VOA慢速英语2015 US Coalition Targets Islamic State Group in Ramadi

US Coalition¹ Targets Islamic State Group in Ramadi

A coalition led by the United States has increased airstrikes targeting Islamic state militants² in the city of Ramadi. And Shi’ite Muslim forces are also preparing to deploy³ to the city.

Over the weekend, the Islamic State group claimed to have seized the entire city. However, the U.S. Defense⁴ Department questions that claim.

Hundreds of people reportedly were killed when militants entered the city overpowering Iraqi troops. AP and Reuters news agencies say thousands of people have fled the city in the past few days.

Ramadi is mainly a Sunni Muslim city. Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi approves the Shi’ite militia’s redeployment to Ramadi although he had concerns over sectarian divisions there.

US Secretary of State has strong words for North Korea

The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says the US has almost ruled out renewed talks with North Korea over its nuclear program. Instead, Mr. Kerry called for strengthening U.S. military alliances in the area. He also called for increasing international pressure to counter North Korea’s behavior and disregard for human rights.

Mr. Kerry noted⁵ North Korea’s recent submarine-launched ballistic missile test as an example of a violation⁶ of United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also denounced the reported execution of North Korean defense minister Hyon Yong Chol with anti-aircraft guns.

Mr. Kerry said the U.S., South Korea, and Japan alliance will continue to deploy the weapons and forces needed in the area. 

Injuries reported during railway protest in Southwest China

Officials say 38 civilians⁷ and more than 30 police were injured during a protest in China’s Sichuan province. AP reports that the protesters were angered at a plan to build a railway would not include their community.

The county government of Linshui said in a statement that 100 protestors attacked police and burned vehicles on Saturday. Forty people were detained Saturday and 20 more were arrested Sunday when the crowd again gathered.  It is not clear if those held have been released.

Fighting in South Sudan condemned⁹ by UN

The United Nations Security Council has condemned fighting in two northern states in South Sudan. It also noted repeated violations¹⁰ of a ceasefire agreement the government and rebels signed early last year.

The Council said in a statement last Sunday that a government offensive in Unity⁸ State causes violence that displaced 100,000 people. The unrest also halted aid delivery to civilians in the area.

The Security Council also blamed the rebels for launching an attack on the town of Malakal in Upper Nile state.

A group of East African nations has been trying to mediate¹¹ the conflict between President Salva Kiir's government and rebels supporting former Vice¹² President Riek Machar.

Nine killed in gun violence in Waco, Texas

And nine people were killed in gun violence between members of at least three opposing motorcycle gangs in the city of Waco, Texas. The violence took place Sunday at a drinking place. Members fought with knives and fists. Police say several people were injured in addition to those killed.

Words in the News

overpowering – adj. very strong, powerful

sectarian – adj. relating to different religious sects¹³, or groups

rule out – v. to no longer consider

counter – v. to do something in reaction to an action or event

humanitarian¹⁴ – adj. meant to improve the living conditions of others

mediate – v. to work with opposing sides in an argument or dispute

1 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

2 militants   

激进分子，好斗分子( militant的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The militants have been sporadically fighting the government for years. 几年来，反叛分子一直对政府实施零星的战斗。
• Despite the onslaught, Palestinian militants managed to fire off rockets. 尽管如此，巴勒斯坦的激进分子仍然发射导弹。

3 deploy   

v.（军）散开成战斗队形，布置，展开

参考例句：

• The infantry began to deploy at dawn.步兵黎明时开始进入战斗位置。
• The president said he had no intention of deploying ground troops.总统称并不打算部署地面部队。

4 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

7 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

8 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

9 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

10 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

11 mediate   

vi.调解，斡旋；vt.经调解解决；经斡旋促成

参考例句：

• The state must mediate the struggle for water resources.政府必须通过调解来解决对水资源的争夺。
• They may be able to mediate between parties with different interests.他们也许能在不同利益政党之间进行斡旋。

12 vice   

n.坏事；恶习；[pl.]台钳，老虎钳；adj.副的

参考例句：

• He guarded himself against vice.他避免染上坏习惯。
• They are sunk in the depth of vice.他们堕入了罪恶的深渊。

13 sects   

n.宗派，教派( sect的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Members of these sects are ruthlessly persecuted and suppressed. 这些教派的成员遭到了残酷的迫害和镇压。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He had subdued the religious sects, cleaned up Saigon. 他压服了宗教派别，刷新了西贡的面貌。 来自辞典例句

14 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。