美联社新闻一分钟 2006-12-05(在线收听

1. President Bush has accepted the resignation of John Bolton as ambassador to the United Nations. The administration wanted to have Bolton's recess appointment become permanent, but that was unlikely with the Democrats taking over the Senate next month.

2. Two more locations in London are being tested for traces of radiation following the poisoning death of a former Russian spy. Investigators have now tested more than a dozen sites throughout the city.

3. Firefighters are battling a wildfire in California that has destroyed several homes and is threatening about 100 more in the area. Fire officials are hoping that decreasing winds will help crews contain the blazes.

4. Nearly 300,000 customers are still without power in Missouri and Illinois in the wake of an ice storm that hit the area last week. A utility official says it will be several more days before power is fully restored.

WORDS IN THE NEWS


1. recess appointment : NOUN
A recess appointment occurs when the President of the United States fills a vacant Federal position during a recess of the United States Senate.

2. utility : N-COUNT
A utility is an important service such as water, electricity, or gas that is provided for everyone, and that everyone pays for.

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