VOA标准英语 Congressional Hearing Assesses Humanitarian Crisis i

The situation in Sri Lanka, where government forces are fighting to eliminate the last stronghold of Tamil separatist rebels, was the subject of a U.S. congressional hearing Tuesday. Discussion of the military conflict and what the United Nations an

VOA标准英语 Japanese Car Sales Slump

In spite of some signs the recession in Japan could be easing, the important export market is down nearly 46 percent, compared to a year ago. At the center of the downturn, are Japan's car manufacturers - heavily dependent on foreign markets. It is

VOA标准英语 Coalition Shifts Afghan Focus to South

One of the top American military commanders in Afghanistan said progress in the eastern part of the country is strong, but more effort is needed in the south, where Taliban forces have fought Afghan and coalition troops to what he calls a stalemate.

VOA标准英语 Tehran Ready for 'Constructive' Talks, Says Nuclear

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Said Jalili, has signaled that Tehran is ready for constructive dialogue over its nuclear program, in an apparent response to the invitation by European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana for talks with the Unite

VOA标准英语 Mother of Somali Pirate Appeals for Mercy for Her So

The mother of the Somali piracy suspect being held for trial in the United States is appealing for mercy for her son. She says he did not know what he was doing when he and three other men boarded a U.S.-flagged ship earlier this month and took the

VOA标准英语 Clinton: US Prepared for New Sanctions if Outreach t

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is laying groundwork for new sanctions against Iran if outreach to Tehran on its nuclear program fails to produce results. Clinton says the Obama administration's call for dialogue provides m

VOA标准英语 Obama Promotes Alternative Energy On Earth Day

President Barack Obama says the United States should depend more on so-called clean forms of energy, like wind and solar, and less on oil. The president promoted his alternative energy plan on an Earth Day visit to the central state of Iowa. Preside

VOA标准英语 Young Voters Important in South African Election

Nearly one third of South Africa's 23 million registered voters are younger than 30-years-old and of those, about two million are first time voters. There is much speculation about the impact of these young voters. The 2009 election is the first in

VOA标准英语 Drug Smugglers Found Guilty in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has convicted 15 men of trying to smuggle nearly 700 kilograms of cocaine through the country's airport. Justice Nicolas Browne Marke found all 15 men guilty of conspiracy to import a prohibited drug without lawful authority. Two Colomb

VOA标准英语 Cambodian Spiders Under Threat

Giant spiders might not look appetizing, but in Cambodia they are considered a delicacy. First eaten by starving refugees during the Khmer Rouge era in the late 1970s, they are now a popular snack in Cambodia. They are so popular their numbers are n

VOA标准英语 Foreign Backpackers Flock to Australia to Escape Glo

Officials in Australia say more young foreigners looking to escape recession in other parts of the world could be heading for the country this year on working holidays. The number of skilled travelers from Britain and Germany applying for working ho

VOA标准英语 South Africa Celebrates Freedom Day After Successful

South Africans are celebrating the 15th anniversary of the end of apartheid, as well as the conclusion of successful national elections, which were swept by the ruling African National Congress. A group of traditional clad Zulu women participate in

VOA标准英语 Australia Urged to Boost Military Commitment in Afgh

Australian forces in Afghanistan are urging the government in Canberra to send more combat advisers to the troubled country despite waning public support for the war. The International Security Assistance Force wants more Australian personnel to tra

VOA标准英语 Military Offensive in Pakistan Threatens Swat Peace

Thousands of people in northwest Pakistan are fleeing a renewed offensive by Pakistani forces against Taliban militants. With the army saying it has killed more than 45 militants since the operation began Sunday, the fighting casts further doubt on

VOA标准英语 Sri Lanka Pledges to Stop Shelling, Air Strikes of T

The Sri Lankan government says although major combat operations against the remaining Tamil Tiger rebels have ended, a military sweep continues to bring about a total defeat of the quarter-century old insurgency. But the Liberation Tigers of Tamil E

VOA标准英语 Ethiopia Arrests 35 Suspects in Alleged Coup Plot

Ethiopian authorities have arrested 35 people suspected of involvement in a plot to overthrow the government. Those arrested are said to be followers of an exiled opposition leader living in the United States. Government spokesman Ermias Legesse say

VOA标准英语 IMF Steering Committee Boosts Lending Agency's Resou

The 24 nations that comprise the International Monetary Fund's policy-making committee agreed Saturday to an immediate $250 billion increase in the lending agency's resources. The decision is in line with the recommendation made by world leaders at

VOA标准英语 Sri Lanka Rejects Tamil Tiger Ceasefire

Sri Lanka's Tamil rebels, on the verge of total military defeat, have declared a cease-fire. But the military immediately rejected it, saying surrender to Sri Lankan forces is the only option. The development comes as the top U.N. humanitarian offic

VOA标准英语 Israel Rejects Preconditions for Talks with Syria

Israel's new government is offering to resume peace negotiations with Syria. But it wants to change the ground rules. Israel' Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman in Jerusalem (File) Israel's ultra-nationalist Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman said h

VOA标准英语 World Bank to Boost Lending in Response to Economic

The major high income and developing countries that set policy for the 185 member-nation World Bank agreed in Washington on Sunday that the bank should boost its lending to help poor countries adversely affected by the global economic slowdown. From