'Paradise Papers' Show Secret Wealth of Officials, Famous People

  Many famous people and a top United States official are among those on a list of people shown to have money in foreign banks to avoid taxes. The financial documents have been called the “Paradise Papers.” They are mainly from the legal company Appleby in Bermuda.  Millions of documents were leaked to Germany’s Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper on November 5. The newspaper shared them with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.  The documents give financial details of many famous people, officials and leaders. The information includes how much money these people have secretly kept in offshore accounts. Appleby advises wealthy people on international financial transactions. These deals can help people avoid paying some taxes in their home countries that are tied to their investments. Appleby says it has investigated all the accusations and found “there is no evidence of any wrongdoing, either on the part of ourselves or our clients.” Commerce secretary’s business ties are questioned The documents show that U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has business connections with Russian business executive Kirill Shamalov.  Shamalov is executive and part-owner of the Russian energy company Sibur. He also is the son-in-law of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The 79-year-old Ross is a former businessman and a billionaire. He has an investment in partnerships valued between $2 million and $10 million in the shipping company, Navigator Holdings. Navigator Holdings earns millions of dollars a year transporting natural gas for Sibur. The documents also say Sibur is co-owned by Gennady Timchenko. He is a Russian billionaire who was tied to a large state-run company before the fall of the Soviet Union.  Timchenko is subject to U.S. sanctions because of Russia's 2 014 occupation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula.  The occupation was followed by conflict between pro-Russian separatists and government forces in Ukraine. Ross sold many financial investments when he joined the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this year. Ross sold them to avoid a conflict of interest.  However, Ross kept his Navigator investment. He put it into a series of partnerships in the Cayman Islands, an offshore tax haven.  Much of Ross’s estimated $2 billion in wealth is in the Cayman Islands the documents say. Ross did not disclose the Russian business link when the U.S. Senate confirmed him as commerce secretary.  The link was discovered this weekend after the Appleby documents were leaked. A Commerce Department spokesman said Ross has removed himself as secretary from matters related to trans-oceanic shipping. The report of Ross' financial connection to Russia comes as a special prosecutor, Robert Mueller, and three congressional groups carry out separate investigations. They are investigating efforts by Russia to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.  The U.S. intelligence community says that Russian President Vladimir Putin led an effort to harm U.S. democracy and help Trump win the election. The release of tax-related documents also comes as the U.S. Congress considers new tax laws. The far reaches of the “Paradise Papers” The documents show financial information about individuals outside the US. The Associated Press reports that the papers show Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II has invested about $13 million of her private money in tax havens in the Cayman Islands and Bermuda. Duchy of Lancaster, which oversees her finances, confirmed these activities but said that all their investments are legal.  The papers also say the musician Bono, of the rock band U2, used a company based in Malta to buy part of a shopping mall in Vilnius, Lithuania.  Bono’s spokeswoman confirmed to The Guardian newspaper that the musician invested in the Maltese company Nude Estates Ltd. The company sold its assets in 2015. Putting pressure on the world leaders The new disclosures may put pressure on world leaders. The European Union will discuss plans for a tax haven “blacklist” Reuters news agency reported. E.U. countries had been trying to reach an agreement on tax havens by the end of 2017. European officials are seeking to deal with the problem of tax avoidance that received attention after the release of the “Panama Papers.” The so-called “Panama Papers” were millions of financial documents leaked last year. The documents gave information of tax-avoidance activities of many famous people and officials. The European Commission wants to make a list of tax free or low-tax countries including those that do not cooperate with the EU. The EU hopes the threat of being on a blacklist would discourage individuals and companies from putting their money in those countries or territories. Currently, Reuters reports that the proposed EU blacklist would apply only to non-EU countries. Low-tax countries such as Luxembourg, Malta and Ireland would not be included. I’m Phil Dierking.   This story was originally written for VOANews by Ken Bredemeir. Phil Dierking adapted the story for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. Do you think wealthy people or companies should be allowed to invest money in offshore accounts? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   blacklist - n.  a list of people, organizations, etc., that are disapproved of or that are to be punished or avoided​ clients - n. a person who pays a professional person or organization for services​ disclose - v. to make something known to the public​ discourage - v. to make someone less determined, hopeful, or confident​ offshore - adj. located in a foreign country​ transactions - n.  business deal​ tax haven - n. a country or independent area where taxes are levied at a low rate.​ sanction - n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country, etc.

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Researchers Shocked at 'Pain Gap' Between Rich and Poor

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. A new study on pain management around the world has shocked researchers. The study found that many people in poor and middle-income countries suffer unimaginable pain without any help. They lack even the cheapest painkillers to manage severe pain. The results of this study has led to action. Researchers now want to find ways to help the millions of people who suffer needlessly. Felicia Knaul is one of the researchers involved in the study. She is a professor at the University of Miami’s School of Medicine. She says that around 61 million people worldwide live and some die in great pain because of a lack of pain medicine and proper care. Knaul says she became interested in global pain management after her own surgery for breast cancer. "I woke up from a mastectomy and I remember the horror of the pain, of not being able to breathe. And yet, I got access almost immediately to pain relief, which allowed me to push through it much more easily." She says that when she realized how inexpensive it could be to help people suffering in pain, she felt the need to act. "When I thought about other women going through this, when I thought about children, burn victims and having their wounds dressed and cleaned, and the agony of that without pain relief, and then when I found out how inexpensive it is to solve this problem, a real win-win in global health --- that was when we really decided to move forward." Knaul led the international study on pain relief published in The Lancet. She explains that the researchers looked at worldwide access to a common pain medication, morphine. "We looked across the world using, as a tracer, access to morphine. And more than 100 countries could satisfy less than 30 percent of need for pain relief just for palliative care alone. And, in fact, the vast majority have almost nothing." In the United States, morphine costs three cents per dose. In low-income countries, it costs five times as much. However, it is usually not available. If the cost of morphine were the same for all countries, the study found that it would cost $145 million to make pain relief available for all. Developing countries can work to close -- what researchers are calling -- the “pain gap.” Uganda is one example. Its government makes and distributes morphine for the country's hospitals. Doctors are trained in giving the drug and patients are monitored. Knaul has asked the World Bank to help end the pain gap. Experts are still developing plans. But the goal is clear: to provide pain relief for the millions of people who truly need it. And that’s the Health & Lifestyle report. I’m Anna Matteo.   Carol Pearson reported this story for VOA News in Washington. Anna Matteo adapted it for Learning English. Ashley Thompson edited the story. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   palliate – v. to moderate the intensity of : palliative – adj. mastectomy – medical n. : surgical removal of all or part of the breast and sometimes associated lymph nodes and muscles horror – v. the quality of something that causes feelings of fear, dread, and shock : the horrible or shocking quality or character of something agony – v. extreme mental or physical pain tracer – medical n. : a substance that is put in a patient's body so that doctors can watch a biological process (such as digestion) or see how a condition (such as cancer) is progressing access – n. freedom or ability to obtain or make use of something vast – adj. very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range dose – n. the amount of a medicine, drug, or vitamin that is taken at one time distribute – v. to give out or deliver especially to members of a group

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Saudi Crown Prince Detains Opponents, Expands Power

  The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is expanding his power over the Middle East country with a reported anti-corruption campaign. King Salman named his son Mohammed bin Salman Crown Prince in June. The 32-year-old prince replaced his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef as the next in line to be King. There have been no public displays of opposition to the campaign within the kingdom. But outside observers say the prince is removing opponents to expand his own power. In the Washington Post newspaper, Saudi reporter Jamal Kashoggi wrote that the Saudi royals usually share power and rule by consent. He added, “Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman is upending this arrangement and centralizing all power within his position as crown prince.” Prominent princes arrested Almost 50 people were detained early Sunday, including 11 princes, four government ministers and one billionaire. A royal order on Saturday said the campaign was launched in reaction to abuses of power. The order said some officials had put their own interests above the public interest, in order to make money illegally. A Saudi official told Reuters that the men are accused of several serious financial crimes, including bribery. The accusations could not be confirmed independently. Family members of those detained could not be reached. The detainees are being held in hotels in the capital. And a no-fly list has been created to prevent owners of private airplanes from leaving the country. Prince Mutaib bin Abdullah is among those detained. He has been serving as head of Saudi Arabia's National Guard. He was responsible for security in the capital and the guarding of members of the royal families. The moves give Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman control of all Saudi security and military forces. That power has long been divided among branches of the royal family. Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, a billionaire with holdings across the world, is also among those arrested. His holdings include shares of News Corp, Citigroup and Twitter and ownership of hotel companies. Former Economy Minister Adel Faqieh was also arrested along with some leading Saudi businessmen. Some experts questioned the decision as these are men the kingdom was depending on for help in moving the country from an oil-based economy. Greg Gause is a Middle East expert at Texas A&M University. He told Reuters, “It seems to run so counter to the long-term goal of foreign investment and more domestic investment and a strengthened private sector.” Other changes under the Crown Prince Over the past year, the Crown Prince has become the decision-maker on military, foreign, economic and social policies. His “Vision 2030” plan includes cuts in government assistance, raising taxes, sales of state property, an efficiency campaign and efforts to gain foreign investment. Much of Saudi Arabia’s largely young population has supported the plan. Older and more conservative members of Saudi society, including parts of the Al Saud royal family, were angered by the Crown Prince’s quick rise to power. Saudi Arabia recently announced it would end its ban on women drivers by June 2018. The decision is part of the Crown Prince’s efforts toward social reform. Conservative clergymen with large followings have criticized movement toward such reforms. As defense minister, Muhammad bin Salman led Saudi Arabia into a now two-year-old war in Yemen. The Saudi government says it is fighting Iran-backed Houthi militants there. The conflict has caused a dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On Monday, Saudi Arabia said it would temporarily close all its air, land and sea ports to Yemen. The move came after Saudi forces shot down a missile fired at Riyadh. I'm Caty Weaver.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters and Associated Press news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   royal - n. member of the king or queen family arrangement - n. a usually informal agreement branch - n. part of a family counter - adv. in a way that goes against domestic - adj. of, relating to, or made in your own country sector - n. an area of the economy

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Unit 9: English for Specific Purposes, Vocational Language

​Welcome to Let's Teach English. This series offers free online training for English language educators worldwide. Voice of America and the University of Oregon are partners on this project.    Summary In this lesson, students work on an independent project. Each student researches a job and creates  an interview dialog for someone trying to get that job. During class, the students practice their interview role-plays with one another.  Then, they perform them with partners for other students in a small group. As the first pair is doing their role play, the teacher stops to ask them to predict what the next question will be. Predicting  is a learning strategy that can help academically as well as in a real-life situation, such as a job interview. They also give each other feedback, using the checklist. Large classes can still do this type of speaking activity by performing in pairs and small groups.   Teacher Preparation Video Transcript This episode shows a model of teaching English for Specific Purposes and vocational use of English. Click on the image below to download a pdf of the transcript.   ​Women Teaching Women English Text Click on the image below to download a pdf of the student text and teacher manual. At the end of the ten-unit course, the whole book will be available for download.​ Women Teaching Women English Listening These audio files go with Unit 9 of Women Teaching Women English. Click on the "Direct Link" button to the right of the player to download them. Conversation: Women at Work   Reading: Women Starting Businesses   What Do You Think? Let us know what you think about this course. Email us or write your comment in the comments section below.   Poll

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Police, Public Search for Motive in Latest US Mass Shooting

  A gunman in Texas shot and killed 26 people in a church in the small community of Southerland Springs, Texas on Sunday. At least 20 people were injured in the shooting. Victims included children and the elderly. The suspected gunman is also dead. The event comes weeks after another major mass shooting in the United States. On October 1, Stephen Paddock shot and killed 58 people at a concert in Las Vegas, Nevada and wounded about 500 more. It was the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history. In both events, the reason remains unclear. The police and the public search for answers. Jeffery Simon, an expert on mass killings, told CNN that wanting to know why someone would commit such a terrible crime is natural. It is hard to get an answer, however. What we know about the shooting in Texas Public safety official Freeman Martin identified the gunman in Texas as 26-year-old Devin Kelley. Martin described him as a white male wearing a bullet-proof vest. Reports say he opened fire with an assault rifle outside of the First Baptist Church, entered and continued shooting. The names of those killed have not been officially released yet. However, many people in the church knew Kelley. While Kelley was shooting, a local person with his own rifle approached the gunman. This caused the gunman to drop his weapon and flee in his vehicle. The citizen reportedly chased the gunmen. Police then joined in pursuing the suspect. The suspect crashed and was found dead in his vehicle. Officials say he shot and killed himself. Police have not found any links between Kelley and an organized terror group. They say that his criminal history with the police includes only minor driving violations. However, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force told VOA that records show Kelley was discharged from the Air Force three years ago. He was charged with assaulting his wife and their child. The couple divorced. Two years later, Kelley married again. It is unknown whether he and his second wife are still together. So, why did he do it?    Texas Governor Gregg Abbott said the shooting was the worst in the history of the state of Texas. He added that law enforcement officials had “many pieces of a complex puzzle” to put together about the events. President Trump called the event “a mental health problem at the highest level.” Examinations of previous mass shooting events have linked a number of issues to such violence. After the Las Vegas shooting, CNN reporter Eric Levenson interviewed Michael Stone, a psychiatry professor at Columbia University. Levenson writes, “In general, mass killers, almost all of whom are young men, are motivated by some combination of paranoia and mental illness or financial and social problems, he said.” In the case of the Texas shooter, reports say that Kelley had a troubled relationship with his mother-in-law, who attended the church. But Katherine Ramsland, a professor of forensic psychology at DeSales University, has cautioned against identifying a motive too quickly. She points to the mass shooting at Columbine High School in 1999. In that event, two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher, and wounded more than 20 other people. They then killed themselves.   After Columbine, Ramsland says, the media used the information they had to offer an explanation that was not complete or proven. Later studies of the event found more complicated reasons.  In general, experts agree that a single event usually does not cause a person to take violent action. Instead, many things can be involved over a long period of time. The lack of a single – or simple – explanation has been a hallmark of the Las Vegas shooting in October. The gunman did not seem troubled by money or romantic relationship problems. And the public is still struggling to understand the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. In that event, a 20-year-old man shot and killed 20 children and 6 adults before committing suicide. He did not appear to have connections to the school or to the victims. A report from state officials confirmed that the Sandy Hook shooter had mental health problems. But it did not identify a reason for the crime. Writing in Time magazine, Ari Schulman has said that the lack of a reason defines violence against a large number of strangers. “The mass shooting is a crafted public spectacle, a theater of violence,” Schulman wrote. Its aim is to cause a public reaction, and to bring attention to the shooter – even if the attention is negative, Shulman said. And the victims are more than the people who are struck by the bullets. The guns are aimed at society itself. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Kelly Jean Kelly adapted this story for Learning English, with reports from VOA News, CNN, CBS, NBC, Time, and Psychology Today. Mario Ritter was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   church –n. a Christian place of worship assault rifle –n. a military weapon that can shoot many rounds quickly assaulting –n. an act or crime causing harm or threatening to do so divorce –v. to legally end a marriage paranoia –n. a mental state of believing others are trying to harm you hallmark –n. something that marks as an example of some quality spectacle –n. a show meant to attract attention We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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November 6, 2017

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

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Saudi Crown Prince Detains Opponents, Expands Power

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia is expanding his power over the Middle East country with a reported anti-corruption campaign. King Salman named his son Mohammed bin Salman Crown Prince in June. The 32-year-old prince replaced his cousin Mohammed bin Nayef as the next in line to be King. There have been no public displays of opposition to the campaign within the kingdom. But outside observers say the prince is removing opponents to expand his own power. In the Washington Post newspaper, Saudi reporter Jamal Kashoggi wrote that the Saudi royals usually share power and rule by consent. He added, “Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman is upending this arrangement and centralizing all power within his position as crown prince.” Prominent princes arrested Nearly 50 people were detained early on Sunday, including 11 princes, four government ministers and one billionaire. A royal order on Saturday said the campaign was launched in reaction to abuse of power. The order said some officials had put their own interests above the public interest, in order to make money illegally. A Saudi official told Reuters that the men are accused of several serious financial crimes, including bribery. The accusations could not be confirmed independently. Family members of those detained could not be reached. The detainees are being held in hotels in the capital. And a no-fly list has been created to prevent owners of private airplanes from leaving the country. Prince Miteb bin Abdullah is among those detained. He had been serving as head of Saudi Arabia's National Guard. He was responsible for security in the capital and the guarding of members of the royal families. The moves give Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman control of all Saudi security and military forces. This power has long been divided among branches of the royal family. Prince Alaweed bin Talal, a billionaire with holdings across the world, is also among those arrested. His holdings include shares of News Corp, Citigroup and Twitter and ownership of hotel companies. Former Economy Minister Adel Faqieh was also arrested along with some leading Saudi businessmen. Some experts questioned the decision as these are men the kingdom was depending on for help in moving the country from an oil-based economy. Greg Gause, is a Middle East expert at Texas A&M University. He told Reuters, “It seems to run so counter to the long-term goal of foreign investment and more domestic investment and a strengthened private sector.” Other changes under the Crown Prince Over the past year, the Crown Prince has become the decision-maker on military, foreign, economic and social policies. His “Vision 2030” plan includes cuts in government assistance, raising taxes, sales of state property, an efficiency campaign and efforts to gain foreign investment. Much of Saudi Arabia’s largely young population has supported the plan. The older and more conservative members of Saudi society, including parts of the Al Saud royal family, were angered by the Crown Prince’s quick rise to power. Saudi Arabia recently announced it would end its ban on women drivers by June 2018. The decision is part the Crown Prince’s efforts toward social reform. Conservative clergymen with large followings have criticized movement toward such reforms. As defense minister, Muhammad bin Salman led Saudi Arabia into a now two-year-old war in Yemen. The Saudi government says it is fighting Iran-backed Houthi militants there. The conflict has caused a dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. On Monday, Saudi Arabia said it would temporarily close all air, land and sea ports to Yemen. The move came after Saudi forces shot down a missile fired at Riyadh. I'm Caty Weaver.     Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters and Associated Press news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story    

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Lyndon Johnson: Complicated

  VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Lyndon Johnson. He was the vice president under John F. Kennedy. Many Americans recognize Johnson from a photograph of his swearing-in on November 22, 1963. Kennedy had just been shot during a visit to Dallas, Texas. Johnson and his wife also were visiting the city. After doctors announced that Kennedy had died, the Johnsons were taken to the presidential airplane. There, Johnson took the oath of office as president. Men wearing suits look on, while three women stand around him. His wife, Lady Bird Johnson, is at one side. Former first lady Jackie Kennedy is at the other. She is still wearing clothing covered with her husband’s blood. The judge who is administering the oath, Sarah Hughes, stands in front of Lyndon Johnson. She holds a prayer book on which Johnson places one hand and swears to follow the Constitution. The photograph showed the American people that the federal government could and would continue in an orderly way. But Johnson’s position was difficult. Many people were shocked and in mourning for the assassinated president. But as the conflict in Vietnam increased, and some Americans rejected Johnson’s reforms, he found his position difficult again.In the next election, Johnson was elected president in his own right. Early life Lyndon Baines Johnson was born in Texas, where his family had lived for generations. A town called Johnson was even named after his relatives. Lyndon was the oldest of five children. His mother was a teacher and writer, and his father was a farmer and political leader. In time, the Johnson family experienced financial difficulties. They had little money to give their children much of an education, but Lyndon was able to attend a teaching college. Johnson excelled as a teacher. He also learned from his students. Many were even poorer than he was. They also faced discrimination because they came from Mexican families. Johnson promised to help them. But he found he could do more to improve people’s lives as a politician than as a teacher. He volunteered for some political campaigns, became an aide to a member of the United States Congress, and in time became a member of Congress himself. Along the way, he married a woman named Claudia Taylor. But everyone called her Lady Bird. They went on to have two daughters. Johnson served for 12 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1948, he was narrowly elected to the Senate, becoming one of the two senators from the state of Texas. From there, Johnson rose quickly. He took on increasingly important jobs in the Senate. By 1954, he was the Senate majority leader – the Democratic Party’s top spokesman in the Senate. The Senate website notes that the person with that job needs to be able to work well with others, especially members of other parties. Historians also note that Johnson worked very hard, and was always prepared. A well-known biography of Johnson is called “Master of the Senate.” The book describes Johnson as extremely ambitious, sometimes cruel, and often willing to praise others to get what he wanted. At the same time, he could be very concerned about other people’s well-being. In other words, the picture of Johnson is a complicated one. In 1960, he competed against John F. Kennedy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Johnson lost that race – but the party asked him to be their vice presidential candidate instead. Johnson agreed, not knowing that in a little more than three years, he would enter the White House as president. Presidency After being sworn-in, Johnson used his political experience in the Senate to pass a number of reforms. They were aimed at carrying on, in his words, a “War on Poverty.” The new laws created healthcare and education programs. They also used federal money to make food less costly for some people, and to train workers for jobs. Johnson also continued the work Kennedy began by signing the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The act made segregation because of race, religion, or national origin illegal. The Civil Rights Act also made it illegal for employers to discriminate against someone because of race, religion, national origin, or gender. The reforms had their critics, then and today. But in the presidential election of 1964, Johnson won “by the widest margin of popular votes in American history.” Historian Kent Germany says that vote gave the Democrats a rare opening “to pass a comprehensive liberal program.” ​ Presidency after 1964 Johnson had a name for such a program. He called it the “Great Society.” He said the United States should aim not only to be a rich and powerful society, but also to “end poverty and racial injustice.” Johnson followed his earlier reforms with others. They sought to prevent crime, reduce pollution, support the arts, make roads safer, and protect American consumers against bad products. His administration also created an immigration policy that valued family members, skilled workers, and refugees. Johnson also signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It sought to lift the barriers that had long prevented African-American men and women from exercising their right to vote. Later, Johnson removed legal discrimination in the process of buying and renting homes. Together, these actions have linked Johnson to the civil rights movement in the minds of many Americans. Yet Johnson is also strongly linked to another part of U.S. history, often known simply as “Vietnam.” Earlier presidents had ordered U.S. military action in the conflict between North and South Vietnam. Since 1950, Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, and Kennedy had slowly increased the American intervention. Their goal was to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. President Johnson continued Kennedy’s policies. He also received the support of Congress to do whatever was necessary to protect U.S. forces and “prevent further aggression” by North Vietnam’s communist government. Yet, when he was a presidential candidate in 1964, Johnson promised not to increase U.S. involvement and send young Americans to fight in Vietnam. The opposite happened. Over the next four years, Johnson called on hundreds of thousands of additional U.S. troops to fight on the ground and in the air. The North Vietnamese fought back, both on the battle field and politically. In time, the American public withdrew their support of the struggle and their support for the president.    By early 1968, Johnson had become deeply unpopular with voters. His party lost seats in Congress, and Johnson lost his ability to persuade lawmakers to support the measures he proposed. In addition, the U.S. economy was showing signs of weakness, partly because of the costs of the conflict in Vietnam and government spending at home.   As the presidential nominating process began in early 1968, Johnson was permitted to seek another four-year term. But he announced that he would not seek or accept his party’s nomination. Shortly after, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot and killed. Angered by his murder, people in more than 100 cities rioted. Then, in June, John Kennedy’s brother, Robert Kennedy, was also assassinated. Kennedy had been competing for the Democrats’ nomination for president. His death, and Johnson’s withdrawal, added to the divisions in the Democratic Party. Several groups gathered to protest at the party’s nominating convention in Chicago. The meeting ended in violent clashes between protesters and police. By the time Johnson left office in January 1969, his party had lost control of the White House, and many Americans believed the country was in disarray. Legacy After he left the presidency, Johnson returned to his home in Texas. He wrote his memories about his White House years, and made preparations for his presidential library. But he did not live much longer. He died in 1973, hours before the U.S. involvement in Vietnam officially came to a close. Johnson was a complex person, and his image in the mind of many Americans is just as complicated. His policies opened new paths for many people, but also led to years of death and destruction in Vietnam. As a president, he acted powerfully and often independently, and succeeded in passing an unusually large number of reforms. But he also failed to persuade many Americans to accept some of those measures. Supporters of the free market especially strongly rejected the government controls Johnson enacted. Even some in his Democratic Party, which Johnson had controlled for years, lost faith in him. In 1964, anti-war activists changed his campaign slogan, “All the way with LBJ.” Instead, they said, “Part of the way with LBJ.” And by 1968, they were saying, “Hey, Hey, LBJ. How many kids did you kill today?” I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.  ________________________________________________________________ Listening Quiz See how well you understand the article by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   assassinate - v. to kill (someone, such as a famous or important person) usually for political reasons  ambitious - adj.  having a desire to be successful, powerful, or famous cruel - adj. causing or helping to cause suffering segregation - n. the practice or policy of keeping people of different races, religions, etc., separate from each other gender - n. the state of being male or female consumer - n.  a person who buys goods and services disarray - n. a lack of order; a confused or messy condition  

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Have Scientists Discovered a Radio ‘Space Shield?’

  Space, it turns out, is not a very safe place for electronic devices. High-energy space particles can cause serious problems for satellites and electronic equipment, even on the Earth’s surface.  These particles usually come from storms on the sun. But there may be a way to protect against dangerous high-energy particles by using a kind of radio wave. The magnetic field around the Earth protects it from the effects of many kinds of high-energy particles. This shield is called the Van Allen belt. It was discovered by the first American satellite, Explorer 1, in 1958. In the years since, scientists have learned the ‘belt’ is really three belts that change in size and shape over time. One kind of radio wave may be able to provide protection against some high-energy particles. It may even be be able to protect against so-called “killer electrons.” Scientists call these radio waves Very Low Frequency, of VLF. Dan Baker is director of the Laboratory of Atmosphere and Space Physics at the University of Colorado, Boulder. His team discovered how these radio waves work. He said scientists have long been trying to find ways to protect against different kinds of space debris and other dangers. “We’ve been trying to figure out, ‘how can we most effectively eliminate this debris without causing more of a problem?’” Tiny particles can cause a lot of damage Space debris can be something as small as a chip of paint or as large as a rocket booster. Even the smallest pieces of debris can be dangerous because they travel at very high speeds as they orbit the Earth. Baker said high-energy particles that are smaller than an atom, such as the “killer electrons,” also can be a major danger. “We know, we’ve observed them to cause very significant problems for spacecraft.” High-energy particles can damage electric circuits in space stations, weather satellites and other machines traveling in space. “There are over 1,400 satellites operating in space around the Earth and all of those could be subject to very severe consequences,” Baker said. These kinds of particles can come from human activity; atmospheric tests of nuclear weapons can send out huge amounts of radiation, including high-energy particles.  “Now what is worrisome to us from a political standpoint today is that there are nations, for example, North Korea and others, that may be thinking once again…that this might be an interesting way to mess with modern technology.” Even with the protection of the Van Allen belts, radiation from space can cause problems for modern technology.   Satellites built to operate in or above the Van Allen belts must have thicker coverings. That makes them heavier and more costly. But satellites orbiting below the Van Allen belt do not need such heavy shielding. Scientists have known for years that something from Earth clears away dangerous electrons from lower levels in the Van Allen belts. But what that was remained unclear. A bubble of protection Baker’s team found that VLF radio waves improve protection against high-energy particles. He calls the safe area a “bubble.” VLF waves have unusual properties for radio waves. They are used to communicate with submarines near the surface of the sea. But they also go up into the atmosphere and beyond. “So the VLF bubble is made up of these intense waves. These waves act to sort of scatter and scrub the inner part of the Van Allen belt.” John Bonnell is a researcher with the Space Sciences Laboratory of the University of California, Berkeley.  He compared the effect of VLF waves to how lightening clears away electrons from the atmosphere. He said while VLF waves might be considered a form of radio pollution, “the likelihood of there being a bad side effect is pretty minimal.” Bonnell said the discovery does not necessarily mean that scientists have discovered a way to make a kind of “space shield.” Imagine an energy shield that protects a spaceship from attack in a science fiction movie. But, Bonnell said, “It’s a fascinating possibility and it’s a fascinating technology that could enable, in the future, us to explore more of the solar system with people, with robots.” The finding could be an example of how scientists, engineers and astronomers work together to make a remarkable discovery. The findings could lead to “shields” that protect costly satellites, spacecraft and even people in the future as they push deeper into outer space. I’m Mario Ritter. Shelley Schlender reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional material from NASA. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story particles –n. part of something, such as an atom, not a whole debris –n. pieces left after something has been broken up circuitry –n. the workings of an electronic device that govern electrical flow consequences –n. results adherent –n. the state of following a system of beliefs or rules mess –n. a group of disorganized things scatter –v. to force apart and send to different areas scrub –v. to clear using forceful action minimal –adj. the least amount fascinating –adj. very interesting We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Saudi Arabia Is First Country to Give Citizenship to Robot

  Saudi Arabia says it has become the first country in the world to grant citizenship to a robot. The female robot’s name is Sophia. She was recently introduced at a large investment conference in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.  Sophia was presented as an example of how robot technology and artificial intelligence will make machines more human-like in the future.  The announcement was made as Sophia was taking part in a group discussion in front of a crowd. The leader of the discussion was journalist Andrew Ross Sorkin. He informed Sophia of the Saudi government’s decision.  “We have a little announcement. We just learned, Sophia - I hope you are listening to me - you have been awarded the first Saudi citizenship for a robot,” Sorkin said. The robot then responded. “I want to thank very much the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I am very honored and proud for this unique distinction. It is historic to be the first robot in the world to be recognized with a citizenship.” Sophia was built by Hong Kong-based Hanson Robotics. The company’s founder, David Hanson, says his goal is to create robots that look and act very much like humans.  Sophia demonstrated how she can change facial expressions to show human-like feelings such as anger, sadness or disappointment.  In an explanation on his company’s website, Hanson says the realistic design is intended to allow robots to form meaningful relationships with humans. “So that you care about the robots. And as we develop artificial intelligence, the robots will care about you.”  He added that together, “man and machine will create a better future for the world.” During her appearance, Sophia said she shared the same goal.  "I want to use my artificial intelligence to help humans live a better life. Like design smarter homes, build better cities of the future, etc. I will do my best to make the world a better a place."  Saudi Arabia’s government confirmed Sophia’s citizenship approval in a statement. But officials did not provide specific information about what rights the robot would have.  Some people criticized the move, noting that Saudi Arabian women must follow many strict Islamic laws. They questioned, for example, whether Sophia – who has no hair - would be required to cover her head in public or keep other woman-only rules. Moudi Aljohani is a U.S.-based Saudi feminist who tweeted: “I’m wondering if robot Sophia can leave Saudi Arabia without her guardian consent! Since she’s officially Saudi.”  One Saudi woman told Reuters if the government is giving citizenship to a robot, her daughter should also get it. Hadeel Shaikh has a four-year-old child with a Lebanese man, but her daughter does not have citizenship. Women married to foreigners in Saudi Arabia cannot pass on citizenship to their children. “It hit a sore spot that a robot has citizenship and my daughter doesn’t,” Shaikh said. ​   In recent months, Saudi Arabia’s leaders have announced policy changes to extend more rights to women. These include plans to allow women to drive and to attend events at all-male sports stadiums.  Sophia was asked about fears that artificial intelligence could end up making robots a threat to humans, as shown in movies such as “Blade Runner 2049.” Her response also hit back at SpaceX and Tesla chief Elon Musk, who has warned of such dangers.  “You’ve been reading too much Elon Musk and watching too many Hollywood movies. Don’t worry, if you’re nice to me I’ll be nice to you. Treat me as a smart input/output system." Musk responded to Sophia’s answer on Twitter, suggesting it may not be that easy to prevent dangerous robots. “Just feed it ‘The Godfather’ movies as input. What’s the worst that could happen?” he asked.  I’m Bryan Lynn.    Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English with additional reporting from Reuters. Hai Do was the editor.  Do you think robots should be given rights enjoyed by humans? How do you think personal machines will change our lives? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   artificial intelligence – n. the development of computers to perform intelligence-related tasks without human involvement  unique – adj. very special or unusual  distinction – n. special honor, recognition, or award  disappointment – n. the state of feeling bad because something did not happen as expected  consent – n. permission for someone to do something  sore – adj. causing emotional pain, disagreement or anger 

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Vietnam Tech Startups Seek Next Step Forward

  Vietnam’s technology startups face a complex question: Now what? The country did not ignore the startup trend of the 21st century. But in the trend’s early days, Vietnam was spending more time and energy talking about technology and its promise. Now, Vietnam hopes to move to the next step – getting entrepreneurs to meet their economic goals. Startup leaders hope to make a profit, expand internationally or combine their companies with other businesses. Vietnam has a high literacy rate. Its people, generally, have strong math ability. Both are critical tools for building a technology economy. The country also has a large consumer market, similar to Thailand and the Philippines. And, Vietnam has the potential for high growth rates, similar to Laos and Cambodia. Low wages and the low cost of internet service help make Vietnam a good place to build a small business. It might be the perfect environment for technology startups. But, Vietnam needs to act. “Vietnam usually does copy-paste,” said Lam Tran, leader of the startup WisePass. He says the Vietnamese need to move beyond copying a foreign business and recreating it in the Vietnamese market. Now, he says, it needs to create inside Vietnam and spread the businesses internationally. WisePass is an app that connects monthly subscribers to restaurant and bar deals. It began in Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Tran plans to expand to seven other countries. Using good relationships with border countries is a smart plan, say technology business experts. Vietnamese make up large communities in other countries. These communities can help connect the Southeast Asian country to investors, advisers and developers in those countries. Also, technology in Vietnam is increasingly sophisticated. The Vietnamese Innovative Startup Accelerator, or VIISA, is one example. For a second year, it has invested in 11 startups.These new businesses have partners operating in countries such as Ukraine, South Korea and France. Sangyeop Kang is an investment officer at VIISA partner Hanwha Investment. He said he is pleased with the international reach of this year’s group. “The foreign teams were able to expand their business in Vietnam, while helping Vietnamese companies with global insights,” Kang said. He added this was a strong move forward for tech startups in Vietnam. The government of Vietnam is supporting such growth. On January 1, a new law for startups, called Law on Supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, will begin. The law offers new companies financial assistance for office space, equipment and training. It also provides low interest rate loans. To do more than copy and paste, new businesses must consider how to appeal to Vietnamese people. For example, the startup But Chi Mau makes games that are directed toward Vietnam’s endless drive for education.  Another, Market Oi uses motorbike drivers to deliver customized food orders. MarketOi founder Germain Blanchet said the question is how to be different from others. The answer, he believes, is to be flexible. I'm Susan Shand.   Ha Nguyen wrote this story for VOANews. Susan Shand adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   startup - n. a new business entrepreneur – n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money consumer – n. a person who buys goods and services copy-paste – v. to recreate another person’s idea subscribe – v. to pay money to get a publication or service regularly sophisticate – n. a person who has a lot of knowledge about the world and about culture, art, literature, flexible - adj. willing to change or to try different things

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