澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-03-17

The former Liberal treasurer¹ Peter Costello has launched a scathing² attack on Tony Abbott’s paid parental³ leave scheme. Mr. Costello says the Coalition⁴ plan is against the party’s principles and will lead to higher taxes. This scheme will give parents six months’ leave on full pay up to 75,000 dollars.

 

The US Middle East peace envoy⁵ George Mitchell has cancelled a visit to Israel as tensions escalate⁶ over plans to expand Jewish settlement. Violence erupted on the streets after the reopening of a 17th-century synagogue in Jerusalem’s Old City. Thousands of police fired tear gas and rubber bullets on crowds of Palestinians who threw stones.

 

A fisherman who survived a crocodile attack is being treated at Royal Darwin Hospital. The 45-year-old man was in the water when he was bitten by a two-metre crocodile in Arnhem Land. He's suffered injuries to his head and shoulders, but they are not life-threatening.

 

And Shamrocks, Guinness and all things green will be on show today to mark 200 years of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Australia. Last night, the Prime Minister and the Opposition⁷ leader kicked off celebrations early at the Irish club in Brisbane. But Kevin Rudd said he’d open the doors and the bar to lodge⁸ to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day next year.

 

We'll have more news later.

1 treasurer   

n.司库，财务主管

参考例句：

• Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mrs.Jones as treasurer.琼斯夫人继史密斯先生任会计。
• The treasurer was arrested for trying to manipulate the company's financial records.财务主管由于试图窜改公司财政帐目而被拘留。

2 scathing   

adj.（言词、文章）严厉的，尖刻的；不留情的adv.严厉地，尖刻地v.伤害，损害（尤指使之枯萎）( scathe的现在分词)

参考例句：

• a scathing attack on the new management 针对新的管理层的猛烈抨击
• Her speech was a scathing indictment of the government's record on crime. 她的演讲强烈指责了政府在犯罪问题上的表现。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 parental   

adj.父母的；父的；母的

参考例句：

• He encourages parental involvement in the running of school.他鼓励学生家长参与学校的管理。
• Children always revolt against parental disciplines.孩子们总是反抗父母的管束。

4 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

5 envoy   

n.使节，使者，代表，公使

参考例句：

• Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
• The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。

6 escalate   

v.(使)逐步增长(或发展)，(使)逐步升级

参考例句：

• It would tempt Israel's neighbors to escalate their demands.它将诱使以色列的邻国不断把他们的要求升级。
• Defeat could cause one side or other to escalate the conflict.失败可能会导致其中一方将冲突升级。

7 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

8 lodge   

v.临时住宿，寄宿，寄存，容纳；n.传达室，小旅馆

参考例句：

• Is there anywhere that I can lodge in the village tonight?村里有我今晚过夜的地方吗？
• I shall lodge at the inn for two nights.我要在这家小店住两个晚上。