VOA慢速英语:US, Italian Hostages Killed in Anti-Terrorism Operation

短语讲解：

1. The leaders proposed taking military action to destroy smugglers’ boats in Africa so they cannot be used to take refugees across the Mediterranean Sea.

be used to 习惯于，适用于
例句：It is said that the plant can be used to treat hepatitis.
据说那种植物可用来治肝炎。

2. They discussed the shipwreck of last weekend in which at least 800 people drowned.

at least 至少
例句：For that day at least he lost heart.
至少这一天他是垂头丧气的。

3. It also called for efforts to “capture and destroy vessels before they are used by traffickers.

call for 需要
例句：Different circumstances call for different tactics.
不同的情势需要不同的策略。