(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Russia Expels More British Diplomats
Russia ordered new cuts Friday to the number of British diplomats in the country. The move has worsened the clash between Russia and several European countries and the United States over the poisoning of a former Russian spy in Britain.
On Thursday, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced the removal of 60 American diplomats, in answer to the United States' expulsion of the same number of Russian diplomats earlier this week.
The increased removal of diplomats on both sides has reached a level unseen even during the height of the Cold War.
More than 20 countries and NATO have ordered the expulsion of over 150 Russian diplomats. The actions were meant as a show of support for Britain over the March 4 poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter, Yulia, in the British city of Salisbury. Britain blamed the poisoning attack on Russia.
Russia has strongly denied involvement in the poisoning. It also announced it would expel the same number of diplomats from each nation.
Russia's Foreign Ministry intensified the dispute Friday, saying it has ordered Britain to reduce its diplomats in Moscow to the number that Russia now has in London. The ministry has given Britain one month to take action.
In answer, a representative of the British Foreign Office said Russia's move was "regrettable" but expected, based on its earlier actions.
A hospital treating the Skripals said Thursday that the daughter's condition was improving quickly. Her father, however, remains in critical condition.
Dmitry Peskov, press secretary to Russian President Vladimir Putin, spoke with reporters on Friday. He said that "Russia didn't start any diplomatic wars," and "remains open for developing good ties."
He also said Russia has called a meeting with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons next week to push for an "objective investigation."
Russia has accused Britain of failing to support its claims with evidence and refusing to share materials from its investigation. The Russian Foreign Ministry said it told the British ambassador on Friday that Moscow is ready to cooperate in the investigation.
I'm Alice Bryant.
重点解析
1.the Cold War 冷战时期
With the Cold War almost over, the talks were a mere formality.
随着冷战即将结束，对话就只是一种形式了。
2.push for 推动；争取
The Treasury secretary wants to harness shock and dismay to push for comprehensive change.
他希望利用人们的震惊和沮丧来推行全面变革。
3.critical condition 情况危急
Ten of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
据说伤者中有10人情况危急。
4.based on 基于
The study was based on data from 2,100 women.
这项研究基于从2,100名女性那里收集来的资料。
5.The ministry has given Britain one month to take action.
take action 采取行动
We had to take action to protect the proprietary technology.
我们必须采取措施保护专利技术。
When you understand you have options, you take action.
当你了解你有选择时，你付诸行动。
6.On Thursday, Russia's Foreign Ministry announced the removal of 60 American diplomats, in answer to the United States' expulsion of the same number of Russian diplomats earlier this week.
in answer to 回应
I don't quite know what to say in answer to your question.
我不太清楚如何回答你的问题。
In answer to speculation that she wouldn't finish the race, she boldly declared her intention of winning it.
为了回应她会中途退赛的猜测，她大胆地宣布她要赢得这场比赛。
参考译文
俄罗斯再次驱逐英国外交官
周五，俄罗斯下令再次缩减英国驻俄罗斯的外交官数量。此举加剧了俄罗斯与欧洲几个国家及美国对前俄罗斯间谍在英国中毒事件的冲突。
周四，俄罗斯外交部宣布驱逐60名美国外交官，作为对本周早些时候美国驱逐同等数量的俄罗斯外交官的回应。
即便在冷战高峰时期，双方驱逐外交官也没有达到如此地步。
20多个国家和北约下令驱逐150多名俄罗斯外交官。此举意为前俄罗斯间谍谢尔盖·斯克里帕尔（Sergei Skripal）及其女儿尤利娅3月4日在索尔兹伯里市的中毒事件而声援英国。英国认定，这次毒气袭击为俄罗斯策划。
俄罗斯坚决否认参与该起毒气袭击。它还宣布将驱逐每个国家相同数量的外交官。
周五，加剧该争端的俄罗斯外交部称，已命令英国召回驻莫斯科的外交官，以保持俄罗斯驻伦敦的外交官数量对等。俄罗斯外交部限英国一个月内采取行动。
英国外交部一代表回应称，鉴于俄罗斯早前的举动，此次行动“令人遗憾”但又在预料之中。
周四，负责医治斯克里帕尔的医院称，尤利娅的身体正在迅速恢复，但是她父亲仍性命垂危。
周五，俄罗斯总统普京的新闻秘书德米特里·佩斯科夫（Dmitry Peskov）召开记者会。他表示，“俄罗斯无意挑起任何外交战争，”且“仍对发展良好外交持开放态度。”
他还表示，俄罗斯要求下周与禁止化学武器举行会谈，来推动“客观调查。”
俄罗斯指责英国拿不出真凭实据，而且拒绝分享其调查的材料。周五，俄罗斯外交部对英国大使表示，莫斯科随时准备配合调查。
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译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
