1. NASA says it's unaware of any astronauts who flew after heavy drinking, but the Space Agency says it is investigating. An independent panel says astronauts were cleared to fly after drinking despite warnings from NASA doctors.

2. Stocks continue their slide with investors favoring a sell-off. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has finished down more than 500 points over two days, with investors worried about a climb in borrowing costs for companies and homeowners.

3. One of the 22 South Koreans held hostage in Afghanistan says the group is sick and says their lives are in danger. The Taliban wants prisoners released in exchange for hostages. If they are not, a purported spokesman for the kidnappers says, the Korean captives may be killed.

4. Another Hollywood's starlet is headed to jail. Nicole Richie pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs. She has been sentenced to 90 hours in jail and fined after driving a wrong way down a freeway.



WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. sell-off: N-COUNT usu with supp
The sell-off of something, for example an industry owned by the state or a company's shares, is the selling of it. (BUSINESS)

2. purport: VERB V to-inf
If you say that someone or something purports to do or be a particular thing, you mean that they claim to do or be that thing, although you may not always believe that claim. (FORMAL)

3. starlet: N-COUNT
A starlet is a young actress who is expected to become a film star in the future. (JOURNALISM)

4. freeway: N-COUNT
A freeway is a major road that has been specially built for fast travel over long distances. Freeways have several lanes and special places where traffic gets on and leaves. (AM; in BRIT, usually use motorway)