BBC news 2009-12-25 加文本

1.The United States Senate has voted in favor of one of President Obama’s key domestic policies, the extension of health care to 30 million uninsured Americans.

in favor of赞同,有利于

例句：The judgment was made in favor of the plaintiff.
      所下的判决支持原告。

      I have decided in favor of this plan.
      我决定赞成这计划。

2.Mr Obama said he looked forward to working with both Houses of Congress in the coming weeks to complete the legislation, so he could sign it into law.

look forward to期望 期待,盼望

例句：I look forward to receiving further cooking lessons from her.
      我盼望她接着教我烹饪。

3.In response, the Yemeni authorities appear to be stepping up their attacks.

in response反应，回应

例句：This situation developed in response to events in africa.
      这种局势的发展是对非洲事件的反应。

      Improvements were done in response to our customer's demands.
      应客户要求，我们的改进工作已全部完成。

step up走近,逐步增加,提升,提高

例句：He has stepped up into the management of the firm.
      他已升入公司的管理部门。

4.An Israeli army spokeswoman said the man’s car came under fire near the settlement of Einav.

under fire受到抨击的，受到指责的

例句：The new laws came under fire from local residents.
      新法律倍受当地居民的指责。

      The base was under fire from tanks and rocket launchers.
      基地处在坦克和火箭发射器的轰炸之下。

5.The Ugandan-born Archbishop of York John Sentamu has spoken out against legislation proposed in Uganda that could lead to death sentences for homosexuals.

speak out大胆地说,毫无保留地说,直言不讳

例句：We need you to stand up and speak out to the most powerful people on earth!
      我们需要你站起来，对地球上最强大的人大声疾呼。