Chinese landslide
Firefighters search for survivors in the rubble of collapsed buildings after a landslide hit an industrial park in Shenzhen, China on December 21, 2015. — Reuters
Factory collapse
Fugitives skip court
Dhaka — A Bangladesh court ordered the arrest of 24 people and seizure of their assets after they failed to turn up to face murder charges over a garment factory collapse that killed more than 1,100 people and injured at least 2,500 people. Authorities reported the news on December 21, 2015.
The collapse in April 2013 was one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. — AFP
Sinking ship
Migrants drown at sea
Istanbul — Eighteen people were killed and another 14 rescued after a migrant vessel capsized off the Turkish coast, the Anadolu news agency reported on December 19, 2015.
The boat, which had been en route from the coastal port of Bodrum to the Greek island of Kos, had been carrying refugees including Syrian and Iraqi nationals when it capsized in open waters.
The incident is the latest in a series of deadly capsizings in the Aegean Sea. — DPA
Army party
On December 21, 2015, Philippine President Benigno Aquino inspects troops during the Armed Forces of the Philippines 80th Anniversary celebration. — EPA
Demonstration deaths
Police and army kill protesters
Addis Ababa — At least 75 people have been killed during weeks of protests in Ethiopia which have seen soldiers and police firing on demonstrators, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on December 19, 2015.
“Police and military forces have fired on demonstrations, killing at least 75 protesters and wounding many others, according to activists,” HRW said. There was no immediate response from Addis Ababa, but it has previously put the toll at five dead. — AFP
Heavy fighting
Rebels clash with government
Aden — Fierce fighting between government forces and Iran-backed rebels in Yemen produced heavy casualties on December 19, 2015 amid UN alarm at ceasefire violations ahead of a final day of peace talks in Switzerland.
At least 68 people were killed near the northern town of Haradh, which was overrun by loyalists, military and tribal sources said. The casualties were 28 troops and 40 Shia Houthi rebels, with another 50 Houthis and 40 loyalists wounded. — AFP
Air error
US plane kills troops
Baghdad — An airstrike that mistakenly killed Iraqi troops on December 18, 2015 was carried out by a United States plane, US officials said on December 19.
Defence Secretary Ash Carter was quick to call the Iraqi prime minister, Haider al-Abadi, to express his condolences and invite Iraq to participate in an investigation.
Ash did not offer a detailed explanation for the air strike, which killed nine Iraqi soldiers and one officer, according to Iraq’s defence minister. — AFP
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Minor tremor
Quake hits Nepal
Kathmandu — A 5.5-magnitude earthquake hit western Nepal. It happened on December 19, 2015. No casualties were reported. — DPA
Exercises
1. What does HRW stand for?
a. Human Reality Watch.
b. Human Rights World.
c. Human Rights Watch.
2. Eight people were killed after a migrant vessel capsized off the Turkish coast. True or false?
3. Which country is Kraiba Safy from?
Vocabulary
- collapse (n): falling down or falling suddenly, often after breaking apart
capsize (v): if a boat capsizes it turns over in the water
ceasefire (n): a time when enemies agree to stop fighting
overrun (v): to fill or spread over an area quickly, especially in large numbers
condolence (n): sympathy that you feel for somebody when a person in their family or that they know well has died
