The Federal Government will provide an extra $24 million to support emergency aid in Pakistan. It takes Australia's total commitment to $35 million. The United Nations says up to 3.5 million children in Pakistan are now at risk from deadly waterborne diseases caused by the floods.
Police are resuming their search for six-year-old Kiesha Abrahams in bushland in Sydney's west. Crews will search in the Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside, near where the torso of a woman was found last week. The search is expected to last for several days. Kiesha Abrahams was reported missing more than two weeks ago.
The Thai Government is lifting emergency rule in three provinces three months after deadly anti-government protests. The laws ban public gatherings of more than five people, and they allow authorities to detain suspects for 30 days without charge. Emergency rule will remain in six provinces, including the capital Bangkok. The Government says the decision was made to help business and tourism.
A plane carrying 131 people is broken into three pieces, as it was struck by lightning while trying to land on a Colombian island. One person died and more than 100 were injured. The region's governor says it's a miracle that no one else was killed as the plane approached the runway on San Andres Island.
The American Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the US will definitely begin reducing the number of its soldiers in Afghanistan next July.
【下载】
【正文】
A big poll reveals a tiny margin for Labor just three days out from the Federal Election. Labor's apparently clinging to a four-seat majority according to an opinion poll by JWS Research. An automated phone system surveyed almost 22,000 voters across 54 marginal seats. The research shows that if the election had been held last week, Labor would have lost 15 seats and gained six.
Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott have committed to attending a community forum in Brisbane today after three days of debate about the format. The leaders will appear separately at the town hall-style forum at the Broncos Leagues Club. The PM had been pushing for an hour-long economic debate as well as the forum, but that plan collapsed after Mr Abbott insisted on a half-hour debate which he wanted to take place last night.
The Opposition will today release independent costings of its election promises. The Coalition stops submitting policies to Treasury for costing because one set of figures was leaked. Instead, an independent accounting firm has done the costings, but the Coalition won't yet say which firm did the figures.
At least 59 people have been killed in a suicide attack on an army recruitment centre in Baghdad. Authorities say a further 100 people were injured in the bombing in the centre of the Iraqi capital.
And convicted Bali Nine drug smuggler Scott Rush will today launch his final appeal against his death sentence. Rush was held in a maximum security block at Bali's Kerobokan Prison last night and his appeal will go to Denpassar District Court today.
Today's Newspoll indicates Labor's losing its lead over the Coalition. And it shows support for Labor and the Coalition split 50-50 on a two-party-preferred basis. But the Galaxy Poll tips Julia Gillard will scrape into power, with the number showing Labor has a lead of 52 to 48 per cent.
Australian Democrats candidate Darren Andrews has withdrawn from the campaign after admitting to attempting to procure a child for sex. He was standing for the seat of Sturt in Adelaide. Channel 7 revealed that he tried to meet a 15-year-old boy who turned out to be a police officer posing as a child on the Internet. The postmortem say Mr Andrews lied about not having a criminal record.
The last US combat brigade has left Iraq seven and a half years after the toppling of Saddam Hussein. About 50,000 US soldiers will remain in the country until the end of next year to train local forces and protect US interest there.
A growing number of Americans incorrectly believe that US President Barack Obama is Muslim. A survey of 3,000 Americans found almost 20 per cent thought he was a Muslim, that's up from 11 per cent last year. The poll was taken before Mr Obama defended developers' rights to build a controversial Islamic centre near the site of the September 11 attacks.
And police are appealing for the mother of a baby found dead in Sydney's inner west to come forward. A postmortem will be carried out on the baby girl, whose body was found yesterday in a shoebox behind an apartment in Strathfield. Police believe the infant was discarded on a pathway near the building.
The local share market took its lead from a tumble on Wall Street today and not even a hearty outlook from the RBA deputy governor could pull it up. The All Ords and the ASX 200 closed more than one per cent lower. Billabong shares fell ten per cent after announcing a four and a half per cent fall in full-year profit and issuing a weak outlook. But ANZ put on two per cent, a solid increase in profit overshadowing a warning of slow future growth. And Consolidated Media Holdings added two and a half despite reporting an eight per cent fall in full-year profit. Weakness in the US also weighed on Asian markets. Japan's Nikkei slipped nearly two per cent. And the Australian dollars eased to 89.1 US cents.
ANZ has joined NAB and the Commonwealth Bank in warning that higher funding costs are hurting profit margins. ANZ's reported an underlying profit after tax of 1.3 billion dollars for the June quarter. But chief executive Mike Smith says despite the good result, ANZ faces growing pressure from increased funding costs. Lenders have previously used higher funding costs to justify rate rises outside of any official increases.
And Canadian agribusiness Agrium is a step closer in its bid to take over AWB. Agrium's finished due diligence on the Australian wheat company.
Australia is in uncertain political territory today. Three independent MPs hold the power to decide whether Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott will be given the opportunity to form the next Federal Government. The ABC’s predicting the Coalition will win 73 seats, while Labor will win 72. That’s four short of a majority, with the Greens and independent MPs taking the rest. One seat is still undecided.
An Australian medical crew will leave for Pakistan today to help the aid effort for the country’s floods. Tens of thousands of more people in southern Pakistan are coming under threat from rising waters. Half a million residents in the town of Shahdadkot are fleeing the floodwaters.
Two Australian soldiers seriously wounded in Afghanistan are in a stable condition. The Department of Defence says the soldiers are at Tarin Kowt after an improvised explosive device blew up near their armored vehicle in the Baluchi Valley. They were from the same Brisbane-based regiment as the two Australian soldiers who were killed on patrol on Friday.
An 18-year-old man has died after he and his brothers were shot in Sydney’s west last night. Police say they were shot by a group of masked men during an assault at their Werrington home just after ten o’clock.
Egyptian officials are blaming the theft of a Vincent van Gogh painting on poor security. Investigators say none of the alarms at the Khalil Museum and only seven of the 43 security cameras were working. The 50-million-dollar painting called "Poppy Flowers" was cut from its frame.
【生词】
improvise vt. & vi. 临时制作, 临时凑成
regiment n. (军队的)团
Vincent van Gogh
文森特·威廉·梵高（Vincent Willem van Gogh，1853－1890），荷兰后印象派画家。他是表现主义的先驱，并深深影响了二十世纪艺术，尤其是野兽派与德国表现主义。梵高的作品，如《星夜》、《向日葵》与《有乌鸦的麦田》等，现已挤身于全球最具名、广为人知与昂贵的艺术作品的行列。1890年7月29日，梵高终因精神疾病的困扰，在美丽的法国瓦兹河畔结束了其年轻的生命，是年他才37岁。
And Philippine police have shot dead a former officer who hijacked a bus and killed eight tourists. Seventeen people survived the ordeal, but two were severely injured and six others were taken to hospital. The former policeman seized the bus with an assault rifle to try to get his job back. Negotiations had been going on peacefully before the attacker opened fire.
The three independents who could determine Australia's next government will meet in Canberra today. Rob Oakeshott, Bob Katter and Tony Windsor say they won't make a decision about whether to support Labor or the Coalition until the final results are known. Mr Oakeshott and Mr Windsor are warning they won't be won over by policies and partisan arguments.
A report out today shows Australia's heavy drinking is costing Australia $36 billion a year. The research by the Alcohol Education and Rehabilitation Foundation indicates more than 10 million people experience some negative effect from other people's drinking.
Tens of thousands of people are fleeing their homes in Pakistan as the flooding crisis worsens. River levels are rising in some areas and rescue teams are struggling to reach those in need. Many flood victims are still waiting for food, shelter and clean water.
And Tiger Woods and Elin Nordegren are officially divorced. The golfer and his wife finalized their separation nine months after it was revealed Woods had been cheating.
【生词】
ordeal n.1.严峻的考验；苦难的经历；磨难；折磨；煎熬；严酷的考验
partisan
adj. 1.（对个别人、团体或思想）过分支持的，偏护的；盲目拥护的
n. 1.游击队员 2.坚定的支持者；铁杆拥护者
Frontline negotiations about our nation's political future begin in Canberra this morning. The three independents will hold their first face-to-face meeting to Tony Abbott and Julia Gillard about forming a minority government. Tony Abbott’s ready to woo the cross-benchers with a plan to introduce a backbench-only Question Time.
A plane has crashed in northeast China, killing 42 people. The plane carrying 96 passengers burst into flames as it came in to land at the Yichun city airport. At least 40 people were rescued and taken to hospital according to state media.
Militants in Somalia have stormed a hotel, killing at least 32 people, including six members of Parliament. Several men disguised as government soldiers approached hotel guards and then opened fire. One gunman then blew himself up inside the building. The Islamist militant group al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for that attack.
Authorities in the Philippines have admitted they bungled the Manila bus hijacking, which left eight Hong Kong tourists dead. Police say the assault team was inadequately trained and the operation was badly planned. Police shot the hijacker after negotiations broke down.
And a major road in inner Sydney could remain closed for days because of a burst water main. The large pipe burst last night just before 6:00 am, closing Moore Park and Oatley Roads in the city's east. Drivers are expected to experience major delays this morning.
【生词】
backbench 后座议员席
woo v. 向 ... 求爱, 追求, 恳求
disguise
vt.
1.假扮, 化装; 伪装
2.掩盖, 掩饰
n.
1.伪装
2.伪装品,化装用具
Al-Shabaab
基地组织索马里分支青年党
bungle
vt. & vi.
1.搞糟,完不成
2.笨手笨脚地做; 失败
n.
1.搞糟了的事情; 失误
The independent MPs who’ll decide Australia's government have criticized the Coalition for its refusal to let Treasury cost its policies. Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor want information about the budget impact of both parties’ policies.
Australian aid is being distributed at a camp for flood survivors funded by a banned Pakistani terrorist organization. Jamaat-ud-Dawa was linked to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, and has been blacklisted by the US, Pakistan and the United Nations. But the UN World Food Program is distributing aid, including cooking oil donated from Australia, at the camp entirely funded by that suspect group.
At least 50 people have been killed and more than 250 injured in a string of bomb attacks across Iraq. More than 20 people died when a car bomb exploded outside the police headquarters in the southern city of Kut. No one is claiming responsibility, but officials are blaming al-Qaeda for the attacks.
The Australian Tax Office is preventing actor Paul Hogan from leaving the country. The Crocodile Dundee star is accused of dodging a 38-million-dollar tax bill, but no charges have been laid. He denies any wrongdoing.
And Australian health experts are warning winter flu infections are on the rise and won’t peak for another month. The Influenza Specialist Group says the flu season arrived later than expected this year, and that swine flu may still be a threat. The group's warning the particularly potent flu strain is still emerging.
【生词】
wrongdoing
1. 坏事 .
2. 错事 错事
3. 不道德行为
potent
1 having a strong effect on your body or mind 有强效的；有力的；烈性的；影响身心的
+ a potent drug 猛药
+ a very potent alcoholic brew 烈性酒精饮料
+ a potent argument/reason 有力的论据／理由
2 powerful 强大的；强有力的
emerge verb
o to come out of a dark, enclosed or hidden place （从暗处或隐蔽处）出现，浮现，露出 V ~ (from sth)
+ The swimmer emerged from the lake. 游泳者从湖水中浮出来。
+ She finally emerged from her room at noon. 中午，她终于从屋里出来了。
+ We emerged into bright sunlight. 我们来到明媚的阳光下。
o of facts, ideas, etc. 事实、意见等 to become known 暴露；露出真相；被知晓
+ No new evidence emerged during the investigation. 调查过程中未发现新证据。 V
+ It emerged that the company was going to be sold. 事已清楚，这家公司准备出售。 V that
o to start to exist; to appear or become known 露头；显现；显露 V ~ (as sth)
+ After the elections opposition groups began to emerge. 经过选举，反对派开始露头。
+ He emerged as a key figure in the campaign 他已初露头角，成为这次运动的主要人物。
+ the emerging markets of South Asia 正在兴起的南亚市场
o to survive a difficult situation or experience （从困境或苦难经历中）幸存下来，摆脱出来 V ~
strain
noun
o pressure on somebody/something because they have too much to do or manage, or something very difficult to deal with; the problems,
worry or anxiety that this produces 压力；重负；重压之下出现的问题（或担忧等） uncountable countable
+ Their marriage is under great strain at the moment. 眼下他们的婚姻关系非常紧张。
+ These repayments are putting a strain on our finances. 偿还这些债务对我们的财务状况形成了压力。
+ Relax, and let us take the strain(= do things for you). 你歇一下，我们来顶一会儿。
+ The transport service cannot cope with the strain of so many additional passengers. 运输部门无法应对临时增加这么多乘客所带来的紧张局面。
+ You will learn to cope with the stresses and strains of public life. 你要学会怎样应付公众人物生活的紧张和辛劳。
+ I found it a strain having to concentrate for so long. 我觉得这么长时间全神贯注挺累的。
+ There are strains in the relationship between the two countries. 两国关系出现紧张。
o the pressure that is put on something when a physical force stretches, pushes, or pulls it 压力；作用力；拉力；张力；应力 uncountable countable
+ The rope broke under the strain. 绳子给拉断了。
+ You should try not to place too much strain on muscles and joints. 你要尽量不让肌肉和关节太吃力。
+ The ground here cannot take the strain of a large building. 这块地承受不住大型建筑的压力。
+ The cable has a 140kg breaking strain(= it will break when it is stretched or pulled by a force greater than this).
这种缆索的断裂应变为 140 公斤。
o an injury to a part of your body, such as a muscle, that is caused by using it too much or by twisting it 劳损；拉伤；扭伤 countable uncountable
+ a calf/groin/leg strain 腿肚子╱腹股沟╱腿部拉伤
+ muscle strain 肌肉劳损
o a particular type of plant or animal, or of a disease caused by bacteria, etc. （动、植物的）系，品系，品种；（疾病的）类型 countable
+ a new strain of mosquitoes resistant to the poison 对这种毒药有抗药性的新品种蚊子
+ This is only one of the many strains of the disease. 这种病有许多类型，这只是其中之一。
o a particular tendency in the character of a person or group, or a quality in their manner 个性特点；性格倾向；禀性 countable usually singular
+ See also: streak Synonym
+ He had a definite strain of snobbery in him. 他这个人明显有一股势利小人的气味。
o the sound of music being played or sung 乐曲；曲调；旋律 countable usually plural formal
+ She could hear the strains of Mozart through the window. 她能听见窗户里飘出的莫扎特的旋律。
* verb
o to injure yourself or part of your body by making it work too hard 损伤；拉伤；扭伤 VN
+ to strain a muscle 拉伤肌肉
+ You'll strain your back carrying those heavy suitcases. 扛那些重箱子你会伤了你的背。
o to make an effort to do something, using all your mental or physical strength 尽力；竭力；使劲 ~ (sth) (for sth) ~ (sth) (to do sth)
+ I strained my ears(= listened very hard)to catch what they were saying. 我竖起耳朵去听他们在说些什么。 VN to inf.
+ Necks were strained for a glimpse of the stranger. 大家伸长了脖子想看一看这个陌生人。 VN
+ People were straining to see what was going on. 人们翘首企足看发生了什么事。 V to inf.
+ He burst to the surface, straining for air. 他冲出水面，使劲吸气。 V
+ Bend gently to the left without straining. 轻轻向左弯，不要用力。
o to try to make something do more than it is able to do 过度使用；使不堪承受 VN
+ The sudden influx of visitors is straining hotels in the town to the limit. 游客突然涌入，城里的旅馆全都爆满。
+ His constant complaints were straining our patience. 他没完没了的抱怨让我们忍无可忍。
+ The dispute has strained relations between the two countries(= made them difficult). 这场争端使两国关系紧张起来。
o to push hard against something; to pull hard on something 用力推（或拉）；拉紧 V VN + adv./prep.
+ She strained against the ropes that held her. 她使劲挣了挣拴着她的绳子。
+ The dogs were straining at the leash, eager to get to the park. 几条狗用力拽着皮带，急于要去公园。
o to pour food, etc. through something with very small holes in it, for example a sieve, in order to separate the solid part from the liquid part
滤；过滤 VN ~ sth (off)
+ Use a colander to strain the vegetables. 把蔬菜放在漏筐里控控水。
+ Strain off any excess liquid. 滤掉多余的液体。
o Idiom: strain at the leash informal
+ to want to do something very much 急于；迫不及待
+ Like all youngsters, he's straining at the leash to leave home. 跟所有年轻人一样，他也急于从家里出去。
o Idiom: strain every nerve/sinew (to do something) written
+ to try as hard as you can to do something 竭尽全力（做某事）
【下载】
【正文】
Green's leader Bob Brown says party leader should consider appointing cabinet ministers from outside the government. The idea's also been raised by the Independent MP Rob Oakeshott as he decides which party to support in minority government. As vote counting continues, analysts say Labor and the Coalition now hold 72 seats each, with Brisbane the only seat in doubt.
Australian of the Year Patrick McGorry says the nation's political leaders are too insecure to push for a republic. The mental health professor delivered the annual republican lecture last night. He said cutting ties with Britain is the only way to achieve true reconciliation with indigenous people.
Aid agencies in Pakistan are assessing staff safety after US officials claimed the Taliban's planning to attack foreigners there. The Washington official said militants may also attack Pakistani government ministers. A Taliban spokesman says the presence of foreign aid workers is unacceptable.
Several Australian Defence Force commandos could be charged over the deaths of five children during a raid in Afghanistan. Fairfax Media reports the Director of Military Prosecutions is preparing to lay charges in connection with the incident. A teenager, two young children and two babies were killed during a mission in February last year.
And reports from Jakarta say the Indonesian government will seek 2.5 billion dollars' compensation from an Australian-based company responsible for an oil spill. The Montara well leaked into the Timor Sea for more than 70 days last year, destroying fish stocks in Indonesian territory.
【下载】
【正文】
The US government has slashed second quarter growth signaling a more pronounced slowdown in the recovery from recession. Gross domestic product expanded at an annual rate of 1.6 per cent instead of the 2.4 per cent estimated by the Commerce Department last month. The government said that was mainly due to its massive trade deficit and weak private inventory investment.
US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the figures show economic recovery in America has softened more than expected and the Fed is ready to take further steps if needed to stimulate growth. He said those steps could be unconventional if the US economic outlook deteriorates significantly.
And to the numbers, Wall Street finished in the black as investor shooks off a revenue warning from technology company Intel, and that downbeat assessment from Ben Bernanke. The Dow Jones, the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ all put on about 1.6 per cent. Across the Atlantic, British stocks ended two straight weeks of losses lifted by Telecoms. And Australian stocks finished the week higher after a cautious day's trade. The All Ords added 15 points and the ASX 200 put on 14.
Australia faces another week in political limbo as negotiations to end post-election power stalemate enter a second week. Four independents return to Canberra today to resume talks with major parties about who will form a minority government. And Labor's preparing to reveal its plan for parliamentary reform as demanded by independents Tony Windsor, Rob Oakeshott and Bob Katter.
New South Wales police will today try to confirm whether skeletal remains found in the Belanglo State Forest are human. A group of trail bike riders discovered the bones on Sunday and called police. The serial killer Ivan Milat dumped seven bodies in the forest in the 1990s.
Former David Jones' chief Mark Mclnnes is back in court today, fighting Australia's biggest-ever sexual harassment claim. Former DJ's publicist Kristy Fraser-Kirk is claiming $37 million in damages, alleging Mr Mclnnes acted inappropriately at work functions earlier this year. She's also suing the company, saying complaints to supervisors were not taken seriously. David Jones and Mr Mclnnes denied the allegations.
One of Australia's biggest crime investigations has uncovered an international drug syndicate linked to bikie gangs, Chinese triads and corrupt Australian officials. A report by The Age and the ABC's Four Corners reveals the Australian Crime Commission has been leading the Hoffman investigation for the past two years.
And police investigating a riot at the Darwin immigration detention centre will study CCTV footage to see if charges will be laid.
【生词】
limbo n.
1.无着落,悬而未决
2.林波舞(西印度群岛的一种舞)
3.处于不稳定(或中间过渡)状态
楼主: 熊猫阿三
发表于 16-8-2010 21:42:32
楼主
那个。。那个。。新闻其实没啥好看的，我就是每天看看这老头。
其实ABC的新闻做的很差，但是播新闻和气象的俩老头特可爱。
