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.

Six Feet of Sunshine

                Her name is Kerri Walsh Jennings and she is a professional beach volleyball player. This almost 40-year-old woman is a perfect example of combining a great sports career and fulfilling family life. She is an absolute leader in her sports category, both when it comes to the number of victories and revenue. Kerri is a three-time gold medallist of 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

                Her adventure with volleyball started in high school. The high school was also the place where she met her future doubles partner Misty May-Treanor. Volleyball helped her to get a scholarship at Stanford University. She is believed to be the best all-around player in history.

                It is only now, when Misty May-Treanor retired, that Kerri wasn’t  able to win gold in the Olympics. Her children were shocked so she promised them to do it in 2020. If she fulfils her promise, she will be 41, which is going to make her one of the oldest players.

                Walsh is married, with three children. In 2012 she competed while pregnant. I think it’s pretty impressive, the way she combines being a mother and a sport icon.   

 

 

 

My sources:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1724533157860445&id=1430238910623206

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerri_Walsh_Jennings

 

Torturer or innovator?- part 2

                As mentioned before, Hubert Wagner is known for his strictness. He totally changed Polish volleyball in two aspects- psychological and technical. Last time, I discussed the psychological aspect, now is time for technical ones.

                Hubert Wagner was the first volleyball coach who see the role of physical strength as crucial.  His players were subjected to very demanding trainings. However,  on many occasions, the exercises were a far cry from standard- for example cutting wood or cross county running through the forest.  Often with weights to carry.

                What is more, the players weren’t allowed to drink during training breaks. On account of a possible contusion.

                His son remembers a match with Germany which was very extraordinary because of his father attitude. The couch believed that the opposing team were too weak. Therefore, he sent his own players, one by one, to the adjoining room to jump nine hurdles with a weighted belt. They would later came back to play the game dog-tired. That was a real challenge. People said it was quite controversial to help opponents in this way. However,  4 days later that situation paid-off and Poland won gold for the first time.

                Hubert Wagner is known for exploring the limits of human endurance. That is why some love him, while others hate him.

 

 

My sources:

Biography of Hubert Wagner

Torturer or innovator?

                Hubert Wagner is certainly a personality of almost iconic format. Many quotes attributed to him are all over the internet. A lot of them are controversial like for example this one: “We can work on democratic principals but it’s  me who is always right anyway.”

                A University of Technology graduate, he is known for his analytical approach towards Polish team’s opponents. He would sit and watch their matches with copybook analysing each player separately. This technique later became known as scouting.  Right now it’s done by computers.

                What is more, he was the inventor of a unique way the players communicated with one another. Before, the setter decided what the game would look like. However, up from that point the players also had a say. This would often shock the opponents and give the players a sense of team spirit.

                Next, he is known for his individually stick approach. He used to know his players best and refused to let them see a psychologist. He was the one and only source of authority, advice and sympathy. He was like a father figure to his team, however some of them were punished very severely by being expelled. He wouldn’t tolerate disobedience which was shown in the quote above.

                Next week I’ m going to say more about the specific technical aspects of Wagner’s training methods.  

 

 

 

 My sources:

Biography of Hubert Wagner