jostle, balk, swell, pro-independence demonstrators

Democrats balk as President Biden weighs the G.O.P’s demand that any debt limit deal include stricter work requirements.

As Hunger Swells, Food Stamps Become a Partisan Flash Point By JASON DePARLE Democrats are seeking to raise benefits as research shows a rise in food insecurity without modern precedent amid the pandemic. But Republicans have balked at a long-term expansion of the program.

Taiwan: Chinese Official Jostled

By KEITH BRADSHER

Published: October 21, 2008

Zhang Mingqing, a senior Beijing official, was knocked to the ground but not seriously injured by pro-independence demonstrators in Taiwan on Tuesday. China demanded heavy punishments for the attackers but said it would continue efforts to improve relations with Taiwan. Mr. Zhang is a well-known figure in Taiwan because he used to criticize the island’s policies as a spokesman for the Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing. He was paying a visit to Tainan in east-central Taiwan, where many people favor a declaration of political independence from mainland China.
「紐約時報」在事發一天後，今晚在網站上報導這起推擠意外事件。 紐時以「北京資深官員」稱呼張銘清，說他週二在台南遭到支持台灣獨立人士推倒在地，但未嚴重受傷。 這篇簡短報導裡指出，中國強烈要求懲罰肇事者，但也強調仍會持續努力改善與台灣的關係。 ...


Banks Said to Balk at Penn National Buyout Terms
Another private equity deal is feeling pressure this week, as the firms buying Penn National Gaming for $6.1 billion begin to jostle with the banks over the terms for the leveraged buyout, The New York Times reported.

balk (BE UNWILLING), baulk 
verb [I] to be unwilling to do something or to allow something to happen:
I balked at the prospect of spending four hours on a train with him.

jostle 
verb [I or T] to knock or push roughly against someone in order to move past them or get more space when you are in a crowd of people:
As we came into the arena, we were jostled by fans pushing their way towards the stage.
Photographers jostled and shoved to get a better view of the royal couple.
jostling 
noun, adjective
a crowd of jostling reporters