Helicopter Pilot Dies Fighting Poachers

A helicopter pilot died while chasing elephant poachers in Tanzania late last month. British pilot Roger Gower, 37, was working for the Friedkin Conservation Fund and the Tanzanian government. He was trying to prevent elephant poachers from escaping the Maswa Game Reserve near Serengeti National Park. The men opened fire on his helicopter with AK-47 rifles. Gower was able to land his helicopter, but died before he could be rescued.  The Guardian newspaper said five suspects in Tanzania have been arrested in the shooting. The British publication Daily Mail reported that Gower may have been shot down “by poachers who sell illegal ivory to fund terrorism.” It said that sales in elephant tusks supplies money “used to fund Islamic extremist groups such as Al Qaeda-affiliate Al Shabaab.” Also in late January, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell visited South Africa to see for herself the terrible practice of poaching. Jewell stood by a dead white rhino killed by poachers in South Africa, and called it a “sad scene.” “And it’s a scene that is frustrating as I think that South Africa has done such a good job in bringing the white rhino back from the brink of extinction. So to see a white rhino in this condition, it’s difficult.” She called on nations around the world to work together to stop wildlife trafficking.  At the Kruger National Park, she saw a male white rhino that had been shot and killed by poachers. They removed its horn and left behind the rest of the body for vultures to eat. A park team took DNA samples and other evidence from the rhino. They hope it can convict the poachers once they are found. Edna Molewa is South Africa’s Minister of Water and Environment.  She said, “giving up is not an option. We have to fight this battle and we have to win.” Jewell called on the world to stand up and fight wildlife trafficking in all its forms. “We need the world to see this kind of thing so that they actually take action and also recognize that the only value of rhino horn is on a live animal, otherwise it is valueless.” South Africa has 22,000 white rhino, the world’s largest population. Nearly half live in the Kruger National Park. But poachers keep hunting them, and killing them for their horns. Most of the horns are sold on the international black market, particularly in Asian countries like China and Vietnam. Customers buy the powdered horn, thinking it has the power to heal or make a man more virile. Science has proven that rhino horns have no magic powers and are made of the same things as fingernails.  Last year, poachers killed more than 1,000 rhinos. Now the country uses both ground and air rangers to protect the rhinos. The also watch over hundreds of other wildlife animals from armed poachers. The rangers say they are a very dedicated group. They say they are protecting the animals because they belong to everybody.  As one ranger said, “It’s not only for us Africans, but for the whole world.” The African elephant, African lion, cheetah and the black and the white rhino all have one thing in common.  They are all on South Africa’s endangered species list. Jewell said she has a “mouthful” to report to President (Barack) Obama. And, the secretary warned that “these animals, particularly the black rhinos, are at risk of going extinct if we don’t act and we don’t act quickly.” I’m Anne Ball.   Thuso Khumalo and Adam Shaw reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted their reports for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think can be done to protect these animals? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and on our Facebook page.​ ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   poacher – n.  a person who hunts animals illegally trafficking – n. organized criminal activity of buying and selling illegal items vulture – n. a kind of bird that eats dead animals brink – n. on the edge extinction – n. the act of making something extinct, or disappear forever black market – n.  a system of buying and selling things illegally virile – adj. having qualities considered attractive in men like strength and sexual energy

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Everyday Grammar: Irregular Plurals

To learn more about plurals, read our story Everyday Grammar: Unusual Plurals

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VOA English Newscast: 2200 UTC February, 8 2016

From Washington, this is VOA news… I'm Dave DeForest reporting The United Nations makes a grim accusation: U-N investigators say the Syrian government has carried out a huge "extermination" of civilian detainees. The investigation was based on interviews with more than 600 survivors and witnesses in Syria.  Here is commission chairman Paulo Pinheiro: "The Commission concludes that these violations amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes." It found that the government holds tens of thousands of detainees at any given time and that thousands of people have "disappeared" after being arrested or abducted. German Chancellor Angela Merkel held talks with Turkish leaders -- including Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu -- in Ankara Monday on the growing refugee crisis. Dorian Jones reports. Following their Monday meeting, Davutoglu said he and Merkel had agreed on several measures. The prime minister said German and Turkish agencies will start working together against people smugglers, adding that working with Germany, Turkey will increase joint police and security force efforts to stop illegal migration. Merkel also announced that NATO could help the EU border security force Frontex. Dorian Jones, Istanbul." The United Nations says at least 40,000 people in South Sudan are on the brink of starvation.  It urged warring parties to let aid deliveries into the country. The U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization said Monday that an additional 2.8 million people, nearly 25 percent of the country's population, are in need of food aid. The figures are part of a U.N. report on South Sudan, where more than two years of civil war have led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. This is VOA news. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Newscast abduct –v. to take away by force smugglers –n. people who move things or people from country to country illegally or secretly

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Times Are Changing in Havana, Cuba

  Time seems to stand still in Havana, Cuba’s capital city. Old men in fedoras smoke cigars and play dominos. Colorful American cars from the 1950s share the road with rusty bicycles. Laundry hangs from the balconies of crumbling mansions. Children who have never used the Internet play soccer on cobblestone streets. The sound of traditional Cuban music drifts from a corner café. This is the Havana that American tourists dream of—romantic, mysterious, and forbidden. A troubled past American citizens cannot legally travel to Cuba as tourists. The tourism ban goes back to the early 1960s, when tensions between the U.S. and Cuba were high. Cuba’s communist government had formed a close relationship with Russia, formerly known as the Soviet Union. In 1962, the Soviet Union placed nuclear missile silos in Cuba. For 13 tense days, it looked like the U.S. and the Soviet Union would go to war over the missiles in Cuba. Fortunately, the countries reached a diplomatic solution. The event is known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. It is the closest the world has come to a thermonuclear war. The tourism ban is part of a trade embargo on Cuba started by President John F. Kennedy. The ban on trade was an effort to isolate Cuba’s communist government.    American cars One legacy of the embargo is the large number of old American cars on the streets of Cuba. After 1961, Cubans could no longer import American cars. Some of these pre-revolutionary cars have more than a million miles on them, or about 1.6 million kilometers. Cubans show incredible creativity in keeping these old cars running. Raul, who only gave his first name, is a taxi driver in Havana. “This car is a 1953 Chevrolet. It is the only one in the family. It came from my grandfather, to my father, and then to me. Except for the transmission, everything else is original. Improving relations The Kennedy-era embargo is still in effect. Over the past year, the Obama administration has eased some parts of the embargo. Relations between the U.S. and Cuba have improved. The U.S. Embassy in Cuba reopened after 54 years, and Cuba has reopened its embassy in Washington, D.C. Americans can now legally travel to Cuba for 12 different types of “people-to-people” exchanges. However, a trip to an all-inclusive beach resort is still illegal under American law. Kate Burrill lives in New York City. In January, she visited Cuba with Friendly Planet, an educational tour company. “What surprised me was that it was really as beautiful as all those clichéd photos that you in travel brochures—lots of beautiful old cars and the buildings in the old town were gorgeous.” But it can be difficult for Americans to meet with ordinary Cubans on organized tours. “The main drawback was that I didn’t spend any time with the locals. I only got to interact with the tour guides.” A new openness Scenes of a more open Cuba can be seen on the streets of Havana. The American flag is a common sight – on T-shirts, hanging from balconies, flying on top of taxis. Such displays seemed impossible just a few years ago. In the winter, waves from the Caribbean crash over Havana’s sea wall, flooding the Malecón. The Malecón is a famous road that runs along Havana’s north coast. Every day at sunset, thousands of Cubans gather here to chat, fish, swim, and play music. These days, you can see young people on the Malecón with smartphones using wireless Internet. Until last summer, the Internet was only available in a few universities and luxury hotels. Access to the wireless zone costs about $3 an hour. That is a lot of money in a place where the average state salary is around $25 per month. There are now about 30 public wireless “hotspots” in Havana. Slowly but surely, Cubans are connecting online. High demand for English Young Cubans are eager to learn English. But there are not enough qualified English teachers on the island. Some of the best English teachers go to work in tourism and private restaurants, where they can make more money. English also allows Cubans to make friends and contacts outside of the Spanish-speaking world. Juan Carlos Dominguez is the head of the English Department of a medical school in Havana. He says Cubans prefer to learn American English. “We are neighbors…very close, 90 miles away only. We have some kind of identification. You can see on the streets, on the cars, people on the streets with American flags. We respect that.” A flood of Americans The number of Americans visiting Cuba has risen sharply in the past year. Havana no longer has enough hotel rooms to keep up with demand. The government now allows Cubans to rent their homes to travelers. Recent developments will send even more Americans to Cuba. Americans no longer have to apply for a license from the U.S. government before coming to Cuba. Regular commercial flights from the United States are expected to start this year. Some people are worried that a flood of American tourists will hurt Cuba’s unique culture. They worry that Old Havana will become like a Disney theme park. Will Cuba remain one of the few places in the world without a Starbucks or a McDonald’s? Juan Carlos Dominguez is not worried about American tourism. He says Cubans have a strong sense of cultural identity, or “Cubanismo.” “If Americans are permitted to come to Cuba as tourists, it could be great… We are going to share with you what we have...The future is bright.” Will it last? The upcoming U.S. presidential election could have a major impact on U.S.-Cuba relations. Democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have said that they support lifting the embargo. Two Republican presidential candidates have family ties to Cuba. Ted Cruz is the son of a Cuban father and an Anglo mother. Marco Rubio was born to Cuban immigrants in Miami. Both candidates have criticized President Barack Obama’s move to normalize relations with Cuba. I’m Anne Ball.                           And I’m Adam Brock. Now it’s your turn. Would you like to visit Cuba? Leave a comment below. Adam Brock reported this story for VOA Learning English on a recent trip to Havana, Cuba. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fedora – n. a type of soft hat for men that has a wide brim rusty – adj. to be covered with a reddish substance that forms on iron or some other metal crumbling – adj. in the process of breaking down or collapsing cobblestone – n. a round stone that is used in paving streets forbidden – adj. not allowed silo – n. an underground structure that is used for storing and firing a missile thermonuclear – adj. of or relating to the changes in the nucleus of atoms that happen at extremely high temperatures embargo – n. a government order that limits trade in some way legacy – n. an effect of something that happened in the past incredible – adj. difficult to believe ease - v. to make something less difficult balcony – n. a raised platform that is connected to the side of a building and surrounded by a low wall or railing hotspot – n. a area with wireless Internet access clichéd –adj. something that is so commonly used in books, stories, etc., that it is no longer effective gorgeous – adj. beautiful  

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Obama Seeks $1.8 Billion to Combat Zika

President Barack Obama is asking Congress for more than $1.8 billion to fight the Zika virus in the United States and other countries. The White House said Monday that most of the money would be spent in the United States on programs to combat the virus, which is spread by mosquitos. These initiatives include mosquito control programs, vaccine research and health care services for low-income pregnant women. President Barack Obama urged calm in an interview that aired on Monday. “The good news is this is not like Ebola, people don’t die of Zika. A lot of people get it and don’t even know they have it,” he told CBS News. “But there shouldn’t be panic on this, this is not something where people are going to die from it. It is something we have to take seriously.” Spread of Zika virus The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is the top federal public health agency. It has reported 50 cases of Zika among U.S. travelers from December 2015 to February 2016. In the latest outbreak, Brazil reported the first case of Zika virus in May 2015. The Pan American Health Organization said 26 countries and territories in the Americas have reported cases of the virus since. Last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Zika a global health emergency. The global health organization also predicts that Zika could infect as many as 4 million people in the Americas this year. Zika causes no symptoms in 80 percent of people who are infected and only mild symptoms in people who fall ill. Scientists believe it can cause microcephaly, a birth defect that causes babies to have abnormally small heads and problems with learning. U.S. health officials said their greatest concern is for pregnant women who develop Zika. The Zika virus is a disease transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available. But drug companies in India, Japan and France announced that they are working to develop possible vaccines.   I’m Mary Gotschall.                  Mary Gotschall adapted this story for Learning English from VOANews.com and other sources. Hai Do 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   mosquito – n. a small flying insect that bites the skin of people and animals and sucks their blood symptom – n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present panic – n. a situation that causes many people to become afraid and to rush to do something — usually singular territory – n. an area of land that belongs to or is controlled by a government  

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Confusion, Criticism at Presidential Campaign Events

  This is What’s Trending Today. The Republican debate Saturday night in New Hampshire was one last chance for presidential candidates to appeal to voters ahead of the state’s primary vote on February 9. But before the debate even began, something funny happened. And people are still talking about it today.​ ABC News showed the debate live on television. At the beginning of the broadcast, the debate announcers called each candidate's name. The candidates were to walk out on stage one-by-one. First they announced New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. He walked out onto the debate stage. Next, they announced Ben Carson. Dr. Carson took a few steps, and then he stopped. He did not come out on stage when his name was called. A worker for ABC News backstage told Carson “go, go, go.” But Carson continued to wait in the hallway that led to the stage. Next, the announcers introduced Texas Senator Ted Cruz. Cruz had a funny look on his face, and walked right past Dr. Carson onto the stage. Then they introduced businessman Donald Trump. But, he did not come out onto the stage, either. So for a few minutes, the camera showed Carson and Trump standing together in the hallway. The rest of the candidates looked confused as they walked past them onto the stage. The announcers did not know what to do either. The TV comedy show Saturday Night Live made a joke about the incident just a few hours later. One of the show's comedian joked: “Here is actual footage of Ben Carson’s entrance, where the one thing he forgot to do was enter.” On social media, people posted about the debate's confusing beginning. Many people wondered what happened. One Twitter user posted: “I never thought watching 7 people walk onto a stage would be so funny..." Another trending campaign incident this weekend happened during Hillary Clinton’s rally in New Hampshire. Clinton is in a close race with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nomination.  At the rally on Saturday, former Secretary of State Madeline Albright introduced Hillary Clinton to the crowd. Albright was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State, a position Hillary Clinton also held. Clinton would be America’s first woman president if she is elected in November. During the introduction, Madeleine Albright asked women to be more supportive of Clinton. Albright said that while Bernie Sanders talks about a political “revolution,” a true revolution for America would be electing a woman president. She also said, “There is a special place in hell for women who don’t help each other.” Albright has said that line before at events in the past. On social media, people reacted to Albright’s words. Some felt the statement was offensive. ​ Also this weekend, women's rights advocate Gloria Steinem also spoke about the importance of women supporting Clinton.  On a television show Friday night, Steinem suggested that young women support Bernie Sanders because he has a lot of young men working on his campaign. Young women, she said, are working to elect Sanders because they have a better chance of finding romance along the way. The comments made some people angry. And they voiced their concern on social media. ​ And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Ashley Thompson.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Who do you think will become the Republican and Democratic presidential nominees? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   impress – v. to cause (someone) to feel admiration or interest romance – n. an exciting and usually short relationship between lovers stage manager – n. a person who is in charge of the stage, scenery, lighting, etc., for a performance in a theater confuse – adj. unable to understand or think clearly rally – n. a public meeting to support or oppose someone or something primary – n. an election in which members of the same political party run against each other for the chance to be in a larger and more important election

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February 8, 2016

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

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Citing Betrayal, Some Syrian Rebels Withdraw From Front

After a week-long attack from Russian warplanes, some Syrian rebels are withdrawing from the fight in northern Syria. The rebels are fighting against forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Some anti-Assad forces have taken shelter in tunnels or bomb-made craters, but some fighters are quitting. Ahmad is a 20-year-old rebel fighter. He made the decision to withdraw from the fighting. He told VOA about the battles near Aleppo in northern Syria. “The first day, the fight, it was easy,” he said. “After that, the second days and the third, it was very difficult. We lost a lot of people, a lot of friends, a lot of fighters.” On the fourth day of fighting, Russian warplanes bombed everything in the area. Ahmad said he could feel and hear the force of the Russian bombs. About 100 fighters withdrew from the battles. Ahmad said they withdrew because they felt betrayed. He said “friends of Syria” like the United States, western countries and other Gulf nations betrayed the fighters. He also blamed the Free Syrian Army rebels and other Islamist brigades for not joining forces to defeat the Assad government's forces. It might be too late, he said. The civil war in Syria will enter its fifth year this March. I'm Jonathan Evans.   Jamie Dettmer reported on this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tunnel – n. a passage that goes under the ground crater – n. a large round hole in the ground made by the explosion of a bomb  quit – v. to stop doing an action or activity

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Earthquake Survivors Found in Building in Taiwan

Two people have been rescued from a collapsed 17-story apartment building in Tainan, Taiwan where a powerful earthquake struck Saturday. Officials say a woman was found under the body of her husband Monday morning. The body of their two-year-old son was found near them. Rescue workers are searching for five other members of the woman’s family. A man was also found alive. He is reported to be talking to rescue workers. The powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck early Saturday morning. At least 36 people have died. Liu Shih Chung is the deputy secretary-general of the city of Tainan government. He told VOA that more than 300 people have been rescued from the building. He says about 100 people are missing. Sixteen rescue teams from across the country are helping search for survivors. Liu says workers are now “entering into the most difficult part” of the rescue effort. That is because most people must be found within 72 hours after being trapped. Workers are using cranes, tools and their hands to dig through collapsed buildings. Medical workers are ready to help anyone found alive. Taiwan’s official Central News Agency says nine buildings were destroyed in the quake, all of them in the historic city of Tainan. Many other buildings are unsafe, forcing people who lived or worked in them to leave. Markets, banks and other companies that operated in the buildings are closed. Liu says hotels will let people stay in rooms without charge for a week. Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau said there have been several smaller quakes since Saturday. The quake struck two days before the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations, the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar.  I’m Mario Ritter.   VOANews.com reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter 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   story –n. one floor level of a building of at least two levels apartment –n. a room or group of rooms in a building that is usually rented and is used as a place to live survivor – n. a person who continues to live after an accident, illness, war, etc.

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Broncos, Bruno Mars, Beyonce Win Big at Super Bowl 50

Football is the most popular professional sport in the United States. The National Football League (NFL) championship is called the Super Bowl. The game is always played on a Sunday, and that day is called "Super Bowl Sunday." It is such a big day, it is almost like a holiday for some people. People throw big parties to celebrate and then gather around large televisions to watch the game. This year, the Denver Broncos football team defeated the Carolina Panthers 24-10 to win the championship. Before the game, most people thought Carolina, the team based in the North Carolina city of Charlotte, would win. So the final score is what people call an "upset."       It is more than just a game About 70,000 people watched the game in person at Levi's Stadium in California. And over 100 million people in the U.S. alone watched the game on television. But "Super Bowl Sunday" is not only about what happens on the football field. Some like to watch the TV commercials for car companies, beer manufacturers and Internet sites. Many others are more interested in the entertainment than the game itself. Before the game started, Lady Gaga sang the national anthem. But all people could talk about was her sparkling red suit and red-white-and-blue platform high-heel shoes. She even had glittery red eye makeup. Most people agreed she did a good job with a difficult song. There is always a short concert by a popular music group or singer at halftime of the game. This year, the main performer was the British band Coldplay. Coldplay performed its hit songs "Viva La Vida," "Paradise" and "Adventure of a Lifetime."  Coldplay decorated the stage with colorful flowers and displayed rivers of color on the stage using projectors and video boards. After three songs, Bruno Mars took the stage to perform "Uptown Funk," one of his most popular songs. But singer Beyonce stole the show with her performance. Beyonce and her back-up dancers took the field wearing military-inspired jackets to perform her new song "Formation." The song talks about police brutality and the Black Lives Matter movement. It was released the day before the Super bowl. As for the jackets and the berets worn by her dancers, many compared them to those worn by the Black Panthers, a 1960s radical group that advocated black power. I'm Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.   Did you watch the Super Bowl where you live? What did you think? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sparkling – adj. shining and reflecting light glittery – adj. something that shines brightly and reflects light spectacle – n. a very impressive show commercial – n. an advertisement on radio or television popular – n. liked or enjoyed by many people stole the show – phrasal verb – what happens when a person who is not the main performer in a show or event receives the most attention

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Rocket Launch May Strengthen Kim Jong Un

North Korea’s rocket launch on Sunday and the international criticism of its nuclear test last month may have strengthened its leader Kim Jong Un. North Korea’s state media regularly report that Kim’s actions defend the country against hostile American and South Korean forces. Reports in the North say the rocket launch showed the country is increasing its technological knowledge. The U.S. Joint Space Operations Center said the rocket launch placed two objects in Earth orbit. But it is not known if either of the objects is operating. North Korea launched a satellite in 2012. It orbits the Earth every 95 minutes. North Korea says the satellite has cameras that can send images to Earth. But no signal has ever been heard from it. On Sunday, the United Nations Security Council condemned North Korea for testing ballistic missile technology. The council rejected North Korea’s claim that it was launching a satellite. It said the rocket launch was designed to help in the “development of nuclear weapon delivery systems.” The council has approved resolutions banning North Korea from developing nuclear weapons and ballistic missile technology. Since 2006, it has approved four resolutions placing economic and political sanctions on North Korea. Experts say the recent rocket launch and nuclear test send a clear message to the world that North Korea will not end its nuclear program. They say North Korea’s ruling Kim family was influenced by the removal of Moammar Gaddafi as ruler of Libya in 2011. In 2003, Gaddafi had promised to end his country’s nuclear program. Experts say this has caused the North’s rulers to increase their support of nuclear weapons tests. Daniel Pinkston teaches international relations at Troy University in Seoul. He says he does not believe “any kind of sanctions or anything else, other than force or some internal revolutionary change in North Korea, would get them off this track. It’s part of their identity.” I’m Mario Ritter.   VOA Correspondent Brian Padden reported this story from Seoul. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his report into VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter 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   orbit – n. the curved path that something (such as a moon or satellite) follows as it goes around something else (such as a planet) signal – n. something (such as a sound, a movement of part of the body, or an object) that gives information about something or that tells someone to do something 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) track – n. the course along which someone or something moves or proceeds

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