在线英语听力室_免费在线英语听力学习网站

1. Wall Street took it on the chin again today. The Dow closed down more than 400 points. The drop comes on the heels of the AIG bailout and as investors¹ express more concern about investment banks.

2. US officials say an assault on the American Embassy in Yemen has the hallmarks of an al-Qaeda attack. At least 16 people including six attackers were killed when the embassy was hit by two car bombs and sniper fire.

3. Defense² Secretary Robert Gates has apologized to the people of Afghanistan for recent air strikes that have killed a number of civilians³. Military officials say a lack of ground troops there means they have to rely on air assaults which they admit are less accurate.

4. This may be a first. Some people looking for shelter from Hurricane Ike had to share some space with a lion. Shackle⁴, was taken from a zoo to a Texas church where it rode out the storm with other worried residents. Zoo officials say they didn't have time to take the animal elsewhere.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. take sth on the chin:

to accept a difficult or unpleasant situation without complaining - used to show approval.

2. hallmark: n.

an idea, method, or quality that is typical of a particular person or thing.

3. ride out: phr v.

If someone rides out a storm or a crisis, they manage to survive a difficult period without suffering serious harm.