CNN 2009-04-03

Hello, from the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Naamua Delaney. Thanks for checking in with us. Here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

A much-anticipated G20 summit began this morning in London. President Obama and other world leaders say they wanna find ways to stabilize¹ financial markets throughout the world and pull the world out of a deepening recession, all while avoiding the trade disputes that could derail the talks.

Meanwhile, back here in the US, new jobless claims numbers are out. We learn the number of people applying for new jobless benefits jump to 669,000 last week. Economists² expect the claims to fall and continuing claims hit a record high of 5.7 million, the highest number since the government began keeping records in 1967.

Powerful thunderstorms overnight brought heavy rains to counties around Albany, Georgia. Today tornado³ watches are in place in southwest Georgia as well as southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. Roads and rivers are already flooded in southwest Georgia. Residents of low-lying areas are being urged to stay indoors.

And on Capitol Hill this morning, Congress is tackling the AIG bailout. Former AIG exec Maurice Greenberg is expected to face questions from the House Oversight⁴ Committee about his role in the failure of the insurance giant. Greenberg is expected to talk about how he thinks AIG can be saved.

Also, former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich could be indicted⁵ on federal charges as soon as today. Prosecutors⁶ have until Tuesday to file their indictment⁷, but today is the last day a grand jury can meet before next week's deadline. Blagojevich is charged with trying to sell President Obama's vacant Senate seat.

And today is World Autism Awareness⁸ Day. The cause of autism is unknown. A recent study finds taking care of a person with autism can cost more than three million dollars of their lifetime, but insurance companies won't pay for the care because they classify the treatments as experimental.

Well be sure to stick with CNN.com 24/7 for news from around the world and of course, we will have updates right here throughout the day.

1 stabilize   

vt.（使）稳定，使稳固，使稳定平衡；vi.稳定

参考例句：

• They are eager to stabilize currencies.他们急于稳定货币。
• His blood pressure tended to stabilize.他的血压趋向稳定。

2 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 tornado   

n.飓风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• A tornado whirled into the town last week.龙卷风上周袭击了这座城市。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。

4 oversight   

n.勘漏，失察，疏忽

参考例句：

• I consider this a gross oversight on your part.我把这件事看作是你的一大疏忽。
• Your essay was not marked through an oversight on my part.由于我的疏忽你的文章没有打分。

5 indicted   

控告，起诉( indict的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The senator was indicted for murder. 那位参议员被控犯谋杀罪。
• He was indicted by a grand jury on two counts of murder. 他被大陪审团以两项谋杀罪名起诉。

6 prosecutors   

检举人( prosecutor的名词复数 )； 告发人； 起诉人； 公诉人

参考例句：

• In some places,public prosecutors are elected rather than appointed. 在有些地方，检察官是经选举而非任命产生的。 来自口语例句
• You've been summoned to the Prosecutors' Office, 2 days later. 你在两天以后被宣到了检察官的办公室。

7 indictment   

n.起诉；诉状

参考例句：

• He handed up the indictment to the supreme court.他把起诉书送交最高法院。
• They issued an indictment against them.他们起诉了他们。

8 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。