VOA标准英语2009年-Israeli Ministers Pay Solidarity Visit to

Israel's leader is coming under growing pressure from hardliners in his coalition to reject American demands for a halt to settlement expansion. Jewish settlers and Ultra Orthodox Jewish men pray to support Israeli settlements in the West Bank (File

VOA标准英语2009年-Afghanistan Faces Many Challenges in Run-U

For the first time in four decades, Afghanistan will run its own election. But there will be outside assistance - the most important being the tens of thousands of NATO-led troops in the country backing the Afghan forces providing security and logis

VOA标准英语2009年-Anger Beyond Health Care Debate Fuels Emot

The ongoing national debate over health care reform in the United States has given way to angry and at times chaotic displays of emotion at town hall meetings sponsored by congressional Democrats. But the anger and fear on display goes beyond concer

VOA标准英语2009年-Truck Bomb in Russia's Caucasus Kills 20

At least 20 people have been killed and 100 others wounded after a suicide bomber blew up a truck at a local police station in Russia's volatile North Caucasus region. Policemen work at the site of explosion in a police compound in Nazran, 17 Aug 20

VOA标准英语2009年-US Senator Wins Release of American Prison

U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who won the release of an American prisoner in Burma, says the United States must develop new ways to bring about political and economic change in the isolated state. Senator Webb called on China to end its silence on Burma an

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton's Africa Trip Meant to Underscore

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back in the United States after a seven-nation tour of Africa. Secretary Clinton's Africa trip was meant to follow-up on the policies outlined in President Barack Obama's speech before Ghana's parliament la

VOA标准英语2009年-Afghan President Karzai Confronts Two Riva

Three candidates in the Afghan presidential election, including incumbent President Hamid Karzai, have faced off in a nationally broadcast debate. It was the first time a sitting president has participated in such an election debate. An Afghan girl

VOA标准英语2009年-Australian Court Grants Quadriplegic Right

In a landmark decision, a court in Australia has given a paralyzed man the right to die by allowing him to refuse food and water. Christian Rossiter has begged to be allowed to die after accidents left him a quadriplegic. Christian Rossiter has said

VOA标准英语2009年-Clinton Says US will Discuss Response to N

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has wrapped up her Africa trip in Cape Verde with talks that included how best to respond to this month's constitutional referendum in Niger. Niger's president is changing the constitution to extend his time i

VOA标准英语2009年-US Lawmaker Arrives in Burma to Meet Top M

U.S. Senator Jim Webb has arrived in Burma's administrative capital for talks with the country's military leaders. The Democrat senator from Virginia will be the first high-ranking U.S. official to meet with General Than Shwe. Senator Jim Webb The v

VOA标准英语2009年-India, Southeast Asian Nations Sign Free T

India and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations have signed a free trade agreement after more than six years of negotiations. Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma (file photo) Indian Commerce Minister Anand Sharma and his counterparts from the

VOA标准英语2009年-US Envoy Returning to Asia for North Korea

The State Department said Thursday its special envoy for implementing U.N.-mandated sanctions against North Korea will return to Asia next week for more talks on tightening economic curbs against Pyongyang. Ambassador Philip Goldberg said he thinks

VOA标准英语2009年-Taliban Escalate Attacks on Kabul Two Days

Eight people died, including two Afghan staff members of the United Nations and at least one foreign soldier, while more than 50 other people were wounded, in the latest wave of Taliban violence around Kabul. The insurgents, who are vowing to disrup

VOA标准英语2009年-ISAF, Afghan Forces Mobilized for Election

The United Nation's World Food Program says rogue members of Somalia's extremist al-Shabab group attempted to raid its compound late Sunday in the Somali town of Wajid, about 300 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. World Food Program spokesman, Peter

VOA标准英语2009年-WFP Compound in Somalia Attacked by 'Rogue

The United Nation's World Food Program says rogue members of Somalia's extremist al-Shabab group attempted to raid its compound late Sunday in the Somali town of Wajid, about 300 kilometers northwest of Mogadishu. World Food Program spokesman, Peter

VOA标准英语2009年-Corporate Diplomacy Opens Door for Renewal

The visit of a South Korean chief executive to North Korea has produced first steps in thawing frozen inter-Korean economic projects. However, South Korea says what Pyongyang agreed to, in principle, needs to be translated into official accords, on

VOA标准英语2009年-Thaksin Supporters Gather to Present Pardo

Thousands of people have gathered in Bangkok to present a petition seeking a royal pardon for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The government has warned the crowd against violence and considers the petition illegal. Supporters of former Tha

VOA标准英语2009年-Mekong River Raises Cost of Trans-Asia Rai

Plans to finally finish the massive Trans-Asia Railway have hit cost hurdles in Cambodia. The initial findings in a Chinese feasibility study shows the need to build several bridges in the Mekong River Delta will raise the final cost of linking Phno

VOA标准英语2009年-Karzai Allows Afghan Warlord to Return fro

A controversial but still powerful former Afghan warlord has flown back to the country from exile to campaign for President Hamid Karzai. The return home of the Communist-era militia general is seen as a boost for the incumbent president's campaign.

VOA标准英语2009年-Italy Consumed by Lottery Fever

Lottery fever is gripping Italy, as millions of people dream their ticket will be the winner of Europe's record-breaking jackpot. Italy's SuperEnalotto top prize has climbed to $194-million and Italians and foreigners alike are making sure they have