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1 Florida authorities have let an evacuation order for the Florida Keys expire. Forecasters say it is still too early to tell where the storm is headed. Gulf¹ Coast officials are watching Ike's path, which is projected to head into the central Gulf this week.

2 Jury selection begins today in O.J.Simpson's latest trial. He faces a dozen charges including robbery and kidnapping. The charges stem from a heated encounter with two sports memorabilia collectors in Las Vegas last year.

3. Investors² are reacting positively³ to the US government's bailout of mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The announcement brushed aside investors' worries about bad mortgage debt. Stock markets around the world are surging as investors bank on economic recovery.

4. Britney Spears is back with a subtle bang at the MTV Video Music Awards. Despite the media strong surrounding her mental health, she was politely poised⁴, receiving a standing⁵ ovation⁶ from the audience. After last year's highly criticized performance,Spears didn't perform. But she did take to the stage to accept three awards.
WORDS IN THE NEWS
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online
Merriam-Webster Online

1.jury selection
Jury selection refers to several methods used to choose the people who will serve on a trial jury.

2.stem from
stem from [stem from sth] phr v
to develop as a result of something else
His headaches stemmed from vision problems.
 
3.heated adj.
inflamed⁷ with passion or conviction
4.encounter n.[c]
an occasion when you meet someone, or do something with someone you do not know

encounter with
His first encounter with Wilson was back in 1989.
Bernstein began training the young musician after a chance

5.  memorabilia 
Objects valued for their connection with historical events, culture, or entertainment
posters, publicity⁸ photographs, and other movie memorabilia.

6.bailout n.
A rescue from financial difficulties
corporate bailouts

7.brush aside
[PHRASAL VERB: V n P, V P n (not pron)]
If you brush aside or brush away an idea, remark, or feeling, you refuse to consider it because you think it is not important or useful, even though it may be.
Perhaps you shouldn't brush the idea aside too hastily...
He brushed away my views on politics.
= dismiss

8.bank on
[PHRASAL VERB: V P n]
If you bank on something happening, you expect it to happen and rely on it happening.
`He's not still there, I suppose?'
`I wouldn't bank on that,' she said.
= count on

9.subtle adj.
Able to make fine distinctions

10.MTV Video Music Awards

The MTV Video Music Awards were established in 1984 by MTV to celebrate the top music videos of the year. Originally beginning as an alternative to the Grammy Awards, the MTV Video Music Awards is now a respected pop culture awards show in its own right. These shows are presented annually⁹ and broadcast live on MTV. Past broadcasts have been held in New York City, Los Angeles, California, Las Vegas, Nevada and Miami, Florida.
12.Ovation n.
 Enthusiastic, prolonged applause