Learning Objective: This is a reading and comprehension class. At the end of the session, the participants are expected to be able to improve vocabulary and recall skills. And also to improve critical thinking and conversation skills.


Story Proper

The 53-member African Union (AU) has disregarded the arrest warrant issued for Libya’s Colonel Muammar Gaddafi by the International Criminal Court (ICC). It says the move by the ICC is an obstacle to peace in Libya. It also condemns the call for Gaddafi’s arrest as being colonialism. AU official Jean Ping said the ICC is "discriminatory" because it only pursues Africans. He said the Hague-based court ignores crimes committed by Western powers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim agreed, saying: “The ICC is a European Guantanamo Bay. It's only against the African leaders. It never deals with the crimes committed by the United States of America."

Gaddafi remained defiant and raised the stakes by promising he would attack Europe. In a radio announcement he urged NATO to halt its bombing campaign or risk seeing Libyan fighters descend on Europe “like a swarm of locusts or bees”. He said: “Retreat, you have no chance of beating this brave people…They can attack your homes… and your families, which will become military targets, just as you have transformed our…houses and children into what you regard as legitimate military targets.” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton responded by saying Gaddafi should resign instead of issuing threats. “He should put the well-being and the interests of his own people first and he should step down from power,” she said.


Activity Proper






"Online activities, the mp3 and printable handouts are available for this lesson at http://www.breakingnewsenglish.com"