The elections are being seen as a vote on Mister Maliki's leadership ahead of national parliamentary elections to be held later this year.

VOA: special.2009.02.07

Burma has been increasing pressure on Karen rebels to end decades of fighting, ahead of next year's controversial Burmese elections.

VOA: standard.2009.06.09

Ambassador Stephen Bosworth met Monday with South Korea's six-party talks negotiator Wi Sung-lac ahead of his trip to North Korea on Tuesday.

VOA: standard.2009.12.08

However,he says the repatriation operation cannot go ahead until the Mauritanian and Malian governments agree on how the returns will be carried out.

VOA: standard.2009.10.24

The Chinese leader spoke in Cairo ahead of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, a major investment conference in the Egyptian resort Sharm el Sheikh.

VOA: standard.2009.11.07

DeShazo says those frustration will put greater pressure on the Cuban government in the months ahead.

VOA: standard.2010.07.13

Palestinian officials said their decision hinges on whether Israel rescinds its plans to go ahead with more construction on lands that Palestinians claim as their own.

VOA: standard.2010.03.11

The leaders are expected to discuss a number of key issues, including European commitments on fighting climate change, ahead of a December climate change summit in Copenhagen.

VOA: standard.2009.10.27

The president noted what he called the "senseless bombing" in a crowded market in the northern city of Kirkuk on Tuesday, and he predicted "difficult days ahead."

VOA: standard.2009.06.30

On their websites, Mr.Moussavi and Ayatollah Karroubi urged supporters to go ahead with the planned "silent memorial", despite being refused permission for the gathering by Iran's interior ministry.

VOA: standard.2009.07.30

One resolution was approved a declaration calling for concerted global action on climate change ahead of a major United Nations conference on the subject scheduled for December in Copenhagen.

VOA: standard.2009.10.17

The Colts retook the lead 17-16 on a touchdown from running back Joseph Addai, before the Saints went ahead for good on a 2-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Shockey.

VOA: standard.2010.02.08

The government says it will now work with a new umbrella organization called the Civil Society Coalition on Land to push ahead on land rights issues including biofuels, environmental management, and sanitation.

VOA: standard.2009.08.23

A key Senate Democrat involved in bipartisan negotiations on health care announced plans on Wednesday to move ahead with a "markup" the process of finalizing a bill for full consideration by lawmakers.

VOA: standard.2009.09.09