Everyday Grammar: Dying Grammar Rules

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uW2ebt
via IFTTT

Children, Displaced by Boko Haram, Listen to Radio Lessons

The militant group Boko Haram has prevented many children in parts of North Africa from attending school. But The United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) says tens of thousands of children in the Lake Chad area are learning from educational radio broadcasts. The radio broadcasts provide lessons on reading, mathematics, and how to stay safe during the violence. UNICEF said the broadcasts reach about 200,000 displaced and out-of-school children in the Far North area of Cameroon and southern Niger. Patrick Rose is a UNICEF spokesman. He told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that “the level of boredom among children in camps for the displaced is tremendous." He added that "with this radio education program, children will receive lessons in a structured way that keeps them in a rhythm... so that when they go back to school they won't be so far behind." The project is supported by the European Union and the governments of Cameroon and Niger. About 150 lessons are being broadcast in both French and local languages, UNICEF said. UNICEF also have trained local school teachers to identify and deal with security threats to protect children from Boko Haram. The organization wants to provide affected children with psychological support. UNICEF says Boko Haram has killed more than 600 teachers and forced over 1,200 schools to close in Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. The militants have killed more than 20,000 people since 2009 and forced about 2.7 million others to flee. Opposing forces have pushed Boko Haram out of most of the territory it held in early 2015.  But the group continues to attack in northeast Nigeria, as well as in Cameroon and Niger. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Kieran Guilbert reported this story for Thompson Reuters Foundation. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   boredom – n. the state of being bored psychological – adj. of or relating to the mind; mental rhythm – n. a regular, repeated pattern of events, changes, activities, etc. tremendous – adj. very large or great

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2upGQZ8
via IFTTT

US College Leadership Lacks Diversity

Renu Khator, the president of the University of Houston, is unlike most presidents of colleges and universities in the United States. For one thing, she was born in India. And she did not speak any English when she arrived in the U.S. at the age of 18. Khator came to the American state of Indiana in 1974. At that time, her husband was earning a doctoral degree from Purdue University. But Khator says she was not satisfied simply waiting for her husband to complete his education. She completed her own doctoral degree at Purdue in 1985 and began teaching political science at the University of South Florida. In 2008, Khator was appointed president of the University of Houston and chancellor of the University of Houston System. The system is made up of four universities. With the appointment, Khator became the first Indian immigrant to lead a major research university in the U.S. She also became the first female leader of the University of Houston System. Throughout her career, Khator says she has faced some difficulties making the same progress as others in her field because of her race and gender. "I had to fight a little bit harder. And I don’t mind that because I think that built my character. But as I moved up, I made sure that other people who are coming behind me don’t have to fight those similar kinds of situations." The American Council on Education (or ACE) studies issues of higher education. The organization says only three out of ten college presidents in the U.S. are women. And only about two out of ten are ethnic or racial minorities. The information came from its study of 1,500 university and college presidents, released in June. Lorelle Espinosa is a researcher and one of the lead writers of the ACE report. She says this lack of diversity is a major problem considering how diverse the students at U.S. colleges have become. In 2016, the U.S. Department of Education reported that more than half of the 20.5 million college students in the U.S. were female. Also, the number of African American college students increased from 11.7 to 14.1 percent between 2000 and 2015. The number of Hispanic students grew from 9.9 to 17.3 percent in that same time. Espinosa argues that university leadership can best serve this increasingly diverse population when they represent the kinds of students they are serving. Women and minority presidents would have a better understanding of the needs of students who are like them. But schools continue to favor older white men for president positions, she says. The ACE study shows the average age of an American college president is 62. About 25 percent have also been president of another college before accepting their current position. Espinosa notes that when schools only look for candidates with years of experience in administration, they are going to keep choosing the same types of people. But having years of experience does not necessarily mean a person will have the skills to deal with new issues in higher education, she says. "What we have to do is take, actually, a larger step back and think about, ‘What does experience mean and are we defining experience in the right way?’ … As the student body has evolved, and even as technology evolves … we’re getting into a lot of new spaces that require different types of experience. It’s not just, ‘You’ve been a president before.’" Rod McDavis works with AGB Search, a company that helps colleges and universities identify presidential candidates. He was also the president of Ohio University for 13 years. As an African American man, he says the lack of diversity in college leadership is troubling. But he says it is also not fair to blame schools for wanting someone who is familiar with the responsibilities of running a school. "It’s hard to fault a board for wanting … a sufficient amount of experience. ... You have to look at what a person has done within the time he or she has served in a particular office." McDavis admits that the way schools identify candidates can be limiting. First a school’s governing board must decide the qualities it wants in a president. Then the board creates a search committee, including professors, administrators and both current and former students. The committee then creates a list of possible candidates who possess the desired qualities. The majority of candidates on these lists are usually deans or provosts, McDavis says. Schools most often choose professors to fill these roles based on their records of research publication and service to the school as a whole. McDavis argues that many schools do not do enough to support women and minority faculty in moving their careers forward. So, search committees often find fewer women and minority candidates with leadership experience. That is why Diana Natalicio says it is important for more colleges and universities to create policies and plans to support diversity. Natalicio became the first female president of the University of Texas at El Paso in 1988 and has served in that role ever since. Natalicio says young people need to see diverse leaders in order to believe they can reach those positions one day. “These individuals send a signal to all students … [that] they too can [hope] to be in these roles,” Natalicio says. “If everyone who is an administrator at the highest level at universities around the country is a white male … [that’s not] the kind of role model that [women and minorities] need to see in order to … [reach] higher.” Natalicio suggests that schools need to actively choose to diversify their lists of presidential candidates. Also, schools must work with younger, inexperienced faculty. They must guide them in making choices in areas like research and service work that will advance their careers. Otherwise college leadership will stay as the same, Natalicio adds, even while the students continue to change. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly. And I’m Pete Musto.   Pete Musto reported this story for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. What does the leadership at colleges and universities in your country look like? How might having a more diverse leadership affect the way colleges and universities in your country operate? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   doctoral degree – n. the highest degree that is given by a university chancellor – n. the head of some U.S. universities character – n. the good qualities of a person that usually include moral or emotional strength, honesty, and fairness diversity – n. the state of having people who are different races or who have different cultures in a group or organization evolve(d) – v. to change or develop slowly often into a better, more complex, or more advanced state fault – v. to blame or criticize someone board – n. a group of people who manage or direct a company or organization sufficient – adj. having or providing as much as is needed particular – adj. used to indicate that one specific person or thing is being referred to and no others dean – n. a person who is in charge of one of the parts of a university  provost – n. an official of high rank at a university role(s) – n. the part that someone has in a family, society, or other group advance – v. to move forward

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2uMsggw
via IFTTT

Why Is 'Colonel' Pronounced 'Ker'nel?'

Welcome to Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. On this program we explore the origin and history of American expressions and teach you how to use them. Today we focus more on history than usage. We are going to answer an age-old question that may have been keeping you awake at night. Well, perhaps not. But it’s still an interesting word story! The pronunciation of some words can cause trouble for people learning English. For example, words such as “circle,” “sir,” “certainly” and “surprise” all sound as if they begin with the same letters. But they don’t.  Knowing language of origin for an unknown or new word – its roots – can help you pronounce the word the right way. Just ask any student who has ever competed in a spelling bee. One question that spelling bee contestants can ask the judges during the event is, “What is the language of origin?” Nyctinasty Nyctinasty. Will you please give me the language of origin? It’s made up of Greek elements that were probably first combined in German. N-y-c-t-i-n-a-s-t-y. Nyctinasty. Correct. The development or evolution of a word over time can also play a part in how we say it. In fact, both origin and evolution are involved in the pronunciation of the word “colonel.” First, what does “colonel” mean?  A colonel is a military official. In the United States, it can mean an officer in the Army, Air Force or Marine Corps. Colonel is spelled c-o-l-o-n-e-l. So, why do Americans say colonel as if it is spelled k-e-r-n-e-l? Adding to the confusion is that "kernel" is a word of its own and one that has several meanings. But, let’s get back to “colonel” … the c-o-l-o-n-e-l one. We know that many languages borrow and even steal words from other languages. The English language is probably the biggest thief of them all! It stole "colonel" from at least two countries – maybe even three. First, let's talk about Italy. By the 15th century, Italian forces were known for being good at war. So, many Italian war terms spread across Europe, including the word "colonel." It comes from the Italian word ‘colonnello.’ This is the position given to the officer responsible for a small force or column of soldiers. Then there's the influence of France on “colonel.” The French also took this word from the Italians. But when they added it to their language, they changed the word "colonnelo" to "coronel." Language experts say this is because the French wanted to have the "r" sound in the word, instead of the two "l" sounds. Finally, let's not forget Spain. At the same time, the Spanish were also pronouncing c-o-l-o-n-e-l as k-e-r-n-e-l. It is possible that both the French and the Spanish pronunciation affected the English version of the word. In addition to country of origin, there is something else at play in the word history of "colonel": written versus spoken language. From the very beginning, when this word came into English in the 1500s, there were two versions of spelling and two pronunciations. By around the 17th century, the word began appearing in military treaties across Europe. So, the written form of the word (colonel) and the spoken ("kernel") were both being used. In English, a combination won out. Colonel was spelled c-o-l-o-n-e-l but pronounced "kernel." Please let me apologize from the bottom of my heart for our crazy and sometimes confusing English pronunciations! That's all for this Words and Their Stories. Join us again next week when we talk about more words and expressions in American English. I'm Anna Matteo.       Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   age-old – adj. very old : having existed for a very long time pronounce – v. to make the sound of (a word or letter) with your voice : pronunciation – n. the way in which a word or name is pronounced contestant – n. a person who takes part in a contest confusing – adj. difficult to understand column – n. a long row of people or things — often + of : a column of troops/cars versus – prep. used to indicate two different things, choices, etc., that are being compared or considered bottom of my heart – informal expression with sincere, deep feelings crazy – adj. very strange or unusual

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tQOD0d
via IFTTT

West Faces Long War with Islamic State Group

  “If they are in Raqqa, they’re gonna die in Raqqa.” Those are the words of Brett McGurk, the United States’ top representative to the coalition fighting the Islamic State (IS) group. Last month, McGurk spoke about IS forces in the northern Syrian city of Raqqa. He declared their foreign fighters would be targeted. More than 2,000 IS militants are believed to be fighting in the city, which is the group’s self-declared capital. Many of them are thought to be from North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. But even after the militants are defeated in Raqqa in the coming weeks, IS will still have an estimated 13,000 fighters in Syria and Iraq. American officials and independent security experts warn they are a threat to the area. Bruce Hoffman and other observers expect the Islamic State to return to its earlier form as a terrorist and rebel group. Most IS leaders have not stayed in Raqqa to fight. They did not stay to fight in Mosul either. They fled both cities to smaller towns along the Iraqi border with Syria in the Euphrates River Valley and Anbar province in Iraq. Experts say IS hopes to act like other Islamist organizations, which were able to survive after being defeated by U.S. military forces in Iraq in 2007 and 2008. Observers say the group still controls territory both in west and east Iraq. They believe IS will attack government forces from villages and hiding places, as it began to do in April. Whether it can be successful depends on the effectiveness of anti-IS security forces on both sides of the border and the support of people in the area. Many Sunni Muslims are unhappy with heavy-handed security operations against militants, revenge killings and religious-based governance. Observers say such actions risk feeding into the Sunni disaffection that fueled the rise of IS in the first place. Experts worry that neither Iraqi nor U.S. officials have developed clear plans to bring security to areas taken from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). “We should be concerned about the lack of stabilization plans for territory from which ISIS is expelled,” says Daveed Gartenstein-Ross of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies. “We are in grave danger of once again winning the war but losing the peace,” he adds. U.S. officials would appear to be taking more of a hands-off policy in Raqqa once the U.S.-aided Syrian Democratic Forces have gained control of the city. VOA received an email from a spokesman for the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM. The email read “When ISIS has been defeated in Raqqa, authority will rest with the Raqqa Civilian Council and security will be maintained by the Raqqa Internal Security Force.” When asked whether U.S. officials have discussed the treatment of suspended militants, CENTCOM said that local officials are responsible for the detainees. But it added, “The Coalition supports the laws of armed conflict and works hard in training to ensure partner forces are aware of and understand the requirement for a professional fighting force to abide with these laws.” Violations are already being reported. Locals say some people believe that they must be IS members or supporters since they remained in the city under militant rule. In Iraq, rights groups have already documented revenge killings by Iranian-influenced Shi’ite militias. And a video of Iraqis questioning suspected militants in Mosul adds to the concern of rights groups. They accuse the Iraqis of using brutal interrogation methods against the suspects. Like al-Qaida, IS has established militant groups in other parts of the Middle East and North Africa, notably in Libya and Egypt. Last year, IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi told followers that his group would defeat efforts to oust it from its major population centers in Syria and Iraq. But he appeared to be preparing for their eventual loss by urging foreigners to fight for IS affiliates. One of the big questions is whether militants will continue showing interest in Islamic State after its talk of nation-building has been crushed. Now, al-Qaida will likely seek to show that it is the world’s top jihadist group. Some experts say al-Qaida has already been preparing the 28-year-old son of former leader Osama bin Laden as its new leader. Hamza Bin Laden has appeared in four recent propaganda videos for the group.  I’m Jonathan Evans.   Jamie Dettmer wrote this story for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   gonna – expression used in writing to represent the sound of the phrase going to when it is spoken quickly revenge – n. the act of doing something to hurt someone because that person did something that hurt you stabilize – v. to become stable or to make (something) stable, such as to stop quickly changing, increasing, getting worse, etc. grave – adj. very serious; requiring or causing serious thought or concern authority – n. the power to give orders or make decisions; the power or right to direct or control someone or something maintain – v. to cause (something) to exist or continue without changing; to provide support for (someone or something) abide – v. to accept or bear brutal – adj. extremely cruel or harsh  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tzpyf0
via IFTTT

Fall Armyworms on March Across Africa

A species of armyworm has spread to over 20 African countries and threatens Africa's main food crop -- maize. The warning comes from the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID. Joseph Huesing works as an advisor to USAID. He suspects the fall armyworms were transported to Africa from the American state of Florida or islands in the Caribbean. Huesing says the insects are attacking maize crops -- also known as corn -- in African countries south of the Sahara desert. "From Nigeria and Ghana, all the way to South Africa to Ethiopia,” he told VOA. “The most recent one is South Sudan, which reported fall armyworm infestation toward the end of June.” Huesing thinks fall armyworms are a big threat to African agriculture. When they invade a maize field, he said, the insects can eat 30 percent or more of the crop. They also eat other crops. A Challenge to Control The fall armyworms got their name from fall, or autumn -- the time of year when they do the most damage in the northern United States. The first published report describing their presence in Africa appeared in early 2016. It suggested the insects had already been there for a year. For several reasons, the fall armyworms may pose more problems for farmers than the African armyworm, which is native to Africa. Fall armyworms can reproduce continuously under warm, moist conditions, says Yene Belayneh of USAID. He noted that they can feed off of more than 80 species in 27 plant families. As adults, fall armyworms can fly up to 100 kilometers a day if pushed by winds. Some armyworms have found a ride on modern aircraft. For this reason, Belayneh said, communication is especially important. “If there is an outbreak, for example in Ethiopia, alerting Sudan or Eritrea would be a wise thing,” he said. In fact, the insects are in Ethiopia. The country's Plant Protection Directorate reported that as of July 10, fall armyworms have infested more than 440,000 hectares of crops. It said that about 305,000 hectares had been protected. Harder to detect But chemical treatments may be less effective with the new invaders than with the African armyworms. The fall armyworm enters “the plant and feeds from inside," says Belayneh. This makes the insect harder to recognize and harder to kill. The species is defenseless in cold weather, but freezing conditions are rare in much of Africa. Regina Eddy heads USAID's armyworm response team. She says her team’s goal is to provide training and technical choices. She identified Brazil as a model for fighting armyworms. A recent USAID report noted that Brazil spends an estimated $600 million each year to control the insects. One control measure experts are taking is to more carefully inspect food arriving at African airports. The fall armyworms may have arrived on the continent through a food shipment from overseas. The fall armyworm is not causing a crisis yet. But Belayneh told VOA no one is taking the situation lightly. I’m Mario Ritter.   Sora Halake wrote this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted the story for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   species – n. a group of similar, animals, insects or plants infestation – n. the act of spreading on or over (something) in a troublesome way pose – v. to create; to ask moist – adj. moderately wet response – n. an act of answering or reacting to something We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tzGUs9
via IFTTT

Taiwan Quietly Winning Diplomatic Competition with China

  Some countries are choosing to increase diplomatic ties with China as they limit contacts with the government in Taiwan. But Taiwan is doing better than China at a level of diplomacy that common people can feel: the number of countries that let the island’s citizens enter without requiring a visa. Taiwan has persuaded 166 countries to let its 23 million citizens enter without a visa or with simple visa requirements. Taiwan’s foreign ministry says some of these countries have done so, knowing that China might take action against them. Only 21 countries offer visa-free entry to people from China. The rise of visa-free countries from 10 years ago shows that Taiwan can expand diplomatically, even when facing Chinese opposition. It is something for Taiwan’s government to show citizens who want more foreign policy successes. Joanna Lei leads the Chunghua 21st Century research group in Taiwan. She said, "For most of the people foreign relations is a very distant thing, but the ability to travel free around the world is a direct and personal experience...If Taiwan continues to enjoy visa-free travel, that means a lot of countries recognize the administration and allow the people from Taiwan to their lands, and that will be a major, major foreign affairs achievement.” China claims control of Taiwan. It says the island must be reunited with the mainland someday. Taiwan has been self-ruled since the 1940s. But Chinese officials try to limit its influence around the world. China’s government has stopped Taiwan from joining United Nations agencies since the 1970s. The government also offers aid to countries that cut diplomatic relations with Taiwan and open ties to China. Panama cuts ties with the island and recognized the government in Beijing last month. Just 20 countries now recognize the government in Taiwan. More than 170 countries recognize China. The effort to expand visa-free treatment for Taiwanese people began during the presidency of Ma Ying-jeou, who held office from 2008 to 2016. During that time, China and Taiwan decided to set aside political differences so the two countries could build trust through economic deals. This made it more difficult for China to stop Taiwan’s efforts to increase people-to-people contacts overseas. Huang Kwei-bo led the foreign ministry research and planning committee from 2009 to 2011. “(Diplomatic) cables regarding that were sent to all the offices and missions abroad, and we kept reminding officials of the importance and urgency of getting visa waivers or visas upon arrival,” he said. “We tried to tell those potential targeted countries not to feel worried about punishment from the Beijing authorities,” he said, because improved ties under Ma “would make the visa waiver issue less sensitive.” The Henley & Partners 2015 Visa Restrictions Index rated Taiwan passports number 28 in the world in terms of visa-free restrictions. China was ranked 93rd. The Chinese government has shown little willingness to trust Taiwan’s current president, Tsai Ing-wen. But she has yet to call for legal independence from China. Liu Yih-jiun teaches at Fo Guang University in Taiwan. Liu says the worsening relations between the two sides could make it more difficult for Taiwan to add countries to its visa-free list. Last week, Taiwan and Paraguay agreed to let each other’s citizens enter without visas. The foreign ministry is also preparing to let Filipinos enter without a visa. The Philippines still requires Taiwanese to get a visa before entering the country. Taiwan foreign ministry official Eleanor Wang says countries let Taiwanese enter without a visa for economic reasons and for better ties with Taiwan. It is difficult for China to persuade other countries to let its citizens enter without a visa. The reason: some Chinese move to other countries illegally for economic reasons. Lin Chong-pin is a former strategic studies professor in Taipei. He says Taiwan “has achieved a certain level of economic sufficiency, therefore its citizens are not that eager to flee from the country and get settled in other countries.” “Most of them want to come back,” he adds. “They find Taiwan more comfortable. Countries that give Taiwan visa waivers are not threatened.” I’m Anna Matteo. And I'm Pete Musto.   Ralph Jennings reported this story from Taipei for VOANews.com. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted his 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   allow – v. to permit (something); to regard or treat (something) as acceptable achievement – n. something that has been done or achieved through effort; a result of hard work cable – n. a message sent by telegraph; a message sent by an embassy to its home country; a message sent by a country to one of its embassies waiver – n. an official document indicating that someone has given up or waived a right or requirement; the act of choosing not to use or require something that you are allowed to have or that is usually required rank – n. a position in a society, organization, group, etc. sufficient – adj. able to live or function without help or support from others comfortable – adj. allowing you to be relaxed; causing no worries, difficulty or uncertainty    

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tzKJgR
via IFTTT

Preserving Street Art in Washington, DC

Washington, D.C. has a complex relationship with graffiti and street art. Local street artist Gobi knows this well. Not long ago, a police officer caught him spraying colorful paint on the side of a building. Gobi did not get permission to put his design on the building. What he was doing, then, was illegal. The police officer arrested Gobi. Then, he asked Gobi for his business card. The officer said he was interested in hiring him for a street art project in the future. America’s capital city is trying hard to control its illegal graffiti problem. At the same time, city officials recognize the value and importance of street art. ​ There is a high demand for more artists to make street art legally. But the city offers few chances for young D.C. street artists to develop their skills without breaking the law. Some local programs, however, are trying to change that. A long history Graffiti and street art are forms of art created on walls or public surfaces. This art is often considered illegal because it is done without the permission of the building owners.   These art forms have existed since the times of ancient Greece. But the more modern style began forming in the 1960s in the cities of New York and Philadelphia. “Graffiti” often appears as words -- usually the names of the artist or their art crew. Graffiti artists write the words in creative ways and with colorful spray-paint. “Street art” is more based on images. Artists try to communicate a message through these images. Large pieces of street art are also called murals.  Graffiti and street art can be controversial. They are sometimes used to mark gang territory or damage someone’s property. Washington has tried to increase its fines for illegal graffiti. Yet it is also encouraging the creation of public art and murals. Bridging the public and the artists Cory Stowers is a D.C.-based graffiti and street artist. He is president of the D.C. graffiti crew Double Down Kings, or 2DK.  He is also the art director for Art Bloc D.C., a local street art organization. With Art Bloc D.C., Stowers is trying to create a bridge between the street art community and the D.C. public. He helps get permission from building owners to organize large mural projects around the city. The projects give local street artists the chance to create their art in public, without fear of breaking the law. They also give younger artists a chance to develop their skills. These projects are important, Stowers says. D.C. is making it more and more difficult for graffiti street artists to get practice. Construction projects and increased security have taken away important practice spaces throughout the city. Practice is extremely important, Stower explains. Many artists who paint popular murals in communities today got their start by painting graffiti. “There’s always this conversation that you have to have with folks and explaining to them that that young person that wrote a signature on their wall 10 years ago may be the same person that they’re asking to come paint a mural… Without one you don’t get the other.” Street artists with Art Bloc D.C. ask community members for their opinions on the murals. They want to create pieces that are meaningful for local residents. Stowers says interacting with the local community helps to “humanize” graffiti and street artists. “I think as communities start to recognize the value of public murals and they start to understand who actually can paint them, the idea of cultivating graffiti artists will become a little bit more popular.” Beautifying the city with murals In 2007, the city government created the program MuralsDC. The program hires artists to paint legal murals around the city. Nancee Lyons is MuralsDC’s art director. She says the program has two goals. One is to try to prevent illegal graffiti. The other is to “beautify” the city. Program officials believe that, if murals already cover city walls, graffiti artists will not paint over them illegally. Aniekan Udofia is a D.C.-based artist. He often paints for MuralsDC, and is known for his large works of art around the city. He says the logic of the program is correct. Unofficial rules in the street artist and graffiti community say that the more complex the work of art, the more priority it has on a wall. Large murals, then, often take priority over simpler graffiti art. They are usually not vandalized or damaged. “... Going over a well-done beautiful mural -- it goes outside of graffiti and at that point it’s just that you hate either the artist or you hate the work that has been created.” Udofia and his art director, Mia Duvall, agree that communicating with the local residents is very important. “I think anything you do in a public space you have to consider the community. We have to consider who is seeing this, how it’s going to affect them and what’s important to them… So every piece we do, we really do our best to make sure that we are being sensitive and thoughtful about who has to see this every day and how they are going to embrace this” Udofia recently finished a major MuralsDC project. It covers one of the walls of Ben’s Chili Bowl, a historic D.C. restaurant. The bright and colorful mural features 16 well-known African Americans, including Barack and Michelle Obama, Harriet Tubman, Muhammed Ali, and Dave Chappelle. The work was introduced to the public in a ceremony on June 21.   ​ Actor and comedian Dave Chappelle attended the ceremony. He told VOA that public art is an important part of a city’s culture. “Public art gets right to the heart of a culture of a city… who they love, who they represent, what’s the neighborhood about...” I’m Phil Dierking   Phil Dierking wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Do you think street art is good or bad for a city? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   controversial – adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument conversation – n. an informal talk involving two people or a small group of people​ cultivate – v.  to grow and care for​ embrace – v. to accept (something or someone) readily or gladly​ feature – v. to have or include (someone or something) as an important part​ gang – n. a group of criminals​ graffiti – n. pictures or words painted or drawn on a wall, building, etc.​ hierarchy – n.  a system in which people or things are placed in a series of levels with different importance or status​ hire – v. to give work or a job to (someone) in exchange for wages or a salary​ interact - v. to talk or do things with other people​ mural – n.  a usually large painting that is done directly on the surface of a wall​ priority – n. something that is more important than other things and that needs to be done or dealt with first​ sensitive – adj. aware of and understanding the feelings of other people​ vandalize – v. to deliberately destroy or damage (property)​

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2gRgrjP
via IFTTT

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

We present Part Two of the short story "Hearts and Crosses," by O. Henry. The story was originally adapted and recorded by the U.S. Department of State.   One day, a man named Bartholomew, not an important man, stopped at the Nopalito ranch house. It was noon and he was hungry. He sat down at the dinner table. While he was eating, he talked. “Mrs. Yeager,” he said, “I saw a man on the Seco Ranch with your name. Webb Yeager. He was foreman there. He was a tall yellow-haired man. Not a talker. Someone of your family?” “A husband,” said Santa. “That is fine for the Seco Ranch. Mr. Yeager is the best foreman in the West.” Everything at the Nopalito Ranch had been going well. For several years they had been working at the Nopalito with a different kind of cattle. These cattle had been brought from England, and they were better than the usual Texas cattle. They had been successful at the Nopalito Ranch, and men on the other ranches were interested in them. As a result, one day a cowboy arrived at the Nopalito Ranch and gave the queen this letter: “Mrs. Yeager — The Nopalito Ranch: "I have been told by the owners of the Seco Ranch to buy 100 of your English cattle. If you can sell these to the Seco, send them to us in the care of the man who brings this letter. We will then send you the money. "Webb Yeager, Foreman, Seco Ranch.” Business is business to a queen as it is to others. That night the 100 cattle were moved near the ranch house, ready for an early start the next morning. When night came and the house was quiet, did Santa Yeager cry alone? Did she hold that letter near to her heart? Did she speak the name that she had been too proud to speak for many weeks? Or did she place the letter with other business letters, in her office? Ask if you will, but there is no answer. What a queen does is something we cannot always know. But this you shall be told: In the middle of the night, Santa went quietly out of the ranch house. She was dressed in something dark. She stopped for a moment under a tree. There was moonlight, and a bird was singing, and there was a smell of flowers. Santa turned her face toward the southeast and threw three kisses in that direction, for there was no one to see her. Then she hurried quietly to a small building. What she did there, we can only guess. But there was the red light of a fire, and noise as if Cupid might be making his arrows. Later she came out with some strange iron tool in one hand. In the other hand she carried something that held a small fire. She hurried in the moonlight to the place where the English cattle had been gathered. Most of the English cattle were a dark red. But among those 100 there was one as white as milk. And now Santa caught that white animal as cowboys catch cattle. She tried once and failed. Then she tried again, and the animal fell heavily. Santa ran to it, but the animal jumped up. Again she tried and this time she was successful. The animal fell to earth again. Before it could rise, Santa had tied its feet together. Then she ran to the fire she had carried here. From it she took that strange iron tool. It was white hot. There was a loud cry from the animal as the white-hot iron burned its skin. But no one seemed to hear. All the ranch were quiet. And in the deep night quiet, Santa ran back to the ranch house and there fell onto a bed. She let the tears from her eyes, as if queens had hearts like the hearts of ranchmen’s wives; and as if a queen’s husband might become a king, if he would ride back again. In the morning, the young man who had brought the letter started toward the Seco Ranch. He had cowboys with him to help with the English cattle. It was 90 miles, six days’ journey. The animals arrived at Seco Ranch one evening as the daylight was ending. They were received and counted by the foreman of the ranch. The next morning at eight, a horseman came riding to the Nopalito ranch house. He got down painfully from the horse and walked to the house. His horse took a great breath and let his head hang and closed his eyes. But do not feel sorry for Belshazzar, the horse. Today he lives happily at Nopalito, where he is given the best care and the best food. No other horse there has ever carried a man for such a ride. The horseman entered the house. Two arms fell around his neck, and someone cried out in the voice of a woman and queen together: “Webb, oh, Webb!” “I was wrong,” said Webb Yeager. “I was a — ” and he named a small animal with a bad smell, an animal no one likes. “Quiet,” said Santa. “Did you see it?” “I saw it,” said Webb. What were they speaking of? Perhaps you can guess, if you have read the story carefully. “Be the cattle queen,” said Webb. “Forget what I did, if you can. "I was as wrong as — ” “Quiet!” said Santa again, putting her fingers upon his mouth. “There’s no queen here. Do you know who I am? I am Santa Yeager, First Lady of the Bedroom. Come here.” She led him into a room. There stood a low baby’s bed. And in the bed was a baby, a beautiful, laughing baby, talking in words that no one could understand. “There is no queen on this ranch,” said Santa again. “Look at the king. He has eyes like yours, Webb. Get down on your knees and look at the king.” There was a sound of steps outside and Bud Turner was there at the door. He was asking the same question he had asked almost a year ago. “Good morning. Shall I drive those cattle to Barber’s or — ” He saw Webb and stopped, with his mouth open. “Ba-ba-ba-ba-ba-ba!” cried the king, waving his arms. “You hear what he says, Bud,” said Webb Yeager. “We do what the king commands.” And that is all, except for one thing. When old man Quinn, owner of the Seco Ranch, went to look at his new English cattle, he asked his new foreman, “What is the Nopalito Ranch’s mark?” “X over Y,” said Wilson. “I thought so,” said Quinn. “But look at that white animal there. She has another mark — a heart with a cross inside. Whose mark is that?” Download activities to help you understand this story here. Now it's your turn to use the words in this story. How do you solve problems with someone you love? How do you feel when someone tells you they are sorry for something they did? Let us know in the comments section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   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 cowboy – n. a man who rides a horse and whose job is to take care of cows or horses especially in the western U.S. queen – n. a girl or woman who is highly respected and very successful or popular proud – n. very happy and pleased because of something you have done, something you own, someone you know or are related to Cupid – n. the god of attraction, affection and love in ancient Rome king – n. a boy or man who is highly respected and very successful or popular

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2vJWSfU
via IFTTT

Some Summer Movies May Be Oscar Contenders

In past years, most big summer films have been action movies. Stars like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone became known for appearing in summer movies. In recent years, movies featuring Batman, Spiderman, Superman, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, The X-Men and other comic book characters dominated the theaters. Such summer blockbusters are not usually considered as serious possibilities for big awards like Oscars and Golden Globes. Studios usually release films they think could win such awards later in the year. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences is the organization behind the Oscars, or Academy Awards. Critics have argued that the organization often ignores movies that are hugely popular with the public. But this year, some big summer releases are getting a lot of awards “buzz.” Among them is a July movie called Dunkirk. Christopher Nolan directed the film which is based on an event that happened during World War Two. A New York Times critic recently called the film a “tour de force” and “brilliant.” The story takes place in 1940. Hundreds of thousands of allied soldiers were battling with Germany near the French city of Dunkirk. The allied soldiers were under especially great risk of being killed or captured. But an evacuation effort took place over a few days in late May and early June. Many small civilian boats crossed the English Channel to help more than 300,000 soldiers escape danger. Emma Thomas is the producer of Dunkirk. She said she is not worried about awards; she just wants to make movies that people like. July is a good time for movies because many people take time off from work and have time to go to the theater. “This film we primarily thought of as an entertainment,” she said. “For us, we make films for audiences. My feeling is always: If your film works and people engage with it, anything that comes later is a huge bonus.” Audiences, Thomas said, think differently about movies that come out later in the year. “You’re almost limiting it, in a way, and we don’t want to limit the film.” Another summer film that may make Oscars news is Wonder Woman. Wonder Woman has sold a lot of tickets since it came out in June -- over $380 million worth. But, it has received great critical praise as well. Both director Patty Jenkins and actress Gal Gadot could be considered for awards early next year. A recently released summer movie receiving award buzz is The Big Sick. It tells the real-life story of a Muslim-American comedian who falls in love with a young woman right before she gets seriously sick. Doctors place the woman into a coma while they treat her. The film Detroit is also under discussion as a possible award nominee. The movie will open in August. It tells about five days of riots in the city of Detroit, Michigan fifty years ago, during the summer of 1967. Kathryn Bigelow directed Detroit. She also directed The Hurt Locker, which won best picture in 2010. It was also a summer movie. Bigelow said awards are “not why we make these films… Whatever happens along any other lines, I have no idea.” I’m Dan Friedell.     Dan Friedell adapted this story for Learning English based on a story by the Associated Press. Caty Weaver was the editor. What was your favorite movie of the summer? Do you think it might win a big award? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   character – n. a person who appears in a story, book, play, movie, or television show dominate – v. to be much more powerful or successful than others in a game, competition, etc. blockbuster – n. something that is very large, expensive, or successful buzz – n. excited talk about something tour de force – n. a very skillful and successful effort or performance brilliant – v. to try to hit a ball with a bat in baseball, cricket, or a similar game evacuation – n. the act of leaving a dangerous place engage – v. to get and keep (someone's attention, interest, etc.) audience – n. a group of people who gather together to listen to something (such as a concert) or watch something (such as a movie or play) :the people who attend a performance comedian – n. a person who performs in front of an audience and makes people laugh by telling jokes or funny stories or by acting in a way that is funny : an actor who plays roles that make people laugh coma – n. a state in which a sick or injured person is unconscious for a long time  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2tOP8rT
via IFTTT

WHO: Almost 13 Million Babies Missed Vaccines in 2016

  The World Health Organization (WHO) says almost one in 10 babies worldwide received no vaccines in 2016. That means almost 13 million babies missed the first of three required injections of a vaccine to protect against the diseases diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. It is called the DTP3 vaccination. An additional 6.6 million infants got that first injection, but failed to get the other two doses last year. “Since 2010, the percentage of children who received their full course of routine immunizations has stalled at 86 percent,” WHO said in a statement on Monday. “This falls short” of the worldwide immunization coverage target of 90 percent, the statement noted. It said there were no important changes in any countries or areas during the year. Present immunization levels prevent two to three million deaths worldwide every year from diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and measles, WHO said. It called routine vaccinations “one of the most successful and cost-effective” public health actions that can be carried out. One-hundred-thirty of the 194 WHO member states have reached the 90 percent level for DPT3 vaccines. Most unvaccinated infants live in countries where there is conflict or high levels of poverty. Eight nations had levels below 50 percent for DPT3 shots in 2016.  They were Central African Republic, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria and Ukraine. “If we are going to raise the bar” on worldwide immunization coverage, “health services must reach the unreached,” said WHO’s Jean-Marie OkwoBele. “Every contact with the health system must be seen as” a chance to protect children against disease. The good news is that WHO reported gains in vaccinations against rubella, a virus that can cause severe birth defects in children. But the vaccine must be given to pregnant women before they give birth. Around the world, coverage against rubella increased from 35 percent in 2010 to 47 percent in 2016, WHO said. It called the improvement a “big step toward reducing” the condition that results in hearing loss, heart problems, and blindness. The fight for higher vaccination rates is not just happening in developing nations or those experiencing war. In France, the government passed a measure requiring that by 2018, French parents will have to vaccinate their children against a number of diseases. They include pertussis, measles, mumps, and rubella. France already requires vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, and poliomyelitis. Exceptions are made for infants with a few medical conditions. The French law is a reaction to the movement against vaccinations in developed countries. In the United States, Britain, and France, the measles vaccination rate has fallen below the 95 percent level. That is the level that stops the spread of the disease. “Children are still dying of measles,” French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe told Parliament. He called that “not admissible” in the homeland of Louis Pasteur, the scientist who discovered vaccines. I’m Anne Ball.   Lucas Sczygelski reported this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted his report for 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   routine – adj. done very often immunization – n. a vaccine given to someone to prevent infection by disease stall – v. to stop and not move forward because of a problem raise the bar – phrase. increasing the standard by which something will be judged defect – n.  a problem or fault that makes something not perfect

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2gQKdW3
via IFTTT