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1. Top Senate Democrats¹ are suggesting that a bill to rescue Detroit’s big three automakers has stalled. So the lawmakers are challenging the Bush administration to take steps to save the industry if congressional efforts falter². The White House quickly rebuffed the suggestion.

2. Former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle will reportedly be the Health and Human Services secretary under President-elect Barack Obama. And Washington attorney Eric Holder³ has reportedly accepted an informal offer to be the next attorney general.

3. It appears one of the California wildfires was accidently sparked by a bonfire lit by a group of college students. Crews have been battling three major blazes in that state. More than 1,000 homes have gone up in flames.

4. And the prostitute at the center of the scandal that brought down former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has apologized to his wife. In an interview with People magazine, Ashley Alexander Dupre said she’s sorry for Silda Wall Spitzer’s pain.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1.falter: v.

to become less certain and determined⁴ that you want to do something

2.rebuff: v.

an unkind or unfriendly answer to a friendly suggestion or offer of help [= snub]

3.bonfire: n.

a large outdoor fire, either for burning waste or for a party