VOA标准英语2009年-Turkey Targets PKK in Iraq After Deadly Mi

Turkey's military says its warplanes have attacked Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq, following a landmine explosion that killed six Turkish soldiers and wounded eight others. Meanwhile several pro-Kurdish party members of parliament are under

VOA标准英语2009年-Israel Rejects US Call for Total Settlemen

Israel has rejected a call by the United States for a total freeze on settlement expansion in the occupied territories. Israel said construction in Jewish settlements will continue despite U.S. pressure. President Barack Obama began pressing the set

VOA标准英语2009年-US, South Korea Military Raise Defense Ale

South Korea and the United States have raised their defense alert levels on the Korean peninsula, a day after the North said it was willing to discard the 56-year-old armistice that paused the Korean War. Analysts expect more tension in the days ahe

VOA标准英语2009年-London Urges Release of British Hostages i

On the second anniversary of the abduction of five Britons in Baghdad, their families remain hopeful they will be released. The British government has renewed its call for the men to be set free. Dealing with two years of uncertainty has been incred

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Promises New US Proposals for Mide

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the Obama administration will soon present very specific proposals to Israel and the Palestinians on how to advance toward a two-state solution to the Middle East conflict. Sec. of State Hillary Rodh

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Cautious on Palestinian Reconciliation

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday reconciliation efforts between the main Palestinian factions will not mean progress for the region unless Hamas accepts international terms for peace talks with Israel. Clinton spoke to VOA in advance o

VOA标准英语2009年-World Markets Mixed Amid Stimulus and Corporate

World markets were mixed Thursday due to investor concerns over the U.S. stimulus plan and more gloomy corporate news. In Britain, the Royal Bank of Scotland, or RBS, has posted the largest annual loss in U.K. corporate history with a $34 billion sh

VOA标准英语2009年-Rival Palestinian Factions Meet in Cairo to Hea

Rival Palestinian factions Fatah and Hamas are holding talks aimed at healing their divisions and creating a new unity government. Delegations from the two factions met at the Cairo office of Egypt's intelligence chief Omar Suleiman, who has been le

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Announces Iraq Exit Plan

President Barack Obama says the United States will withdraw most of its combat troops from Iraq in the next 18 months. Roughly one-third of the troops would stay through 2011 to provide security and training. President Barack Obama speaks during a v

VOA标准英语2009年-US Economy Shrinks More Than Expected in Fourth

A U.S. government report released Friday shows that output in the U.S. economy fell at a faster pace in the October to December quarter than previously reported. Gross domestic product fell at more than a six percent rate. Hand-lettered sign stands

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Administration Korea Envoy Heading to Reg

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Thursday the new U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth will begin his first trip to the region early next week. Bosworth says he thinks North Korea is inclined to continue dialogu

VOA标准英语2009年-US Special Envoy Meets With Turkish Leaders

U.S. Middle East special envoy George Mitchell has met with the president of Turkey Thursday as part of his quest for peace in the region. U.S. Middle-East special envoy George Mitchell, left, is seen with Turkish President Abdullah Gul, center, and

VOA标准英语2009年-India's Slowing Economy Takes Toll on Jobs, Inv

After five years of runaway growth, India's economy is slowing down, as the global financial crisis begins to take a toll on emerging economies. The economic meltdown is affecting everyone - from young people waiting to enter the work force, to inve

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Wants Economic Stimulus Passed Soon

.S. President Barack Obama says the country's economic crisis demands that Congress act soon on his economic stimulus plan. Mr. Obama met Friday with top Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the White House. President Barack Obama speaks to report

VOA标准英语2009年-EU Urges Israel to Lift Gaza Aid Blockade

As the last Israeli troops left the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, European Union foreign ministers in Brussels urged Israel to lift its blockade of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territory. Israeli FM Tzipi Livni (left) with EU official Javie

VOA标准英语2009年-Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Israel Weig

The humanitarian crisis is deepening in Gaza, following Israel's 22-day offensive that Palestinian officials said killed nearly 1,300 people. Now, Israel says it is considering a prisoner swap to win the release of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza, s

VOA标准英语2009年-Gates: 16-Month Iraq Timetable Just One Option

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq in 16 months is one of the options currently being studied at the Pentagon. US Sec. of Defense Robert Gates (left) with Joint Chiefs Chai

VOA标准英语2009年-Senate Panel Endorses Obama Treasury Secretary

The Senate Finance Committee has approved President Obama's nominee to be Treasury Secretary paving the way for his confirmation by the full Senate. President Obama is hoping for a quick confirmation of his top financial adviser, so that his adminis

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Chief Calls on Israel, Hamas to Forge Lastin

.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, just back from a visit to the Gaza Strip, says he was deeply affected by the destruction and suffering he witnessed. He called on Israel and Hamas to turn their unilateral cease-fires into a lasting peace. U.N. Sec

VOA标准英语2009年-Growing Scientific Consensus on Climat

Causes and solutions remain in dispute Michael Bowman | Washington, DC 01 December 2009 Droughts, floods, hurricanes, typhoons, retreating glaciers, and melting polar ice caps are just some of the occurrences scientists say are becoming more common a