Week Six AFL3A38

SpaceX rocket successfully lands on ocean drone platform for first time

Friday 8 April 2016

By Alan Yuhas

SpaceX landed a reusable rocket on a robotic drone on Friday, its fifth attempt and a historic achievement in a budding space race between billionaires to revolutionize spaceflight.

The Falcon 9 rocket took off with a Dragon cargo capsule at 4.43pm ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida, under clear conditions.

SpaceX employees gathered around the company’s Mission Control in Hawthorne, California, cheered wildly and chanted “USA” after the booster touched down on the barge off the coast of Cape Canaveral. Previous barge attempts had failed.

The private spaceflight company, which has shuttled cargo to the International Space Station and satellites into orbit since 2012, set off to deliver 7,000lb of supplies and a habitat experiment to the station – an inflatable room for astronauts.

The Dragon and inflatable room should reach the space station on Sunday.

Elon Musk, the tech billionaire who owns SpaceX, has said he hopes to pioneer reusable rockets that will make spaceflight vastly less expensive – and thus open new frontiers of exploration and opportunity in space.

The company has attempted several landings before, none successful save one on a landing pad on solid earth. Musk hopes to land the rocket on a “drone ship” because the robotic vessel can meet the rocket on its descent, reducing fuel expenses, and because a landing at sea is safer than one near people.

A few of the attempted marine landings were almost successful. One landing was on point but “too hard for survival”, Musk said. Earlier this year, another rocket suffered a “rapid unscheduled disassembly”, as Musk put it, meaning that one of its legs broke and the rocket blew up. Last month, another attempt failed, though in windy conditions that even Musk’s optimism couldn’t quite surmount.

SpaceX’s last resupply mission to the space station also failed last year – the rocket exploded minutes after takeoff – though it has accomplished six others without incident.

Musk has a rival in Jeff Bezos, the billionaire founder of Amazon and the owner of Blue Origin, a spaceflight company that has successfully landed a smaller vehicle on solid ground three times. Unlike Musk, Bezos does not allow live broadcast of launches and landings, and his rockets do not carry cargo to the ISS.

The experimental inflatable module SpaceX carried up on Friday represents “the future”, the ISS program manager, Kirk Shireman, told reporters on Thursday. “Humans will be using these kinds of modules as we move further and further off the planet and, actually, as we inhabit low Earth orbit.”

The habitat is called the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (Beam) and it will be tested over two years to learn how it withstands the extremities of space.

Many of the other experiments being ferried to the station pertain to life sciences, and will help provide “an amazing bonanza for the biological sciences”, Nasa’s Kirt Costello told reporters at the briefing.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2016/apr/08/spacex-rocket-test-elon-musk-international-space-station

Structure of the Lead：
WHO-SpaceX
WHEN-Friday
WHAT-landed a reusable rocket on a robotic drone
WHY-not given
WHERE-not given
HOW-not given

Keywords:

1. reusable: 可再度利用的

2. rocket: 火箭

3. budding: 嶄露頭角的

4. revolutionize: 徹底變革

5. capsule: 太空艙

6. pioneer: 當先驅

7. disassemenbly: 解體

8. inflatable: 可充氣的

9. withstand: 承受

10. bonanza: 致富之源

Week Five AFL3A38

Switzerland becomes first country to submit Paris climate deal pledge

Friday 27 February 2015
By Ed King

Switzerland has become the first country to formally communicate its contribution to a UN climate change deal: 50% greenhouse gas cuts on 1990 levels by 2030.

Released on Friday, the Swiss government says 30% of those cuts will be achieved within the country, with the remaining 20% through carbon markets or other forms of offsets.

“This objective of a 50% reduction in emissions reflects Switzerland’s responsibility for climate warming and the potential cost of emissions reduction measures in Switzerland and abroad over the 2020-2030 period,” says the Swiss communication.

“Switzerland, which is responsible for 0.1% of today’s global greenhouse gas emissions and, based on the structure of its economy, has a low level of emissions (6.4 tonnes per capita per year), will use emissions reduction measures abroad to reduce the cost of emissions reduction measures during the period 2020-2030.”

Documents sent to the media say the target is “compatible” with efforts to limit warming to below 2C above pre-industrial levels. The government is also discussing a long term target to reduce emissions 70-85% by 2050 on 1990 levels.

In an email to RTCC, Switzerland’s chief climate negotiator Franz Perrez described the submission as “ambitious and forward-looking”.

“Given the reality of Switzerland with very low per capita emissions (with approximately 6 tonne per capita less than world average) and thus limited availability of cost-effective short term domestic emission reduction potential, the use of international credits meeting high environmental standards will allows Switzerland to contribute to quick emission reductions, while at the same time to continue its ambitious pathway towards further reduction of domestic emissions,” he said.

Jürg Staudenmann, a climate advisor to the Alliance Sud NGO, said the Swiss effort was “disappointing” and called for more clarity on how the 30% domestic emissions cuts would be achieved.

“There is no word about climate finance and support for developing countries,” Staudenmann said, “Switzerland has a responsibility and capacity to support developing countries.”

Switzerland’s announcement comes two days after the European Commission issued its own plans for a contribution to a UN climate deal, set to be signed in Paris this December.

It proposed Europe should aim for 40% carbon cuts on 1990 levels by 2030, although in a letter seen by RTCC, the UK’s climate secretary Ed Davey accused the Commission of watering down its ambition.

All major economies have been asked to submit their ‘Intended Nationally Determined Contributions’ before 1 October this year, after which the UN will assess whether the world is on course to avoid dangerous levels of warming.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/feb/27/switzerland-becomes-first-country-to-submit-paris-climate-deal-pledge

Structure of the Lead：
WHO-Switzerland
WHEN-Friday
WHAT-become the first country to submit Paris climate deal pledge
WHY-not given 
WHERE-not given
HOW-not given

Keywords:

1. greenhouse gas: 溫室氣體

2. emission: 排放

3. reduction: 減少

4. responsibilty: 責任

5. measure: 措施

6. domestic: 國內的

7. compatible: 兼容的

8. ambitious: 有野心的

9. forward-looking: 有遠見的

10. assess: 評估

Week Four AFL3A38

Leonardo DiCaprio finally wins best actor Oscar for Iñárritu’s The Revenant

29 February 2016

by Benjamin Lee

Leonardo DiCaprio’s portrayal of a betrayed 19th-century frontiersman seeking revenge in The Revenant has won him his first Academy Award, having missed out on four previous occasions.

Oscar winners 2016: the full list from Spotlight to Leonardo DiCaprio

 

Read more

The 41-year-old actor was the favourite to win after picking up both a Golden Globe and a Bafta for his performance. The film, which has won a number of awards at this year’s ceremony, tells the true story of Hugh Glass, who battled his way through the wilderness after being left for dead.

DiCaprio beat out competition from last year’s winner Eddie Redmayne and Michael Fassbender. He had previously been nominated for his work in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?, The Aviator, Blood Diamond and The Wolf of Wall Street.

He used his speech to warn about the effects of global warming. “Climate change is real and it’s happening right now,” he said. “It’s the most urgent threat affecting our species.” He added: “Let us not take this planet for granted. I do not take this night for granted.”

The actor’s commitment to the role had received a lot of attention. DiCaprio was said to have eaten raw bison liver and slept in animal carcasses. The film also picked up Oscars for best cinematography and best director for Alejandro González Iñárritu.

He has a number of projects in the offing but is yet to confirm what next role will be. He is loosely attached to work again with Martin Scorsese on the true story of serial killer HH Holmes, and is also set to produce a film about the Volkswagen emissions scandal.

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/feb/29/leonardo-dicaprio-wins-best-actor-oscar-for-the-revenant

Structure of the Lead：
WHO-Leonardo DiCaprio
WHEN-not given
WHAT-Leonardo DiCaprio won his first Academy Award
WHY-The Revenant 
WHERE-not given
HOW-not given

Keywords:

1. portrayal: 飾演

2. frontiersman: 拓荒者

3. revenge: 復仇

4. beat: 打敗

5. nominate: 提名

6. urgent: 緊急的

7. threat: 威脅

8. take...for granted: 把...視為理所當然

9. commitment: 承諾

10. scandal: 醜聞

Week Three AFL3A38

President Obama Shares Letter From Child Offering Home to Syrian Boy in the Ambulance

Sept. 22, 2016
by Justin Worland

President Obama sought to open hearts and minds on the Syrian refugee crisis during an appearance at the United Nations this week by sharing the words of a child who wrote to the president and offered to host the boy in the ambulance.

Six-year-old Alex wrote to Obama last month after seeing the now-famous image of Omran Daqneesh sitting calmly in the back of ambulance covered in dust and blood. “Remember the boy who was picked up by the ambulance in Syria? Can you please go get him and bring him to [my home]?” Alex wrote. “We will give him a family and he will be our brother.”

Obama suggested that such an attitude could be an antidote to wariness of refugees in today’s political environment. “The humanity that a young child can display, who hasn’t learned to be cynical, or suspicious, or fearful of other people because of where they’re from, or how they look, or how they pray, and who just understands the notion of treating somebody that is like him with compassion, with kindness,” Obama said at the Leaders Summit on Refugees. “We can all learn from Alex.”

The message came as controversy on social media continued over a tweet from Donald Trump Jr. likening refugees to Skittles. “If I had a bowl of skittles and I told you just three would kill you. Would you take a handful?” the post asked.

http://time.com/4503985/obama-boy-in-ambulance-syria/

Structure of the Lead：
WHO-president Obama and six-year-old Alex
WHEN-last month
WHAT-a child wrote letter to president Obama
WHY-offer to host the boy in the ambulance in Syria
WHERE-not given
HOW-not given

Keywords:

1. refugee: 難民

2. crisis: 危機

3. humanity: 人性

4. cynical: 憤世嫉俗的

5. suspicious: 多疑的

6. compassion: 同情

7. controversy: 爭論

8. antidote: 解藥

9. wariness: 注意

10. ambulance: 救護車

Week Two AFL3A38

At least 39 killed in Paris 'terror' attacks, France enters 'emergency'

November 14, 2015
by Eric Randolph

PARIS - At least 39 people were killed in an "unprecedented" series of bombings and shootings across Paris on Friday.
Hostages were taken and at around 2335 GMT, police stormed the venue accompanied by a series of explosions.Police said at least 15 people were killed at the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris, only some 200 meters (yards) from the former offices of Charlie Hebdo which were attacked by jihadists in January.
At least three people were killed near the Stade de France stadium which is situated in the north of the capital, where France were playing Germany in a football match watched by President Francois Hollande.
An AFP journalist heard multiple explosions.
One explosion was a suicide attack, several sources said.
A source close to the investigation said at least 39 people had been killed.
"Terrorist attacks of an unprecedented level are underway across the Paris region," Hollande said in an emotional televised message.
"There are several dozen dead. It's a horror," he said.
One witness at the Bataclan described a scene of carnage at the concert hall.
"I saw 20 to 25 bodies lying on the floor and people were very badly injured, gunshot wounds," Julien Pierce told Europe 1 radio.
"Some of them were dead. Some of them were very badly wounded, but it was a bloodbath."

State of Emergency
Hollande declared a state of emergency across the entire country and said the borders had been closed.
The military had been mobilized to reinforce police and ensure no further attacks took place, he said.
Another attack was reported at a Cambodian restaurant called Petit Cambodge, not far from the Bataclan venue in northeast Paris.
Counter-terrorism prosecutors said they had opened a preliminary investigation.

'They opened fire'
At the Stade de France, Hollande was attending the match and had to be hastily evacuated.
Spectators flooded the pitch as news of the attacks spread before organisers started an evacuation.
The mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, called for residents to stay at home.
"We heard gunfire, 30 seconds of fire, it was interminable, we thought it was fireworks," said Pierre Montfort, who lives near rue Bichat, where the Cambodian restaurant is located.
"Everyone was on the floor, no one moved," said another eyewitness who had been at the Petit Cambodge restaurant.
"A girl was carried by a young man in his arms. She appeared to be dead."

The toll "will be much heavier" than the initial confirmed deaths, a security source said.

http://www.chinapost.com.tw/international/europe/2015/11/14/450927/At-least.htm



Structure of the Lead：
WHO-not given
WHEN-Friday
WHAT-at least 39 people were killed in an "unprecedented" series of bombings and shootings
WHY-not given
WHERE-Paris
HOW-bombings and shootings

Keywords:

1. bombing: 炸彈

2. shooting: 槍擊

3. hostage: 人質

4. explosion: 爆炸

5. suicide: 自殺

6. attack: 攻擊

7. terrorist: 恐怖主義的

8. carnage: 大屠殺

9. reinforce: 增強

10. evacuate: 撤離

Week One AFL3A38

Pakistan’s Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousufzai to visit Taiwan

Fri, Apr 17, 2015

 by Staff writer, with CNA

Pakistani campaigner for female education and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousufzai is to visit Taiwan, possibly in August, according to a government-funded foundation that has invited her.

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy president Huang Teh-fu (黃德福) yesterday said that Yousufzai has accepted the foundation’s invitation.

The foundation is planning to award her a prize in recognition of her contributions to society, Huang said during a legislative committee hearing, in response to questions from lawmakers on which international visitors the foundation plans to invite to Taiwan.

Yousafzai shared last year’s Nobel Peace Prize with children’s rights activist Kailash Satyarthi of India, who founded the Bachpan Bachao Andolan, or the Save the Childhood Movement.

At 17, Yousufzai is the youngest-ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Born in Pakistan, Yousufzai became an outspoken advocate for girls’ education and a thorn in the side of the Taliban, leading to her being shot in the head by a Taliban gunman in 2012 on her way home from school.

She was gravely injured, but survived after being taken to a UK for specialist treatment.

That did not stop her campaign. Since her recovery, she has continued to speak out on the importance of education, which earned her the Nobel Peace Prize last year.

Huang said that his foundation would continue its efforts to invite Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who is also a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The foundation extended an invitation to the democracy activist last year, but she declined it, citing the tense political situation in her nation, Huang said.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2015/04/17/2003616145

Structure of the Lead：

     WHO-Malala Yousufzai

     WHEN-August

     WHAT-visit Taiwan

     WHY-a government-funded foundation that has invited her

     WHERE-Taiwan

     HOW-not given

Keywords:

    1. invitation: 邀請

    2. award: 授予

    3. prize: 獎

    4. activist: 積極分子

    5. advocate: 提倡者

    6. education: 教育

    7. injured: 受傷的

    8. decline: 婉拒

    9. tense: 緊張的

    10. political: 政治的