Do You Pay Full Tuition As Your Roommate Pays Less?

From VOA Learning English, this is the Education Report. The problem Congressional Research Services reports that over the past 25 years, college fees rose almost 2 percent faster than inflation every year. This suggests that college has become expensive relative to the cost of living. At the same time, a college education is increasingly valuable. College graduates earn more money and have better career prospects than those who only have a high school degree.   How do colleges get money? In the U.S., three main sources of money give revenue to colleges. They are government appropriations, gift and endowment revenue, and payments for tuitions and fees. If one source of revenue decreases, colleges often look to raise revenue in another place.   How do colleges determine prices? When students talk about the price of college, they are usually referring to payments for tuition and fees. Both public and private schools engage in price discrimination, which means charging different prices to different students. Adam Davidson, writing in the New York Times, says that the rise of college prices is a sign of market competition in elite colleges. If colleges publish a high price, they can attract top students with financial aid. The greater the reduction in the tuition, the more likely schools may be in attracting successful students to build the school's reputation. Davidson reports that colleges often use computer programs to give a price. The price reflects a student's willingness to pay, academic record, ethnicity, and the major that they are likely to choose. While colleges publish one price, the “sticker price,” they really have many price points. Davidson says the price offered to students is based on how attractive the student is to the school. One problem with this, says Congressional Research Services, is that it means that college costs are not transparent. Students are not able to directly compare the cost of schools.  Michael Leachman and Michael Mitchell are researchers at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. They write that the high sticker price of education may discourage poor students from applying to college. Leachman and Mitchell write that poor students, and particularly poor minority students, benefit from enrolling in selective, expensive schools. But many poor students may be unaware of the available financial aid. They are only aware of the sticker price. Many do not apply to colleges whose sticker price seems too high.   The impact of the Great Recession  In general, states cut funding to higher education during economic recessions. The recession of 2007 through 2009 was no different. States collected less tax money, and appropriated less money for higher education. In the U.S, states provide around 53 percent of the revenue used to support state schools. When states appropriate less per student, schools raise fees to pay expenses. Schools also cut other costs, such as the amount of financial aid given to students. Michael Mitchell, an expert at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities says:  “One way that state schools have been looking to try to make up the difference is by actually offering smaller scholarship packages or smaller grant packages to wealthier students – students that can actually pay the rest of that tuition price – and moving away from larger grant packages to low income students.”    What happens if students don't receive financial aid? Even if a student receives a scholarship or grant, they may still need to borrow money to pay for school. Student debt has become the largest source of household debt in the United States. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York estimates that student loans grew to almost $1.2 trillion dollars in 2014. Many students cannot pay back the money they borrowed. They default on their loans. The U.S. Department of Education says that of the 4.7 million students who started repaying their student loans in 2011, almost 650,000, or 13.7 percent, defaulted before the end of 2013.   Should endowments pay for tuition? Some, such as the Candidates for the Harvard Board of Overseers, suggest making endowments pay for college costs. Harvard, for example, has an endowment that is worth around $35.9 billion dollars. The University of Texas system, a public school system, has an endowment worth around $25.4 billion dollars. Endowments are investment funds maintained for the benefit of a college. However, donors may restrict how schools spend their endowment money. Congressional Research Services says that almost 40 percent of permanent endowment money is donor restricted. Jeff Neal, a spokesperson for Harvard, said that endowments are not like bank accounts, where money is easily deposited or withdrawn. Mitchell, at the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, says that many schools have small endowments, or have no endowments at all. Those schools cannot use their endowment to pay expenses in an emergency. “Only a very small segment [of schools] that can really look at endowment as a viable safety net in that regard.”  From VOA Learning English, I'm John Russell.   John Russell reported on this story for VOANews.com. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Leave us a comments and post on our Facebook page._____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fee – n. an amount of money that must be paid revenue – n. money that is made by or paid to a business or an organization tuition – n. money that is paid to a school for the right to study there degree – n. an official document and title that is given to someone who has successfully completed a series of classes at a college or university prospects – n. an opportunity for something to happen appropriation – n. an amount of money that is used or provided by a government for a specific purpose appropriate – v. to get or save (money) for a specific use or purpose endowment – n. a large amount of money that has been given to a school, hospital, etc. and that is used to pay for its creation and continuing support price discrimination – n. the action of selling the same product at different prices to different buyers, in order to maximize sales and profits sticker price – n. the stated price of something selective – adj. careful to choose only the best people or things scholarship – n. an amount of money that is given by a school, an organization, etc., to a student to help pay for the student's education

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US Student on 'Budget' Tour Held in N. Korea

An American student has been arrested in North Korea. The arrest is the latest in a series of arrests of U.S. citizens. Analysts say North Korea uses the citizens as bargaining chips.  The student is Otto Frederick Warmbier, 21, of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is studying economics at the University of Virginia.  He "was caught committing a hostile act against the state," the official North Korean news agency, KCNA, reported on Friday. Warmbier's actions were "tolerated and manipulated by the U.S. government," according to the dispatch.  Daniel Pinkston is a professor at Troy University in Seoul. He told VOA that: “We can only speculate why he has been detained. But it is quite risky to visit (North Korea) as a tourist given the sensitivities regarding anything about the state, the leadership, government, and political system, or geo-politics in general.” Warmbier was a member of a trip organized by China-based Young Pioneer Tours. He was detained January 2, four days before North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in defiance of United Nation sanctions. The United States and North Korea have no diplomatic relations. The U.S. State Department has, for years, issued strong recommendations and travel warnings against visiting North Korea because of the risk of arrest and longterm detention.  Many of the North Americans arrested by North Korea in recent years have had links to Christian Evangelical groups. But Warmbier's social media accounts show no religious connections.  Approximately 200,000 North Koreans are believed to be in prison for their political views or religious beliefs, according to human rights groups. I'm Mario Ritter.  Steve Herman reported this news for VOA News. Kathleen Struck adapted it for Learning English. Do you have an opinion to share about North Korea or student travel? Please leave us a Comment and post on our Facebook page, thank you.   _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   bargaining chips -- n. chips or tokens or markets used in games of chance and gambling; chips used in exchange for something else economics -- n. the study of how a society or government earns and spends its money hostile -- v. showing anger or aggression manipulated -- v. controlled or influenced sensitivities -- n. feelings that might be easily offended or hurt ​ geo-politics -- n. relations between countries or governments detained -- v. held someone or something back, usually without consent defiance -- n. push back boldly, open resistance, bold disobedience  Christian Evangelical -- n. a religious group that spreads the word, or gospel, of Jesus Christ

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How America Elects: How To Raise Money

Candidates for U.S. President can receive money from individuals, political party, political action committee and the federal government for their campaign.

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How America Elects: Who Can Run For President?

Every four years, the citizens of the U.S. elect a president. The path is long and difficult. Find out what a candidate will need to run for president.

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Life in the Fast Lane

Now, Words and Their Stories -- a weekly program from VOA Learning English. It can be said that the United States is a driving culture. The U.S., after all, is a big country and many Americans love cars. So, it is no surprise that many Americans English expressions come from the world of driving. One exciting example is “life in the fast lane.” This expression comes from the country’s large system of highways. The roads are marked with painted lines to keep vehicles safely apart. These lines divide each road into separate lanes. Most highways in the U.S. are wide enough for three or four cars to travel side-by-side. Many areas require that slow drivers drive in the far-right lane. Faster moving traffic operates in the middle lanes. The fastest cars drive on the far-left side -- also called the fast lane. Someone living in the fast lane is like a fast-moving car. They live dangerously, at breakneck speed. It is a way of life marked by a fast pace and usually the chase of immediate satisfaction. A person who lives in the fast lane is not happy to just live life quietly like other people. No. For someone living in the fast lane life is one exciting experience after another. Every night is a party! Living life in the fast lane can be a selfish way to live. Sometimes these people only care about finding their next big thrill. Such people might drink a lot of alcohol or use other drugs. They do not think twice about how their lifestyle may affect them down the road or how it may affect others. So, who lives in the fast lane? Living in the fast lane has a high price tag. You need lots of money for this kind of life. Some Hollywood movie actors are famous for their rich, fast-paced lives. Sports stars can have days filled with events, parties and groupies – people who like famous people and follow them. But you do not have to be famous to live in the fast lane. Many politicians, lawyers and business tycoons live in the fast lane. For them, life is full of movement, excitement and action! However, most people -- even actors and sports stars -- need to be well-rested to perform well. If not, they could burn out quickly. But getting a full 8 hours is usually not part of life in the fast lane.   Many people who live in the fast lane are young. Sometimes, the fast lane leads them down a rocky road, or a very difficult phase. Others may hit a fork in the road. They must decide to stay in the fast lane or slow down to possibly have a longer and more meaningful life. And some never learn. Their life in the fast lane leads them to the end of the road – meaning they die. Rock musicians are known for living in the fast lane. We do not have time to name all of the performers who died young from their fast ways. Members of the rock band the Eagles lived in the fast lane. In fact, the group’s founders, Glenn Frey and Don Henley, co-wrote a song about it. “Life in the Fast Lane” is one of their biggest hits. The two men were honest about this way of life, singing it will “surely make you lose your mind.”                                           Glenn Frey died on January 18, 2016. The rock star suffered from health problems that he himself said came from a life lived in the fast lane. As he aged, Frey did slow down. He became interested health and physical fitness. But he died at the relatively young age of 67.    I’m Anna Matteo. They knew all the right people, they took all the right pills, They threw outrageous parties, they paid heavenly bills…   Do you have a similar expression in your language? Let us know in the Comments section and on our Facebook page. Anna Matteo wrote this program. Additional material came from an earlier report written by David Jarmul. George Grow was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   exciting – adj. causing feelings of interest and enthusiasm breakneck – adj. very fast : dangerously fast to not think twice about (something) – informal phrase to do something quickly without considering it very much down the road – informal phrase in the future. tycoon – n. a very wealthy and powerful business person burn out – informal phrase exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration :  a person showing the effects of drug abuse full 8 hours – informal phrase a good night’s sleep rocky road – informal phrase a difficult period in a person’s life fork in the road – informal phrase a deciding moment in life or history when a major choice of options is required end of the road – informal phrase the end of the whole process : informal euphemism to die

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Thomas Jefferson: The Nation's Third President

In 1962, President John F. Kennedy welcomed Nobel Prize winners to the White House. He said “I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.”   Kennedy’s comment shows how vividly Jefferson lives in the American imagination – even more than 100 years after his presidency and death. In the United States, Jefferson’s name is often linked to the country’s history of self-government, slavery, separation of church and state, and public education. ​Founding father Jefferson was born in 1743 and raised in the hills and low mountains of Virginia. He was considered an aristocrat: his family’s wealth permitted him an excellent education in classic languages, science, literature, philosophy and law. Jefferson also learned to ride horses, dance and explore the natural world. In the 1770s Jefferson supported the coming American Revolution. He became a member of the Second Continental Congress and is famous for being the lead writer of the Declaration of Independence. The document declared the American colonies’ separation from England. It also asserted “that all men are created equal” and have the rights “to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Jefferson went on to hold many positions in the country’s new state and national governments. He was a governor of Virginia, a minister to France, a secretary of state for President George Washington, and the vice president under President John Adams. Virginia planter and slave owner But Jefferson often wrote to his friends about how he most wanted to retire from public service and return to his home in Virginia. In the 1760s he designed a house on a hilltop he called Monticello – the word means “little mountain” in Italian. Jefferson spent most of his life changing and improving the house. He hired dozens of workmen to build it. He also put some of his slaves to work on it. During his life, Jefferson owned about 600 slaves. That meant about 130 lived on Monticello at any time. They worked in Jefferson’s house, tobacco and wheat farms, and on special projects such as making cabinets and nails.  Jefferson expressed mixed feelings about slavery. He said he disliked the practice, and that he believed God would judge slave owners severely. In 1782, he wrote, “Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that his justice cannot sleep forever…” And of course, many people pointed out that Jefferson himself wrote in the Declaration of Independence “all men are created equal,” yet Jefferson did not use his power to end slavery. He expected future generations would permit slavery in the United States to end slowly. Jefferson’s words and actions on slavery are contradictory. The contradiction is especially significant because evidence suggests he had a long relationship with a young slave at Monticello.  ​Her name was Sally Hemings. Most historians now believe what the Hemings family has said all along: Jefferson was the father of Sally Hemings’ six children of record. Presidential candidate: election of 1800 Thomas Jefferson left Monticello to become the country’s third president. The election of 1800 was important for several reasons. First, it resulted in a strange situation: both Thomas Jefferson and his running mate, Aaron Burr, received the same number of electoral votes. The Constitution at the time did not require electors to say whether they were voting for president or vice president. So when the two men tied, the House of Representatives had to decide which man would take the lead position. But their votes, too, could not determine a winner. The election dragged on and on. Finally, one of Jefferson’s chief political enemies, Alexander Hamilton, decided that Jefferson was the lesser of two evils. In other words, he did not like either candidate but decided Jefferson was the better choice. Hamilton persuaded some of his allies to support Jefferson over Burr. After six days and 36 votes, the House of Representatives gave the presidency to Jefferson. The strange situation provoked a change to the Constitution. The Twelfth Amendment clarifies how the president and vice president are chosen. The election of 1800 was also important because it was a break from the earlier administrations. The first two presidents, George Washington and John Adams, were Federalists. In other words, they supported a strong federal government. Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, was a Republican—although the term meant something different in his time than it does for today’s Republicans. Jefferson wanted to limit federal government. Historian Joseph Ellis explains that Jefferson supported the power of the states and the people themselves. “So, in some sense, he’s going to the federal government as the head of it to say we’re not going to do anything. Our job is to get out of the way and to allow the citizens of the republic to pursue their happiness without the interference of any federal authority whatsoever.” The Federalists disagreed with Jefferson’s point of view. However, they accepted the results of the election and permitted the government to transfer peacefully. Third U.S. president Some Federalists may have also been comforted by Jefferson’s inaugural address — the speech he gave when he officially became president. In it, Jefferson famously said, “We are all republicans — we are all federalists.” Many listeners probably believed Jefferson was saying his administration would support ideas from both Republicans and Federalists. But historian Joseph Ellis points out that Jefferson did not capitalize the names of the political groups in his speech. Instead, Ellis says, Jefferson was likely saying the American public supported a strong system of state governments united under a “federal bond.” Indeed, Jefferson led his administration by his Republican beliefs — mostly. As president he greatly lessened the power of the federal government. He cut the national debt. He reduced the military. He disliked the power of the Supreme Court over the laws Congress made. And he rejected appearances that made the U.S. president look like a European king. One of the lasting images of Jefferson in the American imagination is of him receiving guests in old clothes and slippers.  But as president, Jefferson also appeared strong and powerful when dealing with foreign nations. Jefferson increased American naval forces in the Mediterranean to combat threats to U.S. ships. And he permitted American officials to buy a huge area of land from France, even though the Louisiana Purchase added to the national debt and exceeded the power the Constitution gave the president. In general, historians consider Jefferson’s first term as president a success. Voters did, too, because he easily won a second term. But those last four years were more difficult. Jefferson’s popularity suffered especially when he stopped all U.S. trade with Europe. Jefferson aimed to limit American involvement in a war between Britain and France. Instead, he ruined the U.S. economy. When Jefferson returned to Monticello in 1809, he was happy to leave the presidency behind. And some people were happy to see him go. Criticisms and legacy Jefferson’s critics attacked both his political ideas and his personal qualities. Even friends such as John Adams and James Madison suggested in their letters that Jefferson was too idealistic. Federalists, including Washington and Hamilton, worried Jefferson’s Republican ideas would weaken the strong federal government and national economy they had worked hard to create. Jefferson is also negatively linked to the history of Native Americans and slavery in the U.S. He tried to get Indian nations to enter into treaties that ultimately took away their land. He asked that they become more like European-Americans. And his policies made them depend on the U.S. government. And Jefferson took no major action to end slavery, either in his personal life or as a public figure. In fact, historian Joseph Ellis points out that some of Jefferson’s actions increased the power of the slave-holding south and supported slavery in the western states. “Jefferson doesn’t put his presidency or the Louisiana Purchase on his tombstone. He never claims any great credit for that. It’s interesting. Because what happens is this area becomes the source of controversy that leads to the Civil War.” Jefferson instead wanted to be remembered for three things: writing the Declaration of Independence, supporting religious freedom, and creating the University of Virginia. For the most part, he is. Jefferson's political opponents accused him of not being a Christian although he said he was. But many Americans supported Jefferson’s views on the separation of church and state. He wrote that government should worry only about acts that hurt other people; however, he said, it does not harm him if his neighbor says, “there are twenty gods or no gods. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg.” Jefferson also famously supported free public education, especially for those who could not pay for school. He established both the idea and the architecture for the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. The public university remains one of the top colleges in the United States. Jefferson himself wrote proudly of these accomplishments at the end of his life. But his final years at Monticello had many sorrows. His wife, Martha, had died in 1782 after difficulty in childbirth. Five of the six children Martha had with Thomas Jefferson also died before him. So while Jefferson often wrote about how much he enjoyed family life, he returned to Monticello with only one living daughter, among those he acknowledged, and a few grandchildren. In addition, the cost of improving and maintaining the house, as well as the money he spent on fine wine and good food, had ruined him financially. Eventually, his daughter had to sell her father’s beloved Monticello and the slaves who lived there to pay his debts. Jefferson died at Monticello at the age of 83. The last detail of his life – which Americans love to tell – is that he passed away on America’s birthday, exactly 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I’m Caty Weaver.   Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vividly – adv. seeming like real life because it is very clear, bright, or detailed aristocrat – n.  a member of the highest social class in some countries; a person who has more money and power than most people in society assert – v. to state (something) in a strong and definite way tremble – v. to shake slightly because you are afraid, nervous, excited, etc. contradictory – adj. involving or having information that disagrees with other information significant ­– adj. large enough to be noticed or have an effect slippers – n. light, soft shoes that are easily put on and taken off and are worn indoors soiled ­– adj. dirty; unclean pick pocket – v. to steal

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Fake Reports of Fish Caught Harms Economy, Environment

The amount of fish caught worldwide is much larger than has been reported. And that could mean serious problems for the environment and nations that depend on fisheries. A new estimate places the world fish catch at 109 million metric tons. That is 32 million tons higher than countries have been reporting yearly. The same report notes that the world’s fish catch has been declining since the late 1990s. Countries report their industrial catches to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. But they do not report other kinds of fishing. These include the catches of small commercial fisheries, what are called artisanal fisheries, and fishing for recreation and individual food. Daniel Pauly at the University of British Columbia in Canada led the study. He noted that a huge amount of some catches is thrown away. “For example, shrimp trawlers retain only the shrimp and the fish that they catch – often eight to 10 times as much as the shrimp – gets thrown away.” Pauly told VOA that better estimates of the actual global catch will help ensure there will be enough fish in the future. “…But our figures suggest that since '96 a rapid decrease is happening. And if you project this forward you end up in a few decades having much less catch, literally no catch. So that is potentially dangerous.” The online journal Nature Communications published the report Tuesday.   Researchers also found ways the world’s fisheries are changing. They found that fishing fleets of larger nations are catching fish in the waters of developing countries more and more. Pauly said he was surprised by the amount of fishing done by foreign fleets in competition with local fishers. “In West Africa, the figure that was most astonishing is the enormous role of foreign fishing – of European and Asian vessels fishing legally or illegally – and competing against local fishers. On the other hand for the U.S., Australia and some developing countries, such as the Bahamas, what was apparent is the enormous contribution of recreational fisheries, which also never get reported to the FAO.” Researchers say inaccurate data also harms the development and supervision of effective policy and management measures. I'm Mario Ritter.   Steve Herman reported this story for VOA. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fisheries – n. a business that catches and sells fish; a part of the ocean were fish and sea creatures are available commercial – adj. concerned with earning money as a business fleet – n. a group of ships that work together for a business or for a country trawlers – n. a boat used to catch fish with a large net potentially – adv. possible, able to be real inaccurate – adj. not correct or exact declining - v. shrinking decades - n. 10-year periods; many years astonishing - adj. causing a feeling of great wonder or surprise enormous - adj. huge or really big role - n. the part that someone has in a special activity or situation contribution - n. a payment; the act of giving someone something

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Water Crisis in U.S. City a 'Disaster, Not Just an Emergency'

  Civil rights activists, politicians and residents are calling the contamination of drinking water in an urban U.S. city “a disaster, not just an emergency.” Michigan Governor Rick Snyder recently apologized for the water disaster in Flint, Michigan, according to the news agency CNN. Snyder said he would use all his power as governor to solve the water crisis. Snyder asked state legislators for $28 million to fund a series of immediate actions. The money would be used for things such as supplying bottled water, replacing water filters and other fixtures in high-risk areas, testing children for high lead levels and treating potential physical and emotional health issues, reports CNN.  Snyder said the following statement to the people of Flint: “Your families face a crisis, a crisis you did not create and could not have prevented. I am sorry and I will fix it." The Republican governor has become the target for much heated criticism because the crisis unfolded under his watch. Civil rights leaders, activists, politicians come to Flint U.S. civil rights activists visited the Midwestern city of Flint, Michigan recently. Reverend Jesse Jackson is a longtime civil rights leader. He led a delegation of activists. They addressed a crowd of concerned and angered citizens sitting in a local church.   Jackson spoke later to reporters. He said the residents of Flint have been exposed to contaminated drinking and bathing water for nearly two years. Jackson described the city as "a crime scene.” Who lives in Flint? Flint is an industrial, urban area of the state. It is largely an African-American city, where 40 percent of the population lives in poverty. Jackson's visit to Flint came one day after President Barack Obama declared a local state of emergency. This clears the way for federal aid to reach the residents.  Obama’s visit came a day after another visit by controversial filmmaker Michael Moore. Moore was raised in Flint. He made the 1989 documentary film “Roger & Me.” The film is about the closing of several automobile plants in Flint by CEO of General Motors Roger Smith. Speaking at City Hall, Moore said the situation is "not just a water crisis. It is “a racial crisis.” It is “a poverty crisis.” How did this happen? According to many reports, the water crisis began 2014. The city of Flint was in deep financial difficulty. To save money, the city began using water from a local river rather than using pretreated water from the water system of Detroit, a nearby city. However, the water in the Flint River is highly corrosive. Officials did not properly treat the corrosive water before sending it through lead pipes and into people’s homes. Corrosive means to cause damage to metal or other materials through a chemical process. And that is just what happened. As the corrosive water traveled through the system of old lead pipes, lead seeped or leached into the water. To make matters worse, officials did not tell Flint residents about their tainted drinking water supply for a year and a half. Now, the people of Flint are demanding to know who knew what and when. Flint has since returned to using water from Detroit. However, engineers now say its water distribution system may need replacement. This could cost as much at $1.5 billion. The Detroit Free Press called on Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to release staff emails. Critics of the governor say his emails may show a pattern of willful neglect by state officials. These same critics say the governor and his staff allegedly attempted to lessen the importance of the contamination and its effects. Health experts report finding dangerously high levels of lead in the city's children. State officials have begun importing bottled water to protect locals from further contamination. A hero doctor Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha is director of pediatric residency at Hurley Children's Hospital. She is being called a hero by many. The doctor brought the problem of high levels of lead in children to the public's attention. She did this after state agencies first ignored her concerns. What lead does to a child Hanna-Attisha explains that lead-contaminated water has lifelong and generational effects. In a television interview, she says it is well-documented that high levels of lead in children can lead to learning disabilities and emotional problems that follow the child into adulthood. The World Health Organization says excess lead exposure can damage a human's nervous and reproductive systems and the kidneys. High levels of lead can cause high blood pressure and anemia. It also describes lead as "especially harmful to the developing brains of fetuses, young children and to pregnant women." Additionally, the WHO warns of risks from "irreversible learning disabilities, behavioral problems, and mental retardation. At very high levels, lead can cause convulsions, coma and death." Investigating the crisis Earlier this month, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency. This allowed the residents of Flint to go to fire stations for a daily case of water per household. But many blame Snyder for the crisis. Michigan Attorney General Bill Shuette announced that he will investigate the crisis to determine whether any state laws were broken. In a recent statement, a civil rights organization, called the NAACP, described the Attorney General’s announcement as a "positive and much needed step in the right direction." The statement went on to say to “expose a city of nearly 100,000 residents, many of them children, to toxic lead is, if not criminal, at the very least inhumane." I’m Anna Matteo. And I’m Dan Friedell.   Fern Robinson and Lou Lorscheider wrote this story for VOA News. Anna Matteo adapted it for Learning English, adding additional reporting from several news sources. Kathleen Struck was the editor. __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story contamination – n. to make unfit for use by the introduction of unwholesome or undesirable elements corrosive – adj. causing damage to metal or other materials through a chemical process controversial – adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument : likely to produce controversy tainted – adj. to make (something) dangerous or dirty especially by adding something harmful or undesirable to it irreversible – adj.  impossible to change back to a previous condition or state convulsions medical : a sudden violent shaking of the muscles in your body that you are unable to control coma – n. a state of profound unconsciousness caused by disease, injury, or poison

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'Benito Cereno,' by Herman Melville, Part Two

Today, we continue the story "Benito Cereno."  It was written by Herman Melville. Last week, we told how African slaves on a Spanish ship rebelled in seventeen ninety-nine. They killed most of the Spanish sailors. Only the captain, Benito Cereno, and a few others were left alive. The leader of the rebellion was a slave named Babo. He ordered Captain Cereno to sail the ship back to Senegal, the slaves' homeland.  But food and water were low. So the ship stopped at an island off the coast of Chile to get the needed supplies. When it arrived, an American ship was in the harbor. The American captain, Amoso Delano, thought the Spanish ship might be in trouble. He would offer help. Babo decided to remain close to Captain Cereno and act as if he were the captain's slave. Babo would kill him if he told Captain Delano the truth about what happened. Now, here is Shep O'Neal to continue our story. As Captain Delano came up in his whale boat, he saw that the other ship needed scraping, tarring and brushing.  It looked old and decayed.  He climbed up the side and came aboard.  He was quickly surrounded by a crowd of black men. Captain Delano looked around for the man who commanded the ship. The Spanish captain stood a little away off against the main mast. He was young looking, richly dressed but seemed troubled and tired with the spirit gone out of him. He looked unhappily toward his American visitor. At the Spanish's captain side stood a small black man with a rough face. Captain Delano struggled forward through the crowd, went up to the Spaniard and greeted him. He offered to help him in any way he could. Captain Benito Cereno returned the American's greeting politely, but without warmth. Captain Delano pushed his way back through the crowd to the gangway. He told his men to go and bring back as much water as they could, also bread, pumpkins, sugar and a dozen of his private bottles of cider. The whale boat pushed off. Left alone, Captain Delano again observed with fresh surprise the general disorder aboard the ship. Some of the men were fighting. There were no deck officers to discipline or control the violent ones. And everyone seemed to do as he pleased. Captain Delano could not fully understand how this could have happened.  What could explain such a break down of order and responsibility?  He asked Don Benito to give him the full story of his ship's misfortunes.  Don Benito did not answer. He just kept looking at his American visitor as if he heard nothing. This angered Captain Delano, who suddenly turned away and walked forward to one of the Spanish seamen for his answer. But he had hardly gone five steps when Don Benito called him back. "It is now 190 days," Don Benito began, "that the ship sailed from Buenos Aires for Lima with a general cargo. Pedigree, tea, and the like, and a number of Negros, now not more than a 150 as you see, but then numbering over 300 souls. The ship was officered and well-manned, with several cabin passengers. Some 50 Spaniards in all. Off Cape Horn we had heavy gales."  Captain Cereno coughed suddenly and almost collapsed.  He fell heavily against his body servant. "His mind wanders," said Babo. "He was thinking of the disease that followed the gales. My poor, poor master. Be patient señor, these attacks do not last long. Master will soon be himself." Don Benito recovered, and in a broken voice continued his story. "My ship was tossed about many days in storms off Cape Horn. And then there was an outbreak of scurvy. The disease carried off many whites and blacks. Most of my surviving seaman had become so sick that they could not handle the sails well. For days and nights we could not control the ship. It was blown north-westward. The wind suddenly left us in unknown waters with oppressive hot calms. Most of our water was gone. "And we suffered terribly, especially after a deadly fever broke out among us. Whole families of blacks and many Spaniards, including every officer but myself, were killed by the disease." Don Benito paused.  He looked down at the black man at his side. Babo seemed satisfied.  The Spanish captain saw him take his hand from the knife hidden under his shirt. Captain Delano saw nothing. His mind was filled with the terrible tale he had just heard. Now he could understand why the other captain seemed so shaken. He took Don Benito's hand and promised to give him all the help possible.  He would give him a large permanent supply of water, and some sails and equipment for sailing the ship. And he also promised to let Don Benito have three of his best seamen for temporary deck officers. In this way, the San Dominick could without delay start for Concepcion. There the ship could be fixed and prepared for its voyage to Lima. Don Benito's face lighted up. He seemed excited by Captain Delano's generous offer. But, Babo appeared troubled. "This excitement is bad for master," Babo whispered, taking Don Benito's arm and with soothing words gently drawing him aside. When Don Benito returned, Captain Delano observed that his excitement was gone. Captain Delano decided to talk of other matters. But the Spanish captain showed no further interest. He answered Captain Delano's questions with sharp words and suddenly with an angry movement he walked back to Babo. Captain Delano watched the two men whispering together in low voices. It made an ugly picture, which Captain Delano found so extremely unpleasant that he turned his face to the other side of the ship. Their actions made Delano suspicious of Captain Cereno. He began to wonder about him. His behavior. His coughing attacks. His weakness. His empty wild looks. Was he really half mad or a faker playing a part?  One moment Captain Delano had the worst suspicions of Don Benito. But the next he would feel guilty and ashamed of himself for having such doubts about the man. Presently, Don Benito moved back toward his guest, still supported by his servant. His pale face twitched.  He seemed more nervous than usual.  And there was a strange tone in his husky whisper as he spoke. "May I ask how many men you have on board, señor?"  Captain Delano became uneasy, but answered. "About 25 all total." "And at present, señor, all on board?"  "All on board," Captain Delano answered.   "And will be tonight, señor?" At this last question, Captain Delano looked very seriously at Don Benito, who could not return the look but dropped his eyes to the deck. Captain Delano could think of only one reason for such a question. But no, it was foolish to think that these weak and starving men could have any idea of seizing his ship.  But still he remained silent. "And will they be aboard tonight?"   Again the question from Don Benito. Captain Delano decided to answer truthfully. Some of his men had talked of going off on a fishing party about midnight. And he told Don Benito this. As he answered, Captain Delano again looked straight at Don Benito. But the Spanish captain refused to meet his eyes. Then as before, he suddenly withdrew with his servant. And again the two men began whispering to each other in low voices. Captain Delano tried to push the worry from his mind.  But what were those two strange men discussing?   That will be our story next week. You have been listening to American Stories. Your narrator was Shep O'Neal.  We invite you to listen again next week for the final part of "Benito Cereno" by Herman Melville.  What do you think of this story? Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   collapse - v. to fall down or become unconscious because you are sick or exhausted señor - n. a title or form of address used of or to a Spanish-speaking man, corresponding to Mr.or sir. recover - v. to become healthy after an illness or injury : to return to normal health scurvy - n. a disease that is caused by not eating enough fruits or vegetables that contain vitamin C survive - v. to remain alive; to continue to live equipment - n. supplies or tools needed for a special purpose temporary - adj.  continuing for a limited amount of time : not permanent faker - n. a person pretending to be something they are not

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Actors Criticize 'White' Oscars for Lack of Diversity

  The Academy Awards ceremony is Hollywood’s biggest night of the year for actors and filmmakers. But this year, some are refusing to attend the ceremony. They are calling for a boycott.   They are boycotting the event because of the lack of diversity among the nominees for Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars.  All 20 people nominated for acting awards this year are white. Last year, all of the acting nominees were white, as well. Actor Jada Pinkett Smith is leading the Oscars boycott. She asked that others join her as a way to express outrage that no African-American actors were nominated for an Academy Award. Director Spike Lee has also said he and his wife would not attend the Oscars. He complained on social media about “another all white ballot.”  Don Cheadle, who won a best actor Oscar in 2004 for the film Hotel Rwanda, tweeted a joke about only being allowed to park cars at the Oscars. ​Chris Rock is hosting the Academy Awards ceremony on February 28th. An African-American actor himself, Rock has been pressured by black entertainers to step down from the hosting job. Lack of diversity for the second straight year This marks the second straight year that people have voiced concern about the lack of diversity among Oscar nominees. The nominees are chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The president of the Academy, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, is African-American. She released a statement this week addressing the lack of diversity. Isaacs expressed her “heartbreak” and “frustration” over the lack of African-Americans and other minorities among this year’s acting nominees. She said in the statement that this lack of diversity is “a difficult but important conversation and it is time for big changes.” Pinkett-Smith posted a message on social media about the Isaacs’ statement. She tweeted: 'I would like to express my gratitude to the Academy, specifically Cheryl Boone Isaacs, for such a quick response in regard to the issue at hand. I look forward to the future.” Pinkett-Smith has received support in her Oscar boycott from her husband, actor Will Smith. Smith told ABC News he would not attend the Academy Awards. Will Smith did not get nominated this year for his work in the movie Concussion.  But one African-American actor, Janet Hubert, does not support Pinkett-Smith’s Oscar boycott. Hubert starred with Will Smith in the 1990s television show The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Hubert criticized Pinkett-Smith in a four-minute video. She said: “I find it ironic that somebody who has made...millions and millions of dollars from the very people you’re talking about boycotting, just because you didn’t get a nomination." Hubert's video has been viewed over 2.5 million times on YouTube. Pinkett-Smith responded to the criticism. She said in a video shared by Entertainment Tonight that “this whole Oscar controversy isn’t really about the Oscars.” She continued by saying that “right now, specifically with African-American people, we have some very serious issues that I think we as a people have to move together on.”  Lack of diversity in the Academy Some say the diversity issue in Hollywood begins with the Academy itself. The Los Angeles Times sampled more than 5,000 of the Academy’s 5,765 members in 2012. Ninety-four percent of the members of the Academy were white. One Academy member is two-time Oscar winner Russell Williams II. He earned two Oscars in Sound Mixing. Williams is African-American and a voting member of the Academy. In other words, he plays a role in selecting Oscar nominees. He said the makeup of the Academy itself should better represent the U.S. population. But he said it would not be easy to diversify the Academy. Members are elected for life. All Academy members have to be either Oscar nominees or winners themselves, or have extensive experience in a movie field. Long history of lack of diversity The 2015 and 2016 Oscars are far from the only years to suffer from a lack of diversity in acting categories. Throughout the Oscars’ 92-year-history, 95 percent of Oscar nominees have been white. Since 2000, 10 percent of Oscar nominations have gone to black actors. Blacks represent 12.6 percent of the American population, says a report on race and film in The Economist. But the lack of diversity in Hollywood concerns all minorities. Since 2000, just 3 percent of nominations have gone to Hispanic actors. The Hispanic population is 16 percent of the U.S. population. And only 1 percent of acting nominations have gone to actors with Asian backgrounds. Gil Robertson is the President of the African American Film Critics Association. He told Reuters that he believes the diversity issue begins in the film studio system. He said, "It's a definite problem. You can walk across the campuses of all the studios and never really see anyone of color and it's something that the industry needs to correct.”  Robertson pointed to the new “Star Wars” movie as a sign of Hollywood making those corrections. He noted that the three leads are a white actor, a black actor, and an Hispanic actor.  He said "There's something a little mechanical when you set about it like that, but at least they're heading in the right direction, and other films must follow, and will, if they want to capture those audiences." I'm Ashley Thompson.    Ashley Thompson wrote this story for VOA Learning English, with reports from Reuters, TIME, The Economist and VOANews.com. Hai Do was the editor.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story    diversity - n. the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization outrage - n. extreme anger​ host - v. to entertain guests and audiences during an awards show entertainer - n. a professional performer address - v.  to give attention to (something) ​ heartbreak - n. a very strong feeling of sadness or disappointment​ conversation - n. the act of talking in an informal way regard - n. care or concern for someone or something — often +for or to ironic - adj. using words that mean the opposite of what you really think especially in order to be funny​ sample - v. to test, study, or question (a group of people or things taken from a larger group) to get information mechanical - adj.  done without thought or without any effort to be different or interesting

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Gloomy Outlook for Global Employment

The International Labor Organization (ILO) predicts global unemployment will worsen over the next two years. Emerging and developing countries will be hurt the most. This is according to an annual study released by the ILO called “World Employment and Social Outlook – Trends 2016.”   The ILO found that nearly 200 million people were unemployed at the end of last year. This was nearly 30 million more than in 2007, before the world financial crisis. The global financial crisis started in the United States with bank failures, defaults on home mortgages, and credit card payments. Many layoffs followed. It spread globally. “The crisis affected almost every part of the world,” according to Yale Global Online, a publication of Yale University. The ILO predicts that more than 2 million more people will be out of work by the end of this year. That will mean 200.5 million unemployed worldwide by the end of 2016. Guy Ryder is ILO Director-General at their headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. He says the slow growth of the world economy is not creating enough jobs to reverse the increase in high unemployment in the world. Brazil, China and the oil-producing countries will be particularly hard-hit by the weakened job market, according to Ryder. The report says job quality remains a major challenge. About 1.5 billion people are working in vulnerable jobs, according to the report. This includes people who are self-employed or who work in the informal sector. This type of work usually has low productivity, low pay and no social protection. The ILO found that countries in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa have the highest levels of vulnerable employment, peaking at 74 percent and 70 percent, respectively. The report says governments must make employment policies stronger and put in place protection for workers. They say more attention needs to be paid to helping people find decent work. This includes young people, women, the long-term unemployed, and the disabled. I’m Mary Gotschall.          Lisa Schlein reported on this story for VOANews.com. Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English. 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   outlook – n. a set of conditions that will probably exist in the future: the future of someone or something  default – n. a failure to make a payment (such as a payment on a loan) layoff – n. the act of ending the employment of a worker or group of workers reverse – v. to change (something) to an opposite state or condition vulnerable – adj. open to attack, harm, or damage productivity – n. the rate at which goods are produced or work is completed strengthen – v.  to make (someone or something) stronger, more forceful, more effective, etc. excessive – adj.  going beyond what is usual, normal, or proper inequality – n.  an unfair situation in which some people have more rights or better opportunities than other people  

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