澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2015-05-27

 New data shows economic growth among the world’s developed economies slowed in the first quarter of this year. The Organisation¹ for Economic Co-operation and Development says gross domestic product across thirty-four member states, including Australia, grew by point three percent in the quarter. That’s the weakest GDP reading for the nations in a year. Weak growth in US, Germany and United Kingdom was offset² partially³ by stronger growth in France and Japan. Specific Australian figures are due out next week.

 

The first criminal trial linked to the manipulation of a key interest rate known as Libor has begun in London. A former trader has become the first individual to face court for manipulating the interest rate used by banks to set the price of financial products. British prosecutor⁴ say Tom Hayes was motivated by greed when he conspired⁵ to rig the Libor rate on an almost daily basis. Mr. Hays has pleaded not guilty.

 

To the markets. And US share markets fell sharply overnight as upbeat economic data failed expectations. But the Federal Reserve was still on track to raise interest rates this year. The Dow lost a-hundred-ninety points. The NASDAQ and S&P 500 were both down more than one percent while in London the FTSE also fell more than one percent. 

 

Checking commodity prices. West Texas crude is trading at fifty-seven US dollars a barrel. Tapis crude is trading at sixty-five US dollars a barrel. And gold is trading at eleven-hundred-and-eighty-seven US dollars an ounce. The Australian dollar is currently buying seventy-seven US cents, seventy-one Euro cents, and fifty pence sterling⁶.

 

1 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

2 offset   

n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿

参考例句：

• Their wage increases would be offset by higher prices.他们增加的工资会被物价上涨所抵消。
• He put up his prices to offset the increased cost of materials.他提高了售价以补偿材料成本的增加。

3 partially   

adv.部分地，从某些方面讲

参考例句：

• The door was partially concealed by the drapes.门有一部分被门帘遮住了。
• The police managed to restore calm and the curfew was partially lifted.警方设法恢复了平静，宵禁部分解除。

4 prosecutor   

n.起诉人；检察官，公诉人

参考例句：

• The defender argued down the prosecutor at the court.辩护人在法庭上驳倒了起诉人。
• The prosecutor would tear your testimony to pieces.检查官会把你的证言驳得体无完肤。

5 conspired   

密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致

参考例句：

• They conspired to bring about the meeting of the two people. 他们共同促成了两人的会面。
• Bad weather and car trouble conspired to ruin our vacation. 恶劣的气候连同汽车故障断送了我们的假日。

6 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。