Flu Virus Can Be Deadlier Than War

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. The year 2018 will mark the 100th anniversary of the deadliest influenza outbreak in history. Scientists estimate that the influenza pandemic of 1918 killed more than 50 million people around the world. Other estimates go much higher. Because of a lack of medical record-keeping, we may never know the exact number. However, the outbreak was a global disaster, killing more people than World War I. In the United States, historians at the National Archives state that the “flu afflicted over 25 percent of the U.S. population. In one year, the average life expectancy in the United States dropped by 12 years." It was a fast killer. Again, archival records state that some “victims died within hours of their first symptoms.” Others died after a few days. “Their lungs filled with fluid and they suffocated to death.” The 1918 flu pandemic was also different from other outbreaks. It struck many healthy, young people. Viruses usually affect sick or old people. Scientists now say they know why. In 1918, people born after 1889 were most at risk because they had not been exposed to an earlier virus as children. This exposure would have protected them somewhat from the 1918 flu.  Creating an effective flu vaccine is difficult Although modern medicine effectively controls many diseases, influenza remains difficult to protect against. The World Health Organization estimates that every year influenza kills 250,000 to 500,000 people around the world. Each year, medical scientists develop flu vaccines. But they can only guess which strain of the virus will spread. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States notes on its website that: “flu viruses are constantly changing – they can change from one season to the next or they can even change within the course of one flu season.” Flu vaccines offer immunity from a limited number of influenza viruses and often do not protect against new forms of the virus. The CDC adds that the effectiveness of a flu vaccine can be very different from year to year. The CDC says recent studies show that “flu vaccination reduces the risk of flu illness by between 40% and 60% among the overall population.” However, this only happens “…during seasons when most circulating flu viruses are well-matched to the flu vaccine.” Still worth getting a flu shot, but… Anthony Fauci is the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the United States. He says the effectiveness, or efficacy, of flu vaccines makes it worth getting vaccinated. But he says we need a better vaccine. "Even on a good year the overall efficacy of an influenza vaccine is about 60 percent so even though it is always better to get vaccinated against influenza than it is not to get vaccinated, no doubt about that, we need to get a better vaccine." Vaccine makers are also concerned with the low rate of effectiveness for flu vaccines. David Vaughn is the Senior Vaccine Development Leader for Influenza and Dengue Vaccines at the drug company GlaxoSmithKlein. Vaughn says becoming infected with influenza remains very common. "The disease we are trying to prevent is very prevalent. Up to 20 percent of us will have an influenza infection during the course of a year.” Will there be another deadly flu pandemic? Health officials remain concerned about another flu pandemic. New strains of the flu virus appear regularly. One example was the "swine flu" or H1N1 outbreak in 2009. Fauci says that virus caused a true pandemic.    "Certainly we've had a flu pandemic in 2009, the H1N1 "swine flu," that was not a serious epidemic in the sense of a lot of deaths. It was a pandemic to be sure because it was a relatively new virus that was widespread infection throughout the world." However, outbreaks do not affect all parts of the world equally. Vaughn notes that pandemics hit the developing world harder because of low vaccination rates. "Most influenza deaths occur in developing countries, and very few vaccinations occur there." A universal flu vaccine To stop the next pandemic, scientists are now researching how to create a universal influenza vaccine. In October 2017, Vanderbilt University Medical Center in the U.S. announced the Universal Influenza Vaccine Initiative. The university said researchers are “leading an international effort to develop a universal influenza vaccine that would protect everyone against all strains of the flu anywhere in the world.” The university added that researchers will begin tests in early 2018. The Human Vaccines Project, a public-private partnership, is funding the project. However, until a universal influenza vaccine is available, today’s seasonal flu vaccine remains important. Experts say that they may prevent the spread of the flu virus and may lower the risk of a deadly pandemic like the one in 1918. I’m Anna Matteo. _______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   influenza – n. a common illness that is caused by a virus and that causes fever, weakness, severe aches and pains, and breathing problems pandemic – adj. occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population archive – n. a place in which public records or historical materials (such as documents) are preserved suffocate – v. to die because you are unable to breathe exposure – n. the fact or condition of being affected by something or experiencing something : the condition of being exposed to something immunity – n. medical : the power to keep yourself from being affected by a disease — usually + to (They have developed immunity to the virus.) strain – n. a group of closely related plants or animals circulate – v. to pass from person to person or place to place efficacy – n. the power to produce a desired result or effect prevalent – adj. accepted, done, or happening often or over a large area at a particular time : common or widespread initiative – n. a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem

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WHO: 10 Percent of Drugs in Developing Countries Are Fake

The World Health Organization (WHO) says one of every 10 medicines sold in developing countries is either fake or of poor quality. In a report this week, WHO officials said fake or substandard drugs are to blame for tens of thousands of children dying. These deaths could be easily prevented, officials said. Trying to understand the problem, experts looked at 100 studies, all of which were completed between 2007 and 2016. The studies examined use of more than 48,000 drugs. The experts found that 10.5 percent of the drugs were not what they appeared to be. Drugs for treating malaria and bacterial infections were responsible for nearly 65 percent of the fake medicines. A statement from WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus was released with the report. He asked people to imagine a mother who uses her money for medicine instead of food and then sees her child die because the medicine was of poor quality or falsified. “This is unacceptable,” he said. Poor countries spend about $300 billion a year for medications. WHO officials said that means the fake drug industry is worth of an estimated $30 billion. The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine estimates that 116,000 people die each year from fake anti-malaria medication in African countries south of the Sahara Desert. In 2013, WHO officials launched a worldwide system for following fake and compromised drugs. It has received reports about nearly 1,500 problematic medicines, including drugs for the heart, diabetes, fertility, mental health and cancer. WHO also noted problems with fake vaccines for diseases such as yellow fever. WHO believes the examples of fake medicine it found are only “a small fraction” of the real problem because many fake drugs are not reported. Officials credited the system with saving the lives of more than 20 children in Paraguay. Tests showed the children had swallowed a contaminated drug. The drug was in a cough medicine that had killed 60 people in Pakistan just a few months earlier. I’m Susan Shand.   Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English from an Associated Press story. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fake – adj. meant to trick someone into believing it to be real hygiene – n. the things that you do to keep yourself and your surroundings clean in order to have good health tropical – adj. relating to areas near Earth’s equator, where the weather is always warm fraction – n. a percentage; a part of something contaminated – adj. corrupted, infected or polluted by something

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Technology Leaders from Cambodia Leave US with Ideas

  Five technology experts from Cambodia had never met each other until they made a three-week trip to the United States. Recently, the five techies returned home to Phnom Penh, the Cambodian capital. They are now excited about working together on creating a start-up company. The Cambodians met through a State Department project called the International Visitor Leadership Program, or IVLP. During the U.S. visit, they visited technology companies and spoke with tech industry leaders. They discussed how the two sides could work together on future projects. “Before, when I thought about a million-dollar business, it was only a dream,” said Sopheakmonkol Sok, co-founder of Codingate, a developer of computer software. Exchanging with Americans and Learning from each other The purpose of the State Department trip was to take the five Cambodians to small- and medium-sized businesses in the technology industry. They met with tech leaders in five U.S. cities: Washington, D.C., Cleveland, Ohio, Raleigh, North Carolina, and San Francisco and San Jose, in California. The group also went to California’s Silicon Valley, where Sok said they visited “successful technology companies, big and small.” “…We saw how they operate and manage their business, and we learned from their success,” Sok said. “We [told] them about the development in our country,” said Langda Chea, who founded and heads a service called BookMeBus. Its app helps users find Cambodian buses, boats and taxis.  Chea listed other changes taking place in Cambodia, such as a fast, low-cost internet infrastructure, an improving business environment and the growth of an educated workforce. These developments, Chea said, “show potential because it’s an advantage for us if they invest in Cambodia.” Nicholas Geisinger works as a program officer for the IVLP. He led the Cambodian group during its U.S. visit. Geisinger says the program is successful when it provides support for an exchange of ideas among the visitors and Americans. It is effective when the visitors learn “and have new ideas by talking with each other in this new environment,” he said. “That’s a huge win for the program, a win for the people of Cambodia, and I can’t wait to see what they will do next.” The Cambodians say they plan to work together to create a financial technology startup company. “The advantage is that, when we succeed, it can help Cambodia, it helps the next generation,” Chea said. Working with local governments The five visitors said they were surprised how different levels of government in the United States provide support to startup companies. In San Francisco, the five visited the Mayor’s Office of Civic Innovation. There, they and local technology representatives discussed how local businesses and the city government can support each other. Siobhan Oat-Judge, who works in the office, says the San Francisco community profits when it supports start-ups. “They are bringing new ideas, new technology that are helping us to improve the way we are doing things,” Oat-Judge said. This kind of partnership is not as easy in Cambodia, said Visal In, co-founder of the first Cambodian technology startup supported by Silicon Valley investors. “Some companies outside Cambodia totally depend on getting grants, and in Cambodia it would be difficult if we did that,” In said. He added that other companies outside Cambodia might be able to support themselves for five or six years without a profit, if they have a good idea. “In Cambodia, that’s impossible,” he said. Kounila Keo, one of the two women in the group, said she would like to see the Cambodian government increase its support for startups. “What I want to have in Cambodia in the future is a better and closer cooperation between the government and private companies in order to enhance the tech startup and tech entrepreneurship initiatives.” I’m Phil Dierking.   Leakhena Sreng reported this story for VOANews. Phil Dierking adapted the report for Learning English. ­­­­George Grow was the editor. How do you think technology start-up companies can support local communities? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   accelerate - v.  to move faster​ entrepreneur - n. a person who starts a business and is willing to risk loss in order to make money​ founder - n. a person who creates or establishes something that is meant to last for a long time (such as a business or school)​ initiative - n.  a plan or program that is intended to solve a problem​ start-up - n. a new business​

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Have North Korea’s Weapons Tests Reached a 'Red Line?'

  The United States and South Korean air forces are holding one of their largest ever joint exercises. The five days of exercises are named Vigilant ACE. South Korean troops are training with more than 230 airplanes and 12,000 members of the U.S. armed forces. The planes include a number of U.S. stealth warplanes. The high-technology aircraft are designed to avoid discovery by radar. The exercises began less than one week after North Korea tested its most advanced long-distance missile. The North Korean government said it launched an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, last Tuesday. The Hwasong-15 rocket traveled farther than any of the country’s earlier rockets. New missile approaches “red line?” The new rocket was said to be able to reach anywhere in the United States. However, experts are wondering whether the missile is ready to carry a nuclear weapon. Some say the North needs months or years before it can develop a missile equipped to carry a warhead to a target without burning up. South Korea has yet to confirm that the Hwasong-15 missile successfully reentered the atmosphere. South Korea’s Unification Ministry spokesman Baik Tae-hyun told reporters Monday that, “We are making efforts to resolve the North’s nuclear issue peacefully with the international community.” But he added, “The government does not accept the North’s ‘unilateral’ claim to completing its nuclear program.” In July, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that North Korea’s possession of a fully operational ICBM would represent a “red line” for possible military action. U.S. officials have warned that they will not let North Korea threaten the South with a nuclear missile. The North Korean government denounced the military exercises this week. The country has long said that such activities are preparations for an attack. North Korea’s state-operated Korean Central News Agency warned that the United States was driving the Korean peninsula to the “brink of war.” This weekend, U.S. officials voiced concerns about the intensity of tensions. H.R. McMaster serves as National Security Advisor to President Donald Trump. McMaster said on Saturday that the chance of war with North Korea is “increasing with every day.” Also, Senator Linsey Graham of South Carolina called on the U.S. Defense Department to remove the families of armed forces members from South Korea. Graham is a member of Trump’s Republican Party. The president has threatened to act against North Korea if it attacks the United States or its allies. In November, the U.S. government again placed North Korea on its state sponsors of terrorism list. That move permits adding to already highly restrictive trade sanctions against the North. Ralph Cossa is president of Pacific Forum CSIS, a private, foreign policy research center. He said that military action, with its deadly results for South Korea, is only one idea for answering the North’s tests. “Red line responses don’t have to be military but they should be significant and painful politically and economically, if not militarily,” said Cossa. He added, “They are also most effective if spelled out in advance and then acted upon.” However, the Defense Department has said the North’s tests are not yet a threat to the United States' mainland. The government has set up missile defense systems in South Korea and Guam, as well as the states of Alaska and California, in an effort to protect the U.S. and its allies. After launch, future of talks unclear North Korea’s neighbors, China and Russia, have supported a plan called “dual suspension.” Under the proposal, the United States and South Korea would halt military exercises in exchange for North Korea stopping its weapons programs. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi said the two months in which North Korea did not test a missile had not been effectively used for diplomacy. He said that the parties involved in tensions on the Korean peninsula had not “grasped the window of opportunity.” Ralph Cossa of the Honolulu-based Pacific Forum CSIS said that additional restrictions are likely. “The U.S. seems to be warning that it will seek ship inspections and more intrusive maritime measures, but it is unclear Beijing and Moscow will go along,” he said. Other observers say another possibility is that North Korea’s declaration of having “completed” its nuclear program may signal a change. They say the North Korean leadership may want to improve the country’s economy instead of continued weapons testing. The United Nations has said that one of its officials will visit North Korea for the first time since 2011. UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman is expected to visit the North’s capital, Pyongyang this week. Feltman is expected to meet with North Korea’s Foreign Minister and Vice-foreign Minister. A UN spokesman talks will include “wide-ranging policy discussions.” I’m Mario Ritter.   Daniel Schearf reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   vigilance – n. the state of being watchful advanced – adj. modern, highly developed unilateral – adj. involving only one side or group brink – n. the edge sponsors – n. those who support a person, group or activity sanctions – n. actions, usually to limit trade, that are meant to cause a country to obey international rules grasp – v. to take hold of maritime – adj. of or related to the sea We want to hear from you. 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Still No Winner in Honduras Election

One week after the Nov. 26 Honduran presidential election, there is still no winner. With 99.96 percent of the votes counted, President Juan Orlando Hernandez holds a small lead. But his opponent, Salvador Nasralla, has accused the government of stealing the election and called for street protests. Hernandez had 42.98 percent of the vote and Nasralla received 41.39 percent, after a partial recount of more than 1,000 voting locations. Nasralla and his supporters have boycotted the results. They said the recount did not go far enough. They said it only reviewed about 1,000 polling stations instead of the more than 5,000 they had demanded. David Matamoros is a member of Hernandez’s party and head of the country’s electoral tribunal. He refused to declare a winner. He told reporters that parties can still file legal challenges, and a wider recount is possible. The Organization of American States said on Sunday that Nasralla’s demands to recount more than 5,000 polling stations were possible. It urged the tribunal to make further checks. Nasralla had an early lead Early last week, Nasralla, a former television presenter, appeared set to win the election over the current president. He had a five-point lead with more than half of the ballots counted. Then, the vote counting was suddenly stopped. When it restarted more than a day later, the vote count began to favor Hernandez. The government ordered a curfew last Friday. It also expanded the army’s power to detain people and break up barriers of roads, bridges and public buildings. Nasralla asked the armed forces not to enforce the curfew. He urged his supporters to start a national strike on Monday. “I call on all members of the armed forces to rebel against your bosses,” Nasralla told a crowd of supporters Sunday at a large rally in the capital city of Tegucigalpa. Television images showed similar protests in other major cities. While there were no reports of violence on Sunday, hundreds have been arrested and at least three people have been killed in recent days. Also on Sunday, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the United States of backing vote fraud in Honduras. But officials at the U.S. embassy praised the peaceful protests and the “orderly” final count that was underway. Honduras has struggled with violent drug gangs, high murder rate and poverty. After taking office in 2014, Hernandez began a military-led crackdown on gang violence. He has been supported by U.S. President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, John Kelly. Nasralla is a well-known television star. Former Honduran President Manuel Zelaya is among his supporters. Zelaya was removed from office in a coup in 2009. I'm Jonathan Evans.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters and other news reports. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   partial - adj. not complete tribunal - n. a court that has authority in a specific area challenge - n. a refusal to accept something as legal  

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Ronald Reagan: Communicator

  VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Ronald Reagan. He was president for two terms, and served from 1981 to 1989. Before that, he was the governor of California, worked as an actor and led a labor union. As president, Reagan is credited for changing the direction of the country. He tried to establish a feeling of confidence in the American people. Although not everyone profited equally from his policies, the president rarely suffered in public opinion polls. Reagan was called the “Great Communicator” because he was able to connect with many Americans, and to speak persuasively about conservative values. He is remembered warmly by many Republican Party politicians and voters especially. Early life Ronald Reagan is often linked to California and the American West. But he was born and raised in Illinois, in the center of the United States. His father sold shoes, and his mother mostly took care of Ronald and his older brother, Neil. The entire family supported the Democratic Party, especially President Franklin Roosevelt.  While the boys were growing up, the Reagans did not have much money, and the father suffered from alcoholism. But Ronald was energetic and took part in many activities. He played football and basketball; ran on the track team; swam; acted in plays; led student groups; wrote for school newspapers and yearbooks; and worked several jobs to help pay for his education and support his parents. He attended Eureka College in Illinois, and completed his studies in 1932. One of his first jobs out of college was as a sports announcer for a radio station. He had an appealing voice and a natural way of talking that was a good fit for radio. Reagan was also good-looking, and a dependable worker. In time, he was offered a chance to act in movies and moved to California. During his acting career, Reagan made more than 50 films. He also married actress Jane Wyman and had two children with her. But after several years, the relationship ended. Their marriage ended in divorce. Four years later, Reagan married another actress. Her name was Anne Robbins, but she was called Nancy Davis. They also had two children.   As he was starting his second family, Reagan began another part of his career. He served as host of a popular television series about the American West. He also became president of a labor union, the Screen Actors Guild. It represented actors, announcers, and others working in the film and television industry. During that time, Reagan’s political beliefs changed. He increasingly supported conservative ideas. During public appearances, he often spoke in support of business interests. He also expressed concern that the federal government was limiting Americans’ freedom. The message was well-received by many Americans. Although the Democratic Party was in power for most of the 1960s, a number of Americans were becoming increasingly conservative. Reagan won national recognition in 1966 when he successfully ran for governor of California as a Republican. In 1970, voters re-elected him to the position. But Reagan had set his sights on the presidency. He sought the Republican nomination in both 1968 and 1976. Finally, in 1980, he won the office. By that time, he had already had several careers, as well as a long life. At age 69, he was the oldest person until then to be elected president. Presidency When Reagan took office, he made improving the U.S. economy his highest concern. One way to do that, he believed, was to reduce the influence of the federal government. He wanted especially to cut some of the government programs that former president Lyndon Johnson had put in place to help poor people. Reagan believed that cutting taxes – especially on big businesses – would help strengthen the economy, and in time help everyone.    In a speech after taking office, Reagan noted that, “Government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.” At first, the economy continued to struggle. But in a few years, Reagan’s policies appeared to work. Unemployment dropped, the stock market rose, and many industries grew quickly. Americans often remember Reagan’s presidency as a time of economic growth. Not everyone benefited equally, however. Reagan’s critics observed that his policies largely helped people who were already wealthy. The divide between rich and middle-class Americans increased during Reagan’s presidency.  And Reagan did not reduce government spending in all areas. In fact, he sharply increased military spending. One result was a large national debt. Another result, Reagan’s supporters say, was a quicker end to the Cold War. One of Reagan’s major foreign policy goals was to end the stand-off with the Soviet Union. He believed that building up the U.S. military was the best way to pressure the Soviets to reach an agreement on arms control. Reagan also spoke out strongly against communism. In his second term, he famously appealed to the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, to tear down the Berlin Wall. For some, the wall was a sign of communism. Many historians say Reagan’s policies worked. For sure, Reagan and Gorbachev improved relations between their countries. And in time, the Soviet leadership permitted the Berlin Wall to come down. Assassination attempt and Iran-Contra scandal In addition to the economy and the Cold War, Reagan is often remembered for his likable personality. He spoke easily with the public, often had a positive message about the country, and usually appeared cheerful. He won even more public approval after a man with mental problems tried to kill him. The bullets seriously injured several people nearby, and just missed Reagan’s heart. Yet, shortly after he was shot, the president joked with his wife and with his doctors. Opinion polls showed that the recovered president was more popular than ever. Reagan’s political image also survived a scandal known as Iran-Contra. In brief, Congress found that a number of government officials secretly sold U.S. weapons to Iran as part of a deal to free hostages. Then, the officials used some of the money to help rebels in Nicaragua. The actions violated congressional rules. They also challenged Reagan’s promise that he had not traded weapons for hostages. The president apologized for any part he had played in the events. Polls showed that, in general, the American public accepted his apology and continued to trust him. Unlike most U.S. presidents, who lose public  support during their terms, Reagan finished his time in office as he had taken it – with the support of more than half of Americans. Legacy Reagan retired to his home in California with his wife, Nancy. For several years, he wrote about his life and helped organize his presidential library. But in a few years, the former president announced that he suffered from Alzheimer’s. The disease affects people’s ability to think, remember, and express themselves. Soon, Reagan disappeared from public life. He died in 2004. But he is well-remembered as an able politician who could work effectively with many people. He is also remembered – by both supporters and critics – for being a powerful voice for conservative ideas and traditional values. His influence extended beyond his two terms. Later generations of leaders and voters called themselves Reagan Republicans. 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 this story by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video and choose the best answer. ​ ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   confidence - n. a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something fit - adj. having the necessary skills divorce - n. the ending of a marriage by a legal process host - n. a person who talks to guests on a television or radio show benefit - v. to be useful or helpful to standoff - n. an argument or contest in which there is no winner positive - adj. hopeful or optimistic scandal - n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong challenge - v. to say or show that (something) may not be true, correct, or legal  

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What to Do with Radioactive Water from Fukushima

Japanese officials are trying to decide what to do with thousands of tons of radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. More than six years have passed since a powerful earthquake and tsunami severely damaged the power plant. Some parts of cleanup efforts have gone well. People can now work in the area although they take special measures to avoid overexposure to radioactive substances. The water remains a big problem however. Currently, the water is being stored in 900 large tanks near the nuclear center. Conflicting opinions between two groups have kept Japanese officials from doing anything about the water. Radiation experts advise the government to slowly release the water into the Pacific Ocean. They note that special treatment has removed the radioactivity from the water except for tritium, a radioactive form of hydrogen. The experts say tritium is safe in small amounts. But local fisherman oppose the release of the water into the sea. They say people will not buy fish from waters near Fukushima if the water is released. The fisherman lost their livelihoods for a long time after the disaster. Local fisheries are slowly recovering. Fumio Haga fishes about 50 kilometers from the power plant. He said, “People would shun Fukushima fish again as soon the water is released.” Fukushima disaster affected land and sea The disaster was both deadly and had long-lasting environmental and economic effects. An extremely powerful magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. The quake caused deadly tsunami waves on the country’s northeastern coast. More than 18,000 people were killed. The earthquake and waves caused the electricity to go out in many places including Fukushima. As a result, the cooling system failed in three of the six nuclear reactors which caused the nuclear fuel to overheat and partly melt structures in the power plant. Radiation entered the air and contaminated water flowed into the sea. That event hurt the livelihoods of people throughout the area. Although there are about 1,000 fishermen in the area today, only half still fish and they go out only two times a week because demand is low. To be sold, the fish have to meet, what might be, the world’s most demanding requirements. Laboratory workers at Onahama test the fishermen’s catch, recording who caught the fish and where. And fish from the area is sold with official “safe” stickers. Fifteen months after the disaster in 2012, only three kinds of fish could pass the safety inspection. Now the number has increased to over 100.   Yoshiharu Nemoto is a researcher at the Onahama test station. He said the fish may contain less than half of the radioactive cesium level permitted under Japan’s national standard and one-twelfth of the U.S. or European Union limit. But consumers have not heard that message. Over the years, fewer Japanese consumers avoid fish products from waters near Fukushima. But a study by Japan’s Consumer Agency in October found that 20 percent still do. The study found that consumers were more likely to pay attention to information about possible bad health results than to facts about radiation and safety standards. Naoya Sekiya is an expert on social research and social psychology. He said the water from the nuclear power center should not be released until the public is well-informed about the facts. “A release only based on scientific safety, without addressing the public’s concerns, cannot be tolerated in a democratic society,” he said. He said a release when the public is not prepared would only make things worse. Kikuko Tatsumi is a representative of a consumer group and serves on a government expert panel with Sekiya. The group has been trying to decide what to do with the water for longer than one year. Tatsumi said the delay in making a decision may be increasing concerns among the public. Many people believe the water is stored because it is dangerous and they think Fukushima fish are not available because they are not safe to eat. Water from the center is a continuing problem The Associated Press reports the amount of radioactive water at Fukushima is growing by 150 tons a day. This is because new water is used to cool the damaged reactors and ground water also enters the reactor area through cracks. The water is a costly problem for the utility company Tokyo Electric Power Co, or TEPCO which owns Fukushima. Last year, another group of government experts recommended that TEPCO should dilute the water by about 50 times and release it into the sea over time. The process could take 10 years to complete. The new chairman at TEPCO, Takashi Kawamura, caused a strong reaction in the fishing community in April. He had expressed support for releasing the water. But after strong opposition, the company withdrew the idea and said it had no plans for an immediate release and can continue storing water until 2020. So, the problem continues, and the amount of radioactive water at Fukushima is growing. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mari Yamaguchi reported this story for AP. Mario Ritter adapted it with additional materials for VOA Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   nuclear reactor –n. a complex device that uses radioactive fuel to create heat and electricity contaminated –adj. having something added that should not have been added   stickers –n. small signs that can be stuck onto products with adhesive tolerated –adj. to stand, to permit without showing approval panel –n. a group of people who answer questions, give advice or opinions about a subject We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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US Navy Seeks Smaller, More Powerful Ships

  The US Navy is answering criticisms that its combat ships are fast but lack the firepower and armor to survive a battle at sea. It says it wants new ships that are slower and smaller – but more powerful – than its existing ships. The Navy has asked designers for drawings of such warships. It wants them to be able to shoot down airplanes, attack other ships and counter submarines. Loren Thompson is a defense analyst at the Lexington Institute in Virginia. He says the “Navy has decided that speed is less important than having a warship with sufficient weapons to defend itself.” The Navy wants 20 of the new ships. It does not want them to be costly. It has directed shipbuilders to use an existing design to speed up the process of designing and building the ships. It also wants the shipbuilders to provide drawings for the new ships next month and build them by 2020 or 2021. Large Navy shipbuilders like Bath Iron Works in the northeastern state of Maine and Ingalls Shipbuilding in the southern state of Mississippi are among the companies expected to seek Navy contracts. Smaller shipyards in Wisconsin and Alabama are also expected to compete for the contract to build the ships. The Trump administration has announced a plan to increase the number of ships in the Navy. The Navy has a goal of 355 ships. The plan to build the small but powerful new ships is a change for the Navy, which is learning lessons from earlier ship designs. Those ships were supposed to be a cost-effective way to deal with post-Cold War threats. The fast ships were supposed to be easily altered to serve changing missions. But the alteration plans have been delayed, and the cost of the ships has risen. The Government Accountability Office, which examines government spending, also questioned the ships’ ability to survive in battle. The Congressional Research Service said the Navy wants to spend no more than $950 million for each ship. But the Navy says the cost per ship could be closer to $800 million, as no new technology needs to be created for the new ships. New designs and new technologies in earlier ships caused the final costs to be much higher than original estimates. Dirk Lesko is the president of Bath Iron Works in Maine. He says his designers examined both American and foreign ships to meet the Navy’s demands for the new ships. The shipyard worked with a Spanish company and used an existing design from a Spanish navy ship. Mike Keenan is the president of the Machinists Union Local S6, the shipyard’s largest union. He says the shipyard’s 5,700 workers are eager for the chance to build the new ships. “We know how to build them. We’re ready to build more,” he says. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Associated Press Correspondent David Sharp reported this story from Bath, Maine. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   armor - n. a hard covering that protects something (such as a vehicle or an animal) counter- v.​  to do something in defense or in response to something​ sufficient- adj. having or providing as much as is needed​ contract - n.​ a legal agreement between people, companies, etc.​ alter- v. to change (something) mission - n.​ a specific military or naval task​ eager- adj. very excited and interested  

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Rights Group Warns of China's New 'Police Cloud'

Chinese police are developing a computer-based policing program that can study large amounts of citizens' personal information. The program examines the information to discover patterns in human behavior. Human Rights Watch says the police plan to use this information to closely watch rights activists, political opponents and ethnic minority groups. The rights group called on the Chinese Communist Party to stop this "abusive" system, called the Police Cloud. Sophie Richardson is following developments in China for the group. In a statement, she said, "It is frightening that Chinese authorities are collecting and centralizing ever more information" about hundreds of millions of citizens. Richardson said the system will target people who deviate from what officials see as "normal thought." She added that the issue is not just one of people’s privacy, but many of the rights they have. Last week, Human Rights Watch reported that China is looking at new technologies to study large amounts and different kinds of data. This includes written information, such as text messages, video and pictures. The report said the Police Cloud tracks things like a person’s medical history, supermarket purchases and products shipped to homes. It links this information to each person's national identification card number. "This allows the Police Cloud system to track where the individuals have been, who they are with, and what they have been doing, as well as make predictions about their future activities," the report said. It said a major concern is that these systems are created, in part, to watch groups officials consider threatening, which "raises serious concerns about social and racial profiling." No legal protection The Police Cloud has the ability to watch people involved in crime, such as terrorism or drugs, and people with mental health issues who cause "disturbances," the group said. The report says local police can decide anyone is a threat and must be watched, especially if they are listed as a threat to "stability." By law, the government can do this without informing people that they are listed in this way. Human Rights Watch found that the Police Cloud targets people who use the petitioning system to criticize the government. Ethnic minority Uyghurs from Xinjiang are also targeted, the group said. The report said Police Cloud systems are now in full operation in some areas, including Tianjin Municipality and Jiangsu province. The data can include the name of the street and city where a person lives, family relations, birth control methods and religious ties. Also being added are travel records, closed circuit television videos and information from government agencies and even private companies. The system helps the Chinese police to study individuals “who travel, who live, (and) who work together,” the report said. Nationwide in five years Political activist Wu Shimin is based in Jiangsu. He said the system seems to be already in use in some parts of China, and will likely be fully operating in about five years. Wu said that to prevent the Police Cloud from watching you, you would need to change your telephone number. And, you would probably need to use someone else's identification card to buy a train ticket and live somewhere other than your home. But, he said, you would also have to be sure that whoever you stay with – friends or family – has no history of petitioning the government. Zhang Enguang is a rights activist in Shandong, China. He said he is probably a target of the Police Cloud. But, he said, rights groups and some citizens will likely oppose the new system. But even if you do protest, he warned, the police will still collect information in the same way. “Then, they will use it in any way they can to frame you, and then they can detain you,” he said. Currently, China’s privacy laws don't meet the goals of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. China signed the covenant, but has yet to have it approved by lawmakers. The agreement states that collecting and using people's personal information for policing purposes must be based on a real threat to national security or public order. And, it should use the least invasive measures to deal with the threat. I'm Alice Bryant. And I'm Anna Matteo. Hai Nan and Lin Ping reported this story for Radio Free Asia. Alice Bryant adapted their report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   pattern – n. the regular and repeated way in which something happens or is done deviate – v. to do something that is different from what is expected data – n. information used usually to plan or predict something track – v. to watch or follow the progress of something profile – v. to use race, ethnicity or some other quality as grounds for suspecting someone of committing an offense disturbance – n. the disruption of a settled or peaceful condition petition – v. to ask a person, group, or organization for something in a formal way stability – n. the strength to survive; the quality of something that is not easily moved

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Hollywood Is Finally Getting Its Own Film Museum

  More than 90 years have passed since Hollywood's official film organization first proposed plans to build its own museum. Those plans are finally becoming a reality, with the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures set to open in 2019. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is building the museum. The organization presents the yearly Academy Awards ceremony, also called the Oscars. The Academy includes more than 8,000 members, including actors, directors and other professionals in the film industry. Museum officials say visitors will be able to "experience the magic of cinema" by learning about all parts of the film-making process. The almost 27,000-square-meter complex is expected to cost $388 million to complete. The project is underway at the site of an historic Los Angeles department store built in 1939. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art has used the building since 1994.  The Academy Museum will include a 1,000-seat theater inside a huge addition with a rounded glass cover. This so-called “Sphere” will provide extended views of the Hollywood Hills.   Film historian Kerry Brougher has been named director of the museum. He told VOA the museum will open as Hollywood continues to seek new ways to entertainment audiences beyond the movie theater.   "Film is expanding," Brougher said. "It's in the theaters still, but it's also projected onto buildings. And it's also on your iPhone, it's on your computer." He added that movies often cross over into the art world too, with major exhibitions including film subjects.    Brougher says the museum will include areas showing the Academy's collection of 12 million photographs and 80,000 screenplays. The collection also includes props, costumes and other objects from famous films, such as "Casablanca," "Psycho" and "The Ten Commandments."   Special collections will also be shown from many film greats, such as Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn and Alfred Hitchcock.    The Academy Museum will also feature Oscar statuettes donated by actors who won the awards. Brougher said the museum is designed to make visitors feel like they, too, are in a movie, with many interactive experiences.  "You won't necessarily know what's coming next," he added. "You'll be in environments sometimes that make you feel like you've gone back to the past – that you're in the era that you're actually exploring." He added that visitors will even get the chance to walk down a red carpet and accept their own Academy Award.  Currently, Hollywood only has a few possibilities for visitors interested in seeing film-related places.    They can stroll the Walk of Fame, where actors are honored with stars on Hollywood sidewalks. They can also visit movie studios or see the Dolby Theater, where the Oscars are presented. But beyond these, movie fans have limited possibilities.  Eric Garcetti is the mayor of Los Angeles. He says the Academy Museum will provide visitors the chance to experience many different parts of the film industry all in one place. "I think they wander around wondering where they can experience this great golden ticket to the movies," he said. "Now they'll have a place." Garcetti noted the museum will also serve the hundreds of thousands of local people working in film-related businesses. He said they, too, will finally be able to visit a place that celebrates their own Hollywood movie industry.   I’m Caty Weaver.   Mike O'Sullivan reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cinema – n. the art or business of making movies sphere – n. a round object project – v. cause to appear on a surface exhibition – n. a display of objects such as works of art presented in a public space screenplay – n. the written script for a movie  prop – n. an object used in a film or play era – n. a period of time in history that is associated with a person, event, etc. wander – v. walk slowly without having a particular purpose or direction  

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Lesson 12: Run! Bees!

Summary Anna is afraid of bees. Her friend Kaveh tells her to talk with Caroline, a beekeeper and bee educator. Will Anna fight her fear and learn to love bees?   Conversation (blue text shows conditional sentences) Anna: Wow. Did you know that bees are dying? Kaveh: That is bad news. If all the bees died, there would be no food. Bees are very important. (buzz sound) Anna: Yes, they are. Speaking of bees, one of our little friends is here now. Kaveh: You know, Anna, if you ignore it, it will fly away. But if you swat it, it might sting you. Anna: I’ll ignore it.  I can ignore it. See, I’m ignoring it. (she is swatting at the bee) Kaveh: Anna, are you afraid of bees? Anna: What makes you say that? Kaveh: Anna, you should call my friend, Caroline. She is a beekeeper and a bee educator. If you talk to her, she’ll probably help you get over your fear of bees. Anna: I am not afraid of bees. Kaveh: Here’s her card. Anna: Ahhh! Prof. Bot: In this lesson, you can learn about conditionals. They have "if" and "will" or "would." There are two kinds of conditional sentences in this lesson. Type 1 conditionals have a real event, and a result that probably will happen. Chances are good. Here is the pattern: If +present tense verb ... will + future tense verb. Kaveh uses this when he says: "If you ignore it, it will fly away." Type 2 conditionals have a possible event and a result that may or may not happen. We don't know. Here is the pattern: If + past tense verb ...would + infinitive verb. Kaveh uses this pattern when he says, "If all the bees died, there would be no food." Look for the "if" in a sentence to find more conditionals in today's lesson. I'll color them, too! Anna: I think I'm at the wrong address. This does not look like a place where bees are kept.   ​(knocks on door) Anna: Oh, sorry to bother you. I’m looking for beekeeper Caroline. I’m here to take her “Learn to Love Bees!” class.  Caroline: You’re in the right place! I’m Caroline! Anna: Oh, nice to meet you! Um, Caroline, I thought this class used real bees and real hives. Caroline: It does! If you look in my backyard, you will see my bees! I’m a home beekeeper!  Anna: What? You live with bees? That is really amazing! And at the same time really scary. Caroline: It’s not scary. If you come, I’ll show you. Anna: Caroline, how many bees are in that hive? Caroline: About thirty thousand (30,000) in each. Anna: What? That's amazing! But, aren’t you afraid that they are gonna come out and kill you?  Caroline: No, not at all, Anna. Even my children help me. Tell me, why are you afraid of bees? Anna: I don't know. Well, when I was a little girl my mom ran out of honey. And I really wanted honey for my pancakes. So, I climbed high into a tree and hit a beehive with a stick … several times. Then I reached inside with my bare hands to pull the honey out. That’s when I got stung … a lot. Anna: Caroline, if you hit a beehive with a stick and reach inside, you might get stung.  Caroline: No, Anna. If you do those things, you will get stung. Anna: Yes. I did. Caroline: And you know that it was your fault you got stung, don’t you? Anna: Yes. I did. Caroline: Bees know your feelings. And if you stay calm, the bees will be calm. If you're nervous, the bees will be nervous. And if bees are nervous, they may sting. So, please be calm. Anna: I will be calm. I am calm. Okay, I'm ready. I'm ready Caroline: Great. Let’s get our equipment on. Anna: Wait! Wait! I’m not ready! I'm nervous! Give me a minute to be calm. Prof. Bot: Are you ready for one more conditional sentence? If you are not afraid, you will join us next time to learn more about bees!   New Words attack - v. to try to hurt, injure, or destroy (something or someone) backyard - n. an area of grass behind someone's house bare - adj. not covered by clothing, shoes or a hat bee - n. a black and yellow flying insect that can sting and that is often kept in hives for the honey that it produces beekeeper - n.  a person who raises bees calm - adj. not angry, upset, or excited fault - n. responsibility for a problem, mistake, or bad situation hive - n. a nest for bees honey - n. a thick, sweet substance made by bees ignore - v. to refuse to show that you hear or see (something or someone) local - adj. relating to or occurring in a particular area, city, or town probably - adv. very likely or almost certainly run out of (something) - phrasal verb to use up the available supply of (something) sting - v. of an insect, plant, or animal - to hurt (someone) by piercing the skin with a sharp, pointed part that usually contains poison swat - v. to hit (someone or something) with a quick motion   Learning Strategy The learning strategy for this lesson is Sequence. That means to look for the order of events in what you are learning. For example, we use a sequence when we write about a process, like how to make a pizza: "first, you mix the dough, next, you make the sauce..." In this lesson, Anna thinks about the sequence of her experience with a beehive as a child. First, she hit the hive with a stick. Next, the bees came out and stung her. They were angry. Thinking about that sequence will make Anna more careful about hitting a beehive with a stick in the future! Caroline agrees: "If you do those things, you will get stung." How about you? How do you sequence when you are learning English?  Do you start with easier patterns and move on to the harder ones? Write to us in the Comments section or send us an email.    Listening Quiz See how well you understand this lesson by taking a listening quiz. Play each short video, then choose the best answer. ​ Free Materials Download the VOA Learning English Word Book for a dictionary of the words we use on this website. For Teachers Send us an email if you have comments on this course or questions. Grammar focus: Conditional: Present Real (If _____ Will); Present Unreal (If _____ Would) Topics:  Asking for Information; Indicating Uncertainty; Asking for and Giving Reasons; Making Deductions Learning Strategy: Sequence   Comments 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.

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