Reports from Syria say security forces are continuing to attack protesters across the country just before tonight's deadline set by the Arab League for the government to halt its violent suppression of dissent. Activists say at least nine people have been killed, including three in the northwestern town of Kafr Takharim and two in Qusayr, near the border with Lebanon where there have been clashes between the army and deserters. The violence comes a day after Damascus agreed to allow observers to oversee the implementation of the Arab League's peace initiative.

Reports from Somalia say Ethiopian troops have crossed the border in significant numbers. If confirmed, it will mark the first such deployment in over two years. Here's our East Africa correspondent Will Ross.

Eyewitnesses inside Somalia confirmed the presence of at least 20 vehicles carrying Ethiopian troops. A few hundred soldiers were seen in Guriel town in Galguduud region, and there were other sightings around Beledweyne. If confirmed, this appears to be the largest Ethiopian deployment since the withdrawal in 2009 after a three-year invasion that was very unpopular with ordinary Somalis. The Ethiopian government has, however, denied sending in soldiers.

叙利亚报道称，在阿盟要求叙利亚政府停止对反对者进行武力镇压的最后期限生效之前，安全部队还在继续攻击全国抗议者。活动家称在军队与反对者的冲突中至少有九人丧生，三人来自西北小镇Kafr Takharim，另有两名来自Qusayr，临近与黎巴嫩的接壤地。暴力事件发生在大马士革同意观察员监督履行阿拉伯联盟和平协议的第二天。

索马里报道称埃塞俄比亚军队已大规模越过边境。如果得到证实，它将标志着两年多来第一次这样的部署。下面是本电台驻东非记者Will Ross的报道。

在索马里的目击者证实这一说法，他们看到至少20辆车运载着埃塞俄比亚部队。有人在加尔古杜德的古里尔镇和贝莱德文，都看到几百名士兵。若得到证实，这将是自2009年撤回部队以来埃塞俄比亚最重大的部署，当时其三年的入侵非常不受索马里人欢迎。然而，埃塞俄比亚政府否认了其派兵的说法。
 

重点讲解

词汇：

1. dissent n.分歧; 不同意见; 异议
eg: The resolution was approved without dissent. 这项决议案被一致通过。

2. deserter n.背弃者,逃亡者,脱党者
eg: He was a deserter. Once he ran from the field of battle. 他是一个逃兵，有一次他从战场上跑掉。

3. observer n. 观察员；旁听者
eg: Two official observer attend the meeting. 两个官方观察员参加了会议。

4. oversee vt.监督，监管
eg: Congress established a loanguarantee board to oversee the operation. 国会设立了一个贷款保证委员会来监督保证贷款的执行。

5. significant a.值得注意的，不可忽略的；大量的

6. deployment n.调度，部署
eg: Major deployment of this technology will begin in 1999. 到1999年，此技术开始大规模应用。

7. withdrawal n.撤回; 撤退, 撤走
eg: After a fierce battle,the enemy was forced to withdraw. 经过一场激烈的战斗,敌人被迫撤退了。

8. send in提交; 派遣
eg: The builder send in his bill. 建筑工人呈递了他开的帐单。