VOA标准英语2012--Mali on Brink of Becoming a Terrorist Safe Haven

Mali on Brink of Becoming a Terrorist Safe Haven 2012 was the year that armed men seized control of Mali. And their grip looks stronger than ever -- both in the north and the south. Analysts say a military junta pulls the strings in the capital, Bama

VOA标准英语2012--Christmas Celebrations Underway Around the World

Christmas Celebrations Underway Around the World It is an annual tradition in Thailand -- elephants dressed as Santa Claus on parade, handing out toys to school children. And it is not just the children who get excited. Oh this is the best day of the

VOA标准英语2012--International Celebration Made for Memorable 2012 in Jazz

International Celebration Made for Memorable 2012 in Jazz International Jazz Day unfolded in Congo Square, where in the 19th century, musicians, dancers and onlookers once celebrated on Sunday afternoons. According to Herbie Hancock, a Goodwill Ambas

VOA标准英语2012--Are Violent Games Linked to Violent Crimes?

Are Violent Games Linked to Violent Crimes? As video game images become increasingly more realistic and graphic, policy makers are debating if there is a link between the violence depicted in those games and violence in real life. A 20-year-old gunma

VOA标准英语2012--Malawian Analysts Look for Improved Politics, Economy in 2013

Malawian Analysts Look for Improved Politics, Economy in 2013 In Malawi, political scientists and human rights campaigners are looking back at 2012 as a year of both progress and setbacks. Over the past 12 months, Malawi gained its first woman presid

VOA标准英语2012--Armed DRC Militias Pose Risk for Children

Armed DRC Militias Pose Risk for Children A family seperated When rebels attacked their village, siblings Imani, Anicet, Baraka and Kibonge - who is just four years old - were forced to flee into the surrounding forests. Their parents were out gettin

VOA标准英语2012--Political Conflict Hurts Egyptian Economy

Political Conflict Hurts Egyptian Economy On many Cairo shopping streets, it's hard to tell there's an economic crisis. At a women's clothing store, however, manager Abdel Aziz Mohammed can see the impact. It's normal anywhere that you get affected b

VOA标准英语2012--Security Challenges Await Somalia After Historic Year

Security Challenges Await Somalia After Historic Year In August, members of Somalia's new parliament took the oath of office in a parking lot outside the Mogadishu airport. The selection of the 275-seat body represented one of the most substantial ac

VOA标准英语2012--Egyptians Face Christmas Amid Fears

Egyptians Face Christmas Amid Fears Seleem Wassaf and his family are are performing their annual tradition, decorating their Christmas tree. But he says, for Egyptian Christians, the joy of the season is tempered by concern. At present they feel that

VOA标准英语2012--US Embassy Security Beefed Up Despite Diplomatic Cost

US Embassy Security Beefed Up Despite Diplomatic Cost After the September 11 attack in Benghazi, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton convened an Accountability Review Board to investigate. The panel's vice chairman, Admiral Mike Mullen, presented the

VOA标准英语2013--End to Hollywood Film Violence Unlikely

End to Hollywood Film Violence Unlikely G.I. Joe: Retaliation is the kind of film that earns money for Hollywood by appealing to teenage boys with its action, fighting and explosions. Tim Gray of the entertainment business publication Variety said th

VOA标准英语2012--World Bank Praises Burundi’s Regulatory Reforms

World Bank Praises Burundis Regulatory Reforms The survey evaluates governments according to their ability to ease stumbling blocks in creating and operating businesses. Among the hurdles are dealing with construction permits, registering property, g

VOA标准英语2013--Report: Environment and Food Needs Can be Met

Report: Environment and Food Needs Can be Met Agriculture has been a major driver of human-caused climate change, responsible for up to 30 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, its also extremely vulnerable to the effects of r

VOA标准英语2013--2012 a Banner Year for American Roots Musicians

2012 a Banner Year for American Roots Musicians Since American Roots music is difficult to define, it might be easier if you listen to some of the years best like the Grammy-nominated Hold On by Alabama Shakes. Rolling Stone Magazine named that Alaba

VOA标准英语2012--Country Music Thrives in 2012

Country Music Thrives in 2012 Jason Aldean released his fifth studio album in 2012. Night Train was recently certified platinum for shipments of one million copies and ranks at Number Nine on Billboard Magazines year-end Country Albums chart. Jason a

VOA标准英语2012--Higgs Boson Named Top Science Find of 2012

Higgs Boson Named Top Science Find of 2012 Each year, editors at Science magazine compile a list of the years top achievements in science and technology. For 2012, their top pick was the long-anticipated confirmation of the existence of the so-called

VOA标准英语2012--Looking Ahead to AIDS-Free Generation

Looking Ahead to AIDS-Free Generation 2012 was a year when political leaders and top health officials freely spoke of attaining an AIDS-free generation. In November, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton unveiled a blueprint for achieving that goal. Sec

VOA标准英语2013--Nigerians Demand Return of Ancient Art

Nigerians Demand Return of Ancient Art What was once the ancient Kingdom of Benin is now the heart of the Nigerian art world, with statues adorning the streets and an art museum in the Benin City town square. But locals say the displayed art is only