美联社新闻一分钟 2005-12-27

（单词翻译）

1. Shoppers hit the malls for deals as retailers¹ woo them with discounts, longer store hours and new merchandise, trying to salvage² the holiday buying season.

2. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon will undergo a procedure within three weeks to repair a small hole in his heart that apparently³ led to his minor⁴ stroke.

3. Gunmen kill 5 police officers north of Baghdad, and 6 vehicle bombs explode in the capital, killing⁵ another 5 people and wounding more than 40.

4. Beside gentle seas, survivors⁶, friends and family remember the fury of the Indian Ocean tsunami⁷ that swept away more than 200,000 people in twelve countries one year ago.

5. New Year celebrations get underway in Moscow. Celebrations are traditionally led by Russia's Santa Claus--Father Frost who brings gifts and gaiety to households.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. woo :v. woo woos wooing wooed
If you woo people, you try to encourage them to help you, support you, or vote for you.
e.g. The party has been trying to woo the voters with promises of electoral reform.


2. merchandise :n.
goods that are bought or sold
e.g. Shoppers complained about poor quality merchandise and high prices.

3. salvage :v. salvage salvages⁸ salvaging⁹ salvaged
(1) to save goods from damage or destruction, especially from a ship that has sunk or been damaged or a building that has been damaged by fire or flooding:
(2)to try to make a bad situation better
e.g. It was a desperate attempt to salvage the situation.

4. fury :n.
extreme anger
e.g. She flew into a fury at the suggestion.

5. gaiety :n.
happiness and excitement
e.g. I felt there was an air of forced gaiety about her manner.