VOA标准英语2011--St. Patrick's Day Recalls Irish Immigran

Thursday, March 17, is Saint Patrick's Day, a time when native-born Irish and Irish-Americans will parade and pipe their way up Manhattan's famed Fifth Avenue. The 2011 event, which is expected to include well over 150,000 thousand marchers, will be

Online Tool Shows How What You Eat Affects Pollution

Looking to lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle? You could start by cutting back on meat. A new nitrogen footprint calculator shows you the impact your diet has on the environment. You may have heard of the concept of a carbon footprint. That's how muc

Gates Says Bahraini Leaders Serious About Reform

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates flew out of Bahrain Saturday afternoon after meeting with the king and crown prince about political reforms, and just ahead of another demonstration in Manama. There was a large protest on Friday in Manama and on S

Incumbent Ivory Coast Government Criticizes AU For Recognizi

The incumbent government of Ivory Coast is rejecting the African Union's endorsement of the United Nations certified winner of November's presidential election, saying African leaders are making the situation worse and will be held accountable for a

Charles Taylor's Attorneys Question Credibility of Prosecuti

Defense attorneys for former Liberian president Charles Taylor say testimony from prosecution witnesses is tainted by cash payments from a special fund provided by the United States. Mr. Taylor's war crimes trial is drawing to a close after more than

ICRC Seeks Access to All of Libya as Conflict Intensifies

The International Committee of the Red Cross is appealing for access to all areas of conflict in Libya as fighting intensifies. The president of the ICRC, Jakob Kellenberger, says the conflict in Libya has descended into civil war. He says he is alar

Gains, Setbacks for Women's Equality in Afghanistan, Banglad

This week marked the 100th anniversary of International Women's Day. In two South Asian countries, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, women seeking equality have seen some surprising gains despite ongoing setbacks. VOA's Sarah Williams spoke with Carol Yost

Simple Plan Could Have Complicated Legal Consequences in 'Wi

The new film from writer-director Tom McCarthy explores themes he featured in his acclaimed earlier films The Station Agent and The Visitor: issues of family connections and choices ordinary people make in everyday life. Here's a look at the bittersw

VOA标准英语2011--Kenyan Women’s Groups Call for End to

As International Women's Day is observed worldwide, Kenyan women gathered in Nairobi Tuesday to speak out against the police killings of their loved ones. For women around the world, the March 8 is a day to celebrate and advance the progress of gende

VOA标准英语2011--Healing the Pain of Obstetric Fistula

A medical aid group says many pregnant African women suffer needlessly from complicated or prolonged labor. As a result, they're forced to live with obstetric fistula a condition that scars them physically, emotionally and socially. Doctors Without B

VOA标准英语2011--Women Scientists Close Gender Gap in Ind

The United Nations chose the theme of women and science education for this year's International Women's Day to highlight the gender gap in many parts of the world between the number of men and women scientists. Yanti, a scientist developing new chemi

VOA标准英语2011--It's US Marines Vs Aliens in 'Battle: Lo

Southern California is the battleground for a new sci-fi action film that pits US Marines against unfriendly visitors from outer space. Here's a look at Battle: Los Angeles. These things are everywhere. There's one off the coast of 20 countries. At f

Turmoil in Arab World Affecting Region’s Relationship With

With all the turmoil in North Africa and the Middle East, it is a curious time for Western diplomacy. For some insights, VOA's Susan Yackee turned to John Esposito, Director of the Prince Alwaleed ben Talal Center for Muslim Christian Understanding a

Pete Anderson's 'Even Things Up' Exudes Distinctly Blues Vib

Photo: Little Dog Records Pete AndersonPete Anderson rose to fame as a producer, guitarist and backup singer for country superstar Dwight Yoakam. But Pete's sound is firmly rooted in the blues, a direction he took on his latest album, Even Things Up.

VOA标准英语2011--US Women Can't Close the Pay Gap

March is Women's History Month in the United States, an opportunity to examine how far women have come and the areas where there is still work to be done. One of these areas is employment and income, according to a recent report released by the White

VOA标准英语2011--Kenyan Women's University Prepares Stude

Kenya's capital, Nairobi, is home to Kiriri Women's University of Science and Technology (KWUST), the only university in East Africa that caters specifically to women. Officials and students say having an all-famale environment better prepares the sc

VOA标准英语2011--Libyan Opposition Claims Gains in Westwa

Forces for and against the Libyan government continue to battle for al-Zawiya, 50 kilometers west of the capital Tripoli. In the opposition-held east, rebel forces claimed control of the oil town Ras Lanuf, and vowed to continue their march along the

VOA标准英语2011--US Unemployment Drops to 8.9 Percent

.S. unemployment dipped below 9 percent last month, as private employers added the most jobs since April. The U.S. Labor Department released its monthly employment report Friday, showing the U.S. economy picked up a net total of 192,000 jobs in Febru

VOA标准英语2011--Coal Ash Plan Raises Fears in Missouri C

Coal consumption is increasing in many parts of the world, driven by skyrocketing energy demands in rapidly developing countries like China. But with coal comes pollution: from climate-changing carbon dioxide to coal ash, the powdery toxic waste left

Headache Medicine Dramatically Reduces Risk of Parkinson's D

Scientists say a common headache medicine dramatically reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's disease, a physically-disabling brain disorder that mostly strikes elderly adults. In a six-year study of just over 136,000 nurses and health profession