英语听力文摘 English Digest 33、卡斯特罗

　　Fidel Castro retires after 49 years in power
执政四十九年，古巴强人卡斯楚宣布退休
Ailing¹ Cuban leader Fidel Castro said in a statement on Feb. 19 that he would not return to lead the country as president or commander-in-chief, retiring as head of state 49 years after he seized power in an armed revolution.
Castro, 81, who had not appeared in public for almost 19 months after undergoing stomach surgery, said in a message to the communist nation that he would not seek a new presidential term when the National Assembly met on Feb. 24.
Castro's retirement² draws the curtain on a political career that spanned the Cold War and survived U.S. enmity, assassination³ plots by the CIA and the demise⁴ of Soviet⁵ bloc⁶ communism.
A charismatic leader famous for his long speeches delivered in his green military fatigues⁷, Castro is admired in the Third World for standing⁸ up to the United States but considered by his opponents a tyrant⁹ who suppressed freedom.
U.S. and European powers recognize Kosovo
美国与欧洲列强承认科索沃独立
The United States and major European powers led international moves to recognize Kosovo's independence on Feb. 18, prompting Serbia to recall its ambassador to Washington in protest.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice declared Kosovo "a sovereign and independent state," while U.S., British, French and Turkish diplomats¹⁰ exchanged letters with Kosovo's leaders in Pristina to establish formal diplomatic ties.
However, Serbia vowed¹¹ to block the territory that it still claims from joining the United Nations and launched criminal action against Kosovo's leaders for the declaration of independence made on Feb. 17.
Germany, Italy and 14 other EU member states declared their intention to follow suit, while a number reserved judgment¹².
Many countries, from China to Romania, Russia and Spain, said they opposed Kosovo's independence, but its Prime Minister Hashim Thaci said he was confident there would soon be international approval.

1 ailing   

v.生病

参考例句：

• They discussed the problems ailing the steel industry. 他们讨论了困扰钢铁工业的问题。
• She looked after her ailing father. 她照顾有病的父亲。

2 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

3 assassination   

n.暗杀；暗杀事件

参考例句：

• The assassination of the president brought matters to a head.总统遭暗杀使事态到了严重关头。
• Lincoln's assassination in 1865 shocked the whole nation.1865年，林肯遇刺事件震惊全美国。

4 demise   

n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让

参考例句：

• He praised the union's aims but predicted its early demise.他赞扬协会的目标，但预期这一协会很快会消亡。
• The war brought about the industry's sudden demise.战争道致这个行业就这么突然垮了。

5 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

6 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

7 fatigues   

n.疲劳( fatigue的名词复数 )；杂役；厌倦；（士兵穿的）工作服

参考例句：

• The patient fatigues easily. 病人容易疲劳。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Instead of training the men were put on fatigues/fatigue duty. 那些士兵没有接受训练，而是派去做杂务。 来自辞典例句

8 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。

9 tyrant   

n.暴君，专制的君主，残暴的人

参考例句：

• The country was ruled by a despotic tyrant.该国处在一个专制暴君的统治之下。
• The tyrant was deaf to the entreaties of the slaves.暴君听不到奴隶们的哀鸣。

10 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 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。

12 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。