VOA标准英语2010年-30-year-old Pakistani American Charged

U.S. authorities have charged a Pakistani-born U.S. citizen with terrorism related charges in connection to the failed Times Square bombing. Thirty-year-old Faisal Shahzad was charged Tuesday in a five-count complaint, one day after he was arrested while trying to leave New York on a flight for Dubai.  Authorities say he has admitted to receiving explosives training in Pakistan. 

Faisal Shahzad is charged with terrorism, explosives, attempted use of weapons of mass destruction and more.  U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder¹ says Shahzad has provided useful information and has admitted his involvement in the attempted bombing.

"Based on what we know so far, it is clear that this was a terrorist plot aimed at murdering Americans in one of the busiest places in this country," said Eric Holder.

The 30-year-old Pakistani-American nearly slipped out of the country late Monday night aboard a plane bound for Dubai.  Authorities say the plane was on the runway at JFK airport when FBI officials stopped it and arrested Shahzad.

"Clearly, he was on the plane and should not have been," said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Police tie Shahzad to this vehicle containing bomb materials, found parked in Times Square on Saturday.  A bomb squad² dismantled³ the device - comprised of propane tanks, fireworks and a detonator, which failed to go off. 

Officials say Shahzad became an American citizen last year, and recently spent five months in Pakistan. Prosecutors⁴ say he admits to receiving bomb-making training there, and Pakistani officials say at least one other person has been arrested in Karachi.

An on-line video appearing the day after the attempted bombing, claimed the Taliban in Pakistan was responsible.  But police say the video was posted from Connecticut.

Officials are praising the New York vendor⁵ who reported suspicious smoke coming from the SUV Saturday night.

"This failed bombing attempt clearly shows the value of the saying, 'If you see something, say something,'" said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.

And Times Square tourists and residents are talking.

"Yes, I do see it different today," said one. "It's usually a lot more crowded than it is right now."

"As a kid growing up in New York my mom used to open the door, let us go outside on our bike, our tops, our games and said 'See you at 5 oclock,'" said another. "Can you imagine doing that with a seven or eight year old now?"

President Obama had this to say:

"As Americans and as a nation, we will not be terrorized," said President Obama. "We will not cower⁶ in fear.  We will not be intimidated⁷."
 

1 holder   

n.持有者，占有者；(台，架等)支持物

参考例句：

• The holder of the office of chairman is reponsible for arranging meetings.担任主席职位的人负责安排会议。
• That runner is the holder of the world record for the hundred-yard dash.那位运动员是一百码赛跑世界纪录的保持者。

2 squad   

n.班，小队，小团体；vt.把…编成班或小组

参考例句：

• The squad leader ordered the men to mark time.班长命令战士们原地踏步。
• A squad is the smallest unit in an army.班是军队的最小构成单位。

3 dismantled   

拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消

参考例句：

• The plant was dismantled of all its equipment and furniture. 这家工厂的设备和家具全被拆除了。
• The Japanese empire was quickly dismantled. 日本帝国很快被打垮了。

4 prosecutors   

检举人( prosecutor的名词复数 )； 告发人； 起诉人； 公诉人

参考例句：

• In some places,public prosecutors are elected rather than appointed. 在有些地方，检察官是经选举而非任命产生的。 来自口语例句
• You've been summoned to the Prosecutors' Office, 2 days later. 你在两天以后被宣到了检察官的办公室。

5 vendor   

n.卖主；小贩

参考例句：

• She looked at the vendor who cheated her the other day with distaste.她厌恶地望着那个前几天曾经欺骗过她的小贩。
• He must inform the vendor immediately.他必须立即通知卖方。

6 cower   

v.畏缩，退缩，抖缩

参考例句：

• I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.我决不会在任何一位大师面前发抖，也不会为任何恐吓所屈服。
• Will the Chinese cower before difficulties when they are not afraid even of death?中国人死都不怕，还怕困难吗？

7 intimidated   

v.恐吓；威胁adj.害怕的；受到威胁的

参考例句：

• We try to make sure children don't feel intimidated on their first day at school. 我们努力确保孩子们在上学的第一天不胆怯。
• The thief intimidated the boy into not telling the police. 这个贼恫吓那男孩使他不敢向警察报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》