VOA标准英语2009年-Expert Says Days of 'Easy Water' Are Over

The fifth World Water Forum opened on Monday in Istanbul, Turkey. Thousands of people are at the meeting - from heads of state and environmental and business leaders to scientists and activists - to discuss ways to manage and conserve the precious r

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Celebrates St. Patrick's Day with Irish L

Millions of Americans of Irish descent and millions more who are not joined Tuesday in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, the national holiday of Ireland. U.S. President Barack Obama led the festivities at the White House, where he met with Ireland's

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama's Popularity Continues Despite Faltering

Recent public opinion polls show continuing faith in President Barack Obama, despite a daily drumbeat of bad economic news. But political experts warn that the public will not remain patient forever. President Barack Obama Americans cannot get away

VOA标准英语2009年-British PM Warns of Tougher Sanctions for Iran

In a major speech, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned Iran that by continuing to enrich uranium, it faces tougher international sanctions. British PM Gordon Brown addresses diplomats and scientists on nuclear energy and proliferation, during

VOA标准英语2009年-Olmert Rejects Hamas Proposed Prisoner Swap

Israel says indirect negotiations with the militant Islamic group Hamas have failed. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says his government will not accept the group's demands in exchange for the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier seized by Palesti

VOA标准英语2009年-Russia Announces Large-Scale Military Rearmamen

President Dmitri Medvedev says Russia will increase combat readiness and undergo large-scale rearmament in response to what he says is NATO expansion toward the country's borders. President Dmitry Medvedev addresses top military brass in Moscow, 17

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Takes on Budget Critics

U.S. President Barack Obama is taking on Republican critics of his economic plan. After vowing to ease the partisan rhetoric in Washington, the president is turning up the heat. President Barack Obama makes remarks after meeting with Senate and Hous

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Says Bashir Will Be Held Responsible fo

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir will be held responsible for any deaths among Darfur refugees caused by his decision to expel foreign aid groups from the country. Clinton says the Obama adm

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Seeks Tighter Regulation of Financial Ind

President Barack Obama is calling for legislation to more tightly regulate the U.S. financial industry. The president said Wednesday that he wants to prevent more situations like that at the giant insurance company, American International Group, or

VOA标准英语2009年-Japanese, South Korean Envoys Meet Ahead of Ant

South Koreans and Japanese envoys to the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program have met in Tokyo. The negotiations remain deadlocked and North Korea is expected to test-fire a long-range missile in the coming weeks. Stephen Bosworth, left

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Aid Official Alarmed at Latest Sudan Stateme

The United Nation's official in charge of humanitarian aid has expressed concern over Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir's remarks Monday that he wants all international aid groups out of his country within a year. Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir a

VOA标准英语2009年-Somalia Analyst Says Al-Qaida- Linked Group Not

A former U.S. diplomat and a leading analyst on Somalia says the power and influence of the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group are diminishing, not increasing as some U.S. intelligence officials have recently warned. In an article featured in this mont

VOA标准英语2009年-Australia Cuts Skilled Immigration, as Recessio

In a bid to protect Australian jobs, the number of skilled migrants allowed into the country is being cut. It is the first time in a decade that the intake has been reduced. The decision to cut the number of immigrants comes as pressure mounts on th

VOA标准英语2009年-NATO's Future in Afghanistan Key Summit Topic

When NATO leaders hold their summit this April 3-4 one of the key issues will be Afghanistan. The alliance took responsibility for the main international effort in the country two-and-a-half years ago, with mixed results. And, Afghanistan may have h

VOA标准英语2009年-Palestinians Agree on Elections, but Stumbling

Palestinian factions, meeting in Cairo to iron out long-standing grievances have agreed to hold parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010. Palestinian negotiators have agreed to hold new parliamentary and presidential elections in 2010, and t

VOA标准英语2009年-Security Concerns as UN Takes Over Chad Force

The United Nations has taken charge of a multi-national protection force in eastern Chad following the end of the European Union's one-year mandate. The full U.N. force is not yet in place, raising security concerns in an area already bracing for mo

VOA标准英语2009年-New ASEAN Free Trade Pact Viewed Positively

The recently signed free-trade pact between the 10 members Association of South East Asian Nations with Australia and New Zealand is seen as a positive, as the region grapples with the global recession. Asia business executives also see the pact wit

VOA标准英语2009年-Four UN Employees Abducted in Somalia

The United Nations has confirmed that four of its workers were abducted early Monday in Waajid, in south-central Somalia. According to the U.N., the workers include three foreigners and one Somali. U.N. spokesperson Dawn Blalock said the staff membe

VOA标准英语2009年-International Justice Experts Call for War Crim

A group of prominent international war crimes experts is calling for an inquiry into the behavior of Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups during the Jewish state's recent offensive in Gaza. The group signing the open letter to U.N. Secretary

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Announces Help for Small Business

U.S. President Barack Obama has announced new help for small business owners who have been hard hit by the economic downturn. He is taking steps to ease the credit shortage that is prompting many small businesses to cut back operations or close thei