Military memorial
On July 4, Taiwan's military special forces, locally called "frogmen,” pass in front of thousands of spectators in a parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. — AP
Rebel attack
Fatalities in air strike
Sana’a — A Saudi-led air strike on a Houthi Shia rebel base in Yemen’s northern mountains killed 23 people on July 4, authorities said.
The strike targeted a munitions factory near Saada, the sources said. Coalition aircraft also bombed the rebel-held capital Sana’a, targeting an arms warehouse and the air defence headquarters, witnesses said.
The coalition launched air strikes against the rebels in March, after the Houthis seized control of much of the country. — AFP
Unhappy Afghans
Defence minister fails vote
Kabul — Afghanistan’s parliament rejected the second nominee for defence minister on July 4, leaving the position in limbo after nine months.
Mohammed Masoom Stanekzai received 84 out of the 107 votes required to pass the vote. A total of 231 votes were cast. The president’s failure to nominate a full cabinet after nine months in office has sowed wide discontent among Afghans and the July 4 vote was seen as a test of his government’s influence over parliament. — Reuters
Ferry rescue
Residents watch as the ill-fated passenger ferry Kim Nirvana is lifted by a crane in the Philippines on July 3. At least 41 people were killed when it capsized a day earlier. — AFP
Dolphin protection
Japan bans cruel hunts
Tokyo — The Japanese aquarium association said on July 3 that members can be expelled from the body for acquiring dolphins caught in drive hunts.
The penalty is part of new punitive measures that the Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums (JAZA) will introduce for violating its recent ban on acquiring dolphins from such hunts, a technique that has drawn international criticism as cruel. The JAZA also plans to require members to submit certificates stating where dolphins were bought. — AFP
Solar flight
Sun-powered plane soars
Honolulu — An airplane powered by the sun is scheduled to land in Hawaii after a five-day journey over the Pacific Ocean, officials said on July 3.
The flight from Japan is the longest leg of the around-the-world voyage planned by two Swiss pilots, who have been taking turns flying the single-seat airplane.
The aircraft is scheduled to land at a small airport outside Honolulu about 6 am local time. The pilots aim to create awareness about replacing fossil fuels with clean technologies. — AP
Angry animal
Sharks attack Australian surfers
Sydney — Police on July 3 say a shark bit a terrified surfer’s board on Australia’s east coast, where another surfer was mauled a day earlier.
The 52-year-old surfer was not injured when the shark bit his board on July 3 near Byron Bay, leaving teeth marks in the fibreglass.
Surfer Matt Lee, 32, remained in a critical condition at Gold Coast University Hospital after a shark seriously injured both his legs near Lighthouse Beach, at the tourist town of Ballina. — AFP
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Big bang
Explosion at factory kills six
Seoul — There was an explosion at a chemical plant. It happened on July 3 in South Korea. Six workers died. Police are investigating the cause of the incident. — AP
Exercises
1. Where is Gold Coast University Hospital located?
a. In Canada.
b. In Australia.
c. In Finland.
2. What does JAZA stand for?
3. The State Railway of Thailand plans to provide passengers and staff on board its trains with health insurance. True or false?
Vocabulary
- munitions (n): military weapons, ammunition, and equipment
discontent (n): a feeling of being unhappy because you are not satisfied with a particular situation
violate (v): to go against or refuse to obey a law
maul (v): to attack and injure somebody by tearing their flesh
