'The World Is Your Oyster!'

Looking to the Future at Boston University

Editor's Note: This report is part of a continuing series about international student life at colleges and universities across the United States. Join us over the next several weeks as we bring you stories about international students and the American higher education system as a whole.   Growing up in Hong Kong, Jasmine Lee always planned on going overseas for her higher education needs. Lee attended the Hong Kong International School, a private Christian school. It offers an American-style education from kindergarten classes all the way through high school. The Hong Kong International School teaches both Hong Kong natives and foreigners who live in the former British territory. Almost all of the school’s classes are taught in English. So Lee improved her English skills and learned about the rest of the world at an early age. When Lee finished high school in 2015, she already knew she wanted to go to a university in the United States. But even before then, she had one school in mind. Her older brother started taking classes at Boston University in the American state of Massachusetts in 2012. He loved his experience at the school, she says, so it became her first choice. Boston University, or BU, is a private research university with about 30,000 students. It was officially established in 1869, but it is even older. The school that would become BU was set up 30 years earlier as a religious college in Vermont. Ever since moving to Massachusetts, the school has had a long history of producing world leaders and important thinkers. For example, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone while working in one of its laboratories in 1876. Lee liked the feeling of openness her brother described as part of his experience at BU. Many colleges and universities require students to choose a specific field of study before their first year of classes. But BU admitted Lee’s brother under its general studies program, which let him delay his decision on a field of study. This made Lee so sure she wanted to attend BU that it was the only school to which she applied for admission. She even applied under the university’s early decision program. Usually, American students seek admission to more than one college in the late winter of their final year of high school. They learn which schools have accepted them by spring. But the early decision process is for students who are very interested in attending a specific college or university. Schools with early decision policies let interested students apply earlier. And requesting early decision can help a student’s chances by showing schools just how much a student wants to study there. Lee moved to the United States and began her studies at BU in 2015. She is hoping to complete a bachelor’s degree program in early childhood education. From very early on, the 19-year-old says she enjoyed her newfound independence. On weekends, she explores the city and goes to stores and restaurants with her friends. Boston is a city with a lot of history, especially events related to the American Revolution against Britain. Several parts of the city still have buildings and streets that date back hundreds of years. But the past really is not what concerns Lee. She says she likes to make plans for the future and sets difficult goals for herself. Luckily, she has been able to establish personal connections with her professors at Boston University. Those ties will most likely help her reach her goals after college, she says. "If your professor is in your field … I think you get to build that network with your professor. They can sort of guide you towards your career in the future." For Luka Miladinovic, preparing for the future and life after college has never been more important. Miladinovic is from Belgrade, Serbia’s capital. He began attending BU in 2013. He just completed a bachelor’s degree program in finance. But that was not what he planned on doing four years ago. Miladinovic was at one point listed among some of the best rowers in the world. In fact, he competed in the world championships of rowing in 2011. At that time, Miladinovic was completing his high school education and considering universities to attend both in and outside of Serbia. He wanted to find a school with a top rowing team. After the 2011 world championships, several schools in the United States offered him large amounts of financial assistance if he agreed to join their rowing team. At first, Miladinovic liked the University of Washington, which he says has the best college rowing team in the country. But as soon as he agreed to attend the university, the BU rowing team contacted him. Its coach told the young man he was coming to Belgrade to meet with him in person. When they met, the BU coach said that Miladinovic could join the best team in the country and work to continue its success if he liked. But an even greater test lay in helping a weaker team improve, the coach argued. Miladinovic says he did not agree with that argument at first. But after thinking about what they discussed for several days, he did think the coach might be right. So Miladinovic decided to attend Boston University instead. In the end, Miladinovic says he made the right decision. BU completely covered the costs of his studies in exchange for being on the rowing team. It is common for American universities with the biggest and best sports teams to do so. And he notes the way the coach led his team taught him a lot about how to value the team’s rowers and not be too critical of others. This is a skill Miladinovic says he knows is very important outside the world of sports. "Right now, I believe I can talk to whoever about whatever topic and I’m not going to be judging right away, because I know that so many reasons that stand behind any decision people made in their lives. And that helped me the most, I believe." As his studies at Boston University came to an end, Miladinovic noted that his rowing career will likely end as well. That is why he is thankful he was not just interested in sports when he was considering which school to attend. He says he placed equal value on study programs. Miladinovic says his classes were difficult, but satisfying. He is also happy that he was able to find a job with the university, working in the office responsible for paying BU’s employees. Most student visas do not let students work more than a few hours a week. But Miladinovic says even his short time working in the office greatly improved his communication skills. These are skills he knows he will need for his next big steps in life. I’m Pete Musto. And I'm Alice Bryant.   Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Lucija Milonig produced the video. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. How do colleges and universities in your prepare students for life after they complete their studies? What are some things you think they could do to improve how they prepare students? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   kindergarten – n. a school or class for very young children class(es) – n. a series of meetings in which students are taught a particular subject or activity specific – adj. special or particular applied – v. asked formally for something, such as a job, admission to a school, or a loan, usually in writing admission – n. the act or process of accepting someone as a student at a school bachelor’s degree – n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after four years of study network – n. a group of people or organizations that are closely connected and that work with each other rower(s) – n. a person who participates in the sport of racing in long, narrow boats that are moved by using oars financial – adj. relating to money coach – n. a person who teaches and trains the members of a sports team and makes decisions about how the team plays during games topic – n. someone or something that people talk or write about 

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China: We Explore the Deep Seas Only for Science

  Chinese scientists say their research in the South China Sea is for scientific purposes only.  And it will not be used to support China’s claims to the disputed territory. Lin Qi is a researcher at the National Institute for South China Sea Studies in Hainan province. The organization is controlled by the government. Lin said the scientists are gathering information on the world’s deepest seas to learn about minerals there. “You could say to some extent that helps protect our sovereignty claim, but actually the goal of these projects’ designs is not mainly one to show the country’s claim,” Lin told VOA in an interview. Researchers from state-operated organizations often express the same political positions as the Chinese government. China claims more than 90 percent of the South China Sea. Some of the sea is also claimed by Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam. Both Japan and China claim parts of the East China Sea.   What is China looking for in the seas? Earlier this year, the Chinese government’s China Oceanic Information Network said devices would gather information about the seabed and explore its chemistry, physics and biology. Lin said research devices were deployed in disputed waters because the Yellow Sea and Bohai Gulf near China are not as deep as some other parts of the South China Sea. He said the research will someday be “very helpful” for finding minerals. But he does not think it will help find oil. That is because oil and gas usually come from under continental shelves and slopes rather than ocean floors. China needs to find new natural resources for its 1.37 billion people and for its economy, which depends on manufacturing for its growth. Experts say China’s economy will grow 6.7 percent this year. China needs cleaner-burning fuel to help it reduce the air pollution from the burning of coal. Lin also told VOA that information gathered by the researchers would not be used to strengthen the military. China’s military operates mostly in secret. It has been increasing its control of some small islands in the South China Sea. China has angered other countries that claim parts of the sea by creating artificial islands for military use. It also sails coast guard ships through the areas China says it controls.   Outside observers question China’s aim Observers outside China believe the research is a way for China to strengthen its claim over the 3.5 million-square-kilometer South China Sea. Oh Ei Sun, an international studies instructor at Singapore Nanyang University, says “there is an economic aim” to China’s research.  Oh adds that China’s research to “is an act of exhibiting sovereignty.” Fabrizio Bozzato is an expert in Asian politics at the Taiwan Strategy Research Association. He agrees that the deep-sea research is a way for China “to enhance its soft power” and also to mark its territory in the disputed waters. I’m Anne Ball.   Ralph Jennings reported this story from Taipei. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   to some extent – expression used to indicate the degree to which something exists, happens, or is true sovereign – n. a country’s independent authority and the right to govern itself exhibit – v. to show or reveal (something) enhance – v. to increase or improve (something) soft power – expression a persuasive approach to international relations, typically involving the use of economic or cultural influence.

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Security Apps Help People Avoid Gun Violence

  Computer programs called apps are helping people avoid violence in the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro has an average of 15 gun battles every day. Innocent people often get caught up in the shootings. One of the latest security apps is called OTT. That is short for Onde Tem Tiroteio, which means “Where There is a Shootout” in Portuguese. The app collects reports of shootings and sends the information to its users through social media services, such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Telegram and Zello. Henrique Coelho Caamaño provides technical support for OTT. He told the Reuters news agency, “I keep saying, I don’t want a million ‘likes.’ I only want to save lives.” His group says its news alerts reach nearly 3 million people. That number represents almost half the population of Rio de Janeiro. “Our job is not to arrest anyone,” Caamaño said. “We don’t have a direct link to the police and drug traffickers, or whatever. Our aim is to help people avoid crossing paths with lost bullets.” Violent crime in the city rose by 11 percent in the first half of 2017, compared with the same period in 2016. More than 2,300 people were killed in the first five months of this year. Another app that informs users of gun violence is called “Crossfire,” or Fogo Cruzado in Portuguese. The app was created just before the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Its developers received financial support from the rights group Amnesty International. “Shootings take place on a daily basis,” says Cecília Oliveira, the data manager for the app. “Not a day goes by without the peace police unit recording gunfire or a shooting in some area.” Oliveira said that people provide information about street violence through social media. “Sometimes they’ll tell us: ‘I walked through a shootout just now,’ and sometimes they tell us: ‘It’s calmed down,’” she said. “We have that rapport from people. The number of app users grows every day.” The app provides users with details about shootouts, such as the location, the number of people shot and other information. Since Rio de Janeiro does not keep an official list of shootings, the app helps provide unrecorded gun violence statistics. I’m Mario Ritter. And I’m Olivia Liu.   Olivia Liu adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rapport – n. to have good relations with someone statistics – n. numbers that represent information about people or activities location – n. a position or place alert – n. a message or loud sound that warns people of some danger or problem We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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Refugees, Migrant Children Risk Violence, Abuse, Trafficking in Europe

Three leading aid groups have launched an effort to help children of refugees and migrant workers in Europe. The groups say they are concerned about thousands of refugee and migrant children are traveling alone or have been separated from their families. They say these boys and girls risk trafficking, abuse and violence because European asylum countries have failed to protect them. To correct this situation, the groups have developed a plan to protect vulnerable children arriving and staying in Europe. It is called a “Roadmap for Action.” The three organizations are the International Rescue Committee (IRC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the U.N.’s refugee agency (UNHCR). Diane Goodman is with the UNHCR. She said, “While the total number of arrivals to Europe has decreased, the situation of unaccompanied and separated children remains an emergency. It is wrong to assume that children are safe as soon as they reach Europe. They are not. In fact, many children experience violence, abuse and exploitation while in Europe, and Europe is failing these extremely vulnerable children.” Goodman noted that the children are often detained when they arrive in Europe. She says many are placed in large centers with adults. Others live in empty buildings, train stations or on the streets. “Without safe and appropriate care, we will never be able to establish trust or find a solution in the child’s best interests,” Goodman said. UNICEF says millions of people are affected by fighting in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. It says these conflicts often force children and their families to make the dangerous trip across the Mediterranean Sea. The Roadmap was developed after discussions with 100 people knowledgeable about the problems facing vulnerable children. The group includes legal guardians, social workers and lawyers, as well as officials from several European countries and the European Union. Annalisa Brusati is the child protection senior technical adviser at the IRC. She noted that information provided by refugee and migrant children was used in the development of the Roadmap. She said a 14-year-old boy from Algeria told aid workers that “all children my age are not feeling safe. They are forced to go into war and they are all dying. We deserve a normal childhood like other children in the world.” A 17-year old Afghan boy said he and other children felt unprotected during their trip to Europe. He said: “We were forced to trust the smugglers.” The Roadmap says vulnerable children should be identified and a relationship of trust created with them “as early as possible.” It also says a well-trained guardian should take immediate responsibility for the child. David Mcloughlin of UNICEF told VOA that “this is a really important part because every child needs to feel safe as soon as possible. They need someone who is responsible that can be trusted as a guardian.” Since July 2015 more than 130,000 unaccompanied and separated children have arrived in Europe. The United Nations reports more than 5,000 children traveled to Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Spain during the first three months of this year. It says almost 70 percent of them traveled alone. In March, Italy’s parliament passed a law to support and protect the record number of unaccompanied and separated children who had arrived in the country. Almost 26,000 did so in 2016. That number is expected to increase this year. The aid agencies report that most unaccompanied children arriving in Europe were boys between the ages of 15 and 17. They reported that 94 percent of the 3,714 children who arrived in Italy were unaccompanied or separated. Most came from Bangladesh, Gambia, Guinea and Ivory Coast. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Lisa Schlein reported this story from Geneva for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted her report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vulnerable – adj. easily hurt or harmed physically, mentally or emotionally unaccompanied – adj. without another person assume – v. to think that something is true or probably true without knowing that it is true exploit – v. to use (someone or something) in a way that helps you unfairly; to abuse someone appropriate – adj. right or suited for some purpose or situation deserve – v. used to say that someone or something should or should not have or be given something smuggler – n. someone who moves (someone or something) from one country into another illegally and secretly  

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English in a Minute: Cut From the Same Cloth

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Hate Crimes Rise, Still Under-Reported

The number of hate crimes seems to be increasing in the United States. Hate crimes include attacks on Muslim women who wear hijabs and threats against Jewish community centers. But the true number of such crimes is not known. Experts say that is because such crimes are under-reported. So policymakers are discussing ways to change that. A system to report hate crimes In March, two Democratic lawmakers -- Senator Richard Blumenthal and Representative Don Beyer -- wrote a bill that would help make better use of a reporting system known as the National Incident Based Reporting System, or NIBRS. Two months later, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a meeting to discuss religious hate crimes. Several Democratic members of the committee promised to support a plan to require hate crimes to be reported. Last week, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions spoke at a meeting about hate crimes. He said he had created a group to help find ways to improve the reporting of such crimes. Jonathan Greenblatt leads the Anti-Defamation League. He told the Senate committee that “there are very real consequences to this lack of comprehensive reporting. It is well documented that victims are far more likely to report a hate crime if they know a special reporting system is in place -- if they believe the police are ready and able to respond effectively.” The FBI’s definition of hate crime is a “criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole, or in part, by an offender’s bias against a race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender or gender identity." Under-reporting Experts say many hate crimes are not reported. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Report (UCR) has gathered crime statistics since 1930. The bureau began including information about hate crimes in its yearly report after the passage of the 1990 Hate Crime Statistics Act. However, the law did not require that police departments report such crimes. So thousands of the nation’s 18,000 law enforcement agencies either chose not to take part in the program or do not report any hate crimes. The FBI’s most recent report was released in November. It showed 5,850 bias-motivated offenses in 2015. Yet a national study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics estimated that about 250,000 hate crimes took place in 2015. Brian Levin is the director of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University at San Bernardino. He says the gap between the two numbers shows how large the under-reporting of hate crimes is. “This is not only because of an absence of trainings, model policies, executive leadership, outreach and coordination, but also because the reporting system itself is not mandatory,” Levin said. Levin presented information about hate crimes reporting at the meeting last week at which Sessions spoke. Levin told the meeting that activists strongly support making hate crimes reporting mandatory. Should reporting hate crimes be mandatory? The FBI says the southern state of Tennessee is the only state that requires all law enforcement agencies to report hate crimes to the state’s bureau of investigations. “We have a 100 percent participation rate,” Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine said. “All agencies in Tennessee are currently in compliance with” the state’s crime reporting system. DeVine says the agency gives training to the state’s more than 550 law enforcement agencies. “What we’re trying to do in talking about hate crime statistics in Tennessee is to create a culture and a climate where people realize that even one of these is a problem, and it’s not something we stand for as Tennesseans,” DeVine said. The FBI has admitted for some time that its voluntary UCR reporting system is not perfect. “There are jurisdictions that fail to report hate crime statistics,” then-FBI Director James Comey said in a speech to the Anti-Defamation League in 2014. “Others claim there were no hate crimes in their community -- a fact that would be welcome, if true.” In 2015, almost 15,000 law enforcement agencies gave information about crimes in their area. But Greenblatt said just 12 percent of them “actively reported” on hate crimes. He said 66 cities with a population of more than 100,000 did not report hate crimes. “It is absolutely clear that the data we have now significantly understates the true number of hate crimes committed in our nation,” Greenblatt said. While Democrats have voiced support for a mandatory crime reporting system, many Republicans have not. “If law enforcement is unwilling to call a crime a hate crime, I don’t see how a change in the law to require reporting of hate crime will change the current situation of spotty data and missed opportunities,” Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley said. I’m Alice Bryant. And I'm Bryan Lynn.   Masood Farivar reported this story from Washington. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly 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   motivate – v. to give (someone) a reason for doing something; to be a reason for (something) offender – n. a person who commits a crime bias – n. a tendency to believe that some people, ideas, etc., are better than others that usually results in treating some people unfairly statistics – n. a number that represents a piece of information (such as information about how often something is done, how common something is, etc.) gap – n. a difference between two people, groups or things (often + between) outreach – n. the activity or process of bringing information or services to people in compliance with – expression in the way that is required by (a rule, law, etc.) jurisdiction – n. an area within which a particular system of laws is used understate – v. to say that (something) is smaller, less important, etc., than it really is spotty – adj. not always good; good in some parts or at some times but not others (chiefly US)

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US Education Chief Wants to Give Students More Choices

  When Betsy DeVos was selected by President Donald Trump to head the U.S. Education Department, some said she would do more to help charter and private schools than public schools. DeVos, a wealthy businesswoman from the state of Michigan, said that is not true. “Let’s be honest. There’s no such thing as a cure-all in education,” DeVos said in a recent speech. “Even the best school in the country with the best-trained educators and the most resources will not be the perfect fit for every child.” Who is Betsy DeVos? Betsy DeVos attended a private religious school in Michigan and also sent her four children to religious schools. She was a former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. She also led a group, the Great Lakes Education Project, which successfully pushed Michigan’s Legislature to allow public charter schools. Public charter schools are mostly run by private groups and can operate independently of local school districts. DeVos also supports government vouchers that help low-income parents pay to send their children to private schools. The Senate voted February 7 to approve her nomination as Education Secretary by a vote of 51-50. Vice President Mike Pence gave her the needed 51st vote. Opponents and supporters speak out Her opponents said she did not have enough education training and would move federal money to private and charter schools at the expense of public schools. Public schools educate 90 percent of America’s K-12 students. But defenders said DeVos, as an education “outsider,” would bring important reforms to a system that has underperformed for poor children. First-term Republican President Donald Trump is a supporter of vouchers. As a candidate for president, he proposed $20 billion in federal money to help parents send their children to private schools. His first budget proposal as president calls for $1 billion to allow states to move forward with more school choice. It includes $250 million to help low-income students attend private schools and another $167 million to start or expand charter schools. As Trump’s Secretary of Education, DeVos said the budget proposal is aimed at increasing choices for parents. “A system that denies parents the freedom to choose the education that best suits their children’s individual and unique needs denies them a basic human right,” DeVos said in a June speech to the National Alliance for Charter Schools. Charter schools performance But there is little agreement about the performance of students who attend charter schools, or use vouchers to attend private schools. One of the largest voucher programs in the United States operates in the Midwest American state of Indiana. Here is how the Indiana program works: It provides vouchers of up to $4,500, enough to cover tuition at many, but not all private schools in the state. To get a full voucher, a family of four can earn no more than $45,000 a year. When serving as Indiana’s governor, Pence, the current vice president, oversaw a big increase in private school vouchers in his state. Joseph Waddington of the University of Kentucky and Mark Berends of the Notre Dame University recently released a study of Indiana’s voucher program. They looked at students in grade 3-8 who moved from public schools to private schools. On average, the students saw drops in math scores  during the first and second year at their new private school. The study found no difference in test scores in English language. Other studies found problems with voucher programs in Louisiana and Ohio. Waddington and Berends said government-supported private school voucher programs operate in 16 of the 50 American states and Washington D.C. Robert Enlow is president of an Indiana group called EdChoice. It supports private school voucher programs. About the research suggesting declines in math performance and no change in English test scores, Enlow said it is because most students who attend new schools “no matter how good” have a period of adjustment. For many students, it takes time to adjust to the more difficult subjects offered at their new private schools, he said. Many parents want their students to attend religious schools that offer morality- and values-based programs. Milwaukee first to offer vouchers Milwaukee is the first-American city to create a scholarship program that helps low-income parents pay for tuition at private schools. The program started 26 years ago. The city’s public school superintendent is Darienne Driver. She said the voucher program takes money away from public schools. After 26 years, it is only now that private schools receiving vouchers are being asked to show their test scores.  “So, there has been no accountability, no way to compare them with public schools,” Driver said. Despite their differences on vouchers and other programs, Driver is not giving up on DeVos. She met with the secretary and had a telephone discussion with her. Driver said she is pleased with the discussion. DeVos said she is willing to look at federal rules that Driver and other local school officials believe are unfair to public schools. Proposed cuts unify supporters and opponents Both supporters and opponents of vouchers and charter schools agree that the proposed education spending cuts of 13.5 percent in President Trump’s budget are wrong.  Driver said the cuts would make it more difficult for schools to provide special services for low-incomes students. Jacqueline Cooper is president of the Black Alliance for Educational Options. She praised Trump for supporting federal money for private school vouchers and charter schools. But she added that the proposed cut in federal education money is the wrong way “to put families and children first.” I'm Jill Robbins. 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. What kind of choices do you and your parents have about what schools you can attend? ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   push - v. to encourage voucher - n. a document that gives you the right to get something such as a product or service without paying for it suit - v. to provide what is required or wanted by someone tuition - n. payment required to attend classes at a school adjustment - n. a change that improves something or makes it work better accountability - n. required to explain actions or decisions to someone

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'Hearts and Crosses,' by O. Henry, Part One

We present part one of the short story "Hearts and Crosses," by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State.   Baldy woods reached for a drink and got it. When Baldy wanted something, he usually got it. He — but this is not Baldy’s story. Now he took his third drink, which was larger than the first and the second. Baldy had been listening to the troubles of a friend. Now Baldy was going to tell his friend what to do. So the friend was buying him the drinks. This was the right thing for the friend to do. “I’d be king if I were you,” said Baldy. He said it loudly and strongly. Webb Yeager moved his wide hat back on his head. He put his fingers in his yellow hair and moved it about. It now looked wilder than before. But this did not help him to think better. And therefore he also got another drink. “If a man marries a queen, it ought not make him nothing,” said Webb. Here was his real problem. “Surely not,” said Baldy. “You ought to be a king. But you’re only the queen’s husband. That’s what happens to a man in Europe if he marries the king’s daughter. His wife becomes a queen. But is he a king? No. His only duty is to appear with the queen in pictures. And be the father of the next king. That’s not right. Yes, Webb, you are only the queen’s husband. And if I were you, I’d turn everything upside down and I would be king.” Baldy finished his drink. “Baldy,” said Webb, “you and I have been cowboys together for years. We’ve been riding the same roads since we were very young. I wouldn’t talk about my family to anyone but you. You were working on the Nopalito Ranch when I married Santa McAllister. I was foreman then. But what am I now? Nothing.” “When old McAllister was the cattle king of West Texas,” continued Baldy, “you were important. You told people what to do. Your commands were as strong as his.” “That was true,” said Webb, “until he discovered that I wanted to marry Santa. Then he sent me as far away from the ranch house as he could. When the old man died, they started to call Santa the ‘cattle queen.’ Now I tell the cattle what to do. That’s all. She takes care of all the business. She takes care of all the money. I can’t sell any cattle— not one animal. Santa is the queen, and I… I’m nothing.” “I would be king if I were you,” said Baldy Woods again. “When a man marries a queen he ought to be the same as she is. Plenty of people think it’s strange, Webb. Your words mean nothing on the Nopalito Ranch. Mrs. Yeager is a fine little lady. But a man ought to be head of his own house.” Webb’s brown face grew long with sadness. With that expression, and his wild yellow hair, and his blue eyes, he looked like a schoolboy who had lost his leadership to another, strong boy. Yet his tall body looked too strong for such a thing to happen to him. “I’m riding back to the ranch today,” he said. It was easy to see that he did not want to go. “I have to start some cattle on the road to San Antonio tomorrow morning.” “Well, I’ll go with you as far as Dry Lake,” said Baldy. The two friends got on their horses and left the little town where they had met that morning. At Dry Lake, they stopped to say goodbye. They had been riding for miles without talking. But in Texas, talk does not often continue steadily. Many things may happen between words. But when you begin to talk again, you are still talking about the same thing. So now Webb added something to the talk that began ten miles away. “You remember, Baldy, there was a time when Santa was different. You remember the days when old McAllister kept me away from the ranch house. You remember how she would send me a sign that she wanted to see me? Old McAllister said that he would kill me if I came near enough. You remember the sign she used to send, Baldy? The picture of a heart with a cross inside it?” “Me?” cried Baldy. “Sure I remember. Every cowboy on the ranch knew that sign of the heart and the cross. We would see it on things sent out from the ranch. We would see it on anything. It would be on newspapers. On boxes of food. Once I saw it on the back of the shirt of a cook that McAllister sent from the ranch.” “Santa’s father made her promise that she wouldn’t write to me or send me any word. That heart-and-cross sign was her plan. When she wanted to see me, she would put that mark on something that she knew I would see. And when I saw it, I traveled fast to the ranch that same night. I would meet her outside the house.” “We all knew it,” said Baldy. “But we never said anything. We wanted you to marry Santa. We knew why you had that fast horse. When we saw the heart and cross on something from the ranch, we always knew your horse was going to go fast that night.” “The last time Santa sent me the sign,” said Webb, “was when she was sick. When I saw it, I got on my horse and started. It was a forty-mile ride. She wasn’t at our meeting-place. I went to the house. Old McAllister met me at the door. ‘Did you come here to get killed?’ he said. ‘I won’t kill you this time. I was going to send for you. Santa wants you. Go in that room and see her. Then come out here and see me.’ “Santa was lying in bed very sick. But she smiled, and put her hand in mine, and I sat down by the bed—mud and riding clothes and all. ‘I could hear you coming for hours, Webb,’ she said. ‘I was sure you would come. You saw the sign?’ ‘I saw it,’ I said. ‘It’s our sign,’ she said. ‘Hearts and crosses. To love and to suffer—that’s what they mean.’ “And old Doctor Musgrove was there. And Santa goes to sleep and Doctor Musgrove touches her face, and he says to me: ‘You were good for her. But go away now. The little lady will be all right in the morning.’ “Old McAllister was outside her room. ‘She’s sleeping,’ I said. ‘And now you can start killing me. You have plenty of time. I haven’t any- thing to fight with.’ “Old McAllister laughs, and he says to me: ‘Killing the best foreman in West Texas is not good business. I don’t know where I could get another good foreman. I don’t want you in the family. But I can use you on the Nopalito if you stay away from the ranch house. You go up and sleep, and then we’ll talk.’ ” The two men prepared to separate. They took each other’s hand. “Goodbye, Baldy,” said Webb. “I’m glad I saw you and had this talk.” With a sudden rush, the two riders were on their way. Then Baldy pulled his horse to a stop and shouted. Webb turned. “If I were you,” came Baldy’s loud voice, “I would be king!” At eight the following morning, Bud Turner got off his horse at the Nopalito ranch house. Bud was the cowboy who was taking the cattle to San Antonio. Mrs. Yeager was outside the house, putting water on some flowers. In many ways Santa was like her father, “King” McAllister. She was sure about everything. She was afraid of nothing. She was proud. But Santa looked like her mother. She had a strong body and a soft prettiness. Because she was a woman, her manners were womanly. Yet she liked to be queen, as her father had liked to be king. Webb stood near her, giving orders to two or three cowboys. “Good morning,” said Bud. “Where do you want the cattle to go? To Barber’s as usual?” The queen always answered such a question. All the business— buying, selling, and banking—had been held in her hands. Care of the cattle was given to her husband. When “King” McAllister was alive, Santa was his secretary and his helper. She had continued her work and her work had been successful. But before she could answer, the queen’s husband spoke: “You drive those cattle to Zimmerman’s and Nesbit’s. I spoke to Zimmerman about it.” Bud turned, ready to go. “Wait!” called Santa quickly. She looked at her husband with surprise in her gray eyes. “What do you mean, Webb?” she asked. “I never deal with Zimmerman and Nesbit. Barber has bought all the cattle from this ranch for five years. I’m not going to change.” She said to Bud Turner: “Take those cattle to Barber.” Bud did not look at either of them. He stood there waiting. “I want those cattle to go to Zimmerman and Nesbit,” said Webb. There was a cold light in his blue eyes. “It’s time to start,” said Santa to Bud. “Tell Barber we’ll have more cattle ready in about a month.” Bud allowed his eyes to turn and meet Webb’s. “You take those cattle,” said Webb, “to—” “Barber,” said Santa quickly. “Let’s say no more about it. What are you waiting for, Bud?” “Nothing,” said Bud. But he did not hurry to move away, for man is man’s friend, and he did not like what had happened. “You heard what she said,” cried Webb. “We do what she commands.” He took off his hat and made a wide movement with it, touching the floor. “Webb,” said Santa, “what’s wrong with you today?” “I’m acting like the queen’s fool,” said Webb. “What can you expect? Let me tell you. I was a man before I married a cattle queen. What am I now? Something for the cowboys to laugh at. But I’m going to be a man again.” Santa looked at him. “Be reasonable, Webb,” she said quietly. “There is nothing wrong. You take care of the cattle. I take care of the business. You understand the cattle. I understand the business better than you do. I learned it from my father.” “I don’t like kings and queens,” said Webb, “unless I’m one of them myself. Alright. It’s your ranch. Barber gets the cattle.” Webb’s horse was tied near the house. He walked into the house and brought out the supplies he took on long rides. These he began to tie on his horse. Santa followed him. Her face had lost some of its color. Webb got on his horse. There was no expression on his face except a strange light burning in his eyes. “There are some cattle at the Hondo water-hole,” he said. “They ought to be moved. Wild animals have killed three of them. I did not remember to tell Simms to do it. You tell him.” Santa put a hand on the horse and looked her husband in the eye. “Are you going to leave me, Webb?” she asked quietly. “I’m going to be a man again,” he answered. “I wish you success,” she said, with a sudden coldness. She turned and walked into the house. Webb Yeager went to the southeast as straight as he could ride. And when he came to the place where sky and earth seem to meet, he was gone. Those at the Nopalito knew nothing more about him. Days passed, then weeks, then months. But Webb Yeager did not return.   Download activities to help you understand this story here. Part two of this story will come next week. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. Do you think Webb Yeager will return to his wife? What kind of relationship should a husband and wife have? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   king – n. a boy or man who is highly respected and very successful or popular queen – n. a girl or woman who is highly respected and very successful or popular cowboy(s) – n. a man who rides a horse and whose job is to take care of cows or horses especially in the western U.S. ranch – n. a large farm especially in the U.S. where animals such as cattle, horses, and sheep are raised foreman – n. a person who is in charge of a group of workers cattle – n. cows, bulls, or steers that are kept on a farm or ranch for meat or milk cross – n. an object or image in the shape of a cross that is used as a symbol of Christianity proud – n. very happy and pleased because of something you have done, something you own, someone you know or are related to

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Climate Change May Turn Africa’s Dry Sahel Green

  The Sahel is one of driest areas in Africa, but that may change if Earth’s surface temperatures rise more than two degrees Celsius. Scientists say the Sahel could turn greener, with more plant life, because the higher temperatures would lead to more rainfall. More than 100 million people live in the Sahel. It stretches coast to coast -- from Mauritania and Mali in western Africa to Sudan and Eritrea in the east. The Sahel extends to the southern edge of the Sahara desert. In recent years, the area has experienced worsening extreme weather. That includes more droughts -- periods of little or no rainfall. Some scientists are very concerned about pollution from greenhouse gases - gases that trap heat in Earth’s atmosphere. They warn that if such gases continue to increase with no limits, rising temperatures could change weather systems in the Sahel and other areas. Scientists say this is possible if surface temperatures rise more than two degrees Celsius above average temperatures before the industrial revolution. Competing rainfall models Some weather models predict a small increase in rainfall for the Sahel. But there is a risk that the entire weather pattern will change by the end of the century. That is the opinion of researchers at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. The size of the possible change is “mind-boggling,” says the institute’s Anders Levermann. “This is one of the very few elements in the Earth system that we might witness tipping soon.” Levermann also works for Columbia University in New York City. If the Sahel receives more rainfall, it will mean more water for agriculture, industry and personal use. But in the first few years leading up to more rain, the area is likely to experience very erratic weather. That may mean extremely dry periods followed by destructive floods, the researchers said. Hard for people to plan They added that because it is hard to know what will happen when, it makes it hard for people to plan for these changes. Levermann said any extreme change would create a huge challenge to the Sahel. More than 100 million people who may be affected already face many “instabilities, including war,” he said. The area faces many conflicts, including some driven by groups such as Boko Haram and al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. The researchers studied rainfall in the Sahel during the months of July, August and September. That is the time of year when the area gets most of its rain. There are a number of possible outcomes, which depend on the climate that eventually develops… and whether people in the Sahel are prepared for changes, said scientist Jacob Schewe. “Climate change from burning fossil fuels “really has the power to shake things up,” he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. A report on the study was published this month in Earth System Dynamics, a journal of the European Geosciences Union. I’m Dorothy Gundy.   This story came from the Reuters news service. Anne Ball adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and visit us on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   pattern – n. a repeated form or design; something used as a model mind-boggling – adj. emotionally or mentally exciting tip – v. to move the balance of power or influence erratic – adj. having no fixed path or direction challenge – n. a difficult problem or issue fossil fuel – n. a fuel formed in the earth from plant or animal remains

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People Love Food at US Falafel Shop that Helps Refugees

  Customers at a Washington DC falafel shop are praising the tasty food as well as the owner’s efforts to help refugees. Falafel Inc. is located in the Georgetown area, one of the city’s most expensive places to eat and live. Many people cannot believe they can buy a falafel sandwich at the shop for $3.00.  The shop opened just two months ago. It stays very busy, especially around midday when workers in the area are buying lunch. But the shop is different from most others. The owner, Ahmad Ashkar, gives some of the money he earns to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP). For every $10 Falafel Inc. makes, he donates about 50 cents to the U.N. agency. This is enough to feed one refugee for a day. Ashkar told VOA that while there are many ways to help refugees, he found a way that works well with his business. “We chose falafel for two reasons. One, because falafel stands are prevalent around refugee camps around the world, it's actually the main food in most refugee camps. Because it's so cheap, and it's affordable, and it's highly nutritious. Second is my personal love and passion for falafel.” The idea to help refugees by selling falafels is welcomed by customers like Nick Wright. “I think what they are doing with refugees is a very good cause and I support it.” Lunch buyer Roland Spier agrees. “The food is delicious and hearing about the owner’s story before we went in was really inspiring. And I think it makes the food all that more enjoyable.” Ashkar grew up on the falafels cooked by his Palestinian mother. And he makes them exactly the same way for his shop. Since the shop only makes falafels and small sides, it keeps costs low. Donating 50 cents might not sound like a lot, but the money adds up. The shop has already donated enough money to feed almost 10,000 refugees. Ashkar said he is looking into opening up more falafel shops around the world. He has a goal of at least 100 franchises, which would allow him to feed about 1 million refugees a year. But he wants to do more than just feed refugees. He also wants to employ them in shops and eventually give them a chance to be more than a worker. “We're looking at a place where the refugee can actually become, after 24 months of employment, an actual owner of the stores themselves.” Ashkar said every day the number of worldwide refugees seems to grow. So he thinks expanding his business is one way to help solve a problem that he sees getting worse before it gets better. I’m Bryan Lynn. June Soh reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Do you like falafels? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   customer – n. person who buys goods or services from a business sandwich – n. two or more pieces of bread with a filling in the middle prevalent – adj. occurring in large amounts cheap – adj. low cost passion – n. strong belief in or commitment to something delicious – adj. very tasty inspiring – adj. causing someone to want to do something franchise – n. the right to sell a company’s goods or services in a particular area  

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