Sierra Leone Investigates Foreign Waste Agreement

The government of Sierra Leone is investigating an agreement to import waste from Lebanon. The agreement permits the import of non-hazardous waste into Sierra Leone. It does not permit the import of toxic or dangerous materials. The agreement was negotiated by Ibrahim Ben Kargbo. He is a former minister and senior presidential aide. He was recently elected to parliament. In a statement released Monday, the government said it did not give permission to Kargbo to negotiate the deal. It said President Ernest Bai Koroma had ordered an investigation of the deal. It said it understands the health and environmental risks of toxic wastes and would not expose its citizens to such wastes. Kargbo told VOA that the agreement was part of a deal to build a fertilizer factory. He said he wrote a letter of agreement to a representative of a Dutch farm in Lebanon “who said he wanted to come here and set up a plant to manufacture fertilizer. I did inform him in that letter that if he wanted to go through the process of investing in this country, he should be very certain that, even if it is utilizing domestic waste, it should be toxic-free.” Kargbo also said he told the representative that none of the imported waste can be toxic and that the agreement had to be approved by the government. On Monday, investigators questioned Kargbo. He says he told them the letter of agreement came from his office. But he says the investigators released him because there was nothing illegal about the agreement. He says he protected his country from the import of toxic waste. He said he was only working with the Dutch company to build a fertilizer factory in his country, which does not have such a factory. Kargbo said President Koroma was not told about the agreement because it was still being negotiated. But he says the president would have been told about it. He says investors were to first meet with lower-level government officials. Then, when it was clear what the investors wanted to do, the president would be told. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA's James Butty reported on this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you believe your country should permit the import of non-hazardous waste? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   hazardous – adj. dangerous or harmful toxic – adj. containing poisonous substances expose – v. to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something, sometimes negatively (often + to) plant – n. a building or factory where something is made utilize – v. to use (something) for a particular purpose

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Maine Lobster Becoming Popular in China

The American seafood staple of Maine lobster, or "lobsta" as they say in Maine, is becoming very popular on Asian dining tables. Maine lobsters were a featured course at last year’s state dinner when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the White House. Now, the creatures with claws are becoming a big export to Asia. The lobster’s home is in the Atlantic Ocean, anywhere from Newfoundland in Canada to North Carolina in the United States. But nearly 90 percent of the fishery activity happens in the state of Maine.  And the prices for fresh lobster have risen to a higher level. “Three years ago, the price was mediocre. We averaged around $2.50 to $3 per pound (or nearly half a kilogram) for the year,” said Chris Welch, a lobster boat captain. “This year, the price has been excellent. It’s better than I can remember in a lot of years.” During one morning, a lobster order was being prepared for shipment to Hong Kong. The biggest challenge in shipping was logistics. Shippers have only 36 hours from the time lobsters are packed until arrival in China. Any lobster arriving after that time loses quality. American shellfish exports have grown rapidly in recent years. More than 23,000 kilograms of that type of seafood is exported to Asia every week via air. “We primarily export lobsters to Asia; probably about 80 percent to China and the other 20 percent to some other Asian countries,” said lobster dealer Stephanie Nadeau. Nadeau said the countries of Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea and Japan are big lobster fans. I’m Kathleen Struck.   Liu Enming and Yiyi Yang wrote this story for VOAnews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What is your favorite type of seafood? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   lobster – n. an ocean animal that has a long body, a hard shell and a pair of large claws and that is caught for food claw – n. a body part of an animal, such as a lobster or crab, that is used for gripping and holding things fishery – n. a part of the ocean where fish and other sea creatures are caught mediocre – adj. not very good shellfish – n. an animal, such as a crab or an oyster, that has a hard outer shell and that lives in water

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Sean Penn: Journalist or Propagandist?

There has been praise and condemnation for Hollywood star Sean Penn this week. Sean Penn has had controversial moments throughout his public life. But this week, the public learned that Penn met with the leader of a brutal Mexican crime group. The Sinaloa group is known for especially vicious killings, torture and drug dealing. The actor interviewed Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman in October 2015. Guzman had escaped from a Mexican federal prison in July. It was his second escape. He was on the lam from 2001 to 2014 after the first prison break. He was serving a 20-year sentence for murder and drug trafficking. Rolling Stone magazine published Penn’s interview online January 11. Mexican federal police recaptured El Chapo a day earlier. In his article, Penn explained why he wanted to meet the crime leader. The actor wrote that he wanted to “explore what may be inconsistent” with the American government and media’s descriptions. Penn is a longtime political activist. He has involved himself in international affairs at high levels. In 2007, he met and befriended Hugo Chavez, who was then the socialist president of Venezuela. The U.S. government was not a fan of Chavez, who allied himself with Cuban leaders Fidel and Raul Castro. When Chavez died in 2013, Penn said the U.S. “lost a friend that it never knew it had.” Penn also has met with Raul Castro. And he got involved in the Falklands dispute between Britain and Argentina. The actor met with Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner in 2012, after Britain made military moves toward Argentina. Penn sided with Argentina in that dispute. He said the world would not accept “archaic colonialist ideology.” Penn has written about his experiences for the news media before. He visited Iraq in 2004, and Iran the following year. He wrote about those experiences for the San Francisco Chronicle. Penn had been to Iraq earlier to protest international military strikes against the country. The star also helped in times of natural disaster. He started a foundation to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti. He also went to New Orleans shortly after Hurricane Katrina and reportedly rescued some survivors. And in 2012, Sean Penn went to Bolivia to visit a U.S. businessman jailed there. Jacob Ostreicher had been jailed for months and never charged with a crime. Penn promised to work for his release. A year later, Ostreicher was out of jail in the care of Penn. He has publicly thanked Penn for his efforts. Penn’s interaction with Joaquin Guzman, the drug kingpin, was set up by another actor. Kate del Castillo has expressed support for the crime group leader for several years. She said she believes the Mexican government is the more corrupt of the two. Guzman and Castillo exchanged a series of texts. She suggested that the criminal meet with Sean Penn. Reports now suggest that Guzman had never heard of Penn. His interest in meeting del Castillo was apparently stronger. Penn said in his Rolling Stone report that he wanted to see the other side of the drug war. He has said that professional journalists are too focused on talking to different sides in an issue. Perhaps this is why Sean Penn did not ask Guzman about the hundreds of reporters killed in Mexico to protect organized crime. Among the many media professionals angered by Penn, Mexican reporters are especially upset. Journalist Leon Krause wrote about the actor’s article in El Universal newspaper. He described it as “perfect act of propaganda” for Guzman. He wrote that Penn’s version of Guzman "is almost likeable if it wasn't for (his cartel's) 10,000 murders." Other reporters criticized Penn and Rolling Stone for sending the piece to Guzman for approval before publication. Sean Penn dismisses the journalistic objections to his story. He says the press is simply jealous that he was able to get to Guzman. But Penn also says his interview and article were a failure. He told television host Charlie Rose that he had hoped the story would start an honest and critical conversation about the drug war. But he said, "I have a regret that the entire discussion about this article ignores (that) purpose…” Officials in Mexico have said that Sean Penn’s interview helped them find and capture Guzman. Penn denies this and says he does not fear the Sinaloa crime group. I’m Caty Weaver.   Caty Weaver wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Do you consider Sean Penn a journalist? Do you respect his work in the field? Write to us in the comments section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   controversial - adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument brutal - adj. extremely cruel or harsh​ interview - v.  to question or talk with (someone) in order to get information or learn about that person​ on the lam - expression  trying to avoid being caught by the police​ inconsistent - adj. not in agreement with something​ archaic - adj. old and no longer used​ ideology - n. the set of ideas and beliefs of a group or political party​ kingpin - n. a person who controls an organization or activity​ conversation - n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people: the act of talking in an informal way​ ​

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Why Are Gangsters Always 'On the Lam'?

  Drug gang leader Joaquin Guzman was recaptured Friday by Mexican marines after six months on the lam. Many in America know that “on the lam” means on the run or hiding from police -- especially after escaping from jail or prison. That perfectly describes what Guzman was doing. Last July, he escaped from a maximum security prison and had been hiding from police, moving from place to place.  “On the lam” is an informal phrase, used almost exclusively in the United States. LearnersDictionary.com says the “expression is now used mainly to suggest or imitate the language of old movies about gangsters.” Movies about gangsters, or criminals, are popular around the world. But where did such an odd phrase come from? In other words, what are its origins? The Online Etymology Dictionary says the word “lam” means “flight” or “to run off.” It may come from the expression “on the lam,” which appeared in the late 1890s in the United States. William Safire wrote many columns about language before he died in 2009. In 1998, he wrote about “on the lam” in the New York Times newspaper. He noted that “the origin of the expression is in heated dispute among slang etymologists” -- or people who study words. Safire notes that the famous American writer Mark Twain used the word “lam” or “lamming” twice in his books, in 1855 and 1865. When anyone who has been “on the lam” has been recaptured, news writers often say the person will now have to “face the music.” We will tell you about this expression soon. I’m Jim Tedder.   Christopher Jones-Cruise reported this story and wrote it in VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you, especially if you are on the lam! Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   on the lam – expression to be running from the police, especially after escaping from prison exclusively – adv. only gangster – n. a member of a group of violent criminals odd – adj. strange or unusual origin – n. the point or place where something begins or is created; the source or cause of something slang – n. words that are not considered part of the standard vocabulary of a language and that are used very informally in speech especially by a particular group of people traced to – v. to follow (something) back to its cause, beginning, or origin; to find out where something came from  

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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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After Prisoner Exchange with Iran, US Imposes Limited Sanctions

A day after lifting economic sanctions against Iran for meeting the terms of the nuclear agreement, the U.S. announced new, limited sanctions against several Iranian citizens and companies for helping Iran’s ballistic missile program. The new sanctions were announced shortly after a plane carrying Washington Post reporter Jason Rezaian and two other American citizens, freed in a prisoner exchange, arrived in Switzerland. On Saturday, the U.S. released or dropped charges against seven Iranians either convicted or accused of helping Iran avoid the longstanding sanctions in exchange for Iran’s release of five Americans. The exchange came after the United Nations nuclear agency confirmed that Iran had met the conditions of an agreement it signed last July after two years of negotiations to limit its nuclear activities. Under the agreement, Iran moved almost all of its nuclear fuel out of the country, destroyed and removed its nuclear equipment and gave international inspectors greater access to its nuclear facilities.  Shortly after the announcement that Iran had met the terms of the agreement, the United States and other world powers lifted oil and economic sanctions. They had severely damaged the Iranian economy. On Sunday, President Barack Obama said that “strong American diplomacy” led to the end of sanctions and the release of American prisoners held by Iran. Also on Sunday, the U.S. Treasury Department announced the new sanctions on five individuals and several companies. The president said last year’s nuclear agreement “was never intended to resolve all of our differences with Iran. We will continue to enforce these (new) sanctions vigorously. We are going to remain vigilant about it.” Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said in a speech to the Iranian people that the country had entered a “new chapter” in its history. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has opposed the nuclear agreement since it was announced. Saturday, after the UN said Iran had met the terms of the agreement, he warned that Iran has not ended “its ambition to obtain nuclear weapons, and continues to act to destabilize the Middle East and spread terror throughout the world.”  Many of President Obama’s political opponents also criticized the end of the sanctions. I’m Jonathan Evans. VOANews.com reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted it for VOA 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   sanction – 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, etc. (usually plural) condition – n. something that you must do or accept in order for something to happen access – n. permission or the right to enter, get near, or make use of something or to have contact with someone (usually + to) vigorous – adj. done with great force and energy vigilant – adj. carefully noticing problems or signs of danger

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Tensions Increase Between North and South Korea

  Tensions between North and South Korea have increased sharply since the North’s announcement that it tested a nuclear weapon for the fourth time. North Korea claimed that it conducted a nuclear test around January 6. That ended a short time of cooperation. Both sides have avoided direct military actions that could quickly start a war. But each has taken steps to show their military strength. South Korean officials said an unmanned plane, or drone, crossed into South Korea on Wednesday, across the heavily-guarded border. South Korean forces fired about 20 shots at it, but reportedly did not hit it. A spokesman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the South Korean military said the military warned the drone to leave the area, then fired warning shots. He said it then quickly returned to the northern side of the border. There have also been reports this week that printed propaganda materials that support North Korea have been dropped in the South Korean capital Seoul and neighboring areas by a large balloon from the North.  Ahn Chan-il fled the North. He now works as a North Korea expert at the World Institute for North Korean Studies in Seoul. He says there is no worry that the propaganda will affect people living in the South. He noted that the South has a far larger and more successful economy and is a democracy. He says “South Koreans have a high-level psychological understanding about North Korea. Even if (North Korean dictator) Kim Jong Un brags about conducting a fourth nuclear test, South Koreans will not be” angered or influenced. ​Activists in the South have used balloons to send propaganda against Kim Jong Un to the North. They also have sent DVDs that have South Korean television programs and other news. Such materials are banned in North Korea. Last year the two sides reached an agreement to end actions that increased tensions. South Korea stopped activists from using balloons to send information to North Korea. And the agreement permitted families that had been separated by the division of the peninsula after World War II to be reunited. But when the North announced its nuclear test earlier this month, the South restarted its anti-North Korea broadcasts at the border. The border is also called the demilitarized zone, or DMZ. On Thursday, South Korea’s defense ministry said it is preparing to place large signs or electronic billboards -- similar to those used in sports centers -- in the DMZ. South Korea last used the billboards in 2004. They showed messages such as “Come Over to the Republic of Korea.”   Diplomats from the United States, Japan and South Korea met in Seoul on Tuesday to talk about working together to develop economic restrictions, or sanctions, on North Korea. They want the sanctions to punish the North and gain the support of China. Sung Kim is the United States Special Representative for North Korea policy. He said he hopes Chinese leaders “agree with us that we simply cannot take the business-as-usual approach to this latest provocation. We will be working very closely with them to come up with a meaningful resolution.” China supports North Korea economically. Without Chinese support, any sanctions will have little effect. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   VOA's Brian Padden reported on this story from Seoul, with help from producer Youmi Kim. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report 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 psychological - adj. of or related to the mind conduct – v. to plan and do (something, such as an activity) brag – v. to talk about yourself, your achievements, your family, etc., in a way that shows too much pride (often + about) defect – v. to leave a country, political party, organization, etc., and go to a different one that is a competitor or an enemy billboard – n. a large sign for advertisements that is next to a road, on the side of a building, in a sports center, etc. 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, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. (usually plural) business-as-usual – expression used to say that something is working or continuing in the normal or usual way provocation – n. an action or occurrence that causes someone to become angry or to begin to do something reluctant – adj. feeling or showing doubt about doing something; not willing or eager to do something    

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Technology Provides New Tools for Blind Students in Kenya

In Kenya, blind students and those with poor eyesight were still using Braille books for their studies until recently. Their books used the Braille system of raised dots to represent words and numbers. Those with limited or no eyesight can “read” by touching those markings. But Kenyan schools for the blind are now beginning to use technology that provides material in an audible form. This has expanded possibilities for the students and taught them new ways to interact with technology.  Seventeen-year-old Lucas Mwanzia is visually impaired. For the past two years, he has been attending computer classes at the Thika School for the Blind. Lucas Mwanzia is in eighth grade. He started school at a later age because of his poor eyesight. But using the new technology, he can search the Internet for biology class. He says the technology has opened doors that once were closed. He says that Braille books are costly and you have to spend a lot of money to buy one. With computers, he says, the books are available at little or no cost. “So we download the books to read and when are done we just close the program,” he says. The school started using assistive technology six years ago. It enables blind and visually-impaired students to get information from computers and iPads.  Zachary Muasya was born blind. He is now one of the school's teachers. He has been teaching the students how to use the technology for about two years now. He says the technology opens up possibilities that can level the playing field for his students. “Assistive technology equips the learners with very many skills that really make them independent in life,” says Muasya. “They can read materials like books, magazines, newspapers by themselves. And apart from that -- assistive technology equips them with employable skills.” The assistive technology costs $1,000 to set up. But a non-governmental organization called InAble has provided it to the schools at no cost. Peter Okeyo, the program manager at InAble, says blind students using the technology may still face difficulties when they move to higher education. He says students who have used the technology up through high school might not have it at the university they attend. Those students might have difficulties if they have to go back to braille, he adds. Four out of Kenya's 11 schools for the blind are using the technology. Inable says it will provide the financing for the remaining schools to join the effort. I’m Mario Ritter.   Lenny Ruvaga reported this story from Kenya. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   dot – n. a raised surface or marking audible – adj. able to be heard assistive – adj. meant to help someone do or learn something impaired – adj. limited in a specific ability, not fully operating level the playing field – idiom. to bring a person’s chances of success up to the same level as others

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Everyday Grammar: Will vs. Be Going to

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Conflict Puts 24 Million Children Out of School

Nearly 24 million children around the world are unable to attend school because of conflict. That is what UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, said recently. UNICEF officials studied 22 countries affected by conflict. The UN agency found that “nearly one in four of the more than 109 million kids of primary and lower secondary school age, who live in conflict zones, are missing out on their education.” Lisa Bender is an education specialist with UNICEF. She says not only are more children affected by conflict, but conflicts are lasting longer. She adds that children are missing important years for learning. “We’re primarily talking about the key ages between six and 15. So this doesn’t even count children who are missing early learning opportunities. We’re really talking about primary school through lower secondary school: the key years for learning.” The results, Bender says, are that children are not able to get the skills they need to survive. “We mean that they won’t have the skills that they need to access the job market. They won’t have the basic skills that they’ll need to negotiate life. In countries where we have seen children access education in small villages, in Afghanistan, for example, where I visited, these children play a crucial role in negotiating contracts for their parents; being able to understand how to get good prices at the local market. So, we’re talking about daily living skills, as well as the long term skills they need to become future teachers and doctors and leaders of their country.” If children grow up without these skills, Bender says, countries suffer in the long term. Economies and public health could worsen, while girls become more vulnerable to sex abuse. Conflicts are fueling huge population movements in some areas, including the Middle East. Syria is the country largely driving Europe’s migrant and refugee crisis. Lisa Bender says Syria once had most of its boys and girls in school. Now, she says, it is difficult to get information on the subject. “We’ve seen many children in Syria who are now not able to attend school because of the conflict. But there’s been such a huge population movement, as you know, into the surrounding countries. And now with the European migrant crisis that it’s hard to say exactly how many of those children are accessing learning opportunities -- if they’re formal or non-formal. We’re doing our best to provide services with many partners for these children, but it’s very hard to get a specific number.” UNICEF says Africa’s newest nation, South Sudan, is at the top of the list of countries where conflict is disrupting education. Over half of its children, 51 percent, are out of school. Niger and Sudan are also near the top of the list. UNICEF says Afghanistan has made progress. But 40 percent of its children are out of school. UNICEF and its partners are calling on donors and governments to help make education a major part of humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. “We need to shift our attitude from saying we’ll get back to school when things calm down to saying that we can’t afford to let education stop.” I’m Ashley Thompson.   VOA’s Joe De Capua reported on this story from Washington. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   zones – n. an area that is different from another crucial – adj. very important vulnerable – adj. open to attack, harm or damage access – v. to be able to use or enter disrupt – v. to prevent the normal progress of an activity

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English in a Minute: Face the Music

Playing music, or just listening to music, is a fun activity. But, "facing the music" can often be unpleasant. Learn how to use this expression in this week's English in a Minute!

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