美联社新闻一分钟 2005-12-08

（单词翻译）

1. Defending his Iraq strategy, President Bush says reconstruction¹ has been 'uneven²' but spreading economic progress is giving people hope for a democratic future.

2. The trial of Saddam Hussein and 7 codefendants adjourns³ for 2 weeks after a truncated⁴ session which the ousted⁶ president did not attend.

3. In a newly posted Internet video, Al-Qaida's deputy leader calls for attacks on Gulf⁷ oil plants and a united insurgent⁸ effort to oust⁵ American forces from Iraq.

4. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signals a shift in US interrogation policy, saying no US personnel may use cruel or degrading practices at home or abroad.

5. And President Bush may be top dog at the White House but his Scottish terriers, Barney and Beasley are the stars of the new White House holiday video

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. uneven
3 uneven
If you describe something as uneven, you think it is not very good because it is not consistent in quality.
This was, for him, an oddly uneven performance.
The acting⁹ is wildly uneven.
ADJ-GRADED
= patchy

2. truncated
truncated
A truncated version of something is one that has been shortened.
The review body has produced a truncated version of its annual report.
...a rock about eight feet high, shaped like a truncated cone¹⁰.
ADJ-GRADED: usu ADJ n

3. shift
2 shift shifts shifting shifted
If someone's opinion, a situation, or a policy shifts or is shifted, it changes slightly.
Attitudes to mental illness have shifted in recent years.
The emphasis should be shifted more towards Parliament.
V-ERG

+ shift shifts
Also a noun.
...a shift in government policy.
...the shift in opinion away from the Prime Minister.
N-COUNT: usu N prep

4. top dog
top dog top dogs
If a person or organization is top dog, they are the most successful or powerful one in a particular group. (INFORMAL)
Reynolds has never concealed¹¹ his ambition to be the top dog.
N-COUNT

5. terrier
terrier terriers
A terrier is a small breed of dog. There are many different types of terrier.
N-COUNT

See also bull terrier, pit bull terrier.