AP美联社一分钟新闻 2008-12-07（在线收听）

1. Five Blackwater Worldwide guards indicted for deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting are all decorated military veterans. The men are charged following the shooting of 17 Iraqi civilians in a busy Baghdad intersection.

2. House and Senate staffers are spending the weekend drafting a deal that could give the US auto industry some short-term help. Top auto executives had asked Congress for about 34 billion dollars. But the latest proposal would give the Big Three loans for less than half that amount, enough to tide them over while they restructure.

3. Senator John McCain says Pakistan understands it must take quick action against any terrorists connected to the Mumbai attacks that are living in the country. McCain has been visiting Pakistan and India as part of a regional tour with members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

4. And President George W. Bush got a look at how history will remember him, at least in one artist's view. Bush presided over the unveiling of his portrait at a private club in Philadelphia.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. decorate:

If someone is decorated, they are given a medal or other honour as an official reward for something that they have done.

2. tide over: phr v.

to help someone through a difficult period, especially by lending them money

3. preside over: phr v.

If you preside over a meeting or an event, you are in charge.

4. Blackwater Worldwide:

黑水国际（Blackwater Worldwide），原名美国黑水（Blackwater USA）是一家私人军事、安全顾问公司。由 Erik Prince 与 Al Clark 于1997年创立，公司总部位于美国的北卡罗来纳州。公司成立时只有6个人，911事件后，业务突飞猛进，从2002年到2005年，营业额增长了600倍。该公司在推广市场时自称是“全球最全面的专业军事、执法、安全、维持和平与稳定行动的公司”。它是美国在伊拉克与阿富汗的主要军事任务承包商（Military Contractor）