AP美联社一分钟新闻 2008-08-05（在线收听）

1. Long-time columnist Robert Novak says he's retiring immediately, a week after being diagnosed with the brain tumor. The Chicago Sun-Times reports that Novak's condition is dire. The 77-year-old told the paper that he plans to receive radiation and chemotherapy.

2. Emergency crews are preparing as Tropical Storm Edouard gets closer to the Texas coast. The storm is expected to touch down somewhere in Texas or southwest Louisiana tomorrow morning. It's picking up strength in the Gulf of Mexico and could reach hurricane force before it hits land.

3. The father accused of kidnapping a seven-year-old daughter appeared in court on charges of abducting a minor. Police say 48-year-old Clark Rockefeller attacked a social worker during a supervised visit with his daughter in Boston. Rockefeller could return to Boston as early as Tuesday.

4. Brett Favre has returned to the Green Bay Packers, but it's unclear what his role will be. The Packers' coach has said Aaron Rodgers will be the starter. There's also talk of a possible trade to the Minnesota Vikings.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. dire: adj.

extremely serious or terrible.

2. abduct: v.

to take someone away by force.

= kidnap

3. talk: n.

information or news that people talk about and hear about a lot, but that is not official.

talk of 　 Tickets sold so quickly there's talk of a second concert.