Facebook Opens to Children Under 13 for Messaging

  For the first time, Facebook is opening its service to children under age 13. The social media giant has launched a new app allowing young children to send messages through Facebook. The free service, called Messenger Kids, must be activated by the child’s parents. Parents can then create a profile for the child as an extension of their own Facebook account. Parents must approve all requests before people can connect with the child. Children aged 6-12 are allowed to use Messenger Kids, which is currently only available for users in the United States. The app has so far only been released for Apple’s iOS operating system, for use on iPads, iPhones and the iPod touch. More devices will be added in the future. The app allows children to send photos, videos and text messages and make video calls. Colorful pictures, drawings and sounds can be added to messages. Facebook does not allow children under age 13 to create their own Facebook accounts. However, experts estimate millions of children under 13 may already be on Facebook after using false information to sign up.    Facebook says it created Messenger Kids to fill a need for a messaging app for children that gives parents full control. The company said it believes the new app will provide a “fun, safer solution” for children to communicate with family and friends. Facebook said it developed the app after speaking with thousands of parents, major parental groups and child development experts. Children and parents can block any contacts at any time. Children can report bullying or any unwanted communication in the app. When a child makes a report, the parents are contacted as well. Messages do not disappear and cannot be hidden by children. Facebook said Messenger Kids will not show advertisements or collect information for marketing purposes. U.S. child privacy laws restrict advertising and ban online services from collecting personal information on children under 13 without parental approval. The company also said it would not automatically move users to the regular Messenger app or Facebook service after they turn 13. Some individuals and groups have expressed concerns about the new app and questioned Facebook’s true intentions for opening the service up to young users. James Steyer heads the not-for-profit group Common Sense, which seeks to promote safe technology and media for children. He says the idea of giving parents control over Messenger Kids is good. But, he said it remains to be seen whether the app will continue to stay ad-free. He also wonders whether the parents of child users will receive ads based on the new service. “Why should parents simply trust that Facebook is acting in the best interest of kids?” Steyer said in a statement. “We encourage Facebook to clarify their policies from the start so that it is perfectly clear what parents are signing up for.” The Center for Digital Democracy praised Facebook for creating a “walled garden” approach to the new messenger service. The steps taken show that Facebook is taking “a leadership role in developing responsible corporate practices that could be the basis for industry-wide guidelines,” the group said in a statement. But the group added that it is still too early to fully understand the effects such technology will have on young people’s psychological and social development. It urged parents, educators and company officials to closely monitor such services as they grow and to make changes as needed. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Facebook, the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Do you think Messenger Kids is a good idea? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   account – n. an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company bullying – n. the mistreatment or abuse of someone by a stronger or more powerful individual encourage – v. tell or advise to do something clarify – v. make something easier to understand through explanation psychological – adj. of or relating to the mind  

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Coastal City's Future Depends on Costly, Unpopular Changes

  Climate change has had a number of effects on cities around the world, including rising sea levels. And, this has become an especially big problem for coastal cities. City officials must now prepare for higher tides on their coasts. The American city of Miami is one example. Located in South Florida, Miami is home to nearly 3 million people and billions of dollars in land and buildings. Miami is one of the cities in America most at risk for rising sea levels. The waterfront is central to Miami's culture and economy. But as the seas rise with climate change, the water will not stay put. Sue Brogan lives in Miami's Shorecrest neighborhood on a street that is just above sea level. She says she has seen some unsettling things happening after storms. "So, this is your storm water drain, which is – water is coming up through."   At the highest tides, the ocean rises from these drains into coastal neighborhoods like hers. For now, it is only a small problem. But Brogan says it is going to get worse. "It's more of a warning situation. Where is it going to go from this? And if we don't address these problems, locally and globally, we're going to have problems. Big problems." Large parts of South Florida are in danger of being under water in the coming years. Across Biscayne Bay, the City of Miami Beach is making improvements -- raising streets, adding water pumps and more. It is costing the city a lot of money. Eric Carpenter is the director of public works for Miami Beach. He says local communities will spend 500 million dollars for the improvements. "Thankfully, our residents, the folks that are footing the bill for this work, realize that the cost of doing nothing is much greater."   City of Miami residents have also come to that realization. Voters just approved a 200-million dollar project to improve Shorecrest and elsewhere. And the city has proposed solutions some residents are not happy about. One of the proposals is to redesign whole neighborhoods. A possibility officials are discussing with residents is for the city to buy homes in some places where flooding has been a problem. The city would then turn that land into parks of grassland that could hold the water. However, that idea is not an immediate fix, says Miami's chief resilience officer, Jane Gilbert. "It's really much more long-term. And we feel the more we are having those conversations now, the easier it is for everyone to adapt over time." Over time, the city may need to take bigger risks. Miami's future depends largely on how much, and how fast, the oceans rise.   Caroline Lewis leads the climate activism group, the CLEO Institute. She says cities cannot avoid the need to move inland. "We're going to have to leave sooner or later." But, she says, a well-planned withdrawal could include measures to keep people safely in place for as long as possible.  And, she says, the world could learn from such a model. In these two Florida cities built on wetlands, there remains a lot of hopefulness. Miami Beach public works director Eric Carpenter says solutions will depend on the willingness of city leaders to deal with the fear of change and find ways to pay for improvements. "There's an engineering solution to every problem." That may be a question South Florida and the world's coastal cities will be asking for many years to come. I'm Alice Bryant.   Steve Baragona reported this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tide - n. the regular upward and downward movement of the level of the ocean that is caused by the pull of the sun and the moon on the Earth drain - n. something, such as a pipe, that is used for removing a liquid from a place or container address - v. to deal with a matter, issue or problem globally - adv. involving the entire world resident - n. someone who lives in a particular place resilience - n. the ability to recover quickly after difficulties  conversation - n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people adapt - v. to change your behavior so that it is easier to live in a particular place or situation

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'Time' Magazine Names Abuse 'Silence Breakers' as Person of the Year

  This is What’s Trending Today... Time Magazine has named the “Silence Breakers” -- those who have publicly shared their stories of sexual abuse -- as its 2017 Person of the Year. Since early October, numerous women have spoken out about sexual wrongdoing by powerful men in the fields of entertainment, news media, politics, business and sports. Time praised those who have given “voice to open secrets, for moving whisper networks onto social media, for pushing us all to stop accepting the unacceptable.” The magazine’s cover features Ashley Judd, Taylor Swift, Susan Fowler and others who say they have been sexually harassed. The magazine made the announcement Wednesday morning in New York City on NBC’s “Today” show. Last week, the very same show’s longtime co-host Matt Lauer, was dismissed from his job. NBC said it acted after receiving a report that Lauer had sexually abused a coworker. Women who spoke out against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein and others helped form the #MeToo movement. Millions of victims of harassment and other sex abuse told their stories on social media sites. The messages on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook began after actress and activist Alyssa Milano followed a suggestion from a friend on Facebook. She tweeted: “If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet.” The hashtag was tweeted nearly a million times in the following 48 hours. Activist Tarana Burke created the #MeToo hashtag 10 years ago to spread information and understanding about sexual violence. Milano and Burke appeared together Wednesday on the “Today” show. Burke said, “This is just the start. I’ve been saying from the beginning it’s not just a moment, it’s a movement. “Now the work really begins.” German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Time’s 2015 Person of the Year, commented on the magazine's decision through a spokesman. She said this year’s winners should be thanked for “having the courage to break the silence on sexual assaults and for the worldwide discussion that they have launched.” Time says U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping were the second and third choices for its Person of the Year. Many women have accused Trump, himself, of sexual harassment and assault. He has denied any wrongdoing. Trump, the magazine’s 2016 Person of the Year, wrote on Twitter recently that Time told him he would “probably” be named again this year if he agreed to an interview and photo shoot. Trump said he refused. Time has disputed Trump’s claims. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Ashley Thompson.   The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.   _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   entertainment - n. the action of providing or being provided with amusement or enjoyment. voice - n. a wish, opinion, etc., that you express openly or publicly whisper network - phrase. an unofficial information channel that women use to secretly warn each other about possibly dangerous men  feature - v. to have or include (someone or something) as an important part harass - v. to bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way assault - n. a violent physical attack

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Terror Plot Against British Prime Minister Stopped

  Two men accused of plotting to kill British Prime Minister Theresa May appeared in a London court Wednesday. The two are believed to have been planning a suicide attack using explosives and a knife at the home of the prime minister on 10 Downing Street. Information about the suspected plot was first released by Andrew Parker, the head of Britain’s domestic intelligence service, MI5. Parker spoke to members of Theresa May’s cabinet about terrorist threats. He said that his service had prevented nine terrorist attacks this year. Police say the men who appeared in court Wednesday were arrested last week in raids that took place in London and the city of Birmingham. One of those arrested is 20-year-old Naa’imur Zakariyah Rahman. He is accused of preparing acts of terrorism. Officials suspect that Rahman had two explosive devices when he was arrested. Also accused is 21-year-old Mohammed Aqib Imran, who was arrested in Birmingham. Imran is accused of trying to get a false passport in an effort to go to Libya to join a group linked to the Islamic State. When speaking to cabinet members, Parker noted that the Islamic State group had faced defeats. But, he said, the group was still “trying to encourage attacks in the UK and elsewhere via propaganda on social media.” News of the plot comes hours after the release of an official report on the bombing attack in Manchester last year. The report said British security forces had missed chances to stop the attack. Lawyer David Anderson wrote the report. Anderson said the Manchester bombing attack, which killed 22 people at a music concert in May, could have been stopped “had the cards fallen differently.” In addition, the report said the leader of another terror attack, who used knives on London Bridge in June, had been under investigation by MI5. However, Anderson noted that most terror plots continue to be prevented before they can be carried out. I’m Mario Ritter.   Jamie Dettmer reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   prevent –v. to keep from happening encourage –v. to support some activity, to get others to do something via –prep. through cards fall –idiom, things that happen usually because of chance rather than planning We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Prepare Yourself for a Better TOEFL Score

  If you are interested in studying at an American college or university, you have probably heard about the Test of English as a Foreign Language. The test is widely known as the TOEFL. It is the most widely used language assessment exam for American colleges. A TOEFL score may be necessary to get a student visa to an English-speaking country. Some businesses and even government offices use the test scores to measure the English language abilities of their employees. Many foreign students worry about taking the TOEFL because it is important to meeting their goals. Good marks on the test will open many doors. But a low test score will limit your choices for financial aid and admission to top schools. The most competitive universities generally expect an internet-based test, or iBT score of 90 or above. Others accept lower scores, and some do not require students to take the TOEFL at all. Most universities do not publicize an actual cutoff score, but a high mark will always help. Who should take the TOEFL? Many students study for the TOEFL test before they are ready. You should have completed at least upper intermediate level English classes before you take the test. If you scored below 70 on the iBT or 500 on the paper-based test, or PBT, it is wise to continue studying for a few months and come back to the TOEFL later. Taking the paper or internet test? Let’s take a closer look at the two major versions of the TOEFL. The iBT is offered in most of the world and accepted by nearly every college and university, as well as scholarship program, in the United States. The PBT is given in places where the internet is not widely available. The content of the PBT was changed in 2017; as a result, its line of questioning is now similar to that of the iBT. Both the iBT and PBT have integrated tasks. That means questions involving listening, reading, and writing are mixed together. The revised PBT costs less, around US$180, than the iBT; however, costs can differ from country to country - $215 in Brazil; $245 in France. The PBT has three areas -- Reading, Listening, and Writing – and takes two hours and 50 minutes to complete. The iBT has four parts: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Including time spent on registration, the iBT test lasts four and one-half hours. Test-takers spend 20 minutes answering six questions involving speech. Each question requires first reading or listening to English examples, then expressing one’s opinion by speaking. If you have a choice, take the iBT, unless you are trying to cut down on costs. Practice makes perfect Plan when you will take the TOEFL. If possible, register to take the test, even if the date is several months from now. This will give you a good reason to study. Take a sample test online or from a test preparation book to find out where you need to improve the most. Do you do well in reading, but not so well in listening? This will help you to plan your studies to develop the skills you need to get a better score. How will you study? The Educational Testing Service, ETS) website has a free online course to help you prepare for the TOEFL. There are also sample preparation questions and games on the ETS Facebook page, like the 40-Word Challenge. You can buy books with a guide to the test and sample questions from ETS or other publishers. In addition to answering those questions, try to surround yourself with English. Listen every day to podcasts or stories on VOA’s Learning English website. Try taking notes on what you hear. Watch movies where English is spoken and listen to music with English lyrics. Read English-language newspapers to keep up with new words that relate to current events and technology. When will you study? Experts say that you should study for at least two months before taking the test. But if your practice test score is more than 20 points below your goal, you may need to improve your overall English ability, and that may take years. To get a good score, you need to set aside time to study, set goals, and measure your progress. Think of it as a school where you are the top administrator. As the chief, you can decide your plan of action: "I will practice the listening section every night this week. Then I will take a listening sample test. If I am happy with my score, I will practice the speaking section every night next week." Be sure you build in rewards for improving your score, like taking a weekend off from study. Where will you study overseas? Did you know that TOEFL has a search service? It can help connect you with colleges, universities and other educational institutions, as well as postgraduate programs. TOEFL will send you information about other study programs, admissions requirements, financial aid, fellowships and other educational opportunities. Choose the search service when you create or change your registration. You can also find out which schools will accept the TOEFL score you earned on the ETS website. What other tests can you take? There are other large-scale testing programs to measure one’s English ability. See our story comparing the TOEFL with the Test of English for International Communication, or TOEIC, and the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS. You may need to take another test to meet the rules for immigration or studying overseas, so look around to find out the requirements. And, don't waste time studying for the TOEFL if you will not attend school or go overseas in the next two years. Remember: colleges will only accept the test score for up to two years. The bottom line is, the best way to do well on the TOEFL is to know English well. Do not depend on informal advice or tricks. Do not try to outwit the test maker. Think of reading, listening, speaking, writing, and grammar as a single connected idea: communication. The real goal of the test is to measure how well a student can communicate in an English-speaking classroom. Immerse yourself in English on a daily basis and improvement is sure to follow. I'm Phil Dierking. And I'm Jill Robbins.   Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for Learning English based on an earlier VOA story by Adam Brock. George Grow was the editor. Are you preparing to take the TOEFL test? What are your methods for studying? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   score – n. the number of points that you get for correct answers cutoff – adj. relating to the cutting off, separation or division of one group from another group intermediate – adj. being in the middle of something; between two extremes scholarship – n. financial assistance to a student content – n. substance or meaning; the subject being discussed practice – v. to perform work repeatedly so as to become skilled at something; to train by repeating exercises reward – n. to give some kind of payment for good work or service outwit – v. to defeat or trick (someone) by being more intelligent or clever grammar – n. the set of rules that explain how words are used immerse – v. to make yourself fully involved in some activity or field of study  

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IOC Suspends Russia from 2018 Olympics

  The International Olympic Committee, or IOC,  has banned Russia from the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Some Russian athletes, however, can participate in the games as an "Olympic Athlete from Russia”, or OAR. The IOC found “systemic manipulation of the anti-doping rules and system in Russia." Doping refers to the illegal use of a drug (such as a steroid) to improve an athlete's performance. Russian officials have denied any state involvement in the doping of athletes. This is the first time in Olympic history that the IOC has suspended a country for doping. The IOC had banned countries from the Olympics before, including Germany, South Africa, India, and Kuwait. Previous suspensions were for acts of war, state-sponsored discrimination, or failure to meet Olympic charter requirements. The IOC has also stripped eleven medals, out of 33, won by Russian athletes in the Sochi Olympics. Russian athletes can still compete in the upcoming February Olympics – if they meet certain conditions. A panel must approve the athlete's invitation to the Olympics. The athlete must have a clean record and meet strict testing requirements. Once approved for participation, the athletes will compete in a uniform that carries the OAR name. The Olympic anthem, instead of the Russian national anthem, will be played during ceremonies. Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously called such conditions "a humiliation" to Russia. He has suggested that his country's athletes would not agree to compete in Pyeongchang under such circumstances. However, at the International Association of Athletics Federations world championships in London in August, 19 Russian track-and-field athletes did compete under similar circumstances. On December 4, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russia was not considering a boycott of the Winter Olympics. Whether the Russian government's position will change following today's announcement remains to be seen. I'm John Russell.   John Russell adapted this story for Learning English based on RFE/RL, the Associated Press, and Reuters news reports. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   systemic – adj.  of or relating to an entire system manipulation – n.  to use or change (numbers, information, etc.) in a skillful way or for a particular purpose requirement – n. something that is necessary for something else to happen or be done humiliate - v. to make (someone) feel very ashamed or foolish  uniform - n. a special kind of clothing that is worn by all the members of a group or organization (such as an army or team) circumstance - n. a condition or fact that affects a situation

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Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar Cancel Chinese Projects

  Over the past few weeks, Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar have cancelled three major projects planned by Chinese companies. The three projects, worth nearly $20 billion, all involved or were related to hydroelectricity -- the production of electricity by water power. The cancellations come as a blow to China’s trade-linking project, the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. Pakistan noted difficult financing terms by China as its reason for canceling the $14 billion Diamer-Bhasha Dam project. Nepal’s deputy prime minister blamed financial issues with a Chinese company for his country’s decision to cancel a $2.5 billion contract for a hydroelectricity project. And Myanmar announced last month that it is no longer interested in big hydroelectric power projects. The announcement came three years after Myanmar stopped a $3.6 billion Chinese-supported dam project. The decisions by China’s neighbors could mean a serious loss of prestige for the One Belt, One Road initiative. The effort involves plans to build power stations, roads and other infrastructure around the world. A number of local political and economic reasons were partly responsible for the cancellations. But observers say there is a growing recognition among poorer countries that large infrastructure projects come at a very high price. Asked about the decisions by Pakistan and Nepal, the Chinese foreign ministry said it knew nothing about them. “I am not aware of this information,” a foreign ministry spokesman told reporters. He added that China and Nepal have a strong relationship and cooperate in many areas. Muzammil Hussain  is chairman of Pakistan’s Water and Power Development Authority. He reportedly told a parliamentary committee that the Chinese company planning the project had demanded difficult financing rules. Those rules were said to include requiring the new dam and a dam that was already built be used as security for a loan. Hussain added the Chinese demands were against Pakistan’s interests. Himanshu Thakkar works at the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers & People, an Indian-based non-government organization. He noted that Pakistan’s biggest ally is China and the Pakistanis would not do this project without the Chinese. Indeed, the two countries describe their relationship as “iron brothers.” The Pakistanis “really want financing for this project,” noted Zorawar Daulet Singh  of the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. Singh said he does not take Pakistan official’s statement at face value. The Pakistani government had asked the World Bank and Asian Development Bank for money to finance the project, but was refused, he said. He explained the Chinese do not want to do the project because of protests from India. The project was to have been built in Kashmir, an area claimed by both India and Pakistan. China does not want to get involved in the dispute. Singh said that China wants to forget about this project until the government can get both sides to come to an agreement. By making the price high, China has tried to give Pakistan a reason to end the project and save it from embarrassment, he explained. The Budhi Gandaki  hydropower project in Nepal would have involved a Chinese company, the Gejuwa Group. Deputy Prime Minister Kamal Thapa  said the agreement with the company was filled with problems and cancelled in a cabinet meeting. Thapa also said the agreement had been signed “illegally and haphazardly.” The cancellation came just before an election. Yubaraj Ghimire  is an expert on Nepali politics. He says Nepal’s coalition government asked the Chinese company to build the dam project. The coalition had representatives of the Maoist Party and the Nepali Congress. "There were questions raised about the transparency. You know,” he said, “it was quite a controversial deal. That was six months ago.” Then, a parliamentary committee proposed that the deal be cancelled, but nothing happened, he added. One of Nepal’s political leaders and a possible prime minister has even said he would cancel the decision if he comes to power. Some observers say there is also some rethinking in China about possibly canceling projects that offer a poor return on investments. China has come a long way with its initiative since it tried to sell projects to neighbors like Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. It is now looking at a large part of Europe and the Americas as possible markets. China is also interested in exporting its hydroelectricity related machines and construction services. But it is taking a different position in the case of projects in neighboring countries which have political problems. It is looking instead at markets like Latin America and Africa. By the way, the same company, Gezhouba Water and Power (Group) Co Ltd. won the contracts, which were later rejected by Pakistan, Nepal and Myanmar. “I am not sure we can blame the company for this.” Thakkar said. “They are more (due to) investment and political considerations.” The recent cancellations also show a growing understanding among governments that the cost of electricity produced in hydropower projects is a lot more than those coming from solar and wind power, Thakkar said. In the case of Myanmar, the country’s Construction Minister told Reuters last month that big hydropower projects are no longer an important way to solve power shortages. The official said Myanmar is looking to smaller dams as a possible answer. I’m Susan Shand. And I'm Jonathan Evans.   Anjana Pasricha reported this story for VOA News. Susan Shand adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.  Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   initiative – n. a program that is supposed to solve a problem. prestige – n. the respect and admiration that someone or something gets for being successful or important infrastructure – n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly face value – n. the apparent value or importance of something embarrassment – n. something that causes you to look or feel foolish haphazard – adj. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly transparent – adj. able to be seen through, honest and open controversy – n. strong disagreement about something among a large group of people construction – n. the process or act of building something

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Brazil Environmentalist to Compete for Presidency in 2018

Former Brazilian senator Marina Silva plans to seek her party’s nomination for the presidency next year. Silva announced her plans at a meeting of her Sustainability Network Party last weekend. The Reuters news agency says the party would officially nominate her as its presidential candidate when at its national convention in April. The 59-year-old Silva was born in a rubber-producing community in Brazil’s Amazon rainforest. She served as the environmental minister under former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. She was a candidate in the past two presidential elections, but never received enough support to compete for a second round vote. Silva said she would seek her party’s nomination because “Brazilians want a country free of corruption” and that she had the moral values to provide that. Her supporters have called the environmentalist Brazil’s most principled politician. Since early 2014, Brazilian police and government lawyers have carried out a major anti-corruption campaign. Their efforts have led to discovery of political wrongdoing in every major party, except Silva’s. She has expressed support for financial responsibility, setting targets for inflation and a floating exchange rate. In a recent survey, Brazilians said Silva was the third most popular candidate, with 10 percent of those questioned saying they would vote for her. The finding was published on the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper’s website last Saturday. But that survey included Lula as a possible candidate. He was found guilty in a corruption trial in July. If a higher court supports the guilty ruling before the October election, he could not run. In the 2010 election, Marina Silva, then with the Green Party, won a surprising 20 percent in the first round of presidential voting. But that was not enough to push her into a runoff vote with eventual winner Dilma Rousseff. In 2014, Silva was the Brazilian Socialist Party’s candidate for vice president. The party nominated Eduardo Campos as its presidential candidate. However, he died when his airplane crashed two months before the election. Silva took his place and won 21 percent in the first round. But she again failed to win enough votes for a runoff. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Anthony Boadle reported this story for the Reuters news agency. Jonathan Evans adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   convention – n. a large meeting of people who come to a place for usually several days to talk about their shared work or other interests or to make decisions as a group principled – adj. having, based on, or relating to strong beliefs about what is right and wrong runoff - n. an additional race, contest, or election that is held because an earlier one has not resulted in a winner survey – n. an activity in which many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to gather information about what most people do or think about something  

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Trump Informs Mideast Leaders of US Embassy Move to Jerusalem

U.S. President Donald Trump told Palestinian and Jordanian leaders on Tuesday that he intends to move the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. A Palestinian spokesman said Trump called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and informed him of his plan. Abbas then warned Trump of what he called “the dangerous consequences such a decision would have to the peace process and to the peace, security and stability of the region and of the world.” Trump also spoke with Jordan’s King Abdullah II about his plan. Trump has not said when the move would happen. U.S. officials told the Associated Press that they expect Trump to discuss the question of Jerusalem on Wednesday. The officials also said they expect him to make a statement about Jerusalem’s status as the “capital of Israel.” However, they do not expect the president to use the term “undivided capital.” Those words indirectly express that Israel has sovereignty over east Jerusalem, which is not recognized by the United Nations. Jerusalem is home to important holy sites for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. It forms the center of the Arab-Israel conflict. Israel captured the Arab section in east Jerusalem during the Six-Day War in 1967. It then declared the whole city as its capital. The move is not recognized internationally. Palestinians also want Jerusalem as its future capital. Under international agreement and long-standing U.S. policy, the fate of Jerusalem is to be decided in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. A recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital would greatly change the traditional approach to the Middle East conflict. On Tuesday, warnings against such a move by the U.S. came from leaders across the region. In Turkey, President Recep Tayip Erdogan said during a meeting of his ruling party, “Mr. Trump, Jerusalem is the red line of Muslims.” A “red line” is the limit beyond which someone should not go without facing severe effects. Erdogan added that those effects could include cutting Turkey’s ties with Israel. “I am warning the United States not to take such a step which will deepen the problems in the region,” Erdogan said. A Palestinian diplomat said recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital could destroy the United States’ role as mediator between Israelis and Palestinians. The diplomat, Majdi Khaldi, told the Associated Press, “If the Americans recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, then this would mean they decided, on their own, to distance themselves from efforts to make peace and that they will have no credibility or role in this issue.” He added that, “We will stop our contacts with them because such a step goes against our existence and against the fate of our cause.” Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry warned that such a move would “provoke” strong feelings among Muslims around the world. Israeli Education Minister Naftali Bennett played down the threat of violence, saying, “At the end of the day, it is better to have a united Jerusalem than Erdogan’s sympathy.” But Daniel Benjamin, a former U.S. counter terrorism official, told Reuters news agency, ”This is playing with fire.” I’m Ashley Thompson.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP and Reuters news reports. Ashley Thompsonwas the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   intend - v. plan to do consequence - n. something that happens as a result of a particular action stability - n. the quality or state of being stable region - n. part of the world status - n. official position of something sovereignty - n. power over a country fate - n. the future that something or someone will have approach - n. a way of dealing with something mediator - n. a person who works with opposing sides in a dispute in order to get an agreement provoke - v. to cause the occurrence of (a feeling or action) : to make (something) happen sympathy - n. a feeling of support for something play with fire - idiom. to take unnecessary and dangerous risk  

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Yemen’s Ex-President Saleh Killed

  Houthi rebels in Yemen say former president Ali Abdullah Saleh has been killed. The death was announced Monday by a Houthi-run television station. An official with Yemen’s internationally recognized government confirmed to the Associated Press that Saleh had been killed. A video published on social media appeared to show Saleh’s body being carried away by a group of armed men. The bloodied body wrapped in a blanket had severe head injuries. A top Houthi media official told the AP the ex-president was killed near Marib, an eastern province bordering Saudi Arabia. The official said Saleh “was trying to flee to Saudi.” Saleh ruled the country for 33 years and played a major role in Yemen’s ongoing civil war. He was ousted in 2012 under popular and political pressure.   The Saudi government leads a coalition that has been fighting Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen during a nearly three-year-old war. The campaign is aimed at returning to power the country’s internationally recognized president, Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi. His government was driven out of Yemen’s capital Sana'a in 2014 by Houthi-led forces. The leader of the country’s Houthi rebels, Abdul-Malek al-Houthi, said in a speech Monday that his forces had killed Saleh for “treason.” He said Saleh had turned on the Houthis by communicating with and supporting the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthi leader said he had sent several warnings to Saleh not to cooperate with the coalition. He called Saleh’s killing a “historic defeat to the forces of the coalition.” A breakdown in the rebel alliance last week led to heavy fighting in Sanaa between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Saleh. Houthi fighters took control of much of the capital, but the coalition stepped up its attacks on rebel positions.  Hours after Saleh’s killing, Hadi urged Yemenis from exile in Riyadh to unify against the Houthi rebels. He described the militants as “Iranian militias.” He offered condolences for the death of Saleh, describing him and others killed in recent days of fighting as “martyrs.” “Let's put our hands together to end this nightmare,'' Hadi said. He added that government forces would support any “uprising” against Houthi fighters in Sana'a. 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   condolence – n. feeling or expression of sympathy and sadness especially when someone is suffering because of the death of a family member, a friend, etc. martyr – n. person who is killed or suffers greatly for a cause nightmare – n. very bad or frightening experience or situation  

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December 4, 2017

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

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