美联社新闻一分钟 2007-01-02

（单词翻译）

1. Two more American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, making December 2006 the bloodiest¹ month of the year. Overall more than 3,000 US service members have died there.

2. Just back from their Texas ranch², President Bush and Laura Bush stopped off at the US Capitol to pay their respects to former President Gerald Ford³. Tomorrow morning the president will deliver a eulogy⁴ at the Washington National Cathedral.

3. Police in Denver say there was a confrontation⁵ at a nightclub before Denver Bronco's defensive⁶ back Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting. Williams was in a limousine⁷ that was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that had pulled alongside it.

4. From the Southwest to the East Coast, winter weather has taken its toll⁸ on the United States. In some areas, snow, freezing rain and blustery conditions are making it difficult to drive.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. stop off : PHR-V
If you stop off somewhere, you stop for a short time in the middle of a journey.

2. eulogy : N-COUNT
A eulogy is a speech, usually at a funeral, in which a person who has just died is praised.

3. drive-by shooting : PHR
A drive-by shooting or a drive-by murder involves shooting someone from a moving car.

4. limousine : N-COUNT
A limousine is a large and very comfortable car. Limousines⁹ are usually driven by a chauffeur¹⁰<法>司机 and are used by very rich or important people.

5. take its toll : PHR
If you say that something takes its toll or takes a heavy toll, you mean that it has a bad effect or causes a lot of suffering.