Kerry says the North Korean missile (launch) would be a huge mistake. And the U.N. fears for the safety of returning Syrian refugees. I’m Frances Alonzo reporting from Washington.
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says it would be a huge mistake if North Korea follows through on its (threat) to conduct another missile test that officials warned could happen at any time. Speaking alongside his South Korean (counterpart) in Seoul today, Kerry also said North Korea would never be recognized by the international community as a nuclear weapon state. Kerry said the Pentagon is working on the (assumption) that North Korea does not yet have the capacity to place a nuclear warhead on a ballistic missile. Despite a leaked U.S. intelligence report suggesting that it does.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Barack Obama says North Korea should end its (belligerence). Kent Kelin reports.
After meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in the oval office Thursday, President Obama said North Korea leaders should stop threatening nuclear (attacks).
Now it’s the time for North Korea to end the kind of belligerent (approach) that they have been taking.英语口语培训
Mr. Obama (indicated) the door is open to a (diplomatic) solution, but he warned that the United States will protect itself against North Korean military action. Kent Klein, the White House.
The United Nations Refugee Agency is expressing alarm at the rising number of Syrian (refugees) it says are returning home from Jordan. The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees spokesperson Melissa Flemming said today that since the beginning of April, around 3,000 refugees have crossed back into the Syrian (province) of Daraa from nearby Jordan. She said much of that area remains a battleground and the agency fears for the safety of those returning.
Meanwhile, human rights groups are urging U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to raise the treatment of (dissidents) and other rights concerns during his upcoming visit to China, which is expected to be (dominated) by talks on North Korea. Several groups including Amnesty International and Reporters without Borders said in a letter to Kerry this week that they fear human rights concerns have been (sacrificed) as Washington pursues economic opportunities in China and seeks Beijing’s support on North Korea and other international concerns.
Moscow has warned Washington against of publishing a list of Russian officials who face (sanctions) for alleged human rights abuses. President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman said today that (publication) of the list would (severely) strain relations. The list, which is to be expected to be released today, is authorized by the Magnitsky Act.
The South African government has rolled out a new single pill to treat HIV/AIDS this week, (claiming) it would be the cheapest such treatment in the world. Emilie Iob reports for VOA news from Johannesburg.易说堂电话英语
The South African government started prescribing the new product on 1st of April. Instead of taking three tablets a day, twice a day, HIV positive patients now only have to take one small pill per day. Medical officer Dimakatso Boikhustso says the patients who already have (switched) to this new treatment are satisfied. South Africa has the world’s largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS, but the country has made (tremendous) progress in the treatment of the disease over the last few years. Emilie Iob for VOA news, Johannesburg.
Some 70,000 refugees from Northern Mali are stranded in the Mauritanian desert with little hope of a quick return home. As according to a report by Doctors without Borders, the (medical) aid group known by its French initials MSF, says the refugees are living in (appalling) condition at the Mbera camp in far southeastern Mauritania.
European Union finance ministers are meeting in Dublin today and Saturday to discuss the aid for (struggling) members with Cyprus high on the (agenda). The meeting comes just a day after news that the cost of the Cyprus bailout has jumped sharply.
U.S. retail sales declined in March. It’s the second such drop in three months. Today's report from the Commerce Department says sales were off 0.4%. Sales may be off because a tax increase reduced consumers’ (disposable) income.
More at voanews.com, I’m Frances Alonzo, VOA news.
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