More Changes in Trump's White House

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uScwqB
via IFTTT

As Diabetes Increases, a Vegetable Could Help

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2vmTkUM
via IFTTT

First American Woman Climbs K2

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2vgux3W
via IFTTT

Venezuelan President Claims Victory, Opponents Call Election a Fraud

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tSAgta
via IFTTT

Russia Orders Big Cut in US Diplomatic Staff in Moscow

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2f32yyq
via IFTTT

Yellowstone Grizzly Bears Lose Protected Status

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2wfzyHe
via IFTTT

July 31, 2017

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uRBExn
via IFTTT

Grover Cleveland: Repeated

  VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Grover Cleveland. When Americans remember him, it is mostly because he makes writing presidential timelines difficult. Cleveland was the nation’s 22nd president, and also its 24th. He remains the only U.S. president to date whose second term did not immediately follow the first. Cleveland is also notable because of his personal life, and because he held office during one of the country’s worst economic crises.   Early life Stephen Grover Cleveland was born in the northeastern state of New Jersey and grew up mostly in New York. He was a middle child in a family of nine children. His father was a minister, and the family did not have much money. As a result, Cleveland had little formal education. He was one of the few presidents who did not go to college. But he was able to become a lawyer. He earned enough money and developed a good professional image. In time, he became a sheriff, a mayor, and the governor of the state of New York.   In his early life, Cleveland did not marry and have children. Instead, he had many friends, with whom he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and eating and drinking in restaurants. But Cleveland did have a relationship with a widow named Maria Halpin. She became pregnant and said Cleveland was the baby’s father. Cleveland said he was not sure if he was. However, he gave the child some financial support, the name of one of his closest friends, and his own family name. The child was called Oscar Folsom Cleveland.    Shortly after the boy was born, his mother was sent to an institution for the mentally unstable. Doctors quickly confirmed that her mental health was fine, but her son was taken from her and raised by another family.   The story about Halpin and the child became an issue in the election of 1884. The Democratic Party had nominated Cleveland as their candidate for president. In general, voters liked his message of limiting federal spending, reducing the power of wealthy interests, and stopping political corruption. Some called him “Grover the Good.” But Cleveland’s opponents said his history with Maria Halpin showed that he was an immoral man. At anti-Cleveland rallies, Republicans chanted, “Ma, ma, where’s my Pa?” Pa is another word for father. But Cleveland did not comment much on the matter. His defenders said Cleveland’s honesty as a public official was more important than his bad judgment as a private citizen. Voters seemed to agree. Cleveland narrowly won the election. His supporters answered the Republicans’ chants of “where’s my Pa?” by saying, “Gone to the White House, ha, ha, ha!” First presidential term Grover Cleveland’s presidency was unusual because he did not want to use the office to propose laws. Instead, he mostly aimed to keep the federal government operating efficiently. He also wanted to limit lawmakers’ power to help special interest groups. As a result, Cleveland vetoed many bills in his first term. He set a record at that time for saying no to proposals from Congress. One of the few ideas that he supported was reducing tariffs. Many of his fellow Democrats liked that idea, too. But a number of Republicans did not. In the next election, their candidate, Benjamin Harrison, defeated Cleveland. Cleveland returned to being a lawyer in New York. In 1892, Cleveland was chosen to run against Benjamin Harrison again. The tariff issue returned: the Republicans’ protective tariffs had hurt some industries, and voters answered this time by voting Harrison out of office. Cleveland returned to the White House. But this time he was not alone. White House Wedding Two years into his first term as president, Cleveland married the daughter of his close friend, Oscar Folsom. The bride’s name was Frances Folsom. She was 21 years old at the time. The president was 49. Cleveland was not the first president to get married while in office. But he was  the first one to be married in the White House. The event captivated the public. What’s more, Americans adored the new first lady. She was known for being social, charming, and beautiful. Historians conclude that she was the most popular first lady since Dolley Madison. She remains the youngest. Second presidential term When the Clevelands returned to the White House, the country was entering a severe economic recession. Some of the country’s biggest businesses were failing, including a railroad and many banks. As a result, investors withdrew their money from the stock market. The withdrawal caused many other businesses to fail. The series of events is known as the Panic of 1893. Soon, more and more Americans were out of work. Many could not afford houses or food. Some begged President Cleveland to intervene. But he declined. He did not think it was the role of the federal government to create jobs in order to reverse the depression. However, Cleveland did use the power of the federal government to intervene during a famous labor strike. In that event, workers in Chicago who helped keep the trains operating walked out of their jobs. They were protesting a major decrease in their pay that did not include a decrease in their living expenses. Since the owner of the company also controlled the price of housing and food, workers appealed to him to treat them more fairly. But the company owner refused even to meet with the workers. Soon, the workers’ boycott grew. Workers at other railyards stopped working. Farmers could not get their goods to market, and others could not get the supplies they needed. Even the mail stopped being delivered.      So Cleveland sent federal troops to break the strike. In the short term, Cleveland’s actions worked. The trains moved again, and both the courts and most of the public agreed with the president’s decision. But in the long term, Cleveland’s handling of the panic, depression, and workers’ strike lost the support of many voters. At the next opportunity, they voted him out of the White House again. Cleveland’s Legacy Cleveland returned to New York, and later settled in a large house in Princeton, New Jersey. There, he wrote, made speeches, sat on corporate boards, became a trustee of Princeton University and enjoyed the respect of the people who lived in the town. He died at age 71 of problems with his stomach, heart, and kidneys. Several people said his final words were, “I have tried so hard to do right.” Then and now, many people agreed with that idea. Cleveland was generally an honest man who worked hard and tried to act independently as president. But he is not considered one of America’s best leaders. He did not have a clear idea about how to guide the country. Yet the opposing party, at least, may have considered Cleveland’s presidency a success. After Cleveland’s final election defeat, six of the next seven presidents were Republicans. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. Listening Quiz See how well you understand the story by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video and choose the best answer. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   widow - n. a woman whose husband has died​ immoral - adj. not morally good or right : morally evil or wrong​ tariffs - n. a tax on goods coming into or leaving a country captivate - v. to attract and hold the attention of someone by being interesting or pretty trustee - n. a member of a group that manages the money of an organization  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2vW8wVO
via IFTTT

Cities Aim to Make Once-Polluted Rivers Safe for Swimming

  Holding hands, people jumped in the water, and floated around in Boston’s Charles River recently. That is something that would not have been possible years ago because the river was so polluted. In the 1960s, the music group The Standells even sang about the river in their popular song, “Dirty Water.” “Well I love that Dirty Water, oh, Boston you’re my home.” The swimmers were getting their once-a-year chance to cool off from the summer heat in the Charles River. It is called “City Splash.”  For a few days each year, the state of Massachusetts allows public swimming on Boston’s part of the nearly 130-kilometer river.  The event is in its fifth year. It is a chance for the nonprofit Charles River Conservancy to show its efforts to build a “swim park.” Their idea is to build floating docks where swimmers can jump safely into the river— without touching the hazardous bottom. These docks would be in areas where the water quality would be tested repeatedly. Nearly 300 people signed up to swim. "It felt refreshing and wonderful,'' said Newton, Massachusetts resident Ira Hart as he got out of the river. "They used to talk about how it was toxic sludge and you'd glow if you came out of the Charles. Well I'm not glowing, at least not yet.'' Boston is one of the cities hoping to follow the model of Copenhagen, Denmark. That city opened the first of its three floating harbor baths in the early 2000s. On sunny days, people swim in the harbor baths surrounded by tall buildings and cars on the highways. At night, the area is filled with people enjoying music and food. Just recently Paris opened public swimming in a once-polluted canal. New York, London, Berlin and other cities are planning similar features for their waterways. In Boston, the Charles River Conservancy still needs to raise several million dollars. It also needs to get approvals from city, state and federal agencies. The group’s spokeswoman, S.J. Port, said the biggest problem has already been taken care of: The Charles is now one of the cleanest city rivers in America. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced this month that the river earned a “B” grade for water quality last year-- an “A” being the best grade. It means the Charles River met the requirement for swimming 55 percent of the time. Here are examples of other cities working to allow swimming again: Portland, Oregon In Portland, Oregon, the city and a local group invited residents to swim in the Willamette River this summer. They opened the first official public beach with lifeguards on the river earlier this month. They have also launched a public information campaign and scheduled events around the water. Among them was the Big Float river parade on July 15. People floated on the river in inner tubes and small boats. About 2,500 people participated in the party. London In London, a group of architects, designers and engineers have plans for a series of pools in the middle of the River Thames. It would be in an area where river water would be filtered, or cleaned, continuously. Chris Romer-Lee, a lead organizer of the Thames Baths project, said the group aims to submit plans to local authorities by early 2018. The group launched an online funding campaign last year that raised about $180,000 to work on their design. Now they are working to raise almost $20 million for the project itself. New York In New York, four local artists and architects launched the idea for +Pool, a floating pool in the shape of a plus sign in 2010. The water would also be cleaned or filtered. Since then, they say they have successfully tested a filtration system that removes bacteria without using chemicals.The group’s deputy director said they have raised nearly $2 million to keep developing the project. They are exploring possible places on the East and Hudson rivers and are preparing to get city approvals. Melbourne, Australia In Melbourne, Australia, the Yarra Swim Co. presented its idea for a floating pool on the city's Yarra River at a show last year. Michael O'Neill is behind the effort. He said the company will reach out to community groups and government agencies in August. They want to know what people think the Yarra Pools project should offer. They also want to support other ideas for use of the river. Berlin In Berlin, the Flussbad project calls for cleaning up a canal off the German capital's Spree River for public bathing. Barbara Schindler is a spokeswoman for the effort. She said the idea has been around since the 1990s, but has made progress in recent years. She said the organization completed a water quality study in 2015. It has received $4.6 million in government funding to hopefully create the project. I’m Anne Ball. And I’m Jonathan Evans.  Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English from the Associated Press. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding with this short quiz. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   splash – v. to cause water or another liquid to move in a noisy or messy way dock – n. a structure built out into the water and used as a place to get on or off or tie up a boat. hazardous – adj. involving risk or danger toxic – adj. containing poisonous substances sludge – n. thick, soft, wet mud glow – v. to shine with low light and heat but usually without flame canal – n. a long narrow place that is filled with water and was created by people so that boats could pass through it or to supply fields, crops, etc., with water lifeguard – n. a person whose job is to protect swimmers from drowning inner tube – n. a round tube that holds air inside a tire

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tVazw8
via IFTTT

Nonprofits Help Elderly Immigrants in New York City

  For five hours a day, three days a week, more than 150 aging Bangladeshis exercise, eat, pray and talk together at the Jamaica Muslim Center in Queens, New York. A few kilometers away, at the Desi Senior Center, immigrants ages 60 and older exercise on a stage with guidance from a teacher. These seniors are taking part in programs that they cannot find - and in many cases cannot pay for - elsewhere in the city. Demographic changes in New York City New York City has seen major demographic changes since 2000. The Center for an Urban Future is a research group based in Manhattan. In a recent report, it said that immigrants make up 49.5 percent of the city's residents who are over the age of 65. In comparison, immigrants made up 38 percent of that same group in 2000. The report says there are now more people over the age of 65 in the city than there are children ages 10 and younger. Older immigrants face language and cultural barriers. They also are likely to face increased isolation and higher levels of poverty than natives. The Center for an Urban Future estimates that 22 percent of foreign-born seniors are in poverty. It says that this is true of about 15 percent of native seniors. Christian González-Rivera is a lead researcher at the center. He said: “Because the needs are now so much more diverse, along with the diversity of the population, we really need to rethink how it is that we serve seniors across the city in new ways.” Jahan Ara Amin's story Jahan Ara Amin is from Dhaka, Bangladesh. She is among the many Bangladeshis at Desi Senior Center who have had problems since coming to the United States. She and her husband first arrived in 2016. She says she did not feel welcomed by extended family members at her daughter’s home in Texas. Dilafroz Nargis Ahmed, the Desi Center’s director, explains this is common situation among Bangladeshi immigrants. Amin spoke through a translator. She became sad as she talked about her problems. She and her husband chose to settle in New York City because of the large number of Muslim-faith Bangladeshis. Amin and her husband have yet to find affordable permanent housing. Her lack of English makes it difficult to use public transportation. She says she worries how she “will go outside the next day.” “When I am home, I feel tension and anxiety,” she said. “But when I come here [the Desi Center], I forget everything.” Recent arrivals such as Amin are among the 31 percent of older immigrants who do not get Social Security and other federal help. At Desi Senior Center, she receives a warm meal. Otherwise, she is   mostly on her own. Burden on local resources Anand Ahuja, is an Indian-American immigrant and a lawyer who works on family and immigration law. He says situations like Amin’s still create an “unnecessary burden” on local resources. Some – but not all - of the money for such senior programs comes from public money. “If your own country members cannot take care of you, that should not be a license for you to be dependent upon the state,” Ahuja told VOA. “If you have a problem of religion, if you have a problem with language…isn’t it better for you then to go back to your home country?” Earlier this year, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton proposed an immigration bill that includes a visa requirement for parents of citizens “in need of caretaking.” The parents would not be able to work or access public benefits in the U.S.  They also “must be guaranteed support and health insurance by their sponsoring children.” Cotton plans to present the bill with some changes later this summer. Are older adults taken care of when they live with their children? Lakshman Kalasapudi is the deputy director of India Home, a nonprofit organization. She says many people mistakenly believe that South Asians who arrive as older adults are “fully taken care of” by their children. She said: “Our people are more conservative, and more religious and family oriented, so they want to be with the family. But it’s very hard to be with the family nowadays because the children who brought them here, maybe [a] son or [a] daughter, maybe they are on [the] poverty line also.” Kalasapudi says this can lead to a real breakdown in the family structure. She says it can have a deeply negative effect on the seniors’ mental health. Social isolation among immigrants is common she adds. That problem is India Home’s primary concern. Subhash Bhasin, 78, and Prabha Bhasin, 74, emigrated from India nearly 40 years ago. They became American citizens. They receive Social Security and government-supported health care. But they too experienced loneliness and depression as they entered old age. “We went back [to India] and we tried three years, but we could not settle so we came again,” said Prabha. This time, they found a community through India Home. “We say our prayers…we sing bhajans,” says Prabha. “We feel like we have an extended family now.” I'm John Russell.   And I'm Ashley Thompson. Ramon Taylor reported this story for VOANews. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story demographic – adj.  of or relating to the study of changes that occur in large groups of people over a period of time : of or relating to demography affordable – adj.  having a cost that is not too high  burden – n.  someone or something that is very difficult to accept, do, or deal with dependent – adj. needing someone or something else for support, help, etc. breakdown – n. the failure of a relationship or of an effort to discuss something isolation – n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others : the condition of being isolated benefit – n.  money that is paid by a company (such as an insurance company) or by a government when someone dies, becomes sick, stops working, etc. bhajan – n. Hinduism a religious song of praise

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uaeLn9
via IFTTT

Lesson 39: It’s Unbelievable!

Summary Anna sees an ad for a hair product on television. Her friend Pete is in the ad, so she believes that the product is a good one. She learns that she cannot believe everything she sees in television ads. Speaking In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then learn about using negative prefixes with adjectives.​ Pronunciation Use this video to learn about the pronunciation of the words "comfortable" and "uncomfortable." Conversation Anna: Hello! Winter weather in Washington, D.C. can be really windy. And wind messes up my hair. It is really windy today. Look at my hair. Will it be windy this weekend? I’ll listen to the news. I am tired of my untidy hair. Pete: Are you tired of your untidy hair? Anna: Yes. Yes, I am. And it’s … uncomfortable. Pete: Is it … uncomfortable? Anna: Yes. Yes, it is! Hey, is that … Pete? Pete: Hi. I’m Pete. And I have the perfect product for you -- Hair Be Good! Pete: Just spray Hair Be Good on your hair … wrap in a towel … and you are done! Hair Be Good works and it’s inexpensive. One can costs only $10! So, go online and order your Hair Be Good today! Anna: Hair Be Good sounds perfect! And I can trust Pete! I am buying some right now. Okay, I will order one can of Hair Be Good for $10. I’ll pay with a credit card. My delivery will arrive in 2 days. Awesome! Anna: It arrived! I'll use it before I go to work. Okay, Hair Be Good, make my untidy hair tidy! No, make it … fabulous! Amelia: Hi, Anna. Anna: Hello, Amelia! Amelia: Anna, you look … different. Anna: Thanks! I used a new product called Hair Be Good. Amelia: Well, it’s not. Anna: It’s not what? Amelia: Good. Your hair does not look good. Anna: Oh, no! This is not good. Amelia: Why don’t you go home and take care of … this. Anna: Good idea. Pete: Hi, Anna! Anna: Hello, Pete. Pete: Is something wrong? Anna: This is wrong! Pete: What did you do to your hair? Anna: Hair Be Good did this to my hair. Pete: Ah, you bought it! Anna: Yes, I bought it. You said in your ad it was a perfect product. This is not perfect. This is imperfect! Pete: It’s unbelievable! Anna: I believed your ad, Pete. It was dishonest! Pete: Anna, you don’t believe everything you see in ads, do you? Anna: No, Pete. Just the ones with my friends. Pete: Your hair will be okay. Just wash it ... a couple of times. Anna: Thanks. Thanks a lot, Pete! Here, here's your product! You should call it "Hair Be Really Bad!" Until next time, Pete! Till next time. Writing In this lesson, Anna believed an ad she saw on television. It was not a good decision. Do you believe the ads you see on television? Why or why not? Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice talking about ads. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Asking Questions to Clarify.  When we try to get more information we ask clarification questions. The information may help us to better understand others. In this lesson, Anna asks Amelia to clarify.  Amelia says, "Anna, you look … different." Anna thinks she looks great. She tells Amelia about the new hair product: "Thanks! I used a new product called Hair Be Good." When Amelia says, "Well, it’s not," Anna asks a question to clarify: "It’s not what?" Amelia clarifies, or explains her meaning: "Good. Your hair does not look good." Do you ever ask questions to clarify when you speak English? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan  for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words can - n.a closed metal container that is usually shaped like a cylinder and that holds food, drink, or other liquids delivery - n. something that is taken to a person or place or something that is delivered dishonest - adj. not honest: such as saying or likely to say things that are untrue imperfect - adj. having mistakes or problems or not perfect fabulous - adj. very good inexpensive - adj. low in price o rnot expensive order - v. to place an order for (something): such as to request (something) from a company product - n. something that is made or grown to be sold or used spray - v. to put a stream of small drops of liquid on (someone or something) tidy - adj. clean and organized or not messy towel - n. a piece of cloth used for drying things unbelievable - adj. difficult or impossible to believe uncomfortable - adj. causing a feeling of physical or mental discomfort untidy - adj. not neat or clean wrap - v. to cover (something) by winding or folding a piece of material around it ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice talking about advertisements. For Teachers ​ See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Adjectives with negative prefixes (in-, un-, dis-, im-) Topics: Shopping online, Interpreting factual statements; Critical thinking about advertisements Learning Strategy: Ask questions to clarify or get more information Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Using negative prefixes with adjectives; Pronouncing "comfortable" and "uncomfortable."   ____________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tPloM0
via IFTTT

Hundreds of Thousands of Somalis Displaced by Drought, Conflict

Drought and conflict have caused a new displacement crisis in the southern part of Somalia. Gerard Waite is chief of mission for the International Organization for Migration Somalia. He said about 800,000 people fled their homes over the past seven months. This is in addition to the 1.1 million people already displaced in the country. “We have a displacement crisis on top of a drought crisis,” Waite said. Poor camp conditions He also said that the newly displaced people have put heavy pressure on existing camps. “These camps are, by and large, not very well managed. They are normally on private land in very cramped conditions. They do not have the basic services in these camps,” Waite said. The displaced people are not living in healthy conditions, and are forced to drink unclean water. This has caused over 71,000 cases of cholera or severe diarrhea in 2017, resulting in nearly 1,100 deaths. “Water shortages have meant that people are drinking higher-risk water, taking water which they know to be contaminated but they drink it anyway,” Waite said. Difficult weather patterns Climate experts say the recent rainy season was well below average this year.  It usually lasts from April to June. The next rainy season is not expected until October, but experts warn there will be heavy crop losses. In addition, climate estimates suggest that there is a 45 percent chance of an El Niño weather event late in 2017. That could cause a further reduction in rain. An El Niño is an irregular weather event usually resulting in warmer-than-average temperatures in some places around the world. Waite said about 6.7 million people in Somalia are either suffering or near suffering from a food crisis. Managing and preparing for drought According to Waite, the International Organization for Migration has learned from Somalia’s drought in 2011. In that period of extremely dry weather, 200,000 people are believed to have died. “The need to deliver health systems to these places is extremely pressing,” Waite said.  However, he said they are also trying to work with the Somali government to create spaces that are better controlled and managed. Somalia’s finance minister, Abdirahman Duale Beyle, told VOA in May that the droughts in Somalia are cyclical.  He also said Somalia has become too dependent on external aid. “We have to change that kind of attitude,” Beyle said. There are projects meant to prepare Somalia for droughts, however.  The IOM, for example, is introducing drought-resistant potatoes. The U.N. Development Program is helping with several projects, including creating below-surface water tanks, wells, and community water storage ponds in Somaliland. Beyle said now is the time for Somalis themselves to take responsibility for solving the problem. “We have the technology, the intelligence and the know-how to break the link between drought and famine,” he said. I’m Phil Dierking.   Salem Solomon reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her report for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. How do you think a country can prepare for drought? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   drought - n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain​ contaminated - adj. to be made dangerous, dirty, or impure by adding something harmful or undesirable to it​ cramped - adj. not having enough space inside​ cyclical - adj. happening again and again in the same order ​ displace - v. to force (people or animals) to leave the area where they live​ manage - v. to take care of and make decisions about ​ external - adj. coming from outside​ famine - n. a situation in which many people do not have enough food to eat​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uONDvR
via IFTTT

Cambodian-Americans to Help Cambodia's Basketball Team

  Cambodia’s National Basketball team is preparing to play in the Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in August. Pek Mith is the team’s captain. He told VOA Khmer that the team will “play with a lot of heart.” The Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are held every two years in one of 11 Southeast Asian countries. The SEA Games permit teams to have foreign-born or foreign-raised players compete in events, just like the Olympics. But the athletes must play for a parent’s native country. Many people believe that the Cambodian basketball team would be improved by having taller, foreign players. The team hopes to win a medal in the games.   In a perfect world, the Cambodians imagine that their first medal would be a gold one. But that would mean defeating the team from the Philippines. The Philippine basketball team has won the gold medal since the SEA Games began in 1977, except for 1989 when Malaysia took first place. So Cambodia recruited 10 basketball players — nine from the U.S. and one from Canada. They range in height from 1.65 meters to 1.93 meters. Rayvon Fouché is an associate professor and director of American Studies at Purdue University. He told VOA Khmer that the history of American sports showed that winning teams are driven by individual “effort and desire.” “And I think heart matters a lot,” he said. Fouché’s research showed that teams with mediocre players and a higher purpose often defeat teams that only have talented players. He said, “That’s why culture and community and identity within context of sports is really important.” He added,  “And that’s why people love the SEA Games and Olympics because playing and competing for your nation with people who have the same identity and culture — that makes you play in a way that you probably wouldn’t play before.”  In 2007, Sophean Toun was the first Cambodian-American player on the Cambodian National team. He says players want to compete because of national pride. “I feel like it’s our job to represent our ways in basketball to fulfill that pride that everyone should have being Cambodian,” he said. Austin Koledoye is the team’s head coach. He said that countries regularly seek the best athletes without considering their nationalities. He added that the players he recruited are not “foreigners,” they are Khmer. Khmer are the majority population in Cambodia. Koledoye said their involvement helps Cambodia, which is now getting recognition around the world. Fouché says players coming from the U.S. have clear advantages. They are taller and better trained. He says those issues could lead to low morale in a team with native and foreign-born players. Sok Tour is a Cambodian native who retired after the 2015 SEA Games. He now coaches for the Cambodian Basketball League Under 17 team. He says there was no resentment toward the foreign-born players. “The Cambodian players here are limited in their skills,” he said. “When we compete to represent Cambodia, we want Cambodians from the U.S. because of their expertise in the game. We want experience and we need their help.” Koledoye says that the Cambodian-Americans are role models for local Cambodians. “They leave their jobs and family to come and play,” he said. “That is Khmer spirit.” I’m Jonathan Evans.   Manilene Ek reported this story for VOA News. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   advantage – n. something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others mediocre – adj. not very good morale – n. the feelings of enthusiasm and loyalty that a person or group has about a task or job recruit – v.  to form or build a group, team, army, etc. by getting people to join  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uLgKll
via IFTTT

Everyday Grammar: Uses of Well

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uLlmHX
via IFTTT

Are Video Games the Next Big College Sport?

New kinds of competitors are joining student athletes at colleges and universities around the country. But not everyone agrees that these video game players are taking part in a sport. Sports are an established part of college life and a source of income for some schools. The football stadium at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, for example, holds over 107,000 people. It is one of the largest sports stadiums in the world! The National Collegiate Athletic Association, or NCAA, organizes and creates rules for most of the major college sports competitions in the United States. Income from television advertisements during the NCAA yearly men’s basketball championships was greater than $1 billion in 2016. Not every college sport involves throwing a ball or swinging a stick, however. More schools around the country are offering new competitions that are growing in popularity. Like most traditional college sports, video game competitions involve two or more teams of students officially representing their schools. Team members wear clothing with their names and school colors. They even have coaches giving them advice on how best to win. However, there is no running or jumping or hitting other players. In fact, these new events are different from any traditional athletic activity. They are called esports, and they take place not in the real world, but in computers or other video game systems. Professional video game competitions have been popular around the world for years. Teams and individuals compete for prize money and awards in strategic military combat games like Starcraft and one-on-one fighting games like Street Fighter. But just as in traditional sports, there is a big difference between professional esports players and those who play for fun, says Michael Brooks. Brooks is the executive director of the National Association of Collegiate eSports, or NACE. NACE is an organization similar to the NCAA. It seeks to support the growth of college-level esports as well as create a system of governing rules for them. Brooks says that three years ago, only about seven colleges and universities in the U.S. had esports programs. Much of the popularity for video game competitions was in Europe and Asia at that time, and still is. That is mainly because the traditional professional sports industry in the U.S. is already so strong. Also, fewer people in the U.S. have high-speed internet connections, Brooks adds. But he says websites like YouTube and Twitch, where people can show videos of themselves competing in video games, have made a big difference. In addition to playing, watching others compete has become much more popular. Now, many more young Americans are looking for a path to professional-level competition, Brooks notes. So in 2016, Maryville University of St. Louis in Missouri and 5 other schools joined together to form NACE. Brooks says this move to treat esports seriously came at just the right time. “Many [schools] had the feeling that esports kind of … came out of nowhere. … But … that’s not necessarily true,” he told VOA via Skype. “It was just that if you’re interested in esports, that was something you had to go find. It wasn’t something put in front of you in the real world… And it’s only till recently that enough organizations have seen that there is a need here.” Currently, 41 U.S. colleges and universities are members of NACE, with esports teams of their own. Brooks argues that the schools do everything they can to treat the esports teams just like their traditional sports teams. The schools provide all the computers and other equipment that is necessary. Also, many schools provide students with some form of financial support in exchange for being on one of its teams. Southwest Baptist University in Missouri, for example, gives its esports team members as much as $10,000 in assistance. Brooks adds that not just anyone can join an esports team, and esports does not include any video game available. NACE only includes video games that enough students play under the same rules for competition. Schools invite the best young players in the country to join their teams just as they do with traditional college sports. These student also must keep a minimum level of academic performance in order to stay on the team. ​However, some experts do not believe colleges or the public should compare video games to soccer or baseball.   ​Brandon Spradley is the director of sports management at the United States Sports Academy. The school provides higher education in sports-related fields. Spradley also was on the competitive running team at the University of Alabama when he was a student there. Spradley says he is glad that schools are offering to help students pay for their education any way they can. But video games are just not as physically demanding as traditional sports, he says. “With esports, I do believe that the preparation is there and I do believe there is…skill to it as well,” Spradley told VOA via Skype. “It’s just…the physical exertion that most athletes [experience]…the practices that we have to do, the skill that we have to demonstrate, day in and day out. That is what I believe separates real sports from esports.” However, Kenneth Lam, the assistant director of the esports program at Maryville University, finds that argument pointless. After all, he says, golf is in no way as physically demanding as football. But people still call golf a sport. Lam also notes that the five members of his school’s team practice one to three nights per week for three hours at a time. That requires a lot of physical and mental energy, he says. And all that effort has paid off since the school started the program in 2015. His team beat eight other North American schools to win the League of Legends College Championships in May. Then, earlier this month they won third place at the League of Legends International College Cup in Wuhan, China. “It’s really exciting to see how much we have [been able to do] for the past two years,” Lam told VOA via Skype. Lam, Spradley and Brooks do all agree on one thing: esports are only going to increase in popularity. The sports media company ESPN began showing esports competitions although its president said in 2014 esports were not actually a sport. In addition, esports may be having a growing effect on schools. The number of new students attending Maryville grew by 45 percent from 2015 to 2016. Lam believes this is because of the success of his team and the attention they have brought to the school. I’m Caty Weaver. And I'm Pete Musto. Pete Musto reported this for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. How popular are esports in your country? Do you consider esports to be “real” sports? Why or why not? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   athlete(s) – n. a person who is trained in or good at sports, games, or exercises that require physical skill and strength video game – n. an electronic game in which players control images on a television or computer screen income – n. money that is earned from work, investments, or business football – n. an American game that is played between two teams of 11 players each and in which the ball is moved forward by running or passing to try and get a ball to the goals at each end of a large field stadium – n. a very large usually roofless building that has a large open area surrounded by many rows of seats and that is used for sports events or concerts basketball – n. a game in which two teams of five players bounce a ball and try to score points by throwing the ball through one of the raised nets at each end of a rectangular court championship(s) – n. an important competition that decides which player or team is the best in a particular sport or game coach(es) – n. a person who teaches and trains an athlete or performer strategic – adj. of or relating to a general plan that is created to achieve a goal in war or politics financial – adj. relating to money academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education soccer – n. a game played between two teams of 11 players in which a round ball is moved toward a goal usually by kicking to try and get a ball to the goals at each end of a large field baseball – n. a game played on a large field by two teams of nine players who try to score runs by hitting a small ball with a bat and then running to each of the four bases without being put out exertion – n. physical or mental effort practice(s) – n. the activity of doing something again and again in order to become better at it golf – n. an outdoor game in which players use special clubs called golf clubs to try to hit a small ball with as few strokes as possible into each of 9 or 18 holes

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tT51Cl
via IFTTT

Better Conditions Make for Happier Cows and Farmers

Researchers are finding that better living conditions make for happier cows. And happier cows mean happier farmers, too.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2w9YlfV
via IFTTT

Activists Say Censorship in North Korea Will Not Last

North Korea has increased efforts in recent years to prevent outside information from entering the country. But international activists say technology and outside forces will one day lead to the end of state censorship. North Korea is one of the most disconnected nations in the world. The country has a ban on foreign media. Most people do not have access to the Internet. The Transitional Justice Working Group reports that the government has even executed citizens for sharing media from South Korea. The group researches human rights abuses in North Korea. North Korea is following a similar method to other authoritarian governments, observers in Cuba and Myanmar say. Cuban and Burmese leaders of organizations that have fought censorship in their own countries recently met in Seoul to share their experiences with Koreans doing similar work. Cuba In Cuba, as in North Korea, there is a growing demand for foreign movies and television programs. This has made the business of illegally bringing in outside information increasingly profitable. Rafael Duval is with Cubanet, an independent news organization that fights government restrictions in Cuba. Cubanet uses devices such as USB drives and DVDs to spread a weekly collection of foreign videos and other materials. The collection is called "El Paquete" – "the package" in English. Cubanet delivers the materials through the black market – a system through which things are bought and sold illegally.   Duval says it is the job of some Cuban officials to prevent foreign media from entering the country. But many of them accept illegal payments in exchange for not reporting the sharing of media. And many officials often use foreign media themselves, he adds. Another project helps Cubans who have email accounts find out information from the Internet. About 25 percent of Cubans have access to email. The project, called Apretaste, connects Cubans with volunteers in places like the U.S. state of Florida. Cubans can email questions to the volunteers. The volunteers then send them the Internet search results. The organization responds to more than 100,000 requests for information each month. Myanmar Myanmar is another country where the free exchange of information has increased. Before the country’s democratic reforms in 2011, the military government closely controlled the Internet. But its loose border with Thailand, along with a rise in satellite television receivers in the country, brought change. This change made it easy for exiled opposition groups to get around the government’s restrictions on media. North Korea’s growing black market The North Korean economy has grown in recent years, even with international sanctions placed on the country because of its continued missile tests. In the past year, the country’s gross domestic product rose 3.9 percent. The Bank of Korea in Seoul says the increase was driven in part by the exports of coal and other minerals. But there is also a private market in the country that is driving economic growth. The communist government lets it operate, but does not officially approve of it. A recent study says that most North Koreans now earn about 75 percent of their money from the black market. The study was done by the Beyond Parallel project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. The illegal export of North Korean fish, shoes, cigarettes and cooking oil has given has given people new buying power. This power makes it possible for them to bring in outside information and technology. Nat Kretchun is deputy director of the Open Technology Fund. The project is supported by Radio Free Asia, or RFA. RFA and VOA are each part of the U.S. government-supported Broadcasting Board of Governors. Kretchun says technology like televisions and DVD players are now “ubiquitous” -- or seemingly everywhere -- in North Korea. The number of legal North Korean mobile phone users has also grown in recent years. Many North Korean cell phones were able to spread unapproved media and information. But recent changes to the phones’ operating systems added censorship and surveillance technology. Kretchun says the technology blocks unapproved media files from being used on North Korean phones. However, activists are developing technology of their own in response to government actions. Kim Seung-chul is a North Korean who fled to South Korea. He created North Korea Reform Radio, which sends anti-government messages to the North. Kim feels the South Korean government should offer more support to groups working to get into North Korea’s closed information environment. “The South Korean government, conservatives, veterans and famous people have a lot of money, but they do not use the money for this. They get angry about North Korea’s situation, but they do not act,” Kim said. I’m Pete Musto. And I'm Ashley Thompson.   Brian Padden and Youmi Kim reported this story for VOA News. Pete Musto adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you.  How long do you think it will be before North Korea becomes more open? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   censorship – n. the system or practice of examining books, movies, or letters in order to remove things that are considered to be offensive, immoral, harmful to society authoritarian – adj. not allowing personal freedom black market – n. a system through which things are bought and sold illegally account(s) – n. an arrangement in which a person uses the Internet or e-mail services of a particular company sanction(s) – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country gross domestic product – n. the total value of the goods and services produced by the people of a nation during a year not including the value of income earned in foreign countries communist – adj. used to describes a person or people who believe in a way of organizing a society in which the government owns the things that are used to make and transport products  and there is no privately owned property ubiquitous – adj. seeming to be seen everywhere surveillance – n. the act of carefully watching someone or something especially in order to prevent or detect a crime veteran(s) – n. someone who fought in a war as a soldier or sailor

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uMybjH
via IFTTT

Surprising Origin of 'To Keep at Bay'

  Now, it's time for Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. On this program, we explore everyday expressions that we use in conversation. Americans often use the first saying we will talk about today. But many people likely do not know where it comes from. To keep something at bay means being unable to move closer while attacking or moving toward someone or something. If you keep something at bay, you appear to be in control of the situation. English speakers say either "keep at bay" or "hold at bay."  For example, when protecting their village, the villagers kept the armed attackers at bay through the night. The villagers did not let them come closer. However, bad people can also hold something at bay. The armed robber held police at bay for about 9 hours before they caught him. So, the robber did not let police get anywhere near him. They didn't catch him until 9 hours later. In these examples, the things being kept at bay -- the attackers and the police -- are real. You can physically touch them. But you can also use this expression about more intangible things -- ones you can't see or touch. For example, if you move to a new city you can keep loneliness at bay by joining a club, playing a group sport or taking a class. You can also invite your old friends to come and explore your new city with you. All these things will keep loneliness away from you, or at bay. You can keep illness at bay by eating healthy food and getting enough sleep and exercise. And I can hold my desire for chocolate at bay by not buying it and keeping it in my house! English learners and native speakers alike may think the term “at bay” has to do with water, perhaps involving a ship unable to reach the shore. After all, one of the many definitions of "bay" is a large area of water that is partly surrounded by land. But language experts will stop them right there. To find out the origin of this expression, let's talk about another definition of "bay." It also means to bark with long, drawn-out sounds, as when a dog cries out at the moon. Those hounds are baying. In the 14th century, barking hounds were said to be "at bay." When dogs are kept at bay, they are kept from attacking. The Phrase Finder website says the first recorded usage of "at bay" is in an English story from the year 1330.  Back to modern times, “at bay” is a common expression. You can use it with friends and strangers. Now, let's hear this expression used at work. Let's say you are the head of a small company that makes toys. Part of your job is to keep open lines of communication between the owner and company employees. Well, when the owner suddenly makes changes to work rules, the employees get angry. And you hear about it. The owner's solution is to throw a party for the employees. You tell her that a party will not keep their anger at bay. They only thing that will improve the situation is fair treatment. Now, there are other ways to keep something from getting worse. You can also ward off something or stave off something. To ward off a danger or illness means to prevent it from affecting you or harming you. We often use "ward off" when talking about mental health, disease or, strangely enough, evil spirits. For example, she knew that, for her, the best way to ward off a bad mood was to see a happy movie. You eat chicken soup to ward off the common cold. And some people say that you can use garlic to ward off vampires and keep them from sucking your blood.   Staving off something sounds much more official. We use "stave off" in fairly serious situations, such as ship-wrecked survivors who staved off starvation by eating coconuts for eight months. Here's another example, “The single mother staved off poverty by working three jobs.”    Now, what if you simply want to keep your distance from a person. You don't want to be near them. In this case, you wouldn’t use “ward off” or “stave off” or even “at bay.” What can you use? Well, we have a great expression for keeping distance. To keep someone at arm's length means you don’t want to be close to that person. Imagine that you are holding your arm straight out in front of you. A person can’t get close. And that’s the point. Let's say, you meet someone. You don't know her very well, but she seems nice -- seems is the important word here. Slowly over time, you learn more about the woman. And you don't like what you see. She is strange and not in a good way. You catch her in some lies. And she appears to be a trouble-maker. So, you decide to keep her at arm's length. When you don't answer her calls and ignore her emails, she will know you are keeping her at arm’s length.   In this case, you could say you kept her friendship at bay. But you were never friends in the first place. So it sounds more natural to say that you kept her at arm's length. We here at Learning English have no desire to keep you at bay or at arm’s length. And we certainly don’t want to ward or stave you off! You’re our audience Without you, well, we wouldn’t be here! I'm Bryan Lynn. And I'm Anna Matteo.   Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   intangible – adj. not made of physical substance : not able to be touched : not tangible origin – n. the point or place where something begins or is created : the source or cause of something boredom – n. the state of being bored mood – n. an emotional state of mind or feeling vampire – n. a dead person who leaves the grave at night to bite and suck the blood of living people coconut – n. a large fruit that has a thick shell with white flesh and liquid inside it and that grows on a palm tree

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2v9MQrp
via IFTTT

Nigeria’s 'Queen of Golf' Helps Others Learn the Game

  About 30 young people gathered on a golf course in the Nigerian capital Abuja recently on a hot Saturday morning to practice their swing. The students were as young as three and as old as 16. For almost a year they have gathered every Saturday at the IBB International Golf and Country Club to learn the rules of the sport. Their teacher is Uloma Mbuko. “Princess, I want to see you hold your swing,” she said to one of them. Mbuko is the top female golfer in Nigeria. She has competed across Africa. She has won about 200 awards. Some people call her the Queen of Golf in Africa. She has played at the highest level of the sport in Africa for 17 years. Few women golfers in Nigeria have reached the Class A level. Chinyere Mbuko is Uloma’s sister. She says Uloma was always ambitious. “She’s always been a sports lady. She started with football, then handball. So when she said she was starting, you know, playing golf, I was like ‘Ah! Serious?” Uloma Mbuko’s family was not wealthy, and golf can be a costly sport to play. “We all know that golf is expensive, even though we try to shy away from it. But it is expensive,” Uloma Mbuko said. “Now, to be a member of a golf club in Nigeria, definitely you’re talking about nothing less than 500,000” naira. That is about $1,640. Mbuko notes that the amount pays only for membership in a golf club. At the IBB club where Mbuko spends most of her time, the membership costs as much as $2,622. And a golfer must pay more money for training, a caddy, clothing, equipment, and to use the club. Some professional Nigerian golfers, like Mbuko, are trying to help young people pay for the cost of playing the sport. Emeka Okatta is the president and founder of the West Africa Golf Tour. He said the government should help make golf more affordable. “For you to walk in here just to have green(s) fees is 10,000 naira (or $32). That’s a lot of money. That’s probably some peoples’ salary in a month,” Okatta said. “But in other parts of the world, the government provides public golf courses, public drive ranges; but here there’s none and so a common man cannot play. That’s why it’s called a rich man’s game.” Okatta founded the West Africa Golf Tour to give young people more chances to play. He said he is looking forward to working with Mbuko’s Ladies Professional Golfers Association of Nigeria to organize tournaments. Mbuko has decided to play in fewer tournaments so that she can help train other Nigerian women to become good golfers. She and the women she trains meet several days a week. Stella Kadiri and Obiageli Ayodele are being trained by Mbuko. They said they hope to become professionals. “I’m here Monday to Friday. I’ve been playing golf since 2011,” the 25-year-old Kadiri said. “I’ve been going to Ladies’ Open, different places, and I’ve been winning. When I see my medal, it inspires me to play more.” The 29-year-old Obiageli Ayodele is one of the few female players whose husband supports her golf training. “In our country, Nigeria, they find it difficult for the ladies to get into sports because of their husbands -- I mean the ones that are married. They don’t want their wives to be out there. They don’t want them to be in the midst of other men. They feel they will not properly take care of their home,” Ayodele said. Mbuko said she wanted to see her students playing internationally in the next three years. “Yes, we are ladies, yes, we are African, but we have what it takes, we have the talent. I want to sit down and watch television and see Nigerian ladies competing in ladies’ Masters and like, ‘Oh yeah, this is my girl, this is my girl.’” I’m John Russell.   Chika Oduah reported this story from Abuja. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   swing – n. an act of moving something with a quick, sweeping motion; an act of swinging a bat, fist, etc. expensive – adj. costing a lot of money caddy – n. a person who carries a golfer’s clubs on the golf course afford – v. to be able to pay for (something) greens fees – n. a cost golfers pay to play on a golf course salary – n. an amount of money that an employee is paid each year range – n. a place where people can practice hitting golf balls medal – n. a piece of metal, often in the form of a coin with designs and words in honor of a special event, a person or an achievement inspire – v. to make (someone) want to do something; to give (someone) an idea about what to do or create

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tNoiRs
via IFTTT

English in a Minute: Weasel Out of (Something)

A weasel is a small animal. But the word can also be used to describe a person. Learn about this expression in this week's English in a Minute!

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2v9gbST
via IFTTT

Trump Names John Kelly as New White House Chief of Staff

  In a change of leadership in the White House, President Donald Trump says retired General John Kelly is his new chief of staff. Kelly is currently the secretary of Homeland Security. He replaces Reince Priebus. Trump wrote on Twitter: “I am pleased to inform you that I have just named General/Secretary John F Kelly as White House Chief of Staff. He is a Great American and a Great Leader.” ​ Speaking to a crowd on Friday in Brentwood, New York, Trump called Kelly “one of our great stars.” When Trump returned to Washington, he told reporters that John Kelly “will do a fantastic job” and is “respected by everybody.” Trump also called Priebus “a good man.” The announcement comes after days of talk that Priebus no longer had the confidence of the president. Kelly is a retired four-star Marine general. He is now the third general in Trump’s group of top advisers. The others are National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster and Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis. Last Friday, Sean Spicer resigned from his job as White House press secretary. That same day, Trump named Anthony Scaramucci the new White House communications director. In an interview published Thursday evening in The New Yorker magazine, Scaramucci harshly criticized Priebus and said that he would “be asked to resign” from his job very soon. Some news reports said Priebus resigned from his position Thursday night. Also this week, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Republican-backed repeal of the Obamacare health care plan. Repealing and replacing the health care plan was a major Trump campaign promise. Trump took office six months ago. He has had trouble turning some of his campaign promises into legislation. I’m Anne Ball.  Anne Ball wrote this story for Learning English based on materials from the Associated Press and VOA News. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   confidence - n. a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something repeal - v. to officially make (a law) no longer valid

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2v7NJks
via IFTTT

July 28, 2017

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

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tL3WZ3
via IFTTT

Barbecue: An American Food Tradition

  For some Americans, summertime means visiting the beaches or national parks. For others, it means attending baseball games. And for many, it means cooking, eating, and generally enjoying American barbecue. Barbecue, or BBQ for short, is a style of cooking meat at a low temperature for a long time.  But, not all American barbecue is the same. Mike Sargent recently drove almost 2,500 kilometers from Texas to Washington, D.C., to compete in the National Capital Barbecue Battle. ​ As a Texan, Sargent says his home state makes the best barbecue. But he adds, “The style of barbecue going across the nation is just totally different. And it’s interesting to see, you know, because it’s the culture on what people were raised on.” Barbecue Belt Texas is part of America’s so-called “Barbecue Belt.” The area stretches from Texas to the East Coast. Many people divide it into four main styles of American barbecue: Carolina-style, Memphis-style, Kansas City-style and Texas-style. Each is named after the state or city where the style was formed. But American barbecue is not actually that straightforward. Robert F. Moss is a barbecue expert and historian. He wrote the book Barbecue: The History of an American Institution. Moss says American barbecue is much more than just the four main styles. He says many areas within the Barbecue Belt have their own styles and flavors. The state of Alabama, for example, has its own special white-colored barbecue sauce. And California, a state far from the Barbecue Belt, has its own barbecue style called Santa Maria. “Some people sort of point to like four main regions but it’s really much more.” “Regional pride” David Robbins is with Old Town Smokers, a restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia. He is their pitmaster -- the person who operates the barbecue cooking “pit.” He says that, for people who come from places where barbecue is popular, there is a lot of “regional pride.” “Usually not because it’s the favorite flavor, it’s because it’s the thing they grew up with.” Even Moss, the barbecue historian, says South Carolina’s style of barbecue is still special to him. He grew up in Greenville, in the western part of the state. “These days it’s hard for me to say I have one particular favorite barbecue style, because having traveled around to eat so many, I’ve sort of come to appreciate them all. I still am a little bit partial to the South Carolina style, just because it is my home state.” A brief history of barbecue Moss says American barbecue developed from several cultures in the Caribbean. Early European explorers observed Taino Indians in the Caribbean cooking whole animals over fire and smoke. They called it “barabicu,” or “sacred pit” in the Taino language. Spanish explorers called this cooking method “barbacoa.” As they traveled north, they spread barbacoa into the present-day southern American states, like Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. There, “barabacoa” became “barbecue.” In the 1920s, the restaurant industry grew quickly in the United States. It was this rise in restaurants, Moss says, that helped lead to the creation of regional barbecue styles. Carolina-style Carolina-style barbecue is named after the states of North Carolina and South Carolina. Carolina barbecue today is the closest to the early, colonial-style of barbecue of the 1700s, Moss says. All across the Carolinas, pork is the main barbecue meat. They cook the whole hog over a pit. The pork meat is then shredded or chopped or “pulled.” Pulled pork is meat that is tender - or soft - enough to be pulled from the bone with little effort. Sauce is a key part of American barbecue. Most sauces in North Carolina have a vinegar base. In South Carolina, the sauces are made with mustard. They are yellow in color. The mustard-based sauce is known as “Carolina Gold.” From the Carolinas, barbecue traditions moved west, all the way to Texas. Texas-style While Carolina-style barbecue is all about pork, Texas-style barbecue is all about beef. Texas is especially known for its smoked brisket. Brisket is a cut of meat from the lower chest of a cow, as pitmaster Mike Sargent explains. “It’s the chest and shoulder muscle. It’s a very thick, tough piece of meat. It has to be cooked for long periods of time at lower temperatures.” Most Texas barbecue cooks do not use much barbecue sauce. Instead, they flavor their meat with a mix of herbs and spices called a “rub.” “We don’t put a lot of sauce on anything down here. We’d rather you taste the meat and the seasonings and the woods that we use.” Texas-style barbecue is often cooked over pecan wood. Pecan trees are found across much of Texas. Memphis-style The city of Memphis, Tennessee, is home to another well-known style of American barbecue. Memphis-style BBQ may be best known for its pork ribs. The ribs can be served dry, without sauce, or wet, with sauce. Memphis-style sauce is sometimes very sweet, thanks to molasses – a thick, dark syrup made from raw sugar. Because the city sits along the Mississippi River, it was easy for locals to get molasses from steamboats that regularly carried goods up and down the river. Memphis-style barbecue led to the creation of Kansas City-style barbecue, because of one man, Henry Perry. The Memphis local worked as a steamboat cook. In the early 1900s, he moved north to Kansas City. Perry soon began cooking and serving barbecue for people in his new city. He went on to build a very successful Kansas City barbecue business. Kansas City-style Kansas City is where Carolina and Memphis pork barbecue meet Texas beef barbecue. It is, as some food experts say, the best of both worlds.   While it is best known for its pork ribs, Kansas City also does beef brisket. It is known for its thick, tomato-based sauce that is both sweet and spicy. Barbecue has become serious business in Kansas City. It holds the so-called “World Series” of barbecue every fall. The huge contest is called the American Royal. The fun of barbecue But barbecue is not about the competition. It is about eating. If cooked right, barbecued meat falls off the bone. You do not need to use a fork or knife to eat it. Usually, you can eat with your hands. Rebecca Sansale is from Pennsylvania. At the National Capital Barbecue Battle in Washington, D.C., she said barbecue is one of her favorite kinds of food. “It’s one of the foods that you can eat that’s really messy and it’s okay to kind of get it all over your face and it’s just really fun to eat.” A traditional American barbecue usually includes side dishes like potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans or macaroni and cheese. Chuck Smith is a cook at Smoke Shack, a barbecue restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. “I got potato salad, cole slaw, greens, beans, macaroni and cheese. The macaroni and cheese is off the hook. It’s off the hook. It’s so cheesy and it's good.”  “Off the hook” means really, really good. In summer months, people in the United States often invite friends and family members over for a barbecue. They cook meat outside on a grill and prepare side dishes similar to Chuck Smith’s. Pitmasters like Sargent and Robbins did not learn their trade at cooking schools. Instead, they learned through family barbecues in their own backyards. Sargent says, in Texas, everybody has a grill in the backyard. “That's where I learned my passion [from] it. My dad taught me from an early age how to cook on the grill...and that’s where I found my passion for it.” I’m Ashley Thompson. And I’m Dan Friedell.   Ashley Thompson and Olivia Liu reported and wrote this story. Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   barbecue - n. an outdoor meal or party at which food is cooked on a barbecue; food that has been cooked on a barbecue grill  straightforward - adj. easy to do or understand : not complicated pit ​- n. ​ an outdoor area where food is cooked regional - adj. relating to a part of the country that is different or separate from other parts in some way appreciate ​- v. to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone) : to admire and value (something or someone) sacred  - adj. ​highly valued and important : deserving great respect hog  ​- n. ​a pig tender  - adj. ​easy to chew or bite : not tough brisket ​- n. ​ beef from the chest of a cow shred ​- v.​  to cut or tear (something) into long, thin pieces chop ​ ​- v.​  to cut (something) into pieces by hitting it with the sharp edge of an ax, knife, etc. flavor ​- v. ​to give or add taste to something best of both worlds - expression.​ a situation in which you can enjoy two very different things at the same time passion  ​- n. ​a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uGkUuR
via IFTTT

'The Cop and the Anthem,' by O. Henry

We present the short story "The Cop and the Anthem," by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State.   Soapy moved restlessly on his seat in Madison Square. There are certain signs to show that winter is coming. Birds begin to fly south. Women who want nice new warm coats become very kind to their husbands. And Soapy moves restlessly on his seat in the park. When you see these signs, you know that winter is near. A dead leaf fell at Soapy’s feet. That was a special sign for him that winter was coming. It was time for all who lived in Madison Square to prepare. Soapy’s mind now realized the fact. The time had come. He had to find some way to take care of himself during the cold weather. And therefore he moved restlessly on his seat. Soapy’s hopes for the winter were not very high. He was not thinking of sailing away on a ship. He was not thinking of southern skies, or of the Bay of Naples. Three months in the prison on Blackwell’s Island was what he wanted. Three months of food every day and a bed every night. Three months safe from the cold north wind and safe from cops. This seemed to Soapy the most desirable thing in the world. For years Blackwell’s Island had been his winter home. Richer New Yorkers made their large plans to go to Florida or to the shore of the Mediterranean Sea each winter. Soapy made his small plans for going to the Island. And now the time had come. Three big newspapers, some under his coat and some over his legs, had not kept him warm during the night in the park. So Soapy was thinking of the Island. There were places in the city where he could go and ask for food and a bed. These would be given to him. He could move from one building to another, and he would be taken care of through the winter. But he liked Blackwell’s Island better. Soapy’s spirit was proud. If he went to any of these places, there were certain things he had to do. In one way or another, he would have to pay for what they gave him. They would not ask him for money. But they would make him wash his whole body. They would make him answer questions; they would want to know everything about his life. No. Prison was better than that. The prison had rules that he would have to follow. But in prison a gentleman’s own life was still his own life. Soapy, having decided to go to the Island, at once began to move toward his desire. There were many easy ways of doing this. The most pleasant way was to go and have a good dinner at some fine restaurant. Then he would say that he had no money to pay. And then a cop would be called. It would all be done very quietly. The cop would arrest him. He would be taken to a judge. The judge would do the rest. Soapy left his seat and walked out of Madison Square to the place where the great street called Broadway and Fifth Avenue meet. He went across this wide space and started north on Broadway. He stopped at a large and brightly lighted restaurant. This was where the best food and the best people in the best clothes appeared every evening. Soapy believed that above his legs he looked all right. His face was clean. His coat was good enough. If he could get to a table, he believed that success would be his. The part of him that would be seen above the table would look all right. The waiter would bring him what he asked for. He began thinking of what he would like to eat. In his mind he could see the whole dinner. The cost would not be too high. He did not want the restaurant people to feel any real anger. But the dinner would leave him filled and happy for the journey to his winter home. But as Soapy put his foot inside the restaurant door, the head waiter saw his broken old shoes and torn clothes that covered his legs. Strong and ready hands turned Soapy around and moved him quietly and quickly outside again. Soapy turned off Broadway. It seemed that this easy, this most desirable way to the Island was not to be his. He must think of some other way of getting there. At a corner of Sixth Avenue was a shop with a wide glass window, bright with electric lights. Soapy picked up a big stone and threw it through the glass. People came running around the corner. A cop was the first among them. Soapy stood still and smiled when he saw the cop. “Where’s the man that did that?” asked the cop. “Don’t you think that I might have done it?” said Soapy. He was friendly and happy. What he wanted was coming toward him. But the cop’s mind would not consider Soapy. Men who break windows do not stop there to talk to cops. They run away as fast as they can. The cop saw a man further along the street, running. He ran after him. And Soapy, sick at heart, walked slowly away. He had failed two times. Across the street was another restaurant. It was not so fine as the one on Broadway. The people who went there were not so rich. Its food was not so good. Into this, Soapy took his old shoes and his torn clothes, and no one stopped him. He sat down at a table and was soon eating a big dinner. When he had finished, he said that he and money were strangers. “Get busy and call a cop,” said Soapy. “And don’t keep a gentleman waiting.” “No cop for you,” said the waiter. He called another    waiter. The two waiters threw Soapy upon his left ear on the hard street outside. He stood up slowly, one part at a time, and beat the dust from his clothes. Prison seemed only a happy dream. The Island seemed very far away. A cop who was standing near laughed and walked away. Soapy traveled almost half a mile before he tried again. This time he felt very certain that he would be successful. A nice-looking young woman was standing before a shop window, looking at the objects inside. Very near stood a large cop. Soapy’s plan was to speak to the young woman. She seemed to be a very nice young lady, who would not want a strange man to speak to her. She would ask the cop for help. And then Soapy would be happy to feel the cop’s hand on his arm. He would be on his way to the Island. He went near her. He could see that the cop was already watching him. The young woman moved away a few steps. Soapy followed. Standing beside her he said: “Good evening, Bedelia! Don’t you want to come and play with me?” The cop was still looking. The young woman had only to move her hand, and Soapy would be on his way to the place where he wanted to go. He was already thinking how warm he would be. The young woman turned to him. Putting out her hand, she took his arm. “Sure, Mike,” she said joyfully, “if you’ll buy me something to drink. I would have spoken to you sooner, but the cop was watching.” With the young woman holding his arm, Soapy walked past the cop. He was filled with sadness. He was still free. Was he going to remain free forever? At the next corner he pulled his arm away, and ran. When he stopped, he was near several theaters. In this part of the city, streets are brighter and hearts are more joyful than in other parts. Women and men in rich, warm coats moved happily in the winter air. A sudden fear caught Soapy. No cop was going to arrest him. Then he came to another cop standing in front of a big theater. He thought of something else to try. He began to shout as if he’d had too much to drink. His voice was as loud as he could make it. He danced, he cried out. And the cop turned his back to Soapy, and said to a man standing near him, “It’s one of those college boys. He won’t hurt anything. We had orders to let them shout.” Soapy was quiet. Was no cop going to touch him? He began to think of the Island as if it were as far away as heaven. He pulled his thin coat around him. The wind was very cold. Then he saw a man in the shop buying a newspaper. The man’s umbrella stood beside the door. Soapy stepped inside the shop, took the umbrella, and walked slowly away. The man followed him quickly. “My umbrella,” he said. “Oh, is it?” said Soapy. “Why don’t you call a cop? I took it. Your umbrella! Why don’t you call a cop? There’s one standing at the corner.”The man walked more slowly. Soapy did the same. But he had a feeling that he was going to fail again. The cop looked at the two men. “I — ” said the umbrella man — “that is — you know how these things happen — I — if that’s your umbrella I’m very sorry — I — I found it this morning in a restaurant — if you say it’s yours — I hope you’ll — ” “It’s mine!” cried Soapy with anger in his voice. The umbrella man hurried away. The cop helped a lady across the street. Soapy walked east. He threw the umbrella as far as he could throw it. He talked to himself about cops and what he thought of them. Because he wished to be arrested, they seemed to believe he was like a king, who could do no wrong. At last Soapy came to one of the quiet streets on the east side of the city. He turned here and began to walk south toward Madison Square. He was going home, although home was only a seat in the park. But on a very quiet corner Soapy stopped. There was an old, old church. Through one of the colored-glass window came a soft light. Sweet music came to Soapy’s ears and seemed to hold him there. The moon was above, peaceful and bright. There were few people passing. He could hear birds high above him. And the anthem that came from the church held Soapy there, for he had known it well long ago. In those days his life contained such things as mothers and flowers and high hopes and friends and clean thoughts and clean clothes. Soapy’s mind was ready for something like this. He had come to the old church at the right time. There was a sudden and wonderful change in his soul. He saw with sick fear how he had fallen. He saw his worthless days, his wrong desires, his dead hopes, the lost power of his mind. And also in a moment his heart answered this change in his soul. He would fight to change his life. He would pull himself up, out of the mud. He would make a man of himself again. There was time. He was young enough. He would find his old purpose in life, and follow it. That sweet music had changed him. Tomorrow he would find work. A man had once offered him a job. He would find that man tomorrow. He would be somebody in the world. He would— Soapy felt a hand on his arm. He looked quickly around into the broad face of a cop. “What are you doing hanging around here?” asked the cop. “Nothing,” said Soapy. “You think I believe that?” said the cop. Full of his new strength, Soapy began to argue. And it is not wise to argue with a New York cop. “Come along,” said the cop. “Three months on the Island,” said the Judge to Soapy the next morning.   Download activities to help you understand this story here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. Do you understand why Soapy wanted to be arrested? Is it good or bad to avoid hard work? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page.   ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   restlessly – adv. done while feeling nervous or bored and tending to move around a lot coat(s) – n. an outer piece of clothing that can be long or short and that is worn to keep warm or dry park – n. a piece of public land in or near a city that is kept free of houses and other buildings and can be used for pleasure and exercise cop(s) – n. a person whose job is to enforce laws, investigate crimes, and make arrests avenue – n. a wide street waiter – n. a man who serves food or drinks to people in a restaurant umbrella – n. a device that is used for protection from the rain and sun anthem – n. a formal song of loyalty, praise, or happiness

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2u6oPNE
via IFTTT