澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-02-10

Toyota is in damage control after it was forced to recall more than 400,000 Hybrid¹ cars because of braking problems. The global recall includes 2,500 Prius vehicles in Australia. And the Japanese carmaker is facing another investigation² in the US with dozens of complaints about steering³ problems with the latest Corolla model.

 

The United Nations says it's alarmed by the arrest of Sri Lanka's defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka. The government has accused General Fonseka of treason. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka's parliament has been dissolved, clearing the way for an early election. The move by President Mahinda Rajapakse comes weeks after he was elected to a second term.

 

Unions are calling on the Federal Government to boost spending on training and security checks for airport staff. The government yesterday announced a 200-million-dollar overhaul⁴ of airport security. But the Transport Workers Union says while it supports body scanning, the money could be better spent on providing more training to airport staff.

 

And avalanches⁵ triggered by heavy snow have killed at least 28 people in northern Afghanistan. The blizzard⁶ struck a busy road that connects the capital Kabul to the north of the country. The Defense⁷ Ministry⁸ says soldiers are working to help those still trapped.

 

Stay with us for more news later.

1 hybrid   

n.(动，植）杂种，混合物

参考例句：

• That is a hybrid perpetual rose.那是一株杂交的四季开花的蔷薇。
• The hybrid was tall,handsome,and intelligent.那混血儿高大、英俊、又聪明。

2 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

3 steering   

n.操舵装置

参考例句：

• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
• Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵，口吻也马上变得温和了。

4 overhaul   

v./n.大修，仔细检查

参考例句：

• Master Worker Wang is responsible for the overhaul of this grinder.王师傅主修这台磨床。
• It is generally appreciated that the rail network needs a complete overhaul.众所周知，铁路系统需要大检修。

5 avalanches   

n.雪崩( avalanche的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The greatest dangers of pyroclastic avalanches are probably heat and suffocation. 火成碎屑崩落的最大危害可能是炽热和窒息作用。 来自辞典例句
• Avalanches poured down on the tracks and rails were spread. 雪崩压满了轨道，铁轨被弄得四分五裂。 来自辞典例句

6 blizzard   

n.暴风雪

参考例句：

• The blizzard struck while we were still on the mountain.我们还在山上的时候暴风雪就袭来了。
• You'll have to stay here until the blizzard blows itself off.你得等暴风雪停了再走。

7 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。

8 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。