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1. The upper Mississippi River in Missouri and Illinois is about to hit its high point. The National Weather Service says the river will crest¹ in some places Sunday and other locations Monday. Despite widespread flooding, water levels did not reach records set in 1993.

2. Saudi Arabia says it will produce more oil if customers need it. But King Abdullah says production levels aren't the cause of record high oil prices. He blames speculators, high fuel taxes and increased oil consumption³ in developing economies.

3. A typhoon pounded the Philippines with sustained⁴ winds of 74 miles an hour. It knocked out power in the capital Manila. It's also blamed for capsizing a ferry carrying more than 700 people. So far, only 10 survivors⁵ have been counted.

4. Tom Brokaw will host NBC's "Meet the Press" through the fall election. The move gives the most-watched Sunday talk show some stability⁶ following the sudden death of Tim Russert. NBC hasn't said who will host after November.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. speculator²: n.

someone who buys goods, property,shares in a company etc, hoping that they will make a large profit when they sell them.

2. pound: v.

If you pound something or pound on it, you hit it with great force, usually loudly and repeatedly.

3. knock out: v.

to damage something so that it does not work.

4. capsize: v.

if a boat capsizes, or if you capsize it, it turns over in the water.