因原料匮乏 麦当劳在委内瑞拉停售巨无霸!

 　　The latest sign of deepening crisis in Venezuela? McDonald's has been forced to suspend sales of Big Macs in the country because it can't source one of the burger's key components¹.

　　这是委内瑞拉危机日益加重的最新迹象吗？由于委内瑞拉无法供应巨无霸的某一主要原料，麦当劳巨无霸在委内瑞拉被迫停止销售。

　　Arcos Dorados, the world's largest McDonald's franchisee², said last Thursday that it wasn't able to supply the middle bun that separates the two burger patties.

　　世界上最大的麦当劳特许经营商Arcos Dorados于上周四表示，委内瑞拉无法供应两片肉饼之间的薄片面包。

　　While the company is working to resolve the problem, it will continue to offer menu options such as the Quarter Pounder and a cheeseburger called the McNifica.

　　尽管该公司正在想办法解决这个问题，但是该公司的菜单上将继续提供牛肉汉堡和芝士汉堡供顾客选择。

　　因原料匮乏 麦当劳在委内瑞拉停售巨无霸!

　　Venezuela is deep into a humanitarian³ crisis, and the country is suffering from food shortages. Venezuelans flooded into Colombia after the border was temporarily reopened, allowing them to buy basic foods and toiletries -- rare commodities in their home country.

　　委内瑞拉深陷人道主义危机，该国正在遭受食物短缺。边境暂时重新开放之后，委内瑞拉人纷纷涌入哥伦比亚购买基本的食物和化妆品，这些在他们国家都是稀缺物资。

　　The country can't pay to import some goods because its government is desperately⁴ strapped⁵ for cash after years of mismanagement of its funds, heavy spending on poorly run government programs, and lack of investment on its oil fields.

　　该国政府多年来资金管理不当、支出计划经营不善、对本国油田缺乏投资，造成了现如今的资金严重不足，正因为此，该国无法支付进口货物。

　　The International Monetary⁶ Fund forecasts Venezuela's economy will shrink 10% this year, worse than its previous estimate of 8%. It also estimates that inflation in Venezuela will catapult to 700% this year.

　　国际货币基金组织预测今年委内瑞拉的经济收缩10%，比之前预测的8%更为严重。还预计今年委内瑞拉通货膨胀将飙升到700%。

　　Veneuzuela's foreign reserves are now a mere⁷ $11.9 billion, according to its central bank. Two years ago it had $20 billion. The country has had to ship gold to Switzerland this year to help pay down its debts.

　　据中央银行表示，目前委内瑞拉的外汇储备仅为119亿美元。这一数字在两年前还是200亿美元。今年该国不得不向瑞士输出黄金以抵偿债务。

 

1 components   

（机器、设备等的）构成要素，零件，成分； 成分( component的名词复数 )； [物理化学]组分； [数学]分量； （混合物的）组成部分

参考例句：

• the components of a machine 机器部件
• Our chemistry teacher often reduces a compound to its components in lab. 在实验室中化学老师常把化合物分解为各种成分。

2 franchisee   

n.特许经营人

参考例句：

• Two groups discussing what qualities a Franchisee should have.两个小组在讨论被特许人需要具备什麽品质。
• Information on prices and conditions of the products,services and equipment provide for the franchisee.向被特许人提供产品、服务、设备的价格条件等情况。

3 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

4 desperately   

adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地

参考例句：

• He was desperately seeking a way to see her again.他正拼命想办法再见她一面。
• He longed desperately to be back at home.他非常渴望回家。

5 strapped   

adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带

参考例句：

• Make sure that the child is strapped tightly into the buggy. 一定要把孩子牢牢地拴在婴儿车上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The soldiers' great coats were strapped on their packs. 战士们的厚大衣扎捆在背包上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

7 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。