mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - Peru Rehabilitation Center Fire Kills 14 People |
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Firefighters in Peru say fire swept through a substance abuse rehabilitation center near the capital, Lima, killing at least 14 people Saturday. Local Peruvian media report that a patient set a mattress on fire at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Clinic in Chosica. The report has not been confirmed. Authorities investigating the cause of the blaze say some doors were locked, not allowing people to get out. The facility treats and provides housing for people with drug and alcohol addictions. The fire is the second deadly blaze at a Peruvian rehabilitation facility for substance abusers this year. A January fire at another facility killed 27 people |
2013年5月23日星期四
Peru Rehabilitation Center Fire Kills 14 People
階梯聽力天天練——熱情
mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - 階梯聽力天天練——熱情 |
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【階梯文本】
enthusiasm
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Romney Campaign Suffers New Blow Ahead of First Debate
mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - Romney Campaign Suffers New Blow Ahead of First Debate |
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U.S. Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was campaigning in the battleground state of Pennsylvania Friday as news that President Barack Obama had presided over net job growth derailed one of the Republican candidate's key talking points. The former Massachusetts governor has repeatedly criticized Obama's handling of the economy, claiming the nation has lost hundreds of thousands of jobs since the president took office. But revised figures Friday from the Labor Department mean Romney can no longer make that argument. While nearly 13 million workers are unemployed in the country, the new numbers indicate U.S. employers added almost 400,000 more jobs during the 12 months ending in March than previously estimated. That means the overall number of jobs in the U.S. labor market is now 125,000 higher than in January 2009 when President Obama came into office, and that the jobs created under Obama offset those lost during his term. For Romney, the news comes after an already tough couple of weeks for his campaign. The Republican candidate's standing has fallen since a video surfaced earlier this month showing him telling wealthy supporters that 47 percent of Americans pay no taxes and consider themselves "victims" entitled to government support. Recent polls show President Obama with a significant lead over his Republican challenger in Pennsylvania and many of the other so-called swing states expected to decide the November 6 election. The assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute says the presidential debates, which start next week, may be Romney's best chance to reverse the trend in his favor. The Republican candidate will spend time this weekend preparing for the first of the three debates - scheduled to take place next Wednesday in Denver, the capital of the western state of Colorado. Romney is also holding a fundraiser in Boston, the capital of his home state of Massachusetts. President Obama, meanwhile, will also focus on raising money Friday with his own fundraising events in Washington, D.C. and will begin debate practice sessions in Nevada on Sunday. |
2013年5月22日星期三
國際英語新聞：IMF Chief to Face Criminal Sexual Assault Charge
mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - 國際英語新聞：IMF Chief to Face Criminal Sexual Assault Charge |
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New York City police say they expect to formally charge the head of the International Monetary Fund early Sunday with criminal sexual assault, attempted rape and the unlawful imprisonment of a hotel maid. New York police said 62-year-old Dominique Strauss-Kahn was apprehended while sitting on an Air France plane that was idle on the tarmac at JFK international airport before its takeoff to Paris. Police said he was not handcuffed, but taken off the plane and into custody. A 32-year-old maid told authorities she had entered his room earlier in the day at the Sofitel hotel near Manhattan's Time Square and that he had tried to sexually assault her. After she reported what had happened, she was taken to an area hospital. Hotel staff were cooperating with authorities. A spokesman for the IMF in Washington declined to comment on the matter prior to Strauss-Kahn being charged. In 2008, Strauss-Kahn, who is married to a famous former French television newscaster, was investigated over whether he had had an improper relationship with a subordinate employee from the fund's Africa division. An investigation board said his actions had been regrettable, and reflected a serious error in judgment, but also that the relationship had been consensual. Heading into the 2012 French presidential race, Strauss-Kahn was considered a leading contender in the crowded opposition Socialist Party to challenge incumbent President Nicolas Sarkozy. But in the past few weeks, there had been repeated reports in French media criticizing him for what was considered an excessive and luxurious lifestyle in Washington. His aides denied the charges, saying these were part of a campaign orchestrated by his political opponents. One of his lawyers told French radio, the attacks were unjust and unbearable. Candidates for the Socialist Party primary are due before the middle of July. Late Saturday, French media commented Strauss-Kahn's arrest could cost him the top job at the IMF which he has held since 2007 as well as any chance at the French presidency. |
階梯聽力天天練——名聲
mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - 階梯聽力天天練——名聲 |
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【階梯文本】
reputation
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G7 Seeks Ways to Revive Stalled Economic Growth
mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - G7 Seeks Ways to Revive Stalled Economic Growth |
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Finance ministers and central bankers of leading industrialized nations are meeting through Saturday in the southern French city of Marseilles to assess how to counter growing financial and economic problems. The Group of Seven meeting takes place amid warnings that leading industrialized economies risked tipping back into recession and of a growing financial crisis in the 17-nation eurozone. Speaking at London-based think tank Chatham House before heading to the Marseille talks, International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde said that while each nation faces its own set of problems and solutions, she has one piece of advice for all G7 members. "At this stage and given the economic circumstances that we're facing, countries and policymakers in those countries around the world must act now, must act boldly and must act together," said Christine Lagarde. Grim economic news has hit most of the Group of Seven, which include the United States, France, Britain, Italy, Japan, Canada and Germany. A report published Thursday by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development found growth was stalling in many leading economies. The Marseilles meeting is expected to tackle Europe's growing debt crisis, which risks dragging in G7 member Italy along with French and German banks. It opened a day after President Barack Obama made a key speech on ways to boost jobs and economic recovery in the United States. Lagarde said the IMF welcomed Obama's proposals but urged the U.S. to clarify a medium-term plan to put its massive public debt on what she described as "a more sustainable path." She also urged more clarity and action among eurozone members. "If growth continues to lose momentum, balance sheets problems will worsen, fiscal sustainability will be threatened and the scope for policies to salvage the economy will disappear," she said. Chatham House associate fellow Stewart Fleming, who specializes in international economics, says the Marseilles meeting should offer one lesson. "The fact is that if banks in Europe get into difficulties, banks in the United States will have difficulties and these difficulties will transmit very quickly to other parts of the transatlantic economy…that doesn't mean they should all offer the same policies," said Fleming. "But there should be some public recognition of a sense of 'we're all in this together.'" Several North African and Middle Eastern nations are also attending the Marseilles meeting, which will look at ways to relaunch their economies after this year's popular Arab Spring uprising. |
Greek Cabinet Mulls Austerity Mandates
mock exam, mock 卷, dse mock - Greek Cabinet Mulls Austerity Mandates |
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Greek cabinet members are discussing how best to implement a series of budget cuts and other austerity measures that have already sparked rioting in the streets. The officials gathered Saturday in Athens, facing several difficult choices. The austerity measures are needed in order to secure a $170 billion bailout from the European Union and again prevent Greece from defaulting on its debt. But ministers are also expressing concerns about just how much more the Greek people can take. Civil Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis told reporters, "the Greek people have done what they could. We have gone above and beyond and done more than the system can stand." He also said Greece would honor its commitments, but also appealed for understanding from other European leaders. Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate George Papaconstantiunou also expressed concerns, saying, "getting out of the crisis is much more than just austerity. It's about growth.'' Papaconstantiunou said Cabinet members expected to approve what he described as two big growth projects, including a plan to export solar energy. European leaders say the $170 billion bailout for Greece will likely be approved Monday at a meeting in Brussels. But concern for the plight of the Greek people appears to be growing. In Paris, more than 1,000 people rallied to show solidarity with Greece. One protester who gave her name only as Maria said it was shameful the way the EU was treating Greece. She said, "I am very angry. I would like all European people to realize what is coming up. Today it's Greece's turn, tomorrow it will be Spain's turn and the day after it will be France's turn.'' German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti, after conferring Friday with Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos on a conference call, said they are confident that a Greek rescue deal can be reached. French Prime Minister Francois Fillon said that France and Germany, Europe's two biggest economies, agree that Greece must be supported to avoid default. Greece is still working out some details of the bailout, the country's second in two years, with its international creditors. Last weekend, Greek lawmakers complied with the far-reaching demands of the lenders to impose more austerity measures on top of earlier ones despite violent protests in the streets of Athens. The austerity measures have imposed hardship on many Greeks as the country has cut social spending, trimmed the country's minimum wage and agreed to eliminate thousands of government jobs. The government says it needs the bailout to avoid defaulting next month on $19 billion in financial obligations. As part of its rescue, Greece is also completing negotiations with large financial institutions to cut in half the debt it owes them, a $132-billion reduction. |
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