Burning up
Firefighters watch as the Rocky Fire burns near Clearlake, California, on August 1. The fire has destroyed 24 homes and scorched at least 50,000 acres according to authorities. — EPA
Speedy seizure
Police find pills
Yangon — Police in Myanmar’s largest city say they seized more than 26 million stimulant tablets in what appears to be the country’s biggest such seizure ever.
Counter-narcotics police officer Myint Aung said officers seized 26.7 million stimulant tablets after an inspection of a parked vehicle in Yangon. The pills, identified as amphetamine hydrochloride, were packed in 89 bags.
Myanmar is also a major source of methamphetamine, a related stimulant. — AP
Rest in peace
PM goes home
New Delhi — The body of former Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was flown to New Delhi on July 28 ahead of a state funeral and a week of mourning for the renowned scientist and popular politician.
The 83-year-old died on July 27 after suffering a cardiac arrest in the state of Meghalaya.
Known as the people’s president, Kalam came from a family of Muslim boat builders in Tamil Nadu and rose through the political ranks to become president of India from 2002 to 2007. — DPA
Mass move
On July 31, Afghan refugees and Pakistani tribal people evacuate during an operation to demolish their poverty-stricken neighbourhood in Islamabad. — AFP
Wet zone
Floods hit Pakistan
Islamabad — Authorities reported on July 28 that the number dead from flash floods in various parts of Pakistan has risen to 69 and that the floodwater has inundated hundreds of villages in the country’s east, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless.
The National Disaster Management Authority said that the flooding has affected 300,000 people, and warned of more rains.
In addition, Pakistan’s military said its helicopters had evacuated 30 patients and tourists from the badly flooded northern city of Chitral. — Reuters
Rebel attack
Terrorists killed in failed attack
Aleppo, Syria — At least 25 Syrian rebels were killed in a failed attack on an army base outside the northern city of Aleppo, a monitoring group said on August 1.
Nine regime forces were also killed in fighting that erupted after several rebel groups launched the attack late on July 31, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Three senior rebel commanders were among 25 fighters killed, said the Britain-based monitor. — AFP
Kidnapping ends
Suspects freed in Libya
New Delhi — Two of the four Indians detained by suspected militants in Libya have been released, officials said on August 1.
The four had been detained at a checkpoint on July 29 when they were trying to return via Tripoli and Tunis.
External Affairs spokesman Vikas Swarup said two of the Indian nationals were brought back safely and efforts were continuing for the release of the other two. Islamic State militants are suspected of being behind the kidnapping. — DPA
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Shaky land
Quake hits Indonesia
Jakarta — An earthquake hit the area of Papua in eastern Indonesia. It happened on July 28. A boy was killed. Two houses were damaged. — AFP
Exercises
1. Which of the following statements is NOT true about A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?
a. He is the late Indian president.
b. He died of a cardiac arrest.
c. He was president of India between 2001 and 2005.
2. How many Syrian rebels were killed in a failed attack on August 1?
3. How old was Chayanan when she died?
Vocabulary
- stimulant (n): a drug or substance that makes you feel more awake and gives you more energy
seize (v): to take illegal or stolen goods away from somebody
cardiac (adj): connected with the heart or heart disease
inundate (v): to cover an area of land with a large amount of water
commander (n): an officer in charge of a particular group of soldiers or a military operation
