1. Numerous deaths are reported after severe thunderstorms and tornados tore up homes and buildings in North Carolina last night and this morning. One official says he stepped across bodies in his search for other bodies.

2. Authorities will be checking for more damage today after a small tsunami hit Crescent City Harbor, California yesterday. Triggered by an earthquake off the coast of Japan, it sent a five-foot surge into the harbor, causing up to 700,000 dollars in damages.

3. House Democrats have elected Nancy Pelosi as the next speaker of the House, but rejected Pennsylvania Congressman John Murtha, her choice for majority leader. Maryland Congressman Steny Hoyer won the position by a vote of 149 to 86.

4. For the first time since his acquittal on child molestation charges a year and a half ago, Michael Jackson gave a public performance. Surrounded by youthful singers, the 48-year-old pop star sang a rendition of "We Are the World" at the World Music Awards in London Wednesday.

WORDS IN THE NEWS

1. tear up: phrase
If something such as a road, railway or area of land is torn up, it is completely removed or destroyed.

2. surge: n-count
A surge is a sudden powerful movement of a physical force such as wind or water.

3. acquittal: noun
Acquittal is a formal declaration in a court of law that someone who has been accused of a crime is innocent.

4. molest: verb
A person who molests someone, especially a woman or a child, interferes with them in a sexual way against their will.
molestation: noun

5. rendition: n-count
A rendition of a play, poem, or piece of music is a performance of it.