VOA标准英语2009-US says Pakistani Nukes are Secure

The top U.S. military officer says he is comfortable that Pakistan's nuclear weapons are secure, but he says he is gravely concerned about Taliban advances in the country and neighboring Afghanistan. Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Mik

VOA标准英语2009-US to Press Pakistan on Taliban, Nuclear Securit

U.S. officials say President Barack Obama will press Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari this week to continue a military drive against Taliban insurgents to prevent a situation in which extremists might threaten that country's stability and nuclea

VOA标准英语2009-Gates: Arab Allies Should Not Worry About Possib

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates is on a trip to the Middle East, where he says he will tell two key American allies they should not worry about any potential improvements in American relations with Iran. US Defense Secretary Robert Gates Secreta

VOA标准英语2009-Pakistan: Up to 500,000 May Flee Taliban-Held Sw

Security forces have been battling with Taliban fighters for more than a week in the northwest Malakand division, but troops have largely avoided entering the militant stronghold in Swat Valley. Local residents board the bus as they flee the trouble

VOA标准英语2009-Georgia, Moscow Trade Allegations on Military Up

Moscow and Tbilisi are trading accusations over responsibility for what is described as an uprising at a military unit in Georgia. The crisis erupted on the eve of controversial NATO military exercises in the Caucasus republic, and ongoing oppositio

VOA标准英语2009-Joe Biden Urges Israel To Support Two-State Solu

U.S. President Barack Obama met with Israeli President Shimon Peres Tuesday, while U.S. Vice President Joe Biden was urging Israel to support a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israeli President Shimon Peres pauses during a sp

VOA标准英语2009-Gates Says US-Iran Contacts Will Be Open

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the United States will keep its allies in the Middle East informed as it pursues the possibility of improved relations with Iran, and discounted concerns in the region about a U.S.-Iran deal that could hurt t

VOA标准英语2009-EU Economy Worse Than Predicted

Europe has received more bad economic news, with the 27-member European Union announcing the business downturn would be far worse this year than its earlier predictions. The European Union's economy is expected to shrink by four percent this year -

VOA标准英语2009-Holbrooke Makes Case for Increased US Aid to Pak

President Barack Obama's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan has appealed to Congress to approve pending legislation to provide Pakistan with billions of dollars in military and non-military aid. Testimony to the House of Representat

VOA标准英语2009-Obama Seeks Tax Reform on Offshore Business Deal

President Barack Obama wants to crack down on U.S. companies and wealthy investors who avoid federal taxes through offshore business dealings. Mr. Obama unveiled a plan that aims to boost U.S. tax revenue and preserve American jobs. President Barack

VOA标准英语2009-Asian Development Bank Wants Balanced Growth

The Asian Development Bank says Asia needs to balance its growth to prevent damage from future crises like the global economic slow-down. The bank has pledged to increase funds to strengthen growth. The Asian Development Bank is holding its annual m

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