NPR 2010-10-14

The 33 mine workers who spent 69 days underground are undergoing medical care and preparing to reunite with their families. The last miner was pulled to safety less than an hour ago and less than two days since the rescue operation began. The success story adds to what Chilean President Sebastian Pinera calls a difficult yet proud year for his nation.

"We have had to face so many adversities - the earthquake which was a huge one, a devastating¹ one; now this rescue effort, which has been an inspiring experience."

Chile's health minister said some of the workers should be able to leave the hospital on Thursday.

The Chilean mine saga² has generated worldwide attention including the White House. NPR's Ari Shapiro reports that President Obama is applauding the Chilean rescue team and those who aided them.

President Obama said that it was inspiring to watch the first miner embrace his young son after coming up from more than 2,000 feet underground. Speaking in the White House Rose Garden, he said that families' tears reflected the relief and joy of people everywhere.

"Let me also commend so many people of goodwill³, not only in Chile but also from the United States and around the world, who are lending a hand in this rescue effort - from the NASA team that helped design the escape vehicle, to American companies that manufactured and delivered parts of the rescue drill, to the American engineer who flew in from Afghanistan to operate the drill."

Mr. Obama called the rescue a tribute to the unity⁴ and resolve of the Chilean people who have inspired the world. Ari Shapiro, NPR News, the White House.

US Defense⁵ Secretary Robert Gates says abruptly⁶ ending the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy would disrupt US forces. NPR's Rachel Martin reports that Gates made the comments a day after a federal judge ordered the military to stop enforcing the policy.

The ruling is supposed to bring a stop to any investigations⁷ or pending⁸ discharges under "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", but Secretary of Defense Robert Gates told reporters that he thinks the law should be repealed¹⁰ by Congress and only after the Pentagon has completed its own review of the effects of repealing¹¹ the 17-year-old policy. A spokesman for the Pentagon says it's still unclear what impact, if any, the injunction will have on pending cases. The White House, meanwhile, says that the best way to repeal⁹ "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" isn't through the court but through Congress. Spokesman Robert Gibbs said "time is running out" and that it's not a question of whether the policy will end, but how. If the Justice Department appeals, that means the Obama administration would be defending the very policy it's trying to overturn. Rachel Martin, NPR News, Washington.

US earnings¹² reports and a weak dollar boosted shares on Asian markets. Stocks are higher in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Shanghai. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 75 points.

This is NPR News.

In the wake of a new EPA decision, the gasoline you buy may soon contain more ethanol. NPR's Jeff Brady says the federal agency is allowing up to 15 percent ethanol in gasoline but only for cars made after 2007.

Currently, gasoline has up to ten percent ethanol, but backers want to boost that. The EPA granted their request but only for cars built in the last three years. A decision on 2000 to 2006 cars is expected later this year. The agency has barred the higher ethanol concentrations for cars made before 2000. Speaking during a conference call, EPA Assistant Administrator¹³ Gina McCarthy says there's concern 15 percent ethanol could damage parts of those engines.

"We have questions about whether E15 will be compatible, and that's why we need additional test results."

It could take months before the new fuel starts showing up at stations, and once it does, it will be labeled, so drivers with older cars don't use it. Jeff Brady, NPR News.

The US departments of Defense and Homeland Security are joining efforts to protect the nation's computer networks. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says cyber analysts¹⁴ from both departments will work with civil liberties and legal support team from Defense. He says the goal is to coordinate¹⁵ a response to a cyber emergency and ensure that the Defense Department and Homeland Security are communicating effectively.

A group of investors¹⁶ trying to recoup their losses from the downturn in the mortgage industry have suffered a setback¹⁷. But a judge in New York rejected the plaintiffs' lawsuit¹⁸ against Countrywide Financial because 25 percent of their investors hadn't signed on to the case as required. The investors are trying to get Countrywide to buy back modified home loans.
 

1 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

2 saga   

n.(尤指中世纪北欧海盗的)故事，英雄传奇

参考例句：

• The saga of Flight 19 is probably the most repeated story about the Bermuda Triangle.飞行19中队的传说或许是有关百慕大三角最重复的故事。
• The novel depicts the saga of a family.小说描绘了一个家族的传奇故事。

3 goodwill   

n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉

参考例句：

• His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
• We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。

4 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

7 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

8 pending   

prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的

参考例句：

• The lawsuit is still pending in the state court.这案子仍在州法庭等待定夺。
• He knew my examination was pending.他知道我就要考试了。

9 repeal   

n.废止，撤消；v.废止，撤消

参考例句：

• He plans to repeal a number of current policies.他计划废除一些当前的政策。
• He has made out a strong case for the repeal of the law.他提出强有力的理由，赞成废除该法令。

10 repealed   

撤销，废除( repeal的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The Labour Party repealed the Act. 工党废除了那项法令。
• The legislature repealed the unpopular Rent Act. 立法机关废除了不得人心的租借法案。

11 repealing   

撤销，废除( repeal的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• In addition, repealing the alternative minimum tax would also help. 此外，废除替代性最低税也会有所帮助。
• Repealing the investment tax credit. 取消投资税款扣除。

12 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

13 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。

14 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

15 coordinate   

adj.同等的，协调的；n.同等者；vt.协作，协调

参考例句：

• You must coordinate what you said with what you did.你必须使你的言行一致。
• Maybe we can coordinate the relation of them.或许我们可以调和他们之间的关系。

16 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

17 setback   

n.退步，挫折，挫败

参考例句：

• Since that time there has never been any setback in his career.从那时起他在事业上一直没有遇到周折。
• She views every minor setback as a disaster.她把每个较小的挫折都看成重大灾难。

18 lawsuit   

n.诉讼，控诉

参考例句：

• They threatened him with a lawsuit.他们以诉讼威逼他。
• He was perpetually involving himself in this long lawsuit.他使自己无休止地卷入这场长时间的诉讼。