VOA标准英语2009年-Swiss Banks Call Tax Evader Label Unfair

The Swiss Bankers Association has launched a blistering attack against the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development calling the OECD's treatment of Switzerland disgraceful. The bankers say the OECD's threat to put Switzerland on a black

VOA标准英语2009年-Republicans Try to Adjust to Opposition Ro

As President Barack Obama makes his way through his first 100 days in office, Republicans are still trying to find their voice as the loyal opposition as they adjust to a new Democratic president and Democratic control of Congress. Barack Obama is s

VOA标准英语2009年-Philippine Government Ready to Withdraw fr

The Philippine government says it is ready to withdraw some security forces deployed near a hideout of the extremist Abu Sayyaf to facilitate negotiations for the release of three kidnapped Red Cross workers. The Islamic militants have threatened to

VOA标准英语2009年-Floods Receding in Namibia and Zambia

United Nations officials say flood waters in Namibia and Zambia are receding and regional weather forecasters say they currently have no projections for heavy rains in the catchments of the Zambezi and Okavango. The focus is shifting toward assistin

VOA标准英语2009年-Thai PM Rejects Opposition Calls to Resign

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has rejected calls for the government to resign, as rallies against his administration moved into their second day. Analysts say political tensions remain high due to increasing pressure on the government to cal

VOA标准英语2009年-Japan Orders Possible North Korean Rocket

Japan's military is getting ready to shoot down part or all of the rocket North Korea is planning to launch, if it looks like it will land anywhere on Japanese territory. Meanwhile, senior regional envoys are heading to Washington to craft a diploma

VOA标准英语2009年-Pakistani, Afghan Leaders Welcome Obama Wa

Pakistani and Afghan political leaders have welcomed the Obama administration's new strategy for stabilizing both countries. But, a deadly suicide attack that killed at least 50 people near their shared border demonstrated the challenges ahead. Offi

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Unveils Strategy for Afghanistan, Pa

President Barack Obama has announced his plan to send about 4,000 more U.S. troops to Afghanistan and increase diplomacy with Pakistan. He said his strategy has a clear and focused goal. Pres. Obama, flanked by Sec. of State Clinton, Defense Sec. Ga

VOA标准英语2009年-DRC Parliament Speaker Steps Down

The Democratic Republic of Congo's speaker of parliament has resigned, after he opposed the government's decision to invite Rwandan troops into the country to pursue a militia. Rwandan troops have since left the country, while U.N. peacekeepers and

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton: US Stands Shoulder-to-Shoulder Wi

In Mexico City Wednesday, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton promised the Obama administration will stand side-by-side with Mexico in its fight against drug cartels, and acknowledged that the United States shares blame for the deadly unrest. Clinton

VOA标准英语2009年-New Report Finds Asia-Pacific Region Faces

A new report finds the Asia-Pacific region is facing a triple threat, as a consequence of the present global economic situation. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has just unveiled its annual Economic and Social Survey for Asia

VOA标准英语2009年-Concerns Raised About Deaths of Bangladesh

Celebrations in Bangladesh are muted Thursday on the 38th anniversary of the country's independence - a month after a massacre of army officers by mutinous border guards. Subsequent deaths of paramilitary soldiers in custody are raising concern abou

VOA标准英语2009年-US, Iran Attend Afghan Conference in Mosco

Asia's six-member Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO, held a meeting in Moscow Friday to discuss ways of combating terrorism, drug-trafficking, and organized crime in Afghanistan. Among those invited to the meeting were diplomats from the Uni

VOA标准英语2009年-Russia Slams Ukraine-EU Pipeline Deal

Russia is postponing scheduled consultations with the government of Ukraine pending review of Monday's agreement between Kyiv and the European Union to improve the Ukrainian gas pipeline system. Earlier, Moscow also threatened to reassess its relati

VOA标准英语2009年-Netanyahu Says His Government Wants Partne

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says his new government will be a partner for peace with the Palestinians. The statement appears to mark a departure for Mr. Netanyahu, whose campaign promises called for Israel to make few concessions in th

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton: US Bears 'Co-Responsibility' for

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday that the United States, with an insatiable demand for illegal drugs, bears co-responsibility for rampant drug-related violence in Mexico along the U.S. border. Clinton is in Mexico City for talk

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Warns Gaps in Sudanese Aid Operations Cannot

The United Nation's chief humanitarian official says efforts to fill the gaps left by the 13 international aid groups kicked out of Sudan are insufficient and that the upcoming rainy season could further complicate an already serious humanitarian si

VOA标准英语2009年-S. Korea Announces New Spending to Fight Econom

South Korea's government is getting ready to open up its wallet again, in hopes of staving off the worst effects of the global economic slowdown. Seoul is adding billions to a planned budget. S. Korean Minister of Strategy and Finance Yoon Jeung-hyu

VOA标准英语2009年-South Korea, European Union Reach 'Provisional'

South Korea and the European Union have agreed to what they call a provisional agreement to open each others' markets up to freer trade. However, some sticking points remain to be finalized on the sidelines of a global summit next month. S. Korea's

VOA标准英语2009年-UN: More People Seeking Asylum in Industrialize

A new report by the U.N. refugee agency finds the number of asylum seekers in industrialized countries increased in 2008 for the second consecutive year. It says asylum requests have been rising in part because of the higher number of applications f