VOA标准英语 Top US Commander says Sustained Commitment Needed in

The commander of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, General David Petraeus, told a congressional committee Wednesday that success in Afghanistan would require a sustained, substantial commitment. But some lawmakers expressed skepticism over how pr

VOA标准英语 Obama: No One Country Can Fix Economic Crisis

U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown are calling for global unity as world leaders gather in London for an emergency economic summit. The two leaders downplayed differences on steps to reverse the current economic slid

VOA标准英语 Obama Travels with Strong Support at Home

President Barack Obama is making his debut on the world stage this week and the trip comes at a time when the president continues to enjoy generally strong support at home. U.S. President Barack Obama As world leaders take their measure of the new A

VOA标准英语 Obama to Seek Unity at G-20 Summit, Agrees with Medv

U.S. President Barack Obama says he seeks unity at the G-20 economic summit in London, and a new arms deal with Russia. It was a busy day of diplomacy for Mr. Obama as he launched his first overseas trip as president. Britain's Prime Minister Gordon

VOA标准英语 Petraeus, Experts Warn of Challenges in Afghanistan

The head of the U.S. Central Command and former U.S. commander in Iraq, Army General David Petraeus, says progress in Afghanistan and Pakistan under President Barack Obama's new strategy will not be easy. General Petraeus, other military and Pentago

VOA标准英语 Obama Heads to Hemispheric Summit Friday

U.S. President Barack Obama travels Friday to Trinidad and Tobago to attend the fifth Summit of the Americas, a gathering of all hemispheric leaders minus Cuba. U.S. officials say the summit is an opportunity to forge a regional response to the glob

VOA标准英语 US Defense Chief: US Must Not Lose Support of Afghan

Afghan President Hamid Karzai summoned the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan on Thursday to demand an explanation for continuing civilian casualties caused by coalition troops. The commander, Army General David McKiernan, expressed deep regret

VOA标准英语 Experts Assess Complex Issues Surrounding Piracy Off

The recent rescue of an American cargo ship captain held hostage for five days by pirates off the coast of Somalia has heightened awareness of the piracy issue throughout the world. An 11 Apr 2009 French Defense Ministry photo of armed pirates and t

VOA标准英语 New Zealand says Fiji Economy Near Collapse as Milit

Fiji's military ruler accuses judges of trying to force him to call elections. But since the judiciary was dismissed and the constitution was scrapped by the government last week, the country's weak economy has suffered more. Fiji's military chief C

VOA标准英语 Pakistan's Supreme Court Grants Bail to Red Mosque C

Pakistan's Supreme Court has granted bail to the hard-line cleric who led Islamabad's Red Mosque - a former hub for the country's militant groups. The military's deadly assault on gunmen barricaded inside Abdul Aziz's mosque in 2007 sparked a surge

VOA标准英语 Southern Swing State Could Hold Key to Indian Electi

Voting begins Thursday in India's five-phase national election. The world's largest exercise in democracy, with 714 million eligible voters, is conducted over a month-long period. A key swing state is Andhra Pradesh, in the south, which has several

VOA标准英语 US Charter Firms Expect Rise in Cuba Travel Traffic

U.S. charter companies are readying for a surge in the numbers of Cuban-Americans seeking to travel to the Cuba, now that President Obama has dropped restrictions on family visits. Supporters of the decision say ending the 2004 restrictions may help

VOA标准英语 US Blacklists Three Mexican Drug Cartels

The United States is taking action against three Mexican drug cartels. The news comes as President Barack Obama prepares to travel to Mexico on Thursday for talks with President Felipe Calderon. The drug-related violence plaguing Mexico, particularl

VOA标准英语 New Iranian Proposal Aims to End Nuclear Dispute

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told an audience in the town of Kerman that Tehran is preparing a new package of proposals for the West, aimed at resolving a lengthy international dispute over its nuclear program. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahm

VOA标准英语 Clinton Announces US Anti-Piracy Measures

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced on Wednesday a multi-pronged U.S. effort to curb Somali-based maritime piracy. Among other things, the United States will move to track and freeze assets of pirate gangs, and press Somali authorities to s

VOA标准英语 Clinton Urges More International Aid for Haiti

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday urged more international assistance for Haiti, saying the impoverished Caribbean state is in jeopardy because of the global recession and hurricane damage. Clinton is scheduled to visit Haiti and th

VOA标准英语 Pakistan President Signs Accord for Islamic Law in N

Pakistan's president has signed a controversial agreement approving Islamic courts in part of the country's troubled northwest. While lawmakers supported the measure in a unanimous vote, there are concerns it allows the Taliban to expand its influen

VOA标准英语 Ethiopia May Prosecute Coffee Exporters

Ethiopia is considering legal action against coffee exporters who withheld beans from the market in response to unfavorable market conditions, causing a drop in the country's revenue. Officials are hoping prosecution of a few big exporters will send

VOA标准英语 Lack of Effective Somali Government Root of Piracy P

Piracy off the coast of Somalia has become a multi-million dollar business as armed Somali gunmen attack all sorts of vessels - from small pleasure crafts to giant oil supertankers - transiting the region. The pirates are not interested in the cargo

VOA标准英语 Obama Prepares for Mexico Trip

President Barack Obama heads to Mexico City on Thursday to meet with President Felipe Calderon, before traveling to Trinidad and Tobago for the fifth Summit of the Americas. Both nations are suffering economically, Mexico's border states are engulfe