VOA 2011-2-11

[Homework VOA 2011-2-11]
Widening anti-government protests in Egypt turn to labor actions. A child bomber killed more than two dozen Pakistani soldiers. I’m David Forest reporting from Washington.

Egypt State Prosecutor is launching a corruption investigation against three former government ministers, and a member of parliament from Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party, media reports today say the investigation is targeting former Commerce Minister Rachid Mohammed Rachid, former Tourism Minister Zuhair Garana, former Housing Minister Ahmed Maghrabi and parliament member Ahmed Ezz. Meanwhile, thousands of anti-government protestors are gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as well as outside Egypt Parliament building today, the campaign to oust president Hosni Mubarak has now turned to labor action, which is affect the tourism, textile and railway industries as well as the government itself. VOA’s Elizabeth Arrott has more.

The growing numbers of demonstrators and increasing military presence on the street of capital are raising questions about how long the army can play a largely neutral role in the upheaval. Thousands of workers across the nation are staging a 2nd day strikes to protest low pay and poor working conditions. New groups, many of them professionals are joining the political demonstrations now in their 17th day. Protestors remain camped out in front of parliament building, an apparent new attempt to move their call to action beyond the focal point of Tahrir Square. Elizabeth Arrott, VOA news, Cairo.

And you can find updates on the Egyptian protests at our website, voanews.com.

And Iranian opposition website says authorities have placed opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi under a house arrest after he called for a rally in support of anti-government uprisings in Egypt and Tunisia. Website has security forces outside Karroubi’s home in Tehran prevented children and other family members going inside today. On Wednesday, Iran’s Chief Prosecutor said the request by Karroubi and opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi to hold the rally Monday was aimed at dividing Iranians.

Pakistani military officials say a suicide bomber has attacked the military facility in the northwest of Mardan, killing at least 31 soldiers and wounding about 40. Ayaz Gul reports.

Pakistani authorities say soldiers were busy and in their morning training session in Mardan, when a teenager bomber dressed in a school uniform walked up to them and donated the explosives. Doctors fear the toll could rise because some of those wounded are in a critical condition, Thursday’ attack is being described as one of the worst against the Pakistan Security forces in recent months, and shows that despite major military opposition against their hideouts, Taliban and al-Qaida linked militants are still capable of hitting key installations, Ayaz Gul for VOA News, Islamabad.

India and Pakistan have announced they will resume peace talks that stop more 2 years ago after the terrorist attack in Mumbai, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the day country will resume dialogue on all issues include counter-terrorism and deputed Kashmir region.

A computer security firm is saying hacker based in China have broken into the computers’ system of at least five multinational oil and gas companies to steal biding plans and other sensitive information. In the report to be released day, the U.S. based firm Mcafee did not identify the companies. But it said the cyber-espionage attacks have been going on since late 2009 and still occurring. A company executive said there is no evident Chinese government was aware of or sanctioned all the attack.

The U.S. director of National Intelligence James Clapper and seven other Intelligence Chiefs go to Capitol Hill today. They will discuss intelligence strategy for the coming year. The officials will appear before the House of Intelligence Committee in the open session followed by a closed session.

Sudanese Security forces have arrested a well-known opposition leader who has been seeking the release of protestors detained last month. The Umma party said police arrested Mariam al-Mahdi today in the capital, Khartoum. They said he has been part of a group trying to petition the government to free protestors.
Taking a brief look at market activities, on Wall Street at this hour U.S. stock indexes are down, Asia-Pacific stock markets closed mostly lower today.

I’m David Forest, more news on the Internet at voanews.com.

知识：
塔利班：Taliban
基 地组织：al-Qaida
伊斯兰堡(巴基斯坦首都)：Islamabad [is'lɑːməbɑːd]
孟买（印度城市）：Mumbai [mʌm'bai]
反恐怖主义：counter-terrorism
招标计划：biding plans
网络间谍：cyber-espionage /'espiənɑːʒ/间谍活动；谍报活动；刺探活动
美国国会：Capitol Hill
苏丹首都喀土穆：Khartoum [kɑː'tuːm]
单词：
textile /'tekstaɪl/ n 纺织业
neutral /'njuːtrəl/ adj 中立的；持平的；无倾向性的；中立国的；
upheaval /ʌp'hiːvl/ n 剧变；激变；动 乱；动荡
focal /'fəʊkl/ adj 中心的；很重要的；焦点的；有焦点的
hideout /'haɪdaʊt/ n 藏身处；隐蔽所
sanction ['sæŋkʃən] n/v 认可;批准
petition /pə'tɪʃn/ n/v 请愿书~ (against/for sth)上诉状；申诉书；申请书
祈求；请求；请愿~ for/against sth ~ sb (for sth)
（向法庭）请求，申请~ (sb) (for sth)