READING LOG: NEWS


Name: Salsabilla Noviane Ramadhani

NPM: 232122053

Class: A

 

Day 1

Saturday

Date: 13 April 2024

Time

21.00-21.40

Title

-        ‘Huge amount’ of Gaza surgery on children, says UK doctor

-        The scientists learning to speak whale

-        Woman who won National Poetry Competition recall ‘blanking out’

Sources

-        'Huge amount' of Gaza surgery on children, says UK doctor (bbc.com)

-        The scientists learning to speak whale (bbc.com)

-        Woman who won National Poetry Competition recalls 'blanking out' (bbc.com)

Newsworthy event (Main event)

-        Dr. Victoria Rose recently returned from Gaza. She highlighted the significant number of children she treated for injuries sustained during the conflict. The article also mentions the destruction of hospitals and the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza.

-        Scientists have achieved a significant breakthrough by engaging in a "conversation" with a humpback whale named Twain off the coast of Alaska. Using recordings of humpback greeting calls played through an underwater speaker, researchers were surprised when Twain responded in a conversational manner, circling their vessel for 20 minutes. This unprecedented interaction has prompted efforts to understand the communicative complexity and intelligence of whales, potentially offering insights into alien communication.

-        Imogen Wade, a writer from Harlow, Essex, won the National Poetry Competition with a poem inspired by her real-life experience of being abducted in New York. Her poem triumphed over 19,000 entries, earning her a prize of £5,000. Wade humorously remarked that the prize money allowed her to "make back" the money she lost when she was mugged at the age of 19.

Background event (Elaboration)

-        The conflict escalated with Hamas attacking Israeli communities near Gaza in October, resulting in casualties and the taking of hostages. This led to a retaliatory response from Israel, resulting in a significant number of casualties and widespread destruction, including damage to hospitals and infrastructure. The conflict has caused immense suffering, with many civilians, including children, being wounded or killed, and has exacerbated issues such as food scarcity and lack of medical resources in Gaza.

-        The background event of the news is a groundbreaking interaction between scientists and humpback whales off the coast of south-east Alaska in 2021. During this encounter, researchers played a recording of a humpback greeting call using an underwater speaker, and to their surprise, one humpback whale named Twain responded in a conversational manner, circling the research vessel for 20 minutes. This event marked a significant step towards understanding the communicative complexity and intelligence of whales, potentially leading to insights into non-human intelligence and aiding efforts in deciphering extraterrestrial communication.

-        Imogen Wade winning the National Poetry Competition with a poem based on her experience of being abducted in New York. This prestigious competition receives thousands of entries from around the world, and Wade's poem stood out among them, earning her recognition and a monetary prize. Her victory highlights both her talent as a poet and the power of personal experience in artistic expression.

New vocabularies found

1.     Unprecedented

2.     Triumphed

Comment

 

 

Day 2

Sunday

Date: 14 April 2024

Time

21.15-21.50

Title

-        Dozens trapped in tunnels after Taiwan’s strongest quake in 25 years kills at least nine

-        Rare photos give a glimpse of into the lives of wild cats in Malaysia’s tropical jungles.

-        Suicide is on the rise for young American, with no clear answers

Sources

-        Hualien, Taiwan earthquake: Dozens trapped in tunnels after strongest quake in 25 years kills at least nine | CNN

-        Images of Malaysian wild cats you’ve probably never heard of | CNN

-        Suicide is on the rise for young Americans, with no clear answers (bbc.com)

Newsworthy event (Main event)

-        A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake striking Taiwan, causing significant damage, casualties, and trapping dozens of people in highway tunnels.

-        The spotlight on Malaysia's wild cat species, including the Malayan tiger and lesser-known species like the flat-headed cat and the bay cat. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these endangered cats from threats such as habitat loss and poaching.

-        The news highlights the alarming increase in suicides among young Americans, illustrated by the tragic story of Ben Salas, a talented student and athlete who took his own life.

Background event (Elaboration)

-        The earthquake, the strongest in Taiwan in 25 years, hit the east coast, killing at least nine people and injuring over 900. Dozens are trapped in highway tunnels, and rescuers are working to free them. Aftershocks have been felt across the island, with significant damage reported, including collapsed buildings, landslides, and road closures. Tsunami warnings were issued but later lifted, and authorities are assessing the full extent of the damage.

-        The background event or elaboration from the news is the focus on Malaysia's diverse wild cat species, including the Malayan tiger and other lesser-known species like the flat-headed cat and the bay cat. Conservation efforts are highlighted, addressing threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Camera traps and photography help raise awareness and understanding of these elusive felines, contributing to conservation initiatives aimed at protecting their habitats and populations.

-        The background event centers around the rising trend of suicides among young Americans, exemplified by the tragic case of Ben Salas. This increase, reaching a record high of 50,000 cases in the US last year, has prompted concerns and efforts to provide support, particularly on college campuses like North Carolina State University, where multiple suicides have occurred. Factors contributing to this trend include the COVID-19 pandemic, social media influence, and financial pressures. Despite efforts to address the issue, the underlying reasons for the rise in suicides remain unclear, highlighting the need for further research and support initiatives.

New vocabularies found

1.     Endangered

2.     Poaching

Comment

 

 

Day 3

Monday

Date: 15 April 2024

Time

22.05-22.40

Title

-        The legal battles changing the course of climate change

-        The bloody turtle video that sparked a plastic

-        Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue raises £250,000 for new home

Sources

-        The legal battles changing the course of climate change (bbc.com)

-        The bloody turtle video that sparked a plastic straw revolution (bbc.com)

-        Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue raises £250,000 for new home (bbc.com)

Newsworthy event (Main event)

-        The significant increase in climate lawsuits globally, targeting governments, fossil fuel companies, and airlines. These lawsuits aim to hold these entities accountable for their contribution to climate change and push for more robust climate action.

-        The viral video showing a turtle with a plastic straw lodged in its nostril, which sparked a global movement to eliminate plastic straws and raise awareness about the harmful effects of plastic pollution on marine life.

-        Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue has successfully raised £250,000 for new premises after being given notice to leave its current site by October.

Background event (Elaboration)

-        The surge in climate litigation globally, with a notable increase in lawsuits targeting governments, fossil fuel firms, and airlines. These lawsuits seek to address climate change through legal means, ranging from inadequate state carbon reduction targets to corporate inaction and misinformation, as well as claims for climate-related damages. This rise in climate lawsuits has been fueled by landmark cases like Urgenda's successful lawsuit against the Dutch government and the recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights against Switzerland for insufficient action on climate change, highlighting the growing importance of legal action in the fight against climate change.

-        The incident in 2015 where a marine biologist filmed the removal of a plastic straw from a turtle's nostril, highlighting the detrimental impact of plastic pollution on marine life and catalyzing a global movement to reduce single-use plastics.

-        Oxfordshire Wildlife Rescue faced the challenge of finding new premises after being asked to leave its current site by October. To address this, the charity launched a fundraising campaign with a target of £250,000 to purchase land for a new animal hospital. Through a combination of local private investors offering a loan and funds raised through the appeal, the charity has achieved its goal. The successful fundraising efforts have relieved staff of significant stress, and discussions are underway regarding potential locations for the new facility. The charity's ongoing efforts will focus on repaying the loan while continuing to provide vital rescue services for thousands of animals each year.

New vocabularies found

1.     Robust

2.     Nostril

3.     Inadequate

Comment

 

 

Day 4

Tuesday

Date: 16 April 2024

Time

22.05-22.40

Title

-         The legal battles changing the course of climate change

-        Guernsey bat calls analysed using AI

-        Sudan civil war: The children living between starvation and death in Darfur

Sources

-        The legal battles changing the course of climate change (bbc.com)

-        Guernsey bat calls analysed using AI (bbc.com)

-        Sudan civil war: The children living between starvation and death in Darfur (bbc.com)

Newsworthy event (Main event)

-        Climate litigation has surged globally, with governments, fossil fuel firms, and airlines facing lawsuits over climate change. Landmark cases like Urgenda's successful lawsuit against the Dutch government and a recent ruling by the European Court of Human Rights against Switzerland highlight the growing impact of legal action. These lawsuits are reshaping public narratives, influencing government and corporate policies, and setting precedents for climate action worldwide.

-        Artificial intelligence (AI) has been utilized for the first time in the Bailiwick of Guernsey to analyze bat calls, distinguishing between social calls and feeding buzzes in different bat species. This innovative approach, believed to be a world first, aids in the identification of bat species and contributes to bat conservation efforts. Millions of sound recordings collected by volunteers were analyzed through AI and manual auditing, providing crucial data for environmental decision-making and biodiversity conservation.

-        The dire humanitarian crisis in Sudan's Darfur region, exacerbated by a civil war that has led to widespread starvation and death, particularly among children. Aid agencies report acute malnutrition rates far above emergency thresholds, with limited access to food, clean water, and healthcare. The situation is worsened by violence, looting, and barriers to humanitarian assistance. Efforts to address the crisis are hindered by logistical challenges and bureaucratic obstacles, with urgent appeals for increased international aid and access to affected populations.

Background event (Elaboration)

-        Climate lawsuits are increasing globally, targeting governments and corporations for inadequate action on climate change. Successful cases have led to policy changes, such as emissions cuts in the Netherlands and the release of climate plans in Australia. However, challenges like enforcement issues and potential legal backlash persist.

-        In the Bailiwick of Guernsey, volunteers collected millions of sound recordings of bat calls. To analyze these recordings, an innovative approach utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) was employed for the first time. The AI technology distinguished between social calls and feeding buzzes in various bat species. This pioneering method aids in identifying bat species and contributes to conservation efforts for these animals. The initiative highlights the potential of AI in environmental decision-making and biodiversity conservation.

-        The background event of the news is the civil war in Sudan, which erupted a year ago between the army and an armed paramilitary group, leading to mass displacement and humanitarian crises. The conflict has severely disrupted farming, exacerbated by violence and insecurity, resulting in widespread food shortages and malnutrition, particularly affecting vulnerable populations like children and pregnant women. Access to healthcare and basic services has also deteriorated, with aid agencies struggling to provide assistance amid logistical challenges and bureaucratic hurdles.

New vocabularies found

1.     Dire

2.     Bureaucratic

Comment

 

 

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