英语听力：澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2014-01-31

 Fruit processing company SPC Ardmona is facing an uncertain future after Federal cabinet knocks back its request for financial assistance. The company was asking for 25 million dollars to help restructure its operations. Thousands of jobs in the Victorian city of Shepparton now hang in the balance. (hang in the balance: 悬而未决，未见分晓）

 

Tropical cyclone¹ Dylan has crossed the north Queensland coast east of Bowen. The category-2 cyclone is travelling the southerly direction and is expected to weaken as it moves across land. Authorities are warning of widespread flooding. 

 

David Jones has revealed that its rival Myer proposed the merge² between two department stores late last year. In a statement, David Jones says Myer made the suggestion in late October, but was rejected by the Retailer's Board, says the plan would have had substantial commercial, market, business and regulatory risks.

 

Mandatory³ jail sentences for one punch offenders⁴ in New South Wales are about to come into effect. From tonight, anyone who kills someone with a single punch while drunk or on drugs will be jailed for at least eight years. The state parliament passed the new laws during a special sitting yesterday. 

 

The movie“the Great Gatsby”has dominated this year's Australian Film and Television Awards announced in Sydney last night. The Baz Luhrmann blockbuster won all 13 categories it was nominated, including Best Director, Best Actor and Best Film.

1 cyclone   

n.旋风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• An exceptionally violent cyclone hit the town last night.昨晚异常猛烈的旋风吹袭了那个小镇。
• The cyclone brought misery to thousands of people.旋风给成千上万的人带来苦难。

2 merge   

v.(使)结合，(使)合并，(使)合为一体

参考例句：

• I can merge my two small businesses into a large one.我可以将我的两家小商店合并为一家大商行。
• The directors have decided to merge the two small firms together.董事们已决定把这两家小商号归并起来。

3 mandatory   

adj.命令的；强制的；义务的；n.受托者

参考例句：

• It's mandatory to pay taxes.缴税是义务性的。
• There is no mandatory paid annual leave in the U.S.美国没有强制带薪年假。

4 offenders   

n.冒犯者( offender的名词复数 )；犯规者；罪犯；妨害…的人（或事物）

参考例句：

• Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders. 判处长期徒刑可对违法者起到强有力的威慑作用。
• Purposeful work is an important part of the regime for young offenders. 使从事有意义的劳动是管理少年犯的重要方法。