Interest in Hyperloop Transportation System Grows

The high-speed transportation system called Hyperloop is getting attention all over the world. Last week, groups from the United States presented proposals for Hyperloop projects at a meeting in Washington D.C. Hyperloop is the name for a transportation system that uses strong magnets to move containers inside tubes. The containers could move both people and goods. The system is the idea of businessman Elon Musk, who created and owns the company SpaceX and the electric car maker Tesla. He wrote a study in 2013 explaining why businesses should consider investing in the project. He said that Hyperloop could move people and goods faster than high-speed trains. In the document, Musk wrote that a transportation system like Hyperloop would be good for travel between big cities less than 1500 kilometers apart. Greater distances could be traveled more efficiently by fast airplanes. Musk and others think the people-movers could reach speeds greater than 1,000 kilometers an hour. That would reduce a trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco to less than one hour. It usually takes about six hours by car. A company seeking to develop the transportation system is Hyperloop One. It is a separate company from SpaceX. The company has a test track in the state of Nevada near Las Vegas. Hyperloop One launched what it called a Global Challenge. It looked at proposals from over 2000 teams in over 100 countries. They all claimed to have the best place for Hyperloop One’s first project. Hyperloop One recently announced it had chosen 35 semifinalists. Eleven of them were from the United States. Last week in Washington, D.C., Hyperloop One listened to presentations from the 11 U.S.-based semifinalists. Groups from states including Massachusetts, Colorado, Missouri, California and Texas presented their proposals. The shortest route links Boston, Massachusetts with Providence, Rhode Island. It is only about 100 kilometers, but it would reduce traffic in a busy part of the U.S. The trip would only take a few minutes. The longest proposed route is over 1,700 kilometers. It would link Houston, Texas with Cheyenne, Wyoming. Earlier this year, Hyperloop One went to India for a similar event. One of the proposed routes, known as Hyperloop India, would link Mumbai and Chennai. It could cover the distance of over 1,000 kilometers in less than an hour. Another event is planned for April 27 in London. The remaining semifinalists  will also show off their plans. Those include projects in Europe, Canada, Africa, the Middle East and South America. Later this year, Hyperloop One will choose three finalists it will consider for the high-speed transit project. Hyperloop One Vice President Nick Earle attended the event in Washington, D.C. According to a local radio station, he proposed that someday Hyperloop riders could go to dinner in a place 1,000 kilometers away and come home the same night. Anthony Foxx was the U.S. Secretary of Transportation during the second term of Barack Obama’s presidency. Foxx attended the event in Washington, D.C., and said it would be a good idea for organizations like Hyperloop One to prove that their system could work transporting goods before taking risks with people. Hyperloop One also announced last November that it made a deal with Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, to study a link with Abu Dhabi. During the announcement, Hyperloop One chief executive Rob Lloyd said “in the Emirates, we believe everything is possible.” I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reports from the Associated Press, WTOP and the Denver Post. Mario Ritter was the editor. Do you think you will ever see a Hyperloop in your area? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   concept – n. an idea of what something is or how it works efficient – adj. capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy show off – v. to make something noticeable route – n. a way to get from one place to another

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A Change of Heart for Chef Tim Ma

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Trump Plans to Sell Attack Planes to Nigeria to Fight Boko Haram

  The Trump administration has agreed to sell Nigeria up to twelve attack airplanes for its campaign against Boko Haram Islamic extremists. The sale will continue despite concerns over abuses committed by Nigeria's security forces, according to U.S. officials. The U.S. Congress is expected to be officially informed within weeks. A long history The sale of the aircraft to Nigeria has a long history. The country has been trying to buy them since 2015. However, the Nigerian air force has been accused of bombing civilian targets at least three times in recent years. In one incident on January 17 this year, a fighter jet repeatedly bombed a camp at Rann, near the border with Cameroon. Civilians fleeing from Boko Haram were living there. Between 100 and 236 civilians and aid workers were killed, according to officials’ and community leaders' counts. The bombing at Rann occurred on the same day the Obama administration planned to notify Congress of the aircraft sale to Nigeria. However, due to the incident, the sale was immediately put on hold.  In previous years, both the U.S. State Department and human rights groups have warned against the actions of the Nigerian military. The State Department said in 2016 that the Nigerian government has taken few steps to investigate or charge soldiers who commit violations. And in 2015 Amnesty International accused Nigeria's military of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The group accused Nigeria of the unauthorized killings of an estimated 8,000 Boko Haram suspects. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari promised to investigate the suspected abuses after he won office in 2015.  However, no soldier has yet been charged. Nigeria’s military has denied the allegations. Politically strategic Despite concerns about human rights abuses in the country, selling the aircraft to Nigeria helps the U.S. achieve some of its goals. The sale would improve the U.S. relationship with Nigeria, which is Africa's largest economy. The country is also in a strategic geographic position. The north of Nigeria sits on the edge of the Sahel, an area that bridges North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The Sahel has a desert-like climate and is not well governed. Experts warn that Islamic extremists like Boko Haram may expand their influence here. J. Peter Pham is vice president of the Atlantic Council in Washington, DC and the head of its Africa Center. Pham says that no country in Africa is more important for American interests than Nigeria. In Trump’s interests, too The aircraft deal also supports Trump's political goals. The U.S. president has said he wants to support nations fighting Islamic extremism. Trump also wants to increase U.S. manufacturing and create well-paid jobs for Americans. The aircraft he plans to sell Nigeria is made in Jacksonville, Florida. After Congress is officially informed of the sale, lawmakers have 30 days to reject the deal. However, a rejection is not likely. Many U.S. lawmakers support the sale, even if they are uncomfortable with the actions of the Nigerian military.  Senator Ben Cardin said this week that he is not trying to block the deal. But, he added, “There is progress that needs to be made in protecting the civilian population." I’m Phil Dierking.   This story was originally written for Associated Press by Richard Lardner and Michelle Faull. Phil Dierking adapted it for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. Do you it is a good idea for the United States to sell planes to Nigeria to fight Boko Haram?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   extremists – n. someone who has extreme ideas about politics, religion, etc.​ geographic - n. the natural features (such as rivers, mountains, etc.) of a place strategic – adj. of or relating to a general plan that is created to achieve a goal in war, politics, etc., usually over a long period of time​

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America's Presidents - William Henry Harrison

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April 12, 2017

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

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South Korea Prepares for Presidential Election

A presidential election will take place in South Korea next month. The results could produce a change in policy that may reduce tensions with North Korea and worsen them with the United States. The presidential election is set for May 9. It is to take place earlier than planned because former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office by South Korea’s National Assembly in December. That vote was confirmed by the country’s Supreme Court last month. Park is accused of involvement in a multi-million dollar bribery scandal. Government lawyers say large and powerful Korean companies were given favors in exchange for donations to organizations controlled by a friend of Park. Park was recently arrested. Prosecutors are trying to gather evidence that will permit them to charge her with bribery, extortion and abuse of power. If she is found guilty, she could be sent to prison for more than 10 years. Because of the scandal, support for Park’s conservative policies has weakened and her party has split. The major South Korean political parties have chosen their presidential candidates. The two candidates who have received the most support in public opinion surveys are from liberal parties that have been out of power since 2008. The Democratic Party Moon Jae-in is the Democratic Party candidate for president. A public opinion study by Realmeter says Moon has 41 percent support. Moon is a human rights lawyer who lost to Park in the 2012 election partly because voters believed he was not strong enough in his criticisms of North Korea. However, Park’s conservative policies have been criticized recently because of increased tensions with the North. Tensions have risen because of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un’s efforts to develop nuclear and missile programs. Moon said Park’s decision to limit ties with the North and use economic sanctions to pressure the North have failed. He said if he becomes president he would put in place a limited version of the so-called Sunshine Policy of Engagement. In the early 2000s, South Korea tried to build trust with North Korea through investment, exchanges and aid programs. At the same time, South Korea kept most sanctions in place. “We need to have two tracks of measures here. We need to be able to apply some pressure and coercion on North Korea, but on the other hand we should also start discussions and dialogue with North Korea,” Moon said. Moon’s support for talks with the North could cause tensions with the United States. He has said he strongly supports his country’s relations with the U.S. But he has also said South Korea should learn to say “no” to the U.S. He has not directly opposed the deployment of an American anti-missile program in South Korea. But Moon has said it should not be deployed until after the election, so the next president can decide whether it is worth the risk of worsening relations with China. China strongly opposes the program. The People’s Party Moderate candidate Ahn Cheol-soo recently won the nomination of the People’s Party. He has 34 percent support in the Realmeter poll. But his support has been growing in recent weeks. He left the 2012 presidential election to support Moon, but he says he will stay in the election this time and expects to win. Ahn has stronger national security policies than Moon. He supports the American anti-missile system. He also approves of international sanctions placed on North Korea for violating United Nations Security Council resolutions banning its nuclear program. But Ahn says, like Moon, he would support talks with North Korea. “What is the purpose of putting in sanctions against North Korea? Because we would like to persuade them to come to the negotiating table at the time we want and under the conditions that we want,” said Ahn. The issue of nuclear weapons Park’s conservative party has split. Those who remain loyal to her have named themselves Liberty Party Korea. Conservatives who supported her removal from office have formed the Bareun Party. The candidates of the two parties have stronger national security policies than Park. Neither one has more than 10 percent support in the recent Realmeter poll. Hong Joon-pyo is the Liberty Party Korea candidate. He is a former prosecutor. He has nine percent support in the Realmeter poll. In a speech accepting his party’s nomination, he promised to be a “resolute strongman” who can deal with pressure from the United States, China, Japan, North Korea and Russia. Hong strongly supports the anti-missile system. And he said if he is elected he will “immediately start discussions with the U.S. on the re-deployment of nuclear weapons” in South Korea. The U.S. removed nuclear weapons from South Korea in the early 1990s. Critics say returning them to South Korea would weaken international support for sanctions against the North’s nuclear program. The U.S. has promised to use its nuclear weapons to defend the South from an attack by the North. Bareun party presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min has three percent support in the public opinion survey. Yoo was once an aid to Park. Yoo successfully ran as an independent for the National Assembly. He supported Park’s impeachment and then created the Bareun party. Yoo also supports the deployment of nuclear weapons in South Korea. And he says the U.S. should deploy three anti-missile batteries, not one, paid for by South Korea. In addition to security, the South Korean economy will be a major election issue. The major candidates have different positions on limiting the influence of the country’s largest companies and increasing opportunity for young people who are having a difficult time finding good jobs. While Moon has the most support, some of the other candidates are reportedly thinking about leaving the race and giving their support to Ahn. This would give him more support than Moon.   VOA Correspondent Brian Padden reported this story from Seoul. Youmi Kim contributed reporting. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report 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   bribery – n. the act or crime of giving or accepting a bribe (which is a payment of something valuable -- such as money -- that is given in order to get someone to do something; usually a bribe is used to get someone to do something illegal or dishonest) scandal – n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong favor – n. a kind or helpful act that you do for someone extortion – n. the crime of getting money from someone by the use of force or threats sanction – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc. (usually plural) track – n. the course along which someone or something moves or proceeds coercion – n. the crime of making (someone) do something by using force or threats dialogue – n. a discussion or series of discussions that two groups or countries have in order to end a disagreement resolute – adj. very determined; having or showing a lot of determination strongman – n. a politician or leader who uses violence or threats battery – n. a group of two or more big guns used by the military  

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Avoid Ineffective Study Methods

Imagine you have a test in school. It could be for a class in history or mathematics. Even worse, you could have an English test. How should you prepare for this terrible event? What can you do before the big day to help you do better? Should you reread your history or math books? What about underlining important words or sentences? If you are like many students, you probably use both rereading and underlining. But are these truly the best methods? Today, on our Education Report, we will explore effective and ineffective ways to study for tests. You might learn that some study habits you used in the past might not be the best methods. Are rereading and highlighting effective? Rereading and highlighting are common strategies that you will see in schools around the world. Students look at information they have already read in an effort to remember what is important. Students often combine rereading with highlighting. They underline important information in what they read with a writing instrument such as a marker. American Mary Pyc is a cognitive scientist. She studies the human mind and its processes. Pyc says that both rereading and highlighting are ineffective study tools. While better than not studying at all, she believes they are not as useful as other habits. "For example, with rereading, it's maybe not as effective because you are not trying to actively retrieve the information. You are not seeing "what do I actually know about what I read?" With rereading what is going to happen is that it is going to feel like you already know the information because you've already read it. So, you have this sense of fluency that is leading you to think "Ok, yes, I know the information." The problem with highlighting, Pyc says, is that students have a false sense of understanding - similar to when they reread information. Also, there is a second problem that comes with highlighting. "Students aren't always aware of what the most important information is. So it's possible that they are maybe highlighting details that aren't as important as the higher level concepts." What can you do? So what should you do if rereading and highlighting are not the best ways to study for a test? One idea is to test yourself. We have discussed self-testing strategies in other education stories. Simple flashcards and practice exams can help when you want to make sure that you have learned something. Another strategy is what education experts have called “spaced practice.” This means to practice remembering the new information over time, instead of doing everything all at once. We will discuss spaced practice in a future Education Tips story. Regardless of which strategy you chose, you should know that effective learning takes time and it takes effort. The next time you have a test coming, try to plan for the big day so that you can give yourself time to engage in different study habits. And remember, rereading and highlighting are better than not studying at all, but there are better methods out there! I'm John Russell.   John Russell wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   ineffective – adj. not producing or having the effect you want; not effective engage – v. to get and keep; to ask someone to perform a service regardless – adv. without being stopped by trouble, difficulty flashcard – n. one of a seat of cards carrying information, such as words, numbers or other information practice – v. to perform or work at repeatedly so you become better at something highlight – v. to mark something in color for detail strategy – n. a careful plan or method habit – n. a way of doing something; a custom

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US Will Send 4,000 Somalis Back to Their Home Country

Somalia’s ambassador to the United States says his embassy has learned that U.S. immigration officers plan to deport about 4,000 Somali nationals. Ahmed Isse Awad is the Somali ambassador to the U.S. He spoke to the Voice of America’s Somali service on Saturday. He said that most of those set to be removed are not in detention centers. The Somali embassy in Washington reopened in November 2015. Since then, Awad said, about 170 Somali immigrants have been deported to Mogadishu, Somalia’s capital. Some of them broke U.S. law. Others applied for asylum but were denied. Another group of Somalis whose asylum requests were denied are now in detention centers or prisons. They will soon be deported. Fewer than 300 Somalis are currently set to be moved out in the next couple of months, Awad told VOA. He said that his embassy was waiting for information from U.S. authorities about who will be deported and when. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently arrested 82 people from 26 nations. This happened late last month during a five-day operation in and around Washington, D.C. In a statement, ICE said 68 of those detained had previously been convicted of crimes. Awad said a 50-year-old Somali man was among those detained last month. He identified himself as a top official in Somalia’s National Security Service. He had previously been deported to Somalia in 1996. "According to ICE, he came back to the U.S. in 1997 under a different name," Awad said. "In 2014, he was jailed for 11 months for forgery and drug-related crimes.” Since then, Awad said, the man has committed other crimes. U.S. immigration officials said eight of those arrested during ICE's recent operation had no known criminal records. They either had stayed longer than their visas permitted or ignored final orders to leave the country. Somalis who have already been sent back to Somalia have told VOA they returned to a changed – and dangerous -- country. Somalia has not had a strong central government for more than 25 years. Because of this, many nations have not forcibly returned Somali immigrants to Somalia because of safety concerns. Immigration policies in the United States, however, have become increasingly strict under the administration of President Donald Trump. I’m Alice Bryant.   Mohamed Olad Hassan reported this story for VOA’s Somali service. Alice Bryant adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   detention center - n. a place where people who have entered a country illegally are kept for a period of time deport - n. to force a person who is not a citizen to leave the country customs - n. an agency that enforces duties or taxes on imported goods forgery - n. the crime of falsely making or copying a document in order to deceive people strict - adj. used to describe a command or rule that must be obeyed

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US Seeks to Persuade Russia to End Support for Syria’s Assad

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has traveled to Moscow in an effort to persuade Russia to end support for Syrian leader Bashar al Assad. Tillerson’s trip follows the deadly chemical attack on civilians in Syria last week. Dozens of people were killed - including many women and children – and hundreds more were sickened. U.S. officials have blamed forces loyal to Assad for the attack. In response, U.S. President Donald Trump ordered missile strikes on the Syrian airfield suspected of launching the attack. A total of 59 missiles were fired. U.S. officials said the missile strikes had damaged about 20 percent of Syria’s air force capabilities. "We want to relieve the suffering of the Syrian people," Tillerson said before leaving for Moscow. "Russia can be a part of that future and play an important role. Or Russia can maintain its alliance" with Syria and Iran. Tillerson left for Russia after meeting with foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) nations in Italy. Speaking to reporters there, he said “it is clear” that Assad’s leadership “is coming to an end.” He added that Moscow had failed in its role as sponsor of a 2013 deal under which Assad had promised to give up his chemical weapons. "These agreements stipulated Russia as the guarantor of a Syria free of chemical weapons. It is unclear whether Russia failed to take this obligation seriously, or Russia has been incompetent. But this distinction doesn't much matter to the dead. We can't let this happen again." There were no scheduled plans for Tillerson to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Russian media outlets cited unnamed sources as saying the two might meet. Tillerson previously met with Putin while presiding over the Exxon Mobil oil company. He was awarded Russia's "Order of Friendship" by Putin in 2013. The Syrian government has denied its forces carried out the chemical attack. It instead blamed rebel forces. Russia and Iran have been strong supporters of Assad’s government. Both have aided his forces in the conflict against rebel fighters. Russia condemned the U.S. missile strikes in Syria. Before Tillerson’s arrival in Moscow, Putin said Russia had information about new "provocations" being planned. He suggested that opposition rebels could carry out chemical weapons attacks and attempt to blame Syria and Russia. Putin did not provide further details. But he added, "It reminds me of the events in 2003 when U.S. envoys to the [U.N.] Security Council were demonstrating what they said were chemical weapons found in Iraq. We have seen it already." Russia has called for a United Nations investigation into the chemical attack in Syria. Meanwhile, Turkey says tests have confirmed that the chemical used in the Syrian attack was the deadly nerve gas sarin. Turkey's health minister said the conclusion was reached after blood and urine samples were examined. The samples were used in autopsies on three victims of the gas attacks that were brought from Syria. Officials said the World Health Organization and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons participated in the tests. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   sponsor – n. organization that supports and/or gives money to a person or another group obligation – n. something a person does as a duty or because they think they have to do it incompetent – adj. lacking in ability or skills distinction – adj. quality or fact that makes something special or different provocation – n. action or occurrence that causes someone to become angry or start doing something​ autopsy - n. medical examination of a dead body to determine cause of death  

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April 11, 2017

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

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Global Outrage over Video of Man Pulled from Plane

  This is What’s Trending Today. Airline passengers around the world were upset when videos of a man being dragged off a United Airlines flight came out on Sunday night. The videos showed blood on the man’s face after his confrontation with the police. The airplane was completely full, but four airline employees still needed to get on the flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky. So, the airline asked passengers to give up their seats in return for money and the chance to take another flight the next day. It is a common practice for airlines when they do not have enough available seats on a flight. No one volunteered. So the airline said it would make a selection itself. Three people decided to leave the plane without a problem after being told they had been chosen. But one man resisted. The newspaper in Louisville reported Tuesday his name is David Dao. Passengers say Dao told the airline crew he was a doctor and had patients to see on Monday. Dao is 69. He has been practicing medicine in the U.S. since the 1970s. Some passengers said Dao said he thought he was chosen to leave the plane because he was Chinese. A different news report and another passenger said the man was originally from Vietnam. Airline employees asked police to help remove the man from his seat. Videos of the incident quickly showed up on Twitter and Facebook. They showed Dao being dragged off the plane. Other videos recorded later showed him back on the plane with blood on his face, saying, “I want to go home.” Eventually, Dao was removed from the plane and treated for his injuries. The flight was delayed for two hours as all the passengers had to leave the plane and get back on. But as the news of the uncomfortable situation spread around the world, many people in China said they thought Dao had been chosen because he was Asian. The Chinese social media site Sina Weibo was filled with comments about the incident. The New York Times reports one story had almost 300 million views and over 150,000 comments. Readers said they thought the man was chosen because the airline thought, “Asian-Americans are always obedient.” Other readers said the United States always challenges civil rights abuses in other countries. They wondered why United Airlines thought it could treat a passenger that way. Many others said Asian people should boycott United Airlines. United is one of the busiest U.S.-based airlines in Asia. There are almost 100 flights per week to China and Hong Kong. A boycott could cause financial problems for the airline. Joe Wong is a Chinese-American comedian who called for a boycott. He used Sina Weibo to write that many Chinese people are afraid to speak about discrimination. He said that keeps media and authorities from taking complaints of discrimination against Asians seriously.  The Chinese website Global Times reported a popular social media post in China showed a photo of a United Airlines airplane. The caption read: “If we cannot beat our competitors, we will beat our customers.” And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on reporting from the Associated Press, Louisville Courier-Journal, New York Times and Global Times. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think of the way Dao was treated? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   confront – v. to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way practice – n. something that is done often or regularly uncomfortable – adj. causing a feeling of being embarrassed or uneasy obedient – adj. willing to do what someone tells you to do or to follow a law, rule, etc. : willing to obey motto – n. a short sentence or phrase that expresses a rule guiding the behavior of a particular person or group

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