VOA慢速英語：伊朗核問題討論中仍存在分歧

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How to dispose of Iran’s nuclear materials remains abarrier as negotiators try to reach an agreement in Switzerland on Monday.

A top U.S. State Department official said that the issue of Iran’s nuclear materials remained undecided. But the officials said that this question wasextremely important to ensuring that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful. Iran’schief nuclear negotiator said sending material to another country was not anoption.

A group of six nations including the United States want to keep Iran frombuilding nuclear weapons. Other nations involved in the negotiations areBritain, China, France, Russia and Germany. If Iran agrees to a negotiatedplan, many economic restrictions on the country could be cancelled. Thesesanctions have hurt Iran's economy.

A Western diplomat told reporters that Iran and a group of six world powershave not yet agreed on how long a deal would last. They have not agreed onhow quickly economic restrictions placed on Iran should be ended. And theyhave not agreed how they would be put in place again if Iran does not meetthe terms of the agreement.

Negotiators have until Tuesday to reach an agreement.

Coalition continues strikes against rebels in Yemen

Airstrikes continued Monday in Yemen. Warplanes from a coalition of militaryunits led by Saudi Arabia targeted the capital Sana'a and other areas. It is thefifth day of such strikes.

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi asked for help last week afterrebels refused to end the fighting. The Houthi rebels are supported by Iran.

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby said Sunday that Mr. Hadi’s “legitimate government” must be restored.

Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, left, Head of Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Ali Akbar Salehi, second left, Special Assistant to Iranian president Hossein Fereydoun, second right, and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi at the nuclear talks in Switzerland, Monday, March 30, 2015. (AP Photo/Brendan Smialowski, Pool)

The Houthis took over Sana'a in September. In recent weeks, they movedsouth to the port city of Aden. Mr. Hadi fled to Aden last month after the rebelscaptured the capital. Last week, Mr. Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia.

In France, president’s party faces big setback in elections

Voters in France rejected many candidates from the ruling Socialist party inlocal elections Sunday.

Voters chose 4,108 candidates for 98 local government councils.

The Socialists lost about half of the councils they controlled to theconservative UMP party led by former President Nicolas Sarkozy and theanti-immigration, anti-Islam National Front party. The results mean Mr.Sarkozy has support to run for the presidency in 2017.

Prime Minister Manuel Valls said the election results showed people are angrythat their lives are too difficult. He promised that the government will workharder to improve the country's economy which is the second largest inEurope.

Technical problems, violence mark Nigerian elections

Nigerians are waiting for results from the presidentialelection.

The country's Independent National ElectoralCommission said Sunday that it would begin bringingtogether vote totals from the 36 states and the capitalon Monday.

President Goodluck Jonathan has been in office since2010. His party has held the presidency since 1999. He is being challenged by former military ruler Muhammadu Buhari.

Millions of Nigerians voted on Saturday and tens of thousands voted onSunday. There were technical problems, and deadly attacks on voting centersin the northeast by Islamic extremists. Officials from the United States andBritain said Monday there were signs of political involvement in the counting ofvotes.

US, South Korea continue joint exercises

U.S. and South Korean forces held a joint military operation Monday near theport of Pohang. It was part of yearly exercises between military forces of bothcountries.

South Korean military officials said about 7,600 navy and marine troops andmore than 30 ships took part in the operation.

North Korea regularly protests the operation. It calls it a preparation for aninvasion.

Blogger killed in Bangladesh

And an Internet writer was killed on Monday by three men in Dhaka, thecapital of Bangladesh. Police have detained two suspects. Police say theattackers are students at religious schools.

A police official said the attackers had targeted Washiqur Rahman for his anti-Islamic writings.

Avijit Roy was a well-known Bangladeshi-American blogger who wroteagainst religious fundamentalism. He was killed in Dhaka last month.

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Words in the News

Restore - v. to give back (someone or something that was lost or taken) : toreturn (someone or something)

Challenge - v. to invite (someone) to compete in a game, fight, etc.

Preparation - n. the activity or process of making something ready or ofbecoming ready for something