News Mash-up: The UK

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Category: Top Stories

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. rung / rʌŋ / (n.) – a level or position, especially in an organization that has different levels
    Example:

    John started at the bottom rung of the company, but he’s now a manager.


  2. motive / ˈmoʊ tɪv / (n.) – purpose or reason for doing something
    Example:

    Most of Tina’s coworkers think that her motive for working harder lately is to get a promotion.


  3. numerous / ˈnu mər əs / (adj.) – many
    Example:

    I feel very tired because I attended numerous meetings today.


  4. detection / dɪˈtɛk ʃən / (n.) – the act of discovering something that was hidden
    Example:

    The thieves broke the security cameras so that they can avoid detection.


  5. accredited / əˈkrɛd ɪ tɪd / (adj.) – having an official permit to do something
    Example:

    Some online shops sell fake smartphones. Make sure to buy devices only from accredited stores.


Article

Read the text below.

UK: Taxi explosion in Liverpool was bomb


British authorities raised the country’s threat level to its second-highest rung Nov. 15, after police said a blast in a taxi outside a Liverpool hospital was caused by a homemade bomb.


Investigators said they were treating the Nov. 14 explosion — which killed the suspected bombmaker and injured the cab driver — as a terrorist incident, but that the motive was unclear.


Counterterrorism police named the dead man as 32-year-old Emad Al Swealmeen. Three men in their 20s were arrested in the city Nov. 14 under the Terrorism Act. (AP)


UK police called after report of drugs in Parliament


British parliamentary authorities are calling in the police after a newspaper reported that traces of cocaine had been found at numerous sites in Parliament.


House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said he was contacting police after The Sunday Times reported that illegal drugs were being used inside Parliament buildings.


The newspaper said tests using drug detection wipes found traces of cocaine in 11 locations that are only accessible by accredited parliamentary lawmakers, staff and journalists, including a washroom near the prime minister’s office. (AP)


These articles were provided by The Japan Times Alpha.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

  • British authorities raised the country’s threat level to its second-highest rung Nov. 15, after police said a blast in a taxi outside a Liverpool hospital was caused by a homemade bomb. Should the local government be held accountable for the incident? Do you think the incident could’ve been prevented? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • Investigators were treating the explosion as a terrorist incident but the motive was unclear. What do you think was the suspect’s motive (ex. to threaten the public, to alarm the government)? Discuss.

Discussion B

  • The Sunday Times reported that illegal drugs were being used inside Parliament buildings. Should mandatory drug testing be implemented among all lawmakers, staff, and journalists? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • How do you think this incident could affect the reputation of Parliament members if they tested positive for drugs (ex. they will lose their credibility)? Should they be asked to step down from their position? Why or why not? Discuss.