西红的博客

The British government says it is vetoing the publication of Cabinet minutes on the legality of the Iraq war. Last month, a Freedom of Information tribunal ordered the release of papers from 2 Cabinets sessions held in March 2003, at which the invasion of the Iraq war was discussed. As Nick Childs reports that the government’s veto decision has sparked controversy.

Britain’s Justice Secretary Jack Straw said publication of the Cabinet minutes when advice on the legality of the Iraq war was discussed, would risk serious damage to an important principle of British democracy. But there was angry response from MP, some of them cried shame. The Main Opposition Conservative Party supports the decision but says they should be a full public inquiry into the war. The Liberal Democratic Party says ministers are covering up their own embarrassment. The decision to go to war still stirs emotions.

The leader of Israel’s right wing Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu has asked Kadima and labor parties to discuss joining a broad coalition with him in the face of what he called huge challenges to Israel.  Mr. Netanyahu already has the support of other right wing and religious groups. The centralist Kidima Party won one more seat than Liku in the recent election. But Kidima’s leader Tzipi Livni, said she would rather to go into opposition then provide what she called a “fig leaf“ for a right wing administration. The coalition’s been formed. It is a coalition without a political vision, a coalition that would not allow me to implement my vision, Kidima’ vision, the vision we presented to the voters and therefore I will not be able to serve as cover for a lack of direction. I want to lead Israel in a way I believe in.”

Two rebel Tumil Tiger aircrafts attacked the Sri Lanka capital Colombo. crumbled. The Defense Min

United Nations officials say the Palestinian Hamas Movement which controls the Gaza Strip delivered a letter to the American Senator John Kerry while he was visiting the territory.  The head of UN Relief Agency in Gaza said the letter was addressed to President Brack Obama. Mr Kerry and two members of Congress who accompanied him were the most senior US officials to visit Gaza since Hamas seized control there almost 2 years ago. One of the congressmen said that they didn’t seek any contact with Hamas.

“We were focusing on humanitarian crisis, witnessing that first-hand and sharing our experiences, and also frankly conveying to the Palestinian people and International Community that members of Congress are deeply concerning what has been happening and are committed to provide relief in the short run and solution in the long run.”

      The Texan financier, Allen Stan

Touchy:

1 easily upset or offend, oversensitive

2 (of an issue or situation) requiring careful handling)

adj.  易怒的, 过敏的, 难以取悦的

Fastidious: (be fastidious about) very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail/ very concerned about cleanliness

难讨好的，挑剔的，要求极高的，过分讲究的

Effortless:  Requiring no physical or mentle exertion.  / achieve with admirable ease

 不需努力的，不费劲的，容易的（易如反掌）

Knock-back:  a refusal, rejection or setback

            拒绝，退回，挫折

Sort out:  an act of organizing things by separating them into categories.

Fish:  try subtly or deviously to elicit a response or some information from someone.

       The United Nations in Sri Lanka says it is concerned by reports saying a growing number of people trying to escape the Tamil Tiger held territory in the North are being shot at and sometimes killed by the rebels. The Tigers have been forced into an enclave by the Sri Lanka army during fierce fighting in recent weeks. Sanjoy Majumder reports.

       A statement from the United Nations in Sri Lanka says its concerned about the safety of civilians caught up in the fighting has been heightened, based on reports received over the past few days. Many of them based on testimony from people who’s managed to come out of the conflict zone. It says credible reports suggest that the Tamil Tigers are preventing civilians from leaving and a number of those trying to get away have been shot at and in some cas

BBC News with Cathy Clarkson.    

               The American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is determined to strengthen its partnerships and alliances in East Asia. Speaking about her tour of the region next week, Ms. Clinton said Washington was willing to normalize the relationship with North Korea.

              “If North Korea is genuinely prepared to completely and verifiably eliminate their nuclear weapons program, the Obama administration will be willing to normalize the bilateral relations, replace the peninsula’ longstanding armistice agreements with a permanent peace treaty and assist in meeting the energy and other economic needs of the North Korea people.”

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 The Director of National Intelligence in Washington Dennis Blair says the global economy crisis is the main immediate security concern for the United States.  Admiral Blair gave his analysis in an annual assessment of the threats United Stated believes it is facing. As Richard Lister reports from Washington.

        Admiral Blair warned that the longer it takes the economy recovery to begin, the more likely its American strategic interest will be seriously damaged. He said about a quarter of the world's countries have already experienced low-level instability, such as changes in government because of the current slowdown. And the most nations in Latin America, the Former Soviet Union and Sub-Saharan Africa don't have the financial resources to limit the impact of recession. That, he said, increase their risk of major instability, leading to economy nationalism and ult

BBC News with Marian Marshall.

Congressional negotiators in the United States have reached a bill to stimulate the American economy，with almost 790 billion dollars. They hope to vote on the plan in the next few days. From Washington, Richard Lister reports.

    This is one of the most expensive pieces of legislation ever to come before the US Congress and it has caused bitter partisan divisions. Republicans wanted something half of the size, comprising mostly tax-cut. While many Democrats wanted more money spent on America’infrastrure. The Democrats needed two more Republican votes to get this stimulus through and three have now come out in favor of this compromise bill. It is smaller than the both version which proceeded it and to have seen both tax and spending provisions cut, but is still a vast amount of money, and Democrats said it should create three to four million jobs.

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         Votes are being counting in Israel general election, a poll could have a crucial effect on Middle East’s peace process. Exit polls suggested the centrist Kadima party led byTzipi Livni is narrowly ahead of the centre-right Likud Party led by the former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

From Kadima headquarters, Tim Franks.          

         At Kadima Party, a gust with delight and shock greeted the release of the exit polls. Those polls suggested that having been consistantly behind in the survey for months, Tzipi Livni has managed to garner the supports of enough people who didn’t

             Presient Obama has held his first public rally outside Washington since taking office. He used the call on the US Congress to approve his 800-billion-dollar economical stimulus plan immediately.

            From Washington James Coomarasamy. 

            With his economy stimulus bill proving a harder sell than expected, President Obma is taking his messeage directly to the American people. Speaking in Elkhart Indiana, the town with the unemployment rate twice the national average, he outlined how different parts of the bill would stimulate the econnomy and he promised transparency in how the money would be spent. Republicans and some democratics in Congress are balking at the s