UN decides Arctic borders
Greenland's ice cap was a fabulous back drop for this two-day summit.
And its future will depend on what the delegates here decide.
Five countries have been squabbling over sovereignty of the Arctic seabed.
Denmark's Foreign Minister says they've now agreed to let the United Nations rule on the dispute.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DANISH FOREIGN MINISTER PER STIG MOLLER SAYING:
"That is a very important step forward, that we know there will be a new situation before that has been settled and we have to solve problems in-between that."
The Arctic Ocean is thought to hold up to a quarter of the world's undiscovered oil and gas reserves.
And climate change means the previously inaccessible region may soon be ready for exploration and, fears Greenland's leader, exploitation.
(SOUNDBITE) (Greenlandish) GREENLAND PREMIER HANS ENOKSEN SAYING:
"With the receding glaciers we already see that we can find minerals that were previously hidden under the ice."
Under current laws Denmark, Norway and Canada, along with Russia and the United States all claim sovereignty over the Arctic Ocean.
But environmentalists say the challenges of climate change must come before the prospect of rich pickings.
Norway's and America's delegates acknowledged that responsibility.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) NORWEGIAN FOREIGN MINISTER JONAS GAHR STORE SAYING:
"We should not forget that the most dramatic effects of this phenomenon may not be around this region but around Lake Chad, in the middle of Africa. Or in Asia or in Latin America."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY SECRETARY OF STATE JOHN NEGROPONTE SAYING:
"As countries bordering the Arctic region I think we have a particular responsibility to consider the effects of that those changes and those new activities are going to have."
Environmentalists wanted the delegates to set up a treaty similar to one in the Antarctic which bans mineral mining.
But they weren't invited to the summit and an Arctic treaty was considered unnecessary.
That may change when the U.N. starts considering each country's sovereignty claim.
So might the current bonhomie as the need for new energy sources becomes more pressing.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
squabble - To engage in a disagreeable argument, usually over a trivial matter; wrangle. See Synonyms at argue.
re·cede - To move back or away from a limit, point, or mark: waited for the floodwaters to recede.
bonhomie - exuberant friendliness
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Mobile phone sales drop
High fuel and food prices sparked a pick-up in German inflation in May, stoking euro zone price pressures and strengthened the case for a rise in interest rates by the European Central Bank.
///
Meanwhile, meeting senior British oil executives, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he realised the effect high fuel prices were having on consumers, but warned there was no easy answer without co-ordinated global action.
"I think we all know that the global economy is facing its third big oil shock of recent decades and while in the time I was chancellor the oil price went as low as $11 per barrel it's now as high as $130 per barrel and I think we all know the impact that is having on bills on the prices at the petrol station."
The PM announced plans for increased oil production in the North Sea but this will be of little immediate help to truck drivers who protested the high price of fuel in Britain and in neighbouring France.
///
And truckers are not the only ones feeling the effect of soaring oil. The European planemaker Airbus is bracing for airline customers to delay and even cancel orders, especially of single-aisle A320 planes. Oil prices have roughly doubled in the last year, putting pressure on airlines which have seen their fuel costs soar.
///
But the price of oil slid after signs Asian demand was faltering. Days after Indonesia cut fuel subsidies, it announced it would be pulling out of OPEC. Its energy minister said that due to high consumption Indonesia had become a net-importer of oil. Fears that other Asian nations would follow suit saw the oil price drop slightly.
///
In the markets, European shares inched up after the U.S. markets opened higher and a slight drop in oil. The FTSEurofirst 300 was up one percent.
//
And finally, it may be good to talk, but not during an economic slowdown. Cellphone sales in Western Europe fell sharply in January-March as the financial uncertainty hurt demand. Sales fell 16.4 percent -- the first decline since 2001 -- but robust growth in emerging markets such as Asia and Africa offset the fall.
Stefanie McIntyre, Reuters
High fuel and food prices sparked a pick-up in German inflation in May, stoking euro zone price pressures and strengthened the case for a rise in interest rates by the European Central Bank.
///
Meanwhile, meeting senior British oil executives, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he realised the effect high fuel prices were having on consumers, but warned there was no easy answer without co-ordinated global action.
"I think we all know that the global economy is facing its third big oil shock of recent decades and while in the time I was chancellor the oil price went as low as $11 per barrel it's now as high as $130 per barrel and I think we all know the impact that is having on bills on the prices at the petrol station."
The PM announced plans for increased oil production in the North Sea but this will be of little immediate help to truck drivers who protested the high price of fuel in Britain and in neighbouring France.
///
And truckers are not the only ones feeling the effect of soaring oil. The European planemaker Airbus is bracing for airline customers to delay and even cancel orders, especially of single-aisle A320 planes. Oil prices have roughly doubled in the last year, putting pressure on airlines which have seen their fuel costs soar.
///
But the price of oil slid after signs Asian demand was faltering. Days after Indonesia cut fuel subsidies, it announced it would be pulling out of OPEC. Its energy minister said that due to high consumption Indonesia had become a net-importer of oil. Fears that other Asian nations would follow suit saw the oil price drop slightly.
///
In the markets, European shares inched up after the U.S. markets opened higher and a slight drop in oil. The FTSEurofirst 300 was up one percent.
//
And finally, it may be good to talk, but not during an economic slowdown. Cellphone sales in Western Europe fell sharply in January-March as the financial uncertainty hurt demand. Sales fell 16.4 percent -- the first decline since 2001 -- but robust growth in emerging markets such as Asia and Africa offset the fall.
Stefanie McIntyre, Reuters
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Illegal immigrants risk life
A desperate bid for a better life ends in tragedy for this person picked up from the sea off the Canary Islands.
For others they made it with their lives - but their futures are uncertain.
These seas attract thousands of illegal immigrants leaving Africa to try and work in the relative wealth of Europe.
But turbulent seas and inadequate open top boats mean many come unstuck on the journey.
In this case it's the Spanish Red Cross which picks up the pieces.
67 would be immigrants came in this boat load, including 15 youngsters.
Two were found dead and a third died on his way to hospital.
It's a desperate but seemingly unstoppable state of affairs.
For those facing poverty in Africa, a voyage across the stretch of sea to the money of Europe seems a risk worth taking.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.
come unstuck to suffer failure or disaster
A desperate bid for a better life ends in tragedy for this person picked up from the sea off the Canary Islands.
For others they made it with their lives - but their futures are uncertain.
These seas attract thousands of illegal immigrants leaving Africa to try and work in the relative wealth of Europe.
But turbulent seas and inadequate open top boats mean many come unstuck on the journey.
In this case it's the Spanish Red Cross which picks up the pieces.
67 would be immigrants came in this boat load, including 15 youngsters.
Two were found dead and a third died on his way to hospital.
It's a desperate but seemingly unstoppable state of affairs.
For those facing poverty in Africa, a voyage across the stretch of sea to the money of Europe seems a risk worth taking.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.
come unstuck to suffer failure or disaster
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Greek food protest
Pensioner power on the streets of Athens gives some indication of the strength of feeling over the soaring costs of food and fuel.
Greek pensioners rarely stage protests like this but now they say desperation has driven them to action.
SOUNDBITE: Yannis Koulouras, pensioner, saying (Greek):
"The prices of food products are out of control and it just can't go on. We have the lowest pensions in Europe and the highest prices."
Consumer inflation in Greece last month hit a six-year high of 4.4 per cent.
Studies by some consumer groups suggest the country is paying more than many of its European counterparts for the same items.
One study says Feta cheese, never absent from a Greek dinner table, costs 35 percent more in Athens than in Berlin.
The squeeze is now so tight consumer watchdogs say many Greeks are being forced to cut down on the national past-time of spending on entertainment and going out.
SOUNDBITE: Maria Sarantiti, Vice President, General Consumers Federation of Greece, saying (English):
"They have been concentrating on the very very necessary products for their survival. They stopped to go out. As you know, Greeks, they used to stay in the taverna until very late in the night,very late in the morning sometimes. Now if you go around to the tavernas they are empty."
Consumer groups are urging a boycott of pasta products next week in a further protest against the spiralling costs in the hope of forcing businesses to make reductions.
Organisers of a one-day boycott last week are claiming up to three quarters of the country responded.
Anger over high food prices has already sparked a wave of protests, predominantly in African, Asian, and South American countries
The United Nations predicts the world will see bumper harvests this year but it won't be enough to protect the poorest countries from food bills four times higher than at the start of the decade.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
Pensioner power on the streets of Athens gives some indication of the strength of feeling over the soaring costs of food and fuel.
Greek pensioners rarely stage protests like this but now they say desperation has driven them to action.
SOUNDBITE: Yannis Koulouras, pensioner, saying (Greek):
"The prices of food products are out of control and it just can't go on. We have the lowest pensions in Europe and the highest prices."
Consumer inflation in Greece last month hit a six-year high of 4.4 per cent.
Studies by some consumer groups suggest the country is paying more than many of its European counterparts for the same items.
One study says Feta cheese, never absent from a Greek dinner table, costs 35 percent more in Athens than in Berlin.
The squeeze is now so tight consumer watchdogs say many Greeks are being forced to cut down on the national past-time of spending on entertainment and going out.
SOUNDBITE: Maria Sarantiti, Vice President, General Consumers Federation of Greece, saying (English):
"They have been concentrating on the very very necessary products for their survival. They stopped to go out. As you know, Greeks, they used to stay in the taverna until very late in the night,very late in the morning sometimes. Now if you go around to the tavernas they are empty."
Consumer groups are urging a boycott of pasta products next week in a further protest against the spiralling costs in the hope of forcing businesses to make reductions.
Organisers of a one-day boycott last week are claiming up to three quarters of the country responded.
Anger over high food prices has already sparked a wave of protests, predominantly in African, Asian, and South American countries
The United Nations predicts the world will see bumper harvests this year but it won't be enough to protect the poorest countries from food bills four times higher than at the start of the decade.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
squeeze
1. The act or an instance of squeezing.
1. The act or an instance of squeezing.
2. An amount squeezed out: a squeeze of lemon.
3. A handclasp or brief embrace.
4. A group crowded together; a crush.
5. Informal A squeeze play.
6. Financial pressure caused by shortages or narrowing economic margins.
bumper - unusually large, fine, or abundant: a bumper crop
bumper - unusually large, fine, or abundant: a bumper crop
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Extinct tiger DNA resurrected
The world's last Tasmanian Tiger died in captivity in Hobart Zoo in 1936.
It was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 1900s.
There are a few stuffed tigers in museums and now its DNA has been re-activated in the laboratory.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DOCTOR ANDREW PASK FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, SAYING:
"It had been a long time coming, so we were very, very excited."
A team of Australian and American scientists extracted DNA from a 100-year-old Tasmanian Tiger that had been kept in ethanol.
Dr Andrew Pask said the DNA was injected into a mouse embryo where it was reproduced in the animal's cartilage.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DOCTOR ANDREW PASK FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, SAYING:
"Would be amazing to be able to bring something like that back to life since we responsible for them going in the first place."
The experiment could have exciting implications for bone development.
But as for bringing back extinct species?
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR MARILYN RENFREE FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, SAYING:
"One should never say impossible in science but it is a long way in the future."
But this is a first and many are asking what next?.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
bone - The dense, semirigid, porous, calcified connective tissue forming the major portion of the skeleton of most vertebrates. It consists of a dense organic matrix and an inorganic, mineral component.
The world's last Tasmanian Tiger died in captivity in Hobart Zoo in 1936.
It was hunted to extinction in the wild in the early 1900s.
There are a few stuffed tigers in museums and now its DNA has been re-activated in the laboratory.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DOCTOR ANDREW PASK FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, SAYING:
"It had been a long time coming, so we were very, very excited."
A team of Australian and American scientists extracted DNA from a 100-year-old Tasmanian Tiger that had been kept in ethanol.
Dr Andrew Pask said the DNA was injected into a mouse embryo where it was reproduced in the animal's cartilage.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DOCTOR ANDREW PASK FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, SAYING:
"Would be amazing to be able to bring something like that back to life since we responsible for them going in the first place."
The experiment could have exciting implications for bone development.
But as for bringing back extinct species?
(SOUNDBITE) (English) PROFESSOR MARILYN RENFREE FROM MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY, SAYING:
"One should never say impossible in science but it is a long way in the future."
But this is a first and many are asking what next?.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
bone - The dense, semirigid, porous, calcified connective tissue forming the major portion of the skeleton of most vertebrates. It consists of a dense organic matrix and an inorganic, mineral component.
Obama's "elitism" politics
Senator Barack Obama rolls up his sleeves to show he's a man of the people. His rivals have tagged Obama an "elitist" after he said small town folks turn to God and guns because they're bitter about losing their jobs.
But the charge of elitism in American presidential politics is nothing new.
Professor David Birdsell of Baruch College in New York says it dates back to the very first U.S. election.
"There's a unique American story about breaking away from a monarchy. The worst thing you could say about a public servant in the early years of the republic was that that person wanted to be king. Washington was attacked."
In modern times, John F. Kennedy had to fend off the charge that his rich father had engineered his path to the White House.
And such attacks aren't confined to the United States. European candidates will go to soccer fields to play to the crowd.
But Berlin-based analyst Constanze Stelzenmuller of the German Marshall Fund says elitism is less of an issue for European candidates than in the United States .
"There's just not as many Texas billionaires in Europe or their equivalent. And so, the extent to which you have to reach out very far to each side of the divide is much larger than it would be in Europe."
The "you're out of touch" charge often plays like a silly sideshow. But it's important because it can help sink a candidate.
"The elitism charge becomes damaging if the person is typed and unable to wriggle free of that charge. John Kerry - in 2004 was dubbed an elitist and he fed those elitist lines, he fed them by the way he chose to take time off from the campaign windsurfing off his compound."
It's not stupid to be seen as smart, so long as you're not seen as an intellectual snob as Al Gore was branded for sighing loudly during a debate with George W Bush. Kerry and Gore both lost.
Like Gore and Kerry, Obama attended elite schools, including Harvard, but his childhood - raised in modest circumstances by a single mother - is hardly a story of the upper crust.
Two ways experts say Obama can avoid being tarred as elitist: choose a running mate who relates well to the working class ...
playing basketball...and keep shooting hoops. It beats rolling gutter balls.
Fred Katayama, Reuters, New York.
dub tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs
Senator Barack Obama rolls up his sleeves to show he's a man of the people. His rivals have tagged Obama an "elitist" after he said small town folks turn to God and guns because they're bitter about losing their jobs.
But the charge of elitism in American presidential politics is nothing new.
Professor David Birdsell of Baruch College in New York says it dates back to the very first U.S. election.
"There's a unique American story about breaking away from a monarchy. The worst thing you could say about a public servant in the early years of the republic was that that person wanted to be king. Washington was attacked."
In modern times, John F. Kennedy had to fend off the charge that his rich father had engineered his path to the White House.
And such attacks aren't confined to the United States. European candidates will go to soccer fields to play to the crowd.
But Berlin-based analyst Constanze Stelzenmuller of the German Marshall Fund says elitism is less of an issue for European candidates than in the United States .
"There's just not as many Texas billionaires in Europe or their equivalent. And so, the extent to which you have to reach out very far to each side of the divide is much larger than it would be in Europe."
The "you're out of touch" charge often plays like a silly sideshow. But it's important because it can help sink a candidate.
"The elitism charge becomes damaging if the person is typed and unable to wriggle free of that charge. John Kerry - in 2004 was dubbed an elitist and he fed those elitist lines, he fed them by the way he chose to take time off from the campaign windsurfing off his compound."
It's not stupid to be seen as smart, so long as you're not seen as an intellectual snob as Al Gore was branded for sighing loudly during a debate with George W Bush. Kerry and Gore both lost.
Like Gore and Kerry, Obama attended elite schools, including Harvard, but his childhood - raised in modest circumstances by a single mother - is hardly a story of the upper crust.
Two ways experts say Obama can avoid being tarred as elitist: choose a running mate who relates well to the working class ...
playing basketball...and keep shooting hoops. It beats rolling gutter balls.
Fred Katayama, Reuters, New York.
dub tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs
1. To tap lightly on the shoulder by way of conferring knighthood.
2. To honor with a new title or description.
3. To give a name to facetiously or playfully; nickname.
feed [feeding, fed] 1. to give food to (a person or an animal)
2. to give (something) as food: people feeding bread to their cattle
3. to eat food: red squirrel feed in the pines
4. to supply or prepare food for
5. to provide what is needed for the continued existence, operation, or growth of: illustrations which will feed an older child's imagination, pools fed by waterfalls
tar [tarring, tarred]
1. to coat with tar
2. tar and feather to cover (someone) with tar and feathers as a punishment
3. tarred with the same brush having, or regarded as having, the same faults [Old English teoru]
Monday, May 19, 2008
South Africa riots
A police officer fires rubber bullets at a rioter in Johannesburg.
South African authorities are trying to stem a wave of anti-foreigner violence that's left several people dead and scores injured since it erupted a week ago.
Rising xenophobia in South Africa -- renowned for its liberal immigration and refugee policies -- is alarming the governing African National Congress (ANC).
While senior government officials were holding crisis talks with community leaders in Alexandra township - scene of earlier unrest - youths rioted in another Johannesburg settlement.
Police fought to restore order after a mob looted shops and set up barricades.
Local radio is reporting that immigrants were singled out and attacked with guns and clubs, their homes plundered and set alight.
The violence is spreading to other townships.
Hundreds of terrified immigrants have sought refuge in churches and police stations.
High levels of poverty, crime and unemployment are fuelling resentment toward foreigners - especially Zimbabweans.
3 million Zimbabweans have fled to neighbouring South Africa in recent years to escape the political and economic turmoil at home.
Since the end of apartheid nearly 20 years ago, South Africa has become a magnet for millions of African immigrants escaping poverty and persecution.
But no longer - images like these are destroying the country's reputation as a safe haven.
Helen Long, Reuters
stem Verb[stemming, stemmed] to stop or hinder the spread of (something): to stem the flow of firearms
fought - Past tense and past participle of fight
mob - A large disorderly crowd or throng. See Synonyms at crowd
club - A stout heavy stick, usually thicker at one end, suitable for use as a weapon; a cudgel.
plunder - To rob of goods by force, especially in time of war; pillage: plunder a village.
A police officer fires rubber bullets at a rioter in Johannesburg.
South African authorities are trying to stem a wave of anti-foreigner violence that's left several people dead and scores injured since it erupted a week ago.
Rising xenophobia in South Africa -- renowned for its liberal immigration and refugee policies -- is alarming the governing African National Congress (ANC).
While senior government officials were holding crisis talks with community leaders in Alexandra township - scene of earlier unrest - youths rioted in another Johannesburg settlement.
Police fought to restore order after a mob looted shops and set up barricades.
Local radio is reporting that immigrants were singled out and attacked with guns and clubs, their homes plundered and set alight.
The violence is spreading to other townships.
Hundreds of terrified immigrants have sought refuge in churches and police stations.
High levels of poverty, crime and unemployment are fuelling resentment toward foreigners - especially Zimbabweans.
3 million Zimbabweans have fled to neighbouring South Africa in recent years to escape the political and economic turmoil at home.
Since the end of apartheid nearly 20 years ago, South Africa has become a magnet for millions of African immigrants escaping poverty and persecution.
But no longer - images like these are destroying the country's reputation as a safe haven.
Helen Long, Reuters
stem Verb[stemming, stemmed] to stop or hinder the spread of (something): to stem the flow of firearms
fought - Past tense and past participle of fight
mob - A large disorderly crowd or throng. See Synonyms at crowd
looted
1. Valuables pillaged in time of war; spoils.
1. Valuables pillaged in time of war; spoils.
2. Stolen goods.
single something or someone out pick, choose, select, separate, distinguish, fix on, set apart, winnow, put on one side, pick on or outclub - A stout heavy stick, usually thicker at one end, suitable for use as a weapon; a cudgel.
plunder - To rob of goods by force, especially in time of war; pillage: plunder a village.
2. To seize wrongfully or by force; steal: plundered the supplies.
alight - on fire
sought - Past tense and past participle of seek.
fled - Past tense and past participle of flee.
turmoil - disorder, agitation, or confusion: a period of political turmoil and uncertainty
alight - on fire
sought - Past tense and past participle of seek.
fled - Past tense and past participle of flee.
turmoil - disorder, agitation, or confusion: a period of political turmoil and uncertainty
Friday, May 16, 2008
Mining for carbon credits
From the outside, the Borynia mine in southern Poland doesn't look like the home of green technology.
But this coal mine is the first in the country to use a system which converts excess methane, a by-product of coal mining, into heating fuel and electricity.
The mine's engineer explains how the one-and-a-half million euro system works:
SOUNDBITE: Stefan Lach, Borynia Chief Engineer, saying (Polish):
"We use the methane taken from the mine during coal excavation; the primary effect of this is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we produce our own electricity and heat, which are used by the mine."
This earns the mine carbon dioxide credits. And under worldwide emissions trading, the mine can sell its credits to a Japanese power company, which brings in extra income:
SOUNDBITE: Krzysztof Stanczyk, Mining Institute Engineer, saying (Polish):
"Every ton of methane is worth twenty one tons of CO2. This is very profitable for us because it means that the price per ton of emissions credits with methane is twenty one times higher than that of CO2."
This system has both environmental and financial benefits.
Before, some of the excess methane was burned, generating up to 50 tons of pollution per year.
Poland's power producers account for most of its carbon dioxide emissions.
And as the European Union forces Poland to cut emissions by almost 30 percent in the next four years - power companies have been threatening price increases of up to 100 percent.
By selling its emissions credits, Borynia mine might not reduce energy costs for Polish consumers.
But systems like this could play an important role in reducing emissions as Europe fights global warming.
Joanna Partridge, Reuters
From the outside, the Borynia mine in southern Poland doesn't look like the home of green technology.
But this coal mine is the first in the country to use a system which converts excess methane, a by-product of coal mining, into heating fuel and electricity.
The mine's engineer explains how the one-and-a-half million euro system works:
SOUNDBITE: Stefan Lach, Borynia Chief Engineer, saying (Polish):
"We use the methane taken from the mine during coal excavation; the primary effect of this is the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, we produce our own electricity and heat, which are used by the mine."
This earns the mine carbon dioxide credits. And under worldwide emissions trading, the mine can sell its credits to a Japanese power company, which brings in extra income:
SOUNDBITE: Krzysztof Stanczyk, Mining Institute Engineer, saying (Polish):
"Every ton of methane is worth twenty one tons of CO2. This is very profitable for us because it means that the price per ton of emissions credits with methane is twenty one times higher than that of CO2."
This system has both environmental and financial benefits.
Before, some of the excess methane was burned, generating up to 50 tons of pollution per year.
Poland's power producers account for most of its carbon dioxide emissions.
And as the European Union forces Poland to cut emissions by almost 30 percent in the next four years - power companies have been threatening price increases of up to 100 percent.
By selling its emissions credits, Borynia mine might not reduce energy costs for Polish consumers.
But systems like this could play an important role in reducing emissions as Europe fights global warming.
Joanna Partridge, Reuters
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Andean nations face drought
The impact of climate change is expected to dominate talks between European and Latin American leaders meeting in Lima.
MOREINFO: Scientists have warned glaciers in the Andes mountains will melt away entirely over the next 25 years because of rising temperatures. In Peru, the host country for the summit meeting, President Alan Garcia has created the first environment ministry - just days in advance of the gathering. Darcy Lambton reports.
SCRIPT:
High up in the Andes mountains an environmental bomb is ticking.
Small glaciers scattered across the region serve as a key fresh water source for Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.
But now scientists warn those glaciers will melt away completely over the next 25 years.
They blame global warming and say the livelihoods of millions will be badly hit.
Orlando Cora is a local meteorogist.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SCIENTIST, ORLANDO CORA, SAYING:
"Every day the glaciers are melting more, and that affects the other glaciers [attached to them] and so it is all breaking apart. The availability of water in countries bordering the mountains is going down with huge speed."
That's one reason why climate change will top the agenda when regional and European leaders meet in Peru on Friday and Saturday.
Biofuels and their impact on rampant food prices are also likely to dominate proceedings.
The smog filled streets of the Peruvian capital will be a telling reminder of the need for action rather than well intentioned rhetoric.
Alan Garcia is President of Peru.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT ALAN GARCIA REFERRING TO THE COMMITMENT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, SAYING:
"We do not have any right to destroy humanity's future by abusing the environment or precipitating its degradation. Growth without poverty and respect for the environment are the two main objectives of this summit."
It's expected delegates will be urged to promote reforestation and carbon trading systems.
Peru is also pushing for the creation of a global reforestation fund financed by a fossil fuels tax.
Darcy Lambton, Reuters
The impact of climate change is expected to dominate talks between European and Latin American leaders meeting in Lima.
MOREINFO: Scientists have warned glaciers in the Andes mountains will melt away entirely over the next 25 years because of rising temperatures. In Peru, the host country for the summit meeting, President Alan Garcia has created the first environment ministry - just days in advance of the gathering. Darcy Lambton reports.
SCRIPT:
High up in the Andes mountains an environmental bomb is ticking.
Small glaciers scattered across the region serve as a key fresh water source for Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador.
But now scientists warn those glaciers will melt away completely over the next 25 years.
They blame global warming and say the livelihoods of millions will be badly hit.
Orlando Cora is a local meteorogist.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PERUVIAN NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SCIENTIST, ORLANDO CORA, SAYING:
"Every day the glaciers are melting more, and that affects the other glaciers [attached to them] and so it is all breaking apart. The availability of water in countries bordering the mountains is going down with huge speed."
That's one reason why climate change will top the agenda when regional and European leaders meet in Peru on Friday and Saturday.
Biofuels and their impact on rampant food prices are also likely to dominate proceedings.
The smog filled streets of the Peruvian capital will be a telling reminder of the need for action rather than well intentioned rhetoric.
Alan Garcia is President of Peru.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT ALAN GARCIA REFERRING TO THE COMMITMENT TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS, SAYING:
"We do not have any right to destroy humanity's future by abusing the environment or precipitating its degradation. Growth without poverty and respect for the environment are the two main objectives of this summit."
It's expected delegates will be urged to promote reforestation and carbon trading systems.
Peru is also pushing for the creation of a global reforestation fund financed by a fossil fuels tax.
Darcy Lambton, Reuters
Swiss Rocketman
It looks like a small plane but take a closer look.
In fact it's a flying man.
Yves Rossy has a jet powered wing strapped to him and he's reaching speeds of 300 kilometres an hour.
The Swiss airline pilot has spent five years preparing for this trip high in the Swiss mountains.
He got airborne by free-falling from a plane at two and half thousand metres.
He then deployed his wings and began his flight, doing loops and figures for the watching media by steering with his body.
He landed 10 minutes later by deploying a parachute and folding the wings safely away.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) "FUSION MAN" AKA YVES ROSSY SAYING:
"I feel such happiness, an extraordinary sense of fulfilment to have once again been able to fly while people are watching. It's one thing to do it on your own but to be able to share it live like today, that's extraordinary."
Rossy landed safe and well along with his extraordinary wings.
He now plans to show off his skills at various events over the next few months and attempt to cross the English channel in the autumn.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
deploy - To bring (forces or material) into action.
steer - To guide a vessel or vehicle.
attempt - To try to perform, make, or achieve
It looks like a small plane but take a closer look.
In fact it's a flying man.
Yves Rossy has a jet powered wing strapped to him and he's reaching speeds of 300 kilometres an hour.
The Swiss airline pilot has spent five years preparing for this trip high in the Swiss mountains.
He got airborne by free-falling from a plane at two and half thousand metres.
He then deployed his wings and began his flight, doing loops and figures for the watching media by steering with his body.
He landed 10 minutes later by deploying a parachute and folding the wings safely away.
(SOUNDBITE) (French) "FUSION MAN" AKA YVES ROSSY SAYING:
"I feel such happiness, an extraordinary sense of fulfilment to have once again been able to fly while people are watching. It's one thing to do it on your own but to be able to share it live like today, that's extraordinary."
Rossy landed safe and well along with his extraordinary wings.
He now plans to show off his skills at various events over the next few months and attempt to cross the English channel in the autumn.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
deploy - To bring (forces or material) into action.
steer - To guide a vessel or vehicle.
attempt - To try to perform, make, or achieve
show off -To display or behave in an ostentatious or conspicuous way.
Brazil environment minister quits
Brazil's environment minister and a green champion has resigned after losing key battles in her efforts to protect the Amazon rain forest.
MOREINFO: Marina Silva's resignation is likely to reinforce the view that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is more concerned with economic development than conservation as a commodities export boom fuels Brazil's growth. It could also be a setback for Brazil's ambitions to become a major voice in global environmental debates.
SCRIPT:
She is known by many as the environment's guardian angel but Marina Silva has given up her ministerial fight to protect Brazil's rainforests.
The champion of the green movement has quit her post as Environment Minister.
She says it's become too difficult to do her job.
Her decision has reinforced fears that Brazil's President is more interested in economic development than conservation.
He said he regretted her decision.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SAYING:
"I'm obviously sad, because she was a friend who was one of the most qualified people on earth to speak about environmental issues."
The Amazon basin covers half of Brazil.
It holds a fifth of the world's fresh water and 15 per cent of the earth's plant and animal species.
But illegal logging and mining are rife and vast areas are also felled legally.
An area the size of the United States has disappeared in recent years.
And there's no end in sight.
Brazilian commodities such as soybeans are in demand around the world and farmers are keen to cash in.
They've welcomed Silva's resignation.
Two hydro-electric plants in the forest and a new road through it have also been given the go ahead.
The former rubber-tapper turned politician can't take any more.
Environmentalists say neither can the rain forest.
Sonia Legg, Reuters
basin - A region drained by a single river system: the Amazon basin.
logging - The work or business of felling and trimming trees and transporting the logs to a mill.
rife - widespread or common
fell - To cause to fall by striking
take - to stand up to or endure: I can't take this harassment any more
Brazil's environment minister and a green champion has resigned after losing key battles in her efforts to protect the Amazon rain forest.
MOREINFO: Marina Silva's resignation is likely to reinforce the view that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is more concerned with economic development than conservation as a commodities export boom fuels Brazil's growth. It could also be a setback for Brazil's ambitions to become a major voice in global environmental debates.
SCRIPT:
She is known by many as the environment's guardian angel but Marina Silva has given up her ministerial fight to protect Brazil's rainforests.
The champion of the green movement has quit her post as Environment Minister.
She says it's become too difficult to do her job.
Her decision has reinforced fears that Brazil's President is more interested in economic development than conservation.
He said he regretted her decision.
(SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA, SAYING:
"I'm obviously sad, because she was a friend who was one of the most qualified people on earth to speak about environmental issues."
The Amazon basin covers half of Brazil.
It holds a fifth of the world's fresh water and 15 per cent of the earth's plant and animal species.
But illegal logging and mining are rife and vast areas are also felled legally.
An area the size of the United States has disappeared in recent years.
And there's no end in sight.
Brazilian commodities such as soybeans are in demand around the world and farmers are keen to cash in.
They've welcomed Silva's resignation.
Two hydro-electric plants in the forest and a new road through it have also been given the go ahead.
The former rubber-tapper turned politician can't take any more.
Environmentalists say neither can the rain forest.
Sonia Legg, Reuters
basin - A region drained by a single river system: the Amazon basin.
logging - The work or business of felling and trimming trees and transporting the logs to a mill.
rife - widespread or common
fell - To cause to fall by striking
take - to stand up to or endure: I can't take this harassment any more
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Spanish drought intensifies
INTRO: Emergency water supplies arrive in the Spanish port of Barcelona which is grappling with a severe drought.
MOREINFO: Reservoirs in the region are only 25 percent full ahead of what's expected to be a blazing hot summer. And without rainfall in the weeks ahead, there are fears the city could endure its first cut in domestic water supplies in more than half a century. Darcy Lambton reports.
SCRIPT:
A tanker vessel arrives in the parched Spanish port of Barcelona.
On board, 19 thousand tonnes of desperately needed fresh water.
(And further shipment are due ... coming weeks.)
Like other parts of Spain, the top tourist destination is enduring chronic drought.
Public fountains are empty and beach showers have been switched off.
And without significant rainfall, locals face a summer threat of supply cuts.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, LUIS MARTINEZ, SAYING:
"No, I hadn't seen anything like this in many many years, I actually think it's the first time. But I find perfectly understandable that we have to save water and I think the public is aware and contributing."
Tough times have called for tough measures.
Residents risk big fines for watering gardens or filling up swimming pools.
But some are learning to adapt
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HOMEOWNER AFFECTED BY DROUGHT, SANDRA TAMBORERO, SAYING:
"The water restrictions forced us to switch from natural to artificial grass. It's more expensive but at least we can keep it as it doesn't need watering (and fines go from 300 to 3000 euro, so we can't risk being caught.) With the swimming pool same story, we can't empty it as we normally do each year because we are banned from filling it up."
To solve the crisis, shipping in water is only a temporary measure.
This construction project is considered a longer term solution.
Once finished it will be Europe's largest desalination plant producing 60 million cubic meters of drinkable water per year.
That's enough to meet an estimated twenty percent of Barcelona's needs.
The plant is one of several planned or being built in Spain.
And it's taste of what's to come elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
Water experts say more will be needed to offset the impact of global warming.
Darcy Lambton, Reuters.
blazing - shining intensely; "the blazing sun"; "blinding headlights"; "dazzling snow"; "fulgent patterns of sunlight"; "the glaring sun"
due - Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive: Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
offset - To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for: fringe benefits designed to offset low salaries.
INTRO: Emergency water supplies arrive in the Spanish port of Barcelona which is grappling with a severe drought.
MOREINFO: Reservoirs in the region are only 25 percent full ahead of what's expected to be a blazing hot summer. And without rainfall in the weeks ahead, there are fears the city could endure its first cut in domestic water supplies in more than half a century. Darcy Lambton reports.
SCRIPT:
A tanker vessel arrives in the parched Spanish port of Barcelona.
On board, 19 thousand tonnes of desperately needed fresh water.
(And further shipment are due ... coming weeks.)
Like other parts of Spain, the top tourist destination is enduring chronic drought.
Public fountains are empty and beach showers have been switched off.
And without significant rainfall, locals face a summer threat of supply cuts.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LOCAL RESIDENT, LUIS MARTINEZ, SAYING:
"No, I hadn't seen anything like this in many many years, I actually think it's the first time. But I find perfectly understandable that we have to save water and I think the public is aware and contributing."
Tough times have called for tough measures.
Residents risk big fines for watering gardens or filling up swimming pools.
But some are learning to adapt
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) HOMEOWNER AFFECTED BY DROUGHT, SANDRA TAMBORERO, SAYING:
"The water restrictions forced us to switch from natural to artificial grass. It's more expensive but at least we can keep it as it doesn't need watering (and fines go from 300 to 3000 euro, so we can't risk being caught.) With the swimming pool same story, we can't empty it as we normally do each year because we are banned from filling it up."
To solve the crisis, shipping in water is only a temporary measure.
This construction project is considered a longer term solution.
Once finished it will be Europe's largest desalination plant producing 60 million cubic meters of drinkable water per year.
That's enough to meet an estimated twenty percent of Barcelona's needs.
The plant is one of several planned or being built in Spain.
And it's taste of what's to come elsewhere in the Mediterranean.
Water experts say more will be needed to offset the impact of global warming.
Darcy Lambton, Reuters.
blazing - shining intensely; "the blazing sun"; "blinding headlights"; "dazzling snow"; "fulgent patterns of sunlight"; "the glaring sun"
due - Expected or scheduled, especially appointed to arrive: Their plane is due in 15 minutes.
offset - To counterbalance, counteract, or compensate for: fringe benefits designed to offset low salaries.
China earthquake aftermath
The areas hardest-hit by China's worst earthquake are not left in peace.
Heavy rainfall and wrecked roads hampered rescuers' efforts to reach to the victims.
Huddled inside buses and under makeshift tents, survivors sought shelter from the rain and cold.
Troops and ambulances thronged the streets, and military trucks able to do heavy lifting had arrived.
But many residents simply stood beside their wrecked homes, cradling possessions in their arms.
Aid agencies warned that the most urgent risk they faced was exposure.
Nearly 10,000 people were killed by the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hammered China's southwestern province of Sichuan.
The epicentre was in Wenchuan, a hilly county about 100 km (62 miles) from the provincial capital, Chengdu.
State media reports indicated that the number of dead was likely to soar.
Premier Wen Jiabao who rushed to Sichuan, ordered troops to clear roads.
But the continuous rainfall and the drop in temperature are not making it easy for the survivors to hold on and military helicopters to land.
In Dujiangyan, about 900 teenagers were buried under a collapsed school building.
In Beijing, Kitty Bu, reporting for Reuters.
wrecked - destroyed in an accident; "a wrecked ship"; "a highway full of wrecked cars"
hamper - a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
huddled - crowded
sought - Past tense and past participle of seek.
thronged - filled with great numbers crowded together; "I try to avoid the thronged streets and stores just before Christmas"
stood - Past tense and past participle of stand.
hilly adjective mountainous
drop - fall
The areas hardest-hit by China's worst earthquake are not left in peace.
Heavy rainfall and wrecked roads hampered rescuers' efforts to reach to the victims.
Huddled inside buses and under makeshift tents, survivors sought shelter from the rain and cold.
Troops and ambulances thronged the streets, and military trucks able to do heavy lifting had arrived.
But many residents simply stood beside their wrecked homes, cradling possessions in their arms.
Aid agencies warned that the most urgent risk they faced was exposure.
Nearly 10,000 people were killed by the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hammered China's southwestern province of Sichuan.
The epicentre was in Wenchuan, a hilly county about 100 km (62 miles) from the provincial capital, Chengdu.
State media reports indicated that the number of dead was likely to soar.
Premier Wen Jiabao who rushed to Sichuan, ordered troops to clear roads.
But the continuous rainfall and the drop in temperature are not making it easy for the survivors to hold on and military helicopters to land.
In Dujiangyan, about 900 teenagers were buried under a collapsed school building.
In Beijing, Kitty Bu, reporting for Reuters.
wrecked - destroyed in an accident; "a wrecked ship"; "a highway full of wrecked cars"
hamper - a restraint that confines or restricts freedom (especially something used to tie down or restrain a prisoner)
huddled - crowded
sought - Past tense and past participle of seek.
thronged - filled with great numbers crowded together; "I try to avoid the thronged streets and stores just before Christmas"
stood - Past tense and past participle of stand.
hilly adjective mountainous
drop - fall
Serbia poll reaction
They're claiming an election win but the battle isn't over for Serbia's pro-European alliance.
The EU has called for a government to be formed quickly and the alliance, led by President Boris Tadic's Democratic Party, is ready to start coalition talks.
But the road to Europe doesn't look smooth.
The pro-Western parties are being challenged by nationalist runners-up who say they too can form a government.
Monitors say the pro-European alliance won 39 percent of the vote.
The nationalist Radical Party with 29 percent says the alliance is claiming victory too soon.
Many Belgrade citizens doubt a government will be formed.
(SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) ALEKSANDAR DJUROVIC SAYING:
"We will probably have new elections in three to four months and will go on in a circle."
(SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) RODOLJUB SAVIC SAYING:
''I'm afraid that a long and drawn out period is ahead of us with a lot of negotiations in order to form that government which is not good for the country.''
As unlikely as it sounds one coalition option for the Pro-European alliance is Slobodan Milosevic's Socialists who took 9 percent of the vote.
Official election results are due by Thursday night.
The parties then have until mid-September to form a government otherwise new polls will be held.
Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri, Reuters
runners-up a person who comes second in a competition
draw out - To prolong
They're claiming an election win but the battle isn't over for Serbia's pro-European alliance.
The EU has called for a government to be formed quickly and the alliance, led by President Boris Tadic's Democratic Party, is ready to start coalition talks.
But the road to Europe doesn't look smooth.
The pro-Western parties are being challenged by nationalist runners-up who say they too can form a government.
Monitors say the pro-European alliance won 39 percent of the vote.
The nationalist Radical Party with 29 percent says the alliance is claiming victory too soon.
Many Belgrade citizens doubt a government will be formed.
(SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) ALEKSANDAR DJUROVIC SAYING:
"We will probably have new elections in three to four months and will go on in a circle."
(SOUNDBITE)(Serbian) RODOLJUB SAVIC SAYING:
''I'm afraid that a long and drawn out period is ahead of us with a lot of negotiations in order to form that government which is not good for the country.''
As unlikely as it sounds one coalition option for the Pro-European alliance is Slobodan Milosevic's Socialists who took 9 percent of the vote.
Official election results are due by Thursday night.
The parties then have until mid-September to form a government otherwise new polls will be held.
Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri, Reuters
runners-up a person who comes second in a competition
draw out - To prolong
Chinese virus spreads
A young child hovers between life and death.
China is trying to contain a deadly outbreak of hand-foot-and-mouth disease which is killing young children.
A severe strain of the virus, which isn't related to foot-and-mouth disease affecting farm animals, is sweeping much of the country.
Latest state figures suggest there are 25,000 cases; China only went public with the outbreak in late April.
Most of the 34 deaths occurred in Fuyang city in the central province of Anhui.
China has issued a nationwide alert, closing kindergartens and dispatching hygiene officials to visit nurseries and schools in a bid to curb infections.
Parents in Beijing are taking every precaution.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) FATHER MR. WANG, SAYING:
"At least you must wash your hands frequently, wash clothes and take a shower every day. The school has asked its students to do so. We've asked our child to do that back at home as well."
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) BEIJING CITIZEN DU SHAOCHI, SAYING:
"We don't go to crowded places. The kindergarten has told us not to bring her to crowded places."
With the Beijing Olympics barely months away, there's real concern in the Chinese capital, where there's been nearly 1,500 cases this year.
Hand-foot-and-mouth is a common illness among children in China.
It's usually mild, but the virus can be severe, producing a high fever, paralysis and meningitis.
Health experts are warning that the numbers of new cases are set to rise and they expect the disease to peak in June and July.
Helen Long, Reuters
hover
outbreak - a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition); "the outbreak of hostilities"strain - a group of animals or plants within a species or variety, distinguished by one or more minor characteristics
dispatch -send
A young child hovers between life and death.
China is trying to contain a deadly outbreak of hand-foot-and-mouth disease which is killing young children.
A severe strain of the virus, which isn't related to foot-and-mouth disease affecting farm animals, is sweeping much of the country.
Latest state figures suggest there are 25,000 cases; China only went public with the outbreak in late April.
Most of the 34 deaths occurred in Fuyang city in the central province of Anhui.
China has issued a nationwide alert, closing kindergartens and dispatching hygiene officials to visit nurseries and schools in a bid to curb infections.
Parents in Beijing are taking every precaution.
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) FATHER MR. WANG, SAYING:
"At least you must wash your hands frequently, wash clothes and take a shower every day. The school has asked its students to do so. We've asked our child to do that back at home as well."
(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) BEIJING CITIZEN DU SHAOCHI, SAYING:
"We don't go to crowded places. The kindergarten has told us not to bring her to crowded places."
With the Beijing Olympics barely months away, there's real concern in the Chinese capital, where there's been nearly 1,500 cases this year.
Hand-foot-and-mouth is a common illness among children in China.
It's usually mild, but the virus can be severe, producing a high fever, paralysis and meningitis.
Health experts are warning that the numbers of new cases are set to rise and they expect the disease to peak in June and July.
Helen Long, Reuters
hover
Verb
1. (of a bird, insect, or helicopter) to remain suspended in one place in the air
2. to linger uncertainly in a place
3. to be in an unsettled or uncertain situation or frame of mind: hovering between two optionsoutbreak - a sudden violent spontaneous occurrence (usually of some undesirable condition); "the outbreak of hostilities"strain - a group of animals or plants within a species or variety, distinguished by one or more minor characteristics
dispatch -send
"Iron Man" rules
Superhero movie "Iron Man" pounded the competition at the North American box offices for (a)(the) second straight weekend, landing at No. 1 with just over 50 million dollars (USD) in ticket sales. The movie about a comic book superhero in a high-tech suit of armour blasted past two new entries, family adventure "Speed Racer" and romantic comedy "What Happens in Vegas."
Daniel Craig has been hard at work on the upcoming James Bond flick, "Quantum of Solace." The talented actor, who helped breathe life back into the role of "007," tells Reuters that he has no worries about being typecast as the man with the license to kill.
SOUNDBITE (English) DANIEL CRAIG ON BEING TYPECAST AS JAMES BOND, SAYING
"I'm not going to fight against it, I think that would be the wrong thing to do. I am just going to accept because I accepted it when I took the role. When it happens it is a very nice thing to happen."
Actress Uma Thurman is suing the French cosmetics giant Lancome. The "Kill Bill" star is seeking 15 million dollars in damages, accusing the company of using her name and face in advertisements after her contract had expired. Thurman recently made headlines in a separate case involving a former mental patient who was convicted of stalking her.
Lastly, Paul McCartney and his estranged wife Heather Mills are expected to be back in court on Monday (May 12, 2008) to officially finalize their very contentious and well publicized divorce.
John Russell reports.
pound - verb 1. (sometimes with on) beat, strike, hammer
armour or US armor
Superhero movie "Iron Man" pounded the competition at the North American box offices for (a)(the) second straight weekend, landing at No. 1 with just over 50 million dollars (USD) in ticket sales. The movie about a comic book superhero in a high-tech suit of armour blasted past two new entries, family adventure "Speed Racer" and romantic comedy "What Happens in Vegas."
Daniel Craig has been hard at work on the upcoming James Bond flick, "Quantum of Solace." The talented actor, who helped breathe life back into the role of "007," tells Reuters that he has no worries about being typecast as the man with the license to kill.
SOUNDBITE (English) DANIEL CRAIG ON BEING TYPECAST AS JAMES BOND, SAYING
"I'm not going to fight against it, I think that would be the wrong thing to do. I am just going to accept because I accepted it when I took the role. When it happens it is a very nice thing to happen."
Actress Uma Thurman is suing the French cosmetics giant Lancome. The "Kill Bill" star is seeking 15 million dollars in damages, accusing the company of using her name and face in advertisements after her contract had expired. Thurman recently made headlines in a separate case involving a former mental patient who was convicted of stalking her.
Lastly, Paul McCartney and his estranged wife Heather Mills are expected to be back in court on Monday (May 12, 2008) to officially finalize their very contentious and well publicized divorce.
John Russell reports.
pound - verb 1. (sometimes with on) beat, strike, hammer
armour or US armor
Noun
1. metal clothing worn by medieval warriors for protection in battle
flick - a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement; "they went to a movie every Saturday night"; "the film was shot on location" To court; woo
stalk - to follow (an animal or person) quietly and secretly in order to catch or kill them
flick - a form of entertainment that enacts a story by sound and a sequence of images giving the illusion of continuous movement; "they went to a movie every Saturday night"; "the film was shot on location"
film, motion picture, motion-picture show, movie, moving picture, moving-picture show, pic, picture show, picture
sue v. sued, su·ing, suesThursday, May 8, 2008
Putin outlines his plans
Newly appointed Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev addresses the Russian parliament to ask for agreement that his predecessor Vladimir Putin be appointed Prime Minister.
A seeming formality but Putin is back in office with barely time to draw breath following his presidency.
His first act as the new Prime Minister was to pledge to curb Russia's growing inflation and to vow to cut taxes on the oil industry.
SOUNDBITE: Incoming Prime Minister Vladimir Putin saying: (Russian)
"We will devote the closest attention to all aspects of financial policy -- first of all to measures directed at reducing inflation. Each one of us felt it personally in his pocket and the first ones to suffer are the most vulnerable ones."
Investors have said inflation is Russia's biggest economic problem.
The annual rate was above 14 percent in April and there were growing fears of labour unrest.
The incoming prime minister, who handed over the presidency to his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, also vowed to step up the fight against rampant official graft which he said was one of Russia's biggest problems.
This is the 10th year of rapid growth for Russia.
Putin said it was set to displace Britain this year as the world's sixth biggest economy based on purchasing power.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.
barely - By a very little
draw - suck in or take (air); "draw a deep breath"; "draw on a cigarette"
Newly appointed Russian President, Dmitry Medvedev addresses the Russian parliament to ask for agreement that his predecessor Vladimir Putin be appointed Prime Minister.
A seeming formality but Putin is back in office with barely time to draw breath following his presidency.
His first act as the new Prime Minister was to pledge to curb Russia's growing inflation and to vow to cut taxes on the oil industry.
SOUNDBITE: Incoming Prime Minister Vladimir Putin saying: (Russian)
"We will devote the closest attention to all aspects of financial policy -- first of all to measures directed at reducing inflation. Each one of us felt it personally in his pocket and the first ones to suffer are the most vulnerable ones."
Investors have said inflation is Russia's biggest economic problem.
The annual rate was above 14 percent in April and there were growing fears of labour unrest.
The incoming prime minister, who handed over the presidency to his chosen successor Dmitry Medvedev on Wednesday, also vowed to step up the fight against rampant official graft which he said was one of Russia's biggest problems.
This is the 10th year of rapid growth for Russia.
Putin said it was set to displace Britain this year as the world's sixth biggest economy based on purchasing power.
Penny Tweedie, Reuters.
barely - By a very little
draw - suck in or take (air); "draw a deep breath"; "draw on a cigarette"
graft - the practice of obtaining money by taking advantage of one's position
hand over - To release or relinquish to another.
purchasing - the act of buying; "buying and selling fill their days"; "shrewd purchasing requires considerable knowledge"
Deal shakes wireless world
It may not be a household name yet, like Wi-Fi. But with a growing number of consumers wanting their information on the go, at home and at work - WiMax may be the next big thing in wireless.
At least that's what Sprint and a new group called Clearwire are betting on.
WiMax is shorthand for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. The technology aims to provide broadband wireless service over a much greater area than current WiFi.
David Schatsky is President of Jupiter Research.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID SCHATSKY, JUPITER RESEARCH, SAYING: "There is interest on the part of consumers in consuming media "on the go". We've seen that with i-pods and i-phones. And this will provide the infrastructure necessary to make that a more mainstream phenomenon and consumers are looking for that."
Seven different companies are investing 14 and a-half billion dollars in (the launch of) Clearwire.
Besides Sprint Nextel, which will own 51-percent of the company (and Clearwire in its current form), the new, joint venture (Clearwire) will (receive)(get) investment from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Intel, Google and Bright House Networks.
Analysts say WiMax could provide several new benefits for consumers.
For people who can't get broadband now because they live in rural areas, (they may be able to access it once WiMax rolls out.) (WiMax may offer an answer. )
Also..
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID SCHATSKY, JUPITER RESEARCH, SAYING: "It can provide an alternative competitive offering to broadband service at home. You might be able to get it from your phone company today. You might be able to get it from your cable company. In the future, you may be able to get it over WiMax, even in your house. It could spur price competition."
Clearwire hopes to have Wi-Max services available to about half the U.S. population by 2010.
Sasha Salama, Reuters.
It may not be a household name yet, like Wi-Fi. But with a growing number of consumers wanting their information on the go, at home and at work - WiMax may be the next big thing in wireless.
At least that's what Sprint and a new group called Clearwire are betting on.
WiMax is shorthand for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. The technology aims to provide broadband wireless service over a much greater area than current WiFi.
David Schatsky is President of Jupiter Research.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID SCHATSKY, JUPITER RESEARCH, SAYING: "There is interest on the part of consumers in consuming media "on the go". We've seen that with i-pods and i-phones. And this will provide the infrastructure necessary to make that a more mainstream phenomenon and consumers are looking for that."
Seven different companies are investing 14 and a-half billion dollars in (the launch of) Clearwire.
Besides Sprint Nextel, which will own 51-percent of the company (and Clearwire in its current form), the new, joint venture (Clearwire) will (receive)(get) investment from Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Intel, Google and Bright House Networks.
Analysts say WiMax could provide several new benefits for consumers.
For people who can't get broadband now because they live in rural areas, (they may be able to access it once WiMax rolls out.) (WiMax may offer an answer. )
Also..
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DAVID SCHATSKY, JUPITER RESEARCH, SAYING: "It can provide an alternative competitive offering to broadband service at home. You might be able to get it from your phone company today. You might be able to get it from your cable company. In the future, you may be able to get it over WiMax, even in your house. It could spur price competition."
Clearwire hopes to have Wi-Max services available to about half the U.S. population by 2010.
Sasha Salama, Reuters.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
USA illegal immigration report
When U.S. authorities put up a steel fence through this tiny Arizona border town -- the hope was to prevent illegal crossings from Mexico, but the smugglers on the south side were ready.
They burned a rectangular gate in the barrier large enough to drive a truck through, then they sealed it with a padlock to use it at their leisure, leaving the border police too patch things up.
Border Patrol agent Dove Haber.
SOUNDBITE: Dove Haber, Border Patrol agent, saying (English):
"The profits are huge in smuggling and to the smugglers they see this as their territory. They have an entrenchment philosophy about it that this is their area and they don't want to give up the operations that they've had ongoing for some time."
Border officials say smugglers are trying and, in many cases succeeding, in breaching every kind of barrier.
When steel posts were erected to stop vehicles crossing north, drug traffickers responded by building ramps to drive cars over the top.
Others simply jump the fence and run. Those that are caught -- are dropped off at the border after being processed. Some say it is worth the risk, others not
SOUNDBITE: Man caught crossing the border, saying (Spanish):
"After what we've seen these past day's, it's not worth it. There is too much suffering, too many risks in the desert. You are hungry, thirsty, and cold,"
The Pew Hispanic center says an estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants live and work in the United States, roughly one in every 20 workers.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
When U.S. authorities put up a steel fence through this tiny Arizona border town -- the hope was to prevent illegal crossings from Mexico, but the smugglers on the south side were ready.
They burned a rectangular gate in the barrier large enough to drive a truck through, then they sealed it with a padlock to use it at their leisure, leaving the border police too patch things up.
Border Patrol agent Dove Haber.
SOUNDBITE: Dove Haber, Border Patrol agent, saying (English):
"The profits are huge in smuggling and to the smugglers they see this as their territory. They have an entrenchment philosophy about it that this is their area and they don't want to give up the operations that they've had ongoing for some time."
Border officials say smugglers are trying and, in many cases succeeding, in breaching every kind of barrier.
When steel posts were erected to stop vehicles crossing north, drug traffickers responded by building ramps to drive cars over the top.
Others simply jump the fence and run. Those that are caught -- are dropped off at the border after being processed. Some say it is worth the risk, others not
SOUNDBITE: Man caught crossing the border, saying (Spanish):
"After what we've seen these past day's, it's not worth it. There is too much suffering, too many risks in the desert. You are hungry, thirsty, and cold,"
The Pew Hispanic center says an estimated 11 to 12 million undocumented immigrants live and work in the United States, roughly one in every 20 workers.
Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters
Deadly virus hits China
A highly infectious virus has killed over 20 children in China.
And authorities are struggling to stop it from spreading before Beijing's August Olympics.
EV71 is an intestinal virus which has become linked with the less serious children's illness of hand foot and mouth.
Beijing has so far escaped infection but parents remain concerned.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Mrs She, mother, saying:
"I'm afraid of cross infection. There are so many children in public places. If my child touches toys and places touched by other children, there are chances that he be infected. So I'm worried about that."
The government has closed kindergartens and pushed for hygiene awareness.
There is no cure for the virus.
The disease spreads mostly through contact with infected blisters.
It causes high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain.
Tyra Dempster, Reuters, Beijing.
awareness - having knowledge of; "he had no awareness of his mistakes"; "his sudden consciousness of the problem he faced"; "their intelligence and general knowingness was impressive"
blister - a small bubble on the skin filled with a watery fluid
swelling - an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
A highly infectious virus has killed over 20 children in China.
And authorities are struggling to stop it from spreading before Beijing's August Olympics.
EV71 is an intestinal virus which has become linked with the less serious children's illness of hand foot and mouth.
Beijing has so far escaped infection but parents remain concerned.
SOUNDBITE: (Mandarin) Mrs She, mother, saying:
"I'm afraid of cross infection. There are so many children in public places. If my child touches toys and places touched by other children, there are chances that he be infected. So I'm worried about that."
The government has closed kindergartens and pushed for hygiene awareness.
There is no cure for the virus.
The disease spreads mostly through contact with infected blisters.
It causes high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain.
Tyra Dempster, Reuters, Beijing.
awareness - having knowledge of; "he had no awareness of his mistakes"; "his sudden consciousness of the problem he faced"; "their intelligence and general knowingness was impressive"
blister - a small bubble on the skin filled with a watery fluid
swelling - an abnormal protuberance or localized enlargement
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Gym for overweight kids
12 year old Junior Pinto is on a mission to get fit and lead a healthier lifestyle.
He's joined his local gym after his weight began to affect his confidence and stamina.
Junior lives in Brixton south London with his father and younger sister.
But the British weather often makes it difficult for him to get outside to exercise.
Junior's father suggested he join a gym.
SOUNDBITE: Gerson Pinto, Junior's father, saying (English):
"Our teenage years are short, we always remember them and we want to have good memories, you want to be healthy, you want to be fit, and kids are really conscious of how they look."
SOUNDBITE: Junior Pinto Age 12, saying (English):
"I enjoy coming to the gym because I can work out and I can do it in a fun way"
Government figures show that almost a quarter of four-to-five year-olds are overweight or obese and nearly a third of 10-and-11 year-olds.
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, says part of the problem is that there's nowhere for children to play safely outside.
SOUNDBITE: Tam Fry, National Obesity Forum, saying (English):
"Parks are now unsafe because they're under supervised and therefore many times parents are loathe to let their children out to play because of the fear that something terrible will happen to them."
British company SHOKK have developed a range of gym equipment especially for children.
Its Marketing Director is Kieron Murphy.
SOUNDBITE: Kieron Murphy, Marketing Director, SHOKK, saying (English):
"What we've tried to create is facilities where young people can come in have fun in a safe environment, get fit, engage with other people, engage with other young people and make more friends."
Junior still has a way to go to reach his ideal weight. Since joining the gym 4 months ago he's lost more than 4 kilos. Now he's determined not to become an overweight adult.
Hayley Platt Reuters.
stamina
12 year old Junior Pinto is on a mission to get fit and lead a healthier lifestyle.
He's joined his local gym after his weight began to affect his confidence and stamina.
Junior lives in Brixton south London with his father and younger sister.
But the British weather often makes it difficult for him to get outside to exercise.
Junior's father suggested he join a gym.
SOUNDBITE: Gerson Pinto, Junior's father, saying (English):
"Our teenage years are short, we always remember them and we want to have good memories, you want to be healthy, you want to be fit, and kids are really conscious of how they look."
SOUNDBITE: Junior Pinto Age 12, saying (English):
"I enjoy coming to the gym because I can work out and I can do it in a fun way"
Government figures show that almost a quarter of four-to-five year-olds are overweight or obese and nearly a third of 10-and-11 year-olds.
Tam Fry, from the National Obesity Forum, says part of the problem is that there's nowhere for children to play safely outside.
SOUNDBITE: Tam Fry, National Obesity Forum, saying (English):
"Parks are now unsafe because they're under supervised and therefore many times parents are loathe to let their children out to play because of the fear that something terrible will happen to them."
British company SHOKK have developed a range of gym equipment especially for children.
Its Marketing Director is Kieron Murphy.
SOUNDBITE: Kieron Murphy, Marketing Director, SHOKK, saying (English):
"What we've tried to create is facilities where young people can come in have fun in a safe environment, get fit, engage with other people, engage with other young people and make more friends."
Junior still has a way to go to reach his ideal weight. Since joining the gym 4 months ago he's lost more than 4 kilos. Now he's determined not to become an overweight adult.
Hayley Platt Reuters.
stamina
noun staying power, endurance, resilience, force, power, energy, strength, resistance, grit, vigour, tenacity, power of endurance, indefatigability, lustiness
loathe - find repugnant; "I loathe that man"; "She abhors cats"
loathe - find repugnant; "I loathe that man"; "She abhors cats"
detest, hate - dislike intensely; feel antipathy or aversion towards; "I hate Mexican food"; "She detests politicians"
30,000 missing after storm
Myanmar is in desperate need of aid.
Millions of people urgently need clean water, food and temporary shelter.
UN head Ban Ki-moon promised help for the ravaged country.
SOUNDBITE: (English) Ban Ki-Moon, U.N. Secretary-General, saying:
"I am very saddened by all the Myanmarese people having been struck by this cyclone. The United Nations will do whatever... to provide urgent humanitarian assistance."
The U.S. so far has pledged a quarter of a million dollars with promises of further help if Myanmar's leaders allow a U.S. disaster response team to enter the country.
While officials have agreed to foreign and aid workers they have not yet accepted the U.S. offer.
Australia's Foreign Minister said his country would contribute:
SOUNDBITE: (English) Stephen Smith, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, saying:
"Whilst we have very grave difficulties with the regime in Burma, we have over the period been continuing to render moderate humanitarian assistance directly to the people of Burma. So we stand ready, willing and able to assist in conjunction with the United Nations, and the relevant agencies."
Tens of thousands of people died in Saturday's deadly cyclone and thousands more are missing.
The devastating consequences are still uncalculated.
Tyra Dempster, Reuters, Beijing.
whilst
Myanmar is in desperate need of aid.
Millions of people urgently need clean water, food and temporary shelter.
UN head Ban Ki-moon promised help for the ravaged country.
SOUNDBITE: (English) Ban Ki-Moon, U.N. Secretary-General, saying:
"I am very saddened by all the Myanmarese people having been struck by this cyclone. The United Nations will do whatever... to provide urgent humanitarian assistance."
The U.S. so far has pledged a quarter of a million dollars with promises of further help if Myanmar's leaders allow a U.S. disaster response team to enter the country.
While officials have agreed to foreign and aid workers they have not yet accepted the U.S. offer.
Australia's Foreign Minister said his country would contribute:
SOUNDBITE: (English) Stephen Smith, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, saying:
"Whilst we have very grave difficulties with the regime in Burma, we have over the period been continuing to render moderate humanitarian assistance directly to the people of Burma. So we stand ready, willing and able to assist in conjunction with the United Nations, and the relevant agencies."
Tens of thousands of people died in Saturday's deadly cyclone and thousands more are missing.
The devastating consequences are still uncalculated.
Tyra Dempster, Reuters, Beijing.
whilst
conj
Chiefly Brit same as while
Babies found in freezer
German police are questioning a couple after their son found the bodies of three babies in a freezer at the family home in Wenden.
The boy and his older sister were looking for pizzas in the freezer when they made the grisly find.
They persuaded their parents to go to the police.
They and another daughter are being questioned by detectives while investigators comb the scene to find out more.
SOUNDBITE: Herbert Fingerhut, head of police investigations, saying (German):
"The mother was pretty shocked. She came to us voluntarily with her husband and her oldest daughter. She was suffering from considerable shock and gave a statement. She told us they were her children, and that she most probably put them in the freezer."
Police say the babies appear to have been born at separate times and to have died shortly after birth.
One was wrapped in newspaper dating back to 1988.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
grisly Adjective[-lier, -liest] causing horror or dread: grisly murders
comb - To make a thorough search: combed through the file for the contract.
wrap - To enclose, especially in paper, and fasten: wrap a package; wrapped up the peelings.
German police are questioning a couple after their son found the bodies of three babies in a freezer at the family home in Wenden.
The boy and his older sister were looking for pizzas in the freezer when they made the grisly find.
They persuaded their parents to go to the police.
They and another daughter are being questioned by detectives while investigators comb the scene to find out more.
SOUNDBITE: Herbert Fingerhut, head of police investigations, saying (German):
"The mother was pretty shocked. She came to us voluntarily with her husband and her oldest daughter. She was suffering from considerable shock and gave a statement. She told us they were her children, and that she most probably put them in the freezer."
Police say the babies appear to have been born at separate times and to have died shortly after birth.
One was wrapped in newspaper dating back to 1988.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
grisly Adjective[-lier, -liest] causing horror or dread: grisly murders
comb - To make a thorough search: combed through the file for the contract.
wrap - To enclose, especially in paper, and fasten: wrap a package; wrapped up the peelings.
Incest father built prison
Austrian police investigating Josef Fritzl's imprisonment of his own daughter say she was just a youngster when he first planned to convert the basement of the family home into a prison cell where he held her captive for almost a quarter of a century.
SOUNDBITE: Franz Polzer, head of criminal investigation unit, saying (German):
"We are certain that he had for a long time been planning to integrate an area, hidden from the authorities, within this construction, a small area, a small secret, a bunker."
Fritzl is under investigation for a string of alleged offences relating to his imprisonment, the sexual abuse of his daughter and the seven children he had with her.
He's also at the centre of renewed inquries into an unrelated unsolved murder.
But Fritzl's lawyers say he's a broken man and psychiatric tests are due to be carried out.
SOUNDBITE: Rudolph Mayer, Josef Fritzl's defence lawyer, saying (German):
"We have to examine in what way he is mentally disturbed, and I think he has to be insane or he would not have been able to perpetrate such acts. We have to examine whether he was so disturbed that he didn't know what he was doing and therefore can't be held responsible for his actions."
Investigators are examining the cellar where Elisabeth Fritzl was held to see if her father would have carried out his threats to gas her and the children if they tried to escape.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
Austrian police investigating Josef Fritzl's imprisonment of his own daughter say she was just a youngster when he first planned to convert the basement of the family home into a prison cell where he held her captive for almost a quarter of a century.
SOUNDBITE: Franz Polzer, head of criminal investigation unit, saying (German):
"We are certain that he had for a long time been planning to integrate an area, hidden from the authorities, within this construction, a small area, a small secret, a bunker."
Fritzl is under investigation for a string of alleged offences relating to his imprisonment, the sexual abuse of his daughter and the seven children he had with her.
He's also at the centre of renewed inquries into an unrelated unsolved murder.
But Fritzl's lawyers say he's a broken man and psychiatric tests are due to be carried out.
SOUNDBITE: Rudolph Mayer, Josef Fritzl's defence lawyer, saying (German):
"We have to examine in what way he is mentally disturbed, and I think he has to be insane or he would not have been able to perpetrate such acts. We have to examine whether he was so disturbed that he didn't know what he was doing and therefore can't be held responsible for his actions."
Investigators are examining the cellar where Elisabeth Fritzl was held to see if her father would have carried out his threats to gas her and the children if they tried to escape.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Deadly virus strikes China
A deadly virus is spreading rapidly through eastern China.
More than twenty children have died from Enterovirus 71 and over 3,000 are believed to be infected. Most of them are also young children.
The virus began spreading in Fuyang in the eastern province of Anhui in early March but authorities didn't report it publicly until last week.
Hospitals in Fuyang are struggling to cope and have even placed beds in corridors for lack of space.
Enteroviruses spread mostly through contact with infected blisters or faeces.
They can cause high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain or its lining, but officials say this strain can be hard to spot in adults.
This doctor says they can be similar to those of a bad cold.
With no vaccines or antiviral agents available medical staff can do little but recommend basic hygiene advice to prevent its spread.
Parents of sick children are being encouraged to wash and disinfect their hands to help prevent them passing it onto other children unknowingly.
Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri, Reuters
A deadly virus is spreading rapidly through eastern China.
More than twenty children have died from Enterovirus 71 and over 3,000 are believed to be infected. Most of them are also young children.
The virus began spreading in Fuyang in the eastern province of Anhui in early March but authorities didn't report it publicly until last week.
Hospitals in Fuyang are struggling to cope and have even placed beds in corridors for lack of space.
Enteroviruses spread mostly through contact with infected blisters or faeces.
They can cause high fever, paralysis and swelling of the brain or its lining, but officials say this strain can be hard to spot in adults.
This doctor says they can be similar to those of a bad cold.
With no vaccines or antiviral agents available medical staff can do little but recommend basic hygiene advice to prevent its spread.
Parents of sick children are being encouraged to wash and disinfect their hands to help prevent them passing it onto other children unknowingly.
Michelle Carlile-Alkhouri, Reuters
Romanov murder mystery solved
INTRO: Human remains found in Russia last year are confirmed as the son and daughter of Tsar Nicholas II.
MOREINFO: The Tsar, his wife and five children, their doctor and three attendants were shot in 1918 by Bolshevik revolutionaries who attempted to destroy the bodies before they were dumped in pits in Yekatarinburg.
SCRIPT:
Russia's Tsar Nicholas II and his family were wiped out when the Bolsheviks seized power nearly a century ago.
The Tsar, his wife and all five of his children were shot dead in the dismal basement of a house in Yekaterinburg.
The remains of most of the family were found and reburied a decade ago.
Now officials say remains found last year have been confirmed to be those of 13-year-old Prince Alexei and his sister Maria.
SOUNDBITE: Eduard Rossel, Governor of Sverdlovsk Region, saying (Russian):
"We really have found the children and all the experts we have asked to examine the remains have confirmed it - the Genetic Laboratory in the United States has confirmed it as well as our own laboratory."
The victims were shot at this house shortly before the clock struck midnight on July 17th, 1918.
The remains of the last two children were found close to where the other family members were discovered.
The bullets that ended the children's lives were found with them.
Confirmation that the remains are those of the Tsar's last two children could lay to rest decades of speculation that they might have survived and carried on their lives in secret elsewhere.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
INTRO: Human remains found in Russia last year are confirmed as the son and daughter of Tsar Nicholas II.
MOREINFO: The Tsar, his wife and five children, their doctor and three attendants were shot in 1918 by Bolshevik revolutionaries who attempted to destroy the bodies before they were dumped in pits in Yekatarinburg.
SCRIPT:
Russia's Tsar Nicholas II and his family were wiped out when the Bolsheviks seized power nearly a century ago.
The Tsar, his wife and all five of his children were shot dead in the dismal basement of a house in Yekaterinburg.
The remains of most of the family were found and reburied a decade ago.
Now officials say remains found last year have been confirmed to be those of 13-year-old Prince Alexei and his sister Maria.
SOUNDBITE: Eduard Rossel, Governor of Sverdlovsk Region, saying (Russian):
"We really have found the children and all the experts we have asked to examine the remains have confirmed it - the Genetic Laboratory in the United States has confirmed it as well as our own laboratory."
The victims were shot at this house shortly before the clock struck midnight on July 17th, 1918.
The remains of the last two children were found close to where the other family members were discovered.
The bullets that ended the children's lives were found with them.
Confirmation that the remains are those of the Tsar's last two children could lay to rest decades of speculation that they might have survived and carried on their lives in secret elsewhere.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
wipe out
1. To destroy or be destroyed completely.
2. Slang To murder.
3. Sports To lose one's balance and fall, as when skiing or surfing.
seize - take hold of
dismal Adjective - gloomy and depressing
basement - the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
seize - take hold of
dismal Adjective - gloomy and depressing
basement - the lowermost portion of a structure partly or wholly below ground level; often used for storage
struck v. Past tense and a past participle of strike.
lay to rest - place in a grave or tomb; "Stalin was buried behind the Kremlin wall on Red Square"; "The pharaohs were entombed in the pyramids"; "My grandfather was laid to rest last Sunday"
World's longest bridge opens
INTRO: China has opened the world's longest cross-sea bridge, linking Shanghai with the booming port city of Ningbo.
MOREINFO: The 11.8 billion yuan (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) cable-stayed structure, spanning Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang Province south of Shanghai, will be open to traffic on a trial basis following the inauguration ceremony. The 36 km (22.4 miles) span will shorten travel time between Shanghai and Ningbo to two-and-a-half hours from four.
SCRIPT:
There are no cars yet but the world's longest cross-sea bridge is open.
The cable-styled structure spans Hangzhou Bay and is 36 kilometres long.
It will cut journey times between Shanghai and Ningbo from four to two and half hours.
The bridge is China's first major public project to attract private finance - almost a third of the 1.7 billion dollars needed to build the structure came from the private sector.
China continues to spend heavily on infrastructure.
Linking Ningbo - a major industrial city - with Shanghai - China's financial centre - should help maintain rapid economic growth.
The bridge took just five years to build and it's been opened to light vehicles on a trial basis only.
Lorries and vehicles carrying dangerous loads will have to wait.
But some motorists at least will now be able to enjoy the longest sea drive in history.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
lor·ry
INTRO: China has opened the world's longest cross-sea bridge, linking Shanghai with the booming port city of Ningbo.
MOREINFO: The 11.8 billion yuan (1.7 billion U.S. dollars) cable-stayed structure, spanning Hangzhou Bay in Zhejiang Province south of Shanghai, will be open to traffic on a trial basis following the inauguration ceremony. The 36 km (22.4 miles) span will shorten travel time between Shanghai and Ningbo to two-and-a-half hours from four.
SCRIPT:
There are no cars yet but the world's longest cross-sea bridge is open.
The cable-styled structure spans Hangzhou Bay and is 36 kilometres long.
It will cut journey times between Shanghai and Ningbo from four to two and half hours.
The bridge is China's first major public project to attract private finance - almost a third of the 1.7 billion dollars needed to build the structure came from the private sector.
China continues to spend heavily on infrastructure.
Linking Ningbo - a major industrial city - with Shanghai - China's financial centre - should help maintain rapid economic growth.
The bridge took just five years to build and it's been opened to light vehicles on a trial basis only.
Lorries and vehicles carrying dangerous loads will have to wait.
But some motorists at least will now be able to enjoy the longest sea drive in history.
Sonia Legg, Reuters.
lor·ry
n. pl. lor·ries Chiefly British
A motor truck.
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