The comments followed an overwhelming vote in the U.N.General Assembly on a non-binding resolution condemning the 47-year-old U.S.trade embargo against Cuba and urging Washington to lift the restrictions.

VOA: standard.2009.10.28

Addressing the assembly, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez called the embargo an "act of arrogance" and said it has cost the Cuban economy tens-of-billions of dollars over the years and deprived children of needed medical care.

VOA: standard.2009.10.28

With the sound of trumpets echoing throughout the neo-gothic parliament building in Budapest, an honor guard carrying flags walked slowly into the assembly where Victor Orban was to be sworn in as prime minister of Hungary.

VOA: standard.2010.05.29

While at U.N.headquarters, Queen Elizabeth met with U.N.Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, who,in his welcoming remarks in the General Assembly told the queen she is "an anchor for our age" and a "living symbol of grace, constancy and dignity."

VOA: standard.2010.07.06

General Motors says it will lay off nearly 50,000 employees this year and that it plans to close five assembly plants, eliminate thousands of dealerships and reduce the number of its brands from eight to four - all in an effort to stay afloat.

VOA: standard.2009.03.30