NPR 2011-08-30

 From NPR News in Washington, I’m Lakshmi Singh.

        More than 30 deaths in 10 states set out blame down Hurricane Irene. Property damage is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. About 9,000 flights have to be cancelled. Millions of people up and down the eastern seaboard lost electricity. Many of them may not have power restored for at least a week. Floods though it immediately threatened many areas including Vermont, it’s seen its worst flooding in the century. Major roads in the southern, half of Vermont virtually impassable. And Melody Bodette for Vermont Public Radio reports that spells trouble for people still waiting to get their electricity back.

        Vermont utilities say they can’t restore power if roads are impassable. And in many places, roadways are simply gone. Utility crews around the country have been brought in to help get power back online. At the state’s largest utility, Central Vermont Public Service, spokesman Steve Costello says it’s going to be a long way for many people. 

        “Ultimately, depending on the recovery effort as far as state roads and town roads being rebuilt it may be weeks before some customers get electricity back because we simply can’t get to them.”

        Hundreds of roads are closed and recent dozens of bridges are washed out. The American Red Cross says it would keep 4 shelters open tonight for people who have been displaced. For NPR News, I’m Melody Bodette in Colchester, Vermont.

        The storm damage across northeast turn out to be far less than people have feared. And Wall Street’s certainly reacting. At last check, the Dow was up 229 points, more than 2% at 11,513; and NASDAQ was up nearly 3% at 2,552; and S&P 500 up 2.5% at 1,206.

        The Algerian government confirmed it is hosting members of Muammar Gaddafi’s family but the ousted² Libyan leader’s whereabouts are still unknown. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is cutting short her vacation to go to Paris this week for international conference on Libya. NPR’s Michele Kelemen reports diplomats³ trying to help the Libyan opposition⁴ is now in control of Tripoli.

        The meeting in Paris would be the latest gathering⁵ and so called contact group on Libya. Diplomats would be hearing from the rebel government the Transitional National Council. And State Departments spokesperson Victoria Nuland says the U.S. and its partners would talk about ways they can help.

        “The international community is transitioning itself from a body that was supporting an opposition coalition⁶ now into a ‘Friends of Libya’ group.” 

        One immediate¹ goal is to get cash to the Transitional National Council to help they restore basic services and establish itself in the cities throughout Libya. Michele Kelemen, NPR News, Washington.

        Consumer spending is up by the largest demand in 5 months Commerce Department reports and 0.8% jump in July. This is NPR News.

        There’s a new addition to the White House economic team President Obama has chosen Princeton professor Alan Krueger to lead his Council of Economic Advisors⁷.

        An emperor penguin⁸ that washed up on the beach in New Zealand in June is being returned to his home at Antarctic. Stewart Cohen reports from Sydney that the bird has been put on the research ship headed for the frigid⁹ and Antarctic waters.

        The young emperor penguin nicknamed Happy Feet became a global media’s sensation when he turned up on the beach in New Zealand nearly 2,000 miles from Antarctic. But the bird felt ill after eating sand apparently¹⁰ mistaking it for snow. After several surgeries, the Wellington zoo nursed the penguin back to health. Zoo veterinary Lisa Argilla says Happy Feet is now ready to return to the wild.

        “At the moment, he’s really in good shape, he’s in very, very good body condition, he’s spicy¹¹, he’s strong, he’s choppy, he’s a demeanor¹², he’s showing our city he’s very keen to leave.

        The penguin was being dropped off in sub-Antarctic waters with hopes he will rejoin in other emperor penguins¹³ and eventually make his way back to Antarctic. He’s been fixed¹⁴ with transmitters and scientists and the public can track his progress. For NPR News, I’m Stewart Cohen in Sydney.

        A volcano in Sicily is getting a lot more active, more ashes, lavas¹⁵ spewing out of the Mount Etna that marking a jump in that activity 8 days after the volcanoes started erupting. Several villages are located along the slopes of that volcano. 

        Here’s the latest from Wall Street. U.S. stocks still rising, the Dow was up 233 points at last check more than 2% at 11,518; and NASDAQ up nearly 3%, it’s at 2,553; S&P 500 up to 0.5% at 1,206.

        I’m Lakshmi Singh, NPR News.

1 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

2 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

3 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 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。

5 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

6 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

7 advisors   

n.顾问，劝告者( advisor的名词复数 )；（指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• The governors felt that they were being strung along by their advisors. 地方长官感到他们一直在受顾问们的愚弄。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• We will consult together with advisors about her education. 我们将一起和专家商议她的教育事宜。 来自互联网

8 penguin   

n.企鹅

参考例句：

• The penguin is a flightless bird.企鹅是一种不会飞的鸟。
• He walked with an awkward gait like a penguin.他走路的步子难看得就像企鹅。

9 frigid   

adj.寒冷的，凛冽的；冷淡的；拘禁的

参考例句：

• The water was too frigid to allow him to remain submerged for long.水冰冷彻骨，他在下面呆不了太长时间。
• She returned his smile with a frigid glance.对他的微笑她报以冷冷的一瞥。

10 apparently   

adv.显然地；表面上，似乎

参考例句：

• An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽，豁然开朗。
• He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。

11 spicy   

adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的

参考例句：

• The soup tasted mildly spicy.汤尝起来略有点辣。
• Very spicy food doesn't suit her stomach.太辣的东西她吃了胃不舒服。

12 demeanor   

n.行为；风度

参考例句：

• She is quiet in her demeanor.她举止文静。
• The old soldier never lost his military demeanor.那个老军人从来没有失去军人风度。

13 penguins   

n.企鹅( penguin的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Why can penguins live in cold environment? 为什么企鹅能生活在寒冷的环境中？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Whales, seals, penguins, and turtles have flippers. 鲸、海豹，企鹅和海龟均有鳍形肢。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

14 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

15 lavas   

n.（火山喷发的）熔岩( lava的名词复数 )；（熔岩冷凝后的）火山岩

参考例句：

• The lake was ponded by lavas a long time ago. 这条湖是很久以前熔岩堵塞河道形成的。 来自辞典例句
• Such lavas also once came from the volcanoes in the Cascade Range in Washington. 在华盛顿州的喀斯喀特山脉的火山也喷出过这样的熔岩。 来自辞典例句