CNN 2011-11-20

 Thanks to Maranda and T for today's ireport introduction.I'm C.A.Today's CNN student news is reporting on Syria,storms ,sugar and a super committee.

First up,we're heading to Afghanistan.There're more than 100,000 NATO troops in that country.Most of those are American troops.And most of them are scheduled to leave by the end of 2014.Afghanistan's president Hamid Karzai says that's a good thing.During a speech to tribal¹ elders on Wednesday,C complained about NATO.He also tried to set some limits on what NATO troops can and can't do in his country.For example,Karzai thinks it's a good idea for US forces to have bases in Afghanistan.But he doesn't want Americans to search houses or to arrest Afghans.NATO is trying to include the Afghan military in more of its operations.And as Nick P. reports,more areas are being turned over to Afghan control.

Slowly,NATO is tranferring the security of Afghanistan over to the Afghans.The next regions to be handed over will soon be announced by president Hamid Karzai.It may NATO and Afghan soldiers have told CNN, include two of what have been historically the most violent parts of the country's south.First in XX,there's a district of Nad.e.Ali,where many British soldiers have died over the years.But also in XX,the Afghandab Valley.Recently ,a hot bed of insurgent² violence where many Americans have also died.Now an Afghan official in Afghandab tells us security is a lot better,but that's because the Americans are there in force.If they leave,he tells us,things may get worse and fast.But the logic³ of this ,some say,is to have Afghans face their toughest job while NATO still has enough troops to help.

It is good while we have a significant NATO presence in Afghanistan to start with tougher spots in Afghanistan.And that will provide a push into the Afghan security forces to defend themselves in the meantime have the support of NATO.

Next up,the middle eastern nation of Syria.It's been suspended by the Arab League.France has removed its ambassador from Syria.Turkey is threatening to cut off power supplies.All of these are because of Syria's violent crackdown on people who are protesting against the Syrian government.The Arab League voted to suspend Syria over the weekend.Officials from the group said this was because Syria's president Bashar Al Assad didn't meet his promises to pull troops out of some areas and to give journalists access inside of Syria.

There're also reports about a group of fighters that deserted⁴ the Syrian military.They call themselves the free Syrian army.And they claimed to have attacked an important government compound this week.

Just the facts.

Congress ,as so-called Super Committee,was created in July as part of the deal to raise the US government's debt ceiling.The goal of the committee is to come up with a plan to reduce the country's deficit⁵.There're 12 memebers in the committee.6 Republicans and 6 Democrats⁶.And the committee is split evenly between the US representatives and senators.

The clock is wining down for those 12 Super Committee members.They have until next Wednesday to come up with a plan that would save the US government more than 1 trillion dollars over the next 10 years.The committee has been working since September.It's considered increasing taxes to raise money,lowering taxes for different groups of Americans,finding ways to cut government spending.Whatever recommendations the committee comes up with,the Congress has until December 23rd to vote on it.And no one can change the recommendation by the committee or try to block the vote.Then the rules.If the Super Committee can't come up with the plan by November 23rd or if the Congress can'r pass it by December 23rd,automatic spending cuts go to effect ,including cuts to the US defense⁷ department.So there's a lot of stake here,and not a lot of optimism.

According to a CNN ORC international poll that came out yesterday,78% of the people who were asked think it's either somewhat or very unlikely that the Super Committee is going to meet next week's deadline.

As you can see from these pictures,parts of the southern US have some cleaning up to do after severe weather swept across the region yesterday.There was suspected tornado⁸ as part of the storms.They stretched from Louisiana through Mississippi, Ale Bama and Georgia.Parts of a few states were under tornado watch as well.At least 1 person was killed.Several others were injured.There was major damage to some homes and buildings.The strong winds and possible tornado knocked down trees and left more than 1,000 people without power.

1 tribal   

adj.部族的，种族的

参考例句：

• He became skilled in several tribal lingoes.他精通几种部族的语言。
• The country was torn apart by fierce tribal hostilities.那个国家被部落间的激烈冲突弄得四分五裂。

2 insurgent   

adj.叛乱的，起事的；n.叛乱分子

参考例句：

• Faruk says they are threatened both by insurgent and government forces.法鲁克说，他们受到暴乱分子和政府军队的双重威胁。
• The insurgent mob assembled at the gate of the city park.叛变的暴徒聚在市立公园的门口。

3 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

4 deserted   

adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的

参考例句：

• The deserted village was filled with a deathly silence.这个荒废的村庄死一般的寂静。
• The enemy chieftain was opposed and deserted by his followers.敌人头目众叛亲离。

5 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

6 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》

7 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

8 tornado   

n.飓风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• A tornado whirled into the town last week.龙卷风上周袭击了这座城市。
• The approaching tornado struck awe in our hearts.正在逼近的龙卷风使我们惊恐万分。