澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-06-18

US Congress has accused BP of paying no attention to the tremendous risks of drilling in the Gulf¹ of Mexico. At a congressional hearing into America’s worst oil spill, BP chief executive Tony Hayward was accused of cutting corners to save money.

 

In Europe, the number of people killed in floods in southern France has risen to 25. Authorities say several people are still missing in the hills above the French Riviera. Crews are continuing the clean-up, but more heavy rain is forecast for the region.

 

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has hinted that he won’t be calling an early election. Mr. Rudd’s struggling in the polls as the fallout from super profits tax continues. He says he expects the Government will continue to take a “whacking” in the polls because of that tax. But he says he won’t rush negotiations² with the mining industry because of the election.

 

Queensland Premier³ Anna Bligh has denied that she misled parliament over the reappointment of the state’s police commissioner⁴. The Crime and Misconduct Commission chairman Martin Moynihan says he was only consulted after the announcement was made. But the Premier says she was advised by the police minister that the CMC agreed with the appointment.

 

Dutch authorities have extended a ban preventing a 14-year-old girl from trying to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world. Child Protection Services intervened last year to stop Laura Dekker's journey and make concerns for her welfare.

1 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

2 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

3 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

4 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。