1. Hurricane Dolly has left behind muddy waters and downed power lines. But residents in south Texas are thankful the storm did not pack more of a wallop. Early damage estimates put losses at 750 million dollars.

2. Barack Obama draws more than 200,000 people in Germany, the largest crowd so far of his campaign. The Democratic presidential contender summoned Europeans and Americans to fight terror and extremism.

3. Iraqi athletes will not be competing in next month's Beijing Games. The International Olympic Committee says the government missed the key deadline to address accusations of political interference. Five athletes were expected to compete.

4. The Detroit Shock of the WNBA have signed Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman to a seven-day contract. The 50-year-old former coach will play tonight against Houston. A slot opened up when a standout forward went down and the Shock got caught up in a skirmish with the Los Angeles Sparks.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1.down [transitive]v.

to knock or force someone to the ground

2.power line [countable]n. a large wire carrying electricity above or under the ground

3.wallop [countable]n.

a:powerful blow: punch

b:something resembling a wallop especially in suddenness of force

4.The Detroit Shock

The Detroit Shock is a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Detroit, Michigan.

5.Hall of Fame 名人堂 　

6.forward n.前锋

8.skirmish [countable]n.

a short argument, especially between political or sports opponents

9.The Los Angeles Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks are a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) team based in Los Angeles, California.