Ceremony celebration
On February 25, South Korean students wearing traditional costumes perform during a graduation ceremony at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. — AP
Flu outbreak
Thousands of birds culled
Yangon — Myanmar has culled thousands of poultry to try to contain an outbreak of H5N1 bird flu in Monywa, west of the commercial centre of Mandalay, health officials said on February 27.
The first outbreak of H5N1 in Myanmar was in the same region in 2006 and the last outbreak was in western Rakhine State in January 2011. The disease was brought under control and was not known to have spread to humans.
An official said more than 1,400 chickens and 10,000 quails had died in the Monywa outbreak early this month and about 1,500 chickens and more than 20,000 quail had since been culled. — Reuters
Deadly weather
Many killed in avalanches
Bazarak — The death toll from a series of avalanches triggered by heavy snowfall in Afghanistan rose above 200. Officials reported the news on February 26.
The bulk of the deaths came in Panjshir province, north of Kabul, where at least 168 people were killed, acting provincial governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri said.
The avalanches came after days of heavy snow, which destroyed more than 100 homes in the province and blocked main roads, making it difficult for rescue workers to reach the affected villages. — AFP
Diplomatic visit
French President Francois Hollande walks with Philippine President Benigno Aquino during an arrival ceremony at the Malacanang Presidential Palace in Manila, the Philippines on February 26. Francois arrived in Manila to boost trade and promote the fight against climate change. — EPA
Mystery flights
Drones spotted over Paris
Paris — At least five drones were spotted flying over central Paris landmarks during the night and police were unable to catch the operators, a security source said on February 24.
The first drone sighting was near the US embassy in the French capital. The Eiffel Tower, the Place de la Concorde and the Invalides military museum were also flown over.
France has experienced a series of mysterious drone appearances since the beginning of the year. French law bans small, civilian drones from areas such as nuclear facilities. — AFP
Under attack
Civilians wounded in Myanmar
Ay Pyi Tw, Myanmar — Five people including a relief worker were wounded in an attack on a local aid organisation’s vehicle in conflict-torn northeastern Myanmar, officials said on February 23.
The vehicle carrying 13 people, mostly civilians and journalists, was attacked as it travelled from Laukkai, a town in the northern state of Shan bordering China where battles between ethnic Kokang rebels and the Myanmar army have raged.
A Myanmar Red Cross volunteer, a journalist and three civilians were wounded in the attack, the Myanmar Red Cross Society said in a statement. — AFP
Fans in Japan
Prince greeted in Tokyo
Tokyo — Prince William was greeted by hundreds of fans as he arrived for his first trip to Japan on February 26, before being whisked off to a traditional tea house.
The second-in-line to the British throne was touring the country without his wife Princess Kate, who is pregnant with the couple’s second child.
A crowd of well-wishers and journalists greeted the prince at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, where he appeared immaculately dressed in a dark blue suit despite the lengthy flight from England. — AFP
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Tragic accident
Ferry sinks in Bangladesh
Dhaka — A ferry sank. It happened near Dhaka, Bangladesh. Authorities reported the news on February 22. At least 70 people were killed. Many others were missing. Police were investigating the cause of the incident. — AP
Exercises
1. Which of the following is NOT true, according to the story about Prince William’s trip to Japan?
a. Prince William was accompanied by his wife.
b. Prince William arrived in Japan on February 16.
c. Prince William’s flight landed at Haneda Airport.
2. French law allows small, civilian drones to fly near nuclear facilities. True or false?
3. How many passengers were on the Airbus A340-600 plane on February 26?
Vocabulary
- cull (v): to kill a number of animals of a group in order to prevent the group from getting to large or to stop the spread of a disease
poultry (n): chickens, ducks, geese, etc. that are kept for their meat or eggs
outbreak (n): the sudden start of something unpleasant, especially violence or a disease
drone (n): an aircraft without a pilot, controlled from the ground
immaculately (adv): in a very clean and tidy way
