VOA标准英语--Talent Search identifies Top US Student Inno

Some of America's brightest students came to Washington for the 2011 Intel Science Talent Search, the nation's oldest and most prestigious science competition. The awards ceremony was the culmination of an intense week during which the 40 finalists w

VOA标准英语2011--Famous Violinist Works to Eradicate Poli

Poliomyelitis, known as polio, is a viral disease that can cause paralysis. It once infected millions of people each year, but vaccination efforts around the world have brought the yearly number of new cases to just less than 1000. That dramatic redu

VOA标准英语2011--Nuclear Power Project Sparks Opposition

In Belarus, the nation that most suffered from the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, officials recently signed a deal for their first nuclear power plant from Russia. Despite the authoritarian government in Minsk, popular protest is bubbling. After an expl

VOA标准英语2011--US: A Victorious Gadhafi Could Return to

A senior U.S. State Department official is warning that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, if he prevails over opposition forces, could return to fomenting terrorism and regional instability. Under-Secretary of State for political Affairs William Burns a

Vietnamese Opposition Could Sway Lao Hydropower Plans

Vietnamese officials are criticizing the Lao government's controversial plan to build a dam on the Mekong River. Analysts say opposition from Vietnam and other lower Mekong countries could force Laos to scale back its hydropower ambitions. Vietnamese

Egypt Prepares for Referendum, US Treads Careful Line

Egyptians will vote Saturday in a referendum on changes to the constitution, the first in a series of steps meant to carry out reforms demanded in a popular uprising. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton got to see first-hand the continued push fo

Infrastructure is Challenge for Electric Vehicle Owners

Auto experts say electric vehicles are a practical alternative to gasoline-powered cars, at least for some drivers. The biggest challenge for the auto industry is expanding the infrastructure for recharging the vehicles. With last year's release of t

VOA标准英语2011--No-Fly Zones: Hidden Complexities

As forces loyal to Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi ramped up their offensive against opposition strongholds Tuesday, diplomats from Lebanon, France and Britain presented the U.N. Security Council with a resolution that includes authorization of a no-fl

Sri Lankan Poet and Irish Violinist Marry Music, Lives

Colm O'Riain is an Irish violinist. Pireeni Sundaralingam is a Sri Lankan Tamil poet. They're married and have created a unique music that sounds out their common experience of exile and immigration. Perhaps the best way to introduce the marital and

VOA标准英语2011--Japanese Doctors Treat the Ill, Hope for

The Japanese military worked furiously on Thursday to cool dangerouly overheated fuel rods at the severely damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant, stepping up their efforts to avert a nuclear disaster. Efforts are also underway to restore electricity

US Restaurant Patrons Pay 1 for Normally-Free Tap Water

Most restaurants in the United States offer their customers a glass of tap water at no charge with their meal, but this week many restaurants are asking diners to pay a dollar, or more , for a glass of water. Placards on their tables explain that thi

VOA标准英语2011--Kurt Elling's 'The Gate' Ventures Beyond

You don't have to be a jazz fan to appreciate Kurt Elling. In fact, when you look at the names of the artists whose works he's covered, jazz may not be the first thing that comes to mind. On The Gate, he turns to the music of The Beatles, Stevie Wond

VOA标准英语2011--Fight for Water Hits Crisis Levels World

Nearly one billion people around the globe lack access to clean, safe water. It's a common problem in many parts of the developing world, but its severity and human impact are not widely known, according to experts at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Re

Dennis Taylor's Musical Vision Lives On With 'Steppin' Out'

One of Nashville's most respected musicians, saxophonist and composer Dennis Taylor, always dreamed of recording his own album as a bandleader. That dream came true with his debut set Steppin' Out. But, Dennis never lived to see its much-anticipated

VOA标准英语2011--US Jet Goes Down in Libya Operation

Heavy ground fighting was reported in several cities across Libya Tuesday, the fourth day of a U.N.-backed effort to establish a no-fly zone across the north of the country. U.S. confirmed one of its jets crash-landed while taking part in that effort

VOA标准英语2011--Hollywood Icon Elizabeth Taylor Dies

One of the most famous and most talked-about actresses to come out of Hollywood has died. Film legend Elizabeth Taylor died Wednesday of congestive heart failure at the age of 79. Elizabeth Taylor's striking beauty demanded the attention of audiences

VOA标准英语2011--Sara Evans Feeling 'Stronger' About New

It's been more than five years since the release of country star Sara Evans' last album. Stronger, is Sara's second consecutive album to debut at Number One on Billboard's Country chart. She says the album's title represents how she feels at this poi

Elizabeth Taylor Remembered for Sultry Roles, Turbulent Life

Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor has died in Los Angeles at the age of 79. Her publicist says the actress had been hospitalized for six weeks and died of congestive heart failure early Wednesday.? The screen icon is remembered for several Oscar-winn

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