Study: British Have Better Teeth Than Americans

Many Americans believe Britons have bad teeth. But a new study shows Americans actually have more dental problems. The study was published in the British Medical Journal. Researchers from University College London, the National University of Colombia and the Harvard School of Public Health found that among people 25 and older, Americans are missing more teeth. The researchers also found that poor people in the United States had worse teeth than poor people in Britain. People in Britain receive dental care through the National Health Service, which is funded by taxpayers. In the United States, people either pay for their dental care or buy dental insurance. Many poor people in the United States do not have dental insurance and cannot afford dental care. In 2004, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development found that Britain had the lowest number of people with decayed, missing or filled teeth from among all of its 34 member states. The United States was in the middle of the rankings. I’m Anne Ball.  VOANews.com reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fund – v. to provide money for (something) afford – v. to be able to pay for (something) decay – v. to be slowly destroyed by natural processes; to rot filling – n. material that is used to fill something rankings – n. a list of people or things that are ordered according to their quality, ability, size, etc.

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Geneva Tries to Regain World’s 'Peace Capital' Title

The Swiss city of Geneva is planning activities to regain the title of “peace capital” of the world. Geneva is home to the United Nations European headquarters. Many peace negotiations have taken place in the city. The United States and the Soviet Union met there to talk about controlling nuclear weapons. Other talks included ways to end wars in Afghanistan and Lebanon. ​Other talks in Geneva included Balkan nations that were at war. Talks to end those wars took place in Geneva throughout the 1990s. They were led by the United Nations. Michael Moller leads the UN office in Geneva. He said he believes his agency, and the city of Geneva, will act as a center for peace in 2016. He says talks to end the fighting in Yemen will begin January 14. And he says Syrian peace negotiations will begin later that month. Staffan de Mistura is the UN representative to the Syrian peace talks. He is meeting with people who will take part in the talks. Moller says, “Everybody, almost everybody, wants these talks to be successful so that we can finally get a political solution to this really unacceptable problem.” ​The United Nations led two Syrian peace negotiations in 2014. Both failed. Last week, the UN Security Council approved a plan for the talks to start again. Moller says Geneva is a center for conflict resolution because of its reputation as a neutral place. People can focus on what he called the “business of peace.” Moller notes that there were 10,000 meetings and conferences led by the United Nations this year at its European headquarters in Geneva and in Switzerland. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. Correspondent Lisa Schlein reported this story from Geneva. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it into VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   reputation – n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something; the way in which people think of someone or something neutral – adj. not supporting either side of an argument, fight, war, etc. focus on – v. to direct your attention or effort at something specific We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page.    

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Rouhani Calls On Muslims to Fix Islam’s Image

Muslims must work to improve the world’s opinion of Islam, said Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Sunday. Rouhani made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the International Islamic Unity Conference in Tehran. He said Muslims “must remove Islam’s negative image from today’s cyber and real space.” The comments were made about conflict in Syria, Iraq and Yemen that divide Shi’ite and Sunni Muslims. Rouhani said Muslims are “being silent in the face of all the killings and bloodshed” in those countries. Rouhani also criticized nations that bought American weapons and fired them at fellow Muslims. The conference’s speech was carried on Iranian state television. During Rouhani’s speech, he denied that his country wants to form a “Shi’ite crescent” in the Mideast. Such a Shi’ite region would dominate the Middle East from Lebanon through Syria and Iraq. Tensions between Sunnis and Shi’ites -– mostly between Saudi Arabia and Iraq -- have divided the Islamic community in the Middle East for years. Rouhani’s most recent comments call for Muslims to unite and smooth over differences. “There is neither a Shi’ite nor a Sunni crescent. We have an Islamic moon,” the Iranian president said. “We, Muslims, are in a world where we must be united.” The staff at VOA news wrote this story for VOAnews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think of Iranian President Rouhani’s comments? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   crescent – n. a shape that is curved, wide at its center, and pointed at its two ends like a crescent moon dominate -- v. to control or rule

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Iraqi Forces Secure Ramadi After Ousting IS

Iraqi military officials said they took back the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants. On Monday, Iraqi forces raised the national flag over the city’s main government office. They swept the streets, searching for explosives and booby traps. The IS fighters could have put these in place before being ousted from the city. IS militants had captured this capital of Anbar province in May. Iraqi forces said small groups of jihadists may remain. But officials said troops have not faced resistance since jihadists fled Sunday. There have been no reliable reports of how many people were killed or wounded. It is not clear how many civilians remain in central Ramadi. It is 115 kilometers, or 70 miles west of Baghdad. An Iraqi spokesman said most residents had taken shelter at a nearby hospital. The Iraqi military prepared for months to take back Ramadi. They were backed by U.S.–led coalition air strikes. The Iraqi forces pushed into the center of Ramadi last week in an effort to secure the city. The U.S. military said it carried out at least 29 air strikes on IS targets in the past week. More targets were hit Sunday. Officials said air strikes Saturday targeted vehicles operated by IS fighters and a factory used to make suicide bombs for use on vehicles. Sniper positions were also hit. I’m Mary Gotschall.     Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have an opinion about this topic? Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   explosive – n. a substance (such as dynamite) that is used to cause an explosion : an explosive substance booby trap – noun phrase a hidden bomb that explodes when the object connected to it is touched, moved, etc. jihadist – n. someone engaged in a war fought by Muslims to defend or spread their beliefs coalition – n. a group of people, groups, or countries who have joined together for a common purpose airstrike – n. an attack in which military airplanes drop bombs suicide – n.  the act of killing yourself because you do not want to continue living sniper – n. a person who shoots at another person from a hidden place

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Japan, South Korea Settle 'Comfort Women'

Japan and South Korea reached an agreement over the issue of “comfort women” in Seoul Monday. “Comfort women” were Korean women forced to work as prostitutes in military brothels during World War II. Japan brutally occupied the Korean peninsula and other parts of Asia.  Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korea’s Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se reached the agreement. It calls for the "comfort women" to be awarded money for mistreatment. Japan will pay over $8 million to support living "comfort women." The money will go into a South Korean fund to assist the elderly women. In return, the Japanese government also wants South Korea to remove a statue of a young "comfort woman" that sits in front of the Japanese embassy in Seoul. "Comfort women" supporters held protests at the site each week. Japan will also officially apologize to the women. Over 200,000 women from the Pacific region were forced to become sex slaves during World War II. A total of 238 former "comfort women" came forward during the last 20 years in South Korea, according to the New York Times. The newspaper’s count also revealed that only 46 of the Korean "comfort women" are still living. “The 'comfort women' issue is an issue whereby many women under the then-military’s involvement, bore deep scars to their honor and dignity,” Kishida said. “From this perspective, the Japanese government feels responsible.” A statement released by both countries during Monday’s news conference included a message from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The Japanese prime minister expressed “his most sincere apologies and remorse to all the women who underwent painful experiences as 'comfort women.' ” Brian Padden wrote this story for VOAnews.com. Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck 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   prostitute – n. a person who has sex with someone in exchange for money brothel – n. a building in which prostitutes are available dignity – n. the quality of being worthy of honor or respect yen – n.  the basic unit of money of Japan  

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Dozens Feared Dead in Another Myanmar Landslide

Dozens of people are missing and feared dead after a landslide in northern Myanmar. The accident took place Friday in Hpakant, Kachin state. It is the center of Myanmar’s jade mining industry. At least 100 people died in a similar disaster there last month. Rescue workers are searching for bodies. Officials have not said how many people died or were injured. Hpakant is about 950 kilometers northeast of Yangon, Myanmar’s biggest city. It is home to some of the world’s highest-quality jade. Global Witness is a nonprofit organization that exposes the misuse of revenue from natural resources. It said Myanmar’s jade production was worth about $31 billion in 2014. But it says the local population sees little benefit.  Most of the mining is done by large industrial firms. Locals can only hunt through the rubble searching for pieces of jade that were overlooked. I’m Mary Gotschall.      Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English from VOA News. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you have an opinion about this topic? Let us know what you think in the Comments section below, or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   landslide – n. a large mass of rocks and earth that suddenly and quickly moves down the side of a mountain or hill jade – n.  a usually green stone that is used for jewelry kilometer – n.  a unit of length equal to 1,000 meters misuse – n.  to use (something) incorrectly revenue – n. money that is made by or paid to a business or an organization rubble – n.  broken pieces of stone, brick, etc., from walls or buildings that have fallen overlook – v.  to fail to see or notice (something)

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December 28, 2015

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

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New Device Shows Human Body As Never Seen Before

Scientists are developing a medical device that could tell them more about the human body, and help them develop more-effective treatments for cancer, heart disease and brain disorders. It would be the world’s first full-body PET scanner. PET stands for Positron Emission Tomography. PET scanners create 3-D images of what is happening in the body. Researchers are calling the large scanner that they are developing Explorer. It will give medical workers images of what is happening in the entire human body that have never been seen before. PET scanners now give doctors images of only parts of the body. The U.S. National Institutes of Health gave a research team at the University of California at Davis $15.5 million to build the scanner. Ramsey Badawi is a professor of radiology at UC Davis. He says the scanner will give researchers new information about how human organs work together. “We’re a system of organs and all the organs interact with each other. And we’ve never really been able to interrogate that with imaging before, and now we’re going to be able to look at that.” X-rays and MRIs give images of bones and organs. PET scans show doctors how organs and tissues are working on a molecular level. These images help them identify and follow diseases. The new scanner will help them do that even better. Simon Cherry is a professor of biomedical engineering at UC Davis. He says the PET scans can show the progress of both disease and medical treatments. “With PET scans we’re looking at function. We’re actually able to say something about what the cells in the body are doing -- how actively they’re metabolizing, for example, or how quickly they’re dividing. Taking a cancer example, that could be tremendously powerful to see if, when you give a drug, whether that shuts down the metabolism of the tumor.” PET scans use a radioactive substance to find tumors. Professor Cherry says the Explorer uses a much lower amount of radiation than current PET tests, and creates images more quickly. “So we can do scans in maybe 30 seconds that currently take 20 minutes. Or we can drop the radiation dose significantly, and do scans at a fraction of the radiation dose that we currently do them at.” A complete view could help researchers develop new medicines that target diseases and parts of the body. It could help doctors reduce harmful side effects by following the movement of medicines through the body.  The researchers hope to test the Explorer with humans in three years. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Deborah Block reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for Learning English. Jill Robbins 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   device – n. an object, machine or piece of equipment that has been made for some special purpose scanner – n. a medical device that is used to see inside something entire – adj. complete or full; not lacking or leaving out any part interact – v. to act together; to come together and have an effect on each other (often + with) interrogate – v. to ask questions or research X-ray – n. an image that is created by using X-rays and that is usually used for medical purposes MRI – n. magnetic resonance imaging organs – n. a part of the body (such as the heart or liver) that has a particular function tissue – n. the material that forms the parts in a plant or animal function – v. to work or operate molecular – adj. relating to the smallest possible amount of a particular substance that has all the characteristics of that substance metabolize – v. to change (food) into a form that can be used by the body; to process and use (substances brought into the body) by metabolism shut down – expression to stop the operation of something, especially when a special process is required radioactive – adj. having or producing a powerful and dangerous form of energy (called radiation) substance – n. a material of a particular kind tumor – n. a mass of tissue found in or on the body that is made up of abnormal cells dose – n. the amount of a medicine, drug or vitamin that is taken at one time fraction – n. a (usually small) part or amount of something side effect – n. an often harmful and unwanted effect of a drug or chemical that occurs along with the desired effect  

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China's Relaxed One-Child Rule to Help Fertility Industry

China’s fertility industry could benefit now that the Chinese government has relaxed its one-child policy. China eased the country’s one-child per couple policy at the end of October. All married couples are permitted to have two children. The world’s fertility clinics should see an increase in business. Couples face problems when trying to conceive through clinics in China. Some couples prefer to select the gender of their child. The government does not permit gender selection, or advanced fertility methods. Middle-class Chinese couples travel to Australia, Thailand or the United States for fertility treatments. These foreign markets could benefit from an increased demand for fertility services. A fertility clinic in Thailand told VOA that the number of Chinese patients has nearly doubled in the past three years. The same clinic changed its business procedures to attract Chinese clients. The clinic hired a Mandarin-speaking staff and printed its documents in Mandarin. Sue Channon works for a fertility clinic in Sydney. She says, “there has certainly been an increase in inquiries from Chinese consumers. We have a very strong reputation in Australia for delivering very high quality and safe fertility services. Many of our doctors and staff in Australia speak Mandarin.” China’s one-child policy was lifted this year after being implemented 35 years ago. The country reached 1 billion people in 1982. Today, China has nearly 1.3 billion people. I'm Jonathan Evans.   Shannon Van Sant reported this story for VOA News from Hong Kong. Jim Dresbach adapted her story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck 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   clinic – n. a place where people get medical help

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Political Idioms: What Did He Say?

  Republican presidential candidates debated in Las Vegas, Nevada for the final time this year. During debates -- and when they speak to reporters, supporters, aides and others -- candidates often use interesting words, phrases and expressions. In most cases, only speakers of American English can understand what these “idioms” mean. Idioms are “expressions that have a different meaning from the meaning of the individual words that make up the idiom.” American political idioms can be confusing to speakers of other languages. They can even be confusing to Americans who are not familiar with the ways political candidates speak! Today, we present more of these idiomatic expressions and their meanings. You may find it useful to keep this list to refer to as you read reports about the presidential campaign. Many of the definitions in this report came from LearnersDictionary.com What does he bring to the table? – what qualities does she have that will benefit the situation or us? How can he help us? A reporter may want to know about a candidate’s experience or education and may ask, “What do you bring to the table?” A coach tells a reporter that he believes his current team could be the best he has ever had. He says of the players: “What they bring to the table that makes us such a good team is that they have no ego. What they bring to the table that makes us such a high scoring team is…” Take options off the table – to remove issues from a negotiation that were at one time being considered. For example, a broadcaster reported that Congress was taking some Social Security payment “options off the table.” He’s only got one shot – having only one chance to achieve a goal. A local official considering a plan to improve roads might say: “This is a big project, and we’ve only got one shot to get it right.” Go the distance – to carry through a course of action to completion; to continue to do something until it is successfully completed; to do the whole amount; to play the entire game; to run the race until the end. Political reporters often ask if a candidate has enough money, energy and support to finish a campaign: “Can she go the distance or will she run out of money halfway through?” In the mix – included as part of a group; being considered. A newspaper headline wondered if a local team was “in the mix” for a championship. Gain traction – the support or interest that is needed for something to succeed or make progress. When a bill fails to gain traction in the Senate, it does not pass. Political expediency – often negative providing an easy and quick way to solve a problem or do something. A candidate might ask his opponent to do the right thing, not the politically expedient thing. Stack the deck – to arrange things against someone or something; to arrange things secretly for a desired outcome; to arrange something in a way that is not fair in order to achieve what you want; to arrange something so that it is unfair to someone. Some candidates complain that the way a debate is designed hurts them. They may complain that the debate organizers have “stacked the deck” against them.  Stand your ground – to not change your position when you are being attacked; to not retreat. For example, “The candidate has continued to stand her ground despite criticism” of her plan. Unilateral action – involving only one group or country. “If no other country joins us, we will act unilaterally to defend our interests.” Have you been hearing or reading idioms and expressions in stories about the American presidential campaign that you don’t understand? Let us know. We’ll explain them in future reports. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Christopher Jones-Cruise reported this story and wrote it for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Have you heard expressions from American political candidates or reporters that you don’t understand? Write them in the Comments section or on our Facebook page and we will tell you what they mean. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   confusing - adj. difficult to understand refer to - phrasal verb to look at or in (something) for information benefit - v. be useful or helpful to someone or something negative - adj. harmful or bad; not wanted; not positive expedient - adj. an easy and quick way to solve a problem; often used negatively achieve - v. to be successful; to get something by working hard for it

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Vietnam, EU Trade Deal Talks Look Hopeful

Vietnamese could buy Italian machinery and Austrians could wear more athletic shoes from Vietnam.   That is because Vietnam is moving closer to reaching a trade deal with the European Union. Negotiations ended December 2. For Vietnam, the agreement would diversify its trade with nations other than China and the U.S. For Europe, it would increase trade in Asia when attention has centered on the huge, U.S.-supported Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). EU officials have praised the Vietnam deal. They say it removes 99 percent of tariffs. The deal would be the EU’s first with a developing country. It also could serve as a model for future free trade agreements. Simon van der Burg is the Dutch Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City. He told the European Chamber of Commerce that the deal, “Sets the reference for others in Southeast Asia. The proposed agreement requires communist Vietnam to reform state-run companies and strengthen environmental protection. It also links commerce with development aid. EU trade negotiator Jana Herceg said Vietnam would receive support to increase technology that preserves the environment. Support also would be aimed at the energy, health care and tourism industries. She said, “The money or the funds which we are giving to Vietnam are broader than just the capacity building related to the free trade agreement.” Economist Dennis McCornac at Loyola University in Maryland questions if the agreement is good for Vietnam. He says the European agreement is less centered on business compared with the 12-nation TPP trade deal. He criticized the TPP as written by corporate supporters. But both agreements are expected to increase the cost of medicine in developing countries. This is because of stronger rules for patents that will prevent copying. It will extend market rights to makers of some medicines. “It really is the case that it’s going to hurt the poor people, those who can’t afford the drugs,” McCornac said. The European Union has tried to reach a single trade agreement with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations. But those efforts failed. The EU then changed is strategy, and is negotiating deals with individual governments. Singapore was the first to reach an agreement, followed by Vietnam. Jana Herceg said if the Vietnam deal is finalized, it could set an example and speed up talks with other parties. These could include the Philippines, Malaysia and Thailand. Herceg predicts the EU-Vietnam agreement will be published by January. Vietnam has been seeking deals with many nations. including South Korea and Israel. I’m Mario Ritter.   Lien Hoang reported on this story from Ho Chi Minh City. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   diversify –v. to add different kinds of people or things commerce –n. activities related to buying and selling goods reference –n a source that can be looked to for information about something patents –n. official permission giving a person or company the right to be the only one to make or sell a product

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