News feed：A whitewashed cover
【明報專訊】TWO cover images released by Vogue, a US monthly fashion magazine, sparked a controversy. Kamala Harris, the US's first Black and Indian-American vice president, was shown wearing a black trouser suit with casual trainers. In another photo, she wears a powder-blue suit and crosses her arms. Moreover, her skin colour seems rather light. People suspected that it had been ''whitewashed'' and thought that the dressing was too informal for a vice president. The magazine defended all this by saying that the design represented a black woman who could be smart and successful at the same time.
Elderly ride scheme
EARLY last year Chief Executive Carrie Lam proposed that the eligible age of the Public Transport Fare Concession Scheme for the Elderly be lowered from 65 to 60. The Labour and Welfare chief has suggested that red minibuses, ferry services, etc. be covered. A personal Octopus card will be required to avoid abuse. However, that has led to concern that the scheme would pile more pressure on the public purse. He said the subsidised fare could be increased from HK$2 to HK$3 to take into account factors such as inflation. The new scheme is expected to be launched early next year.
No travel rush this year
AROUND 29 provinces and cities including Beijing and Shanghai urged their citizens, especially migrant workers, not to travel to other regions for Lunar New Year celebration. To encourage them to do so, local governments have collaborated with businesses to give people red pockets, subsidies, bed and board, bonus points for school application, etc.
■Gear up
According to the passages on this page, circle the correct answers.
(1) All Chinese provinces have urged people not to go back to their hometowns.
( True / False / Not given )
(2) The subsidised fare for the elderly has already been increased from HK$2 to HK$3.
( True / False / Not given )
(3)Two Vogue cover images featuring the current US vice president caused a controversy.
( True / False / Not given )
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
spark (v) 觸發
eligible (adj) 合資格的
public purse (n) 公帑
bed and board (n) 住宿
[Smarties' Power English 第301期]
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