1. A pair of brazen attacks in Iraq is raising new questions about the security crackdown in the capital. Earlier today, a suspected suicide bomber attacked the cafeteria inside the Iraq's parliament building. Also a truck bomber has destroyed a major bridge in Baghdad.

2. Don Imus is getting some support from the public. The radio host who may lose his job over a racial slur directed at the Rutgers women's basketball team is hosting his annual charity fundraiser. He told listeners this may be his last radiothon. And so far, he's getting more calls than in years past.

3. The author of such clean novels as "Slaughterhouse-Five" and "Cat's Cradle" has died. Kurt Vonnegut suffered brain injuries several weeks ago in a fall at his home in Manhattan. Vonnegut was 84.

4. Animal keepers at Chicago Shedd Aquarium are hoping the gift of rocks will lead to the gift of life. The keepers are giving their penguins some rocks. The stones are needed for them to build nests which signal to them that it's mating season.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. brazen: adj.
If you describe a person or their behavior as brazen, you mean that they are very bold and do not care what other people think about their behavior.

2. slur: n-count
A slur is an insulting remark which could damage someone's reputation.

3. fundraiser: n-count
A fundraiser is an event which is intended to raise money for a particular purpose, for example, for a charity.

4. radiothon: n-count
=radio+marathon
A radiothon is a lengthy radio program to raise funds for a charity.

5. clean: adj.
If you describe something as a book, joke, or lifestyle clean, you think that they are not sexually immoral or offensive.