VOA标准英语2009年-US Envoy Returning to Asia for North Korea

The State Department said Thursday its special envoy for implementing U.N.-mandated sanctions against North Korea will return to Asia next week for more talks on tightening economic curbs against Pyongyang. Ambassador Philip Goldberg said he thinks

VOA标准英语2009年-Taliban Escalate Attacks on Kabul Two Days

Eight people died, including two Afghan staff members of the United Nations and at least one foreign soldier, while more than 50 other people were wounded, in the latest wave of Taliban violence around Kabul. The insurgents, who are vowing to disrup

VOA标准英语2009年-ISAF, Afghan Forces Mobilized for Election

The United Nation's World Food Program says rogue members of Somalia's extremist al-Shabab group attempted to raid its compound late Sunday in the Somali town of Wajid, about 300 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. World Food Program spokesman, Peter

VOA标准英语2009年-WFP Compound in Somalia Attacked by 'Rogue

The United Nation's World Food Program says rogue members of Somalia's extremist al-Shabab group attempted to raid its compound late Sunday in the Somali town of Wajid, about 300 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. World Food Program spokesman, Peter

VOA标准英语2009年-Corporate Diplomacy Opens Door for Renewal

The visit of a South Korean chief executive to North Korea has produced first steps in thawing frozen inter-Korean economic projects. However, South Korea says what Pyongyang agreed to, in principle, needs to be translated into official accords, on

VOA标准英语2009年-Thaksin Supporters Gather to Present Pardo

Thousands of people have gathered in Bangkok to present a petition seeking a royal pardon for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The government has warned the crowd against violence and considers the petition illegal. Supporters of former Tha

VOA标准英语2009年-Mekong River Raises Cost of Trans-Asia Rai

Plans to finally finish the massive Trans-Asia Railway have hit cost hurdles in Cambodia. The initial findings in a Chinese feasibility study shows the need to build several bridges in the Mekong River Delta will raise the final cost of linking Phno

VOA标准英语2009年-Karzai Allows Afghan Warlord to Return fro

A controversial but still powerful former Afghan warlord has flown back to the country from exile to campaign for President Hamid Karzai. The return home of the Communist-era militia general is seen as a boost for the incumbent president's campaign.

VOA标准英语2009年-Italy Consumed by Lottery Fever

Lottery fever is gripping Italy, as millions of people dream their ticket will be the winner of Europe's record-breaking jackpot. Italy's SuperEnalotto top prize has climbed to $194-million and Italians and foreigners alike are making sure they have

VOA标准英语2009年-Somalis Gather to Discuss Racism, Alienati

Young Somali immigrants say they face racism and feel unwanted in Australia. Their problems have drawn more attention since four men from Somali backgrounds were charged with planning a suicide attack on an army base in Sydney. Community groups say

VOA标准英语2009年-Israel Freezes New Settlement Projects in

Israel has made a concession to the United States in a bid to ease a simmering dispute over Jewish settlements. Housing units are seen in an outpost near the West Bank Jewish settlement of Itamar, near Nablus, 18 Aug 2009 Israel has announced that s

VOA标准英语2009年-Pakistan Arrests Top Taliban Aide

Authorities in Pakistan say they have captured the chief spokesman for Taliban insurgents along with two companions in a tribal region bordering Afghanistan. The arrest comes nearly two weeks after a suspected U.S missile strike is believed to have

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama, Mubarak Optimistic About Mideast Pe

U.S. President Barack Obama and his visiting Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak, have expressed optimism over the possibility of moving forward on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. Mr. Mubarak has made his first visit to the White House in mor

VOA标准英语2009年-Nobel Laureate Former S. Korean President

Former South Korean President Kim Dae-jung has died in Seoul at the age of 85. He had been hospitalized since last month for pneumonia. Mr. Kim was credited with ushering a new era of reconciliation with wartime enemy North Korea. His own life story

VOA标准英语2009年-Russia Arrests 8 Suspected Cargo Ship Hija

Russia says it has arrested eight people suspected of the mysterious hijacking of a cargo ship. The vessel disappeared after being boarded by hijackers off the coast of Sweden and then turned up off the coast of West Africa. There are still a number

VOA标准英语2009年-Some Undocumented Migrants Undeterred by W

With the American economy failing to produce jobs in the wake of the recession, and the dangers for undocumented workers along the route to the United States increasing, the rewards of making the long trip north from Central America are lower than e

VOA标准英语2009年-N. Korean Envoys Visit South to Pay Respec

For the first time, North Korea has sent a delegation to present formal condolences to the family of a deceased South Korean president. The visit is a tribute to Kim Dae-jung's efforts at North-South reconciliation. But North Koreans who fled to the

VOA标准英语2009年-More Than 20 Killed in Fighting in Somali

Islamist militants in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, launched a pre-dawn raid on African Union peacekeepers Friday, triggering fierce fighting that killed more than 20 people. Meanwhile, government-led military efforts to take control of insurgent-h

VOA标准英语2009年-Afghanistan Tries to Assure Voters About A

Afghanistan's government is trying to assure voters that adequate security is in place for Thursday's national election. The Taliban vow to disrupt the process by attacking polling stations and retaliating against those who dare to vote. In Kabul, t

VOA标准英语2009年-Thai Military Says It Makes Progress in En

The military commander overseeing Thailand's largely Muslim southern provinces says security is improving as the army steps up efforts to win hearts and minds and end insurgent attacks. But as political analysts say the drop in violence may be tempo