澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-09-05

 Expansion plans are on hold at Fortescue Metals Group as it feels the pain of the slump¹ in commodity prices. Several hundred jobs will be lost as non-essential work is cut back. The company says it will defer² some developments until iron ore prices rise to higher levels. But work is continuing at the Christmas Creek³ Mine and the firetail deposit at its Solomon Mine.

 

 

 

The publisher of some of Australia's best-known magazines has been sold to German Media company Bauer. Nine Entertainment's deal is repoted to be worth about 500 million dollars. ACP publishes 52 titles, including Australian women's weekly, Cleo, Madison and Zoo Weekly. Nine Chief Executive David Gyngell says the decision will allow Nine to focus on its television and digital businesses.

 

 

 

Well, to the markets.

 

 

 

And on the first day of trading in the United States after the holiday on Monday, the Dow lost 55 points. The Nasdaq gained 8. The S&P 500 fell slightly. While in London, the FTSE fell 86 points.

 

 

 

Checking commodity prices.

 

 

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 95 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is trading at 118 US dollars a barrel and gold is worth 1696 US dollars an ounce.

 

 

 

The Australian dollar is buying 102 US cents, 81 Euro cents and 64 pence sterling⁴.

1 slump   

n.暴跌，意气消沉，（土地）下沉；vi.猛然掉落，坍塌，大幅度下跌

参考例句：

• She is in a slump in her career.她处在事业的低谷。
• Economists are forecasting a slump.经济学家们预言将发生经济衰退。

2 defer   

vt.推迟，拖延；vi.(to)遵从，听从，服从

参考例句：

• We wish to defer our decision until next week.我们希望推迟到下星期再作出决定。
• We will defer to whatever the committee decides.我们遵从委员会作出的任何决定。

3 creek   

n.小溪，小河，小湾

参考例句：

• He sprang through the creek.他跳过小河。
• People sunbathe in the nude on the rocks above the creek.人们在露出小溪的岩石上裸体晒日光浴。

4 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。