美联社新闻一分钟 2007-08-16

（单词翻译）

1. Emergency crews are on their way to South Texas as Erin approaches. The tropical storm is taking shape in the Gulf¹ of Mexico, and forecasters predict it could reach land by tomorrow. Erin could bring heavy rains to a state that already has one of the rainiest summers on record.

2. A series of four suicide bombings in northern Iraq marks the deadliest attack in one area since the war began. At least 250 people were killed, another 350 wounded. The US military believes al-Qaeda is behind the attacks.

3. Rescue efforts to find six trapped miners in Utah are in their ninth day. Rescuers bored a third hole into a chamber², but weren't able to lower a microphone into the space. Experts say the chances of survival are getting smaller, but the mine's co-owner is still optimistic.

4. The man robbing this liquor store decided³ to conceal⁴ his face with duct tape. Workers say they were able to chase the man down and police arrested him. Despite the surveillance tape of the robbery, the suspect says he is innocent, claiming another man was wearing tape on his head.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. take shape:
to assume a definite or distinctive⁵ form

2. bore: verb
to make a deep round hole in a hard surface

3. duct:
a pipe or tube that liquids, air, cables etc pass through

4. duct tape:
a wide cloth adhesive⁶ tape orig. designed for sealing joints⁷ in heating or air-conditioning ducts

5. chase down:
to find something or someone that you have been looking for