DISASTER ZONE
On September 17, Chileans stand around a fire on a road after being evacuated from their homes following a strong earthquake. —EPA
PARIS TRAGEDY
Man falls to his death
Paris — A young man died on September 19 after he fell off a statue at the centre of Paris’ Place de la Republique during a music festival in the French capital.
The man had been climbing up the statue, which represents liberty, in the middle of the square in northeast Paris, but slipped, a police source said.
Video of the man falling off the statue was circulated on social media, sparking controversy. — AFP
DONE DEAL
Police catch trafficker
Sao Paulo — Brazilian police have arrested a man they say is one of the country’s biggest international drug traffickers. The Sao Paulo Public Safety Department said police caught Mario Sergio Machado Nunes on September 18 in a luxury apartment in the seaside resort city of Guaruja.
Mario was the head of an international organisation that distributed cocaine to 27 countries, including the US, Spain, Belgium, France and South Africa, police inspector Alberto Matheus said. — AP
POPE ENJOYS TRIP
Pope Francis waves from his Popemobile after leaving the airport in Havana, Cuba on September 19. Pope Francis is on a 10-day trip to Cuba and the United States. — AP
ARMY CAMP
Obama wants gay leader
Washington — US President Barack Obama said that he will nominate Pentagon official Eric Fanning to be the army’s new secretary. Officials reported the news on September 18.
If confirmed, Eric would be the US first openly gay leader of a military service. The nomination comes as the Obama administration works to eliminate barriers to military service based on sexuality or gender.
“Eric brings many years of proven experience and exceptional leadership to this new role,” the president said. — AP
FRENCH FRIES
Migrant dies in France
Lille, France — A migrant was electrocuted on September 17 near the entrance to the Channel Tunnel in France. He was trying to climb onto the roof of a train to make his way to England, an official said.
“The individual died after he was electrocuted trying to climb onto the freight car,” a spokesman said. The migrant, thought to be a Syrian, was found dead shortly before midnight on September 17.
Officials said it was the 10th death of a migrant in or near the tunnel since late June. — AFP
BUS BOMB
Girl killed in explosion
Manila — An 11-year-old girl was killed and 23 were wounded on September 18 when a bomb exploded in a bus in the southern Philippines, police said.
The bus was parked at a public terminal in Zamboanga City, south of Manila, when the explosion occurred, said police chief Angelito Casimiro. Twenty-three people were rushed to hospitals with wounds from the blast, which started a fire that destroyed the bus, Angelito said.
Authorities were considering extortion as a possible motive. — DPA
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
ZOO HORROR
Tiger kills man
Wellington — A tiger attacked a zookeeper. It happened at Hamilton Zoo in New Zealand on September 20. The man was killed. Police were investigating the incident. — AFP
Exercises
1. Which of the following statements is TRUE, according to the story about the migrant electrocuted in France?
a. The migrant was electrocuted on September 15.
b. The incident happened near the exit to the Channel Tunnel.
c. The migrant is thought to be from Syria.
2. Where is Place de la Republique located?
3. What does SPL stand for?
Vocabulary
- controversy (n): public discussion and argument about something that many people strongly disagree about, disapprove of or are shocked by
exceptional (adj): unusually good
electrocute (v): to injure or kill somebody by passing electricity through their body
extortion (n): making somebody give you something by threatening them
