VOA标准英语2008年-Glitter, Sparkle, Danger - International Gem Tr

The global trade in precious stones is a multi-billion dollar business. It touches the lives of people in the mines of South Africa, stone cutters of India, and countless others around the world. These precious gems adorn, kings, queens, movie stars

VOA标准英语2008年-Obama, McCain Joust Over Economic Issues

Economic issues dominated the U.S. presidential election campaign Wednesday. Democrat Barack Obama said Republican John McCain would continue President Bush's economic policies, while McCain lashed back at Obama over taxes and energy. VOA National c

VOA标准英语2008年-Italy Grateful for Hostage Rescue

The Italian government confirmed the release of a group of 19 Europeans and Egyptians who were kidnapped more than a week ago during a desert safari in Egypt. Among them were five Italians. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome. European tourists, w

VOA标准英语2008年-AU Considers Backing Power-Sharing Proposal for

Africa's top peace and security body will hold a special heads-of-state level meeting on Zimbabwe during a continental summit this weekend in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheikh. From the summit site, VOA's Peter Heinlein reports leaders are to c

VOA标准英语2008年-ICRC Brings Aid to Thousands of Displaced Pakis

The International Committee of the Red Cross says it plans to deliver large quantities of food and non-food items to thousands of Pakistanis who have fled fighting in Bajaur tribal region near the Pakistan-Afghan border. The Red Cross says fighting

VOA标准英语2008年-Volunteers Clear Trash, Making World's Oceans C

The ocean is our planet's life-support system, but it's getting clogged with trash. Discarded beverage bottles, plastic bags and cigarette butts kill countless seabirds, marine mammals and sea turtles each year. But each September, on the third Satu

VOA标准英语2008年-Olmert to Quit as Israeli PM in September

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he plans to step down as prime minister in September. VOA's Jim Teeple has the details from our Jerusalem bureau. In a surprise announcement from his residence in Jerusalem, Ehud Olmert says he will step down

VOA标准英语2008年-Russia-Georgia Conflict Puts Turkey in Vulnerab

The Russia-Georgia conflict has put Turkey in a tight spot. Will Turkey side with the United States, its NATO ally, and let more U.S. military ships into the Black Sea to assist Georgia? Or will it choose Russia which also shares a Black Sea coast w

VOA标准英语2008年-Russian Markets and Currency Hit by Georgian Co

Russia's currency and stock market have suffered substantial losses since the outbreak of hostilities in Georgia three weeks ago. VOA Moscow correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports investors are nervous going into the weekend over the possibility that

VOA标准英语2008年-Clinton Links McCain to Bush

Former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is continuing her party's push to link Republican candidate John McCain with an unpopular President George Bush. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, President Bush says campaigning

VOA常速英语2008年-Women's Movement Inspires Art Exhibit

By Behnam Nateghi Washington 30 April 2008 A New York art show chronicles the impact of the feminist movement on art between 1965 and 1980. The show features works by artists from around the world and includes paintings, sculptures and performance ar

VOA标准英语2008年-Chaos in Somalia Leads to Tragedy in Gulf of Ad

UNHCR reports at least 52 Somalis died when the boat smuggling them across the Gulf of Aden to Yemen broke down, leaving them adrift with no food or water for 18 days. The UNHCR says this latest tragedy coincides with a recent upsurge in people smug

VOA标准英语2008年-Russian, EU Leaders Discuss Energy and Security

Energy and security dominated the Russia-EU Summit in Western Siberia, where Kremlin leader Dmitri Medvedev called for creation of all-European institutions to replace long-standing structures, including NATO. VOA Moscow Correspondent Peter Fedynsky

VOA标准英语2008年-African Observer: Zimbabweans Voted in Fear, De

The head of an African Observer Mission to Zimbabwe says voter turnout was low in Friday's presidential runoff election and that many voted out of fear. VOA'S Delia Robertson reports from our southern Africa bureau in Johannesburg, the vote count is

VOA标准英语2008年-Investigator: Political Bias a Factor in US Jus

The inspector general at the Justice Department says a top aide to former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales used political considerations in screening candidates for employment at the agency in violation of federal law. VOA's Deborah Tate reports fr

VOA标准英语2008年-Shuttle Discovery to Bring Space Station Lab -

By Paul Sisco Washington 30 May 2008 Saturday's shuttle mission to the International Space Station can come none too soon for station crew members. A broken toilet has had them using a backup system, and they need a new pump mechanism. The crew of th

VOA标准英语2008年-US Olympic Baseball Team Seeks Glory, Redemptio

By Teresa Sullivan Washington 30 May 2008 The U.S. national baseball team will be seeking its second gold medal - and redemption - at the Beijing Olympics in August. The United States won the gold medal in 2000, but failed to qualify for the 2004 Ath

VOA标准英语2008年-Muslims Demonstrate in Indian Kashmir Over Land

Muslim protests over the transfer of land to expand a Hindu shrine in Indian administered Kashmir are continuing for a sixth straight day. On Friday a sea of people hit the streets in the summer capital Srinagar demanding the revocation of the land

VOA标准英语2008年-Pakistan Army Moves Against Pro-Taliban Militan

Security forces in Pakistan have begun an operation against pro-Taliban militants in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan and serving as a major route for trade and supplies to U.S-led foreign forces based there. The offensive has provoked an al-Qa

VOA标准英语2008年-US Secretary of State Says More Answers Needed

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says North Korean steps this week related to its nuclear weapons are positive - but that more cooperation is needed in the future. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul, where she is meeting with the South Korean Pr