US Seeks to Persuade Russia to End Support for Syria’s Assad

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has traveled to Moscow in an effort to persuade Russia to end support for Syrian leader Bashar al Assad. Tillerson’s trip follows the deadly chemical attack on civilians in Syria last week. Dozens of people were killed - including many women and children – and hundreds more were sickened. U.S. officials have blamed forces loyal to Assad for the attack. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered missile strikes on the Syrian airfield suspected of launching the attack. A total of 59 missiles were fired. U.S. officials said the missile strikes had damaged about 20 percent of Syria’s air force capabilities. "We want to relieve the suffering of the Syrian people," Tillerson said before leaving for Moscow. "Russia can be a part of that future and play an important role. Or Russia can maintain its alliance" with Syria and Iran. Tillerson left for Russia after meeting with foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Italy. Speaking to reporters there, he said “it is clear” that Assad’s leadership “is coming to an end.” He added that Moscow had failed in its role as sponsor of a 2013 deal under which Assad had promised to give up his chemical weapons. "These agreements stipulated Russia as the guarantor of a Syria free of chemical weapons. It is unclear whether Russia failed to take this obligation seriously, or Russia has been incompetent. But this distinction doesn't much matter to the dead. We can't let this happen again." There were no scheduled plans for Tillerson to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Russian media outlets cited unnamed sources as saying the two might meet. Tillerson previously met with Putin while presiding over the Exxon Mobil oil company. He was awarded Russia's "Order of Friendship" by Putin in 2013. The Syrian government has denied its forces carried out the chemical attack. It instead blamed rebel forces. Russia and Iran have been strong supporters of Assad’s government. Both have aided his forces in the conflict against rebel fighters. Russia condemned the U.S. missile strikes in Syria. Before Tillerson’s arrival in Moscow, Putin said Russia had information about new "provocations" being planned. He suggested that opposition rebels could carry out chemical weapons attacks and attempt to blame Syria and Russia. Putin did not provide further details. But he added, "It reminds me of the events in 2003 when U.S. envoys to the [U.N.] Security Council were demonstrating what they said were chemical weapons found in Iraq. We have seen it already." Russia has called for a United Nations investigation into the chemical attack in Syria. Meanwhile, Turkey says tests have confirmed that the chemical used in the Syrian attack was the deadly nerve gas sarin. Turkey's health minister said the conclusion was reached after blood and urine samples were examined. The samples were used in autopsies on three victims of the gas attacks that were brought from Syria. Officials said the World Health Organization and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons participated in the tests. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, 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 our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sponsor – n. organization that supports and/or gives money to a person or another group obligation – n. something a person does as a duty or because they think they have to do it incompetent – adj. lacking in ability or skills distinction – adj. quality or fact that makes something special or different provocation – n. action or occurrence that causes someone to become angry or start doing something​ autopsy - n. medical examination of a dead body to determine cause of death  

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April 11, 2017

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

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Global Outrage over Video of Man Pulled from Plane

  This is What’s Trending Today. Airline passengers around the world were upset when videos of a man being dragged off a United Airlines flight came out on Sunday night. The videos showed blood on the man’s face after his confrontation with the police. The airplane was completely full, but four airline employees still needed to get on the flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky. So, the airline asked passengers to give up their seats in return for money and the chance to take another flight the next day. It is a common practice for airlines when they do not have enough available seats on a flight. No one volunteered. So the airline said it would make a selection itself. Three people decided to leave the plane without a problem after being told they had been chosen. But one man resisted. The newspaper in Louisville reported Tuesday his name is David Dao. Passengers say Dao told the airline crew he was a doctor and had patients to see on Monday. Dao is 69. He has been practicing medicine in the U.S. since the 1970s. Some passengers said Dao said he thought he was chosen to leave the plane because he was Chinese. A different news report and another passenger said the man was originally from Vietnam. Airline employees asked police to help remove the man from his seat. Videos of the incident quickly showed up on Twitter and Facebook. They showed Dao being dragged off the plane. Other videos recorded later showed him back on the plane with blood on his face, saying, “I want to go home.” Eventually, Dao was removed from the plane and treated for his injuries. The flight was delayed for two hours as all the passengers had to leave the plane and get back on. But as the news of the uncomfortable situation spread around the world, many people in China said they thought Dao had been chosen because he was Asian. The Chinese social media site Sina Weibo was filled with comments about the incident. The New York Times reports one story had almost 300 million views and over 150,000 comments. Readers said they thought the man was chosen because the airline thought, “Asian-Americans are always obedient.” Other readers said the United States always challenges civil rights abuses in other countries. They wondered why United Airlines thought it could treat a passenger that way. Many others said Asian people should boycott United Airlines. United is one of the busiest U.S.-based airlines in Asia. There are almost 100 flights per week to China and Hong Kong. A boycott could cause financial problems for the airline. Joe Wong is a Chinese-American comedian who called for a boycott. He used Sina Weibo to write that many Chinese people are afraid to speak about discrimination. He said that keeps media and authorities from taking complaints of discrimination against Asians seriously.  The Chinese website Global Times reported a popular social media post in China showed a photo of a United Airlines airplane. The caption read: “If we cannot beat our competitors, we will beat our customers.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting from the Associated Press, Louisville Courier-Journal, New York Times and Global Times. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think of the way Dao was treated? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   confront – v. to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way practice – n. something that is done often or regularly uncomfortable – adj. causing a feeling of being embarrassed or uneasy obedient – adj. willing to do what someone tells you to do or to follow a law, rule, etc. : willing to obey motto – n. a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group

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Explainer: U.S. China Trade

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April 10, 2017

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

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US Sends Navy Strike Group to Korean Peninsula

  The United States Navy has sent a group of warships to waters near the Korean Peninsula as a show of force to North Korea. The strike group is led by the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. It includes two guided-missile destroyers, a guided-missile cruiser and an attack submarine. After stopping in Singapore, the strike group had planned to move on to Australia, but was ordered to head north instead. A spokesman for the U.S. Pacific Command, Dave Benham, said the move was a "prudent measure to maintain readiness and presence in the Western Pacific." Benham said currently the number one threat in the region is North Korea. Pyongyang continues a “reckless, irresponsible, and destabilizing program” of missile tests and nuclear weapons development, he said. U.S. National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster said President Donald Trump had asked him and other officials to provide suggestions for removing the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea. McMaster told Fox News that options will be considered “to remove that threat to the American people and our allies and partners” in the area. He added that Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed during their meeting last week that North Korea’s "provocative behavior" was unacceptable. The strike group deployment to the Korean Peninsula comes after American missiles struck Syrian military targets last week. The airstrikes followed a deadly chemical weapons attack blamed on Syrian forces. The Tomahawk missiles fired into a Syrian airfield were launched from the USS Porter – a guided-missile destroyer deployed in the Mediterranean Sea.    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the military strike against Syria was a warning to other countries, including North Korea, that “a response is likely” if they present a threat. Tillerson told ABC News this would include nations that “violate international agreements, fail to live up to commitments” and become a “threat to others.” A South Korean Defense Ministry spokesman said he considers the strike group a response to the "serious situation on the Korean Peninsula." North Korea has fired off several test missiles in recent months and is reportedly planning another nuclear test. Many nations, including ally China, have condemned the tests. The United Nations has also demanded that North Korea give up its nuclear arms program. On Monday, South Korea and China said they had agreed to place stronger sanctions on North Korea if it continues nuclear and missile tests. The agreement was reached during talks between the top nuclear negotiators from both countries. North Korea is already subject to sanctions ordered by the United Nations Security Council. South Korea’s negotiator told reporters the latest discussions did not include the possibility of a military response to North Korea’s continued testing programs. North Korea has promised to strengthen defenses against airstrikes like those carried out in Syria. A North Korean official said those attacks proved that the North needs nuclear weapons to protect itself against America’s "ever more reckless moves towards war." I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. 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   prudent – adj. wise, thoughtful, careful reckless – adj. something dangerous or careless destabilize – v. cause something to change of move provocative – adj. causing a strong or angry reaction commitment – n. promise to do or give something sanction - n. an action to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade  

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World Condemns Egypt Church Bombings

Egyptian Christians were burying their dead on Monday after suicide attacks that killed at least 45 people at two Coptic Christian churches in two cities. Dozens more were wounded in the Palm Sunday bombings at St. George’s church, north of Cairo, and St. Mark’s Cathedral in Alexandria. Palm Sunday is a holy day for Christians to celebrate Christ’s arrival at the city of Jerusalem, a week before Easter. The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the bombings. Egypt’s government declared a state of emergency with fears of more violence. The attacks came less than a week after Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi met at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss fighting extremism. The White House said President Trump spoke with President el-Sissi on Sunday "to convey his deepest condolences to Egypt and to the families who lost loved ones in the heinous terrorist attacks against Christian churches on Palm Sunday." The statement adds: "The president also expressed his confidence in President el-Sissi's commitment to protect Christians and all Egyptians." Coptic Christians make up about 10 percent of Egypt’s 92 million people. It is the largest Christian minority in the Middle East. Bishop Ahba Suriel is a Coptic Christian leader in Melbourne, Australia. He told VOA more needs to be done to protect Christians in the Middle East because, he says, they are targets of Islamic State. “..it’s very clear that there is a type of ethnic cleansing by ISIS targeted towards Christians of the Middle East with a particular emphasis on the Copts of Egypt.” The bombings happened weeks before Pope Francis plans a visit to Egypt. The pope said: "I pray for the dead and the injured, and I am close in spirit to their families and the entire community. May the Lord convert the hearts of people who sow terror, violence and death, and even the hearts of those who produce and traffic in weapons." Egypt’s Christians have been a frequent target of terrorist attacks, including arsons, assaults and bombings. The AP reports that a church bombing last December killed 30 people in Cairo, and a series of killings in the Sinai Peninsula have caused hundreds to leave for safer areas. I’m Anne Ball.   Victor Beattie and Zlatica Hoke reported on this story for VOA. Anne Ball adapted the story for Learning English with additional information from the Associated Press (AP). 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   condolence – n. a feeling or expression of sympathy and sadness especially when someone is suffering because of a death heinous – adj. very bad or evil ethnic cleansing - n. the practice of removing or killing people who belong to an ethnic group that is different from the ruling group in a country or region convert – v. to change something into a different form so it can be used a different way  

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Robot Helps Autistic Children Learn Social Skills

From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. April is Autism Awareness Month in the United States. Autism, also known as Autism Spectrum Disorder, is a complex developmental disability. It affects a person’s ability to communicate and do things with other people. Children with autism face many challenges. For examples, schools can be a difficult place for autistic children. Many schools are filled with loud noises, active classrooms and nearly non-stop social interactions. So, researchers in Britain have made a child-sized robot to help autistic children learn social skills. The robot, called Kaspar, can improve their ability to communicate with adults and other children. Dealing with Kaspar is easier for most children with autism than interacting with someone else. The robot uses games and songs to help the children learn social interaction and communication skills. Ben Robins is with the University of Hertfordshire. He says the robot’s movements are directed by an adult, who uses remote control equipment. So a teacher or therapist is always involved. Robins explains that the robot gives therapists more ways to interact with autistic children. He adds that the children seem more at ease when they look at Kaspar’s face. "Sometimes they're looking into the face and they're eye-gazing with the robot much more than what they do with a person." He adds Kaspar is flexible. It can change to meet the needs of the 170 children who have played with him over the past 10 years. This flexibility is important. Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often have problems with spoken language and eye contact. But the signs of the condition can differ greatly from one child to the next. The word “spectrum” is an important part of the definition. You might hear of a child described as being “on the spectrum.” This means that tests showed the child has some level of autism. It could be minor or quite severe. Alice Lynch works with an organization called Tracks Autism. She has been studying Kaspar’s effect on students in the classroom. Lynch says the robot has had a major effect on the behavior of the students. She notes there was one boy who could not eat with his classmates. But now after “feeding” Kaspar, he has begun to take part, or integrate himself, in classroom activities. For example, he now eats meals with other students. "And then we started doing it with Kaspar and he really, really enjoyed feeding Kaspar, making him eat when he was hungry, things like that. And now he's started to integrate into the classroom and eat alongside his peers." Ben Robins says research like this is important. It shows that what the child learns with Kaspar transfers to other situations or contexts in his or her life. "This long-term study is very important, because it's important to see is there's any transference of these skills when they play with the robot into other context like in the classroom or at home; what's happened outside the context of the robot." The Kaspar robot is still in development. However, its designers say their goal is to see every child who could benefit from the robot get their very own Kaspar. And that’s the Health & Lifestyle report. I’m Anna Matteo. Faith Lapidus reported this story for VOA News. Anna Matteo adapted her report for Learning English. She included information from several autism websites. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   therapist – n. a person who helps people deal with mental or emotional problems by talking about those problems : a person trained in psychotherapy flexible – adj. able to change or to do different things integrate – v. to make (a person or group) part of a larger group or organization — usually + into peer – n. a person who belongs to the same age group or social group as someone else transfer – v. to move (someone or something) from one place to another transference – n. the act of moving something from one place to another context – n. the situation in which something happens : the group of conditions that exist where and when something happens ____________________________________________________________ Now, test your understanding of the story with this short quiz.  

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Spain’s Sergio Garcia Finally Wins Major Golf Tournament

This is What’s Trending Today. Many sports fans got to know Sergio Garcia of Spain in 1999. He was just 19 years old when he made one of the most memorable shots of that year’s Professional Golf Association (PGA) Championship tournament. Garcia hit the ball from the base of a tree and over a small hill onto the putting green. He could not see the shot so he ran down the fairway and jumped in the air to see his ball.  Many people were excited to see the young Spaniard, who grew up playing golf along the Mediterranean Sea, offer a challenge to Tiger Woods. Woods won that 1999 tournament by one shot over Garcia. And then he kept winning. Woods has won 14 major championships. Before Sunday, Garcia had none. If you had told sports fans 18 years ago that it would take that long for Garcia to win a major championship, many would have laughed. Garcia has had a remarkable career. He won many tournaments and helped Europe win five Ryder Cups. He earned almost $30 million playing golf. He has been one of the best golfers in the world for over 10 years. But in sports, you are not considered among the great athletes if you do not win a Super Bowl, a World Series, a World Cup or NBA Championship. The same goes for golf. If a player does not win the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open or the PGA Championship, he is only “good.” Now, Garcia is counted among the greats. And it took a great final round on Sunday for him to win the championship. Garcia’s first shot on the 13th hole was bad. But he recovered to make a par. That set him up for a good finish, including making an eagle on the 15th hole that tied him with Justin Rose. Both golfers missed putts that could have clinched the tournament on the 18th hole. On his 74th attempt to win a major championship, Garcia made a long putt in the 19th hole – a tie-breaker -- to finally win his first one. Garcia said he was glad to have a “happy ending.” He won almost $2 million for his efforts. And he is no longer remembered as one of the “best players to have never won a major.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a story from the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think of the Garcia’s big win? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tournament – n. a sports competition or series of contests that involves many players or teams and that usually continues for at least several days putting green – n. an area covered with very short grass around the hole into which the ball must be played fairway – n. the part of a golf course that has short grass and that lies between a tee and a green remarkable – adj. unusual or surprising : likely to be noticed eagle – n. a golf score of two strokes less than par on a hole

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Study: Earth’s Aquifers Being Emptied

The Earth is losing some of its major freshwater supplies. But these water resources are not lakes or rivers. They are called “aquifers.” They formed deep underground as the Earth developed. Some aquifers are so deep that water from very heavy rains cannot reach them through all the rock and dirt. Many aquifers provide irrigation water for crops. These freshwater deposits are helping farmers in many countries. A new report says some aquifers are being emptied. It warns this could affect food security and economies around the world. Irrigated agriculture is responsible for about 80 percent or more of freshwater use worldwide. A growing part of that comes from underground aquifers because of dry weather or farmers growing crops in areas with little rainfall. But researchers say taking water from aquifers is creating a large problem, which is not getting much attention. And even if it does receive attention, scientists warn, there is not much that can be done to repair them. The study was a project of researchers at the University College London and the Goddard Institute of Space Studies in New York. The institute is part of NASA, the American space agency. The study found that 11 percent of what is called “disappearing groundwater” from aquifers is used to grow internationally-traded food. Michael Puma is a research scientist at NASA and Columbia University. He notes that it is difficult to measure groundwater because it is so deep underground. He says it also is difficult to know how much water is there and where it is. Puma says the researchers examined deep aquifers from which water is being removed. He says the water from these aquifers may not be replaced for hundreds of years. “For it to be replenished you’d have to have a major shift in the climate. It’d be much wetter in these regions that are currently very dry.” The report says seven countries use the most non-renewable groundwater for agricultural production. The seven are the United States, India, Pakistan, China, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Puma notes that the United States is one of the world’s major exporters of food. He notes that if China and India use up the groundwater they need to feed their populations, they would be forced to import more food. This increased demand could cause food prices to rise. Puma says some American states know that their deep aquifers are being emptied. “California recognizes they’re facing groundwater depletion. Kansas, they also recognize they’re facing groundwater depletion issues. Yet, the solutions are not clear. There’s been attempts to slow down the use of the groundwater, but that’s not solving the problem because we have a limited supply that’s not going to be replenished.” Puma says state officials should work to control the groundwater that remains. “To make true progress on this front, we have to have this discussion of how will we adjust our farms, our farming activities, to deal with a future where we’re going to face a situation where groundwater will no longer be present in these locations. Puma says the study shows that, while countries like Somalia are dealing with little rainfall, the world may someday face an underground drought. “It’s a really global issue. All countries around the world are facing this challenge. We don’t have any great solutions or strategies to deal with this. So, at the very least, we need to have discussions to come up with new ways, new strategies that recognize this problem and try and coordinate how we might adjust our policies.” Any strategy must balance the short-term need for food for the world with the long-term survival of the Earth’s aquifers.  I’m Marsha James. VOA’s Joe DeCapua reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the 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   deposit – n. an amount of a substance (such as oil or coal) that exists naturally in the ground non-renewable – adj. not restored or replaced by natural processes; not able to be replaced by nature front – n. an area or field of activity (usually singular) location – n. a place or position strategy – n. a careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal usually over a long period of time coordinate – v. to act or work together properly and well

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US Drops Effort to Force Twitter to Reveal Anti-Trump Account

The U.S. government has ended its effort to force Twitter to identify who is behind an account critical of President Donald Trump.  After the announcement, Twitter said it has cancelled a lawsuit against the U.S. government. Twitter had been planning to claim that federal officials did not have the power to force it to reveal the account owners. The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection had sought the identity of the users of the Twitter account @ALT_USCIS The account describes itself as “immigration resistance.” In February, its creators told the Associated Press news agency that they are current and former employees of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that is a part of the Department of Homeland Security. Almost 9,000 messages have been sent by the account since it was created in January, the month Trump took office. It is one of several accounts that reportedly have been created by former or current federal employees who oppose Trump. It is not known why the government cancelled its effort to identify the creator or creators of the Twitter account. And it is not known if the government has also ended its own investigation into who is operating the account. The American Civil Liberties Union called the government’s decision to withdraw its request a “big victory for free speech and the right to dissent.” Friday, the account tweeted: “We want to thank @twitter and @aclu for standing up for the right of free anonymous speech. Thank you resistance for standing up for us.” News reports about the account have helped it sharply increase the number of people who are following it. @ALT_USCIS now has more than 192,000 followers.   The Associated Press news agency and VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly 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   reveal – v. to make (something) known account – n. an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company resistance – n. effort made to stop or to fight against someone or something dissent – v. to publicly disagree with an official opinion, decision, or set of beliefs anonymous – adj. not named or identified

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