495-kilo giant squid defrosted

INTRO: Scientists in New Zealand have taken a colossal squid off ice to find out more about the creature.

MOREINFO: The 495 kilogram (1,089 pounds) squid was caught by a deep sea fishing boat in Antarctic waters in 2007, and was given to the Te Papa museum in New Zealand. The 8 metre long (26 feet) colossal squid (Mesonychoteuthis hamiltoni) lives at depths of around 2000 metres in seas between Antarctica and New Zealand. The deep sea creature has been frozen for more than a year, and is now being defrosted so that scientists can dissect it to discover more about the species.

SCRIPT:

Weighing in at just under half a tonne, this is a huge catch.

The colossal squid is the largest of its kind ever to be caught and preserved. Now scientists at a museum in New Zealand are defrosting the creature and preparing it for dissection.

The scientists have up to 8 hours to find out more about the squid before it starts to decay. Marine biologist Steven O'Shea says there's a lot to discover.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARINE BIOLOGIST FROM AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, STEVEN O'SHEA SAYING:

"In 2003 when we had the first specimen we didn't have any eyes and when we put the certain gadget in the water here we saw two of the most sensational eyes and they are both perfect. So that is a highlight, that is probably the best thing so far, there's more to come."

The huge eyes are 27 centimetres wide, and its tentacles are lined with hundreds of sharp hooks so it can catch its prey.

As for tucking in to a calamari starter, it seems this squid doesn't taste too bad.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARINE BIOLOGIST FROM AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, STEVEN O'SHEA SAYING:

"(I neither confirm nor deny.) The interesting thing about it is that it was nonammoniacal, that is the important thing as far as we are concerned it tasted good apparently."

After dissection the squid will be embalmed and displayed at the museum.

Basmah Fahim, Reuters.

squid n. pl. squids or squid

Any of various marine cephalopod mollusks of the genus Loligo and related genera, having a usually elongated body, ten arms surrounding the mouth, a vestigial internal shell, and a pair of triangular or rounded fins.

catch v. caught (kôt), catch·ing, catch·es

v.tr.

1. To capture or seize, especially after a chase.

2. To take by or as if by trapping or snaring.

3.a. To discover or come upon suddenly, unexpectedly, or accidentally: He was caught in the act of stealing.

b. To become cognizant or aware of suddenly: caught her gazing out the window.

4.a. To take hold of, especially forcibly or suddenly; grasp: caught me by the arm; caught the reins.

b. To grab so as to stop the motion of: catch a ball.

5.a. To overtake: The green car caught me on the straightaway.

b. To reach just in time; take: caught the bus to town; catch a wave.

6.a. To hold, as by snagging or entangling.

b. To cause to become suddenly or accidentally hooked, entangled, or fastened: caught my hem on the stair.

c. To hold up; delay: was caught in traffic for an hour.

7. To hit; strike: a punch that caught me in the stomach.

8. To check (oneself) during an action: I caught myself before replying.

9. To become subject to or to contract, as by exposure to a pathogen: catch a cold.

10.a. To become affected by or infused with: caught the joyous mood of the festival.

b. To suffer from the receipt of (criticism, for example): caught hell for being late.

11.a. To take or get suddenly, momentarily, or quickly: We caught a glimpse of the monarch.

b. To hear or listen to: caught the news bulletin on the radio; didn't catch the end of your sentence

12.a. To grasp mentally; apprehend: I don't catch your meaning.

b. To apprehend and reproduce accurately by or as if by artistic means: an impressionist who caught the effects of wind and water in his paintings.

13. To attract and fix; arrest: couldn't catch their attention; caught the teacher's eye.

14. To charm; captivate.

15. To deceive: failed to be caught by their fraudulent schemes.

16.a. Informal To go to see (a performance, for example): caught the midnight show.

b. To get (something required), usually quickly or for a brief period: catch some sleep.

hooks - large strong hand (as of a fighter); "wait till I get my hooks on him"

tuck in To make (a child, for example) secure in bed for sleep, especially by tucking bedclothes into the bed.

ca·la·ma·ri n. Squid prepared as food.

Ronaldo's transvestite call-girl scandal

When Brazilian striker Ronaldo turned up at this hotel with three call girls expecting a spot of fun he didn't expect to make headline news.

The saga took centre stage after the trio told police that the striker threatened to harm them when it emerged they were male transvestites.

Now police in Rio de Janeiro say one of the men, Andre Luis Albertino, faces charges of theft and extortion accused of stealing a document belonging to the star, and demanding more than 27,000 dollars to keep the story secret.

SOUNDBITE: Police chief Carlos Augusto Nogueira saying (Portuguese):

"Ronaldo told me that he was not going to pay this money. 'I did nothing wrong', he said. ' I may be publicly denounced but I did nothing wrong'."

Police say Ronaldo offered the trio nearly 600 dollars each when he discovered they weren't the call girls he had in mind but only two accepted.

In a statement Ronaldo said he was a victim of extortion and would do whatever was necessary to clear his name.

Paul Chapman, Reuters

turn up

1. To increase the speed, volume, intensity, or flow of: Turn up the radio.

2.a. To find: She turned up the missing keys under her briefcase.

b. To be found: The papers will turn up sooner or later.

3. To make an appearance; arrive: Many old friends turned up at the reunion.

4. To fold or be capable of folding up: turning up his cuffs; cuffs that will turn up.

5. To happen unexpectedly: Something turned up, so I couldn't go.

6. To be evident: a sculptor whose name turns up in the art circles.
take center stage

to be the center of interest. Collecting food and clothes for disaster victims has taken center stage in our town. A new line of electric cars took center stage at the automobile show.

Bush: "Tough times" ahead

INTRO: President Bush said the US economy is going through a tough time and he faulted Congress for inaction.

MOREINFO: Bush pushed for lawmakers to approve new refineries to increase gasoline supplies, and allow oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and said Congress just does not get it.

SCRIPT:

U.S. President George W. Bush said the U.S. economy is facing a "tough time" as rising food and energy prices and a weak housing market curb growth, and faulted Congress for inaction.

SOUNDBITE: US President George W. Bush saying, (English):

"This is a tough time for our economy, across our country many Americans are understandable anxious."

At a Rose Garden news conference Bush was asked whether the US economy is in a recession.

SOUNDBITE: US President George W. Bush saying, (English):

"The words on how to define economy don't reflect the anxiety the American people feel. The average person does not care what we call it they want to know that we know that they are paying higher places."

Bush pushed for lawmakers to approve new refineries to increase gasoline supplies, and allow oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and said Congress just does not get it.

SOUNDBITE: US President George W. Bush saying, (English):

"I can only say it is is either a lack of leadership or a lack of understanding and either way it is a bad signal for the country."

Bush said he was concerned about high food prices, and open to all ideas on helping the economy, including a proposed summer moratorium on gasoline (prices)(taxes).


tough adj. tough·er, tough·est

1. Able to withstand great strain without tearing or breaking; strong and resilient: a tough all-weather fabric.

2. Hard to cut or chew: tough meat.

3. Physically hardy; rugged: tough mountaineers; a tough cop.

4. Severe; harsh: a tough winter.

5.a. Aggressive; pugnacious.

b. Inclined to violent or disruptive behavior; rowdy or rough: a tough street group.

6. Demanding or troubling; difficult: skipping the toughest questions.

7. Strong-minded; resolute: a tough negotiator.

8. Slang Unfortunate; too bad: a tough break.

9. Slang Fine; great.

fault v. fault·ed, fault·ing, faults v.tr. To find error or defect in; criticize or blame.

Biofuels crime against humanity

Biofuels are once again in the firing line - and this time from the United Nations.

Its Special Rapporteur on the Right for Food, Jean Ziegler, called for the suspension of biofuels production, saying it is (???)(throwing) millions into poverty.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) U.N. SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD JEAN ZIEGLER SAYING:

"Biofuels, currently, with today's production methods, are a crime against a great part of humanity."

He has called for a five-year ban on production of biofuels, saying it is destabilising food prices.

Concerns about the costs of food escalated on Thursday when rice hit record highs in Asia and affected the global market.

But prices of animal and dairy products have also been steadily rising, resulting, in some places, in a fall in demand.

So now many farmers are switching from food production to the ever-increasing and more stable biofuel market.

German farmer Egon Rattei already has a mixed farm, he produces both milk and biogas, and knows in which field he is going to try and increase production.

(SOUNDBITE) (German) FARMER EGON RATTEI SAYING:

"The market prices for foodstuffs, particularly milk, can be very unstable. There are various farms who have considered this and decided to switch to the production of biofuels, which is more profitable. Now food prices are a bit higher, so many farmers were considering about animal-farming, but you can't do that kind of thing if you are in milk production. You can't milk a cow one day and then not milk it the next, and then the milk prices fall and people want to re-invent the cow again, you can't work like that."

Unrest due to the food inflation has already erupted in parts of Africa, Asia and the Caribbean and is in danger of developing in other parts of the world.

Stefanie McIntyre, Reuters

dairy

Noun

pl dairies

1. a company or shop that sells milk and milk products

2. a place where milk and cream are stored or made into butter and cheese

Rice price soars

Rice is the staple food for 3 billion people, that's half of the world's population.

On Thursday, rice prices in Thailand, the market's top exporter, surged to more than $1,000 dollars a tonne - a jump this week of 5 percent, taking prices to nearly three times their level since the start of the year.

It's more bad news for rice importing countries.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) RICE VENDOR, VICTORIEN ANIGLO, SAYING:

We're in a country where people find it hard to part with the little money they have, and with the price rise people can't afford to eat anymore."

Victorien Aniglo is a rice seller from the Ivory Coast. A kilo used to cost less than a dollar, it's now a dollar-fifty, and families are feeling the pinch.

(SOUNDBITE) (French) SHOPPER MONIQUE ADJOUA KOUAKOU, SAYING:

"You buy three kilograms of rice, and there's not much left for the rest of the things you have to buy."

The United Nations says soaring fuel costs combined with food scarcity helped trigger the crisis.

But some analysts, like commodities expert, Dennis Gartman, say the glut of negative news stories are goading jittery governments and consumers into panic buying.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) DENNIS GARTMAN, COMMODITIES EXPERT SAYING:

"They perceive a shortage that really doesn't exist."

As grain prices hit new highs this week in the world's richest country the number two warehouse club operator, Sam's Club, a unit of retail giant Wal-Mart, moved to ration bulk sales of three major types of rice to prevent holding.

U.S. rice authorities say Americans have nothing to fear.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) TIM JOHNSON, CALIFORNIA RICE COMMISSION PRESIDENT AND CEO SAYING:

"(You shouldn't be concerned at all,) there's plenty of rice in our rice mills, in our rice silo's and frankly there's plenty of rice for the stores."

But the grain stores in many parts of the world are running dangerously low.

For people living in West Africa, India, Brazil and many other countries, the food crisis is very real.

Helen Long, Reuters

staple - A basic dietary item, such as flour, rice, or corn.
feel the pinch to be forced to economize
glut Noun an excessive supply
goading - a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
jittery Adjective nervous
per·ceive tr.v. per·ceived, per·ceiv·ing, per·ceives

1. To become aware of directly through any of the senses, especially sight or hearing.

2. To achieve understanding of; apprehend. See Synonyms at see¹.

bulk n.

1. Size, mass, or volume, especially when very large.

2.a. A distinct mass or portion of matter, especially a large one: the dark bulk of buildings against the sky.

b. The body of a human, especially when large or muscular.

3. The major portion or greater part: "The great bulk of necessary work can never be anything but painful" Bertrand Russell.

holding - intended for usually temporary storage or retention <a holding tank>
mills - a building provided with machinery for grinding grain into flour

South Korea's cloned dogs

Training sniffer dogs is an expensive job, yet only 30 percent of recruits make the grade.

Until now.

All these Labrador pups are destined to become part of the South Korean customs service.

That's because they're all copies of the world's first cloned dog - a Labrador called 'Chase' who's one of South Korea's top drug-sniffing canines.

The six-month old pups even share the same name, 'Toppy', short for 'tomorrow's puppy.'

They've been in training almost since birth and show strong signs of possessing the genes necessary to combat narcotics trafficking.

Trainer Kim Nak-Seung says the clones are different from normally-bred puppies.

(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) TRAINER KIM NAK-SEUNG SAYING:

"Normal puppies tend to play a lot, but these cloned dogs are proactive and behaved. They also understand trainers' instructions easily and are doing well in the courses."

The dogs will finish their training next year.

The Customs Service hopes to roll-out a second batch of cloned puppies if the experiment proves to be a success.

Helen Long, Reuters

pup - A young dog; a puppy.
roll out

1. To get out of bed.

Beijing smoking ban

Banning smoking in all public places in Beijing seems to be "mission impossible".

But the city is doing what it can to keep its smoke-free Olympic games promise.

Starting from May 1, Beijing smokers will only be allowed to smoke in certain public places.

The new regulations ban smoking in sports venues, parks, on public transport and in schools.

Restaurants and hotels are exempted.

Bars, internet cafes, amusement parks and restaurants can now have separate smoking zones.

Guo XIaodong runs one of the most popular restaurants in town.

He took the ban one step further - nobody is allowed to smoke in his restaurant.

(SOUNDBITE) (MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATION) GUO XIAODONG, MANAGER OF THE MEIZHOU DONGPO RESTAURANT, SAYING:

"A customer may want to smoke, but he may also want to protect his wife and child in a smoke free environment. It's better for everyone. Of course some smokers feel uncomfortable, but they can smoke in their own homes. In the end you're here to eat, so most people can accept it."

The Olympic host city has pledged to restrict smoking in most public places before the Aug. 8-24 Games.

But in a city like Beijing, nearly a quarter of it's residents above the age of 15 smoke.

PTC:

Chinese cigarettes are among the cheapest in the world.

This pack costs only 30 cents to buy.

This makes it a heaven for smokers but even harder for the china's government to ban smoking in public areas.

In Beijing, I'm Kitty Bu, reporting for Reuters.

ex·empt tr.v. ex·empt·ed, ex·empt·ing, ex·empts

1. To free from an obligation, a duty, or a liability to which others are subject: exempting the disabled from military service.

Balloon flight priest lost

This is the moment Father Adelir Antonia de Carli left earth for a heavenly ascent.

The 42-year-old Roman Catholic priest wanted to break the record for the most hours flying with helium balloons - currently 19 hours.

But freak winds took him out to sea and he hasn't been seen since.

Speaking before the flight, a little rain wasn't going to put him off.

SOUNDBITE: Catholic Priest Adelir de Carli, saying (Portuguese):

"In ten minutes it'll pass (rain) and we'll fly in good weather."

de Carli had intended to fly from the Brazilian port of Paranagua to Dourados to raise money for a rest stop for local truckers.

The local Police Captain was the last person to speak to the priest.

SOUNDBITE: Police Captain Carlos Henrique Coelho, saying (Portuguese):

"His last words were: please come save me, send me a rescue."

Authorities say de Carli's seat for the flight could be used as a float and there were several islands in the region where he could land.

But Marine Captain Lopes Vianna said time is running out.

SOUNDBITE: Santa Catarina State Marine Captain Lopes Vianna, saying (Portuguese):

"As more time goes by, the searching area increases and it becomes more difficult to find the priest, especially alive."

Meanwhile the search continues for Father de Carli, but so far only a handfull of balloons have been found washed ashore.

Hayley Platt Reuters.

heavenly - of or relating to the sky
put off

1.a. To delay; postpone: put off paying the bills.

b. To persuade to delay further action: managed to put off the creditors for another week.

washed - wet as from washing
ashore Adverb towards or on land

Decision day in Pennsylvania

Voters across Pennsylvania headed to the polls to cast their votes in what could be a critical turning point in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Just hours earlier, former President Bill Clinton -- accompanied by his daughter, Chelsea-- told a large crowd on the University of Pennsylvania campus that his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton is the Democratic party's best choice for president.

SOUNDBITE: Former President Hillary Clinton saying (English):

"I have never been more honored to perform any public service in my entire life than to stand up here and tell you you ought to vote for Hillary for President."

Across the state in Pittsburgh, Barack Obama had a final get-out-the-vote rally.

SOUNDBITE: Senator Barack Obama, presidential candidate, saying (English):

"You and I together, we're going to change this country, we're going to change the world. Thank you very much Pittsburgh. I love you."

Recent polls show Hillary Clinton with an average 6-point lead over Obama and many analysts say Clinton must win Pennsylvania by a solid margin in order to justify remaining in the Democratic race.

SOUNDBITE: Senator Hillary Clinton, presidential candidate, saying (English):

"Let's make history. Let's go forward and show the world that America's best days are ahead of us. Thank you and God bless you and God bless America."

Pennsylvania has rarely had the chance to play such an important role in the presidential nominating process.

Democratic voters in the state, of course, have their own reasons for supporting each of these White House hopefuls.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Voter Wayne Davis, a truck driver, saying:

"I'm voting for Obama because it's time for a change."

SOUNDBITE: (English) VOTER Kirk Parsons saying:

"I think she really has the experience and we also know what kind of experience and we also know what kind of candidate, what kind of person she is and I'm just not sure who Obama is. "

SOUNDBITE: (English) VOTER Karen Williams saying:

"Barack Obama, because I like the issues that he stands for and I think the country is ready for a change."

SOUNDBITE) (English) Voter Edie Cugini saying:

"I think she has more experience. Barack Obama, he's a good speaker and all, but I think she has more experience."

Pennsylvania is the first state to cast ballots in six weeks. High turnout is expected.

Jon Decker, Reuters.

ought aux.v.

1. Used to indicate obligation or duty: You ought to work harder than that.

2. Used to indicate advisability or prudence: You ought to wear a raincoat.

3. Used to indicate desirability: You ought to have been there; it was great fun.

4. Used to indicate probability or likelihood: She ought to finish by next week.

turnout - the group that gathers together for a particular occasion; "a large turnout for the meeting"

Iraqi schools overwhelmed

Hundreds of young Iraqi women gather in a school playground in Baghdad.

Massive overcrowding at the al-Fadhila secondary school for girls means students are forced to cram into classrooms.

Crippling economic sanctions and three wars have wreaked havoc on Iraq's education system that was once one of the finest in the Middle East.

Dhamia, a deputy head at al-Fadhila, says the school has almost 1000 pupils and there can be up to 70 in one class.

SOUNDBITE: Dhamia, deputy head at Al-Fadhila secondary school, saying (Arabic) :

"This has a big impact on education and the student will not understand the lesson due to the crowded classes. And this will have an impact on the teachers as well, the teacher will not be able to follow up the student."

Many schools were bombed in the 2003 American-led invasion and others have closed because of sectarian violence.

The surviving schools are not only overwhelmed with pupils but are in a state of disrepair, lacking basic water and sanitation facilities.

Al-Khaldiya primary school in the Shi'ite slum of Sadr city has to teach several school populations in staggered shifts.

Headmaster Ali Abid Seleeb says the school just can't cope.

SOUNDBITE :Ali Abid Seleeb, headmaster of Al-Khaldiya primary school, saying (Arabic) :

"The main problem, which we suffer from, is having schools with triple shifts, and triple shift schools lead to crowded schools."

There are more than half a million pupils in the east Baghdad slum but only 260 school buildings.

A recent World Bank report said better education in the Arab world was urgent and highlighted Iraq as among the world's worst educational reformers.

Katherine Baldwin, Reuters

gath·er v. gath·ered, gath·er·ing, gath·ers
v.tr.

1. To cause to come together; convene: The teacher gathered the students around the exhibit.

2.a. To accumulate (something) gradually; amass: The top of the bookshelf gathered dust.

b. To harvest or pick: gather flowers; gather wild foods.

3. To gain by a process of gradual increase: gather speed.

4. To collect into one place; assemble.

5. To pick up and enfold: gathered the kittens into her arms.

6. Printing To arrange (signatures) in sequence for bookbinding.

7.a. To draw into small folds or puckers, as by pulling a thread through cloth.

b. To contract and wrinkle (the brow).

8. To draw about or bring (one thing) closer to something else: gathered the shawl about my shoulders.

9. To conclude; infer: I gather that a decision has not been reached.

10. To summon up; muster: gathered up his courage.

11. To attract or be a center of attraction for: The parade gathered a large crowd.

v.intr.

1. To come together in a group; assemble: A crowd gathered in the lobby.

2. To accumulate: Dark clouds are gathering.

3. To grow or increase by degrees.

4. To come to a head, as a boil; fester.

5. To forage for wild foodstuffs.

wreak tr.v. wreaked, wreak·ing, wreaks

1. To inflict (vengeance or punishment) upon a person.

2. To express or gratify (anger, malevolence, or resentment); vent.

3. To bring about; cause: wreak havoc.
hav·oc n.

1. Widespread destruction; devastation.

2. Disorder or chaos: a wild party that created havoc in the house.

shift - the time period during which you are at work
staggered shifts - To arrange in alternating or overlapping time periods: staggered the nurses' shifts.

Clinton, Obama sharpen claws

The Pennsylvania primary is expected to be among the most decisive in the race for the U.S. Democrat presidential nomination and rivals Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have each unleashed new commercials.

The ads focus on health care to bring the political punch up firmly to the voters' attention.

Clinton is leading the state polls and needs to win in Pennsylvania to keep her presidential ambitions alive.

But Obama, the national front-runner, has cut into her one-time double-digit lead in recent weeks.

Tuesday's primary is the first contest in six weeks for the party's nomination.

The scale of a victory for either side has become the focus of both campaigns.

About half of Pennsylvania's registered voters are Democrats in a state with a broad mosaic of age groups in narrowly varying proportions.

The Democrat rivals agree on only one thing - they're convinced whoever gets the nomination will beat Republican John McCain in November's election.

Neither is saying if they'll stand as vice-presidential running mate.

Paul Chapman, Reuters

claw n. A sharp, curved, horny structure at the end of a toe of a mammal, reptile, or bird.
unleash

Verb to set loose or cause (something bad): to unleash war
punch n.

1. A tool for circular or other piercing: a leather punch.

2. A tool for forcing a pin, bolt, or rivet in or out of a hole.

3. A tool for stamping a design on a surface.

4. A tool for making a countersink.

mate n.

1. One of a matched pair: the mate to this glove.

2. A spouse.

3.

a. Either of a pair of animals or birds that associate in order to propagate.

b. Either of a pair of animals brought together for breeding.

Ex-Bishop wins Paraguay presidency

From the pulpit to the presidency - former Roman Catholic bishop Fernando Lugo is Paraguay's new leader.

His victory ends more than 60-years of one-party rule in the South American state.

The 56-year-old ousted the ruling Colorado Party with promises to tackle inequality and stamp out corruption.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENT-ELECT FERNANDO LUGO, SAYING:

"May we never again in the political class of Paraguay, never again base our politics on clientelism or enticements. Because it has done so much damage to our national politics."

Car horns and firecrackers resounded through the capital Asuncion as thousands of Lugo supporters celebrated in the streets.

The Colorado Party's Blanca Ovelar, who was hoping to become Paraguay's first female president, conceded defeat.


(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BLANCA OVELAR, SAYING:

"We accept our defeat. We welcome the Alianza candidate and we foresee a time of reconciliation for Paraguay."

Lugo quit the priesthood for politics three years ago to fight for the poor - nearly half of all Paraguayans live in poverty.

Land reform and renegotiating an energy treaty with neighbouring Brazil are high on his agenda, but with no single party expected to win a majority in Congress, Paraguay's new leader may be forced to cut deals with his rivals if he hopes to get his proposals passed.

Helen Long, Reuters

stamp out - end or extinguish by forceful means; "Stamp out poverty!"
en·tice tr.v. en·ticed, en·tic·ing, en·tic·es

To attract by arousing hope or desire; lure: The promise of higher pay enticed me into the new job. See Synonyms at lure.
cut a deal (American)

to make an agreement or an arrangement with someone, especially in business or politics. The property developer tried to cut a deal with us to get us out of the building.

Polgyamy custody hearing

It's believed to be the largest child custody case in US history.

A Texas courtroom soon filled up with- mothers and fathers, distressed over the fate of their children--hoping to get them back soon.

SOUNDBITE: Nancy, mother

"I left my daughter in her arms weeping--she was trembling, she was petrified, she has seen them take her brothers."

Two weeks ago ---416 children were removed from the (compound)(premises) of a polygamist sect near San Angelo Texas after authorities said they got a call from a teenager who said she was pregnant and forced to marry a much older man.

The children are now in state custody and today's hearing decides their fate. Witnesses described an emotionally charged courtroom as with multiple lawyers representing the children as the state presented its case.

"There are 416 of them, each of them entitled to their own lawyer and within 10days, we've raised enough volunteers who are coming here with no expectation of payment to represent these kids."

The state of Texas has asked to retain custody of the kids but the final decision lies with Judge Barbara Walther--in a case that could take days to be resolved.

Pavithra George, Reuters

weep·ing adj.

1. Shedding tears; tearful.

2. Dropping rain: weeping clouds.

3. Having slender drooping branches.
trem·ble intr.v. trem·bled, trem·bling, trem·bles

1. To shake involuntarily, as from excitement or anger; quake. See Synonyms at shake.

2. To feel fear or anxiety: I tremble at the very thought of it.

3. To vibrate or quiver: leaves trembling in the breeze.
compound - an enclosure of residences and other building (especially in the Orient)
premises

a. Land and the buildings on it.

b. A building or part of a building.

Candidates on the defensive

In their first debate in seven weeks, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama weren't so much scoring king hits on each other, as clarifying recent controversial comments.

Obama has been under heavy criticism from Clinton and Republican presidential candidate John McCain.

Both have called him elitist and out of touch for saying small town America was clinging to religion and guns in bitterness over their economic troubles.

SOUNDBITE: Barack Obama, U.S. Presidential candidate, saying (English):

"The problem that we have in our politics, which is fairly typical is that you take one person's statement if it is not properly phrased and you just beat it to death. And that's what Senator Clinton has been doing over the last four days, and I understand that. That is politics. And I expect to have to go through this process. But I do think it's important to recognize that it's not helping that person who is sitting at the kitchen table who is trying to figure out how to pay the bills at the end of the month."

the Clinton campaign has been hit hard after she inaccurately said she had come under sniper fire when she arrived in Bosnia 12 years ago.

She apologised for that, but tried to keep the pressure on Obama.

SOUNDBITE: Hillary Clinton, U.S. Presidential candidate, saying (English):

"I know Senator Obama is a good man and I respect him greatly, but I think this is an issue that certainly the Republicans will be raising, and it goes to this larger set of concerns about how we are going to run against John McCain. I wish the Republicans would apologize for the disaster of the Bush-Cheney years and not run anybody, and say it's time for the Democrats to go back into the White House."

Next week the candidates go to the Pennsylvania primary.

Clinton has a small, dwindling lead in polls there, and must score a strong win to stay in the Democratic race.

Andrew Potter, Reuters

out of touch
1. not informed about something. The report shows that the committee is out of touch with recent developments in space technology.

2. not reflecting what is true or actual. These statistics are wildly out of touch with reality and cannot be used. Everything the patient says shows how much he is out of touch.

3. lacking a connection. The writing in this story is out of touch, like an accident report or a doctor's notes.

cling intr.v. clung, cling·ing, clings

1. To hold fast or adhere to something, as by grasping, sticking, embracing, or entwining: clung to the rope to keep from falling; fabrics that cling to the body.

2. To remain close; resist separation: We clung together in the storm.

3. To remain emotionally attached; hold on: clinging to outdated customs.

dwin·dle

v. dwin·dled, dwin·dling, dwin·dles

v.intr.

To become gradually less until little remains.

v.tr.

To cause to dwindle. See Synonyms at decrease.

Gold hits record high

Gold jewellery glints in a shop window, tempting people inside.

But as the gold price hovers around $950 U.S. dollars an ounce - many customers aren't buying, they're selling.

This jewellers in London say they've seen a large increase in people selling gold since it hit a record high of $1000 an ounce in March.

That prompted this customer to consider selling his gold pocket watch:

SOUNDBITE: No name given, Customer, saying (English):

"Because the price of gold is high and I need the money."

While 950 to 1000 dollars for an ounce of gold sounds like a good earner, jeweller Max Ullmann says the spot gold price is not what sellers receive:

SOUNDBITE: Max Ullmann, Jeweller, saying (English):

"If it's nine carat gold, then this is not the same gold as is being advertised as one thousand dollars an ounce on the news. This is nine parts gold and fifteen parts alloys, alloys are scrap metal, you know, copper and brass and tin and zinc, and things obviously with far less value than gold, the gold that you see advertised on the news, the gold that's being traded and the gold that's being bought by the banks is pure gold, twenty-four carat gold, which is not the purity of gold ever used in jewellery-making."

Most will only get around 330 dollars an ounce for nine carat gold, but that hasn't deterred many from selling their precious items.

In Germany, jewellers say all types of gold are coming in.

SOUNDBITE: Karl-Eugen Friedrich, Chairman of German Jewellers' Association, saying (German):

"I have to say the number of gold sale offers has certainly tripled or quadrupled. Almost everyone has some gold in a drawer at home which they don't wear any more, from gold teeth to a gold chain they bought in Italy in the 70s."

And while those selling the old gold they've found at home can still make a tidy profit, some analysts are sounding a note of caution.

They say the turmoil in the financial markets has pushed prices for gold and other commodities like oil well above fair market value.

So those wanting to make some money should be selling their gold now, rather than wearing it.

Joanna Partridge, Reuters

glint n.

1. A momentary flash of light; a sparkle.

2. A faint or fleeting indication; a trace.

v. glint·ed, glint·ing, glints

v.intr.

To gleam or flash briefly. See Synonyms at flash.

v.tr.

To cause to gleam or flash.
hov·er intr.v. hov·ered, hov·er·ing, hov·ers

1. To remain floating, suspended, or fluttering in the air: gulls hovering over the waves.

2. To remain or linger in or near a place: hovering around the speaker's podium.

3. To remain in an uncertain state; waver: hovered between anger and remorse.

n.

The act or state of hovering: a helicopter in hover.
al·loy n.

1. A homogeneous mixture or solid solution of two or more metals, the atoms of one replacing or occupying interstitial positions between the atoms of the other: Brass is an alloy of zinc and copper.

brass n.

a. A yellowish alloy of copper and zinc, sometimes including small amounts of other metals, but usually 67 percent copper and 33 percent zinc.

b. Ornaments, objects, or utensils made of this alloy.

tin n.

1. Symbol Sn A malleable, silvery metallic element obtained chiefly from cassiterite. It is used to coat other metals to prevent corrosion and is a part of numerous alloys, such as soft solder, pewter, type metal, and bronze. Atomic number 50; atomic weight 118.71; melting point 231.89°C; boiling point 2,270°C; specific gravity 7.31; valence 2, 4. See Table at element.

de·ter v. de·terred, de·ter·ring, de·ters

v.tr.

To prevent or discourage from acting, as by means of fear or doubt: "Does negotiated disarmament deter war?" Edward Teller. See Synonyms at dissuade.

v.intr.

To prevent or discourage the occurrence of an action, as by means of fear or doubt: "It's this edge that gives nuclear weapons their power to deter" Thomas Powers.
ti·dy adj. ti·di·er, ti·di·est

1. Orderly and neat in appearance or procedure. See Synonyms at neat¹.

2. Informal Adequate; satisfactory: a tidy arrangement.

3. Informal Substantial; considerable: a tidy sum.

tur·moil n.

A state of extreme confusion or agitation; commotion or tumult: a country in turmoil over labor strikes.

UN debates Zimbabwe


The issue wasn't on the agenda at the UN Security Council summit, but British Prime Minister Gordon Brown brought it up anyway : Zimbabwe. He raised doubt that President Robert Mugabe had been re-elected.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) BRITISH PRIME MINISTER GORDON BROWN, SAYING:

"No one thinks, having seen the results of polling stations, that President Mugabe has won. A stolen election would not be a democratic election at all."

No result has been announced. But Zimbabwe's opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai contends he won the election on March 29.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) BAN KI-MOON, UNITED NATIONS SECRETARY-GENERAL, SAYING:

UN Secretary -General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern, warning that the deadlocked situation could deteriorate in Zimbabwe.

"The credibility off the democratic process in Africa could be at stake here."

South African president Thabo Mbeki heads the Security Council but did not include Zimbabwe as an official topic of the summit. He has said he does not see the election stalemate as a crisis. Fred Katayama, Reuters, New York.

stake A piece of wood or metal pointed at one end for driving into the ground as a marker, fence pole, or tent peg.
at stake At risk; in question.

Spain's economic boom reverses

Over the last two decades Spain has experienced rapid economic growth fuelled by a housing boom.

Offering sun, sea and sand, 5 million new homes have been built in the last ten years thanks to an influx of immigrants to cities and foreigners to the coastal regions.

But the sun start setting on the construction industry in Spain's grossly over-supplied coastal market last year and spreading across the country.

Construction accounts for almost 20 percent of GDP and Bank of Spain's head of research, Jose Luis de Molina, worries about a slowdown.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BANK OF SPAIN'S HEAD OF RESEARCH, JOSE LUIS MALO DE MOLINA, SAYING:

"After representing for a long period the motor of our economy, the housing sector is now, undoubtedly, the main factor behind the downturn in which the Spanish economy is already into."

The IMF says that the global credit crunch could halve Spanish growth to 1.8 percent and curb lending to a fast-cooling housing market.

So now Spanish builders are tempting cagey home buyers with free cars, mortgage holidays and hard cash.

At last week's annual property fair in Madrid, the number of promoters was down by a third on the previous year.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) HABITAT MARKETING DIRECTOR, LAURA ARGENTE, SAYING:

"We are offering important discounts. Today, we believe, price is a very important factor in this market -therefore we are offering up to 50.000 euros for buying a house."

But even with these discounts, huge numbers of people are priced out of the market.

First-time buyer Carmen Gil says a state-sponsored apartment is her only option.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER, CARMEN GIL, SAYING:

"I don't think it is a bad idea because right now there is fear in the air and that is lowering prices, owners are selling cheaper. I think this situation will continue until the end of the year, so I'm going to take advantage."


But with the burst of the housing bubble tens of thousands of jobs are being lost too and Spain's 3 million immigrants are being hit hard.

Foreigners who worked in construction during the boom are no longer wanted and unemployment in that group rose by more than a half in 2007.

Stefanie McIntyre, Reuters

ca·gey also ca·gy adj. ca·gi·er, ca·gi·est Wary; careful: a cagey avoidance of a definite answer.
gloom n.

1.

a. Partial or total darkness; dimness: switched on a table lamp to banish the gloom of a winter afternoon.

b. A partially or totally dark place, area, or location.

2.

a. An atmosphere of melancholy or depression: Gloom pervaded the office.

b. A state of melancholy or depression; despondency.

hard cash - money in the form of bills or coins; "there is a desperate shortage of hard cash"
priced out - the market has already incorporated information, such as a low dividend, into the price of a stock.
burst n. A sudden outbreak or outburst; an explosion.
bub·ble n.

1. A thin, usually spherical or hemispherical film of liquid filled with air or gas: a soap bubble.

2. A globular body of air or gas formed within a liquid: air bubbles rising to the surface.

hit something hard - to cause something to be much less successful. The tourist trade has been hit hard following the recent spate of bombings.

Euro hits record highs

Soaring food and energy prices have pushed inflation in the 15 European countries in the euro zone to a new high. The March figure is 3.6 per cent. That's the highest in nearly 16 years and higher than analysts expected.

The news will be cheered by Europeans heading across the Atlantic to shop because it's boosted the euro to record highs against the dollar - a euro now worth $1.59.

But for borrowers, the surge in prices badly dents the chances of the European Central Bank following the U.S. central bank in cutting interest rates.

The dollar's lost 15 percent against the euro since September - the decline thanks to steps taken by the Fed to protect the U.S. economy weather the subprime mortgage meltdown.

A gloomy profit picture from JPMorgan Chase after more than five billion dollars in writedowns linked in part to subprime loan losses. America's third-largest investment bank says quarterly profit fell 50 per cent - to $2.37 billion or 68 cents per share from 4.79 billion - $1.34 a share a year ago.

European markets took the news in their stride - nerves had been frayed at the prospect of further fallout from the global credit crunch but JPMorgan's result was better than many expected.

Shares prices kept their gains, the FTSE Eurofirst 300 trading higher.

So too the main European indices.

That weak dollar helped oil to a new record high above $114 a barrel. The price is more than three times the average seen in 2002, when oil's rally began.

Iraqi oil could soon be on its way to European markets. The EU says it's mere weeks away from signing a preliminary energy pact with Iraq. It's all part of the bloc's efforts to reduce its heavy reliance on somewhat unpredictable Russian oil and gas.

Susan Flory, Reuters

surge v. surged, surg·ing, surg·es

v.intr.

1. To rise and move in a billowing or swelling manner.

2. To roll or be tossed about on waves, as a boat.

3. To move like advancing waves: The fans surged forward to see the movie star.

4. To increase suddenly: As favorable reviews came out, interest in the software surged.

dent n.

1. A depression in a surface made by pressure or a blow: a dent in the side of a car.

2. Informal A significant, usually diminishing effect or impression: The loss put a dent in the team's confidence.
melt·down n.

1. Severe overheating of a nuclear reactor core, resulting in melting of the core and escape of radiation.

2. Informal A disastrous or rapidly developing situation likened to the melting of a nuclear reactor core: "After several corporate meltdowns, only two reporters remain in [the] bureau" David Fitzpatrick.

3. Informal An emotional breakdown

gloom·y adj. gloom·i·er, gloom·i·est

1. Partially or totally dark, especially dismal and dreary: a damp, gloomy day.

2. Showing or filled with gloom: gloomy faces.

3.

a. Causing or producing gloom; depressing: gloomy news.

b. Marked by hopelessness; very pessimistic: gloomy predictions.

stride - A step of progress; an advance. Often used in the plural: making great strides in their studies.
fray

tr.v. frayed, fray·ing, frays Archaic

1. To alarm; frighten.

2. To drive away.

mere adj. Superlative mer·est

1. Being nothing more than what is specified: a mere child; a mere 50 cents an hour.

re·li·ance n.

1. The act of relying or the state of being reliant.

2. The faith, confidence, or trust felt by one who relies; dependence.

Global food crisis looms

Across the United States - and around the globe -- from farms to factories prices are on the rise.

On Tuesday the US Labor Department reported overall producer prices rose 1.1 percent in March. Energy costs shot up 2.9 percent, with food moving up a sharp 1.2 percent..

As prices soar, the World Bank has warned of a global food crisis that could bring social disruptions. The Caribbean nation of Haiti has already seen its government fall after people unable to pay for food took to the streets in protest.

Food riots have also erupted elsewhere in Latin America and in Africa.

Even US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice was questioned about food and fuel costs.

SOUNDBITE: US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, saying (English):

"We clearly have twin problems. We have an energy and a food problem. There are some relationships between them."

While some observers see food costs rising as corn and sugar farmers turn to ethanol. Rice says that is only part of the problem.

SOUNDBITE: US Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, saying (English):

"We also think a significant part of the food problem relates not from biofuels but from simply the costs of energy in terms of fertilizer and in terms of transportation costs for food and that that is in part maybe an even larger part of spiking the food crisis that we have."

Economists point to many factors. There is increasing demand from China as well as India, and the fact that Australia has been hit with the worst drought in 100 years.

And there is the questions of incentives, like subsidies in the US for farmers to grow corn for ethanol.

Daniel Weiss of the Center for American Progress.

SOUNDBITE: Daniel Weiss of the Center for American Progress, saying (English):

"If you are a farmer now, it is very tempting to shift your growing corn from feed and move t towards fuel, so we have to reduce some the economic incentive to do that by redirecting subsidies that we have for ethanol ...they really are not necessary when oil is over one hundred dollars a barrel."

The US Congress has granted ethanol producers a 51 cent tax credit for each gallon of ethanol produced through 2010.

For American consumers, there is not much relief in sight.

SOUNDBITE: Daniel Weiss of the Center for American Progress, saying (English):

"There is no question that high oil prices have put real pressure on American families budget, both paying more for gas, more money for electricity and more money for food...all of these things are going (continue)(increase) the middle class squeeze that is already under way."

Outside the US, the fear is high rising prices could lead to increasing malnutrition in Central America and the Caribbean.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters

loom intr.v. loomed, loom·ing, looms

1. To come into view as a massive, distorted, or indistinct image: "I faced the icons that loomed through the veil of incense" Fergus M. Bordewich. See Synonyms at appear.

2. To appear to the mind in a magnified and threatening form: "Stalin looms over the whole human tragedy of 1930-1933" Robert Conquest.

3. To seem imminent; impend: Revolution loomed but the aristocrats paid no heed.

n.

A distorted, threatening appearance of something, as through fog or darkness.
soar intr.v. soared, soar·ing, soars

1. To rise, fly, or glide high and with little apparent effort.

2. To climb swiftly or powerfully.

3. To glide in an aircraft while maintaining altitude.

4. To ascend suddenly above the normal or usual level: Our spirits soared. See Synonyms at rise.

spike - manifest a sharp increase; "the voltage spiked"

drought (drout) also drouth (drouth)

n.

1. A long period of abnormally low rainfall, especially one that adversely affects growing or living conditions.

2. A prolonged dearth or shortage.

squeeze v. squeezed, squeez·ing, squeez·es

v.tr.

1. To press hard on or together; compress.

2. To press gently, as in affection: squeezed her hand.

3. To exert pressure on, as by way of extracting liquid: squeeze an orange.

4. To extract by or as if by applying pressure: squeeze juice from a lemon; squeezed a confession out of a suspect.

5. To extract by dishonest means; extort.

6. To pressure or intimidate (someone) to comply with a demand, as to make an extortion payment.

7. To obtain room for by pressure; cram: squeezed her books into the briefcase.

8. To manage to find time or space for.

Monroe sex tape sold

A silent, 15-minute black-and-white Marilyn Monroe sex film will be kept from public view by a New York businessman who has bought it for $1.5 million.


Memorabilia collector Keya Morgan said he recently arranged the sale of film from the son of a dead FBI informant who possessed it to a wealthy Manhattan businessman who wants to protect Monroe's privacy.

SOUNDBITE: (ENGLISH) Keya Morgan, memorabilia collector saying:

"It's a great investment, number one. Number two, documented and verified by the FBI, by Joe DiMaggio who saw it and was very upset. He tried to purchase it for $25 thousand back in the 1960's but they did not want to sell it. It's been verified not only by me as one of the number one experts in Marilyn Monroe and the producer of this documentary, but also by Joe DiMaggio the FBI and many agents."

Monroe was rumored to have had an affair with U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and Morgan said then FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, a Kennedy rival, went to great lengths to try to prove it was Kennedy in the film. However, the man in the sex tape has not been identified.

Jon Decker, Reuters.

Colombia's trade agreement blocked

President George W. Bush said a free-trade agreement with Colombia is dead unless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi schedules a vote on it and that blocking it is no way to treat an ally.

SOUNDBITE: US President George W. Bush, saying (English):

"That bill is dead unless the speaker schedules a definite vote. This is an unprecedented move. It's not in our country's interest that we stiff an ally like Colombia."

Bush was meeting with his Cabinet when he raised the issue.

Last week Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, led the U.S. House of Representatives in indefinitely delaying a vote on the free trade agreement.

Pelosi said the White House violated "protocol" by sending the agreement to Congress against her advice.

Peloisi said it was still possible Congress could pass the agreement this year if the White House and Democrats can agree on new legislation to bolster the U.S. economy.

The Bush administration reacted angrily to the move last week, accusing the Democratic-led Congress of changing the rules in the middle of the game on free-trade votes and insisting it had consulted heavily with lawmakers in fashioning the agreement.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters

ally - a friendly nation
stiff tr.v. stiffed, stiff·ing, stiffs Slang

1. To tip (someone) inadequately or not at all, as for a service rendered: paid the dinner check but stiffed the waiter.
bolster tr.v. bol·stered, bol·ster·ing, bol·sters reenforce, reinforce - make stronger

Beijing's Olympic clean up

The race is on to clean up the air athletes will breathe at this year's Beijing Olympics.

Authorities plan to close temporarily a number of big local factories for two months.

The period coincides with the Games as well as the Paralympics.

Heavy polluters are also being forced to reduce emissions by 30 percent.

Du Shaozhong is from Beijing's environmental protection agency.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) BEIJING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPOKESPERSON, DU SHAOZHONG SAYING

"I should say that all of these measures put together, when compared with the measures adopted by all the other Olympic cities, are very great. Because of this I think, through our hard work, we will provide good air quality for the Olympics. There should be no doubt, everybody should have faith."

In recent weeks the build up to the Olympics has been overshadowed by human rights issues in Tibet.

It's taken some of the media spotlight away from Beijing's environmental problems.

That's likely to change as the Games draw (nearer)(closer).

But officials say Beijing is already moving in the right direction.

(SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) BEIJING ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION SPOKESPERSON, DU SHAOZHONG SAYING:

"If you look at the air now, every day there are a lot of people doing sports and sporting activities, and our health is not affected"

The air quality will also heavily hinge on weather conditions during the actual Games.

But authorities say athletes have (to) nothing to fear.

They insist contigency measures will be in place for all eventualities.

Darcy Lambton, Reuters.

build up

1. To develop or increase in stages or by degrees: built up the business; building up my endurance for the marathon.

2. To accumulate or collect: sediment building up on the ocean floor.

3. To bolster: build up the product with a massive ad campaign; built up my hopes after the interview.

4. To fill up (an area) with buildings.
hinge n.

1.

a. A jointed or flexible device that allows the turning or pivoting of a part, such as a door or lid, on a stationary frame.

b. A similar structure or part, such as one that enables the valves of a bivalve mollusk to open and close.

2. A small folded paper rectangle gummed on one side, used especially to fasten stamps in an album.

3. A point or circumstance on which subsequent events depend.

v. hinged, hing·ing, hing·es

v.tr.

1. To attach by or equip with or as if with hinges or a hinge.

2. To consider or make (something) dependent on something else; predicate: "convenient and misleading fictions for hinging an argument" Stephen Jay Gould.

v.intr.

To be contingent on a single factor; depend: This plan hinges on her approval.