澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-05-27

Energy giant BP has begun a complex operation to plug its leaking oil well in the Gulf¹ of Mexico. After a string of failed attempts to stop the leak, the company is now said it's going to force-feed the broken pipe with heavy drilling, mud and cement. The tactic² is called a "top kill" and it's routinely used above ground, but it's never been tried so far underwater.

 

The former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says he is not afraid of being extradited to Bangkok to face terrorism charges. In an exclusive interview with the ABC, Mr.Thaksin defended his actions and he accused the Thai government of human rights abuses. A Bangkok court has issued an arrest warrant for Mr.Thaksin and he’s accused of bankrolling and directing the deadly Red Shirt protests.

 

The US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called for strong but measured international responses to the sinking of a South Korean warship³. Mrs.Clinton has visited the South Korea to discuss an international investigation's conclusion that Pyongyang sank a Southern warship in March. North Korea denies it was responsible and has warned of retaliation⁴ if action is taken.

 

The trial of New Zealand anti-whaling activist⁵ Peter Bethune begins in Tokyo today. Bethune from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society faces charges of trespass⁶ and injuring a crew member after his boat clashed with the Japanese whaling ship earlier this year. He could be jailed for up to 15 years.

1 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

2 tactic   

n.战略，策略；adj.战术的，有策略的

参考例句：

• Reducing prices is a common sales tactic.降价是常用的销售策略。
• She had often used the tactic of threatening to resign.她惯用以辞职相威胁的手法。

3 warship   

n.军舰，战舰

参考例句：

• He is serving on a warship in the Pacific.他在太平洋海域的一艘军舰上服役。
• The warship was making towards the pier.军舰正驶向码头。

4 retaliation   

n.报复，反击

参考例句：

• retaliation against UN workers 对联合国工作人员的报复
• He never said a single word in retaliation. 他从未说过一句反击的话。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

6 trespass   

n./v.侵犯，闯入私人领地

参考例句：

• The fishing boat was seized for its trespass into restricted waters.渔船因非法侵入受限制水域而被扣押。
• The court sentenced him to a fine for trespass.法庭以侵害罪对他判以罚款。