CNN 2008-03-03_在线英语听力室_免费在线英语听力学习网站

(单词翻译:双击或拖选)

Hi, everyone, I'm Asieh Namdar at the cnn.com newsroom in Atlanta; here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

Returns are coming in from Russia's presidential election and the results are not a surprise. Dmitry Medvedev, President Vladimir Putin's handpicked successor has a commanding lead over three underdog candidates. Even with just a small percentage of the votes counted, the Election Commission says he's garnered¹ 66% support. Official results are expected tomorrow.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chaves has sent troops to his country's border with Colombia and ordered the closure of the Colombian embassy in Venezuela. Chaves is apparently² reacting to Colombia's joint³ operation in Ecuador that resulted in the death of a top rebel leader.

The next four Presidential contests are just around the corner and the stakes are incredibly high for the Democrats⁴. Senator Hilary Clinton and rival Barack Obama are fighting for every vote in Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island. Each of those states holds contest Tuesday.

Meanwhile Mike Huckabee heads toward Tuesday's face-off against rival John McCain with an endorsement⁵ from the "Dallas Morning News". The paper described Huckabee as a progressive conservative with a pastor's heart.

And a New York landmark⁶ back in business after a 400-million-dollar face lift, the Plaza⁷ Hotel first opened in 1907. It reopened yesterday after a three-year extensive renovation⁸. The posh new Plaza includes apartments and over 280 rooms. Staying there won't be cheap though, the rooms start at one thousand dollars a night.

Those are the headlines this hour, for more on these stories and other news of the day, CNN is your source on line, on TV or when you are on the go.

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收听单词发音

1 garnered
v.收集并（通常）贮藏（某物），取得，获得( garner的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
Mr. Smith gradually garnered a national reputation as a financial expert. 史密斯先生逐渐赢得全国金融专家的声誉。来自《简明英汉词典》 He has garnered extensive support for his proposals. 他的提议得到了广泛的支持。来自辞典例句

2 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。

3 joint
adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合
参考例句：
I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。 We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

4 democrats
n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。 The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。来自《简明英汉词典》

5 endorsement
n.背书；赞成，认可，担保；签(注)，批注
参考例句：
We are happy to give the product our full endorsement.我们很高兴给予该产品完全的认可。 His presidential campaign won endorsement from several celebrities.他参加总统竞选得到一些社会名流的支持。

6 landmark
n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标
参考例句：
The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。 The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

7 plaza
n.广场，市场
参考例句：
They designated the new shopping centre York Plaza.他们给这个新购物中心定名为约克购物中心。 The plaza is teeming with undercover policemen.这个广场上布满了便衣警察。

8 renovation
n.革新，整修
参考例句：
The cinema will reopen next week after the renovation.电影院修缮后，将于下星期开业。 The building has undergone major renovation.这座大楼已进行大整修。