【254-257】North Korea Appears to Take Apart Missile Launch Area

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AS IT IS

Michigan Candidate Hopes to Become First Muslim American Governor

July 23, 2018

Abdul El-Sayed grew up in the American state of Michigan. This year, he is hoping to be nominated as the Michigan Democratic Party’s candidate for governor.

But he did not always think that such a goal was possible.

“When I graduated college, Bill Clinton asked me why I was going to med(ical) school, and he asked if I ever considered running for office. And at that time, I thought that was off limits to me.”

El-Sayed is Muslim America. He remembered facing anger after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks against the United States.

“I was the captain of my football team, and I was a junior in high school. And the week after 9/11 the games were canceled that week, but the week after, we were back on the field. And I remember that football game. For the first time, people were calling me names that I would hear for the rest of my life: ‘Raghead,’ … ‘Osama.’ Funny thing is, my brother’s name is Osama. And I used to say, ‘You’ve got the wrong El-Sayed.’”

Now, he is trying to make history as the first Muslim American governor in the country.

El-Sayed told VOA his religion and ethnic roots have been important in his life. Yet both have fueled attacks by some of his political opponents.

More Muslims seeking office across the country

El-Sayed is seeking the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in a state that helped to elect Donald Trump president. Trump was the Republican Party’s candidate in 2016.

Dr. Abdul El-Sayed high-fives supporter Sonique Watson in Detroit, Aug. 8, 2017. Perhaps no state has embraced the political outsider as much as Michigan. But El-Sayed, a 32-year-old liberal doctor, is putting that affinity for newcomers to the test by mo

This year, about 90 Muslim Americans are seeking elected office throughout the United States. Many political observers are using the term mid-term elections because the 2018 vote comes halfway through the president’s four-year term.

Americans will be electing a new U.S. Congress, as well as state and local officials in November.

El-Sayed is one of 13 Muslim candidates running for office in Michigan. The state’s large and growing Arab American community has welcomed his candidacy and the change in politics.

Osama Siblani is the publisher of Arab American News. He said that, “in the past 10 years, things have changed dramatically for Arab Americans.” But he notes that El-Sayed’s chances depend on whether he can appeal to a majority of voters in November.

Siblani compared the chances of a Muslim candidate to John F. Kennedy, who was the first Catholic to serve as president, and Barack Obama, the first African-American president.

Abdul El-Sayed said that he is not thinking about history. El-Sayed said he just wants to give back to the community that supported him.

He notes that he has received much more education than members of his extended family, who drive taxis in Egypt.

“That’s not my life, because of the opportunities I had here. And I’m watching as we have leaders, whether it be at the city level in Detroit or at the state level, who are making decisions that are taking away access to those basic goods and services from people,” he said.

From medical student to public health official

El-Sayed gained public recognition after he was appointed as Detroit’s top health official. Public health grew into an important issue in Michigan after the discovery of polluted water supplies in the city of Flint in 2014.

El-Sayed told VOA, “The responsibility is to promote justice…That has been the work that I’ve committed myself to as a doctor, as an epidemiologist, as a public health practitioner and now as a public servant.”

The former health official is among several candidates seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination for governor in Michigan.

He has won the support of many Michigan voters who supported Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders in his presidential campaign in 2016.

During the summer, another candidate getting a lot of attention is expected to offer her help to El-Sayed. Democratic New York congressional candidate Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez will appear in Michigan at several campaign events for him.

But if El-Sayed is to compete against the state’s Republican governor, El-Sayed must first win the nomination of his own party.

The Michigan Democratic primary election is set for Saturday, August 7.

I’m Mario Ritter.

Kane Farabaugh reported this story for VOA News. Mario Ritter adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

captain – n. the leader or head of something

junior – n. the second to last year in a high school or college

opportunity – n. a chance

access – n. rights to something; admittance

graduate – v. to complete a study program at a school

epidemiologist – n. the study of how disease spreads and can be controlled

promote – v. to help (something) happen, develop, or increase

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AS IT IS

Thai Soccer Boys Shave Their Heads for Buddhist Ceremony

July 24, 2018

Soccer coach Ekkapol Chantawong, left, and teammates who were rescued last week from a flooded cave have their heads shaved in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 24, 2018. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

The boys rescued from a flooded cave in Thailand earlier this month have cut all the hair off their heads. Their coach, who also was rescued, has done the same. The head shaving ceremony Tuesday was in preparation for their training to become Buddhist clergy.

Eleven boys and their coach prayed and offered drinks and food to spirits at a Buddhist temple. One team member who was rescued did not take part because he is not Buddhist.

The chief of Chiang Rai's Buddhism office said the boys will do their Buddhist service in honor of Samarn Gunan. He was the Thai former navy SEAL who died on a dive in the cave’s waterway to help the trapped team.

Pornchai Kamluang, his coach, and his teammates who were rescued last week from a flooded cave have their heads shaved in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 24

Tradition calls for Buddhist males in Thailand to enter the clergy at some point in their lives. The service is to show thanks, often toward their parents for raising them. It is also believed that they will gain goodness and protection through such service, and that those qualities will extend to their parents.

The provincial governor said the boys and their coach will be ordained on Wednesday. After that, the group will stay for more than a week at a religious center near Thailand’s northern border with Myanmar.

The team and coach were released from a hospital last Wednesday. They had been trapped on June 23. British divers found them July 2 and a three-day effort to rescue them ended successfully July 10.

Around 200 people gathered to observe the head shaving ceremony.

Apinya Winthachai, a local Buddhist religious worker, said, “I was so happy to see them alive and I thought it would be good to attend the ceremony to show them our support.”

I'm Jonathan Evans.

Chanin Vibulrungruang, his coach, and teammates who were rescued last week from a flooded cave have their heads shaved in a traditional Buddhist ceremony in Mae Sai district, Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, Tuesday, July 24

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on AP news reports. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

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Words in This Story

ordain - v. to officially make someone a minister, priest, rabbi, monk...

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AS IT IS

North Korea Appears to Take Apart Missile Launch Area

July 24, 2018

This July 22, 2018, satellite image released and annotated by 38 North on Monday, July 23, shows what the U.S. research group says is the partial dismantling of the rail-mounted transfer structure, at center, at the Sohae launch site in North Korea. (Airbus Defense & Space/38 North via AP)

North Korea appears to have started dismantling important parts of its main satellite launch center.

The activity appears to fulfill a promise to United States officials by North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un.

Some experts believe North Korea is trying to build trust with the U.S. The two sides continue diplomatic talks aimed at ending North Korea’s nuclear weapons program.

Other experts say dismantling some parts of the launch area will not reduce North Korea’s military ability. They also worry that the work is being done without verification.

Satellite pictures show activity

The website 38 North said satellite pictures from July 20 to 22 show efforts to dismantle parts of the Sohae launch area. The parts include a rocket engine test stand used to develop liquid-fuel engines. Such engines are used for long-distance missiles and space vehicles. A building where space launch vehicles were built before being prepared for launch also was taken apart, said 38 North.

“These facilities are believed to have played an important role in the development of technologies for the North’s intercontinental ballistic missile program,” Joseph Bermudez wrote. He reported the findings saying that the North Korean efforts were an important confidence building act.

An official from South Korea’s presidential office said Tuesday that Seoul has also seen the activities at the Sohae launch site.

Other experts said North Korea is giving up little in dismantling the rocket engine test center.

Adam Mount is an expert at the Federation of American Scientists. He said he is worried about North Korea’s decision to dismantle its facilities without verification. Such a step would require international inspectors.

In May, North Korean officials invited international reporters to watch the destruction of tunnels at its nuclear testing area. But, they did not invite international experts.

Mount said in an email that North Korea still has not dismantled centers that produce or store nuclear or missile systems or transportation for the missiles.

Lee Choon Geun is a missile expert at South Korea’s Science and Technology Policy Institute. He said the North’s action was an important development and may lead to more activities at the area.

Lee said, if North Korea dismantles the entire Sohae launch area, it would reduce greatly the country’s missile threat. He said other centers in North Korea are not as well built.

But Mount disagrees. He said the threat reduction would be small. He added that North Korea has missiles that do not require a special launch center.

After his meeting with Kim in Singapore on June 12, Trump said he was told by Kim that the North was “already destroying a major missile engine testing” area.

The two men ended the meeting by saying they both wanted a Korean Peninsula free of nuclear weapons. But, some experts do not believe Kim will ever give up his nuclear weapons because he may see them as the best guarantee of his survival as leader.

I’m Susan Shand.

Susan Shand adapted this story for Learning English based on the Associated Press news report. Mario Ritter was the editor.

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Words in This Story

dismantle – v. to take something, such as a machine or structure apart so that it is in separate pieces

verification – n. knowing that something is true

ballistic – adj. a weapon that is shot through the sky over a great distance and then falls to the ground and explodes

confidence – n. a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something

tunnel – n. a passage that goes under the ground

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AS IT IS

Dam Collapse in Laos Leaves Hundreds Missing

July 24, 2018

Villagers take refuge on a rooftop above flood waters from a collapsed dam in the Attapeu district of southeastern Laos, Tuesday, July 24, 2018. The official Lao news agency KPL reported Tuesday that the Xepian-Xe Nam Noy hydropower dam in Attapeu province collapsed Monday evening, releasing large amounts of water that swept away houses and made more than 6,600 people homeless. (Attapeu Today via AP)

A dam built to create electricity has collapsed in Laos. Reports say several people are dead and hundreds are missing.

State media reported the collapse Monday night caused a wall of water to flow through several villages in southeastern Laos.

The water destroyed homes and flooded villages, leaving more than 6,600 people homeless, the Lao News Agency reported. It said the disaster “claimed several human lives” and “left hundreds of people missing,” without providing details.

Rescue efforts were launched and the government sent officials to estimate the amount of damage. A call for emergency aid was issued for clothing, food, drinking water and medicine.

Many people climbed onto the tops of their homes to escape the floodwaters while awaiting help. Others floated in the water on small, wooden boats.

Much of Laos has recently been hit by floods from heavy seasonal rains.

Villagers take refuge on a rooftop above flood waters from a collapsed dam in the Attapeu district of southeastern Laos, July 24, 2018.

The dam – which was still being built – was a project led by South Korean companies. Thai and Lao partners were also involved.

One of the South Korean companies, SK Engineering & Construction, said heavy rain and flooding caused the collapse. It said it is cooperating with the government to help rescue villagers.

The dam is one of several in Laos built to create electricity that is mainly sold to other countries. The collapsed dam had planned to begin operating by 2019. It was to export 90 percent of its electricity to neighboring Thailand, and keep the rest for local use.

Laos is seeking to become “the battery of Asia,” by building a series of hydroelectric dams. Environmental rights groups have long raised concerns about these plans. They say the projects threaten many parts of the environment and often force people out of their communities.

Maureen Harris is an expert on dam projects in Laos at the nonprofit International Rivers organization. She told the French press agency AFP the latest disaster raises major questions about dam standards and safety in Laos.

She said many of the victims had already been pushed from their communities and suffered economic harm from the dam project. Now they are “experiencing further devastating impacts – loss of homes, property and family members," she said.

I’m Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from the Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse. Caty Weaver was the editor.

We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.

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