March 29, 2018

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North and South Korea Set Date for April Summit

  South Korea has reached an agreement with North Korea to have the leaders of both countries meet for a summit on April 27. Officials said South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un at the border village of Panmunjom. The announcement came Thursday after high-level talks between the two sides in Panmunjom. Panmunjom is a “truce village” that sits within a demilitarized area separating the two Koreas. A statement released by the two countries said officials from North and South Korea plan to meet again on April 4 to discuss details for the summit. The April 27 meeting will be the third summit ever held between leaders of the two Koreas since the 1950-53 Korean War. One of the summits happened in 2000, the other in 2007. In 1945, the Korean Peninsula was divided into a U.S.-dominated south and Soviet Union-backed north. North Korea and South Korea became independent nations in 1948. South Korea’s Unification Minister told reporters Thursday that an important part of the summit will be setting up discussions between the leaders on denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The minister said both sides would continue to hold working-level discussions centering on “issues surrounding the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, the stabilization of peace and the development of relations between the South and North.” The head of North Korea’s delegation said before Thursday’s talks that the past 80 days had been filled with "unprecedented historic events" between the two countries. He expressed hope that the summit would meet his nation’s desire for peace on the Korean Peninsula. ​The latest talks followed a surprise meeting this week in Beijing between Kim Jong Un and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Official Chinese news reports said Kim agreed in talks with Xi to discuss denuclearization.  Tension was high in the area last year after North Korea carried out repeated tests of nuclear weapons and missiles. But the tension decreased in recent months after the North halted the tests and took part in the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Kim is also set to hold a summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump sometime before the end of May. The time and place for that meeting have not yet been announced. I’m Bryan Lynn. Bryan Lynn adapted this story from reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and VOA News. 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 summit – n. an important meeting between leaders truce – n. an agreement between enemies or opponents to stop fighting, arguing, etc., for a certain period of time dominate - v. to have control of or power over (someone or something)​ stabilization – n. being made steady or stopped from moving unprecedented – adj. never having happened before  

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3D Printer Can Create Complete Home in One Day

  An American company says it has completed the first permitted 3D printed home in the United States. The home was shown to reporters and visitors at the South by Southwest technology conference and music festival. The event took place earlier this month in Austin, Texas. Building company ICON has developed large 3D printers that build homes with mortar, a hard and strong material. ICON uses robotics, computer software programs and advanced materials to make houses. Jason Ballard is the company’s co-founder. “So I’m standing in front of the first permitted 3D-printed home in America. This house was actually printed in high winds, blowing dust and rain.” It is important for the printing process to operate in extreme conditions, such as weather disasters. The goal is to print homes in developing countries. ICON’s 3-D printer is made of lightweight aluminum, and measures 4.5-meters tall by 9 meters wide. The homes are printed on-site, so the equipment has to be light enough to move from one property to the next.  Ballard imagines that someday, many 3-D printers will operate around the world to make homes. “It’s actually a lot more simple to build a printer than it is to build a house,” he said. “We ran this printer at about a quarter speed to print this house, and we were able to complete the house in less than 48 hours of print time.” Ballard says that at full speed, the printing process could take as little as 12 hours. ICON has teamed up with a not-for-profit group called New Story. Together, they are attempting to help provide a quick, cheap housing solution for the millions of people who need it most. Brett Hagler is founder and chief executive officer of New Story. “The magnitude of the problem that we face is so big, it’s about a billion people that don’t have one of life’s most basic human needs, and that’s safe shelter.” Hagler says his organization already works on housing needs with poor families in different areas. But he says that to really make a difference, the program will need to greatly expand. He added that since the 3D printing process is so much faster than traditional homebuilding, a whole community could be built in just a few months. “That has to come through significantly decreasing cost, increasing speed, while doing that without sacrificing quality.” Hagler notes that a 3D printed home costs a lot less than a traditional home. “Traditional style, one of New Story’s homes, is about $6,500 per home, right. We believe over time, we can get the new home below $4,000.” The goal is to bring the new building technology to the world’s poorest and underserved first. New Story is currently working with local nonprofits, governments and families to help raise money. It plans to start 3D printing homes in El Salvador later this year. I’m Bryan Lynn. Elizabeth Lee reported this story for VOA News. Bryan Lynn adapted it 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. ______________________________________________________________ Quiz _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   mortar – n. a mixture of substances used between bricks or stones to keep them together on-site – adj. place where an activity happens cheap – adj. costing less than other things magnitude – n. the size or importance of something 3D – adj. something having height, width and depth print – v. to make a copy or reproduce something festival – n. a special time; a series of performances advanced – adj. involving high technology or modern quarter – adj. divided in four equal parts; one-forth  

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What Are America's Favorite Dog Breeds?

This is What’s Trending Today… For the 27th year, the most popular purebred dog in America is the Labrador retriever. But other breeds, or kinds of dogs, are quickly gaining in the chase for popularity, especially the French bulldog. Frenchies, as they are also called, are now the number-four dog in the country. Coming in second is the German shepherd. The golden retriever is third. The American Kennel Club released its latest dog rankings Wednesday. Also in the top 10 are the bulldog, beagle, poodle, Rottweiler, Yorkshire terrier and the German shorthaired pointer. The lovable Lab has ruled as America’s top dog longer than any other. And the friendly beagle is the only dog that has made the AKC’s top 10 list every year since the club’s founding in 1884. The Frenchie’s fast rise The French bulldog has risen from 76th place to fourth in just 20 years. It ranked sixth in the 1910s and again in 2015-2016. French bulldogs are wide and low to the ground. Their large ears and funny, flat noses have become favorites in big cities. Frenchies are generally small, quiet dogs. Their rise in popularity has come in part from the breeds’ inclusion in movies and advertisements. Many Hollywood stars also own Frenchies. Frenchie lovers may like the growing interest in the breed, but they also worry about dishonest breeders and under-informed owners. Kerry Boyd breeds Frenchies in the state of Massachusetts. “It scares me that because it’s popular, everybody wants it. But not every family is right for a French bulldog,” she told the Associated Press. The breed made news this month when a Frenchie puppy died on an airplane. An airline employee forced a passenger to put the dog into a small, closed baggage area. The death led to discussion of breathing problems common among breeds with especially flat noses. Frenchies are also at risk of overheating and of having nose and mouth problems that require surgery. They also often must be born by cesarean section because of their big heads. In 2015, New York’s The Village Voice magazine published a cover of a photograph of a Frenchie. That cover said “Don’t Buy This Dog.” Dr. John de Jong is an animal doctor in Massachusetts. He sees Frenchies’ problems up close. But he notes that other breeds have conditions of their own. “I would say to anybody purchasing a breed of any kind: Do their homework,” says de Jong. The AKC is the nation's oldest purebred dog registry. The American Veterinary Medical Association estimates there are about 70 million pet dogs in the United States, and over 74 million pet cats. And that’s What’s Trending Today. I’m Bryan Lynn. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.  ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   purebred - adj. having parents that are of the same breed breed - n. a particular kind of dog, cat, horse, etc. ranking - n. a list of people or things that are ordered according to their quality, ability, size, etc. passenger - n. a person who is traveling from one place to another in a car, bus, train, ship, airplane, etc., and who is not driving or working on it baggage - n.  the bags, suitcases, and personal things that a person carries when traveling cesarean section - n. a surgical operation for giving birth in which a cut is made in the mother's body so that the baby can be removed through the opening registry - n. a book or system for keeping an official list or record of items

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March 28, 2018

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

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New Dating App Uses DNA to Help People Find Love

  Creators of a new dating app are using people’s genetics to help people find love. They claim that, with tissue from inside someone’s mouth, the app can match people with others they are most likely to find attractive. The company is called Pheramor. The name is a combination of the words “pheromone” -- the small molecules sent from the body and smelled by the people around us -- and “amour”, the French word for love. Love from science The company says their app is based on 40 years of research showing there are 11 genetic markers proven by scientists to be "responsible for attraction." Asma Mirza is the company’s chief and co-creator. She said, "Pheramor looks at genetics-based human attraction and social media metadata to help people increase their efficiency of dating.” Rasmus Nielsen is a professor of computational biology and human genetics at UC-Berkeley. He says there are some links between the 11 genetic markers, called MHC type, and attraction. However, it is still difficult to reach a scientific conclusion. "There is some idea that maybe when we mate, we avoid individuals with the same MHC type. And that's what they are basing it on... It's still very, very, very, very controversial as to whether humans can even do this. And there's really very little science into whether it would help us predict mates," Nielsen said. However, Nielsen added that research has shown that mice can recognize DNA that is similar to the DNA of their parents.  Mice also know to avoid mating with family members. On the company website, Pheramor says, "We are constantly smelling each other's pheromone profiles,” and deciding how attractive an individual is without even noticing it. Pheramor names a study from the 1990s called "The Sweaty T-shirt Experiment." In that study, women rated clothing worn for three days by individual men. The scientists found that women were more attracted to the scent of a man whose genetics were more different than their own. But Nielsen says that kind of study has never really been repeated successfully. Creating a fuller picture Pheramor creators say critics are too concerned about the app’s use of pheromones. They note that the app does not only look at genetic information. It also looks at a person’s social media activity. This information offers a fuller picture of someone’s behavior and interests. Users can connect all of their social media activity to the app. Pheramor then uses its algorithm to help find matches. Users send the company a sample of tissue from inside their mouths. It takes about two weeks to get the test results. The test costs $19.99. Pheramor also charges users $10 a month. Along with helping people find love, the company says it is is also helping save lives. The same 11 genetic markers they are looking at are the same used to fight blood cancers. Pheramor is working with a national cancer registry called Gift of Life.  Pheramor users can choose to be added to the registry to possibly be a match for someone fighting leukemia, lymphoma or other blood cancers. I’m Phil Dierking. This story was originally written by Salem Solomon for the VOAnews.com.  Phil Dierking adapted it using other media. Phil Dierking adapted it for VOA Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. DO you think love can be predicted by genetics? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   app - n. a computer program that performs a special function​ match - v. to make or see a connection or relationship between (two people or things) algorithm - n. a set of steps that are followed in order to solve a mathematical problem or to complete a computer process​ attract - v. to cause (someone) to choose to do or be involved in something​ controversial - adj. relating to or causing much discussion, disagreement, or argument​ efficient - adj. capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy​ metadata - n. a set of data that describes and gives information about other data.​ profile - n. a brief written description that provides information about someone or something​ sample - n.  a small amount of something that gives you information about the thing it was taken from​  

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Malaysia Passes Disputed Bill to Change Electoral Borders

Malaysia's Parliament has passed a disputed bill to change the borders of electoral areas. Prime Minister Najib Razak called for the change to reform the voting areas. Critics say the new plan divides constituencies by ethnicity and weakens the voting power of the opposition. They argue that the changes would unfairly help Najib’s ruling National Front coalition win the general election later this year. The party faces its most difficult election in years. Hundreds of demonstrators protested in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, before lawmakers voted on the measure. The activists wore yellow clothing, representing the opposition. They marched toward the Parliament building but police stopped them before they reached its gates. The National Front has ruled Malaysia since gaining independence from Britain in 1957. Its current leader, Prime Minister Najib, is dealing with reported financial wrongdoing involving the state-operated company 1Malaysia Development Berhad. The case involves billions of dollars. I'm Anna Matteo. VOA News reported this story. Lucija Millonig adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver edited it. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story constituency - n.  the people who live and vote in an area​ gate - n.  ​a place in a wall or a fence that has a movable part which can be opened or closed like a door​

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China Says North Korea Willing to Discuss Denuclearization

  China says North Korean leader Kim Jong Un agreed during talks in Beijing to discuss denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. China’s official Xinhua news agency reported that Kim made an “unofficial” visit to the country.      The visit was not confirmed until Kim returned to North Korea on Wednesday. A special armored train carrying Kim secretly arrived in Beijing on Monday and left Tuesday.                            Kim held talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who had invited him to visit, Xinhua reported. The trip was believed to be Kim’s first visit to a foreign nation since taking power in 2011. Kim traveled to China with his wife, Ri Sol Ju. The two attended a welcoming ceremony and had dinner inside Beijing’s Great Hall of the People with Xi and his wife, Xinhua reported. Xi promised to work with North Korea to “make a new contribution to regional peace, stability and development,” the news agency said. Kim told Xi North Korea had taken steps “to ease tensions and put forward proposals” for peace talks. "It is our consistent stand to be committed to denuclearization on the Peninsula…” Xinhua reported Kim as saying.              Kim also said North Korea was willing to negotiate with American officials and “hold a summit of the two countries.” Xinhua reported that Kim said, "The issue of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be resolved, if South Korea and the United States respond to our efforts with goodwill…” North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Kim’s visit to China. But it did not report on his comments about denuclearization or upcoming summits. South Korean President Moon Jae-in is set to meet with Kim in late April. United States officials say President Donald Trump also plans to meet with the North Korean leader before the end of May. On Wednesday, Trump wrote on Twitter that Xi had informed him of the Kim's visit to China.                    Trump wrote, “Received message last night from XI JINPING of China that his meeting with KIM JONG UN went very well and that KIM looks forward to his meeting with me.”  Trump added: “In the meantime, and unfortunately, maximum sanctions and pressure must be maintained at all cost!” In another tweet, Trump said that for years there had not been “even a small possibility” for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. “Now there is a good chance that Kim Jong Un will do what is right for his people and for humanity." A White House statement said U.S. officials saw the talks between Kim and Xi as more evidence that America’s campaign of “maximum pressure” on the North is working.                     In Japan, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said his government was watching the China-North Korea relationship with "extreme interest." But, he said North Korea must provide concrete action – not just promises – before the international community can consider any easing of sanctions. In the past, Xi also has expressed support for strong U.S.-led international sanctions on the North. The sanctions banned billions of dollars of North Korean coal, seafood and clothing. They are aimed at pressuring Kim to reenter talks on denuclearization.                                      In addition to agreeing to the summit meetings, Kim has taken other actions in recent months to reduce tensions. These included halting nuclear and missile tests and permitting North Korea to take part in the recent Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. I’m Ashley Thompson. Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from VOA News, the Associated Press and Reuters. 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   contribution – n. something done to help bring about some result stability – n. a state of not being changed easily consistent – adj. always behaving or happening in a similar way summit – n. an important meeting between leaders goodwill – n. friendly or helpful feelings towards other people unfortunately – adv. word used to say something is bad or disappointing maximum – adj. as great as possible; the most sanctions – n. punishments usually in the form of trade restrictions meant to force a country to obey international law concrete – adj. identifying something real or a group of things  

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March 27, 2018

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

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Official Who Supervised Larry Nassar Charged with Sex Crimes

  A Michigan State University official who supervised sexual abuser Larry Nassar has been charged with sex crimes of his own. Nassar, a former MSU and USA Gymnastics Olympic team doctor, was sentenced in January to up to 175 years in prison for sex crimes. William Strampel is the former dean of MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. He was charged Tuesday with sexually harassing female medical students. He also faces charges of failing to enforce rules set for Nassar after a female patient reported sexual contact during treatment in 2014.                  Investigators also found nude student “selfies” on Strampel’s work computer, as well as images of female body parts, sex toys and pornography. Strampel, who is 70 years old, served as dean of the college from 2002 to December 2017. The charges against Strampel are part of the Michigan government’s investigation into MSU’s possible involvement in Nassar’s crimes. Nassar worked at MSU from 1997 until his dismissal in September 2016. Hundreds of women and girls accused Nassar of sexually abusing them during what they believed to be medical treatments. Many of them say they were abused at MSU. Nassar admitted guilt to abusing patients and possessing child pornography. He is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison. Strampel is accused of letting Nassar continue to treat patients without following rules that were supposedly put in place. This permitted Nassar to carry out “sexual assaults against new victims,” the complaint against Strampel says. Strampel announced in December that he would take temporary leave from MSU for medical reasons. After the report in 2014, Nassar was ordered to always have a third person in the room when treating “anything close to a sensitive area.” Nassar was also required to avoid “skin-to-skin contact” with patients. And he was ordered to explain in detail his treatment plan before carrying it out. Nassar was dismissed in 2016 for violating those rules. A few weeks earlier, former gymnast Rachael Denhollander officially accused Nassar of sexually abusing her more than 15 years earlier.  Strampel told an MSU investigator and FBI agent in 2017 that he did not check to see if Nassar had been following the rules.                                        Almost all of Nassar’s known victims say he touched [them] in and around their private areas without wearing gloves. They also said he did not explain the invasive treatment before acting. Many of the patients were children at the time of the abuse. More than 250 girls and women have taken legal action against Michigan State, Strampel, and other current and former university officials, as well as USA Gymnastics. John Manly is a lawyer for many of the victims. He said his clients were pleased that Strampel was being charged. He said it demonstrates that the Michigan attorney general’s office is, in his words, “serious about investigating the systemic misconduct at MSU that led to the largest child sex abuse scandal in history and holding the responsible parties accountable.” I’m Ashley Thompson. The Associated Press reported this story. Ashley Thompson adapted it for Learning English. Caty Weaver was the editor.  _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story   harass - v. to make unwanted sexual comments or advances nude - adj. of or involving people who have no clothes on dean - n. a person who is in charge of one of the parts of a university (such as a college or school) pornography - n. movies, pictures, magazines, etc., that show or describe naked people or sex in a very open and direct way in order to cause sexual excitement assault - n. the crime of trying or threatening to hurt someone physically glove - n. a covering for the hand that has separate parts for each finger misconduct - n. wrong behavior : behavior or activity that is illegal or morally wrong scandal - n. an occurrence in which people are shocked and upset because of behavior that is morally or legally wrong

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Afghanistan’s First Female General Calls for More Women in Military

  Khatol Mohammadzai was active in the Afghan army for more than 30 years. She earned many awards and made nearly 600 parachute jumps from an airplane. In addition, Mohammadzai has trained hundreds of Ministry of Defense members. But it took the U.S.-led military coalition’s defeat of the Taliban in 2001 to make it possible for Mohammadzai to become a general. She is the first woman in Afghanistan to reach the rank of general. For years, the Afghan National Army has been considered a man’s army. Khatol said, “When I move around the city with my uniform, people show great affection…I have motivated many young people to join the army. People from the provinces say they love me and my professions.” In Afghanistan, joining the military is not an easy choice for women. They face opposition from families and male co-workers. Reports say they are denied promotions, training and security. But the 103 female cadets at the Marshal Fahim Military Academy in Kabul want to change the military culture. Gulaly is an army cadet. She said she is working for the security of her country. She said, “My goal from the beginning is to promote myself to the level of General Khatol or even higher than her.” Women and men train separately at the academy. However, Afghan officers say their programs are similar. Both receive physical education, weapons and medical care training. Cadet Sima Amiri says that she is one of the few women who had her father’s support to join the army. She said, “My message to the families is to encourage their daughters and help them in their decision to join the National army.” Khatol has urged for the expansion of service for women. She said, “It was my education and hard work that enabled me to raise the Aghan flag in the world. I request my heroic brothers and sons to strive for education of their daughters.” The Ministry of Defense says 1,700 women serve in the Afghan Army, about 1 percent of the total. I'm Susan Shand. Jill Craig reported this story for VOA News. Susan Shand 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 parachute – n.  a piece of equipment usually made of cloth that is fastened to people or things and that allows them to fall slowly and land safely after they have jumped or been dropped from an aircraft uniform – n. a special kind of clothing that is worn by all the members of a group or organization promotion – n.  the act of moving someone to a higher or more important position or rank in an organization cadet –n. a student at a military school preparing to become an officer encourage – v. to make someone more determined, hopeful, or confident strive – v.  to try very hard to do or achieve something    

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