英国新闻听力 美联储和财政部联手援救房地美与房利美（在线收听）

Words and Expressions

Ehud Olmert 

Mahmoud Abbas 

美国两大房贷抵押公司 房地美（Freddie Mac）和房利美（Fannie Mae）

Mediterranean countries 地中海国家

BBC News headlines, I'm **.

The US government has announced a series of measures aimed at shoring up America's two biggest mortgage companies. Further funds will be made available to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac banks. And if necessary, the government will buy equity in them. The Federal Reserve says it's also ready to provide support for the lenders.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says his country and Palestinians have never been closer to reaching a peace deal. He and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are among 40 heads of government attending the first summit of the EU and Mediterranean countries in Paris.

9 American soldiers have been killed in clashes with Taliban militants. The fighting took place in the northeast of Afghanistan, close to the Pakistani border. It's one of these biggest single losses of life among coalition forces in one day since the start of military operations in Afghanistan in 2001.