英国新闻听力 古巴经济振兴计划推迟（在线收听）

Words and Expressions

Raul Castro 古巴现总统

Fidel Castro 古巴前总统 (现总统的亲哥)

Manuel Beltran

Havana 古巴首都哈瓦那

Tour de France 环法自行车赛

Liquigas Team

The Cuban president Raul Castro has given the most somber assessment of the country's economic situation since he succeeded his elder brother Fidel in February. From Havana, Michael Voss has the details.

In a televised address to the Nantional Assembly, President Raul Castro said the key reforms, such as increasing salaries would have to wait. He blamed this on rising global oil and food prices. The 77-year-old leader also warned the further belt-tightening with reduction in subsidies. He gave no specifics but this could include food rationing. But Raul Castro is pushing ahead with distributing unused agricultural land to private farmers and allowing workers to earn productivity bonuses.

Organisers of the world's most prestigious cycle race, the Tour de France, say a Spanish rider has become the first to fail a drug test in this year's event. An anti-doping official said Manuel Beltran, who rides for the Liquigas Team had tested positive for the blood-boosting agent, EPO.