TRAINS COLLIDE HEAD-ON IN POLAND, AT LEAST 16 DEAD INCLUDING AMERICAN

An American woman is among the at least 16 people killed, while more than 50 more were injured after two trains collided head-on in Poland over the weekend.
Rhiannon Mills with FOX sister network SKY News has details:

Audio clip:

It’s believed that both the trains were heading towards each other on the same track as one was traveling to Krakow, and the other to Warsaw.  A member of the state railway company said the Krakow train should not have been on that line.  Maintenance work was being carried out on one of the tracks close to where it happened.
Poland’s Transport Minister has described this as one of the worst railway accidents of the last few years.  Only as daylight comes may the cause of the crash become more clear.
Rhiannon Mills, SKY News.

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Cold Snap Hits Europe

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• cold snap: a sudden occurrence of extreme winter weather
• disrupt: to cause disorder or to prevent the regular operation of something
• avalanche: a rush of snow down a mountain or hillside
• cut off: to no longer provide service
• fatality: death

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Cold Snap Hits Europe

Severe winter conditions that hit Europe last week are  to continue for a few more days. Hundreds of homeless people have died, and transportation has been disrupted in both  and Western Europe. In Bosnia, officials declared a state of emergency as  was cut off from thousands of residents, and cars became trapped in avalanches. Helicopters were sent in to rescue people from remote villages. Rome received the highest snowfall in 25 years, making it almost  for people to attend school or work. In Ukraine, where the highest number of fatalities was recorded, night temperatures dipped as low as -33 degrees Celsius. minimal snowfall in London, approximately half of Monday’s flights were cancelled at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport.

Comprehension Questions

1. Why are Europeans finding it hard to go to work and school?
2. Why did Bosnia declare a state of emergency?
3. What was significant about the precipitation in Rome?

Discussion Question: In Poland, homeless shelters are banned from admitting people who are drunk. This ban was waived during the cold snap. Do you think drunk people should be banned from homeless shelters? Why or why not.

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Cold Snap Hits Europe
Severe winter conditions that hit Europe last week are expected to continue for a few more days. Hundreds of homeless people have died, and transportation has been disrupted in both Eastern and Western Europe. In Bosnia, officials declared a state of emergency as power was cut off from thousands of residents, and cars became trapped in avalanches. Helicopters were sent in to rescue people from remote villages. Rome received the highest snowfall in 25 years, making it almost impossible for people to attend school or work. In Ukraine, where the highest number of fatalities was recorded, night temperatures dipped as low as -33 degrees Celsius. Despite minimal snowfall in London, approximately half of Monday’s flights were cancelled at Heathrow, Europe’s busiest airport.

1. Europeans are finding it hard to go to work and school because of severe winter conditions.
2. Bosnia declared a state of emergency because the power was cut off to so many people.
3. Rome received the highest amount of snowfall in 25 years.

US Pakistan Relations Worsen

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• allegedly: believed by many to be true, but not yet proven
• checkpoint: a place where security checks people going in or out
• troops: groups of soldiers
• tense: full of stress; not relaxed
• CIA agent: a person who works for America’s Central Intelligence Agency

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US Pakistan Relations Worsen

At least 24 Pakistani  were allegedly killed in a NATO airstrike this past Saturday. The airstrikes took place at a checkpoint that had been  to prevent Taliban in Afghanistan from crossing the poorly marked border. Pakistan quickly closed both border crossings into  and ordered a review of all military, political, and intelligence relations with the US. Troops in Afghanistan receive at least half of their  via these land  . Supply trucks piled up at the blocked borders immediately following the closure. US-Pakistan relations were already tense following a double murder involving a CIA agent, and the raid to kill Osama bin Laden.

Comprehension Questions

1. Where did the airstrike take place?
2. How did Pakistan react?
3. What happened at the borders following Pakistan’s decision?

Discussion Question: Pakistan became a US ally following the September 11 attacks. Do you think the US and Pakistan need each other as allies, or do you think this incident will be the breaking point to end their current relations?

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US Pakistan Relations Worsen 
At least 24 Pakistani soldiers were allegedly killed in a NATO airstrike this past Saturday. The airstrikes took place at a checkpoint that had been set up to prevent Taliban in Afghanistan from crossing the poorly marked border. Pakistan quickly closed both border crossings into Afghanistan and ordered a review of all military, political, and intelligence relations with the US. Troops in Afghanistan receive at least half of their supplies via these land routes. Supply trucks piled up at the blocked borders immediately following the closure. US-Pakistan relations were already tense following a double murder involving a CIA agent, and the raid to kill Osama bin Laden.

1. The airstrike took place at a checkpoint near the Afghanistan border.
2. Pakistan’s government shut down the border crossings into Afghanistan.
3. Trucks with supplies for troops in Afghanistan began piling up at the blocked borders following Pakistan’s decision.

Thousands Evacuated In Germany Due To WWII Bombs

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• evacuate: to leave a dangerous area; to find a safe zone
• personnel: people working for a specific organization or operation
• displace: to cause people to have to leave their usual place or position
• nursing home: a home where elderly people live and receive care and service
• defuse: to make an explosive device ineffective (also deactivate)
• disposal: the process of putting something in the garbage

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Thousands Evacuated in Germany Due to WWII Bombs

45,000 residents in Koblenz Germany were evacuated over the weekend after two  bombs were discovered in the Rhine River. The bombs came into view after  because the water level had dropped to a record low. Approximately 2500 emergency personnel were called in to help in the operation that displaced half of the city’s. Volunteers helped to evacuate two hospitals and several nursing homes. Both bombs were successfully defused without incident and  were allowed to return home on Sunday evening. Officials say that despite the serious danger of these explosives, residents in this city are used to bomb scares. Last year, three members of a German bomb-disposal squad were killed trying to deactivate a  in Gottingen.

Comprehension Questions

1. Why were so many people evacuated?
2. What did volunteers do?
3. What similar event happened last year?

Discussion Question: What type of person would choose to work in a bomb-disposal squad? What required skills and personality traits would a job like this require? Do you personally know anyone who would qualify for this line of work?

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Thousands Evacuated in Germany Due to WWII Bombs 
45,000 residents in Koblenz Germany were evacuated over the weekend after two World War II bombs were discovered in the Rhine River. The bombs came into view after 65 years because the water level had dropped to a record low. Approximately 2500 emergency personnel were called in to help in the operation that displaced half of the city’s population. Volunteers helped to evacuate two hospitals and several nursing homes. Both bombs were successfully defused without incident and residents were allowed to return home on Sunday evening. Officials say that despite the serious danger of these explosives, residents in this city are used to bomb scares. Last year, three members of a German bomb-disposal squad were killed trying to deactivate a war bomb in Gottingen.

1. So many people were evacuated because bombs found in the Rhine River needed to be defused.
2. Volunteers helped evacuate people in hospitals and nursing homes.
3. Last year, three members of a German bomb-disposal squad were killed while trying to deactivate a war bomb in Gottingen.

North Korea Calls Tree Lighting ‘Propaganda’

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• consequence: result from an action
• tense: full of stress; not peaceful
• accuse: to charge or blame someone of doing something wrong
• promote: to increase awareness or interest in something
• propaganda: a message that tries to convince others to think or act in a certain way (also ‘psychological warfare’)

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North Korea Calls Tree Lighting ‘Propaganda’

North Korea threatened “unexpected consequences” after South Korea gave a church group  to light a 100 foot “Christmas tree” tower on its tense border. Two other trees will also be lit along the border over the . The lights can be easily seen from North Korea, and the North has accused the South of trying to promote Christianity in its communist state. Seven years ago, North and  agreed to end propaganda battles. This included cancelling Seoul’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In 2010, relations between the North and South  and the Christmas tree tower was lit up once again. A North Korean website describes the tree lighting as ‘psychological warfare’. South Korea says that extra security  will be taken along the border throughout the holiday season.

Comprehension Questions

1. Where is the Christmas tree tower located?
2. Why does the North think lighting the tree is a form of propaganda?
3. What happened seven years ago?

Discussion Question: South Korea defends its tree lighting ceremony, saying that it is trying to promote peace and freedom. Do you believe this or do you think the Christmas tree is a form of propaganda?

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North Korea Calls Tree Lighting ‘Propaganda’ 
North Korea threatened “unexpected consequences” after South Korea gave a church group permission to light a 100 foot “Christmas tree” tower on its tense border. Two other trees will also be lit along the border over theholidays. The lights can be easily seen from North Korea, and the North has accused the South of trying to promote Christianity in its communist state. Seven years ago, North and South Korea agreed to end propaganda battles. This included cancelling Seoul’s annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony. In 2010, relations between the North and South worsened and the Christmas tree tower was lit up once again. A North Korean website describes the tree lighting as ‘psychological warfare’. South Korea says that extra securitymeasures will be taken along the border throughout the holiday season.

1. The Christmas tree tower is located along the border or North and South Korea.
2. The North thinks the South is trying to promote Christianity to the people in the North who can see the lights of the tree.
3. Seven years ago North and South Korea agreed to stop propaganda battles. Seoul agreed not to light its Christmas tree.

Final US Troops Leave Iraq

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• convoy: a group of military troops and vehicles
• dictator: a strict leader who doesn’t listen to his/her people’s wants and needs
• democratic: following the principal where the government represents the people
• weapons of mass destruction: an extremely dangerous weapon (ex. nuclear) that can cause death and damage in a major way

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Final US Troops Leave Iraq

On December 18th, after weeks of , a final convoy of US soldiers rolled out of . The departure, which took place without ceremony, officially marked the end of a war that lasted  nine years. Rough estimates suggest that about 105,000 people lost their lives in the Iraq War, which began on March 20, 2003. This includes about 100,000 Iraqis and about 4,500 American troops. The  cost to the US was estimated at about $1 trillion. While US President Obama says Iraqis were freed from a dictator and given the opportunity for a democratic future, critics argue that weapons of mass destruction were never found, and thousands of Iraqi widows and children are now living .

Comprehension Questions

1. What happened on December 18, 2011?
2. How long did the war last?
3. What was the human cost of the War in Iraq?

Discussion Question: The War in Iraq is sometimes referred to as The Occupation of Iraq. The American military called it Operation Iraqi Freedom. Which do you think is more appropriate, and why?

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Final US Troops Leave Iraq 
On December 18th, after weeks of preparation, a final convoy of US soldiers rolled out of Iraq. The departure, which took place without ceremony, officially marked the end of a war that lasted nearly nine years. Rough estimates suggest that about 105,000 people lost their lives in the Iraq War, which began on March 20, 2003. This includes about 100,000 Iraqis and about 4,500 American troops. The financial cost to the US was estimated at about $1 trillion. While US President Obama says Iraqis were freed from a dictator and given the opportunity for a democratic future, critics argue that weapons of mass destruction were never found, and thousands of Iraqi widows and children are now living in crisis.

1. The last group of American soldiers left Iraq on December 18, 2011.
2. The War in Iraq lasted nearly nine years.
3. The human cost of the War in Iraq was about 105,000. At least 100,000 of those killed were Iraqis.

Brazil’s Economy Overtakes UK’s

Pre-Listening Vocabulary

• commodity: something that comes from the earth and is in high demand
• figures: numerical amounts often found in a table
• prediction: a guess or estimate about the future
• league table: a chart that ranks teams, organizations, or other groups
• shift: slight change in position

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Brazil’s Economy Overtakes UK’s

According to a  of economists, Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world’s sixth largest economy. Brazil is a commodity-producing economy that  heavily on its exports to China. Brazil’s population is about three times the size of the UK’s. Figures from the World Economic League Table also  that Asian economies are growing while European economies are falling. The shift in economic power from west to east seems to be related to the  of commodities such as food and energy. The top five economies in 2011 are the US, China, Japan, Germany and France; however, growth predictions suggest that European countries will have very low growth over the next  due to the debt crisis. Russia and India are expected to take France and Germany’s positions of four and five by 2020.

Comprehension Questions

1. What position does Brazil now hold according to the World Economic League Table?
2. What shift is mentioned in this report?
3. What prediction is made for France and Germany?

Discussion Question: Why do you think economies that produce things like food and energy are climbing up the economic league table?

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Brazil’s Economy Overtakes UK’s 
According to a team of economists, Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world’s sixth largest economy. Brazil is a commodity-producing economy thatrelies heavily on its exports to China. Brazil’s population is about three times the size of the UK’s. Figures from the World Economic League Table alsoconfirm that Asian economies are growing while European economies are falling. The shift in economic power from west to east seems to be related to the production of commodities such as food and energy. The top five economies in 2011 are the US, China, Japan, Germany and France; however, growth predictions suggest that European countries will have very low growth over the next decade due to the debt crisis. Russia and India are expected to take France and Germany’s positions of four and five by 2020.

1. Brazil now holds the sixth position in the world economy according to the World Economic League Table.
2. The shift in economic power from west to east is mentioned in this report.
3. The report states that France and Germany are expected to take the fourth and fifth positions by 2020.