News Mash-up: Political Trouble

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Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. fury / ˈfyʊər i / (n.) – intense anger
    Example:

    The man’s fury was obvious; his face was bright red.


  2. diversion / dɪˈvɜr ʒən / (n.) – the act of changing the direction of something from its original path to a new one
    Example:

    Many people criticized the diversion of resources from healthcare to defense.


  3. foe / foʊ / (n.) – an enemy
    Example:

    The two senators have been foes for years. They really dislike each other.


  4. mutinous / ˈmyut n əs / (adj.) – refusing to obey or rebelling against people in authority
    Example:

    Some mutinous sailors tried to take control of the ship.


  5. swear in / swɛər ɪn / (phrasal v.) – to officially place someone in an office or position through a ceremony where he/she makes a formal promise to be loyal and honest in his/her job
    Example:

    The fire department’s new chief was sworn in last Tuesday.


Article

Read the text below.

EU to sanction Belarus after plane diversion


The European Union agreed May 24 to impose sanctions on Belarus, including banning its airlines from using the airspace and airports of the 27-nation bloc, amid fury over the forced diversion of a passenger jet to arrest an opposition journalist.


Reacting to what EU leaders called a “hijacking” of the Ryanair jetliner flying from Greece to Lithuania on May 23, they also demanded the immediate release of the journalist, Raman Pratasevich, a key foe of authoritarian Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.


Ryanair said Belarusian flight controllers warned the crew of a bomb threat and ordered the jet to land. (AP)


Mali’s president, PM arrested by soldiers


Mutinous soldiers on May 24 arrested Mali’s transitional president and prime minister, hours after a government reshuffle left out two members of the junta that had seized power in a coup nine months earlier, the African Union and United Nations said.


President Bah N’Daw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were taken to the Kati military headquarters.


The two leaders were sworn in last September after the ruling military junta agreed to hand over power to a civilian transitional government under growing international pressure. (AP)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • Belarus forced a diversion of a passenger jet to arrest an opposition journalist. Do you think that it’s ever reasonable for a country to suddenly stop or change a passenger jet’s flight to arrest someone (ex. a very dangerous criminal)? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • The EU imposed sanctions on Belarus, including banning its airlines from using the airspace and airports of the EU member countries. Do you think it was right for the EU to step in and impose sanctions on Belarus after the incident? Why or why not? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • Mali’s transitional president and prime minister were sworn in last September after the ruling military junta agreed to hand over power to a civilian transitional government under growing international pressure. Do you think the international community should have the power to influence a country’s government? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Why do you think it’s common for military forces in some countries to seize control of the government (ex. they feel the country is being run incorrectly, they want power)? Discuss.