美联社新闻一分钟 2007-04-29（在线收听）

1. One of the holiest Shiite shrines in all of Iraq has been hit by a car bombing. More than 50 people were killed in an explosion in Karbala. Another 70 were wounded.

2. A suicide bomber has killed 22 people at a public meeting in northwestern Pakistan. The country's interior minister was in the room at the time and is among the 35 people who were injured.

3. "Scotty" has been beamed up. The ashes of actor James Doohan who played "Scotty" on "Star Trek" were blasted off into space. The ashes of astronaut Gordon Cooper were also on board.

4. Quarterback JaMarcus Russell was the first player selected in this year's NFL draft. The LSU alumni faces the daunting task of reviving the Oakland Raiders franchise. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson went second to the Detroit Lions.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. blast off: phrase
When a space rocket blasts off, it leaves the ground at the start of its journey.

2. alumni: n-count
The alumni of a school, college or university are the people who used to be students there.

3. franchise: n-count
A franchise is an authority that is given by an organization to someone, allowing them to take part in an activity which the organization controls.