AP美联社一分钟新闻 2009-01-12

（单词翻译）

1. Israel's chief military spokesman says the army has begun sending reserve units into the Gaza Strip. It's a strong signal that Israel is entering a new phase of its 16-day offensive against Hamas.

2. More than 250 people are feared dead after a ferry capsized in a severe storm and crashing waves in central Indonesia today. Eighteen survivors¹ were rescued by fishing boats.

3. The man who gained fame during the 2008 presidential election as "Joe the Plumber²" is in Israel, working as a rookie war correspondent. Samuel Wurzelbacher was in the southern Israeli town of Sderot on Sunday to tell readers of a conservative website about the rockets that rain down from the neighbouring Gaza Strip.

4. And Washington is getting ready for the presidential inauguration³, holding a rehearsal⁴ today. A band played "Hail to the Chief" at the west front of the Capitol for a mock swearing-in ceremony, and thousands marched along the parade route on Pennsylvania Avenue.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. rain down: phr v.

to fall in large quantities

2. march: v.

if soldiers or other people march somewhere, they walk there quickly with firm regular steps