human rights investigators applaud moves made by President Barack Obama in pledging to close Guantanamo Bay and stopping the practice of torture and extraordinary rendition.

VOA: standard.2009.03.21

With much of the tribal region dominated by several Taliban factions, the government is turning to an old practice of striking agreements with local tribal militias, called lashkars,to handle security.

VOA: standard.2009.03.26

Italian Marco Fosatti, who plays professionally for internationally renowned Inter Milan, says he was shocked by some of the things he observed from the window of the team bus on the trips between the hotel and the practice fields.

VOA: standard.2009.11.05

At an estimated $87 billion, the measure would expand health insurance coverage to about currently without it,create new private insurance marketplaces, And,like the slightly more expensive measure passed by the House of Representatives, it would end a practice by private insurance companies of denying coverage to individuals with existing health problems.

VOA: standard.2009.12.25