NPR美国国家公共电台 NPR 2015-04-13

 President Obama says it’s time to turn the page and communicate directly with the Cuban government and the Cuban people. Obama met with Cuban President Raul Castro on the sidelines of the Summit of the Americas in Panama today. It’s the first substantive¹ meeting between the leaders of the two countries in 50 years. Earlier, Castro, speaking through an interpreter, said Obama is not to blame for past U.S. aggression² against Cuba. 

“I have told this to several heads of state and government that I see around this table now. I have told them in private meetings that I have had with them in my country. I have told them that in my opinion President Obama is an honest man.”

And Obama says stronger relations will help the entire area. 

“I think that if we can build on the spirit of mutual³ respect and candidness⁴ that over time we will see not just a transformation⁵ in the relationship between our two countries, but a positive impact throughout the hemisphere and the world.”

Castro says he’s ready to discuss sensitive issues including freedom of the press and human rights with patience. 

 

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is expected to announce her bid for the Democratic nomination⁶ for president tomorrow via social media. NPR’s Tamara Keith reports the announcement allows Clinton to start the official campaign effort. 

This announcement surprises approximately no one. But by announcing Hillary Clinton is allowed to get her campaign operation up and running. Up until now she’s had some advisors⁷ and there’ve been volunteers—they haven’t been able to actively⁸ be involved in her campaign. By launching a campaign she’s actually allowed to campaign. 

NPR’s Tamara Keith reporting. It will be Clinton’s second run for the presidency⁹. 

 

California regulators are detailing plans to cut urban water use by a quarter—this in response to the government’s mandate¹⁰ to deal with the state’s historic drought. Now Molly Peterson of member station KPCC reports cities themselves are way in. 

A slighting scale of restrictions¹¹ would force the thirstiest cities like Beverley Hills to make 35% cuts or face penalties of up to $10,000. Densely-populated East Los Angeles and water-efficient Santa Cruz would cut consumption just 10% because their uses are already low. Regulators say they are targeting lawns and gardens. Landscape watering represents more than half of what cities use. Some urban areas may seek to get more credit and lighter¹² cuts for conservation measures already in place. L.A. set outdoor watering rules during the last drought in 2008 and the Department of Watering Power says Angelinos deserve credit for using less water since then. The state-wide dwell restrictions could take effect next month. For NPR News, I’m Molly Peterson in Los Angeles.    

 

A Boston police officer shot in the face last month while conducting a vehicle stop has been released from the hospital, but officials say Officer John Moynihan faces a challenging recovery. 

 

This is NPR News. 

 

Hundreds of mourners gathered in light rain and high temperatures in South Carolina today for the funeral of Walter Scott. He’s the man shot and killed as he ran away from a white police officer. Members of the state’s congressional delegation¹³ say his death is an opportunity for change. Republican Senator Tim Scott says it’s an opportunity to promote the use of body cameras on police around the country. The officer who shot Scott has been charged with murder. 

 

Thousands of Eastern Orthodox Christians¹⁴ fill Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher¹⁵ today for the annual holy fire ceremony that ahead of their Easter celebrations tomorrow. As NPR’s Emily Harris reports from Jerusalem candles are lit in the Church and then transported to worshippers in other cities and countries. 

Bells rang out in the packed Church as people passed flames from what’s called the Holy Fire from candle to candle. During the ceremony Eastern Orthodox priests carry unlit candles into a small room traditionally believed to be the place Jesus was buried. They come out with candles blazing claiming a miraculous¹⁶ light. Candles lit at the Church are flown to countries like Greece, Serbia and Russia. They are also driven the few miles to Bethlehem for the many Palestinian Christians who don’t have Israeli permits to attend worship services in Jerusalem. The Holy Fire ritual dates back more than 1,000 years. Emily Harris, NPR News, Jerusalem.  

 

An 18th-century document is heading for the auction¹⁷ block. It’s the arrest warrant for revolutionary war hero Ethan Allen and other leaders of the Green Mountain Boys. It’ll go up for auction next week. 

1 substantive   

adj.表示实在的；本质的、实质性的；独立的；n.实词，实名词；独立存在的实体

参考例句：

• They plan to meet again in Rome very soon to begin substantive negotiations.他们计划不久在罗马再次会晤以开始实质性的谈判。
• A president needs substantive advice,but he also requires emotional succor. 一个总统需要实质性的建议，但也需要感情上的支持。

2 aggression   

n.进攻，侵略，侵犯，侵害

参考例句：

• So long as we are firmly united, we need fear no aggression.只要我们紧密地团结，就不必惧怕外来侵略。
• Her view is that aggression is part of human nature.她认为攻击性是人类本性的一部份。

3 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

4 candidness   

n.耿直，自然，公正

参考例句：

• He's also well liked by his teammates as as the media, in particular for his candidness. 另外，由于率直的性格，他也受到了队友的喜爱和媒体的欢迎。 来自互联网

5 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

6 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

7 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

8 actively   

adv.积极地，勤奋地

参考例句：

• During this period all the students were actively participating.在这节课中所有的学生都积极参加。
• We are actively intervening to settle a quarrel.我们正在积极调解争执。

9 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

10 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

11 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

12 lighter   

n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级

参考例句：

• The portrait was touched up so as to make it lighter.这张画经过润色，色调明朗了一些。
• The lighter works off the car battery.引燃器利用汽车蓄电池打火。

13 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

14 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

15 sepulcher   

n.坟墓

参考例句：

• He said softly,as if his voice were coming from a sepulcher.他幽幽说道，象是从坟墓里传来的声音。
• Let us bend before the venerated sepulcher.让我们在他神圣的墓前鞠躬致敬。

16 miraculous   

adj.像奇迹一样的，不可思议的

参考例句：

• The wounded man made a miraculous recovery.伤员奇迹般地痊愈了。
• They won a miraculous victory over much stronger enemy.他们战胜了远比自己强大的敌人，赢得了非凡的胜利。

17 auction   

n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖

参考例句：

• They've put the contents of their house up for auction.他们把房子里的东西全都拿去拍卖了。
• They bought a new minibus with the proceeds from the auction.他们用拍卖得来的钱买了一辆新面包车。