VOA标准英语2011-Traditional Afghan Farming Gets Modern Tw

In Afghanistan, the vast majority of the population relies on agriculture for its livelihood. Three decades of war have not changed the central importance of farming in this country, only its difficulty. Afghanistan's U.S.-educated Minister of Agricu

VOA标准英语2011-Meals on Wheels Delivers Food, Companions

Many elderly and disabled Americans are isolated by frailty, illness and at this time of year, in the northern states, extreme cold weather. Many also suffer from malnutrition. A non-profit program called Meals on Wheels provides and delivers more th

VOA标准英语2011-Multi-Millon-Dollar Iraqi Sports Complex

The Asian Cup football (soccer) tournament kicks off in Doha, Qatar, Friday, January 7, with defending champion Iraq to play North Korea, Iran and the United Arab Emiterates in Group-D play. Iraqi football fans are also looking forward to 2013, when

VOA标准英语2011-Pakistan Governor's Assassination Highlig

The assassination of the governor of Pakistan's Punjab province was a shock, coming as it did in the middle of a political crisis for the government. Analysts believe it will have no direct major effect on the central government's precarious stabilit

VOA标准英语2011-'The King’s Speech,' 'True Grit' Lead O

The King's Speech, a historical film about the British royal family, leads Oscar nominations for this year. The period drama earned 12 nominations for the prestigious film awards, including for best picture. Other top contenders include the Western-t

VOA标准英语2011-Clown 'Doctors' Fan Out to US Hospitals

Professional clown Michael Christensen doesn't just confine his act to the Big Apple Circus he co-founded. He also brings laughter to a place that is often badly in need of it: pediatric hospitals across the country. Christensen's national organizati

VOA标准英语2011-Disparate Group Makes Remarkable

The controversial account of a remarkable escape from a Siberian prison camp during World War II is the inspiration for a new film directed and co-written by six-time Oscar nominee Peter Weir. Here's a look at The Way Back . I have to get back. Go ov

VOA标准英语2011-Doing the Right Thing Can Help You Succee

Doing the right thing can help individuals and institutions succeed. But knowing what that right thing is, is not easy. In Practical Wisdom: The Right Way to Do the Right Thing, authors Barry Schwartz and Kenneth Sharp explain that it's possible to d

VOA标准英语2011-Tunisians React to New Media Options

Tunisians are savoring new media freedoms announced a week ago by the country's caretaker government following the toppling of autocratic president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali. However, for the Al-Kitab bookstore in downtown Tunis, the fight for free ex

VOA标准英语2011-Power Shift Detailed in North Korean Part

North Korea has revised the charter of its only political party, apparently to ensure a smooth transition of power from father to son in the reclusive communist state. VOA correspondent Steve Herman has obtained a copy of the document, which has not

VOA标准英语2011-Obama to Deliver Second State of the Unio

President Barack Obama delivers his second State of the Union Address to the nation on Tuesday, before a joint session of the U.S. Congress. President Barack Obama will face a dramatically altered balance of power in the House of Representatives when

VOA标准英语2011-International Community Expresses Concern

The United States and the European Union are among those appealing for calm in Albania, after at least three people were killed and dozens were injured in anti-government protests in the capital Tirana. Albania's Prime Minister Sali Berisha says he w

VOA标准英语2011-Nuclear Talks with Iran Collapse

Talks in Istanbul, Turkey between the international community and Iran over its controversial nuclear program, have ended in failure amid mutual recriminations. The collapse in the talks, is expected to lead to further international pressure on Iran

VOA标准英语2011-Lebanon Ponders its Political Future

Lebanon's political waters remained murky over the weekend, ahead of expected parliamentary consultations Monday on a new prime minister. The big question on everyone's minds is whether Druse leader Walid Jumblatt will be able to deliver the Hezbolla

VOA标准英语2011-President Obama, Republicans Clash Over J

President Barack Obama is promoting recent government action to spur job creation, while Republicans maintain focus on trying to discredit last year's health care reform law. In his weekly address, Mr. Obama points to deals he finalized this week wit

VOA标准英语2011-Protesters Call for Ban of Tunisian RCD P

Tunisia's transitional government met for the first time as protesters hardened their calls for the former ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party to be dissolved and banned. The protests in Tunisia are smaller these days than the mass dem

VOA标准英语2011-Life's Disorder Takes Center Stage in Com

The final novel by acclaimed Canadian author Mordecai Richler is now a motion picture starring American actor Paul Giamatti as the prickly and complex Barney Panofsky, recounting the high and low points of his checkered life. Here's a look at Barney'

VOA标准英语2011-Relations Between Washington and Moscow o

Most experts agree that relations between the United States and Moscow are better now than they've been for several years. President Barack Obama has made better relations with Russia a cornerstone of his foreign policy. Soon after he was sworn in as

VOA标准英语2011-South Sudan Hopes Needs Will Be Met by Ne

Southern Sudanese are eagerly awaiting the official results from a referendum earlier this month that is expected to bring independence to the region after five decades of struggle. The autonomous regional government that is part of a six-year-old pe

VOA标准英语2011-Renewed Mandate in Doubt

The Puntland region has decided to separate from the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia, dimming hopes for peace and stability as the government's internationally-backed mandate winds down. In the midst of a campaign for an extension on its e