【887-888】数百人担心飓风袭击莫桑比克后死亡&普京在克里米亚吞并五周年之际访问克里米亚
AS IT IS
Hundreds Feared Dead After Cyclone Hits Mozambique
March 18, 2019
In this photo taken Saturday March 16, 2019 and provided by CARE, people walk through the wreckage on the streets of the city of Beira, Mozambique, after Cyclone Idai made landfall. (Josh Estey/CARE via AP)
More than 1,000 people are feared dead in Mozambique four days after a cyclone, or ocean storm, hit the country. Entire villages were left underwater as bodies floated by, the nation's president said.
"It is a real disaster of great proportions," President Filipe Nyusi said.
Cyclone Idai could prove to be Mozambique’s deadliest storm in generations. It struck Thursday night in Beira, an Indian Ocean port of about 500,000 people. The storm's strong winds and heavy rains then moved inland toward Zimbabwe and Malawi.
Speaking on state Radio Mozambique, Nyusi said that even though the official death count in his country stood at 84, "It appears that we can register more than 1,000 deaths."
United Nations agencies and the Red Cross helped get emergency food and medicine by helicopter to the affected countries.
Mount Chiluvo, in central Mozambique, was badly hit by flooding. One person there said he heard a loud noise, like an explosion, and suddenly saw a river of mud flowing toward his home.
"I was indoors with my children, but when we looked, we saw mud coming down the road towards the houses and we fled," Francisco Carlitos told Lusa, the Portuguese News Agency.
The family lost their home and possessions.
Nyusi cut short a visit to neighboring Swaziland because of the disaster. He spoke on the radio after flying by helicopter over Beira and two rural provinces. He reported widespread destruction there.
"The waters of the Pungue and Buzi rivers overflowed, making whole villages disappear and isolating communities...," Nyusi said.
The Red Cross said 90 percent of the city was damaged or destroyed. The cyclone knocked out electricity, shut down the airport and blocked road travel to and from Beira.
The destruction there is "massive and horrifying," said Jamie LeSueur. He led a Red Cross helicopter team investigating the damage.
More than 215 people are confirmed dead from the storm in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Hundreds more are missing.
I’m Caty Weaver.
The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted it for VOA Learning English. was the editor.
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Words in This Story
proportions - n. the size, shape, or extent of something (plural)
isolate - v. to put or keep (someone or something) in a place or situation that is separate from others
AS IT IS
Putin Visits Crimea on 5th Anniversary of Annexation
March 18, 2019
Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, meets with local residents and veterans at the historical memorial the Malakhov Kurgan (Malakoff redoubt) in Sevastopol, Crimea, Monday, March 18, 2019. (Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian President Vladimir Putin marked the fifth anniversary of the annexationof Crimea from Ukraine with a visit to the area.
Putin began his trip Monday by overseeing the launch of two new power stations. He praised completion of the centers, which he said will cover up to 90 percent of Crimea’s power needs.
Putin said, “Today another important step has been taken to strengthen the energy security of the Crimean Peninsula and of the whole south of the Russian Federation.”
The power stations are part of a major effort to make a modern Crimea. It began after Russia seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2014.
The annexation of Crimea was condemned by the international community. The European Union (EU) and United States placed economic restrictions on Russia for the action. Ukraine says it wants Crimea back and most countries still recognize it as Ukrainian territory.
Putin claims that Russia “re-integrated” Crimea after the ouster of Ukraine’s former pro-Russian president in 2014. He has said the action was necessary to protect ethnic Russians that make up the majority of Crimea’s population from Ukrainian nationalists.
The annexation gave Russia hundreds of kilometers of coastline along the Black Sea. It also expanded Russian control over economic activities in the Sea of Azov and provided an opening to possible energy resources around the Black Sea.
Last year, Putin attended the launch of another major development project – a bridge linking southern Russia to the Crimean city of Kerch. The 19-kilometer bridge cost $3.6 billion to build. A railroad bridge is also being built as Russia seeks to expand direct supply links to Crimea.
Ukraine cut off energy to Crimea and blocked supply shipments from its territory after the annexation.
While Putin was celebrating the 5th anniversary in Crimea, NATO and the European Union once again criticized the annexation.
In a statement Monday, NATO allies said “we strongly condemn this act, which we do not and will not recognize.” The NATO allies also criticized Russia’s military buildup in Crimea.
The statement also accused “Russian de-facto” officials in Crimea of carrying out human rights abuses. These included “arbitrary detentions, arrest, and torture” against members of the Crimean Tartar community, NATO said.
The statement demanded that Russia “bring an immediate end to all violations and abuses in illegally annexed Crimea” and let international observational organizations into the area.
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini repeated the organization’s position that Crimea remains a part of Ukrainian territory, saying Europe stands “in full solidarity with Ukraine.”
I’m Jonathan Evans.
Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English based on reports from the Associated Press and Reuters. Caty Weaver was the editor.
We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments section, and visit our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
annexation – n. the taking of territory by a country, state, etc.
reintegrate – v. restore to unity
de-facto – adj. existing in fact, although not official or legal
arbitrary – adj. not based on a system or principles and often seeming unfair