CNN 2009-08-24

We wanna hit you with some headlines. First let's talk about hurricane Bill. It's a little weaker, still a dangerous storm. It's a Category 1. It won't make landfall here in the US, but its effects have been felt along coastlines from North Carolina to Massachusetts.

Also, a story we have been watching this morning at Greece. This is near Athens where evacuation orders are in effect for thousands of people because of a massive wildfire. This is one about 75 raging across the country.

Also we are still waiting on the election results over in Afghanistan,  might take a minute. They don't count ballots¹ like we count them here in the US. A lot of ballots have been carried on dockets, literally². Also, hand-counting going on in tents. That's why it's taking a while. Now, even though voters went to the polls, that was some three days ago, we are still waiting on those results.

And there is more fall-out today over Thursday's release of a Lockerbie bomber³. Now Great Britain denying suggestions that it played a role on decision by Scottish courts. Those whispers grew louder after Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi thanked Britain for influencing the decision. Well the bomber who is dying of cancer is the only person convicted of the attack that killed 270 people, most of them Americans. And the head of the FBI has sent a stinging letter to a protest. Robert Miller⁴, says the release "gives comfort to terrorists around the world".

Time and money, they are running out for the government's "Cash for Clunkers" program. Yes, the "Cash for Clunkers" program is going to expire tomorrow, so get out to get your deals, better do them in a hurry, 'cause a lot of deals are just trying to get your paperwork in by eight o'clock tomorrow night.

1 ballots   

n.投票表决( ballot的名词复数 )；选举；选票；投票总数v.（使）投票表决( ballot的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• They're counting the ballots. 他们正在计算选票。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The news of rigged ballots has rubbed off much of the shine of their election victory. 他们操纵选票的消息使他们在选举中获得的胜利大为减色。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 literally   

adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实

参考例句：

• He translated the passage literally.他逐字逐句地翻译这段文字。
• Sometimes she would not sit down till she was literally faint.有时候，她不走到真正要昏厥了，决不肯坐下来。

3 bomber   

n.轰炸机，投弹手，投掷炸弹者

参考例句：

• He flew a bomber during the war.他在战时驾驶轰炸机。
• Detectives hunting the London bombers will be keen to interview him.追查伦敦爆炸案凶犯的侦探们急于对他进行讯问。

4 miller   

n.磨坊主

参考例句：

• Every miller draws water to his own mill.磨坊主都往自己磨里注水。
• The skilful miller killed millions of lions with his ski.技术娴熟的磨坊主用雪橇杀死了上百万头狮子。