VOA标准英语2009-Researchers Find No Link Between Defective G

US researchers reviewing more than a dozen studies say a defective gene that has been implicated as a cause of major depression does not appear to elevate a person's risk for the mood disorder. The finding is viewed as a setback for researchers tryi

VOA标准英语2009-Somalia Insurgents Say They Will Attack Any

Islamist insurgents in Somalia have said that they will fight against any foreign troops that intervene in the country's conflict. On Saturday, Somalia's parliament appealed to countries in the region to intervene military to help the fledgling inte

VOA标准英语2009-Report: Thailand, South Africa, Gaza Strip W

A new report says the worst places to be a refugee last year were Thailand, South Africa and the Gaza Strip. In its annual report on worldwide refugees, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants lists Brazil, Ecuador and Costa Rica among the be

VOA标准英语2009-Indian PM: Pakistani Action Against Terroris

India's prime minister has reiterated his desire for peace with Pakistan, but says a pre-requisite is strong and effective action by its long-time adversary against terrorism targeted at India. Pakistan President Zardari (L) and Indian PM Singh (R)

VOA标准英语2009-Police Chief Killed as Clashes Continue in S

The police chief in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, has been killed as fighting continues to wrack the city. At least seven others were killed in clashes between Islamist insurgents and pro-government forces in the south of the city. A Somali man car

VOA标准英语2009-Obama Administration Denies Interfering in I

The Obama administration Wednesday rejected charges by Iran of U.S. interference in that country's affairs following its bitterly disputed election. At the same time, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton defended U.S. efforts to keep the internet soci

VOA标准英语2009-India Wants US to Screen Departing Passenger

India says the number of swine flu patients in the country has risen to 31. The latest confirmed cases involve a group of students recently returned from a study trip to the United States. Officials are expressing their frustration with a perceived

VOA标准英语2009-42 Million People Uprooted Around World

The U.N. refugee agency reports 42 million people were forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution at the end of last year. In its annual report, the UNHCR said most of the world's refugees and internally displaced people are in developing countri

VOA标准英语2009-Iran's Council of Guardians Poised for Vote

Iran's Council of Guardians says it is ready to recount votes from the contested presidential election in which incumbent Mahmoud Ahmedinejad was declared the winner amid charges of vote rigging. Popular reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, who

VOA标准英语2009-Iranians Living in Australia 'Stunned' About

Iranians living in Australia have expressed their fears for their country and their belief that the recent election was hijacked by supporters of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Members of Sydney's Iranian community protest outside polling booth, 12

VOA标准英语2009-Obama 'Troubled' by Post-Election Turmoil in

U.S. President Barack Obama says it is up to the people of Iran to determine their nation's future. At the same time, he says he is troubled by the post-election turmoil there and wants to see an end to the bloodshed. President Obama (r) and Italy's

VOA标准英语2009-History Shows Supreme Court Confirmation Pro

Senate confirmation hearings begin July 13 for Judge Sonia Sotomayor, President Barack Obama's choice for the U.S. Supreme Court. Experts say that Sotomayor's confirmation is likely, given the Democrats' majority in the Senate. But history shows tha

VOA标准英语2009-6 Killed in Fighting Near Somalia Capital

At least six people have been killed in fighting between Islamist militants and government forces north of the Somali capital, Mogadishu. Since insurgents launched a new offensive in early May, Somalia has seen nearly daily clashes between the two s

VOA标准英语2009-Pakistan Prepares New Offensive Against Tali

The Pakistani army says it has been ordered by the government to begin military operations against al-Qaida-linked Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, but authorities are not giving details of the operation. Clashes have been reported between security

VOA标准英语2009-Obama Says Nuclear-Armed N. Korea is Grave T

U.S. President Barack Obama said North Korea's nuclear program poses a grave threat to the world. Mr. Obama and visiting South Korean President Lee Myung-bak told reporters that new responses must be found. S. Korean Pres. Lee Myung-bak and Pres.Bar

VOA标准英语2009-Obama: Demonstrators Reflect Growing Desire

U.S. President Barack Obama is continuing to call for an end to post-election violence in Iran. He said he does not want to intervene in the election dispute. The president said he senses a desire for change among the Iranian public. President Barac

VOA标准英语2009-Europe's Airbus Reports Orders for New Plane

Airbus announced Tuesday it had secured orders for 16 new A321 planes from Vietnam Airlines and another five A320 craft from budget Cebu Pacific airlines of the Philippines. The day before, Airbus said that Qatar Airways had also ordered A320 aircra

VOA标准英语2009-US Creates Military Cyber Command to Defend

The U.S. Defense Department is in the final stages of creating a new military command to defend against attacks on the nation's military computer systems. We report from the Pentagon on plans for U.S. Cyber Command. Deputy Secretary of Defense Willi

VOA标准英语2009-New US Commander for Afghanistan to Implemen

General Stanley McChrystal has officially taken over as the new commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan. The Obama administration is counting on the four-star general to implement a new and ambitious strategy to turn the tide against a

VOA标准英语2009-Official Says Ethiopian Troops Back in Somal

A local official in Somalia says Ethiopian troops are now staying at a military base near a town in the central part of the country. The reported sighting of Ethiopian troops in central Somalia is just one of several from around the country. In an i