WORLD NEWS – October 11th, 2009

WORLD NEWS – October 11^th, 2009

Written by Voice of America，错误之处，请多多指正！

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And so you have found us here once again at VOA special English now at 00:30 universal time in the news of the day

Militants are holding up to 15 soldiers hostage near Pakistan’s army Headquarters. At least 6 soldiers have been killed. Officials say the gunmen drove up to the army center in the city of Rawalpindi on Saturday and begun firing, starting a gun battle. At least 4 attackers were killed. Security forces later found two other gunmen who had escaped. A Pakistani military spokesman says the efforts are in progress to free hostages held by 4 or 5 attackers in an office near the Headquarters. The spokesman says that the security forces have surrounded the building to try to free the soldiers without loss of life. No group has claimed responsibility but Pakistani leaders have blamed the Taliban for recent to attacks.  

Armenia and Turkey have signed an agreement to reestablish diplomatic ties after 100 years of hostile relations. The Armenian and Turkey’s Foreign Ministers signed the documents to reestablish diplomatic ties and reopen their border. They met in city of Zurich, Switzerland. The ceremony was delayed for several hours after a last minute of dispute about the closing statement the two nations’ plan to make. American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton helped settle the dispute. Top diplomats from Russia, France and the European Union also attended the signing. About 10,000 people marched through the Armenian capital, Yerevan on Saturday. They were protesting the signing of historic document that will restore normal relation with Turkey. In Lebanon hundreds of Armenians also gathered to protest the signing of the document. They demonstrated in Beirut.

An Iranian official says that three people have been sentenced to death for involvement in protests after Iran’s disputed presidential election last June. An Iranian news agency reports a court’s official is saying three people were found guilty of having tied to anti-government group. The group is called “The Kingdom Assembly of Iran”. The Official said that the three also were linked to the exiled opposition group “the People's Mujahedeen Organization” of Iran. The official said that the death sentences are not final and can be appealed to a High Court.

Human Rights Watch is calling on the Sri Lankan government to free about 250,000 Tamils held in detention camps. The Tamils were displaced by the country’s civil war. They have been in the military operated camps since fighting ended in May. A statement by the human rights group said that the water shortage and the possibility of flooding have increased tensions among those being held. Sri Lanka officials say they are freeing civilians as fast as they can. But they say that the process is slow because they need to examine detainees to find out that rebel fighters maight hide in among them.

Voters in Sri Lanka completed ballots on Saturday in an important election in the Southern part of the country. Observers say that the provinces are considered the center of strength for President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Official say that about 60% of almost 2 million possible voters took part. They voted for the members of the Southern Provincial Council. More than 1,000 candidates were competing for just 55 seats on the Council. President Rajapaksa’s party is expected to win the election after the government victory over the Tamil Tiger Rebels.

And you are listening to this news in VOA special English

Workers in the Philippines have recovered more bodies in the north where floods and landslides have killed more than 200 people. The disasters were caused by a severe storm that hit the country last week. Officials say that the number of the dead continues to rise, many people are still missing. Some firefighters involved in rescue operations are among the dead. Reports from the area say that the floods are easing but some areas remain underwater. Rescue teams in helicopters and boats are trying to reach people trapped on the tops of their homes. Typhoon Parma hit the country last Saturday just days after Typhoon Ketsana struck.

An earthquake measuring 5.9 has struck off coast of Tonga and Samoa. No injuries or damages have been reported.  The quake is the later in the severe earthquakes to strike the South of Pacific. A warning for tsunami waves has not been declared.

And Polish President Lech Kaczynski has signed the European Union’s reform treaty that leaves the Czech Republic as the only nation yet to approve the treaty. The agreement is designed to make decision making easier within the organization. Mr. Kaczynski said he believed that the new cooperation among EU states will be successful. All 27 EU nations must approve the agreement before it can take effect. The Czech Parliament has approved the treaty but Czech’s President Vaclav Klaus says that he is concern that it will interfere with the country’s independence.

And so briefly now here again is the major news of this hour

Militants are holding up to 15 soldiers hostage near Pakistan’s army Headquarters.

Armenia and Turkey have signed an agreement to reestablish diplomatic ties after a century of hostile relations.    

And the group, Human Rights Watch is calling on the Sri Lankan government to free about 250,000 Tamils held in detention camps.

So end this news at this hour in VOA special English and we thank you are listeners.