Unpopular leader
On January 1, more than 1,000 people protest in central Hong Kong, calling for the region’s leader to resign over issues from expensive construction projects to internet freedoms. — Reuters
Vienna vigilance
Police increase security
Vienna — Austrian police said on December 26, 2015 that they stepped up security in Vienna and other cities after receiving a warning of possible attacks during the holiday season.
“A friendly intelligence service sent a warning to numerous European capitals saying potential bomb or gun attacks could take place in areas with large crowds,” Vienna police said in a statement.
The warning included several names of potential attackers but investigations have so far yielded no concrete results, the statement said. — AFP
Extreme accident
Wingsuit jumper dies
Grenoble — A 39-year-old French soldier was killed on December 26, 2015 while attempting a wingsuit jump in the French Alps, the latest casualty in what is regarded as one of the most dangerous extreme sports, a rescue worker said.
The man died after jumping off the 2,525 metre-high summit of Le Brevent in the Alps. “When his flying companion reached the ground, he realised something had gone wrong. His friend probably crashed into the mountain,” a rescue worker said. — AFP
Flooding misery
Officials on December 31, 2015 attempt to pump water near Arnold, Missouri, US, as floods from the nearby Meramec River hit the state. — EPA
Sea rescue
Navy saves migrants
Berlin — Germany’s navy said on December 26, 2015 that it rescued over 10,000 migrants at sea this year, including more than 500 people off the coast of Libya on December 25, 2015.
“The German navy’s ships rescued 10,528 people since May 7, 2015 when its fleet launched a rescue operation,” the armed forces said on their website. One ship went into action on Christmas Day, some 40 kilometres from the Libyan coast, rescuing 539 people on board three inflatable boats and a wooden vessel. — AFP
Chicago shooting
Police kill three
Chicago — Police in Chicago, US, shot and killed three people on December 26, 2015, including a mother of five who they said was shot accidentally when officers responded to a domestic disturbance.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's office identified two killed as Bettie Jones, 55, and Quintonio Legrier, 19. Both died at nearby hospitals shortly after the domestic incident.
"Bettie was accidentally struck and tragically killed," Chicago Police said in a statement. — AFP
Cubans go home
Costa Rica deports migrants
San Jose — Authorities in Costa Rica have begun deportation proceedings for 56 Cuban migrants who entered the Central American nation after it stopped issuing special transit visas for Cubans trying to get to the United States, authorities said on December 27, 2015.
Costa Rican Immigration Director Kathya Rodriguez said that the 56 Cubans are being held in the capital of San Jose. They are not among the approximately 8,000 Cubans who have been stranded in the country since November 13 last year. — AP
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Windy weather
Tornados kill Texans
Texas — Tornados hit Texas in the US. Authorities reported the news on December 27, 2015. Twenty-five people were killed. Numerous homes were destroyed. — AFP
Exercises
1. Who was accidentally shot dead by police in Chicago?
a. Kathya Rodriguez.
b. A 39-year-old French soldier.
c. Bettie Jones.
2. Germany’s navy said that it rescued over 100,000 migrants at sea this year. True or false?
3. How many people were killed on Thailand’s roads between December 29 and 31 last year?
Vocabulary
- concrete (adj): based on facts, not on ideas or guesses
inflatable (adj): needing to be filled with air or gas before you use it
disturbance (n): a situation in which people behave violently in a public place
deportation (n): the act of forcing somebody to leave a country
