How to get PHP variable from another php file : I have functions.php
        while ($row_posts = mysqli_fetch_array($run_news)) {

		$news_id = $row_posts['news_id'];
		$user_id = $row_posts['user_id'];
		$topic_id = $row_posts['topic_id'];
		$news_title = $row_posts['news_title'];
		$news_date = $row_posts['news_date'];

		// getting the user who has posted the thread

		$user = "select * from users where user_id ='$user_id' AND posts = 'yes'";

		$run_user = mysqli_query($con, $user);
		$row_user = mysqli_fetch_array($run_user);
		$user_name = $row_user['user_name'];
		$user_image = $row_user['user_image'];


And another file  showmap.php
where I want $string to be dynamically come from user


         $string = 'Massive fire underneath Metro-North tracks in MODEL TOWN disrupts train service.';
$lower_string= strtolower($string);
