CNN 2009-01-08(在线收听

Good morning from the CNN center in Atlanta. I am Reggie Aqui. Thanks for checking in. This is your NOW IN THE NEWS update.

A humanitarian truce in Gaza for 3 hours every other day. Israel has offered to suspend its military actions, so residents can get much needed supplies. Meanwhile, Egypt and France will continue its talks with Israelis and Palestinians about how to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza. This is the 12th day of Israel’s campaign aimed at Hamas militants.

Back in the US, President-elect Obama is working on an economic stimulus plan, but he warns we could see years of trillion dollar deficits. Obama has promised to cut government's spending to grow the economy. Later today, Obama will join President Bush, and former President Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton for a lunch. It'll be the second time Bush hosts Obama at the White House since Election Day.

Obama will also announce his choice for Chief Performance Officer this morning. It's a new position. CNN has learned that Obama's pick for that position is Nancy Killefer. She's director of a management consulting firm and was an assistant Treasury Secretary in the Clinton administration. A Democratic official says the job includes scrubbing the federal budget and reforming government.

Furniture company Ethan Allen is closing a Pennsylvania manufacturing plant and several retail stores. The result, 350 jobs lost and  Goody's Family Clothing is liquidating its operations.  Goody's operates nearly 300 stores in the southeast and has about 10,000 employees.

It is the biggest game of the year in college football, but is the BCS championship big enough to shut down Congress?  Florida Congressman Cliff Stearns is asking House speaker Nancy Pelosi to reschedule Thursday night's votes to Friday. So that House members from Florida and Oklahoma can attend the national title game in Miami. Pelosi, by the way, is not expected to grant his request.

Please stick with us at CNN.com and CNN.comlive as we bring you more updates throughout the day.

  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/cnn2009/1/75196.html