NPR News 2013-08-19 加文本

NPR News 2013-08-19

From NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Raum.

The violence continues in Egypt. The official news agency says 36 people were killed today when members of the Muslim Brotherhood tried to help detainees escape from a prison truck convey in Cairo. The prisoners had been picked up during demonstrations in support of ousted President Mohammed Morsi. The country's top general says Egypt will never yield to terrorism. NPR's Peter Kenyon reports the interim cabinet held an emergency meeting today to discuss the bloodshed.

The latest confirmed additions bring the death toll since Wednesday to well over 800 people, including scores of security personnel. General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave a televised speech in which he said there is room for everyone in Egypt, but he vowed that the country would never bend to violent acts. In an emergency session the cabinet met as interim Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi proposed dissolving the Muslim Brotherhood. Beblawi said there would be no reconciliation with those with blood on their hands. The Brotherhood staged a number of protest marches but canceled two events claiming that snipers have been placed on rooftops along the route. Peter Kenyon, NPR News, Cairo.

Senator John McCain told cnn This Morning it's time to suspend US aid to Egypt.

“For us to sit by and watch this happen is a violation of everything that we stood for, and when we threaten something, as we did, that we would cut off aid, the administration did, and then not do it, then you lose your credibility and your influence.”

But fellow Republican Peter King told FOX News Sunday aid should continue, that a cutoff could reduce US influence over Egypt, which controls access to strategic resources, such as the Suez Canel.

United Nations inspectors arrived in Damascus today to assess claims by both sides that chemical weapons have been used in the Syrian war. The BBC's Jim Muir reports the investigation has been delayed for months.

The team of 20 UN inspectors, made up of weapons experts and public health specialists, is to visit three sites where it's alleged chemical or nerve gases have been used. Only one of them is publicly known. It's Khan al-Assal near Aleppo in the north. The government insists chemical weapons were used by the rebels there in March with deadly effects, and it demanded a UN investigation. But the UN insisted on broadening the inquiry. After months of wrangling, it's finally been agreed that two other sides will be included, allowing the team to go ahead.

The BBC's Jim Muir reporting.

Officials in central Idaho have ordered more evacuations as a major wildfire approaches. They told residents of more than 2,300 homes to leave. Thousands of other residents are being warned to prepare to get out. The fire has grown to more than 150 square miles. It’s now by the size of Philadelphia. But officials report they are making some progress. It's now about 9% contained.

This is NPR News from Washington.

The drug company Merck Animal Health is suspending all sales about feed additive. That's used to boost the weigh of beef cattle. NPR's Dan Charles reports critics of the drug say it makes animals suffer.

The drug is called Zilmax. It causes cattle to grow more muscle, putting on more rate. It's estimated that three quarters of all beef cattle have been getting Zilmax or another similar drug in their feed for several weeks right before slaughter. But critics say these drugs and Zilmax in particular are bad for the animals. They've collected videos showing cattle moving lethargically and having trouble getting up maybe because they are just too heavy. Last week Tyson Foods announced it would no longer buy cattle treated with Zilmax. Merck Animal Health says it remains convinced that Zilmax is safe for animals. But it's suspending sales for now while it carries out what it calls a scientific audit of the drug effects. Dan Charles, NPR News.

North Korea today accepted an offer from South Korea to resume talks on reuniting families separated by their war that ended 60 years ago. The Family Reunification Program had allowed thousands of relatives to visit each other until it was stopped in 2010 because of increased tensions.

Five Japanese fishing boats sailed to a small group of islands in the East China Sea today. The islands are claimed by both Japan and China. Although uninhabited, they are located near rich fishing grounds and have oil and gas reserves. Today's visit by activists and fishermen was designed to assert Japanese authority over the islands. They did some fishing but did not go ashore. There were no Chinese vessels in the area.

I'm Nora Raum, NPR News in Washington.