http://192.168.2.6/english/1111/20061109VOA.mp3

It's 15:00 Universal Time and here is the news from the Voice of America.
From the VOA news center in Washington, I'm Frances Alonzo.

1. The Democratic Party took control of the U.S. House of Representatives in Tuesday's elections. Key Senate races in the states of Virginia and Montana, however, remained uncertain and it was unclear, early today, which party will control the Senate. Mike O’Sullivan reports Democrats say the election will bring changes to Washington.
For Democrat Nancy Pelosi, the victory in the House of Representatives sends a message about integrity in government, in the wake of congressional scandals, and about the war in Iraq. Pelosi, a member of Congress from San Francisco, is set to become the first woman speaker of the House of Representatives, for a two-year term that starts next year. She promises cooperation with Republicans.
"Let us work together to find a solution and to the war in Iraq. The campaign is over. Democrats are ready to lead."
It will be the first time the Democrats have controlled the House of Representatives in 12 years. Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean says the president is still in charge of foreign policy and the military, but that Democrats will work to change administration policy. Mike O’Sullivan, VOA news, Los Angeles.

2. Pakistani security officials say a suicide bomber’s killed at least 42 soldiers in an army training camp in northwest frontier province. Officials say today's blast in the military parade ground, / the town of Dargai, was one of the worst attacks on the army in years. Several soldiers were also wounded by that blast. Pakistan's Federal Interior Ministry condemned the bombing as a terrorist act. However, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

3. Israeli tank shells hit a residential area in the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun early today, killing at least 18 Palestinian women and children as they slept. Palestinian medics say more than 15 others were wounded in the predawn attack. Officials say the death toll from the single incident is the highest in more than four years. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert immediately expressed regret for the deaths and offered emergency humanitarian and medical care for the wounded. The Israeli Defense Minister Amir Peretz has ordered an investigation.

4. Iraqi security officials say at least 11 people have been killed in separate attacks across the Baghdad area. The officials say a car bomb killed six people south of the capital in the single bloodiest attack today. They say the bomb wounded at least 25 others when it exploded in a crowded market in Mahmudiyah.

5. In Nepal, the government and Maoist rebels have clinched a landmark peace deal that aims to ending a bloody ten-year insurgency in the country. The agreement clears the way for the rebels to join mainstream politics. Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi.
After two days of intense negotiations, rebels and the government early Wednesday signed an agreement that will see the Maoists gain a bloc of seats in Nepal's new interim parliament and to join a transitional government by the beginning of December. Both sides are optimistic that the deal will end the decade-long bloody rebellion that has killed more than 13,000 people. A senior leader of the Nepali Congress Party and government negotiator, Ram Chandra Poudal, says the agreement “opens the doors to build a new Nepal” as the rebels will be transformed into a political force.
“It will bring peace to Nepal, and we are very serious to implement this agreement.”
The pact was sealed after the two sides overcame crucial differences that have been hampering a peace process that began in April. The management of rebel arms was the biggest hurdle, but the compromise was struck after the Maoists agreed to place the 35,000 fighters in temporary camps, and lock up their weapons at a separate location under United Nations supervision. Anjana Pasricha, for VOA news, New Delhi.

6. The United Nations has launched a new campaign to plant one billion trees in 2007 in an effort to combat the negative impact of climate change. The UN environment program unveiled the Billion Tree campaign today at a climate change conference being held in Nairobi, Kenya. The program director said there is little time to avert serious climate change. He said ordinary people can help combat global warming, reduce erosion, and make water more easily available by simply planting trees.

You can get details on these on our website at voanews.com.
I'm Frances Alonzo, VOA news.