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Americas **** 4 Upper IntermediateStories Checked for Students of English by Jamaby Jamaica appeals for recovery of treasured archive (BBC News) Venezuela's Hugo Chavez says he expects a fresh referendum in February on a move allowing him to stand for re-election. (BBC News) Chavez plans February referendum Venezuela's Hugo Chavez says he expects a fresh referendum in February on a move allowing him to stand for re-election. (BBC News) Man charged over Hudson killings The brother-in-law of actress Jennifer Hudson is charged with murdering three of her relatives including her seven-year-old nephew. (BBC News) Matt Frei, presenter of BBC World News America, on why Barack Obama is in such a hurry to stamp his authority on the nation. (BBC News) NFL star Burress faces gun charge An American footballer who scored the Super Bowl's winning touchdown faces criminal charges for shooting himself in the leg. (BBC News) Armstrong opts to ride 2009 Tour Lance Armstrong will attempt to win the Tour de France for an eighth time as the American cyclist confirms he will ride in the 2009 race. (BBC News) Why Texas is defiantly Republican How the Lone Star State of Texas is defiantly Republican (BBC News) Haitian authorities 'doing little to stop rampant rape' (BBC News) Bush regrets Iraqi WMD failure Outgoing US President George Bush says his biggest regret is the intelligence failure over Iraqi weapons. (BBC News) Chavez reveals re-election plan Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announces a plan to seek a constitutional amendment to allow him to stand for re-election. (BBC News) US recession 'began last year' The US recession began in December 2007, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. (BBC News) Chavez announces re-election plan Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announces a plan to seek a constitutional amendment to allow him to stand for re-election. (BBC News) What impact has the virus had on attitudes in the US? (BBC News) Chavez renews reelection ambition Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announces a plan to seek a constitutional amendment to allow him to stand for reelection. (BBC News) US holiday sales make solid start The US holiday shopping season gets off to an encouraging start, with sales on the day after Thanksgiving up 3% on last year. (BBC News) Amazon deforestation accelerates The destruction of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil has accelerated for the first time in four years, officials say. (BBC News) US military defends its air strikes in Afghanistan (BBC News) Wal-Mart worker killed in sales rush A 34-year-old employee is trampled to death as sales-hungry shoppers rush into a Wal-Mart store in New York. (BBC News) US stores lure hard-up shoppers Retailers open early and offer steep discounts to encourage consumers as the festive shopping season starts. (BBC News) How Barack Obama will use the internet as US president (BBC News) World's oldest person dies at 115 An American woman who was the world's oldest person for a year dies at the age of 115. (BBC News) Flood death toll in Brazil rises The number of deaths following flooding and landsides in Brazil's southern state of Santa Catarina rises to 97. (BBC News) How the Lone Star State of Texas is defiantly Republican (BBC News) Haitian authorities 'doing little to stop rampant rape' (BBC News) Man charged over newsreader death A man is charged with killing a female TV newsreader, who died after being beaten at home in the US state of Arkansas. (BBC News) Still a perfectionist at 60 - Grace Jones is back (BBC News) Online shopping spend in decline For the first time since it began compiling figures, measurement firm comScore finds online spending is down. (BBC News) Matt Frei on how Obama is moving to take charge (BBC News) Big drop in US consumer spending US consumer spending fell 1% in October, the largest decline since September 2001, in a further sign of the economic downturn. (BBC News) Borders Inc ' no longer for sale' US-based bookseller Borders says it is no longer for sale despite reporting widening third-quarter losses. (BBC News) Jamaica votes for death penalty Jamaican MPs vote to keep the death penalty, as the Caribbean nation struggles with one of the world's highest murder rates. (BBC News) NFL star Vick admits dogfighting Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick admits a dogfighting charge, receiving a suspended sentence. (BBC News) Data shows sharper US contraction The US economy shrank at an annual pace of 0.5% from July to September, against an initial contraction estimate of 0.3%. (BBC News) Growth figure points to US gloom The US economy shrank at an annual pace of 0.5% from July to September, against an initial contraction estimate of 0.3%. (BBC News) Obama pledges 'jolt' to economy President-elect Barack Obama promises the rapid implementation of measures to stimulate the ailing US economy. (BBC News) Roses join the list of bands who made fans wait (BBC News) Heavy Brazil floods leave 45 dead Flooding in southern Brazil kills at least 45 people and forces thousands from their homes after weeks of heavy rain. (BBC News) Spain beat Argentina for Davis Cup triumph Spain win the Davis Cup for the third time as Fernando Verdasco beats Argentina's Jose Acasuso to give them a 3-1 victory. (BBC News) Online fraudsters 'steal $5bn' Internet fraudsters have stolen credit and debit cards with a value of more than £3.3bn, research suggests. (BBC News) Citigroup seeks 'emergency cash' Citigroup is in emergency talks with the US Treasury to gain extra funding amid uncertainty over its future, reports say. (BBC News) Brazil flooding kills at least 20 Flooding in southern Brazil kills at least 20 people and forces thousands from their homes after weeks of heavy rain. (BBC News) Couple sues after nude photos on lost phone are posted on internet A US couple sue McDonald's for $3m (£2m) after nude photos of the woman, which were on her husband's mobile phone, ended up on the internet. (BBC News) Venezuelan teachers give tips to UK colleagues (BBC News) Citigroup plunges on uncertainty Shares in Citigroup, one of the biggest banks in the US, fell on Friday amid uncertainty about the firm's future. (BBC News) Behind the scenes of Brazil's biofuel revolution (BBC News) Are US predictions for the next 20 years accurate? (BBC News) Madonna granted divorce in London Madonna and husband Guy Ritchie are granted a "quickie divorce" at the High Court in London. (BBC News) Online time 'is good for teens' Teenagers' use of digital media shows that time online teaches children important skills, a big study shows. (BBC News) Madonna split 'not about money' Guy Ritchie tells a newspaper that discussion over the terms of his divorce from Madonna "was never, ever about money". (BBC News) |
