VOA标准英语2009年-Bombers Kill 35 Shi'ites in Iraq

A series of bomb attacks in the Iraqi city of Mosul and the capital Baghdad killed at least 35 people Friday. Shi'ite pilgrims were marking the birthday of the 12th Imam, a revered figure in Shi'ite Islam. The scene of a road side bomb blast that hi

VOA标准英语2009年-Discovery of Possible Drug Labs Leads to C

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, along with INTERPOL and the government of Guinea, recently discovered four sites where they believe drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy could have been processed and manufactured in Conakry. These

VOA标准英语2009年-Somali Pirates Release South Pacific Sailo

Twelve South Pacific islanders taken hostage by Somali pirates earlier this year have been released. The men were seized off the east African coast and have been set free after their employer reportedly paid a ransom. A pirate taking a stroll on sho

VOA标准英语2009年-Thailand's Central Bank Hopes to Aid Expor

Thailand's central bank hopes to help the country's beleaguered exporters by allowing more investment overseas part of a strategy to cheapen the Thai baht. Thailand market analysts doubt the plan will offer much respite from the global economic slum

VOA标准英语2009年-Haze Blankets Parts of Southeast Asia

Smoke from forest fires, largely in Indonesia, has shrouded parts of Southeast Asia in thick haze. It is a seasonal problem in the region that will not go away. Putrajaya's landmark Putra Mosque (l) and Prime Minister's building seen covered by haze

VOA标准英语2009年-US Congressman: Iran is Threat, Not Israel

A delegation of conservative congressmen from the United States is on a solidarity visit to Israel. They are concerned about Washington's Middle East policies. Congressman Eric Cantor (c), with delegation of Republican members of Congress, during pr

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Urges Kenya Youth to Fight Corrupt

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton challenged Kenya's youth Thursday to utilize new media technologies to shine light on public corruption in the country. She continued her message that only Kenyans can solve Kenya's problems. US Sec. of State

VOA标准英语2009年-Tight Security in Place for Elections Day

Top government officials responsible for security in Afghanistan say there is no way to ensure the Taliban will not be able to cause civilian casualties before the election or on the day of voting. Afghanistan's military is declaring a one-day unila

VOA标准英语2009年-US Senator: Burma Denies Nuclear Plans

U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who recently held talks with Burma's military leaders, says the government denies reports that it is trying to acquire nuclear technology. The senator also says Burma's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi has indicated a willin

VOA标准英语2009年-Israeli Ministers Pay Solidarity Visit to

Israel's leader is coming under growing pressure from hardliners in his coalition to reject American demands for a halt to settlement expansion. Jewish settlers and Ultra Orthodox Jewish men pray to support Israeli settlements in the West Bank (File

VOA标准英语2009年-Afghanistan Faces Many Challenges in Run-U

For the first time in four decades, Afghanistan will run its own election. But there will be outside assistance - the most important being the tens of thousands of NATO-led troops in the country backing the Afghan forces providing security and logis

VOA标准英语2009年-Anger Beyond Health Care Debate Fuels Emot

The ongoing national debate over health care reform in the United States has given way to angry and at times chaotic displays of emotion at town hall meetings sponsored by congressional Democrats. But the anger and fear on display goes beyond concer

VOA标准英语2009年-Truck Bomb in Russia's Caucasus Kills 20

At least 20 people have been killed and 100 others wounded after a suicide bomber blew up a truck at a local police station in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region. Policemen work at the site of explosion in a police compound in Nazran, 17 Aug 20

VOA标准英语2009年-US Senator Wins Release of American Prison

U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who won the release of an American prisoner in Burma, says the United States must develop new ways to bring about political and economic change in the isolated state. Senator Webb called on China to end its silence on Burma an

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton's Africa Trip Meant to Underscore

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back in the United States after a seven-nation tour of Africa. Secretary Clinton's Africa trip was meant to follow-up on the policies outlined in President Barack Obama's speech before Ghana's parliament la

VOA标准英语2009年-Afghan President Karzai Confronts Two Riva

Three candidates in the Afghan presidential election, including incumbent President Hamid Karzai, have faced off in a nationally broadcast debate. It was the first time a sitting president has participated in such an election debate. An Afghan girl

VOA标准英语2009年-Australian Court Grants Quadriplegic Right

In a landmark decision, a court in Australia has given a paralyzed man the right to die by allowing him to refuse food and water. Christian Rossiter has begged to be allowed to die after accidents left him a quadriplegic. Christian Rossiter has said

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Says US will Discuss Response to N

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has wrapped up her Africa trip in Cape Verde with talks that included how best to respond to this month's constitutional referendum in Niger. Niger's president is changing the constitution to extend his time i

VOA标准英语2009年-US Lawmaker Arrives in Burma to Meet Top M

U.S. Senator Jim Webb has arrived in Burma's administrative capital for talks with the country's military leaders. The Democrat senator from Virginia will be the first high-ranking U.S. official to meet with General Than Shwe. Senator Jim Webb The v

VOA标准英语2009年-India, Southeast Asian Nations Sign Free T

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have signed a free trade agreement after more than six years of negotiations. Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma (file photo) Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his counterparts from the