VOA标准英语2011--Computer Bests Humans on TV Game Show

In a three-day competition on the popular U.S. television quiz show Jeopardy, an IBM super computer named Watson faced off against two human contestants and won. The computer proved adept at trivia, on which the show is based. Watson was not stumped

Anti-Government Protests Spread Across Middle East, North Af

Demonstrations against long-serving governments continue to roil the Middle East and North Africa Friday from Libya eastward to Bahrain. In Libya, more protests as well as funerals for those killed in recent unrest were held after midday prayers, and

VOA标准英语2011--British Security Sales to Mideast Under

Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron says he would like to see a United Nations resolution condemning Libya's use of force against anti-government protesters. He was speaking in Qatar during a tour of Gulf Arab states. Back in Britain, controversy

VOA标准英语2011--Gregg Allman Sings 'Low Country Blues'

Until the release of Low Country Blues, singer and guitarist Gregg Allman had not been in a recording studio since 2003, when his band, The Allman Brothers, recorded Hittin' The Note. His last solo album was 1977's Searching for Simplicity. What fina

VOA标准英语2011--Kenya Reform Moves Forward

Kenya's coalition government is finally moving forward with its judicial reform agenda after President Mwai Kibaki's surprise withdrawal of key nominations after nearly a month of controversy. Since late January, Kenya's coalition government has been

VOA标准英语2011--Senegal Accuses Iran of Supplying Weapon

Senegal has severed diplomatic relations with Iran, accusing it of supplying weapons to separatist rebels in the southern Casamance region where three Senegalese soldiers were killed in attacks over the weekend. The two countries' previously strong d

VOA标准英语2011--South Sudan Facing Many Challenges as Ne

As south Sudan prepares for nationhood in a few months, leaders in government, civil society and the donor community are struggling with the many needs of what is soon to be Africa's newest state. They agree that the challenges are enormous, but diff

VOA标准英语2011--US, Afghanistan Plan for Military Relati

The American and Afghan defense chiefs met Wednesday at the Pentagon and said they are working to develop a bilateral relationship that will extend beyond the hoped-for end of NATO's combat role in Afghanistan four years from now. This was the first

'The Last Lions' Documentary Traces Botswana Lioness, Her Cu

A new documentary from National Geographic traces the dramatic story of a lioness and her cubs struggling to survive in the Okavango Delta of Botswana. Here's a look at The Last Lions. Two mothers now battle for the survival of their young: buffalo d

VOA标准英语2011--Wisconsin Budget Battle Continues

The battle about balancing a budget in the Midwest state of Wisconsin has entered its second week, with no end in sight. Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, a Republican, is refusing to negotiate on legislation that would end collective bargaining right

VOA标准英语2011--Professor Unravels Mysteries of Medicine

It's been said that while everyone loves learning something new, people don't always like being taught. A scientist from Colorado is working to change that. John Cohen still remembers his very first lecture, thirty years ago. My slides didn't work an

VOA标准英语2011---Egyptian Pyramids Reopen for Tourism

Egypt's most famous tourism sites, including the great pyramids and the antiquities museum in Cairo, have reopened after being closed during the popular uprising and political tumult. Egypt's key industry - tourism - returns after weeks of protests a

Anti-Government Movements Gain Traction as Yemen, Libya Face

As pro-democracy movements gain momentum in the region, Yemen and Libya are cracking down on the protest movements that have been growing within their borders during the past week. Popular uprisings continue to spread through the regions of North Afr

VOA标准英语2011--2011 Brings New Voices in Country Music

Fans can expect to hear some new names on the Country chart in 2011. The new Country duo Thompson Square is climbing high on the chart with its first big hit, Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not. Oklahoman Keifer Thompson met his Alabama-born wife Shawna at

VOA标准英语2011--Obama: Education Key to US Competitivene

President Obama used a visit to the U.S. West coast this week to highlight the importance of improving education standards to ensure future U.S. competitiveness. He met with leaders of American technology companies, and visited high-tech facilities a

VOA标准英语2011--Artist Uses Light to Enchant Museum Goer

Kinetic artist Carlos Cruz-Diez was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, but has spent half of his 87 years in Paris. There he developed a worldwide following for works that challenge how we see color. His illusion-filled pieces are now on display

VOA标准英语2011--AU Joins in Condemning Use of Force in L

Africa's highest security body has added its voice to the international chorus condemning the use of lethal force against demonstrators in Libya. The African Union Peace and Security Council chose its words carefully in dealing with an insurrection a

VOA标准英语2011--Despite Talks in Egypt, Protests Continu

Talks between Egypt's opposition and the government of President Hosni Mubarak have failed to stop thousands from demonstrating and calling for his immediate removal. The Egyptian capital appeared to be desperate to get back to a normal routine. Traf

Pirates Seize Oil Tanker with 200 Million of Crude

Armed pirates have hijacked a U.S.-bound oil tanker carrying about $200 million worth of crude off the coast of Oman. Authorities say the Greek-flagged vessel has a crew of 25, including 17 Filipinos, seven Greeks and one Georgian. This is the second

Discovery of Kurdish Mass Graves Leads Turkey to Face Past

Excavations are continuing at two mass graves which have been discovered in the southeast of Turkey, a predominantly Kurdish southeast Turkey. The bodies are believed to be victims of Turkey's war against the Kurdish rebel group the PKK, which for de