VOA标准英语 New Iranian Proposal Aims to End Nuclear Dispute

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told an audience in the town of Kerman that Tehran is preparing a new package of proposals for the West, aimed at resolving a lengthy international dispute over its nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahm

VOA标准英语 Clinton Announces US Anti-Piracy Measures

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Wednesday a multi-pronged U.S. effort to curb Somali-based maritime piracy. Among other things, the United States will move to track and freeze assets of pirate gangs, and press Somali authorities to s

VOA标准英语 Clinton Urges More International Aid for Haiti

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday urged more international assistance for Haiti, saying the impoverished Caribbean state is in jeopardy because of the global recession and hurricane damage. Clinton is scheduled to visit Haiti and th

VOA标准英语 Pakistan President Signs Accord for Islamic Law in N

Pakistan's president has signed a controversial agreement approving Islamic courts in part of the country's troubled northwest. While lawmakers supported the measure in a unanimous vote, there are concerns it allows the Taliban to expand its influen

VOA标准英语 Ethiopia May Prosecute Coffee Exporters

Ethiopia is considering legal action against coffee exporters who withheld beans from the market in response to unfavorable market conditions, causing a drop in the country's revenue. Officials are hoping prosecution of a few big exporters will send

VOA标准英语 Lack of Effective Somali Government Root of Piracy P

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has become a multi-million dollar business as armed Somali gunmen attack all sorts of vessels - from small pleasure crafts to giant oil supertankers - transiting the region. The pirates are not interested in the cargo

VOA标准英语 Obama Prepares for Mexico Trip

President Barack Obama heads to Mexico City on Thursday to meet with President Felipe Calderon, before traveling to Trinidad and Tobago for the fifth Summit of the Americas. Both nations are suffering economically, Mexico's border states are engulfe

VOA标准英语 Somali Pirates Seize 4 Ships in 24 Hours

Somali pirates have stepped up the seizure of ships along the coast of the lawless country. A Greek-owned vessel with 22 crew members was hijacked early Tuesday and there is word that a Togo-flagged vessel has also been seized. Monday, two Egyptian

VOA标准英语 Obama: Signs of Economic Progress

U.S. President Barack Obama says the first signs of an economic recovery are beginning to emerge. But at the same time he warns the process is only beginning and much hard work lies ahead. President Barack Obama delivers remarks on the economy, Tues

VOA标准英语 Thai Protesters Disperse Under Military Pressure, Le

Thai protesters are dispersing after the military surrounded their main demonstration camp and four protest leaders turned themselves in to police. Music played Tuesday across the main protest site outside government house. But, the mood was anythin

VOA标准英语 Italy Quake Victims Mark Somber Easter Holiday

Thousands of people made homeless by Italy's deadliest earthquake in 30 years celebrated a somber Easter on Sunday. Six days after the quake struck and with the death toll now standing at 294, masses were held in makeshift chapels set up in tent cit

VOA标准英语 Obama Eases Cuba Travel, Money Restrictions

U.S. President Barack Obama is making it easier for Cuban-Americans to travel and send remittances to relatives in Cuba. Monday's announcement came just days before a summit of hemispheric leaders in Trinidad and Tobago. Fidel Castro (file photo) Th

VOA标准英语 Obama Vows To Combat Somali Pirates

U.S. President Barack Obama says he is determined to halt piracy in the shipping lanes off the coast of Somalia. Mr. Obama spoke one day after the dramatic rescue of an American cargo ship captain who had been held hostage by the pirates since last

VOA标准英语 Thai Military Move to Confront Protesters After Day

Thai soldiers are moving towards anti-government protesters in the Thai capital who have been demonstrating outside the main government compound. Earlier in the day, thousands of protesters clashed with soldiers, setting fire to buses and hurling st

VOA标准英语 Fiji President Scraps Constitution, Assumes Control

There is more political turmoil in Fiji after President Ratu Josefa Iloilo annulled the constitution, fired the judiciary and assumed all governing power in the South Pacific nation. Ratu Josefa Iloilo (2008 File) The elderly leader's motives are, h

VOA标准英语 Algeria's Bouteflika Re-Elected to 3rd Term

Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika has been re-elected in a vote boycotted by some opposition parties who were upset by changes to the electoral law allowing him to run for a third consecutive term. Algerian Pres. Abdelaziz Bouteflika waves as

VOA标准英语 Prisoners Freed as Rebels Clash With Troops in Easte

As the U.N. Security Council prepared to discuss the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, gunmen attacked the town of Uvira, near the border with Burundi, and a human rights group criticized the Congolese military's actions in its camp

VOA标准英语 Indonesians Vote in Parliamentary Elections

Indonesians voted Thursday in legislative elections across the vast nation of islands. Results are not yet in, but opinion polls show President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party may be the big winner. Indonesian woman casts ballot at polli

VOA标准英语 Political Tensions Rise in Thailand as Protests Esca

Political tensions in Thailand have risen sharply after supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra stepped up protests in the Thai capital and shut down key roads. The protesters threaten more drastic action if the government does not re

VOA标准英语 Britain's Anti-Terror Chief Resigns Over Security Bl

Britain's top anti-terrorism chief has been forced to resign after he inadvertently released details of an operation that then had to be initiated earlier than expected. In that operation, a dozen men in northwest England have been arrested and are