voa标准英语2008-ZANU-PF Prepares for Annual Conference as Choler

Harare's streets are busy as hundreds of delegates to President Robert Mugabe's annual ZANU-PF conference converge from all over the country. The annual conference is being held as the death toll continues to climb from a cholera epidemic that has f

voa标准英语2008-US House Prices Continue to Fall Despite Low Mor

The U.S. housing sector remains weak, two years into an unprecedented decline. House prices, house sales, and house construction are all continuing to fall. Houses for sale in Denver, Colorado Home prices in the United States have fallen over eight

voa标准英语2008-Muslim, Jewish Groups Promote Peace During Paris

Imams and rabbis from around the world have wrapped up a three-day meeting in Paris aimed at finding ways to promote peace in the Middle East and work more closely together. French Jewish and Muslim leaders attend a demonstration in Paris, 14 Dec 20

voa标准英语2008-Bangladesh Lifts 23-Month State of Emergency

The interim government of Bangladesh has lifted the state of emergency. That clears the way for campaigning on the streets, ahead of this month's national election. It is hoped the polls will lead to the restoration of stable democratic governance i

voa标准英语2008-New Cabinet Ministers Take Oath in Nigeria

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua has reconstituted his Cabinet, almost two months after sacking half the panel in a drawn-out re-organization. Cabinet appointments part of efforts to rejuvenate administration, says Pres. Umaru Yar'Adua (file photo)

voa标准英语2008-US Central Bank Cuts Short-term Interest Rates t

Saying the economy is continuing to weaken, the U.S. central bank Tuesday cut short-term interest rates to nearly zero. Officers of the U.S. Federal Reserve stand watch in front of the Fed building in Washington, D.C., 29 Oct 2008 The Federal Reserv

voa标准英语2008-White House Says Auto Bailout Not Imminent

The Bush administration is attempting to dampen expectations for immediate government action to save America's troubled car manufacturers. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino responds to a reporter's question at the White House, 16 Dec 2008 Two

voa标准英语2008-Obama: Economic Stimulus Plan Crucial

President-elect Barack Obama seized on more gloomy economic news Tuesday to prod Congress into passing an economic stimulus plan early in the New Year. President-elect Barack Obama introduces Education Secretary-designate Arne Duncan during a news c

voa标准英语2008-Mugabe Ally Wounded in Zimbabwe Shooting

The Zimbabwe government says there has been an attempt on the life of its air force chief, Perence Shiri, who survived the ambush by gunmen who shot him in the hand. The news follows accusations by the government that the Movement for Democratic Cha

voa标准英语2008-2008 10th Warmest On Record

The World Meteorological Organization said 2008 was the 10th warmest year on record. Its year-end report found 2008 was marked by the second-lowest level of Arctic ice cover. It said all of the 10 warmest years have occurred in the past 12 years. So

voa标准英语2008-At Least 23 Russians Killed in Tour Bus Crash in

Forty ambulances raced into the desert in southern Israel, after a bus carrying Russian tourists plunged 80 meters into a desert ravine, killing 23 people. White body bags were lined up in a row and baggage and wreckage were scattered over the steep

voa标准英语2008-US Commission Reports Iraqi Religious Minorities

In a new report on Iraq, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom says religious minorities in Iraq face persecution. The commission, which recommends that the U.S. government designate Iraq a country of particular concern because of r

voa标准英语2008年-Australia Unveils Blueprint for Clean Coal

A unique program to capture carbon at coal power stations has been unveiled in Australia. Operators of a demonstration plant say it is the first of its type in the world and involves burning coal in oxygen rather than air, which reduces carbon dioxi

voa标准英语2008年-Sri Lankan Military Captures Key Rebel-Held Tow

In Sri Lanka, the military says it has captured key areas held by Tamil Tiger rebels, in the north of the country. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, the Sri Lankan army is on a major offensive to crush the rebels, who have been fighting for

voa标准英语2008年-Gadhafi's Son Meets Senior US Officials

A son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi met senior Bush administration officials Tuesday in another sign of improved U.S.-Libyan relations. Saif al-Islam Gadhafi sees Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Thursday. VOA's David Gollust reports from the

voa标准英语2008年-India's Finance Minister Wants Rate Cut, Price

India's finance minister is calling for price cuts, as well as a drop in interest rates, to stimulate demand as growth slows in the nation of 1.2 billion people. Palaniappan Chidambaram says, despite the global economic crisis, a dip in Indian expor

voa标准英语2008年-Afghan Government Struggles to Resettle Returne

The chief of the United Nations refugee agency is in Afghanistan to highlight the difficulty in resettling the millions of Afghans displaced by decades of war. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from Kabul. In a makeshift camp north of Kabul about 20 fami

voa标准英语2008年-Japanese Economy Now in Recession

World markets were mostly lower, amid news that Japan is the latest nation to slip into recession and projections of continued negative economic growth and higher unemployment in the United States. From Washington, VOA's Michael Bowman reports. Pede

voa标准英语2008年-Iraqi Parliament Debates New US Military Pact

Iraq's parliament has begun debate on a new military pact with the United States that was approved Sunday by the country's Cabinet. Among other things, the deal calls for coalition forces to withdraw from Iraq in three years. But radical Shi'ite cle

voa标准英语2008年-Election in Kashmir Begins Amid Boycott Calls

Elections for State government kicked off in Indian administered Kashmir on Monday amid calls for a boycott of the vote by Kashmiri Muslim separatists. 10 constituencies are the first to take part in the seven-phase elections that will conclude on D