VOA标准英语2009年-Switzerland Loses Status as 'Tax Paradise'

An agreement to settle a long-standing tax evasion suit between Swiss banking giant UBS and the U.S. Justice Department has received mixed reviews in Switzerland. Swiss media disagree on the potential consequences of the deal. But all agree that Swi

VOA标准英语2009年-Ghana Debates Viability of Biofuels

Africa is central to the worldwide growth in biofuels, with Dutch, American, Swedish, Japanese, German, and British firms all competing for farmland to grow the next generation of energy producing crops. Some farmers in Ghana are concerned about wha

VOA标准英语2009年-Administration Concerned About US Public S

The Obama administration is keeping a close watch on developments in Afghanistan amidst rising violence and growing tensions surrounding last week's national elections. Meanwhile, U.S. military officials admit they are concerned about signs of slipp

VOA标准英语2009年-US Africa Command Chief Vows Support for S

The top general from the U.S. military's Africa Command, known as AFRICOM, said on Friday that the rise of radical Islamist militant group al-Shabab in Somalia makes East Africa a central focus of the U.S. military on the continent. Gen. William War

VOA标准英语2009年-Humanitarian Situation in War-torn Yemen W

U.N. aid agencies say they are very concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen because of increased fighting between al-Houthi rebels and government forces in the mountains of northern Yemen. The U.N. refugee agency reports ab

VOA标准英语2009年-London Condemns Reception Lockerbie Bomber

The British government has condemned the hero's welcome Libya gave to the only man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing in 1988. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband says it was deeply upsetting for the loved ones of the 270 victims of the Pan Am

VOA标准英语2009年-Children Acutely Malnourished in Central A

The U.N. Children's Fund says thousands of children in the Central African Republic are acutely malnourished. UNICEF is urgently appealing for $1.5 million to provide life-saving therapeutic foods, drugs and other supplies to these vulnerable childr

VOA标准英语2009年-Fragile Four-Year Peace Prevails in Indone

August 15 marks the fourth anniversary of peace in Aceh province in Indonesia. The tsunami that decimated the region in 2004, killing nearly 170,000 people, and the immense international relief effort that followed helped end a 30-year separatist wa

VOA标准英语2009年-Mixed Reaction to Israeli Announcement of

There has been mixed reaction to Israel's announcement of a partial freeze on settlement expansion. Jewish settlers and their allies say it is a catastrophe, while Palestinians describe it as a publicity stunt. Housing units are seen in an outpost n

VOA标准英语2009年-Swiss Bank to Turn Over Account Data to US

A major Swiss bank has agreed to turn over information on thousands of accounts targeted by the United States for possible tax evasion. US government official says Swiss banking giant UBS will give the IRS the details of more than 4,000 client accou

VOA标准英语2009年-Italy Consumed by Lottery Fever

Lottery fever is gripping Italy, as millions of people dream their ticket will be the winner of Europe's record-breaking jackpot. Italy's SuperEnalotto top prize has climbed to $194-million and Italians and foreigners alike are making sure they have

VOA标准英语2009年-Corporate Diplomacy Opens Door for Renewal

The visit of a South Korean chief executive to North Korea has produced first steps in thawing frozen inter-Korean economic projects. However, South Korea says what Pyongyang agreed to, in principle, needs to be translated into official accords, on

VOA标准英语2009年-Australian Court Grants Quadriplegic Right

In a landmark decision, a court in Australia has given a paralyzed man the right to die by allowing him to refuse food and water. Christian Rossiter has begged to be allowed to die after accidents left him a quadriplegic. Christian Rossiter has said

VOA标准英语2009年-US Senator Wins Release of American Prison

U.S. Senator Jim Webb, who won the release of an American prisoner in Burma, says the United States must develop new ways to bring about political and economic change in the isolated state. Senator Webb called on China to end its silence on Burma an

VOA标准英语2009年-Humanitarian Situation in N. Yemen Worseni

U.N. aid agencies report the humanitarian situation in Northern Yemen is worsening. They say fighting between Yemeni government forces and al Houthi rebels is continuing to escalate and approximately 119,000 people have been displaced. Displaced Yem

VOA标准英语2009年-South Korea Fails to Put Satellite In Orbi

South Korea has launched a rocket that was intended to place a satellite into space. However, the satellite has failed to go into orbit. South Korea's first space rocket, takes off from the launch pad at the Naro Space Center, south of Seoul, South

VOA标准英语2009年-Obama Remembers Kennedy as Mentor, Friend,

U.S. President Barack Obama says he is heartbroken by the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy, who died early Wednesday after a battle with brain cancer. Mr. Obama is mourning a mentor and a friend. President Barack Obama reads a statement about the d

VOA标准英语2009年-Australian Government Approves Massive Off

Australia has approved a huge natural gas project to be built on a nature reserve off its west coast. The $42 billion development will supply gas to China and India but environmentalists condemn it as irresponsible. The development on Barrow Island

VOA标准英语2009年-Australia, Vietnam, Japan Join Forces to F

Infectious disease specialists from Australia, Japan and Vietnam are addressing an international seminar in Sydney. Doctors are sharing their experience of caring for patients with the H1N1 virus. Negative stain EM image of the swine influenza A/CA/

VOA标准英语2009年-Zimbabwe Trying to Stop Rhino Poaching

Zimbabwe's wildlife conservation reputation has taken a knock in the past few years and there are fears the recent surge in the poaching of the black rhino will lead to the animal's extinction in the country. The Convention on International Trade in