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1. A state official says the siege has ended at Mumbai's Taj Mahal Hotel and the last three gunmen there have been killed. But the siege continues elsewhere. At least 119 people were killed and 288 injured when suspected Islamic militants¹ attacked ten sites in India's financial capital.

2. Iraq's parliament has approved a new security pact² with the US that calls for all American combat troops to leave in three years. The vote for the security deal followed months of tough talks between US and Iraqi negotiators that at times teetered on collapse³.

3. Retailers⁴ are hoping for a better-than-expected Black Friday tomorrow. A worsening economy has put many stores’ future in doubt. This year, shops are offering loads of free gifts tomorrow on top of the huge markdowns they are already giving.

4. It may be the most famous annual parade in America. The 82nd Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade made its way through Manhattan as thousands of marchers carried giant balloons past throngs⁶ of people celebrating the holiday.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. teeter: v.

Teeter is used in expressions such as teeter on the brink⁷ and teeter on the edge to emphasize that something seems to be in a very unstable⁸ situation or position.

2. load: n.

a load (of sth)
loads (of sth) BrE informal a lot of something

3. on top of:

You can use on top or on top of to indicate that a particular problem exists in addition to a number of other problems.

4. markdown: n.

A markdown is a reduction in the price of something.

5. throng⁵: n.

A throng is a large crowd of people. (LITERARY)

6. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade presented by Macy's Department store. The three-hour event is held in New York City starting at 9:00 a.m. EST on Thanksgiving.