Houston Faces Worsening Flooding Conditions

Houston, a city in the American state of Texas, will face worsening flooding conditions as Tropical Storm Harvey continues to rain on the city. On Friday, Harvey, the strongest storm to strike Texas in 50 years, came ashore near Corpus Christi, about 354 km south of Houston. It has since remained around Texas' Gulf Coast. The storm's rains submerged cars and flooded highways. Schools, airports and office buildings in the fourth largest city in the United States were closed as high waters filled some neighborhoods. More flooding is expected to come as the storm moves back in the direction of Houston. Weather reports say some areas in Texas could have as much as 1.27 meters of rain from the storm. Brock Long is the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At a news conference on Monday, he said that more than 30,000 people are expected to be placed temporarily in shelters. The area immediately surrounding Houston, called the metropolitan area, is home to 6.8 million people. It is also home to many oil refineries in the U.S. Many have stopped operations, likely for weeks, due to the storm, including Exxon Mobil’s facility in Baytown. It is the United States' second largest refinery. As of Monday morning, the shut down reduced about 2.4 million barrels of oil, or 13 percent of daily U.S. production. The outages will limit the availability of U.S. gasoline and other refined products and push prices higher, experts said. Federal authorities predicted it would take years to repair the damage from Harvey. The rains brought back memories of Tropical Storm Allison, which struck Texas in 2001. It flooded 70,000 homes and caused $9 billion in damage. Damages are not likely to be as extensive as Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which killed 1,800 people in and around New Orleans. Nor will damages likely be as high as Sandy, which hit New York in 2012. Those storms caused $80 billion and $36 billion in insured losses, respectively, according to Hannover Re, one of the world’s largest reinsurance companies. I'm Alice Bryant   Ruthy Munoz and Marianna Parraga reported on this story for Reuters. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   worsen – v. to make (something) worse or to become worse administrator – n. a person whose job is to manage a company, school, or other organization refinery – n. a place where something, like oil, is refined reinsurance -- n.  insuring (something) again so that the insurance is shared by more than one company

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

India, China Agree to End Tense Border Conflict

  India and China have reached an agreement to end the most serious dispute in years between the Asian powers.  The two sides agreed to settle a border dispute at Doklam in the eastern Himalayas. Increased tensions there had raised fears of a wider conflict between the two countries. India’s foreign ministry says the decision followed diplomatic communications between Chinese and Indian officials. A quick removal of border personnel from the disputed area at Doklam “has been agreed to and is on-going,” said a ministry statement on Monday. It added that, “We were able to express our views and convey our concerns and interests." China’s foreign ministry said that Chinese soldiers will continue to patrol the area. A foreign ministry official said "China will continue to exercise sovereignty rights to protect territorial sovereignty in accordance with the rules of the historical boundary." The announcement comes days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to China for meetings of the group of nations known as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). These talks are to take place next week. The timing of the BRICS summit had put pressure on China and India to find a solution before Modi’s visit. The dispute over the Doklam plateau in the Himalayas started two-and-one-half months ago. It has lasted much longer than earlier border conflicts between China and India. The two sides disagree about other parts of their 3,500 kilometer long border. The conflict began when Indian troops prevented China from building a road at Doklam, a plateau disputed between China and Bhutan. Since then, about 300 troops from each side have been sent to the area. This has raised fears of a larger conflict. India has refused to leave the territory. It fears that Chinese control of the plateau would give China easy access to a small piece of land connecting central India to the country’s northeast.  China has accused India of entering its territory. The Indian government, however, has claimed that the plateau was disputed territory between Bhutan and China. India also said its forces had moved in to help its small neighbor. India wanted both countries to remove their troops. China had demanded that India pull its troops back from the disputed area.  Chinese media also called on India to remember its defeat in a war fought between the two sides in 1962. In China, a spokesperson said, "China hopes India respects the historical boundary and works with China to protect peace along the border on the basis of mutual respect of each other's sovereignty." Commentators in India welcomed the decision on Monday. They said both sides appeared to have found a face-saving solution. Former India diplomat K.C. Singh told NDTV television India would not object to Chinese troops guarding the area because they did so in the past also. Singh also said, "What they (India and Bhutan) have objected to is changing the status quo, which is building a road.” I’m Phil Dierking.   Anjana Pasricha reported on this story for VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.  What do you think is the best way for countries to resolve border conflicts?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   ______________________________________________________________  Words in This Story    convey - v. to make (something) known to someone patrol - v. to walk or go around or through especially in order to make sure that it is safe​ plateau - n. a large flat area of land that is higher than other areas of land that surround it​ sovereignty - n. a country's independent authority and the right to govern itself​ accordance - n. in a way that agrees with or follows something, such as a rule or request) access - n. a way of getting near, at, or to something or someone​ mutual - adj. shared between two or more people or groups​ face-saving - adj. done to keep someone from looking foolish​ status quo - n.  the way things are now​

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

Calls for End of Hate, Racism at MTV Awards

This is What’s Trending Today. The MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles included performances by popular musicians of the last 12 months. A number of musicians also denounced racism and discrimination after recent violence in Charlottesville, Virginia. Katy Perry hosted the event featuring singers and music groups, including Kendrick Lamar, Fifth Harmony, Miley Cyrus, and Lorde. Lamar opened the show with a hot version of his song, “Humble” that included back-up performers dancing on a wall of fire. They wore special suits that kept them from getting burned. “Humble” went on to win one of the night’s biggest awards: Best Hip-Hop Video. Critics, including Rob Sheffield of the music magazine Rolling Stone, wrote about the show. Sheffield said Perry’s attempts at comedy in her role of host fell flat and her performance of her song “Swish Swish” felt “labored and witless.” He was more excited to see British rock singer Rod Stewart’s appearance during the band DNCE’s version of “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” Stewart first recorded the song in 1978 and joined Joe Jonas on stage. Sheffield was also impressed by Lorde, who could not sing because of an illness. Lorde came on stage and danced along to a recorded version of her song “Homemade Dynamite.” Other performances of note came from the British girl-group Fifth Harmony and new rap artist Cardi B. Fifth Harmony performed its hit “Down” without Camila Cabello, who left the group in late 2016. Cardi B impressed fans with “Bodak Yellow,” one of the top rap songs of the summer. The music event also featured political comments from singers and special guests. Robert Wright Lee is a religious leader and a descendant of Confederate Civil War general Robert E. Lee. He introduced Susan Bro, saying he is “working to confront racism and white supremacy.” Bro is the mother of Heather Heyer. She was killed when a white supremacist drove his car into a crowd of activists protesting their presence Charlottesville, Virginia. Bro presented the Fight Against the System Award and announced the Heather Heyer Foundation, which will help people fight hate. Michael Jackson’s eldest daughter, Paris, presented the Best Pop Video award to Fifth Harmony. She also condemned the “violence, hatred and discrimination” from the white supremacist groups. Singer and actor Jared Leto honored singers Chis Cornell and Chester Bennington, who committed suicide over the summer. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Dan Friedell.   Dan Friedell wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on reports by The Associated Press and Rolling Stone. Hai Do was the editor. Did you watch the MTV show? What did you think? We want to know. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story feature – n. an interesting or important part host – n. a person who talks to guests on a television or radio show witless – adj. very foolish or stupid descendant – n. someone who is related to a person or group of people who lived in the past white supremacist – n. a person who believes that the white race is better than all other races and should have control over all other races confront – v. to oppose or challenge (someone) especially in a direct and forceful way  

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2wXKhK9
via IFTTT

A Desert Turns Green

On the eastern side of the Arabian Peninsula, the desert turns green as clouds cover it like a blanket. This is the country of Oman's monsoon season. The natural event, which lasts for three months, draws hundreds of thousands of tourists with cool weather and beautiful views. It began this year on June 21. A 60-day festival, in Oman's Dhofar region, draws about 50,000 people every night for dance competitions, musical performances, and exorcisms. In the midst of the clouds, people celebrate Oman's cultural diversity of Arab, African, and Asian roots. ​The festival Officials in Dhofar region started the monsoon festival in 1998. The monsoon festival now draws performers from 40 countries, said festival director Talal al-Masahli. He added that 60 percent of the visitors come from Oman, while the rest come from nearby countries such as Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Each night, a different Omani city takes the main stage. The port of Sohar did a sea-themed show with cannons and a large wooden ship. The next night, a group from Bidbid chanted with swords while a musician blew into a ram's horn. Salem Ashoor, leader of the local Ahmad al-Kabir Sufi order, said diverse groups use the festival to share their cultures. The Sufi order, for example, performed a musical exorcism in front of almost of 500 people. More tourists come every year Khalid al-Najar is a meteorologist. He explains that the mountains surrounding Salalah, Dhofar's capital city, trap moisture from the Indian Ocean monsoon. Air pressure pockets above Saudi Arabia and Tibet drive air currents to Oman. These weather currents create a unique environment, which has heavy fogs and lush mountains and coasts. "It's magical," said Muna al-Ajmi, an Omani chemical engineer visiting the region with two children. Thomas Wagmann, on holiday from Dubai, noted, "Compared to Dubai, this [Dhofar region] is just fantastic because you can be outdoors all the time."  He added, "You don't even have to worry about sunburn because there's no sun." I'm John Russell.   Samuel McNeil wrote this story for AP News. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   monsoon – n. a wind in the Indian Ocean and southern Asia that brings heavy rains in the summer exorcism – n. to force (an evil spirit) to leave cannon – n. a large gun that shoots heavy metal or stone balls and that was once a common military weapon  blow – v.  to create a current of moving air by breathing meteorologist – n.  a scientist who studies the atmosphere and with weather moisture – n. a small amount of a liquid (such as water) that makes something wet or moist

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

America's Presidents - Theodore Roosevelt

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

Harvey Causes Unprecedented Rains in Texas

Tropical Storm Harvey has left at least two people dead as flooding and tornadoes presented continuing danger for the residents of southeastern Texas.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2vlkoV2
via IFTTT

Introducing Let's Teach English

Summary The Let’s Teach English video series offers free online training for English language educators worldwide. It is based on the Women Teaching Women English text for adult, beginning level learners. Voice of America and the University of Oregon are partners on this project. The course includes: 1.  An introductory video which summarizes the main topics of second language teaching and shows classroom examples of the topics. 2.  Ten 5-minute video episodes based on the units of Women Teaching Women English. Each of these episodes provides a model of communicative language teaching through simulated language classroom interaction. The course can be used by men and women. 3. English teaching materials from the course, Women Teaching Women English.  The student book, teacher’s manual, and audio files can be accessed for each unit. This course is the result of a collaboration between the University of Oregon American English Institute and the U.S. Department of State.    Teaching Topics Click on the image below for more details about the course and these teaching topics. Theory of Constructivism Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) Method Learner-Centered Practices and Active Learning     Transcript Tra Mi: You have been watching the videos. Your assignment was to choose a teaching topic, explain it in your own words, and give an example of where you see it in the video course. Can you tell me what you chose?   Rebecca Sui: I chose Constructivism.   Linh Dan: Mine is about the Communicative Language Teaching Method.   Laila Azimi: I looked for some Learner-Centered Practices, such as teaching students how to use learning strategies.   Tra Mi: Very good. Since Let’s Teach English is built on the theory of Constructivism, why don’t you start?   Rebecca Sui: Sounds good to me!   Rebecca Sui: When I think of building or “constructing” something, I see a house or a school. To me, constructivism means my students are taking in new ideas and new words, and building their own understanding of the world around them. I found an example of this in Unit 4. First, the teacher prepares students to read a story by talking about the content. She has her students bring in pictures of technology that they know about. In this way, students start with things they already know about. Then they can connect that to the new information in the story. The teacher gets her students interested in the story by previewing the title and images.   Rebecca Sui: The students know about technology and the internet. But, they do not know that someone could learn from the internet without having an internet connection. They read a story and learn about a mobile library called SolarSPELL, where information from the internet could be stored. Finally, her students make a picture to explain the SolarSPELL library in their own words.   Rebecca Sui: I think this is a good example. They knew something to start with, but they had to construct or build on their knowledge. They read about the Solar SPELL and then they told about it in their own words. They learned some new words in English and they also learned about a new place, Vanuatu.   Tra Mi: Okay, great start on constructivism. Who wants to talk next?   Linh Dan: I do! I decided to talk about the Communicative Language Teaching method.   Linh Dan: In Unit 5, the students do role-plays in groups, and each group has different information. That way, their role plays are all different. This is a great example of a real world task and Communicative Language Teaching. Students use their own words to shop, sell, and bargain in the marketplace. Video clip of shopping role play   Linh Dan: The students were in a real-world situation in this unit. They were using English in a meaningful way to do the task. They had a clear purpose for communicating. And, just as important, the activity was learner-centered because they had choices in the language and actions that they used.   Tra Mi: Thank you, Linh Dan! Now, for Layla’s presentation.   Laila Azimi: I want to tell you what I learned about Learner-Centered Teaching and Active Learning for students. In Unit 9, the students practice an interview for a job. They each choose the job that they want to get. Then, they practice the learning strategy of “predicting” in two ways. They predict what kinds of questions can occur in their interviews. And, during the role-play, the listening group predicts what questions might come next.   Laila Azimi: We saw one student’s interview for the job she chose. We know that every student chose a different job, did research about that job, and wrote her own interview questions.   Tra Mi: What was the teacher’s role in this?   Laila Azimi: The teacher’s job was to support the learners in their choices and research. She also gave them more control over their learning by teaching them to apply strategies. In this case, they predicted hard questions for the interview. They can use these strategies later in other real-world situations. Tra Mi: Thank you, all, for sharing these important topics of language teaching: Constructivism Communicative Language Teaching Learner-Centered Practices and Active Learning Tra Mi: So, let’s start with the first unit!   Laila Azimi, Linh Dan, and Rebecca Sui: Yes, let’s teach English together!   _____________________________________________________________   Poll

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

Lesson 49: Operation Spy!

Summary Ms. Weaver has asked Anna to help with Operation Spy. Her mission is to learn all she can about spying. She learns by going to the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Speaking In this video, learn how to say the new words. Then compare the present perfect, present, and past verb tenses.  ​Pronunciation Use this video to learn about how Americans pronounce the reduced forms of "has" and "have' in the present perfect verb tense. Conversation Anna: It is no secret that Washington, D.C. has spies. Well, it should be a secret because spying is secret. But it’s not a secret. There’s even a spy museum! The International Spy Museum has created an amazing collection of spy things! And today, we will see them! My boss, Ms. Weaver, has sent me here … on a mission! Ms. Weaver: Hello, Anna, are you there? Anna: That’s her. Yes, Agent Peacock. This is Agent Flamingo, reporting for duty. Ms. Weaver: Agent what? Look, Anna … I mean, Agent Flamingo, I want you to learn all you can about spying. Anna: You mean, collect intelligence? Ms. Weaver: Yeah, it’s for our new show -- “D.C. Secrets.” Anna: You've got it, Agent Peacock. The mission is safe with me. Ms. Weaver: Oh, okay, great. Just be back by noon. Anna: Agent Peacock, I’m at an air duct! Ms. Weaver: Yes, spies sometimes sneak down air ducts. Anna: I have never snuck down an air duct. It’s dark and small. I’m afraid of dark, small places. Ms. Weaver: You can do it, Agent Flamingo. You know, spies aren’t afraid of a little darkness. Anna: Right. It’s just an air duct -- a dark, small air duct. Okay. I’m doing it, Agent Peacock! I am sneaking down a long, dark, small air duct. I’m having a little trouble breathing. Ms. Weaver: Just keep going, Agent Flamingo. Think of the team! Anna: Okay, I will think of the team. I’m thinking of the team, Agent Peacock! I did it! I did it! I sneaked down an air duct. That was a little uncomfortable. Ms. Weaver: Good! Anna: What's the next mission? Ms. Weaver: Umm … have you ever cracked a code? Anna: No. Ms. Weaver: Well, go learn. Spies use their brains. Anna: Got it! I’ve never cracked a code before. Let’s try, Agent Flamingo! This is really hard. I'm still trying to crack the code. I've cracked the code! I've cracked the code, Agent Peacock! My brain really hurts. Ms. Weaver: Great. Umm, Agent Flamingo, now answer this question: Do spies have to be in good shape? Anna: “Yes,” Agent Peacock! Spies have to be in really good shape! Can you hear me? Ms. Weaver: You’re breaking up, Flamingo. Anna: The International Spy Museum is awesome! Agent Peacock, I completed the mission! Ms. Weaver: Great. Great. Now, I have another very important mission for you. Anna: Got it. See you back at H.Q.! Ms. Weaver: Yummy! You brought my lunch! Thanks, Agent Flamingo! Anna: Mission completed. Agent Peacock! (Amelia makes a face.) Ms. Weaver: Don't ask.   Special thanks go out to the International Spy Museum for letting us film in the museum! Writing In this lesson, Anna learns about a job that many people think is exciting. Have you ever thought about doing a job that is different from the one you have now, or the one you think you will have when you finish school? Would it be more fun or more exciting? Tell us about the job. Write to us by email or in the Comments section. Click on the image below to download the Activity Sheet to practice three verb tenses and learn about how your friends practice speaking English.  Please note, our activity sheets now can be completed on the computer.​ Learning Strategy Learning Strategies are the thoughts and actions that help make learning easier or more effective. The learning strategy for this lesson is Find Practice Opportunities. This strategy is what we use when we look for any chance we can get to practice speaking, listening to, reading, or writing English.  In this lesson, Anna is learning about being a spy. She practices some of the things that spies do - sneaking down an air duct, cracking a code, and staying in good shape. She found a good opportunity to practice spy skills. These experiences will help her to write a good story for her children's show. What do you do to find opportunities to practice English? Maybe you meet another English learner for coffee and speak English when you are together. Maybe you write emails or texts to a friend in English. Or you could read in English for fun: novels, comics, blogs, tweets, and so on. Write to us about how you look for ways to practice in the Comments section or send us an email. Teachers, see the Lesson Plan for more details on teaching this strategy.   Quiz Listen to short videos and test your listening skills with this quiz.  ______________________________________________________________ New Words agent - n. a person who tries to get secret information about another country or government air duct - n. a duct or pipe for air to flow through to the rooms of a building brain - n. the organ of the body in the head that controls functions, movements, sensations, and thoughts breathe - v. to move air into and out of your lungs code - n. a set of letters, numbers or symbols that is used to secretly send messages to someone collection - n. a group of interesting or beautiful objects brought together in order to show or study them complete - v. to finish making or doing (something) crack - v. to find an answer or solution to (something) duty - n. something that is done as part of a job flamingo - n. a tall wading bird with mainly pink or scarlet plumage and long legs and neck H.Q. - abbrev. headquarters - n. a place from which something (such as a business or a military action) is controlled or directed intelligence - n. secret information that a government collects about an enemy or possible enemy mission - n. a task or job that someone is given to do operation - n. a set of planned actions for a particular purpose peacock - n. a male peafowl, which has very long tail feathers that it can spread like a fan secret - n. a fact or piece of information that is kept hidden from other people shape - n. a physically strong and healthy condition sneak - v. to move quietly and secretly in order to avoid being noticed spy - n. a person who tries secretly to get information about a country or organization for another country or organization   ​______________________________________________________________ Free Materials   Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. Each Let's Learn English lesson has an Activity Sheet for extra practice on your own or in the classroom. In this lesson, you can use it to practice using the present, past, and present perfect verb tenses, and talk about ways to practice English. For Teachers ​ See the Lesson Plan for this lesson for ideas and more teaching resources. Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar: Present perfect vs. present; Present perfect vs. past tense Topics: Reacting to information; Research for work Learning Strategy: Find Practice Opportunities Speaking & Pronunciation: Reduced forms of has/have in present perfect tense _______________________________________________________________ Now it's your turn. Send us an email or write to us in the Comments section below or on our Facebook page to let us know what you think of this lesson.

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2waopu3
via IFTTT

William Taft: Heavy

VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about William Howard Taft, who took office in 1909. In some ways, the story of Taft’s presidency is also a story about Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency. Roosevelt had been president for the eight years before Taft. The two men were friends; Roosevelt was even a mentor to Taft. But the two men were very different. Roosevelt was energetic, both in his physical abilities and in his use of executive power. His vision for the country was progressive. In contrast, Taft was a more conservative, heavy man who fell asleep in meetings, and who did not make decisions quickly. In fact, Americans often remember Taft because of his size. His weight changed frequently, but as president Taft usually weighed about 135 kilograms. One popular story claims that Taft got stuck in a White House bathtub. This story is not true. However, it is true that Taft had a special bathtub made for him. Several men could sit comfortably in it. As president, Taft did continue some of Roosevelt’s reforms, but in a more orderly way. He also took some actions that contradicted Roosevelt’s wishes. In four years, the two men had gone from political allies to competitors for the White House.  Early life Taft was another president who was born in the state of Ohio. He grew up in the city of Cincinnati, along with five siblings. Taft’s father was a well-known lawyer, public official and diplomat. He was an advisor to President Ulysses Grant. His mother was an intelligent, independent woman who also worked for the public good. The Tafts had high expectations for their son. He became an excellent student, who went on to study at Yale and then the University of Cincinnati Law School.   Taft sought a career path that he hoped would lead him one day to the U.S. Supreme Court. He worked as a lawyer, and then as a judge in Ohio. Along the way, he met Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt helped Taft advance his career as a judge. But one person was not happy about the career move: Taft’s wife. Taft had married an intelligent, independent woman named Helen Herron, known as Nellie. She had always wanted to be first lady, and she urged her husband to follow a path toward the White House. In time, Nellie Taft had her wish. In 1900 President William McKinley offered Taft a position in the Philippines. The islands had come under the control of the United States after the Spanish-American War. McKinley wanted Taft to help prepare the Philippines to be ruled by civilians, instead of by soldiers. Taft worried he would not like the job; however, he knew that it was a good chance to build a political career. Taft was right about that. But he was wrong about disliking the job. He enjoyed it so much that he turned down two offers to return to the U.S. and serve on the Supreme Court. In the Philippines, Taft successfully established courts, schools, a transportation network, and a health care system. Taft did have pejorative views about the people who lived there – he did not think they were yet capable of governing themselves. But he performed his job as governor general effectively. Taft might have even stayed in the Philippines if it were not for his friend Theodore Roosevelt. In 1901, Roosevelt became president. He asked Taft to become his secretary of war. Taft agreed, partly so he could continue to supervise the Philippines. But the job also put him in a position to become president himself. Presidency William Taft did not really want to be president. But Theodore Roosevelt and Nellie Taft wanted him to be. During the election of 1908, Taft permitted Roosevelt to do most of the campaigning for him. He spent a lot of time golfing. Taft was the first president to be strongly linked – so to speak – to the sport of golfing. (Another word for golf course is “links.”) Yet voters approved of Taft. They likely hoped he would continue the reforms of Roosevelt. He won the election easily. Once in the White House, however, Taft did several things that reversed Roosevelt’s positions. First, Taft signed a bill that did not reduce tariffs as much as many progressive activists wanted. Then, Taft removed one of Roosevelt’s friends from a goverment position. Taft believed he was correct in making the move, but Roosevelt and many other Republicans were furious. Some historians say they did not give Taft enough credit for the many reforms he did make. His government pursued a large number of anti-trust suits against big business. It also advanced two Constitutional amendments – one to establish a federal income tax, and another to permit voters to elect senators directly. As the end of Taft’s term in the White House came near, the Republican Party was divided. At their 1912 convention, a majority of delegates nominated Taft for president again. But a number left the meeting in anger. They created a new group, called the Progressive Party, and nominated as their candidate Theodore Roosevelt. Taft and Roosevelt, along with the Democratic Party candidate, fought a bitter campaign during 1912. Of the three, Taft came in last. Roosevelt came in second. The divided Republicans had given control of the White House to the Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson. Legacy Happily for him, Taft’s story does not end there. Taft taught at Yale University Law School for a while. Then, when a Republican took the White House again, President Warren Harding appointed Taft as chief justice of the Supreme Court. He is the only person to lead both the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Taft was clear about which one he favored: He was much more comfortable as a justice than he was as president. One journalist at the time described Chief Justice Taft as “a smiling Buddha, placid, wise, gentle, sweet.” He even lost weight. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.      ____________________________________________________________ Listening Quiz See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mentor - n. someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person contrast - n. the act of comparing people or things to show the differences between them contradicted - v. to not agree with (something) in a way that shows or suggests that it is false or wrong advance - v. to help the progress of something network - n. a system of lines, wires, etc., that are connected to each other pejorative - adj. insulting to someone or something reversed - v. to cause (something, such as a process) to stop or return to an earlier state tariffs - n. a tax on goods coming into or leaving a country progressive - n. a person who favors new or modern ideas especially in politics and education comfortable - adj. allowing you to be relaxed : causing no worries, difficulty, or uncertainty

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2vB75uz
via IFTTT

Researchers Use Brain Cells to Control Aging in Mice

It is a question people have been asking for—well-- ages.  Is there a way to turn back the aging process in people? For centuries, people have been looking for a “fountain of youth.” The idea is that if you find a magical fountain, and drink from its waters, you will not age. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León searched for waters with magical powers in the early 1500s. But what he found instead is the American state of Florida. Researchers in New York did not find an actual fountain of youth, but they may have found a way to turn back the aging process. It appears the answer may be hidden right between your eyes, in an area called the hypothalamus. The hypothalamus is part of your brain. It controls important activities within the body. They include growth, reproduction and the way we process food. Researchers at New York’s Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that hypothalamus neural stem cells also influence how fast aging takes place in the body. What are stem cells?  They are simple cells that can develop into specialized cells, like blood or skin cells. Stem cells can also repair damaged tissues and organs. Dongsheng Cai is a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  He was the lead researcher in a study on aging in mice. He and his team reported their findings in the journal Nature. Cai explains what they found. "Aging speed is controlled, can be controlled by a particular place in the body, which is the hypothalamus. And it can be controlled by a particular type of cells, which are hypothalamus stem cells. I think these findings are quite interesting, potentially even remarkable." He adds that when the hypothalamus starts aging, so does the body. "So when hypothalamus function is in decline, particularly the loss of hypothalamus stem cells, and this protection against the aging development is lost, it eventually leads to aging." Using this information, the researchers began trying to activate, or energize, the hypothalamus in laboratory mice. They did this by injecting the animals with stem cells. Later, the researchers examined tissues and tested for changes in behavior. They looked for changes in the strength and coordination of the animals’ muscles. They also studied the social behavior and cognitive ability of the mice. The researchers say the results show that the treatment slowed aging in the animals.  Cai says injecting middle-aged mice with stem cells from younger mice helped the older animals live longer. "When we injected the hypothalamus stem cells, which were derived from young mice, we injected them to the middle-aged mice and that was, in fact, to slow down aging. So the mouse aged slowly and they also have increased their lifespan, which is longevity." But these results were just from studying mice in a laboratory. If the mice can live longer, does that mean people could have longer lives? The next step is to see if the anti-aging effects also work in human beings. "If we can translate what we have seen in animals to humans, I think humans, they can function better during later ages, later stage of aging." Cai and his team say their studies may have other benefits. They say the findings could lead to new ways to help doctors identify and treat any number of age-related health issues. I’m Anne Ball.   Kevin Enochs reported on this story for VOANews.com. Anne Ball adapted this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding with this short quiz. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fountain – n. a device or structure that sends a stream of water into the air in a garden, park, etc neural – adj. of, relating to, or involving a nerve or the nervous system remarkable – adj. unusual or surprising : likely to be noticed function – n. the job or duty of a person coordination – n. the process of organizing people or groups so that they work together properly and well cognitive – adj. of, relating to, or involving conscious mental activities (such as thinking, understanding, learning, and remembering) benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect

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

Native American Tribes Consider Entering Marijuana Market

Native American tribes want to begin growing and selling marijuana. They hope it will help end poverty on reservations, the large areas where many Native Americans live. However, there is uncertainty about the future of US marijuana policy.  Cannabis is the plant that produces marijuana. The growth and sale of marijuana in some states has become a big business. Arcview is a cannabis investor network in California. It says the U.S. marijuana market earned $6.7 billion in 2016. Supporters of cannabis say it has many uses. The male cannabis plant can be used to make hemp, which is used around the world in more than 25,000 products. These include food, fabric and medicine. Multiple benefits Leslie Bocskor is the founder of Electrum Partners, which helps states and Native American tribes enter the marijuana business. He said hemp can be used to create plastics that are more environmentally friendly than those made from oil and gas, which are not biodegradable. Bocskor says when hemp is put into a landfill it will degrade and not cause damage to the environment. He said the creation of plastic products causes more pollution than the making of products from hemp. Native American tribes have an advantage over other companies in the cannabis business. Many businesses in the United States lower their taxes by deducting their business expenses from their profits. But companies that grow and sell cannabis are not permitted to deduct their business expenses. This means they pay a higher tax rate than do other companies. However, Native American tribes and the companies they own do not pay federal income taxes on money earned on reservations. Bocskor says this means that a tribe-owned cannabis company could earn a profit margin of up to 85 percent. ​Conflicting laws The Controlled Substances Act of 1970 bans the growth, sale and use of marijuana and other drugs. But the law has not stopped states from legalizing marijuana. In 1996, California became the first state to legalize marijuana for medical uses. Since then, other states have done so. Some states have also legalized the recreational use of marijuana. In a document released in 2013, the United States Department of Justice said states could give their citizens the right to grow and sell marijuana. The department said people would not be arrested for doing so. There were some restrictions. For example, states could not permit cannabis to be grown on public land. They could not permit the sale of marijuana to young people, or let it be sold in states where it was still illegal. The department wrote similar rules for tribal governments a few months later. Vincent Sliwoski is a lawyer in Portland, Oregon. Some of his clients are cannabis companies. He teaches cannabis law. He says the Justice Department document means the federal government does not want to spend money enforcing marijuana laws. But he says the Trump administration could change that policy. Twenty-nine states and Washington, DC have legalized some form of marijuana use. Several tribes have tried to enter the marijuana business, but most have been stopped by the federal government. Some Native Americans are operating successful marijuana businesses, including the Squaxin Island Tribe in Washington State. Others have banned marijuana, like the Oglala Sioux in South Dakota. ​Tribal operations raided In July 2015, government agents raided two reservations in northern California. They said the tribes were producing a greater amount of marijuana than is permitted. The tribes denied the accusations. Three months later, federal agents took hemp plants from the Menominee Nation in the upper-Midwestern state of Wisconsin. The agents said people who were not Native Americans were operating the tribe’s cannabis business. The agents also said that the tribe was producing plants with higher levels of THC than permitted. THC is a part of the cannabis plant that gives marijuana its psychoactive effects. The Menominee tribe said it had asked the government to test the plants and had said it would destroy any plants that had levels of THC higher than permitted. After these raids, the Flandreau Santee Sioux tribe in South Dakota burned its crop and closed its cannabis-growing operations. The tribe feared it would also be raided. It is not clear why some federal agents have raided some tribal marijuana operations. Sliwoski said it is possible that some police agencies do not understand the 2013 Department of Justice document, or are targeting Native American tribes. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has said he opposes the use of marijuana. An administration spokesman said the president sees a big difference between medicinal and recreational use of marijuana. He suggested that the administration may release a policy limiting the recreational use of marijuana. Leslie Bocskor believes banning the medical and recreational use of marijuana would be very unpopular. He does not believe the federal government will take any action limiting the uses of the drug. And he notes that marijuana sales have brought a lot of money to some states. More than $500 million in taxes have been paid in Colorado by the marijuana industry since voters decided to legalize the drug in 2014. I’m Phil Dierking. And I'm Caty Weaver.   Cecily Hilleary reported this story from Washington. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English. Christopher Jones-Cruise was the editor.  Do you think marijuana should be legal or illegal?  Why? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.   ______________________________________________________________  Words in This Story    biodegradable - adj. capable of being slowly destroyed and broken down into very small parts by natural processes, bacteria, etc. cannabis - n. a drug (such as marijuana or hashish) that comes from the hemp plant and is smoked illegally deduct - v. to take away (something, especially an amount of money) from a total fabric – n. woven or knitted materia landfill - n. a system in which waste materials are buried under the ground marijuana – n. the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant that are smoked as a drug profit margin – n. the difference between the cost of buying or making something and the price at which it is sold psychoactive - adj. affecting the mind. reservation – n. an area of land in the U.S. that is kept separate as a place for Native Americans to live recreational – adj. done for enjoyment

from Voice of America http://ift.tt/2wB3NvU
via IFTTT