The ESL Free Press

Links to May 27th's Top News Stories

The oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico has been stopped -- for now. Read more.

There may be three to seven major hurricanes this summer and fall, forecasters say. Read more.

Gaza is getting ready for eight boats that will try to get there through an Israeli blockade. Read more.

People of Hungarian descent, living in neighboring countries, may now become citizens of Hungary. Read more.

South Korean Minister Hopes to Solve Nuclear Issue

The Foreign Minister of South Korea, Yu Myung-Hwan, says, "I think the Cheonan incident will serve as an occasion to solve the nuclear issue, as well."

The sinking of the warship Cheonan is the first crisis between the two Koreas since the North began nuclear testing.

Yu says the sinking shows that it is important for North Korea not to have nuclear weapons. He said he was not thinking of getting North Korea back to six-party talks on its nuclear program. He just wants to see "North Korea taking steps towards denuclearization".

Yu spoke after a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in Seoul. Mrs. Clinton spoke also, saying her country would support South Korea.

source

printable:Download South Korean Minister Hopes to Solve Nuclear Issue.pdf (20.3K)

Four Years for Bank Robber Who Claimed to Have Bomb

An Arizona man has pleaded guilty to robbing a bank by saying he had a bomb. Donald Ludington must go to prison for four years.

Ludington robbed a bank in Gilbert, Arizona, last October. He went in with a backpack. Then he handed the teller a long note saying there was a bomb in the backpack.

The teller gave Ludington money and he ran away. Police later found him checking out another bank. When he was arrested, he said he had not really had a bomb at the first bank.

source

printable:Download Four Years for Bank Robber Who Claimed to Have Bomb.pdf (20.2K)

Links to May 26th's Top News Stories

The U.S. must either accept Iran's latest actions, or lose the chance to talk to Iran, says President Ahmadinejad. Earlier this month, Iran agreed to an exchange of nuclear material with Turkey. Read more.

Prime Minister Netanyahu of Israel has been invited to meet with President Obama. This could mean the U.S. and Israel are getting closer, after some tension. Read more.

Two Ethiopian Members of Parliament have been shot and killed by police after elections there. Read more.

Google users spent 4.8 million hours playing the company's free Pac-Man game on Friday. Read more.

Video: Space Shuttle Landing

South Korea Responds

The South Korean government has announced how it plans to respond to the sinking of its ship, the Cheonan. A team of investigators from several countries says it was sunk by North Korea.

South Korea says it will:

• Stop North Korean ships from going into its waters

• Stop all exchanges with North Korea

• Hold an exercise with the U.S. to practice fighting off submarines

• Broadcast anti-communist messages into North Korea (it hasn't done this since 2004)

• Decide what to do about South Korean companies' factories in North Korea

President Lee Myung-Bak says he does not want a battle with North Korea. But he also says, "After sinking our ship and claiming the lives of our servicemen, any kind of exchange or cooperation at this point is meaningless."

source

printable:Download South Korea Responds.pdf (20.6K)

Captured Ship Found

The Iceberg I, a ship captured by pirates, was seen off the coast of Somalia last week. Its name had been painted out and replaced.

The USS McFaul, a destroyer, sighted it. The Iceberg had last been seen near the town of Garacaad, Somalia. This town is known as a safe place for pirates.

The McFaul made contact by radio. At first, the Iceberg said it had not been captured. Then crewmembers said pirates were on board, holding them hostage.

The McFaul followed the Iceberg for 36 hours. The captain decided this would be safer for the crew than trying to rescue them.

The Iceberg finally turned back toward Somalia.

source

printable: Download Captured Ship Found.pdf (18.9K)

USS McFaul, photographed by Specialist 2nd Class Gina K. Wollman

Video: Attack on Kandahar Base

Links to May 25th's Top News Stories

North Korea says it is cutting all ties with South Korea. The South blames the North for sinking one of its warships. Read more.

Stock prices fell on Tuesday. Investors are worried about the economy in Europe and the tension between North and South Korea. Read more.

A bus full of Russian tourists has crashed into a river in Turkey. At least 13 people were killed and 26 were injured. Read more.

A new Google application lets you see the size of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill compared to your town. Read more.

Two Captured in Afghanistan Say They're Pakistani

Soldiers captured two men in Zharay, Afghanistan, on Thursday night. The men said they were "Pakistani fighters".

Afghan soldiers were leading a search for a Taliban commander. Foreign troops were helping. The group went to several compounds where they had heard there were rebels.

As they got there, two men ran away. The soldiers chased them for a long time, then caught them.

The men said they had weapons at another place.

source

printable: Download Two Captured in Afghanistan Say They're Pakistani.pdf (20.5K)