美联社新闻一分钟 2006-12-21

（单词翻译）

1. Rescue crews gave up any hope today of finding alive the remaining 2 climbers missing on Mount Hood¹. As the 9-day rescue mission ends, authorities say they will continue a recovery effort.

2. President Bush says he is considering an increase in the number of US troops stationed in Iraq. However, Bush is asking military officials to craft a specific mission, which can be accomplished² before more troops are added.

3. The first day of winner is just a day away, but heavy snow is already blanketing much of the west. The National Weather Service is posting blizzard³ warnings for most of eastern Colorado and parts of Nebraska and Kansas. Heavy snow is already blowing across the western US.

4. With 2007 on the way in, a look back at 2006 shows the war in Iraq is the top news story for this year. The midterm elections come in at No.2.

WORDS IN THE NEWS


1. station : V-PASSIVE
If soldiers or officials are stationed in a place, they are sent there to do a job or to work for a period of time.

2. craft : VERB
If something is crafted, it is made skilfully⁴.
Many delegates were willing to craft a compromise.

3. blanket : VERB
If something such as snow blankets an area, it covers it.