still Alice,Alzheimer's disease

Moore says Alzheimer's role helps raise awareness

5 February 2015

The actress has already won 17 awards for her role as a linguistics professor who battles with the disease, and is nominated for an Oscar and a Bafta.

She said: "It's been really amazing, I have to say."

The 54-year-old was at a special screening of the film on Thursday hosted by the Alzheimer's Society.

"It's been nice to hear from people that their experience was represented and they felt seen," she told the Press Association.

As she attended the event at the Curzon Mayfair in London, she admitted: "That's probably the most rewarding experience that I've had, because I think there's a tremendous amount of shame around the disease and people feel like they're not seen, they feel isolated."

Moore hoped the awards season would encourage more people to see the movie, which is released in the UK on 6 March.

She said: "It brings so much attention to the movie, and this is a movie we all care about, and so it's wonderful because hopefully people will see the film."

The Hunger Games star added: "It's so, so nice to receive these accolades, particularly from your peers.

"There are so many great performances and great films every year, so if people even bother to write down your name, it's really lovely."

Moore is nominated for best actress at the Bafta awards at the Royal Opera House in London's Covent Garden on Sunday night.

She is also considered the frontrunner to win the best actress Oscar in Hollywood on 22 February. The actress has previously been Oscar-nominated four times but has never won.

http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-31146513

Structure of the Lead:

WHO- Julianne Moore

WHEN- 5 February 2015

WHAT- won 17 awards

WHY- She roles as a linguistics professor who battles with the disease.

WHERE-not given

HOW- This movie encourages more people to see.

Keywords:

1. linguistics: 語言學

2. nominate: 提名

3. represent: 代表

Two missing Hong Kong booksellers return from China

By Ralph Ellis, Katie Hunt and Zahra Ullah, CNN

March 7, 2016

Two of five missing booksellers believed to have been held in China have returned to Hong Kong, the Hong Kong police said Sunday.

Cheung Chi Ping requested the police to cancel his missing persons case, two days after his fellow bookseller Lui Por returned to Hong Kong also asking police to close his missing persons case.

Both men requested no further help from the government or police and "refused to disclose other details," according to police statements.

All five men were involved with publisher Mighty Current and its shop Causeway Bay Books, which sold gossipy titles about China's elite.

The disappearance of the booksellers sparked outrage in Hong Kong and internationally over fears they were taken against their will in December by Beijing authorities. Thousands of people demonstrated in Hong Kong to demand their return.

Hong Kong authorities have said China was holding some of the men. China has repeatedly said its officials wouldn't do anything illegal.

Lui Por and associates Cheung Chi-ping, Lam Wing-kee and Gui Minhai appeared on television on February 26 admitting to "illegal book trading" in China.Gui Minhai, the owner of Hong Kong publisher Mighty Current, ordered thousands of "unauthorized" books sent to mainland China, the other men said.

The fifth bookseller, Lee Bo, appeared on Chinese television Monday to say he hadn't been abducted from Hong Kong. Lee said he went to China to assist police with an investigation and was free to return once the investigation had finished.

The three other booksellers are still believed to be in mainland China.

Emojis help kids communicate abuse

by Hope King 

May 28, 2015

Abused Emojis is a new iOS app and keyboard that aims to help kids and teens communicate difficult situations through images.

The idea was developed by Bris, a Swedish non-profit which manages a helpline for children and teenagers.

The organization says the app is intended to reflect and extend the kind of work Bris does.

"Every day we have contact with hundreds of kids through phone, chat and mail conversation,"Bris explains on its site. "Many of the problems that children face today are stigmatized ...The Abused Emojis app is a symbol for our work to make children talk more freely about their situation."

The set of 15 emojis are based on existing icons, each revised to portray different types of physical and psychological harm.

The hear-no-evil, see-no-evil monkeys, for example, are upset. The praise hands have red cuts across the wrists, and various figurines have bruises or Band-Aids on their faces.

Mark Davis, president and co-founder of Unicode, says his personal opinion is that the Abused Emojis campaign seems like a "very worthy cause."

Some of the Abused Emojis "could be represented already in Unicode, using what are called 'joiners,' which is how Apple portrays diverse families. Others would require new characters, and would have to go through the selection process, Davis said.

The Unicode Consortium is releasing a set of 41 new emojis in June, and it has selected 38 emoji characters as candidates for next year's release. The list of those candidates is not final.

Bris communications director Silvia Ernhagen said that being included in the larger set of Unicode emojis "would be a good outcome to broaden the range of feelings," but emphasized this wasn't the app's main goal.

The iPhone app launched on the iTunes App Store a little over a week ago and has been downloaded tens of thousands of times.

According to the developer, Abused Emojis is already the third most downloaded free iOS app in Sweden.

Some users have been concerned about letting the app have "Full access" to an iPhone's keyboard. Third-party apps can retrieve information that is typed on a device this way, but Bris says it does not collect, store or transmit any personal data from users.

http://money.cnn.com/2015/05/28/technology/abused-emojis/

Structure of the Lead:

WHO- kids and teens

WHEN- May 28, 2015

WHAT- abused emojis

WHY-emojis help kids communicate abuse

WHERE-not given

HOW-some emojis would have to go through the selection process

Keywords:

1. stigmatized: 誣衊

2. revise: 修改

3. portray: 寫真

4. campaign: 活動

5. Consortium: 聯盟

More than 100 jade hunters killed in landslide at Myanmar mine

By Tim Hume

November 24, 2015

At least 113 people were killed in northernMyanmar when a huge hill of tailings from a jade mine collapsed onto the huts of sleeping workers, according to state-run media.

Local officials estimate another 30 victims were "buried under the soil."

The collapse of the roughly 60-meter-high (200-foot-high) mound took place at about 3 a.m. Saturday in Hpakant, in Myanmar's northern state of Kachin, the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported.

Seventy huts containing sleeping workers were buried in the slide, with only five huts spared, according to the newspaper. The huts had been situated in a ravine between two huge hills of dump soil, it reported.

The military was working with local residents in rescue and recovery efforts, it reported Monday, warning that many more people remain missing.

The area produces some of the world's highest quality jade, a nearly translucent green stone that is highly valued in neighboring China.

Many workers, typically migrants from other parts of the country, eke out a livelihood in the shadow of the mines by sifting through the tailings for leftover jade, the newspaper said.

Local authorities said they had earlier issued notices telling the workers they could not stay on the site, according to the newspaper.

'Slush fund'

A report published last month by environmental advocacy group Global Witness estimated the value of Myanmar's jade industry at as high as $31 billion last year -- 48% of the country's GDP.

But it claimed the resource was being treated as a "slush fund" by people connected to the country's former military leaders, and drug lords.

Although the value of the jade was about $21,000 a year for each person in Kachin state, local people saw little of the revenue from this valuable resource, the report said. On the contrary, the practices of mining companies had created environmental hazards for locals, it said.

The report said there had been a series of fatal accidents in recent months arising from the common mining company practices of "dumping huge quantities of waste into lakes and streams or in massive mounds which are prone to collapse."

"Untrammeled jade exploitation has turned Hpakant into a moonscape, with mining bringing down 'jade mountains,' leaving behind water-filled craters and causing widespread flooding and pollution," the report said.

Prostitution and drug use are rife among the mining communities, the report said. Community leaders in Myitkyina, the capital of Kachin state, told CNN in March that the region was battling a major heroin epidemic, with many young people using the drug.

Myanmar's government has been fighting on and off for decades with the Kachin Independence Army, a rebel guerrilla force seeking independence for the predominantly Christian ethnic minority in the remote state.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/22/asia/myanmar-landslide/

Structure of the Lead:

WHO- jade hunters

WHEN- November 24, 2015

WHAT- more than 100 jade hunters killed in landslide

WHY- dumping huge quantities of waste into lakes and streams or in massive    mounds which are prone to collapse.

WHERE- Myanmar

HOW- Myanmar's government has been fighting on

Keywords:

1. ravine:深谷

2. translucent: 半透明的

3. eke out: 免強維持

4. advocacy: 擁護

5. slush fund: 行賄基金

Egypt tourism teeters after Sinai plane crash

By Yolande Knell

12 November 2015

Ordinarily in November, few sun loungers would be unoccupied under the umbrellas that line the shores of Sharm el-Sheikh.

Most would be filled with Russian and British holidaymakers escaping the cold weather at home.

But now most tourists have disappeared.

"The beach is empty. It was full until a few days ago but the Russians have all gone," says Richard Bourne from Wales, who is here sunbathing with his wife.

"I feel so sorry for the people," he goes on. "I don't know how the hotels will survive the coming weeks."

Not far away, the bars and clubs of Naama Bay pump out loud music to ever-diminishing numbers of customers. Souvenir sellers and diving tutors sit idle with worried expressions.

"There's no business," bemoans Raed, who runs a store selling Pharaonic knick-knacks - from plastic scarabs to papyrus scrolls - that are usually popular with European visitors.

Redundancy fears

The resort is increasingly deserted after the plane crash which led the UK, Russia and several other countries to suspend flights here.

All 224 people onboard a Russian charter jet were killed when it came down over the north of the rugged Sinai peninsula on 31 October.

Suspicions that a bomb could have been planted onboard have raised concerns about security at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

In recent days, airlines have made special arrangements to fly out tens of thousands of passengers - without bringing in new arrivals.

"On a normal basis we would be 90% full right now, everyone would be working and everyone would be happy," says Amr Darwish, an owner of the Terrazzina beach club.

He worries he might have to lay off staff in the near future.

"We don't know when the tourists are going to be able to come back. You can't make a business plan for next week, let alone next month or next year," he adds.

According to the tourism ministry, Egypt stands to lose 2.2bn Egyptian pounds ($280m) a month after the cancellation of flights from Russia and Britain.

Two-thirds of tourists to Sharm el-Sheikh come from these two countries. The destination earns about a third of Egypt's total proceeds from tourism.

Economic impact

It was able to recover from previous shocks, including a series of deadly militant bombings along the Red Sea coast between 2004 and 2006 and a killer shark attack.

In the political turmoil since the 2011 uprising, which overthrew the long-time leader, President Hosni Mubarak, the resort has proven resilient compared to other popular attractions like the Giza Pyramids and Luxor.

Yet with the Egyptian economy still in a fragile state, the effects of the latest setback will be deeply felt.

Workers in Sharm el-Sheikh - from taxi drivers to hotel receptionists - come from across the country and send salaries home. Tourism is a vital source of foreign currency.

"This couldn't have come at a worst time," says Angus Blair of the Signet Institute, a Cairo-based economic think-tank.

"Egypt needs this [resort] economically in terms of employment and foreign exchange revenues.

"It will definitely damage sentiment and lead to problems at the central bank because clearly they're already under stress trying to access foreign currency for trade."

This week a senior Russian official warned it would take "several months, as a minimum" for Russian flights to Sharm el-Sheikh to resume as the investigation into what caused the crash continues.

He said it would be impossible to radically revise Egypt's security system quickly.

Recovery hopes

Concerns have been raised about baggage scanning procedures and searches at an entry gate for food and fuel for aircraft at Sharm el-Sheikh airport.

There are some hopes that in the short-term, Arab tourists and those from central Europe can be attracted to the resort in greater numbers.

However most business owners accept the reality is that they must brace themselves for another tough period ahead.

"It will take us time to recover but a place like this never dies," says Mr Darwish. "It's a nice resort with great weather. We have the sea, the corals, the desert. It's magical."

The Bournes, visiting from Wales, also believe in the enduring appeal of Sharm el-Sheikh - even though their holiday has been overshadowed by the plane crash which happened a day after they arrived. Their return home has been delayed by at least a day.

"This could happen anywhere, couldn't it?" Jenny Bourne comments stoically.

"I would come back again next year," her husband, Richard, says. "They just need to sort that airport out."

Egypt is counting on other tourists adopting a similar attitude.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34797165

Structure of the Lead:

WHO- vendors of Egypt

WHEN- 12 November 2015

WHAT- most tourists have disappeared in Egypt

WHY- The resort is increasingly deserted after the plane crash which led the UK, Russia and several other countries to suspend flights here.

WHERE- Egypt

HOW- not given

Keywords:

1. loungers: 躺椅

2. diminish: 減少

3. scarab: 金龜子

4. militant: 交戰

5. sentiment: 情緒

Week 6  Syrian refugees, Aylan Kurdi, Hungarian reporter, Hudea, surrender, camera, gun

Scottish government offers £75,000 to Syrian refugee aid effort

 3 January 2016

It will help the charity to provide medical aid to refugees and migrants arriving on the Greek island of Lesbos.

It adds to a previous grant of £140,000 given to the charity to support work in Greece.

Charities providing aid to Syrian refugees arriving in Europe have already received £300,000 from the Scottish government.

The grants will be used to provide items such as first aid kits, antenatal care, hygiene kits and to identify those who are severely affected by their experiences.

Last year Europe and International Development Minister Humza Yousaf travelled to Lesbos, where thousands of refugees arrive daily on their journey to Europe.

'Real difference'

He said: "I saw first-hand the scale of the need and I know these supplies will make an enormous difference.

"Volunteers and staff of international aid organisations like the Red Cross are working day in day out to provide humanitarian assistance to those arriving in Europe, having made the perilous journey across the sea.

"We are absolutely committed to helping the most vulnerable people in their hour of need. We know that we must do more to help those men, women and children coming to Europe seeking protection and refuge.

"Today's announcement of a further £75,000 will go some way towards that."

David Miller, interim UK director for the British Red Cross, said: "People are arriving in Europe with very little - some with only a family photo and the clothes they left in. Millions of people are being forced to risk their lives in a desperate search for safety as conflicts rage around the world.

"Red Cross teams have been working around the clock to provide urgently needed supplies such as food, water, nappies and hygiene kits as well as emergency medical treatment.

"We are very grateful for the grant from the Scottish government which will make a real difference to the refugees and communities affected in Greece and in neighbouring countries."

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-35192528

Structure of the Lead:

WHO- Scottish government

WHEN- 3 January 2016

WHAT- aid effort

WHY- provide medical aid

WHERE-Syrian

HOW-not given

Keywords:

1.        antenatal care: 產前保健

2.        hygiene: 衛生

3.        scale: 規模

4.        enormous: 巨大

5.        absolutely: 絕對