The German economy minister Sigmar Gabriel says talks on a planned free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States have de facto failed. Mr. Gabriel said in 14 rounds of talks the two sides had been unable to agree on any of the 27 chapters they discussed.
The German chancellor Angela Merkel has criticized some member states of the European Union for their refusal to take in migrants who fled to the continent. Mrs. Merkel said it was unacceptable that some EU members said they didn't want to accept any Muslims as a matter of principle.
President Erdogan has defended Turkey's military operation in Syria. Mr. Erdogan said Turkey's fight against what he called terrorist groups would continue until the end. He said these included the Islamic State group as well as Kurdish organizations such as the PKK.
There are reports of heavy casualties in Libya as militias loyal to the unity government advanced into the two remaining districts of city of Sirte occupied by Islamic State militants. Hospital sources said 23 government troops had been killed.The Egyptian authorities have agreed to strengthen the penalty for those who force women into genital mutilation. They recommended present term of up to three years as expected to be increased to between five and seven years.
Four years after the start of peace negotiations in Cuba, the Colombian government and FARC rebel group are about to declare a bilateral and definitive ceasefire. In a couple of hours, the FARC leader known as Timochenko will order his fighters to cease all military actions from midnight.
The president of Gabon Ali Bongo and his main rival Jean Ping have both claimed victory in Saturday's presidential election. They have also accused each other of cheating. Mr. Ping, the former head of the African Union, is trying to topple the Bongo dynasty, which has held power for nearly 50 years.
1.chapter n.章，回This point is developed further at the end of this chapter.
这一点在本章结尾处有进一步阐释。
2.criticize vt.& vi.分析，评估；批评；挑剔You were quite right to criticize him.
你批评他批评得很对。
3.refusal n.拒绝Their refusal to compromise will inevitably invite more criticism from the UN.
他们拒绝妥协必然会引发联合国的更多批评。
4.unacceptable adj.不能接受的；不受欢迎的Manchester still suffers from urban blight and unacceptable poverty.
曼彻斯特仍然受到城区脏乱和严重贫困问题的困扰。
5.principle n.原则Observance of the law is a matter of principle for us.
守法是我们的一个原则问题。
6.defend vt.& vi.辩护；保卫The author defends herself against charges of racism by noting that blacks are only one of her targets.
面对种族主义指控，作者替自己辩护说黑人只是她的抨击目标之一。
7.recommend vi.推荐；建议Most authorities recommend letting the baby nurse whenever it wants.
大部分权威人士建议婴儿饿了就随时喂奶。
8.strengthen v.加强，巩固； 勉励，激励He has a new fitness regime to strengthen his back.
他有一个增强背部力量的新健身计划。
9.bilateral adj.双边的，双方的They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.
他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
10.cease v.停止，终止Once our services cease to be useful to them, we're expendable.
一旦我们的服务对他们不再有用，我们就可能被抛弃。
11.topple vt.将…推翻，打倒The general is accused of conniving in a plot to topple the government.
将军被指控纵容一个颠覆政府的阴谋。
2内容解析：1.Mr. Gabriel said in 14 rounds of talks the two sides had been unable to agree on any of the 27 chapters they discussed.
agree on协议； 说定
They agree on fundamentals, like the need for further political reform.
他们在需要深化政治改革等基本问题上意见一致。
2.There are reports of heavy casualties in Libya as militias loyal to the unity government advanced into the two remaining districts of city of Sirte occupied by Islamic State militants.
loyal to忠诚于；忠于
We must be loyal to our motherland.
我们必须忠于祖国。
advance into进入，挺进The enemy was afraid to advance into our base area.
