From NPR News in Washington, I'm Nora Raum.
Iran failed to meet the deadline today to announce whether it's ready to suspend uranium（铀） production, and begin international talks on ending its nuclear program. Teri Schultz has more from Brussels.
A European Union diplomat says Brussels wasn't really expecting the Iranians to get in touch by now. There've been no signs Teheran even acknowledges the deadline pressed primarily by the United States. After meeting his Iranian counterpart in Geneva, July 19th, the top negotiator with Iran, EU Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana, said he would like the Iranians to tell him within about two weeks, whether they're prepared to enter negotiations. The US * on more specific later all the second. The EU diplomat who wished to remain anonymous because of the sensitivity of the situation, says a deadline is less important to Solana than getting a clear answer from Teheran. Nonetheless official says, Solana wants to receive that answer very soon. For NPR News, I'm Teri Schultz in Brussels.
Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad did post a statement on his website today that every country including Iran has the right to engage in uranium enrichment. He said Iran will not back down one iota from pursuing its nuclear activities.
US military officials in Baghdad announced today they're charging two American soldiers with murder, after the death of an Iraqi detainee. Staff Sergeant Hal Warner and First Lieutenant Michael Behenna, are also being charged with assault, making a false statement, and obstruction of justice. Officials did not provide details on the detainee（被拘留者） died.
The Coast Guard released preliminary results today from an investigation into last month's collision between a ship and an oil barge on the Mississippi River. It caused the huge oil spill but shut down river traffic for several days. NPR's * * has more from New Orleans.
The initial findings reviewed that the tugboat pulling the oil barge was being operated by a steersman(舵手) apprentice, who was not licensed to pilot the boat. Moreover, the captain of the tugboat was aboard at the time of collision. The Coast Guard has also made public radio transmissions during the collision. On the recording, a pilot aboard the ship has heard calling up to the tugboat multiple times, each time with increasing urgency, but the tugboat does not respond. Finally, you hear this from the ship. "* * * we just took his tow. I suppose, that the barge is right in front of us and we're running it over." Thousands of gallons of oil spilled from the barge when it broken half. Crews are working to salvage the barge, for it's pumping outlet oil remains in its tanks. A formal hearing on the collision（碰撞，冲突） is scheduled for later this month. * *, NPR News, New Orleans.
The Justice Department is expected to decide within days its next step in the anthrax case. The chief suspect apparently committed suicide this week. Letters laid with anthrax was sent to Congressional offices and newsroom soon after the September 11th attacks. Five people were killed, several others were sickened.
You are listening to NPR News.
US health officials reported today, the number of Americans infected by the AIDS virus is much higher than previously thought. They say there were roughly 56,300 new HIV infections in 2006, up from the 40,000 annual estimate used for the last dozen years. It contained ten years or more for infections to cause symptoms and illness. According to current estimates, more than a million Americans are living with the AIDS virus.
The president of the International Olympic Committee, says he has no regrets about the decision to place the Olympics in China. Jacques Rogge spoke a week before the Beijing Games. NPR's Howard Berkes reports from Beijing.
The International Olympic Committee has been peppered with questions about pollution affecting athletes, and Chinese government-restrictions on foreign reporters covering the Olympics. Both issues make critics wander with the IOC *, when it named Beijing Olympic host, and said the games would change China in positive ways. But IOC President Jacques Rogge is bullish on the Beijing Games. "I'm sure, that come the 9th of August, the day after the opening ceremony, the magic of the games and flawless organization will take over." Rogge said athletes' national Olympic committees and the governing bodies of Olympics boards, are praising Beijing preparations and venues. He called the athletes’ village here the best he's ever seen. Howard Berkes, NPR News, Beijing.
An induction ceremony is being held at this hour in Kenton, Ohio for the newest members of the football hall of fame. They include Washington Redskins' Darrell Green and Art Monk, who won two Super Bowls together.
I'm Nora Raum, NPR News in Washington.
