澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-05-19

The standoff in Bangkok continues with the Thai government refusing to hold peace talks with the leaders of the Red Shirt protesters. Earlier the Red Shirts accepted an offer from the Senate speaker to act as a mediator¹. But the government says it won't take part in discussions until the protesters end their blockade.

The Shadow Treasurer² Joe Hockey will today unveil more of the Opposition³'s budget response in his speech to the National Press Club. Mr. Hockey is expected to announce more than 40 savings⁴ measures which the Opposition says it would take the budget back into the black. He's also tipped to announce a broad ranging review of the Trade Practices Act which is aimed at helping⁵ small business.

A productivity commission report shows the nation's hospitals operating around ten per cent below best practice efficiency. Smaller public hospitals, many in remote areas were found to be less efficient than similar-sized private hospitals. But their reporter says this was possibly due to a lower occupancy rate.

In Afghanistan, a suicide car bomber⁶ has killed 18 people, including five US soldiers in the capital Kabul. More than 50 other people were injured when the blast targeted a NATO-led convoy⁷ during peak hour. The Taliban has claimed responsibility. The number of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan has now reached 1,000.
And Greece’s received the first part of a multi billion dollar international loan to help it overcome its debt crisis.

1 mediator   

n.调解人，中介人

参考例句：

• He always takes the role of a mediator in any dispute.他总是在争论中充当调停人的角色。
• He will appear in the role of mediator.他将出演调停者。

2 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。

3 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。

4 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

7 convoy   

vt.护送，护卫，护航；n.护送；护送队

参考例句：

• The convoy was snowed up on the main road.护送队被大雪困在干路上了。
• Warships will accompany the convoy across the Atlantic.战舰将护送该船队过大西洋。