Syrian Refugees Continue to Flee to Greece

Hundreds of mostly Syrian migrants entered Greece Sunday after the European Union and Turkey reached an agreement to return them to Turkey. Witnesses said almost 900 refugees -- including Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans -- entered four islands in the Aegean Sea. Officials confirmed that two men were found dead and two girls drowned off the Greek island of Rhodes. On Friday, the EU and Turkey agreed that all migrants -- including Syrians -- entering Greece by sea from Turkey after Sunday will be returned. However, they will need to register and be permitted to ask for asylum. But officials say the return process will not be in place until April 4. And they say it will not begin until EU countries send almost 4,000 workers -- including judges, interpreters and guards – to deal with the migrants’ requests for asylum. In the agreement, the EU said it would give Turkey $6.6 billion in aid to help Turkey deal with the 2.5 million refugees now in the country. Earlier rules will be used to decide what will happen to the migrants who entered Greece before Sunday morning. Those rules permit one Syrian to be settled in a European country for each migrant who is returned to Turkey. I’m Anna Matteo.   Correspondent Jamie Dettmer reported this story from Athens.  Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story into VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   asylum – n. protection given by a government to someone who has left another country in order to escape being harmed

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March 21, 2015

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

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Conflict in Thailand Over New Constitution

In Thailand, a commission writing a new constitution is set to consider proposals by the military government. The proposals include a non-elected senate and an appointed prime minister over a five-year period until the new constitution takes effect. The proposals have led to sharp criticism from major political parties. The commission’s draft version of the constitution calls for a 500-member House of Representatives. Those seats would be filled through elections in Thailand. A 200-member senate would be chosen by interest groups and other organizations. However, the government’s proposal calls for a 250-member appointed Senate. It would include seats for the permanent secretary of defense, supreme commander, and commanders of the army, navy and air force and the chief of police. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the military’s proposal was aimed at preventing a military overthrow of the government. But Thailand observers and politicians from major parties say the proposal will weaken parties and harm democracy. Siripan Nogsuan Sawasdee is a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University. She said such proposals will take power away from the elected government. She spoke at a conference on constitutional reform. “What Thailand will have is elections without democracy,” she said. “When we create institutions that violate basic constitutional principles, like allowing a non-elected prime minister, we lay the groundwork for tyrannical decisions. That is a very sensitive point for me.” The military has said the proposals are needed to avoid political unrest. Thailand has had years of conflict between supporters and opponents of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. He was ousted from power in 2006 and now lives in self-declared exile to avoid a jail sentence. Ake Tangsupvattana is dean of political science at Chulalongkorn University. He said the commission’s proposals may provide a way for moving Thailand beyond past political conflicts. Ake says Thailand’s Cabinet and the commission will attempt to negotiate a compromise before March 29. That is when the constitution is to be sent to the Cabinet. Thailand’s attempt to write a new constitution comes at a time when the 88-year-old king, Bhumipol Adulyadej, is in poor health. He has ruled for more than 60 years and is the world’s longest serving monarch. His son and likely replacement has yet to reach the level of respect given to his father. Thailand’s current draft constitution, if approved, would be the 20th charter adopted since the country became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. A vote on the new charter is set for August 7. I’m Mario Ritter. Ron Corben reported on this story for VOANews.com. Mario Ritter adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   charter – n. a document that describes basic laws and principles of a group tyrannical – adj. using power over people that is unfair or cruel adopt – v. to accept or approve something  

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Obama Begins Historic Visit to Cuba

President Barack Obama has arrived in Cuba, becoming the first American president to visit the island nation in almost 90 years while still in office. Moments after the president’s plane landed at Jose Marti airport in Havana in the rain, he sent a Tweet that said “¿Que bolá Cuba? Just touched down here, looking forward to meeting and hearing directly from the Cuban people.” “¿Que bolá?” is an informal Cuban expression that means “How are you?” At the airport, American and Cuban officials met Obama. CNN reported that some of the Cuban officials who greeted Mr. Obama had been forced to leave the United States after being accused of spying for Cuba. Cuban President Raul Castro did not welcome President Obama at the airport. Michelle Obama and their two daughters joined the president for the three-day-visit. The president says the trip will be a new beginning in the relationship between the former Cold War enemies. At the State Department last week, he said “diplomacy -- including having the courage to turn a page on the failed policies of the past -- is how we’ve begun a new chapter of engagement with the people of Cuba.” In Havana, workers put up American and Cuban flags along with a new coat of paint in Old Havana. Cubans have eagerly awaited the president’s visit as a sign of change for the country. Yohana is a 45 year-old-lab specialist in Havana. She says that the embargo has caused much damage to the Cuban health system. Jan Carlos, a 14-year-old student, hopes the visit will lead to improved communications between countries and better access to the internet and social media. Hector Artigas is a 70-year-old retired worker in Havana. He says Cuban should be alert despite improved relations with the U.S. Obama hopes his visit to Cuba this week will strengthen efforts between the two countries to improve their diplomatic and economic relations 55 years after they ended. The two countries restarted diplomatic relations eight months ago. Obama believes the restarting of relations with Cuba is one of the most important foreign policy decisions of his presidency. He has said that the policy of trying to isolate Cuba has failed. ​On Monday, the president is to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro. He will then meet with Cubans who are operating their own businesses to talk about economic ties between the U.S. and Cuba. Tuesday morning, he will speak to the Cuban people on state-run television. He will tell them how he wants the relationship between the two countries to develop. Ben Rhodes is the president’s deputy national security advisor. He told reporters that the speech will also be a chance for the president to discuss the difficult history of relations between the United States and Cuba. Rhodes said the president will tell “how the United States and Cubans can work together (and) how the Cuban people can pursue a better life.” Obama will meet with human rights activists during his trip. The Cuban government opposes the meetings, but the Obama administration said it refused to negotiate with Cuban officials about who the president would meet and what they would talk about. The Cuban government recently released some political prisoners and has let some people use the Internet. But in 2015, Human Rights Watch reported that Cuba “continues to rely on arbitrary detention to harass and intimidate individuals who exercise their fundamental rights.” The rights group said detentions had increased since the two countries restarted diplomatic relations. Some of President Obama’s political opponents also say Cuba is guilty of rights abuses. They have strongly criticized the president’s visit to the Communist nation. Representative Ed Royce is the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In a statement, he said canceling the embargo “will further prop up a communist regime in Cuba that has a long record of brutal human rights abuses.” On Friday, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan said “this is a regime that provides safe harbor to terrorists and fugitives." Because the president’s political opponents control both the House and Senate, experts say it is not likely that Congress will approve the cancellation of the embargo. But five Republican lawmakers are traveling to Cuba with Obama. And at least 15 Republican senators have said restrictions on travel to and trade with Cuba should be eased. I’m Jonathan Evans. VOA Correspondents Mary Alice Salinas, Kathryn Gypson and Michael Bowman contributed reporting. JC of the Havana Medical University contributed information from Havana. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   turn a page on – expression to restart a relationship chapter – n. a period of time that is very different from the period of time before it engage – v. to become involved with (someone or something) isolate – v. to put or keep (someone or something) in a place or situation that is separate from others spur – v. to cause (something) to happen or to happen more quickly pursue – v. to try to get or do (something) over a period of time arbitrary – adj. done without concern for what is fair or right harass – v. to annoy or bother (someone) in a constant or repeated way intimidate – v. to make (someone) afraid fundamental – adj. forming or relating to the most important part of something regime – n. a form of government (usually negative) safe harbor – expression a place of safety and comfort  

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Everyday Grammar: Pronouns and Gender

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Lesson 7: What Are You Doing?

Summary Anna is starting her work at VOA News. She goes around the office meeting her co-workers. She learns they are all busy. Conversation Caty: Come in.  Caty: Well, Anna, welcome. Anna: Thank you. Caty: I am your boss, Caty Weaver. But, please call me Caty. Anna: Thank you, Ms. Weaver.  Caty: Just Caty. Anna: Sure thing, Ms. Weaver. Caty: Okay then. Are you excited? Anna: Yes, I am excited! Caty: So sorry, but I am busy. Please meet your co-workers. But remember, they are busy working. Anna: Sure. Thanks, Ms. Weaver. Anna: Hi there! I’m Anna. Anne: Hi, Anna. I’m Anne. Anna: Nice to meet you. What are you doing? Anne: Um, I’m writing. Anna: You are writing! You are writing a lot! Anna: (Spills papers) Oh! Oh dear. Anne: No! No! That's okay.  Anna: I am sorry! Anne: That’s okay. Really. Anna: I am sorry! Anne: Please. Please. Please stop. Please. Anna: Sorry. Sorry. Jonathan: (in the studio) “and people all around the world are waiting to hear news about the next president…” Anna: Jonathan, hi! Remember me? I live in your building. Jonathan: Oh. Uh. Hi, Anna. Anna: What are you doing? Jonathan: I am doing my show! Anna: Oh, sorry. Are you recording? Jonathan: Yes! And, now I have to record again! Anna: Sorry. Have a good show. Jonathan: Thank you. Anna: Sorry. Amelia: The word of the day is social. Social - Anna: Oh! Hi! Amelia: - is an adjective. Anna: Hi! I’m Anna! Amelia: Hi. I’m Amelia. Anna: Nice to meet you! Anna: What are you doing? Amelia: I’m reading. Anna: Are you reading the news? Hi! Amelia: No, I’m reading for my show. Amelia: (to camera person) Can I read again? Anna: Sorry. Anna: This day is not going well. Caty: Anna! Hi! What’re you doing? Anna: I am bothering people, Ms. Weaver. Caty: Let’s go to my office and talk. Anna: I like to talk with you, Ms. Weaver. Caty: It’s Caty. Anna: Right. Thanks ... Ms. Weaver Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Ask to Clarify. In the video you see Anna ask Amelia: "What are you doing?" Amelia answers, "I’m reading." Then Anna asks a question to clarify: "Are you reading the news?  Asking a question to clarify is a very useful learning strategy, because it helps you get more information. You can also learn new words when someone explains more about what they said. Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email about how you ask questions to clarify what you want to know. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy. Listening Click below to do the listening quiz. Each question has a short video. Play the video and listen for what people are doing. Speaking Practice In this video, learn to say the new words. Also, learn how to use the Present Continuous tense and ask questions to clarify. You can also download the worksheet and practice with a friend. Pronunciation Practice ​In this video, you ​learn about how Americans shorten verbs in the Present Continuous tense. You will also learn a shorter for of the question phrase, "What are you doing?" Writing What are you doing now? What are your friends doing? Here is an example: "I am reading and my friends are listening to music." Write to us in the Comments section. You can also download the worksheet. Practice writing the activity words.​ New Words boss – n. the person whose job is to tell other workers what to do  bother – v.  to annoy someone or to cause someone to feel annoyed busy – adj. actively doing something  excited – adj. very enthusiastic and eager about something  nervous – adj. having or showing feelings of being worried and afraid about what might happen  news – n. information that is reported in a newspaper, magazine, or a television news program  office – n. a building or room in which people work at desks doing business or professional activities  read – v. to look at and understand the meaning of letters, words, symbols, etc.  record – v. to store (something, such as sounds, music, images, etc.) on tape or on a disk so that it can be heard or seen later  show – n. a television or radio program  work – v. to do things as part of your job  write – v. to create (a book, poem, story, etc.) by writing words on paper or on a computer  ______________________________________________________________ For Teachers See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Additional materials: Printable Activity worksheet & Lesson Plan Grammar focus Present continuous tense Questions for clarification Topics Everyday activities Checking understanding Feedback What do you think of this lesson? Please write to us in the Comments section or send us an email.

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Part-Time Professors Demand Full-Time Work

  Christina McCoy is a professor who loves teaching 16th and 17th century Spanish literature. But after only one year of teaching at a university in southern Virginia, she is leaving. McCoy received her doctorate degree, or Ph.D, from the University of Texas at Austin in 2015. She immediately looked for a teaching position. But McCoy quickly learned that finding a full-time job at any university was almost impossible. "When I entered graduate school in 2007, people were picking what city they got to live in. They had multiple offers … and now there are four jobs in the whole country." For McCoy and others like her, the world of higher education has changed. Tenured positions, or university teaching positions that last as long as a person wants to keep them, are disappearing. The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (or TIAA Institute) is an organization that studies financial issues for educators. A 2013 TIAA Institute report stated that over the past 30 years, U.S. colleges and universities have changed the types of jobs they offer. The report said 70 percent of all faculty positions are now part-time, adjunct, temporary, or full-time. But these jobs are not tenure-track. Johns Hopkins University published a book in 2006 about higher education called "The American Faculty." That book stated that in 1969, 80 percent of faculty positions across the country were tenured or tenure-track. Teresa Politano has taught media studies part-time at Rutgers University in New Jersey since 1999. Politano says the university has never offered her a full-time, tenure-track position. She also says the change in the kinds of faculty positions universities are offering is a big problem. "It’s always been a poorly paid position, but in the past I think the employee and the university viewed the position differently. It had an added value. … Now … what we’re seeing is not only do we have a greater reliance by the university on part-time faculty. But we’re also seeing a lot of part-timers who are working two or three or four or sometimes eight to 10 different classes, and sometimes over three or four different universities in order to piece together a living." Politano is also the president of the union representing part-time faculty at Rutgers. She fights so full-time and part-time faculty can receive equal pay for equal work. The union was able to negotiate a 5 percent pay increase from the administration in December. But, Politano says, not all faculty are so lucky. David Chatfield teaches graphic design at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania and Cumberland County College in New Jersey. He also helps organize faculty for the American Federation of Teachers (or AFT). The AFT is a union that represents teachers across the country. Chatfield says being a part-time professor at more than one school is not only difficult financially. It also divides his attention and prevents him from having a relationship with his students. "I’m just a body that the administration puts in front of a class because they need to fill the class… and that’s about it. So I don’t feel like they value me, because I don’t have an office ... I don’t get paid for any extra stuff that I do for my students outside of class." Chatfield adds that his schools limit the amount he can teach so they can legally avoid giving him benefits. He also said other part-time faculty he has met through working with the AFT are tired. "You’ll get exhausted from commuting between several schools and teaching more than what is normally expected of a college professor." The University of California Berkeley Labor Center is an organization that studies labor issues. A 2015 Labor Center report said 25 percent of part-time faculty across the country use some form of public assistance program. These programs help people with little money pay for basic needs, like food and health care. Faculty in the California State University (or CSU) system are now fighting their administration for greater pay. There are 23 campuses and 25,000 teaching faculty in this system. About 60 percent of CSU faculty are temporary. The California Faculty Association (or CFA) is the union that represents a majority of the CSU faculty. The CFA is asking for a 5 percent pay increase for all faculty. If the administration does not agree, the CFA says its members will strike on April 13. Jennifer Eagan is a professor of philosophy at California State University at East Bay. She is also the president of the CFA. Eagan says the CSU administration is trying to cut costs by hiring more temporary workers. The CSU reports the average pay for full-time faculty is $96,000 per year. The CFA reports the average temporary faculty member earns $28,000 per year. Toni Molle is the Director of Public Affairs of the CSU system. She says the system only has enough money to provide a 2 percent pay increase. She also notes the administration takes great efforts to care for its teachers. For example, faculty only need to teach two classes for them and their families to receive benefits. But, Molle says, the administration has many priorities it must consider. "These are essentially fixed costs and we have other fixed costs, such as infrastructure, technology, building and equipment..." Molle adds the CSU budget is $135 million below what she calls ‘pre-recession’ levels. The U.S. economy went through a recession from 2007 to 2012. In January, California Governor Jerry Brown promised $152 million for the CSU system in 2016. But Molle says that does not solve their current problems. Eagan argues that the problem of underpaying faculty has existed for 10 years. The administration gave the faculty a 1.34 percent pay increase in 2013 and a 1.6 percent increase in 2014. But Eagan says this does not meet the rising cost of living. Eagan, Politano, Chatfield and McCoy all agree the real problem is more money going to paying administrators. Administrators are moving away from education and towards a corporate model, Eagan says. "I think it is a matter of choosing what you want to prioritize. Do you want to prioritize the experience of students and who works with students on a day to day basis? “Or do you want to prioritize executives and other priorities that are further away from the student experience? It really is a choice that are made by managers. So maybe their lack of experience in the classroom recently is influencing their decisions.” Molle said 49 percent of CSU employees are faculty; 12.5 percent are management; 38 percent are staff; 0.3 percent are executives. She did not provide the average yearly pay of administrators. But Rutgers president Robert Barchi received a $97,000 bonus in February. He also received a 2 percent pay increase, making his yearly pay $676,260. Rutgers is not the only school that pays its administrators high wages. The College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (or CUPA-HR) is an organization that studies employment in higher education. The CUPA-HR released a report on the average pay for 191 administrators at 1,227 schools in 2014 and 2015. The report said the average pay for a chief academic affairs officer, or provost, was $187,120. The average pay for the chief executive officer of a university system was $388,000. McCoy did not want to give the name of the school where she teaches. She said she does not know what new career she will choose. McCoy says most professors stay in higher education despite pay issues because they love teaching. But she does have a warning for anyone thinking of becoming a professor. "I would tell them not to." I’m Pete Musto.   Pete Musto reported on and wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Now it’s your turn. Are you a teacher who does not receive benefits? Should part-time and full-time faculty make the same amount of money? Let us know in the comments section and on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   doctorate degree – n. the highest degree that is given by a university full-time – adj. done during the full number of hours considered normal or standard graduate school – n. a course of studies taken at a college or university after earning a bachelor's degree or other first degree faculty – n. the group of teachers in a school or college adjunct – adj. added to a teaching staff for only a short time or in a lower position than other staff tenure-track – adj. relating to or having a teaching job that may lead to tenure  reliance – n. the state of needing someone or something for help or support benefit(s) – n. something extra such as vacation time or health insurance that an employer gives to workers in addition to their regular pay exhausted – adj. to have used all of someone's mental or physical energy commuting – v. traveling regularly to and from a place and especially between where you live and where you work campus(es) – n.  the area and buildings around a university, college or school priorities – n. the things that someone cares about and thinks are important infrastructure – n. the basic equipment and structures such as roads and bridges that are needed for a country, region, or organization to function properly bonus – n. an extra amount of money that is given to an employee provost – n. an official of high rank at a university

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US Military Weakened When Spread Too Thin

A United States military leader says he is concerned about the ability of the U.S. to wage conventional war against countries like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea. U.S. Army Chief of Staff, General Mark Milley, told American lawmakers that focus in the Middle East has spread military resources thin.  The general told Congressmen if a conflict took place somewhere other than the Middle East, preparing for battle would be a challenge. “If that [a conflict] were to happen, I would have grave concerns about the readiness of our force to deal with that in a timely manner,” Milley said. The concern about readiness comes while tensions heighten on the Korean peninsula. North Korea conducted a nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in February. The U.S. has moved more troops into Asia. South Korean and American troops are conducting joint-military exercises. North Korea calls the exercises rehearsals for invading the north. North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un, has threatened to launch nuclear missiles against South Korea and the United States. Even with American forces widely divided, the U.S. and South Korea combine to have superior conventional forces in the region, according to the website Global Power. There are close to 28,500 American troops in South Korea. America has maintained a military presence in South Korea for more than 60 years. I’m Mario Ritter.   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   conventional war – n. the waging of war in a manner which does not use nuclear, biological or chemical weapons. conflict – n. a struggle for power tensions – n. a state in which people, groups or countries disagree with and feel anger toward each other launch – v. sending or shooting - something, such as a rocket - into the air or water peninsula – n. a piece of land that is almost entirely surrounded by water and is attached to a larger land area rehearsals – n. events at which a person or group practice an activity superior – adj. high or higher in quality

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The World’s Best Whisky Is From … Taiwan?

The alcoholic drink most people call Scotch has been around for hundreds of years. According to the Scotch Whisky Association of Great Britain (known as the SWA), there is an entry in Scotland’s tax records from 1494 that shows an order of malt used to make 1,500 bottles of something called “water of life.” The SWA says this means distilling was already a part of daily life more than 500 years ago. Whisky is produced all over the world, and there are many variations. For example, some whisky is aged in barrels that used to hold wine, beer or bourbon. Other than in Scotland, there are well-known distillers the United States, Japan, Australia, France and other countries. Judges have been choosing the best whiskies in the world each year since 2007 at an event called “World Whiskies Awards.” The title for world’s best single malt whisky was won by Scotland four times, Japan three times and Australia once. Then in 2015, there was a big surprise. The best whisky in the world came from Taiwan. It came from a distillery called Kavalan, owned by King Car, a big beverage company. The name of the winning whisky is Solist Vinho Barrique. That means it is aged in a barrel originally used for wine. If you want to buy this whisky, be prepared to spend more than $100. Distilling is the process of producing and extracting alcohol by combining roasted barley (known as malt) or another grain, with water and yeast. The reaction of the yeast with the other ingredients is called fermentation. That is how alcohol is produced. The mixture is then heated, and the alcohol, which evaporates before water, is captured and cooled, producing whisky. The whisky is stored for many years in barrels before it is bottled and sold. The barrels are usually crafted from oak, and their insides are toasted, or burned slightly by fire. This adds flavor and character to the whisky. Most of the time, the longer a whisky is aged, the better it tastes. Because of the aging time, an older whisky is usually more expensive than a younger whisky. There is a world shortage of old single malt scotch, according to a recent story on CNNMoney. That is because over the past 10 years, a lot of people started buying aged whisky. But distilleries did not prepare for the boom in popularity. And since you cannot produce an 18-year-old Scotch in half the time, there is a shortage that may last for another 10 to 15 years. This is a problem for whisky fans. But whisky from Taiwan provides a solution. Whisky experts say the warm and humid weather in Taiwan helps whisky mature faster. That means it may taste better than a whisky of the same age made in a cooler climate. Ian Chang is the master blender for Kavalan. He says Taiwan’s climate is perfectly suited for making whisky. "With the heat in summer and the cold air in winter we can make sure that we have plenty of extraction and oxidation and the whisky is therefore very mellow and very mature in a very short time.” Another whisky reviewer, Jim Murray, called Kavalan’s original single malt whisky the “Asian Whisky of the Year” in the 2015 edition of his book called Whisky Bible. These awards are making Kavalan whisky popular in the United States. It has only been available for two years. Bill Thomas owns Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C. It is a restaurant known for its large whisky collection. It has more than 2,000 bottles. Thomas says he does not have very much Kavalan whisky in stock because the demand is too strong. "It’s available here, but we only get really some of the basics. A lot of their premium, they have like different levels of whisky, and a lot of their premium stuff, we’re not getting here. We’re not getting all of their finishes, or not in enough quantities for us to keep it on the shelves. We’ve got a couple base ones. Their sherry wood, their cask strength, which are fantastic, but we would love to get access to the complete breadth of all of their whiskies. And I think that will come, but I think demand has outpaced their production right now.” Chang says Kavalan is aware that some places in the U.S. do not receive very much of his whisky right now. It is available in 38 of the 50 states. In two years, about 27,000 bottles have been sold. He is hoping that number will rise as the whisky becomes available in more places and more people learn about his brand. The distillery is trying to increase production to meet the demands in North America and around the world. Chang says one problem with exporting to the U.S. is that different rules about alcohol in each state make it, in his words, “a bit difficult to import our whisky into the U.S.” Voice of America Learning English went to the recent WhiskyFest event in Washington, D.C. to see what people know about Kavalan whisky. It was the first taste for some. Mickey Kaminsky of Baltimore came to the event to try a number of rare whiskies from all over the world. “So, it’s very smooth. You can taste the wine influence. It’s a very gentle single malt. Very gentle. You easily drink this. Very nice. It’s not superb.” He thought he might buy a bottle of Kavalan in the future. Kyle Kennedy is from Georgia. He came to the event and made a special point to taste some of the different Kavalan whiskies. For example, there is an original single malt, and some aged in barrels that once held wine, sherry, port and bourbon. The alcohol content, or proof, differs, too. Varieties of whisky from the same distiller are called expressions. “Really, I’ve got to say after going to a few other places, it didn’t stand out. It wasn’t bad. It wasn’t good. It just didn’t leave a mark like some of the other things that I’ve tasted before.” Cassie Fullington is part owner of a bar in State College, Pennsylvania called Local Whiskey. She was at WhiskyFest looking for new whiskies to offer her customers. She had not tried Kavalan before. “Not too sweet. It’s very mellow. It’s very nice to drink. I would probably introduce it to somebody that was just starting to drink scotches. If they were converting from bourbon to scotch.” Ian Chang says there are some challenges ahead. But he and Kavalan are happy with the way the whisky has been received in North America so far. First, the distillery must find a way to send more bottles to the United States. Second, it needs gain fans at home. Chang says drinkers in Taiwan find the whiskies from Scotland to be more exotic. And finally, he and his colleagues need to keep teaching people about why whisky from Taiwan can taste good. “We don’t really feel like an underdog. But we understand that there are consumers who don’t understand why Kavalan can be produced in the heat of Taiwan. And therefore we think that it takes time for us to communicate with consumers. We are very confident that once they have tried it they will like it. And therefore I think that it just takes time for the global consumers to know about Kavalan.” I’m Dan Friedell. And I’m Caty Weaver.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Are you surprised that a company from Taiwan produces one of the best whiskies in the world? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   malt – n. grain, especially barley, that is soaked in water and used in making alcoholic drinks (such as beer and whiskey) distill – v. to make (a liquid) pure by heating it until it becomes a gas and then cooling it until it is a liquid again; to purify (a liquid) by distillation single malt – n. a kind of whiskey that comes from one place and that is not blended with other kinds of whiskey — often used before another noun proof – n. a measurement of how much alcohol is in an alcoholic drink expression – n. a variation of whisky that is different from another underdog – n. a less powerful person or thing that struggles against a more powerful person or thing (such as a corporation) consumer – n. a person who buys goods and services extract – v. to remove (something) by pulling it out or cutting it out evaporate – v. to change from a liquid into a gas toast – v. to make (food, such as bread) crisp and brown by heat boom – n. a rapid increase in growth or economic success oxidation – n. the process of combining with oxygen exotic – adj. very different, strange, or unusual variation – n. something that is similar to something else but different in some way — often + on mature – v. to continue developing to a desired level mellow – adj. having a pleasing rich flavor that develops over time sherry – n. a strong wine with a nutty flavor that is made especially in Spain port – n. a strong, sweet, usually dark red wine that is made in Portugal rare – adj. not common or usual; not often done, seen, or happening

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Sea Levels and Arctic Temperatures Rise

  Scientists found sea levels are rising faster today than anytime over the past 3,000 years. Another group of scientists found that January temperatures in the Arctic hit a record high. The sea level researchers gathered information going back 28 centuries. Their findings were released Monday by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Robert Kopp, from Rutgers University in New Jersey, is the paper’s lead author. He said the 20th century rise was “extraordinary” when compared to the past 3,000 years.  And, Kopp said, “the rise over the last two decades has been even faster.” When temperatures rise, so do sea levels. That is because snow and ice melt, or break off from glaciers. They flow into the sea. The increased water makes the sea levels rise. The best estimates show that temperatures around the Earth have risen more than a half-degree Celsius since 1880. Scientists say that most of that rise is because of emissions, or gases, released into the air by machines that humans have built. And it is not going to get better. The water is going to rise, said Stefan Rahmstorf.  He is a professor of ocean physics at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and the study’s co-author. "I think we can definitely be confident that sea level rise is going to continue to accelerate if there's further warming," he told The New York Times. He said "inevitably there will be" more warming, which means it will continue to rise. One question is how much will the sea levels rise? And for how long? The researchers said the Earth’s sea level could rise more than a meter by the year 2100. Scientists from NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric administration reported that temperatures at the North Pole hit record highs in January. This news comes after 2015 has been the hottest year ever recorded. On average, the North was almost 4 degrees Celsius higher in January than average temperatures between the years 1951 and 1980. This news comes after researchers reported a record low amount of sea ice up North. The National Snow and Ice Data Center said the amount of January sea ice is 644,000 square kilometers below average. Scientists point to “The Blob,” or an unusually warm area of water in the northern Pacific Ocean. It is millions of kilometers wide and keeps temperatures about three degrees warmer than usual in that area. I’m Anne Ball.   Kevin Enochs reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Are you concerned about rising sea levels and temperatures? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments and on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   glacier –n. a very large area of ice that moves slowly down a slope or valley or spread out over land emissions –n. the producing and sending out of something, usually gas or radiation. accelerate –v. to speed up inevitability –n. cannot be avoided or evaded global –adj. involving the entire world  

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English in a Minute: Best of Both Worlds

We always hope for the best possible result or outcome. But what is the 'best' way to use this expression? Find out in this week's English in a Minute!

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