BBC news 2010-05-09 加文本

1.The Palestinians refused to hold direct talks with Israel as long as there's continued building within Jewish settlements on occupied territory.

as long as只要, 如果，引导条件状语从句

例句：I'll stay in Mexico as long as my money holds on.
      只要我的钱还能维持一天, 我就在墨西哥待一天。

      I'll never forget that as long as I am living.
     这事我至死也不会忘记。

2.For its part, Israel has offered a temporary and partial curb on building within the West Bank and says it's keen to move to face-to-face negotiations as soon as possible.

be keen to急切，热衷于

相关短语：

look forward to期望, 盼望

例句：I'm looking forward to your visit next week.
      我在盼望着你下周光临。

      We look forward to seeing you again.
      我们期待着与你再次相见。

be eager to盼望, 渴望

例句：Anne was eager to obliterate her error.
      安妮极想忘却她的错误。

3.Robert Gates described America's defence spending over the past decade as a gusher, and one that had to be turned off.

turn off(把…)关掉

例句：The tap won't turn off and there is water all over the floor.
      水龙头关不上, 满地都是水。

4.Here in Britain,the leader of the Liberal Democrats Nick Clegg has been consulting his parliamentary colleagues over a power-sharing deal offered to them by the Conservative Party following the inconclusive general election.

follow的用法

follow vt. 

(1) 跟随。

① We followed the teacher into the hall. 我们跟随老师进了大厅。

(2) 遵从。

② We should follow the instructions on the bottle when taking the medicine. 我们应按瓶子上的说明来服用药。

(3) 听清。

③ I can't quite follow you. Will you speak slowly? 我不太明白你的话,请说慢一点好吗? 

(4) 向……学习 follow the example of。

④ We must follow the example of heroes. 我们必须向英雄学习。  

搭配: as follows...如下

the following + n. 接下来的……