Terrorists Attack Austria

News

Terrorists opened fire on people in Vienna, the capital of Austria, early on Tuesday. At least two people were killed and 15 were wounded. Police said the incident began near a synagogue, a community building in which Jewish people worship and study their religion, in Vienna. A major anti-terror operation is swung into action. People are asked not to use public transport.

History

Austria is a wealthy country. It has one of the highest standards of living in the world. It is located in central Europe. The capital of Austria is Vienna. Austria is considered a landlocked country because, it is surrounded on all sides by other countries and has no direct access to oceans. Its neighbours are Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein.

Approximately 64% of the population of Austria is Roman Catholic. The Church enjoys a high and respected position in Austrian society. German is the official language. 

Austria’s history is characterised by a long period of monarchy, in particular by the Habsburg family. They ruled Austria for over six centuries since the thirteenth century. In the nineteenth century, they formed a dual monarchy of Austro-Hungary and gave more autonomy to Hungary. But the reign of Habsburgs was finally ended by World War – I (1914 – 1918). The First Republic with the name Austria was founded in 1918.

But during World War – II, Hitler invaded and occupied Austria. He persecuted the country's Jewish community. At the end of the war, Austria was liberated by the Allies in 1944. Austria was occupied from 1945 to 1955 by the four victorious powers. These were Soviet, America, British, and France.

In 1955, Austria regained its state sovereignty and the occupying powers left the country. The country was given back its borders from before 1938. In 1955, foundations were laid for the second Republic of Austria. 

English

Open fire

It is a verb. It means begin firing a gun or guns.

Sample sentences:

·        He ordered his men to open fire on the crowd.

·        When you stand up and open fire the people will be afraid.

·        The police were forced to open fire on a number of occasions.

Shooting

It can be a noun or adjective. It usually means an occurrence in which a person is shot with a gun.

Sample sentences

·        The shooting victims [=the people who were shot] remain hospitalized.

·        A shooting death [=a death caused by being shot]

·        There was a shooting last night.