VOA标准英语2009年-Taliban Attack Government Buildings South

The latest offensive by the Taliban on Afghanistan's government infrastructure has taken place in a province adjacent to the national capital. Authorities say in the extended battle in Logar province at least two policemen and four of the assailants

VOA标准英语2009年-Diplomats Work Against the Clock to Mediate Gaz

The Egyptian capital, Cairo, is buzzing with diplomatic activity, as European and Arab diplomats scramble to put together a cease-fire in Gaza, amid increasingly strident calls from Arab public opinion to halt Israel's invasion of the enclave. Egypt

VOA标准英语2009年-US Wants Gaza Deal on Rockets, Tunnels, Crossin

The Bush administration said it is pushing for a Gaza agreement that will end Hamas rocket fire into Israel, arms smuggling through tunnels from Egypt, and re-open Gaza crossing points for relief supplies and commerce. Secretary of State Condoleezza

VOA标准英语2009年-Holder Speech Sparks Debate on Race

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder sparked a debate over race relations this week with a speech in which he said the United States was a nation of cowards because most Americans prefer to avoid candid talk about race. Attorney Gen. Eric Holder makes

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Says April Afghan Elections Nearly Impossibl

A senior United Nations official said it will be very difficult for Afghanistan to hold credible elections earlier than July. Peacekeeping chief Alain Le Roy's comment on Monday echoed concerns raised by NATO, the United States, and Afghanistan's po

VOA标准英语2009年-New Poll Shows Lack of Confidence in Kenya's Go

One year after the signing of a power-sharing agreement in Kenya, a new survey indicates a sharp decline in public confidence in the country's coalition government. The poll comes as corruption scandals and a proposed electoral commission widen the

VOA标准英语 US, Mexico Leaders Pledge Cooperation on Economy, Dr

President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon have pledged to overhaul their countries' bilateral relationship to confront urgent challenges ranging from security threats to environmental dangers. The two leaders spoke at Mexico's pre

VOA标准英语2009年-South Africans Living Abroad Gain Voting Right

The South African Constitution Court has ruled citizens who are registered voters and reside abroad are entitled to vote. The decision overturns sections of the country's electoral law. In a unanimous decision the Constitutional Court, the country's

VOA标准英语2009年-Dynasties Ruled US Sports in 2009

The past year has seen several dynasties reassert their dominance in U.S. sports. In this look back at 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, the New York Yankees and top college teams added more trophies to their col

VOA标准英语2009年-Thousands of Indonesians Protest Corru

In cities across Indonesia thousands of demonstrators held rallies and marches to mark International Anti-Corruption Day. One rally turned violent with protesters throwing rocks and the police using tear gas. Brian Padden | Jakarta 09 December 2009 A

VOA标准英语2009年-US Billionaire Bets Big on US Economy

By Mil Arcega Washington 05 November 2009 Warren Buffett American billionaire investor Warren Buffett has cast a big vote of confidence on the U.S. economy by purchasing one of the nation's largest rail systems. The deal, worth $44 billion, marks th

VOA标准英语 Michelle Obama Enchants Europe

The U.S. president's wife, Michelle Obama, accompanied her husband on his first trip to Europe since taking office. But far from standing in the shadow of her husband, Mrs. Obama enchanted Europeans with her personal style. US First Lady Michelle Ob

VOA标准英语 Decade-Old Reforms Help Asia's Economies Cope With C

The man who helped Thailand survive the Asian financial crisis says reforms a decade ago have made the region's banks better able to weather the global economic downturn. Former Finance Minister Tarrin Nimmanahaeminda also gave his endorsement to ba

VOA标准英语2009年-Clean Water Project Improves Lives in Senegal

More than 13,000 people in northern Senegal now have ready access to safe drinking water thanks to a collaborative project between the government, Columbia University, and a U.S. manufacturer of plastic pipe. The project is having a big impact on th

VOA标准英语2009年-Al-Shabab Militants Divided over Tacti

A rising dispute between militants in Somalia may have split the country's al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab group into two factions. Reports say the suicide bombing at a Mogadishu hotel earlier this month deepened divisions between an al-Shabab leader close

VOA标准英语2009年-UN Halts Aid Deliveries to Gaza

The United Nations Relief and Workers Agency says it has halted aid deliveries to the besieged Gaza Strip until the safety of aid workers can be guaranteed. The agency is calling for a permanent ceasefire. A Palestinian man carries flour at a UN foo

VOA标准英语 US, Russia to Reopen Nuclear Talks

The United States and Russia have agreed to reopen talks on reducing long-range nuclear weapons. The announcement was made as U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitri Medvedev met in London, the site of the G20 economic summit. US Pr

VOA标准英语2009年-New Wave of Violence Grips Northern Ireland

Tensions are rising in Northern Ireland as a policeman becomes the third murder victim in the province in the past 48 hours. Just like the two British soldiers killed on Saturday, the officer was gunned down. While politicians are united in their co

VOA标准英语2009年-Ghana Prepares for Oil Boom

Ghana's coming oil boom brings with it questions of financial transparency and environmental protection. The government has just now put in place a regulatory structure to account for what could be $1 billion in annual revenue by the start of next y

VOA标准英语2009年-Gates: Impossible to Set Date for Afghan Withdr

Secretary Gates said that as much as he would like to see foreign troops leave Afghanistan, it is impossible to foresee when that might happen. US Sec. of Defense Gates(L) listens as his French counterpart Morin(R) comments to the media at the Penta