VOA标准英语2013--Analysts: Benedict Departure Will Leave Little Room for Change

Analysts: Benedict Departure Will Leave Little Room for Change In the crypt of the Washington Basilica, America's largest Roman Catholic church, Monsignor Vito Buonanno echoed the shock many Catholics felt over the first papal resignation in six cent

VOA标准英语2013--Displaced Syrian Children Struggle for Education

Displaced Syrian Children Struggle for Education During a school day at the Bab al-Salama school in northern Syria, several classes study under this tent, with one of four pitched on the edge of camp not far from the border with Turkey. About 1,000 c

VOA标准英语2013--US, UN Pledge Action Against North Korea Nuclear Test

US, UN Pledge Action Against North Korea Nuclear Test As crowds in Pyongyang celebrate what North Korean leaders call a successful nuclear test in legitimate self-defense, U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says the test is a direct challenge to the

VOA标准英语2013--India's Youth Keep Spotlight on Violence Against Women

India's Youth Keep Spotlight on Violence Against Women Nearly a hundred strangers from all over the city have come together here with one message: Wake up New Delhi and rise up against violence, chant the protesters. This flash mob is just one of man

VOA标准英语2013--Pope's Resignation Could be Turning Point for Church

Pope's Resignation Could be Turning Point for Church Hundreds of the faithful stood reverently in front of large television screens on St. Peter's Square on a chilly evening, to be close by as Pope Benedict led his final scheduled mass on Ash Wednesd

VOA标准英语2013--Pope Benedict Leads Last Ash Wednesday Mass

Pope Benedict Leads Last Ash Wednesday Mass A choir sang as the 85-year-old pontiff entered the church, walking on his own, his first public appearance since announcing his resignation earlier this week. Looking somewhat frail in his ceremonial purpl

VOA标准英语2013--February 13th is World Radio Day

February 13th is World Radio Day Wednesday (2/13) is World Radio Day. The United Nations describes it as a day to celebrate the medium and encourage major networks and community radio to promote freedom of expression. UNESCO, the U.N. Educational, Sc

VOA标准英语2013--In Pakistan, Look to Mom for Love Match

In Pakistan, Look to Mom for Love Match On Valentine's Day in Islamabad, flower stalls are overflowing. Mohammad and Shamoona Tanvir are a rare example of a love marriage. I was dancing at a friend's wedding and she was standing with her friends. It

VOA标准英语2013--Weapons Flowing to Somali Militants

Weapons Flowing to Somali Militants The military offensive against the al Shabab militia in Somalia has made major advances over the past year. However, al Shabab has not been defeated. U.N. monitors reportedly say the group is receiving weapons from

VOA标准英语2013--Global Leaders Condemn N. Korea's Latest Nuclear Test

Global Leaders Condemn N. Korea's Latest Nuclear Test U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon described the move as deeply destabilizing. He said it is a clear and grave violation of sanctions banning Pyongyang from nuclear and missile tests. U.S. Preside

VOA标准英语2013--EU Claims That Crisis Is Over Premature, Analysts Warn

EU Claims That Crisis Is Over Premature, Analysts Warn The budget deal agreed to after marathon 25-hour talks in Brussels will see total EU expenditures cut by $45.9 billion or 34.4 billion euros over the next seven years. It was seen as a victory fo

VOA标准英语2013--Pope Benedict Places His Imprint on Catholic Church

Pope Benedict Places His Imprint on Catholic Church From the start, Pope Benedict faced a difficult road, following the popular Pope John Paul the Second. He was embraced by some, but shunned by others. The pope was born Joseph Ratzinger in a small t

VOA标准英语2013--State of Union Allows Presidents to Outline Agenda

State of Union Allows Presidents to Outline Agenda Americans fought the British for independence, but borrowed their practice of having the head of state address government leaders regularly. Early presidents posted letters, not showing up at the Cap

VOA标准英语2013--Five Actresses Compete For Coveted Oscar

Five Actresses Compete For Coveted Oscar In Beasts of the Southern Wild, Quvenzhane Wallis plays Hushpuppy, the runt who survives the odds as her community becomes overwhelmed by floods. The young actress could not have imagined she would get an Osca

VOA标准英语2013--Climate, Brain Infection Linked in Uganda

Climate, Brain Infection Linked in Uganda Scientists say they have found the first major neurological condition linked to climate. A Ugandan study shows the amount of rainfall can affect the number of infants who develop a deadly brain infection. Its

VOA标准英语2013--Report: Billions Spent on US Immigration Enforcement Have Impact

Report: Billions Spent on US Immigration Enforcement Have Impact Like so many people in the United States, Claudia Hernandez wakes up every day, goes to work and comes home to take care of her children. Only Hernandez is not a U.S. citizen. I came wh

VOA标准英语2013--Abuses Reported in Northern Mali

Abuses Reported in Northern Mali Amnesty International says Islamist militias have committed many abuses against civilians in northern Mali, including the use of child soldiers, amputations and stonings. Its calling on the international community to

VOA标准英语2013--Iraq Reels Under Intensifying Political Divide

Iraq Reels Under Intensifying Political Divide Rising anti-government protests, mostly by Sunnis, have rocked Iraq since December. Many Sunnis are calling for Shi'ite Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to step down. They also want the release of detainee

VOA标准英语2013--Report: Up to Half of World Food Production is Wasted

Report: Up to Half of World Food Production is Wasted Every year the world produces around four billion tons of food. And between a third and half of it goes to waste, according to the report from the British Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The

VOA标准英语2013--US Presidential Inaugurations Transfer Power Peacefully

US Presidential Inaugurations Transfer Power Peacefully At noon on January 20, in the year following the November presidential election, a new U.S. president takes office, or the incumbent president continues on to a second four-year term. Inaugurati