澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-01-11

 Several communities remain under threat from the raging torrent¹ of water that began in Toowoomba and has swept to the east and the west. Eight people have died and at least six others are missing. The ferocity of the flash flood has been likened to a tsunami², sending people fleeing for their lives. It's been a terrifying night for many who've been left clinging³ to rooftops, awaiting rescue. 

 

A large bushfire is burning out of control south of Perth. At least five homes have been destroyed and more are likely to come under threat. The fire began around midday yesterday. It's burnt through about 2,000 hectares of land. Firefighters are preparing for a wind change that could cause more flare-ups. 

 

US President Barack Obama has led a nationwide minute of silence to honour the victims of the Arizona shooting. Around 200 people have attended a candlelight vigil outside the office of congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. She's still recovering from a gunshot wound to the head. Six people died and 14 others were wounded. The man charged over the shooting rampage will face court today.

 

And the Basque separatist group Eta has called a permanent ceasefire in its struggle for an independent homeland in Spain. In a statement, Eta says the ceasefire will be verifiable by the international community. It's the first time Eta has unilaterally declared a permanent ceasefire in its campaign of bombings and shootings. At least 800 people have died over more than four decades.

1 torrent   

n.激流，洪流；爆发，(话语等的)连发

参考例句：

• The torrent scoured a channel down the hillside. 急流沿着山坡冲出了一条沟。
• Her pent-up anger was released in a torrent of words.她压抑的愤怒以滔滔不绝的话爆发了出来。

2 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。

3 clinging   

adj.执着的；有黏性的；紧靠着的；紧贴着的v.附着于( cling的现在分词 )；抓紧或抱住；坚持；依恋，依附于

参考例句：

• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者
• I was very frightened and clinging on like mad. 我很害怕，拼命地向上爬。 来自《简明英汉词典》