voa标准英语2008-September 11 Defendants at Guantanamo Say They W

Five alleged conspirators in the September 11 attacks, who are on trial at the U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, have told the judge they want to confess, and have withdrawn all legal motions filed as part of their defense. In the specially b

voa标准英语2008-Libya Bans Swiss Flights

Libya has banned Switzerland's national carrier, Swiss International Air Lines, from flying to Tripoli. This is the latest twist in ongoing diplomatic row between countries over the arrest of Moammar Gadhafi's son, Hannibal. 'Technical reasons' prom

voa标准英语2008-Automakers Pledge Restructuring in New Bid for L

U.S. automobile companies suffered additional sharp losses in November, underscoring the threats facing the industry amid the U.S. recession. As VOA's Dan Robinson reports, the big three U.S. automakers have submitted details of their plans to restr

voa标准英语2008-Mumbai's Animals Among Victims Caught in Crossfi

In much of India, compassion for animals, large and small, runs deep -- especially with many of Hindu deities taking on animal form. Last month's terror attack in Mumbai took a wrenching toll on human life. But less well-known is the collateral dama

voa标准英语2008-Protests Delay New Thai Government's Policy Stat

Thailand's new prime minister has been forced to delay his policy statement. PM Abhisit Vejjajiva' government is seen as invalid by supporters of former PM Thaksin (file photo) Up to 9,000 anti-government protesters besieged the main thoroughfares t

voa标准英语2008-Study: India Must Educate Young Workforce to Avo

A new report is underlining the need for India to educate its massive young population, to ensure that it can participate in the country's growing economy. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, experts are warning that failure to train the coun

voa标准英语2008-Tsunami Victims Recovering 4 Years After Disaste

Four years after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports tremendous progress has been made in rebuilding the structures that were destroyed and in rehabilitating shattered co

voa标准英语2008-Businesses Around World Try to Boost Sales

Retailers around the world are slashing prices in the hopes of convincing wary consumers to spend money again, as one survey finds critical holiday sales in the United States fell by as much as four percent this year. But encouraging spending could

voa标准英语2008-Britain Calls for Urgent Ceasefire in Gaza

Three days into Israel's air assault on Gaza, Britain's Foreign Secretary warns of a very dark moment in the Middle East peace process. David Miliband is calling for an urgent, immediate ceasefire. His is just one of many concerned voices in Europe

voa标准英语2008-AU Welcomes Somalia President's Resignation

Africa's top peace and security official has welcomed the resignation of Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf, saying it clears the way for actions that could prevent the country from descending into chaos as Ethiopian troops withdraw. African Union

voa标准英语2008-Residents on Israel-Gaza Border Face Constant Ro

Israeli aerial attacks and bombardments of the Gaza Strip continued Tuesday for the fourth day in a row. At least 350 Palestinians have been killed in the military offensive thus far, including at least 60 civilians. Three Israelis have been killed

voa标准英语2008-US Joins International Call for Immediate Gaza C

The United States has joined other powers in the international Middle East Quartet in urging an immediate Gaza Strip cease-fire. The Quartet - the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations - discussed the crisis on Tuesday in a mi

voa标准英语2008-Moderates in Middle East May Suffer if Israeli-H

Israeli warplanes continue to hit suspected Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. At the same time, Palestinian militants are keeping up their rocket and mortar attacks on Israeli border communities. Smoke rises following an Israeli missile strike in nor

voa标准英语2008-Egypt Will Not Fully Open Gaza Border Crossing

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak says Egypt will not fully open the border crossing into Gaza, unless Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is in control there. Meanwhile, Arab diplomats are preparing to discuss the crisis Wednesday. Palestinian Presi

voa标准英语2008-Ghana Elections, Second Round Sunday

Presidential candidates in Ghana wrapped-up their campaigning Friday ahead of Sunday's run-off election to succeed out-going President John Kufuor. Ghana's opposition party candidate John Atta Mills (l) and Ruling party presidential candidate Nana A

voa标准英语2008-South Korean Political Minority Seeks Sit-in Sta

South Korea's parliament is experiencing a extended period of paralysis that is getting increasing physical. Minority politicians have vowed to block a set of bills they oppose by any means necessary. So far they are keeping their word. About 50 mem

voa标准英语2008-Tens of Thousands of Guineans Attend Conte Funer

Thousands of Guineans turned out Friday to pay their respects to former President Lansana Conte, whose death this week sparked a military coup. Mutinous soldiers have consolidated power with the resignation of Guinea's prime minister. Guinean soldie

voa标准英语2008-Bangladesh Mobilizes Security Forces Ahead of Cr

Bangladesh is putting hundreds of thousands of uniformed personnel and civilian monitors onto the streets in hopes of securing a fair and peaceful election Monday. The national parliamentary balloting is to clear the way for the government caretaker

voa标准英语2008-EU Calls on Israel to Observe Humanitarian Truce

The European Union, or EU, is calling on Israel to observe a humanitarian truce after a four-day Israeli air offensive on the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner of France, which currently heads the EU, hosted a meeting in Paris

voa标准英语2008-India Denies Escalating Tensions With Pakistan

India has denied escalating tensions with its neighbor as Pakistan called on New Delhi to resume a dialogue and pull back its troops along the border. Tensions have been deepening between the South Asian neighbors since last month's terror attacks i