澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-01-26

 The Federal Government is considering an increase to the Medicare levy¹ to pay for the flood recovery. Newspaper reports this morning say Prime Minister Julia Gillard and senior economic ministers met yesterday to discuss a levy. It’s reported they favour a temporary rise in the Medicare levy to raise three and a half billion dollars. An announcement is likely tomorrow.

 

Hezbollah has become Lebanon’s major political force. It’s won enough support to form a new government. The development has sparked angry protests as well as threats from Washington to cut off aid. Demonstrators burnt tyres and blocked roads across the country. The Islamist group’s candidate, Najib Mikati, has been named the country’s new prime minister.

 

What began as a peaceful protest in Egypt has erupted into violence. Demonstrators hurled² rocks and climbed on top of an armoured police truck. Police responded with water cannons³ and tear gas and set upon the crowd with batons⁴. The protest was inspired by events in Tunisia. It’s the biggest protest in Egypt in years.

 

And three Australians have been nominated in this year’s Academy Awards. Jacki Weaver⁵ is in line for the best supporting actress award for her role in Animal Kingdom. Nicole Kidman is up for best actress in Rabbit Hole. Geoffrey Rush is one of 12 nominations⁶ for the film The King’s Speech. 

1 levy   

n.征收税或其他款项，征收额

参考例句：

• They levy a tax on him.他们向他征税。
• A direct food levy was imposed by the local government.地方政府征收了食品税。

2 hurled   

v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂

参考例句：

• He hurled a brick through the window. 他往窗户里扔了块砖。
• The strong wind hurled down bits of the roof. 大风把屋顶的瓦片刮了下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 cannons   

n.加农炮，大炮，火炮( cannon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Cannons bombarded enemy lines. 大炮轰击了敌军阵地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• One company had been furnished with six cannons. 某连队装备了六门大炮。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 batons   

n.（警察武器）警棍( baton的名词复数 )；（乐队指挥用的）指挥棒；接力棒

参考例句：

• There were many riot policemen with batons. 有许多带警棍的防暴警察。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Chinese police fight? Number one is a person with batons to fight! 满街飘的中国国旗，是一个老华侨在事发时那出来分给大家的，很感动，真的，从来一向多一事不如少一事的中国人今天团结到一起站出来反抗。 来自互联网

5 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

6 nominations   

n.提名，任命( nomination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Nominations are invited for the post of party chairman. 为党主席职位征集候选人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Much coverage surrounded his abortive bids for the 1960,1964, and 1968 Republican Presidential nominations. 许多消息报道都围绕着1960年、1964年和1968年他为争取提名为共和党总统候选人所做努力的失败。 来自辞典例句