AP 2011-12-24(在线收听

 1. Capitol Hill is in a stalemate heading into the holidays. House Republicans want Senators to return to Washington and negotiate a payroll tax cut extension after the House rejected a Senate measure. The tax goes up for workers January 1st if nothing is done. 

 
 
 
2. It's the last day of Autumn but it feels like winter in many states. Whiteout conditions and fierce winds have killed at least six people across five states. Most interstates throughout the Great Plains have reopened but large snowdrifts still remain.
 
 
 
3. Celebration of Hanukkah has begun in a big way in New York city. Senator Charles Schumer helped light what the Guinness World Records certified as the world's largest Menorah. The Jewish festival lasts eight nights. 
 
 
 
4. And a hotel in China has made a new kind of Christmas tree. Staff at a hotel in Lincang City are building tree from around 2000 used plastic water bottles. The staff decided to construct the tree to encourage recycling. The 16 foot tree has so far taken three days to build and should be ready for December 25th. 
  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/meilianshexinwen/2011/12/167659.html