In the News: Christmas

Some of the latest news in the world related to Christmas. Make sure you understand the words in bold and if you have anything to comment, an opinion to share, please do! And as I always recommend... TRY NOT TO USE A DICTIONARY unless extremely necessary!

(And I hope you're enjoying the holidays).

 

 

Brits Angry at Xmas Reindeer Steaks (16th November, 2010)

British people are angry at a discount supermarket for selling reindeer meat. The store, Lidl, is offering “Rudolph steaks” as an alternative to the traditional turkey. The German chain is selling the frozen steaks along with other "luxury meats" such as pheasant, venison and springbok. The vegetarian campaign group Viva! say that "Lidl is destroying the magic of Christmas". Animal rights group PETA said: "The idea of ‘Rudolph’ being slaughtered and sliced into steaks for a novelty Christmas dinner is revolting."

Viva! spokesman Justin Kerswell is worried the reindeer suffer a horrible death. He claimed the Siberian reindeer are chased by snowmobiles and helicopters and may be killed in a cruel way. He added that transporting the meat from Siberia to Britain increased the supermarket’s carbon footprint. A PETA spokesperson agreed, saying: "Christmas is supposed to remind us of peace and goodwill - and the rest of the animal kingdom could do with a taste of it, rather than being tasted."

10-Metre Chocolate Christmas Tree on Offer ( 28th November, 2010)

A famous French chocolate maker has built a 10-metre-high chocolate Christmas tree. The Patrick Roger chocolate factory in Paris will sell the tree at an auction and give the money to charity. The edible tree weighs four tons. It needed a special piece of architectural design to keep it standing. Mr Roger explained: “We used a sort of cavity inside to make the chocolate solid enough, because there is very strong vertical pressure." The tree, which took one month to construct, will be a highlight at France's Telethon, an event to raise money for neuromuscular diseases.

This is a great way of raising money for charity. It will also provide amazing advertising all over the world for the chocolate factory. French chocolate is amongst the yummiest in the world. It is still not clear who might buy the giant tree and what the buyer will do with it. It is certain that many children will watch the telethon on the third and fourth of December wishing they could have some of the tree. The telethon organizers are hoping there will be a world record bid for the chocolate tree. They want as much money as possible for the charity.

 

Traffic Safety for Christmas Reindeer (22nd December, 2010)

There is an increasing number of cars on roads in Norway, home to many of Santa’s reindeer. About 500 reindeer are killed each year in car crashes. Officials from the Norwegian Public Roads Administration have come up with a great idea to keep Santa’s helpers safe this Christmas – reflective yellow tags that are put on the reindeer’s antlers. The leader of the project, Kristian Oevernes, told the Reuters news agency: “It really works….This is the first time it has happened.” Oevernes told the reporter that Santa might also use this idea.

Very few people think about the problems Santa and his reindeer have at Christmas. It must be difficult to fly around the world in one night to deliver so many presents. It gets more and more dangerous every year because there are so many planes in the sky and cars on the road. Santa and his reindeer need as much protection as they can get. Another problem with delivering presents is the disappearance of chimneys. Santa has to think of new ways to get inside houses that do not have a chimney. Apartments are particularly tricky.