WORLD NEWS听写PK大赛第29期（2009年9月14日）

And now the news in VOA special English. I am () reporting from the VOA headquarters in Washington. American middle-east diplomat Jorge () says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He spoke in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli president (). On Tuesday he will meet with prime minister () and Palestinian president (). They are expected to discuss the issue of Israeli civilians building homes on Israeli occupied territory. Palestinians have said they will not compromise in their demand for the halt to all settlement building. The United States has also asked Israel to stop the building in the occupied West-bank and East-Jerusalem. Israel says the building is needed because of increased population grows.

Iraqi officials said gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Cherkucu. The woman’s husband is a policeman. He was away when the gunmen raided the house. The officials said the attackers shot the victims as they slept. Militants in Cherkucu also wounded at least three police officers in two bomb explosions. In the Iraqi city of () the American military says it has detained a soldier in connection with the shooting death. The civilian workers for the military were shot and killed in a camp Sunday morning. The United States has sent a message as a sympathy and regret to the victims’ family.

The family of the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former president Gorge bush says he is expected to be released form prison Monday. Family members of () said they were preparing to meet him at an air-base in Baghdad where they believe he will be freed. () works for an Italy television station. He threw his shoes at Mister Bush last December during a news conference with Iraqi prime minister (). Mister Bush was not hurt. () called the American leader a dog. He was sentenced to three years in prison but the sentence was later reduced.

Afghan investigators say thirty Afghan civilians were killed and nine others wounded in a NATO air attack earlier this month in () province. One investigator says 69 Taliban were also killed. The German commander ordered the strike against Taliban militants who have seized 2 fuel trucks. Earlier NATO investigations have said the civilians were among those killed and wounded. The commander of the NATO in Afghanistan has pointed a group to investigate the events that led to the air strike. Germany foreign minister says his goal during the next four years is to develop a plan for withdrawal from Afghanistan. Afghan military officials say Afghan and international forces killed about 50 Taliban Saturday. An army spokesman said the hour last battle took place in () area of () province. Earlier that day Taliban fighters have attacked world food program vehicles. NATO says two of its soldiers were killed in the fighting. Several Afghan soldiers also were reported killed. The United Nations World Food Program says he did not lose any vehicles or people in the violence.

You are listening to the news in VOA special English.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sale of car and chicken products imported from the United States. The commerce ministry says it will look into reports the American products are being sold at a low price than Chinese products because help from the United States government. On Friday the Unite States announced high tax on tyres imported from China. American workers say the growing number of Chinese tyres sold in the United States has caused thousands of American workers to lose their jobs. China says the tyre tax violate international trade and will not help the world economic recovery.

Thai police say suspected militants have shot dead 5 soldiers after attacking their base in the south. Officials say gunmen attacked their soldiers in the () province. Increased separatist violence has been reported there during the Muslim Holy month of (). At least 3 thousand 5 hundred people have been killed since 2004 in the Muslim majority southern provinces (). The bombings and killings had been linked to Muslim separatists, drug dealers and other criminals but no group has claimed responsibility.

President Obama says he believes Americans may be increasingly frightened about high cost of health care reform following the government action to save the banking and car industries. The president spoke on television about his camp to pass a health care reform bill. Republicans are strongly opposed to his plan. Mister Obama said he is willing to consider any ideas that reduce cost and improve the quality of the patient care. He said he is willing to what to do something about legal action to take against doctors a cause not popular with Democrats and a group of American lawmakers is expected to offer a health care reform bill this week that could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans. And the American health and human services sectary Catherine () says the United States will receive swine flu vaccine sooner than expected. She said on television that some of the vaccine will arrive as early as the first week of October and she said the first people to get the vaccine will be health care workers and other at risk groups. Researchers discovered last week that the new H1N1 swine influenza vaccine could protect against the virus if given just one time instead of two. This means that there will be enough vaccine for two times as many people. They also said that the tests show an adult will protect against the disease within 8 to 10 days of receiving the vaccine.

And now briefly here again is the major news of the hour.

American middle-east diplomat Gorge () says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sale of car and chicken products imported from the United States.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of ().

And Afghan investigators say thirty Afghan civilians were killed in a NATO air attack earlier this month in () province.

And that’s the news in VOA special English. I am () in Washington.  

And now the news in VOA special English. I am …, reporting from the VOA world headquarters in Washington.

[1] American Middle East Diplomat George M says he is working to resolved issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He spoke in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli President …. On Tuesday he would meet with Prime Minister … and Palestinian President …. They are expected to discuss the issues of Israeli civilians building homes on Israeli-occupied territory. Palestinians have said they would not compromise in their demand for a halt to all settlement building. The United States also has asked Israel to stop the building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel says the building is needed because of increased population growth.

[2] Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed the woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of …. The woman’s husband is a policeman. He was awaked when the gunman raided the house. Officials say the attackers shot the victims as they slept. Militants in … also wounded at least three police officers in two bomb explosions. In the Iraqi city of … the American military says it has detained a soldier in connecting with the shooting death. A civilian worker for the military was shot and killed at a camp Sunday morning. The United States has sent a message of sympathy and regret to the victim’s family.

[3] The family of the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George Bush says he is expected to be released from prison Monday. Family members of … said they were preparing to meet him at an air base in Bagdad where they believed he will be freed. … works for an Iraqi television station. He threw his shoes at Mr. Bush last December during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister ….Mr. Bush was not hurt. … called the American leader a dog. He was sentenced to three years in prison, but the sentence was later reduced.

[4] Afghan investigators say thirty Afghan civilians were killed and nine others wounded in a NATO air attack earlier this month in … province. One investigator says 69 Taliban were also killed. A German commander ordered the strike against Taliban militants who had seized two fuel trucks. Earlier NATO investigations had said that civilians were among those killed and wounded. The commander of NATO in Afghanistan has appointed a group to investigate the events that led to the air strike. Germany’s Foreign Minister says his goal during the next four years is to develop a plan for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

[5] Afghan military officials say Afghan and international forces killed about fifty Taliban fighters Saturday. An army spokesman said the hours-long battle took place in the … area of … province. Earlier that day Taliban fighters had attacked World Food Program vehicles. NATO says two of its soldiers were killed in the fighting. Several Afghan soldiers also were reported killed. The United Nations World Food Program says it did lose any vehicles or people in the violence.

You are listening to the news in VOA special English.

[6] China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States. The Commerce Ministry says it will look into reports that the American products are being sold at lower prices than Chinese products because of help from the United States government. On Friday the United Stats announced high taxes on tires imported from China. American workers say the growing number of Chinese tires sold in the United States has caused thousands of Americans to lose their jobs. China says the tire taxes violate international trade and will not help the world economic recovery.

[7] Tai police say suspected militants had shot dead five soldiers after attacking their base in the south. Officials say gunmen attacked the army soldiers in … province. Increased separatist violence has been reported there during the Muslem holy month of …. At least 3,500 people have been killed since 2004 in the Muslem majority southern provinces of …. The bombing in killings has been linked to Muslem separatists, drug dealers and other criminals, but no group has claimed responsibility.

[8] President Obama says he believes Americans may be increasingly frightened about the high cost of heath care reform following the government action to save banking and car industries. The President spoke on television about his campaign to pass a health care reform bill. Republicans are strongly opposed to his plan. Mr. Obama said he is willing to consider any ideas that reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care. He said that he is willing to work to do something about legal action taken against doctors that cause not popular with Democrats. And a group of American law makers is expected to offer a health care reform bill this week that appeal to both Democrats and Republicans.

[9] And the American Health and Human service secretary … says the United States will receive swine flu vaccine sooner than expected. She said on television that some of the vaccine will arrive as early as the first week of October. And she said the first people to get the vaccine will be health care workers and other at-risk groups. Researchers discovered last week that the new H1N1 swine influenza vaccine could protect against the virus if given just one time instead of two. This means that there will be enough vaccine for two times as many people. They also said that the tests showed that adults were protected against the disease within 8 to 10 days of receiving the vaccine.

And now briefly here again is the major news of the hour. American Middle East Diplomat George M says he is working to resolved issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States. Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed the woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of …. And Afghan investigators say thirty Afghan civilians were killed and nine others wounded in a NATO air attack earlier this month in … province.

And that’s the news in VOA special English. I am … in Washington.

WORLD NEWS听写PK大赛第29期（2009年9月14日）

Written by Voice of America， 请指正！

And now the news in VOA special English I’m Crisbtz Cruz reporting from the VOA World Headquarters in Washington.

American Middle-East diplomat George Mitchell says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He spoke in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. On Tuesday he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. They are expected to discuss the issue of Israeli civilians building homes on Israeli Occupied Territory. Palestinians have said they will not compromise in their demand for a halt to all settlement building. The United States also has asked Israel to stop the building in the Occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel says the building is needed because of increased population growth.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Kirkut. The woman’s husband is a policeman. He was away when the gunmen raided the house. The officials say the attackers shot the victims as they slept. Militants in Kirkut also wounded at least 3 police officers in two bomb explosions. In the Iraqi city of Tikrit the American military says it has detained a soldier in connection with the shooting death. The civilian worker for the military was shot and killed in a camp Sunday morning. The United States has sent a message as sympathy and regret to the victim’s family.

The family of the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George Bush says he is expected to be released form prison Monday. Family members of Muntadhar al-Zeidi said they were preparing to meet him at an air-base in Baghdad where they believe he will be freed. Al-Zeidi works for an Italy TV station. He threw his shoes at Mr. Bush last December during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. Mr. Bush was not hurt. Al-Zeidi called the American leader “a dog”. He was sentenced to three years in prison but the sentence was later reduced.

Afghan investigators say 30 Afghan civilians were killed and 9 others wounded in a NATO air attack earlier this month in Kunduz Province. One investigator says 69 Taliban were also killed. The German commander ordered the strike against Taliban militants who have seized two fuel trucks. Earlier NATO investigations have said the civilians were among those killed and wounded. The commander of the NATO in Afghanistan has pointed a group to investigate the events that led to the air strike. Germany Foreign Minister says his goal during the next four years is to develop a plan for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Afghan military officials say Afghan and international forces killed about 50 Taliban fighters Saturday. An army spokesman said the hours-long battle took place in Bala Baluk area of Farah Province. Earlier that day Taliban fighters have attacked World Food Program vehicles. NATO says two of its soldiers were killed in the fighting. Several Afghan soldiers also were reported killed. The United Nations’ World Food Program says it did not lose any vehicles or people in the violence.

You are listening to the news in VOA special English.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States. The Commerce Ministry says it will look into reports that the American products are being sold at lower prices than Chinese products because it is helped from the United States government. On Friday the Unite States announced high taxes on tires imported from China. American workers say the growing number of Chinese tires sold in the United States has caused thousands of Americans to lose their jobs. China says the tire taxes violate international trade and will not help the world economic recovery.

Thai police say suspected militants have shot dead 5 soldiers after attacking their base in the south. Officials say gunmen attacked the army soldiers in Yala Province. Increased separatist violence has been reported there during the Muslim Holy month of Ramadan. At least 3,500 people have been killed since 2004 in the Muslim majority southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. The bombings and killings have been linked to Muslim separatists, drug dealers and other criminals but no group has claimed responsibility.

President Obama says he believes Americans may be increasingly frightened about high cost of health care reform following the government action to save the banking and car industries. The President spoke on TV about his campaign to pass a health care reform bill. Republicans are strongly opposed to his plan. Mr. Obama said he is willing to consider any ideas that reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care. He said he is willing to work to do something about legal action taken against doctors that caused not popular with Democrats. And a group of American lawmakers is expected to offer a health care reform bill this week that could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans.

And the American Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the United States will receive a swine flu vaccine sooner than expected. She said on TV that some of the vaccine will arrive as early as the first week of October. And she said the first people to get the vaccine will be health care workers and other at risk groups. Researchers discovered last week that the new H1N1 swine influenza vaccine could protect against the virus if given just one time instead of two. This means that there will be enough vaccine for two times as many people. They also said that the tests show that an adult will protect against the disease within 8 to 10 days of receiving the vaccine.

And now briefly here again is the major news of the hour.

American Middle-East diplomat George Mitchell says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Kirkut.

And Afghan investigators say 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a NATO air attack earlier this month in Kunduz Province.

And that’s the news in VOA special English. I’m Crisbtz Cruz in Washington.  

备注：Ramadan斋月(该月内伊斯兰教徒每日从黎明到日落禁食).Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎, pronounced: /rɑmɑd̪ˤɑːn/) (also written Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; from dawn until sunset.

备注：Ramadan斋月(该月内伊斯兰教徒每日从黎明到日落禁食).摘自wikipedia。仅供参考！

Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان‎, pronounced: /rɑmɑd̪ˤɑːn/) (also written Ramazan, Ramzan, Ramadhan, Ramdan, Ramadaan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality.

Ramaḍān is a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of God (Arabic: الله‎, Allāh), and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramaḍān, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year as it is a moving festival depending on the moon.

Ramadhan was the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were claimed to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

And now the news in VOA Special English, I’m Chris Cruise reporting from the VOA World Headquarters in Washington.

American Middle East diplomat George Mitchell says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He spoke in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. On Tuesday he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. They are expected to discuss the issue of Israeli civilians building homes on Israeli occupied territory. Palestinians have said they will not compromise in their demand for a halt to all settlement building. The United States also has asked Israel to stop the building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel says the building is needed because of increased population growth.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Kirkuk. The woman’s husband is a policeman. He was away when the gunmen raided the house. The officials say the attackers shot the victims as they slept. Militants in Kirkuk also wounded at least three police officers in two bomb explosions. In the Iraqi city of Tikrit the American military says it has detained a soldier in connection with a shooting death. The civilian worker for the military was shot and killed at a camp Sunday morning. The United States has sent a message of sympathy and regret to the victim’s family.

The family of the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George Bush says he is expected to be released form prison Monday. Family members of Muntadhar al-Zaidi said they were preparing to meet him at an air base in Baghdad where they believe he will be freed. A l-Zaidi works for an Iraqi television station. He threw his shoes at Mr. Bush last December during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Mr. Bush was not hurt. A l-Zaidi called the American leader “a dog”. He was sentenced to three years in prison but the sentence was later reduced.

Afghan investigators say 30 Afghan civilians were killed and 9 others wounded in a NATO air attack earlier this month in Kunduz province. One investigator says 69 Taliban were also killed. The German commander ordered the strike against Taliban militants who had seized two fuel trucks. Earlier NATO investigations had said the civilians were among those killed and wounded. The commander of the NATO in Afghanistan has pointed a group to investigate the events that led to the air strike. Germany Foreign Minister says his goal during the next four years is to develop a plan for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Afghan military officials say Afghan and international forces killed about 50 Taliban fighters Saturday. An army spokesman said the hours-long battle took place in Bala Baluk area of Farah province. Earlier that day Taliban fighters had attacked World Food Program vehicles. NATO says two of its soldiers were killed in the fighting. Several Afghan soldiers also were reported killed. The United Nations World Food Program says it did not lose any vehicles or people in the violence.

You are listening to the news in VOA Special English.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States. The Commerce Ministry says it will look into reports that the American products are being sold at lower prices than Chinese products because of help from the United States government. On Friday the Unite States announced high taxes on tires imported from China. American workers say the growing number of Chinese tires sold in the United States has caused thousands of Americans to lose their jobs. China says the tire taxes violate international trade and will not help the world economic recovery.

Thai police say suspected militants have shot dead five soldiers after attacking their base in the south. Officials say gunmen attacked the army soldiers in Yala province. Increased separatist violence has been reported there during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. At least 3,500 people have been killed since 2004 in the Muslim majority southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat . The bombings and killings have been linked to Muslim separatists, drug dealers and other criminals, but no group has claimed responsibility.

President Obama says he believes Americans may be increasingly frightened about the high cost of health care reform following the government action to save the banking and car industries. The President spoke on television about his campaign to pass a health care reform bill. Republicans are strongly opposed to his plan. Mr. Obama said he is willing to consider any ideas that reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care. He said that he is willing to work to do something about legal action taken against doctors, a cause not popular with Democrats. And a group of American lawmakers is expected to offer a health care reform bill this week that could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans.

And, the American Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the United States will receive a swine flu vaccine sooner than expected. She said on television that some of the vaccine will arrive as early as the first week of October. And she said the first people to get the vaccine will be health care workers and other at risk groups. Researchers discovered last week that the new H1N1 swine influenza vaccine could protect against the virus if given just one time instead of two. This means that there will be enough vaccine for two times as many people. They also said that the tests show that adults will protect against the disease within 8 to 10 days of receiving the vaccine.

And now briefly here again is the major news of the hour.

American Middle East diplomat George Mitchell says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Kirkuk.

And, Afghan investigators say 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a NATO air attack earlier this month in Kunduz province.

And that’s the news in VOA Special English. I’m Chris Cruise in Washington.

And now the news in VOA Special English, I’m Chris Cruise reporting from the VOA World Headquarters in Washington.

American Middle East diplomat George Mitchell says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders. He spoke in Jerusalem after meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres. On Tuesday he will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. They are expected to discuss the issue of Israeli civilians building homes on Israeli occupied territory. Palestinians have said they will not compromise in their demand for a halt to all settlement building. The United States also has asked Israel to stop the building in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israel says the building is needed because of increased population growth.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Kirkuk. The woman’s husband is a policeman. He was away when the gunmen raided the house. The officials say the attackers shot the victims as they slept. Militants in Kirkuk also wounded at least three police officers in two bomb explosions. In the Iraqi city of Tikrit the American military says it has detained a soldier in connection with a shooting death. The civilian worker for the military was shot and killed at a camp Sunday morning. The United States has sent a message of sympathy and regret to the victim’s family.

The family of the Iraqi reporter who threw his shoes at former President George Bush says he is expected to be released form prison Monday. Family members of Muntadhar al-Zaidi said they were preparing to meet him at an air base in Baghdad where they believe he will be freed. Al-Zaidi works for an Iraqi television station. He threw his shoes at Mr. Bush last December during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Mr. Bush was not hurt. Al-Zaidi called the American leader “a dog”. He was sentenced to three years in prison but the sentence was later reduced.

Afghan investigators say 30 Afghan civilians were killed and 9 others wounded in a NATO air attack earlier this month in Kunduz province. One investigator says 69 Taliban were also killed. The German commander ordered the strike against Taliban militants who have seized two fuel trucks. Earlier NATO investigations had said the civilians were among those killed and wounded. The commander of the NATO in Afghanistan has appointed a group to investigate the events that led to the air strike. Germany’s Foreign Minister says his goal during the next four years is to develop a plan for withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Afghan military officials say Afghan and international forces killed about 50 Taliban fighters Saturday. An army spokesman said the hours-long battle took place in Bala Baluk area of Farah province. Earlier that day Taliban fighters had attacked World Food Program vehicles. NATO says two of its soldiers were killed in the fighting. Several Afghan soldiers also were reported killed. The United Nations World Food Program says it did not lose any vehicles or people in the violence.

You are listening to the news in VOA Special English.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States. The Commerce Ministry says it will look into reports that the American products are being sold at lower prices than Chinese products because of help from the United States government. On Friday the Unite States announced high taxes on tires imported from China. American workers say the growing number of Chinese tires sold in the United States has caused thousands of Americans to lose their jobs. China says the tire taxes violate international trade and will not help the world economic recovery.

Thai police say suspected militants have shot dead five soldiers after attacking their base in the south. Officials say gunmen attacked the army soldiers in Yala province. Increased separatist violence has been reported there during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. At least 3,500 people have been killed since 2004 in the Muslim majority southern provinces of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat. The bombings and killings have been linked to Muslim separatists, drug dealers and other criminals, but no group has claimed responsibility.

President Obama says he believes Americans may be increasingly frightened about the high cost of health care reform following the government action to save the banking and car industries. The President spoke on television about his campaign to pass a health care reform bill. Republicans are strongly opposed to his plan. Mr. Obama said he is willing to consider any ideas that reduce costs and improve the quality of patient care. He said that he is willing to work to do something about legal action taken against doctors, a cause not popular with Democrats. And a group of American lawmakers is expected to offer a health care reform bill this week that could appeal to both Democrats and Republicans.

And, the American Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the United States will receive a swine flu vaccine sooner than expected. She said on television that some of the vaccine will arrive as early as the first week of October. And she said the first people to get the vaccine will be health care workers and other at risk groups. Researchers discovered last week that the new H1N1 swine influenza vaccine could protect against the virus if given just one time instead of two. This means that there will be enough vaccine for two times as many people. They also said that the tests show that adults were protected against the disease within 8 to 10 days of receiving the vaccine.

And now briefly here again is the major news of the hour.

American Middle East diplomat George Mitchell says he is working to resolve issues preventing peace talks between Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

China says it is investigating if unfair trade policies are aiding the sales of car and chicken products imported from the United States.

Iraqi officials say gunmen have killed a woman and her three children at their home in the northern city of Kirkuk.

And, Afghan investigators say 30 Afghan civilians were killed in a NATO air attack earlier this month in Kunduz province.

And that’s the news in VOA Special English. I’m Chris Cruise in Washington.