Boylan Brief #71

Sharp Pain

A woman named Luo Cuifen went to a hospital in China complaining of blood in her urine when doctors discovered over two dozen needles embedded in her body. Doctors suspect that her grandparents implanted the needles when Luo was an infant because she was not male, but this cannot be proved because her grandparents are no longer living. The needles have penetrated her lungs, liver, kidney, and have punctured her brain as well. She is in desperate need of surgery, and will receive the first operation at no cost. She requires a series of complicated surgeries, and will raise money to cover the remaining costs.

- Emily Carman
Source: BBC News


The Crucible

In South Africa, two women were burned on a stake after their fellow community members charged them with witchcraft. Charges against the women arose after the students from Manhlenga High School started suffering from crying fits. The students held a meeting where the women were blamed for the laughing fits and ultimately, labeled as witches. Community members and the students took matters into their own hands by dragging 60 year old Msaba Zungu and Thabitha Thusi out of their homes to a sports field, where the torching occurred.

- Mohan Bell
News Source: BBC News

Obituary of an Opera Singer

Though Pavarotti should be celebrating Italy’s love for the portly tenor, he unfortunately passed away early in the morning of September 6, 2007. The beloved vocalist was born in Italy on October 12, 1935. The maestro began his studies in 1955 and had his professional debut in 1961. He played Rodolfo in La Boheme, which gained him critical acclaim. Like most in the music business, his big break came when his role model, Giuseppe Di Stefano, fell ill. Pavarotti was chosen to fill his position at the London Palladium. This performance was viewed by millions and he was signed to Decca after. Then, in 1966, he became the first to play Tonio in La Filled du Regiment to sing the nine high C’s of the first aria. In 1990 he became a household name with his friends Placedo Domingo and Jose Carreras, better known as The Three Tenors. In the 1990’s he went through a bitter divorce and despite the negative aspects of life, he found the time to start a benefit concert, Pavarotti and Friends. This concert included stars like Bono and the Mariah Carey. Over the years his weight became an issue and caused him to develop a pancreatic tumor. Eventually he developed pancreatic cancer. Though going through chemotherapy several times, the treatments, regrettably, did not work.

-Dominique Gauvard
News Source: BBC News