スクリプト対象範囲：　▼から▲まで
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At least, one hundred thirteen people have died in a tsunami that struck islands near the western coast of <Sumatra>. The head of the Indonesian Health Ministry's crisis center confirmed the number of dead but suggested more victims could be found. Rescuers are searching for as many as five hundred people, including a group of Australian travelers. On Monday, an earthquake measuring seven point seven created three-meter-high waves that struck the <Mentawai Islands>. Officials say <South Pagai Island> was hit hardest.

A volcanic explosion has killed at least thirteen people on the Indonesian island of <Java>. Scientists say <Mount Merapi> began exploding late Tuesday. Earlier, scientists had warned that major activity was possible. Thousands of people fled the area as ash and hot air fell on villages near the volcano. However, rescue crews say they found more than ten bodies of those who burned to death. Earlier, Indonesian officials had urged villagers living near <Mount Merapi> to leave. But only several thousand people, mostly children and older adults moved to temporary shelters.

The top criminal court in <Iraq> has sentenced <Tariq Aziz> to die by hanging for his part in the oppression of <Shiite> political parties. <Aziz> served as foreign minister under former Iraqi leader <Saddam Hussein>. <Aziz> had been charged with helping to kill, imprison or exile leaders of the <Islamic Dawa Party> of current Prime Minister <Nouri al-Maliki>. He is already serving a fifteen-year prison sentence for the execution of forty-two people in nineteen ninety-two. He was sentenced to another seven years for forcing <Kurds> to leave their homes in northern <Iraq>.

The head of the Iranian atomic energy organization says his country's first nuclear power center should produce electricity by the middle of February. <Ali Akbar Salehi> said <Iran> began loading fuel into the core of the nuclear reactor early Tuesday. Another Iranian official says scientists must inject one hundred sixty fuel rods into the reactor before it can produce energy. The Russian-built reactor received international approval because of <Russia's> involvement with the supply and removal of fuel. In addition, the United Nations nuclear agency sent representatives to <Iran> to observe the project.

Haitian health officials say twenty-five people died from cholera Tuesday. At least, two hundred eighty-four people now have died in an outbreak that has mainly affected the central area of <Artibonite>. Health officials have confirmed more than three thousand six hundred cases of cholera and they expect more. The World Health Organization says suspected cases are being investigated in other areas such as the <West Department>, which includes <Port-au-Prince>.

[You are listening to the news in VOA Special English.]

American Secretary of State <Hillary Clinton> plans to visit <China> during her two-week trip to <Asia>, which starts Wednesday. State Department official <Kurt Campbell> says Secretary <Clinton> will hold talks with Chinese State Counselor <Dai Binggao> on Sunday on <Hainan Island>. Mr. <Campbell> says the officials will discuss plans for the Group of Twenty economic meeting in November. He also says they will discuss Chinese President <Hu Jintao's> visit to <Washington> early next year.

American Secretary of State <Clinton> says more needs to be done to give power to women in peacekeeping processes. Secretary <Clinton> told a meeting of the U.N. Security Council that women's involvement in peace activities is a necessary global security requirement. She said such activity by women supports political security, economic growth and human rights. Members of the Security Council were discussing a ten-year-old U.N. report that called for women's involvement in peace negotiations.

The government of <France> is moving forward on final legislation to reform the country's retirement system. The Senate approved changes that include raising the earliest retirement age to sixty-two from sixty. On Tuesday, planned student strikes in <Paris> and other cities did not appear to have much support. Labor union activities also slowed. But, union leaders have called for a nationwide strike Thursday in an effort to change the new law. Support for French President <Nicolas Sarkozy>, who supported the bill, has fallen. He is expected to sign the new law in the middle of November.

<Guinea's> electoral commission has proposed a new date for the final part of the country's presidential election. The group chose October thirty-first after delaying the run-off election three times since July. The latest delay took place last week. Political disputes, violence and other problems have delayed the election. Commission Chief General <Siaka Tomane Sangara> said he had proposed the new date to the temporary government in <Guinea>. Acting President <Sekouba Konate> must approve the new date. Former Prime Minister <Cellou Dalien Diallo> and opposition leader <Alpha Conde> are to compete in the final presidential election.

Opinion studies in the United States are showing the Republican party could make big gains in state and local elections next week. The <Gallup> research organization says it found that the Republicans could win enough Congressional seats to control the House of Representatives. Both parties have been urging their supporters to vote. The elections on November second will decide all four hundred thirty-five seats in the House of Representatives. Thirty-seven seats in the United States Senate and thirty-seven governorships will also be decided.
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And now briefly, here again is the major news of the hour in Special English.

At least, one hundred thirteen people have died in a tsunami that struck islands near western Sumatra. Iraq's top criminal court has sentenced Tariq Aziz to die by hanging for his part in the oppression of Shiite political parties. And this update: Indonesia's most active volcano, Mount Merapi, has exploded, killing eighteen people and forcing thousands to flee their homes.

And, that's the news in VOA Special English coming your way from Washington.

Source: VOA Special English October 26, 2010 2230UTC

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