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1. Hurricane Ike is making its way past the Bahamas on a heading toward Cuba. At last report, its top winds were near 135 miles an hour. Officials in Florida are taking precautions. A hurricane watch has been issued for the Keys and evacuations are underway.

2. The federal government is taking control of mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Announcing the move this morning, Treasury¹ Secretary Henry Paulson says if the two institutions were allowed to fail, it would cause “great turmoil” in financial markets not only in the US but around the globe.

3. Events around the anniversary of September 11th, 2001 are already underway. Today was the fourth annual National America Supports You Freedom Walk, an event to reflect on the lives lost in the terror attacks. Pentagon employees who were on site on September 11th and thousands of Washington D.C. area residents took part.

4. NFL football is returning and one of the sport's star players has already been hurt. New England Patriots² QB Tom Brady went down after a hit on the left leg. He limped off the field midway through the first quarter of the game against the Chiefs.

WORDS IN THE NEWS
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online
Merriam-Webster Online

1. reflect on:  v.
When you reflect on something, you think deeply about it.
 
2. limp:  v.
to walk slowly and with difficulty because one leg is hurt or injured.

3. America Supports You Freedom Walk:
(from America Supports You Freedom Walk official website)
    The America Supports You Freedom Walk is a national tradition that calls on people to reflect on the lives lost on September 11, 2001, remember those who responded, honor our veterans past and present, and renew our commitment to freedom and the values of our country. Each year the number of walks held throughout the nation grows, as more people are moved to participate.

    The tradition was born when Pentagon employees, seeking a way to honor the victims of the attack on the Pentagon and their families, and pay tribute to those who responded to that attack as well as those who serve, organized a walk from the Pentagon to the National Mall. Nearly 15,000 people took part. Now, America Supports You Freedom Walks are taking place in communities across the nation. Last year 255 communities participated, and every state was represented, along with eight nations overseas.