BBC news 2008-03-05 加文本

BBC 2008-03-05

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BBC News with Charles Caro.

In the United States, the first indications are expected soon of how Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have done in the crucial series of primary elections to become the Democratic Party's presidential candidate. The poll was just closed in Vermont; results will follow over the coming hours from Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas, from where James Little reports.

The Lone Star State is the biggest price remaining with more than 200 delegates at stake. Hillary Clinton is counting on the large Latino vote to stop Barack Obama's momentum. Speaking in Houston, she struck an upbeat note and said she expected tremendous turnouts. Addressing a big crowd of her rodeo nearby, Obama sounded just as confident. Polls suggest the race is extremely tight, much will depend on his ability to peel away the Latino voters who have traditionally been deeply loyal to the Clinton brand. (www.hXen.com)

Ecuador has called on the Organization of American States, the OAS, to condemn Colombia for its incursion into Ecuador that killed a leader of the left-wing rebel group FARC. Addressing in an emergency session of the OAS, the Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Maria Espinosa said that an apology would not suffice and called for a full investigation. From Washington, Vincent Dowd reports.

Maria Espinosa told the special session of the OAS that a meeting of foreign ministers should be convened urgently because of tensions between her country and neighboring Colombia. Like Ecuador, Venezuela too has begun mobilizing troops to its border with Colombia following Bogota's incursion on Saturday. FARC's second-in-command was killed in the Colombian raid. Colombia's ambassador to the OAS told the meeting his country's action have been justified as a blow against terrorism. But Colombia says it supports the idea of an urgent high-level meeting to address the crisis.

The United Nations says dealing too leniently with celebrity drug users sends out the wrong message to young people. In its annual report, the UN's International Narcotics Control Board says famous people taking illegal narcotics glamorize drug abuse. Philip Emafo is the president of the INCB.

"Often times celebrities are involved in illicit drug trafficker or illicit drug use, and this is glamorized, if indeed, if committed offenses, they should be dealt with." (www.Hxen.com)

The Russian state gas company Gazprom has again cut supplies to Ukraine, the second reduction in as many days. The latest restriction means that Russian gas exports to its neighbor are at half than normal level. Gazprom accused the Ukrainian authorities of failing to clear their debts from previous contracts. The state-run gas company in Kiev says that it may be forced in turn to reduce Russian gas supplies passing through its territory to Western Europe.

World News from the BBC.

Israeli troops and armed vehicles have briefly re-entered the Gaza Strip as the American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attempted to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians during a visit to the West Bank. Palestinian officials said that a baby was killed and at least ten Palestinians were injured during the latest Israeli incursion.

The veteran Northern Ireland politician, the Reverend Ian Paisley said he is stepping down as first minister of the province and as leader of the Protestant political party he founded, the Democratic Unionist Party. Doctor Paisley, who is 81, said it was time for a younger generation to move the province forward. Mr. Paisley’s one-time political enemy, the leader of Sinn Fein, Gerry Adams, thanked him for his more recent contributions to Northern Ireland’s political process.

"I do want to commend him particularly for the work he has done in recent times since he and I came to the agreement struck almost three years ago. I think he has brought a lot of vigor and positiveness to the working of these administrations and there wouldn't even be a political institution in place and the / does thank he had done what he does, so he has to be commended and thanked for that. (www.Hxen.com)

The annual session of the Chinese Parliament, the National People's Congress, opened shortly in Beijing. Security is tight in the city and some human rights activists have been detained. MPs are expected to endorse a plan to streamline the government and create an Environment Ministry. They are also set to approve senior posts for rising stars in the ruling Communist Party.

An appeal has been launched in Madagascar for 13 million dollars in international aid after the country was devastated by two cyclones. The government and aid agency say the money is needed to help through more than 300,000 people affected by cyclones famed in Ivan. And they say that they destroyed crops and left many subsystem communities facing serious food shortages.