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1. Firefighters are struggling to get control of this raging wildfire in southern California. The blaze's already destroyed more than 100 homes in Santa Barbara County. Crews are concerned that the winds will pick up tonight and push the flames with frightening speed.

2. World leaders are gathering¹ in Washington for an extraordinary summit. They're hoping to put the brakes on the world's accelerating economic crisis. The closed-door meetings are expected to wrap up tomorrow.

3. Tragedy struck during a camp retreat trip. Three Chicago high schoolers drowned after sneaking² away from the camp in the middle of the night and launching paddle boats. The boats sank and dumped the teens into cold water that was about 10 feet deep.

4. Call it "breaking the brass³ ceiling". After 33 years in the Army, Ann E.Dunwoody ascended⁴ to a peak never before reached by a woman in the U.S military--four-star general.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. pick up: phr v.

if the wind picks up, it increases or grows stronger.

2. closed-door: adj.

closed-door meetings or talks take place secretly

3. wrap up: phr v.

informal to finish a job, meeting etc

4. brass ceiling: