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1.President Barack Obama heads to Capitol Hill this week, trying to gain Republican support for his economic stimulus¹ package. Republicans want the 825-billion-dollar plan tilted³ more toward tax cuts. The House vote on the plan is expected Wednesday.

2.The impeachment⁴ trial of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich starts today, but the governor will not be there. Instead Blagojevich starts a public relation blitz, appearing on several morning talk shows. Rod Blagojevich is accused of trying to sell the president's former Senate seat.

3.Despite calls for Sam Adams to resign, the mayor of Portland Oregon says he will be on the job today. Adams has admitted to lying about a sexual relationship he had with a young man he met as an intern⁵. Adams, who's 45, says the relationship was only inappropriate because of the age difference.

4.China has welcomed in the Year of the Ox. The New Year celebrations were subdued⁷ compared to years past. Global financial crisis has thrown two million Chinese out of work, dropping economic growth to a seven-year low.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1.tilt²: v.

to move or make something move into a position where one side is higher than the other

2.blitz: n.

a big effort to make people notice something or buy something

3.subdue⁶: v.

something that is subdued performs worse than usual.