VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Strategy Makes Long-Term Commitment

The strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan that President Obama announced Friday changes some of the Bush Administration's goals, but also recommits the United States to an extensive and long-term military and civilian effort to establish security an

VOA标准英语2009-10 Major US Banks Told To Raise $75 Billion

The U.S. government says 10 of America's biggest banks need a total of $75 billion in additional capital to survive if the recession deepens. The disclosure is contained in the results of so-called stress tests for top lending institutions that were

VOA标准英语2009-Potential For Violence Shadows Ethiopia's 2010 E

Ethiopia's next national election is a year away, but tensions are already increasing. At least two opposition politicians have recently been jailed, both possibly facing life in prison, and security forces have arrested dozens of others, accusing t

VOA标准英语2009-Security Reforms Needed in Guinea Bissau

Regional diplomats say reforming Guinea Bissau's security sector is crucial to stabilizing the country as it heads toward elections to replace the country's president, who was assassinated two months ago. A 2005 campaign poster lies amid trash at th

VOA标准英语2009-France Investigating African Money Laundering

A French magistrate has decided to investigate claims that three African leaders invested millions of dollars in embezzled funds in property and other goods in France. The three leaders in question are Omar Bongo of Gabon, Denis Sassou-Nguesso of Re

VOA标准英语2009-Jacob Zuma Elected President of South Africa

South Africa's parliament has elected African National Congress leader, Jacob Zuma, to be the country's next president. The vote came two weeks after the ANC swept national elections. South Africa's President-Elect Jacob Zuma African National Congre

VOA标准英语2009-Sri Lanka Army Amazed by Size of Captured Rebel

Top brass of Sri Lanka's Army say they are astonished by the amount of weapons and ammunition they have seized, as soldiers retake territory from the Tamil Tiger rebels. A Sri Lankan soldier uncovers weapons which according to the army were captured

VOA标准英语2009-US Chamber of Commerce Supports Lifting Trade Em

The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce says lifting the near five-decade long U.S. embargo on Cuba will bring significant economic opportunities to American and Cuban workers alike. He made the case Tuesday at a news conference in the U.S. Congres

VOA标准英语2009-Commission Recommends Renewed US Leadership on N

A report released in Washington on Wednesday recommends strengthened U.S. leadership in global efforts to prevent further nuclear weapons proliferation. However, the Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States says new threats, includin

VOA标准英语2009-US Commander: Afghan Civilian Casualties Not fro

The top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan said he has a distinctly different version of the incident Sunday in Farah Province, in which some local officials are claiming more than 100 civilians were killed. Gen. David McKiernan listens to a rep

VOA标准英语2009-Clinton: US, Pakistan, Afghanistan Face 'Common

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton convened a three-way meeting with the leaders of Pakistan and Afghanistan Wednesday, saying they face a common threat, task and challenge posed by Islamic extremism. Clinton stressed U.S. regret over the death

VOA标准英语2009-Asian Biotech Companies Respond to H1N1 Flu Chal

From antiviral drugs to face masks, Asia's biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies are helping the global response to H1N1 flu. A CDC Image of H1N1 influenza virus Hong Kong company Filligent's product seems to come at the right time. After six y

VOA标准英语2009-Netanyahu Plan Calls for Fresh Approach to Peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling for what he says is a fresh approach to peace with the Palestinians. But Mr. Netanyahu is making no mention of a two-state solution. Netanyahu has dispatched key officials in his administration to

VOA标准英语2009-Strategy for Stabilizing Afghanistan Pivots Towa

The growing instability in Pakistan and Afghanistan tops the agenda when U.S. President Barack Obama meets with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Zardari this week in Washington. The regional talks were initially expected to

VOA标准英语2009-Red Cross: Dozens of Afghans Killed in US Airstr

Red Cross officials are backing local reports that U.S.-led airstrikes in western Afghanistan earlier this week killed dozens of civilians. The U.S. military is sending investigators to the scene and President Hamid Karzai has pledged to take up the

VOA标准英语2009年-Suicide Bombing in Somalia Raises Concerns

Sunday's suicide car bombing at a military camp in the Somali capital is raising alarm about how much foreign support the radical al-Shabab group may be receiving in its ongoing war against Somalia's U.N.-backed government. An explosion at an allege

VOA标准英语2009年-Turkey Under Increasing Pressure to Reopen

When U.S. President Barrack Obama visited Turkey last month, he raised the plight of a small religious school of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Halki seminary was closed by the government in 1971, and despite intense pressure by the church and diplo

VOA标准英语2009年-EU Commission President Barroso Unveils Pl

The European Union's executive arm has proposed far-reaching financial reforms to help prevent future financial crises, like the one now pummelling Europe and the rest of the world. European officials hope to put the reforms in place next year. Pres

VOA标准英语2009年-Republicans Promise Thorough Confirmation

Opposition Republicans are promising thorough Senate confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama's Supreme Court nominee, federal judge Sonia Sotomayor. President Obama and federal appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor, after her nomination to th

VOA标准英语2009年-N. Korea Threatens Attack on South If Vess

North Korea says even minor attempts by South Korea or the United States to interfere with its shipping will trigger what it calls a return to a state of war. Pyongyang vows it will not be bound by the terms of a 56-year-old armistice, if South Kore