CNN 2009-04-30

Good morning. From the CNN Center here in Atlanta, I'm Melissa Long. It's Wednesday. Here's a look at some of the headlines making news at this hour.

Health officials in Chicago decided¹ to close an elementary school today after one student got a suspected case of swine flu. That is right in line with recommendations that President Obama made this morning.

It's also the recommendation of our public health officials that schools with confirmed or suspected cases of H1N1 should strongly consider temporarily closing so that we can be as safe as possible. If the situation becomes more serious and we have to take more extensive steps. Then parents should also think about contingencies² if schools in their areas do temporarily shut down, figuring out and planning what their child care situation would be.

Officials at the Chicago school say it would be cleaned before reopening.

Some more gloomy news share with you about the US economy. The government report released 8:30 this morning shows the nation's GDP--Gross Domestic Product fell 6. 1 % in the first quarter of 9. It was a much sharper drop than expected and it was the second biggest drop recorded in 26 years. Now GDP is the broadest measure of the nation's economic activity.

Senator Arlen Specter admitting there are two reasons he's switching parties to join the Democrats³. He says the Republicans have moved too far to the right and he says it means he has a better chance of keeping his seat next year. Specter appeared at the White House this morning. He says though he won't be an automatic vote for the Democrats.

Incredible police chase in Georgia. A truck driver clinging to the cab of his semi after someone stole it. And this was all happening as he was barreling down Interstate 75. Police say this suspect swiped it from a parking lot. The driver then jumped down and called 911.

Here we go. I get, yeah, right now. And,and in addition you're absolutely right, Mike, you know, with the fact that truck is a... Here we go, here we go. And keep in mind Chucky, you know , he could, he could have got in the back and it seems like that's what he did within the back cab. That's why he has to force him out now. Right,where you can sleep, you know, there's a beat back there, isn't there? Yes, there sure is. Woh, He's not going quietly. No he's not , he's not being compliant⁴. That is for sure. Now that's not what you want to do there, pal⁵. You know ,you know, just give it up.

Now the truck driver ,you saw him jump off ,he is just fine and,the suspect is in the courtroom today.

You're up-to-date. Do stay with CNN and CNN. com 24/7 for all the news develops today.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 contingencies   

n.偶然发生的事故，意外事故( contingency的名词复数 )；以备万一

参考例句：

• We must consider all possible contingencies. 我们必须考虑一切可能发生的事。
• We must be prepared for all contingencies. 我们要作好各种准备，以防意外。 来自辞典例句

3 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 compliant   

adj.服从的，顺从的

参考例句：

• I don't respect people who are too compliant.我看不起那种唯命是从，唯唯诺诺的人。
• For years I had tried to be a compliant and dutiful wife.几年来，我努力做一名顺从和尽职尽职的妻子。

5 pal   

n.朋友，伙伴，同志；vi.结为友

参考例句：

• He is a pal of mine.他是我的一个朋友。
• Listen,pal,I don't want you talking to my sister any more.听着，小子，我不让你再和我妹妹说话了。