VOA标准英语2009年-World Stock Markets Plunge Again on Latest Econ

World shares tumbled Monday as the recession worsened in the U.S. and more bad international corporate news was released. In London, banking giant HSBC Holdings announced it was seeking to raise nearly $18 billion from investors and British Prime Mi

VOA标准英语2009年-Hillary Clinton Begins First Foray Into Israel-

Hillary Clinton has arrived in Israel, beginning her first foray into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as the new U.S. secretary of state. The top U.S. diplomat landed in Tel Aviv late Monday from Egypt, where she attended a donors' conference that

VOA标准英语2009年-Guinea-Bissau President Assassinated

Military leaders in Guinea-Bissau said they will respect constitutional order after mutinous soldiers killed President Joao Bernardo Vieira early Monday. Soldiers loyal to the slain army chief attacked the presidential palace, killing President Viei

VOA标准英语2009年-Donor's Pledge $4.48 Billion in New Gaza Aid

Representatives from donor nations meeting in Egypt have pledged more than $4.4 billion in new aid to help rebuild the war-torn Gaza Strip after the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. A general view of the opening session of the international

VOA标准英语2009年-Pentagon: Pakistani Intelligence Still Hel

The top U.S. military officer says there are indications Pakistan's intelligence service is still helping al-Qaida and Taliban militants in the country's tribal areas, along the Afghan border, and he says that must change. And another senior U.S. of

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