VOA慢速英语:Shi'ite Militias Gather for Possible Ramadi Offensive

Iraqi security forces and several thousand Shi'ite militia members came together Tuesday outside the Iraqi city of Ramadi. The government is considering a possible offensive to re-capture the city from Islamic State militants.

Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who is a Shi'ite, decided to send in the militia. Observers say the move could add to sectarian tensions in one of the most violent parts of Iraq.

US charges six Chinese with economic spying

The U.S. Department of Justice has charged six Chinese citizens with economic spying and stealing trade secrets. Justice officials say the suspects were sharing secret U.S. technologies with Chinese government-owned universities and companies.  U.S. officials say the suspects stole trade secrets from two U.S. technology companies, Skyworks Solutions and Avago Technologies. They produce equipment for mobile devices that process wireless signals.

UN secretary-general to visit North Korea

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Tuesday that he will visit North Korea this week. Mr. Ban said he would go to the Kaesong Industrial Complex factory north of the neutral zone. The complex is jointly operated by North and South Korea.

It has been 20 years since a U.N. chief has visited North Korea.

Mr. Ban called the factory park a "win-win model for both Koreas."