2. VOA Special English 2011.3.20-21 News Broadcast

3. News Item 1 Questions 1. What’s the news mainly about? 2. What are the representatives from United Nations, the European Union, Arab and western powers doing? 3. What resolution was recently approved by the UN Security Council? 4. Which side’s plane was shot down over Benghazi?

4. Words and Expressions European Union (EU) 欧洲联盟（欧盟） an organization of European countries dedicated to increasing economic integration and strengthening cooperation among its members. The European Union headquarters is located in Brussels, Belgium. The European Union was formally established on November 1, 1993. It was formerly known as European Communities (EC) or European Economic Community (EEC). As of 2010 there were 27 countries in the EU.

5. Flag of the European Union The flag of the European Union (EU) is composed of a circle of 12 gold stars on a royal blue background. The flag is meant to represent the union of all the peoples of Europe

6. Euro Coins and Bills On January 1, 1999, participating members of the European Union (EU) adopted a single currency, the euro. Euros were used mainly for accounting purposes and for electronic money transfers until January 1, 2002. At that time, euro-denominated coins and bills entered circulation and replaced the national currencies of participating EU member states.

7. UN Security Council 联合国安全理事会 － one of the six principal organs of the United Nations (UN). Under the United Nations Charter, the Security Council is primarily responsible for maintaining international peace and security. Under Chapter VII of the charter, the Security Council is the only UN organ that can order enforcement action if a case of aggression or breach of peace has been established. The Security Council has 15 members, of which 5 are permanent: China, the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France. The other members are elected by the General Assembly to serve nonconsecutive two-year terms.

8. United Nations Security Council The Security Council is the most powerful body in the United Nations (UN). Its 15 members determine how the UN should resolve world conflicts, and it is the only UN body that can order enforcement action in the event of aggression. The Council’s five permanent members—Britain, China, France, Russia, and the United States—have the most power because any one of them can veto a Council decision.

9. Words and Expressions resolution － a formal decision taken at a meeting by means of vote bar － to ban or prevent sb from doing sth enforce _ － to make sure that people obey a particular law or rule ceasefire － a ceasefire is an agreement in which countries of groups of people that are fighting each other agree to stop fighting

10. Scripts World leaders have begun an emergency meeting in Paris for talks on Libya. Representatives from the United Nations, the European Union and Arab and Western powers are deciding what should be done about the military situation in Libya. The United Nations Security Council recently approved a resolution that includes barring air travel over Libyan airspace. However, it does not say who would enforce the resolution. Separately, rebels in Libya say pro-government forces have moved closer to Benghazi. Rebels currently control the eastern city. The rebels say military forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi shot down one of their planes over Benghazi. The government forces seemed to be ignoring a ceasefire that was declared by Mr. Gaddafi on Friday.

11. News Item 2: Fill in the blanks. Muammar Gaddafi told Libyans his country is ready for a (1)________with the western forces (2)_____missiles at his troops. In an audio message broadcast on state television, Mr. Gaddafi said there is (3)__________what he called the (4)_________by the United States and (5)_____________. He called the (6)______________. America's top military officer said the (7)_______________the no-fly zone over Libya went well. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen said he had seen no reports of (8)_________________ from the air strikes. Libyan State Television said (9)_________were killed and (10)______were wounded. Saturday (11)___________said (12)______missiles were fired from American and British ships in the Mediterranean at more than (13)__________. long warfiring no reason for interferenceEuropean nations air strikes terrorism operation enforcing civilian death or injuries 48 people150 the Pentagon112 20 targets

12. Words and Expressions missile － a tube-shape weapon that travels long distances through the air and explodes when it reaches its target. interference － an act or process of interfering civilian _ － anyone who is not a member of the armed forces The Pentagon － The Pentagon is the main building of US Defense Department in Washington. The US Defense Department is often referred to as the Pentagon The Mediterranean -- the sea between the South Europe and North Africa. 地中海

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