CNN 2008-05-14

Special Thanks to Nativespeaker and jacobs613

Good afternoon from the CNN Center in Atlanta, I'm Raggie Aqui. Here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.

China says it's going to welcome international aid, but for now, relief workers from other countries will not be allowed into the hardest hit areas. The death toll 1 from Monday's 7.9 magnitude earthquake has now topped 12,000. We're talking about the area of Sichuan Province. China's official news agency reports 18,000 people are still buried in just one city. The US is now offering 500,000 dollars in earthquake relief.

The US is condemning 2 a series of deadly explosions in Western India that killed at least 60 people. As many as 7 blasts struck crowded markets, restaurants and shops in the city of Jaipur today. Another device was found and defused. It's also the so-called India Pink City. It draws thousands of tourists each year. It's named that because of the pink structures that are found in the city. The country is on high alert right now and they believe the bombing is the work of terrorist.

Authorities in Florida say the majority of wildfires along Florida's Atlantic Coast are contained. A spokeswoman from Palm Bay Fire Department says crews are trying to maintain control and minimize flare-ups. Florida Governor Charlie Chris toured the devastation 3 this afternoon. The flames have destroyed or damaged 100 homes. Smoke has forced officials to shut down several highways including a 34-mile stretch of Interstate 95. Investigators 4 say they believe in 9 separate fires were arson 5 and all are linked. A 10,000-dollar reward's been offered now for information that could help lead to an arrest and convict any arsonist 6.

People in Missouri and Arkansas are bracing 7 for another round of wicked storms. Many are still packing up from this last weekend's deadly twisters that killed 26 people in several states. The national weather service says thunder storms carrying hail are likely through parts of the nation's midsection. Conditions later in the day could be just like last weekend, spawning 8 a string of deadly tornados 9. Federal officials are in Oklahoma and Missouri today, visiting some of the hardest hit areas.

Voters are casting their ballots 10 this afternoon in the west Virginia primary. It's the first time in decades the state has been in the spotlight 11 during the primary process. Senator Hillary Clinton is looking forward to a big win. A campaign spokesperson is predicting at least a 15-point margin 12. Senator Barack Obama spent little money or time in West Virginia. Now even if he loses, He increases his lead in super delegates this weekend surpassing Clinton by 4. Twenty eight pledged delegates are at stake in West Virginia.

And with that you are now updated today, CNN is your source for the latest headlines, whether you are online, on television or on your wireless 13 gadget 14.

Words & Experssions

A thunderstorm(雷暴), also called an electrical storm or lightning storm, is a form of weather characterized by the presence of lightning and its attendant thunder produced from a cumulonimbus cloud. The lightning is caused by an electrical charge that builds up inside the storm due to the movement of water droplets 15 or crystals carried by the wind. Thunderstorms are usually accompanied by heavy rainfall (heavy downpours), strong winds, hail, and sometimes tonadoes.