Saturday, October 2
nd, 2010
Egypt's exports cotton achieve $187m
Egypt's Alexandria Cotton Exporters' Association (Alcotexa) committed to sell 947 tones of cotton in the week that ended on July 17. The sales comprised 50 tones of Giza 70 cotton, 617 tones of Giza 88 and 280 tones of Giza 86, the official said. The deal brings Alcotexa's export commitments for the 2009/10 season, which began in September, to 78,161 tones of cotton worth $186.93 million. Egypt expects to export 80,000 tones of cotton this season, the agriculture minister said in February. By this time last year, Alcotexa had sold 22,607 tones of cotton worth $57.57 million.
Afghanistan and Pakistan agree key trade agreement Afghanistan and Pakistan have signed a key trade agreement allowing Afghan lorries to use a land route through Pakistan to carry goods to India. The deal also gives landlocked Afghanistan access to Pakistani ports to boost its trade with other nations. The accord was signed during the visit to the region by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
South Africa: Bodies found in gold mine after shooting Four bodies have been found in an unused shaft of a mine run by relatives of South Africa's President Jacob Zuma and ex-leader Nelson Mandela. Police said investigations were continuing into reports that up to 20 alleged illegal miners were shot dead by security at the mine on Monday. The owners of the Grootvlei gold mine east of Johannesburg confirmed their guards had clashed with some miners. The governing African National Congress (ANC) has condemned the
shooting. The Grootvlei mine is owned by the company, Aurora Empowerment Systems, whose chairman is President Zuma's nephew, Khulubuse Zuma. The company's managing director is Zondwa Mandela, the grandson of the anti-apartheid fighter.
Today's Proverb:
In dribs and drabs
If something comes in dribs and drabs, it arrives little by little, in small amounts or numbers.
"Instead of the crowd that was expected, people arrived in dribs and drabs."
comprise نمضتي
trade agreement ةراجت قافتا
route قيرط
goods عئاضب علس -
landlocked ريغ - ضرلأاب طاحم
ةيلحاسلا
ports ئناوم
accord قافتا
shaft ةرفح يسأر رمم /
allege يعدي معزي /
condemn بجشي نيدي /
apartheid يرصنعلا زييمتلا
Sunday, October 3
rd, 2010
US will issue travel warning for Americans in Europe The US government is to issue a travel alert, warning its citizens to be vigilant while travelling in Europe because of the threat of an al-Qaeda commando- style attack. US and UK officials have confirmed that updated guidance will be issued because of the current terror threat. A UK official said the travel advisory would not be country-specific. It would also not go as far as advising against travel to Europe, the official said.
Commonwealth Games set to begin amid security lockdown The biggest ever Commonwealth Games are set to officially start amid heavy security in Delhi. Around 100,000 security forces have been deployed in the Indian capital, and shops and businesses are to stay closed for the day. Prince Charles is to declare the event open during a spectacular opening ceremony in the Nehru Stadium. The Games have been bogged down by criticism over Indian's preparations for the Games. Around 80,000 police on duty have been reinforced by 17,000 paramilitary troops to counter the danger of an attack by extremists.
Ecuador U-turn on controversial austerity law
A senior minister in the Ecuadorean government says parts of a law which provoked a police rebellion earlier this week will be rewritten. Policy Minister Doris Soliz also said President Rafael Correa would not now dissolve Congress. President Correa had reportedly suggested he could rule by decree to push through his austerity measures. The president said Thursday's unrest amounted to a coup attempt. Under Ecuador's constitution, President Correa could have disbanded Congress and ruled by decree until new elections were held.
Today's Proverb:
Have one over the eight
If a person has had one over the eight, they are slightly drunk.
"Don't listen to him. You can see he's had one over eight!"
alert راذنإ
vigilant رذح
advisory راشتسم
amid ءانثأ
spectacular لهذم ريثم -
bog down يف صوغي
criticism داقتنا
extremist فرطتم
provoke بضغي زفتسي -
police rebellion درمتلا ةطرشلا
dissolve ككفي لحي -
decree رارق
austerity measures فشقتلا ريبادت
amount ىلإ لصي - لداعي
coup بلاقنا
Monday, October 4
th, 2010
Iran arrests nuclear spies accused of cyber attacks Iran has arrested "nuclear spies" on suspicion of being behind cyber attacks on its nuclear program, Iranian state media report. Press TV says a number of people have been apprehended as part of an operation by Iran to counter
"massive enemy schemes". The report comes after the complex worm Stuxnet infected staff computers at Iran's first nuclear power station at Bushehr.
Palestinians mull talks walk-out over settlements The Palestinian leadership has said it will not continue peace talks with Israel unless a freeze on Jewish settlements in the West Bank resumes. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met political leaders after settlement building resumed this week. "The leadership confirms that the resumption of talks requires tangible steps, the first of them a freeze on settlements,"
said senior Palestinian official Yasser Abed Rabbo. Mr. Abed Rabbo accused Israel of obstructing the negotiations.
Armed gang kidnaps 22 Mexican tourists in Acapulco
An armed gang has kidnapped 22 Mexican tourists in the resort city of Acapulco, the prosecutor's office in the southern state of Guerrero said. The office said the group, from the neighboring state of Michoacan, was abducted on Thursday. The tourists were looking for a hotel when they were
seized by gunmen, local media reported. Acapulco is popular with visitors but it is also the scene of a violent turf war between rival drug cartels. The prosecutor's office said it did not know the motive for the kidnapping, or who was behind it.
Today's Proverb:
At the eleventh hour
If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens when it is almost too late, or at the last possible moment.
"Our team won after they scored a goal at the eleventh hour."
suspicion ةهبش
apprehend ىلع ضبقي
counter مواقي
scheme ططخم ةديكم -
complex تآشنم عمجم
resumption فانئتسا
tangible steps ةسوملم تاوطخ
obstruct قوعي ليبس ضرتعي -
gang ةباصع
abduct فطخي
seize ىلع ضبقي
turf war تاباصع برح
rival drug cartels تاردخملا تاباصع ةسفانتملا
motive عفادلا زفاحلا-
Tuesday, October 5
th, 2010
Leaders of Japan and China agree to improve ties
Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and his Chinese counterpart, Wen Jiabao, have met for the first time since a diplomatic dispute erupted last month. Both spoke of the need to improve ties at the brief meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Europe. China said they agreed to hold high-level talks, at an appropriate time. But the leaders also reiterated claims to a disputed area in the East China Sea where a boat collision sparked the worst row between the two in years.
Fifa issues world ban to Nigeria
Fifa has suspended Nigeria from international competition because of government interference in the sport. The decision was taken on Monday after several members of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) were hauled before the law courts. Fifa rules prohibit any government intervention with its members.
UN report says DR Congo killings 'may be genocide' A UN report into the killings of Hutu civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo during the 1990s says they may constitute "crimes of genocide". It accuses Rwandan, Ugandan and Burundian forces of participating in the attacks, and recommends that the international community seeks to prosecute those responsible. The document's publication prompted angry denials from all the countries. But the Congolese government said the report was credible and heartbreaking.
Today's Proverb:
Fifth wheel
This expression refers to a person who finds themselves in a situation where their presence is unnecessary and as a result they feel useless.
"Everyone seemed to have a specific role except me. I felt like a fifth wheel."
Saturday, October 9
th, 2010
dispute عازن فلاخ -
improve ties تاقلاعلا نيسحت
reiterate ءيش لوق رركي
collision مداصت
interference لخدت
hauled before the law courts مكاحملا ىلإ مهتلاحإ crimes of genocide ةيعامجلا ةدابلإا مئارج
prosecute ىضاقي مكاحي -
prompt ثحي
denial راكنإ- ضفر
credible ةيقادصم تاذ
heartbreaking عجفم
Hungary chemical sludge 'threatens Danube'
Hungary is racing to prevent red chemical sludge from a huge spill reaching the Danube river, officials have said. The alkalinity has risen in the Raba river, which flows into the Danube - Central Europe's major waterway. If it enters the Danube the pollution could spread to six countries down river including Croatia, Serbia and Romania. Hungary's PM says the worst-hit area will have to be abandoned. Clay has been dumped into a tributary of the Danube to try to neutralize the sludge.
Twin attacks strike at Western targets in Yemen
Twin attacks on Western targets in Yemen's capital, Sanaa, have left one person dead and at least four injured. Militants fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a British embassy car, slightly injuring one staff member as well as bystanders, officials said. In the other incident a security guard at an Austrian gas company near Sanaa opened fire killing a French contractor and badly injuring a UK contractor. The armored UK embassy car was said to have been
carrying the deputy chief of the British mission in Yemen when it was hit by shrapnel from the blast.
EU and Libya reach deal on illegal migrants
The EU and Libya have reached a deal on stemming illegal migration but Brussels offered only a fraction of the aid requested by Tripoli. EU commissioners agreed with the Libyan government to supply up to 60m euros in aid over three years in return for protection for migrants. Libya's leader, Muammar Gaddafi, was asking for 5bn euros a year to boost border controls.
His country is a key route for Africans seeking to enter the EU illegally. In 2009 alone, about 106,000 illegal migrants were intercepted on the borders of the EU.
Today's Proverb:
Be on the ball
If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to react to the situation quickly.
"We need someone who's really on the ball to head the fund-raising campaign."
Sunday, October 10
th, 2010
sludge ينيط بسار
alkalinity ةيولقلا
abandon رجهي كرتي -
clay نيط
dump نم صلختي
tributary دفارلا
neutralize لداعي
grenade ةيودي ةلبنق
bystanders ةراملا
armored عردم - حفصم
deputy بئانلا
stemming حبكي- فقوي
intercept ضرتعي
Evacuation of Chile miners likely to start Wednesday The evacuation of 33 miners trapped underground in Chile is likely to start on Wednesday, the country's mining minister has said. Laurence Golborne was speaking after engineers had drilled through to the underground chamber where the miners are sheltering. He said the top part of the shaft needed a steel casing that would take about a day and a half to assemble. The miners have been trapped 700m underground since 5 August.
Hungary fears second toxic wave
The Hungarian village of Kolontar has been evacuated after new damage was discovered at a burst reservoir that spilled toxic sludge on Monday. Prime Minister Viktor Orban said it was "very likely" that an entire wall of the reservoir would collapse, releasing a fresh wave of chemical effluent. Mr.
Orban also said there would be "very severe" consequences for those to blame for the disaster.
More than 200 rescued from burning Baltic Sea ferry More than 200 passengers have been rescued from a Baltic Sea ferry after it caught fire near the German island of Fehmarn, maritime officials said. At least 20 people suffered light injuries, the German Maritime Emergency Center said.
There were reports of an explosion on board early on Saturday, but officials said the cause of the fire was not clear.
Today's Proverb:
First and foremost
This expression is used to state what you consider to be more important than anything else.
"First and foremost, I want to thank our hosts for their wonderful reception."
Monday, October 11
th, 2010
evacuation جارخإ
drill رفحي
chamber ةفرغ
assemble عمجي
reservoir عدوتسم
sludge ينيط بسار
collapse راهني
chemical effluent ةيئايميك تافلخم
severe ]سٍاق
consequences بقاوع
ferry ةيدعم
explosion راجفنا
Gen James Jones resigns as top Obama security adviser National Security Adviser Gen James Jones is stepping down and will be replaced by his deputy, Tom Donilon. President Barack Obama announced the high-level staff changes at the White House on Friday. Gen Jones's announcement had been widely expected, as Mr. Obama nears two years in the White House. It follows news of the departure of several other senior White House advisers, including political aides and top economic adviser Larry Summers.
Shanghai restricts home purchases as prices soar Shanghai authorities have imposed limits on home buying in an attempt to cool the city's property market. Families in Shanghai will temporarily be allowed to buy only one more home, and banks must restrict mortgages. It follows moves by the central government to curb property speculation on the back of big price rises. Earlier this week, authorities announced that anyone owning two houses or more would be stopped from buying further properties.
French Senate votes to raise retirement age to 62 The French Senate has voted to raise the country's retirement age from 60 to 62, just part of the government's sweeping pension reform plans. The package, designed to cut France's pension costs, has prompted union leaders to call for a national day of strikes on 16 October. Although the lower house of parliament has already backed the change, further reforms are still to be voted on. Another proposal is to raise the full state pension age to 67. The planned reforms will require employees to work for a minimum of 41.5 years to qualify for state pensions, a year longer than is currently the case.
The government hopes the package will be passed in its entirety by the end of October.
Today's Proverb:
Five o'clock shadow
This expression refers to a patch of stubble on the face of a man who hasn't shaved for at least a day.
"He looked tired and had a five o'clock shadow."
Tuesday, October 12
th, 2010
National Security Adviser يموقلا نملأا راشتسم
step down ىحنتي
deputy بئانلا
aide نواعم
impose ضرفي
mortgage يراقع نهر
curb طبضي
pension reform plans تاشاعملا ماظن حلاصإ ططخ ةيدعاقتلا
strike بارضإ
America warns China on yuan
US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has pressed China to let the value of the yuan rise against other currencies. Speaking at IMF talks in Washington, Mr. Geithner said nations relying too much on exports must change their policies, or global economic growth would slow. In response, China blamed rich nations for problems in the currency markets that have hit many developing nations.
Israeli cabinet backs controversial Jewish loyalty oath The Israeli cabinet has approved a controversial bill that would require all non-Jews taking Israeli citizenship to swear loyalty to Israel as a "Jewish and democratic state". The law, which has angered Israel's Arab minority, still has to be passed by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. A similar measure was rejected by the cabinet in May 2009. If approved, the new law will affect a
small number of non-Jews who seek Israeli citizenship. Correspondents say it will mainly apply to Palestinians married to Israelis who seek citizenship on the basis of family re-unification, foreign workers, and a few other special cases. Arabs make up 20% of Israel's population.
Nelson Mandela letters reveal South Africa jail agony Letters written by former South African president Nelson Mandela during his 27 years in jail reveal the agony of being separated from his family. Excerpts of the letters, which go on sale on Tuesday, show his frustration as his wife and children are harassed by the apartheid government.
Today's Proverb:
On all fours
If you are on all fours, you are down on your hands and knees.
"When I arrived, he was on all fours playing with his grandchildren."
Wednesday, October 13
th, 2010
Treasury Secretary ةنازخلا ريزو
IMF(International Monetary Fund) يلودلا دقنلا قودنص
controversial فلاخ هيف
bill نوناق
measure رارق
cabinet سلجم - ةموكحلا
ءارزولا
former قباس
reveal فشكي - رهظي
agony حربم ملأ
harass رارمتساب قياضي
apartheid يرصنعلا زييمتلا ةسايس
France hit by third national strike in a month
French unions are staging a national day of strikes and demonstrations in opposition to the government's pension reforms - the third in a month.
Ministers want to raise the minimum retirement age from 60 to 62, and the state pension age from 65 to 67. The civil aviation authority says up to half of flights to and from France have been cancelled because of walkouts.
Meanwhile, public transport and energy sector workers are set to vote on whether to begin open-ended strikes.
Tanker and container ship collide off Dutch coast A Greek tanker transporting kerosene and a Cypriot container ship have collided off the Dutch coast. The collision happened in the North Sea, some 30km from the port of Scheveningen. No-one was injured in the incident although the tanker's hull was pierced and the highly flammable fuel was leaking out. An oil dispersion ship and rescue vessels are on their way to the site.
Hungary: Toxic spill factory chief executive arrested The chief executive of the industrial plant at the center of the toxic sludge spill in Hungary has been taken in for questioning by police. The arrest of Zoltan Bakonyi was announced by the PM Viktor Orban. Mr. Orban also said the company would be temporarily nationalized and that those responsible for the disaster should bear the financial consequences. Eight people have so far died from the 4 October spill near Ajka in the west of the
country. About 150 people were also injured after up to 700,000 cubic meters of toxic by-product from the production of alumina burst from a storage reservoir. The remains have covered an area of 40 sq km and the contamination has spread into the region's waterways.
Today's Idiom:
A chance in a million
A chance in a million is a very small chance or no chance at all that something will happen.
"I was told that without a good level of English I had a chance in a million of getting the job."
union ةباقن
pension reforms تاشاعملا تاحلاصإ
ةيدعاقتلا civil aviation authority يندملا ناريطلا ةئيه
walkout يلامع بارضإ
tanker طفن ةلقان
Cypriot يصربق
collide مداصتي
hull ةنيفسلا ندب
pierce قرتخي
dispersion تيتشت
sludge ينيط بسار
nationalize ممأي
bear the financial consequences ةيلاملا بقاوعلا لمحت
reservoir نازخ
contamination ثولت
Saturday, October 16
th, 2010
Swiss complete world's longest tunnel
The 10m-diameter drill-head tore through the rock to cheers and applause from watching workers. The 57km Gotthard rail tunnel has taken 14 years to build and is not likely to open before the end of 2016. But it is expected to revolutionize transport across Europe, providing a high-speed link between the north and south of the continent. Eventually, trains will travel through it at speeds of up to 250km/h. Journey times between Zurich and Milan are likely to be slashed by as much as one-and-a-half hours.
Israel plan for 238 settler homes draws Palestinian ire Israel has unveiled preliminary plans for 238 new homes for Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem, reports say. The Israeli plan for 158 homes in the Pisgat Zeev settlement and another 80 in Ramot were included in a building plan released by the housing ministry. The move comes as the Middle East peace talks are in danger of collapsing over the settlement issue. The Palestinians have threatened to walk away unless Israel renews its partial ban on West Bank settlements.
Iran says detained Germans "admit they broke the law"
Iran says two Germans have admitted to breaking the law after they were arrested for interviewing the son of a woman sentenced to be stoned to death for adultery. Iran's public prosecutor, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejei, said the two had confessed to working as reporters in the country without the proper visas. Iran has not said what charges the pair may face. Germany has said it is doing all it can to try to secure their release.
Today's Idiom:
Nine-day wonder
An event which is a nine-day wonder causes interest, surprise or excitement for a short time, but it doesn't last.
"His sudden departure was a nine-day wonder but he was soon forgotten."
applause قيفصت
revolutionize يفi لاماك رييغت ثدحي
slash ضفخي
unveil نع باقنلا فشكي
preliminary plans ةيديهمت ططخ
housing ministry ناكسلإا ةرازو
partial ban يئزج رظح
to be stoned مجري
adultery انز
charge ةمهت
Sunday, October 17
th, 2010
Russia and Venezuela sign nuclear power and oil deals Russia is to build a nuclear power plant in Venezuela as part of a series of energy deals between the nations. Russia will build two 1,200 megawatt nuclear reactors at the Venezuelan plant, said the ITAR-Tass news agency.
Meanwhile Rosneft, Russia's state oil giant, will buy a 50% stake in German refinery firm Ruhr Oel from Venezuelan state-owned company PDVSA.
The agreement, worth $1.6bn was signed at the Kremlin during Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's visit. However the cost of the nuclear deal was not immediately revealed.
Fuel supply to Paris airports cut amid pension strikes
The fuel pipeline to Paris's main airports has been shut off amid strikes over government pension reforms. The company that operates the pipeline told French media that the capital's main airport, Charles de Gaulle, could run out of fuel as early as next week. There are fears of fuel shortages as all of France's 12 oil refineries have been hit by strikes, and many oil depots remain blockaded. Unions are opposed to government plans to raise the retirement age.
UN to boost north-south Sudan border security
UN troops will be boosted at hotspots along the north-south Sudanese border, amid fears of violence ahead of next year's vote on southern independence. The UN Security Council says the decision follows an appeal by southern Sudan's President, Salva Kiir. The vote is part of a 2005 peace deal which ended two decades of conflict between the north and the south.
At the same time, residents in the disputed oil-rich central area of Abyei will vote on whether to be part of the north or the south.
Today's Idiom:
Dressed up to the nines
nuclear power plant ةيوون ةقاط ةطحم
reactor لعافم
refinery ريركت لمعم
strike بارضإ
pension دعاقت شاعم
oil depot دوقو عدوتسم
blockade رصاحم
unions تاباقن
hotspot ةيويح طقن
appeal ةدشانم
To describe someone as dressed up to the nines means that they are wearing very smart or glamorous clothes.
"Caroline musts be going to a party - she's dressed up to the nines!"
Monday, October 18
th, 2010
Egyptian ministry officials jailed over Van Gogh theft
An Egyptian court has found 11 culture ministry employees guilty of negligence, after the theft of a Van Gogh painting from a Cairo museum. The officials include Deputy Culture Minister Mohsen Shalan, and the museum's director. They have been sentenced to three years in jail but each given bail of about $1,750, pending an appeal. The Van Gogh painting was stolen in broad daylight from the Mahmud Khalil museum on 21st August. The work - known as both "Poppy Flowers" and
"Vase and Flowers" - was cut out of its frame. It is valued at more than $50m.
Iranian chocolate thief faces hand amputation
An Iranian judge has sentenced a man convicted of robbing a confectionery shop to have one of his hands cut off, Iranian media report. The judge also sentenced the man to one year in prison. Police arrested the man in May after finding $900, three pairs of gloves and a large amount of chocolate in his car. Under Iran's Islamic law, amputations are usually reserved for habitual thieves. Last week, authorities cut off the hand of a man convicted of two robberies in the north-eastern city of Mashhad.
Merkel says German multicultural society has failed Attempts to build a multicultural society in Germany have "utterly failed", Chancellor Angela Merkel says. She said the so-called "multikulti" concept - where people would "live side-by-side" happily - did not work, and immigrants needed to do more to integrate - including learning German.
The comments come amid rising anti-immigration feeling in Germany. A recent survey suggested more than 30% of people believed the country was
"overrun by foreigners". The study also showed that roughly the same number thought that some 16 million of Germany's immigrants or people with foreign origins had come to the country for its social benefits.
Today's Idiom:
Talk nineteen to the dozen
negligence لامهإ
Deputy Culture Minister ةفاقثلا ريزو بئان
bail ةلافك
pending an appeal فانئتسلاا يف تبلا نيحل
convicted نادم
confectionery shop تايولحلا رجتم
amputation لصأتسي
multicultural society تافاقثلا ددعتم عمتجم
utterly نم ةملكلا يف ام لكب
ىنعم
integrate جمدني
If someone talks nineteen to the dozen, they speak very quickly.
"He was talking nineteen to the dozen, so I didn't catch the whole story!"
Tuesday, October 19
th, 2010
Chechen parliament under attack
The parliament in the Russian republic of Chechnya has come under attack, Russian news agencies report. The circumstances are unclear but there are reports of fatalities at the building in the capital, Grozny. Local news agencies report shooting taking place in or near the parliament, with one report suggesting a suicide bomber had attacked the building. Other reports suggest hostages may have been taken.
Iraqi PM Maliki seeks Iran's help in reconstruction The Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki is in Iran, on one of several visits to neighboring countries as he tries to secure a second term. Mr. Maliki is struggling to keep his job after inconclusive general elections in March. At talks with Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Mr. Maliki urged Tehran to help rebuild his country. His chief rival Ayad Allawi has accused Iran of interfering and trying to impose its will on Iraq.
EFA backs Ahly over Tunisia debacle
The Chief of the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) slammed Monday what he termed as the unfair decisions of the Ghanaian referee Joseph Lamptey during Egypt’s Al-Ahly and Tunisia's Esperance match in the semi-final at the African Champions League (ACL) Sunday night. Samir Zaher phoned Al-Ahly Chairman Hassan Hamdi Monday and expressed disappointment over the unexpected exit of the Red Devils from the ACL semi-final. Al-Ahly lodged a formal complaint accompanied by the tape
of the game to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to investigate the incident which affected the game. Al-Ahly technical coach Hossam el-Badri said that his side didn't deserve to lose against the Tunisian rivals, putting the blame on the referee. Soccer experts, meanwhile, agreed that Lamptey played an important and unfair role in the defeat of the Red Devils. Lamptey allowed the goal to stand although the Nigerian striker’s handball was quite blatant.
circumstances فورظ
fatalities اياحض
suicide bomber يراحتنا
hostage ةنيهر
second term ةيناث مكح ةرتف
inconclusive مساح ريغ
impose ضرفي
slam ةوسقب دقتني
referee ةيضاير ةارابم يف مكح
Esperance يجرتلا
lodge ىوكش مدقي
blatant حوضولا ديدش
Today's Idiom:
Number cruncher
This is a humorous way of referring to someone who is an accountant or who is very good at working with numbers and calculations.
"She's a number cruncher who perfectly understands the organization's financial situation."
Wednesday, October 20
th, 2010
Cagliari-Inter halted after Samuel Eto'o racist abuse Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o suffered racist abuse on Sunday when Cagliari fans targeted the Inter Milan player in their Serie A game. Referee Paolo Tagliavento stopped the game after just three minutes and called the two team captains to the center circle over the chants. He also asked the stadium announcer to remind fans that the game could be abandoned if the chants aren't stopped. The pause lasted just three minutes before the game got underway
again. Eto'o had the last laugh, though, as he scored the only goal of the game to send Inter joint top of Serie A.
Netanyahu wants to extend Israel loyalty oath to Jews Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he wants to include Jews in a bill that so far requires only non-Jews to swear loyalty to the country as a Jewish state when taking Israeli citizenship. The law has angered Israel's Arab minority and Israel's Labor party. It still has to be passed by the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. The cabinet had backed the amendment to the Citizenship Law in its current version by a majority vote last week. However, Mr. Netanyahu said
on Monday he had instructed Justice Minister Yaakov Neeman to prepare a draft bill that would also require Jews to pledge allegiance to Israel "as a Jewish and democratic state".
Mob storms Kuwaiti TV station critical of ruling family A mob stormed the offices of a private television station in Kuwait on Sunday after it broadcast a program critical of the country's ruling family. The executive manager of Scope TV said some of the attackers were armed with pistols and knives, and injured several employees. The station said $1m of damage was done to its studios. On Monday, Interior Minister Sheikh Jabir al-Khalid al-Sabah said some of the assailants had been arrested.
racist abuse ةيرصنع ةءاسإ
chant تافاته
announcer عيذم
fans نيديؤم نيعجشم -
bill نوناق ةقيثو -
minority ةيلقأ
amendment ليدعت
draft ةدوسم
pledge ـب دهعتي
allegiance ةلودلل ءلاو
mob عاعر ءاغوغ -
storm محتقي
assailant مجاهم ريغم -
Today's Idiom:
Safety in numbers
This expression means that being part of a group makes people feel more secure and more confident when taking action.
"None of the group went sightseeing alone, knowing that there was safety in numbers."
Saturday, October 23
rd, 2010
AU asks UN for Somalia air and naval blockade
The African Union has asked the United Nations Security Council to back a naval and air blockade of Somalia. A blockade would stop piracy and the flow of arms reaching insurgent groups fighting the transitional government, said Ramtane Lamamra, AU commissioner for peace and security. He also repeated a call for international troop numbers to be increased from under 8,000 to 20,000. Somalia's fragile government is battling an Islamist insurgency. The al-Shabab militia - which now controls much of southern and central Somalia, including parts of the capital, Mogadishu - is linked to al-Qaeda. However, the government, backed by AU troops, has recently gained some ground.
US announces $2bn military aid package for Pakistan The US has announced a $2bn (£1.3bn) package of military and security aid to Pakistan over five years on the final day of US-Pakistan strategic talks. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled the deal, which is subject to Congressional approval.
But the Obama administration will make clear it expects Islamabad to do more in the fight against Islamic militants. The US has given Pakistan more than $1bn of military aid a year since 2005; last fiscal year, it gave nearly $2bn. US officials said Pakistan needed further, specific assistance for the fight against militants and needed
to know it could rely on the US in the long term. So unlike previous military aid approved on a yearly basis, this is a five-year package. The aid will pay for equipment needed in counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations, among other things.
Rhino horn GPS used to deter poachers
Five rhinos in South Africa's North West province have been fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) device to help protect them from poachers. The GPS chip is fitted into the rhino's horn by drilling a small hole in the inert or dead part of the horn. As well as GPS tracking, the device is equipped with alarm systems to alert game wardens of unusual movement or if a rhino is outside of the park. The North West Park Board is testing the devices in Mafikeng Game Reserve.
blockade راصح
piracy ةنصرق
fragile فيعض
insurgency درمت
unveil نع باقنلا فشكي
rhino نرقلا ديحو
horn نرق
deter عدري
poacher كمسلا قراس
Today's Idiom:
One hand washes the other... (... and together they wash the face.)
This expression means that when people cooperate and work well together, there is a better chance of achieving results.
Sunday, October 24
th, 2010
Scores die in Haiti cholera outbreak
A cholera outbreak has killed scores of people in central Haiti, President Rene Preval has confirmed. At least 196 people have died and 2,634 have been hospitalized by the illness, which causes diarrhea, acute fever, vomiting and severe dehydration. Officials are taking steps to ensure the disease does not spread from the Artibonite and Central Plateau regions. They fear the death toll could soar if the outbreak reaches camps housing the survivors of January's
earthquake. The disaster killed some 250,000 people and left 1.5 million homeless around the capital, Port-au-Prince. Tens of thousands of people are still living in crowded tent cities with poor sanitation and little access to clean drinking water. Officials believe the outbreak was caused by people drinking infected water from the Artibonite river.
French Senate passes pension bill
The French Senate has passed a controversial pension reform bill, which has caused a series of strikes and protests around France. The senators approved President Nicolas Sarkozy's plan to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62, and it could become law as early as next week. Mr. Sarkozy says the measure is necessary to reduce the deficit.
But hundreds of thousands have protested against what they see as an attack on their rights. Senators passed the motion to raise the retirement age by 177 votes to 153.
US confirms $60bn plan to sell Saudi Arabia arms
US officials have confirmed they intend to sell $60bn of arms to Saudi Arabia, including helicopters and jets. The state department said details of the deal had been sent to Congress, which now has 30 days to object. If completed, it could be the most lucrative single arms deal in US history and could support 75,000 jobs.
chip ةقاقر
inert لاعف ريغ
warden سٍراحلا
outbreak عيرس راشتنا
diarrhea لاهسلإا
acute fever ةداح ىمح
vomit أيقتي
Today's Idiom:
One fell swoop
If something is accomplished at one fell swoop, it is done in a single action, usually rapidly and ruthlessly.
"The three houses were demolished at one fell swoop."
Monday, October 25
th, 2010
Iraqi PM criticizes timing of Wikileaks disclosure
Iraq's prime minister has criticized the timing of the release by Wikileaks of almost 400,000 secret US military documents about the conflict there. Nouri Maliki's office accused it of trying to sabotage his bid to form a new government by making allegations he was linked to Shia death squads. Mr. Maliki is struggling to keep his job after inconclusive elections in March. Wikileaks said the disclosure was aimed at revealing the truth about the war.
Israeli presence on Palestinian land 'irreversible
A UN human rights reporter has said continued settlement construction will probably make Israel's occupation of Palestinian land irreversible. He said the peace process aimed at creating an independent, sovereign Palestinian state therefore appeared to be based on an illusion. He said the UN, the US and Israel had failed to uphold Palestinians' rights. Nearly half a million Jews live in more than 100 settlements built since Israel's 1967 occupation of the West Bank and
East Jerusalem. They are held to be illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.
Romanian children found working in Worcestershire field Seven Romanian children between the ages of nine and 16 have been found working in a field in Worcestershire. The Police found the children with a group of adults in the field in the Malvern Hills district on Wednesday. The children, some of whom were with their parents, were taken into police protection. A police spokesman said no arrests had been made but inquiries were ongoing.
dehydration فافج
Central Plateau ىطسولا ةبضهلا
soar عفتري
sanitation يحصلا فرصلا
measure رارق
deficit ةينازيملا يف زجع
motion حارتقا
state department ةيجراخلا ةرازو
lucrative حبرم
Today's Idiom:
One-horse town
A place referred to as a one-horse town is a small, boring town where nothing much ever happens.
"I wish my grandparents didn't live in that one-horse town. It's such a boring place!"
Tuesday, October 26
th, 2010
Severe drought afflicts Brazilian Amazon
The Brazilian government has announced $13.5m in emergency aid for Amazon regions hit by the worst drought in decades. The money will fund water pumping and purification, as well as food deliveries to towns cut off by the drop in river levels. The Brazilian air force has already flown 500 tones of supplies to areas that usually depend on water transport. The River Amazon at Manaus has fallen to its lowest level since 1963. Scientists say the region is facing its worst drought since that year.
Japan protests over Chinese boats near disputed islands Japan's government has made a formal protest to Beijing after two Chinese fisheries patrol boats were seen near a disputed island chain. Relations between Asia's two biggest economies have been tense since a Chinese trawler captain was arrested by Japan's coastguard in the same area in early September. The Chinese boats were spotted by the coastguard late on Sunday.
Protests over the territorial row took place in both countries at the weekend.
The islands in the East China Sea, known in Japan as Senkaku and in China as Diaoyu, are controlled by Japan, but claimed by China.
EU teams to patrol Greek border amid migrant surge The EU is for the first time sending border guards to help Greece stem an influx of migrants entering across the land border with Turkey. The Rapid Border Intervention Teams set up in 2007 "are activated today for the first time", the European Commission said late on Sunday. The Commission said
timing تيقوت
accuse مهتي
sabotage برخي
bid ةلواحم
allegations تاءاعدا
inconclusive مساح ريغ
irreversible هيف ةعجر لا
sovereign ةدايس تاذ
illusion مهو
uphold كسمتي
inquiries تاقيقحت
the flows of illegal migrants entering Greece had "reached alarming proportions". Greece requested EU help. The UN says the burden on Greece is "critical".
Today's Idiom:
One-track mind
If you have a one-track mind, you have a tendency to think about only one subject.
"That boy has got a one-track mind; all he thinks about is football!"
Wednesday, October 27
th, 2010
New polio vaccine more effective in reducing disease A new vaccine against the polio virus has helped reduce the number of cases by more than 90%. A research published online shows that the new vaccine is significantly better at protecting children against polio than the current popular vaccine. It has already been used in Afghanistan, India and Nigeria.
The scientists behind the work believe this new vaccine could help to finally eradicate the disease.
War-hit countries 'most corrupt'
War-torn states are still seen as being the most corrupt in the world, according to a new report from Transparency International. The Berlin- based watchdog monitors perceived corruption and has published its annual report, based on a poll of businesses and people in 178 nations. The worst country is Somalia, followed by Burma, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Denmark, New Zealand and Singapore tie for top place as the world's least corrupt countries, with the UK 20th.
Cash and keeping friendly relations in Afghanistan Iran benefited in many different ways from the military actions of the US in Afghanistan and Iraq: hostile governments in two neighboring states were removed, at no cost to Tehran. Instead, the countries were left weak, and less able to threaten Iran's interests. Iran's response has been complex and evolving. For a time, the Iranian government was convinced that it was next on the American "hit list". Often Iran has co-operated with the
drought فافج
purification ةيقنت
patrol boat ةيرود قروز
disputed اهيلع عزانتملا
trawler ديص ةنيفس
stem an influx قفدت فقو
alarming proportions قلقلل ةريثم اداعبأ
burden ءبع
neighboring governments and even - to a limited extent - with the US. At times, Iran has been accused of acting behind the scenes to undermine them. In the case of Afghanistan, some Iranian officials have claimed that they provided US-led forces with intelligence that helped to oust the country's Taliban government in 2001.
Today's Idiom:
One's number is up
To say that one's number is up means that a person is either in serious difficulty and something bad is going to happen, or the time has come when they will die.
"The police have located the escaped prisoner so it looks as if his number is up!"
Saturday, October 30
th, 2010
US and UK probe terror risk after Yemen cargo finds The US and UK are investigating the extent of a terror threat after
explosives were found in two packages bound for the US from Yemen.
The packages were found in the UK and Dubai on two overnight cargo planes in transit from Yemen on Friday. President Barack Obama said the devices were a "credible terrorist threat". UK Home Secretary Theresa May said experts were trying to establish whether the package found in
Britain was a possible explosive device. The discovery of the packages on FedEx and UPS cargo planes triggered security alerts in the US, UK and Middle East. The device found in Britain's East Midlands Airport was reportedly an ink toner cartridge that had been modified.
Iran's cash to Kabul worries US
The US has voiced concern about Iran's "negative influence" on Afghanistan, after Afghan President Hamid Karzai admitted receiving cash from Tehran. Mr. Karzai has denied any wrongdoing, saying the cash was part of a "transparent" process to help to run the president's office. He was responding to a report that Iran had been passing bags stuffed full of cash to his aides.
EU seeks more dialog with Cuba
The EU foreign affairs chief, Baroness Ashton, is set to contact the Cuban government in an effort to improve ties with Havana, diplomats say. The EU's "common position", dating back to 1996, demands that Cuba makes progress on democracy and human rights before any normalization of ties.
vaccine حاقل
polio لافطلاا للش
eradicate وحمي ديبي -
corrupt دساف
perceive كردي ظحلاي -
poll ءاتفتسا
tie لداعتي
hostile داعم
evolving روطتم
oust درطي
Cuba's communist government pledged in July to free 52 political prisoners - and most have been released. Spain, unlike some other EU states, wants a "positive" EU-Cuba dialog.
Today's Idiom:
One-upmanship
This term refers to the art of gaining and keeping the advantage over other people.
"He is a successful man, but his one-upmanship has left him with few friends."
Sunday, October 31
st, 2010
More species slide to extinction
One fifth of animal and plant species are under the threat of extinction, a global conservation study has warned. Scientists who compiled the Red List of Threatened Species say the proportion of species facing wipeout is rising.
But they say intensive conservation work has already pulled some species back from the brink of oblivion. The report is being launched at the UN Biodiversity Summit in Japan, where governments are discussing how to better protect the natural world.
Paul the World Cup octopus dies in his tank in Germany Paul the octopus, an unlikely star of the 2010 World Cup who predicted the
outcome of eight matches, has died at an aquarium in Germany. Staff at the Sea Life center in Oberhausen said they were devastated to learn that he had passed away during the night. Paul made his name by successfully choosing a mussel from one of two boxes bearing the flags of competing nations.
Octopuses rarely live beyond two years so his death was not unexpected.
Million-dollar beds fuel Madagascar timber crisis Soaring demand in China and political unrest in Madagascar are fuelling illegal logging for hardwoods in the African nation. Global Witness and the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) talked to loggers, government agencies and traders to compile their report. In China, they discovered beds on sale for $1m, made from Madagascan
wood. The report was launched at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) meeting in Nagoya, Japan.
extent يدم - مجح
bound for وحن هجتم
voice نع ربعي
wrongdoing تافلاخم
aide نواعم
normalization عيبطت
communist يعويش
pledge ـب دهعتي
Today's Idiom:
Be in seventh heaven
If you are in seventh heaven, you are extremely happy.
"Every time she wins a match she's in seventh heaven!"
specie عونلا
extinction ضارقنا
compile عمجي
brink of oblivion نايسنلا ةفاح
aquarium يئاملا ضوح
mussel رحبلا حلب
soaring demand بلطلا عافترا
political unrest ةيسايسلا تابارطضلاا
illegal logging ريغ راجشلأا عطق
عورشملا
diversity عونت