NPR 2009-03-20

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Jack¹ Speer.

Less than a week after reports surfaced about AIG's employee bonus program, House lawmakers have passed the bill to recoup the money through targeted taxes. NPR's Audie Cornish has more.

House Republican Leader John Boehner was among many GOP lawmakers who oppose the legislation. "The problem with AIG bonuses is nothing more than a shame. It's nothing more than an effort to cover somebody's rear end because of the political damage that's out there." Other opponents also said the bill aimed at taxing AIG employee bonuses was potentially unconstitutional. Supporters say the proposal was drawn² to cover all companies that receive federal bailout money, not just AIG and it wouldn't apply to employees who give the money back by the end of the year or to those whose family incomes were less than 250, 000 dollars. Audie Cornish, NPR News, the Capitol.  

President Barack Obama told the crowd at a town hall event in Los Angeles today that those demanding more money for education also need to be willing to embrace economic reform. President's comments coming in response to a woman who asked about the fact California's schools are facing an enormous deficit³. President also talked about the need to save energy, saying the nation that leads on energy will be the nation that leads the world in the 21st century. "We can remain one of the world's leading importers of foreign oil, or we can make the investments that will allow us to become the world's leading exporter of renewable energy. We can let climate change continue to go unchecked or we can help stop it." The president also told those in the crowd that his administration is taking steps to resolve the housing crisis, promising⁴ California will receive 145 million dollars in federal aid to help homeowners refinance their mortgages.

British Defense⁵ Minister John Hutton says improving security is the top priority right now in Afghanistan. Hutton is visiting Washington to consult on the strategy review for Afghanistan and Pakistan. NPR's Mary Louise Kelly reports.

John Hutton calls the war in Afghanistan the greatest test for NATO since the cold war. In a speech at a Washington think tank, the center for strategic and international studies, Hutton said Afghanistan needs more combat troops to improve security, more training for the Afghan army and more focus on civilian⁶ efforts. "You know, we're in the very fortunate position that we're able to determine our own exit strategy. The Afghan army and police are that exit strategy." Because they will enable Afghanistan to eventually take responsibility for its own security, Hutton said. Britain has the second largest contingent⁷ of combat forces in Afghanistan after the US, some 9, 000 troops. Mary Louise Kelly, NPR News, Washington.

The number of people filing first time jobless claims to the weekend in March 7th fell slightly dropping by 12, 000, however, the Labor⁸ Department says just under 5. 5 million people are currently collecting unemployment benefits. That's the highest number on record.

On Wall Street today, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 85 points. The NASDAQ dropped seven points.

This is NPR.

In a move designed to get people buying cars again, the nation's largest automotive retailer⁹ is taking a page from the playbook of Korean carmaker Hyundai and offering to help customers who lose their jobs. AutoNation announced today it will roll out a program that will cover a customer's car payment for up to six months if they lose their job. The program would apply to both new and used vehicles.  AutoNation plans to start the program at its 33 Florida dealerships, while expand it over the next month depending on how it goes.

New York City medical examiner says actress Natasha Richardson died of a blunt impact to the head. She died yesterday following a ski accident. NPR's Robert Smith has more.

 The Tony Award-winning actress was taking a private ski lesson in Quebec when she fell on the snow. Richardson was reportedly fine afterwards. But hours later, reported headache and nausea¹⁰. She was flown back to a New York City hospital. Her death was announced on Wednesday night. Medical examiner spokeswoman Ellen Borakove says the death was ruled an accident. The cause was epidural hematoma due to a blunt impact to the head. That's when there is bleeding in between the skull¹¹ and brain's covering. It is treatable, but only if doctors know what's wrong and can quickly get the patient into an emergency surgery. It's not known if Richardson got a CAT scan after she fell ill. Robert Smith, NPR News, New York.

Famous Resort has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy¹² protection and agreed to sell itself to Marriott Hotel chain. Greenbrier resort in West Virginia announced today, under terms of an agreement with Marriott, it will receive 50 million over two years from the current owner to operate the resort with an option to then pay between 60 and 130 million for the property within seven years. The deal was given the approval of the bankruptcy court. It could be finalized¹³ by later this year.

1 jack   

n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克

参考例句：

• I am looking for the headphone jack.我正在找寻头戴式耳机插孔。
• He lifted the car with a jack to change the flat tyre.他用千斤顶把车顶起来换下瘪轮胎。

2 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

3 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

4 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

7 contingent   

adj.视条件而定的；n.一组，代表团，分遣队

参考例句：

• The contingent marched in the direction of the Western Hills.队伍朝西山的方向前进。
• Whether or not we arrive on time is contingent on the weather.我们是否按时到达要视天气情况而定。

8 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

9 retailer   

n.零售商(人)

参考例句：

• What are the retailer requirements?零售商会有哪些要求呢？
• The retailer has assembled a team in Shanghai to examine the question.这家零售商在上海组建了一支团队研究这个问题。

10 nausea   

n.作呕，恶心；极端的憎恶(或厌恶)

参考例句：

• Early pregnancy is often accompanied by nausea.怀孕期常有恶心的现象。
• He experienced nausea after eating octopus.吃了章鱼后他感到恶心。

11 skull   

n.头骨；颅骨

参考例句：

• The skull bones fuse between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five.头骨在15至25岁之间长合。
• He fell out of the window and cracked his skull.他从窗子摔了出去，跌裂了颅骨。

12 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

13 finalized   

vt.完成（finalize的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》