1. A video released by al-Qaeda-linked insurgents claims the three American soldiers who vanished after an ambush last month are dead. The video shows close-ups of two ID cards as well as credit cards and American and Iraqi money.

2. An indictment was handed up today against Democratic Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana. Jefferson has been charged with racketeering, soliciting bribes and money laundering in an investigation into business deals he allegedly tried to broker in Africa.

3. President Bush begins his eight-day European trip with a stop first in Prague in the Czech Republic. The president will then go on to Germany to meet with other world leaders at the G8 summit.

4. A Minor League manager who went on a major tirade at a baseball game Friday night. Phillip Wellman is the manager of the Mississippi Graves. After arguing with the umpire over a call he didn't like, he was ejected from the game. On the way out of the ballpark, he pulled up the bases, threw a few things before giving a final gesture to the crowd.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

close-up: N-COUNT
A close-up is a photograph or a picture in a film that shows a lot of detail because it is taken very near to the subject.

indictment: N-VAR oft N against n
An indictment is a formal accusation that someone has committed a crime. (mainly AM LEGAL)

racketeering: N-UNCOUNT oft N n
Racketeering is making money from illegal activities such as threatening people or selling worthless, immoral, or illegal goods or services.

solicit: V n, V n from n
If you solicit money, help, support, or an opinion from someone, you ask them for it. (FORMAL)

broker: VERB V n
If a country or government brokers an agreement, a ceasefire, or a round of talks, they try to negotiate or arrange it.

tirade: N-COUNT
A tirade is a long angry speech in which someone criticizes a person or thing.

umpire: N-COUNT
An umpire is a person whose job is to make sure that a sports match or contest is played fairly and that the rules are not broken.

eject: VERB V n, V n from n
If you eject someone from a place, you force them to leave.

ballpark: N-COUNT
A ballpark is a park or stadium where baseball is played.

base: N-COUNT
A base in baseball, softball, or rounders is one of the places at each corner of the square on the pitch.