澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-01-01

 U.S politicians appear close to reaching a deal on spending cuts and tax rises to avoid sending America over the dreaded¹ fiscal² cliff. President Barack Obama says some issues still need to be resolved, but an agreement is close.

 

People around the world have welcomed in the new year, more than 1.5 million people gathered in Sydney to watch the famous firework display. Seven tons of fireworks colored the sky above the Harbor bridge. Party goers in other capital cities were also treated to some spectacular light shows.

 

Secret cabinet documents have shed light on the inner workings of Hawke government, papers from the 1984, 1985 cabinet have been released by the National Archives. They've revealed an disgreement over taxes in 1995, marked the start of the relationship breakdown³ between Bob Hawke and Paul Keating.

 

A number of changes to welfare benefits will come into effect today. Some single parents will be moved onto the new start allowance when their youngest child turns eitht. Eligible⁴ families can now receive the school kids bonus and new dads will be able to take paid parental⁵ leave.

 

At least 22 people have been killed and dozens injured in a series of bomb blasts in Iraq, Seven people including women and children were killed south of Baghdad when a home of an army officer was attacked. Five people were killed when a car bomb exploded in the capital.

1 dreaded   

adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词)

参考例句：

• The dreaded moment had finally arrived. 可怕的时刻终于来到了。
• He dreaded having to spend Christmas in hospital. 他害怕非得在医院过圣诞节不可。 来自《用法词典》

2 fiscal   

adj.财政的，会计的，国库的，国库岁入的

参考例句：

• The increase of taxation is an important fiscal policy.增税是一项重要的财政政策。
• The government has two basic strategies of fiscal policy available.政府有两个可行的财政政策基本战略。

3 breakdown   

n.垮，衰竭；损坏，故障，倒塌

参考例句：

• She suffered a nervous breakdown.她患神经衰弱。
• The plane had a breakdown in the air,but it was fortunately removed by the ace pilot.飞机在空中发生了故障，但幸运的是被王牌驾驶员排除了。

4 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

5 parental   

adj.父母的；父的；母的

参考例句：

• He encourages parental involvement in the running of school.他鼓励学生家长参与学校的管理。
• Children always revolt against parental disciplines.孩子们总是反抗父母的管束。