美联社新闻一分钟 2008-03-20

（单词翻译）

1. At least nine deaths are being blamed on a storm that's drenching¹ the nation’s midsection. Hundreds are fleeing their homes and roads are flooded after as much as ten inches of rain fell in some regions. Flood and flash flood warnings are in effect from Texas to Pennsylvania.

2. As the war in Iraq enters its sixth year, President Bush is calling it a "noble and necessary" battle. Speaking at the Pentagon, Bush said the troop increase he ordered last year has turned the situation around. But he says hurrying up withdrawals² could undermine the effort.

3. A three-mile stretch of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia could re-open tonight. Workers have been doing emergency repairs to a cracked support column. Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell says the closure highlights the need for a commitment on the federal level to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure³.

4. And it’s official. Pennsylvania high school quarterback Terrelle Pryor says he is going to Ohio State. He announced his decision at Jeannette High School, where he had one of the greatest prep careers in the state’s history. But for now, Pryor says he doesn’t plan to play basketball in college.