CNN 2008-10-18（在线收听）

Hello from the CNN Center in Atlanta. I’m Naamua Delaney and here’s a look at what’s happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

"A deeply unsettling period", that is what President Bush's saying about the current state of the economy. Despite the ongoing financial crisis, he's urging Americans to have confidence the economy will recover. He spoke at the US Chamber of Commerce this morning. The President says the government is responding with unprecedented action, but adds it will take time for the bailout plan to work. Mr. Bush also says the next President and Congress will have to reform the system, so this kind of financial meltdown doesn’t happen again.

The US Supreme Court says Ohio doesn’t have to give the Republican Party a list of newly registered voters who have problems with their paperwork. On Tuesday, a lower court ordered the secretary of state to set up a system that would allow Republican's ammunition to challenge new voters on Election Day. The secretary of state, a Democrat, asked the high court to intervene.

To North Georgia now where an explosion at a small law firm in Dalton has left several people injured and one person in custody. Witnesses say the blast happened about ten this morning blowing out the building’s windows and injuring those several people inside. Dalton Police say the blast was caused by some sort of explosive device. Police, fire and medical personnel and AGF agents are on the scene.

Three big wildfires in Southern California are almost fully contained. The Santa Ana winds have died down but low humidity is still a concern. The largest fire in the San Fernando valley was 90% contained last night. The fires destroyed more than fifty homes.

Alaska Senator Ted Stevens returned to the stand today as the final witness in his corruption trial. The Justice Department says the 6-term Republican concealed more than 250,000 dollars in gifts, most of which went to renovations on his Alaska home. Stevens is the first sitting senator to testify in his own defense at a criminal trial since 1981. Closing arguments may happen next week. Stevens is currently running for re-election.

Well, those are the headlines of this hour. Do stay with CNN for more on these stories and the other news of the day.