NPR英语听力2012年04月合辑（文本 翻译）：20120416NPRNEWS.doc

1、From NPR News in Washington, Im Louise Schiavone.Labor reforms in Colombia have cleared the way for the US-Colombia free trade agreement. NPRs Scott Horsley tells us the announcement came at the end of the Summit of the Americas.The free trade agreement was passed by Congress last fall, but its effe

2、ctive day was on hold until Colombia satisfied a variety of labor conditions. The US labor secretary and the US trade representative say those conditions have now been met. The announcement means that most US exports to Colombia will be duty-free, beginning May 15th, and all remaining tariffs will p

3、hase out over the next ten years. President Obamas been stressing the promise of increased exports throughout this weekends summit meeting with leaders from around the Western Hemisphere. Scott Horsley, NPR News, Cartagena, Colombia.Afghan insurgents launched a series of attacks early today. NPRs Qu

4、il Lawrence says they hit major targets.A string of explosions in Kabuls diplomatic neighborhood announced what may be the beginning of the Talibans spring offensive against US and Afghan government troops. Witnesses said a group of armed insurgents took over a building near several embassies and a

5、NATO military base. The government launched rockets and locked down the city center with sniper fire. Within an hour, the Afghan governments quick reaction force along with NATO soldiers arrived and laid siege to the building. Witnesses reported several other bombing attacks in Kabul, including one

6、near the parliament building. At about the same time, insurgents hit government targets in three other eastern provinces. Quil Lawrence, NPR News, Kabul.Tornados have left a trail of destruction across the Midwest and the Plain States. Kansas Public Radios Bryan Thompson describes how the weather as

7、sault unfolded.Across a large part of Kansas, residents heard this sound Saturday night, in some cases, repeatedly. Tornado sirens warned people to take cover, and in many cases, they did. That may help explain why no deaths have been reported in Kansas at least so far, and neither have any severe i

8、njuries. Wichita sustained extensive damage, including two large aircraft plants and McConnell Air Force Base. Some of the worst damage and at least a few injuries took place at a mobile home park on the south side of Wichita. There were at least 120 reports of tornados in the four states. For NPR N

9、ews, Im Bryan Thompson in Salina, Kansas.From oysters a la Russe to seared foie gras, rack of lamb and at least a dozen more specialties, Ryan Roberts of Cullens restaurant in Houston pulled out all the stops for a 12,000-dollar a person Titanic memorial dinner.A lot of the dishes are classic French

10、 and Russian dishes cause the Czar was still in power. So theres some Russian influence there.The menu was drawn from the last dinner served on the Titanic, which sank 100 years ago. Proceeds went to charity.This is NPR News in Washington.An uncollected class of artists became part of the Rock and R

11、oll Hall of Fame this weekend. Amanda Rabinowitz of member station WKSU has details on a group of musicians ranging from Laura Nyro to Guns N Roses.Members of the rock band Guns N Roses reunited and performed some of their hits without lead singer Axl Rose, who last week declined to attend the induc

12、tion ceremony. Another LA 90s rock band inducted is the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Bassist Flea says the band had released its first album in 1984, feels like its just getting started.All weve wanted to do is to resonate the way that our own hearts beat with music and make our own music the way we make

13、it, and I feel like weve barely scratched the surface of whats possible.Other 2012 inductees include The Beasties Boys, British bands The Small Faces and The Faces and the late singer-songwriter Laura Nyro. For NPR News, Im Amanda Rabinowitz in Cleveland.In a boating race off the coast of San Franci

14、sco, a powerful wave engulfed a yacht, leaving one sailor known dead, four missing. Three other crew members were rescued. Seas were rough with waves running at about ten feet when a larger wave washed over the 38-foot Low Speed Chase. All of the competitors were wearing life vests and cold weather gear.At the box office this weekend, The Hunger Games took the No. 1 spot for the fourth week in a row with ticket sales of 21.5 million dollars just this weekend. Debuting in second place, The Three Stooges followed by the horror movie Cabin in the Woods.Im Louise Schiavone, NPR News, Washington.