美联社新闻一分钟 2005-12-12

（单词翻译）

1. Iraq says it will close borders, extend curfew hours and ban travel as part of stringent¹ security measures to protect voters during this week's parliamentary elections.

2. A candlelight vigil's held in Toronto as concern grows over the fate of peace activists² kidnapped in Iraq including two Canadians after a deadline to kill them passes.

3. Teheran offers the United States a share in building a new nuclear power plant in an apparent effort to curb³ US opposition⁴ to Iran's atomic program.

4. British police say spectacular explosions at one of the country's largest oil depots⁵, north of London, which injured 43 people were apparently⁶ accidental.

5. Comedians⁸ pay tribute to Richard Pryor , the groundbreaking actor comedian⁷, who influenced a generation of stand-up artists. He died Saturday at age 65.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. stringent
adj.严厉的, 迫切的
1 a stringent law, rule, standard etc is very strict and must be obeyed: --stringent anti-noise regulations
2 stringent economic conditions exist when there is a severe lack of money and strict controls on the supply of money: -- stringently⁹ adv -- stringency¹⁰ n [U]

2. candlelight
n.烛火, 黄昏
n [U] the gentle light produced when a candle burns --The jewels sparkled in the candlelight. by candlelight --We ate by candlelight

3. vigil
n.守夜
1 a period of time, especially during the night, when you stay awake in order to pray, remain with someone who is ill, or watch for danger: --Eva and Paul kept a constant vigil by their daughter's hospital bedside
2 a silent political protest in which people wait outside a building, especially during the night: silent/candlelit vigil --2000 demonstrators held a candlelit vigil outside the embassy

4. curb
1 an influence which helps to control or limit something: curb on --We are trying to keep a curb on their activities
2 AmE the raised edge of a road, between where people can walk and cars can drive: British Equivalent: kerb pavement, sidewalk

5. groundbreaking
adj groundbreaking work involves making new discoveries, using new methods etc --groundbreaking research

6. stand-up
在这里为: Of or designating a performer who stands alone on a stage, as in a nightclub, and delivers a comic monologue¹¹.
如: stand-up comic/comedy/artist/bar 文中的stand-up artist/comic 用我们的话说就是"独角滑稽秀"的意思.

另外关于"stand-up"的一些补充:
1.Standing¹² erect¹³; upright: a standup collar.
2.Taken, done, or used while standing: a standup supper; a standup bar.
3.Slang. Courageous¹⁴ and steadfast¹⁵: a standup guy.