美联社新闻一分钟 2007-07-10

（单词翻译）

1. A scorching¹ heat wave is engulfing² the East Coast. The combination of heat and humidity pushed temperatures near triple digits⁴ in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington. Forecasters expect the record-breaking temperatures to continue through much of the week.

2. President Bush is under more pressure than ever to change course in Iraq. A steady stream of Republicans are joining the drumbeat of Democrats⁵ calling for a new direction and a reduction of troop levels. Meantime, debate on a military spending bill is underway in the Senate.

3. The NAACP is hoping to finally lay the N-Word to rest. Members marched in the symbolic⁶ funeral procession through downtown Detroit. But there was no mourning, just cheering for the so-called "death of a racial epithet⁷".

4. Miss New Jersey⁸ has received a second threatening package. Amy Polumbo's attorney says someone is trying to force the beauty queen to give up her crown. This latest package contains a threatening letter and possibly some new photos of the 22-year-old.



WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. scorching: ADJ usu ADJ n emphasis
Scorching or scorching hot weather or temperatures are very hot indeed. (INFORMAL)

2. triple : ADJ ADJ n
Triple means consisting of three things or parts.

3. digit³: N-COUNT
A digit is a written symbol for any of the ten numbers from 0 to 9.

4. record-breaking : ADJ ADJ n
A record-breaking success, result, or performance is one that beats the previous best success, result, or performance.

5. a stream of: N-COUNT with supp, usu N of n
A stream of vehicles or people is a long moving line of them.

6. drumbeat: N-COUNT oft N of n
People sometimes describe a series of warnings or continuous pressure on someone to do something as a drumbeat. (mainly AM JOURNALISM)

7. underway: ADJ v-link ADJ
If an activity is under way, it has already started. If an activity gets under way , it starts.

8. downtown: ADJ ADJ n
Downtown places are in or towards the centre of a large town or city, where the shops and places of business are. (mainly AM)

9. epithet: N-COUNT usu with supp
An epithet is an adjective or short phrase which is used as a way of criticizing or praising someone. (FORMAL)

10. beauty queen: N-COUNT
A beauty queen is a woman who has won a beauty contest.