MONICA LLOYD, CNN STUDENT NEWS ANCHOR: We're glad you're with us for our newest edition of CNN Student News. I'm Monica Lloyd. Fighting in the Middle East: Lebanon's army battles militants, as violence rages in several countries in the region right now. Speaking to seniors: Politicians are popping up at graduation ceremonies across the country, talking to students as they head into the world. And leaping for loot: A contest inspired by a famous American writer showcases some frogs with a little spring in their step.

First Up: Mideast Ablaze

LLOYD: First up today, we look at the Middle East, where conflicts are raging across the region. A battle is going on in parts of Lebanon right now between the army and militants. A Lebanese official is asking other countries for money and equipment to help win the fight. But that's not the only Middle Eastern nation engulfed in warfare at the moment. Zain Verjee has more on the violence there.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ZAIN VERJEE, CNN REPORTER: What began as a hunt for bank robbers ended like this: a crowded Palestinian refugee camp turned into a war zone. Lebanese forces pounding well-armed militants holed up inside the camp. They call themselves Fatah al-Islam and have links to al Qaeda. Their leader sentenced to death in absentia for the murder of a USAID worker in Jordan in 2002. The group wants to wage war against the U.S. from Lebanon and now it's flexing its muscles, exploiting Lebanon's political tensions, taking advantage of the crowded and radicalized Palestinian camps to set up terror cells.

HISHAM MELHEM, LEBANESE JOURNALIST: These are ideal places for theses radicals to recruit people and preach their dark ideology.

VERJEE: Like Northern Lebanon, Gaza also echoed to the sound of warfare. Israeli air strikes on Hamas targets in retaliation for rocket attacks fired into Israeli cities. At the same time, open conflict between Palestinians, as Hamas and Fatah gun for each other. And bloody sectarian fighting continues to rage in Iraq. A region on fire, as predicted months ago by Jordan's King Abdullah.

JORDAN'S KING ABDULLAH: We could possibly imagine going into 2007 and having three civil wars on our hands.

VERJEE: While the White House is saying all sides should cool down, the administration is backing the Lebanese army's tough response.

U.S. STATE DEPT. SPOKESMAN SEAN MCCORMACK: The Lebanese armed forces are reacting admirably.

VERJEE: As the violence rages on in Lebanon, Gaza and Iraq, terrorists are able to exploit the chaos, making it harder for the U.S. to influence events in the region. The U.S. has always supported the weak but democratically elected government of Fouad Siniora. They're hoping that by taking military action, he can strengthen his own position at home among the Lebanese people. U.S. officials also say that they're looking into helping the Lebanese military. Zain Verjee, CNN, the State Department?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Tall Ship Burned

LLOYD: One of London's most popular tourist attractions is in the middle of a $50 million makeover. But the price tag's about to get a lot higher. That's because a fire broke out yesterday morning onboard the Cutty Sark, severely damaging what's thought to be the world's last surviving 19th century clipper ship. Phil Black has more on the historic vessel's fate.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PHIL BLACK, CNN REPORTER: The old girl never had a chance. She'd survived decades on some of the world's most treacherous seas, set speed records across the globe, and then, in mere minutes, was gone in the murky light of a London dawn.

PERSON ON THE STREET: There was a big bang. We went outside. It was just on fire, flames going about 20 feet in the air.

BLACK: The historic clipper had been on display here for half a century, one of the world's best loved tourist attractions, closed for a $50 million restoration project. As luck would have it, many of the ship's original fixtures had been removed and were out of harm's way when the flames took hold.

CHRIS LIVETT, CUTTY SARK ENTERPRISE: There's over 60, 50 or 60 percent of the ship away. The masts for example, deck housing, the wheel, the figure heads, the coach housing, the rigging has all been put away into storage and that's safe. That is secure.

BLACK: But whether the ship cam be saved depends on its iron frame. If that wasn't damaged by the intense heat, the Cutty Sark can be rebuilt. Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

INSPECTOR BRUCE MIDDLEMISS, GREENWICH BOROUGH POLICE: At the moment we have no leads as to what started the fire. CCTV was covering when the fire was actually ablaze. And there were people in the area. There's no evidence or link to these people actually starting the fire. But they might be able to give us some vital information that leads to find out what did.

BLACK: The Cutty Sark was opened to the public in Greenwich in 1957. Since then, it has been visited by 15 million people. In its working life, the Cutty Sark was a legend, smashing speed records on trade routes between the world's most distant cities. The people behind the restoration say this ship has survived hardship before and it will again.

CHRIS ROBERTS, GREENWICH COUNCIL: The Cutty Sark ship has seen a number of trials and tribulations during its history. This is yet another one, but she will overcome it.

BLACK: Bad luck or historic vandalism. Either way, it begins a new chapter in a storied life spanning almost 140 years. Phil Black, CNN, London

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Wayward Whales

LLOYD: Two humpback whales are heading back toward the Pacific after making a wrong turn and ending up 90 miles off course. Marine biologists had been working on plans to coax the massive mammals out of the Port of Sacramento. But it turns out that won't be necessary. The mother whale and her calf apparently decided they'd seen enough of the Golden State's capital. At last check, they've already made it halfway back to sea.

Word to the Wise?

CARL AZUZ, CNN STUDENT NEWS: A Word to the Wise...

commencement (noun) a ceremony at which academic degrees or diplomas are given out

Source:

Commencement Season

LLOYD: You've probably been looking forward to graduation for a long time. Well it's the peak of commencement season for colleges right now. Seniors are picking up their hard-earned diplomas at thousands of schools across the country. So who's doing the talking at all these ceremonies? Rick Sanchez tells us several of this year's graduation speakers are all in the same line of work.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: To the members of the class of 2007, I am very proud to be here and to congratulate you. Thank you for your leadership.

RICK SANCHEZ, CNN REPORTER: Four years behind them for the graduating seniors. 18 months to go for presidential contenders. Senator Hillary Clinton addressed the graduating class at Dillard University in New Orleans on the subject of New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina.

CLINTON: We still don't have a reliable hurricane protection system. The federal government's Gulf Coast rebuilding office is buried in bureaucracy.

SANCHEZ: Senator Barack Obama spoke at Southern New Hampshire University.

SEN. BARACK OBAMA: So much is riding on the decisions that are made and the leadership that is provided by you, class of 2007.

SANCHEZ: So far, five of the nation's top six candidates, both Democrat and Republican, have spoken to graduating classes. This year, instead of a declared presidential candidate, the late Jerry Falwell asked a likely contender to speak. Newt Gingrich's topic: Rediscovering God in America.

NEWT GINGRICH: Too often the courts have been biased against religious believers. This anti-religious bias must end.

SANCHEZ: Falwell was well aware of the message it might send to have Gingrich address the class of 2007. So in his newsletter this spring, Falwell wrote:

GRAPHIC: The invitation to speak at commencement is not an endorsement.

SANCHEZ: With the campaign trail behind them, former Presidents George Bush and Bill Clinton spoke to graduates at the University of New Hampshire. They offered words of hope.

CLINTON: I believe that you are going to be given a great opportunity to change this world of division and divisiveness.

GEORGE H.W. BUSH: Celebrate diversity and favor dialogue over conflict.

SANCHEZ: Rick Sanchez, CNN, Atlanta.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

Shoutout

AZUZ: Time for the Shoutout! Who wrote "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County"? If you think you know it, shout it out! Was it: A) F. Scott Fitzgerald, B) Edgar Allan Poe, C) Mark Twain or D) Ernest Hemingway? You got three seconds Go! It was Mr. Mark Twain, also known as Samuel Clemens, who penned this celebrated story! That's your answer and that's your Shoutout.

Before We Go

LLOYD: Before we go, we want you to check out some highly-entertaining hoppers. There's the long jump, the high jump and the triple jump. And then there's the frog jump! This annual event of athletic amphibians is inspired by Mark Twain's famous tale. About 4,000 little leapers took part in this year's jumping jubilee. But it'll take a humongous hop to break the all-time record. It's been held for more than 20 years by Rosie the Ribbeter.

Goodbye

LLOYD: And that's where today's show jumps to a conclusion. We'll see you tomorrow for more CNN Student News. Thanks for watching. I'm Monica Lloyd

?????????