BBC在线收听下载:泰国请总理英拉在军事政变后被拘

BBC news 2014-05-24

BBC News with Julie Candler.

The new military authorities in Thailand have detained the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her family a day after seizing power in a coup. Ms. Yingluck was among dozens of politicians ordered to report to the army. From Bangkok, here is Jonathan Head.

The day after their takeover, Thailand's new rulers are tightening their grip on power, locking up potential opponents and establishing a new military administration. Members of the ousted government were summoned to appear at army headquarters all face arrest. Most of them came, including the former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and members of her family. They were kept for several hours and then driven away to be detained, some in army camps outside Bangkok. Six of Thailand's most senior military officers have now been appointed to run the country. Unlike previous coups there have been no promises to return Thailand to civilian rule.

The United Nations nuclear watchdog, the IAEA says Iran has significantly cut its most sensitive nuclear stockpile. In a confidential report seen by the BBC, the IAEA also said Iran was engaging with its investigation into suspected nuclear bomb research. Bethany Bell reports from Vienna.

The IAEA report says Iran is sticking to the deal to cut back its sensitive uranium enrichment work. Its stock of more highly enriched uranium has been reduced by almost 80% since January. This is likely to be welcome news for the 6 world powers that are trying to reach a final deal with Iran over its nuclear program. The report also says that Iran for the first time since 2008 is engaging technically with the IAEA's investigation into suspected nuclear bomb research. Tehran says its nuclear work is purely peaceful.

The US Secretary of State John Kerry has agreed to testify at congress on the circumstances surrounding the attack on the US diplomatic mission in the Libyan city of Benghazi. Four Americans including the ambassador died in the 2012 attack. Marie Harf is a state department spokesperson.

We have been clear that we are willing to work with the committee despite the fact that the Benghazi oversight has been consolidated under the select committee. Still believe there are more appropriate witnesses but in an effort to be cooperative have offered some dates.

Meanwhile the United States and its European allies have said they are deeply concerned about the repeated acts of violence in Libya. In a joint statement they warned that Libya stood at a crossroads and had to choose political transition or face chaos fragmentation and terrorism. They urged all sides to refrain from the use of force and to address differences by political means. They statement was signed by the US, the European Union, Britain, France, Germany and Italy. It came as big demonstrations were taking place in Tripoli and Benghazi, calling on the army and police to restore stability.

World News from the BBC.

Rebels in Mali have agreed a ceasefire 2 days after they defeated government forces in the northern town of Kidal. Diplomats said separatists Tuareg groups promised to stop fighting after talks with the chairman of the African Union. The government says Tuareg fighters are backed by al-Qaeda militants. Alex Duval Smith has more.

A rebel spokesman in Kidal confirmed the ceasefire. He said the rebels who were from 3 Tuareg separatist groups would remain in their positions. The deal comes after the Malian army failed in an attempt on Wednesday to recapture Kidal. In the past few days, the rebels have gained control of most of Mali north of the Niger river. The government has yet to sign the agreement.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the outcome of Sunday's presidential election in Ukraine. Mr. Putin said he believed Ukraine had descended into full-fledged civil war but he understood that Ukrainians wanted that country to emerge from the current crisis and would treat that choice with respect. At an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Mr. Putin denied that Moscow was behind the violence in eastern Ukraine.

Extensive efforts have been taking place to salvage as much as possible from the Glasgow's School of Art, one of Scotland's most important buildings which has been devastated by fire. The school was considered the greatest masterpiece of Scotland's most influential designer Chales Rennie Mackintosh. From Glasgow, Collin Blane reports.

At the height of the fire, flames could be seen through the blackened windows of the art school as smoke billowed into the sky above Glasgow city center. Firefighters were there within 4 minutes, but it was soon clear the building has been extensively damaged as the blaze ran through the interior from basement to attic. This building is one of Charles Rennie Mackintosh's masterpieces. He won the competition to design when he was just 28. It's not just the building itself which has been ravaged, but the famous Mackintosh's Library inside seems to have been burned in the fire.

BBC News.