1
US kills al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in drone① strike in Afghanistan
U.S. drones killed Al-Qaida leader Zawahiri in Afghanistan
The United States killed al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike, President Joe Biden said Monday in a speech from the White House. “I authorized a precision strike that would remove him from the battlefield, once and for all,” Biden said. Zawahiri, who just turned 71 years old, had remained a visible international symbol of the group, 11 years after the US killed Osama bin Laden. At one point, he acted as bin Laden’s personal physician. Zawahiri was sheltering in downtown Kabul to reunite with his family, and was killed in “a precise tailored② airstrike” using two Hellfire missiles③. No American personnel were on the ground in Kabul at the time of the strike. (CNN)
Speaking at the White House on Aug. 1, U.S. President Joe Biden said the United States had killed al-Qaida leader Ayman Zawahiri through a drone strike. Biden said: "I authorized a precision attack to completely eliminate him from the battlefield. In the 11 years since the United States killed Osama bin Laden, Zawahiri, who has just turned 71, has been the organization's internationally visible figure. He was at one point bin Laden's personal physician. Zawahiri was hiding in central Kabul, preparing to be reunited with his family, when he was killed in a "precision-tailored air strike" of two Hellfire missiles. At the time of the attack, there were no American personnel on the ground in Kabul.
【Notes】
① drone: [drəʊn] n. an aircraft without a pilot, controlled from the ground, used for taking photographs, dropping bombs, delivering goods, etc. Unmanned aerial vehicle (or missile) (remotely controlled)
② tailored: [ˈteɪləd] adj. made for a particular person or purpose customized, specialized
③ missile: [ˈmɪsl] n. a weapon that is sent through the air and that explodes when it hits the thing that it is aimed at 导弹
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(Credit: BBC)
2
New Zealand’s borders fully open after long pandemic closure
After a long period of closure due to the new crown epidemic, New Zealand's borders have been fully opened
New Zealand’s borders fully re-opened to visitors from around the world on Monday, for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic closed them in March 2020. New Zealand’s borders started reopening in February first for New Zealanders and restrictions have progressively eased. The process of reopening the borders ended last night with visitors who need visas and those on student visas now also allowed to return to New Zealand. New Zealand is now also letting cruise① ships and foreign recreational yachts docks at its ports. Most visitors arriving in New Zealand still need to be vaccinated against COVID and must take two COVID tests after arriving. However, there are no quarantine requirements. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday during a speech at the China Business Summit in Auckland that the final staged opening of the borders had been an enormous moment. (Reuters)
On 1 August, New Zealand reopened its borders to visitors from all over the world for the first time since the border was closed due to covid-19 in March 2020. In February, the New Zealand border was the first to reopen to New Zealanders, with restrictions gradually relaxed. The process of reopening the border ended on the evening of 31 July, and tourists and those holding student visas who need visas are now also allowed to return to New Zealand. New Zealand also allows cruise ships and foreign recreational yachts to dock in its ports. In addition, most visitors arriving in New Zealand are still required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and must be tested twice for COVID-19 upon arrival. However, there is no quarantine requirement. Speaking at the China Business Summit in Auckland on Aug. 1, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the final opening of the border was an important moment.
【Notes】
① cruise: [ kruːz] n. a journey by sea, visiting different places, especially as a holiday 巡游，乘船游览
【Related Reading】
(Credit: Reuters)
3
Surgeons use virtual reality techniques to separate conjoined twins
Surgeons use virtual reality technology to separate conjoined twins
After emerging from a final risky surgery, Brazilian conjoined twin brothers Arthur and Bernardo Lima lay separated for the first time. They were born craniopagus①, meaning they were connected to each other with fused skulls and intertwined brains that shared vital veins. To ensure a smooth surgery, medical staff used virtual reality technology to rehearse② the painstaking procedure. It involved detailed imaging of the boys’ brains including CT and MRI scans, as well as checks on the rest of their bodies. Health workers, engineers and others collated data to create 3D virtual reality models of the twins’ brains to allow the teams to study their anatomy in great detail. The twins had seven surgeries, involving more than 27 hours of operating time in the final operation alone, and almost 100 medical staff. Medical experts had called the surgery impossible, but now they all agree that it is a remarkable achievement. (The Washington Post & BBC)
After completing the last dangerous surgery, Brazilian conjoined twin brothers Artur Lima and Bernardo Lima lay separately in hospital beds for the first time. The conjoined twins were born with skull malformations, and their brains were connected to each other and shared important veins. To ensure a smooth operation, the medical staff used virtual reality technology to rehearse the difficult surgical process. The process involves detailed imaging of the twins' brains (including CT and MRI scans) and examination of other parts of their bodies, followed by medical staff, engineers and relevant staff collating the data to create a 3D virtual reality model of the twins' brains for the medical team to study in detail. The twins underwent seven surgeries before and after, the last of which alone took more than 27 hours and employed nearly 100 medical staff. Medical experts once thought the operation was unlikely to succeed, but now they agree that it was a remarkable achievement.
【Notes】
① craniopagus: [kreɪˈni:əʊpəgəs] n. a pair of twins joined at the heads 颅部连体双胞胎
② rehearse: [rɪˈhɜːs] v. to practice in preparation for a later public performance 预演
conjoined brothers after the surgery
(Credit: The Washington Post)
4
Nintendo Switch sales slump on chip shortage
Chip shortages have led to a decline in sales of Nintendo Switch consoles
Nintendo’s Switch sales fell significantly last quarter, dropping to 3.43 million units compared to 4.45 million during the same period last year, according to its earning report. The Kyoto-based gaming company chalked up① the Switch sales issue to a parts shortage. “Hardware production was impacted by factors such as the global shortage of semiconductor components, resulting in a decrease of hardware shipments,” the company said. The company expected procurement to improve “from late summer towards autumn”. Nintendo maintained its forecast to sell 21 million units in the year through end-March 2023, while it sold 23.06 million units last year. Investors are gauging the unwinding of a gaming boom among consumers who had been stuck at home during pandemic lockdowns. “Gaming is now bigger than ever, and a certain part of users stay on, but the party is certainly now over,” said Serkan Toto, founder of game industry consultancy Kantan Games. (Reuters & Engadget.com)
Nintendo's august 3 earnings report showed that Switch console sales fell sharply to 3.43 million units in the previous quarter, compared with 4.45 million units in the same period last year. Nintendo Games, based in Kyoto, blamed the Switch's sales problems on a shortage of parts. "Hardware production has been affected by factors such as the global shortage of semiconductor components, resulting in a decline in hardware shipments," the company said. The company expects parts procurement to improve "late summer to autumn." Nintendo maintained its sales forecast for the fiscal year that the Switch would sell 21 million units a year by the end of March 2023, down from 23.06 million units in the previous year. At present, the gaming consumption boom that arose during the quarantine has begun to subside, and investors are assessing the situation. Serkan Toto, founder of game industry consultancy Kantan Games, said: "The game market is bigger than ever, and some users continue to spend, but now the grandeur is over. ”
【Notes】
① chalk up to: to consider that sth is caused by sth 把某事归结于
Nintendo Switch
(Credit: Reuters)
5
Brazil’s environment chief approved paving highway through Amazon despite his own agency’s warnings
The head of Brazil's environmental agency ignored its warnings and approved the laying of roads in the Amazon rainforest
Last week, Eduardo Bim, president of environmental agency IBAMA①, authorized Brazil’s federal government to begin repaving highway BR-319 between the cities of Manaus and Porto Velho, a route which cuts through the most pristine② area of the country’s Amazon rainforest. The decision was immediately criticized by environmental groups who say that repaving the route would encourage deforestation. The highway project was originally a key part of a plan by the country’s military dictatorship③ to develop the wild area and integrate it with the rest of the country. It was officially opened in 1976, but poor maintenance led to its abandonment by 1988. Since then, the road has been only partially usable. A study estimated the project would result in a fivefold rise in deforestation by 2030, the equivalent of an area larger than the US state of Florida. (CNN & The Guardian)
Last week, Eduardo Bim, president of the Brazilian Association for the Environment and Renewable Resources, approved the reworking of the BR-319 road between the city of Manaus and the port of Veliu, which runs through the most pristine area of the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. Immediately after the decision was announced, environmental groups blamed it, arguing that resurfacing the road would encourage deforestation. The road project was originally a key part of a plan during Brazil's military dictatorship to develop no man's land and integrate it with the rest of Brazil. The road was officially opened in 1976 but was abandoned in 1988 due to improper maintenance. Since then, the road has only been partially accessible. One study estimates that by 2030, the project will lead to a five-fold increase in deforestation, the equivalent of an area larger than Florida.
【Notes】
① IBAMA: The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, known as IBAMA, is a federal agency under the Ministry of Environment. It acts in the protection of Brazilian natural resources. The Brazilian Association of Environment and Renewable Resources, or IBAMA for short, is a federal agency under the Ministry of the Environment. It is committed to protecting Brazil's natural resources.
② pristine: [ˈprɪstiːn] adj. not developed or changed in any way; left in its original condition undeveloped; in its original state
③ military dictatorship: The military dictatorship in Brazil was established on 1 April 1964, with support from the United States government, against President João Goulart. The Brazilian dictatorship lasted for 21 years, until 15 March 1985. The military dictatorship in Brazil was established on April 1, 1964, with the support of the U.S. government, against President João Gurat. The dictatorship in Brazil lasted for 21 years until it ended on March 15, 1985.
(Credit: CNN)
6
Volcano erupts near Iceland’s capital in seismic① hot spot
Volcanic eruptions in earthquake-prone areas near the Icelandic capital
A volcano has erupted on a mountain near Iceland’s capital Reykjavik after days of rising earthquake activity in the area, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said on Wednesday. Images and livestreams by local news outlets showed lava② and smoke spewing from a fissure③ in the ground on the side of the Fagradalsfjall mountain, which last year saw an eruption that lasted six months. A “code red” was declared to prohibit airplanes from flying over the site although helicopters were sent in to survey the situation. If the outbreak was confirmed to be similar to the fissures seen last year, the aviation alert would likely be lowered to orange, signalling less danger, an agency spokesperson said. The Reykjanes Peninsula is a volcanic and seismic hot spot, and the outbreak took place just 25 km (15 miles) from Reykjavik and 15 km from the nation’s international airport. (Reuters)
On August 3, the Icelandic Meteorological Agency said a volcano erupted near Iceland's capital, Reykjavik. Previously, the volcano's area had experienced strong seismic activity for several consecutive days. Images and live broadcasts from local news outlets show lava and smoke flowing out of ground cracks on the side of Mount Fagladar; Last year, the Fagladar eruption lasted six months. A local red alert prohibits aircraft from passing through the area, but helicopters have travelled to the area to investigate the specifics. A spokesman for the government agency said that if it is determined that the ground cracks are similar to those observed last year, the aviation warning may be lowered to orange, meaning the hazard level is lowered. The Reykjanes Peninsula is a volcanic and earthquake-prone area, and the eruption is just 25 kilometers (equivalent to 15 miles) from The Icelandic capital Reykjavik and only 15 kilometers from the Icelandic International Airport.
【Notes】
① seismic: [ ˈsaɪzmɪk] adj. caused by or relating to an earthquake earthquake; Earthquake-related
(2) lava: [ˈlɑːvə] n. hot liquid rock that comes out of a volcano lava; magma
(3) fissure: [ˈfɪʃə(r)] n. a long deep crack in sth., especially in rock or in the earth rock, land, etc
(Credit: Reuters)
Beijing University of Chemical Technology
Edited by Yilin Xu, Yingying Ma, and Lang Liu
Liu Jingfei read aloud
Zhang Ju reviewed