The ESL Free Press

Day Off

Due to an emergency, we will not publish on Monday, November 1st.

We hope to be back shortly.

 

 

 

Links to October 29th's Top News Stories

North and South Korean soldiers have fired at each other on the border. South Korea says the North Koreans shot first. Read more.

Iran says it is willing to talk with Western countries about its nuclear program, some time after November 10th. Read more.

In Afghanistan, Russia and the U.S., working together, have destroyed four large drug labs. Read more.

Two men in Maldives, who held a ceremony to help a European couple renew their wedding vows, have been arrested. One man is charged with saying insulting things in his own language during the ceremony. Read and watch.

Jack-o-lanterns

Around Halloween, you'll see jack-o-lanterns or pictures of them in many places. A jack-o-lantern is a pumpkin with a face cut into it and a light inside.

If you'd like to make one, your town may have a class for it. Or you can just buy a pumpkin, cut off the top, take out the insides, and cut holes for a face. Then you can put a flashlight inside. People used to use candles, but that's not really safe.

Putting a jack-o-lantern in your window or door shows you have candy for trick-or-treat. If you leave yours outside, watch out. Kids sometimes take them and smash them in the street.

printable:Download Jack-o-lanterns.pdf (17.7K)

Jack O' Lantern Lit Up at Night, Vermont, New England, USA Photographic Print
, Panoramic...
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Army Officer Pleads Guilty

A U.S. Army officer has pleaded guilty to taking bribes (money and gifts in return for doing something wrong).

Major Roderick Sanchez served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait. His job was to hire local companies to do work for the Army. Sanchez admits that some companies gave him cash, watches, and other valuable things. In return, he told his superiors the Army should hire those companies.

Sanchez accepted over $200,000 worth of bribes.

source

printable:Download Army Officer Pleads Guilty.pdf (19.4K)

One Man, Two Votes

A man who voted twice in the same election has been found guilty -- and now he can't vote at all.

Tarrell Campbell lived in St. Louis, Missouri, and was registered to vote there. In 2007, he moved to Edwardsville, Illinois. He registered to vote in his new town.

But, just before the 2008 presidential election, Campbell voted in St. Louis. (People who will be out of town on election day, or can't get to the polls for some other reason, may be able to vote early.) Back in Edwardsville, he voted on election day.

Campbell was sentenced to two years' probation. He does not have to go to jail, but he has to stay out of trouble and report to an officer. He must also pay $350 in fines, take a drug test, and get counselling.

Since he was found guilty of a serious crime, he has lost his right to vote.

source

printable:Download One Man, Two Votes.pdf (19.6K)

This Week's Quiz

1. Why is Osama bin Laden angry at France?
2. Name two things North American parents are expected to do on Halloween.
3. Farooque Ahmed is a citizen of:_____________
4. American Health Care is accused of covering words with stickers. What were those words?
5. What places in Indonesia have tsunami warning systems?

Download Quiz 10-28-10.pdf (13.6K)

Halloween Candy

Candy is a big part of Halloween in the U.S. and Canada. Adults buy lots of it, and give it to the children who come to their doors.

Every year, we hear warnings that Halloween candy may be poisoned. Parents are told not to let kids eat candy until they have taken it home and the parents look at it.

However, only one child has ever died from poisoned Halloween candy -- and it was his own father who poisoned it. The father did it to get his son's life insurance. (We told you earlier about a man who got life insurance on his dying brother, just to make money.)

Still, parents in North America are now expected to go with their children on Halloween night, and to look at the candy before the children eat it.

printable:Download Halloween Candy.pdf (18.2K)

Trick or Treaters in Costume Giclee Print
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Links to October 28th's Top News Stories

At least 343 people are now known to have died in the tsunami in Indonesia. Though there are tsunami warning systems for larger towns, it is hard to warn people in villages on the coast. Read more.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, says the European Union should change its rules on money and on voting. Read more.

A new Osama bin Laden audio recording makes threats against France. It says the country is "unjust" for not letting women wear Islamic veils, and tells it to get its soldiers out of Afghanistan. Read more.

An Irish filmmaker says he's found a time traveler -- a woman using a cell phone in a 1920's movie. Read more.