美联社新闻一分钟 2007-02-20

（单词翻译）

1. Three stranded¹ climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood² are making their way down the mountain. The trio had fallen off a ledge³ Sunday and had to hole up until rescue crews could find them on Monday morning. None was injured.

2. At least 66 people died when two bombs exploded on a train headed for Pakistan from India. Officials said the attack was aimed at undermining the peace process between the two countries. Both nations are investigating the bombing.

3. It's a new day for gay and lesbian couples in New Jersey⁴. Today the state began offering civil unions for same sex couples. A hotel offered brunch⁵ for the newly legalized couples who started getting their licenses⁶ just after midnight this morning.

4. Do soft vinyl lunch boxes pose a danger to children? The Consumer Product Safety Commission says no. But when the Associated Press looked over the agency's documents, it found that two tests found contradictory⁷ results. One determined⁸ the amount of lead in the vinyl which was high; the second determined how much lead rubbed off the boxes which was low. The government focused on that test saying it was a more realistic test.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. hole up: phrase
If you hole up somewhere, you hide or shut yourself there, usually so that people cannot find you or disturb you. (INFORMAL)

2. brunch: noun
Brunch is a meal that is eaten in the late morning. It is a combination of breakfast and lunch.

3. vinyl: noun
Vinyl is a strong plastic used for making things such as floor covering and furniture.