BBC 2007-04-10 加文本

BBC 2007-04-10



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BBC World News with John Jason.

The United States and other western powers have strongly criticized Iran after its announcement that it can now produce nuclear fuel on an industrial scale. The White House Security spokesman has called on Iran to comply to suspend the program. But the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad threatened to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty if subjected to further pressure. Daniel Lag reports from Washington.

Concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions have united Washington and European capitals. Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for President Bush's National Security Council, said Iran was defying international opinion and isolating itself. The United States and Europe have both strongly backed UN sanctions against Iran imposed by the Security Council when Teheran refused last year to accept a nuclear fuel and technology deal in exchange for ending enrichment. The UN's International Atomic Energy Agency is due to release another report on Iran's capabilities next month, and the US can be expected to push for tougher sanctions after that.

The British Ministry of Defense has banned military personnel from selling their experiences to the news media, pending a review of official guidelines. The Defense Secretary Des Brown has admitted that allowing the fifteen sailors and marines captured in Iran to be paid for interviews on their return home wasn't satisfactory.

American researchers say cutting down trees in snow regions might help counter the effects of global warming. The findings highlight the complexity of the planet as it'd previously been understood that mass deforestation contributed to global warming. Julian Bedford reports.

It's been a woe cry for environmentalists in recent years "Mass deforestation contributes to global warming". But that argument may now have to be revised. Scientists in the United States have run a simulation of the effects of large-scale clearing. And they find that if trees were to be cut down in the icy northern regions, it would actually cool down the Earth. The reason: Snow reflects sunlight and the great pine forests of Russia, Europe and Canada shade tens of thousands of hectares of reflective snow.

One of the candidates in Nigeria's presidential election has urged the opposition to form a grand alliance against the governing party. General Muhammadu Buhari of the All Nigeria People's Party invited all opposition presidential candidates to meet on Thursday in the capital Abuja just days before Nigerian voters elect local and state representatives and less than two weeks before the presidential election itself. Hussy Wendy of the Nigerian Police Force outlined just how they would ensure the elections were peaceful.

We are about to find the areas that are political flash points, and what we are trying to do is to ensure that every area is fully covered and fully secured for the elections. That is why you are seeing a lot of movements of officers all over the country.

World News from the BBC.

For the first time the army in Sudan says it's now come under attack on its own territory by troops from neighboring Chad. A Sudanese army spokesman said at least 17 of its soldiers were killed as they repelled the Chadian forces. A Chadian official said its troops have crossed into Sudan in pursuit of Chadian rebels who had attacked its forces. He didn't confirm any clash with the Sudanese. Earlier Chad said at least eight of its soldiers and many rebels have been killed in a battle on the Chadian side of the border. Relations between Chad and Sudan have been strained for several months. And there are fears that the conflict in Darfur could lead to a wider regional war.

President Bush has spoken of the importance of achieving agreements on a comprehensive immigration policy. Speaking during a visit to Yuma, Arizona on the United States-Mexico border, he said the issue had to be tackled on several fronts.

This border should be open to trade and lawful immigration, and shut down to criminals and drug dealers and terrorists and coyotes and smugglers, people who prey on innocent life.

Correspondents say Mr. Bush is trying to secure bipartisan support for a new policy, mixing tough security measures with fair treatment for legal immigrants in the US.

The new Health Minister in Brazil has called for a wide-ranging debate on abortion. Under present law, abortion is only allowed when the life of the mother is at risk or in the case of rape. The minister said he wanted to treat the discussions as a matter of public health. His remarks come as the Roman Catholic Church in Brazil prepares for a visit by Pope Benedict next month.

Four weeks after the BBC Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston disappeared on his way home from work, rallies have been held across the Palestinian territories and in London to call for his release. It's feared Mr. Johnston has been abducted but there is still no word on who might be holding him. The BBC has said it's growing increasingly concerned.

BBC world news.