News feed：Local cinema's suffering
【明報專訊】UA CINEMAS, one of Hong Kong's major cinema chains that opened in 1985, announced its closure early this month, due to financial pressure posed by the pandemic. Some citizens felt that was a pity, some thought the government should have rescued it, and some said it was a natural development following the rise of online streaming platforms like Netflix. Also, it was the first to introduce IMAX, a screening tech, to the city.
Meghan's accusation
MEGHAN MARKLE, the wife of Prince Harry, UK Queen Elizabeth II's grandson, accused the UK royalty of racism on a US TV show, dealing a blow to the monarchy. The show garnered around a global audience of 50 million. Meghan said she had suffered from mental health issues but no help had been offered and claimed that someone had referred to her son's skin colour with racist intention, which had made her harbour suicidal thoughts. Some sympathise with her, while some think she did wrong.
Hong Kong knocked out
HONG KONG has been kicked off the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom, an annual ranking compiled by a US think tank, who referred to the national security law and arrests of activists as reasons. Hong Kong topped the ranking for more than 20 years until Singapore overtook its place last year. Hong Kong and Macao are included in China's ranking, which is ranked 107th, instead. Financial Secretary Paul Chan hit back and said the report had been ''clouded by political bias''. A US newspaper criticised Paul Chan as being an ''illusionist''.
■Gear up
According to the passages on this page, circle the correct answers.
(1) UA Cinemas has a history of less than 30 years.
( True / False / Not given )
(2) Hong Kong is not on last year's Index of Economic Freedom ranking.
( True / False / Not given )
(3)Meghan Markle is Prince Harry's mother.
( True / False / Not given )
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
streaming (n) 串流
cloud (v) 使迷惑
bias (n) 偏見
garner (v) 積累
[Smarties' Power English 第307期]
Infographic：Hong Kong : A cramped city
【明報專訊】Demographia, a public policy institution, released the 2021 Inte... 詳情
