美联社新闻一分钟 2007-01-02（在线收听）

1. Two more American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, making December 2006 the bloodiest month of the year. Overall more than 3,000 US service members have died there.

2. Just back from their Texas ranch, President Bush and Laura Bush stopped off at the US Capitol to pay their respects to former President Gerald Ford. Tomorrow morning the president will deliver a eulogy at the Washington National Cathedral.

3. Police in Denver say there was a confrontation at a nightclub before Denver Bronco's defensive back Darrent Williams was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting. Williams was in a limousine that was sprayed with bullets from a vehicle that had pulled alongside it.

4. From the Southwest to the East Coast, winter weather has taken its toll on the United States. In some areas, snow, freezing rain and blustery conditions are making it difficult to drive.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. stop off : PHR-V
If you stop off somewhere, you stop for a short time in the middle of a journey.

2. eulogy : N-COUNT
A eulogy is a speech, usually at a funeral, in which a person who has just died is praised.

3. drive-by shooting : PHR
A drive-by shooting or a drive-by murder involves shooting someone from a moving car.

4. limousine : N-COUNT
A limousine is a large and very comfortable car. Limousines are usually driven by a chauffeur<法>司机 and are used by very rich or important people.

5. take its toll : PHR
If you say that something takes its toll or takes a heavy toll, you mean that it has a bad effect or causes a lot of suffering.