VOA标准英语2012--US Defense Focus on Asia Forces New Thinking in Europe

US Defense Focus on Asia Forces New Thinking in Europe The change of command ceremony for the U.S. Army corps in Europe last month had all the usual pomp and solemnity. But the new commander knew that part of his job would be to cut his combat force

VOA标准英语2012--People Power Movements Rise in Sub-Saharan Africa

People Power Movements Rise in Sub-Saharan Africa In recent weeks, Senegal has had repeated protests, some of them deadly, in which demonstrators are denouncing incumbent President Abdoulaye Wade and his decision to run for a third term on February 2

VOA标准英语2012--Study: Chocolate, Strawberries Help Blood Pressure

Study: Chocolate, Strawberries Help Blood Pressure In the days leading up to Valentine's Day, Americans buy some $700 million worth of chocolate treats... luscious, creamy and loaded with fat. But recent studies show that dark chocolate can also be g

VOA标准英语2012--Obama, Chinese Vice President to Meet at White House

Obama, Chinese Vice President to Meet at White House In Beijing, during the month of January, current and former U.S. and Chinese officials marked the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixons 1972 visit to China that paved the way for normal rela

VOA标准英语2012--American Helps Return Trafficked Nepalese Children to Their Families

American Helps Return Trafficked Nepalese Children to Their Families Eighteen small children were living in the Little Princes Children's Home near Kathmandu. Grennans volunteer job was to take care of those children and teach them English. I was ver

VOA标准英语2012--Egyptian Charges Against US Groups Deepen Rift with Washington

Egyptian Charges Against US Groups Deepen Rift with Washington The heady, early days of Egypt's Arab Spring blossomed in Tahrir Square in Cairo. It's where thousands of Egyptians gathered daily - the square's wide expanse serving as a grand stage for

VOA标准英语2012--10-4 Police Codes Losing Favor

10-4 Police Codes Losing Favor If youve ever seen an American police show on TV or in the movies, youve seen a dispatcher or an officer on patrol communicate using so-called ten-codes. These are shorthand codes that have different meanings. The most

VOA标准英语2012--Continuing Violence in Syria Raises Fears About Future

Continuing Violence in Syria Raises Fears About Future The images out of Syria are frightening. And so far, President Bashar al-Assad has not taken steps to de-escalate the crisis. That worries Dr. Jerald Post at George Washington University. He is d

VOA标准英语2012--Did Early Man Contribute to Central Africa Climate Change?

Did Early Man Contribute to Central Africa Climate Change? If humans are responsible for speeding the climate change currently underway, it may not be the first time. Scientists say a long time ago in Central Africa, early farmers may have contribute

VOA标准英语2012--Scientists Recreate Ancient Mating Call from Dinosaur Age

Scientists Recreate Ancient Mating Call from Dinosaur Age It was probably a noisy world, with thousands of other animal sounds, rushing streams and the rustle of giant ferns and coniferous trees. Fernando Montealegre studies how insects sing and hear

VOA标准英语2012--After 100 Years, Girl Scouts Still Thrive in US

After 100 Years, Girl Scouts Still Thrive in US Singing campfire songs has always been a big part of Girl Scouts. It is a key component of the outdoor activities, like camping and hiking that are central to scouting. Those are activities that Girl Sc

VOA标准英语2012--Experts: Chavez's Diagnosis Weakens Re-Election Chances

Experts: Chavez's Diagnosis Weakens Re-Election Chances Mr. Chavez disclosed his condition last week while visiting the site of a proposed tractor factory. He said he had been examined by doctors in Cuba who found a lesion in his pelvis where a cance

VOA标准英语2012--Abortion Top Concern for Michigan Social Conservative Voters

Abortion Top Concern for Michigan Social Conservative Voters It might look like a campaign bus for Rick Santorum. And listening to conversations on board as it moves through Michigan, it might seem like Rick Santorums campaign bus. But this bus is no

VOA标准英语2012--Flying Dog Brewery Part of Micro Beer Spurt in US

Flying Dog Brewery Part of Micro Beer Spurt in US Its hard to imagine life without beer. Especially here at the Flying Dog Brewery. This place fills 250 bottles every single minute of production, says the company's Erin Biles. Not bad for a brewery i

VOA标准英语2012--'The Artist' Grabs Key Honors at Academy Awards

'The Artist' Grabs Key Honors at Academy Awards French filmmaker Michel Hazavanicius earned the Oscar for directing The Artist, while Jean Dujardin, who plays a fading silent film star, earned the award for best actor. The film is almost entirely sil

VOA标准英语2012--US Motorists Fume, Politicians Bicker Over High Fuel Prices

US Motorists Fume, Politicians Bicker Over High Fuel Prices During the past month, gasoline prices have risen 20 percent or more in some parts of the country, draining drivers wallets as they fill up their gas tanks. It is very disturbing. It is very

VOA标准英语2012--Leap Day Babies Celebrate Quadrennial Birthdays

Leap Day Babies Celebrate Quadrennial Birthdays Most people usually hear Happy Birthday every year. But whats it like when your actual birthday is on the calendar only once every four years? Chad Ritchey is turning 32 - hes had eight real birthdays.

VOA标准英语2012--China Wages Diplomatic Offensive With Arab Countries

China Wages Diplomatic Offensive With Arab Countries At a regular briefing Wednesday, spokesman Hong Lei gave details of phone conversations Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi has had in recent days with the head of the Arab League, as well as coun

VOA标准英语2012--Access to Birth Control Sparks US Political Controversy

Access to Birth Control Sparks US Political Controversy What I want to know is where are the women? When I look at this panel, I don't see one single woman representing the tens of millions of women across the country, said Rep. Carolyn Maloney. Demo

VOA标准英语2012--Arab-Americans Unhappy with Republican Party

Arab-Americans Unhappy with Republican Party Some 300,000 Arab Americans live in Michigan, many of them in the Detroit area. They are part of a close-knit community, built on conservative social values. In the 1990s, more than one-third of Arab-Ameri