美联社新闻一分钟 AP NEWS 2007-10-26

1. From the air and on the ground, President Bush has toured the devastation¹ created by the fires burning in California. Bush says it’s a sad situation and he’s offering federal help for those who have lost homes and businesses, setting in motion long-term federal recovery programs.

2. House Democrats² have been grilling³ Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice over corruption⁴ in Iraq. After several tense exchanges, Rice warned that any unsubstantiated allegations made by Washington politicians would be deeply damaging and wrong.

3. They don’t get visitors too often but today was an exception. The crew of the International Space Station has welcomed shuttle Discovery's seven astronauts. The team will help an ambitious construction mission aboard the ISS.

4. No criminal trial for Britney Spears after she caused a fender-bender in a Los Angeles-area parking lot. Spears isn’t off the hook though. She still faces a charge of driving without a license⁵ and will have a hearing next month.

1 devastation   

n.毁坏；荒废；极度震惊或悲伤

参考例句：

• The bomb caused widespread devastation. 炸弹造成大面积破坏。
• There was devastation on every side. 到处都是破坏的创伤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 grilling   

v.烧烤( grill的现在分词 )；拷问，盘问

参考例句：

• The minister faced a tough grilling at today's press conference. 部长在今天的记者招待会上受到了严厉的盘问。
• He's grilling out there in the midday sun. 他在外面让中午火辣辣的太阳炙烤着。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

5 license   

n.执照，许可证，特许；v.许可，特许

参考例句：

• The foreign guest has a license on the person.这个外国客人随身携带执照。
• The driver was arrested for having false license plates on his car.司机由于使用假车牌而被捕。