VOA标准英语2009年-Airline Industry Faces $4.7 Billion in Losses i

The International Air Transport Association says world airlines are set to lose $4.7 billion in 2009 due to the global recession, almost double the amount of loss predicted by IATA in December. The International Air Transport Association says 2009 i

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama: US Will 'Stay On The Offensive' in Afgha

President Barack Obama says it is important for the United States to stay on the offensive in Afghanistan. Mr. Obama spoke after meeting with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Afghanistan, the world economic crisis and other topics. President

VOA标准英语2009年-Top Commander Says NATO Needs Changes for Next

The commander of NATO military forces, General John Craddock, said the alliance must change the way it conducts operations so the next mission does not suffer the same problems as the alliance's effort in Afghanistan. NATO's top operational commande

VOA标准英语2009年-US Regulators Want New Powers to Deal With Fina

America's top financial officials say they need broad new powers to regulate companies like insurance giant AIG, which are partly blamed for the country's financial crisis. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernank

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama to Seek Congressional Support for Budget,

Before his Tuesday news conference, dominated by questions about the economy, President Barack Obama faced more criticism from opposition Republicans over his budget and spending proposals. The president is expected to visit the US Congress on Wedne

VOA标准英语2009年-Provisional Results Show Gains for Senegalese O

Provisional results from municipal elections in Senegal show big gains for political opponents of President Abdoulaye Wade. The polling is seen as a test of strength for the ruling party before presidential elections in 2012. People wait in line at

VOA标准英语2009年-AU Hails Somalia Milestone; Donor Conference Pl

The African Union's peacekeeping force in Somalia has reached 50 percent of authorized strength for the first time, with more reinforcements expected soon. Africa Union peacekeepers man entrance to the presidential palace in the embattled Somalia ca

VOA标准英语2009年-Australian PM Heads to Washington for Talks on

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is on his way to the United States for his first meeting with President Barack Obama. The global financial crisis will feature heavily during Mr. Rudd's discussions in Washington. During his two-week trip oversea

VOA标准英语2009年-OECD Warns Protectionism Will Worsen Financial

A new report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the OECD, warns protectionism will worsen the global financial crisis. The report analyzes six emerging countries and shows how their economies boomed after they opened their

VOA标准英语2009年-US House to Take Up Legislation on Corporate Bo

U.S. lawmakers expressed outrage in a congressional hearing on Wednesday about tens of millions of dollars in employee bonuses paid by the troubled insurance conglomerate, American International Group, or AIG. Testimony by AIG's chief executive came

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Calls for Financial Sector Reform in Wake

U.S. President Barack Obama is in the midst of his first trip in office to California - one of the states hardest hit by the economic recession. Mr. Obama planned the visit to highlight his strategy to rebuild the economy, but the trip is being over

VOA标准英语2009年-Tough Road Ahead in Australia For Pioneering Ca

The Australian government is facing mounting opposition to its pioneering carbon trading scheme after it unveiled legislation it hopes to pass by the middle of this year. Australia is proposing what could be the most sweeping cap-and-trade system in

VOA标准英语2009年-Citizens in Madagascar React to New Government

Madagascar's newly installed President Andry Rajoelina held his first cabinet meeting and met with the diplomatic corps. It was all part of an attempt to ease the worries of a general population that is traumatized by months of civil unrest. Newly-i

VOA标准英语2009年-EU Summit Focuses on Economic Stimulus

European Union leaders are in Brussels for a two-day meeting amid heavy pressure to pump more money into their economies to fight the global financial crisis. The Europeans will seek a united front two weeks before a key meeting of the top 20 world

VOA标准英语2009年-Pirate Booty Causes Kenya Property Prices to Sk

Property prices in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya have skyrocketed in the past few years, partly because more money may be finding its way there from pirate activities in neighboring Somalia. A local analyst says buying property is a popular and eas

VOA标准英语2009年-Thailand Explores Greater Autonomy for Largely

A Thai government policy review of the largely Muslim southern provinces is considering granting greater local autonomy with reforms including introduction of Sharia Law through Islamic courts. The strategy is part of efforts to bring to an end a fi

VOA标准英语2009年-US Senate Confirms Trade Representative

The U.S. Senate Wednesday voted 92 to 5 to confirm Ron Kirk as U.S. Trade Representative. Kirk, who becomes the first African American to hold the post, has vowed to pursue new trade deals but also work to ensure that U.S. trading partners are not v

VOA标准英语2009年-New Madagascar Leader Prepares for Installation

The head of Madagascar's new transitional authority is preparing to take the oath of office despite criticism from the international community and its suspension from the African Union. Madagascan opposition leader Andry Rajoelina greets the crowd a

VOA标准英语2009年-US Looking for Reciprocal Iranian Gesture After

The State Department said Friday U.S. officials are looking for a reciprocal gesture from Iran after President Barack Obama's conciliatory holiday message to the Iranian people and government Thursday. Mr. Obama said in a broadcast for the Iranian n

VOA标准英语2009年-Russian Military Rearmament Plan Pits Politics

Russian President Dmitri Medvedev this week announced a large-scale military rearmament program, which he says will require considerable resources despite difficulties associated with the current global economic crisis. There are political and econo