2. Lights are back on for some people in the Plains States. Utility crews are racing to fix power lines snapped by an ice storm, knocking out electricity to almost a million homes and businesses. At least 27 deaths are blamed on the glaze of ice, mostly from traffic accidents. Another storm could bring two to four inches of snow by the end of the week.
3. A new report says some Christmas ornaments sold in the United States were made in Chinesesweatshops. At one plant used by Wal-Mart, the National Labor Committee says workers routinely put in 105 hours a week, with many of those workers' children. Wal-Mart says it is investigating.
4. Just in time for the holidays, the first dogs have a new video. PresidentialPoochesBarney and Miss Beazley become Junior Park Rangers, scampering around the White House alldecked outfor Christmas.
WORDS IN THE NEWS
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online
Merriam-Webster Online
1.sweatshop:n.
a small business, factory etc where people work hard in bad conditions for very little money - used to show disapproval.
2.pooch:n. Slang
informal terms for dogs.
3.deck out:v.
put on special clothes to appear particularly appealing and attractive.
