美联社新闻一分钟 2007-02-18（在线收听）

1. Gridlock in the US Senate on Saturday as the body debated Iraq strategy. When the votes were counted, they fell short of the tally needed for a non-binding resolution rejecting a troop buildup. The House passed its resolution.

2. A house fire in southwestern Pennsylvania killed a woman and 6 young children. Authorities found space heaters throughout the home. But the cause of the blaze isn't known.

3. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice made a surprise visit to Baghdad, speaking at the US Embassy then meeting with Iraqi officials. Her visit came as back-to-back car bombs tore through Kirkuk in northern Iraq.

4. And a new do for Britney Spears -- the singer sporting a shaved head at this Los Angeles area tattoo parlor. Her appearance caused a frenzy at the parlor with fans and photographers crowding outside. She got a new tattoo, reportedly a pair of red and pink lips.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. gridlock: n-uncount
You can use gridlock to refer to a situation in an argument or dispute when neither side is prepared to give in, so no agreement can be reached.

2. tally: n-count
A tally is a record of amounts or numbers which you keep changing and adding to as the activity which affects it progresses.

3. buildup: n-count
A buildup is a gradual increase in something.

4. sport: verb
If you say that someone sports something such as a distinctive item of clothing, you mean that they wear it without any shyness. (WRITTEN)

5. tattoo: n-count
A tattoo is a design that is drawn on someone's skin using needles to make little holes and filling them with colored dye.

6. parlor: n-count
Parlor is used in the names of some types of shops which provide a service, rather than selling things.