Easy to understand news for December 28, 2023 APA Science

B1 language level:

Many killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip

50 people are believed to have been killed in new Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip. The attacks took place in the north, center and south of the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian organization Hamas announced this on Thursday. The information cannot be independently verified. 150,000 people are once again fleeing the Gaza Strip.

There was also reportedly an attack near a hospital in Khan Younis, in the south of the Gaza Strip. Several people died. Israel suspects that Hamas leaders are hiding in Khan Younis.

Signa Prime filed for bankruptcy in court

The Signa Prime real estate group, owned by Tyrolean investor Rene Benko, is facing major financial difficulties. The company has debts of 4.5 billion euros. On Thursday, Signa Prime filed an insolvency application at the Vienna Commercial Court. Signa Prime is the most important company in the Benko network of companies. Signa Development Selection AG also filed for insolvency on Friday.

Parent company Signa Holding filed for insolvency a month ago. Recently, Signa was no longer able to fund several projects. Construction work on the Elbtower skyscraper in Hamburg, for example, was halted.

Explanation: bankruptcy

When companies can no longer pay their bills and debts, they become insolvent. This means they are broke. They will then have to file for bankruptcy in court. The court then carries out so-called insolvency proceedings. This determines how much money the company has left. If there is enough money to pay off part of the debt, the company can continue. If there isn't enough money, it will have to close.

Marco Schwarz injured in Bormio match

A World Cup ski race took place in Bormio, Italy, on Thursday. The best Austrian runner Marco Schwarz was injured on the descent and ended up in the safety net on the slope. He then had to be taken by helicopter to the hospital. He probably injured his knee.

Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin won the race. Swiss Marco Odermatt came 2nd and has now taken the overall World Cup lead from Marco Schwarz.

Explanation: Departure

During the descent, skiers cover a long distance. They often travel at speeds in excess of 100 km/h. The matches are therefore very dangerous.

At the turn of the year, Austrians are once again more confident

The Austrians are once again more confident for next year. This is what the Linz opinion research institute IMAS says. Thus, 35 percent are confident, 32 percent are skeptical and 28 percent are concerned. In each of the last three years, less than 30 percent had confidence heading into the new year.

According to the report, younger and more educated people are more confident than less educated and older people in Austria. A total of 1,009 Austrians aged 16 and over were interviewed.

More than 2 million visitors to Schönbrunn Zoo

This year, Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo welcomed more than 2 million visitors. The newly designed spectacled bear enclosure was particularly popular with visitors, the zoo announced Thursday. The zoo was also successful in animal husbandry. There were particularly many of them in 2023.

The orangutan offspring were particularly enjoyable. There were two young animals. Schönbrunn was also the first zoo in the world to manage to breed a specific species of crocodile. It is called crocodile-tailed tegus.

A2 language level:

Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip with many deaths

Israel has goals again

Gaza Strip attacked.

50 people died

says the Palestinian organization Hamas.

If this information is correct

cannot be verified at this time.

There are currently 150,000 people again

on the run in the Gaza Strip.

In the south of the Gaza Strip

A hospital was also attacked

he was.

There were also deaths.

Israel suspects that in the area

Hide Hamas leaders.

Signa Prime real estate company filed for bankruptcy

Signa Prime real estate agency

by Rene Benko from Tyrol

has great financial difficulties.

The company has

4.5 billion euros in debt.

On Thursday, Signa Prime presented

a bankruptcy filing.

Signa Prime is the most important company

by René Benko.

Includes the most valuable

Signa Imóveis.

These include, for example

a luxury hotel and a

planned department store in Vienna.

Explanation: bankruptcy

When companies receive their invoices

and can no longer pay debts,

they are insolvent.

This means they are broke.

So they have to go to court

file for bankruptcy.

The court then makes a decision

so-called insolvency proceedings.

It is then determined

how much money the company still has.

Is there enough money for one part?

can be paid off with debts,

then the company can move forward.

If there is not enough money,

So the company has to close.

Ski racer Marco Schwarz was injured

The Austrian ski racer

Marco Schwarz was injured.

Marco Schwarz fell during a ski race

in Bormio, Italy.

There was a match there.

Schwarz is said to have injured his knee.

Frenchman Cyprien Sarrazin

won the race at Bormio.

Marco Odermatt from Switzerland

became 2.

Became the best Austrian

Vincent Kriechmayr in fifth.

Explanation: Departure

Ski racers drive on the descent

and ski riders one

long way down.

They usually drive

over 100 km/h fast.

The matches are therefore very dangerous.

At the turn of the year, Austrians are once again more confident

In Austria the population is

more confident again

The new year.

This is what a survey revealed.

She was from Linzer

opinion research institute IMAS.

More than a third of Austrians

is confident.

Almost a third do not

so confident and more than one

Quarter has concerns.

In the last 3 years we have had

less than a third confident

for the New Year.

Mainly those with higher education and young people

People are confident.

People with low education

and the elderly are

not so confident.

There were more than 2 million visitors to Schönbrunn this year

There's one at Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna

this year more than 2 million

given to visitors.

Especially the new facilities for the

Spectacled bears were popular.

People were particularly happy at the zoo

about the offspring

the orangutans.

There was the same

2 young orangutans.

The zoo also has a

a certain type of crocodile was created.

It is called crocodile-tailed tegus.

This is Schönbrunn first

zoo in the world.