News Stories - Iraq foreign hostages
China's state new agency says the seven men were abducted near Fallujah while travelling on the main road between Jordan and Baghdad. They're the latest foreigners to be kidnapped during a week of fierce fighting in Iraq.

A British man has been released. But the fate of three Japanese hostages threatened with execution still hangs in the balance.

Meanwhile, residents of Fallujah are burying their dead and trying to get out of the city during the lull in fighting. Local hospital officials say more than six hundred people have been killed, most of them civilians. The marines insist most of the dead are fighters.

The Americans have failed to crush the insurgents despite the use of massive force. Mediators continue efforts for a negotiated solution. But the US military is reinforcing its troops to resume the offensive if talks fail.

 
- vocabulary:
abducted: taken away illegally usually by force




the fate of: what will happen to

hangs in the balance: remains undecided


lull: a period of quiet or little activity


insist: say very firmly and refuse to change their mind

crush: completely defeat
insurgents: people who are fighting against the government or army of their own country
mediators: people who are trying to settle a dispute between two groups
negotiated solution: an answer to the problem based on talks
resume the offensive: to restart the strong attack
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