1. South Carolina Coroner's Office says a combination of smoke inhalation and burns killed the nine firefighters inside a burning furniture store in Charleston. They died after the roof collapsed on top of them. Investigators say arson is not suspected.

2. President Bush's vetoed the latest version of an embryonic stem cell research bill. The bill would have eased restraints on federally funded research. Even though this legislation was a top priority of Democrats, they don’t appear to have the votes to override the veto.

3. Four Palestinians are dead after Israel launched its first military action in Gaza today. The attack marks the deadliest military offensive since Hamas militants took control of the coastal strip. Israel has also allowed in a few sick and wounded Palestinians of the hundreds who fled the violence.

4. A security guard at Walter Reed Army Medical Center is in police custody after firing up to ten shots Wednesday. Police say the guards were arguing when one opened fire near a busy hospital entrance. No one was injured in the shooting.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. coroner: N-COUNT
A coroner is an official who is responsible for investigating the deaths of people who have died in a sudden, violent, or unusual way.

2. inhalation: N-VAR
inhalation is the process or act of breathing in, taking air and sometimes other substances into your lungs. (FORMAL)

3. embryo: N-COUNT
An embryo is an unborn animal or human being in the very early stages of development.

4. restraint: N-VAR usu with supp, oft N on n
Restraints are rules or conditions that limit or restrict someone or something.

5. override: VERB v n
If someone in authority overrides a person or their decisions, they cancel their decisions.

6. custody: PHR after v
Someone who is in custody or has been taken into custody has been arrested and is being kept in prison until they can be tried in a court.