VOA标准英语2013--Former US Congressman Pleads Guilty to Misspending Campaign Money

Former US Congressman Pleads Guilty to Misspending Campaign Money The former Chicago-area congressman walked into federal court Wednesday and pled guilty to criminal charges of misusing $750,000 dollars in campaign funds. Jackson, who served in the H

VOA标准英语2013--Fighting Fire with Fire

Fighting Fire with Fire In African savannahs, or grasslands, wildfires can either be destructive or beneficial. It all depends on when those fires occur. Scientists at the World Agroforestry Center have developed a system to determine the best time t

VOA标准英语2013--Rising Food Prices Harm India’s Poor, Middle Class

Rising Food Prices Harm Indias Poor, Middle Class Its 5 p.m. and customers are crowding this vegetable market in the northern Indian city of Lucknow. Annamma Rajput listens closely to the vendors and then haggles to bring prices down. She focuses on

VOA标准英语2013--Syria Dominates Kerry's First Trip Abroad as Secretary of State

Syria Dominates Kerry's First Trip Abroad as Secretary of State With Syria's civil war rocking Damascus suburbs, Kerry's schedule in Europe and the Middle East includes meetings with opponents of embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. State Depa

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--Challenges Ahead for Foreign Troops in Mali

Challenges Ahead for Foreign Troops in Mali French President Francois Hollande got a hero's welcome Saturday in the liberated northern town of Timbuktu. Hollande's visit marked an end to what French and Malian officials say has been a successful firs

VOA标准英语2013--South African Traditional Healers Face Increased Competition

South African Traditional Healers Face Increased Competition Traditional healers Grace Bavumile burns incense to call the ancestors. She recieves several patients a week at her home, some seeking a cure for body pains and others hoping she can bring