VIEWING&LISTENING TASK 3: LISTEN TO 5 INSTALLMENTS OF “BBC WORLD NEWS” AND DO A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD/LEARNT.

1) Four die as train hits US parade float in Texas.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20353059

2) Jamming TV satellite broadcasts: Who is doing it, and how?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20344823

3) Modern-day slaves 'held captive' in Moscow mini market.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20356386

4) Trolley dash: Bargain hunt in Mexico.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-20374172

5) Tornado causes chaos in Portugal.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20374171

SUMMARY OF WHAT I HAVE HEARD/LEARNT:

In the first installment, it is said that there was a parade float going on to honour war veterans. There was a group of people sitting behind a flatbed truck in which they were soldiers. The truck was crossing the railway track when it got hit by a train. Four people had been killed and 17 others injured.

In the second installment, I have learnt that there has been an increase in the number of complaints about the jamming of satellite TV signals around the world. Jamming is the deliberate interference with radio and television signals to block or censor transmissions. The installment says how the jamming works and that it is actually outlawed under international agreements but still countries like China, Syria and Ethiopia do it. I also leant that it is possible to find a jammer by using other satellites and comparing the signals but the real weapon against jamming is international pressure.

In the third installment, it is said that a group of people were held captive as slaves in horrific conditions at a mini market in Moscow for over 10 years where they slept and lived in the basement. Some of the women had children and some were beaten while they were pregnant whilst imprisoned while one child had been permanently disabled. The people were subjected to brutal treatment at the hands of a shop owner. They were not allowed to leave the place and they lived in constant fear of violence. Eleven slaves were freed during a raid. Local police had known about the captivity but were paid and thus they brought back those who escaped and did not do anything to stop the abuse.

In the fourth installment, it is said that in Mexico, there is an early Christmas sale which starts at mid-November where shoppers find for bargains and get televisions at half price and they do not need to pay interest. They will enable the people there to buy things for Christmas in their own homeland instead of going US for the black Friday shopping.

In the fifth installment, it is said that at least eight people were injured in Portugal on Friday when a tornado hit the south of the country. Violent winds brought down power lines, smashed windows, entered houses and destroyed everything in them, caused severe flooding and major damage to homes and businesses across the Algarve. The tornado has shaken up the community and many are shocked as tornadoes are usually unheard of in Portugal.

I like all the five installments a lot as I think they provide me with knowledge of current affairs that is happening around this world. I will get to know saddening and heart-wrenching, yet important issues like what countries are being affected by natural disasters and what accidents have happened in which countries, entertaining issue like which countries have started the sales for the festive season, shocking and terrifying issues like people being held hostage and tortured for 10 years and interesting and enlightening issues like knowing that certain countries are actually jamming the satellites and how they do it.

I would recommend these installments to everyone in this world because this are really current affairs that everyone need to know. Not only do they need to know but these installments are also fascinating and engrossing and will definitely improve their general knowledge. Moreover, these installments are suitable for everyone.