2006年VOA标准英语-US Raises Security Threat Level

By Purnell Murdock
Washington
10 August 2006

The U.S. government has raised its security threat level in response to a reported terrorist plot in Britain. British officials said Thursday they have arrested more than 18 people planning to blow up planes flying from Britain to the United States.

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British police officers stand guard outside the Houses of Parliament in London, after Britain's national security threat level was raised to critical, Thursday August 10, 2006

The U.S. government raised its threat level early Thursday to "severe or red," the highest level for commercial flights from Britain to the United States. It also stepped up the general level of security for all flights within the United States.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said arrests made in London have significantly disrupted the terrorist threat, but that it is as yet uncertain that the threat has been entirely¹ eliminated.

The statement said there is no indication of a plot within the United States.

The U.S. measure came after British officials said they had thwarted² a plot to blow up passenger aircraft in flight, using explosives hidden in hand luggage.

British Home Secretary John Reid said those involved in the terror plot intended to bring down several aircraft bound for the United States.

"Overnight the police, with the full knowledge of ministers, have carried out a major counter-terrorism operation to disrupt what we believe to be a major threat to the U.K. and international partners," he said. "The police, acting³ with the Security Service MI5, are investigating an alleged⁴ plot to bring down a number of aircraft through mid-flight explosions, causing a considerable loss of life. The police believe the alleged plot was a very significant one indeed."

Britain has raised its national public security threat level to "critical" - the highest category, which means an attack is expected imminently⁵.

Authorities are dramatically stepping up security measures at British airports. Among other things, passengers will not be able to bring any hand baggage with them on planes departing from any airport in Britain. Authorities are allowing passengers to board flights carrying only bare essentials, such as passports and wallets.

Officials say the measures are designed to allow air travel to continue as much as possible, but are expected to cause considerable delays.

1 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

2 thwarted   

阻挠( thwart的过去式和过去分词 )； 使受挫折； 挫败； 横过

参考例句：

• The guards thwarted his attempt to escape from prison. 警卫阻扰了他越狱的企图。
• Our plans for a picnic were thwarted by the rain. 我们的野餐计划因雨受挫。

3 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

4 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

5 imminently   

迫切地，紧急地

参考例句：

• The problem of developing bend curve parts needs to be solved imminently. 弯边零件的展开是急需解决的问题。
• Obviously, the knowledge renews imminently, lifelong studies the duty to be arduous. 可见，知识更新迫在眉睫，终身学习任务繁重。