VOA标准英语10月-UN: Literacy Rates Not Rising Fast Enough

A new U.N. report warns that not enough progress is being made in raising literacy rates, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia. U.S. First Lady Laura Bush was at U.N. headquarters in New York Tuesday to spotlight the need for improve

VOA标准英语10月-European Markets Edge Slightly Higher in Nervous,

European markets are reacting nervously again as the banking crisis continues to worry many. For VOA, Tom Rivers reports from London. While financial jitters were felt right across Europe Tuesday, European stocks generally posted moderate gains on h

VOA标准英语10月-Rice: 'No Stone Unturned' in Effort for Mideast P

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says she will explore every possibility in her quest for a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians before the end of this year. Secretary Rice made the remarks before a conference on Palestinian business

VOA标准英语10月-Women's Investment Club in California Plans to We

The recent turmoil in the world's financial markets has made investors nervous. There are thousands of investment clubs around the United States, and VOA's Mike O'Sullivan spoke to members of one, who say they are concerned, but plan to keep investi

VOA标准英语10月-Afghan Policeman Kills US Soldier

For the second time in a month American troops in eastern Afghanistan have been fired on by a local policeman. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from Kabul that in this latest incident a U.S. soldier was killed. U.S. military and provincial off

VOA标准英语10月-Napa Valley's Wine Region Boasts Many Other Prett

This year, visitors to Northern California's Napa Valley region will have lots more than great wines and rolling vistas to enjoy. VOA's Adam Phillips offers a taste of these and other Napa pleasures in this report. California's Napa Valley is now fa

VOA标准英语10月-Libya Begins Payments to Terrorism Victims' Fund

The State Department said Thursday Libya has made a substantial initial payment into a U.S.-administered fund to settle remaining claims from Libyan-inspired acts of terrorism. The settlement plan would clear the way to fully-normalized U.S.-Libyan

VOA标准英语10月-Iran's Natural Gas Conference Raises Concerns Ove

Iran is hosting a international conference on its natural gas exports Saturday and Sunday in Tehran. Organizers say the meeting is aimed at developing Iran's rich natural gas sector. Iran is under international sanctions over its nuclear program and

VOA标准英语10月-US Hispanic Voters Favor Obama, But Turnout Will

Hispanics compose the fastest-growing ethnic minority in the United States. They number more than 44 million people, but represent only about nine percent of the total electorate. Many Hispanic residents are not U.S. citizens and a large percentage

VOA标准英语10月-US Cuts Key Interest Rate to Stave Off Economic D

The Federal Reserve, the U.S. central bank, on Wednesday cut short-term interest rates in an effort to boost the slowing economy. VOA's Barry Wood reports it was the eighth cut in the overnight federal funds rate in the past year. United States Fede

VOA标准英语10月-Clinton Joins Obama Campaign Stop in Florida

Former President Bill Clinton made his first campaign appearance alongside Democratic candidate Barack Obama, during a campaign stop in Florida. Both Obama and the Republican contender, John McCain, are making late drives to win Florida, which will

VOA标准英语10月-Cambodian Garbage Scavengers Face Deadly Health R

In countries around the world, hundreds of thousands of poor people face daily hazards to earn meager livings by scavenging for recyclable goods. In Cambodia, hundreds of scavenger families find their lives changing - they will lose their homes and

VOA标准英语10月-Pakistan Quake Survivors Bury Dead, Brace For Win

Rescue efforts continue in southwest Pakistan, where the official death toll from Wednesday's magnitude 6.4 earthquake reached 215. VOA's Barry Newhouse reports from Islamabad that providing shelter for homeless families is now a top priority. Rescu

VOA标准英语10月-Nigerian President Sacks 20 Ministers in Cabinet

Nigerian President Umaru Yar'Adua dismissed 20 cabinet ministers in a government shake-up following growing criticism of the government's performance in the past 18 months. The administration has made little progress in the sectors the president set

VOA标准英语10月-Nobel Peace Prize Winners Inspire Young Activists

Nobel Peace Prize winners are helping young people tackle issues from disease to global warming through a group called PeaceJam. Mike O'Sullivan attended a PeaceJam conference in Los Angeles, California, that brought together six Nobel laureates wit

VOA标准英语10月-Zambians Head to Polls to Choose Successor to Lat

Zambians went to the polls Thursday to elect a president following the untimely death of former President Levy Mwanawasa. Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from our bureau in Dakar. Levy Mwanawasa (file photo) Voters in Zambia turned out early Thursd

VOA标准英语10月-Tone of US Presidential Race Continues to Sharpen

The tone of the rhetoric in the U.S. presidential campaign is sharpening with less than a week to go until Election Day. Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain are focused on the economy and each other in the final days of the campaign, as

VOA标准英语10月-Parties Vie for Vote in Swing State of Nevada

Nevada is one of a handful of so-called swing states that could decide the U.S. presidential election. Nevada voted for the Republicans in 2000 and 2004, but Mike O'Sullivan reports from the town of Pahrump in rural Nevada, a shift toward Democrats

VOA标准英语10月-New Study Says Global Warming Heaping More Pressu

A new study says that a global agreement on climate change will come too late to save the majority of the world's coral reefs. The research comes as the Queensland state government announces a new multi-million dollar plan to protect the Great Barri

VOA标准英语10月-Academic Program Gives Boost to Rwandan Coffee Sa

Last week, the U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) hosted a Higher Education Summit in Rwanda intended to promote development through education by partnering American and African universities. For VOA, Thomas Rippe reports from Kigali th