美联社新闻一分钟 2007-03-22（在线收听）

1. Congressional Democrats aren't backing down in their showdown with the White House over the firing of eight federal prosecutors. Today a House panel authorizes subpoenas for Karl Rove, Harriet Miers and others. However, the White House has said it could take the matter to court.

2. The Sago Mine has been shut down at least for the time being. Last year, twelve men died after an explosion in the West Virginia coal mine. The company that runs it says high production costs and weak prices forced the decision.

3. A consumer group is warning people they may want to limit what they eat at Chinese restaurants, especially if they are watching their weight. The group says most dishes are loaded with sodium and contain more than half the calories an average adult needs in an entire day.

4. NASA is offering new glimpses of the sun. It says these pictures prove that the sun's magnetic field is much more turbulent and dynamic than previously known.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. showdown: n-count
A showdown is a big argument or conflict which is intended to settle a dispute that has lasted for a long time.

2. subpoena: n-count 传票
A subpoena is a legal document telling someone that they must attend a court of law and give evidence as a witness.

3. sodium: n-uncount 钠
Sodium is a silvery-white chemical which combines with other chemicals. Salt is a sodium compound.

4. magnetic field: n-count 磁场
A magnetic field is an area around a magnet, or something functioning as a magnet.