VOA常速英语2021--妇女节当天,4万印度女性向新德里进发加入抗议大军

In India, International Women's Day has been marked by sit-ins and hunger strikes led by female farmers against the country's new agricultural laws. Local media reported that at least 40,000 women traveled to New Delhi this International Women's Day to take part in the protests. Throughout the country, women have played a leading role in the months-long protests. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the laws are an effort to modernize¹ agriculture, for months now, they've been met with protests involving hundreds of thousands of farmers throughout the country. Farmers allege² the new laws passed by the Indian Parliament in September would allow big companies to drive down crop prices. In response to backlash, the Modi administration proposed an 18-month hold on the laws. Farmers, however, said they will not settle for anything less than a full repeal³. Agriculture makes up about 15 percent of India's economy. It's also the primary source of livelihood⁴ for nearly 60 percent of the country's population.

在印度，女性农民带领静坐示威和绝食来抗议该国的新农业法，并以此度过今年的国际妇女节。据当地媒体报道，在今年的国际妇女节，至少有4万名妇女前往新德里参加抗议活动。女性在长达数月的全国各地的抗议活动中发挥了主导作用。尽管总理莫迪表示，印度新农业法案是为了实现农业现代化，但几个月来，这些法案遭到了全国数十万农民的抗议。农民们声称，印度议会9月份通过的新农业法案将允许大公司压低作物价格。为应对农民抗议，莫迪政府提议将该法案搁置18个月。然而，农民们表示，他们能勉强接受的最低限度就是完全废除新农业法案。农业约占印度经济的15%。它也是印度近60%人口的主要生活来源。

Lebanese protesters blocked key roads with burning barricades⁵ in rage at the country's political paralysis⁶ and deep economic crisis on Monday after its currency hit record lows on the black market. The country is in the grips of its worst economic crisis in decades, compounded by the coronavirus pandemic. Prices have soared and more than half of the population is living below the poverty line, but the divided political class has been unable to form a cabinet for the past six months. Lebanon's currency has lost more than 80 percent of its value since the autumn of 2019, plunging⁷ to an all-time low of nearly 11,000 pounds to the dollar. More on this and all the stories we're covering is available at our website voanews.com. Via remote, I'm Marissa Melton, VOA news.

周一，黎巴嫩抗议者愤怒地用燃烧的路障封锁了主要道路，原因是该国政治瘫痪和严重的经济危机。此前，黎巴嫩货币在黑市创下历史新低。黎巴嫩正处于数十年来最严重的经济危机之中，且新冠疫情使该国的形势雪上加霜。物价飞涨，一半以上的人口生活在贫困线以下，但分裂的政治阶层在过去六个月里无法组阁。黎巴嫩货币自2019年秋季以来已贬值逾80%，跌至1美元兑1.1万黎巴嫩镑的历史低点。您可以通过网址voanews.com浏览我们报道的有关新闻以及其他新闻。我是玛丽莎，梅尔顿，为您远程报道美国之音新闻。

1 modernize   

vt.使现代化，使适应现代的需要

参考例句：

• It was their manifest failure to modernize the country's industries.他们使国家进行工业现代化，明显失败了。
• There is a pressing need to modernise our electoral system.我们的选举制度迫切需要现代化。

2 allege   

vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言

参考例句：

• The newspaper reporters allege that the man was murdered but they have given no proof.新闻记者们宣称这个男人是被谋杀的，但他们没提出证据。
• Students occasionally allege illness as the reason for absence.学生时不时会称病缺课。

3 repeal   

n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消

参考例句：

• He plans to repeal a number of current policies.他计划废除一些当前的政策。
• He has made out a strong case for the repeal of the law.他提出强有力的理由，赞成废除该法令。

4 livelihood   

n.生计，谋生之道

参考例句：

• Appropriate arrangements will be made for their work and livelihood.他们的工作和生活会得到妥善安排。
• My father gained a bare livelihood of family by his own hands.父亲靠自己的双手勉强维持家计。

5 barricades   

路障，障碍物( barricade的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The police stormed the barricades the demonstrators had put up. 警察冲破了示威者筑起的街垒。
• Others died young, in prison or on the barricades. 另一些人年轻时就死在监牢里或街垒旁。

6 paralysis   

n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症)

参考例句：

• The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。
• The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。

7 plunging   

adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降

参考例句：

• War broke out again, plunging the people into misery and suffering. 战祸复发，生灵涂炭。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He is plunging into an abyss of despair. 他陷入了绝望的深渊。 来自《简明英汉词典》