ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/7/3-7

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/7/3 (月) 米国務長官習近平主席らと会談
ANTONY BLINKEN MEETS XI JINPING
Antony Blinken meets XI Jinping
2023年6月19日のニュース

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Their meeting was the highlight of Blinken’s visit to Beijing, aimed at improving U.S.-China ties.
(Xi Jinping / Chinese President)
“I hope your visit to China will play an active role in stabilizing bilateral relations.”
The Chinese foreign ministry said Xi suggested bilateral ties could be improved, by saying China wants healthy and stable relations.
Blinken held a news conference after the meeting.
(Antony Blinken / U.S. Secretary of State)
“I stressed that direct engagement and sustained communication at senior levels is the best way to responsibly manage our differences and ensure that competition does not veer into conflict.”
Blinken said the U.S. policy on Taiwan has not changed. He stated the U.S. does not support Taiwan’s independence.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/7/4 (火) エンタメ業界に広がる“イマーシブ”体験
JAPAN’S IMMERSIVE EVENTS LET VISITORS BE PART OF THE SHOW
Japan’s immersive events let visitors be part of the show
2023年6月19日のニュース

Many visitors to Japan’s arts and entertainment events are not merely watching from a distance but becoming part of the show. Venues have been introducing digital technologies that allow immersive experiences for anyone who wants to take part.
An art exhibition in Fukuoka in western Japan allows visitors to plunge into the world of masterpieces. Projection mapping is used to display images of “Water Lilies” by Claude Monet on the floor and walls. Music and lighting enhance the effect.
An amusement park near Tokyo is inviting visitors to become part of a mystery drama. The setting is a restaurant made to look like a dining car. Scenes out the windows change as the story unfolds. Actors prompt the visitors to take on a role, sometimes as one of the suspects.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/7/5 (水)ロシアの戦術核ベラルーシへ搬入
RUSSIAN NUKES ARRIVE IN BELARUS
2023年6月17日のニュース

Russian President Vladimir Putin has seen Western leaders unite against him since launching the war in Ukraine. But he’s grown closer to those he calls “reliable partners.” Now he’s delivered a round of nuclear weapons to his closest ally in Belarus.
(Vladimir Putin / Russian President)
“This is just an element of deterrence, so that everyone who is thinking about inflicting a strategic defeat on us will not forget about the circumstance.”
Putin announced plans to move some of the arsenal to Belarus months ago. He says the first shipment has now been delivered, and the rest will go by the end of the year.
He says the weapons would only be used in case of what he called a “true threat.” And he warns that his forces could easily destroy every building standing in the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, but, so far, they’ve chosen not to.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/7/6 (木)世界の難民・避難民過去最多に
UNHCR: RECORD 108 MIL. PEOPLE FORCED TO FLEE HOMES
Unhcr: Record 108 million people forced to flee homes
2023年6月14日のニュース

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees says the number of people forcibly displaced due to conflict or persecution hit a record 108 million as of the end of last year.
The agency released the report on Wednesday.
It said around 6.5 million people fled their homes in Syria, where a civil war has raged for more than a decade. About 5.7 million were forced to flee Ukraine due to Russia’s invasion.
The report also said around the same number left Afghanistan, where the Taliban took power in 2021 after U.S. and other multinational forces withdrew.
The agency added the conflict in Sudan between the military and a paramilitary group that erupted in April has forced people to flee as well. It estimates a record-breaking global refugee population of 110 million as of the end of May.
The report said the responsibility for hosting displaced populations should be shared more equally among nations.

ニュースで学ぶ現代英語 23/7/7 (金)フランス航空ショーで“空飛ぶクルマ”
PARIS AIR SHOW FEATURES SMALL VERTICAL-TAKEOFF VEHICLE
Paris air show features small vertical-takeoff vehicle
2023年6月20日のニュース

One of the world’s largest aviation events is underway in France. Aircraft touted as next-generation flying vehicles are on display for the first time.
About 2,500 companies from 55 countries and regions are taking part in the Paris Air Show.
German firm Volocopter demonstrated its electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft. It seats two people, runs on rechargeable batteries, and has 18 propellers. The top speed is 110 kilometers per hour.

(Itoga Akiko / Volocopter)
“We aim to start a mobility revolution in large cities. Passengers of our aircraft can travel short distances quickly even in areas where there are serious traffic jams.”

Volocopter says it plans to launch an air taxi service in France next year.