VOA标准英语2009年-Australia Plans New Approach to Save Fragi

Australian Environment Minister Peter Garrett warns that efforts to save some endangered plants and animals may be abandoned due to a lack of money. Garrett says the government plans to concentrate on protecting fragile ecosystems rather than indivi

VOA标准英语2009年-Indian Trade Pacts Will Contribute to Econ

Two trade pacts signed recently between India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India and South Korea are expected to promote economic integration of one of the world's fastest growing regions. The pacts also signal that India is ke

VOA标准英语2009年-'Homeland Tours' Bring Chinese Adoptees Ba

In the early 1990s China made it easier for families from abroad to adopt Chinese orphans, most of whom were girls. Today about 60,000 adopted Chinese children live in North America, and about 15,000 live in Europe. Many families take special tours

VOA标准英语2009年-Swiss Bank to Turn Over Account Data to US

A major Swiss bank has agreed to turn over information on thousands of accounts targeted by the United States for possible tax evasion. US government official says Swiss banking giant UBS will give the IRS the details of more than 4,000 client accou

VOA标准英语2009年-Mixed Reaction to Israeli Announcement of

There has been mixed reaction to Israel's announcement of a partial freeze on settlement expansion. Jewish settlers and their allies say it is a catastrophe, while Palestinians describe it as a publicity stunt. Housing units are seen in an outpost n

VOA标准英语2009年-South Korea Postpones First Rocket Launch

With just minutes to go before liftoff, South Korean engineers postponed the launch of the country's first space-bound rocket. The delay comes as a disappointment to many who looked forward to the launch as a milestone of national pride. Excitement

VOA标准英语2009年-Baghdad Blasts Kill 95

Multiple explosions in the Iraqi capital have killed 95 people and wounded at least 310 others, in the worst day of violence in Baghdad since U.S. forces left urban areas in June. Fire fighters respond as smoke billows over Iraqi Foreign Ministry, a

VOA标准英语2009年-Returning IDPs Lack Basic Services in Kord

A new report by the International Organization for Migration finds an overwhelming majority of the nearly two million Internally Displaced People and refugees who have returned to Southern Kordofan, a state in Sudan, and to Southern Sudan continue t

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Launches Multi-Million Dollar Gaza Rama

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, is launching a Gaza Ramadan Appeal for $181 million to provide food, jobs and other assistance for one million Palestinian refugees. Seven months after the Israeli Operation in Gaza, UNRWA says very

VOA标准英语2009年-US Schools to Reopen Amid Flu Concerns

U.S. health officials are warning about a possible resurgence of the Swine Flu virus in North America as the cold weather approaches, and schools prepare to reopen. Health experts say the illness poses a special risk to schools, which are set to re-

VOA标准英语2009年-Pentagon Tweets, Blogs, Posts, and 'Friend

The U.S. Defense Department has become the latest establishment organization to venture into the Internet world of social networking. Officials from the generation of regular old mail, and maybe email, are trying to tweet, blog, post and friend. Def

VOA标准英语2009年-Iran Media Confirm Three American Tourists

Iranian state television is reporting that border police have arrested three American tourists who allegedly strayed into Iranian territory in a poorly marked mountainous border zone between Iraq and Iran. Iran's state-run Press TV announced the arr

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Says Lack of Funds May Ground African H

The United Nations World Food Program says it may have to ground a vital humanitarian air service to parts of Africa this month because of a severe funding shortage. The WFP says some of the poorest countries in Africa will be deprived of critical a

VOA标准英语2009年-US Treasury Secretary: Economy Improving,

The Obama administration is hailing recent improvements in U.S. economic indicators, but says more must be done to put the United States on solid economic footing. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner proclaimed the risk of financial collapse to be o

VOA标准英语2009年-Israel Evicts More Than 50 Palestinians Fr

Israel evicted dozens of Palestinians from their homes in Jerusalem on Sunday. The move touches on one of the core issues of the Middle East conflict. Israeli Jews enter a house after police evicted its Palestinian residents in the East Jerusalem ne

VOA标准英语2009年-British Lawmakers Critical of UK's Role in

A powerful cross-party parliamentary committee has strongly criticized the British government for its handling of the war in Afghanistan. In blunt terms, the Foreign Affairs Select Committee report says Britain's military mission in Afghanistan has

VOA标准英语2009年-Niger Prepares for Referendum on President

The government of Niger is expecting a big turn out for Tuesday's referendum on changing the constitution to allow the president to run for a third term. Niger's parliament and constitutional court were both dissolved after opposing the move. Prime

VOA标准英语2009年-President Obama Honors Justice Sotomayor a

There was a celebration at the White House for the first Hispanic justice of the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday. Family, friends, members of Congress, fellow judges and leaders of the Hispanic community joined President Barack Obama in applauding Just

VOA标准英语2009年-Few Options Available to Deal With Burma

Burma's fellow members in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have expressed deep disappointment over opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's extended house detention. As Western governments call for tougher sanctions, political analysts in the

VOA标准英语2009年-Six Foreign Captives Released in Somalia

Somali kidnappers have released six foreign hostages. The four European aid workers and their two Kenyan pilots were released Tuesday after eight months of captivity. A car carrying people alleged to be former hostages in Somalia leaves Nairobi's Wi