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听力文稿 ( Transcript )
From the CNN center in Atlanta, I’m Nicole Lapin. Thanks so much for checking in with us today. Here is a look at what’s happening NOW IN THE NEWS.
Chaos is unfolding in Somalia’s capital. Ethiopian-backed Somalia troops are in Mogadishu. And the government has imposed a state of emergency. The Islamic militia that controlled Mogadishu for months abandoned the city just hours ago. There are reports of widespread looting now. The Islamic militia has vowed to regroup and regain control of the Somali capital.
Millions of Muslims from all around the world are in Mecca, Saudi Arabia for the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford it must take a trip at least once in a lifetime. Saudi Arabia has stepped up security and has issued warnings to avoid deadly stampedes that have killed people in previous years.
It looks like Saddam Hussein’s execution is no longer a question of if but when. It could happen anytime over the next few weeks. An appeals court Tuesday upheld his death sentence for the 1982 Dujail massacre. In what can only be described as a goodbye letter, the former Iraqi dictator urges Iraqis to unite. The letter was posted on the Baath’s website.
Former Senator John Edwards made an official address hours ago. He is added again as a Democratic candidate for president. Edwards kicked off his 2008 bid for the White House from a New Orleans home being rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina. He says it represents the power people have to build a better America.
The “Godfather of Soul” takes to the stage of the Apollo Theater today where fans will bid him farewell. A horse-drawn carriage with James Brown’s golden casket was followed by thousands of fans walking through Harlem. Saturday he will be buried near the James Brown Arena in Augusta, Georgia. Brown passed away on Christmas morning in Atlanta at the age of 73.
And with that you are now up to date. For more on these stories and other news of the day, CNN is your always source online or on television.
Words&Expressions
Hajj The Hajj (حج translit: Ḥajj), (Turkish:Hac), (Malay:Haji) is the Pilgrimage to Mecca in Islam. It is the fifth of the Five Pillars in Sunni Islam and one of the ten Branches of Religion in Shi'a Islam. Every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so is obliged to make the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her lifetime. Mecca is so important because it was the place where the Islamic prophet Muhammed was said to have lived and gained his prophet status.
Baath The Arab Socialist Baath Party (also spelled Ba'th or Ba'ath; Arabic: حزب البعث العربي الاشتراكي) was founded in 1947 as a radical, secular Arab nationalist political party. It functioned as a pan-Arab party with branches in different Arab countries, but was strongest in Syria and Iraq, coming to power in both countries in 1963. In 1966 the Syrian and Iraqi parties split into two rival organizations. Both Baath parties retained the same name, and maintain parallel structures in the Arab world.
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