Around the world

Argentina

Court rules for orangutan rights

An orangutan held in an Argentine zoo can be freed and transferred to a sanctuary after a court recognized the ape as a "nonhuman person" that was unlawfully deprived of its freedom, local media reported on Sunday. Animal rights campaigners filed a habeas corpus petition that is normally used to challenge the legality of a person's detention or imprisonment. The petition was filed in November on behalf of Sandra, a 29-year-old Sumatran orangutan at a Buenos Aires zoo.

United States

Hackers steal Madonna music

Pop icon Madonna has something in common with Sony Pictures: Her unreleased music was hacked this month. "This is the age that we're living in. It's crazy," she told Billboard magazine, when asked about the investigation into how at least 10 of her unfinished, unreleased songs were leaked onto the Internet.

TV newsman's cancer in remission

Tom Brokaw says his cancer is in remission. The veteran NBC newsman announced on Sunday that after months of chemotherapy he soon will begin a drug maintenance program. Sharing with colleagues what he called "very encouraging news," Brokaw's internal memo noted that a year ago his future was "more uncertain than I cared to acknowledge".

Marshall Islands

'Delicate' coral reefs threatened

The Marshall Islands is experiencing its worst ever coral bleaching as global warming threatens reefs across the entire northern Pacific, scientists said Monday. In warm water, coral expels algae that lives symbiotically in its crevices, and it turns white. Corals can survive a bleaching event, but they are under more stress and may die. Marine researchers said an El Nino weather pattern had been developing in recent months, raising ocean temperatures and stressing delicate coral reefs.

United Kingdom

'Perfect actress' dies aged 82

British actress Billie Whitelaw, famous for her intense collaboration with playwright Samuel Beckett, who wrote several roles for her, died on Sunday at age 82, her son told the BBC. Described by Beckett as the "perfect actress", Whitelaw became the playwright's muse, and they created a series of experimental performances together.

Xinhua - AFP - AP - Reuters

(China Daily 12/23/2014 page10)