Pacific Island Nations Consider Future Ties with the United States

Three sovereign, self-governing Pacific island nations are joined with the United States in Compacts of Free Association. The three are the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) and Palau. They are sometimes called the Freely Associated States (FAS). Many Americans know very little about these island nations or that they have a relationship with the United States. But American officials consider the countries important because of their location in the Pacific. The People’s Republic of China and other nations have begun investing in the three countries in an attempt to increase their influence in the area. The three island nations receive millions of dollars in direct aid from the U.S. government. In 2016, they received more than $214 million to help their governments and economies. They also get help from U.S. government agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service and the U.S. Postal Service. The Compacts of Free Association are bilateral, international agreements. They permit certain citizens of FSM, RMI and Palau to visit -- and live in -- all 50 states and all U.S. territories as legal nonimmigrants without a visa. They can live, work and study in the states and territories for an indefinite period of time. American citizens have what are called “reciprocal rights” -- they may live and work in the three island nations. The Compacts also permit the United States to place troops in the three countries, and give the U.S. the right to use some of their land for bases. The countries agree not to permit the militaries of other nations to operate in their territory. Micronesians, Marshallese and Palauans all use the U.S. dollar as their national currency -- in other words, they use the dollar when making purchases in their home country.   Micronesia The Federated States of Micronesia adopted a constitution in 1979. The Compact of Free Association with the United States took effect in 1986, three years after its citizens voted to approve it. The FSM was admitted as a member of the United Nations in 1991. About 108,000 people live in the Federated States of Micronesia. The nation has about 607 islands. It is in the Western Pacific, about 2,500 miles southwest of Hawaii.  In 2003, a new, 20-year agreement on U.S. financial assistance was reached. It included a new Compact between the FSM and the U.S. Like the agreements with the Marshall Islands and Palau, the Compact “provides financial assistance, defends FSM’s territorial integrity and provides for visa-free travel for citizens to the United States. The United States has special access to FSM’s land and waterways for strategic purposes.” Marshall Islands The Government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands was established in 1979. The country joined the United Nations in 1991. The Compact of Free Association took effect in 1986. Like FSM, in 2003 it reached a new, 20-year agreement on financial assistance with the United States that included an Amended Compact. The U.S. Army’s Kwajalein Atoll Reagan Missile Test Site is in the Marshall Islands. It is an important part of America’s anti-missile defense system. The U.S. Department of Defense pays the Marshall Islands to use the atoll and to control some of the islands in the Kwajalein Atoll. From 1946 to 1958, the United States Department of Defense operated nuclear testing programs at Bikini and Enewetak Atolls. The U.S. State Department told VOA that “the United States (has) recognized the effects of (the) testing and has accepted and acted on its responsibility to the people of the Marshall Islands.” As part of the 1986 Compact with the Marshall Islands, the U.S. government settled claims with the country and has paid more than $600 million to affected communities, including $135 million to resettle people who lived on the atolls.   About 63,000 people live in the Marshall Islands, which has five large islands and 29 small coral atolls. As part of the Amended Compact, the United States agreed to provide financial help to FSM and the Marshall Islands until 2023 in the form of “direct sector grant assistance” and trust fund contributions. But U.S. officials do not want to continue giving those nations money forever. So the U.S. government is providing money to create a program that will help them become self-sufficient after direct aid ends. Palau Palau also adopted a constitution in 1979. Its Compact of Free Association with the United States took effect in 1994. The U.S. Department of the Interior says the Compact “defends Palau’s territorial integrity, and (permits) visa-free travel by Palauan citizens to the United States. The United States has special access to Palau’s land and waterways for strategic purposes.” Although the U.S. government and Palau decided in 2010 to augment the Compact, the U.S. Congress has not agreed to fund and approve it. However, even though the new agreement has not taken effect, most parts of the 1994 Compact remain in effect. In 1994, Palau ceased being the last district of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands and was admitted as a member of the United Nations. It is estimated that between 14,000 and 18,000 people live in Palau, which has about 250 islands. Palau is in the Pacific Ocean, about 7,600 kilometers west of Hawaii. In World War II, during the Battle of Peleliu, a state in Palau, more than 1,500 U.S. servicemen died and at least 8,000 were wounded. The fighting took place in late 1944, and lasted for two and one half months. It was one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The U.S. Department of the Interior has provided Palau with more than $13 million in aid every year since 2010. Grace Choi is a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department’s East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau. She said that if Congress had approved the 2010 agreement, Palau would have received “$229 million in financial assistance in several categories through fiscal year 2024, including an additional $30 million for its Trust Fund.” Palauans serve in the U.S. military at much higher rates compared to the size of their population than any American state. However, the U.S. territory of American Samoa has the highest rate of enlistment of any state or territory, however. And Palau supports the United States in votes at the United Nations between 87 and 97 percent of the time, more than almost any other country. In 2011, the State Department told Congress that “our relationship with not only Palau but with other FAS states (permits) the United States to guard its long-term defense and strategic interest in the region.” Palau, the department said, “helps create a security zone that safeguards U.S. interests in the Pacific.” It warned that China, Arab states and Cuba are “actively courting Palau and the other Pacific island nations as they seek to build influence in the region.” The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 41,000 citizens from FSM, RMI and Palau live in the United States. The five states with the highest number of citizens from those three countries are Hawaii, Arkansas, Washington, Oregon, and Texas. The Census Bureau estimates that almost 20,000 citizens of the three nations live in the U.S. territories of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. I’m Jonathan Evans. And I'm Caty Weaver.   John Smith reported this story 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   sovereign – adj. having independent authority and the right to govern itself location – n. a place or position bilateral – adj. involving two groups or countries indefinite – adj. not certain in amount or length reciprocal – adj. used to describe a relationship in which two people or groups agree to do something similar for each other, to allow each other to have the same rights, etc. currency – n. the money that a country uses; a specific kind of money adopt – v. to accept or approve (something, such as a proposal) in a formal or official way access – n. a way of being able to use or get something (usually + to) amend – v. to change some of the words and often the meaning of (a law, document, etc.) atoll – n. an island that is made of coral and shaped like a ring self-sufficient – adj. able to live or function without help or support from others augment – v. to add something to (something) in order to improve or complete it court – v. to give a lot of attention and praise to (someone) in order to get approval, support, etc. region – n. a part of a country, of the world, etc., that is different or separate from other parts in some way

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Rain, Rain, Go Away!

  And now, it’s time for the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. In some parts of the world, April is a time of thunderstorms and lots of rain. In the U.S. we even have a rhyme to describe it: April showers bring May flowers. This rhyme does not simply describe a weather event. It reminds us that even something bad or inconvenient -- in this case, rain -- can bring something good -- in this case, flowers! We will talk about flowers expressions another time. Today, let’s talk about rain. Even though rain is necessary for nature, many expressions use rain to represent troubles, loneliness or hard times. To rain on someone’s parade is to question their positive attitude or to ruin their good time. Someone who rains on another person’s “parade” is usually trying to introduce a note of caution or practical advice. This person may not mean to make the other person feel bad, but raining on someone’s parade can really kill a good mood. By the way, this is a fixed expression. So, you shouldn’t say, “Don’t rain on my picnic!” or “Don’t rain on my baseball game!” People will have no idea what you’re talking about. In the musical “Funny Girl,” Barbara Streisand’s character just wants to live her life in her way. She doesn’t want others to stop her from trying to achieve her dreams. So, she warns people, “Don’t rain on my parade.” “Don't bring around a cloud to rain on my parade. Don't tell me not to fly. I've simply got to. If someone takes a spill it’s me not you. Who told you you’re allowed to rain on my parade!” No one has a perfectly happy life all the time. A poetic way to express that thought is to say into each life a little rain must fall. Here is singer Ella Fitzgerald complaining that she is not getting more than her fair share of suffering. Too many bad things are happening in her life. Too much rain! “Into each life some rain must fall. But too much is falling in mine.” When it rains, it pours is another popular expression. This means when one bad thing happens, many other things often follow. Now, there isn’t any science to support this. Perhaps it just feels that way when it’s happening to you. This is too good of an expression not to be in a country song. Merle Haggard uses it this way: “When it rains it pours. It all seems so sad. Before it's over, it will wash away all I had.” Some people are so happy, so excited or so in love that they don't let anything -- including the weather -- stop them from doing something.  Come rain or come shine means you are not going to let anything stop you. Many people have sang the Johnny Mercer song “Come Rain or Come Shine.” Here, it is Ray Charles who tells his love that he will love her no matter what.  “I’m gonna (going to) love ya (you), like no one’s loved you, come rain or come shine. High as a mountain, deep as a river, come rain or come shine.” Sometimes, though, you can’t do what you want come rain or shine. Sometimes rain does affect your plans. Let’s say you plan a big outdoor party for all your friends. Unfortunately, on the day of the party, it rains cats and dogs – in other words, it rains really heavily. You will have to reschedule. Your guests can take a rain check and come back another time. “Rain check” comes from the early days of baseball. If a baseball game was canceled because of rain, attendees were given a piece of paper -- a rain check -- allowing them to come back on a different day to see the game. So, when you take a rain check on something you will have to wait before you can do it. In comparison, when you save something for a rainy day, you choose to put it safely away for future use. Usually we use this expression for saving money. But you can save anything for a rainy day.  Up until now, all these rain expressions use the wet weather as a hardship, sadness, inconvenience or difficulty that a person must overcome. One exception is the expression right as rain. If something is “right as rain” it is perfectly fine. For example, let’s say you hurt your back playing sports. You could tell your friends not too worry and that you’ll be right as rain in a week or two. Some word experts say that “rain” is used in this expression simply for its “r” sound. “Right” and “rain” sound good together. And that brings us to the end of this program. But come rain or shine, we will be back next week with another Words and Their Stories. Let us know if you have any rain expressions in your language in the Comments Section. I’m Anna Matteo. “And I’ve heard that into every life a little rain must fall, but you’ll never catch me complaining about too much of that southern rain.”   Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. The Cowboy Junkies sing “Southern Rain” at the end of the show. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mood – n. an emotional state of mind or feeling caution  – n. care taken to avoid danger or risk : a careful attitude or way of behaving practical – adj. relating to what is real rather than to what is possible or imagined poetic – adj. having a beautiful or graceful quality parade – n. a public celebration of a special day or event that usually includes many people and groups moving down a street by marching or riding in cars or on special vehicles (called floats)  

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English in a Minute: Pack Rat

Is a "pack rat" an actual kind of rat? Watch this week's EIM to learn about this phrase!

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'William Wilson,' by Edgar Allan Poe, Part Four

We present the last of four parts of the short story "William Wilson," by Edgar Allan Poe. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State. As I ended the last part of my story, I was speaking of that terrible evening when I played cards with a young gentleman called Glendinning. We were in the room of one of my friends at Oxford University. I had just realized that the young man, weak of mind and weakened by wine, had allowed me to win from him everything he owned. I was still trying to decide what I should do, when, as I said… The wide, heavy doors of the room were suddenly opened. Every light in the room went out; but I had seen that a stranger had entered; he was about my own height, and he was wearing a very fine, long coat. The darkness, however, was now complete; and we could only feel that he was standing among us. Then we heard him speak. In a soft, low, and never-to-be-forgotten voice, which I felt deep in my heart, he said: “Gentlemen, I am here only to do my duty. You cannot know the true character of the man who has tonight taken a large amount of money from Mr. Glendinning. Please have him take off his coat, and then look in it very carefully.” While he was speaking there was not another sound in the room. As he ended, he was gone. Can I — shall I — tell what I felt? Need I say that I was afraid, that I felt the sick fear of those who are judged forever wrong? Many hands held me. Lights were brought. My friends looked in my coat. In it they found all the high cards, the valuable cards needed to win in the game we had been playing. Secretly using these cards, I could have taken the money of anyone who played the game with me. Mr. Preston, in whose room we were, then said: “Mr. Wilson, this is yours.” He lifted from the floor a fine, warm coat, and said, “We shall not look in this to prove again what we have proved already. We have seen enough. You will understand, I hope, the need for you to leave the University. At the very least, you must leave my room, and leave it now.” Down in the dust though my spirit was, I might have tried to strike him for those words if at that moment I had not noticed something very surprising. My coat had cost more money than most men could spend, and it had been made especially for me. It was different, I thought, from every other coat in the world. When, therefore, Mr. Preston gave me the coat which he had picked up from the floor, I saw with terror that my own was already hanging on my arm, and that the two were alike in every way. I remembered that the strange being who had so mysteriously entered and left the room had had a coat. No one else in the room had been wearing one. I placed the coat offered by Preston over my own, and left his room. The next morning I began a hurried journey away from Oxford University. I ran, but I could not escape. I went from city to city, and in each one Wilson appeared. Paris, Rome, Vienna, Berlin, Moscow — he followed me everywhere. Years passed. I went to the very ends of the earth. I ran in fear, as if running from a terrible sickness, and still he followed. Again and again I asked myself, “Who is he? — where did he come from? — and what was his purpose?” But no answer was found. And then I looked with the greatest care at the methods of his watch over me. I learned little. It was noticeable, indeed, that when he appeared now, it was only to stop me in those actions from which evil might result. But what right did he have to try to control me? I also noticed that although he always wore clothes the same as mine, he no longer let me see his face. Did he think I would not know him? He destroyed my honor at Oxford, he stopped me in my plans for getting a high position in Rome, in my love in Naples, in what he called my desire for too much money in Egypt. Did he think I could fail to see that he was the William Wilson of my schoolboy days, the hated and feared William Wilson? But let me hurry to the last scene in my story. Until now I had not tried to strike back. He was honorable and wise, he could be everywhere, and he knew everything. I felt such wonder and fear of him that I believed myself to be weak and helpless. Though it made me angry, I had done as he desired. But now I wanted more and more to escape his control. As I began to grow stronger, it seemed to me that he began to grow weaker. I felt a burning hope; in my deepest thoughts I decided that I was going to be free. It was at Rome, during the Carnival of 1835, that I went to a dance in the great house of the Duke Di Broglio. I had been drinking more wine than is usual, and the rooms seemed very crowded and hot. I became angry as I pushed through the people. I was looking (Let me not say why)…I was looking for the young, the laughing, the beautiful wife of old Di Broglio. Suddenly I saw her; but as I was trying to get through the crowd to join her, I felt a hand placed upon my shoulder, and that ever-remembered quiet voice within my ear. In a wild anger I took him in a strong hold. Wilson was dressed, as I had expected, like myself, in a rich coat of blue. Around his body was a band of red cloth from which hung a long sharp sword. A mask of black cloth completely covered his face. “You again!” I cried, my anger growing hotter with each word. “Always you again! You shall not — you shall not hunt me like this until I die! Come with me now or I will kill you where you stand.” I pulled him after me into a small room nearby. I threw him against the wall and closed the door. I commanded him to take his sword in his hand. After a moment, he took it and stood waiting, ready to fight. The fight was short indeed. I was wild with hate and anger; in my arm I felt the strength of a thousand men. In a few moments I had forced him back against the wall, and he was in my power. Quickly, wildly, I put my sword’s point again and again into his heart. At that moment I heard that someone was trying to open the door. I hurried to close it firmly, and then turned back to my dying enemy. But what human words can tell the surprise, the horror which filled me at the scene I then saw?! The moment in which I had turned to close the door had been long enough, it seemed, for a great change to come at the far end of the room. A large mirror — a looking glass — or so it seemed to me — now stood where it had not been before. As I walked toward it in terror I saw my own form, all spotted with blood, its face white, advancing to meet me with a weak and uncertain step. So it appeared, I say, but was not. It was my enemy — it was Wilson, who then stood before me in the pains of death. His mask and coat lay upon the floor. In his dress and in his face there was nothing which was not my own! It was Wilson; but now it was my own voice I heard, as he said: “I have lost. Yet from now on you are also dead — dead to the World, dead to Heaven, dead to Hope! In me you lived — and, in my death — see by this face, which is your own, how wholly, how completely, you have killed — yourself!”   Download a lesson plan to use with this story here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. When you do something bad, is it better to face the results of your actions quickly or later in life? What are some things you can do to make people want to forgive you? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cards - n. small pieces of stiff paper that are marked with symbols or pictures to show their value, come in a set, and are used for playing games gentleman - n. a man who treats other people in a proper and polite way coat - n. an outer piece of clothing that can be long or short and that is worn to keep warm or dry down in the dust – idm. an expression that means discouraged, depressed or sad; Poe uses an outdated form of the expression; today, the common expression is “down in the dumps.” duke – n. a man of very high rank in the British nobility shoulder - n.  the part of your body where your arm is connected band – n. a flat, straight piece of material (such as plastic or metal) that forms a circle around something sword – n. a weapon with a long metal blade that has a sharp point and edge mask – n. a covering for your face or for part of your face, such as to hide or disguise your face

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California Brewer Uses Reclaimed Water in Experimental Beer

Beer is one of the world’s most popular drinks. Even some of the earliest humans brewed – or made - beer.  One of beer’s most important ingredients is water. Brewers say you need up to five liters of water to make one liter of beer. If water becomes scarce, then, will people have to stop making beer? Brewers have already thought of that possibility. So, in some cities, people are testing out beers made from collected and filtered rainwater.  They are also collecting rainwater and water from the beer-making process for use inside the brewery. Sierra Nevada is a well-known brewery in California. It also has a new location in North Carolina. It uses rainwater for cleaning and flushing toilets. Brewers understand the importance of saving water. If there is no water, there is no beer. That is why Stone Brewing Company, near San Diego, California, worked with a local water treatment program to make beer. The program is called Pure Water San Diego. It wants to provide one-third of the city’s water by 2035. Working with Pure Water, the brewery used purified water that came from wastewater. Wastewater is water that has already been used for showers, washing dishes or flushing toilets. Stone is a large brewery. It has customers across the U.S. and Europe. Along with its original California location, Stone also has breweries in Richmond, Virginia, and Berlin, Germany. Some of their beers are among the best in the United States. So it was a big deal when Stone released a special beer called Full Circle Pale Ale in March. Many websites and newspapers wrote about the beer. They reported that it was made from “toilet water.” Local television stations recorded people’s reactions as they tasted the beer. The story went viral. The mayor of San Diego took a sip, and said “that’ll work, that’ll work.” Brewer Steve Gonzalez described the beer by saying it had “caramel” and “tropical fruit” flavors. Stone Brewing later wrote a blog post saying it was not happy with all of the news coverage – especially reports that centered on the idea of “toilet water.” But it was happy that the experiment was a success. The beer was only made for a special event. Stone Brewing is not permitted to sell it in stores or at the brewery’s restaurant. But other brewers around the country are taking notice. Kevin Ryan created Service Brewing Company in the southeastern U.S. state of Georgia because he loved making beer for friends and family. They told him his beer was so good, he should go into the business. So he did. Ryan knows how important water is to the beer business. “The southeast is always back-and-forth between drought and recovering from drought,” Ryan said. “As we can afford, we will try to be responsible consumers of that water. I think it’s great that somebody who’s established can use their platform to do the testing and demonstrate that you can make great beer with reclaimed water.” Ben Cook started Hangar 24, a brewery in Redlands, California. One of Hangar 24’s well-known beers is a wheat beer made with locally grown oranges. He was glad that Stone Brewing’s experiment got attention. “I have a biology background,” Cook said. “And water is water. It is H20, along with any minerals that are in it. I see no problem with it. But the public perception, because they don’t know that it’s just as clean as tap water, appears to be still pretty bad.” Cook said if his customers better understood how clean reclaimed wastewater really is, he would have “no problem” brewing beer with that kind of water. “If there’s something that’s better for the environment that we can afford to do, we always opt in,” Cook said. Other American brewers have also experimented with reclaimed-water beer. Researchers and brewers in the state of Arizona are working on a water-saving project. They received $250,000 to promote the use of reclaimed water. They are treating and using wastewater that will be used to make beer across the state this summer. And last year, small brewers in Florida experimented with making beer from reclaimed water. They taste-tested their work at a large water-treatment conference. I’m Dan Friedell. And I'm Jill Robbins.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Would you like to taste beer made from reclaimed water? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   scarce – adj. very small in amount or number : not plentiful filter – v. to remove (something unwanted) by using a filter sip – v. to drink (a liquid) slowly by taking only small amounts into your mouth pale – adj. to drink (a liquid) slowly by taking only small amounts into your mouth tropical – adj. to drink (a liquid) slowly by taking only small amounts into your mouth theme – n. a particular subject or issue that is discussed often or repeatedly drought – n. a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain platform – n. something that allows someone to tell a large number of people about an idea, product, etc. food chain – n. a series of types of living things in which each one uses the next lower member of the series as a source of food — usually used with the (often used figuratively) perception – n. the way you think about or understand someone or something — often + of tap – n. a device for controlling the flow of a liquid or gas from a pipe or container reclaim – v. to get (a usable material) from materials that have been used before opt – phrasal verb - to choose to do or be involved in something

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A 'Working' Vocabulary on Words to the Wise

  Hello again from the Learning English studio at the Voice of America. I’m Dorothy Gundy. Learning English reporter Pete Musto has joined me today. Hi Pete. Hi Dorothy. We want to talk about the English words and phrases that our audience wants to learn about on “Words to the Wise.” So, we asked for suggestions from you. And we got ideas! We did. Our fan Gustavo, for one, proposed a show about words found in the work world. Today, that is what we will talk about. I think first we should think of words that are similar in meaning to “job.” There are lots. Like “occupation.” It is kind of a more formal term than job but it means the same thing. Someone might ask you “what’s your job?” or they could ask “what’s your occupation?” and it would mean the same thing. Right -- both are perfectly acceptable usages. And, another word you use is “profession,” as in “what is your profession?” And even more commonly used “what do you do for a living?” That means “what’s your job?” as well. But job, occupation and profession cannot always be used in the exact same way. For example, let’s say you apply for a position at a college and you are hired. You might excitedly tell a friend, “I got the job!” You would not say “I got the occupation!” –- “I got the profession!” No, of course not. That would sound very strange. Strange, indeed. You would always use job in that structure. Or you could use the word “position.” True, that’s a fine substitute. Now, let’s say you remained in that job, or continued that kind of work, for a long time. That becomes what we call a “career.” Merriam Webster’s Learner’s Dictionary defines a career as a profession for which one trains and which is undertaken as a permanent calling. You could have a career in academia, which means university teaching. Or you could have a career in engineering, acting or journalism! There are a lot of fields or trades to go into. Fields? Trades? Yes. Not field like an open land covered in grass and other plants. Field can also be defined as an area or division of an activity, subject, or profession -- like medicine. Trade is similar: the business or work in which one engages regularly. So, let’s try to put this all together. You’re at a party and you meet someone new. You might say, “So what do you do for a living?” And they answer: “I’m retired…” Oh, lucky you! Right… “but I was in the pharmaceutical trade.” Oh, what was your job, sales? No. I was in the drug development field. I created a cure for the common cold and made a gazillion dollars. Wow, sounds like you had a wonderful career! Well, Pete, I think our “job” here is done. But we will revisit the subject of “work-talk” at another time on Words to the Wise. Thanks for joining us today. And please keep your comments coming. Tell us what you’d like to hear about on Words to the Wise. I’m Pete Musto And I’m Dorothy Gundy. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing apply – v. to ask formally for something (such as a job, admission to a school, a loan, etc.) usually in writing hire – v. to give work or a job to (someone) in exchange for wages or a salary indeed – adv. without any question — used to stress the truth of a statement substitute – n. a person or thing that takes the place of someone or something else

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Some US Schools Getting Electricity from the Sun

  The cost for homes in the United States to "go solar" has dropped by more than 60 percent over the last 10 years. “Going solar” means changing to an electrical source powered by the sun instead of coal or other dirty fuels. The dropping costs helped persuade more than a million Americans to put solar panels on top of their homes. Now, some public school systems are doing the same, including the schools in Fremont, Indiana. The people in this small town have always depended on sunshine to grow their crops and help bring visitors to their lakes. William Stitt leads Fremont’s school system. "The technology has advanced so much in the last couple of years that it’s become more energy efficient, more cost effective for schools to get solar energy.” Start-up costs Fremont will spend $3 million to build the solar project. When the system is in place, it will fully power the elementary, middle and high school buildings. It may even produce additional electricity that the school can sell to the power company. Several lines of 3,000 to 4,000 panels will be placed in a 2.5-hectare solar field behind the middle school. The school system will pay the local electricity company for use of its solar equipment. That periodic fee is to remain the same for 20 years.   Free electricity, one day Kim Quick is the head of building operations for the Fremont school system. He said Fremont schools will save money even with equipment fees. Unlike electricity costs, the equipment use fees will not go up. And, Quick said, the panels should last 40 years. After the 20 years of fees, the school district will fully own the panels. Then, the electric power they create will be free of cost. Some solar schools cost more  Just three percent of the nation’s 125,000 schools use some form of solar power. Some have higher related costs than others. But, a recent report from the Solar Foundation, a non-profit interest group, says that 72,000 U.S. schools, or 60 percent, could save money with solar. Schools could put panels on their buildings or place a field of panels over a car park. The Solar Foundation says those methods would save most schools an average of $1 million over 30 years. Educational opportunities Going solar might also offer schools valuable educational possibilities. It gives teachers a reason to teach related lessons on science, technology, engineering and math. All three schools in Fremont will have a display that kids can visit daily to learn how much energy is being used and saved. Fremont school system’s William Stitt is already looking to the future. "I’d love the community and the kids in 40 years to go, 'Man, they made a great decision 40 years ago by creating this solar project!'” If all goes as planned, the Fremont school system’s new solar field will be in operation by July. I’m Alice Bryant.   Erika Celeste reported this story for VOA News. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.   _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   solar panel - n. a large, flat piece of equipment that uses the sun's light or heat to create electricity advanced - adj. having or using new and modern methods efficient - adj. capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy display - n. an arrangement of objects intended to decorate, advertise, entertain, or inform people about something

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S. Koreans Look Ahead After Removal, Arrest of Former President

South Koreans are thinking about electing the country’s next leader after the arrest of former President Park Geun-hye. Park is the first democratically elected president of South Korea to be ousted from office. She was sent to jail early Friday. Her detention began after a court approved a warrant calling for her arrest. She is accused of bribery, extortion and abuse of power. The charges against Park are linked to the series of events that forced her from office. Government lawyers believe that Park and a longtime friend, Choi Soon-sil, pressured businesses to make donations to two organizations they controlled. They say South Korean companies gave over $69 million to the two groups. South Koreans were divided for months as lawmakers considered the case against the president. Park’s opponents held large protests calling for her ouster or resignation. Her supporters organized demonstrations to try to keep her in office. South Korean conservatives express regret But in Seoul on Friday, no one celebrated Park’s arrest, and there were no angry groups of Park supporters demanding her release. A pro-Park gathering is expected this weekend, but her party, the Liberty Korea Party, seems to want to distance itself from its former leader. In a statement, the party’s spokesman called Park’s arrest “regrettable.” He said “We hope such a painful history of arrest of a former president will not repeat itself in South Korea.” An election for a new president will take place on May 9th. After Park’s removal from office, many South Koreans have seemingly turned against conservative politicians. They blamed Park’s policies for increasing tensions with China and with North Korea over its weapons program. Chinese officials are angry about Park’s decision to accept an American anti-missile system. The Liberty Korea Party has been struggling to find a strong candidate for president. South Gyeongsang Province Governor Hong Joon-pyo is said to be a leading candidate. But his public approval rating in a recent Gallup Organization survey was just four percent. The Bareun Party was once part of the Liberty Korea Party. In a statement, Bareun said it respects the Supreme Court’s decision against Park. But the party questioned whether her arrest was necessary. It said the arrest harmed efforts to heal divisions within the country. Yoo Seung Min -- the Bareun party’s candidate for president -- has a two percent approval rating in the Gallup opinion poll. Victory for South Korea’s liberals The liberal Democratic Party of Korea had called Park’s removal from office a triumph of democracy. It also called her arrest a victory for the rule of law. The party’s spokesman said “Considering the fairness of law and principles, the arrest of former President Park is an obvious conclusion.” Democratic Party candidate Moon Jae-in has a 31 percent approval rating in the latest poll. That is more than any candidate for president. Ahn Cheol-soo – the leading candidate for the centrist People’s Party -- has a 19 percent approval rating in the poll. In a statement, Ahn said Park’s arrest, “is of her own making because she repeatedly gave false explanations without expressing apologies or regrets.” Prison time Park says she is innocent. She has yet to talk publicly about the charges. But after agreeing to cooperate with the government, she was questioned by investigators for 14 hours. Park can be held in prison for up to 20 days while she is being investigated. During this time, she must be charged or released. Her lawyers say she will not leave the country. But the Seoul Central District Court judge in charge of the case ordered her arrest, possibly concerned that she might destroy evidence. Park could be sent to prison for 10 years on charges of accepting bribes from heads of large South Korean companies in exchange for favors. The business chiefs include Samsung Group chief Jay Y. Lee. He denies charges that he provided bribes in exchange for special treatment. I’m John Russell. And I'm Caty Weaver.   VOA Correspondent Brian Padden reported this story from Seoul. Youmi Kim contributed to the report. John Smith 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   bribe – v. to try to get someone to do something by giving or promising something valuable (such as money); to give or offer a bribe to (someone) extort – v. to get (something, such as money) from a person by the use of force or threats poll – n. an activity in which several or many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something triumph – n. a great or important victory; a great success or achievement favor – n. a kind or helpful act that you do for someone  

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English @ the Movies: 'Ahead Of Your Time'

Today on English @ the Movies we talk about the saying "ahead of your time" from the movie "Beauty and the Beast." The movie is about a bright girl, her father and a Beast. Do you know what the saying "ahead of your time" means? Watch our video, take the quiz, and see if you guessed right!

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The Blue Hotel by Stephen Crane, Part One

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US presidents 07 Andrew Jackson

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