美联社新闻一分钟 2005-12-19

（单词翻译）

1. In a surprise visit to Iraq, Vice¹ President Dick Cheney suggests Iraq's elections are a major step toward withdrawing US troops as a string of attacks kills 19.

2. President Bush unapologetically defends his administration's right to secret post-9/11th eavesdropping² as "critical to saving American lives."

3. Senate Democratic leader Harry³ Reid calls for congressional hearings and investigations⁴ into Bush’s authorization⁵ of domestic spying as part of the war on terror.

4. The European Union’s foreign policy chief warns that millions of dollars in EU aid to the Palestinians may be cut if Hamas wins next month’s Palestinian elections.

5. Time magazine names Bill and Melinda Gates, and rock star Bono with "Persons of the Year", citing their charity work to reduce global poverty and improve world health.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

apologetic
apologetic
If you are apologetic, you show or say that you are sorry for causing trouble for someone, for hurting them, or for disappointing them.
The hospital staff were very apologetic but that couldn't really compensate⁶.
They were almost apologetic about the improvements they'd made.
`I don't follow football,' she said with an apologetic smile.
ADJ-GRADED

· apologetically
`It's of no great literary merit,' he said, almost apologetically.
ADV-GRADED: ADV with v

unapologetically
Our snapshot is unapologetically unscientific.
She wasn't used to dealing⁷ with someone so unapologetically incorrect.