VOA标准英语2009年-Top US General says Withdrawal Complete fr

The top U.S. military commander in Iraq, Army General Ray Odierno, said Tuesday that American combat forces have completed the planned withdrawal from Baghdad and other urban areas. Gen. Ray Odierno talks to reporters at a press conference in Baghda

VOA标准英语2009年-Iraq Takes Control of Cities and Towns as

Iraqi forces officially assumed control of Baghdad and other cites across the country, following the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from urban areas. Iraqi Honor Guards perform Tuesday 30 June 2009, as they mark the day they took control of securi

VOA标准英语2009年-Coleman Concedes Defeat in Minnesota, Givi

Former U.S. Senator Norm Coleman, a Republican conceded defeat Tuesday to Democrat Al Franken in the disputed Senate race in the Midwestern state of Minnesota. The move followed a decision by the Minnesota Supreme Court that affirmed Franken's narro

VOA标准英语2009年-US Warns Honduras of Cascade of Consequenc

The United States is warning Honduras that there will be a cascade of negative consequences for the Central American state if the coup that ousted elected President Manuel Zelaya on Sunday is not reversed. The Obama administration is backing mediati

VOA标准英语2009年-Tanzania Gives Burundian Refugees More Tim

The U.N. refugee agency welcomed the Tanzanian government's decision to extend the deadline for the voluntary repatriation of Burundian refugees. The UNHCR said about 36,000 refugees were scheduled to leave the Mtabila refugee camp in Kasulu distric

VOA标准英语2009年-In India's Financial Hub, Mumbai, 'Sea Bri

In India's financial hub Mumbai, a bridge has been built over the sea to ease chronic traffic congestion in one of the worlds' most crowded cities. Updating inadequate infrastructure in Indian cities has become critical as its economy expands. Mumba

VOA标准英语2009年-Scientists Use DNA to Trace Illegal Elepha

Scientists are using DNA to trace illegal ivory from slaughtered elephants to its countries of origin in an effort to nab poachers. Researchers are trying to combat the multi-billion dollar criminal enterprise at its source. A poached elephant Since

VOA标准英语2009年-US Looks to Expand Development Aid to Stra

The Obama administration is signaling its intention to keep Ethiopia as a key strategic partner, despite concerns about the country's slide toward authoritarianism. The United States is seeking to expand development assistance to the Ethiopian gover

VOA标准英语2009年-World Meeting Pledges Urgent Social Suppor

The European Union and dozens of countries have pledged to speed up social support for Holocaust survivors and the search for art and other items that were stolen during World War II by the Nazis. At the meeting in Prague, they agreed to establish a

VOA标准英语2009年-Taliban Ends Peace Deal in Pakistan

Taliban militants have pulled out of a peace deal in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region, dealing a blow to the government's efforts to eliminate attacks by Islamic extremists. The announcement by a spokesman for Taliban leader Hafiz Gul Bahad

VOA标准英语2009年-Plane Carrying 153 Crashes Near Comoros, C

A Yemeni Airbus 310 passenger plane traveling from Yemen's capital, Sanaa, to the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean, crashed early Tuesday as it approached the islands, killing most of the 153 people on board. A Comoros police official says a chil

VOA标准英语2009年-As Violence Subsides, Concrete Pours in We

Israel has said it wants to boost the economy of the Palestinian territories as a way to bring peace. The Israeli leadership has not implemented any specific plan to improve economic conditions, yet the territories are experiencing a marked economic

VOA标准英语2009年-Endangered Turtles Make Hong Kong Home

Endangered green sea turtles fight against the odds to survive in Hong Kong waters, where the government is working to rebuild turtle populations. Hong Kong, a bustling capital of commerce, may seem an unlikely place to find endangered species. But

VOA标准英语2009年-Number of Boat People Trying to Reach Aust

The number of boat people trying to reach Australia continues to surge, with a new boat recently found. Most are fleeing conflicts in South Asia. Department of Home Affairs image shows two launches, right, from HMAS Launceston, not seen, interceptin

VOA标准英语2009年-Congress Sparks New Intelligence Controver

The director of the Central Intelligence Agency recently set off a new controversy when reports emerged that he had ordered an embryonic secret counter-terrorism program terminated. Members of Congress were outraged, claiming they had never been inf

VOA标准英语2009年-Sotomayor in 3rd Day of Nomination Hearing

Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor is spending a third day answering questions before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers continued to ask Sotomayor about her past rulings as a federal judge, and statements she has made, as they consi

VOA标准英语2009年-Iran Plane Crash Kills All 168 Aboard

An Iranian passenger jet flying from Tehran to the Armenian capital Yerevan crashed in a field near the city of Qazvin, killing all 168 people on board. The plane was a Russian-made Tupolev model that is not allowed to fly over Western Europe. Irani

VOA标准英语2009年-Group of Israeli Soldiers Says Military Us

About 30 Israelis who served in Israel's offensive on militants in Gaza six months ago say the army pushed them to use reckless force against Palestinian civilians. Israeli defense officials rebuffed the accounts, saying the army operated according

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton: US Still Seeks Iran Dialogue Desp

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday the Obama administration still seeks dialogue with Iran despite what she called the Tehran government's deplorable and unacceptable use of violence to quell election protests. In a foreign polic

VOA标准英语2009年-Zimbabwe Constitution Talks Resume After C

Delegates to Zimbabwe's troubled constitutional convention have resumed work, following the violent disruption of events Monday by supporters of President Robert Mugabe. A Zimbabwean policeman tries to stop backer of Pres. Mugabe who disrupted a mee