Vendors vanish
On January 10, several thousands of people march to the China Liaison Office over the disappearance of five missing booksellers from Hong Kong. — EPA
Lost at sea
Navy rescues migrants
Mexico City — Mexico’s navy has rescued nine Cuban migrants who were found by the tanker Chem Venus while their makeshift boat was adrift on the Caribbean Sea, authorities said on January 8.
The seven men and two women were found by the ship on January 5, the navy said in a statement. The navy released pictures of the Cubans coming down a ladder from the side of the tanker to a navy vessel 51 kilometres from the resort island of Isla Mujeres. — AFP
Fatal festival
Two die at religious gathering
Manila — At least two people died and hundreds were injured during a huge religious festival in the Philippines, where barefoot crowds hurled themselves at a statue of Jesus believed by Christians to possess healing powers, authorities said on January 10.
More than 1 million people turned out for the festival of the Black Nazarene on January 9, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, to see the life-sized statue wheeled through the streets of Manila. — AFP
Gunning for change
US President Barack Obama on January 7 speaks about reducing gun violence at a meeting held at George Mason University in Fairfax, US. — AFP
Demonstration deaths
Police and army kill protesters
Addis Ababa — At least 75 people have been killed during weeks of protests in Ethiopia which have seen soldiers and police firing on demonstrators, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on December 19, 2015.
“Police and military forces have fired on demonstrations, killing at least 75 protesters and wounding many others, according to activists,” HRW said. There was no immediate response from Addis Ababa, but it has previously put the toll at five dead. — AFP
Deadly collapse
Miners die in China
Beijing — Authorities in central China say 11 workers trapped underground in a coal mine collapse have died. Yulin city’s propaganda department says the miners were found on January 7, a day after the mine in Shaanxi province collapsed.
It said in a statement that the reason for the collapse was still under investigation. A total of 49 miners had been working in the privately run mine at the time. The rest escaped.
China’s mines have long been the world’s deadliest. — AP
Healing herb
New York changes drug law
New York — New York officially launches marijuana as a form of medical treatment on January 7, becoming the 23rd US state to do so.
Under the legislation, five companies are authorised to grow marijuana for medicinal purposes in the state. While the New York state assembly passed the marijuana legislation 18 months ago, the five firms did not officially obtain their licenses until last July.
Twenty dispensaries will eventually open across the state, but the roll-out will be gradual. — AFP
EASY NEWS FOR M1-3
Burning bush
Fire destroys town
Perth — A bush fire destroyed the town of Yarloop in southern Perth, Australia. Officials reported the news on January 10. The fire killed two people. One man was missing. — EPA
Exercises
1. According to the news about the recent legislation in New York, which will be used as a new form of medical treatment?
a. Cigarettes.
b. Marijuana.
c. Cocaine.
2. Is Chem Venus an island or a ship?
3. How old is Sathaporn Wongsrila?
Vocabulary
- barefoot (adj): not wearing anything on your feet
surrogate (n): a woman who gives birth to a baby for another woman who is unable to have babies herself
miscarriage (n): the process of giving birth to a baby before it is fully developed and able to survive
legislation (n): the process of making and passing laws
