VOA标准英语 Egyptian Security Forces Scour The Sinai For Hezboll

Egyptian police searched a mountainous part of the Sinai peninsula, Monday, trying to find 13 men thought to belong to a Hezbollah cell planning attacks against Israeli tourists. The search was launched after authorities interrogated 49 suspects now

VOA标准英语 Iranian President Welcomes 'Honest' Talks With US

Iran's hard-line president Mahmoud Ahmedinejad said his country would welcome talks with the United States if President Barack Obama proves to be honest in extending a hand towards Iran. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad greets supporters in Isf

VOA标准英语 Global Economic Outlook Worsens Despite Signs of US

Forecasters say the world economy is in the midst of its deepest downturn in 60 years with global growth projected to be negative for this year. Two months ago the International Monetary Fund said the world economy would grow by a meager one half of

VOA标准英语 Romania Denies Involvement in Moldova's Riots

Romania is denying Moldovan accusations that it was involved in violent anti-government protests in Moldova, which left at least one woman dead and injured some 100 others. The denial came after Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin ordered the expuls

VOA标准英语 Indonesia Elections Highlight Challenges, Maturing D

Indonesia, which has has the world's largest Muslim population, holds legislative elections Thursday, amid concerns about vote buying, fraud and some regional violence in the country. But the elections mark a transition for the young democracy. Elec

VOA标准英语 US to Join Big-Power Nuclear Talks With Iran

The United States, in a policy shift, says it will play a full role in future big-power talks with Iran over its nuclear program. Diplomats of the five permanent U.N. Security Council member countries and Germany, the so-called P5+1, meeting in Lond

VOA标准英语 Somali Piracy Exposes Weakness in UN Law of the Sea

The explosion of piracy off the coast of Somalia in recent years has exposed a weakness in the United Nations maritime law that makes high seas piracy illegal throughout the world. An undated image made available in London, 08 Apr 2009 by Maersk Lin

VOA标准英语 UN Launches Appeal for Crisis-Ridden Madagascar

The United Nations is launching a $35 million emergency appeal for Madagascar, which is suffering from multiple crises, including cyclones, drought and political instability. An aerial view of a part of Morondava, Madagascar shows floodwaters Thursd

VOA标准英语 Tens of Thousands Rally Against Thai PM

Massive protests in Bangkok backed by exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have so far gone peacefully. But fears remain that violence may still be triggered as protesters seek to force the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resig

VOA标准英语 Polls: Indonesia's Muslim Parties Struggle in Upcomi

As voters in Indonesia prepare to go to the polls Thursday, Islamic political parties are struggling to retain support. But traditional Islamic values are still strong. Election officials prepare ballot boxes to be distributed to polling stations in

VOA标准英语 Nigerian Government Vows to Punish Bribe Takers

The Nigerian government said it is ready to prosecute those implicated in a multi-million-dollar bribery case involving a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Halliburton Corporation. Information Minister Dora Akunyili told reporters the Nigerian government

VOA标准英语 Obama Refocuses on Economy After Foreign Trip

After a whirlwind international trip that included three summits, President Obama was back at work at the White House Thursday. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner looks on as President Barack Obama makes remarks on housing refinancing at the White

VOA标准英语 Italy Continues Quake Rescue Effort

Rescuers in central Italy continue to search for possible survivors in the rubble of Monday's earthquake as funerals begin for the victims of the disaster. So far, the death toll is 279, which includes at least 20 children. Local and government auth

VOA标准英语 Polls Close in Algerian Election Boycotted by Opposi

Polls have closed in Algeria where some opposition parties boycotted presidential balloting because electoral laws were changed to allow Abdelaziz Bouteflika to run for a third term. Meanwhile, two police officers were injured in a bomb blast outsid

VOA标准英语 S. African Opposition Parties Contest Dismissal of Z

Opposition parties in South Africa have gone to the courts to contest the dismissal of corruption charges against the head of the ruling party, Jacob Zuma. The development comes amid rising controversy over the dismissal which Zuma says proves his i

VOA标准英语 Pirates Hold Up Food Aid to Somalia, Uganda, Kenya

The United Nations' World Food Program says the U.S.-flagged container ship anchored off the coast of Somalia is carrying items to feed hundreds of thousands of starving people in Somalia, Uganda and Kenya. The ship's captain is being held hostage b

VOA标准英语 Russian Official Visits North Korea in Attempt to Br

Russia's top diplomat says he is paying a visit to North Korea, in hopes of easing the North's resistance to talking to its neighbors. The North has pulled out of nuclear weapons talks and continues to detain South Korean and American nationals on p

VOA标准英语 Gates Calls on Pakistan to Do More to Fight Taliban

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has called on Pakistani leaders to do more to fight the Taliban, which he called a threat to the existence of democracy in the country. Speaking at a Marine Corps base in North Carolina Thursday, Gates also discus

VOA标准英语 New Study Shows Animal Population Drop in Kenya Park

According to a new study, the populations of several animal species in Kenya's most famous wildlife park have declined dramatically during the past 15 years. The study's authors point to the growing presence of human settlements on the outskirts of

VOA标准英语 South African Elections Show Youth's New Force

During the elections in South Africa, a great deal of attention was paid to young voters whose growing numbers are causing a major demographic shift in the country. Young voters turned out in large numbers and emerged as a new force in South African