NPR 2011-02-28

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on her way to Geneva to consult with US allies on the crisis in Libya. Last night, the United Nations Security Council voted to impose sanctions against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi because of the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters. Meanwhile, thousands of people are trying to flee Libya into Tunisia. Joe Lowry is a spokesman for the International Federation¹ of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Tunisia. He says refugees waiting to cross the border are facing crowded condition and cold overnight temperatures.

"The weather actually is the biggest enemy. It's causing a huge problem to people who want to start crossing the border. There, people who can't move as a line are stuck without food, without water, without sanitation², without blankets and standing³. Whereas, people who're on the other side can at least lie down and rest a bit, but it's not very tough for anyone who's trying to pass through."

Tunisia was the first Arab country to rise up in revolt against its rulers. Today, the prime minister of Tunisia resigned following a new round of demonstrations⁴. NPR's Tom Gjelten is in Tunis. He says that Mohammad Ghannouchi was seen as a carryover from the old regime.

This past Friday was the one-month anniversary of the so-called "Jasmine Revolution" in Tunisia that led to the exile of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Not a long time for a new government to bring change, but many Tunisians wanted more evidence of genuine reform in their country. In the last few days, protesters have once again been out in the streets here in Tunis, clashing violently with security forces. One of their demands was that Mohammad Ghannouchi resign. He'd been held over from Ben Ali's regime in order to guide the transition to new presidential elections in July, but that was not acceptable here. In appearance on state television, Ghannouchi said he was resigning now as a service to his country. Tom Gjelten, NPR News, Tunis.

The foreign minister of France has become the first European casualty of the Trans-Arabic uprising. Frank Browning reports from Paris that Michèle Alliot-Marie has resigned over deepening scandals, concerning relations with the deposed⁵ Tunisian President Ben Ali.

First, Aliott-Marie accepted a family vacation courtesy of Ben Ali during the early days of the rebellion. Then, it turned out her family was involved in a business deal with a Ben Ali confidant. Then, the new ambassador to Tunisia Boris Boillon reportedly made insulting remarks to the new Tunisian authorities. Calls for Aliott-Marie's resignation have intensified⁶ daily. And tonight, President Sarkozy addressed the nation and announced a new cabinet shuffle⁷, naming Defense⁸ Minister Alain Juppé as the new foreign minister. For NPR News, I'm Frank Browning in Paris.

You're listening to NPR News from Washington.

There's been more violence in Ivory Coast prompting fears of a renewed civil war. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton reports fighting has spread from the commercial capital to the lawless west to other parts of the troubled West African nation.

Ivorians are fearful. A three-month post-election presidential power struggle has ballooned into open armed conflict. Confrontation⁹ in Abidjan between the security forces and supporters loyal to the presidential challenger Alassane Ouattara has spiraled into deadly clashes between pro-Ouattara rebels and forces fighting on behalf of his rival Laurent Gbagbo. Ivory Coast disputed incumbent¹⁰ has ordered his troops to push back rebels in the volatile¹¹ west. His military chief has vowed¹² to restore order in anti-Gbagbo neighborhoods and Abidjan after days of clashes and heavy gunfire in Quattara stronghold and the commercial capital. Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR News, Accra.

The Oscars will be presented tonight at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards. The King's Speech is believed to be the frontrunner for Best Picture, but its competitors include The Social Network, Black Swan, The Fighter, Inception¹³ and True Grit¹⁴, the story of a teenager pursuing her father's killer¹⁵ in the Old West.

"Can we depart this afternoon?"

"We?! You're not going. That is no part of it."

"Well, you have misjudged me if you think I am silly enough to give you fifty dollars and watch you simply ride off."

"I am a bonded¹⁶ U.S. marshal!"

"That weighs but little with me. I will see the thing done."

Fourteen-year-old newcomer Hailee Steinfel has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress. The leading candidate for Best Actor is Colin Firth in the title role of The King's Speech.

I'm Nora Raum, NPR News in Washington.

1 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

2 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

3 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

4 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

5 deposed   

v.罢免( depose的过去式和过去分词 )；（在法庭上）宣誓作证

参考例句：

• The president was deposed in a military coup. 总统在军事政变中被废黜。
• The head of state was deposed by the army. 国家元首被军队罢免了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 intensified   

v.（使）增强， （使）加剧( intensify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Violence intensified during the night. 在夜间暴力活动加剧了。
• The drought has intensified. 旱情加剧了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 shuffle   

n.拖著脚走，洗纸牌；v.拖曳，慢吞吞地走

参考例句：

• I wish you'd remember to shuffle before you deal.我希望在你发牌前记得洗牌。
• Don't shuffle your feet along.别拖着脚步走。

8 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

9 confrontation   

n.对抗，对峙，冲突

参考例句：

• We can't risk another confrontation with the union.我们不能冒再次同工会对抗的危险。
• After years of confrontation,they finally have achieved a modus vivendi.在对抗很长时间后，他们最后达成安宁生存的非正式协议。

10 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。

11 volatile   

adj.反复无常的，挥发性的，稍纵即逝的，脾气火爆的；n.挥发性物质

参考例句：

• With the markets being so volatile,investments are at great risk.由于市场那么变化不定，投资冒着很大的风险。
• His character was weak and volatile.他这个人意志薄弱，喜怒无常。

12 vowed   

起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• He vowed quite solemnly that he would carry out his promise. 他非常庄严地发誓要实现他的诺言。
• I vowed to do more of the cooking myself. 我发誓自己要多动手做饭。

13 inception   

n.开端，开始，取得学位

参考例句：

• The programme has been successful since its inception.这个方案自开始实施以来一直卓有成效。
• Julia's worked for that company from its inception.自从那家公司开办以来，朱莉娅一直在那儿工作。

14 grit   

n.沙粒，决心，勇气；v.下定决心，咬紧牙关

参考例句：

• The soldiers showed that they had plenty of grit. 士兵们表现得很有勇气。
• I've got some grit in my shoe.我的鞋子里弄进了一些砂子。

15 killer   

n.杀人者，杀人犯，杀手，屠杀者

参考例句：

• Heart attacks have become Britain's No.1 killer disease.心脏病已成为英国的头号致命疾病。
• The bulk of the evidence points to him as her killer.大量证据证明是他杀死她的。

16 bonded   

n.有担保的，保税的，粘合的

参考例句：

• The whisky was taken to bonded warehouses at Port Dundee.威士忌酒已送到邓迪港的保稅仓库。
• This adhesive must be applied to both surfaces which are to be bonded together.要粘接的两个面都必须涂上这种黏合剂。