澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-02-19

The Prime Minister has left open the possibility of using health policy to trigger a double dissolution election. The Senate is expected to vote for a second time on the Government's plan to means test the private health insurance rebate¹. If it's rejected again, it could be used as a double dissolution trigger.

A NATO airstrike has killed seven Afghan policemen in the country's north. Afghan officials say the soldiers were bombed by mistake. It's a second incident this week. Twelve Afghan civilians² were killed on Sunday when a NATO rocket missed its target.

Police are calling for help to find a man wanted over the abduction and sexual assault of an eight-year-old girl. She was taken from her home in Sydney's west to Whalan Reserve where the assault took place. Police (are) looking for a man described as Aboriginal³ in appearance with a thin build and (a) moustache.

Victoria's EastLink motorway⁴ has reopened after a fatal truck crash yesterday afternoon. A truck driver was killed when his veh hit a pylon⁵. The accident blocked traffic in both directions at Rowville for most of the day.

And Mary Mackillop could tonight be named as Australia's first saint. Pope Benedict will make cardinals⁶ and bishops⁷ in Rome, where he is expected to make an announcement.

We'll have more news updates later.

1 rebate   

v./n.折扣，回扣，退款；vt.给...回扣，给...打折扣

参考例句：

• You can claim a rebate on your tax.你可以要求退回部分税款。
• Customers are to benefit from a rebate on their electricity bills.顾客将从他们的电费退费中得到实惠。

2 civilians   

平民，百姓( civilian的名词复数 )； 老百姓

参考例句：

• the bloody massacre of innocent civilians 对无辜平民的血腥屠杀
• At least 300 civilians are unaccounted for after the bombing raids. 遭轰炸袭击之后，至少有300名平民下落不明。

3 aboriginal   

adj.（指动植物）土生的，原产地的，土著的

参考例句：

• They managed to wipe out the entire aboriginal population.他们终于把那些土著人全部消灭了。
• The lndians are the aboriginal Americans.印第安人是美国的土著人。

4 motorway   

n.高速公路，快车道

参考例句：

• Our car had a breakdown on the motorway.我们的汽车在高速公路上抛锚了。
• A maniac driver sped 35 miles along the wrong side of a motorway at 110 mph.一个疯狂的司机以每小时110英里的速度在高速公路上逆行飙车35英里。

5 pylon   

n.高压电线架，桥塔

参考例句：

• A lineman is trying to repair the damaged pylon.线务员正试图修理被损坏的电缆塔。
• Erection of the pylon required a crane of 1000 ton capacity.塔架安装需用起重量达1000吨的吊机。

6 cardinals   

红衣主教( cardinal的名词复数 )； 红衣凤头鸟（见于北美，雄鸟为鲜红色）； 基数

参考例句：

• cardinals in scarlet robes 身披红袍的枢机主教
• A conclave of cardinals was held to elect the new Pope. 红衣主教团举行了秘密会议来选举新教皇。

7 bishops   

（基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象

参考例句：

• Each player has two bishops at the start of the game. 棋赛开始时，每名棋手有两只象。
• "Only sheriffs and bishops and rich people and kings, and such like. “他劫富济贫，抢的都是郡长、主教、国王之类的富人。