News America

Friday, June 3, 2016

English @ the Movies: 'Make Them Pay'

Our phrase is "make them pay." It is from the science fiction movie "Independence Day." What is it about? Aliens--beings from space-- invade our planet Earth. What do you think "make them pay" means? Listen and you will know.

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Will Chinese Travel Help China's Economy?

China is using travel as an important tool to help strengthen its economy. China also hopes to increase its influence on world events by sending more travelers overseas. This hope was evident at the recent First World Conference on Tourism. There, a Chinese official spoke about the government's plan for using tourists and the money they spend. The head of China’s National Tourism Administration, Li Jinzao, said the country is expecting some big numbers from tourism. Li told the conference that China plans to send 150-million travelers along what he called the “One Belt, One Road." In the next five years, these tourists are expected to spend $200 billion, he said. This spending estimate is likely to raise expectations among countries along the ancient Silk Road, which links China to its neighbors. Li predicted that total Chinese spending on tourism would increase up to three times from the present level of $460 billion by the year 2020. State media reported his comments. Some observers say that travel will have a small impact on the Chinese economy. But there is no denying the government's excitement to enlarge the role of the tourism industry. Linking Tourism and Foreign Policy China has reasons to feel it can use tourism to influence foreign policy. Governments across the world are changing their immigration rules to welcome the growing numbers of Chinese tourists. Japan recently announced it would offer 10-year visas to Chinese businessmen and artists. The desire to attract tourists has led Nepal and Sri Lanka to change their relationships with China, too. Chinese citizens are now going to places where in the past Chinese rarely went. Their decisions are often based on political sensitivities or the desire to buy luxury goods. Michel Gutsatz is a marketing expert. He says that among Chinese travelers, South Korea and Thailand are popular destinations. Outside of Asia, he said, Chinese are more likely to visit Europe than North America. These changes, he said, are the result of young Chinese travelers, who spend more and travel independently. Spending by Chinese tourists has lifted the economies of several Asian countries, including Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam, according to a new report by HSBC, a bank. HSBC expects the number of Chinese traveling overseas to reach 242-million by 2024. In a single year, that number would be equal to the total number of tourists received by Germany, Iran, Indonesia and Egypt combined. Chinese tourists are responsible for more than 15 percent of all arrivals in Hong Kong, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand and Japan, the bank's report said. Business Travel China is now the biggest business travel market in the world. The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) recently announced that China has overtaken the United States in business travel. Chinese spent just over $291 billion on business travel last year. Americans spent just over $290 billion. This year, GBTA predicts that the Chinese business travel market will grow over 10 percent, while the U.S. business travel market will grow less than 2 percent. Saibal Dasgupta wrote this story for VOANews.com. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Have you been to China? Tell us about it in the Comments section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tourism – n. the activity of traveling to a place for pleasure sensitivities – n. the quality of being easily affected by something in a bad or unpleasant way luxury – n. a condition or situation of great comfort, ease and wealth role - n. a part that someone or something has in an activity or situation

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Missing Japanese Boy Found Healthy and Hungry

Six days after being abandoned by his parents in a forest, a 7-year-old Japanese boy was found safe and hungry Friday. Yamato Tanooka was found by chance in a military hut by a soldier who was not part of the large search party. The soldier gave him two rice balls, which Tanooka ate quickly. The military said he was tired and hungry, but “genki.” That is the Japanese word for full of energy. It was the best possible outcome in a case that was covered 24 hours a day by Japanese news media. The boy won praise for being resourceful – finding a hut for shelter and keeping warm in the unheated hut by lying between two mattresses. He had no food, but drank water from a faucet outside the hut, the Japanese military said. His parents said they abandoned him last Saturday to punish him for throwing rocks at people and cars. The father, Takayuki Tanooka, said he returned a few minutes later, but could not find the boy. “We have raised him with love all along,” said the father, tears in his eyes. “I really didn’t think it would come to that. We went too far.” In a nationally televised news conference, a doctor said the boy was dehydrated and had minor cuts on his arms and feet. But the doctor said he had no serious health problems. Until he was found Friday, there was great concern about the boy, missing in a forest that is home to bears. Asked what did he told his son after he was found, the father said, “I told him I was so sorry for causing him such pain.” The parents’ way of punishing their son drew debate in Japan about how to raise children. Mitsuko Tateishi is an educator who wrote a book about good parenting. She told the Associated Press that many parents are competitive in wanting their children to do well. Many need help from more experienced parents about how to set limits. “The punishment this parent chose is unthinkable,” Tateishi told AP. “They have no idea how to raise a child. They did not try to explain what was right and wrong.” She doubted the parents who abandoned their son will be charged with a crime. Janet Rosenzweig, vice president for research at Prevent Child Abuse America, understands parents get uneasy when children do not behave. “But I can’t think of anything worse than abandoning a child in a strange and unknown place,” Rosenzweig said. She said children suffer emotionally when they are abandoned, or even warned that their parents might leave them behind. But the damage is more than emotional, she said. “With modern science, we know that traumatic stress washes a kid’s brain and blocks intellectual growth,” Rosenzweig said. I'm Bruce Alpert. Fern Robinson reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted this story for Learning English, with additional information from the Associated Press. Kathleen Struck was the editor. Write to us in the Comments, and share your views on our Facebook page. What would you do if you were lost in a forest? Do you think you’d be as resourceful as 7-year-old Yamato Tanooka? ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story abandon – v. to leave someone behind outcome – n. something that happens as a result of an activity or process resourceful – adj. able to deal well with new or difficult situations and to find solutions to problems dehydrated – adj. to lose too much water traumatic stress—n. a state of mental tension and worry caused by problems in your life intellectual – adj. of or relating to the ability to think in a logical way

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Hearts and Crosses by O. Henry, Part Two

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Thursday, June 2, 2016

Clinton Calls Trump ‘Unfit’ to Lead Foreign Policy

Hillary Clinton, the U.S. Democratic candidate for president, gave a foreign policy speech Thursday that challenged the Republican candidate, Donald Trump. Clinton is a former U.S. Secretary of State and the leading candidate for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Trump, a Republican, is her likely opponent in the presidential election. Clinton spoke during a visit to San Diego, California. She said that, if elected, her foreign policy as president would greatly differ from Trump’s. Clinton said she believes in a “smart and principled” foreign policy. She said that Trump’s approach to foreign policy and other serious issues is “dangerously incoherent.” “I believe the person the Republicans have nominated for president cannot do the job,” Clinton said. She said that electing Trump would be a “historic mistake” for the United States. She also called Trump “temperamentally unfit” to be commander-in-chief. Clinton criticized Trump for his plans to build a wall to keep illegal immigrants out of the U.S., and try to make Mexico pay for it. Clinton said this would only turn Mexico into an enemy. “We’re still the last best hope for earth. We are not a country that cowers behind walls,” she said. Clinton also spoke about Trump's call to temporarily ban Muslims from entering the United States. She said the plan would be a “huge propaganda victory” for Islamic State. Clinton said that when Trump “insults” Muslims and Mexican-Americans, he is insulting many U.S. military members from those groups. Trump has criticized the NATO alliance as obsolete and requiring too much money from the United States. Clinton said that if NATO is weakened, the U.S. will be increasingly isolated, and countries like Russia will be “celebrating.” In his usual way, Trump reacted quickly to the speech on social media. The Republican hopeful sent out tweets live as Clinton spoke. “Crooked Hillary no longer has credibility -- too much failure in office. People will not allow another four years of incompetence!” one tweet read. “Bad performance by Crooked Hillary Clinton! Reading poorly from the telepromter! She doesn't even look presidential!” said another. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story principled – adj. having morally correct behavior incoherent – adj. not clear, expressed in a confusing way temperamentally – adj. – the act of behaving angrily or emotionally brag – v. say in an arrogant or boastful way mock – laugh, tease or mimic cower – v. bend down in fear obsolete – adj. no longer produced or used credibility – n. the quality of being trusted or believed teleprompter – n. device used to provide text to someone giving a speech

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Clinton Calls Trump ‘Unfit’ to Lead Foreign Policy

2000 UTC Hourly Newscast in English

From Washington, this is VOA News. I’m Dave DeForest reporting. A second mass kidnapping within a week in Afghanistan … Afghan provincial officials say the Taliban Wednesday abducted at least 17 bus passengers in the north of the country. A government spokesman says residents of the Balkhab district were traveling to the capital of Sar-e-Pul province when the Taliban kidnapped them. The spokesman said tribal elders are negotiating their release. Three of the gunmen who attacked a Mogadishu hotel Wednesday were killed today (Thursday) in a shootout with authorities. A fourth attacker was killed the day before. Security forces rescued 57 hostages being held by the gunmen at the Ambassador Hotel. The death toll in the incident has been put at 24. Efforts to get aid to victims of Syria's civil war are being hampered by the Syrian government. The regime of President Bashar al-Assad has yet to agree on a broad opening of certain areas to humanitarian convoys. The government is also continuing a siege on regions held by opposition groups. U.S. officials say nearly 20 towns have been deprived of food and humanitarian shipments. The U.S., Britain, and France have issued an urgent call for the United Nations to begin humanitarian airdrops. U.N. officials, however, were quoted as saying airdrops are not imminent. German lawmakers voted overwhelmingly Thursday to recognize the World War One-era killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks as genocide. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the action will have a serious impact on relations between Germany and Turkey. He recalled Turkey's ambassador to Germany for consultations. This is VOA News. We want to hear from you. Please leave us a Comment, and post on our Facebook page, thank you!

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German Lawmakers Recognize Armenian Genocide

German lawmakers voted Thursday to recognize as genocide the century-old killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks. Germany joined about 20 other countries that recognize the killings as genocide. Historians estimate that the Ottoman Turks killed as many as 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1917. Armenia has long sought international recognition of the event as genocide. Turkey has confirmed that thousands of Armenians died during World War I. But the Turkish government has denied that the killings represented a campaign of genocide. The Turkish government ordered Germany’s top diplomat go to the foreign ministry in Ankara after the German parliament’s vote. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the vote. “The resolution adopted by the German parliament will seriously impact relations between Germany and Turkey,” he said. Erdogan spoke to reporters during a visit to Kenya. Women Seeks to Shake Up Turkish Politics The Turkish president is seeking to extend his powers. He can reach that goal two ways. He can call and win a special nationwide election. Or a two-thirds majority in parliament can approve the extension. Political observers say either way is dependent on a weakening of Turkey’s Nationalist Action Party, or MHP. Former interior minister Meral Aksener is seeking to lead the party. She also is increasingly seen as the biggest threat to the president and his efforts to change the constitution. Recently, large crowds gathered to see Aksener during her visit to Turkey’s Black Sea area. The area is a center of Turkish nationalism. The MHP once had a strong following there. However, the ruling AKP has taken votes from the MHP in recent elections. The MHP’s support collapsed in general elections last November. The party lost half its seats and won just enough to enter parliament. Many of its supporters voted instead for the AKP. This helped the ruling party gain a large majority. Aksenser served in the government in the 1990s. Atilla Yesilada says that makes Aksener a possible threat to President Erdogan and the AKP. Yesilada is a Turkey politics expert with Global Source Partners. “The real threat to Erdogan is going to come from the center-right. And Meral Aksener has very strong center-right credentials. She was interior minister. You know, she was there when the army and security forces purged the PKK from Turkey, so she is a very tough woman. And journalists who follow her trail in Anatolia report huge interest; huge convoys are greeting her wherever she goes; I mean, we are talking 400, 450 vehicles.” Disagreement Among MHP's Membership Aksenser is hoping to replace Devlet Bahceli as the MHP’s chief. The current MHP leadership has gone to court to block her from calling an emergency party conference. Observers say there are reports that Erdogan was responsible for a series of legal delays. Turkey’s highest administrative court finally ruled the conference must be held. Kadri Gursel writes opinion pieces for Turkey’s Cumhuriyet newspaper and Al-Monitor website. He says the party meeting could have a far-reaching effect on Turkish politics. “According to surveys, if Aksener replaces Devlet Bahceli in MHP, she will push MHP public support to unprecedented levels, (and) also make it impossible (for) Erdogan to realize his dreams of becoming a constitutional dictator or to have his (two-thirds) parliamentary majority in a snap election anytime soon. That is why Erdogan will prevent Aksener (from) becoming MHP leader for any cost.” Political watchers say an Aksener-led MHP could offer Turkish voters a conservative alternative to the AKP. I’m Caty Weaver. Dorian Jones reported on this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted his story for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and post on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story impact - n. a powerful influence or effect purged – v. removed; ousted journalist – n. a news reporter convoy – n. a group of vehicles survey – n. a public opinion study alternative – n. something that can be chosen instead of something else; a choice

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This Superbug is Too Strong for Antibiotics

Doctors have identified a powerful bacteria that cannot be killed with antibiotics. The bacteria, called a superbug, was found in a woman from Pennsylvania. Tom Frieden is the head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He says this new bug is resistant to every antibiotic available, including colistin. Colistin is used only as a last measure, as the drug can cause organ damage. The woman is infected with a rare kind of E. coli bacteria known as CRE. The version she has includes a gene that is resistant to colistin. This is its first appearance in the United States. Researchers who studied the case in Pennsylvania wrote about their findings in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, a publication of the American Society for Microbiology. They wrote that the case could signal the development of “a truly pan-drug resistant bacteria.” Health officials consider CRE, “nightmare bacteria.” They can kill up to 50 percent of infected patients. Frieden expressed his concern about losing antibiotics, what he calls “miracle drugs.” “We know now that the more we look the more we’re going to find. And the more we look at drug resistance the more concerned we are. We need to do a very a comprehensive job protecting antibiotics so that we can have them and our children can have them. "We need to make new antibiotics, but unless we have better stewardship and better identification of outbreaks, we are going to lose these miracle drugs. The medicine cabinet is empty for some patients. It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently.” As bacteria that resist antibiotics spread, treatment for such infections could be seriously limited, the Washington Post newspaper reported. Scientists and public health officials have warned that usual medical operations, minor infections and pneumonia could become deadly or very difficult to treat. I’m Anna Matteo. VOA’s Kevin Enochs and Jessica Berman reported this story. Kathleen Struck adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Have you taken antibiotics? What diseases are common where you live? Please leave a Comment, and post on our Facebook page, thanks! ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story antibiotic - n. a drug that kills harmful bacteria and cures infection superbug - n. a harmful organism that resists the medication used against it pan-drug (also "pandrug") – adj. resistant to all antibiotics nightmare – n. a very bad dream, experience or situation stewardship – n. protecting and being responsible for something miracle drug - phrase a drug or cure that is very effective

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Americans Use Orange to Protest Gun Violence

This is What’s Trending Today… Americans observed Gun Violence Awareness Day on Thursday. Mass shootings have become very common in the United States, but the country remains divided over what to do about it. Some Americans want stronger gun controls. Others say people should be free to carry guns wherever they want to protect themselves. Three years ago, a group of teenagers from the South Side of Chicago launched a campaign. The group asked their classmates to honor Hadiya Pendleton, a victim of gun violence, by wearing orange shirts. The color orange represents the value of human life. The local action has grown into a national movement called Wear Orange. The hashtag #WearOrange can be seen all over Twitter and Facebook. Many famous American buildings or structures were lit up in orange on Thursday to help spread public recognition of the movement. One such building was the Empire State Building in New York City. Many famous Americans and organizations expressed support for the movement. President Barack Obama’s official Twitter page urged people to “speak out against gun violence.” Director, producer and actor Ron Howard advised people not to just #WearOrange, but also to take action and write to lawmakers about the issue. The rights group Amnesty International supported the #WearOrange movement by tweeting, “Every person, everywhere, has a right to live safe from gun violence.” Victims of gun violence and their families also used social media to show their support for the #WearOrange movement. Kate Ranta was a victim of gun violence. In her Facebook post, she wrote that she is wearing orange “for those who were injured and have to live forever with the physical and emotional scars.” Some people disagree that guns are the problem. One Twitter user wrote that “guns are not violent, people are.” Another Twitter user objected to #WearOrange because he believes that it “is another way progressives are trying to ban guns from lawful citizens.” The issue of gun safety and gun control continues to be debated across the country. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth. Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. What do you think about gun violence in America? Did you wear orange today, or know why others wore orange today? Please leave us a Comment, and post on our Facebook page, thank you! ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story teenager – n. someone between 13 and 19 years old scars – n. a mark left on your skin after a wound heals progressives – n. people who favor new or modern ideas, especially in politics and education

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Georgian Extremists Attack Vegans With Meat

Extremists rushed into a vegan restaurant in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi on Sunday and threw meat at customers. Witnesses said the ultranationalists angrily entered the Kiwi Café, which does not serve meat or fish, reported Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. They were described as wearing sausages around their necks and carrying slabs of meat on sticks. The clash spilled onto the street outside, and neighbors joined in the fight. It was not clear who was fighting who, RFE/RL.com reported. Minor injuries were reported. On the café Facebook page, staff described the attackers as neo-Nazis. Employees were quoted as linking the attackers to the skinhead group called Georgian Power. That organization denied it was involved on Monday. The Facebook post said the assailants asked neighbors about the restaurant weeks before the attack. They asked if the restaurant was a place for foreigners or if customers were gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. One witness wrote that the attackers ate grilled meat in front of customers. The post said the attackers also threw meat, sausages and fish. A fight between customers and attackers started after the food was thrown. Some in Europe have linked the restaurant incident to a new round of culture wars. On one side are young people seeking to draw closer to Western Europe and its lifestyles. On the other side are neo-Nazis or skinheads, who resist influence from Western culture in the former Soviet bloc country. I’m Bruce Alpert. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported this story. Jim Dresbach adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Kathleen Struck was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and post on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story vegan – n. a person who does not eat any food that comes from animals ultranationalists – n. a group who is very loyal to their country and would commit terrible acts to the country’s citizens sausages -- n. meats that are ground up and stuffed into a case that looks like a balloon neo-Nazis – n. a group that believes in the ideas and policies of Hitler's Nazis and sometimes commits violent acts gay – adj. sexually attracted to someone who is the same sex lesbian – n. a woman who is sexually attracted to other women bisexual – adj. sexually attracted to both men and women transgender – adj. have a sexual identity that is not clearly male or clearly female skinhead – n. a young white person who belongs to a gang whose members shave their heads and have racist beliefs

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