From Washington, this is VOA News.
I’m Dave DeForest reporting.
A committee of key Syrian opposition groups is expected to decide Thursday whether to participate in U.N.-brokered peace talks in Geneva. U.N. Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura sent out invitations to the negotiations on Tuesday, but did not disclose who was on the list.
The United States and China agreed Wednesday to work together to ensure that North Korea ends its nuclear weapons program. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry met with China's foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing, stressing the North Korean issue is a high priority for the U.S. government.
“Now is the time we believe for action that can bring North Korea back to the (negotiating) table. I agree with my fellow minister. There is a goal in sanctions. It is to get to the negotiations.”
The talks revealed that the two sides disagree on whether and what sort of sanctions to use against North Korea following its recent nuclear test.
International Criminal Court judges have authorized an investigation into allegations that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed during the 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict.
Japanese-based Toyota Motor Corporation says it sold 10.15 million vehicles worldwide in 2015. That makes Toyota the world's top-selling automaker for the fourth consecutive year.
Suicide bombers have killed at least 10 people in Chibok, the Nigerian town where Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls nearly two years ago.
Witnesses say one bomber detonated explosives Wednesday at a checkpoint where people were being searched, and at least two others blew themselves up in the town's market.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but the attack bore the hallmarks of Boko Haram.
This is VOA News.
Words in The News
key – adj. important
participate – v. to be involved with others in doing something
brokered – adj. organized or controlled by
disclose – v. to make known
ensure – v. to make sure or safe
stressing – v. giving special attention to something
priority – n. a goal; something that is important
table – n. a piece of furniture that has a flat top and one or more legs
sanctions – n. actions that are taken to force a country to obey international rules
revealed – v. made known
authorized – v. to give power or permission to
allegations – n. accusations or charges
committed – v. carried out; executed
consecutive – adj. following one after the other
detonated – v. exploded
checkpoint – n. a place where police or guards search people
bore the hallmarks – expression. showing evidence of something
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