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听力文稿 ( Transcript )
Moves are underway of the United Nations to move the trial of the former Liberian president Charles Taylor to the International Criminal Court in the Hague. The British ambassador to the UN said a draft resolution was ready to go before the Security Council. The former Liberian leader has been charged with war crimes for allegedly sponsoring rebels in neighbouring Sierra Leone where up to 50,000 people died in ten years of brutal civil war. Britain had said earlier it was prepared to imprison Mr. Taylor who is being held in Sierra Leone if he is convicted. The British Foreign Secretary Margaret Backet explained why.
"We strongly believe in the importance of an international system of justice and people who are found guilty, if they are of terrible crimes, should not only stand trial but be imprisoned and should serve for sentence for those crimes not least because it helps to discourage others from the commission of such crimes in the future."
European Union leaders have begun a two-day summit in Brussels after a warning from the head of its executives, José Manuel Barroso, that membership negotiations with Turkey would be very difficult. The summit's immediate preoccupation will be the future direction of the EU. From the council administer's building, Jony Diamond reports.
The future of the EU constitution has dominated the discussions so far. Final agreement has not yet been reached, but according to a spokesman for the Austrian government which currently holds the presidency of the EU, debate has been good-natured and open. The period of a reflection on the constitution, which was declared after France and the Netherlands rejected it last year, has been extended in all but named for another year. By mid 2007, EU Leaders hope the way out of the deadlock will be found. It will be left to Germany which will hold the presidency in the first six months of next year to fashion a way forward.
The founder of the technology company Microsoft- Bill Gates has announced that he is stepping down from the day-to-day running of the software giant to concentrate on the work of his charitable foundation. Mr. Gates, who is chairman of Microsoft and reported to be the richest man in the world, said by July 2008 he will be working full time for the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation which funds health and education projects in the developing world. Speaking at a news conference, Mr. Gates explained his decision.
"The change we're announcing today is not a retirement. It's a reordering of my priorities. It's a sense of optimism that smart, committed people with the right support and vision could have a huge impact. It is about using technology giant not just for the privileged few but for everyone. "
President Bush has announced the creation of a huge American nature sanctuary covering a chain of remote Hawaiian islands, rifts and deltas stretching for nearly 2,000 kilometres. The sanctuary which will be the biggest in the world of its kind is home to millions of sea birds as well as a rare native species of seal. Campaigning groups have welcomed the announcement but remain critical to the rest of president's environmental record.
You're listening to the world news from the BBC.
The first meeting of the a newly established International contact group on Somalia has given strong backing to the transitional government there. The government was established with the UN backing two years ago but remains largely powerless. After it's first meeting in New York, the group said it supported Somalia's transitional institutions, called for urgent aid to Somalia and said it intended to address international concerns over terrorism. From Washington, Jonathan Bill reports.
In a sharp rebuke to US policy in Somalia, the UN Secretary General Coffi Anan said that he would not offer backs to Somalia's warlords. The US has refused to confirm or deny reports that it has been paying Somalia warlords to help track down members of al-Qaida who it belives are hiding in the country. But that's widely accepted and it now appears that America has been supporting the losing side. Islamic militia have taken control of large parts of the country. That only heightens US concerns that Somalia could become a safe heaven for terrorists.
The Hamas-led Palestinian government has offered to renew its cease-fire with Israel. A government spokesman, Gazi Hamad said Hamas was prepared to ask Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets into Israel. But he said Israel would have to promise to stop its attacks on Palestinians in Gaza and West Bank. Hamas suspended the truce on Friday after a family were killed in an explosion on a beach in Gaza.
The longest underground road tunnel in Asia opens to traffic in Taiwan today. The Xueshan or Snow Mountain Tunnel is nearly 13 kilometres long and forms a key section of a new national highway connecting the capital to the northeast.
BBC world news.
words ande expressions
commission: The act of committing or perpetrating fashion: To give shape or form to; make: good-natured: 和蔼的, 和善的 preoccupation: 当务之急 sanctuary: A reserved area in which birds and other animals, especially wild animals, are protected from hunting or molestation step down: 逐步减低, 辞职
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