美联社新闻一分钟 AP NEWS 2007-12-19

1. Authorities in Aruba are closing their investigation¹ into the disappearance² of Natalee Hollaway. The Alabama teenager vanished in May of 2005. Authorities say they don't have enough evidence to charge anyone.

2. A federal judge is ordering the Bush Administration to answer questions about the destruction of CIA interrogation tapes. The Justice Department had been urging Congress to back off from its investigation.

3. A fourteen-year-old Illinois girl can thank the quick action of the USS Ronald Reagan for saving her life. Her appendix burst while on a cruise and the Navy quickly responded to the distress³ call, picking her up on a helicopter and performing the surgery on board the aircraft carrier.

4. No strings⁴ or nets needed for this man. He scaled the London office building to draw attention to global warming. However, he may need some help now. Police arrested him as soon as he came down.

1 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

2 disappearance   

n.消失，消散，失踪

参考例句：

• He was hard put to it to explain her disappearance.他难以说明她为什么不见了。
• Her disappearance gave rise to the wildest rumours.她失踪一事引起了各种流言蜚语。

3 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

4 strings   

n.弦

参考例句：

• He sat on the bed,idly plucking the strings of his guitar.他坐在床上，随意地拨着吉他的弦。
• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。