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1. The House has passed a $14 billion bailout bill for US automakers, but there remain questions about whether it will pass in the Senate. The vote there could come today. The House-approved package provides loans to GM and Chrysler almost immediately. Ford¹ would also be eligible² for government help.

2. A six-day sit-in at a Chicago factory is over. Business and union leaders were able to reach a deal with Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase to provide $1.75 million for employees' severance³ pay. Laid-off workers will get eight weeks' salary and all accrued⁴ vacation.

3. A spokesman for Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich says it is business as usual despite the fact that Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell Barack Obama's Senate seat. Illinois lawmakers say they are preparing to discuss on Monday the possibility of impeaching⁵ Blagojevich.

4. The number of American homeowners dragged into foreclosure fell in November. More than 259,000 homes got at least one foreclosure-related notice last month, down 7% from October and the lowest level since June. However, that number is a 28% increase from this time last year.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. sit-in: n.

a type of protest in which people refuse to leave the place where they work or study until their demands are agreed to.

2. severance pay: n.

Severance pay is a sum of money that a company gives to its employees when it has to stop employing them.

3. drag into: phr v.

to make someone get involved in an argument, war, or other unpleasant situation that they do not want to be involved in.