"On missile defense - we have agreed that we are going to continue to discuss this critical issue.

VOA: standard.2009.07.15

"And,it's turning very critical of the press freedom and it's no more an example for the rest of the sub-region in terms of media freedom."

VOA: standard.2010.07.06

This year he played a critical role in condemning the government after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and a subsequent crackdown on opposition supporters.

VOA: standard.2009.12.22

On Saturday President Suslio Bambang Yudhoyono was critical of some anti-corruption activists, saying they are politically motivated and want only to discredit and topple his presidency.

VOA: standard.2009.12.10

President Obama says health insurance reform is critical to the nation's long-term economic strength.

VOA: standard.2009.08.08

The controversial but still powerful Afghan political figure flew home from Turkey on Monday and immediately lent support to President Karzai, which could be critical in the multi-candidate presidential race.

VOA: standard.2009.08.17

Economists say imparting quality education is critical for a country where one third of the billion-plus people are under 15 and where, despite a booming economy, many people are still poor.

VOA: standard.2010.04.01

"I believe that the resolution they have agreed upon is the first step of what has to be an ongoing reconciliation and compromising of political views that can stabilize civilian democracy and the rule of law, both of which are essential to the efforts that the Pakistanis themselves see as so critical - namely preventing extremism and violence from stalking the Pakistani peoples and the country,".

VOA: standard.2009.03.16

Warren says now that researchers have a map of the zebra finch genome, they can carry out experiments to identify which genes in the finch's brain are most critical to hearing and producing song - and by extension, which genes may play a role in human speech disorders, like those related to stuttering, autism,and Parkinson's disease.

VOA: standard.2010.04.05

Does it need refinement in some way?" "And if it does need some adjustment in light of the events that have taken place over the last number of months, including the election and so on, and then what are the implications of that in terms of General McChrystal's resource request?" The secretary said the United States will not abandon its core mission in Afghanistan, which President Obama described as the destruction of the al-Qaida terrorist network, because it is "critical" to U.S.national security.

VOA: standard.2009.10.23