BBC news 2011-05-04 加文本

短语讲解：

1. Pakistan has described the US raid on Sunday in Abbottabad as an "unauthorised unilateral action" and said it should not be taken as a rule.

as a rule通常; 一般说来
例句：As a rule I don't go to the office on Saturday morning.
一般说来, 星期六上午我不到办公室。

2. He also reveals that the final decision to opt for a commando raid rather than firing cruise missiles at the compound from the air was only taken last Thursday.

rather than (要)…而不…, 与其…倒不如…
例句：We'll have the meeting in the classroom rather than in the auditorium.
我们与其在礼堂里开会, 不如在教室开会。

3. Mr Brennan also raised the possibility that one of Bin Laden's wives was shot dead when someone used her as a human shield.

be shot dead 被枪杀
例句：The prisoner was shot dead.
那个囚犯被枪决。
human shield 人体盾牌

4. The United States has condemned Syria for using force against protesters, saying the deployment of tanks and mass arrests amounted to barbaric measures.

amount to 意味着
例句：His words amounted to a threat.
他的话实际上是威胁。

5. About 80 people suspected of having links to the mafia have been detained in Italy.

suspect of  怀疑…有罪
例句：The police suspect him of having taken the money.
警察怀疑钱是他偷的。

6. Portugal has reached an agreement on a financial bailout package from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

reach an agreement on 达成协定、协议
例句：We have reached an agreement on the problems.
在这些问题上，我们已达成协议。

7. The case caused controversy at the time as police alleged that Mr Tomlinson had died of natural causes.

die of死于(疾病、过度悲伤等)
例句：My grandmother died of grief soon after her husband's death.
祖父去世不久, 祖母就因悲伤过度而死了。

8. The jury at the inquest ruled that he had used excessive and unreasonable force, and the policeman could now be charged with manslaughter.

be charged with被控告
例句：This defendant is charged with murder.
这名被告被控犯有谋杀罪。