美联社一分钟新闻 2008-07-13

（单词翻译）

1.Three Americans held hostage by rebels in Colombia for more than five years are heading home to Florida. The men had been recovering at a San Antonio, Texas hospital since being rescued in an undercover operation last week.

 2.President Bush’ s former press secretary, Tony Snow, has died of colon¹ cancer. He was 53. In a statement, the president says he and the first lady are deeply saddened by the death of their dear friend.

 3.Pope Benedict is heading to Australia for a ten-day visit. The pontiff says he hopes to alert people to the issue of climate change. The pilgrimage will be the longest in his papacy and a test of the 81-year-old’s stamina².

 4.And this is one cool canine³. That’ s because Benjamin, a two-year-old beagle, loves to ride on his owner’s Harley-Davidson. He’ s even got a leather jacket and wears a helmet for safety.