Brass band bash
The New York police band performs during a parade at the World Police Band Concert 2013 in Jakarta, Indonesia on September 1. Marching bands from Indonesia, the US, South Korea, Japan and Vietnam took part in the parade. — EPA
Killer cold
Snowstorms hit Peru and Bolivia
Lima — At least three people have died as a result of the worst snowfall in a decade in Peru and Bolivia, officials said on August 30.
Two Peruvians died in the southern province of Carabaya. One of the victims was a 75-year-old man who was killed when his roof caved in under the weight of snow, officials said.
Heavy snowfalls were reported to have killed at least three people in Bolivia at the end of August. Two other people were reported to have died of hypothermia in Paraguay, where cold weather was blamed for the deaths of 4,000 cattle. — AFP
Toxic leak
People poisoned in Shanghai
Shanghai — Liquid ammonia from a refrigeration unit leaked at a food company in China’s commercial hub of Shanghai. The leak killed 15 people on August 31, the local government said.
The leak also sickened at least 26 others, who were sent to hospital, with six in critical condition, officials reported. The incident occurred in the city’s northern district of Baoshan at a cold storage unit owned by a seafood company. — AFP
Somber sight
US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel looks at markers during a visit to a US cemetery in Manila, the Philippines on August 30. — EPA
Great escape
Chinese man swims to Taiwan
Taipei — A Chinese farmer who was twice jailed for illegally entering Taiwan has been arrested again after a four-hour swim to the island, officials said on August 29.
The 38-year-old from Sichuan province in southwest China was caught on August 28 as he came ashore on Taiwanese-controlled Kinmen Island, a few kilometres from China, officials said.
The man said he kept trying to get to Taiwan because he wanted to pursue democracy and freedom, despite failed attempts in 2003 and 2009 that led to jail time in China.
Officials said the man would be deported back to China. — AFP
Tough test
All candidates fail entrance exam
Monrovia, Liberia — All of Liberia’s 25,000 candidates who took this year’s university entrance exam have failed, but the students said on August 27 that they suspected foul play.
None of the candidates scored more than 50 percent, according to officials at the University of Liberia in the capital, Monrovia. To be admitted, students needed to secure a score of at least 70 percent. — DPA
Canine couples
Police hold weddings for dogs
Colombo — Sri Lankan police on August 27 apologised for organising a wedding ceremony for dogs to pair them off for a breeding programme, after the culture minister called for an investigation, officials said.
The Police Kennels division held a ceremony for 20 pairs of dogs in the central district of Kandy, 117 kilometres east of the capital on August 26. The dogs were put on a stage depicting a traditional wedding ceremony, and later driven away in a decorated vehicle. Police later apologised for any offence caused by the event. — DPA
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Fatal fall
Building collapse kills workers
Sao Paulo — A two-storey building collapsed in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It happened on August 27. At least 10 people were killed and 26 were injured. Most of them were construction workers. — DPA
Exercises
1. What happened in Monrovia, Liberia?
a. 25,000 new universities opened.
b. All candidates failed the university entrance exam.
c. Too many candidates passed the university entrance exam.
2. In which city of China did the liquid ammonia leak?
3. Who is the governor of Tak?
Vocabulary
- chimney (n): a structure through which smoke or steam is carried up away from a fire, etc. and through the roof of a building
burglar (n): a person who enters a building illegally in order to steal
ensemble (n): a group of musicians, dancers or actors who perform together
clad (adj): wearing a particular type of clothing
downpour (n): a heavy fall of rain that often starts suddenly
turbulent (adj): in which there is a lot of sudden change, confusion and disagreement
urge (v): to advice or try to persuade somebody to do something
