Who's in Your Inner Circle?

Now, the VOA Learning English program, Words and Their Stories. On this program we explore the origins and usage of words and expressions that we use everyday in our conversations. Sometimes, this show begins with a simple word. Then it builds and builds into a long story with many different expressions. Today, we start with the word “circle.” Let’s see where this circle leads us. A circle is simple and elegant. Mathematicians describe it as 360 degrees traveling endlessly around and around. The expression circle of life comes from this idea. Living creatures are constantly being born and dying, over and over, like a circle. Many of the circle expressions we will learn today mean just that – to go around and around while thinking, speaking or doing just about anything. Let’s continue with the phrase going around in circles. This expression means to spend a lot of time and effort trying to get something done, without making any progress. If some problem in your life has you going around in circles, it’s best to stop thinking about it for a while and clear your mind. Now, to run around in circles or to run in circles is not a type of exercise. If you are running in circles you are wasting time doing an activity that has no purpose or end. For example, I was planning to clean and organize my apartment over the weekend. It seemed like a simple task. But for hours, I just kept running around in circles. So, I decided to stop and try again next weekend. However, running circles around someone means something quite different. If you run circles around someone, you do something much better than another person or group of people. For example, “She runs circles around all the other kids in her math class.” And running circles around someone is completely different than running in the same circles with them. The word “circle” can also mean a group of people sharing a common goal or interest. So, to run in the same circles means that you go to similar places and know similar people as someone else. You can simply say, “We have been running in the same circles for years.” You can also define these circles in a more detailed way. For example, you can call your family members your family circle. This includes your immediate family -- your mom, dad, brothers and sisters -- and also your extended family -- your grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.    The people in your social circle are the friends with whom you socialize – you know, hang out and do fun things. If you hang out with people for a special reason, they can be in a special circle. Let’s say two mystery writers know each other from going to the same events for many years, you could say they run in the same literary circle. Those in your inner circle are the most trusted people in your life. They mean more than your social circle. They may include your family members, friends and professional colleagues – those who you trust most.   Now, talking in circles does not mean you are talking with people in your circles. To talk in circles is to talk a lot but not make much sense. When you talk in circles you may be trying to avoiding a topic; so, you talk around it.  When we circle back, we revisit something we have already done or discussed. For example, let’s say you bring up an issue at a work meeting but there isn’t enough time to discuss it. Your boss may say that the group will circle back to your issue at another time. And to come full circle is an expression that we use to describe something such as an idea, experience or career that has changed a lot -- only to find itself back to where it started. Imagine a dot that starts at one point on the outer part of a circle and travels all the way around, ending exactly where it started. That’s what circles do – they go around and around in 360 degrees. Now, let’s hear some of these circle expressions used in a short story. Samantha loves to go hiking. She loves being outdoors, exploring nature and seeing new parts of the country. Her goal is to hike every major trail in the eastern part of the United States -- from Maine to New York to the Carolinas and the Florida Keys. She may have a goal, but she doesn’t take hiking that seriously. To her, it’s just fun! So, she joins a hiking group in the city where she lives. In her new hiking circle, there’s one guy, Alex, who takes hiking very seriously. He even gets competitive, if such a thing is possible with hiking. For Alex, a hiking trail is something to defeat and then brag about later. He likes to say he runs circles around all the other hikers in the group. Samantha thinks this kind of talk is really silly and may represent a deeper personal problem. She wonders if she should even run in the same circle with Alex. But, she thinks, he does know some pretty great trails. So, she keeps him in her in hiking circle but out of her other social circles and nowhere near her inner circle. On a beautiful day in May, Samantha’s hiking circle meets to decide which trail to hike for their first summer trip. Samantha speaks up first. She suggests a mountain trail in West Virginia. It is one she knows very well. In fact, everyone in her family circle knows it really well. As a child her family spent summer vacations in the area. The others think it’s a great idea – well, everyone except Alex. For 15 minutes, he talks in circles. He gives reasons that do not make any sense about why they should not hike this trail. He adds that the trail is much too easy for him. This leads the others to wonder if the trail is worthwhile. So, they go around in circles for hours, talking about many trails but deciding on none. Many pots of coffee later, the group circles back to Samantha’s first suggestion. They decide to hike the trail in West Virginia after all. Samantha rolls her eyes but she is happy the selection process has come full circle. When the time comes, the group hikes the trail and everyone has a wonderful time -- well, again, everyone except Alex. He hiked the trail far ahead of everyone else, took a wrong turn and got lost. After a two-hour search-and-rescue effort, the park police found him shivering under a lot of leaves and sticks in the dark, cold night. Alex recovered. He’s fine. But he’s no longer a part of Samantha’s hiking circle … or anyone’s hiking circle. The last the group heard, he quit hiking and joined a competitive yoga group. That is one circle, Samantha thought, that I want nothing to do with. And that is some of our expressions using this simple shape that goes around in 360 degrees – the circle. We began our show with a simple definition of a circle. And now, we have come full circle. Join us again next week when we will circle back with new expressions to teach. I’m Anna Matteo.     Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Natalie Merchant is singing her song “Circle” at the end. _____________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story elegant – adj. simple and clever immediate – adj. being next in line or relation the immediate family extended family – n. a family that includes in one household near relatives (such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles) brag – v. to talk boastfully rolls one’s eyes – idiom : To turn one's eyes upward or around in a circle, usually as an expression of exasperation, annoyance, impatience, or disdain. shiver – v. to shake slightly (as from cold or fear) yoga – n. a system of exercises for mental and physical health

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China Heads New Alliance of Asian Universities

  China has organized an alliance of Asian universities to compete with western educational institutions. The alliance will share resources and increase exchanges of students and teachers. The new organization is called the Asian University Alliance (AUA). It was launched in late April at Tsinghua University in Beijing. The Chinese university was elected as chair of the group that includes a total of 15 universities from 14 countries and areas. A goal of increasing ‘Asian wisdom’ China’s Vice Premier Liu Yandong spoke at opening ceremonies at of the AUA on Saturday in Beijing. She said the new organization was important to China. Liu said the educational alliance will provide “Asian wisdom to resolve regional and global problems. She added that the group will combine “outstanding global talents with an international perspective and to serve regional development.” Other universities included in the alliance are Peking University, the University of Tokyo, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the National University of Singapore, and Seoul National University in South Korea. The Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai, King Saudi University in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates University, Malaysia’s University of Malaya and the University of Indonesia are also in the group. Others members of the alliance are the University of Yangon in Myanmar, the University of Colombo in Sri Lanka, Chulalongkorn University of Thailand, and Nazarbayev University of Kazakhstan. People who attended the first board meeting of the AUA confirmed that Tsinghua University has offered to fund the organization with $1.5 million dollars. Members currently pay a fee of $5,000. Rankings and research seen as very important The goal of the group is to help Asian schools rise in the world rankings. The top universities in the world are mainly in western developed nations like the United States and Britain. High rankings are important to attract research money from private business and international organizations. Rankings also help in attracting the best teachers and students from around the world. Tan Eng Chye is Deputy President and Provost of the National University of Singapore. He said, “Ranking is invariably based more on research because, if you look at educational outcomes, it is harder to gauge.” He also said research spending is important. “And if you pool in a lot of money into research, then, I think, you will go up quite quickly (in the rankings).” Tan said that governments should play an important part in funding research. Only five percent of the research has an immediate application, he said. So industry often does not want to support the other 95 percent that does not lead to new products immediately. The desire to pool research and develop a greater exchange of students and teachers caused several Asian universities to join the AUA. “This alliance will help us refocus on Asian universities in a lot of areas like student mobility, faculty exchange, and joint research,” said Prasanna M. Mujumdar, director of IIT, Bombay. China could gain from reducing its dependence on western institutions for high technology and it is looking towards Asian universities. Some observers compare the move to China’s creation of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank in 2014. The bank has increased China’s leadership position in Asia and expanded its international influence. I’m Mario Ritter.   Saibal Dasgupta reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. 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 Rankings –n. a list of something ordered according to quality, size or some other characteristic Gauge –v. to make a judgment about something Pool –v. to combine money collected from others to be divided among the group

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Drop in Military Spending in Africa

  Military spending in Africa has slowed down after more than a decade of growth. The main reason, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, is a drop in oil prices. Nan Tian is an analyst at SIPRI's Arms and Military Expenditure Program. He notes that the sharp drop in oil prices has affected many African countries – South Sudan and Angola, in particular. The SIPRI report found military spending in Africa in 2016 went down 1.3 percent from the previous year. Overall, military spending on the continent totaled about $37.9 billion. Despite the drop, Africa's military spending is still 48 percent higher than it was a decade ago. Some of Africa's biggest military spenders have included Angola and Algeria. Angola has been trying to modernize its air force and navy, while Algeria has tried to maintain stability amid the collapse of Libya. Both of those countries have slowed spending recently, Tian noted. However, not all countries saw a drop in military spending. According to SIPRI's report, Botswana's military spending grew by 40 percent, or about $152 million dollars. Botswana, with its long record of peace and good governance, is modernizing its military. Nigeria, Kenya and Mali also increased spending due to extremist threats in their region. Is military spending in Africa at the right level? Perhaps the most important question, Tian says, is whether military spending in Africa is at the right level. Ten African countries spend more than 3 percent of their gross domestic product, or GDP, on their militaries. In 2016, the Republic of Congo spent around 7 percent of its GDP on its military; Algeria spent around 6.7 percent of GDP. In comparison, global military spending is 2.2 percent of GDP. Tian explains that Africa is the poorest continent. He asks, "Are they spending enough or are they spending too much on military based on their current income levels? Should they rather be prioritizing other aspects of spending – maybe health care, maybe education, maybe infrastructure?" I'm John Russell. Salem Solomon reported this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted the story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   modernize – v.  to make (something) modern and more suited to present styles or needs maintain – v. to cause (something) to exist or continue without changing income – n. money that is earned from work, investments, business, etc.

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Amnesty International Report Criticizes Bangladesh Internet Laws

The human rights group Amnesty International has condemned laws governing the Internet in Bangladesh. In a report released on Tuesday, the group called the laws that attempt to silence government critics in the country “draconian,” or very severe. Amnesty said members of the media are under attack by both police and armed groups. Olof Blomgvist is the report’s lead researcher. “Between the violence of armed groups and repression of the state, [non-religious] voices in Bangladesh are being … silenced,” Blomgvist said. “Not only is the government failing to protect people’s freedom of expression, it is blaming them for the threats they face and criminalizing the work of [internet writers] and journalists.” The Amnesty report lists a communication technology law passed in 2006 as the main tool that the Bangladeshi government uses to silence critics. The government strengthened that law in 2013, giving police the ability to arrest journalists without permission from a judge. The report says that, since then, several well-known writers and editors have faced “politically motivated criminal charges.” Most of those charged, the report continues, have worked with media organizations that are “critical of the government or supportive of the political opposition.” Some journalists, Amnesty reports, say the government’s repression today is the worst that reporters have faced since 1991, when the country returned to civilian rule. Non-religious internet writers in Bangladesh are also facing threats of violence from religious extremists, the report says. It claims that police almost never take action against these extremists. The report lists the 2013 murder of internet writer Rajib Haider as the first of several murders of non-religious writers and activists that had limited police response. Several non-religious internet writers told Amnesty that they had received death threats because of their publications. They say they tried to receive help from the police. But the police just suggested that the writers leave the country. Government officials have rejected the claims of the Amnesty report. Rashed Khan Menon, the Civil Aviation Minister, called the report “old and recycled.” He told BenarNews on Wednesday, “[It] is not a reflection of the latest situation in Bangladesh. We cannot accept this.” BenarNews and VOA are each part of the U.S. government-supported Broadcasting Board of Governors. I’m Pete Musto.   Joshua Fatzick reported this for VOA News. Pete Musto adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. How does the government in your country treat critical voices? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   journalist(s) – n. a person whose job is collecting, writing, and editing news stories for newspapers, magazines, television, or radio motivate(d) – v. to be a reason for something recycle(d) – v. to use something again reflection – n. something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else

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Violence Returns to C.A.R., Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

  Armed groups in the Central African Republic have killed at least 45 people and burned villages in the last few months. Several years ago, a civil war in the C.A.R. left thousands of people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands more.  Now, aid workers warn that the country may be returning to conflict. Since September, more than 100,000 people have fled their homes. The conflict is between the mainly Christian anti-balaka rebels, and the mostly Muslim former Séléka rebels.  In northern C.A.R., anti-balaka rebels used the village of Bambara as a base. However, the soldiers stole cows from nearby nomadic people. A militia of former Séléka rebels reacted by attacking the village. They killed about 25 people and burned more than 600 houses.  The militia killed the older brother of Alexi Finicule, a member of the village, and burned his house down. "My father died of old age," Finicule said, "but when my big brother was killed, I was very shocked by that. I will always remember what happened here." The former Séléka also shot and wounded Finicule. He fled to the nearby forest and hid. Finicule later returned to Bambara and received supplies from the U.N.'s International Organization of Migration to rebuild his house.  However, his family does not want to live in it because of the killing there.  In the hands of God The new violence has been a major setback for aid workers. According to I.O.M. operations assistant Fabrice Tiro, the villagers have no food nor seeds to grow some. They also lack clean water. "Everything was destroyed in these events. They are starting from zero." Even the town’s school was burned to the ground. "We don't have anything," said village member Apaulinere Horouro. At a displaced persons camp in nearby Ndim is a group of ethnic Puehl. They have been displaced twice due to fighting over the past few months.  Alazi Makouri is the village chief. "The future for us is truly in the hands of God," he said, "because the population of the nearby village are the ones protecting us. We don't have any say in the matter." Makouri said the anti-balaka attacked his village not the former Séléka.  The attackers also stole about 150 of their cows. After the attack, the villagers moved a short distance and started to regrow crops. But, they were attacked again. Finally, they went to the camp. Homeless in their own home More than 400,000 people are displaced in the Central African Republic about a fifth of the country's population. The medical aid group Doctors without Borders said that civilians in the Central African Republic are being attacked in the country at levels not seen in years. The group supports a hospital in Paoua in the northwest of the country. The project coordinator at the hospital said it is difficult for the organization to get distant rural areas in need. "Central African [Republic] is one of the poorest countries in the world and needs to be supported but the people are focusing on the conflict," said Abdel Kader Tlidjane of MSF. "But it takes time for people to solve it. During this time we should be able to carry on with normal activities to give this access and it's not easy." Currently, the biggest problem at the Paoua hospital is malaria. Medical workers are also seeing and treating war-wounds.  Since the crisis of 2013-2014, more than half of the population depends on humanitarian aid.  However, officials say aid levels for the year for the Central African Republic are at only 10 percent what they should be. UN officials told VOA the "disastrous" lack of support hurts the chance of peace. I’m Phil Dierking   ­­­­­­­­­­­­This story was originally written for VOA News by Zack Baddorf. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. How do you think the Central African Republic can find peace?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   graze – v. to eat grass or other plants that are growing in a field, pasture, etc.​ humanitarian – adj. a person who works to make other people's lives better​ nomadic – adj.  to move from place to place instead of living in one place all the time scar – n. a mark that is left on your skin after a wound heals​

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English in a Minute: Wires Crossed

This expression comes from old telephone wires. Learn what it means and how to use it in this week's EIM!

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'Stressing Out' on Words to the Wise

Welcome back to Words to the Wise. I'm Caty Weaver. Bryan Lynn is in the studio with me. Hi Bryan! Hi Caty! Last month, Zerrouq from Morocco sent us a suggestion for a topic. He said he would like to learn terms connected to emotional and mental health. So today, we will explore the vocabulary of the human psyche. But before that, we had another question from website visitor Kufre Etuk. Kufre wants to know the difference between toward and towards. Easy answer --- nothing! The words are interchangeable and an issue of personal choice. I always use toward, and that is the more common usage, I think, among US and Canadian English. Towards is heard more in countries that speak British English. Good question, Kufre. Now you do not have to feel any stress about which word to use. I see you used the word stress there, Bryan! That is one of the terms Zerrouq asked us about. Stress is a state of mental tension. It is the opposite of calm or peaceful. Mental stress might happens when a person is being judged or measured – like with school or work. Or if you're on trial! Talk about being judged! Yes, if you have to go to court you would probably be stressed about it. Sometimes people use the phrase “stressed out.” That means they feel more stress than they can deal with. They are overstressed. If you are a parent of a teenager you might hear this expression pretty often. “Mom, you’re stressing me out.” That is especially common after you tell the teen to clean her room…or do study for his test…or just get out of bed! But stress can lead to -- or be a sign of -- more serious mental disorders, like depression. Yes, that is true. Merriam Webster defines depression as “low in spirits.” Other dictionaries describe it as a feeling of sadness. Depression can be a short-term reaction to something bad that happens. But it can also be long term condition. U.S. mental health officials define it as “a serious mood disorder that affects how you feel, think, and handle daily activities, like sleeping, eating, or working.” Mood. That is a good word for us to talk about. Your mood is your emotional state. If you are enjoying a walk in a pretty park on a warm, sunny day, you are probably in a good mood. If you are watching a sad movie it might bring your mood down. If you are stuck in traffic, you might get in a really bad mood. Yes, bad traffic can cause anxiety, especially if you are trying to get somewhere at a certain time. Anxiety is a state of worry and unease. The adjectival form is anxious. For example, I am anxious I will be late for the wedding. Do you get anxious when you are flying on a plane? Oh yes, flying can cause stress for a lot of people, including me. Some suffer from a fear of flying. The medical term for that is aviophobia. A phobia is an extreme or unreasonable fear or dislike of something. A couple common conditions are acrophobia, a fear of heights; and claustrophobia, a fear of small spaces. And a few years back there was a horror movie called Arachnophobia. That was about an invasion of deadly spiders. That is my phobia! I am terrified of spiders! I actually had a panic attack watching that movie. I’ve never had one before. What is it like? What does it mean? Well, panic is sudden uncontrollable fear or anxiety.  It can cause wild, sort of, unthinking behavior. A panic attack is a period of extreme anxiety. It might even become hard for a person to breathe. Which is what happened when I watched Arachnophobia. People who have phobias or other disorders often seek mental health therapy. Therapy is a term that can be used for any kind of continuous medical treatment. People might go to physical therapy after a knee operation, for example.  But when people just say therapy alone, they often mean mental health or psychotherapy. Another word for such therapy is counseling. Counseling or therapy can come in all kinds of settings. You can meet with a group of people that share a common problem, or you can have private visits with a doctor called a psychiatrist. You might also have a longer-term stay at a medical center. Yeah, like when movie stars check themselves into to rehab. Rehab stands for rehabilitation. To rehabilitate means to restore to a healthy condition. There are many rehab centers in the U.S. that treat drug addiction, for example. That's another term worth explaining -- drug addiction. This means a dangerous, unhealthy dependence on a drug or drugs. This can include alcohol. Although, a dependence on alcohol is often called alcoholism. I think I might be addicted to caffeine. I cannot do much of anything before I have my morning coffee. This addiction does not seem to cause me real problems, though. But, I do get a bad mood if I don’t have coffee! Yes, Caty, I definitely do not want to work with you on a day you missed your morning coffee. OK...very funny. Please comment on our webpage and let us know what you thought of this show. And, tell us what you’d like us to talk about in a future Words to the Wise. I’m Caty Weaver And I’m Bryan Lynn.    

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Chinese Students Arrested for Cheating on TOEFL Exam

  International students attending American colleges are required to have test scores showing the ability to speak and write in English. Many universities require a minimum score on the TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, [of] between 79 and 100. The score is calculated in four parts: reading, speaking, listening and writing. According to the 2016 Open Doors report, there are over 328,000 students from China out of a million international students in the United States. However, some students who want to come to the U.S. may not be able to score that high on the tests. This, in turn, has launched an industry to meet their demand. This week, police arrested four students for cheating on their TOEFL. Yue Wang, a business school student in Massachusetts, received $7,000 to take the tests for three other students. Those three students were admitted to Arizona State University, Penn State University and Northeastern University. William Weinreb is the acting U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts. He said the students broke the rules of the exam and took spots at universities that could have gone to qualified students. The students in the case face charges of trying defraud the United States because they used false results to receive student visas from the U.S. State Department. It is not the first time something like this has happened. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Justice charged 15 Chinese students who planned to have others take the college admissions test for them. Earlier this year, the College Board canceled the results of the international SAT [Scholastic Aptitude Test] for some students after concerns of cheating arose. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a report from Reuters. Hai Do was the editor. What do you think about the TOEFL cheating? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________   Words in This Story minimum - adj. the lowest number or amount that is possible or allowed — usually singular calculate - v. to find (a number, answer, etc.) by using mathematical processes defraud – v. to trick or cheat someone or something in order to get money : to use fraud in order to get money from a person, an organization, etc. arise - v. to begin to occur or to exist​  

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Mental Health Experts Concerned Over Netflix's '13 Reasons Why'

  It is painful and difficult television to watch.  The suicide of Hannah Baker, the main character in Netflix’s popular show “13 Reasons Why,” does not come as a surprise. The series is built around the character’s death. But knowing that it is coming does not make it any easier to watch. The 17-year-old girl climbs into a bathtub. She is holding a sharp tool called a razor. She uses it to cut into her skin on her arm. Blood spills out quickly. She cries and struggles to breathe. Then, she is quiet and still.  “13 Reasons Why” is based on a 2007 young-adult book written by Jay Asher. It is about a high school student who kills herself and leaves behind 13 audio recordings that detail the events that led her to commit suicide.  In the recordings, she describes her experiences with sexual violence, drug abuse and bullying. The 13-part show was co-produced by American actress and singer Selena Gomez. The streaming service Netflix released the show on March 31. WATCH: OFFICIAL TRAILER OF '13 REASONS WHY'  ​ Following its release, educators and mental health experts sharply criticized the show. They say it “romanticizes” suicide -- or makes it seem appealing or interesting.  Officials at some U.S. schools sent students home with letters, warning parents that the show may be harmful. They offered suggestions for how to talk about suicide. Some urged parents to watch and discuss the show with their children. The creators of “13 Reasons Why” say they do not feel the show romanticizes suicide. They say it shows suicide as “very ugly and very damaging.” Brian Yorkey is one of the writers. He won a Tony Award and a Pulitzer Prize for the musical “Next to Normal” -- a play about mental illness. He said that “13 Reasons Why” brings up difficult issues that parents and their children should be talking about more. "I understand it's hard to watch," Yorkey said [to the Associated Press]. "It was supposed to be hard to watch, because these things are incredibly hard to endure and we wanted to say, 'These things are happening in kids' lives. You can keep quiet about them. You can keep kids from watching shows about them. It's not going to stop them from happening in kids' lives and you should be talking about that.'" Mental health experts, however, have described the show as “unsafe.” Phyllis Alongi is the clinical director for The Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide. “Graphic details about suicide we know historically are not recommended,” she told the Associated Press. “I understand what the producers are saying but it could be really unsafe and I think we need to be a little more responsible.” The Washington Post last week reported on the comments of a school official in the state of Florida. He said his district has experienced an increase in “at-risk” behavior since the release of the show.  Such behavior includes threats of suicide or self-injury. The official said that students involved in the incidents made mention of “13 Reasons Why.” The show also has created concerns around the world. Schools in some Canadian provinces have barred discussion of the show. A doctor with Australia’s Headspace counseling services put out a statement about “13 Reasons Why.”  He wrote, “There is a responsibility for broadcasters to know what they are showing and the impact that certain content can have on an audience -- and a young audience in particular.” The New Zealand government’s Office of Film and Literature Classification has barred people under 18 from watching “13 Reasons Why” without their parents. The government said the show ignores the common link between suicide and mental illness. “People often commit suicide because they are unwell, not simply because people have been cruel to them," it said. Selena Gomez, who has talked openly about her own mental-health struggles, said she was prepared for criticism of the show. “It’s going to come no matter what. It’s not an easy subject to talk about. But I’m very fortunate with how it’s doing,” Gomez told the Associated Press.   There is no debate that the show is popular, especially on social media. It has become the most talked-about show on Twitter in 2017. More than 2.4 million people like its Facebook page.   It also has seen success among some television critics. The Boston Globe’s Matthew Gilbert calls it “sensitive” and “surprising.”  Liz Shannon Miller with IndieWire called the performance of Katherine Langford, who plays Hannah Baker, “believable and raw.” However, mental health experts are more concerned with how such performances might affect teenagers who watch them. The National Association of School Psychologists published a notice on its website about the show. It offers tips for educators, parents and students. An official with the association told the Washington Post it was the first time it has ever put out a notice in response to a TV show. Netflix announced Monday it plans to add a warning message for viewers of “13 Reasons Why.” "There has been a tremendous amount of discussion about our series 13 Reasons Why," Netflix said in a statement. “While many of our members find the show to be a valuable driver for starting important conversation with their families, we have also heard concern from those who feel the series should carry additional advisories.” Netflix has not said what that message will include. I’m Caty Weaver. And I'm Ashley Thompson.    The Associated Press' Mark Kennedy reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English, with additional material from the Washington Post and additional reporting. Mario Ritter was the editor.  _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   razor - n.  a tool or device with a sharp edge that is used to shave or cut hair from the face, body, or head bully  - v. to frighten, hurt, or threaten (a smaller or weaker person) : to act like a bully toward (someone) romanticize - v. to think about or describe something as being better or more attractive or interesting than it really is ugly - adj.  very bad or unpleasant incredibly - adv. in a way that is difficult or impossible to believe endure - v. to experience (pain or suffering) for a long time graphic - adj.  shown or described in a very clear way — used especially to refer to things that are unpleasant or shocking recommend - v. ​to suggest that someone do (something)​ mention  - v. to talk about, write about, or refer to (something or someone) especially in a brief way cruel - adj. used to describe people who hurt others and do not feel sorry about it fortunate - adj. having good luck : enjoying good fortune sensitive - adj. able to express thoughts and feelings through writing, music, dance, etc. tips - n. advice or useful information tremendous - adj. very large or great

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'The Blue Hotel,' by Stephen Crane, Part Two

We present the second of four parts of the short story "The Blue Hotel," by Stephen Crane. The story was originally adapted by the U.S. Department of State. The audio was recorded and produce by VOA Learning English. “I think you are tongue-tied,” said Scully finally to his son, the cowboy, and the Easterner; and at the end of this sentence he left the room. Upstairs the Swede was closing his bag. His back was half-turned toward the door, and hearing a noise there, he turned and jumped up, uttering a loud cry. Scully’s face was frightening in the light of the small lamp he carried. This yellow shine, streaming upward, left his eyes in deep shadows. He looked like a murderer. “Man! Man!” exclaimed Scully. “Have you gone mad?” “Oh, no! Oh, no!” answered the other. “There are people in this world who know nearly as much as you do—understand?” For a moment they stood gazing at each other. Then Scully placed the light on the table and sat himself on the edge of the bed. He spoke slowly. “I never heard of such a thing in my life. It’s a complete mystery. I can’t think how you ever got this idea into your head.” Then Scully lifted his eyes and asked, “And did you really think they were going to kill you?” The Swede looked at the old man as if he wished to see into his mind. “I did,” he said at last. He apparently thought that this answer might cause an attack. As he worked on his bag his whole arm shook, the elbow trembling like a bit of paper. Having finished with his bag, the Swede straightened himself. “Mr. Scully,” he said with sudden courage, “how much do I owe you?” “You don’t owe me anything,” said the old man angrily. “Yes, I do,” answered the Swede. He took some money from his pocket and held it out to Scully, but the latter moved his hand away in firm refusal. “I won’t take your money,” said Scully. “Not after what’s been happening here.” Then a plan seemed to come to him. “Here,” he cried, picking up his lamp and moving toward the door. “Here! Come with me a minute.” “No,” said the Swede, in great alarm. “Yes,” urged the old man. “Come on! I want you to come—just across the hall—in my room.” The Swede must have decided that the hour of his death had come. His mouth dropped open and his teeth showed like a dead man’s. He at last followed Scully across the hall, but he had the step of one hung in chains. “Now,” said the old man. He dropped suddenly to the floor and put his head beneath the bed. The Swede could hear his dulled voice. “I’d keep it under my pillow if it weren’t for that boy Johnnie. Where is it now? I never put it twice in the same place. There—now, come out!” Finally he came out from under the bed, dragging with him an old coat. “I’ve got it,” he whispered. Still on the floor on his knees, he unrolled the coat and took from it a large, yellow-brown whiskey bottle. His first act was to hold the bottle up to the light. Satisfied, apparently, that nobody had touched it, he pushed it with a generous movement toward the Swede. The weak-kneed Swede was about to eagerly grasp this element of strength, but he suddenly pulled his hand away and cast a look of terror upon Scully. “Drink,” said the old man in a friendly tone. He had risen to his feet, and now stood facing the Swede. There was a silence. Then again Scully said, “Drink!” The Swede laughed wildly. He seized the bottle, put it to mouth. And as his lips curled foolishly around the opening and his throat worked, he kept his glance, burning with hate, upon the old man’s face. After the departure of Scully, the three men, still at the table, sat for a long moment in surprised silence. Then Johnnie said, “That’s the worst man I ever saw.” “Oh, I don’t know,” replied the Easterner. “Well, what do you think makes him act that way?” asked the cowboy. “He’s frightened.” The Easterner knocked his pipe against the stove. “He’s frightened right out of his senses.” “At what?” asked Johnnie and the cowboy together. “I don’t know, but it seems to me this man has been reading cheap novels about the West, and he thinks he’s in the middle of it—the shooting and killing and all.” “But,” said the cowboy, deeply shocked, “this isn’t a wild place. This is Nebraska.” “Yes,” added Johnnie, “and why doesn’t he wait until he really gets out West?” The traveled Easterner laughed. “Things aren’t bad even there— not in these days. But he thinks he’s right in the middle of hell.” Johnnie and the cowboy thought for a long while. “It’s strange,” remarked Johnnie at last. “Yes,” said the cowboy. “This is a queer game. I hope we don’t get a lot of snow, because then we’d have to have this man with us all the time. That wouldn’t be any good.” Soon they heard a loud noise on the stairs, accompanied by jokes in the voice of old Scully; and laughter, evidently from the Swede. The men around the stove stared in surprise at each other. The door swung open, and Scully and the Swede came into the room. Five chairs were now placed in a circle about the stove. The Swede began to talk, loudly and angrily. Johnnie, the cowboy, and the Easterner remained silent while old Scully appeared to be eager and full of sympathy. Finally the Swede announced that he wanted a drink of water. He moved in his chair, and said that he would go and get some. “I’ll get it for you,” said Scully at once. “No,” refused the Swede roughly. “I’ll get it for myself.” He got up and walked with the manner of an owner into another part of the hotel. As soon as the Swede was out of the room, Scully jumped to his feet and whispered quickly to the others: “Upstairs he thought I was trying to poison him.” “This makes me sick,” said Johnnie. “Why don’t you throw him out in the snow?” “He’s all right now,” declared Scully. “He was from the East, and he thought this was a rough place. That’s all. He’s all right now.” The cowboy looked with admiration upon the Easterner. “You were right,” he said. “Well,” said Johnnie to his father, “he may be all right now, but I don’t understand it. Before, he was afraid, but now he’s too brave.” Scully now spoke to his son. “What do I keep? What do I keep? What do I keep?” he demanded in a voice like thunder. He struck his knee sharply to indicate he himself was going to make reply, and that all should listen. “I keep a hotel,” he shouted. “A hotel, do you hear? A guest under my roof has special privileges. He is not to be threatened. Not one word shall he hear that would make him want to go away. There’s no place in this town where they can say they took in a guest of mine because he was afraid to stay here.” He turned suddenly upon the cowboy and the Easterner. “Am I right?” “Yes, Mr. Scully,” said the cowboy, “I think you’re right.” “Yes, Mr. Scully,” said the Easterner, “I think you’re right.” At supper that evening, the Swede burned with energy. He sometimes seemed on the point of bursting into loud song, and in all of his madness he was encouraged by old Scully. The Easterner was quiet; the cowboy sat in wide-mouthed wonder, forgetting to eat, while Johnnie angrily finished great plates of food. The daughters of the house, when they were obliged to bring more bread, approached as carefully as rabbits. Having succeeded in their purpose, they hurried away with poorly hidden fear. The Swede controlled the whole feast, and he gave it the appearance of a cruel affair. He seemed to have grown suddenly taller; he gazed bitterly into every face. His voice rang through the room. After supper, as the men went toward the other room, the Swede hit Scully hard on the shoulder. “Well, old boy, that was a good meal.” Johnnie looked hopefully at his father. He knew that the old man’s shoulder was still painful from an old hurt. And indeed, it appeared for a moment as if Scully were going to flame out in anger about it. But Scully only smiled a sickly smile and remained silent. The others understood that he was admitting his responsibility for the Swede’s new attitude. When they were gathered about the stove, the Swede insisted on another game of cards. In his voice there was always a great threat. The cowboy and the Easterner both agreed, without interest, to play. Scully said that he would soon have to go to meet the evening train, and so the Swede turned to Johnnie. For a moment their glances crossed like swords, and then Johnnie smiled and said, “Yes, I’ll play.” They formed a square around the table. The Easterner and the Swede again played together. As the game continued, it was noticeable that the cowboy was not playing as noisily as before. Scully left to meet the train. In spite of his care, an icy wind blew into the room as he opened the door. It scattered the cards and froze the players. The Swede cursed frightfully. When Scully returned, his icy entrance interrupted a comfortable and friendly scene. The Swede cursed again, but soon they were once more giving attention to their game, their heads bent forward and their hands moving fast. Scully took up a newspaper, and as he slowly turned from page to page it made a comfortable sound. Then suddenly he heard three awful words: “You are cheating!” The little room was now filled with terror. After the three words, the first sound in the room was made by Scully’s paper as it fell forgotten to his feet. His eyeglasses had fallen from his nose, but by a grasp he had caught them. He stared at the card-players. Probably the silence was only an instant long. Then, if the floor had been suddenly pulled out from under the men, they could not have moved more quickly. The five had thrown themselves at a single point. Johnnie, as he rose to throw himself upon the Swede, almost fell. The loss of the moment allowed time for the arrival of Scully. It also gave the cowboy time to give the Swede a good push which sent him backwards. The men found voices together, and shouts of anger, appeal, or fear burst from every throat. The cowboy pushed and pulled feverishly at the Swede, and the Easterner and Scully held wildly to Johnnie. But through the smoky air, above the straining bodies of the peace-compellers, the eyes of the enemies steadily warned each other. Scully’s voice was loudest. “Stop now! Stop, I say! Stop, now—” Johnnie, as he struggled to break away from Scully and the Easterner, was crying, “Well, he says I cheated! He says I cheated! I won’t allow any man to say I cheated! If he says I cheated him, he’s a—!” The cowboy was telling the Swede, “Stop now! Do you hear?” The screams of the Swede never ceased: “He did cheat! I saw him! I saw him!” As for the Easterner, he was begging in a voice that was not heard: “Wait a moment, can’t you? Oh, wait a moment. What’s the use of fighting over a game of cards? Wait a moment.” In-this noisy quarrel, no complete sentence was clear. “Cheat”— “Stop”—”He says”—these pieces cut the screaming and rang out sharply. It was remarkable that Scully, who undoubtedly made the most noise, was the least heard. Then suddenly there was a great stillness. It was as if each man had paused for breath. Although the room still filled with the anger of men, it could be seen there was no danger of immediate fighting. At once Johnnie pushed forward. “Why did you say I cheated? Why did you say I cheated. I don’t cheat, and I won’t let any man say I do!” The Swede said, “I saw you! I saw you!” “Well,” cried Johnnie, “I’ll fight any man who says I cheat!” “No, you won’t,” said the cowboy. “Not here.” Johnnie spoke to the Swede again. “Did you say I cheated?” The Swede showed his teeth. “Yes.” “Then,” said Johnnie, “we must fight.” “Yes, fight,” roared the Swede. He was like a mad devil. “Yes, fight! I’ll show you what kind of a man I am! I’ll show you who you want to fight! Maybe you think I can’t fight! Maybe you think I can’t! I’ll show you, you criminal! Yes, you cheated! You cheated! You cheated!” “Well, let’s start, then, fellow,” said Johnnie coolly. The cowboy turned in despair to Scully. “What are you going to do now?” A change had come over the old man. He now seemed all eagerness; his eyes glowed. “We’ll let them fight,” he answered bravely. “I can’t watch this any longer. I’ve endured this cursed Swede till I’m sick. We’ll let them fight.” _________________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. What do you think of this story? Does it remind you of any other stories you have read? Write to us in the Comments section or on our Facebook page. Come back next week for Part Three of our story. See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each short video and then choose the best answer. To download a lesson plan to accompany this part of the story, click here. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   tongue-tied - adj. unable to speak because you are nervous or shy grasp - v. to take and hold something with your fingers or hands brave - adj. feeling or showing no fear; not afraid poison - v. to give someone a substance that can cause people or animals to die or to become very sick if it gets into their bodies especially by being swallowed oblige - v. to do something that someone has asked you to do; to do a favor for someone attitude - n. the way you think and feel about someone or something  straining - adj. a feeling of stress and worry that you have because you are trying to do too much, are dealing with a difficult problem feverishly - adv. involving intense emotion or activity; feeling or showing great or extreme excitement compel - v. to force someone to do something endure - v. to experience pain or suffering for a long time

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Statues, Monuments Connected to Slavery Are Removed

U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with the Washington Examiner this week, wondered, “Why was there a Civil War? Why could that one not have been worked out?” The United States fought the civil war from 1861-1865. The war began after 11 southern states left the United States and formed the “Confederacy.” Over 600,000 soldiers lost their lives before the Confederacy was defeated. Now, over 150 years later, the battle is still fought in some communities over calls to remove flags, statues and other public displays connected to the Confederacy. What was the Civil War about? Civil War historian James McPherson wrote that "the Civil War was caused by differences between free and slave states over the power of the national government to stop slavery” in western territories. It is the Confederacy’s connection to slavery that recently led the southern city of New Orleans, Louisiana, to begin removing four monuments, or statues, connected to the Civil War and its aftermath. Slavery was the buying and selling of Africans and other blacks who were forced to work in America, mostly in the South, without pay. Many were separated from their families and treated terribly by their owners. Mitch Landrieu is the mayor of New Orleans. He believes that monuments connected to slavery should not be given an honored place in his majority African-American city. He said, “The removal of these statues sends a clear and unequivocal message to the people of New Orleans and the nation: New Orleans celebrates our diversity, inclusion and tolerance.” Removal of Confederate monuments The first monument, removed on April 24, recognized the Crescent City White League. League members fought against a racially integrated police department in the 19th century. Jarvis DeBerry is a columnist for the Times-Picayune, a New Orleans newspaper. He said the four monuments the city is removing went up after the U.S. government dropped control of the southern states. Control by the federal government lasted from 1865 to 1877. It was a time when African-Americans not only integrated the police departments, but also gained political power, DeBerry said. “There were black people in positions of power. And yet when the Union armies withdrew and the South was allowed to govern itself again they created hell for black people. And again I think part of the hell they created was the erection of these monuments to remind anybody who might think otherwise that ‘no, you are not a real citizen and no, you don't have the rights that white people enjoy.’” There has been some opposition to removing the Confederate monuments from New Orleans. Officials were so concerned about violence that workers covered their faces, so they could not be identified, while removing the first Confederate Monument. Pierre McGraw is president of the Monument Task Committee. He said on Facebook that New Orleans should have added information about the Confederacy to the monuments, instead of removing them. “People across Louisiana should be concerned over what will disappear next,” he said. Landrieu, the New Orleans mayor, rejects the idea his city is covering up its history. Confederate monuments belong in a museum, where more information can be provided about the Confederacy’s evil history, he said. Confederate displays are not just an issue in New Orleans. Racial shooting leads to removal of flag In 2015, then South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley ordered the removal of the Confederate Flag from the state Capitol. She acted after a white man shot and killed nine people at an African-American church. The shooter said he wanted to start a race war. Thomas Berger is a professor at Boston University who has written about how nations deal with horrible actions in the past. For a long time, he said Confederate soldiers were seen as misguided people wanting to protect local control and traditions, rather than as defenders of a violent, racist system. But that is changing. University of Tennessee Knoxville Professor Derek Alderman said Middle Tennessee State University is moving to change the name of a school building. It is now named for Nathan Bedford Forrest, a Confederate Army general and a leader of the Ku Klux Klan. The Klan carried out violent attacks against African-Americans. The move away from naming buildings for people connected to the Confederacy or slavery is not limited to the South. Yale University is located in the Northeastern state of Connecticut. The university is renaming Calhoun College, one of the school’s 12 undergraduate residential colleges. Yale President Peter Salovey announced the decision in February. He said John C. Calhoun, for whom the college is named, had said that slavery was good for society. His opinion goes against Yale’s most important values, Salovey said. I'm Dorothy Gundy. And I'm Bruce Alpert.   Bruce Alpert reported on this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   display - n. an arrangement of objects intended to inform people about something monument - n. a building, statue, etc., that honors a person or event unequivocal - adj. very strong and clear diversity - n. the quality or state of including different races and ethnic groups tolerance - n. willingness to accept feelings, habits, or beliefs that are different from your own integrated - adj. including different races hell - n. lots of problems and difficulties erection - v. installing a structure such as monument or statue museum - n. a building in which interesting and valuable things, such as paintings and sculptures or scientific or historical objects, are collected and shown to the public  

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