VOA标准英语2009年-Sheikh Hasina Calls On Rivals to Cooperate in B

In Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, who won a landslide victory in the country's first election in seven years, has called on her main rival to cooperate in restoring democracy. The appeal came after her opponent rejected the election results. Former Bang

VOA标准英语2009年-Barack Hussein Obama Becomes 44th US President

Barack Obama has become the 44th President of the United States, taking the oath of office on the steps of the U.S. Capitol before a crowd of more than one million people who had gathered in frigid temperatures to see the first African American beco

VOA标准英语2009年-Hybrids Hit Hard as Auto Sales Slide

Automobile sales have slumped around the world, with the latest data from December offering a grim outlook for some of the world's top car companies. Already, auto giant Toyota has announced plans to close its Japanese factories for 11 days in Febru

VOA标准英语2009年-World Markets Slide on Negative Economic Indica

Another dismal day on the overseas markets as the global economic downturn continues. In Asia, tumbling Chinese exports are now affecting jobs there. In Europe, British retail sales are nose-diving. Wave upon wave of negative economic reports keep p

VOA标准英语2009年-UNHCR Calls for Protection of Refugees

The U.N. refugee agency is appealing to European Union countries to make sure that people seeking asylum are given a fair hearing of their claims for international protection. The UNHCR says it is concerned about the treatment of the growing number

VOA标准英语2009年-Diplomats Work Against the Clock to Mediate Gaz

The Egyptian capital, Cairo, is buzzing with diplomatic activity, as European and Arab diplomats scramble to put together a cease-fire in Gaza, amid increasingly strident calls from Arab public opinion to halt Israel's invasion of the enclave. Egypt

VOA标准英语2009年-US Wants Gaza Deal on Rockets, Tunnels, Crossin

The Bush administration said it is pushing for a Gaza agreement that will end Hamas rocket fire into Israel, arms smuggling through tunnels from Egypt, and re-open Gaza crossing points for relief supplies and commerce. Secretary of State Condoleezza

VOA标准英语2009年-Clean Water Project Improves Lives in Senegal

More than 13,000 people in northern Senegal now have ready access to safe drinking water thanks to a collaborative project between the government, Columbia University, and a U.S. manufacturer of plastic pipe. The project is having a big impact on th

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Halts Aid Deliveries to Gaza

The United Nations Relief and Workers Agency says it has halted aid deliveries to the besieged Gaza Strip until the safety of aid workers can be guaranteed. The agency is calling for a permanent ceasefire. A Palestinian man carries flour at a UN foo

VOA标准英语2009年-Global Markets Finish 2008 on Positive Note

After a year of gut-wrenching losses, stock markets around the world recorded a positive day amid light trading to close out 2008. A trader talks on the phone at the Shanghai stock market on New Year's Eve in Shanghai, China, 31 Dec 2008 Modest gain

VOA标准英语2009年-India's Slowing Economy Takes Toll on Jobs, Inv

After five years of runaway growth, India's economy is slowing down, as the global financial crisis begins to take a toll on emerging economies. The economic meltdown is affecting everyone - from young people waiting to enter the work force, to inve

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Wants Economic Stimulus Passed Soon

.S. President Barack Obama says the country's economic crisis demands that Congress act soon on his economic stimulus plan. Mr. Obama met Friday with top Democratic and Republican lawmakers at the White House. President Barack Obama speaks to report

VOA标准英语2009年-EU Urges Israel to Lift Gaza Aid Blockade

As the last Israeli troops left the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, European Union foreign ministers in Brussels urged Israel to lift its blockade of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian territory. Israeli FM Tzipi Livni (left) with EU official Javie

VOA标准英语2009年-Gaza Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Israel Weig

The humanitarian crisis is deepening in Gaza, following Israel's 22-day offensive that Palestinian officials said killed nearly 1,300 people. Now, Israel says it is considering a prisoner swap to win the release of an Israeli soldier held in Gaza, s

VOA标准英语2009年-Gates: 16-Month Iraq Timetable Just One Option

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says President Barack Obama's plan to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq in 16 months is one of the options currently being studied at the Pentagon. US Sec. of Defense Robert Gates (left) with Joint Chiefs Chai

VOA标准英语2009年-Senate Panel Endorses Obama Treasury Secretary

The Senate Finance Committee has approved President Obama's nominee to be Treasury Secretary paving the way for his confirmation by the full Senate. President Obama is hoping for a quick confirmation of his top financial adviser, so that his adminis

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Chief Calls on Israel, Hamas to Forge Lastin

.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, just back from a visit to the Gaza Strip, says he was deeply affected by the destruction and suffering he witnessed. He called on Israel and Hamas to turn their unilateral cease-fires into a lasting peace. U.N. Sec

VOA标准英语2009年-Indian Prime Minister in Hospital for Heart Sur

Indian government officials say prime minister Manmohan Singh was taken to a New Delhi hospital and is due to undergo coronary artery bypass graft surgery Saturday to clear blockages in his heart. Earlier in the week, the prime minister canceled a t

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Calls for Accountability of Death and Destru

The U.N. Relief and Works Agency says a process of accountability must take place to achieve justice for all the death and destruction that occurred as a consequence of the Israeli military incursion into Gaza. UNRWA says the process must be credibl

VOA标准英语2009年-US Soldiers Lead Agricultural Development in Af

The U.S. Department of Defense is sending agricultural teams to Afghanistan to supplement the war effort nad help Afghans rebuild their country's largest and most important economic sector. Pentagon officials said the Agricultural Development Teams