VOA慢速英语2015 乌克兰煤矿爆炸造成至少33人死亡

At Least 33 Dead in Ukraine Mine Explosion 乌克兰煤矿爆炸造成至少33人死亡

At least 33 miners are confirmed dead from an explosion Wednesday at a coal mine in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk. 

Mine officials say excess methane¹ gas likely caused the explosion. They said the incident was not linked to fighting in the area between pro-Russian rebels and Ukrainian government forces.

At least 15 injured miners are being treated at a nearby hospital. Most are suffering from severe burns, smoke inhalation and shock.

Justice Department releases Ferguson report

The U.S. Justice Department released a report Wednesday about the police department in the U.S. city of Ferguson, Missouri.

The report is the result of a six-month investigation². Officials launched it after the shooting death August 9 of an unarmed black teenager by a white police officer. He has since resigned.

The Justice Department says it will not bring civil rights charges against the former officer. But it says investigators³ found that Ferguson police often violated the constitutional rights of black citizens. The report says officers used excessive force against them and made arrests without probable cause.

China to increase military spending

China announced Wednesday it will increase its military spending by 10 percent this year. The total would amount to $145 billion in 2015.

China has increased its military budget by ten percent or more for the last four years.

China has the world’s largest military, with 2.3 million members.

Mexico captures Zetas drug leader

Mexican security forces arrested the leader of the Zetas illegal drug cartel Wednesday. Omar Trevino was seized in the northern city of Monterrey, a top government official said.

His arrest came just days after the capture of Servando Gomez, leader of the Knights⁴ Templar crime group. He was the most wanted illegal drug criminal in Mexico.

Words in the News

excess – n. an amount that is more than the usual or necessary amount

inhale⁵ – v.   to breathe in

excessive – adj.  going beyond what is usual, normal, or proper

cartel – n.  a group of businesses that agree to fix prices so they all will make more money

1 methane   

n.甲烷，沼气

参考例句：

• The blast was caused by pockets of methane gas that ignited.爆炸是由数袋甲烷气体着火引起的。
• Methane may have extraterrestrial significance.甲烷具有星际意义。

2 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

3 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

5 inhale   

v.吸入(气体等)，吸(烟)

参考例句：

• Don't inhale dust into your lung.别把灰尘吸进肺里。
• They are pleased to not inhale second hand smoke.他们很高兴他们再也不会吸到二手烟了。