may 18
It is twenty-three hours thirty Universal Time and here is the news in Special English. ▼ The United States and other major world powers have agreed on a version of a resolution that would place new restrictions on Iran. The U.N. Security Council discussed the proposed resolution Tuesday. The American Ambassador to the United Nations said the resolution increases the cost to Iranian leaders for Iran's refusal to stop uranium enrichment activities. The measure aims at strengthening existing restrictions on Iran. It also calls for more inspections of ships suspected of carrying materials related to Iran's nuclear program. A suicide bomber killed at least eighteen people Tuesday in Kabul, Afghanistan. The dead include six NATO soldiers: five Americans and a Canadian. Afghan officials said twelve civilians were killed and at least forty-seven others wounded in the explosion. The bomber exploded his vehicle near several government buildings. The explosion destroyed many military and civilian vehicles, including a bus. The Taliban has claimed responsibility. The Obama administration says the Taliban offers only destruction. The administration said the United States and [the] Afghan government will continue to build security in Afghanistan.
Three top United States officials are urging the Senate to pass the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told lawmakers that the new treaty would make the country more secure. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also spoke to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They said the treaty does not limit the ability of the United States to defend against a nuclear attack. The treaty would cut American and Russian nuclear weapons by thirty percent.
South Korean officials say investigators have found that a North Korean torpedo sank a South Korean warship two months ago. Forty-six sailors were killed. South Korea's Yonhap news reported that a top military official says experts examined the wreckage of the ship. They say evidence of explosives matches material found on North Korean torpedoes. South Korea is expected to publicly announce the results of its investigation Thursday. North Korea has denied any responsibility for the incident.
A group of ten United States senators has accused China of suppressing a report by the International Monetary Fund. The senators believe the report shows that China unfairly controls the exchange rate of its money, the yuan, to support its foreign trade. The senators from both parties are urging President Obama to pressure China to release the report. Democrat Charles Schumer of New York says China's decision to keep the report private shows that they have something to hide. [You are listening to the news in VOA Special English.]
The Thai government says it will not hold talks with protest leaders to end violence until the protesters leave their camp in central Bangkok. A cabinet minister made the announcement on national television. Earlier, protest leaders said they were willing to take part in peace talks organized by the Thai senate. Thai troops began surrounding the encampment of the protesters Thursday. The government is attempting to force them to leave the area. Since Thursday, violence has killed thirty-seven people. Parts of Bangkok look like battle areas.
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev says he would like to see Ukraine join a security group of former Soviet republics. Mr. Medvedev spoke Tuesday in Kiev at the end of a trip to Ukraine to improve ties. He said he would welcome Ukraine to the Collective Security Treaty organization. The group of former Soviet republics includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The group carries out military exercises and is considering a peace-keeping force.
United States officials say the suspect in the recent failed car bombing in New York City has appeared in federal court for the first time. Faizal Shahzad is an American citizen born in Pakistan. He did not admit or deny guilt. A judge ordered that he continue to be held until his trial. Mr. Shahzad faces five charges related to the attempted bombing in Times Square on May first. They include attempting to kill and injure Americans using a weapon of great destruction. Officials say he has admitted receiving bomb-making training in Pakistan.
American stock exchange operators are expected to ask the government to halt trading of stocks that fall more than ten percent in value within five minutes. Media reports say unidentified people say the measures are meant to avoid selling that caused markets to drop sharply for a while on May sixth. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost nearly one thousand points in a few minutes that day. Other reports show some improvement in the economy. Reports showed a rise in home building in April while inflation decreased. A Commerce Department report says the building of new houses and apartment buildings rose almost six percent last month. Sales were supported by a government tax reduction for new homebuyers.
The mothers of three Americans detained in Iran are traveling to Tehran to visit their children and appeal for their release. The three women flew from New York Tuesday after the Iranian government gave them visas for humanitarian reasons. Before leaving, the women said they hope Iran will let them bring their children home. Iran says the two men and a woman entered the country illegally from Iraq last June. Iran has accused them of spying, but the United States denies the accusation. ▲ Here again is the major news.
The United States and other major world powers have agreed on a version of a resolution that would place new restrictions on Iran. A suicide bomber in Afghanistan killed at least eighteen people Tuesday in Kabul. And, three top United States officials are urging the Senate to pass the new Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty with Russia.
That's the news in VOA Special English coming to you from Washington. Source: VOA Special English May 18, 2010 2330UTC
