VOA标准英语2008年-Russia Continues Quest to Claim Arctic

Russia is continuing its quest to claim the abundant resources of the Arctic, which may include vast undersea deposits of oil and gas. VOA Moscow Correspondent Peter Fedynsky reports that Kremlin leader Dmitri Medvedev is seeking to redefine the bor

VOA标准英语2008年-Israel Describes Iranian President's UN Speech

Israel has reacted angrily to the United Nations speech of the president of Iran, who lashed out at Jews and the Jewish state. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad speaks at UN, 23 Sep 2008 Is

VOA标准英语2008年-Analysts Say Economic Crisis Started with Bad H

The economic crisis has spread into many areas of the U.S. economy--banks, investment firms, insurance companies, and even the oil markets. But as VOA's Kent Klein reports from Washington, experts seem to agree that the trouble started with bad loan

VOA标准英语2008年-US Financial Crisis Expected to Affect Foreign

A United Nations survey on global investment prospects shows the U.S. financial crisis and economic downturn are making corporations more cautious about future foreign investment. VOA Correspondent Steve Herman reports from New Delhi. Official relea

VOA标准英语2008年-Congo-Kinshasa Government Denies Report on Expl

The government in Congo Kinshasa says it has no information to substantiate accusations that some senior commanders of Congo's army are working alongside ethnic Hutu militias in the exploitation of minerals in eastern Congo. The allegation was made

VOA标准英语2008年-Facebook Impacts Turkish Politics

Facebook is a way for people around the world to network and keep in touch with friends. But in Turkey, Facebook has taken on a new dimension as a political pulpit. Dorian Jones reports for VOA from Istanbul on the growing political power of Faceboo

VOA标准英语2008年-Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt Held in Sudan

Negotiations continued for the release of 19 hostages, including 11 European tourists, who were abducted in southern Egypt on Friday. As Derek Kilner reports from VOA's East Africa bureau in Nairobi, the hostages are currently being held in Sudan, d

VOA标准英语2008年-US Defense Chief Calls for a Balanced US Milita

Four months before the Bush administration leaves office in January, Defense Secretary Robert Gates laid out his vision for U.S. military strategy on Monday, saying the Pentagon needs to strike a balance between conventional capabilities and the abi

VOA标准英语2008年-US Warships Surround Hijacked Ship in Somalia

The U.S. Navy says more American warships have been sent to the east coast of Somalia, where a vessel carrying more than 30 tanks and other military equipment is being held by pirates. As VOA Correspondent Alisha Ryu reports from our East Africa Bur

VOA标准英语2008年-Stones Born Deep in the Earth Journey to Polish

Gems come in all sizes, colors and shapes, but they have one thing in common, they shine and sparkle as they catch the light, dazzling the beholder. But, this is not how they start out. Gem stones are forged deep in the earth and, in the rough, appe

VOA标准英语2008年-Flood Victims Cope in India's Bihar State

The annual monsoon rains have unleashed flooding in several parts of India, killing nearly 1,500 people and leaving millions of others homeless. The worst affected region is the eastern state, Bihar, where a river burst its embankment, last month, a

VOA标准英语2008年-Blood Diamonds: The Gem's Curse

Precious stones and metals have long held an attraction, sometimes a fatal one. The gem trade is a multi-billion dollar business, and precious stones are a highly prized commodity. This has helped some countries develop into success stories and has

VOA标准英语2008年-Gems Find Ultimate Glory in Glamor

They are hacked out of the earth, cut, polished and bought and sold along the way -- to finally be shown in all their glory. Gems, these tiny bits of mineral formations from the mines of South Africa, Burma, Brazil, Colombia, Russia or Canada eventu

VOA标准英语2008年-Belarussian Election Shuts Out Opposition

Opposition candidates failed to win any of the seats up for grabs in Belarus' parliament elections, in a closely watched race. Preliminary results, announced early Monday, show the opposition candidates did not succeed in garnering any of the 110 pa

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-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-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-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-Bush Calls for Swift Passage of Financial Rescu

U.S. President George Bush is urging Congress to move quickly to pass the $700 billion financial rescue package unveiled Sunday. VOA White House Correspondent Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush says it is an extraordinary agreement to deal with an extra

VOA标准英语2008年-Israelis Observe Rosh Hashanah Under Tight Secu

Jews in Israel and around the world are observing Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem. An Ultra-Orthodox Jew prays at the Western Wall in Jerusalem's Old City, before start the holiday of Rosh H