Freedom House: Democracy Ratings for Most Countries

A new report warns that democratic values are weakening in countries around the world. The report found that values such as fair elections and freedom of the press have worsened in each of the past 12 years. The findings are from Freedom House, an American-based non-governmental organization. Freedom House works in support of political freedom and democracy worldwide. While the group is independent, some of its money comes from the United States government. For the new report, researchers studied information about conditions in 195 countries over the past year. Freedom House rated 88 of those countries as “free.” Fifty-eight others received a “partly free” rating. It identified 49 countries as “not free.” Arch Puddington is a researcher with Freedom House. He said that the study confirmed a drop in political freedoms in each of the past 12 years. “For the 12th consecutive year, freedom was on the decline across the globe. And by that we mean that there are more countries, in this case, in the case of 2017, many more countries that showed declines in freedom than showed improvements...” North America Freedom House reported a weakening of the United States as a leader of democracy in 2017. It said that America’s standing was affected, in part, by reports of Russian involvement in the 2016 presidential election. U.S. government officials are investigating possible ties between Russia and aides to then presidential candidate Donald Trump. “There are problems with the elections that you don’t find in most well-established democracies,” said Arch Puddington. He noted the large amounts of money spent on U.S. election campaigns and state laws making voting more difficult. In written comments, Freedom House pointed to ethical concerns facing the administration of President Donald Trump. It said they include the Trump family’s business ties and the possibility for conflicts of interest, as well as the president’s decision not to release information about his taxes. The administration has noted an ongoing investigation by tax experts as a reason for not releasing Trump's tax returns. Asia The Freedom House report noted the intensification of repression under Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a reason for China’s generally downward move and "not free" rating. “We’ve noticed efforts by China to influence the way other countries deal with China, talk about China, what scholars write about China, what journalists write about China,” said Puddington. He added that the report noted “a kind of creeping policy” of trying to expand Chinese restrictions to China’s neighbors and other countries, such as Australia, Canada, and even the United States. Yet Freedom House researchers praised what they consider continued signs of political development for South Korea and the island of Taiwan. The report described Myanmar, also known as Burma, as "partly free.” Researchers said their findings on the country are mixed. They noted its move from military rule toward democracy and a worsening humanitarian crisis, following the movement of Rohingya Muslims to neighboring Bangladesh. Latin America Even with economic and political unrest in Nicaragua and Venezuela, Freedom House welcomed political developments in other Latin American countries. In 2017, Lenin Moreno took office as Ecuador’s president. Freedom House noted how Moreno has cancelled some of the measures that former president Rafael Correa put in place. Puddington praised Moreno for showing a willingness to have serious discussions with reformists and to take legal action against officials accused of corruption. The report noted increased U.S. involvement with Cuba’s government and the Cuban people. Yet Freedom House rated Cuba as “not free” in the report. It said freedom of the press and open political debate are two areas in need of improvement. Middle East The Freedom House report also gave "not free" ratings to Afghanistan and Iraq. “It doesn't necessarily mean that the country is moving in the wrong direction or in the right direction,” noted Arch Puddington. “It just means that there are a lot of things going on in that country. And we that anticipate there will be changes in the next year.” Observers say progress toward democratic elections and effective civilian governments could signal major developments for both countries. Africa Following the ouster of Robert Mugabe as Zimbabwe’s longtime leader, Freedom House listed the country as "partly free." Arch Puddington explained the rating. “Zimbabwe declined in our scores for 2017, but this was largely due to the fact that, you know, President Mugabe was pushed out by non-democratic means, and he was succeeded through non-democratic means..." I’m Dorothy Gundy. And I’m Caty Weaver.   Elizabeth Cherneff reported this story for VOANews.com. George Grow adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   globe – n. a round model of the Earth scholar – n. a person who has studied a subject for a long time journalist – n. a reporter or news media worker creep – adj. moving very slowly anticipate – v. to think of; to expect means – n. something that helps you get what you want; wealth   We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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English Words Borrowed From the Americas

  On a recent program, we told you the stories of some English words borrowed from Japanese. Today, we will tell you about words English has taken from languages of the Americas. The Americas include North America, South America and the Caribbean. When Europeans arrived in the land now known as North America, millions of indigenous people were already living there. Indigenous Americans are often called Native Americans and sometimes American Indians. Archaeologists say that indigenous people had inhabited North America for some 30,000 years before Europeans settlers arrived. Eventually, the settlers would forcibly remove many of them from their land. Others died of European diseases. Native Americans lost nearly all of this land during the American conquest. Today, they make up less than 2 percent of the U.S. population. And yet, English has kept a large number of indigenous words, including the names of places, animals, plants and foods. Most of the words that English has borrowed come from the Algonquian group of languages. The word Algonquian also refers to the group of tribes that speak those languages. Algonquian languages were spoken – and some are still spoken – along North America’s Atlantic Coast, from Canada to South Carolina, and west to the Great Plains.   Let's start with U.S. place names. U.S. state names It is not very well known – even by Americans -- that 26 U.S. states are named after Native American tribes or their lands. That is more than half of the states. For example, Alabama is named for the Alibamu tribe and Kansas is named for the Kansa, or Kaw, tribe. The word Kansa is believed to mean "people of the south wind,” though that is probably not its original meaning. Many of our town, river and lake names are also Native American in origin. For example, two of the Great Lakes – Erie and Michigan – are Algonquian words. The word "Michigan" comes from the word mishigamaa, meaning "large lake." Michigan is also the name of the state next to this lake. And Erie comes from the Eriehonon people. ​Gary McCone is the head of Library and Information Services for the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. He told VOA that the reason so many Native American place names were used is likely because early European explorers needed a way to communicate with local native people. Changing place names would have made that more difficult. The names of dozens of common American animals are also from Algonquian languages. They include chipmunk, moose, caribou, opossum, raccoon and skunk. In addition to Algonquian languages, English has borrowed words from the Nahuatl language of Central America and the Arawak languages of the Caribbean and South America.  Coyote For example, the name of another animal common to America, the coyote, comes from Nahuatl. A coyote is a small, dog-like animal with large ears. The original Nahuatl word was coyotl. The word first passed through the Spanish language before becoming part of English. ​Chocolate Here’s another example from Nahuatl: chocolate. Spaniards also first borrowed this word before it reached English. The Nahuatl word for chocolate is xocolatl. Mesoamericans grew and consumed cacao for centuries before Europeans came into contact with it. ​The word xocolatl was originally the name for an ancient, fermented Mesoamerican drink made from ground cacao seeds. Then, in the early 1500s, Spanish conquistadors observed how native people valued cacao beans. They took them back with them to Spain. The Arawak languages of the Caribbean and South America, such as the Taino language, have also given the English language many words. Two of them are hammock and barbecue. Hammock In English, the word hammock is a kind of hanging bed made from cloth. The cloth is hung between two poles or trees. It comes from the Taino word hamaka of the indigenous people of the island of Hispanola. It once meant “stretch of cloth.” Hammock is another example of a word that passed through Spanish first before reaching English. Native people of Central and South America first developed and used hammocks. Years later, sailors used them on boats to sleep more comfortably and make good use of a small space. Explorers and soldiers also used them in forested areas. Today, hammocks are very popular among Americans. Barbecue Another word of Taino origin is barbecue. The English meaning refers to a method of cooking over an open fire using wood (or charcoal) and a grill. Barbecue is also the word for the cooking device used in this cooking method. The indigenous word was barabicu and meant “structure of sticks set upon posts.” It referred to the raised wooden structures that indigenous Caribbeans used to cure meat on or to sleep on. Other language research says it meant "sacred pit." After Christopher Columbus reached America in 1492, Spaniards came across indigenous Taino people roasting meat barbecue style. In 1526, a Spanish explorer was the first person to use the word in Spain, when he wrote of "barbecoa" in a Spanish dictionary. Back in the Americas, as Spanish conquistadors began to travel north into what are now the southern United States, they brought along the barbecue cooking method. Today, most Americans use at least one Native American word each day as they talk about places, foods, animals and other things. Join us again soon to learn the history of English words borrowed from other languages. I’m Alice Bryant. And I'm Phil Dierking.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   indigenous – adj. produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment conquest – n. the act of taking control of a country, city, etc., through the use of force Mesoamerican – n. relating to or characteristic of the region of the southern part of North America or its inhabitants. cacao – n. the dried seeds of a tropical tree that are used to make cocoa and chocolate conquistador – n. a leader in the Spanish conquests of America, Mexico, and Peru in the 16th century charcoal – n. a hard black material that is made by burning wood with a small amount of air cure – v. to change something through a chemical or physical process so that it can be preserved for a long time

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Japan Gets False Missile Warning, After Hawaii Incident

The Japanese public broadcaster NHK mistakenly sent out a message Tuesday warning of a likely North Korean missile launch. The false alarm for a missile attack was the second in the Pacific area since the U.S. state of Hawaii gave a mistaken warning on Saturday. NHK sent the message out on its website and through its mobile telephone app at 9:55 UTC. The message said, “North Korea likely to have launched a missile.” The warning urged people to take shelter in buildings or underground. About 10 minutes later, NHK sent out another message calling the alert a mistake. NHK blamed human error for the alert. There were no immediate reports of widespread panic as a result of the false warning. Similar to false alarm in Hawaii The event in Japan was somewhat like one that took place earlier in Hawaii over the weekend. However, in the U.S. Pacific island state, the Hawaii State Emergency Management Agency released the alert. It warned of a “BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII.” The alert urged people to immediately seek shelter saying the message was not a test. Hotel workers sent guests into basements and people fled and struggled to find places to take shelter as a result of the wrong message. The mistaken alert was discovered within 20 minutes. But it took about 38 minutes for officials to send a correction. The state’s governor David Ige said the false alarm was sent out during an employee shift change. He added that there was no automated process to let people know that the warning was false. The governor apologized and said officials were taking steps to ensure that such a false alarm does not happen again. Hawaiian Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard criticized officials for the long delay in correcting the mistake. She said the delay “is something that has to be fixed, corrected with people held accountable.” In November, North Korea tested a ballistic missile that, officials say, could reach all of the U.S. mainland. It was the latest in a series of long distance missile launches by the North. Hawaii is home to the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Command and its Pacific Fleet. In December, the state restarted its monthly tests of a warning siren system to warn residents of any coming nuclear attack. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted this report for VOA Learning English with materials from Reuters and other sources. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   false alarm –n. a warning of danger that does not exist app –n. (application) a computer program designed to do a specific task or set of tasks alert –n. something like a message or loud sound that tells people of danger shift –n. a planned or scheduled period of time that someone works automated –adj. done automatically by a machine or system, not done by a person siren –n. device that make loud sounds that are meant to warn people of danger We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Bangladesh to Send Rohingya Back to Myanmar

  Myanmar and Bangladesh have agreed on a plan to send refugees from Myanmar back to the country within the next two years. The refugees, Rohingya Muslims, fled across the border last year to escape a military campaign in Rakhine state. Statements from both countries said the agreement calls for Bangladesh to set up five transit camps on its side of the border. The camps are expected to begin sending refugees to two reception centers in Rakhine state as early as next Tuesday, January 23. Myanmar said it would build a transit camp that can hold up to 30,000 returnees. About 650,000 Rohingya have entered Bangladesh since last August. Many now live in overcrowded camps in Bangladesh's Cox's Bazar district. Humanitarian groups say many children there are suffering a number of health problems because of a poor diet and poor living conditions. The refugees have told human rights groups they fled to escape numerous attacks carried out by Myanmar security forces. They accuse the security forces of burning down homes and whole villages, raping women and shooting some people for no apparent reason. The United Nations has described the reported actions as "a textbook case of ethnic cleansing." Myanmar’s military has cleared itself of any abuses. The military says it carried out the campaign to answer attacks on police. And the government dismisses the reported abuses, claiming they are overestimated. Bangladesh said the process would attempt to first return “family units” and children who have lost parents. It would also give preference to “children born out of unwarranted incidence,” a term used to describe children born as a result of rape. Bangladesh’s foreign ministry said the agreement showed Myanmar had demonstrated its “commitment to stop (the) outflow of Myanmar residents to Bangladesh.” A spokesman for the U.N. High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) said the Rohingya should only return voluntarily when they feel it is safe to do so. “Major challenges have to be overcome,” the spokesman said. Rights group Amnesty International said it believes it is too soon to begin returning refugees. In a statement on Tuesday, the group said the new agreement does not guarantee the safety of refugees once they return to Myanmar. "The obfuscation and denials of the Myanmar authorities give no reason to hope that the rights of returning Rohingya would be protected, or that the reasons for their original flight no longer exist," the statement said. Amnesty added that “any forcible returns would be a violation of international law." The Rohingya have been denied citizenship and other rights in Myanmar, a country where Buddhists are the majority population. Myanmar considers them to be immigrants from Bangladesh. However, many Rohingya families have lived in Myanmar for generations. I’m Bryan Lynn.   The Reuter news agency and VOANews.com reported this story. Bryan Lynn adapted this story for Learning English. 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   transit – n. the moving of people from one place to another atrocity – n. very cruel or terrible act or action unwarranted – adj. not necessary or appropriate obfuscation – n. making something less clear and harder to understand, especially intentionally challenge – n. a difficult problem; a refusal to accept something as true textbook – n. a book used in the study of a subject reception – n. the act of receiving  

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Saudi Arabia Holds Car Show Just for Women

  Car manufacturers are wasting no time preparing for the day when Saudi Arabian women will be permitted to drive. The first car show just for women was recently held at a shopping center in the western coastal city of Jeddah. The event came a few months after Saudi Arabia’s King Salman ordered an end to a longtime ban on women drivers. An announcement in September said the order to give women legal permission to drive would be carried out by June 2018. Pink, orange and yellow balloons were placed in the showroom to welcome the women. Attendees were seen looking at different kinds of vehicles. Many sat inside the cars and some even posed for photos and selfies in front of their favorite models.​ One possible customer, Ghada al-Ali, said the car show was “a big deal” because it was the first such event to be held in the kingdom. “I’ve always been interested in cars, but we didn’t have the ability to drive,” she said. “Now I’m very interested in buying a car.” Another visitor said the main thing she liked about the car show is that it emphasized the idea of a woman driving a car. She added that it was also a good way for the whole family to get to learn about all the models. “Before you start driving, you need to know more about cars,” she said. Sharifa Mohammad supervised saleswomen at the event. She said the place where the show was held made perfect sense. “This whole mall is run by women anyway. All the cashiers are women. Everyone in the restaurants are women.” Saudi Arabia’s decision to end the ban on women drivers is part of a larger effort by the country’s 32-year-old Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. He has proposed many economic and social reforms. Some reforms have faced opposition from conservative clergymen with large followings. One recent government decision gave women the right to attend events at what were once male-only sports stadiums. Another lifted a ban on movie theaters.   I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Mario Ritter 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   selfie – n. a picture that you take of yourself especially by using the camera on your smartphone​ customer – n. someone who buys goods or services from a business emphasize – v. to place special emphasis on something mall – n. large building or group of buildings containing different stores cashier – n. a person who takes in or gives out money in a store or other business  

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Erdogan: NATO Must Take Stance against US

Turkey’s president has called on the country’s defense allies to take a stance against an American plan for a Kurdish-led border security force in Syria. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, should oppose such a force. The United States and its partners want to establish the security force to control the border area between Syria, Iraq and Turkey. The move is part of the United States-led effort against the Islamic State group often called IS. Syrian Kurdish militia are to lead the new security force, which is expected to reach 30,000 members in the next few years. Turkey strongly opposes a Kurdish-led militia However, Turkey has been threatening to launch a military offensive in Syria against Kurdish militia there. Turkey considers them to be terrorists because of their ties to outlawed Kurdish rebels fighting Turkey. On Monday, Erdogan accused the United States of creating a “terror army” in Syria, along the border with Turkey. He said Turkey would destroy this army “before it’s even born.” Erdogan addressed members of his ruling party on Tuesday. During his speech, he said: “Hey NATO! You are obliged to make a stance against those who harass and violate the borders of your members.” Both Turkey and the U.S. are NATO members. NATO called Turkey “a highly valued ally” and said the alliance was committed to Turkey’s defense. However, it said that the matter was an issue for the anti-IS coalition led by the U.S. Ties between Turkey and the United States have worsened over U.S. support of the Kurdish militia. Turkey says the Kurdish People’s Defense Units, or YPG, is a major threat to its security. But the U.S. has relied on Kurdish militia with ties to the YPG to defeat the Islamic State terror group. The U.S. also has said the new Kurdish-led security force is important to prevent the return of the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq. Russia, a major force in the area, opposed the U.S. plan for a border security force. It said the force could lead to the splitting up of Syria. The Syrian government called the U.S. plan an attack on Syrian sovereignty. It promised to win back control of the whole country and remove any form of US-backed Syrian Kurdish force. Erdogan said on Tuesday that Turkey is planning an attack on the Kurdish-controlled area of Afrin in northern Syria. Turkey has already moved more troops to its border and fired artillery at the city in recent weeks. The Turkish president added that Turkey would conduct the operation in Afrin with Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces. Erdogan was asked if he planned to discuss the Kurdish-led border force with U.S. President Donald Trump. But, he said he had no plans to call the U.S. leader. The state-operated Anadolu Agency reported Erdogan’s comments. He said, “We discussed the issue before. He said he would get back to me. I won’t call him as long as he does not get back to me.”  I’m Jonathan Evans.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP news and other reports. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   take a stance –idiom to state a position on some issue of importance obliged –adj. required to do something harass –v. to make repeated attacks against an enemy rely –v. to depend on, to need for support sovereignty –n. to be independent and have the right to govern oneself     

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Good, Bad of Cold-weather Workouts

  From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. In winter, people might lessen their outdoor exercise. The days get dark earlier, and it can be very cold! These conditions can make it harder for some of us to get outdoors for exercise. However, cold days can be perfect for outdoor workouts! There are at least three important health benefits to cold-weather workouts. 1. The body works harder in cold weather. Health experts at the Medical University of South Carolina say the body must make extra energy to keep warm in low temperatures. This means the body is burning more calories and fat. Your lungs also may work better in cold weather. Researchers at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff found some interesting results in a study of goats. Yes, I said “goats.” But still, their results were pretty interesting. The scientists looked at how cold-weather activity affected goats. They found that “during the three coldest months, the sedentary but cold-exposed goats experienced a 34% increase in maximal oxygen uptake … and a 29% increase in running speed.” When temperatures increased in the spring both oxygen uptake and running speed of the goats decreased. 2. Regular cold-weather exercising may help the immune system. The winter season is also cold and flu season. Making outdoor exercise a usual part of your workout may help you avoid both colds and the flu. It may strengthen your body’s defense system. The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research found that winter workouts can cut your risk of getting the flu by 20 to 30 percent. 3. Exercising outdoors in cold weather may help your mental health. Some people who suffer from “winter blues” or Seasonal Affective Disorder, may benefit from going outside to exercise in the fresh air and sunshine. An outdoor workout increases exposure to sunlight. Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D. And vitamin D produces hormones that brighten your mood. Dangers of a cold-weather workout So, there are several health benefits of exercising outdoors in very cold weather. But there are also dangers. Frostbite is one of the most common. Edward Ward is a doctor at Rush University Medical Center. He explains how frostbite happens. "When the air temperature drops below zero especially factoring wind chill, things freeze. And that includes the fluids that's within your fingers or your toes, nose, ears, anything that's exposed to that wind chill can be affected by frostbite." Protecting your fingers, toes, ears and nose is very important. Cold winds affect these parts of the body more quickly than other parts. Christopher Sampson is a doctor with University of Missouri Health Care. He explains that frostbite can happen rapidly -- in less than 30 minutes. "With frostbite people can start experiencing symptoms pretty rapidly, on average with mild winds and cold temperatures it can occur in as less than 30 minutes, with extreme cases. When it's very, very cold and winds are very, very strong, sometimes frostbite can develop in as little as 5 minutes." The beginning of frostbite is called “frostnip.” Experts at the Mayo Clinic explain that “with this mild form of frostbite, your skin pales or turns red and feels very cold. Continued exposure leads to prickling and numbness in the affected area. As your skin warms, you may feel pain and tingling. Frostnip doesn't permanently damage the skin.” But, frostbite can. It can even lead to loss of tissue and limbs. Hypothermia The most serious danger is hypothermia. Hypothermia is when the body temperature has fallen below 35 degrees Celsius or about 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This happens when your body can not produce enough energy to keep the body warm enough. Hypothermia can kill you. There are several signs to watch for before it is too late. difficulty in movement difficulty in thinking slowed reactions unclear speech cold feet and hands shivering sleepiness Falling on ice However, Dr. Sampson says it is ice that creates the biggest risk for workouts outside when it is very cold. People don’t see the ice, step on it and fall. Dress properly But if you are dressed right, you can exercise safely in low temperatures. Experts on several health websites say it is important to dress in layers. The layer closest to the body should be made of a material that takes moisture away from the body. The next layer should be a material that traps heat, such as wool. And finally, the outer layer should be water resistant. Of course, don't forget gloves, hat, good socks and shoes. When it is really cold, a scarf or face mask will protect your skin and lungs. Check the weather forecast Temperature is not the only things that will affect your outdoor workout. It is also important to consider wind and water. Wind can go through your clothing and steal the layer of warm air that surrounds your body. If you get wet, you may not be able to keep your body temperature high enough. So, if you are a generally healthy person, do not think you must move your workouts indoors in winter. As long as you dress properly, drink enough water and exercise safely, you can get a lot out of a cold-weather workout. And that’s the Health & Lifestyle Report. I’m Anna Matteo.   Let us know your favorite type of exercise environment ... in the Comments Section! Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ QUIZ _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   benefit – n. a good or helpful result or effect sedentary – adj. doing or involving a lot of sitting : not doing or involving much physical activity maximal – adj. greatest or highest possible the blues – n. a feeling of sadness or depression mood the way someone feels : a person's emotional state factor something that helps produce or influence a result : one of the things that cause something to happen wind chill – n. the effect that wind has of making air feel colder than it actually is expose – v. to leave (something) without covering or protection rapidly – adv. happening in a short amount of time : happening quickly symptom – n. a change in the body or mind which indicates that a disease is present mild – adj. gentle in nature or behavior occur – v. somewhat formal : to happen prickle – v. to cause or experience an unpleasant feeling that is like the feeling of having many small, sharp points against your skin : prickling – n. numb – adj. unable to feel anything in a particular part of your body because of cold, injury, etc. : numbness – n. tingle – v. to have a feeling like the feeling of many small sharp points pressing into your skin shiver – v. to shake slightly because you are cold, afraid, etc.

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UN: Technology Threatens Whistled Language in Turkey

  The United Nations is calling for urgent action to protect a whistled language used in a mountainous area of Turkey. The UN’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has identified the “bird language” as an endangered cultural heritage. UNESCO noted that technological developments, as well as social and economic changes, have led to a drop in the number of people who communicate in this way. It also noted a drop in the number of areas where the language is spoken. The UN agency placed much of the blame on the use of mobile phones. A whistled language is a highly-developed method of communication. People use whistling sounds in place of words. The language was created as a way to communicate across great distances in difficult mountain conditions.  Most whistling sounds are created by blowing air through the lips and teeth. Sometimes fingers and the tongue are also used to make different or louder sounds. To communicate, people use whistling to simulate, or create, the sound of some words. They also use sound patterns, repeating certain sounds, to represent other common words and expressions. New words and terms can be added to keep up with changes in spoken language and cultural life. UNESCO estimates the whistled language is spoken or understood by about 10,000 people in the Eastern Black Sea area of northern Turkey. However, only a small number of villagers still use the language. Currently, officials estimate it is mostly only spoken in a small community in Giresun province. UN officials say members of the community consider the practice a major part of their cultural identity. They believe using the language helps strengthen interpersonal communication and solidarity. UNESCO called whistled language “an environmentally friendly form of communication.” It added the language can make life easier and “reinforce social bonds for the people living in the region.” With the new generation’s lack of interest in whistled language, there is the risk it will eventually be “torn from its natural environment, becoming an artificial practice,” UNESCO said. In Turkey, at least one group has been formed to find ways to keep the whistled language strong. The group is working to create a plan for passing the language on to future generations. It will also seek to raise international recognition of the issue. In addition, UNESCO said scientific research will be carried out to support efforts to continue the whistled language.     Other areas also have used whistled languages. In 2009, UNESCO expressed concerns about one such language disappearing from Spain’s Canary Islands. The language, called Silbo Gomero, was based on Castilian Spanish. It was handed down from one generation to the next over many centuries. UNESCO said it was the only whistled language in the world to be fully developed and practiced in a community of more than 22,000 people. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. Would you be willing to learn a whistled language? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   whistle – v. to make a high sound by blowing air through your lips or teeth heritage – n. the traditions, achievements, beliefs, etc., that are part of the history of a group or nation pattern – n. a repeated form; something that happens in a repeated way practice – n. something that is done often; a custom or tradition solidarity – n. feeling of unity between people who have the same interests, goals, etc. bond – n. something shared between people or groups that forms a connection between them artificial – adj. not natural, but instead made by people  

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China’s Silk Road Plan Facing Problems

  China’s plan for a modern Silk Road linking Asia and Europe hit a pothole recently in Pakistan. Pakistan and China have good relations; some Pakistani officials even call China their “Iron Brother.” China has played an even bigger role in the country since U.S. President Donald Trump decided last week to suspend security assistance to Pakistan. Yet, plans for the countries to build a $14-billion dam on the Indus River were put in doubt, after Pakistan’s water authority announced China wanted to own part of the project. China has denied making the demand. However, the water authority rejected China’s reported demand as against Pakistani interests, and withdrew Pakistan from the dam project. Belt and Road Initiative From Pakistan to Hungary to Tanzania, projects under Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “Belt and Road Initiative” are being canceled, renegotiated or delayed. Host countries have disputed costs and benefits that they would receive.  The “Belt and Road Initiative” is a plan to build projects across 65 countries, from the South Pacific through Asia to Africa and Europe. Such projects include oil drilling in Siberia, new ports in Southeast Asia, railways in Eastern Europe and power plants in the Middle East. The United States, Russia and India view the Belt and Road initiative as a way for China to expand its influence. Many countries have welcomed plans to build infrastructure that would keep their economies growing. Nations such as Japan have given or lent billions of dollars for development through the Asian Development Bank. China, however, remains the largest or only source of money for many projects.​ Many projects cancelled or delayed In November, Nepal canceled plans for Chinese companies to build a $2.5-billion dam. Officials said building contracts for the Budhi Gandaki Hydro Electric Project violated rules that require offers from numerous bidders. The European Union is also looking into whether Hungary awarded contracts to Chinese builders for a high-speed railway to Serbia without competing bids. In Myanmar, plans for a Chinese oil company to build a $3-billion refinery were canceled in November because of financing problems. In Thailand, work on a $15-billion high-speed railway was delayed in 2016 following complaints that not enough business went to Thai companies. In Tanzania, the government has reopened negotiations with China and the gulf state of Oman over ownership of a planned $11-billion port in the city of Bagamoyo. Tanzania wants to make sure its people get more than just taxes collected from the port. Even Pakistan, one of China’s friendliest neighbors, has failed to agree on key projects. Among them are a $10-billion railway in Karachi and a $260-million airport for Gwadar. Limited success There is no official list of all Belt and Road projects. However, BMI Research has created a list of $1.8 trillion worth infrastructure investments across Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Christian Zhang is with BMI Research. He said, “it’s probably too early to say at this point how much of the overall initiative will actually be implemented.” Kerry Brown is a Chinese politics professor at King’s College London. He said China has faced and may continue to face “a lot of disagreements and misunderstandings.” Brown added, “It’s hard to think of a big, successful project the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ has led to at the moment.” Despite the setbacks, Chinese officials say most Belt and Road projects are moving ahead with few problems. The state-run China Development Bank announced in 2015 it had set aside $890 billion for more than 900 projects across 60 countries in gas, minerals, power, telecommunications, infrastructure and farming. The Export-Import Bank of China said it would support 1,000 projects in 49 countries. And last November, deputy commerce minister Li Chenggang said that work on pipelines to deliver oil and gas from Russia and Central Asia is making “steady progress.” I'm Ashley Thompson. And I'm Caty Weaver.   Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on an Associated Press report. Ashley Thompson was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   hit a pothole - idiom. to face unexpected challenge (pothole: a deep, round hole in a road or some other surface (such as the bottom of a river) initiative - n. a plan or program host - n. a person who entertain guests or country that receive visitors bidder - n. a person who offer to pay a certain price refinery - n. a place where something like oil is refined implement - v. to begin to work on a plan despite - preposition, used to say that something happens or is true steady - adj. lasting or continuing

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Children of Terror Left Behind in Iraq

  “Maya” is a plump, smiling child less than two years old. Her parents are dead and she might never learn about them. Maya is not her real name. Her mother and father were suicide bombers for the Islamic State group. Her four siblings were among their victims. Maya now lives at an orphanage in the Iraqi city of Mosul. "She was skin and bones when we got her," says Sukaina Mohammed, director of the Department of Women and Children in the Nineveh province. Mohammed points to another child. "That baby had six broken ribs when she arrived," she says. As Iraqi officials deal with the children IS left behind — orphans, children of sex slaves and children of foreign fighters — aid workers say they want to protect the youngest ones from their painful beginnings. None of the small children born of or raised by IS supporters are considered a threat to society. However, officials say many people will denounce them anyway. Sukaina Mohammed says Maya's best chance for happiness is if she and those who might adopt her know nothing about her parents. "I don't tell people which babies' parents were IS militants," Mohammed explains, "because if someone wants revenge on IS, they might hate the children." The less lucky ones The Haj Ali refugee camp in northern Iraq is home to many of the wives and children of IS fighters who are now dead or in jail. Dalal Tariq is an aid worker with the International Organization for Migration. She says the children were terrified when they arrived at the camp. "They were afraid of the soldiers," she explains. "IS militants told them the soldiers would beat them up." Other children had watched their fathers die in battle and, in Tariq’s words, "they come here nearly destroyed." The IS war is now officially over in Iraq, and families living in the camp are not accused of any crimes. However, they cannot leave, says Hoda, the mother of three children. Her husband was an IS fighter before he was killed in an airstrike.  In her village, the children of IS are considered suspect, and local leaders ordered her not to return. "Even if my family comes here to visit me, they could be in danger."   Before they were found At the orphanage in Mosul, many children wait for the chance to be adopted.   "All the children we found were in a terrible state," explains Mohammed.  "I remember one time, we found a baby who was so thirsty, she died in the hospital after only a few days. She had no energy left to live." Some babies were rescued from the streets after being left in the sun as bait to bring Iraqi soldiers into the line of fire. Others were found in destroyed homes after their parents died fighting for IS.  There are also the children of rescued sex slaves, whose families will not accept them. Many children were just found alone in the wreckage left by airstrikes and battles in Mosul. One boy survived for seven days alone under a collapsed house. "Some we don't know about exactly," Mohammed later says, pointing to a girl about six years old. "She speaks only Turkish. We think she was kidnapped by Turkish militants in 2014." Foreign children Some countries are trying to get back the orphans of foreign IS fighters in Iraq and Syria. Last month, three children were sent to live temporarily with a family in France. Their mother and youngest sibling remain among the foreign wives and children of IS fighters held in Iraq. The non-profit group Human Rights Watch says there are 1,400 such detainees. Officials from Germany, Russia and other countries have requested the return of the children of their nationals. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says children are increasingly targets of fighting around the world. It says the young are also used as human shields, and forced to fight in battles.   "Children are being targeted and exposed to attacks and brutal violence in their homes, schools and playgrounds," noted Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF’s director of emergency programs. “Such brutality cannot be the new normal." I’m Caty Weaver.   VOA’s Heather Murdock wrote this story. Caty Weaver adapted her story 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   plump – adj. having a full, rounded shape​ sibling – n. a brother or sister​ crib – n. a small bed with high sides for a baby​ revenge – n.  the act of doing something to hurt someone because that person did something that hurt you​ grenade – n. a small bomb that is designed to be thrown by someone or shot from a rifle​ adopt – v. to take a child of other parents legally as your own child​ thirsty – adj.  having an uncomfortable feeling because you need something to drink : feeling thirst​ bait – n. something (such as a piece of food) that is used to attract fish or animals so they can be caught​ expose – v. to cause (someone) to experience something or to be influenced or affected by something​ brutal – adj. extremely cruel or harsh​

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High Patient Death Rates after Operations in African Hospitals

  A new study shows that patients in African hospitals are two times as likely to die after doctors operate as the average death rate worldwide. More than 30 African researchers worked on the study. They examined records for all operations performed during a one-week period at 247 hospitals in 25 African countries. The researchers noted that while African patients were usually younger and at lower risk than average, 1 percent died of problems after elective surgery. The death rate worldwide is 0.5 percent. Bruce Biccard of the University of Cape Town was the lead writer of the study. He said, "It's really concerning when you see how high the mortality is, considering that the patients are generally fit and they're having a lot more minor surgeries." Biccard and the other researchers wrote that workforce and resource shortages across Africa are likely to affect patient deaths. Their findings were published in the journal The Lancet. The study found a severe shortage of African surgeons, obstetricians and anesthesiologists. Earlier research showed that fewer patients die after surgery when there are 20 to 40 specialists per 100,000 people. The new study found that Africa has an average of less than one specialist per 100,000 people. In addition to the high death rate, the report said, "the most alarming finding was how few people actually received surgery." Experts have estimated that 5 percent of the population needs surgery in a year. African hospitals on average performed less than one-twentieth of that number. The report noted that patients were receiving surgery later in the course of their diseases. Nearly 60 percent of the operations were urgent or emergency treatments. In industrial countries, the rate is about 25 percent. Most of the patients who died did so in the days after their surgery, not during the operation. Biccard said, "We're actually failing to recognize patients who are having complications in the post-op period. So a minor complication becomes a major complication." Biccard noted that increasing the number of doctors is an unlikely short-term solution. His group is working on a method "that will tell us before surgery which patients we think are going to get into trouble." The group is planning another study in 2019. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Steve Baragona reported this story for VOANews.com. Jonathan Evans adapted his report for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   anesthesiologist – n. a doctor who specializes in administering drugs that cause a person to lose feeling and to feel no pain in part or all of the body complication – n. disease or condition that happens in addition to another disease or condition; a problem that makes a disease or condition more dangerous or harder to treat obstetrician – n. a doctor who specializes in a branch of medicine that deals with the birth of children and with the care of women before, during, and after they give birth to children urgent – adj. very important and needing immediate attention surgery – n. a medical operation performed by a doctor or team of doctors mortality – n. the number of deaths in a given time or place fit – adj. being physically or mentally able resource – n. a supply of something; the ability to meet and deal with something course – n. movement from one point to another; an orderly series of actions

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