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1. At the U.S. Embassy in Syria today, Islamic militants tried but failed to storm the compound using automatic rifles, hand grenades and a van with explosives. Four people including three assailants were killed.
2. "Our nation is being tested in a way that we have not been since the start of the Cold War."
Democrats say in his 9/11 speech to the nation last night President Bush was using a national day of mourning for partisan gain. The White House says a few sentences could be considered controversial, but Bush took pains to avoid partisanship.
3. Hurricane Florence is leaving thousands in Bermuda without power, but no serious damage. But there is a new storm brewing in the Atlantic. Tropical Storm Gordon could become a hurricane by tomorrow. It is expected to remain over open water.
4. Two members of the Atlantis crew walking to connect an addition to the International Space Station today say a bolt, spring and washer sprang loose and floated free. They are concerned because space debris can puncture the space station walls and jam mechanisms.
WORDS IN THE NEWS
1. compound : n-count
A compound is an enclosed area of land that is used for a particular purpose.
2. assailant : n-count
Someone's assailant is a person who has physically attacked them.
3. take pains to : phrase
If you take pains to do something or go to great pains to do something, you try hard to do it, because you think it is important to do it.
4. partisanship : n-uncount
Partisanship is support for a person or group without fair consideration of the facts and circumstances.
5. brew : verb
If a storm is brewing, large clouds are beginning to form and the sky is becoming dark because there is going to be a storm.
6. puncture : verb
If a sharp object punctures something, it makes a hole in it.
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