经济学人:一周经济要闻15

 　　The world this week-Business 本周经济要闻

　　Google all but abandoned its opposition¹ to a recent court ruling in Europe that gives people the right to be forgotten on the internet.  欧洲最近法庭裁决给予人们在因特网上有遗忘的权利，谷歌差一点放弃了对此裁决的异议。

　　It had said that the decision would curtail² freedom of information,  谷歌称此裁决将遏制信息自由。

　　but Google has now set up a web page through which people can request that links be removed to an article about them that they consider to be outdated³ or an invasion of privacy.  但是谷歌已经建立起一个网页，通过该网页，人们可以要求删除那些他们认为已经过时的或是有侵犯他们隐私的文章的连接。

　　More than 41,000 people made such a request in the first four days after the web page went live.  超过41，000位公众在网页正式上线的后的四天里提出了这项要求。

　　Apple heralded⁴ its forthcoming update to the operating system that powers its devices as the biggest since 2008.  苹果暗示即将更新他们的操作系统，而正是目前尚在使用的操作系统帮助苹果手机成为08年以来规模最大的通讯设备。

　　The new features on iOS 8 will include improvements to messaging and e-mail iOS 8的新特点包括改进短消息和邮件的传送，

　　a direct response to the growing competition from Facebook's WhatsApp and to apps provided by Google's Android operating system.  此举直接回应美国社交网站的WhatsApp通讯应用程序，同时也是向谷歌的安卓操作系统提供的应用程序叫板。

　　Not-so-sunny outlook 前景不妙

　　America proposed stiff tariffs⁶ on imports of Chinese solar panels.  美国提议对从中国进口太阳能电池板征收严苛的进口关税。

　　An earlier tariff⁵ on the components⁷ used to make the panels was circumvented⁸ by Chinese firms outsourcing the components to Taiwan and then assembling the panels in China.  早前美国政府主要是对那些用于制造面板的组件征收关税，而中国公司为了规避此类关税将组件的制造业务外包给台湾，然后在中国大陆进行组装。

　　America claims China's solar industry has undercut competition by receiving huge state subsidies⁹.  美国声称中国的太阳能产业通过获得大笔的国家补贴而削弱竞争。

　　Although American solar-panel makers¹⁰ applauded the decision, cheaper Chinese panels have been a boon¹² to solar power in America: capacity rose by 41% in 2013.  尽管美国太阳能电池板的制造商赞成这个决议，但是更廉价的中国太阳能电池板对美国的太阳能发电是一种恩惠：发电量在2013年上涨了41%。

　　A 16% rise in imports from China helped push America's trade deficit¹³ in April to 47 billion, the highest monthly figure for two years.  四月份，从中国进口货物增长了16%，这也使得美国的贸易逆差增长到470亿，这是两年来单月最高纪录。

　　Total imports were 240.6 billion, a monthly record, driven by Americans buying more cars and phones from abroad.  单月的总共的进口额是2406亿，源于美国人从国外购买更多的车和手机。

　　Australia's economy grew by 3.5% in the first quarter compared with the same period last year.  澳大利亚今年第一季度的经济与去年同一季度相比增长3.5%。

　　The figure was higher than expected, boosted in part by the demand for housing amid low interest rates.  增长量高于预期估计值，增长的原因部分是在低利率的背景下住房需求量的增加。

　　The average house price in Britain rose in May to 186,512, according to Nationwide's index, up by 11% from May 2013.  根据全国指数，英国的平均房价从2013年5月至今年5月增长了11%，目前平均房价达186,512英镑。

　　The mutual¹⁴ bank reported tentative signs of cooling, as tighter standards for mortgage approvals kick in, though it was too early to say whether this would dampen demand.  因为更为严格的抵押贷款审批标准正在逐步实施，尽管现在判断这项措施能否抑制需求还为时过早，但互助银行报道房价有初步遇冷的迹象。

　　The average house price in London was 362,699 in the first quarter, according to an earlier Nationwide survey.  据更早的全国范围内的调查，伦敦第一季度的平均房价是362,699英镑。

　　Having a say on pay薪酬话语权 西雅图提高最低工资待遇

　　The council in Seattle approved a rise in the local minimum wage to 15 an hour, the highest rate in any American city or state and twice as much as the federal minimum of 7.25.  西雅图委员会批准提高当地最低工资到每小时15美元，高于美国任何一个城市或州，是联邦政府规定的最低小时工资标准7.25美元的两倍。

　　It will be phased in over the next few years. Eight states and Washington, DC, have increased their minimum-wage rates this year amid a national debate about inequality.  它将在未来的几年逐步实施。8个州和华盛顿特区在一场全国性范围内关于不平等的讨论中争取到今年增长他们最低工资的权利。

　　Standard & Poor's put its rating for BNP Paribas on credit watch until the outcome of an investigation¹⁵ in America  美国的一份调查报告显示，法国巴黎银行涉嫌违反了针对伊朗等国家的制裁决议，

　　into the French bank's alleged¹⁶ violation¹⁷ of sanctions against countries such as Iran becomes clear.  由此标准普尔将法国巴黎银行的信用等级降为信用警告。

　　The American government is reportedly thinking of imposing¹⁸ a 10 billion fine on BNP.  据报道美国政府考虑对法国巴黎银行处以高达100亿美元罚款。

　　The size of the penalty has outraged¹⁹ the French, with one minister warning it would be detrimental²⁰ to negotiations²¹ over transatlantic trade.  处罚的金额使得法国不满，其中一位部长警告说此种做法将会对环大西洋的贸易谈判不利。

　　Japan's Dai-ichi Life Insurance agreed to buy Protective Life, which is based in Alabama.  日本的第一人寿保险同意收购位于阿拉巴马州的美国护生保险公司，

　　The 5.7 billion deal is the biggest takeover yet by a Japanese life-insurance firm of a foreign competitor.  日本这家人寿保险公司的收购金额是57亿美元，目前为止，这个金额也使得此次收购案成为外国竞争者收购美国企业最大收购案。

　　The European Commission gave the go ahead for Lithuania to adopt the euro next year.  欧洲委员会同意明年立陶宛使用欧元。

　　The Baltic state will be the 19th country to enter the euro zone, though it could be the last for some time.  波罗的海国家将是第19个进入欧元区的国家，尽管它可能是目前一段时间最后一个进入欧元区的国家。

　　Other EU members in eastern Europe have not yet signed up to  而东欧各国在加入欧元区之前他们还没有签署汇率机制，

　　the exchange-rate mechanism²² through which their currencies must track the euro before joining the currency union.  此项机制旨在促使欧洲各国的货币单位与欧元挂钩。

　　Jersey²³ issued its first bond on the capital markets.  泽西岛在资本市场发布它的第一抵押债券。

　　The British dependency is taking advantage of low interest rates to borrow 250m so it can build cheaper social housing for its residents.  英国属地利用低利率筹措了2亿5千万英镑，此笔款项用于为他们的居民建造更廉价的社会保障性住房。

　　Valeant Pharmaceuticalsand William Ackman, an activist²⁴ investor²⁵, upped the ante in their joint²⁶ bid for Allergan, the maker¹¹ of Botox.  国际制药公司和维权投资者威廉奥克曼，提高他们联合竞标肉毒杆菌的制造商阿勒根的报价。

　　Valeant increased the cash portion of the 53 billion offer and pledged to take it directly to shareholders²⁷ if Allergan's board continued to oppose it.  如果阿勒根董事会继续反对，国际制药公司将增加报价中530亿美元的现金部分，并承诺把它直接给股东。

　　Mr Ackman said he would try to oust²⁸ six Allergan boardmembers at a shareholders' meeting.  奥克曼先生说他将设法在股东大会上驱逐6个阿勒根董事会成员。

　　Robots of the world, unite! 全世界的机器人，联合起来！

　　The International Federation²⁹ of Robotics reported that China was the biggest buyer of industrial robots last year, snapping up 36,500 units.  国家机器人联盟报道中国是去年工业机器人最大的购买者，抢购了36，500个工业机器人。

　　Around 179,000 robots were sold worldwide.  全世界大概卖出179,000个机器人。

　　Some think that factory owners prefer them to riot-prone workers. 大家普遍认为与有暴乱倾向的工人相比，厂主更喜欢使用机器人。

1 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

2 curtail   

vt.截短，缩短；削减

参考例句：

• The government hopes to curtail public spending.政府希望缩减公共事业开支。
• The minister had to curtail his visit.部长不得不缩短访问日期。

3 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

4 heralded   

v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要）

参考例句：

• The singing of the birds heralded in the day. 鸟鸣报晓。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King. 嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 tariff   

n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表

参考例句：

• There is a very high tariff on jewelry.宝石类的关税率很高。
• The government is going to lower the tariff on importing cars.政府打算降低进口汽车的关税。

6 tariffs   

关税制度； 关税( tariff的名词复数 )； 关税表； （旅馆或饭店等的）收费表； 量刑标准

参考例句：

• British industry was sheltered from foreign competition by protective tariffs. 保护性关税使英国工业免受国际竞争影响。
• The new tariffs have put a stranglehold on trade. 新的关税制对开展贸易极为不利。

7 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。

8 circumvented   

v.设法克服或避免（某事物），回避( circumvent的过去式和过去分词 )；绕过，绕行，绕道旅行

参考例句：

• By such means the ban against dancing was circumvented. 这样，舞蹈就不至于被禁止。 来自英汉非文学 - 民俗
• It can therefore be circumvented by address manipulation and explicit type conversion. 因而可以通过地址操纵和显式型别转换来绕过此保护功能。 来自互联网

9 subsidies   

n.补贴，津贴，补助金( subsidy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. 欧洲各国农业部长在农业补贴问题上未能打破僵局。
• Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income. 农业补贴占去了欧盟收入的大约一半。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

11 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

12 boon   

n.恩赐，恩物，恩惠

参考例句：

• A car is a real boon when you live in the country.在郊外居住，有辆汽车确实极为方便。
• These machines have proved a real boon to disabled people.事实证明这些机器让残疾人受益匪浅。

13 deficit   

n.亏空，亏损；赤字，逆差

参考例句：

• The directors have reported a deficit of 2.5 million dollars.董事们报告赤字为250万美元。
• We have a great deficit this year.我们今年有很大亏损。

14 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

15 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

16 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

17 violation   

n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯

参考例句：

• He roared that was a violation of the rules.他大声说，那是违反规则的。
• He was fined 200 dollars for violation of traffic regulation.他因违反交通规则被罚款200美元。

18 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

19 outraged   

a.震惊的，义愤填膺的

参考例句：

• Members of Parliament were outraged by the news of the assassination. 议会议员们被这暗杀的消息激怒了。
• He was outraged by their behavior. 他们的行为使他感到愤慨。

20 detrimental   

adj.损害的，造成伤害的

参考例句：

• We know that heat treatment is detrimental to milk.我们知道加热对牛奶是不利的。
• He wouldn't accept that smoking was detrimental to health.他不相信吸烟有害健康。

21 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

22 mechanism   

n.机械装置；机构，结构

参考例句：

• The bones and muscles are parts of the mechanism of the body.骨骼和肌肉是人体的组成部件。
• The mechanism of the machine is very complicated.这台机器的结构是非常复杂的。

23 jersey   

n.运动衫

参考例句：

• He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.他穿运动衫踢足球。
• They were dressed alike in blue jersey and knickers.他们穿着一致，都是蓝色的运动衫和灯笼短裤。

24 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

25 investor   

n.投资者，投资人

参考例句：

• My nephew is a cautious investor.我侄子是个小心谨慎的投资者。
• The investor believes that his investment will pay off handsomely soon.这个投资者相信他的投资不久会有相当大的收益。

26 joint   

adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合

参考例句：

• I had a bad fall,which put my shoulder out of joint.我重重地摔了一跤，肩膀脫臼了。
• We wrote a letter in joint names.我们联名写了封信。

27 shareholders   

n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders. 90%的股东出席了会议。
• the company's fiduciary duty to its shareholders 公司对股东负有的受托责任

28 oust   

vt.剥夺，取代，驱逐

参考例句：

• The committee wanted to oust him from the union.委员会想把他从工会中驱逐出去。
• The leaders have been ousted from power by nationalists.这些领导人被民族主义者赶下了台。

29 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。