The ESL Free Press

Summer Break

We will not publish daily in July and August -- but check back for news that may interest you.

The Fourth

July 4th is Independence Day in the U.S. It is usually called the Fourth of July or just the Fourth.

This is the day when the U.S. announced, in 1776, that it was an independent country, no longer tied to Britain. The British did not accept this, and the American Revolution followed. The fighting went on till 1781. But the U.S. dates its birth as a country from 1776.

Today, Americans celebrate the Fourth with a day off (for many people, anyway). Most communities hold celebrations and put up red, white, and blue decorations. Fireworks are another traditional part of the day. Many Americans also like to have barbecues.

Flags, Uniforms and Arms of the Revolution

Art Print

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Canada Day 2010

July 1st is Canada Day. Canada celebrates becoming a country in 1867. Before that, it was a colony (foreign possession) of Britain.

Although Canada still has ties to Britain -- for example, the same Queen -- its people are proud of its independence. (They joke that they do not like to show this pride as much as people of other countries.)

Canada Day is a statutory holiday. Many people have the day off and use it to join celebrations in their towns.

To learn more about this and other Canadian holidays, order our ebook, Special Days in Canada.

Attack Meant to Get Attention, Military Says

Above, we linked to news of an attack on a NATO airfield in Afghanistan. The attackers used a car bomb, grenades, and guns. Several of them were killed.

Military officials say two servicemembers were slightly wounded. No civilians (non-fighters) were hurt. The attackers did not breach the perimeter (get into the airfield).

Captain Jane Campbell of the U.S. Navy, a spokeswoman for the International Security Assistance Force, says the attack was meant to get attention from the media. But it only disrupted the troops' work for a short time.

"Our forces successfully repelled the attack," she says.

source

printable: Download Attack Meant to Get Attention, Military Says.pdf (20.9K)

Man Admits Helping with Fake Anthrax Letters

A man in Alabama, USA, has pleaded guilty to helping another man send letters with fake anthrax in them.

(Anthrax is a disease spread by spores. The spores can be made into white powder and used as a weapon.)

Milstead Darden admits he helped Clifton Dodd send eight letters with white powder in them. He let Dodd get the letters ready while sitting in his truck. Then he drove Dodd to the post office to mail them. Postal Inspectors arrested the two men soon after that. Dodd will be tried later.

Although the powder wasn't real anthrax, people who got the letters might have thought it was. They might have called emergency services, which would have been expensive. So this crime is taken seriously.

"These type letters are a threat, not a joke," says U.S. Attorney Joyce White Vance.

source

printable:Download Man Admits Helping with Fake Anthrax Letters.pdf (20.8K)

Links to June 30th's Top News Stories

The Taliban attacked a NATO air base near Jalalabad, Afghanistan, with a car bomb and grenades. Several of the attackers were killed. Read more.

Madrid, Spain, has no subways running today -- workers are on strike because of pay cuts. Read more.

A strong earthquake has hit Mexico, but no one was hurt and there was no severe damage. Read more.

The people accused of being Russian spies lived ordinary lives in America, neighbors say. One woman was thought to be Scandinavian because of her accent and blond hair. Read more.

Ten Arrested as Secret Agents for Russia

Ten people have been arrested and charged with acting as agents for the Russian Federation in the U.S. The FBI says they were on "deep cover" assignments. (They did not admit any connection with Russia and posed as ordinary Americans.)

It is illegal in the U.S. to work as a foreign government agent without telling the U.S. government. All the suspects are charged with this, and nine are also charged with money laundering (making transactions with money made illegally).

Another man was charged, but not caught until later. He was found in Cyprus -- our "Links" post for today has more.

source

printable: Download Ten Arrested as Secret Agents for Russia.pdf (19.8K)

Not a Victim

Desima James told the Federal Emergency Management Agency that he was a victim of disasters in five different States. Now, he admits he was lying.

James pleaded guilty on Monday. The court found that he got over $30,000 by making fake claims to FEMA. He said he lived in areas that had been hit by hurricanes, flooding, and a tornado. James gave different names and addresses in Texas, Louisiana, Florida, Indiana, and New Hampshire. He really lived in Georgia.

FEMA mailed him money to help with his "emergencies".

"Mr. James exploited other people's misfortune in hopes of being delivered a life of ease," says the Postal Inspector in charge of Atlanta, Georgia. 

source

printable:Download Not a Victim.pdf (19.1K)

Links to June 29th's Top News Stories

The 11th suspect in the Russian spy case has been arrested in Cyprus. (We will post the background story on this later.) Read more.

At least 107 people are missing after a landslide in the village of Dazhai, China. Read more.

Eight suspects, including an Al-Qaeda commander, have been killed by a U.S. drone (unmanned plane) in Pakistan, says a Pakistani official. Read more.

Israeli diplomats (foreign service officials and workers) are protesting for higher pay -- by wearing jeans and sandals to work. Read more.

Afghan Police Rescued

Two Afghan National Police officers were rescued from kidnappers on Sunday by Afghan and international soldiers.

This took place in Ghazni Province. The officers were taken hostage about a week ago. As the soldiers went toward the compound where the officers were being held, several rebels ran away.

The police officers were freed without any shots being fired.

source

printable:Download Afghan Police Rescued.pdf (19.2K)