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Pakistan's president declares state of emergency

Israel's premier has prostrate cancer (Oct. 30, 2007)

Britain pulls out of Iraq

Russia reestablishes relations with Cuba (9/1/08)

OLMERT SAYS CANCER WON'T SLOW HIM
(LA Times, Oct. 30, 2007)

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The World in a Nutshell

www.enisen.com

 Article
Activities/Discussion/Debate

1)  Headline: Olmert says cancer won't slow him. (Web version) Israeli leader has prostrate cancer.

a.       (Dek) The Israeli premier tells his nation that he will remain on the job. He intends to have surgery after a planned summit.
(Dek, web version) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he will have a malignant tumor surgically removed after a U.S. summit on Middle East peace.

b.      (Own words). Israel's prime minister has prostrate cancer but will continue to work. He'll have surgery after a future summit on the Middle East.

2)      Questions?
What is prostrate cancer? How will it affect him? Can he die? What will happen if he dies? What's happening at the summit? Why will he wait until after the summit to have surgery?
 

3)      Who’s who?

Ehud Olmert -- Israel's premier (prime minister) who took office in January 2006 after PRime Minister Ariel Sharon fell into a coma.

Ariel Sharon -- Israel's former prime minister who suffered two strokes and fell into a coma.

4)      Where is it?

5)      Back Story
Leaders in Israel are not required to issue regular reports on their health but Olmert said "the citizens of Israel have a right to know"

6)      Details

7)      Controversy?
a. Israeli politicians praised the prime minister for his quick, forthright disclosure
b. But some made jabs at his shortcomings as a leader.
c. Accusations suggest that Olmert's serene, confident public demeanor in handling his cancer diagnosis seemed aimed at dispelling his image as a weak leader under siege.
d. Olmert and his government are being investigated by a state-appointed panel for their conduct of the cross-border war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon.
Also allegations that Olmert used public office before he became prime minister to improperly change rules, influence government decisions, or benefit political or business partners. 

8)      Why is it news?
a. Israeli leaders normally do not reveal their medical status.
      See Levy Eshkol, Golda Meir and Menachem Begin who hid
     ailments.
b. Israel's former prime minister went into a coma. 

9)    Why it matters
a. Olmert's health may affect Israeli politics.
b. The diagnosis may play a role in the upcoming summit.

10)      Why it matters to you

11)  Future (as predicted in story)

12)  Future (what to look for)
a. Will Olmert's cancer help win him popularity?
b. Will it affect his performance?
c. Will the cancer play a role in the upcoming summit?
d. Will it affect Israeli-Palestinian relations?

13)  Vocabulary

14)  Summary

a.       Who?

b.      What?

c.       Why?

d.      When?

e.       Where?

f.        How?

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