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President Obama says he will not make a decision on the war in Afghanistan based on what he called “the politics of the moment”. Mr. Obama said he does not have a time limit to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, but he does not believe in an indefinite occupation. He promised to find the right plan with clear measures for progress. Mr. Obama said he must question whether to send more troops to Afghanistan. But he said if more troops are needed to defeat al-Qaida, then the American government will do what is required.
In Afghanistan, American military officials say three American soldiers have died in two separate incidents. The officials say two were killed in a non-fighting incident in the southern part of the country. The military says the third soldier was killed in hostile action, Saturday, in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan and NATO forces also detained several suspected militants, Sunday, in a raid on buildings in eastern Khost and southern Kandahar provinces. A NATO statement says the troops wounded a suspected Taliban commander who later died. The joint force found explosives, guns and communications equipment. No Afghan civilians were harmed during the searches.
President Obama plans to hold a joint meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week in an attempt to restart Middle East peace talks. The Obama administration says the meeting is planned for Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Mr. Obama will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas separately before bringing them together. Mr. Netanyahu ’s office said the Israeli leader warmly accepts the invitation. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Palestinians welcome the offer. America’s special Middle East representative George Mitchell travelled to the area last week but reported little progress.
President Obama has denied that Russian objections let his administration to end plans for a missile defend system in Poland and the Czech Republic. But he says it would be good if the change in plans makes Russia more willing to deal with threats such as the Iranian nuclear development. The American leader spoke on a television news program. American senator Lindsey Graham also spoke on television about the administration’s change in plans. He said it will be seen as a surrender to Russian pressure. The new plan changes the ground-based missile defense system to a sea & ground-based program.
Iran’s supreme leader is blaming Western news media for inciting the political unrest in his country, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei spoke in Tehran Sunday. He said Western media never support Iran. He warned Iranian media not to publish foreign accusations against the government. Continuing unrest over the disputed reelection of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has brought attention to political tensions within Iran’s ruling party. On Friday tens of thousands of government critics ignored warnings and joined Quds Day, a gathering to protest against the government.
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American federal agents have arrested three men for making false statements in an antiterrorism investigation. Officials detained Najibullah Zazi and his father Mohammed late Saturday in the western state of Colorado. The men were seized after Najibullah Zazi cancelled plans to meet federal agents for a fourth day of questioning. A third man Ahmad Wais Afzali was arrested separately in New York. The American Justice Department said each man was charged with knowingly and willfully making false statements to the government in a matter involving international and national terrorism. Officials say that Mr. Zazi is suspected in a bomb-making plot. He has denied any links to terrorism. The men are to appear in court Monday and could face eight years in prison if found guilty.
The army of southern Sudan is reporting new tribal clashes in Jonglei state. An army official says gunmen from the Lou Nuer ethnic group have attacked a village in the Dinka Hol tribe. The official says the attack on Duk Padiet village forced out soldiers who were protecting the area. Several deadly tribal clashes have been reported in Jonglei in southern Sudan this year. More than 1,000 people have been killed. Local people say the fighting is linked to stealing cows. But officials in southern Sudan blamed the ruling National Congress Party in the north. They say it organizes the attacks to incite conflict and damages the peace treaty from 2005 that ended the civil war. The Sudanese army says it has recaptured an area in north Darfur province once controlled by rebels. An army statement says troops have cleared the remaining Sudan Liberation Movement rebels from Korma area. There were no reports of deaths or injuries. The government report can not be independently confirmed. The Sudan Liberation Movement has accused the Sudanese military of recently moving into rebel territory and causing civilians to flee.
And finally many Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr. The celebration marks the end of Ramadan. The month-long Islamic observance includes not eating in daylight hours. In Saudi Arabia, thousands gathered in Mecca Sunday for morning prayers. Jordanian King Abdullah joined a prayer service in the Red Sea port of Aqaba and others joined Islamic services in Egypt and Iraq.
And now, here again is the major news.
President Obama says he will not make a decision on the war in Afghanistan based on what he called “the politics of the moment”.
President Obama plans to hold a joint meeting with Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week in an attempt to restart Middle East peace talks.
And Iran’s supreme leader is blaming Western news media for inciting the political unrest in his country.
And that’s the news in VOA Special English.