EU Court: Headscarf Ban in Workplace Legal in Some Cases

The European Union’s highest court has ruled that employers can ban some religious symbols, including headscarves, in the workplace. The European Court of Justice, however, said such a ban must be part of a company’s policy for all employees to “dress neutrally.” If such a policy is followed, workers can be barred from wearing “visible signs of political, philosophical or religious beliefs.” The court said it does not consider such bans “direct discrimination” by companies when carried out in this way. The Court of Justice of the European Union ruled on two cases involving women who were fired from jobs for refusing to remove headscarves. The headscarf is an important religious symbol for Muslim women. One woman lost her job in France because a customer complained to the company about her Islamic headscarf. In that case, the court ruled that a customer’s complaint alone does not meet the requirement for a company to ban religious symbols. In the other case, the court found that a company in Belgium may have correctly exercised its right to dismiss an employee. The court found the company had fairly applied a dress code policy for all employees in an effort to project an image of political and religious neutrality. Both cases were referred from their home countries to the Court of Justice of the European Union for legal guidance. Courts in those countries must still rule on those cases.  Rights group Amnesty International called the rulings “disappointing.” In a statement, it said the decisions “give greater leeway to employers to discriminate against women - and men - on the grounds of religious belief.” Wearing religious symbols, especially the Muslim headscarf, has become a big political issue in some European nations. French conservative presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has said she wants to ban all “ostentatious” religious symbols in France.  France already bans headscarves and other religious symbols in classrooms. It also bans face-covering veils in public. Some other European countries have put restrictions on full-face veils in public, while many others have proposed bans. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn adapted this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   neutrally – adv. not supporting any side of an issue or argument dress code – n. rules for what clothing can be worn in school or work​ headscarf – n. piece of cloth worn over a woman’s head leeway – n. freedom to do something the way you want to do it ostentatious – adj. displaying money or power to attract attention veil – n. thin piece of material that covers the face

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March 14, 2017

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

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Robot Leopard Draws Attention to Big Cat Conservation

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Heart Calcium Build-Up Increases Risk of Early Death

  A new study suggests that even small amounts of calcium in the arteries of young people can predict a heart attack or death within 12 years. Researchers say it was easy to recognize the calcium in the arteries, which carry blood from the heart through the body. They also say the findings can be a “call to action” for doctors and patients to begin taking preventative action. Dr. Jeff Carr is an expert on hearts at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Tennessee.  “Even if it’s just one little dot or a very low what’s called a calcium score are at markedly elevated risk. So if you have any amount of coronary calcium, your risk increases over the next 10 to 15 years by about 10 percent. If you have a lot, your risk increases significantly and your chance of dying over those next years is approximately 22 percent.” Dr. Carr was the lead writer of a report on the study, which was published in the journal JAMA Cardiology. The study began in 1985. It involved about 5,000 people at four centers in the United States. The people were between 18 and 30 years of age at the time. About 3,300 African-American and white young adults were given a computerized tomography (CT) scan as part of the study. Researchers used the CT images to learn if any of the subjects had atherosclerosis before the study began.  The other subjects were followed based on risk factors for a heart attack. Researchers said they found evidence of atherosclerosis in about 30 percent of those who had the CT scan. The researchers followed up on the group 12 years after the study began. At that time, doctors noted a higher-than-normal death rate among those with the calcium deposits. Carr said it is not necessary to perform a CT scan on everyone to be able to predict their risk of death from a heart attack. He said a doctor can often predict that risk just by examining a person. “Risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol -- even when modestly elevated in early adult life in these people at high risk -- may provide (an) opportunity to identify them and treat risk factors more aggressively, and just be able to potentially lower the risk of future heart attacks that we saw over the past 15 years in the cohort.” Carr said people at risk of heart disease should consider taking medicines designed to lower high blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. Losing weight and stopping smoking also helps, he said. So does eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, and less red meat. I’m Anna Mateo.   VOA Health Correspondent Jessica Berman reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   calcium – n. a substance that is found in most plants and animals and that is especially important in people for strong healthy bones artery – n. any one of the tubes that carry blood from the heart to all parts of the body atherosclerosis – n. a disease in which plaque builds up inside the arteries. (Plaque is a harmful material that can form in arteries and be a cause of heart disease.) cardiac – adj. of or relating to the heart dot – n. a small amount marked – adj. very noticeable elevated – adj. higher than normal coronary – adj. of or relating to the heart and especially to the vessels that supply blood to the heart risk factor – n. something that increases risk cholesterol – n. a substance that is found in the bodies of people and animals modest – adj. not very large in size or amount cohort – n. a group of people used in a study who have something (such as age or social class) in common

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Can North Korea’s Fast-Moving Missile Program Be Stopped?

  North Korea has been developing missiles and expanding its nuclear program for many years. But recently, North Korea has greatly increased production and testing of weapons, leading many security experts to urge immediate action to stop it. The latest test came on March 6, when North Korea launched four missiles. They came down in waters off Japan’s northwest coast. In recent months, North Korea has tested a number of missiles, including a new medium-range missile in February. It also carried out two nuclear tests last year. The most recent tests came as the United States and South Korea launched joint military exercises. U.S. officials described the exercises as a series of joint and combined ground, air, naval and special operations field training. North Korea has called them a rehearsal for an invasion by enemies.   Mark Fitzpatrick directs the U.S. office of Britain’s International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). He says the fact that North Korea fired four missiles at the same time shows a new level of operational skill. “Each missile test does give North Korea more knowledge and it contributes to North Korea's quest eventually to be able to have a nuclear armed missile that could hit the United States.” He adds the continued testing clearly shows that reaching the U.S. mainland with a nuclear missile is a goal of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Fitzpatrick and other experts believe that in as little as four years, North Korea could have a long-range missile armed with a nuclear warhead. “The accelerated pace of North Korea's testing over the last few years is certainly a cause for concern. Last year there were 24 missile tests and this year is off to the races, with five missiles launched to date.”   The latest tests did not involve long-range missiles equipped to reach U.S. territory. The four rockets were identified as extended-range Scud missiles, each with an estimated range up to 1,000 kilometers. The Soviet Union developed Scud missiles during the last century at a time of tense relations with the United States and the West. They were modernized versions of rockets built by Germany during World War II. Fitzpatrick said North Korea’s recent tests did not provide evidence of a major development in Scud missile technology. But he added that even if the missiles are older, the international community should still be concerned about the tests. These shorter-range missiles can easily strike targets in South Korea and Japan.   Long-range rockets capable of reaching the United States are called intercontinental ballistic missiles. North Korea is currently thought to be developing several of these ICBMs. Some are said to have a range of up to 10,000 kilometers.  At the same time, North Korea is moving forward with nuclear development to arm its missiles. Recent satellite images have shown signs that North Korea was preparing to restart production of plutonium at its main nuclear center. Plutonium can be used to produce nuclear arms. North Korea is also thought to have produced highly enriched uranium for its nuclear weapons. ​   Many security experts agree that North Korea probably has enough material for at least 20 nuclear weapons. However, there is no clear evidence that North Korea has successfully miniaturized a nuclear weapon for a missile. Fitzpatrick said he believes this will happen one day, given North Korea’s continued engineering and technological development. He added that North Korea has also taken steps to improve its methods for launching and deploying missiles. During the past year, it showed a new capability to fire missiles from vehicles with treads similar to those on tanks. This gives these launch vehicles the ability to travel off main roads to places not as easily found by surveillance.      Recent tests have shown North Korea has also begun using solid fuel motors in missiles. Fitzpatrick says such missiles can be filled and launched much faster than rockets powered by liquid fuel. “The combination of solid-fueled missiles and tread-tracked vehicles going off road makes the detection and preemption option far more difficult.”   Fitzpatrick says North Korea’s missile and nuclear development should be “a top priority” for the United States and President Donald Trump. Kim Jong Un said in a New Year’s speech his country was in the final stages of developing missiles capable of hitting the United States. Trump reacted on Twitter by saying, “It won’t happen.” Former U.S. President Barack Obama reportedly told Trump that he believed North Korea is perhaps the greatest immediate threat to the United States. An Obama administration official said the former president told Trump that Chinese support will be necessary when dealing with North Korea.    Former U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel Locklear led the U.S. Pacific Command from 2012 to 2015. He says U.S. officials need to consider a number of ways for dealing with North Korea, including possible military action.   “Certainly there are many elements of national and coalition power that range from diplomatic to economic. But at the very base of all those would be military power that the U.S. and its allies must continue to consider."  International attempts at negotiations with North Korea on the nuclear issue have not been successful. The last six-nation talks on North Korea’s nuclear program started in 2003, but have been suspended since late 2008.   The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, said North Korea must take “positive action” before it can be taken seriously. She spoke to reporters after a U.N. Security Council meeting over the most recent launches. Her comments came before U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s planned trip to Asia, where North Korea is likely a main issue for discussion. ​   One way for the U.S. and other countries to deal with North Korea’s immediate threat is to deploy anti-missile defenses. American forces have already begun deploying an anti-missile system in South Korea. The system, called THAAD, could be operational as early as April, according to the South Korean military. Locklear said THAAD - combined with South Korea's existing missile defenses - would greatly strengthen the country's ability to react to a North Korean missile attack. I’m Bryan Lynn. And I'm Alice Bryant. Bryan Lynn reported this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Do you think the international community should respond to North Korea's latest missile tests? If so, how? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rehearsal – n. practice for an event or performance quest – n. effort or journey to get something done enrich – v. improve the quality by adding something miniaturized – adj. extremely small sophisticated – adj. advanced or highly developed tread – n. the part of a tire that touches the ground preemption – n. acting beforehand to prevent something from happening range – n. the distance to which a moving object can travel accelerate – v. to move faster surveillance – n. close watch kept by someone or something

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Did Animal Herders Build the Silk Road?

In the ancient world, the East and West may have been linked by nomads. These were people who traveled with their herd animals in search of good feeding grounds. That is the finding of new research about the ancient trade path known as the Silk Road. The recent findings were published in the journal Nature. The study suggests that herders were not separated from the development of the great civilizations of Asia and Europe. Instead, they were important actors in forming the trade path that crossed the world’s largest land mass. The Silk Road was an ancient trade route that may have developed as early as 2,300 years ago. It was not really one road. Rather, it was a number of paths connecting many places between the cities of Xi’an, China, in the east and Genoa, Italy, in the west. But traders traveling along this long land route faced a huge barrier standing in their way: the mountains of Central Asia. These mountains include the Pamir and Tian Shan ranges. They are nearly as tall as the Himalayas, the world’s highest mountain range. Michael Frachetti is an anthropologist at Washington University in St. Louis. He was an author of the recent study. He says those mountains were a “pretty scary barrier” to traders bringing goods through Central Asia. Researchers have been looking for a long time for the routes ancient Silk Road traders used. They have often followed the easiest paths between cities along the way. But Frachetti thought, “That makes sense if your destination is the other side.” He asked the question, “But what if that’s not your destination?” The routes of herders suggest different Silk Road paths Herding communities have lived in the mountains of Central Asia for thousands of years. They follow paths up and down the mountains to find food for their flocks as the seasons change. “Their number-one priority isn’t taking the easiest path,” Frachetti says. “Their number-one priority is feeding their animals along the way.” As they traveled from pasture to pasture, they would meet, trade and even marry members of other communities. Their meetings are like festivals, he said. They meet, goods are exchanged and connections are formed. Early on, Frachetti’s research did not deal with the Silk Road. He studied herding communities in Kazakhstan. He developed an idea of how, during ancient times, communities in that area moved through the mountains from the highlands in summer to the lowlands in winter. He made maps of herding paths in these areas. Comparing research shows links between trade and herding Frachetti did not get a lot of interest in his earlier research. “And people kind of smiled and said, ‘That’s a nice way to think about herding.’ And that’s literally where it sat for 11 or more years.” Then, Tim Williams at University College London mapped 258 known Silk Road sites. Frachetti and his colleagues compared their map of herding paths with Williams’ map of Silk Road sites. He found that they matched well. “There’s kind of a moment of truth where you say, ‘Okay, how much do they intersect?’ And the intersection was surprising,” he said. The research suggests that before traders crossed Asia in caravans, there was a network of interconnected communities through the mountains. This later became an important part of the Silk Road. Dan Rogers is with the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He says the new research is important in two ways. He says it shows how traders got through mountains to help develop an important trade route. But it also changes ideas about nomads. The research creates a much more complex “picture” of Central Asia, he says.  Frachetti says the next step is to search for more evidence to connect the sites that both groups of researchers have found. He calls the new findings “a model against isolationism.”  The Silk Road connected very different civilizations, Frachetti said. But it did this by bringing together nomads. “Through interactions with culturally diverse populations, a greater aggregate civilization arose.” That, he said, is a pretty powerful idea. I’m Mario Ritter. And I'm Jill Robbins.   Steve Baragona reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to know what you think about this article. Write us in the comment section below or on Facebook. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   nomads –n. people who move from place to place often to feed herd animals range –n. a group of mountains routes –n. the way to get from one place to another anthropologist –n. a scientist who studies humans, their origins and societies flocks –n. groups of sheep (also birds) pasture –n. grassy land used to feed herd animals caravan –n. a group of animals and people traveling together on a long trip especially through a desert author –n. a person who has written something, the writer of a book or other work isolationism –n. a policy of not making agreements or working

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Boaty McBoatface Is Back

This is What’s Trending Today… Do you remember Boaty McBoatface? That was the name selected for a new British research ship in an online vote last April. Britain’s National Environmental Research Council (NERC) was building the ship to carry out scientific research in polar waters. As VOA Learning English reported then, NERC permitted internet users in Britain to choose the name of the ship in an online campaign. But, instead of choosing a name connected to science, the British public chose a funny, not-so-serious one: Boaty McBoatface. The name received more than 124,000 votes, far more than any other proposed name. British officials, however, did not let “Boaty McBoatface” become the ship’s official name. They believed the important research vessel deserved a more serious name. Not long after the vote, officials announced that the ship would instead be named in honor of British researcher Sir David Attenborough. Many people were not happy with the decision. They felt that the name “Boaty McBoatface” should remain. And it did. Kind of. Researchers at Britain's University of Southampton have decided to give the beloved, humorous name to another kind of ship: a submarine. Three small, yellow underwater vehicles developed there now have “Boaty McBoatface” painted on them. They, too, will carry out research in polar waters. They are not actually boats, however. Because of that, some people are not satisfied with submarines taking the name "Boaty McBoatface." One person wrote on Twitter, “They used the name Boaty McBoatface after all, but gave it to a submarine and not a boat? They ruined it!” But, others are celebrating the name’s return. One person wrote: “You’re not a boat...nor do you have a face but don’t let that hold you back.” ​ Boaty McBoatface may be a funny name, but the submarine’s ability to carry out important research is serious. One ‘Boaty’ will begin the first major research trip for the fleet later this week. Boaty will set out from Punta Arenas, Chile, on Friday. It will collect information on the flow of deep waters in the Southern Ocean near Antarctica. The information will help scientists better understand how the ocean is reacting to a warming climate. The news made “Boaty McBoatface” a worldwide trending topic on Monday, nearly one year after it first made a splash on social media. As one person tweeted, “Boaty McBoatface will never not make me smile. So glad it’s back in the news.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   submarine - n. a ship that can operate underwater vessel - n. a ship or large boat fleet - n. a group of ships or vehicles that move or work together or that are controlled or owned by one company​ make a splash - idiomatic expression. to attract a lot of attention in an exciting way

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Scottish Leader Wants New Independence Vote Over Brexit

  Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wants Scotland to get a second vote on independence from Britain. Her reason: Britain is forcing Scotland out of the European Union against its will.  “It has implications for our economy; for job opportunities, public spending and living standards -- and for our ability to protect and advance our vital day-to-day- priorities in education, health and business,” she said. Last June, British voters decided to leave the European Union. The vote was 51.9 percent in favor and 48.1 percent opposed. But more than 60 percent of Scottish voters wanted to remain in the EU. The European Union is a political and economic union of 28 nations. Many, though not all, have joined together under a single currency, the Euro. The European Union headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium. British Prime Minister Theresa May said a second Scottish independence vote would be disruptive. She also said most Scottish voters oppose a second vote on independence. "Instead of playing politics with the future of our country, the Scottish government should focus on delivering good government and public services for the people of Scotland,” May said. “Politics is not a game." In 2014, Scots rejected independence by a vote of 55 to 45 percent. Sturgeon said the British government is blocking her efforts to allow Scotland to negotiate its own access to European Union markets. She added compromise with Britain is still possible, but doubtful. “At times like these, it is more important than ever to have a clear plan for the way ahead -- to try, as far as is possible, to be in control of events and not just at the mercy of them,” Sturgeon said. Sturgeon said she would ask the Scottish Parliament next week to start the process for an independence vote. She said it would be held in the fall of 2018 or the spring of 2019. But a vote is not guaranteed. Sturgeon will need approval from the British Parliament, where May’s conservative party holds a majority. This comes just as May was preparing to start the formal process for Britain to leave the EU. I'm Bruce Alpert. The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bruce Alpert adapted the story for 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   implication - n. a possible future effect or result opportunity - n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done standard - n. a level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or desirable vital - adj. very important disruptive - adj. to interrupt the normal progress or activity of something focus - v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific mercy - n. in a position or situation in which you can be harmed by someone or something you cannot control

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Tension Grows between Turkey and the Netherlands

Turkey protested the Netherland’s refusal to allow its officials to enter the country as tensions grew between the two European Union nations. On Saturday, the Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte blocked Turkish officials from entering the country. The officials wanted to campaign in the Netherlands for a referendum on April 16. They were hoping to find Turks to vote in the referendum. If passed, the referendum would greatly expand the powers of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey said the Netherlands police used "disproportionate" force against Turkish protestors. And its president, Erdogan said, "Nazism is alive in the West” and promised to retaliate. ​ Reactions from Europe After the heated exchange, European Union leaders asked Turkey to avoid statements or actions that worsen the situation. EU spokesman Margaritis Schinas said it was essential to find ways to calm the situation. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, speaking at a news conference in Munich on Monday, said the Nazi comments were "completely unacceptable." She also urged Turkey to “calm down.” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged all members of the alliance "to show mutual respect, to be calm and have a measured approach." The Netherlands, meanwhile, issued a travel advisory to their citizens to "be alert and avoid gatherings and busy places throughout Turkey." The conflict between the two countries comes as the Netherlands is preparing for its own general election on Wednesday. In this election, the right-wing PVV party of Prime Minister Mark Rutte will be competing against the far-right, anti-Islam populist Geert Wilders' party. Wilders has recently said the Netherlands government should block Turkish ministers from the country until after the election. I’m Phil Dierking   The Associated Press reported this story. Phil Dierking adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think about the Netherlands actions?? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________ Words in This Story   disproportionate – adj. having or showing a difference that is not fair, reasonable, or expected Nazism – n. ideology of Nazis, which wants to use power to control and harm other people especially because of their race, religion, etc. populist – adj. of or relating to a political party that claims to represent ordinary people referendum – n. an event in which the people of a county, state, etc., vote for or against a law that deals with a specific issue. retaliate – v. to do something bad to someone who has hurt you or treated you badly

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March 13, 2017

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

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Explainer: Executive Order

U.S. Presidents have many tools to steer the government. One that’s gotten a lot of recent attention is the executive order.

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