Report: Worldwide Terrorism at All-Time High

  A new study shows that deaths and material costs from terrorism have risen sharply worldwide. The study estimates the “economic impact of violence” on the world economy in 2016 at $14.3 trillion. The Institute for Economics and Peace released the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) last week. The institute is the idea of Australian businessman Steve Killelea. The group says it seeks to develop understanding of social and economic actions that lead to peace. Researchers were asked to study 23 separate indicators to rate levels of peace in 163 countries around the world. All the measures were related to the domestic and international conflict, safety and security, and each nation’s level of militarization. The researchers say the world became a little more peaceful over the past year. They noted an improvement in six of nine areas, with South America registering the largest improvement. Yet world peace has been deteriorating over the past 10 years, they said. This trend, they warned, reverses long-term improvements since the end of World War II. Report: terrorism on the rise The new report says the number of terrorist incidents has risen nearly 200 percent since 2011. That includes an increase in deaths that resulted from terrorism in the 35 members of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Since 2007, deaths from terrorism have increased by more than 900 percent in OECD countries. Terrorism-related deaths were reported in the past year in 23 of the countries, including Denmark, France, Sweden, and Turkey. Terror attacks took place in many areas, including the French city of Nice, Brussels, Belgium and Orlando, Florida. U.S. effect The United States fell 11 places in the GPI to number 114. The researchers say the country has experienced an increase in political division. They also noted an increase in the rate of murders in several major American cities. The report estimated the cost of violence in the U.S. was equal to $2.5 trillion. That number represents almost nine percent of all U.S. economic activity. Michelle Breslauer is with the Institute for Economics and Peace. She spoke to VOA on Skype. “Now even though peace globally is improving, we have seen declines, for instance in the U.S. The Middle East and North Africa region continues to deteriorate, and there’s an increasing level of inequality between the most peaceful and least peaceful countries. That means there’s a bigger gap in peacefulness around the world.” Terrorism and conflict The report ranked Syria as the least peaceful country in 2016 because of terrorism and the ongoing civil war in that country. The Middle East and North Africa area was rated the least peaceful area in the latest report. It said conflict in the Middle East had reached historic levels. The report noted, “battle deaths from conflict are at a 25-year high, and the number of refugees and displaced people are at a level not seen in 60 years.” Most terrorist activity took place in five countries. They are Iraq, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Syria, and all ranked near the bottom of the latest list. At the top of the index, Iceland ranked as the world’s most peaceful country. New Zealand and Portugal followed in the list. I’m Dorothy Gundy.   Marissa Melton and Jesusemen Oni reported this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted their report for Learning English. George Grow 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   impact – n. a result trend – n. a general direction of change deteriorate – v. to get worse indicators – n. numbers or other information used to show the presence or absence of something statistics – n. numbers that represent information such as how much or how often something happens reverses – v. to cancel or undo

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June 6, 2017

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

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Lesson 17: Are You Free on Friday?

Summary Anna tries to plan to see a movie with a friend. But they are both very busy. Will they find a time to get together? What will they do? Speaking English has two ways to show something is happening at a future time. To form the simple future, use will and then the simple form of the verb. You can use will to express a desire to do something. The second form of the simple future is be going to. Use "be + going to" when you already have a plan to do something. Pronunciation There are also two shortened forms of future verbs. In casual conversation, most Americans will change going to to gonna. English speakers often change we will to we’ll. Another shortened form in this lesson is want to shortened to wanna. ​ Conversation Anna: This city is very interesting, I really like my job, and I have some good friends! Speaking of friends … I see one now!  Marsha! Hi! Marsha: Hi, Anna. What’s going on? Anna: Not much. How about you? Marsha: Busy as usual. Hey, do you wanna see a movie with me? Anna: Sure! I never have time to see a movie. When? Marsha: Are you busy this Thursday at 6pm? Anna: Let’s see …. I’m busy. I am going to tap dance with my friends Thursday night. Marsha: Tap dancing? That sounds fun! Anna: I’m still learning. But it is fun! Anna: Are you busy on Friday night? Marsha: Yes. Friday nights are when I visit my parents. Anna: What do you and your family do together? Marsha: We always eat dinner together and sometimes we play board games. Anna: Playing board games is fun, too! The word game Scrabble is my favorite. Marsha: I like Connect Four! Anna: I’m not busy Monday night. Are you? Marsha: I am busy on Monday night. I’m going to jog in the park with my friend. Do you jog? Anna: Oh! I always jog. Well, sometimes I jog. Okay, I never jog. But I will try because it is good for you. Marsha: I always feel great after I jog. Marsha: How about on Wednesday night? Anna: Wednesday night I am not busy. Oh, no, wait. This Wednesday night I will be busy. Marsha: What are you doing? Anna: I’m going to teach children how to play the ukulele. Anna: Now, children, play “C.” Good. I like your “C.” Marsha: The world does need more ukulele players. Anna: Marsha, it looks like we’ll never have time to see a movie. Anna: Wait a minute. Are you busy now? Marsha: It’s Saturday afternoon. This is always when I do my errands. Anna: Okay, but the new Star Wars movie is gonna start in 30 minutes. Marsha: I’ll do my errands on Sunday. Let’s go! Anna: Most days of the week, people are really busy. But it’s important to find time to be with your friends! Anna: Until next time!   * Connect Four is a two-player connection game using colored discs. Writing What do you like to do with your friends? Is it easy or difficult to find time to be with your friends? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Tell us two or three things you do with friends using words like always, usually and sometimes. You can also download the Activity Sheet and practice writing about your schedule.     Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Evaluate. When we evaluate our own language learning, we think of how well we are learning, remembering and practicing the language. We evaluate after doing many things. For example, in the video for this lesson, Anna and Marsha talk about jogging. Anna evaluates her plan to jog: "I will try because it is good for you." Then, Marsha evaluates her feelings after jogging. "I always feel great after I jog." You can evaluate any time you stop to think about your learning (that is, monitor, the strategy in Lesson 16). Ask yourself: "Am I listening often to English? Am I practicing English every day? How can I learn more?" Evaluating helps learners to understand what is working well and make new plans for learning well.  How do you evaluate your own learning? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz Test your understanding by taking this listening quiz. Play the video, then choose the best answer. ​______________________________________________________________ New Words Note: You can listen to the definitions of these words in the Speaking Practice Video.  always - adv. at all times; on every occasion; in  a way that does not change board games - a game (such as chess) that is played  by moving pieces on a special board important - adj. having serious meaning or worth jog - v. to run slowly especially for exercise movie - n. a recording of moving images that tells  a story and that people watch on a screen or television night - n. the time of darkness between one day and  the next play - v. to do activities for fun or enjoyment Scrabble - trademark. a board game in which players use lettered tiles to create words in a crossword fashion. sing - v. to use your voice to make musical sounds in the form of a song or tune sometimes - adv. at certain times;  occasionally Star Wars - n. an epic film series  chronicling the rise, fall, and redemption of Anakin Skywalker start - v. to do the first part of something : to  begin doing something tap dance - n. a kind of dance in which you wear special shoes with metal plates on the heels and toes and make tapping sounds with your feet teaching - v. to cause or help (someone)  to learn about a subject by giving lessons ukulele - n. a musical instrument that is  like a small guitar with four strings week - n. a period of seven days - in the U.S., a  week is usually considered to start on Sunday and end on Saturday, while in the  U.K. a week is usually considered to start on Monday and end on Sunday. will - modal verb. used to say that something is  expected to happen in the future   Days of the Week: In the U.S., the week starts on Sunday and ends on Saturday. Sunday / Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / Friday / Saturday  ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice talking about activities and schedules.   For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Simple Future tense with will and going to. Topics:  Talking about schedules and leisure time activities Learning Strategy: Evaluate Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Future verb forms; shortened forms of future verbs and invitations. ______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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Climber Reaches Top of El Capitan Without Ropes

  For eight years, American Alex Honnold dreamed about climbing El Capitan in Yosemite National Park without any safety equipment. But whenever Honnold went to the park and looked up at El Capitan, he became frightened. That changed last Saturday. Honnold, a world-class rock climber, reached the top of the great rock wall in about four hours. He used only his hands and feet. He is the first person ever to climb the 914-meter high granite wall alone and without ropes or safety equipment to catch him if he fell. “I was pretty much elated,” Honnold, 31, told the Associated Press about reaching the top. “I was probably the happiest I’ve ever been. It’s something that I thought about for so long and dreamed about and worked so hard for." Honnold began preparing for his historic climb two years ago. He climbed El Capitan while wearing safety gear countless times. He tried to memorize every hole he had to hold and the positions of his body. He repeated the climb again and again, until he felt sure enough to try the so-called “free solo” climb. The most difficult part of the trip is about 700 meters off the ground. At that point, the very small holds in the rock are only big enough for a thumb to fit. But Honnold said the climb was more mentally difficult than physically difficult. “Each year I would show up and it would seem just much too daunting,” he said. “To walk up to the base of the climb without rope and harness, it just feels a little outrageous. Getting over that side of it was the hardest part.” Observers say Honnold’s climb has pushed the limits in a sport that requires a high level of physical ability, risk-taking and mental strength. Daniel Duane wrote the book “El Capitan: Historic Feats and Radical Routes.” “This has never been done before ... and it’s hard to imagine anybody ever coming close to what he’s done,” Duane said. “He is totally alone at the top of his game.” Alex Honnold grew up near Sacramento, California’s capital. He began doing indoor rock climbing at age 11. He dropped out of the University of California, Berkeley to train full-time. Honnold dismissed criticism by those who say he’s being irresponsible by not wearing protective equipment. “I could see how for a non-climber it might seem completely insane. But I’ve devoted 20 years to climbing and probably six or seven to this particular project...It took years of effort." The climb up El Capitan once took climbers several days to complete with the aid of ropes, safety equipment and a partner. But in the past 20 years, speed climbers working with a partner and using ropes have set records in reaching the top. In January 2015, Tommy Caldwell and Kevin Jorgeson became the first to “free climb” the Dawn Wall, a very steep climb to the top of El Capitan. They used ropes only to catch them if they fell. They reached the top in 19 days. Duane said Honnold has an extreme ability to control fear and his body for a long period of time. “To climb without ropes where the slightest slip is literally fatal in that arena requires enormous self-control and focus,” Duane said. I’m Ashley Thompson.   The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   elated - adj. very happy and excited solo - n. something that is done without another person thumb  - n. ​the short, thick finger on the side of your hand​ daunting - adj. ​tending to make people afraid or less confident : very difficult to do or deal with harness - n. ​a set of straps that are used to connect a person to something (such as a parachute or a seat)​ outrageous - adj. ​surprising or shocking​ insane - adj. ​wild and uncontrolled​ enormous - adj.  very great in size or amount  

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Arab Nations Cut Ties with Qatar

Saudi Arabia, Egypt and several Arab nations have ended diplomatic relations with their Gulf neighbor, Qatar. The move follows criticism over Qatar’s support of what many Arab nations consider terrorist organizations. Adding to the conflict is Qatar’s close ties to Iran, Saudi Arabia’s rival. Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, the Maldives and a government group in Libya also ended diplomatic relations with Qatar on Monday. The state-owned Saudi Press Agency said Qatar supports “terrorist and sectarian groups aimed at disturbing stability in the region, including the Muslim Brotherhood, Islamic State, and al-Qaida.” Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said the kingdom is facing a campaign based on “fabrications,” or false stories. The goal, the ministry said, is to “cause damage” to Qatar. The conflict between Qatar and other Arab nations grew in recent weeks, when Qatar officials said its state-run news agency and Twitter account had been hacked.  Officials said the result was the publishing of a fake, or untrue, news story. The story said Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, had called Iran “a regional and Islamic power that cannot be ignored.” State-supported media in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries continued to report the story, despite protests from Qatar that it was false.   Small country with large reach Qatar has only about 2.3 million people, but is the world’s largest producer of liquefied natural gas. It shares a big underwater field with Iran. Qatar is home to the Al Jazeera international news network. Its reporting of protests in Cairo was credited with helping the Muslim Brotherhood win power in Egypt. The Muslim Brotherhood government was then removed by Egyptian military. Like other Gulf nations, Qatar is an American ally. The United States has an air base in Qatar used for air attacks against Islamic State militants. U.S. and others trying to solve dispute The pulling of diplomatic relations follows a visit to Saudi Arabia last month by American President Donald Trump. Trump told Gulf leaders that he strongly supports Saudi Arabia’s efforts against both Iran and against Islamic militant groups. On Monday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Qatar and the other Gulf states to end the dispute. He made the comments in Australia, where he is attending an international meeting. He offered U.S. help in finding a solution. Also on Monday, Turkish officials said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is working to end the diplomatic crisis. The Associated Press reported that the Turkish president had spoken by telephone with Gulf leaders. Two other Gulf nations, Kuwait and Oman, still have diplomatic relations with Qatar. Officials from the two countries are meeting separately with officials of Saudi Arabia and Qatar late on Monday. Effects felt immediately The effect of the break in diplomatic relations was felt almost immediately in Qatar. Qatar Airways was banned from Saudi airspace. And the United Arab Emirates stopped air service to Qatar by its three airline carriers. Qatar imports almost all of its food. Forty percent of the food comes from Saudi Arabia. There were long lines to buy food at markets in Qatar on Monday, the Associated Press reported.             Ed Yeranian reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English, with extra reporting 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 share your views on our Facebook Page. __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sectarian - adj. relating to religious or political sects and the differences between them disturb - v. interrupt or make more difficult stability - n. the quality or state of something that is not easily changed or likely to change region - n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way affiliate - n. an organization that is connected to a larger organization allied - adj. joined in a relationship in which people, groups or countries agree to work together hack - v. to secretly get access to the files on a computer or network in order to get information and/or cause damage  

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Two College Degrees for the Price of One

  Ten Americans recently received two college degrees: one from a university in New York and the other from a Chinese university. The dual-degree program is a project of Hofstra University on Long Island and China’s Dongbei University of Finance and Economics. Herman Berliner is the head of Hofstra’s Business School. He believes it is the first time American undergraduate students received degrees from an American and Chinese university at the same time. Under the program, visiting Dongbei professors teach some of the business and finance classes at Hofstra. Students also take part in a six-week summer internship with an international company in China and attend education programs organized by Dongbei. Global economy requires global education “Now a days a good business education should be global because it is a global economy,” Berliner said. “And it should be hands on because hands on gives our students more exposure to the reality they will find in the business world.” Berliner said he expects to welcome Chinese students to Hofstra to continue their education and take internships at American companies. Tori-Rae Matisoff of Monroe, New Jersey, is one of the 10 students to graduate with two degrees in business -- one from Hofstra and the other from Dongbei. Last summer, she worked for the human resources office of Pfizer Inc. in China. Pfizer is one of the world’s largest producers of medicine. “This kind of experience really opens up your mind,” the New Jersey woman said. Matisoff, who knows Mandarin, said she met in China with Pfizer workers who wanted to improve their English skills. So, they would have bilingual discussions. Chinese anxious to discuss America with Hofstra student The Chinese workers asked her a lot of questions, like “what kind of President Donald Trump will be.” They also wanted to know whether she and her family had guns because, as she put it, “no one carries guns in China.” The workers also asked about how she signed onto to Facebook. In China, the government blocks Facebook’s website. The site is easily accessed in the United States. Matisoff also helped a human resources director at Pfizer’s China office better understand reports from company officials in other countries. “She spoke English very well, but sometimes you need a little context,” Matisoff said. She is continuing her business studies at Hofstra. She hopes to complete a master’s degree program. ​ Stuart Rabinowitz is Hofstra’s president. He told the students that learning about another culture and how to communicate when “you don’t speak the language well” will help them as they leave Hofstra for jobs or graduate school. “These are experiences and skills that will set you apart,” he said. While Hofstra appears to be the first undergraduate program to offer dual degrees with a Chinese university, many American colleges offer students a chance to study overseas for part of a school year. And some colleges offer dual graduate school degrees with colleges outside the United States. Northwestern University in Illinois, for example, offers a Master’s of Science Degree in engineering with Shanghai Jiao Tong University in China. Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies offers a dual master’s program in global politics and economics with Tsinghua University in China. At Hofstra’s graduation ceremonies, the 10 dual-degree recipients were given a red stole from Dongbei University, as well as their Hofstra diploma. Donbei University is in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian. About 20,000 students are taking classes there. Hofstra has over 11,000 students. Hofstra students in the dual-degree program take all their courses in English. Knowledge of Chinese in not required. Still, Berliner wishes more American students would develop better foreign language skills. Most Chinese students learn English, he said, while a small percentage of Americans can speak and read Chinese. “That’s a disadvantage,” Berliner said. Two years ago, the Modern Language Association reported a drop in the percentage of students taking foreign language classes at American colleges and universities. The association said that nine out of every 100 students took such a class in 2009. But in 2013, the rate was eight per every 100 students. While the number of people studying Spanish and French was down, there were increases in Chinese, Korean, Portuguese and American Sign Language, the group noted. Recently, some Princeton University educators proposed that all students be required to take a foreign language class, even if they already speak a second language. It would help them better understand the world, the educators said. I’m Bruce Alpert. And I'm Dorothy Gundy.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. 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   dual degree - n. official documents from two colleges given someone who successfully completed a series of classes internship - n. a job given to students so they can get training and experience in a profession global - adj. international or worldwide bilingual - adj. Able to speak in two languages access - v. a way of being able to use or get something diploma - n. document which shows that a person has finished a course of study or has graduated from a school disadvantage - adj. something that makes someone less likely to succeed than others  

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Another Attack Hits Britain Days Before Election

  British police continue to investigate a deadly attack last Saturday in London. Seven people were killed and more than 50 others injured on or near the world-famous London Bridge. It started when three men drove a van into people walking on the bridge. The men then got out of the vehicle and ran to a nearby market and began stabbing people. The victims reportedly included British nationals and foreigners. London police killed three attackers. At least 10 people have been detained as part of the investigation. The Islamic State group claims responsibility for the attack.   The violence came less than a week before Britain’s parliamentary elections. Political campaigning restarted on Monday after a one-day suspension after the attack. It was Britain’s third terrorist attack in less than three months. On May 22, a suicide bomber killed 22 people at a concert in the city of Manchester. In March, five people died in an attack on London’s Westminster Bridge. The attacks turned much attention in the election campaign to national security issues. British Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the latest violence. She said that, in addition to being an attack on London and the United Kingdom, it was also one “on the free world.” May said there was no clear evidence that the three attacks were operationally connected. But she said they were “bound together by the evil ideology of Islamist extremism.”   She said she believed there is “far too much tolerance for extremism” in Britain. “We need to be more robust in identifying and stamping out extremism in public service and across society… it’s time to say enough is enough.” May hopes to use the elections this Thursday to continue serving as prime minister and leader of the ruling Conservative Party. At the time she called for the vote last April, she was considered the favorite against Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn. But the race has grown much closer in recent weeks. Public opinion surveys show May’s Conservatives are leading Labour by between one and 12 points. Earlier surveys did not correctly predict the result of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union (EU) a year ago.   May’s government has been working with police on security measures to make the voting safe. She stated that “violence can never be allowed to disrupt the democratic process.” Corbyn has criticized May’s record on security issues. He said he supported calls for her resignation for ordering cuts in police forces while she served as Britain’s home secretary. However, Corbyn said the best way to get May out is for people to go out and vote. “There's an election on Thursday, that's the chance,” he said.  The Labour Party has promised to increase the number of police officers and to strengthen neighborhood security programs to fight terror.   May said Corbyn is unable to guarantee Britain's security at a time of such increased threats. “We have given increased powers to the police to be able to deal with terrorists - powers which Jeremy Corbyn has boasted he has always opposed,” she said. May said Monday that Britain's anti-terrorism operations were fully financed. But London Mayor Sadiq Khan, a Labour member, said his city had been forced to cut about $775 million for police from its budget. “We have had to close police stations, sell police buildings and we've lost thousands of police staff.” In addition to setting anti-terror policies, the election winner will be responsible for negotiating Britain's withdrawal from the EU. Other major issues during the campaign have been the state-run National Health Service, immigration and the economy. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story was based on reports from VOA News.com, the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.  George Grow 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   ideology – adj. set of ideas or beliefs tolerance – n. willingness to accept feelings or beliefs that are different from your own robust – adj. strong and healthy stamp out – v. end something, destroy disrupt – v. cause something to end or not be able to continue in a normal way boast – v. express pride about yourself or something you have done  

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Your Stomach and Brain Are Connected

From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. A new study provides more evidence that there is a deep connection between our gut and our brains.   The findings suggest that probiotics -- so-called "good" bacteria that aid in digestion -- may also help to lessen symptoms of depression. There are about 300 to 500 bacterial species that live in the human gut. Many help with digestion and keep the gastrointestinal system working right. Scientists say these probiotics play a part in neural activity that controls digestion. In addition, there is also new evidence that shows probiotics can also affect a person's mental state, or mood. Premysl Bercik is a researcher at Ontario Canada's McMaster University. Bercik is interested in the connection between the gut and the brain through the millions of bacteria that live in the gastrointestinal tract. Bercik notes that between 40 and 90 percent of people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, also suffer from symptoms of anxiety and depression. Doctors do not yet know what causes IBS. It causes stomach pains and can interfere with the body’s waste removal process. The difficulty and discomfort of the condition alone might cause depression. However, research led by Bercik suggests that the presence or lack of gut bacteria may affect a person’s mood. "What we found was that the patients who were treated with this probiotic bacterium improved their gut's symptoms, but also surprisingly decreased their depression scores. That means their mood improved. And this was associated also with changes in the brain imaging." The study What Bercik describes is a small, early study of 44 IBS patients who also had anxiety or depression. Half of the patients received a daily probiotic. The other half received an inactive substance called a placebo. The patients were then followed for 10 weeks. At the start of the study, the researchers scored the levels of depression and anxiety in the patients. Then the patients looked at a mix of happy and sad images. At the same time, imaging devices recorded the brain reactions to those images. It showed the researchers what parts of the brain were active in connection with the images. At six weeks, 64 percent of patients taking the probiotic had a decrease in their depression scores. The depression scores also dropped in 32 percent of the patients taking placebos. A second imaging study showed changes in multiple brain areas involved in mood control, in the patients who felt better. Bercik says larger studies are needed to confirm the findings. "However, I think that it shows a great promise. I mean new treatments, not only for patients with functional bowel disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, but also it may offer some new treatments for patients with primary psychiatric disorders like depression or anxiety." The researchers published their findings in the journal Gastroenterology. And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo.   Jessica Berman reported this story for VOA News. Anna Matteo adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.   Now, test your understanding with this short quiz.​ _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   gut – n. digestive tract; also :  part of the digestive tract and especially the intestine or stomach probiotics – n. a microorganism that when consumed (as in a food or a dietary supplement) maintains or restores beneficial bacteria to the digestive tract depression – n. a serious medical condition in which a person feels very sad, hopeless, and unimportant and often is unable to live in a normal way gastrointestinal tract – n. medical : the part of the digestive system that consists of the stomach and intestines neural of, relating to, or involving a nerve or the nervous system mood – n. the way someone feels : a person's emotional state anxiety – n. fear or nervousness about what might happen discomfort – n. an uncomfortable or painful feeling in the body associated – v. When one thing is associated with another, they happen together or are related or connected in some way. placebo – n. a pill or substance that is given to a patient like a drug but that has no physical effect on the patient psychiatric disorder – n. a diagnosis by a mental health professional of a behavioral or mental pattern that may cause suffering or a poor ability to function in life

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June 5, 2017

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

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'One Love Manchester' Concert Raises Millions for Victims

  This is What’s Trending Today. Many of the top videos on YouTube Monday came from Ariana Grande’s “One Love Manchester” concert. Grande had just finished performing at the Manchester Arena on May 22 when a bomber caused an explosion. The attack killed at least 22 people and injured over 100 others. British officials identified the attacker as Salman Abedi, a 22-year-old British national. Grande returned to Manchester on Sunday for a benefit concert at the Old Trafford cricket ground. She and many other singers performed at the show to raise money for victims of the attack. The performers included Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, The Black Eyed Peas, Robbie Williams, Take That, Liam Gallagher from Oasis, Pharrell Williams and Coldplay. Grande was the host of the show and joined in on songs with other artists, such as Miley Cyrus and The Black Eyed Peas. She and The Back Eyed Peas performed the group’s hit song “Where is the Love?” Grande sang the parts normally sung by Fergie, who did not perform Sunday night. Grande and Cyrus performed “Don’t Dream it’s Over,” a song by Australian band Crowded House that became popular almost 30 years ago. About 60,000 people attended the benefit concert, including many who saw Grande’s show at the Manchester Arena in May. The event raised almost $3 million for the city of Manchester and the British Red Cross. Many people said they liked the show. One critic from The Telegraph newspaper complimented Grande’s performance. Neil McCormick said she has the ability to give up the fancy costumes and cat ears she is known for and let her voice speak for itself.  But perhaps the image that got the most attention on social media was that of a police officer dancing in a circle with some young concert attendees. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What was your favorite part of the concert? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   concert – n. a musical performance benefit – n. a social event to raise money for a person or cause host – n. a presenter; someone who presents other people or acts to the public compliment – v. to say nice things about someone or something fancy – adj. not plain or simple costume – n. the clothing worn by someone who is trying to look like a different person or thing

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English in a Minute: Luck of the Draw

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