English

A compilation of newsTicker articles and exercises

October 2007

CONTENTS

PEOPLE AND BEARS........................................................ 3 ROLLING STONES........................................................... 5 LIVERPOOL CULTURE YEAR .............................................. 7 TWO-HEADED TURTLE..................................................... 9 LIKE FATHER LIKE SON ................................................. 11 'INDIANA JONES' THEFT ................................................ 13 MARION JONES ............................................................ 15 CRUISE FILM ............................................................... 19 IMMIGRATION STATUS.................................................. 21 U.S. BOOK TOUR .......................................................... 23 HOLIDAY GIFTS............................................................ 25 IRAQ FILM EDIT ........................................................... 27 U.S. SCHOOLS ............................................................. 29 NY POLICE................................................................... 31

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PEOPLE AND BEARS Clashing in U.S. West

Black bears are causing an uproar as they get braver in their search for food. Wildlife managers in the western United States are seeing more bears venturing out to people-populated areas scrounging for food. Bears are entering garages, breaking into cars and walking into homes and restaurants, hoping to find a meal. These roaming bears are either captured and relocated, or killed.

10/01/2007

American black bears live in forests, weigh between 150 and 500 pounds and have a range of about 250 square miles. After the bears finish hibernating in spring, they spend their time foraging for food, sometimes 20 hours a day, until fall. Because of late freezes, drought and tree infestations, their natural food sources of bugs and berries have been greatly diminished, causing them to search for food elsewhere.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and complete the following activities. 1. What is hibernation? Why do bears hibernate? What other animals hibernate? 2. What would you do if you came face to face with a bear? 3. Now find out what you SHOULD do if you encounter a bear? What can you do to protect yourself?

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ROLLING STONES Satisfaction with Guinness

The Rolling Stones have just topped the charts as the most successful music tour in the world in the latest Guinness Book of World Records.

10/02/2007

The ageing rockers' "A Bigger Bang Tour" grossed $437 million, which earned them the new record. Madonna made Guinness's new edition for her 60-show "Confessions" tour, which pulled in about $200 million, earning her a cool $3 million for each concert. Other records still hold true. Bing Crosby's recording of "White Christmas," released in 1942, is still the biggest selling single with over 50 million copies sold. In Hollywood, Samuel L. Jackson is the winner of the highest-grossing actor award with his 75 movies earning $7.84 billion worldwide. "Casino Royale" earned the title of the most successful Bond film when it took in over $587 million.

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EXERCISE

Read the article once and try to complete the following statements in your own words. 1. Madonna earned ..... for each concert during her.... 2. .....recorded the famous Christmas song.....in....... 3. Samuel L. Jackson received the award for...... 4. The most successful James Bond movie is called......and it made......worldwide. 5. The Stones received the ....... award.

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LIVERPOOL CULTURE YEAR McCartney and Starr Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will pay tribute to their native city of Liverpool when it becomes the Capital of Culture in 2008. In a video message, McCartney said he was very excited about the upcoming

10/04/2007

events happening in Liverpool. The former Beatle will give a concert for 30,000 at Liverpool Football Club's Anfield stadium on June 1. On Jan. 12, Starr, along with Eurythmics' Dave Stewart and the Liverpool Symphony Orchestra, will kick-off the opening celebrations with "Liverpool The Musical," a tribute to the city's musical heritage. Simon Rattle, conductor and native of Liverpool, will lead the Berlin and Liverpool Philharmonics in a round of concerts featuring hundreds of bands from all over the world.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and complete the following activities. 1. Find out 5 interesting facts about Liverpool and share them with the class. 2. Every year there are two cities that are dubbed the Capital of Culture. What is the name of the other city to hold this honor? 3. Describe why your city should become the next Capital of Culture. What is attractive about your city? What does it have to offer?

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TWO-HEADED TURTLE Twin birth on display

An aquarium store owner has just added a two-headed turtle to his collection. The rare turtle is an example of a conjoined-twin birth. Jay Jacoby, manager at Big Al's Aquarium Supercenter in East Norriton, Pennsylvania, said the owner acquired the turtle from a collector in Florida. Jacoby explained that the turtle would probably have died in the wild because it swims awkwardly, making it an easy target for its predators.

10/05/2007

The turtle, still to be named, is a red-eared slider. Its two heads stick out from each end of its shell. It has a set of front feet on each end, one set of back feet and one tail. The turtle is two months old and has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and complete the following activities. 1. Define "conjoined-twin". 2. What disadvantages would the turtle face if it was left in the wild? 3. In your own words, describe what the turtle looks like. 4. What do you know or what have you learned about red-eared slider turtles?

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LIKE FATHER LIKE SON Follows footsteps in space

Richard Garriott will have the opportunity to follow in his father's footsteps when he travels to the International Space Station in October 2008.

10/08/2007

Garriot's father and former NASA astronaut Owen Garriot went on two spaceflights and spent two months on Skylab, the first American space station. The younger Garriot spent his childhood surrounded by astronauts and engineers in the neighbourhood where his family lived in the Houston area near NASA. He has always wanted to travel to space and he will get the chance with the Virginia-based firm Space Adventures company in Vienna. Garriot, co-founder of NCsoft Corp, the largest online game developer and publisher in the world, will pay $30 million to make his dream come true.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following statements with either True or False. Make all false statements true. 1. Richard Garriot was a former astronaut. 2. Richard's father spent a couple of months at the International Space Station. 3. Richard can't afford a trip to space. 4. Richard grew up with astronauts living nearby. 5. Skylab will be the next super space station.

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'INDIANA JONES' THEFT Suspect charged

A man was arrested for stealing computers, photographs and documents from Stephen Spielberg's "Indiana Jones" movie.

10/10/2007

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department caught the alleged culprit in a sting operation in West Hollywood when officers posed as interested buyers of the stolen material. The man had advertised the goods on various entertainment-gossip Web sites, which tipped off officers as to how to get a hold of the missing items. The theft, which took place at Spielberg's production office at Universal Pictures, was reported to the sheriff's department on September 24. The suspect, whose name has not been released, is currently being held on "parole hold". The officers believe others may be involved and want more time to investigate the matter further.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. How would the theft affect the new "Indiana Jones" movie? Explain. 2. How did the police catch the thief? 3. Why do you think the police are waiting to release the suspect's name? How will it help them with their investigation? 4. What was your favorite "Indiana Jones" movie and why? Do you have any idea of what the next movie's adventure will be about?

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MARION JONES Returns Olympic medals

Sprinter Marion Jones returned the five medals she won at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia. Seven years ago, Jones took home three gold medals and two bronzes. But after years of denial, Jones came forward and admitted that she had taken steroids to prepare herself for the Games.

10/12/2007

After contacting her attorney Henry Dieppe, Jones confessed to the U.S. Olympic Committee. The OC Chairman Peter Ueberroth told Jones to return the medals, and that the International Olympic Committee would begin the process that could end in her being stripped of the medals. One anonymous source said that Jones had apologized to her competitors and hoped that the record books would be changed to show the other athletes' achievements.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. List the medals and races Jones won at the 2000 Olympics. 2. Why do you think Jones came forward and confessed? 3. Why are athletes not allowed to use steroids? Explain.

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PUMPKIN

SCARCITY

Scares up big prices

10/15/2007

This year's pumpkin harvest has been hurt by drought and excessive heat and as a result has driven up the prices for the fruit. Halloween and the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday won't be affected as long as consumers don't mind paying a bit more than last year. Extreme dryness hit much of the northern United States this summer, reducing the harvest in the top four pumpkin-producing states: New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. Some of the farms experienced a 30 percent loss this year. The type of pumpkin hardest hit was the Jack-o'-lantern variety, good for carving but not the best for baking. In general, the U.S. pumpkin prices have increased by about 10 cents per pound compared to the usual annual increase of 2 to 3 percent.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and complete the following activities. 1. If you were going to make a decorative Halloween pumpkin which variety would you choose and why? 2. Find three foods that you can make with pumpkin. Choose one recipe and explain how you prepare the pumpkin for your culinary creation. 3. Are foods with pumpkin typical where you live? How much does a pumpkin cost? Where can you buy them? Where do they come from?

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CRUISE FILM Footage spoiled in German lab

Important footage from the World War II thriller "Valkyrie" has been damaged at a German film processing laboratory.

10/16/2007

Director Bryan Singer and producer United Artists spent months trying to get permission from German authorities to shoot at the Bendler-Block in Berlin, where conspirators planned to assassinate Hitler and where they eventually ended up being executed. Even though damage to the footage was not extensive, parts of the scene must be re-shot. Tom Cruise stars in "Valkyrie" as Hitler's would-be assassin Claus Schenk von Stauffenberg. "Valkyrie" has been controversial in Germany, with several politicians and some members of the von Stauffenberg family attacking the film. Most of the criticism is due to Cruise's association with Scientology, which is viewed as a cult in Germany.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. What is the definition of a cult? 2. What is Scientology? What does it mean? 3. What are Scientology's basic principles? 4. Compare your religion and Scientology. How are they similar and how are they different?

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IMMIGRATION STATUS Landlords prohibited to probe

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger recently signed a law that prohibits landlords from asking potential tenants about their immigration status. Communities nationwide have tried to curb illegal immigration by imposing penalties on property owners and businesses that rent to or employ illegal immigrants. The new law prevents cities from punishing landlords who rent to illegal immigrants. Many landlords are relieved that they don't have to be immigration cops.

10/18/2007

Immigrant-advocacy organizations said that rules requiring landlords to investigate their tenants' backgrounds or immigration status would violate their privacy rights and the authority of the federal government. Other city and state officials, who are trying to protect legal residents and their budgets, oppose the law saying that it makes it more difficult to curb illegal immigration.

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EXERCISE

Read the article once and try to complete the following statements in your own words. 1. Many communities tried to control illegal immigration by.... 2. The new law states...... 3. Landlords are reassured by the law because..... 4. Groups who oppose the new law say....

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U.S. BOOK TOUR J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has begun her first U.S. book tour in seven years with a visit to Los Angeles. Rowling began her tour seated on a huge red and gold throne in the Kodak Theater, and read a chapter of the final book in her boy wizard series "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows". The 42-year-old writer answered questions from L.A. students then rolled up her sleeves and got down to work: signing over 1,600 books.

10/22/2007

With the final Potter book under her belt and no more deadlines to meet, Rowling feels that she is on vacation. Her favourite part of being a world-renowned writer is to work directly with her readers. Rowling has other readings and book signings scheduled for New Orleans and New York.

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EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. Have you seen the Harry Potter movies or read the books? Which one is your favorite and why? 2. Who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite? Explain. 3. What was the most exciting or scary scene from the movie? Describe it. 4. Do you think Rowling will write another book in the series? Explain.

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HOLIDAY GIFTS Americans want computers

Never mind peace and happiness, most American adults would prefer to unwrap a computer this Christmas. In a survey conducted by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), results showed that the top 5 gifts on adults' holiday wish lists are, computers, peace and happiness, a big-screen television, clothes and money. Teenagers had their own wish lists as well, which included clothes, MP3 players, video games, computers and cell phones.

10/23/2007

CEA's economist said that consumer electronics would be the most popular item in retail sales this year and account for 22 percent of all gifts. The association expects a record $22 billion will be spent on personal electronic gadgets. The survey consisted of telephone interviews of 1,003 adults and 501 teens aged 12 to 17.

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EXERCISE

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Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. Describe the gift-giving traditions during Christmas in your home. 2. What was the best gift you have ever received and why? How did you react when you saw it? 3. Name the top five things on your holiday wish list. How do they compare with the teenagers' list in the article?

10/25/2007

IRAQ FILM EDIT

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e Palma disturbed D

Director Brian De Palma is angry about the censorship of his new film that deals with corporate America's effect on the war in Iraq.

"Redacted" is based on the true story of how a group of U.S. soldiers killed a 14-year-old Iraqi girl and members of her family. The shocking images have upset many conservative American commentators. The title for De Palma's film comes from his view that news coverage about the war has been incomplete. He said that it was ironic that his documentary-style film has been censored. Distributor Magnolia Studios has ordered that the deceased Iraqis' faces in the photographs be blacked out in the film. Despite De Palma's outrage, Magnolia's president decided to edit the pictures in order to avoid future lawsuits by family members.

EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. What is being censored and why? 2. Why do you think Brian De Palma is upset? 3. Regarding this film, what seems to be more important than the truth?

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10/26/2007

U.S. SCHOOLS

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ess junk food available L

U.S. schools are getting better at providing healthier foods for children, but many schools don't offer enough physical edu

cation classes. A report conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked health policy changes in schools from 2000-2006. The report showed encouraging progress, but there is still a lot of work to be done. The report showed that 19 percent of schools sold French fries in 2006, compared to 40 percent in 2000. More schools now offer salads, low-fat yogurts and low-fat snacks like pretzels and baked chips. Physical education is another concern. Only 4 percent of elementary schools, 8 percent of middle schools and 2 percent of high schools provide gym classes every day all year round for all ages.

EXERCISE

Listen to the article and answer each statement with either True or Fa e lse. Make each falsstatement true. 1. All schools provide physical education classes on a daily basis. 2. Schools are not allowed to sell junk food. 3. Healthier foods are becoming more available in school. 4. French fries are considered as a healthy food. 5. Many schools do not offer alternative healthy snacks.

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10/29/2007

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Y POLICE

N Recruits needed

The New York Police Department is trying to lure new recruits with an offer to partially pay off college loans for anyone who joins the force for five ye

ars. Ray Kelly, New York's Police Commissioner, said the police force needed over 2000 new officers, and the city was hoping to boost their numbers with enticements of up to $15,000 towards college debts. The force began to have problems drawing in new officers when the 2005 budget cuts reduced the starting salaries from $40,000 to $25,100 per year. The extra money from the cuts was used to pay for increases for veteran policemen. In addition to fewer officers and lower salaries, policemen have the added responsibilities of protecting the city against terrorist attacks.

EXERCISE

Read the article and answer the following questions. 1. Why is there such a shortage of police officers in New York City? 2. What is the department doing to bring in more recruits? 3. What caused the huge pay cuts? 4. How are the police officers' salaries like where you live? Are there enough officers? Do many people aspire to be officers? Explain.

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