美联社新闻一分钟 AP NEWS 2007-12-24

（单词翻译）

1. Ice and snow are making for treacherous¹ travel this holiday weekend. Power is out to thousands of homes in the Midwest. At least five people have died from pileups in several states.

2. In an early morning tragedy, fire destroyed a Baptist church in Jacksonville, Florida. No one was injured.The flames lit up the sky. The sanctuary² burned to the ground, but the gymnasium was spared. Church officials say that is where they will hold Christmas services. An investigation³ is underway.

3. Roger Clemens is again denying he ever used steroids or injected anything into his body. The all-star pitcher⁴ posted a video on his website and Youtube. His name was prominent in the Mitchell Report that detailed⁵ baseball players' steroid use. Clemens says he plans to answer questions about allegations in the future.

4. Santa Claus is getting an early start to Christmas. He is greeting boys and girls at his home in Finland. The North Pole is too busy for guests at this time of year. Tomorrow night, Saint Nicolas will be off on his sleigh, delivering toys to children worldwide.