美联社新闻一分钟 2006-12-09

（单词翻译）

1. Taco Bell's distribution company says restaurants in eight states may have received scallions linked to a recent E. coli outbreak. The suspect produce was reportedly shipped to 450 Taco Bells in the Northeast.

2. Former UN Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick is dead at the age of 80. The unabashed apostle of Reagan era conservatism and the first woman US ambassador to the Unite Nations died overnight at her home in Maryland.

3. Wesley Snipes surrendered to authorities on tax fraud charges at an Orlando airport. He was indicted¹ two months ago, and faces up to 16 years in prison if convicted.

4. And it's Lights, Camera, Action for Barney, the dog. "And you'd better run along right now." In an annual White House tradition, the presidential pooch is starring in its very own holiday movie. "He can't have the presser, ok? It'll really tick him off."

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. unabashed: adj.
A scallion is a small onion with long green leaves. (AM; in BRIT use spring onion)

2. apostle:
An apostle of a particular philosophy, policy, or cause is someone who strongly believes in it and works hard to promote it.

3. pooch: n-count
A pooch is a dog. (INFORMAL, JOURNALISM)

4. star: verb
If an actor or actress stars in a play or film, he or she has one of the most important parts in it.

5. tick off: phrase
If you say that something ticks you off, you mean that it annoys you. (AM, INFORMAL)