VOA标准英语2011--Possible Political Showdown Inches Closer in Kinshasa

Possible Political Showdown Inches Closer in Kinshasa A possible political showdown is inching closer in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the second place candidate in the fraud-marred November presidential election says he is the rightful pre

VOA标准英语2011--Are Millennium Development Goals Just a First Step?

Are Millennium Development Goals Just a First Step? In September 2000, the United Nations approved the Millennium Declaration. It set the stage for the Millennium Development Goals, which are due to be achieved in 2015. But have the MDGs brought mean

VOA标准英语2011--Soviet Collapse Altered Ongoing World Power Balance

Soviet Collapse Altered Ongoing World Power Balance The collapse of the Soviet Union 20 years ago changed the worlds geopolitical balance. When the Soviet Union fell, it ended the tenure of a superpower with the resources of more than a dozen countri

VOA标准英语2011--Chinese Adopt Western Holiday of Christmas

Chinese Adopt Western Holiday of Christmas Christmas is not a traditional Chinese holiday. But the brightly-colored lights of the season are attracting a growing number of Chinese fans, who say they like the idea of decorating and giving gifts. In Be

VOA标准英语2011--Iraq Struggles To Create Jobs and Wealth

Iraq Struggles To Create Jobs and Wealth Iraq has some of the largest oil reserves in the world, but its economy suffers from high unemployment, war damage and the lingering effects of past international sanctions. Crumbling infrastructure and politi

VOA标准英语2011--Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas Making Comeback

Rwanda's Mountain Gorillas Making Comeback In the 1980s, the movie Gorillas in the Mist, made Rwanda's almost-extinct mountain gorillas famous. Now, they have come back from the brink, having increased their numbers three-fold to almost 800. The gori

VOA标准英语2011--Midlife Blood Pressure Spike Ups Heart Attack Risk

Midlife Blood Pressure Spike Ups Heart Attack Risk A new study indicates people who develop high blood pressure during middle age have a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or related medical problems later in life. It's pretty well established that

VOA标准英语2011--Dengue Severity Depends on Prior Infection, Genetic Variation

Dengue Severity Depends on Prior Infection, Genetic Variation American and Nicaraguan scientists have discovered the reason why a second infection with dengue can often be much more serious, even fatal, than the first. Dengue is a viral disease sprea

VOA标准英语2011--China's Ties with North Korea Include Economic, Political Influences

China's Ties with North Korea Include Economic, Political Influences China has long provided an economic lifeline to North Korea and those connections are expected to continue as the North moves through a period of transition following the death of K

VOA标准英语2011--Small Government Key to Ron Paul Campaign

Small Government Key to Ron Paul Campaign The number Republican candidates hoping to run against President Barack Obama next November could fill a president's Cabinet. But political analysts are especially watching the three that lead in opinion poll

VOA标准英语2011--Gingrich Brings Strengths, Weaknesses to US Presidential Nomination Bid

Gingrich Brings Strengths, Weaknesses to US Presidential Nomination Bid Voters in the United States will begin the process of choosing the next president January 3rd in the state of Iowa, where Republicans will gather in groups and vote for candidate

VOA标准英语2011--Economic Turbulence Forecast for 2012

Economic Turbulence Forecast for 2012 There are encouraging signs for the world's largest economy as 2011 comes to an end. American consumers are spending more, the housing market is improving, and employers are laying off fewer workers. But the unre

VOA标准英语2011--US Congress’ Popularity at All Time Low

US Congress Popularity at All Time Low As Americans head into the Christmas holidays, the U.S. Congress is again gridlocked. President Barack Obama and his Republican rivals seem poised to fight it out rather than reach an agreement over tax increase

VOA标准英语2011--Israel Tries Tougher Stance Against Right-Wing Jewish Violence

Israel Tries Tougher Stance Against Right-Wing Jewish Violence The Israeli government Israel says it will take tough action against those who attack religious institutions or military installations. The warning comes amid rising violence by right-win

VOA标准英语2011--Study: Sleep Disorders Widespread Among Police

Study: Sleep Disorders Widespread Among Police A new study has found that four out of 10 North American police officers surveyed have some sort of sleep disorder. The researchers say the result can be impaired job performance, as well as a variety of

VOA标准英语2011--Ugandan President Chastises Universities Over 'Non-Marketable' Classes

Ugandan President Chastises Universities Over 'Non-Marketable' Classes Uganda's universities normally face leadership challenges but now they face a challenge from the country's leader. In speeches across the country, Ugandan President Yoweri Museven

VOA标准英语2011--Tumultuous Year Strains US Pakistani Relations

Tumultuous Year Strains US Pakistani Relations Pakistan and the United States have maintained a critical strategic partnership for the past 10 years despite tense relations over the war in Afghanistan and U.S. suspicions that Islamabad maintains ties

VOA标准英语2011--Iraq War Casualties Remembered at Illinois Memorial

Iraq War Casualties Remembered at Illinois Memorial The legacy of the war in Iraq, one of the longest conflicts fought by the U.S. military, has yet to be measured. The cost of that war is visible at a memorial in the midwestern state of Illinois. To

VOA标准英语2011--New Orleans Artists Preparing for Mardi Gras

New Orleans Artists Preparing for Mardi Gras New Orleans explodes into a carnival every year for Mardi Gras. And on that final day before the beginning of Lent, giant colorful floats parade down the city's streets. Groups known as krewes are responsi

VOA标准英语2011--Rural Medical School Keeps Doctors in Small Towns

Rural Medical School Keeps Doctors in Small Towns For the first time in modern history, more people are now living in cities than in rural areas. That includes doctors, leaving many small communities with no primary care physician. However, a new pro