Week Three - North Korea nuclear

North Korea nuclear: State claims first hydrogen bomb test

North Korea says it has successfully carried out its first underground test of a hydrogen bomb - a more powerful weapon than an atomic bomb.If true it would be its fourth nuclear test since 2006 and mark a huge advance in its nuclear capabilities.The announcement was swiftly criticised by world leaders with South Korea calling it "a grave provocation to our national security".But there has been no independent confirmation of the North's claim yet.

Suspicion an underground test had been carried out was first raised after the US Geological Survey detected unusual seismic activity at 10:00 Pyongyang time (01:30 GMT) - in the north-east of the country,A 5.1 magnitude tremor was detected about 50km (30 miles) from Kilju city, near the Punggye-ri nuclear site, which monitors said was likely not natural.Hours later, in a surprise announcement, a newsreader on North Korean state TV said: "The republic's first hydrogen bomb test has been successfully performed at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016."North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had said last month that Pyongyang had developed a hydrogen bomb, although many experts were sceptical.It could be days or weeks before independent tests are able to verify or dismiss the recent claim.Hours before the seismic activity, South Korean media reported that Pyongyang had test-fired a ballistic missile from a submarine in late December. It is unclear whether the test was successful or not.North Korea said in May it had conducted a similar successful submarine launch.

(Vocabulary)
1. capability (n.) 才能、能力、容量、性能

2. provocation (n.) 挑釁、激怒、刺激、憤怒

3. seismic (adj.) 地震、由地震引起的、(轉變.變化)突如其來的、巨大的

4. magnitude (n.) 巨大、重大、量級；(地震)級數

5. tremor (n.) 震顫、戰慄；大地的搖動或震動

6. sceptical (adj.) 懷疑的 {亦可寫作”skeptical”}

7. dismiss (v.) 解雇、把...免職、解散(隊伍等)、駁回、拒絕受理

8. test-fired (v.) 試驗發射

9. ballistic (adj.) 彈道學的、飛行物體的

10. submarine (n.) 潛艇 (adj.) 海底的


(5W1H)

Who: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

Why: no mentioned

What: successfully carried out its first underground test of a hydrogen bomb

When: at 10:00 am on January 6, 2016

Where: North Korean

How: nuclear test since 2006 and had test-fired a ballistic missile

(Info source): http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35240012

Week Two - Documentary ‘Beyond Beauty’ Captures Taiwan From Above

Documentary ‘Beyond Beauty’ Captures Taiwan From Above

It has been said that when the early Portuguese explorers first laid eyes on Taiwan in the 1500s, they were so impressed with the island’s lush green mountains and pristine turquoise shorelines that they decided to name the place “Ilha Formosa” — beautiful island — on the spot.

More than 500 years later, as Taiwan transforms from an agrarian society to a high-tech-dominated economy, many of the majestic peaks that took the settlers’ breath away have been sullied by residential blocks, tea plantations, and high-end hotels. The once clear waters off its beaches are also discolored by the massive amount of chemical waste discharged by factories each year.

“In a way, what happened in Taiwan is a reflection of what’s happening in many parts of the world,” said Chi Po-lin, the director of this year’s Golden Horse Awards winner for best documentary, “Beyond Beauty, Taiwan from Above.”

The 48-year-old aerial photographer-turned-filmmaker used to work for the government’s National Highway Engineering Bureau, taking tens of thousands images of the island during helicopter trips over the past two decades.

Sitting in his small Taipei office, lined with books on Taiwan’s landscape and geography, he said he had long wanted to make a movie based on his photographs, but for years it seemed like a far-fetched dream. That changed in 2009, when French photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand released his aerial documentary “Home” on climate change and global warming.

Mr. Chi said his motivation for making “Beyond” was not to point a finger at a certain industry or even the government, but to present a realistic view of Taiwan’s growing environmental problems. His hope is to make people think twice the next time they throw out the garbage or turn on the faucet.

In his 93-minute film, audiences are taken on a bird’s-eye journey by helicopter across Taiwan’s various landscapes, with background music by award-winning composer Ricky Ho. While the movie documents Taiwan’s rich biodiversity, it also bears witness to the worsening devastation wrought by humans.

(Vocabulary)

1. lay eyes on  (phr.) 看見；放眼

2. on the spot  (phr.) 當場

3. take breath away (phr.) 屏息凝神

4. high-end (adj.) 高檔的

5. documentary (adj.) 紀錄片的  (n.) 紀錄片

6. aerial (adj.) 航空的；空中的

7. far-fetched (adj.) 牽強的；遙遠的；不著邊際的

8. point a finger at (phr.) 指責...

9. biodiversity (n.) 生物多樣性

10. wrought (v.) 造成了(尤指變化)；使發生了

(5W1H):

Who: The 48-year-old aerial photographer-turned-filmmaker, Chi Po-lin

Why: to make people think twice the next time they throw out the garbage or turn on the faucet.

What: Mr.Chi made the documentary “Beyond Beauty”

When: 2009

Where: Taiwan

How: to present a realistic view of Taiwan’s growing environmental problems

(Info source): http://blogs.wsj.com/scene/2013/11/27/documentary-beyond-beauty-captures-taiwan-from-above/

Week One - National Taichung Theater

National Taichung Theater gears up for grand opening

National Taichung Theater’s Nov. 23 inauguration is set for celebration with a diverse array of headline events, according to Taichung City Government.

Featuring concerts, dance shows, laser displays and theater performances, the inauguration culminates with the premiere of “Cat Man,” a special production by Taiwan opera company Ming Hwa Yuan Arts and Cultural Group.

Susan Yeh, director-general of TCG’s Cultural Affairs Bureau, said Nov. 10 that the events organized by the city government are greatly anticipated. “Over 20,000 visitors have participated in art-related activities around the theater, with more than 5,000 having entered the structure to experience its aesthetics.”

According to Yeh, performance groups will stage free concerts at the NTT’s outdoor square starting Nov. 14, including a National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra extravaganza Nov. 23.

Inside the theater, Paper Windmill Theatre will follow Ming Hwa Yuan with a two-day performance of “Don Quixote” Nov. 27-28, she said. “More acts are set for December, featuring such acclaimed artists as violin maestro Hu Nai-yuan, Taiwan Connection Chamber Orchestra and Ju Percussion Group.”

Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Toyo Ito, the theater is the first in the world to comprise an entirely beamless design with irregular curved walls. It boasts a 2,014-seat grand theater, an 800-seat theater and 200-seat black box.

NTT is central Taiwan’s first national-level performing arts venue. Together with National Theater and Concert Hall in Taipei City, as well as Wei-Wu-Ying Center for the Arts in Kaohsiung City, the facility is expected to help usher in a new era for Taiwan’s cultural scene. 

{-Vocabulary-}

1. inauguration (n.) 就職典禮

2.culminate (v.) 達到最高點

3.premiere (n.) 初次公演；首映

4.director-general (n.) 局長

5.aesthetics (n.) 美學；美術理論

6.extravaganza (n.) 盛大(比賽)；盛事

7.acclaimed (adj.) 受歡迎的

8.maestro (n.) 音樂大師(尤其指指揮)；藝術大師

9.Percussion (n.) 敲打；碰撞 (本文中指打擊樂)

10. laureate (n.) (資金、榮譽)獲得者

{-5W1H-}

Who: Susan Yeh, director-general of TCG’s (台中市政府) Cultural Affairs Bureau.

Why: being expected to help usher in a new era for Taiwan’s cultural scene. 

What: inauguration and the following celebrating events organized by the city government.

When: Nov.~Dec.

Where: Taichung, Taiwan

How: Designed by Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Toyo Ito, the theater is the first in the world to comprise an entirely beamless design with irregular curved walls.

{Info sources}: http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=223883&ctNode=445