VOA慢速英语2015 克里在俄罗斯会晤普京和拉夫罗夫

Kerry Has 'Frank' Talks With Putin, Lavrov 克里在俄罗斯会晤普京和拉夫罗夫

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said he had "frank" -- or direct -- discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin Tuesday in the city of Sochi. The two leaders discussed Ukraine, Syria and Iran.

Mr. Kerry has not visited Russia since tensions rose between the two countries over disagreements on Ukraine and Syria.

Mr. Kerry met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov earlier. Mr. Lavrov later said it was “absolutely necessary” to avoid steps that could further harm relations between the two countries. He also said that Tuesday’s meeting had helped leaders in Moscow and Washington better understand each other.

Philippines, Japan hold military drills in South China Sea

The Philippines and Japan have held their first-ever bilateral¹ naval² training. Both countries are in a maritime³ territory dispute with China.

The day-long exercises Tuesday in the South China Sea reportedly involved two Japanese destroyers and a Philippine Navy warship⁴.

Philippines officials said the training was not meant to send a message to China but to improve military abilities.

However, a Chinese foreign ministry⁵ official said her country remained concerned about the drills. She also accused the Philippines of repeatedly violating international laws and inciting⁶ tensions.

Yemen cease-fire begins late Tuesday

A five-day cease-fire began Tuesday between a coalition⁷ of Arab countries and Houthi rebels in Yemen. Hours earlier, the new UN envoy⁸ to Yemen arrived in the country. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed will seek to move Yemen's warring groups toward peace.  

The cease-fire is designed to permit humanitarian⁹ aid to reach civilians¹⁰ inside the country. Many are in need following the more than six weeks of ground battles after Saudi-led airstrikes.

Also, on Tuesday, Islamic militant¹¹ websites reported the deaths of four leading al-Qaida members in Yemen. The reports say a suspected U.S. drone strike Monday killed the men.

Pakistani PM voices strong support for Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif arrived in Kabul Tuesday, along with the Pakistani army chief, General Raheel Sharif.

Mr. Sharif condemned¹² the Afghan’s Taliban’s spring offensive. He warned that the Pakistani government will consider continuation of the attacks as “terrorist acts.” He promised to take shared action with Afghanistan against militant hideouts along the countries’ border.  

Mr. Sharif’s comments were considered his strongest ever in support of peace in Afghanistan.

Words in the News

frank – adj. used to say that someone is speaking or writing in a very direct and honest way

bilateral – adj. involving two groups or countries

maritime – adj. of or relating to sailing on the sea or doing business (such as trading) by sea

drone – n. an unmanned aircraft or ship guided by remote control or onboard computers

1 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

2 naval   

adj.海军的，军舰的，船的

参考例句：

• He took part in a great naval battle.他参加了一次大海战。
• The harbour is an important naval base.该港是一个重要的海军基地。

3 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。

4 warship   

n.军舰，战舰

参考例句：

• He is serving on a warship in the Pacific.他在太平洋海域的一艘军舰上服役。
• The warship was making towards the pier.军舰正驶向码头。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

6 inciting   

刺激的，煽动的

参考例句：

• What are you up to inciting mutiny and insubordination? 你们干吗在这里煽动骚动的叛乱呀。
• He was charged with inciting people to rebel. 他被控煽动民众起来叛乱。

7 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。

8 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

9 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。

10 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。

11 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

12 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。