CNN 2009-03-21

Good morning from the CNN center in Atlanta, I am Reggie Aqui. Thanks for checking in. here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

The house has passed legislation that would impose a 90% tax on bonuses paid to employees of companies receiving at least five billion dollars in bailout funds. The measure, if it does become law, would affect AIG which was criticized for granting bonuses to senior executives. The measure now moves to the Senate.

Two US navy vessels² collided Friday in the Strait of Hormuz near Iran. The navy says at least 15 sailors on one vessel¹ were slightly injured while a fuel tank on the other vessel ruptured³ spilling 25,000 gallons of diesel⁴ into the Persian Gulf⁵. The incident is under investigation⁶. The Strait of Hormuz is one the busiest waterways in the world.

In a video message today, President Obama offered Iran quote "the promise of a new beginning that is grounded in mutual⁷ respect." The message is a dramatic shift in tone from that of George W Bush administration which labeled Iran part of an axis⁸ of evil. No immediate⁹ response from Tehran but Iran's president said last month that his country would welcome talks with the United States in a fair atmosphere with mutual respect.

Pirates are at it again at the waters off Somalia. This time, they captured a Greek cargo¹⁰ ship in the Gulf of Aden. Greek merchant marine¹¹ officials say the ship was en route to South Korea with a load of iron. Pirating off the coast of Somalia has been on the rise in recent years. The bandits are said to be Somalia fishermen.

A kinder and gentler IRS? Well tomorrow the federal tax agency is gonna offer free tax preparation assistance, set hundreds of sites nationwide. People who earn 42,000 dollars or less are eligible¹² for that service. In addition, the IRS says it will work to set up payment option plans for those financially unable to pay their tax bills.

On Broadway last night as you can see. They dimmed the light to honor Actress Natasha Richardson. As you know, she died after suffering a brain injury while skiing in Canada. There are now new questions about the medical attention Richardson received immediately after her fall. A Toronto newspaper says paramedics dispatched to the ski slopes were turned away before they could check on Richardson. The resort says it will cooperate with any investigation.

That's a quick look at your headlines right now. Please stick with us here at CNN and CNN.com live as we bring you the stories and the updates throughout the day.

1 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

2 vessels   

n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人

参考例句：

• The river is navigable by vessels of up to 90 tons. 90 吨以下的船只可以从这条河通过。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• All modern vessels of any size are fitted with radar installations. 所有现代化船只都有雷达装置。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 ruptured   

v.（使）破裂( rupture的过去式和过去分词 )；（使体内组织等）断裂；使（友好关系）破裂；使绝交

参考例句：

• They reported that the pipeline had ruptured. 他们报告说管道已经破裂了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The wall through Berlin was finally ruptured, prefiguring the reunification of Germany. 柏林墙终于倒塌了，预示着德国的重新统一。 来自辞典例句

4 diesel   

n.柴油发动机，内燃机

参考例句：

• We experimented with diesel engines to drive the pumps.我们试着用柴油机来带动水泵。
• My tractor operates on diesel oil.我的那台拖拉机用柴油开动。

5 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。

6 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

7 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

8 axis   

n.轴，轴线，中心线；坐标轴，基准线

参考例句：

• The earth's axis is the line between the North and South Poles.地轴是南北极之间的线。
• The axis of a circle is its diameter.圆的轴线是其直径。

9 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。

10 cargo   

n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物

参考例句：

• The ship has a cargo of about 200 ton.这条船大约有200吨的货物。
• A lot of people discharged the cargo from a ship.许多人从船上卸下货物。

11 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

12 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。