Recommendation 1 from ‘The Independent’
Article Name:‘The dig that may have unearthed Leonardo’s muse’
By: ‘Michael Day’
The obsession for Mona Lisa
Summary:
The article is a news item concerning the digging up of A Tuscan convent that revealed some remains supposed to be of the history’s most popular portrait –sitter Mona Lisa. Giving the details of the excavation and the possible explanations given by Silvano Vincenti , the man leading the project, it highlights his obsession about making the discovery and the subsequent objection made by one of the Mona’s descendant , concluding by talking about Vincenti’s other act involving the French masterpiece.
Learn Words from the article:
Sacrilegious: Grossly irreverent toward what is held to be sacred
Frivolous: Not serious in content, attitude or behavior
Anthropologist: A social scientist who specializes in anthropology
Recommendation 2 from ‘Project Syndicate’
Article Name:‘The Anarchist and the President’
By: ‘Silvio Waisbord’
Ecuadorian refuge to Assange
Summary:
The article talks about the Julian Assange affair, what all changes and responses it has evoked in the world of journalism. Discussing the populist movement in the European countries, the writer expresses the irony in Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa offering Assange refuge from the international dangers he is facing. Himself being a proponent of a state controlled media, Rafael has always tried to suppress any movement that questions the administration and state decisions , but now is offering shelter to Assange , the protagonist in the Wiki leaks movement , through the Ecuadorian embassy.
Learn Words from the article:
Imbroglio: An intricate and confusing interpersonal or political situation
Sycophantic: Attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
Anarchist: An advocate of anarchism, a political theory favoring the abolition of governments
Recommendation 3 from ‘The Newyorker’
Article Name:‘THE THROWAWAYS’
By: ‘SARAH STILLMAN’
The high risk lives of informants
Summary:
The article talks about the dangers faced by confidential informants sent on missions, sometimes costing them their lives. Giving the story of one such 23 year old woman, Rachael Hoffman, convicted for a drug case and subsequently sent for a mission, the writer describes the perilous activities the CI’s have to perform, why they are an easy alternate for officers and the imminent dangers faced by such informants who like Rachael often get killed in the course of undercover missions.
Learn Words from the article:
Felony: A serious crime
Shrouded: Cover as if with a shroud
Haze: Confusion characterized by lack of clarity
