Detroit Population Drops Dramatically in Latest Census

New census figures for the Midwest U.S. state of Michigan show dramatic population declines. Michigan was the only state in the 2010 census to lose people. Its biggest city, Detroit, once the fourth largest in the nation, is now the 18th largest. Tha

VOA标准英语2011--Syrian Activists Call for 'Dignity Frida

The Syrian government is offering citizens greater freedoms and reforms, including possibly ending the emergency law that has been in place for more than four decades. Meanwhile, democracy activists have used social-networking sites to call for massi

Russian Support for Nuclear Power Weakens as Chernobyl Anniv

Japan's nuclear accident comes as Russia prepares for the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear explosion. This combination may weaken support for nuclear energy in Russia, long a major nuclear advocate. A Soviet official hysterically bellowing t

In Algeria, Popular Protests Still Simmer Beneath Surface

Algeria is simmering with the same toxic mix of economic and political discontent that has exploded into revolts across the Arab world. But another effort to stage an anti-government protest in front of the main post office in downtown Algiers failed

VOA标准英语2011--Three Mile Island, 32 Years Later

March 28 marks the 30th anniversary of the United States' worst nuclear accident. The reactor at Three Mile Island in central Pennsylvania experienced a near meltdown. Although not nearly the tragedy of Chernobyl in Ukraine, or Fukushima in Japan, Th

VOA标准英语2011--Obama: Mission in Libya is Succeeding

President Barack Obama says the military mission by the United States and its allies to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly zone in Libya is working. The president plans to speak to the American people late Monday about the operation. President Ob

Kenya Red Cross Sees Shift in Attitude Toward Safe Sex

As the Kenyan Red Cross moves to meet a condom shortage in Kenya, the group is seeing positive changes in attitudes towards sexual health. On Friday, the Kenya Red Cross delivered an emergency shipment of male and female condoms to the people of Mash

VOA标准英语2011--Libya Conference Opens With Call for Cea

African Union Commission Chairman Jean Ping has opened an international conference on Libya with a call for an immediate end to hostilities and dialogue between the Gadhafi government and rebels. But a hoped-for appearance by a Libyan rebel represent

VOA标准英语--Turkey Presses Ahead With Nuclear Power Plan

The tide may have turned against nuclear power elsewhere, following the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan, but Turkey is moving forward with its plans to build its first nuclear power plant. On Istanbul's main high street, thousands of people prote

VOA标准英语2011--California Congressman Returns to Ethiop

A California congressman and his wife are in Ethiopia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Peace Corps at the place where they served as volunteers in the 1960s. John Garamendi leans back in his chair as he recalls the life he and his new wife Pa

HIV-Positive Women Share Their Lives Through Photos

HIV - the virus that causes AIDS - affects more than 30 million people worldwide. About half of them are women. An HIV diagnosis can lead not just to debilitating medical problems but also to social stigma and isolation. However, a unique photography

VOA标准英语2011--Obama Nominates New US Ambassador to Chi

President Barack Obama on Wednesday named his Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke, to be the new U.S. Ambassador to China. If confirmed, Locke will be the first American of Chinese ancestry to serve as the nation's top liaison in Beijing. The president sa

Activists Warn of Rights Abuse Upsurge in Zimbabwe

Human rights activists are warning that an upsurge of political violence in Zimbabwe is threatening reconciliation and will make it impossible to hold free and fair elections due next year. The Human Rights Watch group issued the warning Tuesday in J

Clinton: US to Push for Women’s Rights in New Mideast Democ

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Tuesday that the United States will stand firm for women's empowerment as new democracies take shape in the Middle East.? Clinton spoke at a State Department event honoring women from 10 countries for advocacy

The Wailin’ Jennys' 'Bright Morning Star' Tackles Love, Los

Some bands are birthed after months of auditions, trying to find just the right lyricist to mesh with an incredible singer and stellar guitar player. Others are more of a happy accident. The Wailin' Jennys fall into that latter category. The group be

VOA标准英语2011--Wolverines Stage a Comeback

One of the rarest mammals in North America is staging a comeback in the mainland United States. Wildlife biologists have tracked wolverines on mountainsides where they haven't been seen in many decades. But several new studies suggest the recovery co

VOA标准英语2011--On Libyan Front Lines, Rebels Vow to Pre

The popular uprising in Libya, unlike others in the region, has turned into armed conflict. On the front lines, rebels dodge Libyan air strikes and fire back at Libyan military jets overhead. The rebels are a mixed group, but all share the desire to

ICC Summons 6 Suspects Linked to Kenya’s Post-Election Viol

Judges at the International Criminal Court have issued summonses for the six Kenyans suspected of organizing the country's post-election violence over three years ago. More than two months after the ICC prosecutor, Luis Moreno-Ocampo, revealed the so

VOA标准英语2011--Will Political Turmoil Collapse the Old

The political turmoil in the Arab world may not only lead to much higher oil prices, but greater competition for resources and a shift in priorities for oil-producing nations. So says the author of Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet. What's happening in

Australian PM 'Stand Firms' Behind US-Afghan War Strategy

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard reaffirmed her support for the war in Afghanistan and pledged cooperation with the United States on issues in the Asia-Pacific region during an address to the U.S. Congress. Prime Minister Gillard delivered wha