CNN 2009-07-04

Live from CNN's world headquarters in Atlanta. I am Nicole Lapin, here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

US marines are pushing deeper into Taliban’s strongholds in southern Afghanistan today and they say so far they are meeting little resistance. But there was an intense firefight yesterday in a remote area that is at the center of the country's illegal opium² trade. One Marine¹ was killed and several others were injured or wounded.

The search for an American soldier abducted³ in southeast Afghanistan is now centered in the Parkatiga province. More troops have come in from nearby areas to try and help along with helicopters and Afghan army support. The unidentified soldier vanished from his outpost on Tuesday and US military sources believe he is now in the clutches of a militant⁴ clan⁵. They also believe that video of him could surface at any time now.

South Korea says it's keeping a close eye on North Korean military sites this weekend. North Korea test-fired 4 short-range missiles yesterday. Now there are concerns it might try a long-range test. The US strengthened defenses around Hawaii just in case, meanwhile the British ambassador to North Korea says there are no signs North Korea is willing to resume negotiations⁶ on its nuclear activities.

Seven more banks have been closed by Federal Authorities and that brings the number this year to 52, that is more than double last year's total. Six of the newly closed banks are in Illinois, one in Texas. The total cost of the FDIC is 314 million dollars for these most recent closures. Branches of seven banks are opening next week though under different names.

Plans have been made for the friends and family members and fans to celebrate Michael Jackson's life. A private ceremony will be held next Tuesday morning in Los Angeles. And a short time later a public memorial service at the Staples⁷ Center. 11,000 seats will be made available free to the public.

Those are the headlines at this hour. For more on these stories and other news of the day, CNN is always your source whether you’re watching with us online, watching on TV or watching on your cell phone.

1 marine   

adj.海的；海生的；航海的；海事的；n.水兵

参考例句：

• Marine creatures are those which live in the sea. 海洋生物是生存在海里的生物。
• When the war broke out,he volunteered for the Marine Corps.战争爆发时，他自愿参加了海军陆战队。

2 opium   

n.鸦片；adj.鸦片的

参考例句：

• That man gave her a dose of opium.那男人给了她一剂鸦片。
• Opium is classed under the head of narcotic.鸦片是归入麻醉剂一类的东西。

3 abducted   

劫持，诱拐( abduct的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（肢体等）外展

参考例句：

• Detectives have not ruled out the possibility that she was abducted. 侦探尚未排除她被绑架的可能性。
• The kid was abducted at the gate of kindergarten. 那小孩在幼儿园大门口被绑架走了。

4 militant   

adj.激进的，好斗的；n.激进分子，斗士

参考例句：

• Some militant leaders want to merge with white radicals.一些好斗的领导人要和白人中的激进派联合。
• He is a militant in the movement.他在那次运动中是个激进人物。

5 clan   

n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派

参考例句：

• She ranks as my junior in the clan.她的辈分比我小。
• The Chinese Christians,therefore,practically excommunicate themselves from their own clan.所以，中国的基督徒简直是被逐出了自己的家族了。

6 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

7 staples   

n.（某国的）主要产品( staple的名词复数 )；钉书钉；U 形钉；主要部份v.用钉书钉钉住( staple的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The anvil onto which the staples are pressed was not assemble correctly. 订书机上的铁砧安装错位。 来自辞典例句
• I'm trying to make an analysis of the staples of his talk. 我在试行分析他的谈话的要旨。 来自辞典例句