VOA慢速英语2015 伊朗核谈判仍存在分歧

Difference Remains¹ in Iran's Nuclear Talks 伊朗核谈判仍存在分歧

How to dispose of Iran’s nuclear materials remains a barrier as negotiators try to reach an agreement in Switzerland on Monday. 

A top U.S. State Department official said that the issue of Iran’s nuclear materials remained undecided. But the officials said that this question was extremely important to ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. Iran’s chief nuclear negotiator said sending material to another country was not an option.

A group of six nations including the United States want to keep Iran from building nuclear weapons. Other nations involved in the negotiations² are Britain, China, France, Russia and Germany. If Iran agrees to a negotiated plan, many economic restrictions³ on the country could be cancelled. These sanctions have hurt Iran's economy.

A Western diplomat⁴ told reporters that Iran and a group of six world powers have not yet agreed on how long a deal would last. They have not agreed on how quickly economic restrictions placed on Iran should be ended. And they have not agreed how they would be put in place again if Iran does not meet the terms of the agreement. 

Negotiators have until Tuesday to reach an agreement.

Coalition⁵ continues strikes against rebels in Yemen

Airstrikes continued Monday in Yemen. Warplanes from a coalition of military units led by Saudi Arabia targeted the capital Sana'a and other areas. It is the fifth day of such strikes.

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi asked for help last week after rebels refused to end the fighting. The Houthi rebels are supported by Iran.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby said Sunday that Mr. Hadi’s “legitimate government” must be restored.

The Houthis took over Sana'a in September. In recent weeks, they moved south to the port city of Aden. Mr. Hadi fled to Aden last month after the rebels captured the capital. Last week, Mr. Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia.

In France, president’s party faces big setback⁶ in elections

Voters in France rejected many candidates from the ruling Socialist⁷ party in local elections Sunday.

Voters chose 4,108 candidates for 98 local government councils.

The Socialists⁸ lost about half of the councils they controlled to the conservative UMP party led by former President Nicolas Sarkozy and the anti-immigration, anti-Islam National Front party. The results mean Mr. Sarkozy has support to run for the presidency⁹ in 2017.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the election results showed people are angry that their lives are too difficult. He promised that the government will work harder to improve the country's economy which is the second largest in Europe.

Technical problems, violence mark Nigerian elections

Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari prepares to vote in Nigeria's presidential election.Presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari prepares to vote in Nigeria's presidential election.

Nigerians are waiting for results from the presidential election.

The country's Independent National Electoral Commission said Sunday that it would begin bringing together vote totals from the 36 states and the capital on Monday.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been in office since 2010. His party has held the presidency since 1999. He is being challenged by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Millions of Nigerians voted on Saturday and tens of thousands voted on Sunday. There were technical problems, and deadly attacks on voting centers in the northeast by Islamic extremists. Officials from the United States and Britain said Monday there were signs of political involvement in the counting of votes.

US, South Korea continue joint¹⁰ exercises

U.S. and South Korean forces held a joint military operation Monday near the port of Pohang. It was part of yearly exercises between military forces of both countries.

South Korean military officials said about 7,600 navy and marine¹¹ troops and more than 30 ships took part in the operation.

North Korea regularly protests the operation. It calls it a preparation for an invasion.

Blogger killed in Bangladesh

And an Internet writer was killed on Monday by three men in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Police have detained two suspects. Police say the attackers are students at religious schools.

A police official said the attackers had targeted Washiqur Rahman for his anti-Islamic writings.

Avijit Roy was a well-known Bangladeshi-American blogger who wrote against religious fundamentalism. He was killed in Dhaka last month.

Words in the News

Restore - v. to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : to return (someone or something)

Challenge - v. to invite (someone) to compete in a game, fight, etc.

Preparation - n. the activity or process of making something ready or of becoming ready for something

1 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

2 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

3 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

4 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

5 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。

6 setback   

n.退步，挫折，挫败

参考例句：

• Since that time there has never been any setback in his career.从那时起他在事业上一直没有遇到周折。
• She views every minor setback as a disaster.她把每个较小的挫折都看成重大灾难。

7 socialist   

n.社会主义者；adj.社会主义的

参考例句：

• China is a socialist country,and a developing country as well.中国是一个社会主义国家，也是一个发展中国家。
• His father was an ardent socialist.他父亲是一个热情的社会主义者。

8 socialists   

社会主义者( socialist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The socialists saw themselves as true heirs of the Enlightenment. 社会主义者认为自己是启蒙运动的真正继承者。
• The Socialists junked dogma when they came to office in 1982. 社会党人1982年上台执政后，就把其政治信条弃之不顾。

9 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

10 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

11 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。