CNN 2009-02-11

Hey there from the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Virginia Cha, thanks for checking in with us, here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

President Obama heading to Fort Myers Florida now to promote his stimulus¹ plan. During his first prime-time news conference last night, the President said the odds² people are facing nationwide prove that Congress needs to act fast.

"My bottom line when it comes to the recovery package is: send me a bill that creates or saves four million jobs. Because everybody has to be possessed³ with a sense of urgency about putting people back to work"

Meantime General Motors has announced it will cut 10,000 positions around the world. It will also temporarily slash⁴ the pay of salaried U.S. workers, beginning May 1st. GM, one of the world's largest automakers has faced dismal⁶ auto⁵ sales.

Iran's president says his country would welcome face-to-face talks with the US if they are done in quote "a fair atmosphere with mutual⁷ respect". The remarks come just hours after President Obama said the US is looking for opportunities to talk with Iran. But Mr. Obama said he still has deep concerns with Tehran's actions.

israeli voters are casting crucial votes in parliamentary elections today. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could take the reins⁸ again; his party holds a slim lead in recent polls. The war in Gaza and economic instability have dominated the campaign.

Thousands of people are expected at a public memorial service for Caylee Anthony today. Her mother Casey Anthony is accused of killing⁹ her, she denies those charges. A jailhouse spokesman says she has not asked to watch the service which will be televised. The service will be at the First Baptist Church of Orlando that holds more than 5000 people.

Baseball star Alex Rodriguez admitted he took a banned substance for three years while playing with the Texas Rangers¹⁰. Rodriguez says he is still not sure what kind of substance he was taking, what he is sure of is why he did it. He says he gave in to pressure to perform.

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

1 stimulus   

n.刺激，刺激物，促进因素，引起兴奋的事物

参考例句：

• Regard each failure as a stimulus to further efforts.把每次失利看成对进一步努力的激励。
• Light is a stimulus to growth in plants.光是促进植物生长的一个因素。

2 odds   

n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别

参考例句：

• The odds are 5 to 1 that she will win.她获胜的机会是五比一。
• Do you know the odds of winning the lottery once?你知道赢得一次彩票的几率多大吗？

3 possessed   

adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的

参考例句：

• He flew out of the room like a man possessed.他像着了魔似地猛然冲出房门。
• He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。

4 slash   

vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩

参考例句：

• The shop plans to slash fur prices after Spring Festival.该店计划在春节之后把皮货降价。
• Don't slash your horse in that cruel way.不要那样残忍地鞭打你的马。

5 auto   

n.(=automobile)(口语)汽车

参考例句：

• Don't park your auto here.别把你的汽车停在这儿。
• The auto industry has brought many people to Detroit.汽车工业把许多人吸引到了底特律。

6 dismal   

adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的

参考例句：

• That is a rather dismal melody.那是一支相当忧郁的歌曲。
• My prospects of returning to a suitable job are dismal.我重新找到一个合适的工作岗位的希望很渺茫。

7 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

8 reins   

感情，激情； 缰( rein的名词复数 )； 控制手段； 掌管； （成人带着幼儿走路以防其走失时用的）保护带

参考例句：

• She pulled gently on the reins. 她轻轻地拉着缰绳。
• The government has imposed strict reins on the import of luxury goods. 政府对奢侈品的进口有严格的控制手段。

9 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

10 rangers   

护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员

参考例句：

• Do you know where the Rangers Stadium is? 你知道Rangers体育场在哪吗？ 来自超越目标英语 第3册
• Now I'm a Rangers' fan, so I like to be near the stadium. 现在我是Rangers的爱好者，所以我想离体育场近一点。 来自超越目标英语 第3册