Thai officials are seeking two additional people in connection with their investigation of a deadly bombing in Bangkok. Officials released a picture of a woman and a drawing of a man suspected of involvement in the bombing earlier this month. The new information came after police raided an apartment building on Sunday. Monday, national police said they seized fertilizer, explosive devices and digital watches from several rooms they searched.
Police also announced Monday that a reward for information about the bombing would be paid to the police. Officials announced that police would receive about $83,000 after a 28-year-old foreign man was arrested on Saturday.
US Said to Be Preparing Sanctions against China
The Washington Post reports that the United States is preparing economic sanctions against Chinese individuals and companies. The move is said to be against those who have profited from stealing U.S. trade secrets. The newspaper reported several officials in the administration of President Barack Obama say the U.S. has not decided whether to put sanctions in place. But, they said a decision is expected soon.
On April 1, President Obama signed an executive order. It permits the Treasury Department to block trade with anyone responsible for hacking U.S. groups or receiving information for financial gain. It also gives the Treasury Department power to bar their use of any money or financial assets kept in the United States.
The U.S. government and American companies have accused China of attacking computer systems and taking sensitive information and trade secrets. In May, the U.S. charged five Chinese military officers with spying against American companies. China rejected the accusations.
European Ministers urge action on migrants
The Interior Ministers of Britain, France and Germany have called for urgent action to deal with thousands of migrants arriving in Europe.
The ministers issued a joint statement on Sunday. They called the situation “exceptional.” They asked the European Union President, Luxembourg, to hold a meeting within two weeks.
The ministers also called for Italy and Greece to process migrants better as they enter their borders. The International Organization for Migration says the two countries are the main landing points for 322,000 migrants who have crossed the Mediterranean Sea this year.
The IOM says the largest populations arriving in Greece and Italy are from Syria, Afghanistan, Eritrea and Nigeria.
President Obama speaks at climate change conference in Alaska
President Obama visits the state of Alaska Monday. Mr. Obama will speak at a conference where officials, scientists and others are discussing the effects of climate change. The conference is being held to bring attention to the effects of rising temperatures in the Arctic. The aim is to show how these changes affect people in the rest of the world and to suggest what they can do.
During his weekly presidential broadcast, Mr. Obama said Alaskans face more wildfires, melting glaciers and eroding shorelines. Those at the conference will discuss a number of issues, from science cooperation to preventing unregulated fishing.
The State Department is holding the climate change meeting. U.S. officials say the event is not connected to a United Nations event on the subject that starts on November 30.
Malala Yousafzai speaks in support of women’s rights
And the youngest winner of a Nobel Prize visited VOA in Washington on Sunday. Malala Yousafzai called for young women to start believing in their potential to be leaders. Three years ago, Taliban militants shot the young Pakistani activist in the head for her support of education for girls.
Speaking at an event on women’s rights and girls education, Ms. Yousafzai said women need to come forward and take part in every field, including politics. Ms. Yousafzai turned 18 in July and recently passed college exams.
Words in the News
sanctions – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade
hacking – n. to secretly get use of the files on a computer or a computer network in order to get information or cause damage
exceptional – adj. not usual; unusual or uncommon
erode – v. to slowly destroy or be gradually destroyed by natural forces such as wind, water or ice
potential – adj. capable of becoming real
