Touch: One Word, Many Uses

Hello and welcome to Words and Their Stories! Touch is one of our five senses. It is our only language before birth -- as we develop inside our mothers. Later, touch is important when we are young children learning about the world. On our program today, we explore expressions involving the word "touch."  Reunions are a great time to touch base or stay in touch with people in your past. Today, come with us as we visit an imaginary college reunion and learn some touchstone expressions. It has been 10 years since a group of friends left college. Many of them have been out of touch with each other. But others have stayed in touch. Now, let us listen as two friends talk about the party they are about to attend. "Michael, hello! How are you?" "Hi, Rachel! I’m well!" "It has been a long time." "It has! I can’t believe we graduated college 10 years ago. It still feels like yesterday." "I know. It will be so nice to see old friends. I’ve stayed in touch with many. Have you?" "No. When I moved across the country, I lost touch with most of the people we graduated with." "Well today, you can touch base with familiar faces. Speaking of familiar faces, there’s Steve. He looks exactly the same." "Steve. I wonder if he’s still as touchy as he was in college. He would get angry over the smallest comment." "I actually worked with him on a project recently and he’s not that sensitive anymore. Marriage, however, is a touchy subject. His wife just left him. So, don’t bring that up." "Got it. Hey, look. Dana came! I haven’t seen her in years!" "I’m so happy to see her. She was in a really serious car accident last month." "Really? That sounds awful." "Yeah, it was touch-and-go for a couple of weeks. Doctors were not sure if she would survive." "Oh, wow. I’ve been so out-of-touch with this group. Well, I’m glad to see she is OK. I cannot believe it -- Anthony came! I thought he was overseas." "Anthony. I hope he has grown up in the past 10 years." "What do you mean?" "Anthony was always a little too touchy-feely - always touching women too much in a really strange way. I actually had to hit his hand once!" "Well, I’m a guy. So, I never knew his touchy-feely side." "That is a good thing. I see Natasha is here. She just wrote a book about her work as a midwife. Book reviewers have called it a touching story. She is said to have a magic touch when it comes to helping women give birth." "Good for her. And I see she is still married to Gregory. He is also doing well -- in publishing, I believe. He is said to have the Midas touch. Every book deal he touches turns to gold." "I could use a little of his Midas touch. With the economy in such a touchy state, it would be helpful if everything I touched turned to gold." "I hear you. Well, let’s join the party!"   And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories. Let us know what you think about the program. Write to us at LearningEnglish@voanews.com. I’m Anna Matteo. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   reunion – n. an organized gathering of people who have not been together for a long time touchstone – n. something that is used to make judgments about the quality of other things Midas touch – n. an uncanny ability for making money in every venture touchy – adj. easily hurt or upset by the things that people think or say about you touchy-feely – adj. openly or excessively emotional and personal  

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Should We Torture Suspects for Information?

People are divided about whether governments should torture people suspected of terrorism. Torture involves severe physical or emotional pain to gain information from someone. The Pew Research Center asked people in 38 nations if they believe torture is justified to gain information from suspected terrorists about future attacks. The average support for torture in the 38 countries was 40 percent. Governments sometimes defend torture as a way of learning about a planned terrorist attack so they can take action to prevent it. But a U.S. Senate Committee report said brutal questioning of suspects does not work. In 2014, the committee said torture was “not an effective means of acquiring intelligence or gaining cooperation” from terrorist suspects. The most support for torture came from people in Uganda. Seventy eight percent of Ugandans polled by the Pew Research Center said they support torture against suspected terrorists. Other countries with more than 58 percent support for torture were Lebanon, Israel, Kenya, Nigeria and the United States, Pew said. All those nations have experienced terrorist attacks. The lowest percentages of support for torture came from people in Argentina, Ukraine, Venezuela, Chile and Indonesia. Support in those five nations was 22 percent or less. Richard Wike of the Pew Research Center reported recently on the research about support for torture. It was based on interviews that Pew did last year. He said people who believe their own governments should use torture were more likely to support the United States' response to the 2001 terrorist attacks. The deadly attacks on New York City and Washington D.C. led the George W. Bush administration to permit tougher treatment of suspected terrorists. It included keeping suspects awake for long hours, playing loud music and “waterboarding.” Waterboarding is when water is poured on a cloth covering the face of a captive. It makes people feel they are drowning. Critics called the treatment torture, but the Bush administration denied this. The treatment of terrorism suspects drew criticism. U.S. Senator John McCain, a Republican from Arizona, said torture is not effective and could subject U.S. troops to similar treatment. President Barack Obama, who beat McCain in the 2008 presidential race, issued an order banning torture after his election win. Businessman Donald Trump, a leading Republican presidential candidate, said he supports waterboarding to deal with Islamic State terrorists. “We're like living in medieval times. If I have to do it and if it's up to me, I would absolutely bring back waterboarding," Trump told ABC. I'm Christopher Jones-Cruise. Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or share your views on our Facebook Page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   means - n. way or method acquiring - v. to come to have or to get something tougher - adj. stronger drew - v. led to issued - v. to give something in an official way; released medieval – adj. of or relating to the Middle Ages -- relating to the period of European history from about A.D. 500 to about 1500 absolutely – adv. in a complete way; not limited

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South Dakota Governor To Consider 'Bathroom' Bill

The South Dakota Senate passed a bill this week that orders people in public schools to use restrooms that align with their gender at birth. Lawmakers in the midwestern American state passed the measure Tuesday. The Senate voted 20-15 to send the bill to Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard. If he signs the bill, it will become South Dakota state law. Daugaard earlier suggested he would support the measure. Then, last week he said he would need to study it more before making a decision. The bill's supporters say it is meant to protect the privacy of students. Opponents say it discriminates against vulnerable young people. The law orders schools to provide a "reasonable accommodation" for transgender students. This could mean bathrooms that serve one person at a time. Or schools could establish "controlled use" of a bathroom, locker room or shower room normally used by staff. State Senator David Omdahl urged other legislators Tuesday to support the bill. The Republican said it was designed to keep, in his words, "the innocence of our young people." Democratic Party lawmakers as well as some Republican Party members unsuccessfully opposed the measure in the Senate. The American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota and the Human Rights Campaign have publicly opposed the measure. The groups called on Daugaard to veto the legislation. Chad Griffin is president of the non-profit Human Rights Campaign. He said in a statement Tuesday, "History has never looked kindly upon those who attack the basic civil rights of their fellow Americans, and history will not treat kindly those who support this discriminatory measure." Transgender supporters have criticized Omdahl and other lawmakers’ comments about transgender people. At a recent event, for example, Omdahl called transgenders “twisted.” Thomas Lewis is a transgender student in his final year of high school in Sioux Falls, the state's most populous city. He described the passage of the bill as “shocking.” Lewis said, "At this point, I'm hoping that the governor has a sense of humanity and the common sense not to write this bill into law." Federal officials say barring students from restrooms that correspond to their gender identity violates the federal law known as Title IX. Transgender issues are more public because of celebrities like Caitlyn Jenner. Jenner was Bruce Jenner and identified as a male when he won gold in the Decathalon at the summer Olympics in 1976. But last year, the former athlete came out as a transgender woman with the new name of Caitlyn. I’m Caty Weaver.   The Associated Press reported on this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. What do you think about the bill? Should the South Dakota governor sign it into law? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   restroom – n. a room in a public place with a sink and toilet transgender – adj. of or relating to people who have a sexual identity that is not clearly male or clearly female vulnerable – adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally, or emotionally accommodation ­– n. something done to provide what is needed or wanted for someone or something staff – n. a group of people who work for an organization or business twisted – adj. strange and unpleasant : not normal  

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Pulitzer Prize-winning Writer Harper Lee Dies

Famed American writer Harper Lee has died. She was 89. Lee died in her hometown of Monroeville in the southern state of Alabama. The cause of death was not announced. Lee was the author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Published in 1960, it was one of the most famous and beloved American novels. It still sells about one million copies each year. Lee was born in Monroeville, but lived for many years in New York City. She suffered a stroke in 2007 and moved back to her hometown.  “To Kill a Mockingbird” is a story about racism and injustice in the Deep South. It was made into a movie starring Gregory Peck in 1962. The film won three Academy Awards. Harper Lee was very protective of the book being used in other media. But she approved of the movie version. A Broadway version of “To Kill a Mockingbird” is to be staged in 2017. Television and film writer Aaron Sorkin will adapt the novel. Schools and small theater groups for years have produced an earlier play version written by Christopher Sergel. Last year, Harper Lee produced another book called “Go Set a Watchman.” The surprise second novel became the fastest-selling book in the history of publisher HarperCollins. The company reported that more than 1.1 million copies were sold in North America in its first week. “Watchman” includes many of the same characters found in “To Kill A Mockingbird.”  The newer novel was actually an early version of “Mockingbird.” Most critics did not like “Go Set a Watchman.” Many Harper Lee fans expressed concern that the novel would damage the author’s reputation in the future. I’m Anne Ball. Caty Weaver wrote this story for VOA Learning English. ­­­­­­­­­­­­Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Post your thoughts on the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________ Words in This Story author – n. a person who has written a book or who writes many books novel – n. a long written story usually about imaginary characters and events Deep South – n. the states in the most southern and eastern part of the U.S. and especially Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Mississippi stage – v.  to produce (a play, performance, etc.) on a stage reputation – n. the common opinion that people have about someone or something: the way in which people think of someone or something

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Ugandan Presidential Candidate Arrested, Alleges Vote-rigging

Uganda held a national election for president Thursday, and there are accusations of unfair voting practices. Following the election, Kizza Besigye, a “prominent” candidate for president, was arrested. Besigye and a group of his supporters accused authorities of ballot tampering and changing election results, according to the Ugandan newspaper, the Daily Monitor. He tried to enter a house where he said election results were being changed. Police blocked the candidate from entering the house. VOA confirmed Besigye was released later in the day Thursday and taken to his home. International Business Times reported he was again arrested Friday morning and remains in custody. Besigye has been a candidate for the office of president in the three past elections. He has faced President Yoweri Museveni in past national elections. Museveni has been president of Uganda for 30 years. This election, he faced a challenge from seven opponents. Museveni was accused of election-rigging and intimidating voters in the 2006 and 2011 elections. CNN reported that social media throughout the country was shut down on election day. A government official said social media was not available throughout Uganda for “security reasons.” News organizations reporting on the election say voter turnout was large. More than 15 million Ugandans were registered to vote. Because of the large turnout, some voters stood in line seven hours to vote. Voting sites ran out of ballots and polling stations opened late due to late deliveries of paper ballots. The problems at the polls and the social media shut down led some voters to question whether the election was being conducted fairly. One voter said: “If this is happening in Kampala, so close to the Electoral Commission, what is going on in the villages?” I’m Jim Dresbach. Jill Craig reported on this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   prominent – adj. important and well-known tampering – v. to change something especially in a way that causes damage or harm rigging – v. to control something, such as a game or election, in a dishonest way in order to get a desired result turnout – n. the number of people who go to or participate in something

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February 19, 2016

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

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Trending Today: Selfies Kill Rare Baby Dolphin

This is What's Trending Today. The Franciscan or Plata River dolphin is a threatened species that lives in the waters off the coasts of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. It is one of the smallest dolphins in the world, measuring only between 1.3 and 1.7 meters long. Their small size makes it easy for humans to approach them. The young dolphins are even smaller. Photos came out recently showing people on a beach in Argentina, southeast of Buenos Aires, taking photos with two of these small dolphins. At least one of them died, says Vida Silvestre, a wildlife foundation in Argentina. People passed the dolphins around, taking photos. One of the dolphins eventually died because of dehydration. Dolphins cannot survive very long without being in the water. Even through dolphins are mammals and breathe air, they must be in water so their body temperature does not get too high. Vida Silvestre says it is likely there are fewer than 30,000 of these dolphins alive. The major threat to the dolphins are fishing nets, not people. But on this day, people caused a death. And on social media, people are furious. Their reactions are similar to what happened last year when the news came out that Cecil the Lion was killed in Zimbabwe. An American hunter killed the protected lion. The people on the beach are being called “morons,” and being accused of having “no brains.” One person said she was “absolutely raging.” Here are some of the photos of the scene, and the comments people posted when hearing the news. One person offered an idea for how to punish the beach-goers. “Pass them around amongst ourselves until they also die.” And That’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor.   What would you do about the people who took the dolphin from the water? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ___________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   scene – n. the place of an event or action morons – n. a very stupid or foolish person dehydrate – v. to lose too much water, become dry raging – v. to have a strong feeling of anger that is difficult to control furious – adj. very angry mammal – n. a type of animal that feeds milk to its young and that usually has hair or fur covering most of its skin

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Lesson 4: What is it?

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specifically (adverb)

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'Paul's Case,' by Willa Cather, Part Two

Today we complete the story "Paul's Case."  It was written by Willa Cather. Donna de Sanctis​ adapted it for VOA Learning English. Here is Kay Gallant with the story. Paul was a student with a lot of problems. He hated school. He didn't like living with his family on Cordelia Street in the industrial city of Pittsburgh. Paul wanted to be surrounded by beautiful things. He loved his part-time job as an usher at the concert hall. He helped people find their seats before the concert. Then he could listen to the music and dream of exciting places. Paul also spent a lot of time at the local theater. He knew many of the actors who worked there. He used to do little jobs for them. And they would let him see plays for free. Paul had little time left for his studies. So he was always in trouble with his teachers. Finally, Paul's teachers complained again to his father. His father took him out of school and made him take a job in a large company. He would not let Paul go near the concert hall or the theater. Paul did not like his job as a messenger boy. He began to plan his escape. A few weeks later, Paul's boss, Mister Denny, gave Paul a large amount of money to take to the bank. He told Paul to hurry because it was Friday afternoon. He said the bank would close soon and would not open again until Monday. At the bank, Paul took the money out of his pocket. It was $5,000. Paul put the money back in his coat pocket. And he walked out of the bank. He went to the train station and bought a one-way ticket for New York City. That afternoon Paul left Pittsburgh forever. The train traveled slowly through a January snowstorm. The slow movement made Paul fall asleep. The train whistle blew just as the sun was coming up. Paul awoke, feeling dirty and uncomfortable. He quickly touched his coat pocket. The money was still there. It was not a dream. He really was on his way to New York City with $5,000 in his pocket. Finally, the train pulled into Central Station. Paul walked quickly out of the station and went immediately to an expensive clothing store for men. The salesman was very polite when he saw Paul's money. Paul bought two suits, several white silk shirts, some silk ties of different colors. Then he bought a black tuxedo suit for the theater, a warm winter coat, a red bathrobe, and the finest silk underclothes. He told the salesman he wanted to wear one of the new suits and the coat immediately. The salesman bowed and smiled. Paul then took a taxi to another shop where he bought several pairs of leather shoes and boots. Next, he went to the famous jewelry store, Tiffany's, and bought a tie pin and some brushes with silver handles. His last stop was a luggage store where he had all his new clothes put into several expensive suitcases. It was a little before 1 o'clock in the afternoon when Paul arrived at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel. The doorman opened the hotel's glass doors for Paul and the boy entered. The thick carpet under his feet had the colors of a thousand jewels. The lights sparkled from crystal chandeliers. Paul told the hotel clerk he was from Washington, D.C. He said his mother and father were arriving in a few days from Europe. He explained he was going to wait for them at the hotel. In his dreams Paul had planned this trip to New York a hundred times. He knew all about the Waldorf-Astoria, one of New York's most expensive hotels. As soon as he entered his rooms, he saw that everything was perfect -- except for one thing. He rang the bell and asked for fresh flowers to be sent quickly to his rooms. When the flowers came, Paul put them in water and then he took a long, hot bath. He came out the bathroom, wearing the red silk bathrobe. Outside his windows, the snow was falling so fast that he could not see across the street. But inside, the air was warm and sweet. He lay down on the sofa in his sitting room. It had all been so very simple, he thought. When they had shut him out of the theater and the concert hall, Paul knew he had to leave. But he was surprised that he had not been afraid to go. He could not remember a time when he had not been afraid of something. Even when he was a little boy. But now he felt free. He wasn't afraid anymore. He watched the snow until he fell asleep. It was 4 o'clock in the afternoon when Paul woke up. He spent nearly an hour getting dressed. He looked at himself often in the mirror. His dark blue suit fit him so well that he did not seem too thin. The white silk shirt and the blue and lilac tie felt cool and smooth under his fingers. He was exactly the kind of boy he had always wanted to be. Paul put on his new winter coat and went downstairs. He got into a taxi and told the driver to take him for a ride along Fifth Avenue. Paul stared at the expensive stores. As the taxi stopped for a red light Paul noticed a flower shop. Through the window, he could see all kinds of flowers. Paul thought the violets, roses, and lilies of the valley looked even more lovely because they were blooming in the middle of winter. Paul began to feel hungry so he asked the taxi driver to take him back to the hotel. As he entered the dining room, the music of the hotel orchestra floated up to greet him. He sat at a table near a window. The fresh flowers, the white tablecloth, and the colored wine glasses pleased Paul's eyes. The soft music, the low voices of the people around him and the soft popping of champagne corks whispered into Paul's ears. This is what everyone wants, he thought. He could not believe he had ever lived in Pittsburgh on Cordelia Street!  That belonged to another time and place. Paul lifted the crystal glass of champagne and drank the cold, precious, bubbling wine. He belonged here. Later that evening, Paul put on his black tuxedo and went to the opera. He felt perfectly at ease. He had only to look at his tuxedo to know he belonged with all the other beautiful people in the opera house. He didn't talk to anyone. But his eyes recorded everything. Paul's golden days went by without a shadow. He made each one as perfect as he could. On the eighth day after his arrival in New York, he found a report in the newspaper about his crime. It said that his father had paid the company the $5,000 that Paul had stolen. It said Paul had been seen in a New York hotel. And it said Paul's father was in New York. He was looking for Paul to bring him back to Pittsburgh. Paul's knees became weak. He sat down in a chair and put his head in his hands. The dream was ended. He had to go back to Cordelia Street. Back to the yellow-papered bedroom, the smell of cooked cabbage, the daily ride to work on the crowded street cars. Paul poured himself a glass of champagne and drank it quickly. He poured another glass and drank that one, too. Paul had a taxi take him out of the city and into the country. The taxi left him near some railroad tracks. Paul suddenly remembered all the flowers he had seen in a shop window his first night in New York. He realized that by now every one of those flowers was dead. They had had only one splendid moment to challenge winter. A train whistle broke into Paul's thoughts. He watched as the train grew bigger and bigger. As it came closer, Paul's body shook. His lips wore a frightened smile. Paul looked nervously around as if someone might be watching him. When the right moment came, Paul jumped. And as he jumped, he realized his great mistake. The blue of the ocean and the yellow of the desert flashed through his brain. He had not seen them yet! There was so much he had not seen! Paul felt something hit his chest. He felt his body fly through the air far and fast. Then everything turned black and Paul dropped back into the great design of things.​ You have just heard the American story "Paul's Case."  It was written by Willa Cather.  Donna de Sanctis​ adapted it for VOA Learning English.  Your storyteller was Kay Gallant.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tuxedo - n. a formal black suit for a man, worn with a white shirt and a black bow tie​ chandelier - n. a large, decorated light that hangs from a ceiling and has branches for holding many light bulbs or candles precious - adj. greatly loved, valued, or important splendid - adj. very impressive and beautiful challenge - v. to test the ability, skill, or strength of ​ Now it's your turn. What do you think of "Paul's Case?" Could this kind of tragedy be prevented? What advice would you give to Paul, or to his father and teachers? Write to us in the Comments section and on our Facebook page.

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VOA English Newscast 1500 UTC February 19, 2016

From Washington, this is VOA News.     I’m Steve Karesh reporting. U.S. warplanes have carried out airstrikes on an Islamic State training camp in western Libya near the country's border with Tunisia, this according to U.S. officials. Local officials have said at least 40 people were killed. The New York Times quotes a Western official as saying the target was a "senior Tunisian operative" linked to two major terrorist attacks last year. In Uganda, early results from Thursday show incumbent President Yoweri Museveni, who has held power for the past three decades, in the lead in the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections, though voting still continues in some districts. Kizza Besigye, Uganda's main opposition leader, was arrested for the second time in two days along with several top members of his party after heavily armed police surrounded his party's headquarters building and fired tear gas at a crowd. An unnamed party official says that the violence started as the opposition party was preparing to announce its own accounting of the election results: “We have a problem with results, which we wanted to release by today and tell the world this is what is coming out and what is being… At the end of it all, police want that information that we want to release, preliminary results, so they have to come and seal off the place before we can release the results, and that is how this stuff has come about...” Besigye was briefly arrested late Thursday after visiting a house in Kampala, where he suspected ballot-stuffing was taking place. Police said the house was a security facility and accused Besigye of trespassing on government property. In Washington, State Department spokesman John Kirby told reporters that the U.S. condemns the detention. This is VOA News. ______________________________________________________________ Words in The News   warplanes – n. military airplanes according – adv. as stated by or in quote – v. to repeat word by word senior – adj. leading; major incumbent – adj. involving someone who holds an office or position decade – n. a period of 10 years though – adv. however district – n. an area established by a government; land set aside for a special purpose tear gas – n. a gas used by the police or military to separate large crowds of people accounting – n. the keeping of records preliminary – adj. partial or early seal off – v. to close off stuff – n. things, materials or supplies ballot-stuffing – n. when someone votes more than once in an election facility – n. center trespassing – v. entering the property or land of someone else without getting their permission We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.  

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