澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-12-24

 Security has been stepped up at foreign embassies in Rome. Two parcel bombs have exploded at the Swiss and Chilean embassies, injuring two people. Italian police are now checking all embassies and consulates¹ as a precaution. No one has yet claimed responsibility.

 

Queensland may be the Sunshine State, but there won't be any over this Christmas. The already sodden² state is expecting yet more heavy rain and thunderstorms. Many areas remain flooded with several roads and bridges still cut off. Authorities are advising people to keep off the roads to avoid the treacherous³ conditions.

 

A seriously-injured Australian soldier has been flown to Germany for specialist treatment in a NATO hospital. The soldier was on foot patrol in Afghanistan's Uruzgan province on Sunday when an improvised⁴ explosive device exploded. An army spokesman says the unnamed soldier has serious wounds, but they are not life-threatening. His mother is also on her way to Germany to be with him.

 

The Federal Government's been doing some surgery on its Hospitals Network Plan. It had promised 150 local networks to give communities a greater say in the running of their public hospitals. But the health minister now says the number will be only 46. The Opposition⁵ has scoffed⁶ at the reduction, saying it shows the Government can't deliver on its promises.

 

And nearly 200 people have now died in the violence that's gripped the Ivory Coast since last month’s disputed presidential election. Both the incumbent⁷ Laurent Gbagbo and his challenger are claiming victory. The United Nations Human Rights Council is meeting to discuss the violence.  

1 consulates   

n.领事馆( consulate的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Consulates General of The People's Republic at Los Angeles. 中华人民共和国驻洛杉矶总领事馆。 来自互联网
• The country's embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions stationed in other countries. （七）家驻外使馆、馆和其他外交代表机构。 来自互联网

2 sodden   

adj.浑身湿透的；v.使浸透；使呆头呆脑

参考例句：

• We stripped off our sodden clothes.我们扒下了湿透的衣服。
• The cardboard was sodden and fell apart in his hands.纸板潮得都发酥了，手一捏就碎。

3 treacherous   

adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的

参考例句：

• The surface water made the road treacherous for drivers.路面的积水对驾车者构成危险。
• The frozen snow was treacherous to walk on.在冻雪上行走有潜在危险。

4 improvised   

a.即席而作的,即兴的

参考例句：

• He improvised a song about the football team's victory. 他即席创作了一首足球队胜利之歌。
• We improvised a tent out of two blankets and some long poles. 我们用两条毛毯和几根长竿搭成一个临时帐蓬。

5 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

6 scoffed   

嘲笑，嘲弄( scoff的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He scoffed at our amateurish attempts. 他对我们不在行的尝试嗤之以鼻。
• A hundred years ago people scoffed at the idea. 一百年前人们曾嘲笑过这种想法。

7 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。