澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-02-25

 The heart-breaking task of cleaning-up is underway across flood stricken northern New South Wales. Some residents are being allowed to return to their homes as flood waters start to recede¹. Around 20,000 people are likely to remain isolated² for several days.

 

Large crowds have packed Saint Peter's Square in Rome for Pope Benedict's last Sunday address before he steps down on Thursday. His last day on the job are being overshadowed by new scandal involving the UK's most senior Catholic. Cardinal³ Keith O'Brien is accused of acting⁴ inappropriately towards other priests 30 years ago.

 

Italians have begun voting in the first general election since an elected government took power in 2011. Scuffles broke out when three topless women launched at former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi as he arrives at a Milan polling booth to vote. Polie arrested the women who had enough with Berlusconi's scawl on their backs.

 

The older brother of Oscar Pistorius will face court over the death of a woman. Carl Pistorius has been charged with culpable⁵ driving for alleagedly killing⁶ a motorcyclist in a road accident five years ago. 

 

Preparations are underway for Hollywoods' “Night of knights”. Three Australians are facing some tough competitions when the Oscar gets underway later today. Hugh Jackman is nominated for best actor. Naomi Watts⁷ for best actress and Jacki Weaver⁸ for best supporting actress.

1 recede   

vi.退(去)，渐渐远去；向后倾斜，缩进

参考例句：

• The colleges would recede in importance.大学的重要性会降低。
• He saw that the dirty water had begun to recede.他发现那污浊的水开始往下退了。

2 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

3 cardinal   

n.(天主教的)红衣主教；adj.首要的，基本的

参考例句：

• This is a matter of cardinal significance.这是非常重要的事。
• The Cardinal coloured with vexation. 红衣主教感到恼火，脸涨得通红。

4 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

5 culpable   

adj.有罪的，该受谴责的

参考例句：

• The judge found the man culpable.法官认为那个人有罪。
• Their decision to do nothing makes them culpable.他们不采取任何行动的决定使他们难辞其咎。

6 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

7 watts   

（电力计量单位）瓦，瓦特( watt的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• My lamp uses 60 watts; my toaster uses 600 watts. 我的灯用60瓦，我的烤面包器用600瓦。
• My lamp uses 40 watts. 我的灯40瓦。

8 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。