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Hello, I'm Melissa Long here at the CNN Center in Atlanta on this Tuesday, July 29th. Here's a look at some of the stories happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

A fast-moving wildfire in Northern California has exploded out of control today. About 3, 000 firefighters are battling the flames near Yosemite National Park. Hot weather and the rough terrain¹ are making it more challenging for the firefighting crews. Twenty five homes have been destroyed since that fire started on Friday, and 4, 000 homes are in danger today.

A disgraced former NBA referee² learns his sentence for wagering³ on basketball games he officiated. Tim Donaghy received more than a year in prison and three years probation⁴. In August, he pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in wire fraud and transmitting wagering information to other individuals. Donaghy said he did it to pay for his severe gambling⁵ addiction⁶.

American beef has returned to South Korea for the first time in five years. The first shipment arriving today. South Korea recently ended a five-year ban which was imposed due to mad cow fears. The decision to resume imports sparked weeks of emotional protests. That beef will be under quarantine for 10 days before hitting the store shelves.

Beijing's air pollution is still a big concern in the Olympic city. Wind and rain have brought relief from the grey haze⁷ that has enveloped⁸ Beijing for nearly a week now. With the Summer Games 10 days away, Chinese officials are considering an emergency plan to fight the chronic⁹ air pollution that has the Olympic athletes and organizers worried.

And what do you prefer, paper or plastic? In Seattle, the answer could soon be neither. The City Council approved a new bag fee last night. So beginning in January, customers will have to pay 20 cents for each disposable bag they use. The city is trying to get people to switch to the reusable cloth bags. An estimated 360 million disposable bags are used in Seattle every year. The City Council also approved to ban on certain types of Styrofoam containers.

Those are the headlines at this hour on this Tuesday. Do stay with CNN for more on these stories or other news of the day.

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收听单词发音

1 terrain
n.地面，地形，地图
参考例句：
He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。 He knows the terrain of this locality like the back of his hand.他对这一带的地形了如指掌。

2 referee
n.裁判员．仲裁人，代表人，鉴定人
参考例句：
The team was left raging at the referee's decision.队员们对裁判员的裁决感到非常气愤。 The referee blew a whistle at the end of the game.裁判在比赛结束时吹响了哨子。

3 wagering
v.在（某物）上赌钱，打赌( wager的现在分词 )；保证，担保
参考例句：
Generally, wagering contracts are illegal and will not be enforced. 通常情况下，赌博性合同是无效的并且不能执行。来自互联网

4 probation
n.缓刑(期)，(以观后效的)察看；试用(期)
参考例句：
The judge did not jail the young man,but put him on probation for a year.法官没有把那个年轻人关进监狱，而且将他缓刑察看一年。 His salary was raised by 800 yuan after his probation.试用期满以后，他的工资增加了800元。

5 gambling
n.赌博；投机
参考例句：
They have won a lot of money through gambling.他们赌博赢了很多钱。 The men have been gambling away all night.那些人赌了整整一夜。

6 addiction
n.上瘾入迷，嗜好
参考例句：
He stole money from his parents to feed his addiction.他从父母那儿偷钱以满足自己的嗜好。 Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction,poverty and murder.贩卖毒品的地区往往是吸毒上瘾、贫困和发生谋杀的地方。

7 haze
n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊
参考例句：
I couldn't see her through the haze of smoke.在烟雾弥漫中，我看不见她。 He often lives in a haze of whisky.他常常是在威士忌的懵懂醉意中度过的。

8 enveloped
v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
She was enveloped in a huge white towel. 她裹在一条白色大毛巾里。 Smoke from the burning house enveloped the whole street. 燃烧着的房子冒出的浓烟笼罩了整条街。来自《简明英汉词典》

9 chronic
adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的
参考例句：
Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。 Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。