看新聞，學英語！VOA 雙語新聞 - 星期一(032408) (ZT)

星期一(032408)


J.P. Morgan Raises Takeover Offer for Bear Stearns
(J.P. 摩根收購貝爾斯登的競價提高)

U.S. investment bank J.P. Morgan Chase has raised its takeover offer for troubled rival Bear Stearns from two-dollars a share to about 10 dollars. Sources close to the companies say J.P. Morgan's higher bid is meant to appease Bear Stearns shareholders who strongly objected to the lower price. J.P. Morgan agreed to buy Bear Stearns earlier this month in a rescue deal backed by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The New York Times says the Federal Reserve is reluctant to help finance J.P. Morgan's higher bid for Bear Stearns. The newspaper says the central bank does not want to be seen as spending taxpayers' money to bail out a bank that should take responsibility for its own risky behavior.

美國投資銀行摩根大通把對陷入困境的對手貝爾斯登公司的收購競價從每股兩美元提高到十美元左右。 接近公司的消息人士說，提高競價是為了平息貝爾斯登股東們對摩根大通所出低價的強烈反對。 摩根大通根據一項由美國聯邦儲備委員會支持的拯救協議同意收購貝爾斯登。 紐約時報報導說，聯邦儲備委員會不願意為提價的貝爾斯通收購交易融資。 該報說，中央銀行不希望被人看成是花費納稅人的錢來拯救一家應為其冒險行為自負責任的銀行。

Tibet's Exile Government Says 130 Killed in Protests
(西藏流亡政府稱130人死於抗議)

Tibet's India-based government-in-exile now says 130 people died in the recent clashes between protesters and Chinese authorities in and around Tibet. Tibetan exile groups previously said at least 80 people were killed in Lhasa, and that clashes in other Chinese provinces killed nearly 20 others. The Chinese government puts the official death toll from the riots at 19. World leaders have been calling for a peaceful resolution of the situation in Tibet. Today (Monday), French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he sent a letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao and offered to act as a go-between for China and representatives of the Dalai Lama.

在印度的西藏流亡政府現在說，在最近抗議者跟中國當局在西藏內外的衝突中有130人死亡。 西藏流亡團體先前曾說，至少有80人在拉薩被打死，中國其他省份的衝突造成將近20人死亡。中國政府提供的騷亂死亡數字是19人。 世界各國領導人一直呼籲和平解決西藏局勢問題。法國總統薩爾科齊說，他給中國領導人胡錦濤寫信，表示願意在中國和達賴喇嘛的代表之間充當調解人。

星期四 (032008)


Bin Laden Issues Warning to European Union over Prophet Cartoons
(本拉登針對先知漫畫事件警告歐盟)

Al Qaida Terrorist Leader Osama bin Laden -- in a new message -- has warned the European Union that it will be severely punished for publishing cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed in European newspapers. In an audio recording posted to an al-Qaida-affiliated Web site late Wednesday, a voice said to be that of bin Laden's says publishing the cartoons was a greater offense than Western forces bombing the homes of women and children. The audio track with English subtitles is heard over a video image of bin Laden holding a rifle. Satirical cartoons of Islam's Prophet Mohammed were published in Danish newspapers in 2006, sparking mass riots in Islamic nations worldwide. Last month they republished one of the cartoons -- in which Mohammed is wearing a bomb as a turban -- to show their commitment to freedom of speech, after police said a plot to kill the artist was uncovered. The bin Laden statement says the cartoons are part of a new crusade against Islam in which the Vatican has played a large and lengthy role.

基地恐怖組織首領本拉登發出新的信息。他警告歐洲聯盟說，歐洲報紙刊登描繪先知穆罕默德的漫畫，歐盟將為此受到嚴厲懲罰。與基地組織有關的網站星期三晚間公布了一份講話錄音，錄音中據信是本拉登的人說，刊登漫畫的罪行比西方軍隊轟炸婦女兒童的家宅還要嚴重。這份錄音與顯示本拉登手持步槍的圖像同時播放，配有英文字幕。 2006年，丹麥報紙刊登了諷刺伊斯蘭先知穆罕默德的漫畫，在世界各地的穆斯林國家引發大規模騷亂。丹麥報紙上個月重新刊登了其中的一幅漫畫，在這幅度漫畫中，穆罕默德戴的頭巾是一枚炸彈。此前警方說，他們發現了試圖刺殺那幅漫畫作者的陰謀，丹麥報紙於是再次刊登這幅漫畫，以表現對言論自由的堅定信仰。本拉登的聲明說，漫畫是討伐伊斯蘭的新十字軍征戰的一部分，羅馬教廷在其中扮演著重要和長期的角色。

US Jobless Claims Rise
(美國失業人數上升)

The number of newly laid-off U.S. workers rose last week, the latest sign that the economic downturn is affecting the job market.A report Thursday from the Labor Department said the number of people applying for unemployment benefits for the first time rose 22-thousand，to 378-thousand. Other data show the number of jobs in the U.S. economy declined in each of the past two months.

美國上星期被解雇人數有所增加。這一最新跡象表明，美國的經濟下滑正在影響就業市場。美國勞工部星期四公布的報告說，申請失業福利的人數第一次超過了2萬2千人，達37萬8千人。其它數據顯示，過去兩個月裏美國的就業人數都有所減少。

星期三 (031808)


China Says Olympic Torch Relay for Beijing Games will Continue Through Tibet
(中國稱奧運火炬接力將繼續穿越西藏)

A Chinese Olympic official says the traditional Olympic torch relay will go through Tibet as planned, despite the recent crackdown by Beijing on protesters in the region. Jian Xiaoyu, the executive vice president of the organizing committee, says officials expect the situation in Tibet is stable enough to ensure a successful relay. The torch will be lit on Monday in Athens, Greece -- the ancient home of the Olympic games -- and will be flown to Beijing on March 31st. The flame is scheduled to be taken to the top of Mount Everest in May, then will pass through the Tibetan capital of Lhasa. Hundreds of pro-Tibet demonstrators gathered Tuesday at the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, where they appealed to the committee to halt the Tibet leg of the Olympic torch relay.

雖然北京最近在西藏鎮壓抗議者，但是中國一名奧林匹克官員說，國際奧林匹克火炬仍將按計劃穿越西藏。北京奧委會執行副主席蔣效愚說，當局預計西藏局勢足夠穩定，能夠確保火炬成功傳遞。奧運火炬下星期一將在奧林匹克運動會的故鄉---希臘雅典點燃，然後在3月31號空運到北京。 奧運火炬定於今年5月被帶到珠穆朗瑪峰的峰頂，然後經過西藏首府撒拉。星期二，數百名支持藏人的示威者聚集在瑞士洛桑的國際奧委會總部，呼籲國際奧委會終止讓火炬接力經過西藏的計劃。

Chinese Premier Reported Willing to Meet With Dalai Lama
(據稱中國總理溫家寶願會晤達賴喇嘛)

Britain's prime minister says Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has told him he is willing to hold talks with Tibet's exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, under certain conditions. Gordon Brown says Mr. Wen made the remark Wednesday during a phone conversation. Mr. Brown said he made clear to China's premier that there has to be an end to the violence in Tibet. Mr. Wen's reported remark was in contrast to remarks from China's top Communist Party official in Tibet, who has lashed out at the Dalai Lama, saying China is engaged in a "life and death struggle" with the the Dalai Lama. Peaceful protests against Chinese rule in Tibet began early last week and gradually turned violent. China blames the Dalai Lama for the unrest -- a charge he denies.

英國首相說，中國總理溫家寶對他表示，如果滿足一些條件，這位中國領導人願意與西藏流亡精神領袖達賴喇嘛舉行談判。戈登.布朗說，溫家寶星期三在電話會談中說了這番話。布朗說，他對溫家寶明確表示，西藏的暴力必須停止。 溫家寶被轉述的話與中國共產黨在西藏的高級領導人的話形成對照。這位負責人在抨擊達賴喇嘛時說，中國正在與達賴喇嘛進行著“你死我活的鬥爭”。西藏上星期發生反對中國統治的和平抗議，但抗議活動逐漸演變為暴力事件。中國指責達賴喇嘛策劃了這場騷亂，但達賴喇嘛否認這一指責。

星期二 (031808)


IOC Says No Governments Call for Olympic Boycott
(國際奧委會稱沒有國家政府呼籲抵製奧運)

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge says no governments have called for a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games because of China's handling of the unrest in Tibet. Rogge said he had been "heartened" that major governments were "almost unanimously" against a boycott. His statement came after European sports ministers and Olympic committees came out against any boycott of the Games on Monday. European Olympic Committees head Patrick Hickey said boycotts never worked.  He added that boycotts of the Montreal Games in 1976, Moscow Olympics in 1980 and at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles only punished the athletes. Pro-Tibet demonstrators announced plans for a protest outside the International Olympic Committee's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on Tuesday. They will call on the IOC to block plans for the Olympic torch to pass through Tibet.

國際奧委會主席羅格說，沒有任何國家的政府因為中國處理西藏局勢的方式要求抵製北京奧運會。羅格說，他對主要國家政府幾乎一致反對抵製奧運“感到鼓舞”。在此之前，歐洲國家的體育部長和奧委會星期一表示反對抵製北京奧運會。歐洲奧委會主席希基說，抵製奧運從來沒有起過作用。 他補充說，抵製1976年蒙特利爾奧運會、1980年莫斯科奧運會和1984年洛杉磯奧運會隻是懲罰了運動員。親西藏的示威人士宣布星期二會在瑞士洛桑國際奧運會總部外麵舉行抗議活動。他們要求國際奧委會阻止北京奧運火炬穿越西藏的計劃。

U.N. Says Iraq Refugees Fuel Rise in Asylum Seekers
(聯合國稱伊拉克難民致申請政治庇護人數上升)

The U.N. refugee agency says a five-year decline in asylum applications in industrialized nations was reversed in 2007, largely due to a continued rise in Iraqi asylum seekers. In a release issued Tuesday The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees reports the number of applications for refugee status in industrialized nations rose ten percent in 2007. 2006 had been the lowest for applications in 20 years. The agency reports that Iraq asylum seekers top the list for the second year in a row in 2007 - and that number almost doubled from 2006. More than 45 thousand Iraqis applied for asylum last year. The UNCHR says that Iraqi asylum seekers in industrialized countries make up only one percent of the estimated four-point-five million Iraqis displaced by the conflict in that nation.

聯合國負責難民事務的機構說，在工業化國家申請政治庇護的案例連續5年減少的趨勢在2007年出現逆轉，主要原因是由於申請庇護的伊拉克人持續增多。聯合國難民事務高級專員公署星期二發表報告說，2007年，在工業化國家申請政治庇護的人數上升了10%。2006年是20年來申請案例最少的一年。 聯合難民公署報告說，2007年，在申請庇護的人當中最多的是伊拉克人，這已經是連續第二年。他們的人數在2006年已經幾乎翻了一番。去年，有4萬5千多名伊拉克人申請庇護。 聯合國難民公署說，因國內衝突而流離失所的伊拉克人據估計有450萬，在工業化國家尋求庇護的伊拉克人隻占其中的1%。

星期一(031708)


European Union Sports Leaders, Russia Oppose Boycott of Olympic Games
(歐盟體育領導人和俄羅斯反對抵製奧運會)

European Union sports officials are voicing opposition to a boycott of this year's Beijing Olympic Games amid China's handling of protests in Tibet. Speaking ahead of a meeting today (Monday) of EU sports officials in Europe (in Slovenia), Slovenia's sports minister (Milan Zver) said he was against a boycott of the Summer Games. He also said discussion of a boycott during the meeting will be hard to avoid.  Russia added its voice today to those opposing a boycott because of the situation in Tibet. A statement from the Foreign Ministry says the protests in Tibet are an internal matter. The ministry criticized what it called attempts to politicize the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee says several top athletes are considering a boycott of this year's Beijing Olympics as a protest against China's crackdown on activists in Tibet.

歐洲聯盟體育官員表示反對因為中國對藏人抗議的處理方式而抵製今年的北京奧運會。 歐盟體育官員星期一在斯洛文尼亞開會，在會議召開之前，斯洛文尼亞體育部長說，他反對抵製夏奧會。他還說，會議期間難免會討論抵製問題。 俄羅斯星期一也表態反對因為西藏局勢而抵製奧運會。俄羅斯外交部發表聲明說，在西藏的抗議事件是中國的內政。俄羅斯外交部批評“把奧林匹克運動會政治化”的企圖。 國際奧林匹克委員會說，一些頂級的運動員正在考慮抵製今年的北京奧運會，以抗議中國對西藏活動人士的鎮壓。

IOC Concerned About Possible Olympics Boycott
(國際奧委會關注奧運會可能受抵製)

The International Olympic Committee says several top athletes are considering a boycott of this year's Beijing Olympics as a protest against China's crackdown on activists in Tibet.  During a one-day visit to the island of Saint Lucia in the Eastern Caribbean Sunday, IOC President Jacques Rogge said the Olympic Committee is very concerned about the situation as China prepares to host the Olympics in August. Rogge said Saturday a boycott would only penalize athletes. He has declined to say whether the IOC would change its position if the crackdown continues. IOC members and senior government officials in several European countries say that they oppose any boycott of the games.

國際奧林匹克委員會說，一些頂級的運動員正在考慮抵製今年的北京奧運會，以抗議中國對西藏活動人士的鎮壓。 星期天，國際奧委會主席羅格對東加勒比的聖盧西亞進行了一天的訪問，他在訪問期間說，在中國準備在8月主辦奧運會之際，國際奧委會對有關局勢非常關注。 羅格星期六說，抵製奧運會隻會打擊運動員。羅格拒絕說明如果鎮壓繼續下去的話國際奧委會是否會改變立場。 國際奧委會成員和一些歐洲國家的高級政府官員說，他們反對任何抵製奧運會的做法。

星期五 (031308)


US Senate Passes $3 Trillion Budget Plan
(美參議院通過三萬億美元預算計劃)

The U.S. Senate has approved a three-trillion dollar budget plan. The Democratic-controlled Senate approved the measure early Friday by a vote of 51-44, mostly along party lines. The budget blueprint will guide Congress as it passes spending bills for the 2009 fiscal year, which begins in October. The Senate resolution must be reconciled with a similar budget plan approved by the House of Representatives. In the Senate plan, lawmakers rejected a one year ban on earmarks -- spending allocations for projects favored by specific members of Congress. Presumed Republican presidential nominee John McCain had called for the ban on earmarks.  The Senate also approved the continuation of some of President Bush's tax cuts, including one for the working poor, but not for wealthier Americans.

美國參議院通過了一項三萬億美元財政預算計劃。民主黨控製的參議院星期五早些時候以51票對44票通過了這項議案。參議員基本依照所屬黨派的立場投了自己的票。財政預算作為一份藍圖，指導國會為今年10月開始的2009財政年度通過各項開支法案。參議院通過的決議必須與眾議院通過的相關預算法案相協調。 在參議院法案中，參議員拒絕了對議員專項撥款實行一年禁令的條款。議員專項撥款指為某些議員所青睞的項目做出的特別撥款。預計將獲得共和黨總統候選人提名的麥凱恩參議員呼籲禁止議員專項撥款。參議院還批準延續布什總統減稅計劃的某些內容，包括為貧困的工薪階層減稅，但不為較富裕的美國人減稅。

EU Leaders Back Goals for Fighting Climate Change
(歐盟領導人支持遏止氣候變化目標)

European Union leaders have backed ambitious goals to fight climate change but stressed that they must be affordable at a time of economic downturn. In a statement issued at the conclusion of a two-day summit in Brussels, the leaders pledged to finalize by next year their strategy for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020. But they stressed that the cost of the project should not impose excessive costs on EU member states. Thursday, the leaders accepted a modified version of French President Nicolas Sarkozy's proposal for a new Mediterranean trading bloc that would include North African and Middle Eastern countries. The French leader won the support of his EU colleagues after accepting changes that eased Germany's concerns that the proposal would undermine EU unity. The leaders instructed EU officials to work out further details by July.

歐洲聯盟各國領導人支持製止氣候變化的雄心勃勃目標。但是他們強調，在當前經濟逆轉的情況下，實現這些目標的費用必須能承受得起。在布魯塞爾舉行的兩天高峰會議之後發表的聲明中，各國首腦承諾將在明年最終議定2020年減少20%溫室效應氣體排放的戰略。但是他們強調，實現目標的費用不能給歐洲聯盟國家帶來過高的代價。 歐盟領導人星期四接受了法國總統薩爾科奇建議的修改方案，同意成立一個包括北美和中東國家在內的“地中海貿易集團”。這位法國總統接受了為緩解德國擔憂而作出改變後，從而贏得了各國領導人的支持。德國曾擔心關於這項建議可能不利於歐盟團結。歐盟各國領導人讓歐盟官員7月前擬定出計劃的進一步細節。

星期四 (031308)


China Steps up Air Security After 'Terrorist Plot'
(中國發生“恐怖陰謀”後加強航空安全)

China has announced new regulations to increase airline security and ensure transportation safety in the run up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. In a statement posted on its Web site Thursday, the Civil Aviation Administration of China said staff will open and check more bags. Passengers will be banned from carrying any kind of liquid aboard domestic flights. The administration also said "easy check-in" services, which allow passengers to pay for the privilege of speedier security checks and priority boarding, would be banned. The new rules come less than a week after the Chinese government announced that it recently foiled a hijacking attempt on a passenger plane flying from China's northwestern region of Xinjiang to Beijing. State media in China have called the hijacking a "planned terrorist attack."

中國宣布提高航空公司安全的新措施，以確保2008年北京奧運會來臨前的運輸安全。中國民用航空總局星期四在網站上公布的一項聲明說，工作人員將打開和檢查更多的行李。國內航班的旅客將被禁止攜帶任何液體登機。 航空總局還表示，允許乘客付費享受更快速安檢及優先登機的“易登機”服務也將被取消。這些新規定出台不到一個星期前，中國政府宣布最近挫敗了一起劫持一架從中國西北地區的新疆飛至北京的客機的企圖。中國官方媒體稱，這起劫機事件是一次“有計劃的恐怖襲擊”。

Indian Police Detain Tibetan Protesters
(印度警方拘捕藏人抗議者)

Indian police have arrested 100 people marching to the Tibetan border to protest the upcoming Olympic Games in China Thursday. Shortly after being detained , protest organizers warned that those in custody will go on a hunger strike. The Tibetan marchers and some foreigners set off Monday from Dharmsala, the headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. Earlier this week, Indian police briefly blocked the marchers and ordered them not to leave Kangra district. Indian authorities say the protest violates a promise by exiled Tibetan leaders not to conduct anti-China political activities on Indian soil.  The march was one of several events around the world this week to mark the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. On Tuesday, several hundred Tibetan monks marched toward Tibet's capital, Lhasa, shouting independence slogans. Witnesses say Chinese police fired tear gas at the protesters.

印度警方星期四逮捕了100名向西藏邊境步行，抗議即將在中國舉行的奧運會的示威者。在這些人被捕後不久，抗議活動的組織者警告說，那些被關押的人將會舉行絕食抗議。 藏人示威者和一些外國人星期一從西藏流亡政府總部所在地達蘭薩拉出發。這個星期早些時候，印度警方曾短暫的攔阻示威者，並命令他們不要離開康格拉地區。印度有關當局說，這次抗議活動違反了西藏流亡領導人曾經許下的不會在印度領土上進行反中國政治活動的承諾。 這次示威活動是本星期全球紀念1959年西藏人反對中國統治起義周年活動的一部分。星期二，幾百名西藏僧侶向西藏首府拉薩遊行，高喊獨立口號。目擊者說，中國警方向示威者發射了催淚瓦斯。

星期三 (031208)


Asian, European Stocks Rise
(亞歐股市上揚)

World stock prices are surging following major gains on Wall Street Tuesday and new injections of cash in some major global financial markets. European markets are making strong gains in Wednesday's trading, with most of the major markets up one percent or more by midday.  Major stock indexes in Japan, Hong Kong and Taipei all closed higher Wednesday, along with markets in Manila, Sydney, Taipei and Wellington. On Tuesday, the Fed -- acting in coordination with the central banks in Canada and Europe offered 200 billion dollars to banks and mortgage providers and said it could increase the size of the program if needed.

華爾街股市星期二大漲以及全球一些重要金融市場新注入大量現金後，世界很多股市星期三大幅度上揚。歐洲股市星期三表現強勁，大多數主要股市中午時分上漲了1%以上。  東京、香港、台北以及馬尼拉、悉尼、和惠靈頓等主要股市的指數星期三紛紛上漲。星期二，美聯儲以及加拿大和歐洲一些國家的央行協調行動，向銀行和房屋貸款機構提供了2000多億美元的資金，並表示必要時還會追加資金。

Russia's Oldest Person Dies at 117
(俄羅斯117歲最長壽人瑞去世)

Russia's oldest person -- a hunter and farmer from the Far East -- has died at age 117. Varvara Semennikova was just weeks from her 118th birthday when she died Sunday.  Official records say she was born to a family of farmers and hunters in the Evenkia republic in May 1890. She was married twice and adopted three children after all her natural-born children died. Semennikova was Russia's oldest citizen and claimed to be the world's oldest living person. Her claim had not been verified by the Guinness Book of World Records.

俄羅斯最長壽的人、居住在遠東地區的農民和獵人已經去世，終年117歲。瓦爾瓦拉.謝緬尼科娃星期天離世，離她的118歲生日隻差幾個星期。 官方記錄顯示，謝緬尼科娃1890年出生在俄羅斯伊基雅共和國一個農民和獵人的家庭。 她結過兩次婚。在自己所有的親生孩子去世後，謝緬尼科娃領養過3個孩子。謝緬尼科娃是俄羅斯最長壽的公民，並聲稱是全世界上最長壽的人。這項聲稱沒有得到吉尼斯世界記錄的核準。

星期二(031108)


China Admits Arrest of Monks in Tibet
(中國承認逮捕西藏僧侶)

The Chinese government has acknowledged it detained more than 60 Tibetan monks who demonstrated in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa Monday to commemorate the anniversary of an uprising against Chinese rule. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang said Tuesday the demonstration was an illegal act that challenged social stability. Qin called the participants "ignorant monks," abetted by what he described as a "small handful of other people."  Monday was the 49th anniversary of a failed uprising that was crushed by the Chinese military, prompting Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to flee into exile in northern India. Also, a group of about 100 Tibetan exiles in northern India defied police orders Tuesday and resumed a protest march to their homeland to protest Beijing hosting the Summer Olympics.

中國政府承認拘留了星期一在西藏首府拉薩示威紀念反抗中國統治的起義49周年的60多名西藏僧人。 中國外交部發言人秦剛星期二說，那個示威是違法行為，危害了社會穩定。秦剛稱參加示威的人是“無知的僧侶”，受到了“其他少數人”的教唆。 星期一是藏人一次失敗的暴動49周年，那次暴動被中國軍隊鎮壓，迫使西藏精神領袖達賴喇嘛流亡到印度北部。 另外，印度北部的一大約100名流亡藏人星期二不顧印度警方命令，恢複了前往自己的家鄉抗議北京主辦夏季奧運會的步行抗議。

China's February Inflation Soars to 11-Year High
(中國二月份通貨膨脹漲到十一年來新高)

Chinese officials say inflation jumped to an 11-year high of eight-point-seven percent in February. The National Statistics Bureau said Tuesday that the increase was driven by a 23 percent jump in food prices. It was a sharp increase from January's seven-point-one percent and exceeded the eight percent figure outside economists had expected. By contrast, non-food prices were up by only one-point-six percent in February from one year earlier. Snowstorms that began in early January and lasted into February devastated China's south, destroyed crops, paralyzed shipping and forced some steel mills and factories to shut down. Shortages of meat and vegetable in the snow-hit areas caused prices to soar.

中國官員表示，2月份的通貨膨脹率同比上漲到11年來的新高，達到8.7%。國家統計局星期二說，食品價格暴漲了23%，推動了消費者價格上漲，比1月份同比上漲的7.1%有大幅增長，超過了外界經濟學家預測的8%的數字。 相比之下，2月份的非食品價格僅比去年同期上漲了1.6%。 從今年1月初開始、持續到2月的暴風雪天氣重創了中國南方地區，莊稼被毀壞、貨運癱瘓，一些煉鋼廠和工廠被迫停產。雪災地區的肉類和蔬菜的短缺迫使物價飆升。

星期一(031008)

China's Trade Surplus Plunges in February
(中國二月份貿易順差大幅下跌)

China's trade surplus plunged 64 percent in February from a year earlier, as imports surged and exports sagged. China's customs administration said today (Monday) that the trade surplus for February shrank to just eight-point-56 billion dollars from 19-point-five billion in January and 23-point-eight billion a year earlier. Economists had been expecting a weakening of the export performance, partly as a result of the U.S. economic problems, making the American consumer less likely to buy Chinese goods. Analysts said record snowstorms and the timing of the Lunar New Year holiday also contributed to the surplus decline. China's surpluses cause tension with trading partners and threaten to worsen inflation by flooding the financial system with cash.

由於進口猛增，出口減少，中國今年二月的貿易順差跟一年前相比大跌了64%。 中國海關總署星期一說，二月份的貿易順差下降到僅有85億6千萬美元，低於一月份的195億美元和去年同期的238億美元。 經濟學者一直預計中國的出口會減弱，部分原因是美國經濟出現了問題，美國消費者購買的中國產品減少。 分析人士說，正逢農曆新年發生的暴雪也助長了貿易順差的下跌。中國的貿易順差造成了中國跟貿易夥伴的矛盾，而且由於大量現金湧入金融體係，通貨膨脹也有可能加劇。

China Announces New Bullet Train Route
(中國宣布高速列車新線路)

Officials in China say they will inaugurate a new bullet train route between Beijing and Tianjin in August. The official Xinua news agency quoted railway officials Sunday as saying the Chinese-made train will run at 300 kilometers per hour. The officials said the train would reduce the travel time between Beijing and Tianjin to 30 minutes from the current 70 to 80 minutes. Shao Liping, director of the railway authority in Nanning, said a prototype of the train was finished in December, and has already completed a test run. Officials said the train should be in service in time for the start of the 2008 Olympic Games.

中國的官員說，他們將在今年八月正式開通北京到天津之間新的“子彈頭”列車線路。 官方的新華社星期天援引鐵路官員的話說，這種中國製造的“子彈頭”列車的時速將達到每小時300公裏。 鐵路官員說，該列車將使北京到天津的行駛時間從目前的70到80分鍾縮短到30分鍾。 南寧鐵路局局長邵力平說，新列車的原型在去年12月建造完畢並且已經完成了試運行。 有關官員說，新型列車將趕在2008年奧運會開幕前夕投入運行。

星期五(030708)

WFP Distributes Emergency Food Assistance in Afghanistan
(聯合國世界糧食計劃署向阿富汗提供緊急糧食救援)

The U.N. World Food Program says it is providing emergency food assistance to millions of Afghans who cannot afford to buy wheat and wheat flour. The WFP said in a statement Thursday Afghans urgently need food to help them overcome increases in wheat prices that have exceeded 70 percent during the past year. The agency said spring floods are a further concern, especially after a harsh winter with melting snow and spring rains expected to threaten tens of thousands of people. WFP Country Director in Afghanistan Rick Corsino said the agency plans to reach two-and-a-half-million people in the next three months, positioning 15-thousand tons of food in areas at greatest risk. Global food prices have risen by 40 percent since last June.

聯合國世界糧食計劃署表示，他們正在向無法支付小麥或麵粉的數百萬阿富汗人提供緊急糧食救援。世糧署星期四在一份聲明中說，阿富汗人迫切需要食物幫助他們渡過小麥價格上漲的困境。去年阿富汗的小麥價格上漲幅度超過70%。 該機構說，阿富汗的春季洪水是另一個隱患，特別是經過一個嚴寒的冬天後，融化的雪水和春季降水預計會威脅成千上萬人的生活。世糧署阿富汗事務負責人科爾西諾說，這個機構打算在未來三個月把物資送到250萬人的手中，並在險情更嚴重的地區囤積1萬5千噸糧食。自從去年6月以來，全球的糧食價格上漲了40%。

China Says Darfur Crisis Should Not Be Linked to Olympics
(中國稱達爾富爾危機不應與北京奧運掛鉤)

China's Special Envoy to Sudan Liu Guijinsays attempts by international activists to link the upcoming Beijing Olympic Games to the crisis in Darfur are nreasonable. Speaking to reporters Friday in Beijing, Liu Guijin says the Sudanese government could do more to "show its sincerity." But Liu accuses Darfur rebel groups of continuing to attack Sudanese villages and police stations, in an effort to gain greater influence in negotiations with Khartoum. Liu says he has paid four visits to Sudan to talk to Sudanese government leaders about reaching a lasting diplomatic solution to the crisis. Beijing has close diplomatic and business ties with Sudan, including oil deals and weapons sales. Liu says China is simply a partner with other Asian nations in the oil deals. And he says his country is one of seven countries supplying arms to Khartoum.

中國蘇丹問題特使劉貴今說，一些國際人士把即將舉行的北京奧運會與蘇丹達爾富爾危機掛鉤的做法沒有道理。劉貴今星期五在北京對記者說，蘇丹政府可以做出更大努力，以“展示誠意”。但是劉貴今同時指責達爾富爾反政府團體繼續襲擊蘇丹的村莊和警察局，企圖在與喀土穆當局的談判中具有更大的影響力。 劉貴今說，他已經4次出訪蘇丹，與蘇丹政府領導人就如何以外交手段持久性解決這場危機舉行了會談。北京與蘇丹當局有密切的外交和商業聯係，包括石油交易以及軍火銷售等。劉貴今說，中國隻是作為一個合夥人，與其它亞洲國家一起和蘇丹達成石油交易。他還說，中國隻是7個向喀土穆當局提供武器的國家當中的一個。

星期四(030608)

China Says Schedule for President's Trip to Japan not Finalized
(中國稱國家主席訪日行程未最後敲定)

China's Foreign Ministry says a groundbreaking trip by Chinese President Hu Jintao to Japan has not yet been finalized. Speaking with reporters Thursday in Beijing, a ministry spokesman said the visit, the first by a Chinese president in a decade, is still under discussion. But, he also stressed China's commitment to improve relations between the two countries. Japanese officials have said that Mr. Hu would visit in April, but recent media reports in Japan have suggested the trip might be delayed until May because of an ongoing investigation into a food safety dispute. Earlier this year, poisoned Chinese-made dumplings made 10 people sick in Japan, sparking a nationwide food scare. Investigators say the dumplings were deliberately poisoned with pesticide, but it is unclear where the poisoning took place.

中國外交部說，中國國家主席胡錦濤對日本進行開拓性的訪問還沒有最後確定。外交部發言人星期四在北京對記者說，這次訪問還在協商之中，這將是中國國家主席10年來首次訪日。但是他強調中國致力於改善兩國之間的關係。 日本官員說過，胡錦濤將在4月訪日，但是日本媒體最近報導表示，胡錦濤的訪問可能延期到5月，因為對一樁食品安全糾紛的調查仍在進行。 帶毒的中國產餃子今年早些時候在日本導致10人生病，引發一場全國範圍的食品恐慌。調查人員說，餃子被人故意用殺蟲劑投毒，但是還不清楚投毒是在哪裏發生的。

China Dismisses U.S. Report About its Growing Military Power
(中國不接受美國有關中國軍力擴張報告)

China's official Communist Party newspaper says the United States is exaggerating Chinese military capabilities to justify arms sales to Taiwan. An editorial in the People's Daily newspaper Thursday denounced a U.S. military report released Monday. That report said Beijing was developing space-based weapons, and had increased its ability to conduct cyberwarfare. The Chinese editorial also slammed Washington for rejecting a joint Russian-Chinese initiative on an anti-space weapons treaty. China says it will increase defense spending in 2008 by more than 17 percent, for a total of more than 57-billion dollars. U.S. Defense Secretary Gates says China's military spending is higher than the communist state has admitted.

中國的共產黨黨報說，美國誇大中國的軍事能力，為對台軍售製造理由。人民日報星期四的一篇社論譴責美國軍方星期一發布的一份報告。報告說，北京在研製太空武器，而且提高了電腦網絡作戰能力。 人民日報社論還抨擊美國拒絕接受俄羅斯與中國有關限製太空武器條約的聯合倡議。中國說，中國將2008年的國防預算增加17%以上，總數達到570多億美元。美國國防部長蓋茨說，中國的軍事開支比這個共產黨國家承認的數額要高。

星期三(030508)


Chinese Hijacker Shot and Killed After Taking Australians Hostage
(中國劫持者劫澳大利亞人質中槍亡命)

Chinese police have shot and killed a bus hijacker in northwest China after he took a group of Australian tourists hostage. Media reports from Australia and China say the man was armed with explosives and took 10 Australian tourists and their interpreter hostage. Nine were later released. China's official Xinhua news agency says police shot and killed the hostage-taker after negotiations failed, securing the release of a 48-year old Australian woman. Xinhua says the standoff lasted about two hours and took place in the center of Xian city in China's Shaanxi province. Xian is a popular tourist stop in China and near the site of the famed terracotta army where thousands of life-sized figures of warriors and horses are preserved in a tomb with China's first emperor.

中國警方開槍打死一名在中國西北地區劫持一組澳大利亞遊客為人質的客車劫持者。澳大利亞和中國的新聞媒體報導說，劫持男子攜帶有爆炸物，劫持了10名澳大利亞遊客和他們的翻譯為人質。後來9名人質獲得釋放。 中國官方的新華社說，警方在談判失敗後開槍打死了人質劫持者，使一名48歲的澳大利亞婦女獲釋。 新華社說，這場對峙持續了大約兩個小時，發生在陝西省西安市的市中心。西安是中國一個熱門旅遊景點，附近有舉世聞名的守護中國曆史上第一位皇帝的陵寢的數以千計真人大小兵馬俑的遺址。

Fire Kills 8 Disabled Children in Southern China
(大火燒死中國南部八名殘障兒童)

Chinese state media say a fire at a home for the disabled has killed at least eight children in Huizhou City, Guangdong province. The official Xinhua news agency says the children died of smoke inhalation after a mosquito-repellent incense coil set fire to bed covers. The accident happened overnight. The report says the children were apparently asleep when smoke filled their room. The institution's staff found them early Wednesday. The eight children were aged four to eight and were either blind, physically or mentally disabled.

中國官方媒體報導說，廣東省惠州市一家殘障兒童福利院發生火災，造成至少8名兒童喪生。官方新華社說，在蚊香引發被罩失火以後，這些兒童被煙熏致死。事故發生在夜間。 報導說，在濃煙充斥屋子的時候，這些孩子顯然正在熟睡。福利院工作人員星期三早晨發現這些孩子。8名死亡兒童年齡4到8歲，有身障或智障，或是盲人。

星期二(030408)


China To Cooperate With WTO Over News Controls
(中國將就新聞管製爭議與WTO合作)

China says it will follow World Trade Organization rules in settling a dispute with the European Union and the United States over restrictions on foreign suppliers of financial information. China's Commerce Ministry said in a statement posted on its website Tuesday that Beijing respects the choices of WTO members. Europe and the U.S. are urging China to ease rules giving its Xinhua news agency the right to license and distribute financial news from overseas media organizations like Bloomberg, Dow Jones and Reuters. The rules forbid any foreign financial news company from dealing directly with Chinese clients. China says it will strongly consider the request and deal with the dispute according to WTO procedures.

中國表示，將遵循世界貿易組織的規則來處理與歐盟和美國就其限製外國金融信息提供商的爭議。 中國商務部星期二在網站上發表的一項聲明說，中國政府尊重世貿組織成員的選擇。歐洲和美國敦促中國放鬆有關規定，這些規定給予新華社批準和分發由彭博新聞社、道瓊斯公司和路透社等外國新聞媒體製作的金融新聞的權力。這些規定禁止任何外國金融新聞機構直接與中國客戶打交道。 中國表示會努力考慮美國和歐盟提出的要求，並依照世貿組織程序處理這項爭議。

China Announces Increase in Military Spending
(中國宣布增加國防開支)

Chinese officials have announced an increase in defense spending of more than 17 percent this year. Jiang Enzhu, spokesman for China's National People's Congress, or parliament, told a news conference Tuesday that military spending in 2008 will exceed 57 billion dollars, up 17-point-six percent from last year. China's defense spending last year rose nearly 18 percent. Other countries say China vastly underreports how much it spends on its military and the real figure could be three times as much as the publicly-released number. The U.S. Defense Department issued a report Monday, expressing concern about China's expanding military power, saying it poses a risk to security in Asia. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang says the report is a serious distortion of facts, and it interfered in the country's internal affairs.

中國官員宣布，今年國防開支將增加17%以上。中國全國人大發言人薑恩柱星期二在新聞發布會上說，2008年的軍事開支將超過570億美元，比去年增長17.6%。 中國去年的國防開支增長了近18%。其他國家說，中國大幅縮小軍事開支的數目，真正的數字有可能是公開宣布數字的3倍。 美國國防部星期一發表報告，對中國軍力擴充表示關注，稱中國的軍力擴充對亞洲安全構成威脅。 中國外交部發言人秦剛說，這項報告嚴重扭曲事實，而且幹涉別國內政。

星期一(030308)


More Non-Communists to Become High Officials in China
(更多非共產黨人將成為中國高官)

Chinese state media say more non-communists will be given top government posts following last year's appointment of two ministers from outside the Communist Party since the late 1970s. China's eight non-communist parties are reported to have a combined membership of 700-thousand. The media cited Wu Jianmin, who is spokesman for the first session of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The meeting opens today ahead of China's legislature. China's official Xinhua news agency says more than two-thousand CPPCC members will meet in Beijing for the next 11 days. Wu says Taiwan's upcoming referendum on joining the United Nations will be a key topic at the meeting. Wu said he hopes Taiwanese independence activities will be stopped.

中國國營媒體說，更多的非共產黨人士將擔任政府高層職務。去年有兩名非共產黨人士被任命為政府部長，成為1970年代末期以來首次擔任中國政府部長的非共產黨人士。 中國8個非共產黨黨派據信一共擁有70萬成員。中國媒體的報導援引了第十一屆政治協商會議第一次會議的發言人吳建民的話。這次政治協商會議星期一開幕。中國全國人大會議將隨後開始。 中國官方的新華通訊社說，全國2千多名政協代表將在北京參加為期11天的會議。吳建民說，台灣即將舉行的入聯公投將是會議討論的一個重要話題。他說，他希望台獨活動將會被製止。

Pro-Kremlin Youth Demonstrate Outside U.S. Embassy
(親克裏姆林宮年輕人在美使館外示威)

Hundreds of pro-Kremlin youth demonstrated outside the U.S. Embassy in Moscow Monday following the victory of Dimitri Medvedev in Sunday's presidential election. Members of the youth group Nashi wore capes emblazoned with the slogan "Russia Forward." A large banner said American wives should be taught to cook cabbage soup. The phrase is a reference to a sarcastic comment President Vladimir Putin made last month that Western election observers should mind their own business and teach their wives to make cabbage soup.

德米特裏.米德維捷夫在星期天的俄羅斯總統選舉中獲勝之後，數百名親克裏姆林宮的年輕人星期一在美國駐俄羅斯大使館外舉行示威。 一個名為“納什”的年輕人組織的成員頭戴飾有“俄羅斯前進”口號的帽子。一個巨大的橫幅標語書寫著：美國人的妻子應該被教會做菜湯。這句話源於俄羅斯總統普京的一句話。他上個月諷刺西方的選舉觀察員說，他們不該多管閑事，應該回家教他們的太太如何做菜湯。

星期五(022908)


Murder Suspect Captured in Southern US
(謀殺嫌疑人在美國南部落網)

Chinese national Nai Yin Xue wanted for allegedly murdering his wife in New Zealand has been apprehended in the United States. Authorities say Nai Yin Xue was arrested Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia. Xue is accused of murdering his wife, An'an Liu, last September in New Zealand, then abandoning the three-year-old daughter at a train station in Melbourne, Australia, before fleeing to the U.S. Federal law enforcement agents posted his picture on billboards and a popular television show devoted to capturing fugitives. Authorities say Xue was recognized by a group of Chinese nationals in Atlanta, who physically restrained him until police arrived. He initially gave a false name, but police found his wallet with his New Zealand driver's license. Xue will be extradited to New Zealand to face the murder charge. His daughter is living in China with relatives.

因涉嫌在新西蘭殺死自己的妻子而被通輯的中國公民薛乃印在美國被捕。有關當局說，薛乃印星期四在喬治亞州的亞特蘭大市被捕。薛乃印被指控去年9月在新西蘭殺死了妻子劉安安，並在逃亡美國前把3歲的女兒遺棄在澳大利亞墨爾本的一個火車站。 為了抓獲薛乃印，聯邦執法機構四處張貼他的照片並把照片在一個專門尋找在逃犯的電視節目上公布。當局說，亞特蘭大的一些華人認出了薛乃印，並在警察到來之前把他製服。他先前使用了一個假名，但是警方在他的錢夾裏發現了他的新西蘭駕駛執照。 薛乃印將被遣送回新西蘭接受謀殺罪的起訴。他的女兒目前在中國和親人住在一起。

Britain To Withdraw Prince From Afghanistan After Deployment Revealed
(王子阿富汗服役消息泄露英將召回)

Britain's Ministry of Defense says Prince Harry will be withdrawn from Afghanistan immediately now that his deployment on the front lines of the war with the Taliban has been revealed. The British government had reached an agreement with major media operating in Britain that they would not report the prince's deployment until it was scheduled to end in mid-June. But this week an American Web site broke the news blackout on the service of the 23-year-old prince, third in line to the throne, revealing that he has been fighting alongside his fellow troops in the lawless Helmand province in southern Afghanistan since mid-December. The head of the British army, General Richard Dannatt, says Prince Harry's conduct has been exemplary, and that the young royal has run the same risks as everyone else in his battle group.

英國國防部說，由於哈裏王子被派往阿富汗打擊塔利班分子前線的消息被披露，將立即把哈裏王子從阿富汗召回。英國政府先前與英國主要媒體達成協議，媒體在哈裏王子的駐防任務6月中旬結束之前不做任何報導。 但是這個星期，美國的一家網站打破新聞封鎖，報導了23歲的王子、英國王位第三繼承人服役的消息。報導說，自從去年12月中旬以來，哈裏王子一直和他的戰友在阿富汗南部動亂的赫爾曼德省作戰。英軍統帥理查德.達納特說，哈裏王子的行為堪稱表率，這位年輕皇室成員和他的戰鬥小組的任何一位成員一樣承擔著同樣的風險。

星期四(022808)


Train Runs Over and Kills at Least 16 in Western India
(印度西部列車軋死至少十六人)

Indian officials say a high-speed train ran over and killed at least 16 people, including two children, in the western state of Gujarat. Authorities said Thursday the incident occurred Wednesday night when the victims were crossing the railway track. Most of the victims were day laborers from Uttar Pradesh state. Officials are investigating the incident.

印度官員說，在西部的古傑拉特邦，一輛高速列車軋死了至少16人，包括兩名兒童。有關當局星期四說，事故發生在星期三晚間。當時，這些人正跨越鐵軌。死者中大部分人是來自北方邦的臨時工。有關當局正在對事故展開調查。

British FM Says sensitive issues should not interfere with the 2008 Beijing Olympics
(英外相稱敏感議題不應幹擾2008北京奧運)

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband says he has raised human rights in talks with Chinese officials this week, but adds that sensitive issues should not interfere with the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Speaking with reporters Thursday after a meeting in Beijing with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Miliband said Britain does not waste any opportunities to raise its concerns about human rights in China. But from Britain's point of view, he said engagement, not isolation is the right way forward. As the Olympics near, China is coming under increasing pressure from activists, rights groups and even Hollywood to improve its human rights record. Standing at Milband's side, China's foreign minister dismissed attempts to link human rights to the Olympics. Yang argued that people in China enjoy extensive freedom of speech.

英國外交大臣米利班德說，他這個星期在與中國官員會談時提到了人權問題。但是他表示，敏感議題不應該幹擾2008年的北京奧運會。米利班德在與中國外長楊潔篪在北京會談後對記者表示，英國不會浪費任何可以提出其關注中國人權狀況的機會。但他表示，英國的觀點是，接觸、而不是孤立，才是將向前解決問題的正確方法。 隨著奧運會的臨近，中國受到來自活動人士、權益團體甚至好萊塢的越來越大改善人權記錄的壓力。與米利班德一起出席記者會的楊潔篪反駁了任何把人權問題與奧林匹克掛鉤的做法。楊潔篪爭辯說，中國有廣泛的言論自由。

星期二(022608)


New York Philharmonic Holds Historic Concert in North Korea
(紐約愛樂樂團在北韓舉行曆史性音樂會)

The New York Philharmonic Orchestra began a historic concert in North Korea Tuesday, with the national anthems of North Korea and the United States. The Philharmonic is the most prominent American cultural institution to visit the isolated country. Speaking to reporters after arriving at the Pyongyang airport Monday, the Philharmonic's musical director Lorin Maazel expressed his hope that the trip would improve ties between the United States and North Korea. Maazel said he is a musician, and not a politician, but if the music moves its audience, the Philharmonic will have done what it can to bring the people of the two countries closer.

紐約愛樂樂團星期二在北韓開始一場曆史性音樂會，演奏了北韓和美國國歌。紐約愛樂樂團是訪問北韓這個孤立國家的最有聲望的美國文化團體。 愛樂樂團音樂總監馬澤爾星期一抵達平壤後對記者表達了這次訪問將改善美國與北韓關係的期望。 馬澤爾說，他是音樂人，不是政治人物，但是如果樂團演奏的音樂可以感動聽眾，那麽紐約愛樂樂團將盡力完成讓兩國人民關係更緊密的使命。

Pentagon: China Prepares to Open U.S. POW/MIA Records to U.S. Investigators
(五角大樓：中國準備開放美國戰俘/失蹤人員檔案)

U.S. defense officials say China is prepared to grant the United States access to military records that could resolve the fate of thousands of American servicemen missing from the Korean War. Pentagon officials said Monday that the two sides will sign an agreement on the prisoner of war and missing in action issue on Friday in China. The U.S. side will be represented by Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Charles Ray. China entered the 1950 to 1953 Korean War on the side of the North against a U.S.-led United Nations' force. The United States says China held Americans as prisoners of war and also managed POW camps in North Korea. Ray's visit will follow that of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who arrives in Beijing Tuesday to discuss how to move North Korea's denuclearization process forward.

美國國防官員說，中國準備向美國提供可能解決韓戰數以千計失蹤美軍士兵下落問題的軍方檔案。五角大樓官員星期一說，雙方星期五將在中國簽署有關戰俘及戰爭失蹤人員問題的協議。美國方麵的代表是負責有關事務的國防部助理副部長查爾斯.雷。 中國參與了1950年到1953年的韓戰，幫助北韓對抗美國領導的聯合國部隊。美國方麵說，中國扣押了美軍戰俘，並且管理了設在北韓的戰俘營。查爾斯.雷將在美國國務卿賴斯之後到達中國。賴斯星期二抵達北京，就如何推進北韓去核進程展開討論。

星期一(022508)


Russia's Medvedev Pledges Support to Serbia on Kosovo
(俄羅斯的梅德韋捷夫保證在科索沃問題上支持塞爾維亞)

Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev has told Serbian leaders there will be no shift in his country's support for Serb sovereignty over Kosovo. Medvedev and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov are in Belgrade for talks with Serbia's (pro-western) President Boris Tadic and (nationalist) Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica. Medvedev says Moscow's position is that Serbia is a single state whose jurisdiction covers all of its territory. Medvedev is expected to win next Sunday's presidential election in Russia, and follow Vladimir Putin as the leader of the country. Russia and Serbia also signed a one-and-a-half billion-dollar gas deal designed to bring Russian gas to Western Europe through a new pipeline to run (from the Black Sea) through Serbia.

俄羅斯第一副總理梅德韋捷夫對塞爾維亞的領導人說，俄羅斯支持塞爾維亞對科索沃的主權，這一立場不會改變。 梅德韋捷夫和俄羅斯的外交部長拉夫羅夫目前正在貝爾格萊德和塞爾維亞親西方的總統塔迪奇以及身為民族主義者的總理科什圖尼察舉行會談。 梅德韋捷夫說，莫斯科的立場是：塞爾維亞是一個單一的國家，對其全部領土擁有司法管轄權。 預期梅德韋捷夫將贏得俄羅斯在下個星期日舉行的總統選舉，繼普京之後成為俄羅斯領袖。 俄羅斯和塞爾維亞還簽署了一項15億美元的交易協議，把俄羅斯的天然氣經由將穿越塞爾維亞的新管道送往西歐。

 
 China Reports Third Bird Flu Death This Year
(中國報導今年第三個禽流感致死事件)
 

Chinese health officials say a 44-year-old woman, who is believed to have contracted the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, has died in southern China. A statement on the Web site of the Health Department of Guangdon province identified the woman as a migrant worker in the southern city of Shanwei. The statement said the woman became ill after contact with dead poultry suspected of having the virus. China has reported two bird flu deaths this year. Officials say the country has had 19 bird flu deaths since the outbreak began.

中國衛生官員說，一名44歲的婦女在華南死亡，她據信感染了致命的H5N1型禽流感病毒。 廣東省衛生廳網站上刊登的一個說法顯示，這名婦女是在南部的汕尾市工作的民工，這名婦女患病之前接觸了被懷疑感染了禽流感病毒的死亡家禽。 中國今年已經報導說有兩人死於禽流感。官員說，自從禽流感爆發以來，中國已經有19人死於禽流感。

 
ZT