NPR 2011-10-29

 From NPR News in Washington, I’m Lakshmi Singh.

        While US stocks trading lower and investors¹ focusing more on the US economy that the European debt crisis deal reached earlier this week.

        At last check the Dow was down 8 points at 12,201; NASDAQ’s off about 7 at 2,732 and whilst S&P 500 down slightly, it’s at 1,282.

        Church and local government officials in London are turning to the court system to evict² anti-capitalism demonstrators who’ve been camped outside St. Paul’s Cathedral for weeks. Today, Prime Minister David Cameron said during a visit to Australia that the activists⁴ need to find a better way to conduct their campaign.         

        “I’m all in favor of the freedom to demonstrate, but I didn’t quite see why the freedom to demonstrate has to include the freedom to pitch a tent almost anywhere you want to in London.”  

        The church that typically attracts many tourists reopened the week after the shutdown because of what officials called health and safety hazards by the encampment. 

        Anti-Wall Street activists entrenched⁵ in camps across the US are vowing⁶ to stand affirm this weekend against police, politicians and even really cold weather. Meanwhile, the rally in cry “if we’re all Scott Olsen” persist. So since the debt graded, the awkward veteran who was seriously injured early this weekend open when police clashed with demonstrators. 

        We move from anti-Wall Street and to anti-government in Syria where activists say today’s demonstrations⁷ have turned deadly. Human rights groups say at least 30 people have been killed during protests across that country. The BBC’s Jim Muir told us that activists are blaming government forces for the fatalities⁸.

        Activist³ organizations said despite the shooting and a heavy security presence in many areas there was a mount increased number of demonstrations around the country after Friday prayers, their traditional time for protests. They said there were nearly 170 different demonstrations in various places. Most of the deaths were reportedly in or around the cities of Hama and Homs to the north of Damascus. Protestors said the dead included an 80-year-old man shot near Homs as well as a young boy near Deraa in the south.

        That’s the BBC’s Jim Muir reporting.

        In the US report was released today by the Commence Department that reveals 6.3% increasing consumer spending in September. But the economists⁹ say while people spend more, they actually save less and their incomes remain just about the same. 

        Residents in tourist land, Mexico’s Yucatan coast may be breathing a sigh of relief. Now the region’s latest major storm is weaker, Rina which was once feared to grow into a powerful hurricane hits now. The tropical depression it has top winds of 35 miles/hour.

        The Dow is up slightly at 12,209; and last glance NASDAQ was off 5 points at 2,733; S&P 500 also down slightly. 

        You’re listening to NPR News.

        Today marks the 125th anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. As NPR’s Joel Rose reports officials in New York are celebrating the occasion with fireworks, musical performances and a naturalization ceremony.

        The National Park Service says today’s events are intended to mirror those about October 28th,1886, the day the Statue of Liberty was dedicated¹⁰. The day began with a naturalization ceremony for 125th new Americans which also were what start to display currency of boats from New York Fire Department and fireworks are scheduled for this evening. Park officials are also unveiling a new torch webcam that would provide online visitors with the use of New York Harbor from Lady Liberty’s torch. On Saturday, Park officials plan to close the statue for up to a year for major renovations to its interior but Liberty Island will remain open to visitors. Joel Rose, NPR News.

        Thousands of businesses and homes in Colorado’s Front Range have no electricity after a snow storm took out power lines in the last couple of days, most of the outages in the area such as Denver, Boulder¹¹ and Greeley. Federal services by Xcel Energy, the state’s largest fertility. However, authorities said they’ve expected the power would be restored to most customers by the afternoon. 

        In New York, 16 city police officers have pleaded not guilty to charges of corruption¹². Union official say most turn themselves today to face charges that included fixing tickets for relatives, colleagues and friends. The majority of the officers were said to be officials in the city’s largest police union. 

        I’m Lakshmi Singh, NPR News in Washington.

1 investors   

n.投资者，出资者( investor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a con man who bilked investors out of millions of dollars 诈取投资者几百万元的骗子
• a cash bonanza for investors 投资者的赚钱机会

2 evict   

vt.驱逐，赶出，撵走

参考例句：

• The lessor can evict the lessee for failure to pay rent.出租人可驱逐不付租金的承租人。
• The government always says it's for the greater good when they evict farmers from their land.当政府把农民从他们的土地赶出去的时候，总是号称是为了更大众的利益。

3 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

4 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 entrenched   

adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯)

参考例句：

• Television seems to be firmly entrenched as the number one medium for national advertising.电视看来要在全国广告媒介中牢固地占据头等位置。
• If the enemy dares to attack us in these entrenched positions,we will make short work of them.如果敌人胆敢进攻我们固守的阵地，我们就消灭他们。

6 vowing   

起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式）

参考例句：

• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild its collapsed bridge. 布什总统承诺将帮助明尼阿波利斯重建坍塌的大桥。
• President Bush is vowing to help Minneapolis rebuild this collapse bridge. 布什总统发誓要帮助明尼阿波利斯重建起这座坍塌的桥梁。

7 demonstrations   

证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威

参考例句：

• Lectures will be interspersed with practical demonstrations. 讲课中将不时插入实际示范。
• The new military government has banned strikes and demonstrations. 新的军人政府禁止罢工和示威活动。

8 fatalities   

n.恶性事故( fatality的名词复数 )；死亡；致命性；命运

参考例句：

• Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities. 有几个人受伤，但没有人死亡。
• The accident resulted in fatalities. 那宗意外道致多人死亡。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 economists   

n.经济学家，经济专家( economist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The sudden rise in share prices has confounded economists. 股价的突然上涨使经济学家大惑不解。
• Foreign bankers and economists cautiously welcomed the minister's initiative. 外国银行家和经济学家对部长的倡议反应谨慎。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 dedicated   

adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的

参考例句：

• He dedicated his life to the cause of education.他献身于教育事业。
• His whole energies are dedicated to improve the design.他的全部精力都放在改进这项设计上了。

11 boulder   

n.巨砾；卵石，圆石

参考例句：

• We all heaved together and removed the boulder.大家一齐用劲，把大石头搬开了。
• He stepped clear of the boulder.他从大石头后面走了出来。

12 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。