VOA标准英语2009-North Korean Leader Chooses Successor Amid S

The North Korean leader has apparently chosen person who will eventually succeed him. That news accompanies possible signs of North Korean mid-range missile tests, in addition to the long-range rocket the North may be planning to launch, later this

VOA标准英语2009-US Middle East Envoy Adds Stops in Beirut, D

The State Department said Tuesday U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell is adding stops in Lebanon and Syria to his current mission to the region aimed at reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. The Obama administration has sought to improve ties

VOA标准英语2009-Russia Seeks New Global Economic Structures

President Dmitri Medvedev is again proposing major international economic reforms even as he acknowledges that over-reliance on extractive industries, corruption, and inflation are hampering modernization of the Russian economy. Russian President Dm

VOA标准英语2009-Nominee to Be US Global Aids Coordinator Tes

President Obama's choice to lead the U.S. effort to fight AIDS worldwide says he will emphasize prevention if he is confirmed by the Senate. If confimed by the Senate as the State Department's global AIDS coordinator, Dr. Eric Goosby would also be a

VOA标准英语2009-Air France to Replace Speed Sensors on Airbu

As search crews continued to look for more bodies and wreckage from last week's Air France plane crash, the French carrier has decided to immediately replace suspect speed sensors with new ones on all its long-haul Airbus carriers. The speed sensors

VOA标准英语2009-US Mulling Options on North Korea Nukes

The Obama administration says it will consider putting North Korea back on the list of state sponsors of terrorism, and is pressing for a U.N. resolution authorizing the boarding of North Korean ships to search for nuclear materials. Sec. of State H

VOA标准英语2009-UN Rights Official Urges Response to South S

The United Nations' special representative on human rights in Sudan has completed an 11-day visit to the country. Among other issues, she raised particular concern with the recent wave of tribal violence in the country's south, urging the semi-auton

VOA标准英语2009-Arab World Rolling Out Red Carpet to Preside

Top Arab satellite television stations, from North Africa to the Gulf, are devoting a large portion of their coverage to President Barack Obama's visit. The tone is mostly positive and commentators appear optimistic. US President Barack Obama walks

VOA标准英语2009-Light Security Contributes to Pakistan Hotel

Investigators are sifting through the rubble of the Pearl Continental Hotel in northwest Pakistan, searching for clues to Tuesday night's devastating truck bombing that killed at least 9 people and injured 70 others. Closed-circuit footage aired on

VOA标准英语2009-World Economic Forum on Africa Focusing on G

Hundreds of political leaders, businessmen and economists have gathered in South Africa for the World Economic Forum on Africa. The three days of discussions in Cape Town this year are focused primarily on the world economic downturn and how to less

VOA标准英语2009-Southern Mexico Works to Improve Women's Rig

Domestic violence is widespread in Mexico's southernmost region of Chiapas. Indigenous women, in particular, suffer from abuse, provoked by problems of alcoholism, unemployment and lack of education. But, efforts are underway to improve the legal an

VOA标准英语2009-ASEAN, Donor Countries Seeking Guarantees Fr

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations says countries donating to Burma's cyclone recovery efforts are seeking re-assurances of cooperation from Burmese authorities. Donor nations and aid groups are worried Burma may reduce access to the country

VOA标准英语2009-British Leader Orders Urgent Work on Politic

Battered in the polls, British leader Gordon Brown has unveiled an urgent legislative plan to clear-up the political expenses scandal gripping the country. The disclosure during the past month of expense system abuse has rocked not only the ruling L

VOA标准英语2009-Enthusiastic Supporters Take to Streets in B

With just a few days to go before Iran's presidential election, the pace of campaigning has picked up and the four presidential candidates are stumping across the country. An unexpected wave of popular enthusiasm for Friday's election has caught ana

VOA标准英语2009-Use of US Government Financial Aid to Banks

A congressional overseer of the U.S. government's efforts to rescue the financial system said a massive infusion of federal funds intended to ease a severe credit crunch has only partially succeeded, with many ailing banks using the money to survive

VOA标准英语2009-UN Security Council Considers North Korea Dr

The U.N. Security Council is considering new sanctions against North Korea for its recent underground nuclear test, including cargo inspections and a total embargo on the export of arms. Video grab released by North Korean Television shows a three-s

VOA标准英语2009-Pakistan on Agenda of US-India Talks

A high ranking American envoy is in New Delhi for talks with top Indian officials. The visit comes at a time when the United States is urging India to restart peace talks with Pakistan. William Burns comes out after holding a meeting with Indian For

VOA标准英语2009-Envoy Tells Palestinians US Committed to Pal

U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell has told Palestinian leaders the United States remains committed to the establishment of a Palestinian state. Mr. Mitchell met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank as part of a stepped up U

VOA标准英语2009-Drug Violence Continues in Mexico, Public Re

This past weekend, gun battles between federal forces and drug cartel gunmen in Mexico claimed more than 20 lives. One of the bloodiest incidents occurred in the resort city of Acapulco, where soldiers killed 16 gunmen. But there are signs that the

VOA标准英语2009-Thailand Confirms Thousands of Karen Village

Thailand has confirmed reports that thousands of ethnic Karen villagers have fled into the country to escape fighting in neighboring Burma. Karen civilians take shelter on the bank of the Moei river after fleeing the fighting between Burmese soldier