Global News 24 March

The Syrian government forces backed by Russian and Iranian allies have just recaptured again the city of Palmyra. The city is known for tourist attraction: the ancient, Roman theatre. It is part of global culture heritage. Last December, when the allies had it for the first time two concerts were organized there: Russian and Syrian. ISIS destroyed the centrepiece and staged executions there as an act of revenge. The nearby city is in ruins as well.

It’s really shocking how cruel people can be for each other. I can’t understand why ISIS is killing so many innocent victims and publicise it on services like YouTube. What is more, I cannot begin to understand why you should destroy building important for the history of the whole world. It is their history too.

Words:

 -grizzly= full of blood and violence

ISIS made a lot of grizzly executions.

-flee-fled-fled= run away

After the attack, the people fled their homes.

-evict= be forced to leave

The family with three children was evicted from their flat.

Global News 17 March

Dr. Nayantara Santhi has been investigating sleep. She subjected a woman, Sylvia to a series of experiments in order to prove how important sleep is and what happens to us if we don’t have enough of it. The research shows in how many different ways we are affected if we are sleep-deprived. The symptoms vary from genetic expression to mental functions. She warns to always get enough of sleep, for example by switching off your social media. 

This research is important for me as I need to be fully alert in school but also during the weekend. In the light of the above it makes sense to say that last minute cramming before a test at night doesn’t make sense whatsoever.

 

Words:

-mortality= the number of people who died in a given period of time (śmiertelność) 
Infant mortality in the Middle Ages was a lot higher than it is today.

-sleep deprivation=lack of sleep

Because of sleep deprivation we are less productive.

-cramped = small and cluttered

I don’t like sitting in cramped rooms as I feel claustrophobic.

Global News 10 March

After decades of allowing only one child per family, China agrees for two. The government is trying to encourage women to have children through providing nurseries in workplaces. However, it takes a lot more to raise a child: the costs of education and healthcare are huge. Day-care will not suffice. The reason for the change in policy is what the Chinese call 4-2-1. It means that one child has to support 2 parents and 4 grandparents, which seems difficult.

The above goes to show that governmental actions undertaken in order to change people’s traditional way of life, meddle with their privacy are counterproductive in the end.  The previous legislation allowing only one child brought about a lot of suffering. Changing what people got used to will not make them happy either.  

Words:

-cite= quote

She cited Hamlet’s words in her composition.

-stave off= keep away, put off

I tried to stave off the cold by wearing warm overcoat.

-concerns= something you worry about

Growing environmental concerns made a Minister change the law.  

Global News 3 March

David Nott is a British surgeon working for a charity taking care of Syrian war victims. One of his patients was Maram, a little baby-girl, who was gravely injured during an attack on Aleppo. Her parents and siblings had died. After the operation, the English doctor couldn't forget her and after someone had sent him photographs of Maram, he decided to follow up on the girl. Untypical for an experienced porfessional he is.

The story of David and Maram really moved me. I feel very sad as it made me realize how brutal war in Syria is and how many innocent victims die every day as a result. It is awesome that there are some good people like David, helping them. He is an example for others to follow.

Words:

-under fire = being criticized; being attacked

The church is under fire for being too political.

-to flash up = to appear

Text message from my mum suddenly flashed up on my smartphone.

- gravely injured = injured very badly/deeply/seriously

A lot of civilians in Syria are gravely injured because of the conflict.