字词模式
句模式
段模式
系统设置
更多按钮
网址切换
保存状态
用户反馈
页面收藏
-AA+
Ukraine government resigns.

From Washington this is VOA News.

Ukraine government resigns. Egypt’s Morsi on trial in jail break case. I’m Ray Kouguell, reporting on Washington.

Ukraine’s President Victor Yanukovich accepted the resignation of the government in a bid to quell violent anti-government protests that have gripped the capital Kiev and have spread to other cities. Henry Ridgwell reports. President Yanukovich accepted the resignation of his entire cabinet Tuesday including prime minister Mykola Azarov who had earlier offered to quit. The opposition welcomed the move but said it was just one step towards their goal of early presidential elections. The current cabinet will remain in place until a new government is appointed. Lawmakers meeting in an emergency session Tuesday voted by 361-2 to repeal anti-protest laws introduced two weeks ago. The legislation which banned demonstrations and made it illegal to slander government officials was widely seen as fueling the protests. Henry Ridgewell for VOA News, Kiev. Demonstrations began two months ago after Mr. Yanukovich backed away from signing a deal with the European Union.

Ousted Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi protested defiantly from a soundproof glass and metal cage as he went on trial Tuesday in Cairo on charges connected with a mass jail break during the 2011 uprising. Edward Yeranian has details.

The prosecutor read out the charges against Mr. Morsi and his co-defendants Tuesday, detailing the allegations of the wide-scale prison break during the January 2011 revolution. Defendants from the Palestinian Hamas group and Lebanon’s Hezbollah were among those accused. Media reports say Mr.Morsi was flown by helicopter to the trial from his prison in Alexandria at an undisclosed time. Analysts say the government was worried attackers might try to blow up the helicopter carrying Mr. Morsi. Assassins shot and killed a top interior ministry official, General Mohamed Saeed, outside his Cairo home Tuesday, before the trial began. Edward Yeranian for VOA News, Cairo. The next session for Mr. Morsi’s trial for breaking out of prison is scheduled for February 22 nd. The former president’s second trial for allegedly inciting violence against anti-government protesters in 2012 is due to resume Saturday.

Syrian peace negotiations broke off earlier than planned Tuesday amid mutual accusations and what the opposition delegation said were serious differences over the goal of the talks. Members of the Syrian National Coalition’s negotiating team said the afternoon session was canceled to give the government a chance to make its proposal about the future of Syria within the context of the 2012 Geneva communique.

Taiwan’s top policy maker on Beijing issue says he will travel to mainland China next month for the first high-level contact between the two sides since 1949. Mainland Affairs Minister Wang Yu Chi says his trip will not deal with sensitive political issues but instead will help establish a communication mechanism to avoid misunderstandings. He also says economic ties will be the focus of the meeting.

President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address in about four hours from now to adjourn session of Congress. White House correspondent Dan Robison has this preview. Mr.Obama and Congress facing intense public skepticism about their ability to cooperate for the good of the economy. Supporters and critics say this greatly limits Mr. Obama’s second term flexibility. But White House says Mr. Obama will strike an optimistic tone putting forward real concrete practical proposals to strengthen the middleclass and spur opportunity. Key political adviser Dan Pfeiffer said on Fox News Sunday that the president wants 2014 to be a year of action. What we are trying to do here is restore opportunities for all Americans, grow the economy and create jobs.Dan Robinson, VOA news, the White House. You can hear President Obama’s State of the Union address live at two hour universal time Wednesday on VOA radio, television and VOANEWS. com.

Legendary American folk singer and political activist Pete Seeger has died at the age of 94. Seeger passed away Monday of natural causes at New York Presbyterian Hospital. Seeger’s best known as the founder of the Weavers, a quartet that achieve wide popularity after serving World War II during the early 1950 s with such songs as If I had a Hammer, Kisses Sweeter Than Wine, and Goodnight, Irene. Pete Seeger died at the age of 94.

I’m Ray Kouguell, VOA News, more at VOANEWS. com.