澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-03-18

（单词翻译）

Australian aid is expected to arrive this morning in areas of Fiji, hardest hit by a powerful cyclone¹. Authorities are still trying to contact 17 Australians in Fiji's north. But damaged infrastructure² is hampering³ communications. Cyclone Tomas has flattened⁴ homes and left villagers homeless. Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been evacuated⁵ from Queensland's Heron and Lady Elliot islands as Cyclone Ului moves towards the coast. It’s weakened to a Category-3 system, but the weather bureau says it could intensify⁶ before it makes landfall in the next few days.

Australian authorities are urging China to allow Australian officials to attend the entire trial of mining executive Stern Hu. Mr. Hu and three other Rio Tinto executives will face court in Shanghai on Monday, charged with receiving bribes⁷ and infringing⁸ commercial secrets. But the main part of the trial will take place in a closed session. Stern Hu's employers say they want the case to be dealt with quickly and transparently⁹.

And US President Barack Obama has celebrated¹⁰ St. Patrick's Day, welcoming the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen to Washington. The fountain at the White House was turned green for the day. While in New York, revellers took to the streets for the annual St. Patrick's Day parade.

We'll have more news updates later.