IRAN -- The first talks in 15 months between Iran and the world's big powers over Iran's nuclear program ended inconclusively, though a further round has been arranged to take place in Baghdad next month.

NORTH KOREA -- North Korea carried out its rocket test in the face of UN opposition, but the rocket exploded soon after launch.

 

FRANCE -- France's presidential election campaign neared its closing phase, with the first round of voting set to take place on April 22nd. The latest polls give François Hollande, the Socialist challenger to Nicolas Sarkozy, a small lead in the first round and a much bigger one in the second, on May 6th.

 

AMERICA -- Connecticut's governor was set to sign a bill that abolishes the death penalty, making it the fifth American state to do so in the past five years. Connecticut has executed just one person since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976.

 

1.        big power: 大国 （这里power指的是国家）

2.       inconclusive: a. not leading to a clear decision or result 无结果的  inconclusively: adv

3.       in the face of: despite, regardless of 尽管，不顾

4.        near: v. to come closer to a particular place, time or state

eg. She began to feel nervous as she neared the house.

He's 55 now, and nearing retirement.

He was nearing the end of his stay in India.

5.        poll: n. 选举投票

6.        abolish: v. to officially end a law, system etc, especially one that has existed for a long time 废除，废止

7.        death penalty: capital punishment 死刑

8.        reinstate: to make something such as a law, system, or rule exist again 恢复（法律，习俗等）