VOA标准英语 UN Launches Appeal for Crisis-Ridden Madagascar

The United Nations is launching a $35 million emergency appeal for Madagascar, which is suffering from multiple crises, including cyclones, drought and political instability. An aerial view of a part of Morondava, Madagascar shows floodwaters Thursd

VOA标准英语 Tens of Thousands Rally Against Thai PM

Massive protests in Bangkok backed by exiled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have so far gone peacefully. But fears remain that violence may still be triggered as protesters seek to force the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to resig

VOA标准英语 Polls: Indonesia's Muslim Parties Struggle in Upcomi

As voters in Indonesia prepare to go to the polls Thursday, Islamic political parties are struggling to retain support. But traditional Islamic values are still strong. Election officials prepare ballot boxes to be distributed to polling stations in

VOA标准英语 Nigerian Government Vows to Punish Bribe Takers

The Nigerian government said it is ready to prosecute those implicated in a multi-million-dollar bribery case involving a subsidiary of the U.S.-based Halliburton Corporation. Information Minister Dora Akunyili told reporters the Nigerian government

VOA标准英语 Obama Refocuses on Economy After Foreign Trip

After a whirlwind international trip that included three summits, President Obama was back at work at the White House Thursday. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner looks on as President Barack Obama makes remarks on housing refinancing at the White

VOA标准英语 Italy Continues Quake Rescue Effort

Rescuers in central Italy continue to search for possible survivors in the rubble of Monday's earthquake as funerals begin for the victims of the disaster. So far, the death toll is 279, which includes at least 20 children. Local and government auth

VOA标准英语 Polls Close in Algerian Election Boycotted by Opposi

Polls have closed in Algeria where some opposition parties boycotted presidential balloting because electoral laws were changed to allow Abdelaziz Bouteflika to run for a third term. Meanwhile, two police officers were injured in a bomb blast outsid

VOA标准英语 S. African Opposition Parties Contest Dismissal of Z

Opposition parties in South Africa have gone to the courts to contest the dismissal of corruption charges against the head of the ruling party, Jacob Zuma. The development comes amid rising controversy over the dismissal which Zuma says proves his i

VOA标准英语 Pirates Hold Up Food Aid to Somalia, Uganda, Kenya

The United Nations' World Food Program says the U.S.-flagged container ship anchored off the coast of Somalia is carrying items to feed hundreds of thousands of starving people in Somalia, Uganda and Kenya. The ship's captain is being held hostage b

VOA标准英语 Russian Official Visits North Korea in Attempt to Br

Russia's top diplomat says he is paying a visit to North Korea, in hopes of easing the North's resistance to talking to its neighbors. The North has pulled out of nuclear weapons talks and continues to detain South Korean and American nationals on p

VOA标准英语 Gates Calls on Pakistan to Do More to Fight Taliban

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has called on Pakistani leaders to do more to fight the Taliban, which he called a threat to the existence of democracy in the country. Speaking at a Marine Corps base in North Carolina Thursday, Gates also discus

VOA标准英语 New Study Shows Animal Population Drop in Kenya Park

According to a new study, the populations of several animal species in Kenya's most famous wildlife park have declined dramatically during the past 15 years. The study's authors point to the growing presence of human settlements on the outskirts of

VOA标准英语 South African Elections Show Youth's New Force

During the elections in South Africa, a great deal of attention was paid to young voters whose growing numbers are causing a major demographic shift in the country. Young voters turned out in large numbers and emerged as a new force in South African

VOA标准英语 Congressional Hearing Assesses Humanitarian Crisis i

The situation in Sri Lanka, where government forces are fighting to eliminate the last stronghold of Tamil separatist rebels, was the subject of a U.S. congressional hearing Tuesday. Discussion of the military conflict and what the United Nations an

VOA标准英语 Japanese Car Sales Slump

In spite of some signs the recession in Japan could be easing, the important export market is down nearly 46 percent, compared to a year ago. At the center of the downturn, are Japan's car manufacturers - heavily dependent on foreign markets. It is

VOA标准英语 Coalition Shifts Afghan Focus to South

One of the top American military commanders in Afghanistan said progress in the eastern part of the country is strong, but more effort is needed in the south, where Taliban forces have fought Afghan and coalition troops to what he calls a stalemate.

VOA标准英语 Tehran Ready for 'Constructive' Talks, Says Nuclear

Iran's top nuclear negotiator, Said Jalili, has signaled that Tehran is ready for constructive dialogue over its nuclear program, in an apparent response to the invitation by European Union foreign policy chief Javier Solana for talks with the Unite

VOA标准英语 Mother of Somali Pirate Appeals for Mercy for Her So

The mother of the Somali piracy suspect being held for trial in the United States is appealing for mercy for her son. She says he did not know what he was doing when he and three other men boarded a U.S.-flagged ship earlier this month and took the

VOA标准英语 Clinton: US Prepared for New Sanctions if Outreach t

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says the United States is laying groundwork for new sanctions against Iran if outreach to Tehran on its nuclear program fails to produce results. Clinton says the Obama administration's call for dialogue provides m

VOA标准英语 Obama Promotes Alternative Energy On Earth Day

President Barack Obama says the United States should depend more on so-called clean forms of energy, like wind and solar, and less on oil. The president promoted his alternative energy plan on an Earth Day visit to the central state of Iowa. Preside