美联社新闻一分钟 2007-03-24（在线收听）

1. Rat poison has been found in pet food that's been blamed for the deaths of at least 16 cats and dogs nationwide. The deaths led to a recall of 60 million cans and pouches of food sold under 95 brand names.

2. All US combat troops out of Iraq by the fall of 2008. That's the vote from a divided House of Representatives. Democrats want to limit the war. President Bush says the vote is ''political theater'' and could harm the troops.

3. Iran seizes 15 British sailors and marines in the Persian Gulf. It happened in disputed waters. The move comes during tensions between the West and Iran. Britain is demanding the troops be released immediately.

4. Presidential spokesman Tony Snow is having surgery to remove a small growth in his lower abdomen, a move done out of caution since he's had colon cancer. It will keep him away from the White House podium for weeks.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. political theater: n-count
Political theatre is drama or performing art which emphasizes a political issue or issues in its theme or plot.

2. growth: n-count
A growth is a lump that grows inside or on a person, animal, or plant, and that is caused by a disease.

3. colon: n-count
Your colon is the part of your intestine above your rectum.

4. podium: n-count
A podium is a small platform on which someone stands in order to give a lecture or conduct an orchestra.