Angelina Jolie Unhappy with Reaction to Film Casting Process

  American actress Angelina Jolie was not happy that people criticized the casting process for her movie as taking money away from poor children. In an interview with Vanity Fair magazine last week, Jolie described a game that the casting directors played with the Cambodian children. The children were auditioning for the part of lead actor in the film "First They Killed My Father." Jolie told Vanity Fair she looked for lead actors in orphanages, circuses and very poor schools. In the casting process, each child was placed in front of money on a table. They were asked to think of what they needed the money for and then quickly take the money. Jolie would then act like she was catching them, and the child would have to lie about why they stole the money. In a statement on Sunday, Jolie responded to the public criticism. She said this part of the audition was from a moment in the film and she was upset about it being treated like it were real life. "The suggestion that real money was taken from a child during an audition is false and upsetting," she said. She added that she would be angry if that had happened to a child in real life. For years, Angelina Jolie has been taking part in charity work internationally. She is also a special representative for the United Nations refugee agency. Users on social media called Jolie's casting game unkind and abusive to poor children. Vanity Fair reporter Evgenia Peretz said the casting game was troubling because of its connection to reality. Kayla Cobb is from the popular culture website Decider.com. She compared the game to a psychological thriller – a type of film that plays with the viewer's mind and fears. Cobb wrote that the everyone should use better judgment and should not put real money in front of poor children in this way. She also wrote that no movie is worth psychologically harming so many children. "First They Killed My Father" is about the 1970s Khmer Rouge government under which more than 1 million people died. The film is scheduled for release around the world and on Netflix in September. Jolie said the young girl who won the lead acting part, Srey Moch, was chosen after she became emotional when forced to give the money back. During the audition, the girl said she needed the money to pay for her grandfather's funeral. Rithy Panh is a Cambodian producer on the film. In a statement, he said, "The children were not tricked or entrapped, as some have suggested. They understood very well that this was acting." I'm Alice Bryant.    This article was reported by Reuters. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.  What do you think about Jolie's casting process? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the comments section.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   casting – n. (gerund) assigning an acting part in a film, play, video, or something else audition – v. to test someone's talent in an audition audition – n. a short performance to show the talents of someone, such as an actor or a musician orphanage – n. a place where children whose parents have died can live and be cared for  circus – n. a traveling show that is often performed in a tent and that typically includes trained animals, clowns and acrobats upset – adj. angry or unhappy

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Election Official in Kenya Found Dead

  Kenya's national police force says it is investigating the killing of a top election official. Christopher Msando was found dead Monday, a little more than a week before the country holds general elections. The inspector general of the National Police Service, Joseph Boinnet, said in a statement that Msando's body had been discovered earlier but was identified Monday. Boinnet said police are following important clues to the crime. The two-page statement does not explain the cause of death. Msando was manager of technology operations for Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, or the IEBC. He is said to have had knowledge of the technology being used for the August 8 elections. Wafula Chebukati is the chairman of the IEBC. He said Monday there is no doubt Msando was "tortured and killed." However, he said it is unclear why he was killed. Chebukati asked the government to provide security for all IEBC workers so that Kenyans can have a free and fair election. The statement from inspector general Boinnet said police will work with the IEBC to provide all employees security so they can carry out their duties. In a statement Monday, U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec and British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey said their countries are "gravely concerned by the murder." They said both countries have offered to help with the investigation. The diplomats said, "It is critical that Kenya has free, fair, credible and peaceful elections on August 8, and protection for IEBC staff is essential to achieving this goal."  Fears of violence have increased as the election nears. Opposition parties have accused President Uhuru Kenyatta of seeking to cheat during the vote. At the same time, Kenyatta has said his main opponent, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, is trying to divide the nation’s ethnic groups. Odinga lost a disputed presidential election in 2007. More than 1,100 people died during violence that followed the vote. Barasa Nyukuri is a Kenyan law and elections expert. He told VOA's Swahili Service that the killing may be an attempt to frighten the IEBC. He also warned that Msando's death "could damage voters' confidence on the commission unless the IEBC leadership comes out strongly to reassure the people." I’m Jonathan Evans.   Jill Craig reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson 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   gravely - adv. very serious; requiring or causing serious thought or concern critical –adj. very important essential –adj. very important achieve –v. to get or to reach by effort confidence –n. a feeling that something can be done reassure - v.  to make someone feel less afraid, upset, or doubtful

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August 1, 2017

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

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Lesson 40: The Woods Are Alive

Summary Anna's New Year’s Resolution is to try something new. She auditions for a play. Will she get the part? Speaking In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then learn about asking for and giving feedback. Pronunciation Use this video to learn about projecting when public speaking. Learn one way to make your voice sound more confident when you speak to a group. Conversation Anna: Happy New Year! Some people, at the start of a new year, make a resolution -- a promise to yourself to be better. I thought about my resolution carefully. I want to be an actor on the stage! Today I will audition for a show called "The Woods Are Alive!" Wish me luck! Director: Next! What is your name? Anna: My name is Anna Matteo. Director: Are you ready to audition? Anna: (warms up voice) Yes. Director: Great. Let's begin on page 1. Here is the story. You are lost in the woods. You are searching desperately for a way out. Suddenly, you hear something. Director: Now, say your line. Anna: 'What was that? Hello. Is someone there?' Director: Anna, you are speaking too softly. Can you speak more loudly and a little more, um, seriously? Anna: Yes, of course I can. 'What was that? Hello. Is someone there?' Is that loud enough? Director: Yes, that is loud enough. Let's turn to page 25. In this scene, you are moving slowly and quietly through the woods. Director: Anna. Anna! You are walking quickly and loudly. Walk slowly and quietly. Anna: I'm walking slowly and quietly. I am walking… Director: Anna. Anna. You don't need to say "slowly" and "quietly." Alright, let's try the last scene. Turn to page 48. I say my line first, then you say your line. Director: 'You will never get out of these woods alive! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!' Anna: 'Yes, I will.' Director: Okay, Anna, you said that line -- you said that line really late. You need to say it earlier. Anna: Sorry. Sorry. Let me try again. Director: 'You will never …' Anna: 'Yes, I will.' Director: '… get out of the woods alive.' Anna: I was too early, wasn't I? Director: Yes. Yes, you were. Anna: Director, how am I doing? Director: You know, Anna. I think that I have the perfect part for you. Director: The costume is in the back. Please go try it on. Anna: Awesome! (Anna returns as a tree.) Director: Oh, Anna, that fits you perfectly! Anna: I'm a tree. I'm a tree in … "The Woods Are Alive!" Yes! Anna: My new year is starting awesomely! Excuse me, Director! I have a great idea for my tree. Oh, wait! Until next time!   Writing In this lesson, Anna tries something new. What new activity do you want to try in 2017? Why do you want to do it? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using adverbs as well as acting out and guessing everyday activities. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is self-evaluate. When we speak English or try to do something new, it helps to self-evaluate, or check how well we are doing it. In this lesson, when Anna asks the director of the play, "How am I doing?" she wants to learn how well she is acting. The director tells her that she said her line too late. Later, Anna notices a problem: "I was too early, wasn’t I?' She is self-evaluating. This strategy can help to make her a better actor. Do you ever self-evaluate when you speak English? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words actor - n. a person who acts in a play or a movie audition - n. a short performance to show the talents of someone (such as an actor or a musician) who is being considered for a role in a play or a position in an orchestra desperately - adv. in a way that is very sad and or upset manner because of having little or no hope director - n. a person who directs a play or a movie enough - adj. equal to what is needed line - n. a row of words, letters, numbers, or symbols written across a page loudly - adv. in a manner that makes or causes a lot of noise page - n. one side of a sheet of paper quickly - adv. at a fast speed; rapidly quietly - adv. in a manner that makes little noise resolution - n. a promise to yourself that you will make a serious effort to do something that you should do scene - n. a division of an act in a play during which the action takes place in a single place without a break in time script - n. the written form of a play, movie, or television show softly - adv. in a quiet voice or manner stage - n. a raised platform in a theater or auditorium where the performers stand suddenly - adv. very quickly in usually an unexpected way ______________________________________________________________ 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 acting out and guessing everyday activities. 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: Adverbs (loudly, quietly, slowly); Comparatives of adverbs (more seriously); Review agent nouns (actor, director) Topics: New Year resolutions; Describing people’s actions Learning Strategy: Self-Evaluate Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Asking for & giving feedback​; Projecting when public speaking​ ____________________________________________________________ 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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Explainer: Presidential Pardons

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More Changes in Trump's White House

U.S. President Donald Trump swore in a new chief of staff for the White House on Monday. Hours later, the communications director resigned after only 11 days on the job. Trump administration officials said in a statement that “Anthony Scaramucci will be leaving his role as White House Communications Director.” Scaramucci left just hours after Trump officially welcomed retired General John Kelly as his chief of staff. The White House statement read, “Mr. Scaramucci felt it was best to give Chief of Staff John Kelly a clean slate and the ability to build his own team.” Scaramucci was named to the position on July 21. His appointment led to the resignation of press secretary Sean Spicer on the same day. Scaramucci then accused chief of staff Reince Priebus of leaking information about him. He also threatened to fire the rest of the White House communications team. In a late-night telephone call to reporter Ryan Lizza of The New Yorker, Scaramucci used profane language to talk about Reince Priebus and chief strategist Steve Bannon. Trump announced that he would appoint John Kelly as his new chief of staff replacing Priebus last Friday. On Monday, Trump tweeted “No WH [White House] chaos” before holding a Cabinet meeting with John Kelly at his side. Seated across from Trump was Attorney General Jeff Sessions who has remained in his position, although the president has criticized him. “You’re fired!” Before campaigning for the presidency, Trump was the host of “The Apprentice,” a reality television show. He was then known for saying the phrase, “You’re fired!” on the program. As president, one of Trump’s first appointments was retired General Michael Flynn. Trump named Flynn national security adviser in January. However, Flynn resigned 23 days later when it became known that he did not reveal his meeting with Russia’s ambassador to the U.S. Trump removed Acting Attorney General Sally Yates on January 30. She had refused to enforce or defend an executive order. The order placed a travel ban on people from seven Muslim-majority countries. Then on May 9, Trump dismissed Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation James Comey. Comey’s firing led to the appointment of Special Counsel Robert Mueller to oversee the investigation of “Russian government efforts to influence the 2016 election and related matters.” Mike Dubke, the president’s first communications director, resigned later in May, after two months on the job. Then-press secretary Sean Spicer took over as acting communications director. However, the position remained open for another two months before Scaramucci’s appointment. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Hai Do wrote this report for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   clean slate –idiom to make a fresh start profane –adj. to treat something (often sacred) with disrespect, something base or improper   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.  

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As Diabetes Increases, a Vegetable Could Help

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. Diabetes is a serious, chronic disease on the rise around the world. And, not everyone can take the medication that treats it. However, researchers have discovered that a compound found in a common vegetable might help treat diabetes.  In 2016 the World Health Organization published its Global Report on Diabetes. It says the number of diabetic adults rose from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2014. Diabetes happens in two ways. If the body does not produce enough of a hormone called insulin it is called Type 1. Type 2 diabetes is when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. Insulin controls levels of sugar in the blood. Over time, diabetes can damage the heart, blood vessels, eyes, kidneys and nerves. Diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputation. It can lead to an early death. India is one of the countries that could be facing a public health crisis as cases of diabetes increase. Amit Jain is a children's doctor in that country. He says obesity is one of the main reasons people get Type 2 diabetes. However, children who are not obese can also get diabetes. Rohin Sarin is a regular 15-year old kid. He goes to school. He likes sports. But unlike most children, four times a day he has to take a shot of insulin. Rohin has type 2 diabetes. "Sometimes it affects me negatively like if I just play a lot and I don't eat my food properly; then my sugar goes down. So, then I feel dizzy and I am not able to play the sport properly."    About 300 million people around the world have type-2 diabetics. A large percentage of these people cannot take a drug used to treat this disease. The drug metformin is a first-line therapy. This means it is often the first drug doctors give their patients. However, the drug has side effects. It can damage the kidneys and upset the stomach. Enter broccoli. This vegetable has a chemical compound called sulforaphane. And in testing, this compound appears to work as well as the drug metformin at reducing blood sugar levels in diabetics. Anders Rosengren, a doctor at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, led the study. "We think this is very exciting because there have been so many claims over the years of different food, dietary components having different health effects. But here, we have really scientifically-based proof that it has an effect on type-2 diabetes." Dr. Rosengren and his team experimented with 97 type-2 diabetes patients. All were treated with metformin. But one group of the patients were also given sulforaphane every day for three months. The other patients were given a placebo. On average, the participants who were given the broccoli medicine saw their blood glucose drop by 10% more than those who took the placebo. The broccoli pill was most effective in the patients who were obese. They started with higher glucose levels than the others. Dr. Rosengren says that next he wants to study the effects sulforaphane has on pre-diabetic patients. These are people who have not yet taken the drug metformin. "If you were to have people without metformin at all, it might be that the sulforaphane effect might be even stronger." The researchers published their finding in the journal Science Translational Medicine. But do not think that just eating broccoli is enough to prevent or treat diabetes. You would have to eat about five kilograms every day to get enough sulforaphane. The study patients got a pill containing a concentrated form of the broccoli compound. It is about 100 times stronger than the amount found in broccoli. But, for diabetics who hate broccoli, that could be welcome news.   And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo.   Reports from VOA’s Kevin Enochs and Jessica Berman contributed to this story adapted by Anna Matteo for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   insulin – n. a substance that your body makes and uses to turn sugar into energy pancreas – n. a large gland of the body that is near the stomach and that produces insulin and other substances that help the body digest food negatively – adv. harmful or bad : not wanted sugar – medical noun the amount of sugar present in a person's blood at a particular time dizzy – adj. having a whirling sensation in the head with a tendency to fall  :  mentally confused dietary – adj. of or relating to a diet component – n. one of the parts of something (such as a system or mixture) : an important piece of something concentrated – adj. made stronger or more pure by removing water placebo – medical noun a pill or substance that is given to a patient like a drug but that has no physical effect on the patient

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First American Woman Climbs K2

Vanessa O’Brien has become the first American woman to reach the top of the world’s second highest mountain known as K2. The mountain reaches 8,611 meters above sea level. O’Brien is a 52-year-old former banker from New York. She led a 12-member team of international climbers. She placed the United States flag on K2’s top - or summit - on July 28. K2 is on Pakistan’s border with China. It is one of the world’s most dangerous mountains to climb. “A proud day for #woman everywhere at the top of #K2, the world's second highest mountain,” O’Brien announced on Twitter shortly after reaching the top on Friday. This was the third time O’Brien had tried to climb K2. In 2015, bad weather stopped her. In 2016, an avalanche, buried all the climbing team’s equipment at its high operational base. This year O’Brien’s team made it to the top. It took them a long time, 16 hours, from their CAMP-4 at 7681 meters. The American climber spoke to VOA Monday, after she had made it back down the mountain to the K2 base camp. She said she was very tired, but also very grateful for her team’s success. “This was by far the hardest undertaking I have ever come across,” she said. “Not just the 50 kilometer winds and snow pushing against you, but the pure blue ice underneath your feet that threatened to pull you off balance at any second.” O’Brien has already climbed the world’s highest mountain - Mt. Everest - which is 8,850 meters high. But speaking before her climb, she said K2 is more difficult and interesting for mountaineers. “K2 is the perfect triangle. Mountains are not shaped that way.” She said most mountains have many places to rest, and then go higher and stop. But not K2. “It is asking for 110 percent effort day one.” While snow avalanches are risky, she said, climate change has brought a new risk. Rocks on K2 that used to be fixed to earth and frozen are now just broken and they come down in rock avalanches. So, she said, there is much danger, “and that is probably why for every four that climb, one dies.” O’Brien holds both American and British nationality. She said she was thinking about the 84 people who came before her but lost their lives climbing K2. The first American men’s team made it to the summit 39 years ago. Nazir Sabir is the chief organizer of O’Brien’s climbing team. He said heavy snowfall and bad weather were problems on the mountain. O’Brien’s team was the only one to reach the top.   Sabir praised O'Brien for her bravery, saying that even the best climbers from the area give up after a second try. He said “her determination paid off,” but there was smart planning too. O’Brien is the 19th woman to have survived the climb to the top. And even before this climb, she was the fastest woman to climb the seven summits. Those are the highest mountains on each of the seven continents. I’m Anne Ball. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News. Mario Ritter 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   avalanche –n. a large amount of snow and ice or of dirt and rocks that slides suddenly down the side of a mountain grateful –adj. feeling or showing thanks triangle –n. a shape that is made up of three lines and three angles determination –n. a quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult

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Venezuelan President Claims Victory, Opponents Call Election a Fraud

  Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the election for a new constitutional assembly was a victory for his government. Opponents of the election called the voting a fraud. Government officials said more than 8 million people voted in Sunday’s election to choose a new legislature to rewrite the constitution. This represented more than 41 percent of voters, according to Venezuela's National Electoral Council. Maduro said the official results proved he has the popular support needed to carry out his political policies. In a speech to supporters, he called the election "the biggest vote the revolution has ever scored in its 18-year history." He was referring to when the late president Hugo Chavez came to power in 1999. Opposition leaders estimated the actual number of voters at about 2.5 million. Polls had shown more than 70 percent of Venezuelans opposed the constitutional assembly. The opposition urged people to boycott the vote, saying it would be rigged for Maduro’s ruling socialist party. Many nations had called on Maduro to cancel the election, fearing creation of the 545-member assembly would worsen the political situation and increase violence. Venezuela’s opposition says the legislative body gives Maduro nearly unlimited powers and will result in a socialist dictatorship. The U.S. government criticized the vote. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said the “flawed” election took away the “people's right to self-determination.” She added that the U.S. would move forward with “strong and swift” economic actions against Maduro’s government. A number of other governments also protested the election and said they would not recognize the results. These included Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, and the European Union representing 28 nations. During the voting, Venezuelan officials reported 10 deaths from clashes between protesters and police. Seven police officers were injured in an explosion that went off as they drove past a street blockade in eastern Caracas. Anti-government unrest in the months leading up to the election has left more than 120 people dead and nearly 2,000 wounded. Maduro has said a new constitution is the only way to end such violence. The new assembly is expected to begin governing within a week. Opposition leaders have called for more street demonstrations to protest the results. Large protests held before the vote were not successful in pressuring the government to back down.   Political observers note that Maduro currently enjoys the loyalty of the country’s armed forces, making it more difficult for the opposition movement to cause real change. Geoff Ramsey is a researcher at the Washington Office on Latin America. He told VOA the military support goes back many years to the previous Chavez government. He said army commanders have been given many benefits in exchange for their loyalty, in a system that continues today. However, Ramsey added that this could change in the future if the level of Maduro’s repression creates a clear division within the armed forces.    I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for Learning English based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. 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   fraud – n. the crime of using dishonest methods to take something valuable from another person rigged – adj. influenced in a dishonest way to get a desired result flawed – adj. having a mistake, fault or weakness self-determination – n. right of people to choose the form of government they desire swift – adj. quick, fast benefit – n. something that helps or gives an advantage  

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Russia Orders Big Cut in US Diplomatic Staff in Moscow

Russia has called on the United States to show “political will” to improve relations between the two countries. The comment comes one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered large cuts in the number of people working at the U.S. Embassy. Putin ordered the United States to reduce its diplomatic workers in Russia by 755. Dmitry Peskov is a Russian government spokesman. He said Monday, “We are interested in a steady development of our ties and are sorry to note that we are still far from that." Peskov said the reduction of diplomatic staff ordered by Putin could include Russia citizens. But it is still likely to require big reductions in U.S. personnel at the U.S. embassy in Moscow. Putin made his announcement in a Russian television interview on Sunday. He acted after U.S. officials said President Donald Trump would sign into law legislation that places additional sanctions on Russia, and two other countries: Iran and North Korea. The bill was approved by large majorities in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. Putin said on Russian state television Sunday, "We had hoped that the situation will somehow change, but apparently if it changes, it won’t be soon. I thought it was the time to show that we’re not going to leave it without an answer.” Putin said that Russia is open to working with the U.S. on issues such as terrorism and cybercrime. But he said it “only hears” false charges of Russian interference. Russian experts said Putin had hoped for better relations with the Trump administration than he had with former President Barack Obama. Obama had ordered reductions in Russian diplomatic staff to punish Russia for interfering with the 2016 U.S. elections. Congressional and FBI investigations into possible connections between Trump’s campaign and Russia have made it more difficult for Trump to move for improved relations. Michael O’Hanlon is a foreign policy expert for the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. He said, “President Trump himself is already using far tougher words toward Russia than he did as a [presidential] candidate. O’Hanlon also said Trump’s top security experts are taking a hard line against Russia. Former U.S. ambassador to Russia, Michael McFaul, said the new Russian sanctions will likely mean longer waits for Russians to obtain visas to travel to the United States. “If these cuts are real, Russians should expect to wait weeks if not months to get visas to come to U.S.” McFaul said on Twitter. He served as U.S. ambassador to Russia from 2012-2014 during the Obama administration. The sanctions bill passed by Congress places additional economic limits on Russian industries. Russia’s economy has already felt the effects from sanctions put in place in 2014. Those restrictions were meant to punish Russia for its annexation of Crimea from Ukraine that same year. In early July, Putin and Trump met twice during a meeting of the Group of 20 leaders in Germany. During their first meeting, Trump said Putin denied he directed efforts to interfere with the U.S. presidential election. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence spoke in Eastern Europe Monday after the embassy staff reductions were announced by Putin. Pence said there is no bigger threat to Baltic States than Russia. He said Russia continues to try to change international borders by force, “undermine democracies” and “divide the free nations of Europe, one against another.” Pence spoke in Estonia's capital, Tallinn, after meeting with leaders of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. I’m Ashley Thompson.   Ken Bredemeier reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English with additional reporting from Reuters, the Associated Press and other sources. Mario Ritter 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   steady - adj. lasting or continuing for a long period of time in a dependable way sanctions - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country or not allowing economic aid for that country apparently - adv. used to describe something that appears to be true based on what is known cypercrime - n. crimes using computers or the internet tougher - adj. stronger than before visa - n. an official mark or stamp on a passport that allows someone to enter or leave a country usually for a particular reason annexation - n. to take control of land or a territory

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Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Lose Protected Status

This is What’s Trending Today… As of July 31, Grizzly bears in Yellowstone National Park are no longer considered “threatened.” Grizzlies are large, brown bears that live in North America. Male grizzlies weigh over 200 kilograms, while the females weigh less than 200 kilograms. They are about two meters long. Grizzlies once lived across much of North America. There were tens of thousands of them. They can be found in Alaska, Canada and across the northwestern United States, including in Yellowstone. The park is made up of more than 8,900 square kilometers of land in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. About 40 years ago, scientists estimated that fewer than 150 bears remained in Yellowstone National Park. After that estimate, Yellowstone grizzlies were added to the “threatened” list under the Endangered Species Act.  The Interagency Grizzly Bear Study team recently determined there are now about 700 bears in the park. The team is made up of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and other government agencies. The study team says that population increase means the bears do not need to be protected by the government. They are no longer considered “threatened.” State wildlife agencies in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho will now be in charge of managing the bears’ population. Officials from the three states told the Bozeman, Montana, newspaper that the decision will make their jobs easier. Brian Nesvik is the chief game warden for Wyoming Game and Fish. He told the Bozeman Daily Chronicle the change will permit each state to respond more quickly if there are problems with the bears. Sometimes bears that are involved in incidents with humans or farm animals must be put in another part of Yellowstone or even killed. In the past, Nesvik said, the state would propose a plan to the federal government, and the two organizations would not always agree on a solution. The grizzly bear population is strong, but some people remain concerned about their safety. In an opinion article in the New York Times last month, writer Thomas McNamee said the bears’ food supply is declining. That includes the seeds of pine trees, fish that swim in local rivers and the moths that live high in the mountains. Hunting is another concern. The state of Montana is considering making it legal to hunt the bears. About three percent of Yellowstone land sits within Montana.  However, a spokeswoman for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, told the Bozeman newspaper that “we will not be talking about a hunting season anytime soon.” Many organizations are protesting the change in the bears’ protection status. The groups have to wait 60 days from the date of the change before they can announce a lawsuit against the government. Many scientists, however, say the bears should be able to continue to thrive, even with reduced protection from the government. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Phil Dierking.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by the Associated Press, New York Times and Bozeman Daily Chronicle. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you think the bears will be safe? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   threatened – adj. in danger of something bad happening endangered – adj. used to describe a type of animal or plant that has become very rare and that could die out completely species – n. a group of animals or plants that are similar and can produce young animals or plants : a group of related animals or plants that is smaller than a genus declining– v. to become lower in amount or worse in condition status– n. the official position of a person or thing according to the law thrive– v. to grow or develop successfully : to flourish or succeed warden– n. a person who is in charge of or takes care of something

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