BBC新闻：英国开始适应脱欧后的生活
燕山大学 刘立军 供稿
【TRANSCRIPT】
Hello, I'm Debbie Russ with the BBC News.
Customs checks are being stepped up on goods crossing the channel between Britain and France for the first time in decades as Britain adjusts to life outside the European Union. The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK now had freedom in its hands. Jessica Parker reports.
Last night, following decades of membership, years of debate and points of political turmoil, the time came. While the UK left the EU last January, it was yesterday evening that the transition period ended, and largely brought that departure into effect. Boris Johnson described it as an amazing moment for the country. It is one that some will regard with huge optimism, others, with deep regret.
Portugal has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union with the main focus expected to be the block's recovery from the pandemic. During its 6 month term, Portugal must oversee the validation of member states' plans to use their share of the blocks recovery fund worth $900 billion.
Sudan's acting Foreign Minister Omer Ismail has told the BBC that his country's army has changed and will protect civilians in Darfur despite fears voiced by local people. Mr. Ismail said he understood the concerns based on the actions of the previous government, but that the situation was now different. “We give the guarantees that this army had changed, and it is going to protect them. Besides, the fact that it's a joint effort within the army and the new police and many other agencies are involved in this.” Mr. Ismail was speaking after the Sudanese army took over security in the region after a 13-year United Nations and African Union peacekeeping mission came to an end. Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir is accused of committing atrocities in Darfur.
The countries of the Americas have been the latest to see in the new year in a subdued fashion because of the pandemic. Paul Hawkins has the details.
No crowds and no parties, the New Year's Eve theme for many, including New York, where Time Square was closed to the public, and Rio's famous New Year's Eve beach party on Copacabana was cancelled. In London, the message, stay at home. While in Scotland, they opted for synchronized Hogmanay drones instead of fireworks. France had music master Jean-Michel Jarre live from his studio playing in a virtual Notre Dame cathedral, but the reality was somewhat different with an empty Paris, like much of Europe.
This is the latest world news from the BBC.
【VOCABULARY】
1. turmoil n. a state of great anxiety and confusion 动乱；骚动；混乱；焦虑。例如：emotional / mental / political turmoil 纷乱的情绪；精神上的混乱；政治动乱
2. civilian n. a person who is not a member of the armed forces or the police 平民；老百姓；庶民
3. oust v. to force sb. out of a job or position of power, especially in order to take their place 剥夺；罢免；革职。例如：He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
4. atrocity n. a cruel and violent act, especially in a war （尤指战争中的）残暴行为
5. subdued adj. (of business activity) not very busy; with not much activity （商业活动）不活跃的；低迷的；萧条的。例如：a period of subdued trading 贸易萧条时期
6. synchronize v. to happen at the same time or to move at the same speed as sth.; to make sth. do this （使）同步；在时间上一致；同速进行
7. Hogmanay n. （苏格兰的）除夕；除夕活动
【QUESTIONS】
Read the statements. Then listen to the news and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).
1. Boris Johnson described the UK left EU as an amazing moment for the country.
2. Belgium has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union with the main focus expected to be the block's recovery from the pandemic.
3. Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir is accused of committing atrocities in Darfur.4. The countries of the Europe have been the latest to see in the new year in a subdued fashion because of the pandemic.
5. France had music master Jean-Michel Jarre live from his studio playing in a virtual Notre Dame cathedral.
【KEY】
Read the statements. Then listen to the news and decide whether the statements are true (T) or false (F).
(T) 1. Boris Johnson described the UK left EU as an amazing moment for the country.
(F) 2. Belgium has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union with the main focus expected to be the block's recovery from the pandemic.
（正确表达）Portugal has taken over the rotating presidency of the European Union with the main focus expected to be the block's recovery from the pandemic.
(T) 3. Sudan's ousted President Omar al-Bashir is accused of committing atrocities in Darfur.
(F) 4. The countries of the Europe have been the latest to see in the new year in a subdued fashion because of the pandemic.
（正确表达）The countries of the Americas have been the latest to see in the new year in a subdued fashion because of the pandemic.
(T) 5. France had music master Jean-Michel Jarre live from his studio playing in a virtual Notre Dame cathedral.
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