December 5, 2016

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

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US Air Force Faces Shortage of Fighter Jet Mechanics

  The United States Air Force has a shortage of mechanics to provide support for its fighter airplanes. VOA recently reported that the Air Force has 725 fighter pilots less than the 3,500 it is permitted to have. It is training about 135 more fighter pilots this year than in 2014. But it will be a long time before they are ready for action. Pilots must train for years -- at a cost of millions of dollars -- before they have enough experience to fly fighter jets. The fighter pilot shortage is happening at a time when private airline companies are adding pilots. Private airlines pay more and their pilots spend less time away from home. Two Air Force generals told VOA that the military is still able to meet the demands for fighter jet support. But they added that unless more pilots choose a career in the Air Force, the service will soon be unable to meet the demands of top commanders. They warn that this could possibly affect both U.S. troops and civilians. But even if the Air Force can train and keep jet fighter pilots, it must have enough mechanics to maintain the jets. And right now it has a shortage of more than 3,000 of these maintainers. Mechanics at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in the state of Virginia have much work to do. They help keep F-22 Raptor jets flying. They also work on the T-38 Talon -- a jet that is about 50 years old and must often be repaired. This Air Force fighter pilot says the mechanics work hard. “Maybe once a day to once every other day we’ll bring back a jet that needs, has some kind of issue that needs to get fixed by our maintenance before it can get launched back up. So even at night when we’re not flying, they’re workin' on the planes and making sure that they’re ready to go for the next day.” This senior airman is one of the mechanics. “We all understand that the whole ‘(do) more with less’ is, is happening, but I mean it, regardless, jets have to fly. So we’re gonna make it happen, but yeah there's, there’s definitely pain in that process.” Air Force Lieutenant General John Cooper works on ways to train and keep pilots and mechanics. “We were livin', you know, on the edge with our maintainers for a long time, but we were able to accomplish the mission.” Now, General Cooper says budget cuts have made his job much harder. But he says the Air Force has begun enlisting and training new fighter jet mechanics. And he says if the budget does not get smaller, the shortage will end in 2021. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise. VOA Pentagon Correspondent Carla Babb reported this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow 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   mechanic – n. a person who repairs machines (such as engines) and keeps them running properly maintain – v. to keep (something) in good condition by making repairs, correcting problems, etc. living on the edge – expression very close to something such as success or failure accomplish – v. to succeed in doing (something) mission – n. a specific military or naval task  

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Supercharged Plants May Mean More Crop Production

  One day, “supercharged plants” may help feed people around the world. Supercharged plants are ones that grow faster than normal plant life. Scientists can speed up the growth by modifying, or changing, the structure of plants’ genes. The modifications make them react quickly to changes in light.  This all has to do with photosynthesis, the process in which plants turn sunlight, carbon dioxide and water into food. Steve Long is a plant biologist with the University of Illinois. "Arguably, photosynthesis is the most important process on our planet. It is the driving force behind all of life." Plants grow fastest in the sun. That is when they make the most food for themselves. But their rate of growth can slow when things like clouds or trees block sunlight. But when the sun returns, it can take many minutes for growth to speed up again. This can be a problem because it means some of our most important crop plants are not as productive as they could be. Researchers say demand for food is expected to increase up to 70 percent by the middle of the century. They also note rising temperatures on Earth’s surface. That is why they are looking for ways to improve photosynthesis and make plants more productive. Steve Long wanted to find a way to help plants get back up to speed quickly after a period of darkness. So he and his team added genes that shortened the recovery time. It also increased the speed at which the plants grew. His modified plants grew up to 20 percent more than untreated ones. "This finding, where we've just made one modification that has boosted crop yield, is really a boost to the whole area, because everyone else working on photosynthesis can now see that if we can improve photosynthetic efficiency in crops, we will get more yield." In Long's study, his group used a form of genetic engineering called transgenics. It means taking genes from one plant, then putting them into another. There is a scientific debate about whether transgenics is a good idea or not. The findings were published in the journal Science. Why is it important for plants to be efficient at making their food? Some of our most important crop plants are ones that are not very efficient at photosynthesis. Matthew Reynolds knows this. He is with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known as CIMMYT.  Reynolds was not involved in the research. He spoke to VOA on Skype. "Population is growing so fast, climate change is affecting negatively predictions of productivity, and so we're kind of forced to push our crops to the limit." His group studies how plants reproduce naturally. But he says that Long’s work of increasing plant growth is “a very big deal.”  He says the experimental use of transgenics is a start. "A transgenic event can prove a proof of concept so we can start looking for natural variation as well." Reynolds says the increased rates of production noted by Long's team are impressive. He has some hope about the process. But he also has questions. "What is the downside? Why have the plants not done that before? And we always ask those questions when we see something that looks a bit too good to be true..." Long's group worked with tobacco plants because they are easy to study. Now they are experimenting with rice, soybeans, cowpeas, and cassava – four important food crops. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation provided money for the study. The organization says any new technology approved from this research will be made freely available to farmers in Africa and South Asia. I’m Anne Ball. Steve Baragona reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted his report for Learning English with additional information from Reuters. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. And find us on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   modify – v. to change some parts while not changing other parts photosynthesis – n. the process plants use to make food using sunlight, carbon dioxide and water yield – n.  the amount of something produced by a plant or farm efficiency – n. the ability to do something or produce something without wasting materials, time or energy transgenics – n. biotechnology that involves producing plants, animals or foods into which genes from another species have been incorporated impressive – adj. deserving attention, admiration or respect

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Clothing Designer from Malawi Targets Overseas Markets

  Lilly Alfonso is one of the top fashion designers in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Alfonso has shown her creations at fashion shows in London, Paris and Amsterdam. Her clothes are now being sold at stores in South Africa. She is using individuals in Britain and the United States to sell her products in those countries. Lilly Alfonso hopes her creations will be sold throughout the world within five years. When a VOA reporter went to see the designer, she was on the telephone. “They (are) wanting 32, 34, 35, 36, 38, so I will send you the sizes right away after this…” Alfonso says she has loved the world of fashion since she was six years old. “Every time I, I look(ed) at any cloth that is there for me, quickly I would want to change to what I like. Pretty much, I would cut a hand, or make it short. I would be almost half-naked most of the time. I used to get into trouble...” She opened her own tailoring business. And in 2010 she was named best designer at a fashion show in Lilongwe. “So that motivated me more to say ‘Everything is possible.’ The person who invented the car, even the plane, he had to start with a dream. What would stop me?” Her business is growing. Alfonso employs 30 people in her fashion design center. She buys some of the material she uses in her clothing from disabled weavers in Malawi. She also offers free training to young designers, like student Mphatso Chilaga. “Now I’m having this experience, how to draw models -- really like (in a) professional way, how models are supposed to be drawn, how prints are drawn and printed, how you can study material, how you can determine a color on a person by comparing with their complexion if it would suit them or not.” But her success has brought problems. She says she must now deal with people who are copying her designs. I’m John Russell.   Lameck Masina reported this story from Lilongwe, Malawi. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow 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   fashion – n. the business of creating and selling clothes in new styles naked – adj. not wearing any clothes; not covered by clothing tailor – v. to make (clothing that is measured to fit a particular person) motivate – v. to give (someone) a reason for doing something fabric – n. woven or knitted material; cloth weave – v. to make something (such as cloth) by crossing threads or other long pieces of material over and under each other complexion – n. the color or appearance of the skin especially on the face suit – v. to be attractive on (someone)  

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Africans’ Demand for Democracy Declines

  A report about a new public opinion survey shows that a ten-year-long period of Africans demanding democracy has recently ended, and such demands have been declining since then in the 16 countries the survey has regularly examined. The report is called Do Africans Still Want Democracy? It was written by Afrobarometer, an African, non-partisan research network. Researchers spoke with people in 36 African nations about their political beliefs. Robert Mattes wrote the report. He is a political studies professor and the director of the Democracy in Africa research group at the University of Cape Town. He is also a visiting scholar at Princeton University. He says he wanted to know if Africans want to live in a democracy or if they prefer military rule, one-party rule or a strong man who does not have to worry about elections and legislators. The survey found overall support for democracy was 46 percent. “…and that is a significant downturn from our last surveys -- which we did in 2013, 2014 -- in which support for democracy in Africa, or demand for democracy, had reached a high point of 51 percent.” Mattes says the survey found that the more educated people are, the more likely they are to support democracy. “They use new media at high rates (and) they engage with the political process. And they often have a more procedural view of democracy -- they learned about it in school as elections, about legislatures, about representation, about rights and liberties.” Mattes says people support a democracy only if it helps them economically and politically. And he says support for democracy depends upon elections being free and fair. “…where elections are seen by people as completely aboveboard and with a high level of public integrity, demand has maintained or even increased. But where large (a) large percentage of the people have doubts about the integrity of the election, demand for democracy has dropped precipitously.” Professor Mattes says a country’s political system can be harmed if a political party refuses to accept the results of an election. The survey found the demand for democracy is higher in urban areas and among those with a high school or university education. Middle-class business people and professionals and those who work in offices also had a higher level of support for democracy. “That is the group we think have been rising in Africa over the last five to 10 years with the sustained growth that many countries had. People with a job are much more likely to support democracy than people who are partially employed or unemployed.” The report notes that Africa is far more democratic than it used to be. It says “more than half of all Africans today live in functioning multiparty electoral democracies that are demonstrably freer than were the military or one-party regimes that previously dominated the continent.” I’m Marsha James. VOA Correspondent Joe de Capua reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow 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   downturn – n. a situation in which something (such as business or economic activity) decreases or becomes worse (usually singular) engage with – phrasal verb  to give serious attention to (someone or something) procedural – adj. describing a series of actions that are done in a certain way or order; an established or accepted way of doing something aboveboard – adj. open, honest and legal integrity – n. the quality of being honest and fair precipitous – adj. happening in a very quick and sudden way sustain – v. to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc. regime – n. a form of government

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Everyday Grammar: Separable Phrasal Verbs

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Lesson 38: She's My Best Friend!

Summary In this lesson, Anna's best friend from her hometown, Penelope, visits Washington, D.C. Anna tells Penelope about her friends and her job. Is Penelope going to make a change in her life? Speaking In this video, learn how to say the new words for this lesson and the rules of making superlative adjectives. Pronunciation Use this video to learn about stressing the superlative adjectives in a sentence. Conversation Anna: Hello! I have great news. My best friend from my hometown is coming here -- to Washington, D.C.! I can’t wait to catch up with her! Oh! I gotta go. Her train arrives in 10 minutes! Anna: Penelope! Penelope: Anna! I am really happy to see you! Anna: Me too! How was your trip? Penelope: It was fine. Anna: Let me help you with your bags. Penelope: I’m really excited to be in Washington, D.C.! I can’t wait to hear about … everything! Anna: I have so much to tell you. Let’s go to my apartment. We can talk over a hot cup of tea. Penelope: I love your apartment building, Anna. Is your rent expensive? Anna: Well, I have a roommate. So, we split the rent. Penelope: Oh, that’s right. Is your roommate nice? Anna: Marsha is the nicest person I know in this city. Sometimes she worries too much. And she says I’m the messiest cook she knows. But we are great roommates. Penelope: So, Anna, is it hard to make friends in D.C.? Anna: At first it was hard. But now, Marsha is a good friend. And there’s Pete. Of all the people I know in D.C., Pete is the most serious and also the silliest. Penelope: He sounds … interesting. Anna: Jonathan and Ashley are two other good friends of mine. In the city, they are the friendliest people I know. They always help me when I need it. Penelope: Your friends sound great! So, tell me about your job. Anna: I love my work! I make a children’s show called the “Time Traveling Treehouse.” Penelope: Anna, that is the best job for you! Do you remember when we were little? We played in that old treehouse behind my family’s house for hours! Anna: I forgot about that! We thought it really time traveled! Penelope, it is really good to talk to you. New friends are good. But old friends are the best. Penelope: I know. Our hometown isn’t the same now. You are not there. Anna: No crying. Why don't you move here and live with me and Marsha? Penelope: Anna, I can’t leave our hometown. You forget -- I love my job, too. Anna: I didn’t forget. You are the most famous turkey farmer I know! Penelope: Thanks, Anna. Anna: Come on. Let’s go eat dinner at one of D.C.’s most famous restaurants. Penelope: Awesome! Anna: That’s the restaurant, Penelope. I’ll be right there. Anna: I have a great apartment. I love my work. And I have awesome friends -- both old and new. I am the luckiest woman in Washington, D.C. (sound of thunder) Anna: Until next time ? Writing Who is the most important person in your life? They can be a family member or a friend. Tell us about them using some superlative adjectives like nicest, silliest, the most _____ and so on. Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet and practice using superlative adjectives. Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Evaluate.  When we think about the good or bad qualities of someone or something, we are evaluating. In this lesson, Anna tells her friend Penelope about her new life and friends in Washington, D.C. She evaluates by using words like best, nicest, friendliest, messiest and silliest. Anna says, "New friends are good. But old friends are the best. " We can also evaluate our English language skills by testing ourselves. You can take the quizzes in these lessons, have a friend listen while you repeat new words and phrases, or record yourself and listen to your own pronunciation. How do you evaluate or check your use of English? Write to us about it in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan  for more details on teaching this strategy. Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz. ______________________________________________________________ New Words catch up (with) - phrasal verb. to talk to someone you have not seen for some time and find out what they have been doing cry - v. to produce tears from your eyes often while making loud sounds because of pain, sorrow, or other strong emotions expensive - adj. costing a lot of money famous - adj. known or recognized by very many people friendly - adj. acting like a friend friendliest - superlative adj. lucky - adj. having good luck luckiest - superlative adj. messy - adj. not clean or tidy messiest superlative adj. nice - adj. kind, polite, and friendly nicest - superlative adj. rent - n. money that you pay in return for being able to use property and especially to live in an apartment or house that belongs to someone else silly - adj. silliest - superlative adj. playful and funny split - v. to divide (something, such as money or food) among two or more people or things tea - n. a drink that is made by soaking the dried leaves of an Asian plant in hot water train - n. a group of vehicles that travel on a track and are connected to each other and usually to an engine turkey - n. a large American bird that is related to the chicken and that is hunted or raised by people for its meat ______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice using superlative adjectives. 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. Grammar focus: Superlative Adjectives Topics: Describing people, places, & things; Reporting details; Identifying positive & negative personal qualities Learning Strategy: Evaluating Speaking & Pronunciation Focus: Stressing superlative adjectives   ____________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

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Refugee Football Team Aims for Greek League

  Greece has a new football team called Hope Refugee United. Every one of its players is a refugee.  It all started with a few young men kicking a football around at a refugee camp near Athens. Americans know the game as soccer. The newly formed team has played only a few games as Hope Refugee United. Now, the players are dreaming bigger as they take part in trials to form an official league team. Their hope is to compete against some of Greece’s best teams in the coming weeks. For the love of Football For many of the players, this chance to compete fills an important void in their lives. They find life in their refugee camp at times frustrating, and with little to do. Sometimes, there are fights between people of different ethnicities. However, a shared love of the sport of football has begun to bring the refugees together. Seventeen-year-old Fahim Ahmad fled to Greece from Afghanistan. He says that when he and others formed teams to play football, the refugees seemed friendly and less tense. The players did not care about ethnicity. They only wanted peace and to make friends. Professional Support The refugee team now has received support from a number of people, including Petros Kokallis. He is a former vice president of Olympiakos, one of the country’s most famous football teams. His non-governmental organization called Organization Earth, has been providing support for football training. "This team is going to compete in a Greek championship, so we think this is a great opportunity for these guys to represent their community in the wider Greek community and interact with it." Thanks to Organization Earth’s support, the players now make trips out of the refugee camps to a play on a better field. Organization Earth also has helped with other projects. At the Skaramagas refugee camp, the group is showing children to play the sport. Petros Kokallis hopes to expand the efforts and get the football players out of the camp as often as possible. "One of the main goals of the program is to de-ghettoise refugees and get them out of camps and get them into normal society" These efforts have been working for the players of Hope Refugees United. As the team trained for its third game, player Ali Shaheen explained why the name of their team feels just right. "I feel like football makes me alive. I play football with the friends, the guys. I feel like I forget all of the bad stuff, really. I feel like I forget everything. I don't think about the past, the war, anything. I just think about my future." I’m Phil Dierking. John Owens reported this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted his report for Learning English. ­­­­­George Grow was the editor. How to you feel sports helps people of different backgrounds come together? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   frustrating - adj. causing feelings of anger and annoyance ghetto – n. the poorest part of a city interact – v. to talk or do things with other people league – n. a group of sports teams that play against each other opportunity – n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done void – n. a large empty space

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You’re Dreaming!

Join us now for Words and Their Stories, a program from VOA Learning English. On this show we talk about the origins and meanings of common expressions in American English. Every week we dream up topics you might find interesting. Well, we also do research. But today we have dreamt up a show on “dreams.” Dreams are the visions we have when we are asleep. But the word “dream” fills the expressions we use when we are awake. “The stuff dreams are made of” is a romantic expression. It describes a really wonderful experience. For example, let’s say you really love flight and space travel. So, a friend invites you to see a launch of a space shuttle. She even invites you to meet the astronauts who are going to fly into space. After this experience you can say to her, “That was the stuff dreams are made of! It’s a dream come true!” A dream come true is exactly that – a dream that has become reality. Let’s make it even better. Let’s say your friend can get you on the space shuttle. You can actually wear a space suit and sit in the flight commander’s seat! That would be beyond your wildest dreams. In other words, even you could not have dreamed up such a wonderful experience. However, once you enter the space shuttle you feel ill. Your hands shake and you are unable to talk. The astronauts try to help you. But you freak out, yelling, “Let me out of here! Let me out of here!” When you start throwing the flight manuals around the cockpit, the police come and remove you from the shuttle. It’s a disaster. A nightmare.   After the police take your statement and your fingerprints, your friend tries to calm you down. She tells that everything will be okay. But all you can say to her is, “I wish it was all just a bad dream.” But it wasn’t. You are barred from participating in any NASA-related field trips. And now you have a police record. However, months later your childhood dream of space travel comes back strong. You decide to become a pilot. Your friend advises against it. She reminds you that you have a severe case of claustrophobia, a fear of being in small spaces. She calls your goal of becoming a pilot a pipe dream. A pipe dream is a hope or wish that is impossible to achieve. This expression began in the late 19th century. Word experts say it refers to a dream experienced when smoking an opium pipe. Those dreams rarely come true. But you insist it is possible for you to be the first person to fly around the world with your faithful pet cat -- Galaxy. Your friend, however, says, “Dream on!” She could also say, “In your dreams!” Both of these informal expressions are ways of saying that someone’s idea is a fantasy. Friends can use them in a funny way with each other. Otherwise, both expressions can sound a little mean. Then your friend uses another informal expression. She tells you to wake up and smell the coffee! She adds that you are living in a dream world if you think you can become a world-famous pilot who flies with a cat. People who live in a dream world are unrealistic. They refuse to face facts. Your friend’s remarks are hard for you to hear. But you know she is right. So, you decide to write a children’s book about someone who flies around the world with a beloved pet. As you are already a children’s book author, this is a dream that can definitely come true. For the next few months, you happily daydream about the story you will write. To daydream is to let your creative mind, your imagination, take over. Luckily for you, you can daydream anywhere – not just in small spaces such as a cockpit. It turns out you are better dreaming about air travel than doing it. Your book is a spectacular success. With the money you make from your book sales, you are finally able to buy your dream house. And it has a special room just for Galaxy, your cat. Your proud friend invites you to speak at the school where she teaches. You tell her students to follow their dreams and to dream big. You also tell them that even broken dreams have value. You can always pick up the pieces and make a new one! That night you call her on the phone to thank her for reminding you to never stop dreaming. She says that is what friends are for. “Goodnight,” you say. “Goodnight,” she says. “Sweet dreams.”   And that brings us to the end of Words and Their Stories. I’m Anna Matteo teaching English for Voice of America. And you know, I wouldn’t dream of doing anything else. Anna Matteo wrote this story for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly edited the story. The songs heard in this program are the Everly Brothers singing "All I Have to Do Is Dream" and Patsy Cline singing "Sweet Dreams." ______________________________________________________________ Words and Their Stories   romantic – adj. not realistic or practical : not based on what is real freak out – v. a wildly irrational reaction or spell of behavior cockpit – n. a space or compartment in a usually small vehicle (as a boat, airplane, or automobile) from which it is steered, piloted, or driven escort – v. to go with (someone or something) to give protection or guidance claustrophobia – n. abnormal dread of being in closed or narrow spaces opium – n.  a bitter brownish addictive narcotic drug that consists of the dried latex obtained from immature seed capsules of the opium poppy fantasy – n. the free play of creative imagination spectacular – adj. causing wonder and admiration : very impressive proud – adj. having or displaying excessive self-esteem

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Pakistan's New Army Chief Takes Command

General Qamar Javed Bajwa has taken command of Pakistan’s army, the sixth-largest in the world. The official change of command ceremony took place earlier this week near the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. The former chief, General Raheel Sharif, called Bajwa a “strong decision maker” who faces a complex security situation. Many Pakistanis did not want Sharif to leave office. Some put up large street signs asking him to stay. Others launched a social media campaign with the hashtag “ThankyouRaheelSharif.” Many people believe Sharif improved security and reduced violence. They say he led the military to success against militants and extremists. But some people say he expanded the influence of the military and took control of some duties usually performed by civilian officials. In this way, they say, he quietly took power away from the government. In fact, Sharif at least once publicly criticized the government for not doing more to carry out the National Action Plan, created to fight terrorist violence. In his last public speech as army chief, he said that to deal with its problems -- including criminality and corruption -- Pakistan must enact the plan. Tens of thousands of Pakistanis have been killed in extremist violence over the past 10 years. A military operation launched in 2014 has greatly improved the security situation. But attacks continue, showing that extremists are still active in the country. The new army chief must also deal with increasing tensions with India. Indian and Pakistani troops often fire at one another across the Line of Control -- an unofficial border in the disputed Kashmir area. Bajwa formerly served as commander of the army unit which is responsible for areas around the Line of Control. Bajwa must also deal with problems on his country’s western border with Afghanistan. Relations between the two countries have worsened since last year, when tensions lessened. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wanted Pakistan to help negotiate a peace agreement with the Afghan Taliban. Pakistani officials said they tried to do so, but could not force the Taliban to if the militants did not want a deal. Afghanistan says Pakistan has continued its policy of supporting the Afghan Taliban, including giving the group’s supporters places to hide. Afghan leaders say the Pakistanis are doing this so they can keep some influence in Afghanistan and block Indian influence. But the most important issue for the new military chief might be easing tensions between Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership. Publicly, the two sides dispute reports of tensions. The military leaders say they support the constitution. But for months, some Pakistanis have worried that the military is plotting to remove the civilian leaders and take control of the country. Local media reports that some of the reasons General Bajwa was chosen as army chief is he does not seek attention and is not interested in political issues. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif chose him even when other generals have served longer in the army. This has happened before. Earlier prime ministers have chosen less-senior generals because they believed they were not interested in removing the civilian government. But that has not always been the case. Years ago, then-Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto named General Zia ul-Haq over other, more experienced generals. But the general led a military rebellion against Bhutto and executed him. More recently, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif named General Pervez Musharraf as army chief. Musharraf ousted Sharif in 1999 and sent him into exile. Tensions between the civilian and military leadership increased in October after a Pakistani newspaper reported on an argument between the two sides at a national security meeting. Pakistani officials said the report was not true. But the newspaper said that it was. The daily English language paper, The Dawn, said the civilian leaders gave a warning to military officials at the meeting. They said that if the military did not stop supporting militants in Afghanistan and India, Pakistan would face international isolation. The military leadership was reportedly angry about the story. They reportedly believe a civilian gave information about the meeting to the newspaper. Investigators are trying to find out who leaked information to The Dawn. Whether General Bajwa continues the investigation with the same strength as the former army chief may show what kind of relationship he wants to have with Pakistan’s civilian leadership. I’m Christopher Jones-Cruise.   Ayeesha Tanzeem reported this story from Islamabad for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow 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   senior – adj. higher in standing or rank than another person in the same position isolation – n. the state of being in a place or situation that is separate from others; the condition of being isolated leak – v. to give (secret information) to someone so that it becomes known to the public

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Appeal for Next US President to Help Women in Business

  Before Americans knew who would become the next president, a group of business leaders sent a letter to the two main candidates. Elizabeth Gore wrote the letter, and 85 business leaders, both men and women, signed it. Gore serves an entrepreneur-in-residence at the Dell computer company. Her letter urges the next president to take steps that would make it easier for businesses owned by women to grow. The letter was called “What We Need to Succeed.” Gore noted that in the United States, women are starting new businesses twice as often as men, but their businesses too often fail. She thinks this is because women do not receive the same amount of financial support as men when their companies are launched. Also, she wrote, companies operated by men get more attention in the media. Gore and the business leaders who signed the letter offered a list of things the government could do to help women-owned businesses. Their suggestions include helping more women entrepreneurs get start-up loans. One way to do this is by offering incentives – motivation for banks or investors to make such loans. For example, cutting taxes on earnings from investments in women-owned businesses would make those companies more appealing to investors. Gore’s letter called on the new U.S. president to make it easy for businesses of all sizes to sell products and services in other countries. The letter went on to ask the new president to support changes in America’s education system. Gore wrote about the importance of  science, technology, engineering and mathematics. She said some young women do not get the support they need to study those subjects while in school. Actress Jessica Alba was one of the people who signed the letter. Alba started The Honest Company, which makes products without using dangerous chemicals. Another signatory was Melanie Whelan, who launched an exercise studio business called SoulCycle. Two other signatories are Steve Case, the founder of AOL, and Rhonda Vetere, the chief technology officer of Estee Lauder. The business leaders were not just appealing to the idea of equality between men and women. Gore noted a study that found the U.S. economy could grow by $30 billion if women were more actively involved. Gore told VOA “I always think about the venture funding gap, but there’s really a gap in the whole cycle.” Another study found that women-owned businesses grew faster than those owned by men in the 10 years ending in 2007. A U.S. Department of Commerce report showed these businesses added 500,000 jobs to the economy. Gore said there are many good social reasons to support women in business. But the most important reason is that it is good for business. “If [women] get access to capital, they outperform their male peers,” she said. “That is a good business bet, not just a social bet.” Gold told VOA recently that president-elect Donald Trump has yet to answer her letter. But she and some of the other signatories plan to visit Washington in February. They plan to meet with politicians and “explain why it’s critical for our country and the economy to be prioritizing the success of women entrepreneurs.” I’m Dan Friedell. Tina Trinh wrote this story for VOANews.com Dan Friedell adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Do you think more women will start businesses in the U.S. with Donald Trump as president? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   start-up – n. a new business capital – n. money, property, etc., that is used to start or operate a business critical – adj. extremely important prioritize – v. to make (something) the most important thing in a group venture – n. a new activity, project, business, etc., that typically involves risk attractive – adj. having a feature or quality that people like incentive – n. something that encourages a person to do something entrepreneur – n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money in-residence – n. having an official position as a writer, artist, etc., who has been chosen to live and work at a college or other institution for a period of time

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