Learning English

(Photo by Omar Marques/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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The story

European countries, including the UK, have accused Russia of poisoning opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Two years ago, Navalny, a vocal critic of President Vladimir Putin, died suddenly in the Siberian prison where he was being held.

European scientists have now confirmed he died from a poison found in frogs, after they tested samples found on Navalny’s body.

Russia denies it killed Navalny and says he died of natural causes, but UK foreign secretary Yvette Cooper said there was no innocent explanation for the poison being found on Navalny’s body.

News headlines

How Porton Down scientists exposed Putin’s chemical weapons arsenal
The Telegraph

The science behind the frog poison that allegedly killed Alexei Navalny
Sky News

Navalny’s poisoning will taint Vladimir Putin until his dying breath
The Independent 

Key words and phrases

arsenal
a collection of weapons, or attributes that make you good at something

• He was scared of getting into a dispute with the company because they have an arsenal of excellent lawyers.

the science behind
the science that explains or causes

• The inventor doesn’t want to share the science behind his latest discovery in case someone copies him.

taint
spoil or make unpleasant 

• The scandal has tainted the singer’s reputation.

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