1. President Bush's summit with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki was postponed Wednesday after a White House memo was made public, voicing some doubts about al-Maliki's capacity to control sectarian violence. The White House insists the postponement wasn't related to the leak of the memo and that the 2 leaders plan to have a robust meeting Thursday.

2. Authorities found traces of radiation on 2 British Airways 767 jetliners Wednesday as investigators widen their search into the poisoning death of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. The airline plans to contact passengers who flew on the 2 jets.

3. The Pope began his pilgrimage to Turkey's tiny Christian communities Wednesday by paying homage to an Italian priest slain during Islamic protests. Pope Benedict is expressing sympathy for religious minorities in the Muslim world.

4. It's not officially winter yet, but a massive snowstorm headed into Washington state Wednesday. Two are reported dead and traffic has been snarled. Power is also out for much of the region.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. jetliner : N-COUNT
A jetliner is a large aircraft, especially one which carries passengers. (AM)

2. pilgrimage : N-COUNT
If you make a pilgrimage to a holy place, you go there for a religious reason.

3. homage : N-UNCOUNT
Homage is respect shown towards someone or something you admire, or to a person in authority.

4. snarl : VERB
To put into total disorder.