voa标准英语2008-Former Colombian Rebel Seeks French Asylum

A former member of Colombia's FARC rebel group is the first person to take advantage of a special French asylum offer. The rebel arrived in Paris with former French-Colombian hostage Ingrid Betancourt. Wilson Bueno (R), and former hostage French-Col

voa标准英语2008-Top US Military Officer Concerned Economic Crisi

The top U.S. military officer says he is concerned that the global economic crisis could create instability and, potentially, more terrorism around the world, particularly in African countries and other relatively poor areas. Chairman of the Joints

voa标准英语2008-Obama: No Contacts With Disgraced Governor

President-elect Barack Obama says he did not discuss his vacant Senate seat with Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested earlier this week on corruption charges. The scandal has become a distraction for Mr. Obama as he prepares to become

voa标准英语2008-US Charges 5 Blackwater Guards With Manslaughter

The U.S. Justice Department has charged five American security contractors with killing 14 unarmed Iraqi civilians and wounding 20 others. The five men worked for the U.S. security company Blackwater Worldwide and are charged with manslaughter, atte

voa标准英语2008-Pakistan Raids Suspected Militant Camp, Arrests

Security forces in Pakistan have raided a suspected militant camp run by an outlawed Islamic group that India accuses of planning last month's deadly assaults on Mumbai. Raid took place near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmi

voa标准英语2008-Global Markets Rally on Hopes for Government Sti

Global stock markets are rallying on expectations that coordinated fiscal stimulus measures in Asia, Europe and America will cushion the impact of the economic slowdown. An employee of Korea Stock Exchange reacts in front of a screen showing raising

voa标准英语2008-US Says Neighbors Hold Key to Ending Zimbabwe Cr

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says that only a concerted international effort led by Zimbabwe's neighbors can end the political and humanitarian crisis in that country. On Monday, Rice reiterated her call for Zimbabwean President Robert M

voa标准英语2008-Ethiopian Army Sets Up New Bases in Somalia

The Ethiopian army, which had announced it would pull out of Somalia by the end of the year, is reportedly establishing new bases in central Somalia and has yet to withdraw from key positions in the capital Mogadishu. In recent days, Addis Ababa has

voa标准英语2008-Obama Assembling Centrist Team

President-elect Barack Obama was elected last month largely on the promise of bringing change after eight years of the Bush administration. But, some of Mr. Obama's liberal supporters are disappointed that his emerging cabinet has a decidedly centri

voa标准英语2008-DRC Rebels, Government Begin Talks in Kenya

Talks aimed at finding a solution to fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have begun in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. The meeting is expected to provide the first direct talks between the government and rebels loyal to Laurent Nkunda, but

voa标准英语2008-European Markets Surge on Stimulus Package Hopes

Following on from Asia, European markets surged on the hope that new stimulus plans will help put the brakes on the economic downturn. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown met with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and European Commission leader Jose

voa标准英语2008-Six Parties Seek to Verify North Korea's Nuclear

Six countries meeting in Beijing are trying to work out how to best verify North Korea's account of its nuclear program. The six parties are set to continue this week with meetings in Beijing. Envoys from Russia, US, North Korea, Japan, China and So

voa标准英语2008-Australia Sees Rise in Illegal Migrants

A boatload of suspected asylum seekers intercepted off Australia's northern coast is being taken to an island center for processing. After a spate of people smuggling incidents, the government has outlined plans to intensify surveillance of its nort

voa标准英语2008-Ethiopia Rejects Rights Report on Somalia as 'Po

A just-released Human Rights Watch report accuses all parties to the conflict in Somalia of regularly committing war crimes that contribute to the Horn of Africa nation's humanitarian catastrophe. But Ethiopia is taking strong exception to charges m

voa标准英语2008-EU Calls for Zimbabwe's Mugabe to Step Down

The European Union has added its voice to calls by the United States for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe to step down. EU foreign ministers also announced Monday they were tightening sanctions against the Mugabe government. European Union foreign

voa标准英语2008-Bush Says US Military Stronger Than Eight Years

U.S. President George Bush says America's military is stronger and better prepared to confront threats than it was before he took office. Speaking Tuesday at West Point military academy, President Bush outlined the defense policies he administered d

voa标准英语2008-Pentagon Welcomes Pakistani Raids, Calls for Sus

The Pentagon has welcomed Pakistan's raid on alleged terrorist bases in its northwestern region, but says counter-terrorism efforts need to be made on a sustained basis. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell (File) Press Secretary Geoff Morrell say

voa标准英语2008-Bush Says It is Time for Mugabe to Step Down

U.S. President George Bush has joined other world leaders calling for Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe to step down. He pledged U.S. readiness to help Zimbabwe rebuild once a legitimate government has been set up in Harare. President George W. Bus

voa标准英语2008-Ghana Ruling Party Candidate Leads Presidential

Vote counting continues from Sunday's elections in Ghana with two leading candidates in a tight race to be the country's next president. Both Nana Akufo-Addo of the governing party and opposition candidate John Atta-Mills are veteran politicians wit

voa标准英语2008-DRC Talks Resume in Nairobi

Delegations from the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the rebel National Congress for Defense of the People, or CNDP, gathered for a second day of talks at the U.N. compound in Nairobi. Mediators have expressed high hopes for the