dawdle

...
As with driving, formal dining and intergalactic warfare, a universally observed code of etiquette governs the common use of escalators. This is comprised of three general principles:

(1) Those wishing to stand must keep to the left, thus leaving the right lane free for people who are running late for a meeting they don't know is cancelled, which will teach them to let the battery on their mobile run down because we left, like, three messages on your voicemail last night.

(2) Whenever possible, a two-step exclusion zone applies between fellow commuters. This allows both a comfortable amount of personal space and also affords the best possible viewing position in the event of the person in front being in possession of an aesthetically pleasing bottom. (Note to self: do a column on bottoms.)

(3) There must, under no circumstances, be any dawdling at either end of the escalator.
...

[ Keep it to the left ]

initiative

A new video-conferencing system will allow geographically isolated patients to receive specialist diagnosis and treatment.

In an Australian-first initiative, the link will be extended to 29 towns in south-western Victoria, with some of the video technology housed at local community facilities.

Launching the Virtual Services Project in Colac, Premier Steve Bracks participated in a live video conference with a patient and specialist in Warrnambool.

Mr Bracks said the system would give those in rural and regional areas access to top specialist treatment.
It will also be used to train doctors and nurses in isolated areas.

The State Government will put $2.8 million towards the project.

"It will have a profound impact not only on the rest of Victoria but on the rest of Australia," Mr Bracks said.

"Clinicians in one town, in one hospital area, who might have a speciality, can assist a clinician who is dealing with a patient in another town."

[ Broadband bridge to isolated patients ]

Northern Hemisphere

Northern Hemisphere: 北半球

Sydney's sprawl to the south and west has stalled. Fairfield, Penrith, Campbelltown, Blue Mountains and even Canterbury shrank in population in 2003-04, according to a report by KPMG.

The report also revealed a "drought" of Australian men in their 30s caused by skilled young males gravitating to big economies in the Northern Hemisphere.

This has turned a traditional surplus of 30-something men into a deficit. In 1976 there were 54,000 more men than women aged in their 30s, but now there are 20,000 fewer men than women in that age group. There are now more women than men in every year of life from 29 to 55.



[ Pulling power: Queensland still has it ]

whopping

whopping :adj very large of its kind; huge; enormous (aussie slang)

For this reason, product pictures are vital. All four stores employ at least some product shots, but not for every item and not always correctly. It was a little confusing shopping at HomeShop when clicking for a picture of a particular olive oil and discovering an image of baby oil - listed for a whopping $27!

[ Deliver us from supermarkets ]

avert

avert : v. prevent, avoid; turn away
apparently : adv. evidently, obviously; allegedly, seemingly

LONDON has been struck by a virtually identical repeat of the July 7 attacks as three subway trains and a bus were targeted with bombs, but this time carnage was averted as the devices apparently failed to explode.The British capital was plunged into confusion for the second time in a fortnight following the four bomb blasts or attempted blasts inside an hour, sending terrified commuters fleeing from London Underground stations.

In a mirror image of the attacks two weeks ago in which at least 56 people died, there were three almost simultaneous incidents on subway trains followed an hour later by an explosion on a bus, taking place at four points around London.

A man who was arrested near Downing St, residence of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, is being held in connection with the attacks. A second man who was arrested has been released without charge, according to the Associated Press.

Unconfirmed reports say four "viable" explosive devices in rucksacks have been found at the scenes of the attacks.

Two men were arrested in the city shortly after the attacks but police said they were not being held under anti-terrorist laws. Earlier, Metropolitan Police commissioner Ian Blair said the two arrests were "entirely unconnected events" to the attacks.

Rather than the carnage of a fortnight before, the latest blasts had minimal power, with police eventually saying that not a single injury had been caused.
...

[ Terror strikes in London again ]

negligent driving

negligent driving : careless driving, reckless driving (of a motor vehicle)


Police prosecutors were yesterday preparing to charge the 18-year-old driver who mowed down the team.

Head prosecutor, Ralf Mohrmawn, said the woman was badly injured but conscious.

"Police are waiting for her condition to improve before questioning her," he said.

She is expected to face charges of negligent driving causing death and injury.

[ Grave fears for two cyclists ]

updraft

n. upward movement (of air, gas, etc)

Australia's property market is gently landing in what is probably one of the mildest ever housing downturns, but it could be at least three years before the next updraft propels it back up.

Dismissing as "simplistic" and "potentially misleading" claims that the market is diving, ANZ Bank said the Melbourne market had probably already bottomed, with strong overseas migration, a positive outlook for the world economy, low interest rates and low unemployment likely to keep it simmering.

"In the absence of recession, there is high probability that the adjustment … will be an orderly one and will not be associated with a major fall in house prices," the report said.

"With the labour market booming and (interest rates) expected to be on hold for the remainder of 2005, broad economic fundamentals remain supportive for property markets."

Melbourne house prices have fallen by around 3 per cent since their December 2003 quarter peak. Prices, however, remain 60 per cent above 2000 levels.
...

[ Housing, economy in soft landing ]

shattered

shattered : adj. broken into pieces, splintered, smashed; damaged, harmed; ruined, destroyed, devastated

Amy Gillett, 29, from Buninyong. Died from injuries. Alexis Rhodes,20, From Kersbrook, South Australia. In critical condition with life-threatening injuries. In hospital in Greiz. Louise Yaxley,23,from Penguin, Tasmania. In a serious condition, with major trauma requiring surgery. In hospital in Zwickau.


Amy Gillett's dream was to win gold in next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

But the 29-year-old's aspirations were tragically ended on a country road in southern Germany yesterday, when a local teenage driver lost control of her car, crossing the road and careering head-on into Gillett and five other Australian women cyclists.

Gillett died at the scene. Teammates Alexis Rhodes and Louise Yaxley suffered horrific injuries and were fighting for their lives in German hospitals last night. The other three Australians suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The tragedy has virtually wiped out the Australian women's road cycling program and has left the sport in shock and mourning.

Witnesses described a scene of devastation, with broken bodies and bikes strewn across the road.

Warren McDonald, Australia's national women's cycling coach, was following the riders in the team vehicle when a green Honda Civic careered across the road at high speed and ploughed head-on into the cyclists.


[ Lives and dreams of gold shattered ]

fart

fart v. 放屁 n.屁

Facts on Farts

blessing in disguise

blessing in disguise n. 塞翁失馬

"A blessing in disguise" is a good thing that you don't recognize at first as a good thing. Example: "The hotel is full tonight; we will need to find a new place to stay." Answer: "Maybe it's just a blessing in disguise; I've been wanting to try a new place anyway."

Some people believe that good things are really "blessings" (gifts from God), that we don't always recognize for what they are at first. Example: "I lost my job and was upset at first, but I found a better one and have been much happier since." Answer: "Losing your job was just a blessing in disguise!"

It is as if the good thing (a blessing) were wearing the clothes (in disguise) of some other thing, so at first you do not see it as the good thing that it really is. Example: "My car broke down again, but maybe it was a blessing in disguise; I've been wasting too much time driving around anyway."

-- extracted from goEnglish.com

summit

Melbourne will host one of the world's most important economic forums next year when the G20 group of finance ministers visits for their annual meeting.

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello told The Age that the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bank governors, representing 19 nations and the European Union, will gather in Melbourne after this year's meeting in Beijing. The G20 meeting will follow the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, but will pre-date a meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum leaders' summit in Sydney in 2007.

[ Melbourne to host G20 meeting in 2006 ]

veteran

veteran n. soldier who has been serving in the armed forces for a long time and has much experience; former member of the armed forces; one who is seasoned and experienced in any area


Kangaroos veteran Glenn Archer is almost certain to play on next year after yet another best-on-ground effort in his side's comfortable win over Hawthorn yesterday.

Archer had 29 touches and booted a goal in the 41-point victory that, along with losses to rival finalists Melbourne and Richmond, helped cement the Kangaroos in the eight.
...

[ Veteran Archer in push to play next year ]

deflate

First home buyers are coming back - and fast. As the house price bubble slowly deflates, the number taking out loans for first homes in Victoria has grown by more than half so far this year.

Lending data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics last week shows that nationally 2000 to 2500 more first home buyers each month are taking out loans compared with a year earlier, as they replace investors in the market.

Victoria has accounted for almost half the rise. In the first five months of last year, just 8013 first home buyers took out loans in the state. In the same months this year, that number jumped 53 per cent to 12,271, as homes became more affordable.

Estate agents were reporting the same trend from auctions and private sales, said Enzo Raimondo, chief executive of the Real Estate Institute of Victoria. "Our members reported 22 per cent of all buyers in April were first home buyers, up from 14 per cent in January 2004," he said.

Mr Raimondo cited two reasons why the proportion of these buyers had risen so sharply. "There's been a cooling of what had been an overheated market," he said. "Property prices are now basically stable, while people's incomes are rising, so buying a house is now more affordable.

[ First home buyers flock back into market ]

stoppage

Petrol prices across Sydney hit a record high yesterday and were set to climb further after it was revealed the Caltex oil refinery at Kurnell could be out of service for two weeks.

EnergyAustralia warned it could take until Monday before it could fix a transmission line leading to the refinery.

The powerline failed after a transmission tower collapsed during maintenance work on Tuesday night.

An 18-minute stoppage in 1995 led to Caltex receiving a $7.25 million insurance payout.
...

FUELLING CONCERN
- Average petrol prices in Sydney hit record $1.15 a litre yesterday.
- Cheapest petrol yesterday in Sydney was $1.09 a litre; most expensive $1.20
- 18-minute blackout at Kurnell refinery in 1995 cost Caltex $7.25 million.


[ Shutdown pushes fuel prices to record ]

consortium

The future of public transport is small and plastic, fits in your pocket and will one day allow you to buy this newspaper.

Welcome to the world of Smartcard - the reusable, rechargeable ticket that will be introduced across Melbourne's public transport network from 2007.

Premier Steve Bracks yesterday announced the $494 million contract for the new ticket system had been won by a consortium led by American IT firm Keane.

[ State awards Smartcard deal to US bidder ]

for god's sake

interj. for crying out loud!, for heaven's sake! (expression of exasperation or anger)

"For God's Sake, Please Stop the Aid!"
"Visit Arafat? For God's Sake, Why?"
"For God's sake be quick, sir!"

rocked

rocked : shocked
high commissioner : principal or high ranking commissioner, government official in charge of a department; representative of a governmental authority in a district or province
nonetheless : 雖然如此


An Australian woman hurt in the London terrorist attacks has injuries so serious she had her legs amputated, but her family believes she will pull through.

Gillian Hicks, originally from South Australia, was one of nine Australians injured in the bombings that rocked the English capital last week.

Six remain in hospital, two in a critical condition and another in intensive care.

Australia's high commissioner in London, Richard Alston, confirmed the seriousness of Ms Hicks' injuries.
"Gillian Hicks has severe injuries involving amputations but is nonetheless in a stable condition, although critical," he told the Nine Network.

The Seven Network reported that Ms Hicks had both legs amputated.
...

[ Woman caught in bombing loses both legs ]

enduring

adj. existing for a long time, suffering with out complaint
peeling off : removing the rind
tights : 緊身衣
hung : hang
ankles : 足踝

The woman behind one of the most enduring images of the London Underground bombings has been found.

The hitherto unidentified "woman in the mask" was pictured worldwide clutching a burns mask to her face as she was shepherded away from the Edgware Road bomb blast.

She has now been named as Davinia Turrell, 24. She remains seriously injured in a London hospital.

Her mother, Sharon, 56, died only months ago, and now her family is grappling with Ms Turrell's serious injuries.

A London journalist, Sarah Keenlyside, who was in the same carriage as Ms Turrell at the time of the explosion, said she found the recently graduated lawyer with "skin peeling off the entire right side of her face".

"Her tights had been burnt off her bloodied legs, and hung like cobwebs around her ankles."

[ Unmasked: the face that gripped the world ]

R.S.V.P.

R.S.V.P. (respondez s`il vous plait)

n. (French) please respond (request for a reply at the end of a letter)

Sample:

strike

strike at: attack



A wrecked double-decker bus, with its roof blown off and debris strewn across the road, after the blast in Russell Square in central London."

The death toll from a series of terrorist bomb blasts on London's public transport system rose to 38 today as authorities tried to verify a claim of responsibility for the attacks by a group linking itself to al-Qaeda.

The terrorists struck at crowded underground rail stations and a double-decker bus in four co-ordinated explosions during yesterday's morning commuter rush period.

Authorities have confirmed that at least 38 people had been killed, and 700 injured in the blasts.
Three explosions on the Underground left 35 dead, two died in a blast on a bus and another died later in hospital.

Seven Australians were among those in hospital.
...

[ Many dead in London attacks ]

blast

At least two people have been killed and scores injured after three blasts on the Underground network and another on a double-decker bus in London.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was "reasonably clear" there had been a series of terrorist attacks.

He said it was "particularly barbaric" that it was timed to coincide with the G8 summit. He is returning to London.

[ London rocked by terror attacks ]

stroll

limo : limousine, large and luxurious automobile which is often driven by a chauffeur
stroll : ramble, slow leisurely walk

In a traffic-stopping spectacle not often seen at the top end of town, Mr Trujillo joined up to 2000 Telstra staff as they walked from the company's Collins Street headquarters to the Dallas Brooks Hall in East Melbourne yesterday.

[ Telstra boss forsakes limo for stroll ]

league

bludger : (Aussie Slang)

Even with four weeks' annual leave, Australians are already the hardest-worked citizens in the Western world. We bear an average workload of 1855 hours a year - more than workers in the United States, Japan or anywhere in Europe.

Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews wants his changes to allow workers to swap two weeks of annual leave for money, but in fact our four weeks is already in the lower half of Western leave levels.

Whether you look at annual leave, public holidays or total working hours, comparison with other Western countries suggests Australian workers are far from being the bludgers we think. Koreans aside, no Westerners spend more time in the office, shop or factory than us.

In a book of statistics, How Australia Compares, Sydney academic Rodney Tiffen and Age columnist Ross Gittins found that Australians have the longest working year of any Western nation for which data is available.

Australians on average work 1855 hours a year, or 38.6 hours a week if you assume they work 48 weeks a year. That Australia also has the West's second highest rate of part-time workers, Tiffen and Gittins add, "makes its position at the top of the league of hard workers even more remarkable".
...

[ Give us a break: Australia is hard at work ]

fruitless

Australians spend more than a day each year lost online, most of it pursuing leisure, according to a survey to be released today.

The ninemsn survey of 21,000 people from 21 countries, including 2500 Australians, found that fruitless internet searches accounted for about 30 hours a year. The online survey also found that more than 1 million Australians took half an hour to find what they were looking for on the internet, in line with the international average.
...
The amount of time Australians spent lost in cyberspace outweighed the amount of time they got lost driving - about two hours a year, he said.

[ Australians lost in (cyber) space ]

stem

stem : v. 遏止

OPEC, which produces about 40 per cent of the world's oil, is pumping almost as much crude as it can to increase inventories before consumption peaks in the fourth quarter. Crude oil reached a record $US60.95 on June 27, deepening concern that the cost of energy would slow economic growth.

Prices have surged 53 per cent in the past year on concern that producers and refiners will strain to meet demand for petrol, diesel and heating oil.

US Treasury Secretary John Snow said on June 28 that high prices were hurting the world economy. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder on June 27 called for more transparency in oil markets to stem speculation.

[ Oil: $80 is next call ]

adamant

adamant : adj. decisive, did not give up
coking coal: 焦煤
commodity: 日用品

Economists are adamant that the Reserve will leave its official cash rate on hold at 5.50 per cent for a fourth consecutive month. Only three out of 18 market analysts surveyed by Reuters now believe interest rates will be lifted by the end of the year.
...
Economists had hoped that the massive increases in contract price for coal and iron that helped the deficit in April would continue to benefit Australia's trade position in May. In April, coking coal prices increased by 41 per cent while iron ore prices grew by 53 per cent. While the value of exports grew by 1.7 per cent to $14.73 billion, the value of imports edged up 1.5 per cent to $16.28, driven higher by soaring petrol prices.
...
"Commodity prices are super high, but the trade position remains stubbornly in the red," he said. "When the last commodity boom occurred in the early 1970s, Australia consistently recorded trade surpluses, not deficits."

[ Rate fall on cards as jobs boom slows ]

Dutch

n. adj. 荷蘭(的)


Australians will see their wealth decline for the first time since the last recession as housing prices fall, investment bank ABN AMRO has warned.

In a new analysis, the Dutch-based bank's chief economist in Australia, Kieran Davies, said house prices had entered a period of decline, which was needed to bring prices back towards their normal relationship to household income.

The housing bubble almost doubled household wealth between 1998 and 2004, creating a "confidence effect" in which consumer spending boomed. As that process goes into reverse, Mr Davies warned, it will damp consumer spending and economic growth.
It could put a significant brake on economic activity, he said. Household spending accounts for 60 per cent of demand in the economy, and in recent years it grew faster than household incomes. Households now spend more than they earn.

"The economy is facing a period where declining household wealth should be a significant and ongoing drag on growth as the massive bubble in house prices slowly deflates," he said.
Economists predict that this week's economic data will show the unemployment rate has risen for the first time in four years.

[ Economist predicts long house prices fall ]