NEWS Editors AND WRITERS have several resources. One of these is the news wire service. This is provided by major news agencies that give a brief summary of the main events from around the world as soon as they happen. The people who write these items have to be very efficient and effective. They need to write the main details of a news story without giving too much information or wasting time and space. Journalists can then find out more and write a longer story. Each item usually starts with the location of the story and then a headline. This is followed by a few details. Hong Kong News Wire Sha Tin: Mad dog bites man A stray mongrel suffering from rabies bit a shop assistant at the Sha Tin KCR station. The man was taken to hospital where he is being treated. (HK News Agency) Central: Jewel thieves steal $5m Two masked men used a pistol to rob jewels and watches worth millions of dollars in Pedder Street this morning. The armed guard was wounded as the thieves fired four shots and escaped. Police are making inquiries. (The New Hong Kong News Agency) North Point: Tram crash injures five Three children and their parents suffered minor injuries this afternoon as their west-bound tram crashed into a taxi. The collision took place on King's Road. (HK News Agency) Tsim Sha Tsui: Tourists spend record amount A government survey today revealed that tourists spent more money in TST shops than ever before. 'This is very encouraging,' says a member of the Hong Kong Tourist Authority. (New News Agency) Chep Lap Kok: Two planes in near miss Two airliners full of businessmen had a narrow escape this morning when they passed within 100 metres of each other. This is the second reported case this year. (Good News Agency) Mongkok: School children in poison scare Students from three schools were taken to hospital today after eating noodles from an illegal street hawker. The man who runs the stall has been arrested. (Good News Agency) Mid Levels: Restaurant fire A fire broke out in the kitchen of a famous restaurant at lunch time. Firemen put out the blaze and nobody was injured. (New News Agency) Kennedy Town: Fish scare Government inspectors shut down Kennedy Street market today after finding infected fish. 'We are confident no harm has been done as we found the fish before customers arrived,' an official commented. (The New Hong Kong News Agency) Glossary wounded (adj) - injured minor (adj) - small; not important collision (n) - crash illegal (adj) - against the law blaze (n) - fire infected (adj) - ruined; contaminated Comprehension 1. What disease did the dog suffer from? 2. How many masked men took part in the robbery? 3. On which road did the tram crash? 4. Who were travelling on the plane that had a narrow escape? 5. What food made the children ill? 6. Who shut down Kennedy Street market? Writing style Writing headlines Writing headlines is a good skill to practise. It helps you to say what you mean by using as few words as possible. For example, if you want to say, 'There was a crash in which five people were hurt', you could write the headline 'Five hurt in crash'. Match the headline to the stories below. Circus hits town Thousands lose homes in typhoon Eight arrested for fraud 7. A typhoon hit the Hong Kong coast and thousands of people lost their homes. 8. Eight men were arrested yesterday for a fraud involving millions of dollars. 9. A Russian circus will perform in Hong Kong for two months to entertain tourists and residents alike. Crossword Firemen put out fires. People do many types of jobs which help us lead a more comfortable life. Read the clues below and write the jobs in the crossword. postman, doctor, policeman, dentist, teacher, guard 1. He catches criminals. 2. He delivers letters. 3. Somebody who looks after our teeth. 4. When we are ill we visit a ... 5. Somebody who educates children in a school. 6. We employ one to protect property. Answers: 1. rabies; 2. two; 3. King's Road; 4. businessmen; 5. noodles; 6. government inspectors; 7. Thousands lose homes in typhoon; 8. Eight arrested for fraud; 9. Circus hits town. Crossword: 1. policeman; 2. postman; 3. dentist; 4. doctor; 5. teacher; 6. guard.