VOA英语2010年-Vatican Cracks Down on Financial Loopholes

The Pope has signed into law new rules aimed at making the financial dealings of the Vatican Bank more transparent. The move comes as the bank is being investigated over money laundering claims. The Vatican is setting up a financial watchdog to monit

VOA英语2010年-Writer Explores Complexity of Middle East Co

The Middle East Conflict has raged for generations, frustrating mediators and diplomats. How could one person make a positive difference? Gregory Levey tried, and titled the book about his effort, How To Make Peace In The Middle East In Six Months Or

VOA英语2010年-California Center Offers Support

Many of the chronically homeless suffer from mental illness, and experts say that psychiatric treatment is an important step in resolving their homelessness. The challenge is -- finding a place for them to live and getting them into treatment. On any

VOA英语2010年-Tumeric Might Give Your Brain a Kick

Tumeric doesn't just add a little spice to your food, it could also give your brain a jolt. Researchers find that the widely used spice might contain compounds which can help prevent neurological diseases. Many medicines have come from nature. Both a

VOA英语2010年-Angel Investors Keep Cash Close to Home

One way some Americans avoided steep losses in the stock market in recent years was by making unusual alternative investments in small farms and food businesses. These so-called angel investors are organizing loose networks to match their money with

VOA英语2010年-Human Trials Start for Universal Flu Vaccine

The World Health Organization says about 500,000 people die every year from seasonal flu. To combat that, doctors recommend getting a flu vaccine at the beginning of each flu season and researchers are now working on a universal vaccine that could pr

VOA英语2010年-'Guerrilla Gardeners' Tackle Urban Eyesores

In major cities across the globe there's a new kind of urban guerilla. They're not handling rifles and guns. They're planting flowers. It's called Guerrilla Gardening and it's a new kind of urban graffiti, environmental style. It's Saturday night and

VOA英语2010年-Black Swan, The Tourist, Tron: the Legacy To

Winter Holidays. This is the time of the year when many movie goers crave lavish productions. And holiday movies echo that spirit. Hollywood shines with glitz, over-the-top special effects and expensive film productions. Three fit the bill: Black Swa

VOA英语2010年-World AIDS Day: Saving Mothers, Saving Babie

The recent UNAIDS global report cited significant progress in preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. It says there have been fewer infections and fewer deaths among women and their newborns. One organization has played a major role i

VOA英语2010年-Movie Inspiration Fuels Wood-Powered Truck

From electric automobiles to solar wheels, hybrid cars are the wave of the future. But what about a truck that runs on the energy of the past? An unconventional doctoral student is determined to make the original renewable fuel an efficient, economic

VOA英语2010年-Nation's Poet Laureate Sounds the Alarm

American writer W.S. Merwin has been named by the Librarian of Congress as the nation's 17th Poet Laureate. The honor tops Merwin's long list of achievements, which includes over 50 volumes of poetry, prose, criticism and translation, two Pulitzer Pr

VOA英语2010年-Public Opinion Split as Estonia Prepares to

Estonia officially joins the Eurozone on January 1, becoming the 17th nation - the first in the Baltic region - to adopt the common European currency group. But with worries growing over Europe's ability to handle its debt crisis, many Estonians say

VOA英语2010年-Keith Urban Sings of Appreciation on 'Get Cl

Country singer Keith Urban credits his wife, Nicole Kidman, with saving him from a life of alcoholism and drug addiction. That appreciation is heard throughout Keith's new album, Get Closer. Without You is a track from Keith Urban's new album describ

VOA英语2010年-Plan to Protect Food Supply Against Global W

The largest effort ever to protect global food supplies against climate change was announced Friday in Rome. One-fifth of the world's plants are threatened with extinction. It's Cary Fowler's mission to fight back. He's the executive director of the

VOA英语2010年-White House Prepares Afghan Policy Review

Top U.S. defense officials say the new strategy for the war in Afghanistan announced by President Barack Obama a year ago is working. Some military and intelligence analysts, however, say the fight is far from over. The comments come as the White Hou

VOA英语2010年-Iraqi Parliament Approves New Maliki Governm

The Iraq parliament has voted to approve the new government of Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, although the key ministries of interior, defense and national security were left vacant. The vote to approve the new Iraqi government brought a sigh of rel

VOA英语2010年-Palestinians Search for Alternatives as Peac

Palestinian leaders are searching for alternative ways forward in their bid to establish a Palestinian state, following the collapse of the latest round of peace talks, this year. One way they are trying to gain statehood is by seeking international

VOA英语2010年-US Government Settles Claims With Black, Nat

Tens of thousands of African American farmers and Native Americans will soon receive compensation for discrimination and mismanagement they allegedly suffered at the hands of the federal government. President Barack Obama is expected to sign a $4.5 b

VOA英语2010年-New Congress Likely to Favor Trade Pacts, Di

When the 111th Congress ends within the next few weeks, many international initiatives will be left behind. Among them are several UN conventions thought to have the support of the administration, including the Elimination of All Forms of Discriminat

VOA标准英语2010年-Our World – 2 January 2010

VOA's Weekly Science and Technology Magazine Art Chimes 05 January 2010 MUSIC: Our World theme This week on a special edition of Our World, some of our favorite stories of the past year ... including a high-tech wrinkle to that humblest of building m