Large Review of Coffee Studies Finds ... Not Much New

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. Which is more popular -- coffee or tea? If you are on Team Coffee, your team may be ahead. The well-known U.S. coffee shop Starbucks just opened its largest store in the land of tea: China! The Shanghai Starbucks is 2,700 square meters and employs more than 400 people. But now for the health question: Is coffee good for us? There have been many studies on the health benefits of coffee. Recently, researchers at the University of Southampton's Faculty of Medicine in Great Britain looked at results from 201 observational coffee studies and 17 clinical trials of coffee. With this “umbrella review,” researchers wanted to find a clear answer on whether coffee is good for us or not. They discovered that coffee drinkers had a lower risk of heart and liver disease and some cancers. Coffee drinkers also had a lower risk of dying from stroke. However, their findings are uncertain. The researchers could not prove coffee was the cause of these lowered risks. One of the researchers of this umbrella review is Robin Poole.  Poole’s team notes that their umbrella review included mainly observational data. Therefore, they could not prove any cause and effect relationship. The National Institutes of Health in the United States define an "observational uncontrolled study" as a study where “researchers simply watch what happens to a series of people in one group.” There is no control group. Still, researchers found that the benefits of moderate coffee drinking seem to outweigh the risks. Their report says that drinking coffee "was more often associated with benefit than harm." Poole calls these findings "headline benefits." "There are some headline benefits such as a lower risk of dying from any cause, a lower risk of dying from heart disease and stroke and a lower risk of developing heart disease in the first place. And for those outcomes the maximum benefit was around three to four cups of coffee per day." Poole means that if people read only the headline, they may think that the results are simply positive. But he warns that the coffee story is much more complicated. He advises people to not drink more than four cups a day. And not everyone should drink so much coffee. Researchers found that: - Too much coffee during pregnancy can be dangerous. - People, especially women, whose bones break easily should limit how much coffee they drink. - People with abnormal heart beat patterns are advised to drink decaffeinated coffee. Healthy coffee is black coffee In addition, the scientists point out that the research was only about coffee. Yet many coffee drinkers don't just drink coffee. They put sugar into it. They add milk or cream. They may have a baked treat on the side. Researcher Robin Poole warns that to get the full health benefits of coffee, keep it simple. Drinking it black is the healthiest. And skip the pastries. "It is not about the sugar and the syrups and the biscuits, cakes and pastries. And we would urge people who are already drinking moderate amounts of coffee -- about the three or four cups per day mark -- to enjoy it, but try and make it as healthy as possible because standard health messages still apply to those other things." The researchers found that the greatest benefit to drinking coffee seemed to be in fighting liver diseases. Based on that finding, they are planning a clinical test using coffee as a treatment for cirrhosis, a serious liver disease. But the final takeaway is the same as before: If you drink coffee, keep it simple and don’t eat the pastries or other baked treats that often come with a cup of coffee. And if you’re not coffee drinker, you don't need to start drinking coffee to be healthier. And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo.   The coffee versus tea argument is always interesting. In the Comments Section, let us know which one you prefer. Anna Matteo wrote this story for Learning English with additional reporting from Geogrge Putic. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. ​ _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   data – n. factual information (such as measurements or statistics) used as a basis for reasoning, discussion, or calculation outweigh – v. to exceed in weight, value, or importance associate – v. to bring together or into relationship in any of various intangible ways allege – v. to state without definite proof maximum – adj. greatest possible in amount or degree decaffeinated – adj. having the caffeine removed skip – v. to pass over or leave out (something) pastry – n. a sweet baked treat that often has fruit, icing, etc., on top syrup – n. a thick sticky solution of sugar and water often flavored cirrhosis – medical noun a serious disease of the liver that can be caused by drinking too much alcohol takeaway – n. a main point or key message to be learned or understood from something experienced or observed

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CES 2018: Voice-Controlled Assistants Steal the Show

  The biggest technology show of the year is taking place this week in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show is called CES 2018. The Consumer Technology Association estimates about 170,000 people will attend. About one-third of them are reported to come from countries other than the United States. The show takes place every January. It was formerly called The International Consumer Electronics Show, or CES. More than 4,000 businesses are demonstrating products in areas such as gaming, self-driving cars, digital health, artificial intelligence and robotics. One of the biggest stars at CES 2018 is the voice-controlled digital assistant. While the technology is not new, many companies are showing off the latest in virtual assistants. Devices controlled by digital assistants – especially those activated by voice - were already big sellers in 2017. This year, Google, Amazon and Apple are expected to release even more products to keep up with rising demand. Digital assistants are powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. They are designed to learn user preferences over time and then “think” and act on their own. Some of the biggest developments in technology have come in the area of home automation. Amazon Echo, Google Home, Apple’s HomePod and Microsoft's Cortana are a few examples of voice-activated devices. All include “smart” speakers that “talk” to users inside the home and can perform operations. Experts with the Consumer Technology Association say sales of smart speakers are expected to nearly double in 2018, to $3.8 billion. "That market is not just heating up. It is a wildfire," researcher Steve Koenig told Agence France-Presse. The internet-linked products can play music or find information when asked questions. They can also control equipment such as lighting, cameras, televisions and temperature controllers. Among new “smart” home products to be released at the CES are voice-controlled washing machines, refrigerators, showers and toilets. Some businesses will demonstrate robots that are designed to help people do things or attend to their needs. New virtual-reality and augmented-reality technologies will also be shown. Many of these will be aimed at video gamers or sports lovers seeking to feel like they are more involved in the game. CES is also traditionally the place for major electronics manufacturers to demonstrate their newest televisions. In an effort to get people to buy, companies are continuing to advertise new technologies, including “4K,” ″HDR” and “OLED.” Many of the televisions launched this year will come with voice controls. The show also has many new physical fitness and health-related devices. Some are designed to help people create the best personal fitness plans to reach their goals. Wearable health devices are equipped to study and measure body conditions, while others help recognize signs of disease. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. His story is based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters, Agence France-Presse and other sources. George Grow 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   virtual – adj. not existing physically, but instead on a computer or the internet artificial intelligence – n. the ability of computers to copy human behavior, such as making decisions or offering suggestions preference – n. the liking of one thing over another virtual reality – n. the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment​ augmented reality – n. an enhanced version of reality created by the use of technology to add digital information on an image of something digital – adj. using or involving computer technology automation – n. the use of a machine or mechanical system to do work normally performed by humans  

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Vietnam Tries Former Oil Company Officials

Vietnam is trying 22 business leaders on corruption charges, including a former top Communist Party official. The trial is part of the campaign against corruption by Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong. Most of the business leaders on trial are current or former officials of the state-owned PetroVietnam oil company. Dinh La Thang was a former chairman of PetroVietnam and a former member of Vietnam’s powerful Politburo. The Politburo is the top political committee in a communist form of government. Thang is accused of wrongdoing for his part in providing a contract to another company without a required bidding process. He also is accused of involvement in a deal that resulted in a $5.5 million loss to the state. Thang is the first former Politburo member to face charges in many years. He could receive up to 20 years in prison if found guilty. Trinh Xuan Thanh is another former chairman of PetroVietnam. He is accused of several charges including taking $186,000 for himself. The crime of embezzlement can be punished with a death sentence in Vietnam. Last August, Germany said the Vietnamese intelligence service kidnapped Thanh from a park in Berlin. Vietnam denied the accusation. Officials said Thanh turned himself in voluntarily. However, the incident caused Germany to expel two Vietnamese diplomats. Le Hong Hiep is an expert at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. He said, the trial “sends out a stern warning that there will be no ‘no-go zones’ in this campaign, and corrupt officials, no matter who they are and what position they hold, will be brought to justice.” Hiep added that, in the past, political power was divided in Vietnam. The division weakened the country’s efforts against corruption. Now the general party secretary has increased powers. Ngo Quang Hung is a retiree who was among the crowd gathered outside the courthouse. He said, “I’m happy that the government is getting tough on corruption.” Foreign media, however, are not permitted to attend the trial, which is expected to last two weeks. Speaking in Berlin, German Foreign Ministry spokesman Rainer Breul said embassy representatives were inside the courtroom. “We will observe it very closely and then evaluate what this means for our policy,” Breul said. Germany is Europe’s largest economy. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP news reports. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   contract –n. an official business agreement to provide goods or services bidding –n. a process in which different companies or individuals compete by offering a lower price for a good or service embezzlement –n. to steal money you have been trusted with stern –adj. very serious zones –n. areas or places that are different than others for some reason evaluate –v. to judge something giving it careful thought  

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Iran's President: Protests Directed at Political Leaders, Freedoms

The president of Iran says recent anti-government protests were not only about the economy but also the country’s political leadership and issues of individual freedoms. President Hassan Rouhani said on Monday that he thought the Iranian “people had economic, political and social demands.” Rouhani suggested that protestors disapproved of Iranian officials who opposed greater individual freedoms at home and closer ties with the West. The president said people should be permitted to criticize all officials without exception. “No one is innocent, and people are allowed to criticize everyone,” he said. Protest issues expanded from economics to politics Rouhani, a clergyman, defeated anti-Western candidates to win a second term as president last year. On Monday, he called for lifting restrictions on social media. Critics of Iran’s government used social media during the recent protests. They were the largest demonstrations in Iran since 2009. Rouhani also dismissed calls by some clergymen to permanently block social media and messaging apps. As the protests have weakened, the government has lifted restrictions on the social media app Instagram. But a more widely used messaging app, Telegram, was still blocked. The government said the restrictions would be temporary. “People’s access to social media should not permanently be restricted,” Rouhani said. He added, “We cannot be indifferent to people’s life and business.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Sunday that security forces had put an end to the week of demonstrations. The group blamed foreign enemies for the unrest. The protests began with young people and working-class Iranians angry over a lack of jobs and poor economic conditions. The protests spread to more than 80 cities and towns. Iranian officials say the unrest resulted in 22 deaths. More than 1,000 people were reported arrested. Iran’s deputy head of the judiciary Hamid Shahriari said all of the leaders of the protests had been identified and arrested. He said they would be firmly punished, with some possibly facing death sentences. An Iranian lawmaker reportedly said on Monday that one of those detained had died. Iranian media reported that a 22-year-old young man had hanged himself in jail. Iran’s foreign policy also a source of anger Many protestors expressed anger over Iran’s foreign policy. Iran has been involved in conflicts in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen. It competes with Saudi Arabia for influence in the Middle East. Iranians are also displeased with the country’s financial support for Palestinians and the Shi’ite Muslim group Hezbollah in Lebanon. They demand that the government deal with problems facing Iranians at home instead. Last year, Rouhani won re-election by promising more jobs for Iran’s young people through foreign investment. He promised increased individual freedoms, political tolerance, and social justice. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted a report from the Reuters news agency for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   social media –n. forms of electronic communication through the internet apps –n. (applications) a computer program designed to do a specific job or group of jobs tolerance –n. the willingness to accept the activities or beliefs of others that are different from your own We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Two Injured in Small Fire at Trump Tower

Two people were injured in a brief early-morning fire at Trump Tower in New York City. The New York Fire Department said Monday the fire was near the top of the tower. Smoke could be seen rising from the top of the 68-floor structure. The tower was the main home of U.S. President Donald Trump before he took office nearly a year ago. The president was in Washington, D.C. at the time of the fire. One firefighter was admitted to a hospital with minor injuries and a building worker received medical treatment at the scene, the Fire Department said. Eric Trump, one of the president’s sons, said on Twitter that it was a small electrical fire in the cooling tower on the building’s roof. “The New York Fire Department was here within minutes and did an incredible job,” said the younger Trump. “The men and women of the #FDNY are true heros and deserve our most sincere thanks and praise!” A Fire Department spokesman said the cause of the fire is under investigation. The fire was reported shortly before 7 in the morning local time, about 1200 Universal Time (UTC), on the top floor of the building. The fire department said it was under control after an hour and 15 minutes. I’m Jonathan Evans. The Reuters news agency reported this story. Hai Do adapted the report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   scene - n. the place of an event roof - n. the cover or top of the building incredible - adj. extremely good or great deserve - v. the verb is used to say that someone should have or be given something    

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Stars Make Statement in Black at Golden Globes

Movie stars and entertainers arrive at the Golden Globes in black to support the #MeToo movement.

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Donald Trump: Unusual

  VOA Learning English presents America’s Presidents. Today we are talking about Donald Trump. He was elected in 2016. Because his presidency is so new, this program will not discuss his time in office. Instead, it will discuss his early life. And it will note a few ways that Trump’s background is unusual compared to most U.S. presidents. Early life Donald Trump was born in Queens, a borough of New York City. He was the fourth child. He had two brothers and two sisters. His mother had been born in Scotland. His father, whose relatives were German, became a successful businessman in New York. Donald and his two brothers helped their father in the family business. At the time, the business was called Elizabeth Trump and Son, after his grandmother and father. The work related to building, buying, and managing property. By his own telling, young Donald often created trouble in school. So when he was 13 years old, his parents sent him to a military-style school. Donald said that, for the most part, he enjoyed the experience. Other students there remembered him as a good baseball player, as popular with girls, and as someone who wanted to succeed. Trump went on to college first at Fordham University in New York, and then at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned a degree in economics. He was also already investing in real estate. After he graduated, Trump quickly returned to New York City and his career. In time, he became the head of the family business. He re-named it the Trump Organization. As its president, Trump developed and put his name on luxury buildings, casinos, hotels, and golf courses around the world. Later, he became linked to the entertainment industry, too. He became a part owner of beauty pageants, hosted a television show, and wrote a book about how to succeed in business. During these years, Trump also married three times and divorced twice. The media wrote especially about his first and second marriages because he openly had a relationship with his second wife while he was married to his first. In 2005, he married Melania Knauss, a former model from Slovenia. She is only the second first lady who was not born in the United States. The first was Louisa Adams, who came from Britain in 1801. All together, Trump has three sons and two daughters. Because Trump has been a public figure for most of his life, many Americans were familiar with him before he ran for president. To some, he is linked to success in business and branding. To others, notes journalist Jackie Calmes, he is linked to debt and legal battles. But, until he officially entered the 2016 campaign as a Republican candidate, few linked him to politics. Trump is unusual among past presidents in that he had never worked in the government before. Nor has Trump served in the military. Only Presidents Taylor, Grant, and Eisenhower had no previous government experience; however, they had all been generals. During the campaign for president, other candidates spent money to buy advertising. But Trump spread his message on free television, radio and social media. Trump won the Republican nomination over 16 candidates. He went on to defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to win the presidency. Trump is the oldest person ever to take office. He was 70 years old when he was sworn in. He is also one of the richest. And Trump is unusual in how he communicates with the public. As president, he continues to use Twitter to communicate his thoughts directly to anyone who wants to follow him. Many earlier presidents also used changes in technology to interact with the public. Woodrow Wilson was the first to hold press conferences regularly with reporters. Franklin Roosevelt famously spoke to Americans on the radio. John F. Kennedy – and later Richard Nixon – are credited with using television to their advantage. But these episodes were often planned in advance. Trump has said he likes Twitter because he can share his thoughts immediately. And, he adds, the media and the public respond immediately, too. While the long-term effects of Trump’s presidency are not yet known, he will likely be remembered in part for his direct and unscripted style of communication. I’m Kelly Jean Kelly.   Kelly Jean Kelly wrote this report for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _________________________________________________________________   Listening Quiz See how well you understand the story by taking this listening quiz. Play each video, then choose the best answer. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   borough - n. one of the five political divisions of New York City model - n. someone who is paid to wear clothing and jewelry so that people will see and want to buy what is being worn branding - n. promoting a product or service by linking it with a name debt - n. money that is owed broadcast - v. made public unscripted - adj. not written or planned at an earlier time

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Thai Street Food ‘Queen’ Wins Michelin Star Award

  Bangkok, Thailand, is known for having some of the best street food in the world. Now, one street seller is being officially recognized for her tasty creations. The roadside restaurant Jay Fai in Bangkok was recently awarded a star in the highly respected Michelin Guide to restaurants around the world. Officials from the guide visit restaurants and then give them a rating of 1 to 3 stars, based on overall quality. Jay Fai is like many other street eateries across Bangkok. It servers a variety of Thai dishes in simple surroundings. The owner and main cook is 72-year-old Fai Junsuta. She prepares the food in an open-air kitchen. She does all of the cooking in a couple of large pans called woks, and wears special glasses to protect her eyes from an endless stream of smoke. The Michelin Guide describes her restaurant as “a place that both taxi drivers and foodies wax lyrical about.” It says that some of the restaurant’s most popular food items are crab omelets, crab curries and dried congee. Many restaurants wait years to receive Michelin stars. But Fai Junsuta says was not aware of the honor before being chosen. "Before, I knew the Michelin name but I did not know it had to do with cooking," she told Agence France-Presse. "I am very proud." But she added that she would quickly be returning to the kitchen after attending an awards ceremony. "We do not have a lot of staff because I'm a bit difficult and crazy," she said. Jay Fai was one of 17 restaurants chosen for the first-ever Michelin Guide for Bangkok. Three of the city’s restaurants – serving Indian, French and European food - received two stars. The others – seven of which are Thai restaurants - received one star. Many other eateries, including 28 street food places, are also included in the guide, but they did not receive any stars. In announcing the selections, Michelin said Bangkok has learned how to successfully offer many kinds of international cooking styles without giving up its own food heritage. Thailand’s Tourism Authority signed a partnership with Michelin to create the Bangkok guide.   The partnership followed an announcement last year that Thai officials planned to ban street food sellers in Bangkok in an effort to clean up the city. The government later backed away from its plans to completely remove all street food vendors. But officials did tighten some rules to prevent sellers from blocking traffic and people. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse and other sources. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Where have you eaten the best street food? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   wok – n. large, bowl-shaped pan used for cooking wax lyrical – phrase. talk about something in a very enthusiastic way staff – n. people who work at an organization heritage – n. the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation vendor – n. person who sells something outside  

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US Fishermen Fear the Growth of Wind Power Industry

  Fishermen on the northeastern coast of the United States are voicing concerns about the development of offshore wind power. Some of the fishermen are based in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The town was once a major center for whale-hunting ships. The city was made famous in Herman Melville’s book about whaling, “Moby Dick.” New Bedford also has been one of the nation’s most profitable fishing ports for 17 years. But fishermen there now fear the possibility of having to pilot their boats through many wind turbines to reach their fishing grounds. The state of Massachusetts wants to build hundreds of the large wind turbines off the coast near New Bedford. The electricity produced would be enough to power more than 1 million homes. Eric Hansen harvests scallops from his boat in New Bedford. His family has been in this business for generations. The 56-year old spoke to the Associated Press about his concerns. “You ever see a radar picture of a wind farm?” he asked. Hansen added, “Transit through it will be next to impossible, especially in heavy wind and fog.” The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is the government agency responsible for dealing with energy issues in federally-owned waters. An organization representing East Coast scallop fishermen has taken legal action against the agency. They are trying to stop a proposal for a wind farm of nearly 200 wind turbines off the coast of New York’s Long Island. Commercial fishermen in Maryland’s Ocean City and North Carolina’s Outer Banks have also raised concerns about being unable to reach fishing grounds. But supporters of the offshore wind power industry say they have learned from Europe’s experience with the technology. They also point to the opening of America’s only offshore wind farm near Rhode Island. They say it provides evidence that wind farms will not hurt U.S. fishermen. Deepwater Wind is a company based in Rhode Island that opened the five-turbine wind farm near the state’s Block Island. The company is proposing larger wind farms in other places along the East Coast. Matthew Morrissey is a vice president of Deepwater. He told the Associated Press, “We want to do this the right way, and I believe we have a path to do that.” However, fishermen are concerned that offshore wind farms will only lead to more restrictions. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management representative Stephen Boutwell said the agency has taken steps to deal with the concerns of the fishermen. These include banning wind farm development in some areas off Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York that are valuable to the fishing industry. The agency also has carried out studies on issues fishermen have raised. This includes questions about the effects of wind farm construction and electromagnetic fields on fish behavior. Deepwater Wind said early findings from studies of its Block Island wind farm show little harm to the environment. The company suggests that fish and lobster populations are “just as strong” as they were before the wind farm. The company says it has paid several fishermen who were temporarily unable to reach their fishing grounds during construction. There have not been reports of fishing boats striking the turbines.  But several boats have reported their fishing equipment getting damaged by undersea structures connected to the turbines. Richard Fuka is the president of the Rhode Island Fishermen’s Alliance. He said problems with wind turbines have cost fishermen tens of thousands of dollars in equipment and lost fishing time. Also, U.S. fishermen are not pleased with the comparison to European fishermen. In Europe, 10 different countries have placed restrictions on fishing around the more than 3,500 turbines off their shores. U.S. officials and developers however say similar bans are not being considered, except during construction. Studies have been done on the North Sea of Great Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. They suggest the turbines actually support the growth of sea life. Yet, Merlin Jackson of the Thanet Fishermen’s Association said in Britain transit through wind farms remains difficult in bad weather. He said there have been at least two cases of fishing boats hitting turbines. Fishermen largely depend on the lights on turbines as guides, but they are not always taken care of well. Jackson added that America’s slower, more complex approval process for turbine construction has “forced more questions to be asked.” East Coast fishermen seem more united than those in Europe when wind farms are being developed. “If fishermen can be organized and be allowed to have input into the earliest parts of the planning process, then there should be a way forward,” Jackson said. I’m Pete Musto. And I’m Lucija Milonig.   Philip Marcelo reported this for the Associated Pres. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. How can the fishing and wind power industries work together? What will the future be like for both? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. ​ _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   whale – n. an often very large animal that lives in the ocean and that is a mammal rather than a fish turbine(s) – n. a tall structure that has large blades attached to an engine and that is used to produce electricity scallop(s) – n. a type of shellfish that has a flat, round shell with two parts and that is often eaten as food transit – n. the act of moving people or things from one place to another commercial – adj. related to or used in the buying and selling of goods and services electromagnetic – adj. describing a magnetic field that is produced by a current of electricity lobster – n. an ocean animal that has a long body, a hard shell, and a pair of large claws and that is caught for food allow(ed) – v. to permit someone to have or do something input – n. advice or opinions that help someone make a decision

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New Book Uses Photographs to Fight Stereotypes of Africa

  A new book tries to show what life in Africa is really like after one removes misinformation and some stereotypes found in western media. The book, called “Everyday Africa,” presents the major and minor events in life through the images of 30 photographers. It is now available in bookstores across Europe and the United States. The book started as a feed on the social media photo-sharing app Instagram. It was a project of two Americans, Peter DiCampo and Austin Merrill. Now it belongs to a community of Africans across the continent. Showing an Africa most do not see DiCampo says the project dates back to 2012, when he and Merrill traveled to Ivory Coast to report on the end of its civil war. While speaking with refugees and soldiers about how the country was recovering, the Americans found that daily life was fairly normal for most people. However, they felt this information was not coming through in the story they were preparing. "We were seeing all these other moments that were much sort of truer to our daily life experience in that part of the world.” To capture those events, Merrill said they started using cellphones to take pictures of what they saw around them. “…You know, pictures of people going to work, or eating breakfast, or hanging out with their friends; things that were just more normal everyday scenes and we felt like there was really something to that, and that might be the most important thing we had to tell about that place, at that moment, instead of the crisis story."   DiCampo said he feels it is difficult to have an understanding of the world when all you see are extreme stories. The “Everyday Africa” Instagram feed was a way of seeing what daily life looks like in Africa from many different perspectives. The project is popular, and still growing. The Instagram account has over 360-thousand followers and an active community of photographers sharing pictures of the continent. “We've had lots of African photographers join, non-African photographers join, but we've also got some skilled amateurs. In Cape Town Barry Christianson is a computer programmer. Mahmoud Katub in Caro just finished medical school. I think that there's something about that mix of people that strengthens the community and that makes the work better.” Training students for better media understanding With the support of the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, DiCampo and Merrill are using the Everyday Africa name to help educate students. They visit middle school classrooms in the United States to train students on how to document their lives and recognize stereotypes. In their visits with students, DiCampo says, they use the story of Everyday Africa’s creation to discuss how media representation affects them and their communities. They also show the students how to improve their own photography, with the goal of helping them create their own school or community “everyday” project. DiCampo and Merrill say their dream is for Instagram communities to be formed all over the world, documenting their everyday life. They hope that the book will give them the chance to reach more people and to show an underrepresented side of African life to the world. I’m Phil Dierking.   Zoe Leoudaki wrote this story for the VOANews.com. Phil Dierking adapted her story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Do you think your country is misrepresented in the news? In what way? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. __________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   amateur - n.  a person who does something (such as a sport or hobby) for pleasure and not as a job app - n.  a computer program that performs a special function perspective - n. a way of thinking about and understanding something moment - n. a precise point in time stereotype - n. an often unfair and untrue belief that many people have about all people or things with a particular characteristic  

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Everyday Grammar: Common Transition Words

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