CNN 2008-09-26_在线英语听力室_免费在线英语听力学习网站

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Hello, I'm Naamua Delaney at the CNN Center in Atlanta, and here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

Lawmakers say they're close to a deal on the 700-billion-dollar package to rescue the troubled financial system. A bipartisan group has been meeting today to hash out differences. Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer, chairman of the joint¹ economic committee, says he hopes to reach a deal by this afternoon. Among the details being hammered out, how much the plan will cost? The most common amount being talked about is 700-billion dollars; another key point in the negotiations² is whether the government will actually become a shareholder³ in troubled companies. One part of the plan that seems certain to become a law will be a provision to limit executive pay and bonuses at companies that sell assets to the Treasury⁴.

It's just a day away from the first high-stakes presidential debate. And it's not clear if both participants will be there. Republican Senator John McCain wants the Mississippi event postponed⁵ to deal with the American economy. He's asked Democratic Senator Barack Obama to agree to the delay. But Obama is rejecting that proposal. The commission for presidential debates and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour says they're moving ahead as if there will be a debate.

The sale of new homes has hit a 17-year low. The Census⁶ Bureau reports that new home sales plunged⁷ more than 11 percent in August and prices posted their biggest drop on record. Prices for new homes on the market were at their lowest level since Sep. 2004. The report is just the latest sign of trouble in the overall housing market.

Coastal⁸ Virginia is right in the middle of the bad weather. A large storm's rain and high winds have caused flooding and power outages. About 6,000 homes and businesses from Norfolk to Virginia beach were without power this morning. And because of the gusty⁹ winds, restrictions¹⁰ are in place on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel.

It has been a wild gas chase for a lot of people in Atlanta. A pump without a plastic bag on the handle or a "No Gas" sign is hard to come by thanks to supply issues from Gulf¹¹ Coast refineries¹². Experts say consumer’s panicking and topping off their tanks is also to blame. Georgia's governor says gas should flow more freely. Now the EPA has eased up on some pollution restrictions for the short term. Any available gas equals happy and relieved buyers and sellers.

I got a hug from the attendant this morning, she came out and gave me a big hug. "Oh I feel happy to see you", that's the first in eight years. Experts say it could be a week or more before things get back to normal.

Well those are the headlines this hour, do stay with CNN for more on these stories and the other news of the day.

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收听单词发音

1 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。

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 shareholder
n.股东，股票持有人
参考例句：
The account department have prepare a financial statement for the shareholder.财务部为股东准备了一份财务报表。 A shareholder may transfer his shares in accordance with the law.股东持有的股份可以依法转让。

4 treasury
n.宝库；国库，金库；文库
参考例句：
The Treasury was opposed in principle to the proposals.财政部原则上反对这些提案。 This book is a treasury of useful information.这本书是有价值的信息宝库。

5 postponed
vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发）
参考例句：
The trial was postponed indefinitely. 审讯无限期延迟。 The game has already been postponed three times. 这场比赛已经三度延期了。

6 census
n.(官方的)人口调查，人口普查
参考例句：
A census of population is taken every ten years.人口普查每10年进行一次。 The census is taken one time every four years in our country.我国每四年一次人口普查。

7 plunged
v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降
参考例句：
The train derailed and plunged into the river. 火车脱轨栽进了河里。 She lost her balance and plunged 100 feet to her death. 她没有站稳，从100英尺的高处跌下摔死了。

8 coastal
adj.海岸的，沿海的，沿岸的
参考例句：
The ocean waves are slowly eating away the coastal rocks.大海的波浪慢慢地侵蚀着岸边的岩石。 This country will fortify the coastal areas.该国将加强沿海地区的防御。

9 gusty
adj.起大风的
参考例句：
Weather forecasts predict more hot weather,gusty winds and lightning strikes.天气预报预测高温、大风和雷电天气将继续。 Why was Candlestick Park so windy and gusty? 埃德尔斯蒂克公园里为什么会有那么多的强劲阵风？

10 restrictions
约束( restriction的名词复数 )；管制；制约因素；带限制性的条件（或规则）
参考例句：
I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。 a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

11 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。

12 refineries
精炼厂( refinery的名词复数 )
参考例句：
The efforts on closedown and suspension of small sugar refineries, small saccharin refineries and small paper mills are also being carried out in steps. 关停小糖厂、小糖精厂、小造纸厂的工作也已逐步展开。 Hence the sitting of refineries is at a distance from population centres. 所以，炼油厂的厂址总在远离人口集中的地方。