Despite a doubling of its gross domestic product in the past five years, Sri Lanka still requires foreign aid and loans.

VOA: standard.2009.11.09

Much has changed in Iraq in the last two years. Despite a series of recent attacks, violence has dropped sharply.

VOA: standard.2009.08.06

American Nick Symmonds won his 800-m semifinal heat, despite having three runners in front of him trip and fall down.

VOA: standard.2009.08.22

Despite a string of attacks early Sunday,mainly in Baghdad, insurgents were not able to carry out the massive strikes they had threatened.

VOA: standard.2010.03.08

Despite continuing challenges in Afghanistan, the NATO leader said the ongoing mission is indicative of NATO's continued relevance.

VOA: standard.2009.09.29

Israel has approved construction of 900 new units in mostly Arab east Jerusalem despite objections by the United States and the Palestinians.

VOA: standard.2009.11.17

Despite the military's superiority in numbers, former security chief of the tribal regions,Mahmood Shah, tells VOA it will not be an easy battle.

VOA: standard.2009.10.17

But Ethiopia's mines and energy minister was quoted this week as saying no petroleum reserves had been found in the country despite years of search.

VOA: standard.2009.11.16

"Despite remarkable economic growth in scores of countries over the past 20 years, shocking disparities are also growing, with the poorest children left further behind,"

VOA: standard.2009.10.08

Despite some of the most challenging economic conditions in decades, American consumer confidence jumped unexpectedly this month, a sign that widespread pessimism might be dissipating.

VOA: standard.2009.08.25

Despite a massive deployment of armed forces and federal police in drug trafficking zones, some 4,000 people have been killed in Juarez during the past two years.

VOA: standard.2009.12.18

Despite Pakistan's public objections, the United States has sharply increased the number of drone strikes in the last year, with more than 40 since the beginning of 2008.

VOA: standard.2009.05.12

But veteran AU observer Kenneth Mpyisi of the Institute of Strategic Studies says despite the appearance, the majority of members remain committed, at least in principle, to democratic values.

VOA: standard.2009.07.02

"So despite all of what is going on in the world the global financial crisis instead of investors pulling back, investors are continuing to come to us here in Liberia,"

VOA: standard.2009.09.13

Kvit adds that most contemporary Ukrainian politicians are heavily influenced by Soviet-style thinking, but even they understand the reality of free speech in Ukraine, which remains despite changes in government.

VOA: standard.2010.03.17

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in an address Saturday despite the new administration's slogan of change, there has been no sign of genuine change in what he termed hostile U.S.policies toward Iran.

VOA: standard.2009.03.23

"Despite the fact that the prevailing diplomatic winds these days blow in the direction of diplomacy alone, I believe with all my heart that diplomacy and sanctions are not mutually exclusive."

VOA: standard.2009.10.28

The title for the Black Satellites is the first for an African team at the Under-20 level, despite the dominance of African nations in the youth categories over the last decades.

VOA: standard.2009.10.17

"Peter is in good health despite many months of captivity, he's undergoing full medical checks and he is going to be reunited with his family as soon as possible back in the U.K.,".

VOA: standard.2009.12.30

Despite better atmospherics in their relationship since the start of the Obama administration, the two sides have not resolved differences over Georgia, European missile defense and ways to prompt Iran to end uranium enrichment.

VOA: standard.2009.05.07

The Pacific Dawn has been blamed for the recent increase in swine flu infections in Australia after health officials allowed hundreds of passengers to go home at the end of a previous cruise, despite a suspected outbreak onboard.

VOA: standard.2009.05.30