CNN 2009-07-08

Good morning, I m Melissa Long, here at the CNN Center in Atlanta. Here is a look at some of the stories that are happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

Just hours from now, a memorial gets underway for Michael Jackson. It will be at the Staples¹ Center in Los Angeles and we are able to confirm the king of pop's body will be there as well. Tickets were distributed by lottery² system to the public and fans. Even though those without tickets are being asked to stay away from downtown LA. Police are preparing for massive crowds. Basketball stars Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson will be attending the star-studded event, and singers Smokey Robinson and Usher³ will perform.

President Obama meeting with the former Russian President Vladimir Putin today in Moscow, Mr. Obama also delivered the commencement address at a graduate school, saying a strong Russia is good for the US.

I know Russia opposes the planed configuration⁴ for missile defense⁵ in Europe, and my administration is reviewing these plans to enhance the security of America, Europe and the world. Now I make it clear that this system is directed at preventing a potential attack from Iran. It has nothing to do with Russia.

A US drone is believed to have struck a Taliban hideout in Pakistan this morning. Officials in Pakistan say the drone blew up a religious school that was being used as a Taliban training center. At least 12 people were killed. Now the US doesn t comment on drone attacks, but no other country in the region has such drones.

The South Carolina Republican Party voting to censure⁶ Governor Mark Sanford for leaving the state last month on that secret trip to Argentina in order to meet with his mistress, but it did not ask him to resign. Now a censure is basically an official reprimand. Sanford says he will work to earn back his party s trust.

Those are the headlines. You are up to date. Do stay with CNN and CNN. com for more on these stories or other news that develops today.

1 staples   

n.（某国的）主要产品( staple的名词复数 )；钉书钉；U 形钉；主要部份v.用钉书钉钉住( staple的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The anvil onto which the staples are pressed was not assemble correctly. 订书机上的铁砧安装错位。 来自辞典例句
• I'm trying to make an analysis of the staples of his talk. 我在试行分析他的谈话的要旨。 来自辞典例句

2 lottery   

n.抽彩；碰运气的事，难于算计的事

参考例句：

• He won no less than ￡5000 in the lottery.他居然中了5000英镑的奖券。
• They thought themselves lucky in the lottery of life.他们认为自己是变幻莫测的人生中的幸运者。

3 usher   

n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员

参考例句：

• The usher seated us in the front row.引座员让我们在前排就座。
• They were quickly ushered away.他们被迅速领开。

4 configuration   

n.结构，布局，形态，(计算机)配置

参考例句：

• Geographers study the configuration of the mountains.地理学家研究山脉的地形轮廓。
• Prices range from $119 to $199,depending on the particular configuration.价格因具体配置而异，从119美元至199美元不等。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 censure   

v./n.责备；非难；责难

参考例句：

• You must not censure him until you know the whole story.在弄清全部事实真相前不要谴责他。
• His dishonest behaviour came under severe censure.他的不诚实行为受到了严厉指责。