美联社新闻一分钟 2006-07-04

（单词翻译）

1. Mission Control managers at NASA are trying to decide what to do about the space shuttle Discovery. A crack was found in the shuttle's insulating foam¹, and NASA is trying to figure out if they can go ahead with the planned 4th of July launch which has already been delayed twice.

2. A subway train derailed in Valencia, Spain Monday, killing² at least 30 people and injuring a dozen more. Officials say the accident may have been caused by a tunnel wall collapsing³.

3. Violence is escalating⁴ in the Gaza Strip as Israeli tanks move in. Palestinian militants⁵ say they'll give Israel until 6 a.m. Tuesday to meet their demands to release Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

4. Independence Day came early for rapper Lil' Kim. She was released from federal prison in Philadelphia Monday morning. After spending nearly a year in jail for lying under oath, Lil' Kim was released early due to good behavior and will spend the next 30 days under house arrest.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. crack : n-count
A crack is a line that appears on the surface of something when it is slightly damaged.

2. insulate : verb
If a piece of equipment is insulated, it is covered with rubber or plastic to prevent electricity passing through it and giving the person using it an electric shock.

3. Independence Day : n-uncount
A country's Independence Day is the day on which its people celebrate their independence from another country that ruled them in the past. In the United States, Independence Day is celebrated⁶ each year on 4th July.

4. rapper : n-count
A rapper is a person who performs rap music.

5. oath : n-sing
In a court of law, when someone takes the oath, they make a formal promise to tell the truth. You can say that someone is on oath or under oath when they have made this promise.