美联社新闻一分钟 2007-06-05

（单词翻译）

1. A video released by al-Qaeda-linked insurgents¹ claims the three American soldiers who vanished after an ambush² last month are dead. The video shows close-ups of two ID cards as well as credit cards and American and Iraqi money.

2. An indictment³ was handed up today against Democratic Congressman⁴ William Jefferson of Louisiana. Jefferson has been charged with racketeering, soliciting⁶ bribes⁷ and money laundering⁸ in an investigation⁹ into business deals he allegedly tried to broker¹⁰ in Africa.

3. President Bush begins his eight-day European trip with a stop first in Prague in the Czech Republic. The president will then go on to Germany to meet with other world leaders at the G8 summit.

4. A Minor¹¹ League manager who went on a major tirade¹² at a baseball game Friday night. Phillip Wellman is the manager of the Mississippi Graves. After arguing with the umpire over a call he didn't like, he was ejected from the game. On the way out of the ballpark, he pulled up the bases, threw a few things before giving a final gesture to the crowd.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

close-up: N-COUNT
A close-up is a photograph or a picture in a film that shows a lot of detail because it is taken very near to the subject.

indictment: N-VAR oft N against n
An indictment is a formal accusation¹³ that someone has committed a crime. (mainly AM LEGAL)

racketeering: N-UNCOUNT oft N n
Racketeering is making money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral¹⁴, or illegal goods or services.

solicit⁵: V n, V n from n
If you solicit money, help, support, or an opinion from someone, you ask them for it. (FORMAL)

broker: VERB V n
If a country or government brokers¹⁵ an agreement, a ceasefire, or a round of talks, they try to negotiate or arrange it.

tirade: N-COUNT
A tirade is a long angry speech in which someone criticizes a person or thing.

umpire: N-COUNT
An umpire is a person whose job is to make sure that a sports match or contest is played fairly and that the rules are not broken.

eject: VERB V n, V n from n
If you eject someone from a place, you force them to leave.

ballpark: N-COUNT
A ballpark is a park or stadium where baseball is played.

base: N-COUNT
A base in baseball, softball, or rounders is one of the places at each corner of the square on the pitch.