Vietnam Launches Operation to Fight Against 'Wrong' Views

  Vietnam has launched a new operation to fight what the government has called "wrong" views on the Internet. The new cyber combat operation, Force 47, has 10,000 members. It is part of the government’s growing effort to end criticism against the state. Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Nghia is one of the heads of the military's political department. At a Monday conference of the Central Propaganda Department, he said the operation is already at work in several areas of the government. "In every hour, minute and second, we must be ready to fight proactively against the wrong views," he said. Communist-ruled Vietnam has increased attempts to control the Internet. The government intends to watch social media more closely and remove material it believes is offensive. In August, Vietnam's president said the country needed to pay greater attention to controlling news websites and blogs with “bad and dangerous” material. Last month, a blogger was sent to jail for seven years for spreading “propaganda against the state.” The blogger had written about a massive chemical waste spill made by Formosa, a Taiwanese-owned factory in Vietnam. The court also rejected an appeal from Mẹ Nấm, or Mother Mushroom, who is serving a 10-year jail sentence on anti-state propaganda. Mẹ Nấm had posted articles on Facebook critical of the government on human rights and civilian deaths in police custody. Internet security Vietnam is one of the top 10 countries for Facebook users. The government has written an Internet security bill asking for local placement of Facebook and Google servers. But the bill has been the subject of fierce debate at the National Assembly and is still awaiting its approval. Its neighboring country, China, allows only local Internet companies that operate under restricted rules. Cybersecurity firm FireEye Inc. said Vietnam had developed strong internet spying abilities in an area of the world with weak defenses. A representative of FireEye told Reuters news agency that Vietnam is not the only nation using these abilities. He said the growing use among nations will impact governments, journalists, activists and even international companies. He said that cyber spying is becoming more attractive to nations partly because it provides them with a lot of information while the costs are modest and risks are low.  Vietnam denies these claims. I’m Alice Bryant.   Alice Bryant adapted this story for Learning English based on Reuters news reports. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   cyber - adj. computer-based domestic - adj. of, relating to or made in your own country blog - n. a Web site on which someone writes about personal opinions, activities, and experiences custody - n. the state of being kept in a prison or jail  server - n. the main computer in a network which provides files and services that are used by the other computers  

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Fashion Show Brings Hope to Congo

  Miki Sikabwe is a fashion designer from Congo. She has trained in Rwanda, Burundi and Kenya. She has never had the chance to show her work in Congo because of security issues. But that changed over the weekend. A handful of designers presented the first fashion show in the eastern Congo city of Beni in years. It was a welcome distraction for residents who have faced attacks by Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) rebels and other armed groups. They have killed thousands of people over the past three years. Sikabwe said, “I am happy to be exhibiting my necklaces and clothes made with local products here in Beni and I believe this will give hope to the people here.” She and thousands of others in eastern Congo wonder when the violence will end. Earlier this month, the ADF attacked a local United Nations peacekeeping group. The attack killed 15 Tanzanian peacekeepers and five Congolese soldiers. It was the deadliest attack on a U.N. peacekeeping mission in nearly 25 years. Uganda and Congo have launched a joint military offensive against the rebels.   Nyonyi Bwanakawa is the mayor of Beni. He said he believes the city is becoming safer. “We would like to show the world that in Beni, and in northeast Congo, there is life and tourists can come here,” he said. Over the weekend, nearly 600 people attended the Beni fashion show. Some of the items on display were colored loincloths, masks and traditional materials designed into modern styles. Roselyne Mbiya was the lead designer. She used Congolese fabrics mixed with flower designs and lace. Mbiya said some of the show’s proceeds will go to women who have been raped by the ADF. She said the women need to feel they are still loved by society. I’m Jonathan Evans.   Al-Hadji Kudra Maliro reported this story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _____________________________________________________________ Words in this Story   distraction – n. something that amuses or entertains you so that you do not think about problems, work, etc. lace – n. a very thin and light cloth made with patterns of holes loincloth – n. a piece of cloth worn to cover the sexual organs especially by men in very hot parts of the world proceeds – n. the total amount of money or profit that is made

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Ukraine, Pro-Russian Forces Trade Prisoners to Mark the New Year

Ukraine and pro-Russian separatist rebels had the largest exchange of prisoners on Wednesday since the start of the conflict in 2014. The exchange allowed hundreds of former prisoners to return home ahead of the New Year and Orthodox Christmas. More than 10,000 people have died in the war. Reports of deaths and injuries continued daily this year despite a ceasefire in 2015. The mother of a Ukrainian prisoner received a call from her son Oleksandr Oliynyk. He said, “Mum, I’m already here.” She told a Ukrainian news channel, “You cannot imagine what it means for a mother, to not see your child for three-and-a-half years, since August 2014.”   The Ukrainian government in Kiev agreed to hand over 306 prisoners to the pro-Russian rebels and to receive 74 prisoners in return. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko confirmed on social media “All 74 Ukrainian hostages are already at home, on the territory controlled by our army.” Poroshenko added that among the prisoners handed to Ukraine were a historian and a “cyborg” - the nickname Ukrainians gave to soldiers who defended Donetsk airport in one of the conflict’s most intense battles in 2014.   The exact number of prisoners returned to rebel-held territory is unclear. Viktor Medvedchuk is Ukraine’s representative to ongoing peace talks. He told the Russian news agency TASS that some captives refused to return. TASS reported that Medvedchuk also expected more exchanges in 2018. The Ukrainian state security service said 103 prisoners remained in separatist hands. The exchange came as U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Russia to “lower the level of violence” in eastern Ukraine. Russian officials in Moscow did not comment on the exchange. Ukraine and its Western allies say the Russian government supports the pro-Russian separatists with troops, cash, and heavy weapons. Moscow denies the claim. German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the exchange in a joint statement. They said both sides should release the remaining captives. Germany’s foreign ministry said it was an important step in acting on the ceasefire agreement agreed in the Belarus capital Minsk. The agreement was signed by Ukraine, Russia, Germany, and France in early 2015. “Above all, it is also an important humanitarian gesture before the New Year and Orthodox Christmas,” a foreign ministry statement said. I'm Jill Robbins.   Polina Ivanova and Matthias Williams wrote this story for Reuters news. Jill Robbins adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   nickname – n. a name that is different from your real name but is what your family, friends, etc., call you when they are talking to you or about you humanitarian - adj. having the quality of making other peoples' lives better gesture - n. something said or done to show a particular feeling or attitude What do you think of the exchange of prisoners? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section.

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90 Percent of Kenyan Students Failed Secondary Exams

In Kenya, some 90 percent of students who took the 2017 secondary education exams failed. Opposition lawmakers are calling on the government to investigate why so many students did not pass. The minister of education, however, expressed satisfaction with the results. Caleb Amisi is an opposition lawmaker. He told reporters that parliament must understand what led to only 10 percent of students scoring high enough to enter university. "Kenya National Examination Council must be ordered to prepare and present a comprehensive report over this perceived mass failure,” Amisi said. He added that some of Kenya's most trustworthy companies should help with an independent investigation. The exam results created concern among parents, teachers and others. They worry about the fate of the students and the quality of Kenya's education system. One of the key questions is what caused the high failure rate among the some 600,000 students who took the test. Are students, teachers, or the curriculum to blame? Or was the problem a quick grading process that saw educators go through the exams in just three weeks? Mark Nyamita, an opposition lawmaker, says the problem needs to be fixed. If not, millions of young Kenyans will be barred from higher education. "If this goes on in this government over the next five years, we are going to have a whopping 2.5 million-plus people with their future shuttered," he said. Officials are satisfied with results Some Kenyan officials say the mass failure resulted from efforts to reduce cheating. In an interview with Citizen Television, Education Minister Fred Matiangi hinted that explanation might be true. He suggested the results show the true state of Kenyan education. "I am very satisfied with the results we have had in the last two years, 2016 and 2017, because we have lived a lie for such a long time," Matiangi said. "Time is here for us now to deal with the truth." Calls are growing for a national conference to resolve the crisis and decide what to do about the students who failed the exams. Lawmakers will likely discuss the issue in the National Assembly in February. I'm John Russell.   Mohammed Yusuf reported on this story for VOA News. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   satisfaction – n. something that makes you happy, pleased, or satisfied comprehensive – adj.  including many, most, or all things curriculum – n. the courses that are taught by a school, college, etc. whopping – adj. (always used before a noun - informal)   very large, impressive, etc. hint – v. to say (something) or give information about (something) in an indirect way  

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News Words: Trend

China’s Ministry of Transport reports that the two-year bike sharing trend has put more than 16 million bikes in China.

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December 28, 2017

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

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The 2017 Solar Eclipse

The 2017 total solar eclipse was visible across a wide area of the United States. Hundreds of thousand were able to see the moon totally hide the sun. Millions more were able to see the event as a partial eclipse. Not until 2045 will a similar eclipse be visible in the U.S.

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December 27, 2017

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

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Top Technology Stories of 2017

  2017 was another big year for technology, with many new products launched to make our phones, homes and cars “smarter.” But the news also included stories about technology companies seeking to earn back the public trust. Facebook and ‘fake news’ Social media giant Facebook was criticized for not doing more to prevent fake news stories from appearing and being shared. The criticism came after many false stories were posted on Facebook during the 2016 presidential campaign. Some blamed such stories for affecting the outcome of the 2016 election. In response, the company announced several new policies aimed at preventing users from spreading misinformation and fake news. Later, Facebook said it found that a Russian-based operation had spent $100,000 to buy advertisements promoting political and social issues in the U.S. The company said it was investigating possible ways Russian sources may have influenced the election. Facebook also came under criticism after several people posted videos of murders or suicides that remained for hours. CEO and co-founder Mark Zuckerberg called the videos “heartbreaking.” In early May, Facebook said it was hiring an additional 3,000 people to help identify and remove violent and hateful content. iPhone X launch Apple celebrated the 10th anniversary of the first iPhone with the launch of its iPhone X. Like many other new phone models, it has a bigger screen area that covers the face from edge to edge. The iPhone X has no home button, supports wireless charging and includes new photo and lighting effects.   iPhone X was heavily publicized for its price of $999 and the new Face ID recognition system. Face ID replaces previous fingerprint recognition technology. Apple said its testing showed there is only a one-in-a-million chance of another person being able to unlock someone else’s device with Face ID. Apple also admitted to slowing some older iPhones. The company explained it only took the action last year to prevent battery-related shutdowns. Apple’s action – and the company’s decision to keep it secret - led to widespread criticism from industry analysts and lawsuits from iPhone users. Worldwide push for electric vehicles Volvo announced that beginning in 2019, all its new vehicles will have electric motors. The Chinese-owned company was the first major manufacturer to set such a date. Volvo says it will offer five fully electric vehicles between 2019 and 2021. In France, officials said the country plans to ban the sale of gasoline- and diesel-powered cars across the country by 2040. German carmakers BMW, Audi and Volkswagen also have several new electric car and sport utility vehicles (SUV) in the works. In the U.S., Ford said it would launch a new electric SUV by 2020, while General Motors began selling its popular Chevrolet Bolt in all U.S. states. U.S.-based Tesla announced it would begin selling the much-awaited Model 3. Then last month, founder and CEO Elon Musk showed off the company’s new electric-powered truck, called Tesla Semi. He said the truck will be able to travel 800 kilometers on a single charge while pulling a full load of 36,000 kilograms. Production is set to begin in 2019, with no price yet announced. Truly self-driving tests approved California announced it had approved testing of truly driverless cars. Previously, self-driving vehicle testing was only allowed with a driver to take over the car if something went wrong. Officials said the change opened the door for self-driving cars to be widely sold and used throughout the state. Truly driverless vehicles could begin selling in California sometime in 2018. Uber and Google scandals Ride-sharing company Uber had a year of ups and downs that saw several major management changes. In a highly-publicized incident, CEO Travis Kalanick was caught on video arguing with an Uber driver. Several women also accused the company of allowing widespread sexual harassment and discrimination. In addition, Uber faced legal action from Google, which claimed a former executive stole secrets about its self-driving technology. Kalanick ended up resigning his position and several other officials also left the company.    At Google, a male engineer wrote a memo suggesting there are biological differences preventing women from progressing the same as men in technology. The document – which also criticized Google’s diversity efforts – was published online. Google CEO Sundar Pichai apologized to employees for the memo, which he said had advanced “harmful gender stereotypes.” The engineer was dismissed from his position. The rise of bitcoin We heard more about bitcoin in 2017 than ever before. This virtual currency shocked many in the financial world by rising from $1,000 in January 2017 to more than $19,000 in early December. Japanese investors are believed to account for a large percentage of bitcoin trading, causing the cryptocurrency to reach record value. In Venezuela, as the national currency loses value, people have turned to bitcoin for daily uses. Even North Korea hackers joined in to steal millions of dollars to get around economic sanctions. Bitcoin will continue to be watched in the coming year as more people buy it and the trading system further develops. End of net neutrality The U.S. Federal Communications Commission, or FCC voted to end the internet policy known as “net neutrality.” The rules had prevented internet service providers from interfering with traffic from some websites while providing faster service to others. Under the new rules, internet providers will be free to block competing applications. Service providers would also be able to slow down competing services or offer faster speeds to companies that pay more. The government said the decision was based on its belief that net neutrality regulation was not necessary. Opponents said they feared lifting the rules would give businesses control over what users see and do online. Robots to help and serve One of technology’s most active areas is robotics, and 2017 saw some exciting new developments. We reported on robots designed to help doctors perform surgery, and help children or disabled people. Another smart machine was used to explore Japan’s damaged Fukushima nuclear plant. Another robot led an orchestra performance, while several others carried food and other items to people. In Dubai, officials launched a police robot to guard the streets and offer help. Saudi Arabia even claimed to be the first country in the world to give citizenship to a robot. The female robot, named Sophia, was presented as an example of how robot technology and artificial intelligence will make machines more human-like in the future. The robot was even interviewed in front of a crowd. I'm Dorothy Gundy. And I’m Bryan Lynn.   Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English from earlier reports and other sources. Hai Do was the editor. What technology stories did you find most interesting in 2017? Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   fake – adj. false, not real harassment – n. the act of annoying, bothering or attacking someone memo – n. a brief message written within a company diversity – n. having people who are different sexes or races in a group or organization stereotype – n. fixed idea people have about a particular type of person or group virtual – n. something that can be done or seen using computers or the Internet instead of going to a place cryptocurrency – n. digital currency that uses digital security measures to prevent it from being copied or misused  

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UNESCO Recognizes Panama's Hats

  The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has recognized the artisans of Panama for their woven hats. Cultural authorities have added the pintao, or painted hat, to UNESCO's List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. “The pintao hat has become an integral part of regional outfits throughout the country worn during traditional dances and community festivities,” UNESCO's statement said. The pintao is different than the widely known “Panama hat.” The Panama hat has a wide brim. It is traditionally made in Ecuador from the straw of the toquilla palm plant. It is thought to have earned a misleading name during the Gold Rush in the 19th century. Many were sold in nearby Panama to people traveling to California in search of gold. Artisans make the pintao by hand. They use five different plants and even a small amount of dirt to create it. The hat industry's center is in La Pintada, a district about 170 kilometers west of Panama City. Reinaldo Quiros is a well-known artisan and designer who sells hats out of his home. “They don’t have anything (artificial), no machinery; no factory as such exists here in La Pintada," he said. “Each artisan in his own home makes the hats maintaining the techniques taught by his ancestors.” Artisans of the truly Panamanian pintao hat start with the fibers of several plants. They cure and then weave the fiber into braids. Then, they wrap the braids around a wooden form and sew it together from the crown of the hat down. Depending on the quality of the work, some pintao hats can cost hundreds of dollars. Authorities estimate that 4,000 of La Pintada’s 25,000 residents work creating or selling the hats. Pedro Mendoza, a 50-year-old hat maker, hopes that the UNESCO recognition will help take the pintao hat beyond the country’s borders. “It’s really good what’s happened,” he said. “The hat for us is a way of life.” I'm John Russell.   Juan Zamorano reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section. ________________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   artisan – n. a person who is skilled at making things by hand woven – adj. something (such as cloth) that is made by crossing threads or other long pieces of material over and under each other integral – adj. very important and necessary technique – n.  a way of doing something by using special knowledge or skill brim –n. the part of a hat that sticks out around the lower edge  fiber – n. a thin thread of natural or artificial material that can be used to make cloth, paper, etc. weave – v.  to make something (such as cloth) by crossing threads or other long pieces of material over and under each other  

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Brexit Talks Could Help Turkey, Ukraine Deepen Links with Europe

  The European Union and Britain have reached an agreement that may help serve as a model for other countries seeking closer ties with the EU. Germany’s foreign minister has said countries such as Ukraine and Turkey could see good results from the agreement. Britain is currently negotiating how it will go about withdrawing from the block of nations. Britain says it wants a closer relationship with the EU than any other country because it will be a former member of the block. Britain’s withdrawal, known as Brexit, has not happened yet. But Britain and EU officials are trying to reach agreements so complex negotiations can go forward. Minister sees path for two of Europe’s large neighbors German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said the Brexit deal could provide answers to how the EU can manage relations with some non-member countries. “I can’t imagine Turkey or Ukraine becoming EU members in the next few years,” he said. “If we get a smart agreement with Britain regulating relations with Europe after Brexit, that could be a model for other countries – Ukraine and also Turkey,” he told Funke newspaper. His comments were published on Tuesday. Turkey has been a candidate for membership in the EU for many years. It has a customs union with the EU, an agreement that permits trade of most goods without tariffs. Gabriel said EU ties with Turkey could be increased by a “new, closer form of the customs union.” However, the German minister said any changes would have to wait until Turkey’s political situation eased. Thousands of people have been detained in Turkey as part of a government campaign following the failed attempt by parts of the military to seize power in 2016. Some of those detained are German citizens. Germany has voiced concerns about Turkey’s human rights record as political developments continue. Ukraine also has sought closer ties with the EU. The issue was one of the causes of the popular movement that ousted pro-Russian Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych in 2014. Ukraine currently has some agreements with the EU which is its largest trading partner. There are plans to cut tariffs between the two and to reform Ukraine’s trade rules to more closely match those of the EU. However, Russia’s loss of influence in Ukraine in 2014 led it to seize Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula. Russia also supports pro-Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country. Ukraine was a former Soviet republic. Its political situation remains unsettled by separatist divisions. Gabriel is a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The party is positioning itself for talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s more conservative Christian Democratic Union. The sides are seeking agreement on governing together for another four years. Germany is Europe’s largest economy. I’m Mario Ritter.   Mario Ritter adapted it for VOA Learning English from a Reuters story with additional materials. Hai Do was the editor. _______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   Block –n. a group of nations with strong ties Manage –v. to guide and make decision about a going concern Regulate –v. to make rules and oversee some activity, field or industry Tariffs–n. taxes on imported goods and services We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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