English @ the Movies: 'Act Out'

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Trump Denies Insulting Term at White House Meeting

President Donald Trump has denied that he used an offensive term to describe African nations and Haiti during a White House meeting. American news media reported on Thursday that Trump used the term at talks on a U.S. immigration policy known as DACA. The media include The Washington Post and The New York Times newspapers and broadcaster CNN. DACA is short for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It is meant for individuals who moved to the United States illegally before the age of 16. Under the policy, those immigrants are guaranteed protection and not at risk of expulsion from the country. Media reports said Trump used the offensive term when Senators Dick Durbin and Lindsey Graham reported to him on a newly-written immigration bill. Trump reportedly asked, “Why are we having all these people from s---hole countries come here.” The term suggests dirty or very poor. The president added that the U.S. government should accept more people from countries like Norway. Trump had met with the Norwegian prime minister on Wednesday. Asked about the comments, White House spokesman Raj Shah did not deny them. “Certain Washington politicians choose to fight for foreign countries, but President Trump will always fight for the American people,” he said. In a tweet Friday morning, Trump suggested that he did not use the insulting term. He wrote, “The language used by me at the DACA meeting was tough, but this was not the language used. What was really tough was the outlandish proposal made - a big setback for DACA!” Trump later added, “Never said anything derogatory about Haitians other than Haiti is, obviously, a very poor and troubled country. Never said ‘take them out.’ Made up by Dems. I have a wonderful relationship with Haitians. Probably should record future meetings – unfortunately, no trust!” Senator Durbin, a member of the Democratic Party, was at the White House meeting on Thursday. The senator spoke with reporters on Friday in Chicago, Illinois. When asked what Trump had said in the meeting, Durbin said, "I cannot believe that in the history of the White House and of that Oval Office, any president has ever spoken the words that I personally heard our president speak yesterday. You've seen the comments in the press. I have not read one of them that's inaccurate." Reactions from Africa The African Union (AU) told the Associated Press it was “frankly alarmed” by Trump’s comment. A spokesman for the AU said, “This is particularly surprising as the United States of America remains a global example of how migration gave birth to a nation built on strong values of diversity and opportunity.” The government in Botswana called Trump’s comment “reprehensible and racist.” South Africa’s ruling African National Congress said his comment is “extremely offensive.” Some African governments found themselves in a difficult position. Since they are receiving American aid, they were slow to criticize the president’s comment. “Unless it was specifically said about South Sudan, we have nothing to say,” a spokesman for South Sudan told the Associated Press. Sylvester Odion Akhaine teaches international relations at the Lagos State University in Nigeria. He said Trump’s comment “not only insulted Africans, he has also insulted African-Americans.” United Nations official Rupert Colville added “These are shocking and shameful comments from the President of the United States. There is no other word one can use but ‘racist’.” Reactions in the U.S. U.S. Congressman Steny Hoyer, a Democrat, said “President Trump’s comments are racist and a disgrace.” But Democrats were not the only ones objected. Like Trump, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen of Florida is a member of the Republican Party. She said "It's incomprehensible that these words came out of the mouth of the president of the United States of America, a country that was founded on being free from discrimination and treating people fairly and having people come here, the land of the free." Another Republican, Representative Mia Love of Utah, is a child of Haitian immigrants. She said “This behavior is unacceptable from the leader of our nation.” And she called on Trump to apologize to the American people. Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, also a Republican, said he wanted more details of the president’s comments. "Part of what makes America so special is that we welcome the best and brightest in the world, regardless of their country of origin," Hatch added.   Hai Do adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on AP, Reuters and VOA news reports. George Grow was the editor.    

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Can You Correct 'Her and I?'

  On March 5,  Jazmine Hughes wrote in a New York Times blog, “Recently, at an IRL party — that is, a party that takes place ‘in real life,’ as opposed to where I generally live, which is on the Internet — a guest asked a friend and I how we met.” The sentence includes a common error I have been seeing and hearing more and more often lately. The error is using the subject pronoun “I” when the object pronoun “me” should be used. Even President Obama can be heard using “I” for the object of a sentence. At his first press conference, on November 7, 2008, he spoke about being invited to tour the White House. “Well, President Bush graciously invited Michelle and I to -- to meet with him and First Lady Laura Bush.” The rule for object pronouns English has eight subject pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, you and they. Subject pronouns show the actor in a sentence. For example, in the sentence “I speak English,” “I” is the actor.   English also has eight object pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, you and them. We use an object pronoun to show the receiver of the action in a sentence, as in “She gave the book to me.” In that sentence, “me” is the receiver. People often confuse subject pronouns and object pronouns in sentences with two receivers. Take the sentence “President Obama gave an award to my brother and me.” We can easily see the need for an object pronoun because of the preposition “to.” But some sentences do not have prepositions, as in “Obama asked my brother and me some questions.” The sentence still needs the object pronoun “me.” However, some people might want to say “Obama asked my brother and I some questions.” You know that sentence has a grammar error because “I” is not an object pronoun. Why people say “I” instead of “me” I think the confusion about “I” and “me” comes from instruction we get as children: to be polite. When we mention ourselves and another person in a sentence, we are told to put the other person first. For example, we might be reminded to say, “My brother and I went to the White House.” Saying “I and my brother went to the White House” is grammatically correct but would sound impolite, or rude. So, English speakers who are faced with two people in the object position in a sentence often grab for the phrase “someone and I.” They do not notice the phrase is grammatically incorrect. It just sounds more polite. Another theory about the “I” or “me” error comes from a 2009 New York Times article “The I’s Have It.” Writers Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman guess that people correct children who use “me” instead of “I” so much, the children grow up using “I” even when it is wrong. They explain the term for this linguistic phenomenon is “hypercorrection.”  Back to Ms. Hughes, her party and the New York Times blog. Her sentence should be re-written as “…a guest asked a friend and me how we met.” Shortly after I called the error to the newspaper's attention, the sentence was corrected in this way. A simple way to check for the correct pronoun in a case like this is mentally to eliminate the second person. Try saying in your head “A guest asked me how we met,” or, “A guest asked a friend how we met.” That simple check makes choosing the correct pronoun easier. Now you will always know the right pronoun to use – take it from me! I’m Jill Robbins.   Dr. Jill Robbins wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   error - n. something that is not correct; a wrong action or statement; mistake instruction - n. the action or process of teaching : the act of instructing someone phenomenon - n. something (such as an interesting fact or event) that can be observed and studied and that typically is unusual or difficult to understand or explain fully hypercorrection – n. the mistaken use of a word form or pronunciation based on a false analogy with a correct or prestigious form​ Now it’s your turn. In the comments section, tell us about your own grammar gripes. What do people say in your language that bothers you?  

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US Street Named after Russian Opposition Leader Boris Nemtsov

  The local government in Washington, D.C. has approved plans to rename one of the city’s streets after Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. The street is in front of the Russian embassy to the United States. Nemtsov, a critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was killed in 2015. Time magazine reports that Russian lawmakers have criticized the plan. On January 9, the Council of the District of Columbia passed a measure called the Boris Nemtsov Plaza Designation Act. Every member of the council voted to approve the renaming of the street "on an emergency basis." The measure renames the part of Wisconsin Avenue that is home to the Russian Embassy in honor of the opposition leader. Boris Nemtsov was a reformist politician and fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Nemtsov was shot and killed nearly three years ago on a bridge in Moscow. A change coming at a tense time D.C. officials are seeking permission from the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Homeland Security before they make the change. Council officials said that a ceremony to set up a plaque honoring Nemtsov has been set for the third anniversary of his death on February 27. Federal legislation to rename the area along Wisconsin Avenue was first proposed in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in 2017. The proposal has yet to be approved. The Senate bill states that the address of the property containing the embassy, the Russian ambassador’s home and consulate would be changed to 1 Boris Nemtsov Plaza. In the past, Russian officials have expressed opposition to the renaming. However, Dimitry Peskov, a government spokesman, said it is the decision of the D.C. officials for how to name the street in front of the embassy. "This is a prerogative of the city authorities,” he said, while noting it comes at a time when relations between the two countries have been tense. Russia’s state-operated TASS news agency reported his comments. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports that Nemtsov supporters set up an unofficial memorial in his honor on the bridge where he was shot dead. But it has been repeatedly damaged or removed by unknown individuals. Last September, a plaque honoring Nemtsov was placed on the Moscow building where the opposition leader lived. But city officials declared the plaque illegal. It was removed after less than one week by a pro-government activist group. In June, a Moscow court found five men from Russia's North Caucasus area of Chechnya guilty of Nemtsov's murder. It sentenced them to prison for terms between 11 to 20 years. However, Nemtsov’s relatives and other contacts believe the killing had been ordered at a higher level. They say there will be no justice until the person or people who ordered his murdered are identified and brought to trial. Symbols can create change Last month, Nemtsov’s daughter Zhanna Nemtsova spoke at a public hearing in Washington. She told D.C. council members that Putin's government wanted to completely remove the memory of her father. She said the Kremlin believes correctly that symbols are important and can sometimes incite change. "This explains the nervous reaction from the Russian Foreign Ministry when they first heard of the Washington, D.C., [street-naming] initiative," Nemtsova said. I’m Lucija Millonig.   Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported on this story. Phil Dierking adapted the story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Do you think streets in front of Embassy’s should be named after political activists?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   consulate – n. a diplomatic office initiative – n. the power to act or take charge before others do. plaque – n. a piece of metal or wood with writing on it prerogative – n. a special right or power symbol – n. something that stands for or suggests something else by reason of relationship or ties address – n. a place where you can contact or communicate with an individual or organization  

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French President Calls for Trade Balance in Visit to China

  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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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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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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