Another threat from North Korea. Cyprus will not leave the euro zone. I’m David Deforest reporting from Washington.
Tens of thousands of North Koreans held a huge rally today in (support) of their leader’s threat of a possible military strike against the United States.Soldiers, workers and students marched through Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang. The rally came after Kim Jong Un ordered (preparations) for rocket strikes on the U.S. mainland and American military bases in South Korea, Guam and Hawaii. U.S. Senator Bob Corker who met with senior South Korean officials today in Seoul says the U.S. military is ready for whatever happened.
Bob Corker: “We’ve prepared for anything might take place, but (hopefully), what would occur is cooler head will (prevail), and this will deescalate, and hopefully, we can have a (fruitful) negotiation about the future. My sense is that’s what’s going to happen.”
And for more on this story, take a look at our website, voanews.com.
Iran, Syria and North Korea have (blocked) the adoption of a U.N. (treaty) to regulate the $70 billion global arms trade. Here is Mohammad Khazaee, the Iranian ambassador.
Mohammad Khazaee: “We, Islamic Republic of Iran, in the spirit of flexibility, tried our best to (rectify) the flaws and remove major (loopholes) in the text through a real negotiation not take it or leave it.”英语口语培训
A coalition of countries says they will soon take up the bill at the U.N. General Assembly. Passages expected the treaty would set international (standards) for the imports, exports and transfer of (conventional) weapons.
Officials in northwest Pakistan say a suicide bomber has targeted a security force commander, killing ten people and wounding fifteen. Authorities say Abdul Majeed Marwart, head of the Frontier Constabulary, (survived) the attack in Peshawar.Pakistan’s former President Pervez Musharraf went to court today to (obtain) an extension of his bail in a series of cases. Sadiki Mirza is one of his lawyers.
Sadiki Mirza: “There was guaranteed for 15 daysto General Pervez Musharraf to (approach) to the trial court.”
Mr. Musharraf, back in his country, plans to lead the All Pakistan Muslim League Party and plans to run in (upcoming) elections.
Former South African President Nelson’s Mandela spent another night in the hospital, being treated for a recurring lung (infection). Peter Cox takes a look.
Peter Cox: “Ninety-four-year-old Nelson Mandelais undergoing treatment for what South African leaders say is a lung infection.President Zuma’s office says he is responding (positively) to treatment. And here mains under observation. Mr. Mandela has had more (frequent) health issues over last few years. His lung problems date back to his 27-year (imprisonment) on Robben Island, where he was diagnosed with tuberculosis near the end of his prison term for (opposing) the white minority rule. Peter Cox for VOA news, Johannesburg.”易说堂电话英语
Several car bombs exploded near Shi’ite mosques across Iraq today. At least 18 people were killed. More than 100 wounded. Syrian (activists) say rebels captured a (strategic) town near border with Jordan today.The British Observatory for Human Rights says rebels forced most government troops out of the town of Dael.
People around the world are observing the Christian holiday, Good Friday, which marks the (crucifixion) and death of Jesus Christ. Robert Berger reports.
Robert Berger: “Thousands of pilgrims packed the narrow alleys of Jerusalem’s Old City for the traditional Good Friday Procession. Some people hoisted big wooden crosses on their (shoulders) as they marched down the cobblestoned path known as Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrows. The faithful retraced the footsteps of Jesus with the traditional (devotion) known as the stations of the Cross, reading (scriptures), saying prayers and touching the sacred stones. Robert Berger in Jerusalem's Old City.”
The president of Cyprus told the gathering in Nicosia of (civil servants) that his nation will not abandon the European single (currency) but it will have to make (sacrifices) to restore its economy. The president’s comments came a day after Cyprus’ banks opened for the first time after almost two weeks of (shutdown) while the government negotiated a $13 billion bailout to prevent bankruptcy.
I’m David Deforest, VOA news. More news atvoanews.com.
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