澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-07-01

The former prime minister John Howard says Julia Gillard must take her full share of responsibility for the Government's problems under Kevin Rudd. Mr Howard says he is unsure if she will make a good PM after her contribution on policy as deputy. He made the comments after African and Asian nations blocked his bid to become the

International Cricket Council chief. Mr Howard has refused to withdraw his candidacy.

Soccer’s world governing body FIFA will investigate claims that Australia’s team bidding to host the 2022 World Cup gave gifts to try and influence votes. The Football Federation¹ of Australia is accused of giving jewellery to the wives of FIFA executive committee members. The FFA claims the gifts were given at a dinner before the formal bidding process.

The beginning of the new financial year today marks the introduction of tax cuts for most workers. People earning 50,000 dollars or less will get about an extra six dollars a week. And the Federal Government is withholding² 350 million dollars from Western Australia because it won't sign a new national funding agreement for hospitals. The other states and territories will today begin receiving extra money for their health systems.

US President Barack Obama has declared a state of emergency in Texas as Hurricane Alex bears down on the state’s coast. Forecasters expect Alex to hit near the Texas-Mexico border as a Category 2 hurricane.

1 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

2 withholding   

扣缴税款

参考例句：

• She was accused of withholding information from the police. 她被指控对警方知情不报。
• The judge suspected the witness was withholding information. 法官怀疑见证人在隐瞒情况。