VOA标准英语2009-Trans-Asian Railway Would Improve Transport,

Asian nations have agreed to form a network of railroads that aims to connect 28 countries in the region to each other and Europe. The Trans-Asian Railway holds out the promise of improved trade, transport, and integration. But, forming the massive

VOA标准英语2009-Medical Centers Target Chronic Diseases in D

The National Institutes of Health, America's federally-funded medical research organization, is spearheading efforts to establish chronic disease centers in 11 developing countries, where illnesses such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease have bec

VOA标准英语2009-WHO Expected to Declare Swine Flu Pandemic

The World Health Organization is expected to declare the H1N1 Swine Flu a pandemic, following an emergency meeting of health officials from around the world. This will be the first declaration of a global flu pandemic in more than 40 years. WHO esti

VOA标准英语2009-NATO Defense Ministers Approve Troop Cut in

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization says it plans to withdraw about a third of its force in Kosovo by next year because the security situation has improved. The announcement came during a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels. U.S. Secret

VOA标准英语2009-US Leaves Decision on Restarting Peace Dialo

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other key members of his new Cabinet have concluded meetings with a high-ranking American envoy. The topic of Pakistan was discussed repeatedly during the two days of talks. U.S. Undersecretary of State Willi

VOA标准英语2009-Improved Signs on US Job Losses, Retail Sale

U.S. markets posted early gains after modestly encouraging signs concerning employment and retail sales. People line up at the Anaheim Orange County Job Fair and Expo in Anaheim, CA, 03 Jun 2009 The U.S. Labor Department says 24,000 fewer Americans

VOA标准英语2009-North Korea Demands Huge Pay, Rent Increases

North Korea has presented South Korea with sharply elevated rent and wage demands for running a joint industrial facility just inside the North Korean border. At the same time, Pyongyang is refusing to release a detained executive it has held with n

VOA标准英语2009-Battle Against Pakistan's Top Taliban Leader

The Pakistani government is hoping to capitalize on public support for its military offensive against Taliban militants in the northwest as it prepares to hunt down top Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan. The rugged terrain of Wazir

VOA标准英语2009-Israeli PM: Iranian Authorities "Unmasked&q

Israel's prime minister says repressive actions taken by Iranian authorities against demonstrators protesting President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's disputed election victory have revealed the true nature of the government, and underscore the need to preve

VOA标准英语2009-Iran TV: At Least 10 Killed in Clashes with

Iran's capital, Tehran, was tense Sunday, following a week of sometimes violent opposition protests against a disputed election victory by incumbent President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad June 12. In this photograph posted on the internet, a man holds up his

VOA标准英语2009-Carbon Trading Seen as Key to Borneo's Prese

Scientists and environmentalists have stepped up efforts to save what is left of Borneo's rain forests and wilderness areas. New research suggests carbon trading could offer the next solution. Experts calls on Indonesia, Malaysia protect the natural

VOA标准英语2009-Demonstrators Question Iran Election Results

Demonstrators are holding peaceful rallies in cities across the world to express their concern over the disputed results of last Friday's presidential election in Iran, in which the government declared incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the victor. A ral

VOA标准英语2009-New Model Predicts Mammal Extinction

Researchers have developed a new computer model that they say helps determine which mammals are headed for extinction as a result of human activity. Earth is undergoing its sixth mass extinction, threatening about a quarter of all mammal species, ac

VOA标准英语2009-World Bank Raises Economic Forecast for Chin

The World Bank says China's economy will grow faster than expected this year, but cautions it is too soon to say a sustained recovery is imminent. The World Bank raised its estimate of China's gross domestic product growth this year to 7.2 percent,

VOA标准英语2009-Israeli Plan to Annex Lands East of Jerusale

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu angered many Palestinians, in his recent speech, when he proclaimed Israel's intentions to keep Jerusalem as the united capital of the Jewish state. The Palestinians claim the eastern part of the city as the capital

VOA标准英语2009-Somali Security Minister Killed in Suicide A

The internal security minister in Somalia's fragile, internationally-backed government has been killed in a suicide attack. The blast, which took place in the town of Beledweyne near the Ethiopian border, killed at least 20 people. Omar Hashi Aden h

VOA标准英语2009-Tech-Savvy Protesters Battle Iranian Governm

In the days since Iran's contested presidential vote, demonstrators have proved resourceful and adept in bypassing a government clampdown on information sharing. Aided by mobile phones and an array of Internet services, technology-savvy Iranians hav

VOA标准英语2009-Philippine Military Grabs Upper Hand in Mind

The Philippine military has gained an upper hand over militants fighting for an Islamic homeland in the country's south. While not a definitive victory over the insurgents and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, MILF, the Philippine military's latest

VOA标准英语2009-EU Boosts Humanitarian Aid to Pakistan

The European Union has pledged millions of dollars in new humanitarian assistance for Pakistanis displaced by fighting between government troops and the Taliban insurgency in the Asian nation. The EU has also raised chances of closer trade ties duri

VOA标准英语2009-Iranian Reformist Calls for Mass Rally Thurs

Defeated popular-reformist presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi is calling for his supporters to remain peaceful during demonstrations to show solidarity with those who were killed in violence during the past several days. In this frame grab t