President Obama heads to Jordan after Israeli visit. And Assad vows to purge (extremists) after a suicide bombing. I’m Frances Alonzo reporting from Washington.
U.S. President Barack Obama is en-route in Jordan after a visit to Israel and the West Bank.That visit included talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and calls for the two sides to (resume) peace efforts. Mr. Obama was given a red-carpet (farewell) at the international airport near Tel Aviv with Israeli President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu standing (alongside) him astrumpet sounded. Earlier today, he traveled to Bethlehem to join Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for a tour of the Church of the Nativity, the site where Christians believe Jesus was born.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has met with China’s new President Xi Jinping who (arrived) in Moscow today on his first foreign trip since taking the (official) title last week. The two leaders met in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s (ornate) St. George Hall. Mr. Putin said he was grateful Mr. Xi had made Russia his first foreign destination as president and called Russian-Chinese relations a (paramount) factor of world politics.英语口语培训
U.S. officials say that they are (confident) that China will cooperate with Washington to enforce U.N. sanctions against North Korea. Speaking in Beijing today, U.S. State Department (sanctions) coordinator Dan Fried said China is part of the solution and is working with the U.S. in a cooperative spirit.
Italy has agreed to send back to India two Italian marines accused of killing a pair of Indian fishermen last year after mistaking them for (pirates). Aru Pande reports.
Aru Pande: “Late Thursday, the Italian government agreed to send the marines back to India after receiving (assurances) on their treatment and (protection) of their fundamental rights. Indian Foreign Minister Salman Khurshi welcomed the decision.
Salman Khurshi: “And things are back on track and (normal) is a matter of satisfaction.”
Aru Pande: “Foreign Minister Khurshi told India’s parliament Friday that the Italian government had been informed that the death (penalty) would not be (applicable) in the case. The Italian marines are now due to return to India Friday to face murder charges in an Indian court, charges they deny. Aru Pande,VOA news, New Delhi.”
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad vowed today to (purge) his country of extremists that he blames for a suicide bombing that killed at least 49 people at an ancient Damascus mosque. In a statement carried in the official Syrian Arab News Agency, President Assad said the blood of those killed in the Thursday attack would not go (in vain), promising to eliminate the forces of darkness and extremist (ideology) responsible.
Burma is sending the army to quell spreading sectarian unrest in the center of the country. The (announcement) came on the third day of fighting between Buddhists and Muslims that left at least 20 people dead and scores injured. Daniel Schearf reports.易说堂电话英语
Daniel Schearf: “Burmese President Thein SeinFriday declared a state of (emergency) in four townships in the central part of the country to (prevent) deadly communal fighting and looting from spreading. Burma’s state television, MRTV-4, made the late afternoon announcement amid reports of continued clashes between armed groups of Buddhists and Muslims. The newsreader said the order covered Meikhtila, Wan Twin, Ma Hlaing and Thar Sitown ships. He says in order to be more (effective) in controlling the situation. They will get help from the army. This order, he says, will be effective until further notice. Daniel Schearf, Bangkok.”
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt is urging Burmato allow free speech and (private) sector development of the country’s (primitive) telecommunications (infrastructure). Schmidt told an audience of students in Rangoon today that Burma is right at the beginning of the change and can surpass many other developing countries by developing its telecommunications technology.
Cyprus said its future stood in the balance today as parliament prepared to consider ways to (rescue) the island nation’s trouble banking system and secure a (bailout) from its European neighbors. A government spokesman told the parliament that the Mediterranean country must be saved. Cypriot lawmakers were set to consider several proposals in another attempt to raise $7.5 by Monday. If no (solution) is found, Cyprus could default on its loans and possibly become the first country to leave the Euro currency bloc.
VOA news.
电话英语口语免费体验
http://www.e-say.com.cn/apply7/