Mar 21, 2025 Afternoon
1. Trump Signs Executive Action to Shut Down Education Department
1. 特朗普签署行政命令关闭教育部
President Trump signed an executive action aimed at disbanding the Education Department, raising significant concerns about how it will affect low-income and rural students.
特朗普总统签署了一项旨在解散教育部的行政命令，引发了人们对这将如何影响低收入和农村学生的重大担忧。
This action proposes to shift oversight of federal student loans to the Small Business Administration, with potential implications for access to educational financing.
该行政命令提议将联邦学生贷款的监管转移到小型企业管理局，这可能对获得教育资金产生影响。
Experts warn that cutting support from the Education Department could hinder American competitiveness and educational standards, particularly impacting students who rely on federal aid.
专家警告说，削减教育部的支持可能会阻碍美国的竞争力和教育水平，尤其会影响依赖联邦援助的学生。
Key Phrases/Vocab & Explanations
- Executive action (“行政命令”): A directive issued by the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government.
- Pronunciation: /ɪɡˈzɛkjʊtɪv ˈækʃən/
- Memorization tips: Think of "execute" as "to carry out" and "action" as "a directive." An executive action is a directive carried out by the president.
- Disband (“解散”): To break up or dissolve (an organization, group, etc.).
- Pronunciation: /dɪsˈbænd/
- Memorization tips: "Dis-" often means "opposite of" or "to do the reverse of." A band is a group, so to disband is to ungroup.
- Oversight (“监管”): The act of overseeing or supervising something.
- Pronunciation: /ˈoʊvərˌsaɪt/
- Memorization tips: "Over" implies being above or in a position of authority, and "sight" refers to observation. Oversight is literally "seeing over" or supervising.
- Hinder (“阻碍”): To create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction.
- Pronunciation: /ˈhɪndər/
- Memorization tips: Think of "hind" as the back legs of an animal. Something hindering you is holding you back.
Grammar Insights
- "Aimed at disbanding the Education Department": "Aimed at" shows the intended purpose of the executive action. It functions similarly to "intended to" or "designed to."
- "Raising significant concerns about how it will affect low-income and rural students": This uses a present participle ("raising") to describe the effect of the executive action.
2. March Madness 2025: How to Navigate the NCAA Tournament
2. 2025 年疯狂三月：如何理解 NCAA 锦标赛
March Madness is back in 2025, showcasing potential upsets alongside powerhouse teams.
2025 年疯狂三月回归，展示了潜在的冷门和强大的球队。
Top vulnerable teams identified include Houston, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Texas A&M, all of which face challenges that could lead to unexpected exits from the tournament.
确定的最易受攻击的球队包括休斯顿、田纳西、威斯康星和德州农工大学，所有这些球队都面临可能导致意外出局的挑战。
Analysts suggest these vulnerabilities, such as underperformance in crucial moments and difficult matchups, make following the tournament particularly exciting this season.
分析人士认为，这些弱点，例如在关键时刻表现不佳和艰难的比赛，使得本赛季的锦标赛格外令人兴奋。
Key Phrases/Vocab & Explanations
- March Madness (“疯狂三月”): The NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, a single-elimination tournament played each spring in the United States.
- Pronunciation: /mɑːrtʃ ˈmæd.nəs/
- Memorization tips: March is the month it takes place, and madness refers to the excitement and unpredictability of the tournament.
- Upset (“冷门”): A surprising victory by an underdog.
- Pronunciation: /ʌpˈsɛt/
- Memorization tips: Think of something being "tipped over" or overturned unexpectedly.
- Powerhouse (“强大的队伍”): A team or competitor that is exceptionally strong and successful.
- Pronunciation: /ˈpaʊərˌhaʊs/
- Memorization tips: A "powerhouse" is literally a building that generates power. In sports, it's a team that generates wins.
- Vulnerable (“易受攻击的”): Susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm.
- Pronunciation: /ˈvʌl.nər.ə.bəl/
- Memorization tips: Think of being open to attack or injury.
Grammar Insights
- "All of which face challenges": This is a relative clause referring back to the listed teams.
3. Best CD Rates for March 2025
3. 2025 年 3 月最佳定期存款利率
Business Insider highlights the best current Certificate of Deposit (CD) rates as of March 2025, reflecting stability amidst recent Federal Reserve decisions.
《商业内幕》重点介绍了截至 2025 年 3 月的最佳定期存款利率，反映了美联储近期决策中的稳定性。
A standout option includes California Coast Credit Union's Celebration Certificate at an impressive 9.50% APY, while other notable institutions offer competitive rates.
一个突出的选择是加州海岸信用合作社的庆祝证书，其年利率高达 9.50%，而其他著名的机构也提供具有竞争力的利率。
These offerings vary in terms and features, making it essential for savers to carefully consider their choices based on interest rates and withdrawal penalties.
这些产品的期限和特点各不相同，因此储户必须根据利率和取款罚金仔细考虑他们的选择。
Key Phrases/Vocab & Explanations
- Certificate of Deposit (CD) (“定期存款”): A savings certificate with a fixed maturity date and specified fixed interest rate.
- Pronunciation: /sərˈtɪfɪkət əv dɪˈpɒzɪt/
- Memorization tips: Think of it as a "certificate" proving you've "deposited" money for a fixed period.
- APY (Annual Percentage Yield) (“年收益率”): The effective annual rate of return taking into account the effect of compounding interest.
- Pronunciation: /ˈeɪ piː waɪ/
- Memorization tips: APY is the actual percentage you earn on your savings in a year.
Grammar Insights
- "Making it essential for savers to carefully consider their choices": This uses a present participle ("making") to explain the consequence of the varying terms and features.