VOA标准英语2009-Building New Mosques Encounters Resistance in Eu

Islam is Europe's second largest religion. But in recent years, some members of Europe's 20 million strong Muslim community have met strong resistance as they seek to build mosques and minarets, the basic tangible foundation of their faith. A French

VOA标准英语2009-US Says No Deadline on Nuclear Diplomacy With Ir

The Obama administration said Thursday it has set no deadline for its diplomatic outreach to Iran to show results, but that U.S. patience on the issue of Tehran's nuclear program is not infinite. The new administration has said it will be a full par

VOA标准英语2009-European Space Agency Seeks Secrets of Universe

The European Space Agency has launched into orbit, two space observatories that will help scientists understand the information of the universe. A visitor watches an Ariane rocket in an exhibition at the Gasometer in Oberhausen, western Germany, 01

VOA标准英语2009-International Appeals for LTTE Surrender, Army C

Both sides in Sri Lanka's civil war are brushing off a non-binding statement of the U.N. Security Council demanding they protect the lives of tens of thousands of civilians trapped by the fighting. Medical and humanitarian workers say shelling in th

VOA标准英语2009-Report Says Same Companies Deliver Aid and Arms

A new report says that the same cargo companies that fly weapons into African conflict zones are often contracted by international agencies to supply humanitarian and peacekeeping operations. The report says the problem has been particularly troubli

VOA标准英语2009-Scientists: Rising Seas Pose Serious Threat for

Small island nations and coastal states are on the frontlines of global warming: as temperatures and sea levels rise, some countries could be lost entirely. Scientists and politicians have gathered in the Indonesian city of Manado for the World Ocea

VOA标准英语2009-Economists Say Immigration is Key to Ending New

Some economists warn that New Zealand will suffer if it cuts immigration because of the recession. As unemployment rises, there is growing pressure on the government to reduce its intake of skilled workers, imitating decisions made across the Tasman

VOA标准英语2009-British and Pakistani Leaders Discuss Anti-Talib

The conflict between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters in the North-West Frontier Province topped the agenda as British Prime Minister Gordon Brown held talks with Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at 10 Downing Street. Britain's Prime Minist

VOA标准英语2009-US Officials Expect More Swine Flu Cases, Deaths

The number of U.S. cases of swine flu has risen to 3,000 - an increase of 400 from Monday's released figures. Three deaths have been reported. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano says more cases and fatalities are likely. US outbreak d

VOA标准英语2009-Insurgents in Somalia Attack Presidential Compou

Somalia's government said it has repulsed a military attack by foreign-backed insurgents trying to overrun the presidential compound in Mogadishu and oust President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed. News agencies report at least 110 people, mostly civilia

VOA标准英语2009-Taliban Attacks Targets on Both Sides of Pakista

Recent Taliban attacks on both sides of Pakistan's border with Afghanistan have targeted trucks carrying NATO supplies near Peshawar, Afghan government buildings and a U.S. military base in Khost province. Visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai said

VOA标准英语2009-More Money to Help Africa Weather Financial Cris

Africa's biggest investors and lenders are making available another $15 billion to help the continent weather the global financial crisis. President of African Development Bank Donald Kaberuka in Dakar, 12 May 2009 The $15 billion is meant to promot

VOA标准英语2009-Australia to Beef Up Military as Regional Defens

Australia plans an overhaul of its armed forces in preparation for a more volatile Asia-Pacific region caused by the United States' fading dominance and China's rise. The government plans to buy 12 submarines along with an array of ships, helicopter

VOA标准英语2009-Scientists Discuss Climate Change at World Ocean

Scientists and politicians have gathered in the Indonesian city of Manado for the World Ocean Conference. They are discussing the role of oceans in mitigating climate change and how climate change affects the world's seas, but their efforts are hamp

VOA标准英语2009-Clinton Urges Immediate, Unconditional, Freedom

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Thursday called for the immediate and unconditional release of Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who faces possible imprisonment for allegedly violating terms of her house arrest. Clinton discussed th

VOA标准英语2009-Anger Rises as Australian Military Begins Kangar

Animal welfare groups are taking legal action to try to stop the killing of up to 6,000 kangaroos on a military camp near the Australian capital, Canberra. Conservationists have stormed the base to protest the cull. Officials say an overpopulation o

VOA标准英语2009-World Bank President Says China Could Help Globa

World Bank President Robert Zoellick says the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain, but China might help to foster global economic recovery. Robert Zoellick (File photo) World Bank President Zoellick spoke Tuesday to a global private equ

VOA标准英语2009-Russia Offers Use of Territory for North Korean

Russia is a member of the six-party talks aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program. It has often sided with China to prevent tough U.N. sanctions against Pyongyang. Unused nuclear fuel rods are piled on shelves of wareh

VOA标准英语2009-Aid Agencies Speed Up Humanitarian Assistance to

UN aid agencies are expanding and speeding up their relief operations to hundreds of thousands of people displaced by fighting in Pakistan's northwest province. A UNHCR charter plane carrying 120 tons of relief supplies for people fleeing the fighti

VOA标准英语2009-Leading Sri Lanka Tamil Politician Claims 'Genoc

Tamil Tiger rebels say Sri Lanka's military has renewed shelling Tuesday of the only remaining combat zone. The top government doctor in the rebel-controlled territory says at least 45 patients died when a mortar hit the admissions ward of the only