1. Seven people are now dead after a devastating tornado struck Iowa on Sunday. Around the hard-hit area of Parkersburg people are trying to recover what they can. Officials say a total of 350 homes were destroyed, more than 200 just in Parkersburg.

2. John McCain says both Republicans and Democrats haven't been doing enough to control the spread of nuclear weapons. The Arizona Republican says he favors an approach that doesn't rely too heavily on direct talks or military force.

3. More international aid is finally on the way to victims of Myanmar's cyclone. Officials say foreign workers have begun entering the country's hard-hit delta area after being blocked for weeks by the military junta. Officials now put the death toll at about 78,000.

4. NASA says fresh images from the Phoenix Mars Lander show most of its science instruments are in good shape. The one snag on the lander happened when the protective sheath around the robotic arm didn't unwrap all the way after touchdown.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. hard-hit:  adj.

Badly or adversely affected.

2. junta: n.

A junta is a military government that has taken power by force, and not through elections.

3. snag: n.

A snag is a small problem or disadvantage.

4. sheath: n.

A protective covering that fits closely around something.

5. all the way:

= completely.