News America

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Taiwan Fishing Boats Start Trip to Defend Contested Island

Five fishing boats sailed Wednesday from southern Taiwan heading for an area in the South China Sea. The trip is meant to dispute a ruling by an international court that calls a land formation in the Spratly island chain a rock rather than an island. The boats left from Pingtung County for a 10-day trip. Fifteen people are operating the boats. Their goal is to reach the land formation known as Taiping or Itu Aba. Taiping is controlled by Taiwan. Luo Chiang-fei is a spokesman for the fishing boat operators. He said the fishermen will show that Taiping is an island and that it belongs to Taiwan. The spokesman said Taiwan’s coast guard will observe the fishing boats but will not follow them to the land formation. Taiping is about 2000 kilometers southeast of Taiwan. Once the boats reach it, they will be safe because of the coast guard presence there. Taiwan is involved in a dispute with China and five other countries over islands, rocks and reefs in the South China Sea. Other nations include Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam. China claims most of the South China Sea as its territory. On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague made a decision on China’s claims to the waterway. That ruling rejected the historical basis for China’s claim to almost all of the South China Sea. However, the court also said many small land formations, including Taiping, do not qualify as islands. This means that they also do not qualify for wide economic zones in surrounding waters. Taiping is 1,400 meters long and 400 meters wide. Both China and Taiwan denounced the ruling, which is based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Taiwan and China and other countries now may look to discussions to ease tensions over territorial claims in the waterway. Taiwan has built up Taiping with an airstrip, pier, a solar energy project and a humanitarian rescue center. The South China Sea is valued for its natural resources including fishing areas, oil, and natural gas. It also has important shipping lanes for international trade. I’m Mario Ritter. Ralph Jennings wrote this story for VOA News. Jim Dresbach adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story fishermen – n. people who catch fish zones – n. sections in an area that are used for a particular purpose airstrip – n. an area of land that is used as a runway for airplanes to take off and land pier – n. a structure that goes out from a shore into the water shipping lanes – n. official routes that ships must follow when they sail from one place to another

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2a9Ejtn
via IFTTT

Famous Comedy Writer, Producer Garry Marshall Dies

This is What’s Trending Today. Garry Marshall was a comedy writer, producer and director. He was famous for creating television shows including The Odd Couple and Happy Days and directing the movies Pretty Woman and The Princess Diaries. He died on Tuesday at the age of 81. Marshall was involved as a writer, actor, producer or director on movies and television shows for almost 60 years. Overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday, people Marshall worked with in Hollywood expressed their sadness and appreciation. Marshall was one of the trending topics on Twitter overnight. Marshall started out as a writer for comedians in New York. He started writing for The Tonight Show in 1959. In 1961, he moved to Hollywood to work in television. Marshall helped the careers of many actors by casting them in his shows. They included Henry Winkler and Robin Williams. Winkler played the iconic character “The Fonz” on Happy Days, a show that aired in the 1970s. Williams played “Mork,” an alien who came to live on Earth, on the show Mork and Mindy. On Twitter, Winkler wrote: “Thank you for my professional life…” Marshall directed the movie Pretty Woman. It starred Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. The film website IMDB lists Pretty Woman as one of the most popular and successful movies of the 1990s. Before starring in the film, Roberts only had small movie roles. In honor of Marshall, one Twitter user posted a link to a famous scene from Pretty Woman. It shows Roberts’ character Vivian shopping on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. The twitter user said it “will forever hold a special place in my heart.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. Do you have a favorite Garry Marshall television show or movie? Tell us about it in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story appreciation – n. a feeling of being grateful for something cast – v. to assign roles for (a play, movie, etc.) to actors iconic – adj. used to describe a person or place that is representative of something larger alien – n. from somewhere other than the planet Earth scene – n. a division of an act in a play during which the action takes place in a single place without a break in time

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2a9BaK3
via IFTTT

Determined, Dedicated and Disciplined to Be Fit

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/29OruC6
via IFTTT

Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Hispanic Doctor Will Make Case for Supporting Trump

Ralph Alvarado became the first Hispanic elected to state office in Kentucky when he won his state Senate race in 2014. On Wednesday night, Alvarado, a medical doctor, will give a speech to the Republican National Convention. His convention speech is important for Donald Trump. Trump is struggling to win Hispanic support. According to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, Trump has the support of only 14 percent of Hispanics. Alvarado and Adryana Boyne, a Texas delegate to the Republican convention, were angry over Trump’s statements about Mexicans and his call to remove 11 million illegal immigrants. Both backed other candidates for the Republican nomination. But both Alvarado and Boyne told VOA they believe Trump will make a better president than the likely Democratic candidate, Hillary Clinton. Alvarado said conservative policies supported by Trump and Republicans are better for Hispanics and other Americans than liberal programs backed by Clinton and Democrats. “Many Hispanics have been here for several generations and they came here, like my own parents, after waiting in line and doing it legally,” Alvarado said. “What is lost in this debate is that Donald Trump knows the power of immigration. His wife is one.” Alvarado is one of two Hispanics scheduled to speak at the four-day Republican convention. Also speaking is Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, who lost to Trump for the Republican nomination. At the 2012 Republican convention, there were nine Hispanic speakers, according to news reports. Hector Barreto is chairman of The Latino Coalition. He said Hispanic voters want details about Trump’s plans for the economy and national security. And they also want to see “more respect” from Trump, Barreto said. “We don’t feel he’s been talking to our community with the kind of respect you expect from a candidate who is asking for their vote,” Barreto said. Boyne, the Texas Republican delegate, said Trump has taken steps to make her feel better about his campaign. For example, Boyne credits Trump with selecting “a good person with a good record as his vice presidential candidate.” Last week, Trump named Mike Pence, the conservative Republican governor of Indiana, as his running mate. But Boyne wants Trump to do more. She hopes Trump will apologize for a statement he made when he first announced he was running for president -- 13 months ago. At the time, he said, Mexican immigrants are “bringing drugs, they’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.” “Maybe, he thinks apologizing will make him look weak,” said Boyne, host of a Spanish-language radio show. “But I think it would make him look stronger.” The Hispanic vote is important. Hispanics now make up 17 percent of the population. The Asian-American votes On Monday, the first day of the Republican convention in Cleveland, Ohio, delegates heard a speech from Kimberly Yee. She is the first Asian-American elected to the Arizona State Legislature. In her speech, she spoke about how her great grandparents came to the United States from China at the start of the 20th century. Like so many immigrants, they hoped for a better life, Yee said. Her parents, she said, “taught me that I could achieve anything I wanted in this great country.” On Monday, she told delegates she supports Donald Trump for president. “It is time for us to get back to our conservative Republican values that make our nation great,” Yee said. “We cannot endure the next four years like we’ve had for the past eight. And it is because of these principles that I support Donald J. Trump for president.” But, as is the case with Hispanic voters, the Trump campaign faces problems with getting Asian-American votes. A May poll by Asian Americans Advancing Justice said 62 percent of Asian-American voters have a favorable view of Hillary Clinton, compared to only 19 percent for Trump. Asian-Americans now represent six percent of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Bruce Alpert reported this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story Hispanic -- n. a person of Latin American descent living in the United States schedule -- v. a plan of things that will be done and the times when they will be done respect -- n. a feeling or understanding that someone or something is important, serious, etc., and should be treated in an appropriate way credit -- v. praise or special attention that is given to someone for doing something or for making something happen select -- v. to choose statement -- n. something that you say or write in a formal or official way achieve -- v. to get or reach a goal by working hard

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/29MPyoO
via IFTTT

US Senators Say Alliance with South Korea ‘Will Never Waiver’

Two United States senators released a commentary this week saying America will continue to support its Asian allies. Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez of Florida wrote in the South Korean Joongang Daily newspaper. In the commentary, the senators made a bipartisan pledge. They wrote that no matter who wins the presidential election in November, the U.S. will stay active in Asia. The American politicians said the alliance with South Korea “will never waver.” McCain and Menendez wrote: “Any political rhetoric to the contrary, any talk of pulling back from our commitment should be taken with a grain of salt on both sides of the Pacific.” The two senators also referred to presidential candidates who “suggested that we ought to negotiate better deals with our partners and allies.” Presumptive Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has, in the past, criticized both Japan and South Korea. During the campaign to get the Republican Party nomination, he said Japan and South Korea pay too little for American troops in their countries. Trump has said he would consider withdrawing troops from the region if Japan and South Korea refuse to increase security payments to the U.S. The two U.S. senators did not name Trump in the article. McCain and Trump have not agreed in the past. McCain has endorsed Trump for president. McCain is one of many prominent Republicans who will not be attending the convention this week in Cleveland. McCain is also running for reelection and has indicated he will to stay close to home to campaign. Trump’s position has drawn harsh comments from many in Asia. They say changes would hurt trust in the U.S. Experts argue that a nuclear arms race would start in Asia. They also note that any arms buildup would hurt international efforts to pressure North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. The senators noted there has been military cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. That cooperation followed North Korea’s fourth nuclear test and long-range rocket launches earlier this year. Recently the U.S. and South Korea agreed to deploy the American Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile system, or THAAD. China and Russia opposed the deployment of the THAAD system. China considers THAAD part of an increasing U.S. military buildup in Asia. Chinese officials are concerned that the system’s powerful radar could cover Chinese territory. THAAD has also caused protests in South Korean communities. Some in the South are worried about public health and safety concerns. I’m Marsha James. Brian Padden wrote this story for VOA news. Youmi Kim in Seoul contributed to this report. Jim Dresbach adapted the story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story presumptive – adj. giving grounds for reasonable opinion of belief grain of salt – n. to understand that something is likely to be untrue or incorrect bipartisan – adj. relating to or involving members of two political parties pledge – n. a serious promise or agreement rhetoric – n. language that is intended to influence people and that may not be honest or reasonable endorse – v. to publicly or officially say that you support or approve of someone

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/29S6WOW
via IFTTT

Cuba Opens First Private Wholesale Store

Cuba's new entrepreneurs have complained that one of the things missing from President Raul Castro’s reforms is a wholesale market. Currently, restaurant owners, hairdressers and snack-store owners have to buy their products in supermarkets at the same high prices as everyday consumers. But one store may show that change is coming to Cuba. At Zona+, produce is piled high up to the ceiling, like in a warehouse. Shop employees say the plan is eventually to sell everything in large amounts at discounted rates. They want to focus specifically on giving discounts to small businesses. So far, Zona+ is offering only a few goods in bulk for reduced prices. But shoppers at Zona+ said it already has an advantage because it has more items than other stores in Cuba. Usually Cuba's supermarkets are half-empty. Officials at CIMEX, the state commercial corporation that owns Zona+, declined to comment. Last April, the Cuban government announced that some small companies would be able to buy supplies directly from government producers and wholesale outlets for the first time. However, this announcement did not say whether the reform would extend to the private sector. Cuba often likes to experiment with ideas before making them official and extending them across the country. Reforms can also be reversed. I’m Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth. Mehrnoush Karimian-Ainsworth adapted this story for Learning English from a report by Reuters. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story entrepreneur – n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money wholesale – n. the business of selling things in large amounts to other businesses rather than to individual customers in bulk – n. in large quantities advantage – n. something (such as a good position or condition) that helps to make someone or something better or more likely to succeed than others declined – v. to say that you will not or cannot do something private sector – n. the part of an economy which is not controlled or owned by the government reversed – v. to change your decision or opinion about something Do you have wholesale stores where you live? Let us know in the Comments Section.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/29WHypn
via IFTTT

Is Hong Kong’s ‘One Country, Two Systems’ Policy Being Threatened?

China’s detention of five Hong Kong booksellers has raised concerns about its support for the “one country, two systems” policy. The policy was put in place when Britain returned Hong Kong to Chinese rule in 1997. It was to ensure Hong Kong’s right to govern itself for 50 years -- until 2047. Over three months in late 2015, four booksellers based in Hong Kong disappeared while they were away from the city. Lee Bo is the general manager of the publishing company where the four worked. He also disappeared. He was the only one who disappeared while he was in Hong Kong. All five reappeared in January and February. They said on television that they had been detained by Chinese officials for selling books that mainland Chinese are not permitted to read. China let Lee and two others return to Hong Kong in March on bail. Lam Wing-kee was released later. At a news conference in Hong Kong last month, Lam said Chinese security agents kept him in a cell by himself for five months n the eastern city of Ningbo. He said they forced him to give up his legal rights and confess to so-called crimes on television. Many people were angered by Lam’s story of poor treatment for publishing and selling books that were legal in Hong Kong. Members of pro-democracy parties said Hong Kong’s right to govern itself had been violated. They noted that Article 4 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law -- or constitution -- protects freedom of speech and publication. Seanon Wong is a professor of government and public administration at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. In an interview with VOA, he said China wanted to know who bought books from him and who wrote the books. “This is a direct attack against the ‘one country, two systems’ principle. People will no longer feel safe to publish or purchase politically-sensitive items in Hong Kong,” Wong said. Wong Guangya is the director of China’s Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office. He spoke in Beijing this month. He accused Lam Wing-kee and his colleagues of destroying the policy of “one country, two systems” by publishing and selling books that attack China’s political system. Leung Chun-ying is the chief executive of Hong Kong. Last month he said he would tell China’s central government that many people are worried about the detention of the booksellers. He said he would also call for a review of how law-enforcement agencies in Hong Kong and mainland China announce when residents of the territory are detained in China. Democratic Party leader Emily Lau recently spoke on VOA’s Asia Weekly podcast. She called on Chief Executive Leung to travel to Beijing to tell Chinese leaders that the “one country, two systems” policy is threatened. Regina Ip is a lawmaker in Hong Kong who supports the Chinese government. VOA asked for her opinion about the detention of the booksellers, but she did not answer. I’m Mario Ritter. Correspondent Kinnie Li reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story bail – n. an amount of money given to a court to let a prisoner to leave jail and return later for a trial principle – n. a basic truth or theory; an idea that forms the basis of something purchase – v. to buy (property, goods, etc.); to get (something) by paying money for it

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/29TkqVm
via IFTTT

Did Melania Trump Copy Michelle Obama's Words?

This is What’s Trending Today… Melania Trump is the wife of presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. On Monday night, she gave a speech at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. It is a tradition for the partner of party nominees to speak at the convention. Her 14-minute speech earned loud cheers. She talked about her experience as a Slovenian immigrant in America, and praised her husband, calling him “intensely loyal.” Donald Trump wrote on Twitter Monday night, “It was truly an honor to introduce my wife, Melania. Her speech and demeanor were absolutely incredible. Very proud!” But, not long after Melania Trump’s speech ended, an unemployed journalist named Jarrett Hill noticed similarities between her speech and the one given by Michelle Obama at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Her husband, Barack Obama, officially became the Democratic presidential nominee at that convention. Hill wrote on Twitter: “Melania stole a whole graph from Michelle's speech” A one-minute part of Melania Trump’s speech included words and phrases that almost exactly mirrored Michelle Obama’s speech. In 2008, Michelle Obama said: “Barack and I were raised with so many of the same values: that you work hard for what you want in life; that your word is your bond and you do what you say you’re going to do; that you treat people with dignity and respect, even if you don’t know them, and even if you don’t agree with them. And Barack and I set out to build lives guided by these values, and pass them on to the next generation. Because we want our children — and all children in this nation — to know that the only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.” On Monday, Melania Trump said: “From a young age, my parents impressed on me the values that you work hard for what you want in life, that your word is your bond and you do what you say and keep your promise, that you treat people with respect. They taught and showed me values and morals in their daily lives. That is a lesson that I continue to pass along to our son. And we need to pass those lessons on to the many generations to follow. Because we want our children in this nation to know that the only limit to your achievements is the strength of your dreams and your willingness to work for them.” People on social media quickly accused Melania Trump and the Trump campaign of plagiarizing Michelle Obama’s earlier speech. Plagiarism is the act of using another person’s words or ideas without giving credit to that person. In the United States, plagiarism is a serious offense for writers, students and, yes, politicians. It can damage a political campaign. In 1988, for example, current Vice President Joe Biden dropped out of the Democratic presidential race after he was accused of plagiarism in his speeches. Some of Biden’s speeches closely resembled the words of former British Labour Party leader Neil Kinnock. But, the Trump campaign said Tuesday the issues with Melania’s speech are being “totally blown out of proportion.” The campaign’s chairman, Paul Manafort, told the Associated Press that “There were a few words on it, but they’re not unique words.” He also said of Melania’s speech “99 percent of the speech talked about her being an immigrant and love of country…” It is likely that Melania Trump herself did not write most of the speech. Some political observers say that Trump’s speechwriter -- or speechwriters -- should be fired. But, CNN reported Tuesday that the Trump campaign does not plan to fire anyone involved in the speech-writing process. And that’s What’s Trending Today. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story presumptive - adj. based on probability demeanor - n. a person's appearance and behavior : the way someone seems to be to other people mirror - v. to be very similar to (something) plagiarize - v. to use the words or ideas of another person as if they were your own words or ideas resemble - v. to look or be like (someone or something) blow out of proportion expression. to make something seem more important or serious than it actually is unique - adj. very special or unusual fire - v. to dismiss (someone) from a job

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2a8MGbp
via IFTTT