory museum. “It was the third year of the war. There was not a big difference among the workers. There was a shortage of bread for everyone.” Wealthy families and supporters of the tsar fled Russia. But some returned later to join the new government. Ivan Artsishevskiy teaches at the Center of Effective Communications. “I served in the Soviet army, so I fully went through the system. In my family, we all believed in being with Russia, whether it’s for good or for bad.” Artsishevskiy helped rebury members of Russia’s last royal family. They were executed by the Bolsheviks. “As the result of the Soviet ‘achievements,’ a huge part of our genetic pool was destroyed, and the selection was of negative character. So now we must correct it.” A group called the Russian Imperial House works to keep alive the memory of the Romanov family, Russia’s former rulers. Alexander Zakatov leads the group. “We continue to stick to our monarchical convictions. And we continue to believe that monarchy for Russia is a historically natural mode of existence. Russia was a monarchy for more than a thousand years before the revolution, which brought us a lot of misfortunes.” Zakatov admits that there is little support in Russia for the return of a ruling family. Few Russians mourn the loss of monarchical rule. But many still remember the Bolsheviks who seized power, the civil war that followed and the Soviet system they established. I’m John Smith.   VOA Moscow Correspondent Daniel Schearf reported this story from St. Petersburg, Russia. John Smith adapted the story 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   calendar – n. a document, chart, etc., that shows the days, weeks and months of a year royal – adj. of or relating to a king or queen negative – adj. harmful or bad; not wanted character – n. the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty and fairness stick to – phrasal verb to not change (a decision, belief, etc.) monarchy – n. a form of government in which a country is ruled by a monarch such as a king or queen conviction – n. a strong belief or opinion misfortune – n. bad luck

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Doctors worry about post-antibiotic future

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US, Japan, S. Korea Denounce Latest North Korean Missile Test

  North Korea launched four missiles early Monday. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said three of the missiles came down in his country’s waters. He said they landed in Japan’s Exclusive Economic Zone about 350 kilometers from the Japanese mainland.  “The launches are clearly in violation of (United Nations) Security Council resolutions. It is an extremely dangerous action,” Abe said during questioning in parliament. Also reacting, the United States said North Korea’s provocations “only serve to increase the international community’s resolve...Our commitment to the defense of our allies, including the Republic of Korea and Japan…remains ironclad,” said State Department acting spokesman Mark Toner. Toner added, “We also call on the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric that threaten international peace and stability, and to make the strategic choice to fulfill its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks.”     The North Korean missiles traveled about 1,000 kilometers from where they were launched, in the northwestern part of the country. Their flight path suggests that they were not long-range intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), however. On New Year’s Day, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would soon test an ICBM. Launch protests military exercises, may pressure China The launches took place as South Korea and the United States are holding joint military exercises. The North Korean government says the exercises are reason for North Koreans to prepare for an invasion. Last year, North Korea launched missiles during the joint South Korean-U.S. exercises. The missile launches on Monday were not unexpected. Bruce Bennett of the RAND Corporation research group told VOA that the most recent launches may have been an attempt to pressure China. “This was a launch that was intended to defy the United States and South Korea for doing the ongoing exercises, but it was also clearly pointed at China." Last month, China said it would suspend coal imports from North Korea. Coal exports are an important way for the North Korean government to earn money. Experts said China’s move was to punish the North for the apparent killing of the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Malaysian officials say Kim Jong Nam died after being attacked by two women at the Kuala Lumpur international airport last month. They have blamed the banned nerve agent VX for his death. Malaysia is seeking several North Koreans for questioning and has refused to release the body to North Korean officials. Diplomatic relations between Malaysia and North Korea also have worsened. North Korea has said Malaysia has not carried out a fair investigation. Malaysia has expelled the North Korean ambassador and has ordered its top diplomat in North Korea to return home. North Korean missile activity has increased North Korea has increased activities in both its nuclear and missile programs since the start of 2016. It has tested more than 25 missiles during that time. In February 2016, the North launched a satellite into space using ballistic missile technology banned by United Nations resolutions. In reaction, the South Korean government approved deployment of the THAAD anti-missile system in the country. The costly defense system is designed to protect South Korea from the North Korean missile threat. However, China opposes the placement of the missile system near its borders. Russia also has voiced concerns. South Korea denounces latest test, political crisis continues South Korean Prime Minister and acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn strongly denounced the latest missile tests by the North. “Our government strongly condemns that North Korea fired ballistic missiles once again ignoring continuous warnings from South Korea and the international community,” Hwang said. He added, “It is a challenge against the international community and a grave act of provocation.” South Korea remains in a political crisis. President Park Geun-hye has been critical of North Korea’s banned nuclear and missile activities during her term in office. She has pushed for the THAAD missile system and closed the Kaesong economic area jointly operated with the North. But she is fighting impeachment on corruption charges. The country’s constitutional court is now considering the case against her. If Park is removed from office, the country will be required to hold its presidential election earlier this year than planned. I’m Mario Ritter. Smita Nordwall, Fern Robinson, Brian Padden and Victor Beattie reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   exclusive – adj. available to only one person or group provocative – adj. causing discussion or argument ironclad –adj. very strong and secure, too strong to change inflammatory – adj. causing anger obligations – n. things that are required to be done by a rule or law ballistic missile – n. a weapon able to travel great distances defy – v. to refuse to obey challenge – n. the act of questioning authority or some action grave – adj. very serious impeachment – n. the action of charging a public official with crimes while in office

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