BBC news 2011-02-06 加文本

1.In the last few minutes, the American State Department has issued a statement, distancing itself from comments made by its special envoy to Egypt about President Hosni Mubarak.

distance from疏远别人

2.The president must stay in office in order to steer those changes through.

steer through指导(某人)通过〔渡过〕

例句：Don't worry about the difficulties of selling the house; our lawyer will steer you through.
      不用担心卖房的困难, 咱们的律师会帮你办好的。

3.A nuclear arms reduction treaty that's been a cornerstone of President Obama's attempts to rebuild US relations with Russia has come into effect.

come into effect(文件、合同）生效

例句：The contract will come into effect upon signature.
      此合同将在签字后生效。

4.The organisers, the nationalist opposition Serbian Progressive Party, have said they'll step up protests if elections are not called within two months.

step up(使)增加, (使)加快速度

例句：The girl stepped up to school.
      女孩子加快步伐去上学。

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