美联社新闻一分钟 2007-02-20（在线收听）

1. Three stranded climbers on Oregon's Mount Hood are making their way down the mountain. The trio had fallen off a ledge Sunday and had to hole up until rescue crews could find them on Monday morning. None was injured.

2. At least 66 people died when two bombs exploded on a train headed for Pakistan from India. Officials said the attack was aimed at undermining the peace process between the two countries. Both nations are investigating the bombing.

3. It's a new day for gay and lesbian couples in New Jersey. Today the state began offering civil unions for same sex couples. A hotel offered brunch for the newly legalized couples who started getting their licenses just after midnight this morning.

4. Do soft vinyl lunch boxes pose a danger to children? The Consumer Product Safety Commission says no. But when the Associated Press looked over the agency's documents, it found that two tests found contradictory results. One determined the amount of lead in the vinyl which was high; the second determined how much lead rubbed off the boxes which was low. The government focused on that test saying it was a more realistic test.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. hole up: phrase
If you hole up somewhere, you hide or shut yourself there, usually so that people cannot find you or disturb you. (INFORMAL)

2. brunch: noun
Brunch is a meal that is eaten in the late morning. It is a combination of breakfast and lunch.

3. vinyl: noun
Vinyl is a strong plastic used for making things such as floor covering and furniture.