AP美联社一分钟新闻 2008-12-12
时间：2019-02-11 作者：英语课 分类：美联社新闻一分钟2008年(十二)月
1. The House has passed a $14 billion bailout bill for US automakers, but there remain questions about whether it will pass in the Senate. The vote there could come today. The House-approved package provides loans to GM and Chrysler almost immediately. Ford 1 would also be eligible 2 for government help.
2. A six-day sit-in at a Chicago factory is over. Business and union leaders were able to reach a deal with Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase to provide $1.75 million for employees' severance 3 pay. Laid-off workers will get eight weeks' salary and all accrued 4 vacation.
3. A spokesman for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says it is business as usual despite the fact that Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat. Illinois lawmakers say they are preparing to discuss on Monday the possibility of impeaching 5 Blagojevich.
4. The number of American homeowners dragged into foreclosure fell in November. More than 259,000 homes got at least one foreclosure-related notice last month, down 7% from October and the lowest level since June. However, that number is a 28% increase from this time last year.
WORDS IN THE NEWS
1. sit-in: n.
a type of protest in which people refuse to leave the place where they work or study until their demands are agreed to.
2. severance pay: n.
Severance pay is a sum of money that a company gives to its employees when it has to stop employing them.
3. drag into: phr v.
to make someone get involved in an argument, war, or other unpleasant situation that they do not want to be involved in.
- They were guarding the bridge,so we forded the river.他们驻守在那座桥上，所以我们只能涉水过河。
- If you decide to ford a stream,be extremely careful.如果已决定要涉过小溪，必须极度小心。
- He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
- Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。
- Those laid off received their regular checks,plus vacation and severance pay.那些被裁的人都收到他们应得的薪金，再加上假期和解职的酬金。Kirchofer was terminated,effective immediately--without severance or warning.科奇弗被解雇了，立刻生效--而且没有辞退费或者警告。
- The company had accrued debts of over 1000 yuan. 该公司已积欠了1000多万元的债务。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- I have accrued a set of commemoration stamps. 我已收集一套纪念邮票。 来自《简明英汉词典》