澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-02-12

 Australia's most powerful indigenous¹ land council has thrown its weight behind a push to stop seabed mining. There has been a surging applications to explore for minerals off the Northern Territory coast. Traditional owners on Groote Eylandt, north and east Arnhem Land, say mining will destroy important culture science. The Northern Land Council says it supports the Anindilyakwa people and other groups who oppose the practice. 

 

Five of America's biggest banks have agreed to a $25 billion settlement over claims that they improperly² break these homes. The abuses happened after the US housing market collapsed³ five years ago. The banks rushed the foreclosure through without following proper procedures. The money will compensate⁴ borrowers who lost their homes and give a lift to others trying to pay mortagages greater than the value of their property. 

 

To the latest numbers from the markets now. In the US, markets are falling lating the trade. The Dow Jones has given up one percent. It's currently at 12761 points. In Asia, stocks fell across the region with Hang Seng giving up over 220 points. Back home and local shares ended Friday lower on Greek debt growth, the weak RBA growth forecast. The All Ords quench⁵ down, 0.8 percent.

1 indigenous   

adj.土产的，土生土长的，本地的

参考例句：

• Each country has its own indigenous cultural tradition.每个国家都有自己本土的文化传统。
• Indians were the indigenous inhabitants of America.印第安人是美洲的土著居民。

2 improperly   

不正确地，不适当地

参考例句：

• Of course it was acting improperly. 这样做就是不对嘛！
• He is trying to improperly influence a witness. 他在试图误导证人。

3 collapsed   

adj.倒塌的

参考例句：

• Jack collapsed in agony on the floor. 杰克十分痛苦地瘫倒在地板上。
• The roof collapsed under the weight of snow. 房顶在雪的重压下突然坍塌下来。

4 compensate   

vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消

参考例句：

• She used her good looks to compensate her lack of intelligence. 她利用她漂亮的外表来弥补智力的不足。
• Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's health. 一个人失去了键康是不可弥补的。

5 quench   

vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制

参考例句：

• The firemen were unable to quench the fire.消防人员无法扑灭这场大火。
• Having a bottle of soft drink is not enough to quench my thirst.喝一瓶汽水不够解渴。