Winless Joint Korean Hockey Team Scores Symbolic Victory

  The Olympic women’s hockey team made up of players from North and South Korea has ended its historic run at the Winter Games.                            Team Korea lost to Sweden 6-1 Tuesday in its last game in PyeongChang, South Korea. The joint team included 23 players from South Korea and 12 from the North. It was the fifth straight loss for the unified Korean team during the 2018 Olympics. Although the team lacked wins on the ice, many Olympic watchers felt the players still won a symbolic victory. Thousands of people watched the team’s final performance against Sweden. After the competition, they cheered for the Koreans one last time. Many also waved Korean unification flags as a sign of support. Before leaving the ice, the team skated around Kwandong Hockey Centre to thank supporters. South Korean forward Kim Heewon wiped away tears as she and her teammates waved to cheering fans.   Randi Heesoo Griffin is an American hockey player whose mother is Korean. She has played with the South Korean team and was a member of the joint Korean Olympic team. She said it was a “special” experience getting to know the North Korean players, and that they would be missed by the South Korean team. But she said it may be difficult keeping in touch. “I mean, none of them have Facebook, so it might be hard,” Griffin said. “But there were definitely bonds that were formed. And I think if we end up playing against each other again - South Korea vs. North Korea - there’s definitely going to be some hugs and some smiles.” Women’s hockey was the only sport at the 2018 Olympics with a team made up of players from both Koreas. The two nations have remained technically at war since a truce was declared in the 1950-53 Korean conflict. The two governments bar their citizens from visiting each other’s country and exchanging phone calls, letters and emails. Officials from both Koreas made the decision to create a joint Korean team just days before the PyeongChang Games began. The decision came during a last-minute attempt to improve ties after a year of rising nuclear tensions led to fears of possible war on the Korean Peninsula. The team’s coach, Sarah Murray, is a Canadian citizen. She said that, since the decision to add the North Koreans came so suddenly, the combined team had very few chances to practice. “With everything that happened to them, prior to the Olympics, for them to come together like this and compete like this in the Olympics, it’s remarkable,” Murray said Tuesday.  Before the team formed, some people questioned whether the North and South Korean players would work well together. But the team was seen getting along well during the competition. The two Koreas had held talks in the past to possibly form joint teams for several Olympics, but no agreements were ever made.  The fact that it finally happened in 2018 became a big story in the media coverage of the Games. But it was not the first time in history that countries divided by war teamed up on joint Olympic teams. East Germany and West Germany formed unified Olympic teams beginning in 1956. During this period after World War II, there was a lot of mistrust between the two German states. West Germany was a democracy with support from the United States and Western Europe. East Germany had a Communist form of government and was allied with Russia and other East European nations. After the two sides agreed to compete together at the Olympics in 1956, the head of the International Olympic Committee, or IOC, declared a political victory. “We have obtained in the field of sport what politicians have failed to achieve so far,” IOC president Avery Brundage said. But several disputes regarding details of the joint team proved difficult to resolve. These included differences over a unified flag and debate about which country’s national anthem to use. Eventually, the IOC helped the two sides reach agreement on those issues. Later, the team faced issues when the United States refused to approve visas for several East German team members seeking to compete in the 1960 Winter Games in Squaw Valley, California. At the time, the U.S. did not have diplomatic relations with East Germany. The building of the Berlin Wall in 1961 complicated the East-West German relationship. West Germany began denying visas to East German Olympians and West German athletes were not permitted to travel to the East.   The two Germanys competed together for the last time at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Then in 1968, East Germany and West Germany began sending separate teams to the Olympics after the IOC recognized the East’s national Olympic committee. I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and other sources.  Ashley Thompson 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   symbolic – adj. expressing or representing an idea or quality without using words skate – v. to move or glide over a surface on skates bond – n. something shared between people or groups that forms a connection between them hug – n. the putting of your arms around someone and holding them tightly smile – n. a happy or friendly expression in which the corners of a person’s mouth curve up remarkable – adj. unusual or surprising achieve – v. to succeed in doing something, usually by working hard national anthem – n. song that praises a country and that is officially accepted as that nation's song complicate – v. make something more difficult to deal with or understand tears – n. drops of clear, salty liquid secreted from glands in a person's eye when they cry or when the eye is irritated.  

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February 20, 2018

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

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Some Very 'American' Words Come from Chinese

  On a recent program, we told you the stories of English words borrowed from other languages. Today, we will tell you about words that English has taken from Chinese. Many of the Chinese words that are now part of English were borrowed long ago. They are most often from Cantonese or other Chinese languages rather than Mandarin. Let’s start with kowtow. kowtow The English word kowtow is a verb that means to agree too easily to do what someone else wants you to do, or to obey someone with power in a way that seems weak. It comes from the Cantonese word kau tau, which means “knock your head.” It refers to the act of kneeling and lowering one’s head as a sign of respect to superiors – such as emperors, elders and leaders. In the case of emperors, the act required the person to touch their head to the ground. In 1793, Britain’s King George III sent Lord George Macartney and other trade ambassadors to China to negotiate a trade agreement. The Chinese asked them to kowtow to the Qianlong Emperor. As the story goes, Lord Macartney refused for his delegation to do more than bend their knees. He said that was all they were required to do for their own king. It is not surprising, then, that Macartney left China without negotiating the trade agreement. After that, critics used the word kowtow when anyone was too submissive to China. Today, the usage has no connection to China, nor any specific political connection.   gung-ho Another borrowed word that came about through contact between two nations is gung-ho. In English, the word gung-ho is an adjective that means extremely excited about doing something. The Chinese characters "gōng" and "hé" together mean "work together, cooperate.” The original term -- gōngyè hézuòshè -- means Chinese Industrial Cooperatives. The organizations were established in the 1930s by Westerners in China to promote industrial and economic development. Lt. Colonel Evans Carlson of the United States Marine Corps observed these cooperatives while he was in China. He was impressed, saying “…all the soldiers dedicated themselves to one idea and worked together to put that idea over.” He then began using the term gung-ho in the Marine Corps to try to create the same spirit he had witnessed. In 1942, he used the word as a training slogan for the 2nd Marine Raider Battalion during World War II. The men were often called the “Gung Ho Battalion.” From then, the word gung-ho spread as a slogan throughout the Marine Corps. Today, its meaning has no relation to the military. typhoon In English, a typhoon is a very powerful and destructive storm that occurs around the China Sea and in the South Pacific. The word history of typhoon had a far less direct path to the English language than gung-ho. And not all historical accounts are the same. But, according to the Merriam-Webster New Book of Word Histories, the first typhoons reported in the English language were in India and were called “touffons” or “tufans.” The word tufan or al-tufan is Arabic and means violent storm or flood. The English came across this word in India and borrowed it as touffon. Later, when English ships encountered violent storms in the China Sea, Englishmen learned the Cantonese word tai fung, which means “great wind.” The word’s similarity to touffon is only by chance. The modern form of the word – typhoon – was influenced by the Cantonese but respelled to make it appear more Greek. kumquat A kumquat is a fruit that looks like a small orange. It is native to South Asia and the Asia-Pacific. The word kumquat comes from the Cantonese word kam-kwat or gām-gwāt, meaning “golden orange.” Gām means “golden” and gwāt means “citrus fruit” or “orange.” The word also refers to the plant that carries this fruit. In 1846, a collector for the London Horticultural Society introduced kumquats to Europe. Not long after, the fruit found its way to North America. chow Another food-related word from Chinese is chow. The English word chow is slang for “food.” American English speakers also use the phrasal verb “chow down,” which can mean to eat something quickly and without good manners. It comes from the Cantonese verb ch’ao, which means “to stir-fry” or “to cook.” The American English usage of the word chow as “food” dates back to 1856 in California. Chinese laborers built the railroads in that state. Back then, the word mainly referred to Chinese food. Today it refers to all kinds of food. ketchup Most Americans would have a hard time believing that ketchup was not created right here in the U-S-A. Ketchup is America’s most popular condiment. But, as VOA Learning English reported last year, the story of ketchup began more than 500 years ago in Southeast Asia. The word ketchup most likely comes from the word ke-tsiap, from a Chinese dialect called Amoy. The word originally referred to a type of sauce made from mixing pickled fish with spices. And, historians say, the sauce was probably first created in a Chinese community in northern Vietnam. Later, this sauce would reach Indonesia and be called kecap. The word first met the English language in the late 17th century, when a British colony in Indonesia came into contact with this sauce. Back in England, the English first used the word to refer to many types of sauces. Later, English settlers brought ketchup with them to the American colonies, but the condiment did not contain tomatoes until the mid-19th century. Join us again soon to learn the history of English words borrowed from other languages. I’m Pete Musto. And I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz Now, test your understanding by taking this short quiz. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   kneel – v. to be in a position in which both of your knees are on the floor superior – n. a person of higher rank or status than another submissive – adj. willing to obey someone else original – adj. happening or existing first or at the beginning promote – v. to help something happen, develop or increase dedicate – v. to use time, money, energy or attention for something) slogan – n. a word or phrase that is easy to remember and is used by a group or business to attract attention horticultural – adj. related to the science of growing fruits, vegetables and flowers pickled – adj. preserved with salt water or vinegar condiment – n. something (such as salt, mustard, or ketchup) that is added to food to give it more flavor sauce – n. a thick liquid that is eaten with or on food to add flavor to it  

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Aid Group Answers Questions About Sexual Wrongdoing

  The head of Oxfam says the British aid group is investigating 26 new reports of sexual wrongdoing by its workers. Mark Goldring spoke before Britain’s parliament Tuesday. He answered questions about the behavior of Oxfam workers on the Caribbean island of Haiti. He said, “I am sorry, we are sorry, for the damage Oxfam has done both to the people of Haiti but also to wider efforts for aid and development by possibly undermining public support.” Goldring said 26 cases have come forward. He said 16 of them were linked to the group’s international programs. He also said Oxfam wants people to report abuse wherever and whenever it took place. British lawmakers questioned Goldring about accusations against the Oxfam workers. They have been accused of paying Haitians for sex in 2011. Oxfam was involved in aid operations there following a hugely destructive earthquake on the island. At least 100,000 people were killed and even more displaced by the event. Oxfam released a report on the issue on Monday. It said seven people were accused of paying for sex at a home provided by Oxfam. The report did not release the names of the accused. However, it said three of them had threatened a witness in the investigation. Four staff members were dismissed for gross misconduct. The Oxfam director in Haiti, Roland Van Hauwermeiren, resigned along with two others. Last week, Oxfam formally apologized to Haiti. The organization also announced a plan to fight sex abuse. Oxfam said Friday it would set up an independent commission to study the group’s methods and culture. British lawmakers also questioned officials from Save the Children UK. They voiced concerns that sex criminals were targeting such aid organizations. Oxfam says it plans to develop a new system for vetting possible workers. The reports of sexual wrongdoing have caused Britain and the European Union to reconsider support for Oxfam. Haitian President Jovenel Moise has called for investigations of other charitable organizations on the island. Oxfam is among the world’s biggest aid organizations. I’m Mario Ritter.   Wayne Lee reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English with additional material from AP and Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   undermine –v. to make something weak or less effective in a hidden way gross –adj. very great, very large misconduct –n. bad behavior vet –v. to investigate someone to see if they can be approved for a job charitable –adj. related to charity, giving to the poor, sick or needy We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section and visit our Facebook page.

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Florida Students Press for Gun Law Change

  Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School are pressuring state lawmakers in Florida to consider gun control laws. The move came after 17 students and teachers were killed in last week’s shooting. The students have organized a demonstration for Wednesday in the state’s capital of Tallahassee to put pressure on the Republican-controlled legislature. “I really think they are going to hear us out,” said Chris Grady, a senior who plans to attend the demonstration. He said he hopes the trip will lead to some “commonsense gun laws like rigorous background checks.” Background checks are short investigations of persons who seek to buy weapons. Shortly after the shooting, several legislators visited the school to see the damage. They appeared shaken afterward. Some Republican Party lawmakers said Monday that they would consider new gun laws. However, there is still strong resistance by many Republicans to any gun control measures. Senator Bill Galvano is a Republican and the incoming Florida senate president. He said the Florida Senate was considering several measures, including raising the age to buy guns to 21. He also said it was considering a waiting period for gun purchases, creation of gun violence restraining orders, and banning bump stocks. These are devices that permit much quicker repeat firing of a rifle. Officials said Nikolas Cruz, the 19-year-old suspect in last week shooting, had shown warning signs of psychological problems that could lead to violence. Last year, he legally purchased the semi-automatic rifle he used in last week's attack. The Senate also is considering increasing spending for mental health programs in schools and giving police greater powers to detain someone considered a danger to themselves. The Senate will also look at a proposal to deputize a teacher or someone else at school to permit gun possession. Still, some Republicans questioned whether additional gun restrictions are the answer. Republican Senator Dennis Baxley said, “I really don’t want to see this politicized into a gun debate.” He added, “We have a terrible problem with obesity, but we’re not banning forks and spoons.” Democrats believe raising the age limit and creating a waiting period to buy rifles is not enough. Democratic Senator Gary Farmer called such proposals a “joke.” He said, “I don’t see that as a restriction. It never should have been that an 18-year-old could buy an assault weapon. No Floridians should be able to buy an assault weapon.” U.S. federal law permits those 18 and over to buy rifles. Cruz passed the required investigations to buy the AR-15 he used in the attack as well as at least six other rifles. Since the attack, students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School have become increasingly vocal about their demands for gun control measures. Many are publicly naming the politicians who take financial support from the National Rifle Association. Some criticized President Donald Trump for blaming Democrats. The critics say Trump has taken no action. Trump announced on Tuesday that he has directed the U.S. attorney general to create rules that would ban bump stocks. The high school students are also calling for anti-gun violence demonstrations on March 24 in Washington, D.C. and other cities.   The Associated Press reported this story. Hai Do adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rigorous - adj. very strict and demanding fork and spoon - n.  eating tools used to pick up food vocal - adj. expressing opinions in a public and forceful way

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Oscar-Nominated Film 'The Insult' Shines Light on Divided Lebanon

  Ziad Doueiri's film The Insult has been nominated to receive the Academy Award for best foreign language film. The film explores the cultural, religious and political divides that have existed in Lebanon since 1948. The story is rooted in a dispute between two men from different ethnic and religious backgrounds in Beirut, Lebanon. Through the film, Doueiri shows a country he believes is broken because it has not dealt with its painful history. "Beirut, Lebanon had a rough past," Doueiri said. "We had a lot of conflict with the Syrians, the Palestinians, the Lebanese, the Left, the Right, the Conservatives, the Liberals. The pro-West, the pro-East. Lebanon is such a tiny place, but it really absorbs all those kinds of things. He addes, "So, whenever you have that many conflicts and such a tiny place surrounded by so many countries we are on a hotbed of problems.” The Lebanese filmmaker said the effects of his country’s civil war can still be felt. “Things can get out of hand because since the end of the civil war the Lebanese never sat down with each other to say, 'ok the war is over, let's talk about it.' There is stability, but it can explode any time," he said. The Insult brings to life Lebanon’s difficult political climate. Two men in Beirut have a small dispute. As the disagreement sharpens, it comes to represent a much larger problem. Tony is a Christian, who works as a car mechanic. Yasser is a Palestinian. He heads a building project. A leaking pipe leaves Tony wet. Yasser fixes the pipe only to see Tony destroy it. He is angry that a Palestinian came so close to his property. Yasser becomes angry, too and insults Tony. Tony’s pregnant wife tells Tony to let it end there. But Tony ignores the advice and goes to Yasser’s employer. He demands that Yasser apologize and be fined for his behavior. Like most Palestinian refugees who live in Lebanon, Yasser does not have a work permit. His boss pressures him to apologize or face dismissal. When Yasser meets with Tony, their argument intensifies. This time it is Tony who insults Yasser. Yasser hits Tony and breaks some bones. Tony takes legal action. Doueiri said the idea for his film came from personal experience. "Just like the film starts, I was watering my plants. It's an old apartment so the water leaked and fell on one of the construction workers and he yelled because the water fell on him and we had a heated exchange of words and we ended up yelling at each other." Doueiri said his argument was settled. Later, he said, he imagined what might happen if such a small incident was not settled. Could it develop into a national crisis in Lebanon, he wondered. In The Insult, the two men take the dispute all the way up to the country's Supreme Court. Doueiri said his latest film has caused mixed reactions in Lebanon.  "When the film came out, it split the country in a way because the Christian population flooded the movie and it became #1. But certain part, and I want just to be accurate, a certain part, a big part of the Muslim community boycotted the movie." As a filmmaker, Doueiri has been at the center of controversy before. His earlier film, The Attack, was banned in 22 countries, including Lebanon, because he had shot it in Israel. He said some Arab countries, including Jordan and the Palestinian territories, have also boycotted The Insult. Doueiri said his film offers a balanced study between Christian Lebanese and Muslim Palestinians. I’m Caty Weaver.   Penelope Poulou wrote this story for VOA News. Caty Weaver adapted it for Learning English. Mario Ritter was the editor. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   background – n.  the experiences, knowledge, education, etc., in a person's past​ hotbed – n. a place where something grows or develops easily : a place where something happens very commonly​ out of hand – expression uncontrolled; wild stability – n. the quality or state of something that is not easily changed or likely to change​ controversy – n. argument that involves many people who strongly disagree about something : strong disagreement about something among a large group of peopl​ scene – n. a part of a play, movie, story, etc., in which a particular action or activity occurs​  

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Researchers: No Worry About Cancer From Cellphones

From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. Two United States government studies of cellphone radiation have found a weak link to an increased risk of cancer in animals. But government officials and scientists are telling cellphone users not to worry. They say it is safe to use your mobile device. Earlier studies of cellphone users had found little reason for concern. The latest research took a close look at the effects of very high radiation levels in animals to answer some questions that could not be tested on human subjects. In one study, researchers left cellphones in an area with rats. The researchers say radiation from the devices may have been responsible for a small increase in an unusual form of heart tumor in male rats. Yet there were no big problems in female rats or in a separate study of mice. The Associated Press (AP) says the scientists could not find strong evidence for concern about brain tumors. Reaction to the findings John Bucher is with the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. He was the lead writer of the report on the study. He told the AP he is not changing his cellphone use or asking his family to. Otis Brawley is the American Cancer Society’s chief medical officer. After reading the studies, he said, “I am actually holding my cellphone up to my ear.” The rat and mice studies are not the same as real-life cellphone use, he noted. John Bucher said the findings of the rare nerve-tissue tumor found in the hearts of male rats does not mean humans should be worried. His agency carried out a $25 million study for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which quickly said cellphones are safe. Bucher said average cellphone use is “very, very, very much lower than what we studied.” High radiation levels He told reporters the rats and mice were exposed to the radiation for nine hours a day and for a period of up to two years. The radiation levels were so high that humans would only experience it for a short time. He said, “At best, it might be a weak carcinogen ... if, in fact, it is a carcinogen." For some unknown reason, the rats exposed to the radiation lived longer than the non-radiated rats. Bucher said that could be just chance, or it could be that the radiation reduced the risk of a rat disease. The program released early test results two years ago. The earlier report showed a small risk of increased brain tumors in male rats. However, the final results were unable to confirm that. Other changes noted The new rat study found evidence for increases in damage to DNA, brain tumors and a few other cancers, but it was not clear that it was related to the cellphones. “Evidence of DNA damage was seen in some tissues of some animals,” Bucher said. He added that he didn’t have the evidence to comment on its biological importance. Still, it was surprising that the animals did experience other effects, even if they were not at high enough levels to be important, said Leeka Kheifets. She is an epidemiology professor at the University of California, Los Angeles. She is also the former head of radiation studies for the World Health Organization. “There is some concern that there is so much activity going on,” she said. But “it’s not like the sky is falling, a huge effect.” The findings failed to satisfy those concerned about cellphone radiation, like David Carpenter. He is the head of environmental health at the State University of New York in Albany. He said the studies were not large enough to uncover some rare problems and that the findings about brain tumors “cannot be dismissed.” “It’s not anywhere near as dangerous as cigarettes,” Carpenter said. But he added that there is a real danger from continual use of a cellphone. In 2011, a working group of the International Agency for Research on Cancer said cellphones could possibly cause cancer. But many studies over the years have found little evidence o

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Mosquito Nets Widely Used for Fishing, Study Finds

  Mosquito nets usually are used to prevent the spread of diseases which are passed by mosquito bites. Those treated with insect killing substance have been especially successful in the fight to against malaria. But, nets now are also being used for catching fish in many tropical areas, a new study says. The nets’ effectiveness is worrying some experts about possible harm to fish populations. The study was published by the free online journal PLOS ONE. The study’s writers say poverty is the main reason for mosquito net fishing. They say efforts to limit use of the method might hurt people who live on the edge of survival. Catching many fish in many places Insecticide-treated mosquito nets are used to cover the place in which a person sleeps to prevent mosquitos from biting them. The nets are provided widely, often at low-cost or even free. The World Health Organization says access to the nets helped reach a drop in malaria deaths. The WHO found a 60 percent reduction from 2000 to 2015. More than 150 million nets were given to countries where malaria exists in 2015.  Rebecca Short is the lead investigator of the new research. She is studying for her doctorate in the ocean resources field at Imperial College London. Short is based in Mozambique. She says she sees many people there using insecticide treated nets to fish. Fishing this way is easy and low cost. But, this could result in higher numbers of fishermen and decreasing numbers of an already limited supply of fish. Short and her coworkers did a small online study to learn about the size of the issue. They gave the survey to conservation, health and development workers worldwide. Nearly 100 people, from Senegal to Samoa, reported seeing mosquito-net fishing. "I don't think even we expected to get the results that we did," Short says. "Pretty much everywhere that malaria's a risk, there's people fishing with these nets." Some of the time the fishing was simple, and would just involve, "A couple people dragging a net through the water," Short says. She said the small-scale net fishing can provide a good source of protein and money without serious problems.  She also said this can be good for women, who are often prevented from doing more profitable work. However, the researchers found wider, and more damaging, use of mosquito nets elsewhere. The study describes cases, as in Bangladesh, where fishermen blocked entire river spans with mosquito nets. In these cases, Short says, "Obviously, absolutely nothing gets through.” Conflicting results Fishing with mosquito nets is illegal in many places to keep the fish population safe. But Short is not sure that is the best way to control the method. "There's huge issues with enforcement," she says. "Do you put a mother who's trying to feed her kids in prison for three years just for using a mosquito net to fish with?" Tim McClanahan is a reef scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society. He has questioned the benefits mosquito-net fishers are reportedly gaining. He says many people believe that, "because the poor and women are doing it, it is improving their food security.” However, his research has found that is not always true. Fishery management methods include catching larger, full-grown fish that have had time to produce children. But, Rebecca Short’s study discusses a debated method called “balanced harvest.” In this method, fishers try to catch fish of all sizes, based on the numbers in their population. Since mosquito nets catch everything, the authors note, they may be helping. McClanahan disagrees. He says this idea is “somewhere between wrong and dangerous." The harvest from mosquito nets is not balanced, he said. Short agrees that the issue needs more study. She says researchers need to know the exact effect mosquito net fishing is having on fish populations. And she says they need better local understanding of why people are doing it. I’m Phil Dierking.   This story was originally written by Steve Baragona for VOAnews.com. Phil Dierking adapted this story for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. Do you think it is a good idea to fish with mosquito nets?  Why or Why not?  We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   access - n. a way of being able to use or get something conservation - n. the protection of animals, plants, and natural resources​ insecticide - n.  a chemical substance that is used to kill insects​ mosquito net - n. a net that is placed over something (such as a bed) in order to keep out mosquitoes​ subsidize - v.  to help someone or something pay for the costs of (something)​ tropical - n. of, relating to, occurring in, or used in the tropics

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With 6 Teens Running For Kansas Governor, a Dog Tries, Too

  The American state of Kansas does not make it very easy for its citizens to vote. A person must show proof of American citizenship when registering to vote in an election. Once at the polling place, they must show photo identification. The United States Commission on Civil Rights says Kansas has among the strictest voter identification laws of any state in the country. Yet, Kansas has no real laws about who can run for state office. Bryan Caskey is the Kansas director of elections. He recently told the Kansas City Star newspaper, “There’s seriously nothing on the books that lays out anything, no age, no residency, no experience. Nothing.” There is nothing, then, to stop high school students -- and even a dog -- from seeking to become the next governor of the state. Jack Bergeson is a 17-year-old high school student in Wichita. He is also a candidate for Kansas governor. He hopes to become the state’s Democratic Party nominee for the election in November. However, he calls himself an “anti-establishment” choice. ​ On his official website, Bergeson writes, "I may be too young to vote, but I am not too young to see the problems in Kansas that the government should be, but is not, working to fix." Kansas’ former governor, Sam Brownback, is a member of the Republican Party. He was elected as leader of Kansas in 2011. Last month, he left office to begin his appointment as U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. Bergeson announced he was running for office last August, when he was still 16. Three other high school boys announced soon after that they too would run for governor. They are Republicans. Last October, the four young candidates gathered for a debate at a high school in the city of Lawrence. They discussed their positions on abortion, taxes, environmental policies and other issues. Dominic Scavuzzo hopes to become the state’s Republican candidate. He told the Wichita Eagle newspaper last October, “This needs to be a government that represents everyone, not just 30 years old up.” As of now, there are six teenage boys in the 2018 race for Kansas's governor. And last week, a dog tried to join them. As the Associated Press reported, Kansan Terran Woolley completed paperwork to enter his three-year-old dog, Angus, in the race for governor. Woolley decided to do so after hearing about the teenage candidates. But the Kansas Secretary of State’s office quickly announced it would not permit Angus to run for governor. Kansas politicians are now trying to pass a bill to establish minimum requirements for candidates to run for office. The bill would bar people under the age of 18 from running for governor, secretary of state or other top offices. It would also require candidates to have lived in Kansas for at least four years. Many states already have at least some minimum qualifications for people seeking office. In Virginia, for example, a person must have lived in the state for the full year leading up to the election. They must also be qualified to vote -- and voting age in the United States is 18 and up. California requires that candidates be registered to vote and not have a criminal record. State rules are often stricter for those running for top offices such as governor. New York, for example, requires all candidates for governor to be at least 30 years of age. They must also have lived in the state for five years immediately before the election. The proposed Kansas bill would not affect Bergeson and the other teenage candidates. If it becomes a law, it would only take effect after the November election. Although the proposed bill does not affect his candidacy, Bergeson is still against it. “I don’t think it’s a good thing,” he told the Kansas City Star. “I’m not a fan of it. I think it’s a reactionary bill. I think it’s trying to disenfranchise candidates.” Election Day is November 6. I’m Ashley Thompson. Ashley Thompson wrote this story based on reports by the Associated Press, NPR, the Kansas City Star, Wichita Eagle and other sources. Caty Weaver was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   polling place - n. a building where people go to vote in an election strict ​- adj. ​used to describe a command, rule, etc., that must be obeyed​ governor ​- n. ​ a person who is the leader of the government of a state, province, etc.​ abortion ​- n. ​a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy ​ minimum ​- adj. ​least or lowest possible in amount or degree​ disenfranchise ​- v. ​to prevent (a person or group of people) from having the right to vote​

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As More People Move to Cities, China Eases Land Rules in Villages

  China observers have expressed support for a new Chinese government policy on land and property rights. The proposal calls for permitting Chinese villagers to rent out their homes and farms. China experts say this could increase development and ease tensions in rural China, especially in areas ignored by the government. The observers say a growing number of houses are empty in rural areas as people move to cities. Chinese officials released the policy document earlier this month. It said the government would ease controls on rights for rural land and unused housing. As a result, it said, people who moved to cities could permit development of their properties or rent out their homes. Growing dissatisfaction with life in rural China The policy could affect people unhappy with rural life. They could move but still earn money from their properties, said China expert Wasana Wongsurawat. “Urban centers are growing, while the quality of life in rural areas has not improved, leading to growing dissatisfaction,” she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. She said the new policy may be a way to deal with that and persuade more people to move to the cities. Wasana Wongsurawat is an assistant professor at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. Almost 59 percent of China’s population already lives in urban areas. Continued development is important to the government’s plans for growth. China is the world’s second-largest economy.  Chinese land is divided into urban and rural land regimes. The government has ownership rights over urban land, while rural land is owned collectively and cannot be bought and sold freely. China began to examine its land use policies in 2014. A major step toward reform The government’s decision to ease controls on land falls far short of creating an open market. But observers said it is an early move in a major reform process.   “It is significant as a step forward to liberalize land rights,” said Dan Wang of The Economist Intelligence Unit research group. She said the change in policy – if followed by other rule changes – may help influence businesses to develop very large farms. She said, “If this round of land reform turns out to be successful, it will change the landscape of rural China greatly in terms of forms of employment, agricultural organization and even social structures.” She noted that the reforms could be weakened if farmland is seized for industrial use, or to grow for-profit crops instead of grains to feed Chinese communities. I'm Jonathan Evans.   Rina Chandran reported this story for the Reuters news agency. George Grow adapted the report for VOA Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   rent – v. paying money in exchange for being able to use something urban – adj. relating to or involving a city regime – n. a system of rules; a form of government significant – adj. large enough to be noticed or have an effect​ liberalize – v. to ease rules or restrictions; to make something more liberal​ landscape – n. a picture that shows a natural scene of land or the countryside​

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Buffalo Meat on the Menu Again for Native Tribe

  The Oglala Lakota tribe on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota is close to regaining its traditional food supply. The Charging Buffalo Meat House will open for business soon. The business will process and package buffalo meat from the tribe’s herd. For hundreds of years, buffalo – also called American bison – were the main food source for the Indian tribes on the Great Plains of the central United States. But buffalo were not only food. They were important for clothing, shelter and even weapons and tools. In the 19th Century, the U.S. Army found that the best way to force Indians onto reservations was to destroy the buffalo. Millions of animals were killed, and the buffalo came close to extinction. Tribes living on the reservations could no longer eat their traditional diet. Instead, they ate foods the government provided, such as flour, oil and coffee. Over time, processed foods were introduced. Traditional foods lost, health problems increase The reservation covers almost 9,000 square kilometers, but has only one supermarket. In addition, unemployment on the reservation is estimated to be at 80 percent. Many people buy low-cost food that often is low in nutrition. Obesity, diabetes and heart disease are major problems on the Pine Ridge reservation. The average life expectancy there is among the lowest in the U.S. Charles “Bamm” Brewer believes the tribe can improve its health by returning to a traditional diet of wild fruits, vegetables and buffalo. He said he came to the idea 20 years ago. At the time, he was working in a yearly round up of buffalo to gather animals that may have strayed from the herd. It was then, he said, that he had a vision. “As the buffalo ran, they kicked up snow and dirt,” he remembered, “and they gave off hot steam. And all of this rose up into a huge cloud. And I ran right into that cloud with them.” He believes, at that moment, he stepped back into the past and had the experience of his ancestors. He said, “They gifted me a message: ’Bring the buffalo back to the people.’” Bringing back the buffalo Brewer started by raising buffalo on his family’s land. He began building his herd from animals on nearby national parks owned by the federal government. Today he has a herd of about 50 animals, and buffalo meat has become an important part of his family’s diet. Brewer said that the Lakota and other tribes killed buffalo for food and shelter, never for sport. “In our culture, when we hunt the buffalo, we say a special prayer to thank the animal for giving its life,” he said. About seven years ago, Brewer started working as a food program manager for a non-profit group called One Spirit. The group provides fresh food, fruits and vegetables to poor families. It also works to support the tribe. Brewer then had the idea that One Spirit could build a meat processing center to process buffalo meat. After launching a campaign to raise money, the Charging Buffalo Meat House project is nearly complete. To become fully operational, the project now needs about $15,000 for a heating and air conditioning system. The business would be identified as “custom exempt,” meaning it would have state approval to process and package buffalo meat for individuals and hunters. One Spirit says it could start selling meat to the public if it receives approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The market for buffalo meat is large. The National Bison Association estimates that the industry is worth about $340 million dollars each year. Meat not the only product Jeri Baker is the director of One Spirit. He said that more can be done with buffalo than supplying meat. “By building the Meat House, we aren’t just providing employment,” he said. “We’re looking at all the things that could be done with the buffalo besides just having meat to eat.” The group wants to restart a traditional method of processing buffalo skins. One Spirit has sought the help of a tanner who uses the animal’s brain in a process to prepare the skin, or hide, so that it stays soft even when it gets wet. Baker said providing hides could be a new industry. Recently, the Charging Buffalo Meat House gave its first buffalo meat to tribe members. Workers gave out 250 bags weighing one kilogram. Brewer said people liked the program. Then he laughed. He told how one tribe member didn’t like the idea of eating buffalo. Brewer explained, “That just shows us just how much this project is needed.” I’m Mario Ritter.  And I’m Alice Bryant.   Cecily Hilleary reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English. Kelly Jean Kelly was the editor. _________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   reservations –n. land in the U.S. that is kept for Native Americans to live supermarket –n. a large store that sells many different kinds of food round up –n. when herders gather together cattle or similar animals vision –n. an experience similar to a dream that has religious or supernatural importance tanner –n. a person who prepares leather and skins We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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