Observers say French President Emmanuel Macron communicated two important messages during his recent visit to China. One was about the huge possibilities cooperation between China and Europe could bring and Macron’s support of that effort. The other was a warning not to underestimate European concern about China’s possibly unfair trade practices. These include Chinese restrictions on investment in many businesses and industries. Matheiu Duchatel is deputy director of the Asia and China Program at the European Council of Foreign Relations. He said that Macron’s visit will influence actions not only in France, but in other countries also. “He wants to present himself as a leader” of the European Union (EU),” Duchatel said. “But at the same time, I think he wants to send a signal that Europe and the EU are in better shape than many think in China,” he noted. Duchatel said that Europe, the United States and Australia are all expressing growing concern about China’s trade practices. “Many (people) are coming to terms with the reality that China is no longer the factory of the world,” he added. “But it is clearly a country that has very strong ambitions in terms of economic leadership for the world and it is not a market economy.” Macron presented Chinese leader Xi Jinping with a gift of an 8-year old horse named Vesuvius. He promised to visit China at least once every year while he serves as France’s president. He also said that he is ready to work to “get the Europe-China relationship into the 21st Century.” The two sides signed major trade deals during the visit. China’s president said the two countries will deepen their “strategic cooperation.” During his first stop in Xi’an, Macron expressed French support for China’s huge trade and commerce project, the “Belt and Road” initiative. Xi’an was once the starting point of the Silk Road, the name for roads and transportation links used by traders many centuries ago. In a speech, Macron noted that the ancient Silk Roads were never only Chinese. “By definition these roads can only be shared,” he told a meeting of business people, students and professors. “If they are roads, they cannot be one-way.” On Tuesday, Macron met with Alibaba founder Jack Ma and officials of other Chinese and French companies. In a speech, the president talked about the possibilities cooperation could bring. But he warned about the threat of protectionism if changes were not made. I’m Caty Weaver. Bill Ide and Joyce Huang reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted their report for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story ambition – n. a desire to get things done; a goal or aim commerce – n. the change of products or services initiative – n. a plan that is designed to solve a problem advantage – n. a gain or desirable quality screening mechanism – n. a method or model for testing globalization – n. the combining of national economics through trade, investment and technology We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.
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Thursday, January 11, 2018
Indonesia, Philippines Hold Talks on Security Cooperation
The Philippines and Indonesia are working together to stop supporters of the Islamic State terror group from entering the Philippines. Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi recently met with Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte in the southern city of Davao for talks. The discussion centered on Islamic State sympathizers in Indonesia going to the Philippines to join anti-government fighters. Duterte and the Indonesian foreign minister agreed to additional cooperation in stopping terrorism. The website of the president’s office said they also discussed “maritime security.” Indonesia is mainly a Muslim country. It has so-called sleeper cells of people who sympathize with the Islamic State. The extremist group has mainly been driven out of bases in Iraq and Syria. The U.S.-based SITE Intelligence Group says that in 2016 Islamic State, or IS, picked a Filipino rebel as its leader in Southeast Asia. Reports, however, say that he was recently killed. Some Indonesian sympathizers worked with Filipino rebels in a five-month war in the southern Philippines last year. Philippine officials believe that Indonesians and also Malaysians went to the southern island Mindanao at that time. They are believed to have supported local rebels who sympathize with the Islamic State group. That fighting in the Philippines killed at least 1,127 people, including more than 900 militants. In October, Philippine troops declared victory over the Maute Group of Muslim rebels. The group had declared allegiance to Islamic State, which is also referred to as ISIS. A police spokesman in Jakarta told reporters that at least 38 Indonesians were helping Philippine rebels as of last June. That is one month after fighting broke out in the Philippine city of Marawi. Bibhu Routray is a visiting security and counter-terrorism professor at Murdoch University in Australia. He says some of the 40 to 50 foreign rebel supporters in Marawi had traveled from Indonesia to fight for Islamic State after the group called for volunteers. Thirty Indonesians got there from Syria and it is believed they were sent by Islamic State, Routray said. He added that on their return home they went through the Philippines. He said this suggests that Islamic State sent them to fight in Marawi. The Indonesian government said in November it would support the Philippine efforts to stop Islamic State in Marawi. In June, the same government had sent 119 police officers and 200 special forces to Sulawesi Island to help the army stop terrorists. Philippine officials have warned against new Muslim rebel violence in Mindanao although they say Marawi is under control. Eduardo Araral is an associate professor at the National University of Singapore. He said, “I think it’s logical that Indonesia should always keep its guards up, because they know for a fact that their main sleeper cells around Indonesia are waiting for opportunities to come.” About 20 Muslim rebel groups operate in Mindanao. The large island is rich in resources by economically poor. People there say the majority Catholic country has taken a lopsided share of resources although there are many Muslims on the island. Violence has killed about 120,000 people on Mindanao since the 1960s. The Straits Times of Singapore online newspaper reports that Islamic State “sleeper cells” operate in most Indonesian provinces. The extremist Islamic group East Indonesia Mujaheedin recruits young people on Sulawesi Island. It has promised to support Islamic State. Experts say there is a lack of security patrols in the Celebes Sea. The body of water south of Mindanao and east of Borneo. But Indonesia and the Philippines do have reached maritime agreements before. They signed an agreement in 2014 after twenty years of talks on formal boundaries around their economic zones in the Celebes Sea. I’m Susan Shand Ralph Jennings reported this story for VOA News. Susan Shand adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story Maritime – adj. of or relating to sailing on the sea or doing business (such as trading) by sea Sleeper cell – n. group of sympathizers in hiding Allegiance - n. loyalty to a person, country, group, etc. Resource – n. something that a country has and can use to increase its wealth Lopsided – adj. uneven or unequal Recruits –v. to get someone to join a group, service or company Patrols –n. a group of people, vehicles, etc., that go through an area to make sure that it is safe
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YouTube Punishes Blogger After Video of Apparent Suicide Victim
This is What’s Trending Today… YouTube says it has punished an American blogger over a video that appeared to show the body of a suicide victim. The blogger, Logan Paul, took the video in the Aokigahara forest, near Japan’s Mount Fuji. The area is known as a place where a number of people have taken their lives in recent years. In the video, Paul and his friends see a man’s hanging body from a tree. They react with shock, but also make jokes. Suicide rates in Japan are among the highest in the world. About 21,000 people there commit suicide each year, according to Japanese government estimates. YouTube said in a statement that it has removed Logan Paul’s channels from Google Preferred, which presents top YouTube videos. The company offers those videos to advertisers. YouTube also said it will not include Paul in the new season of a web-based series called “Foursome.” And it said his new videos are no longer being published. Paul’s YouTube channel has more than 15 million subscribers. He has more than 4 million followers on Twitter. The video filmed in the Japanese forest received over 6 million views before Paul took it down. YouTube bars violent content that is shown in a shocking or disrespectful way, the company says. It issued a “strike” against Paul’s channel for violating its community rules after the video was published. Paul announced earlier this month he was taking a break from making YouTube videos “to reflect.” He has also published several apology videos and posts on social media. But Paul continues to face strong criticism for the apparent suicide victim video as well as other video blogs he published during his visit to Japan. I'm Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story commit - v. to do (something that is illegal or harmful) channel - n. a television or radio station reflect - v. to think carefully about something
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South Korea Plans to Ban Bitcoin Trading
South Korea said on Thursday it plans to ban trading of cryptocurrency, including the popular bitcoin. The announcement sent bitcoin prices much lower and created unrest in the cryptocurrency market. Justice Minister Park Sang-ki said the government was preparing a bill to ban trading of the virtual money on South Korean currency exchanges. He said, “There are great concerns regarding virtual currencies and the justice ministry is basically preparing a bill to ban cryptocurrency trading through exchanges.” The price of bitcoin in South Korea dropped as much as 21 percent immediately after the minister’s comments. Around the world, one bitcoin was valued at about $14,000 on Thursday, January 11. Over the past year, the price moved from less than $1,000 in January 2017 to a high of $19,000 last month. Bitcoin is different from national currencies, which are supported by governments and national banks. It is stored as a line of computer code. It is not printed on paper or something you can hold. Bitcoin is similar to real money because you can spend it without using your real identity, as you do with a credit card. People who want to buy and sell things anonymously like bitcoin. Exchanges of bitcoin in South Korea By Thursday afternoon, more than 55,000 South Koreans called on the government to stop the proposed ban. After the price drop, the South Korean president’s office said a ban on cryptocurrency exchanges had yet to be finalized. It said the ban was one of the measures being considered. A press official at the justice ministry said the proposed ban on cryptocurrency trading came after “enough discussion” with finance ministry and financial officials. Once a bill is written, legislation for a ban of virtual coin trading still requires a majority of the vote in the National Assembly. It is a process that could take months or even years. Mun Chong-hyun, chief analyst at EST Security, told Reuters the ban “will make trading difficult here, but not impossible.” Mun added, “Keen traders, especially hackers, will find it tough to cash out their gains from virtual coin investments in Korea but they can go overseas, for example, Japan.” Park Nok-sun is a cryptocurrency expert at NH Investment & Securities. Park said “Some officials are pushing for stronger and stronger regulations because they only see more (investors) jumping in, not out.” South Korean officials are worried that the rising value has fueled huge demand for cryptocurrency in the country. They fear college students and housewives are hoping to get rich quick by investing. They likened it to a game of chance. The news of South Korea’s proposed ban came as governments around the world are looking to control the trading of cryptocurrencies. I’m Jonathan Evans. The Reuters news agency reported this story. Hai Do adapted the 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 cryptocurrency - n. money that only exists electronically virtual - adj. existing or occurring on computers or on the internet anonymously - adv. not named or identified analyst - n. a person who study or analyze something hacker - n. a person who secretly gets access to a computer system in order to get information, cause damage, etc.
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News Words: Espouse
Long ago, espouse only meant "to marry." Now it is rarely used that way.
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Wednesday, January 10, 2018
20 Hot Technology Products at CES 2018
Each year, the Las Vegas consumer electronics show, or CES, is the place to be for examples of the latest developments in technology. The show this year is no different. So we have put together a list of some of the most interesting new products from CES 2018. Aibo puppy robot Some people might remember Sony Corporation’s first Aibo robot. The mechanical dog was launched in 1999. It was considered revolutionary at the time, but the company eventually stopped producing it. But the Aibo robot was brought back for CES 2018. Aibo means companion in Japanese, and the newest robot dog is designed to be just that. Sony says Aibo can form emotional connections with individual family members and teach nurturing skills. It uses artificial intelligence, or AI, to react to touch and voice commands. Aibo communicates through body language, such as eye, ear, and tail movements, and voice sounds. Roll-up TV Of all the televisions demonstrated at CES 2018, one of the most unusual is a huge model that can roll up like a newspaper. LG Display made a 162- centimeter-long (64-inch) model. It is powered by the same OLED technology used in TVs. The company explains the technology can let users hide the display, or lower it to different heights to change picture size. 8K arrives Some major manufacturers also showed off TV models with new 8K technology, which nearly doubles the picture resolution of 4K. One of the companies is Samsung Group, which said its Q9S model uses AI to automatically bring lower quality video up to 8K. Samsung also launched a 371-centimeter (146-inch) MicroLED receiver called “The Wall.” Driverless people mover Toyota Motor Corporation showed off its e-Palette self-driving test vehicle at CES. The self-driving vehicle is designed to move both people and things. Toyota says it plans to provide the block-shaped electric cars to other companies, including Amazon, Pizza Hut and Uber. Face unlocking car Chinese automaker BYTON presented a new electric sport utility vehicle, or SUV, that can also drive itself. The company says the smart vehicle uses facial recognition technology to open the doors. The car is controlled from a large computer screen. Sensors continuously measure the driver’s heart rate and blood pressure. Self-driving travel bag China’s ForwardX Robotics demonstrated a four-wheeled travel bag that automatically follows its user around the airport. The smart bag uses cameras and AI to avoid crashes. The device can message the owner if it gets too far away or when the battery power gets low. Deep sea robot The FiFish P3 by Qysea is an underwater robot that can take photographs or send “live” video from depths of up to 100 meters. The camera – controlled by a device – captures 4K HD and uses powerful LED lighting. 3D face scanner Bellus3D introduced a high-quality face-scanning camera for mobile devices. The camera uses AI to create a 3D model of your face. The images can be shared or used to help a person find the right makeup products. Users can even create a realistic 3D face mask. Smart underclothing At least two companies showed off smart underwear meant to improve the health of the person wearing it. Skiin launched underclothing for men and women. These products can measure a person’s heart rate, temperature, breathing, body fat, water intake, number of steps walked and sleep history. Another company, Spartan, makes underwear for men that it says blocks up to 99 percent of radiation from wireless computer networking devices. CES has products covering people from head to feet, including special socks for people with diabetes. Siren smart socks measure foot temperature and warn the wearer when signs of injury develop. Camera for the blind The OrCam MyEye 2.0 device is made for blind people or those with limited eyesight. It is a smart camera about the size of a finger. The device can read out writing or print from any source. It is also equipped with AI tools to recognize faces, products and money in real time. Hip saver Also at CES 2018, French airbag maker HELITE demonstrated wearable hip protectors for older people. The battery-powered system is worn as a belt just above the hips. When an individual is about to fall, sensors cause the side airbags to fill with air to help prevent broken bones. UV monitor Beauty products manufacturer L’Oreal released two new products at the show. Each is designed to help inform individuals of ultraviolet, or UV, sun exposure. UV Sense is a small, wearable sensor that can be worn for up to two weeks on the end of a finger. The sensor links up with mobile devices to provide warnings about too much sun. Pollution mask R-Pur is a French company still raising money to increase production of its anti-pollution mask. The mask is designed for drivers of bicycles and motorcycles. The product is designed to keep out harmful pollutants in the air, as well as viruses and bacteria. Instant bike electricity The makers of the Electron Wheel say anyone can turn a traditional bicycle into an electric-assisted cycle in just 30 seconds. The company says the wheel – which replaces the front tire – has a powerful motor and can travel up to 80 kilometers. Smart shower Several manufacturers have been demonstrating smart shower technology at CES. Users can control water flow and temperature from mobile devices – and in most cases also by voice – and can also play (and sing along with) music. Intelligent toilet Kohler presented its Numi toilet, which it describes as “the finest in personal comfort and cleansing.” The device-connected machine includes programmable lights, plays music and has a heated seat and foot warmer. Connected fridge Smart appliances seem to be the future of home kitchens. Several companies are launching fully programmable refrigerators that do a lot more than keep food cold. Samsung says its “Family Hub” creates shopping lists, orders food and can see inside the refrigerator for you. It can connect with mobile devices to share information, play music or even stream video from a Samsung TV elsewhere in the home. Smart toothbrush Finally, several smart toothbrushes were shown, including the Magik model from Kolibree. The company says the product is the first in the world to use augmented reality to educate children on the best methods for cleaning teeth. It records user movements and shows the child – in a fun, interactive way - the best ways to brush. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What are your favorite products on this year’s list? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story companion – n. someone a person spends a lot of time with or goes places with nurture – v. to take care of and feed people, animals, etc. artificial intelligence – n. the ability of computers to copy human behavior, such as making decisions or offering suggestions display – n. screen used to view computer operations resolution – n. the measure of the sharpness of an image on a television or device scan – v. use a special machine to read or copy into a computer mask – n. a covering used to hide or disguise your face comfort – n. a pleasant feeling of being relaxed appliance – n. piece of electrical equipment used in the home augmented reality – n. an enhanced version of reality created by the use of technology to add digital information on an image of something
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France's Catherine Deneuve Criticizes #MeToo Movement
This is what’s trending today… Activists are denouncing French film star Catherine Deneuve and other women for an open letter they published this week in the newspaper Le Monde. The letter sharply criticized the #metoo campaign. The movement began in October with accusations of sexual wrongdoing against American movie producer Harvey Weinstein. The accusations led to his dismissal from the company he founded. In the months since, more people have come forward with abuse accusations against men in powerful positions across many industries. Deneuve and more than 100 other French women signed the letter. It said the movement had become a public trial, in which the accused were not given a chance to defend themselves. And it said the movement is powered by a “hatred of men.” The women also argue in the letter that the movement represses sexual freedom and serves those who see women as “separate beings, children with the appearance of adults, demanding to be protected.” The letter begins with the statement that rape is a crime. But the letter also argues that it is not a crime “to touch a woman’s knee, try to steal a kiss, talk about intimate things during a work meal, or send sexually charged messages to women who did not return their interest.” Social media responses to the letter have been mixed. Actor Asia Argento, who has accused Weinstein of rape, was dismissive on Twitter. She wrote: “Catherine Deneuve and other French women tell the world how their interiorized misogyny has lobotomized them to the point of no return.” But in answer to Argento, Twitter user Claire Fox wrote: "Bravo Denueuve, who speaks for those many women told to shut up by the sisterhood for daring to worry about a witch-hunt atmosphere." A “witch hunt” is the act of unfairly punishing people who are accused of having opinions that some consider to be dangerous or evil. On Wednesday, several French women’s rights activists dismissed the letter. The activists wrote on the website Franceinfotv that Deneuve and the others who signed the letter are making sexual violence appear “normal.” And that’s what’s trending today. I'm Caty Weaver. Caty Weaver adapted this report for Learning English based on Associated Press reports. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story repress - v. to not allow yourself to do or express (something) intimate - n. involving sex or sexual relations interiorize - v. to make interior; to make a part of one's own inner being. misogyny - n dislike of, or prejudice against women. lobotomize - v. to undergo an operation in which part of the brain is cut in order to treat some mental disorders bravo - interjection. used to express approval of a performance
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January 10, 2018
A look at the best news photos from around the world.
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South Korea's President Willing to Talk with Kim Jong Un
South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in says he would be willing to hold talks with North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un under the right conditions. Moon made the offer as he spoke to reporters Wednesday one day after diplomats from the two sides met for 11 hours in their first official talks since 2015. Negotiators met at the “peace village” of Panmunjom on the border between the Koreas. Moon said, “What we can do at the moment is improve inter-Korean relations, engage North Korea in dialogue, so that North Korea can return to the negotiation table for, ultimately, denuclearization.” It is unclear whether a meeting between the two Korean leaders could take place anytime soon. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un has not met with any foreign leaders since he took power in 2011. Koh Yu-hwan is a North Korea expert at Dongguk University in Seoul. He said such a meeting is possible during Moon’s five-year term. “Kim has never met any foreign leader, so it would be meaningful for him to make his first summit a meeting between [the] Koreas,” he said. Moon said he was open to any form of meeting with some conditions. He noted talks should not be empty. During last year’s presidential campaign, Moon said that he wanted to improve relations between the Koreas. However, he also has supported strong international restrictions on the North to bring it to the negotiating table. The South Korean president noted on Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump was important in helping to bring about conditions that permitted the negotiations. He said Trump deserved “big credit” for increasing pressure through sanctions on the North Korean leadership. In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump agreed during a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. “Without our attitude that would have never happened,” Trump said. Trump added, “Who knows where it leads. Hopefully it will lead to success for the world — not just for our country but for the world, and we’ll be seeing over the next number of weeks and months what happens.” The White House also said in a statement, “President Trump expressed his openness to holding talks between the United States and North Korea at the appropriate time, under the right circumstances.” Results of Panmunjom talks The two Koreas have agreed to reopen an emergency communications hotline. They also agreed to hold military talks to solve disputes and avoid accidental conflict. North Korea said it would send a large delegation to the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics next month. And South Korea said it would be willing to suspend some restrictions that could interfere with North Korea attending the Games. South Korea also proposed a reunion of families separated by the Korean War to be held some time in February. Guarded reactions to talks Moon called North Korea’s attendance at the Olympic Games “very desirable.” However, he said progress on the nuclear issue is necessary for relations between the Koreas to improve. He warned that new nuclear or missile tests would only increase international pressure. Grant Newsham is with the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies based in Tokyo. He said it is important that the militaries of the two sides are talking to each other. But he warns that North Korea could use the talks to divide South Korea from its allies, Japan and the U.S. I’m Mario Ritter. Mario Ritter adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting from Brian Padden of VOA and the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story engage –v. to become involved in dialogue –n. discussions between two groups or countries which have a disagreement sanctions –n. measures meant to cause a country to obey international law usually having to do with trade attitude –n. the way a person things or acts about someone or something reunion –n. a gathering of people who have not been together in a long time circumstances –n. conditions that affect a situation We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
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US Proposes Opening Most Coastal Waters for Oil Drilling
The United States has announced plans to open much of the country’s coastal waters to oil and gas drilling. The Interior Department released the five-year plan last week. It is much more expansive than one suggested by President Donald Trump in April of last year. The Interior Department proposed to publicly sell 47 possible drilling rights in much of the U.S. continental shelf. That is a large increase from the 11 lease sales during the presidency of Barack Obama. The draft of the plan would permit the sale of drilling leases in 25 of 26 offshore planning areas. The one area identified as off-limits is the waters near Alaska’s far-western Aleutian Islands. The area was given special protection by former President George W. Bush. The strongest energy superpower in the world Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke told reporters last week that the United States is, in his words, “going to become the strongest energy superpower this world has ever known.” Zinke also said that he wants to grow the country’s offshore energy industry instead of having to depend on foreign energy resources. “We will produce enough energy to meet our needs at home, and we will export enough energy to lead the world," he said. The Interior Department’s broad proposal is meant to begin with a 60-day public comment period. The Interior Department is responsible for setting the start date of the comment period. Zinke said in a press release that “not all areas are appropriate for offshore drilling, and we will take that into consideration in the coming weeks.” Some critics of the plan have already expressed their feelings. The opponents include environmental groups and governors from coastal states. When the plan was first released, waters off Florida’s coastline were included. However, Zinke announced on Tuesday that he is now banning oil and gas drilling off the Florida coast. In a statement, Zinke said, “I support the governor’s position that Florida is unique and its coasts are heavily reliant on tourism as an economic driver.” The Interior Secretary admitted that Florida Governor Rick Scott pressured him to amend his decision. The Defense Department has also expressed concerns about drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, where the U.S. Navy performs exercises. The Trump administration is currently operating under a plan set up by the Obama administration. The plan is for the years 2017 to 2022. Obama had proposed drilling off the Atlantic Coast and off Alaska's Arctic coast. However, both proposals were removed in the final version of the plan. Last year, Zinke took a number of steps to make it easier to lease and explore for oil on land and in water. He removed some safety laws that were put into place after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The Deepwater Horizon rig caught fire after an oil well explosion. Eleven people were killed. The resulting oil spill – nearly 5 billion barrels over five months -- was the worst offshore oil spill in American history. I’m Jonathan Evans. Marissa Melton reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you think coasts should be used for energy resources or protected? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story appropriate - adj. especially suitable or compatible continental shelf - n. the area of seabed around a large landmass where the sea is relatively shallow compared with the open ocean. The continental shelf is geologically part of the continental crust. broad - adj. covering a large number and wide scope of subjects or areas. drilling - v. produce (a hole) in something by or as if by boring with a drill. lease - n. a contract by which one conveys real estate, equipment, or facilities for a specified term and for a specified rent marine ecosystems - n. a complex of living organisms in the ocean environement offshore - adv. at a distance from the shore reliant - adj. having reliance on something or someone tourism - n. the practice of traveling for recreation unique - adj. being the only one
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