http://192.168.2.6/music/20060903/2006ap0903news.rm

这个有点快，只有一分钟，但覆盖了一天的几条重要新闻．

建议听完一遍再看参考文本：
1. This new videotape from Al Qaeda invites Americans to convert to Islam. The terror group's deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahiri and an American wanted for possible terror ties both made statements. The 41-minute video was posted on an Islamic militant Web site.

2. A weakened but still dangerous Hurricane John is pounding Mexico's Baja peninsula. It's ripped the roofs off shacks, sent billboards flying, knocked out power and let tourists drenched in the upscale tourist resorts of Los Cabos.

3. The crew of the space shuttle Atlantis is again preparing for launch. The six crew members flew back to the Kennedy Space Center ahead of Wednesday's planned liftoff. The shuttle was supposed to have launched Sunday but was delayed because of bad weather.

4. And the Los Angeles Zoo is showing off its newest, tall addition. The yet-to-be-named male giraffe was born at the zoo Aug. 17th, coming in at a whopping 6 feet 4 inches tall and 158 pounds-- and growing.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. convert : verb
If someone converts you, they persuade you to change your religious or political beliefs. You can also say that someone converts to a different religion.

2. shack : n-count
A shack is a simple hut built from tin, wood, or other materials.

3. drench : verb
To drench something or someone means to make them completely wet.= soak

4. giraffe : n-count
A giraffe is a large African animal with a very long neck, long legs, and dark patches on its body.

5. whopping : adj
If you describe an amount as whopping, you are emphasizing that it is large. (INFORMAL)