Алексеев В.С.
Учимся слушать новости
на английском языке
(с аудиокассетой)
Listening to the Radio News Broadcasts
Пособие предназначено для улучшения навыков аудирования и расширения словарного запаса лексикой общественно-политического характера.
Пособие включает тексты новостей живых радиопередач радиостанций “БиБиСи” и “Голос Америки”, записанных в 2002-2003 гг.
Пособие построено по принципу от простого к сложному. Первые 50 текстов новостей даны с подготовительными упражнениями, а тексты последующих новостей даны без. При этом количество пропусков, которые слушатели должны заполнить при прослушивании, постоянно увеличивается.
Тематика новостей включает сообщения из области политики, экономики, права, медицины экологии и других вопросов жизнедеятельности общества.
Тексты новостей с пометкой VOA (Voice of America) даны с учетом правил американского варианта орфографии.
В конце сборника даны полные тексты новостей. Это дает возможность при прослушивании иметь зрительную опору на текст.
Пособие предназначено для учащихся школ, студентов, преподавателей и широкого круга лиц, изучающих английский язык самостоятельно.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Andrey Shcherbakov and Alexandr Smaglo for their assistance in compiling this book.
News 1
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
terrorism; to challenge; to hit; innocent; cave; Army; Navy; Air Force; to prevail; Afghanistan; global; extremists; fear; conqueror; liberator; to develop; conflict; battle; unfortunately; iceberg; top; surface; grievances; excuse; to target; to assure; murder; to succeed; to rule; to transform.
to have an advantage; as well; US-led coalition; to be made up of sth; to win a war; as sb puts it; to be on one’s way; a self-sustaining nation; to provide for sth; police force; border guards; a training camp; to intend to strike; the bulk of sth; to go on; to put pressure on sth; to target sb for sth; to fight for; lasting peace.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The war against global terrorism is a different kind of war. and terrorist states do not directly , or , or . Instead, they and run. They attack t men, women and children. They hide in caves. Terrorists, said US Secretary of Defense Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, . They can attack at any time, at any place, using any . To , said Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, we have to fight differently as well. That is exactly what the coalition is doing in Afghanistan. The coalition ninety countries, half of all the nations in the world, who are cooperating in a war against terrorism. The war . In ten months Afghanistan from a country by Islamic extremists and terrorists to one that, as Mr. Donald Rumsfeld , is on its way to be a free and nation where people are able to live without fear.
The US-led coalition went to Afghanistan not as but as and, as Mr. Donald Rumsfeld said, we will stay there as long as it takes to see that the Afghan government, the has the ability to their own security and to develop an Afghan National Army and a police and , so they can that they will not again become a terrorist training camp.
Well, the conflict in Afghanistan may be the first battle of the twenty first century, it will not be the last. , said Secretary of Defense Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, the terrorists who attacked us on September 11, to strike again. The war on terrorism, said Mr. Donald Rumsfeld, is like an , you are going to see just the top of it and a what is going on is going to be below the surface, and the task is to the global terrorists wherever they are. As President George W. Bush said, there can be no peace in a world where differences and become an excuse to the innocent . In fighting terror we fight for the condition that will make lasting peace possible and, said Mr. Bush, we’ll succeed.
(VOA September, 2002)
News 2
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to seek; congressional; dictator; to protect; threat; whether; military; minority; approach; to share; ally; strategy.
approval for sth; to take action against sb; to remove sb; to use force; to look for sth; to deal with sb(sth); to meet with sb.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
President Bush says he congressional action his administration against Iraq. The President congressional leaders Wednesday ways to Iraqi Saddam Hussein. VOA’s S.S. is at the White House. President Bush that the US protect itself against from Iraq. The President congressional leaders he to use military force in Iraq. House minority leader D.T. the President an approach that by US allies. This is the beginning of the building of a with the American people, the C , and the of the world that are what is the . The President with British Prime Minister Tony Blair Saturday, then Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien next Monday Iraq’s program.
(VOA September, 2002)
News 3
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
urgent; summit; evidence; banned; to increase; vigor; to recognize; to pursue.
to make the case for sth; sideline meeting; weapons of mass destruction; to push for sb to do sth; control over sth.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Secretary of State Colin Powell the case action against Iraq during at the Europe’s Summit in Johannesburg. Colin Powell said Wednesday there is that Iraq pursuing of mass destruction with increasing . Mr. Colin Powell said he for the to recognize the situation can not go on as the last three years any over Iraq’s program.
(VOA September, 2002)
News 4
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to attend; poverty; sustainable; hostile; nation; negotiations; environment; implementation; issue; increase; source; delegate; commitment; to save.
global warming; renewable energy; impressive range of sth; to make a real difference; to hope for sth; agree with sb on sth; agree on sth; agree to sth; to be (un)happy with sth; to make a progress; to wipe out sth.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
After ten days of negotiations nations the World Summit on Development on a plan to world and the . VOA’s C.M. reports from Johannesburg.
As the summit Wednesday many activists were , what the plan. They say that it a progress they on issues such as global and increase in the use of sources. But UN Secretary General Kofi Anann says the Summit what he called, of commitments that, he believes, will in the fight to and the .”
(VOA September, 2002)
News 5
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
Israel; Israeli; toward; interview; chance; breakthrough; Palestine; Palestinian; to conclude; official; to quote; comments; crackdown; separately; to propose; envoy.
to negotiate with sb; to achieve sth through(thru) sth; to be a cover for sth; to establish a state; to accept a plan; in principle.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon says that for the first time he the chance for a peace with the Palestinians. In with Israeli television Wednesday Mr. Sharon Israel with Palestinians who, in his words, that they can not anything terrorism. But the Palestinian officials are quoted saying the comments are only a for Israel’s . Also Wednesday Mr. Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat separately the European Union proposing steps to Palestinian s by 2005. Mr. Arafat. he the plan . R. D. reports from Jerusalem.
(VOA September, 2002)
News 6
1. Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
amnesty; to abuse; to treat; treatment; suspect; lawyer; Sweden; Swedish; Tunisia; Tunisian; client.
to accuse sb of sth; to hijack a plane; human rights; to file an appeal; on bail; to seek release.
2. Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Amnesty International Britain serious in the treatment of terrorist the September, 11 in the United States. And the for a citizen of suspected to plan to a plane says will an appeal seeking release .
(VOA September, 2002)
News 7
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
tough; to adopt; representative; permanent; initiative; address.
get sb to do sth; diplomatic drive; to be aimed at sth; to hold consultations; Security Council.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The United States a new diplomatic drive the United Nations to a against Iraq. The initiative President Bush’s to the UN General Assembly on Thursday. As our correspondent J. W. reports the American Secretary of State Colin Powell consultations with of the other of the Security Council.
(BBC September, 2002)
News 8
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to support; to warn; spokesman; rebel; to oppose; base Chechnya; Chechen.
to carry out; territorial integrity; unilateral action; State Department.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The United States that President Putin of Russia if he his to Chechen inside Georgia. A State Department spokesman said Washington will Georgia’s and will oppose any by Russia in Georgia.
(BBC September, 2002)
News 9
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
accidentally; to indicate; to bomb; manslaughter; to aid; to abet; incident.
to face criminal charges; to be charged with sth; to cause uproar.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Reports from Washington that two American who Canadian in Afghanistan this year criminal . The reports say one of the pilots and the other with and him. Four Canadian soldiers in the , which in Canada.
(BBC September, 2002)
News 10
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
chairman; resign; worth; liability; announce; subsidiary.
mounting losses; to step down; to be at risk; to take steps.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The of one of businesses ‘France Telecom’ amid losses. The telecommunications company nearly seventy billion dollars and M.B’s decision came after the losses for this year of more than 12 billion dollars. Now thousands of in Germany after the company financially supporting its German MobilCom.
(BBC September, 2002)
News 11
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to enter; border; helicopter; missile.
to be injured; at least; armored vehicle; be involved in sth.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Israeli the Palestinian of R. in the Gaza Strip Egypt. One Palestinian and at least one . Palestinian officials say that 25 supported by helicopters in the operation. A missile by one of the Israeli helicopters.
(BBC September, 2002)
News 12
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
government; to cause; widespread; alliance; hostages; dictatorial; repressive; meanwhile; democracy.
US Defense Secretary; to launch an attack; avoid doing sth; to be removed from office; to commit oneself to doing sth; to maintain one’s territorial integrity.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says if the United States an attack against Iraq, it the government of Saddam Hussein and to the Iraqi people. Speaking as he to a NATO meeting in Warsaw, Mr. Rumsfeld said that Iraqi people are to a government. President Bush’s Condeleezza Rice said that if Saddam Hussein is from , the United States will to Iraq. Ms. Rice said toward and .
(VOA September, 2002)
News 13
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
explosion; warehouse; blast; to rip; Indonesia; Indonesian; embassy; unclear; threat; slightly; to escape.
to be linked to sth; to be wounded; to be apprehended.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
An in Jakarta near a US one person. A blast described as a small explosion a car in at about oday a kilometer the American . It is the blast was terrorist against US interests in Indonesia. in the car was by the and was . Two passengers .
(VOA September, 2002)
News 14
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
Ivory Coast; to protect; nationals; missionary; armor; commercial; although; to threaten; battle.
to be caught in a stand-off; to put down a rebellion; to hold out; peaceful solution.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
French troops to the city of V. between rebel and government forces. Among the foreign nationals are about 100 American children attending a school. The government sent troops and to the after a in the Abidjan the day before. R continue in the cities B. and C. both sides bloody , say they both to a peaceful solution. State television reports the at least 270 people.
(VOA September, 2002)
News 15
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
powerful; to explode; truck; to quote; to suspect; incident.
to claim responsibility for sth; to be terrorist-related.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
police say at least people when a in a in India’s northern U.P. State. Two other people . No immediate for the blast. But news service the police officials as saying that the was terrorist .
(VOA September, 2002)
News 16
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to dismantle; stockpiles; to press; authority; resolution; to allow; means; to include; to fail; bold; to disarm; to conclude; diplomacy; to counter.
to take actions; chemical and biological weapons; member state; to comply with sth; nation-wide; to lay out sth.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
President Bush says the United Nations against Iraq to of and that can be used in .
As VOA’s S.T. reports the President an international action and he US Congress for against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
President Bush wants a United Nations any to use necessary if Iraq fails weapons inspection. In a n Monday, his case for action against Iraq, the President said waits, and Saddam Hussein becomes.
If the international c does not , President Bush says, he’ll his to Iraq. He Congress the authority if he that is not enough Iraqi threat.
(VOA September, 2002)
News 17
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
militant; wave; to regard; stronghold; crowd; machinegun; shell; spokesman; incursion; infrastructure ; explosives; raid; armed; rifles; grenades.
to vow revenge for sth; to join in sth; to join sth; to urge sb to do sth; react to sth; to account for sth; suicide bombing; scores of sb/sth; to dismiss reports.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
group Hamaz for an Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip that 14 Palestinians and 100 others. As R.D. reports Hamaz leader A.A.R. Palestinian groups terrorist attacks against Israel.
Hamaz says Israel for the Israeli Army operation against T.U. as a of Islamic organisation. Hamaz leader A.A.R. all Palestinian groups terror attacks against Israelis. He the Israeli Army operation in which a crowd. Palestinians say most of the and Monday. Palestinians also say the Israelis and a at a where and after the fighting. Mr. R. says Palestinians every Zionist all Israelis . The of Hamaz since 1994 that of Israelis and the of terrorist groups. A the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat the to come to the of the Palestinian people.
Israeli Army by Hamaz and Palestinian Authority officials that in the . In the statement the Israeli Army said that the operation to in the area. The Army said the soldiers and equipment and one Palestinian leader. The Israeli Army said the missile during the Palestinians soldiers with and .
(VOA September, 2002)
News 18
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
team; to investigate; explosion; amid; conflicting; whether; accidental; to determine; cause; to own; crew; boat; to occur; vessel.
oil tanker; to be too early to do sth; to speed up; to blame sth on sb.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The US to Yemen to an explosion on a French oil tanker about Sunday’s blast was accidental or . Some French officials say to determine the . The company which says the saw a small boat to the ship . But Yemeni and US officials say the inside not outside the . Nearly 2 years ago a terrorist attack on a US N in the Yemeni port of Aden 17 sailors. US Officials on Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda terrorist .
(VOA October, 2002)
News 19
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
separatist; guerrilla; poll; election; militant; bureau; to disrupt; constituency; personnel; rugged; remote; to pledge; to urge; to boycott; violence; campaign.
at least; round of voting; Indian-administered; to make good on one’s pledge; polling station; east of sth; to take place; to be on duty; to take part in; so far.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
2 policemen and one in Indian- Kashmir Tuesday the and in . VOA’s J.T. reports from our New Delhi . Separatist militants on to in Kashmir’s elections a in D. 173 kilometers Kashmir’s winter capital Jammu. Tuesday’s for Kashmir’s State Assembly elections place in 6 constituencies in D. district and district in n Kashmir. About 90000 in D. – a and of the state, where separatist militants . Separatist militants to kill s and in the elections. Separatist political parties boycott. About 600 people in election since began in August.
(VOA October, 2002)
News 20
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to criticize; dock; move ;coast; billion; to force; job; management; to deny; to welcome.
to lead to sth; labor dispute; to consider a move; to stage a slowdown.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
workers by President Bush that to the of West Coast . The for the past week in a that US businesses billions of dollars. M.S. reports from Los Angeles. The President is a that could the the . Management workers a , which the . US Secretary L.C. the President’s action.
(VOA October, 2002)
News 21
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to announce; to question; witness; suspect; to detain; retired; announcement.
bomb attack; to treat sb as; identity card; in connection with; to set an investigation and intelligence team.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Indonesian police that two Indonesian men to the bomb attack in Bali to the bombing. The men on Tuesday after the of one of them the night club where the nearly 200 people. Police said the retired Indonesian o Bali also the attack. The comes after Australia and Indonesia a and after a Jakarta the Australian Minister. From Indonesia R.G. reports.
(BBC October, 2002)
News 22
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
surveillance; suburb; approach; to relay; to stress
in the hunt for; serial sniper; manned fixed-winged reconnaissance aircraft; to be capable of sth (doing sth); the military; to support the law-enfocement agencies.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The US Donald Rumsfeld to the use of military in the who killed 9 people in the Washington . Following an the FBI at the weekend the Pentagon aircraft information quickly. The Pentagon stresses that the supporting the agencies.
(BBC October, 2002)
News 23
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to win; backing ;referendum.
to stay in power; turn-out.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
say President Saddam Hussein in a on he should . was also 100%. Saddam Hussein was the candidate and last time 99% of the . The Iraqi government the a to the United States when President Bush military attack. C.H. reports from Baghdad.
(BBC October, 2002)
News 24
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
party; to sign; victory ;employment; education; deal.
Social Democrats; the Greens; coalition agreement; second term in office; to focus on; to commit sb to doing sth; to cut the budget deficit.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The two parties – the and – have signed a new after last . Chancellor Schroeder said during its the government would , , and , and issues. The deal also the government the to zero by 2006.
(BBC October, 2002)
News 25
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
the Netherlands; Dutch; collapse; post; entire; to resign; the Hague; struggle; murder.
centre-right; to be on the verge of sth (doing sth); to hold elections; to be divided over sth; range of issues; right-wing; to set up sth; populist politician; to be shot dead.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The - coalition government in the Netherlands of collapse after 3 months . Two ministers today, and from party leaders government to and new elections . The government but the BBC correspondent in the Hague says the problem between two members of the party, the LPF, set up by the T.T. He was in May only 9 days before in which the LPF .
(BBC October, 2002)
News 26
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to release; hostage; to free; amid; delicate; foreigner; to include; citizen; to film; explosives; body; to strap; to insist; withdrawal; troops.
to take over sth; one by one; heavily-armed; to deal with; strong negotiation card; camera crew; to film; female member; to look like; to blow sth up; to meet demands.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Chechen who the building a few . First one , then, , 6 to leave. Russian television calmly to waiting police. diplomats amid reports that the hostages . From Moscow J.C. reports.
The negotiations . The Russian authorities with the group for their . But the Chechens to make a . They promise to the 75 they’ve been holding, a number to British, Australian, German and American citizens. That still of Russians the theatre, a for the Chechens. The allowed female members of the Chechen group with explosives their bodies. The Chechens still they’ll the theatre if their of the war in Chechnya and the of all Russian .
(BBC October, 2002)
News 27
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to confirm; armed; patrol; drone; predator.
Defense Department; for the first time; pilotless aircraft; to be known as; to come under fire; to enforce the flight exclusion zone.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The United States Defence Department for the first time that it’s using to attack which American and British patrols Iraq. It says the , known as ‘ , carry which are used to attack a if Western coalition planes while the there.
(BBC October, 2002)
News 28
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
ministry; statement; to guarantee; sovereignty; response; to mobilize;
to be willing to do sth; concern over; nuclear weapons; non-aggression treaty; realistic solution; to go on to do sth; to go on doing sth; to call for sth; to back sth;
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
North Korea says to address American its programme if Washington agrees to a . The Foreign said in a that would be a the nuclear issue. It that the treaty should also North Korea’s and economic . The statement is the from Pyongyang the issue. Washington an immediate end to the n programme and says international its demand.
(BBC October, 2002)
News 29
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
to mark; holy; Ramadan; to fast; prayer; Moslem; to secure; association; knowledge; to practice; faith; mosque; scarcely; publication; to serve; settlement.
to observe sth; to be aware of sth; an estimated 20000; to live up to sth; to operate businesses; to be committed to sth; religious freedom.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
This week beginning of of Ramadan, , , and around the world. In America, too, Ramadan that they live in a country where all people their . Many people that several million Muslims in the US. In fact, Islam in the US today, with 1200 and 400 . American Muslims more than 400 and 200 . 200000 Muslims in the US and in the US . Like people everywhere, Americans their highest . But there that Americans religious . The first in America by people in their .
(VOA November, 2002)
News 30
Translate these words (a) and expressions (b).
the Senate;governor; Republicans; Democrats; legislature.
at the top of sth ; to cast ballots; mid-term election; to maintain control over; the balance of power; to swing towards; House of Representatives; to be up to sth; to narrowly hold; to have a slim majority; to urge sb to do sth; to keep control of sth.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
the top of the news US voters today in national that will decide Democrats the Semate, Senate that is, or in Congress the Bush’s Republican Party. The of US House of Representatives Tuesday, and of the Senate. will also in 36 of the 50 states. Democrats the Senate, while Republicans in the . campaign President Bush voters of the entire legislature.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 31
Translate these expressions.
to consider doing sth; to present a resolution to sth; quest for sth; to risk doing sth; to lose political relevance; to fail to enforce a resolution; to act on one’s own; to be frustrated by sth; to accommodate concers of sb.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein says he with the new UN if US military actions. VOA’s D.D. reports the US a new resolution to the by the end of the week. The administration a new resolution with the September, 12th UN by President Bush in which he said the UN if it its own resolutions on Iraq and also the US to act on if the UN . US officials by the of in the . Spokesman Boucher said the new draft accommodating the of other member and that for the to act.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 32
Translate these expressions.
to quote sb; Central Intelligence Agency; remote control; to be behind sth; suicide bombing.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
News reports US officials say the has used a that killed the Al-Qaeda in Yemen. Officials say as A.A. and 5 other Al-Qaeda members in . officials believe the 2000 at the US SS (steamship) “Cole” and a a French tanker in October.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 33
Translate these expressions.
to congratulate sb on sth; to face sth; to put forward; overwhelming victory; the need to do sth; cumbersome coalition.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
And the State Department Justice and Development Party Sunday. VOA’s R.W. reports the new party which of will be Prime Minister. The AKP says will meet on Tuesday who Prime Minister .
The AKP is party in that will alone to form a . other group is the Republican Peoples’s Party, which obtained 19% of the vote.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 34
Translate these expressions.
to seek to do sth; to pave the way for sth; to approve sth unanimously; to reject a resolution; to hand the matter over to sb; high-level sources; to accept the terms of sth; to call on sb to do sth; throughout the country; to be willing to act unilaterally; to accept a resolution.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Iraq’s Speaker S.H. told the 250-member the resolution is , , and a for war. He said the resolution a crisis and for rather than for . Mr. H. to the of the meeting of Parliament called by President Saddam Hussein Security Council resolution last Friday. The Head of and International Relations Committee S.A. told Parliament to the resolution and President Saddam for . The on Iraq’s by President Saddam his . General A. said Monday he believes Iraq with the new resolution. in the have told VOA Mr. Saddam the terms of the resolution, which Iraq UN inspectors to all the country including Saddam Hussein’s 9 .
Iraq has been told if the resolution, the US to act , if necessary, to disarm Iraq. Iraq has to decide the resolution.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 35
Translate these expressions.
to handle the threat of sth; to warn of sth; to maintain vigilance; to cripple the economy; modern-day; to arouse passion and anger; to hang like a dark shadow over sth; to poison the understanding; to provide the cover.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Prime Minister Blair at a London Bank Monday night to how his of new attacks by the Al-Qaeda . He spoke as of possible terrorist before in Britain or in Europe. Mr. Blair says the for his government and the people of Britain without the economy and social life. Mr. Blair says knows or , as by the the US last year, and the recent Bali , and the . The Prime Minister said the also must that the Israeli-Palestinian much of, what he called, the and that Islamic terrorists . Mr. Blair the new Middle East , before the end of this year.
“ this happens, this issue over our world our relations with each other, the understanding of our , and the under which the fanatics their .”
(VOA November, 2002)
News 36
Translate these expressions.
Roman Catholic Bishop; to head sth; to head to somewhere; to perform a religious ceremony; to offer a reward for sth; to blame sth on sb.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
The Catholic who the Latin American Conference outside Bogota. gunmen J.R.H. and another Monday as the town of P. . The Commander of the Colombian Army JCRA for information to the . The Army the Rebel Armed Forces of Colombia, the largest force.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 37
Translate these expressions.
to be bound to do sth; to keep doing sth; to be driven from the region; to come shortly; to remain ready for sth; to rule out sth; breakaway republic.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
Russia rebels based in the mountains of Chechnya until all from the region. Russia’s Defense Minister S. Ivanov said Monday the to in operation in Chechnya. The announcement Chechen separatist President A. Maskhadov said for peace talks with Russian President V. Putin. President Putin again with Mr. Maskhadov in the republic.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 38
Translate these expressions.
to reach an agreement with sb; to be cut off from sth; to strengthen border controls; to issue visa; to protested strenuously; to obtain visa; to be deadlocked; to strike a compromise; akin to sth; multiple entry visa; to hold rotating presidency; to satisfy concerns and requirements.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
There Russia and Chechnya in Brussels. That came as Russia an European Union officials travel rules to the Russian Baltic region known as Kaliningrad. VOA’s R.W. has the story.
Kaliningrad the rest of Russia since the Soviet Union in 1991. Russians have been able to travel to Russia itself Lithuania and Poland . But when those two countries the EU. EU rules border controls and most non-EU citizens including Russians. But Russia that its citizens travel between different parts of their country. The EU and Russia the issue until Monday when negotiations they finally that Russians between Kaliningrad and Russia use a special document visa. Danish Prime Minister Andres Fogh Rasmussen, whose country the EU’s , says the deal Russian and the EU .
(VOA November, 2002)
News 39
Translate these expressions.
to be landlocked between; to face a guerrilla war; to abolish the monarchy; to establish a Communist system; spectacular scenery; to be a popular tourist destination; to be focus of; to be in focus; rebel movement; to launch an insurgency; to increase sb’s control of sth; to make up; to come from middle class families; to be influenced by sth; to be inspired by sth.
Listen to the news and fill in the missing words.
In focus today Nepal. The nation of 23 million people world’s two most nations, India and China, war by Maoist who and a Communist system in their . S.A. reports.
With the world’s highest mountain Everest and and Nepal a popular tourist . But now the country of a . Almost 7000 people since 1996 when the Maoists . Maoists now hold about and their control areas. Most of these Maoists are young people from of D.L.Hindus and 20% of . leaders of these Nepalese Maoists families. Many of them and leftist while studying in India and other countries. the movement the revolutionary notions of Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedon, many analysts today say the popular in the country.
(VOA November, 2002)
News 40
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to enforce a curfew; beauty contest; to restore a degree of order; street battles; to impose a curfew; to spark violence; Prophet Muhammad; to be interpreted by sb; extremely offensive.
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A overnight in the northern Nigerian city of K. after over the Miss World beauty in which at least 12 people and more than 200 . security a after street Muslim the next month in Nigeria. P.S. reports.
With a imposed, a has returned to K. following violence a story in a national newspaper. The article said that if the were , he a Miss World . This by many Muslims to be .
(BBC November, 2002)
News 41
Translate these expressions.
in response to; suicide attack on sth; to take up positions; holy sites; to make arrests; to head for; to secure the entrance to sth; the Church of Nativity; to be the scene of a lengthy siege; to take refuge; to take action; to disrupt the infrastructure of sth; over the past two years.
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Israeli the town of Bethlehem a Palestinian on a bus in Jerusalem on Thursday. Israeli soldiers around in the centre of the city. S.W. reports.
The Israeli operation . Troops the town and houses and arrests. One of soldiers M. Square the the Church of . The Church, which marks the traditional , was the earlier this year after Palestinian there during
an Israeli . Israeli and sources said the the infrastructure of the extremist groups, hundreds of Israelis two years in and bombings.
(BBC November, 2002)
News 42
Translate these expressions.
to declare a state of emergency; ammunition depot; to channel funds; to help (to) do sth; emergency services; to cope with sth.
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The in Ecuador a state of in the city of R.B., where a powerful explosion on Wednesday killed at least 7 people and . Ecuadorian President A.N. said that the funds to the services, s a large number of . The of R.B. said that in the city a broken window.
(BBC November, 2002)
News 43
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to refuse entry to sth; international consortium; to convey a decision; to provide sb with sth; in exchange for sth; oil shipments; to operate a uranium enrichment programme.
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North Korea to international experts who want to the use of by international . Diplomats in Japan said the decision to the consortium, the Korean P Energy Organisation, by the authorities in Pyongyang. North Korea fuel since 1994 the freezing of its nuclear programme. But the agency the after North Korea the mission that it a uranium programme.
(BBC November, 2002)
News 44
Translate these expressions.
to urge sb to do sth; to normalise diplomatic relations; to call for sth; to keep free of; joint declaration; an hour-long meeting; to appeal to sb; nuclear-free; destiny of the world; to have strong links with sb; to strain relations; to reportedly admit; to develop nuclear weapons; in breach of sth; to freeze nuclear programme; to halt deliveries of sth.
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Russia and China the United States and North Korea to and the Korean P nuclear weapons. The call came by the Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese Jiang Zemin. T.W. reports.
After meeting in Beijing Presidents Putin and Jiang to the US and North Korea . They also said a North Korea the world and the region. China and Russia North Korea. Pyongyang’s relations with the United States since October when North Korea that it secretly nuclear weapons the 1994 A its nuclear programme. Washington deliveries of fuel oil to Pyongyang.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 45
Translate these expressions.
high-level conference; progress towards peace; internationally-backed settlement; dominant issue; to come under fire; this time last year; post-conflict government; at the top of the agenda; outbreak of fighting; rival warlords; to have limited authority; extreme poverty; to be a major focus of sth; shattered infrastructure.
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A conference opens in Germany today and in Afghanistan. A year after the fall of the Taleban and the - that Hamid Karzai President. Security the issue. On Sunday American planes Western Afghanistan after US soldiers during a battle between Afghan . A.C. reports from Bonn.
officials in Bonn of the government in Afghanistan. Security the . Although UN force the capital Kabul, several of fighting between the in the provinces that President Hamid Karzai Afghanistan. With , Afghanistan’s economic will also be a focus of the talks. infrastructure have been slow.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 46
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Roman Catholic Church; unprecedented step; to file for bankruptcy; to face sth; to be sexually abused; to reorganise sb’s finances.
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Reports from the United States say the Catholic Church in Boston step . The more than four hundred by people who say they sexually by priests. protection would all these actions and any new ones while the Church its .
(BBC December, 2002)
News 47
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to take up one’s appointment; spiritual head; to anger sb; to speak out in support of sb; to promote sb to the rank of.
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The new of Canterbury R.W. officially today the of the world’s 60 million at the ceremony in St. Paul’s in London. Dr. R. conservatives in the by stable homosexual relationships and of women priests .
(BBC December, 2002)
News 48
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to begin investigating sth; guidance and control systems; short-range missiles; dossier on sb; to hold on to sth; with a range of; military base.
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United Nation’s weapons in Iraq Saddam Hussein’s Scud . From the plant in Baghdad B.B. reports.
In the past Al.K. and for Scud missiles, which Iraq during the Gulf War at Israel and Saudi Arabia. UN’s Saddam Hussein missiles but the British government Iraq he has illegally 20 Scuds 400 miles, or 650 kilometres, his and even British on Cyprus.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 49
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to release a report on; widespread torture; to remind sb that; to remind sb of sth; weapons of mass destruction; to extend far beyond.
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The British government a detailed , what it says, the and of thousands of of the Iraqi President Saddam Hussein. The Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the the world that the the Iraqi government its of weapons of mass destruction.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 50
Translate these expressions.
three-man crew; to dive down to; to make a series of dives; to leak oil; mini submarine; let sb do sth; off the coast of Spain; to arrive in; to arrive at.
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The of the French is waiting to see if weather conditions them the of the ‘Prestige’ the northwest Spain. The submarine the port of Vigo yesterday. The French team to see if the tanker .
(BBC December, 2002)
News 51
The United States says for Iraq does have weapons of UN inspectors any of them. A White House said Thursday it has information that Iraq has weapons. Iraq says the declaration that it must by Sunday any of these banned , or , and UN weapons inspectors their Saturday after while Iraq observes the Muslim of Ramadan.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 52
President Bush says terrorism is and all countries should together. He the Thursday during the White House meeting with Kenyan President D.M. and Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi the last terror attacks in Kenya. Mr. Bush said if terrorists Kenya, they in Ethiopia and Europe or . And he the of the two countries in the war against terror. And they information with the United States and to for terrorists.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 53
Hospital officials in the say Israeli forces have killed seven Palestinians in the B . say Israeli and tanks the camp earlier today before a house. Meantime on Thursday Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Osama Bin Laden’s Al-Qaeda network in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 54
Macedonia says Al-Qaeda terrorists the Thursday of its in Karachi, Pakistan that left 3 people dead. The Macedonian called the a professionally terrorist attack and said a message on the wall of the the Al-Qaeda members.
(VOA December, 2002)
New 55
other American are about the Iraq Saturday to the UN. Baghdad says it shows it has no weapons of . J.L., a Connecticut Democrat, told the Fax News Sunday television program that he President Bush said in his Saturday that the report a . He it will take some time to determine its and .
(VOA December, 2002)
News 56
More than two inspectors the UN in Iraq on Sunday. visited a company in Baghdad and a the capital.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 57
US Secretary of State Richard Lee Armitage Tokyo his first of in order to a US-led Iraq. Reports say Japan wants to do more than but its constitution not to use military force. Last week Japan a to the Indian Ocean to . with Japanese officials, Mr. A. South Korea, China, and Australia.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 58
rain are to Australia’s New South Wales State, where more than 60 fires. Since the fires last Wednesday, 100 thousand hectares of land. From Sidney F.M. has more.
Authorities say after 5 days of the is to improve. temperatures and winds have given the firefighters an to many of the fires. , with rain forecast for Tuesday. still control to the north of Sidney and in the Blue Mountains to the west. many were by or by smokers. No homes have been the past 48 hours and many roads that by the fires . One emergency worker said the fire , it sounds toward you. Australia’s protection authority says from the fires is very high. have anyone with to . Two people in the fires, which thousands of hectares of land since on Wednesday.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 59
Union leaders Copenhagen have decided Turkey at least two more years before . The Danish EU said the decision will be taken 2004 Turkey the EU. The decision earlier negotiations. From Copenhagen C.M. reports.
EU leaders meeting over have decided that Turkey the Union until December 2004 at the . For that will be . The government in Ankara an earlier and more date. It means negotiations 10 other candidate countries the Union. That could make Turkey even more complicated. to reach a to reunify Cyprus, either. EU leaders a financial they will the 10 countries who their negotiations. Some of the candidates extra cash.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 60
North Korea the US after a North Korean ship carrying Scud missiles and on its way to Yemen. A North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said Washington North Korea’s . The ship in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday by Spanish an American . From Seoul C.G. reports.
calls to rethink its threat to its nuclear programme, North Korea . the United States by its in the Arabian Sea this week. The ship by US and Spanish forces and Scud missiles. It was and its in Yemen. The North (Korea’s) statement came a day after it it would immediately its nuclear in Yongbyon in order to get desperately needed power. The said it had no choice as the US to the country.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 61
The American Secretary of State Colin Powell has announced an , education, and free market the Middle East. Mr. Powell 29 million dollars towards the it was Washington’s to the region. a picture of economic and political systems in the Middle East, Mr. Powell the of women and educational for millions.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 62
in Germany have announced from tests of a new . Writing in the British medical “The Lancet”, the scientists say that when they a new antibiotic to in the West African state of Gabon, the were destroyed and was reduced.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 63
Next: an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.
A general strike Venezuela’s oil industry, the largest, and and food, drinking water, and cash. The strike by daily for and against Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. The strikers President Chavez’s policies, which, , have made millions of Venezuelans poor and the country communism. The opposition to a President Chavez’s rule, but now wants general elections soon. President Chavez that Venezuelan Constitution earlier elections. A at one opposition 3 people dead and 28 wounded. In the words of R.N., US to the Organisation of American States, the once again of peaceful demonstrators. The US Venezuelan police and to conduct an and of . In Caracas S.G. the Secretary General of the OAS, between the government and the opposition. The talks the strike and earlier elections. But Mr. G. has said that serious differences and more violence could erupt. The US all and constitutional processes and a peaceful, democratic, and the crisis. In the words of President George W. Bush, it is very important for President Chavez to do he was : to the why so much on the streets, and it is very important for him to those which are democracy including of press and freedoms for the . Now it is that the Venezuelan government the for the people of Venezuela to their fundamental freedoms.
That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.
(VOA December, 2002)
News 64
Once again the news: the US and Japan are that crisis with North Korea. All of the country’s nuclear weapons program. US Colin Powell calls the situation difficult and dangerous but he says Washington a non-aggression by North Korea and will not until Pyongyang its nuclear . the Secretary some North Korean against the US. An newspaper in North Korea says the is . But as S.C. reports from Seoul, the can be .
(VOA December, 2002)
News 65
And now Iraq. The US Secretary of State says the Bush administration expects of Iraq’s this week and it that they the . VOA’s D.G. has more from the State Department.
The US its own of the Iraqi Chief UN Weapons inspector Hans Blix the Security Council on Thursday. But at the with the Japanese Foreign and Mr. Powell that the US of the document is negative. Mr. Powell the importance of UN their interview Iraqi weapons scientists who would have weapons.
“The Resolution 1441 those who , and if Iraq that of the Resolution, I’m sure the will and decide is . And I to what in the future .”
(VOA December, 2002)
News 66
Meantime Moscow Iraq to its of a , actually a contract with Russia’s Lukoil. Russia’s Foreign Ministry says it a to the Iraqi leadership on Monday negotiations the issue. has a between Iraq and Russia, which is one of Baghdad’s .
(VOA December, 2002)
News 67
Work will begin to part of nuclear power station in Bulgaria. Two reactors at the K.D. plant on will be by the end of the month. Two reactors by 2006. The EU made their of Bulgaria’s to the organisation in 2007. L.S. reports.
The first reactors at K.D. on the river Danube 200 kilometres north of Sofia in the . A international concerns their . Those concerns , in particular, on the growing of the reactor and the building the major accident, one . But Bulgarian nuclear engineers that with international help and have all safety issues. They that Bulgaria needs two reactors both for and for export.
(BBC December, 2002)
News 68
The US the UN Security Council resolution Israel for the of three UN . Twelve other Security Council members including Britain the resolution late Friday and two other . The US killed the . The resolution voiced great the November, 22d by the Israeli troops during a with Palestinian in Jenin.
(VOA January, 2003)
News 69
US deploy missiles that could and destroy missiles against the US and its and . As the terrorist attacks of September, 11 2001 , the US and its in a world greatly since the cold war. The US new strategies for its and for weapons of mass destruction. And, as Mr. Bush , the US its citizens against, what is , the greatest danger of all – the that may states or terrorist groups weapons of mass destruction, and the them. its new strategy, the US from the 1972 and the of Cold War . The US has the of missile defenses in may ballistic missile attacks. At the same time, said President Bush, the US a with Russia – that in and in other areas of . The US to begin its missile defenses in 2004 and 2005. The system will include missile on the and at , and on , at , and in . The US will develop and missile defenses of protecting not only the US and its forces its friends and .
(VOA January, 2003)
News 70
The US as announced that a meeting in Washington next week to discuss the North Korea’s nuclear programme. North Korea has international by its Yongbyon’s nuclear complex, which can produce . J.L. reports from Washington.
The US government an new to to this crisis. to new North Korea to its nuclear programmes and to America’s in East Asia. A senior State Department official J.K will his from Japan and South Korea in Washington before to the region . The United States wants its to North Korea. But the new South Korean government, , is worried that Washington is . Speaking at his ranch in Texas, President Bush denied a . Mr. Bush suggested America’s in East Asia on the North Koreans.
South Korea has announced that Roh Moo-hyun is preparing his own plan to , which will Pyongyang and Washington to .
(BBC January, 2003)
News 71
France its Foreign Minister to Ivory Coast to the fighting that the country since September. In an unexpected visit Dominique de Villepin the and the government to come to Paris for new . Mr. de Villepin said France the to to stop a of conflict.
(BBC January, 2003)
News 72
Israeli have with Palestinian prisoners during a protest at an camp near Ramallah in the . 700 Palestinians at the camp, in violence in the against Israeli . A Palestinian group said the prisoners a strike in protest of by the guards.
(BBC January, 2003)
News 73
A report in a British medical journal has accused the idea ‘the new medical condition’ to treat it. The article says the industry the disfunction whose can be treated by the drug Viagra. Here is M.K., our .
The article in a British by a journalist R.M. says many of the who have with the industry. He that if sexual difficulties as a , doctors to drugs, when, , they should be other aspects of the woman’s life, such as stress, or from their partners. The article the way drug companies and new diseases and .
(BBC January, 2003)
News 74
On his first day in the new Brazilian Antonio Palocci the markets that he will not to the country’s economic . Speaking a day after Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva as Brazil’s first president for 40 years, Mr. Palocci said his government a policy of but not of economic . He to the of economic focussing on pensions, the single the budget.
(BBC January, 2003)
News 75
British police 6 Middle Eastern men ricin, an extremely lethal , in a north London apartment. said Tuesday of North African origin on Sunday provisions and under the . British officials say doctors and hospitals the symptoms of ricin . Ricin as a Al-Qaueda and Saddam Hussein’s in Iraq.
(VOA January, 2003)
News 76
Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo says rebels but will not their demand for earlier elections. Mr. Gbagbo his French radio French- peace talks Wednesday. from all of Ivory Coast - - a sports center in the town of M. 9 days of talks. The Ivory Coast western-based rebels Monday in Togo during the talks.
(VOA January, 2003)
News 77
A British- conference to the Palestinian authority today in London Israel’s to Palestinian delegates to . Palestinian say they to in the conference telephone and - from the West Bank town of Ramallah. Israel’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon the Palestinian delegation the conference after two in Tel-Aviv January, 5, which 22 people.
(VOA January, 2003)
News 78
Ariel Sharon says he President Bush’s with the Palestinians. But Mr. Sharon the members of - Middle East : Russia, the and the for Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat the peace . Mr. Sharon the US “Newsweek” an in which he the peace plan it “nothing.” The plan of a Palestinian State by 2005.
(VOA January, 2003)
News 79
It may be but that it’s . The of women report like , sleep, depression, . For the few a lot of doctors have to the symptoms. But a studied the of - are than . So now millions of women are for . Doctor Machelle Seibel, a , says he has one. And he in his new book “The for .”
(VOA January, 2003)
News 80
The Serbian President M.M. the to to the International War . The Mr. M. war crimes in the southern Serbian province of Kosovo . The that in 1999 Mr. M. the of terror 800,000 of Kosovo’s Albanians .
(BBC January, 2003)
News 81
Police in London , and , have a and arrested seven people the Terrorism . They said the operation was an the of of the in a flat in another part of London . The the centre of in Britain the of a who there. B.T. reports from the .
a hundred police officers, some of them , took in a . It was a as a police , its the , as the officers entered the building. Seven people and . But if the A. H. was one of them.
(BBC January, 2003)
News 82
Russia and China, two of the United Nations Security Council , have their war against Iraq. Russia said at the moment any military action. And China in a an has expressed the - - of troops and in the . P.B. reports.
The diplomatic over Iraq . With America , the of between France and Germany yesterday . Now Russia and China their positions . In Moscow President Putin George Bush the UN next week the future action. Russia there are against Iraq. China too about the - in the and wants the UN inspectors more time.
(BBC January, 2003)