【870-871】英国领导的研究小组从印度洋进行历史性的广播&英国议会再次投票否决英国退欧协议

AS IT IS

British-led Research Team Makes Historic Broadcast from Indian Ocean

March 12, 2019

Lucy Woodall, Nekton Mission principle scientist, left, and pilot Randy Holt inside a submersible 60 meters below surface of Indian Ocean during a descent into the Indian Ocean off Alphonse Atoll near the Seychelles, Tuesday March 12, 2019.

A British-led research team has sent its first live, television quality video transmission from a two-person submersible vehicle.

Team members entered two submersibles, which slowly went down into waters off the coast of the Seychelles on Tuesday. The aim of the project is to document changes taking place in the Indian Ocean.

Heavy seasonal storms and strong underwater currents continued to present problems at greater depths during the study.

The AP used optical video techniques to transmit the pictures through the waves by using the blue part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Before now, real-time video transmissions from the world’s deep oceans were livestreams. This means they were sent from unmanned subsea vehicles that were operated on land. The video was sent through fixed fiber-optic wiring.

The new transmission uses the latest wireless technology. The signal came from 60 meters down.

-v1-

The Associated Press is the only news agency working with British scientists from the Nekton research team on its deep-sea project. The researchers hope to open up the secrets of the Indian Ocean, one of the world’s least explored areas.

The team of scientists is gathering information to help policy-makers to create environmental protection measures.

Oliver Steeds is the director of the study. He said the experience of battling the waves shows the need to expand scientific knowledge of the waters off the Seychelles.

“The problem is, when it comes to this place, when it came to the currents, the most recent current records are from 1882," he said.

The study is expected to last seven weeks, until April 19.

I’m Susan Shand.

The Associated Press reported this story. Susan Shand adapted this story for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

transmission – n. to send video or audio to another place

submersible – adj. an object covered with water, such as a submarine

optical – adj. involving the use of devices that get information for a computer by identifying patterns of light

spectrum – n. the group of colors that a ray of light can be separated into, such as the colors red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet

livestreamed – v. to play in real time over the internet

fiber-optic – adj. the use of thin threads of glass or plastic to carry large amounts of information in the form of light signals

AS IT IS

British Parliament Votes Down Brexit Deal Again

March 12, 2019

British Prime Minister Theresa May

Britain’s parliament has rejected for a second time Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal to leave the European Union.

British lawmakers voted 391 to 242 against May’s plan Tuesday, 17 days before Britain is to withdraw from the political and economic alliance.

The vote meant Britain will have to choose: leaving the EU without a deal; delaying the March 29 departure date; or having a new Brexit vote.

May told lawmakers before the vote, “If this vote is not passed tonight, if this deal is not passed, then Brexit could be lost.”

On Wednesday, lawmakers will vote on whether Britain should leave the world’s biggest trading group without a deal. Business leaders warn that such an exit would cause severe disorder in markets and supply chains. Others say it could cause shortages of food and medicines.

Supporters of Brexit argue the withdrawal would permit Britain to succeed and negotiate new trade deals across the world.

However, parliament is expected to reject a “no-deal” Brexit as well. If so, lawmakers Thursday will then vote on whether to request a delay of the withdrawal to permit further talks.

After two and a half years of Brexit negotiation, both May and the EU have already ruled out any other changes to the deal.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Monday, “There will be no third chance. There will be no further interpretations of the interpretations, no further assurances of the reassurances if the ‘meaningful vote’ tomorrow fails.”

In 2016, 52 percent of Britons voted to leave the E.U. Forty-eight percent voted to remain in the group. The result has divided Britain over concerns about immigration and economic globalization.

Opponents fear that Brexit will leave Britain economically weaker and with reduced security capabilities. Supporters say it would let Britain control immigration and seize global opportunities.

I’m Jonathan Evans.

Hai Do adapted this story for Learning English based on reports from the Associated Press and Reuters news agencies. Caty Weaver was the editor.

Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.

_____________________________________________________________

Words in This Story

exit - n. the act of going out or away; a departure

interpretation - n. the way something is explained or understood

assurance - n. confidence of mind or manner: easy freedom from self-doubt or uncertainty

globalization - n. something made or done to involve or affect the entire world

opportunity - n. a good chance for advancement or progress