美联社新闻一分钟 2006-08-31

（单词翻译）

1. Ernesto is now a tropical depression as it moves north. The storm is expected to be in the Carolinas tomorrow. And there is concern it could spawn¹ tornadoes² and flooding. Meantime, Hurricane John is gaining strength as it threatens tourist resorts along Mexico's Pacific coast. John is a category four hurricane, which packs winds of between 131 and 155 miles per hour.

2. The husband of a woman crushed to death in Boston's Big Dig tunnels says he just wants justice. Angel Del Valle and his wife's daughter filed a lawsuit³. Milena Del Valle was killed last month when 12 tons of concrete fell on her car.

3. A New Orleans judge throws out a $50 million award against the makers⁴ of Vioxx. The judge says the figure is grossly excessive. More than 16, 000 Vioxx-related suits are pending⁵ against Merck.

4. And in Spain, tens of thousands of partyers got pasted. It's the annual tomato-throwing food fight festival.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. throw out : phrasal verb
If a judge throws out a case, he or she rejects it and the accused person does not have to stand trial.

2. pending : adj
If something such as a legal procedure is pending, it is waiting to be dealt with or settled. (FORMAL)