voa标准英语2008-Hamas Offers to Renew Truce with Israel

With tension running high on the Israel-Gaza border, the sides could be stepping back from the brink of a major confrontation. Palestinians line up to buy bread outside a bakery in Gaza City, 23 Dec 2008 The Islamic militant group Hamas that rules t

voa标准英语2008-Challenges Await Obama in Effort to Close Guanta

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who will stay in office in the new administration, has ordered his staff to take a fresh look at issues related to closing the Guantanamo Bay detention center. His spokesman said the secretary wants to be ready i

voa标准英语2008-Data Show More Bad News for US Economy

World markets were mixed Tuesday amid confirmation that the U.S. economy shrank in the third quarter of the year. The Bush administration says it believes fourth quarter numbers will be even worse. The U.S. Commerce Department says the U.S. economy

voa标准英语2008-Iraqi Parliament Votes to Extend Presence of Non

The speaker of Iraq's parliament has resigned, paving the way for lawmakers to authorize British and other non-U.S. foreign troops to remain in the country into 2009. Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani (C) and pol. leaders discuss the security

voa标准英语2008-Report from Somalia: Islamists Oppose Pirates on

On Sunday, the remote pirate stronghold of Hobyo in the Galmudug region of central Somalia fell to Islamist militants. The growing strength of Islamist groups in the coastal area may be tied to local anger over piracy and deepening poverty. A pirate

voa标准英语2008-Iraqi Parliament Delays Vote to Extend Presence

A dispute in Iraq's parliament has forced a delay in the approval of a resolution that would allow non-U.S. troops to remain in the country after the U.N. mandate expires at the end of this month. Iraqi politicians have been predicting that parliame

voa标准英语2008-ICRC Disinfects Houses to Counter Cholera in Zim

The International Committee of the Red Cross said it has begun disinfecting homes in Zimbabwe's capital in an effort to battle the cholera epidemic. Red Cross officials said the number of cases is soaring and more needs to be done to halt the spread

voa标准英语2008-Regional Infrastructure Tops Agenda at West Afri

The development of regional infrastructure, particularly transport and energy, to facilitate the economic integration process in West Africa is the main issues being considered at a regional summit underway in Abuja, Nigeria. The one-day summit is r

voa标准英语2008-US, Ukraine, Sign Partnership Charter

The United States and Ukraine Friday signed what was termed a Charter of Strategic Partnership calling for cooperation in defense, energy, trade and other areas. The United State will set up a diplomatic mission in Ukraine's Crimean region. Ukranian

voa标准英语2008-India's Tourism Industry Faces Slump in Wake of

India's tourist industry is facing a slump, both due to last month's terror attacks in Mumbai and the global economic slowdown. Two luxury hotels popular with foreigners were among the targets of the terror attacks in the deadly attacks. Workers rem

voa标准英语2008-Military Group Claims to Have Taken Power in Gui

A military-led group in Guinea says it has taken power, following the death of long-time President Lansana Conte. But the civilian government in Conakry says it is still in charge. Mutinous soldiers in Guinea say they have dissolved the government a

voa标准英语2008-Analysts Say Middle East Top Priority for Obama

One of the major foreign policy challenges facing the Obama administration will be how to revive the Middle East peace process. Senior Correspondent Andr de Nesnera spoke with three former senior U.S. government officials about the situation in the

voa标准英语2008-Ghanaian Opposition Leader Has Slim Lead in Pres

The opposition candidate in Ghana's presidential election has a narrow lead over the ruling party candidate with more than 85 percent of districts reporting. But final results are not expected until Tuesday. With official returns in from more than 2

voa标准英语2008-US in Diplomatic Push for Renewed Gaza Cease-Fir

The Bush administration on Monday mounted a campaign of telephone diplomacy aimed at achieving a durable and sustainable Gaza cease-fire. Meanwhile, analysts say the Gaza crisis has complicated Middle East peace-making hopes for President-elect Bara

voa标准英语2008-Israel Pushes Gaza Offensive as Death Toll Tops

Israeli aircraft and warships bombarded Palestinian targets again Monday - the third day of an offensive against Hamas and its infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. More than 300 Palestinians have been reported killed and hundreds more injured. Two Isra

voa标准英语2008-Israeli Foreign Minister Meets with Top Egyptian

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni met with top Egyptian officials, Thursday, amid escalating violence in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. Livni vowed that Israel would strike back at Hamas, because the situation had become unbearable. Egyptian Pr

voa标准英语2008-Russian President Talks Military Force During En

President Dmitri Medvedev says Russia reserves the right to use military force to defend its interests, and will also take steps to protect the dignity and lives of its citizens, wherever they may be. Mr. Medvedev made those remarks during a nationa

voa标准英语2008-African Union Suspends Guinea

The African Union has suspended Guinea following last week's military coup while Guinea's new military leaders have demoted many of the country's generals. Junta leader, Captain Moussa Dadis Camara, speaks at meeting at Camp Alpha Yaya Diallo milita

voa标准英语2008-Nigerian Rights Groups Criticize Firing of Forme

Rights groups in Nigeria have criticized the firing of the country's former anti-corruption chief from the police force for alleged insubordination. They say his dismissal was aimed at punishing a key voice in the fight against corruption in Nigeria

voa标准英语2008-US Envoy Says Next Bangladeshi Government Faces

With less than a week to go before elections in Bangladesh, the U.S. ambassador to that country is warning that whoever wins will have to simultaneously focus on democracy, development and fighting terrorism. Otherwise, he says, Bangladesh will face