CNN 2009-05-15

I'm Nicole Lapin at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

The White House is doing an about-face. President Obama is now trying to block the Pentagon's release of photos showing the alleged¹ abuse of detainees in Iraq and Afghanistan. Last month the White House said releasing the photos was Okay, but now the president says they could compromise the safety of U.S troops. Court ordered the photos released after a freedom of information request by the ACLU.

Struggling automaker Chrysler says it plans to eliminate about 25% of its dealerships as part of its restructuring process. Chrysler says that 789 of its dealerships would be affected³ by the move. Although targeted dealers² would have the right to appeal the decision. Now Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy⁴ protection late last month after some creditors⁵ defied government pressure to wipe out the automaker's debt.

Two space shuttle Atlantis astronauts are out in the open right now. They are starting those repairs on the Hubble space telescope. Today is the first of five planned spacewalks. They are putting in a new camera. It's not a small camera, it's actually the size of a piano, but weightless in space.

President Obama didn't shy away from the so-called snub by ASU, Arizona State University. Instead he made light of the honorary degree flap as he delivered the commencement address last night. He congratulated the grads, but told them their best body of work is yet to come

.. received their diplomas in times of trial and upheaval⁶. When the very foundations of our lives.

1 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

2 dealers   

n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者

参考例句：

• There was fast bidding between private collectors and dealers. 私人收藏家和交易商急速竞相喊价。
• The police were corrupt and were operating in collusion with the drug dealers. 警察腐败，与那伙毒品贩子内外勾结。

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

5 creditors   

n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 upheaval   

n.胀起，(地壳)的隆起；剧变，动乱

参考例句：

• It was faced with the greatest social upheaval since World War Ⅱ.它面临第二次世界大战以来最大的社会动乱。
• The country has been thrown into an upheaval.这个国家已经陷入动乱之中。