看新聞，學英語！VOA 雙語新聞 - 星期五 (02272008) (ZT)

星期五 (02272008)

US Concerned About Detention of Tibetan Activists in Nepal
(美關注尼泊爾拘留三名藏人活動人士)

The United States has expressed concern about Nepal's detention of three Tibetan activists who were leading anti-China protests. In a statement Thursday, a U.S. State Department spokesman said the three activists (Kelsang Chung, Ngawang Sangmo and Tashi Dolma) were detained without charge. He called for their immediate and unconditional release. The spokesman also said the U.S. is distressed by what he called the "ongoing harsh treatment of peaceful protesters by Nepali police" during arrests. Authorities in Nepal arrested the three activists on June 19th on charges of provoking anti-China demonstrations. Two of the detained Tibetan community leaders have Nepali citizenship and one is a refugee.

美國對尼泊爾拘留3名領導反對中國的抗議活動的西藏活動人士表示關切。美國國務院發言人凱西星期四發表聲明說，這3名活動人士沒有經過指控就被關押。他呼籲立即無條件釋放他們。 凱西還說，美國對和平抗議人士在被捕時不斷受到尼泊爾警察粗暴對待感到擔憂。尼泊爾當局6月19日逮捕了這3名西藏活動人士，指控他們煽動反中國示威。兩名被拘留的藏人社區領導人是尼泊爾公民，另外一人是難民。

Obama, Clinton to Hold 'Unity' Rally in New Hampshire
(奧巴馬和克林頓在新罕布什爾州舉行“團結”集會)

The small town of Unity, New Hampshire will provide the symbolic theme when Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton make their first joint campaign appearance today (Friday). Both candidates each received 107 votes in Unity during the New Hampshire primary in January. Both Obama and Clinton have been working to unify their supporters since the former first lady suspended her campaign.

新罕布什爾州小鎮尤尼蒂鎮(直譯為團結)為民主黨人奧巴馬和克林頓星期五首次舉行聯合競選活動提供了象征意義。兩位候選人在1月新罕布什爾州初選中，在尤尼蒂鎮都獲得107張選票。 自從克林頓這位前第一夫人結束她的競選活動以來，奧巴馬和克林頓一直在致力於團結他們的支持者。

星期四 (02262008)

China Denies Politicizing Olympics After IOC Rebuke
(中國在國際奧委會批評後否認把奧運政治化)

China denies it is failing to keep the Olympic Games and politics separate after a Communist party official criticized the Dalai Lama at a torch relay ceremony in Tibet. The Chinese foreign ministry today (Thursday) said the official's comments did not contradict China's opposition to politicizing the Olympics.The ministry said the comments were meant to create a stable environment for the Olympics. Earlier today, the International Olympic Committee urged the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic games to make sure such situations do not happen again. The IOC said it regrets that the political statements were made during the closing torch relay ceremony Saturday in Tibet's capital, Lhasa. Anti-Chinese government riots that erupted in Lhasa in March sparked a harsh crackdown by Chinese troops.

一名共產黨官員在西藏奧運火炬傳遞儀式上批評達賴喇嘛後，中國否認未能做到把奧運與政治分開。中國外交部星期四說，那名官員的話與中國反對把奧運政治化的立場並不矛盾。外交部說，那番評論的用意是為奧運創造一個穩定的環境。 星期四早些時候，國際奧委會敦促北京奧組委確保這類情況今後不再發生。國際奧委會表示，對西藏首府拉薩上星期六舉行奧運火炬傳遞結束儀式時出現這種政治言論感到遺憾。 今年3月，拉薩爆發的反對中國政府的騷亂招致中國武警的嚴厲鎮壓。

OPEC President Predicts Oil at $150 to $170 A Barrel
(歐佩克主席預計油價將在每桶150至170美元)

The head of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries says the price of a barrel of oil could reach as high as 150 to 170-dollars a barrel in the next few months. OPEC President Chakib Khelil today (Thursday) blamed soaring oil prices on a weak dollar, but said he does not think oil prices will hit 200-dollars a barrel. He also said OPEC was ready to meet additional demand for crude oil in the future. The price of crude oil for August delivery fell more than two-dollars in New York on Wednesday, settling at 134-dollars, 55-cents a barrel. The drop followed a government report (from the U.S. Energy Information Administration) showing U.S. oil inventories rose over the past week. Crude oil prices hit a record-high of nearly 140-dollars a barrel last week.

石油輸出國組織主席說，每桶原油的價格在今後幾個月可能上漲到最高150到170美元。歐佩克主席哈利勒今天(星期四)把油價飛漲歸咎於美元疲軟，但表示他不認為油價會達到每桶200美元。他還說，歐佩克(石油輸出國組織)做好了滿足未來對原油的更多需求的準備。 星期三在紐約市場，原油8月份的交貨價格下跌了兩美元多，降到每桶134美元55美分。美國政府的發表報告顯示美國石油庫存在上星期有所增加，此後油價下跌。上星期，原油價格達到創記錄的每桶將近140美元。

星期三 (02252008)

Two Chinese Fighter Jets Collide, Crash Outside Inner Mongolian Capital
(兩架中國戰機在內蒙上空相撞)

China's state media are reporting that two fighter jets have collided and crashed into an inhabited area today (Wednesday) during a regular training mission over the northern region of Inner Mongolia.  The official Xinhua news agency says the two J-8 fighter jets collided near the regional capital of Hohhot. The report says both pilots ejected and parachuted to safety, and suffered only minor injuries. Xinhua gave no information about possible casualties on the ground.

中國官方媒體報導說，兩架噴氣式戰機今天(星期三)在內蒙古北部地區上空做例行飛行訓練時相撞，墜落到一個居民區。官方的新華社說，這兩架殲-8戰機在內蒙古首府呼和浩特附近上空相撞。 報導說，兩名飛行員彈出駕駛艙，安全降落，隻受了輕傷。新華社沒有提供有關地麵可能發生傷亡的情況。

China - Paralympic Torth Relay
(中國-殘奧火炬傳遞行程)

Chinese organizers have canceled the international portion of the Beijing Paralympic torch relay, and shortened the domestic legs. Wednesday's announcement comes after international legs of the Olympic torch relay were plagued by violent protests against China's Tibet policy. However, organizers say the Paralympic relay route was changed because the government is focusing on relief work following a deadly earthquake on May 12th. It killed 70-thousand people and left millions displaced in Sichuan province. The first-ever international Paralympic torch relay had been scheduled to visit upcoming Olympic host cities London (England), Vancouver (Canada) and Sochi (Russia) as well as Hong Kong before the September sixth to 17th Paralympics. Four Chinese cities - Chengdu, Chongqing, Urumqi and Tianjin - were also removed from the original 16-stop schedule for the domestic relay.

中國組織者取消了北京殘障人奧運會火炬國際接力活動，並縮短了在國內的傳遞行程。在中國方麵星期三做出這項宣布之前，北京奧運火炬在國際間的傳遞遭到反對中國對西藏政策的暴力抗議的幹擾。但組織者表示，對殘障人奧運會火炬傳遞路線做出改變是因為政府目前把精力集中在5月12號大地震的救災工作。這場地震造成四川省7萬人死亡，數百萬人無家可歸。 殘障人奧運會火炬在國際間的首次傳遞本來計劃在9月6號到17號舉行殘奧會之前經過未來奧運會主辦城市倫敦、溫哥華、索契以及香港。在中國國內，火炬傳遞本來有16站，現在取消了成都、重慶、烏魯木齊和天津四站。

星期二 (02242008)

Tibet to Re-open to Foreign Tourism
(西藏將重新對外國遊客開放)

Chinese state media today (Tuesday) quote regional tourism officials as saying the Tibet Autonomous Region will be opened to outsiders on Wednesday. The Xinhua news agency reports that two Swedish tourists will arrive in the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, on Wednesday and four tourists from Singapore will arrive on Sunday. Tourists have been prevented from traveling to the region since riots against the Chinese government erupted in Lhasa on March 14th, sparking a harsh crackdown by Chinese troops. Tibet's government-in-exile says more than 200 people died in the crackdown on mostly monk-led protests. China blames Tibetan rioters for the deaths of at least 20 people.

中國說，將向外國遊客重新開放西藏。西藏今年3月發生暴力抗議事件後，當局關閉了西藏地區。中國官方媒體今天(星期二)援引當地旅遊官員的話說，西藏自治區從星期三開始對外開放。新華社報導說，2名瑞典遊客星期三將抵達西藏首府拉薩，4名新加坡遊客將於星期天抵達。 拉薩3月14號爆發反對中國政府的騷亂後，中國軍隊進行嚴厲鎮壓，此後不準遊客進入西藏。西藏流亡政府說，在主要由喇嘛發起的抗議活動中，200多人死於鎮壓行動。中國當局說，藏族騷亂者造成至少20人死亡。

US Consumer Confidence & Home Prices Fall
(美國消費者信心和房價下降)

Two new economic reports paint a downbeat picture of the U.S. economy today (Tuesday) as top central bank officials gather to discuss U.S. interest rates. The reports show U.S. consumer confidence dropping to the lowest level ever recorded and U.S. home prices falling at the fastest rate on record. A business research group says its survey of thousands of Americans in June shows their view of the health of the economy declined sharply. Experts watch consumer confidence closely. The falling consumer confidence may get worse. A report from Standard & Poor's says home prices in 10 metropolitan areas fell more than 16 percent in April from the same time a year ago. That is the fastest decline in the survey's 20-year history.

星期二新公布的兩份經濟報告對美國經濟前景表示不樂觀。美聯儲官員正在華盛頓開會商討有關美國利率的問題。兩份經濟報告顯示，美國消費者信心降至有紀錄以來的最低點，美國房屋價格正在以創紀錄的速度下跌。美國一個商業調研團體說，6月對數千美國人的調查顯示，他們認為美國經濟急劇惡化。專家密切注視消費者信心。 一路下降的消費者信心可能會進一步下跌。標準普爾公布的經濟報告說，美國10個大都市地區的4月份房屋價格比去年同期下跌了16%。這是20年前開始進行這項統計以來的最大跌幅。

星期一 (02232008)

Rescuers Search for 800 Missing in Philippine Ferry Disaster
(救援人員尋找菲律賓船難800失蹤者)

The Philippines coast guard says at least 31 of the more than 800 people on a capsized ferry have managed to make it to shore. The Philippine coast guard says many of the survivors from the ship, the Princess of Stars, made it ashore Sunday after drifting more than 24 hours in a rubber boat and in life jackets. Rescuers are continuing their efforts to find the more than 800 other people who were on board the ship when it went down and remain missing.

菲律賓海岸警衛隊說，星期六在台風中翻船的渡輪上800多人當中有至少31人已經逃到岸上。 菲律賓海岸警衛隊說，“星辰公主號”渡輪上的許多生還人員是靠橡皮救生艇和救生衣在海上漂流了超過24小時之後而在星期天登上岸的。 救援人員繼續搜尋那艘翻船渡輪上其餘800多名失蹤的人。

China to Clean Up Mount Everest
(中國將清理珠穆朗瑪峰)

China says it is planning a major cleanup operation for Mount Everest next year, and may limit the number of climbers and other visitors. The official Xinhua news agency today (Monday) quotes Zhang Yongze, the director of Tibet's Bureau of Environment Protection, as saying climbers exert a negative impact on the environment, and should be limited. He said garbage left by climbers and tourists on the world's highest peak, which straddles China and Nepal, will be cleared away. Zhang also said the management of commercial activities involving the mountain need to be strengthened. Zhang said his bureau will work with the Tibet Mountaineering School to complete the cleaning job.

中國說，中國計劃明年對埃弗勒斯峰(珠穆朗瑪峰)從事大清理，也可能限製登山者與觀光客的人數。 中國官方的新華社今天(星期一)引用西藏自治區環保局局長張永澤的話說，登山者給環境帶來了負麵影響，應該加以限製。 他說登山者與觀光客在這座跨越中國與尼泊爾邊境的世界最高峰上亂丟的垃圾，將會被清理幹淨。 張永澤還說，應該加強對利用珠穆朗瑪峰從事商業活動的管理。他說，環保局將與西藏登山學校合作來清掃山峰。

星期五 (06202008)

China's President Chats Online in His First Live Webcast
(中國主席首次同網友在線交流)

China's President Hu Jintao has become the nation's first head of state to talk online with Internet users in a live Webcast. During his 20-minute appearance today (Friday) on the Web site for the state-run People's Daily (www.people.com.cn), the mouthpiece of the Communist Party, Mr. Hu answered only three of more than two-hundred questions.  Queried about what he usually does on the Internet, Mr. Hu said he did not have time to go online every day. When he does, Mr. Hu said he reads foreign and domestic news and likes to see the advice of Chinese Internet users on the work of the (communist) party and the country. China has more than 220-million Internet users, but maintains some of the strictest Internet censorship in the world.

中國國家主席胡錦濤同網友進行在線交流，這對於中國國家元首來說還是第一次。 胡錦濤星期五在中共喉舌、中國國營的人民日報網站上和網友進行了20分鍾的視頻交流，隻回答了200多個問題中的三個問題。 有網友問胡錦濤通常在網上幹什麽，胡錦濤說，他沒有時間每天上網，不過他上網時，會看一些國內外的新聞，並喜歡了解中國互聯網用戶對黨和國家工作提出的建議。 中國的互聯網用戶超過2億2千萬，但是對互聯網實行的嚴密審查，在世界上是名列前茅的。

Mental Health Services Needed in China Quake Zone
(中國震區需要心理健康服務)

The United Nations' health agency says up to 10 percent of the survivors from last month's deadly earthquake in southwest China will require long-term mental health care. Hans Troedsson, the World Health Organization's representative to China, says the region's health care system will need to be able handle the growing demand for psychological services. Troedsson also says rehabilitation facilities will need to be set up to provide care for those who lost limbs in the disaster. Hospitals in the region were overwhelmed after the May 12th earthquake, which killed 70-thousand people. But Troedsson says there have been no major outbreaks of disease in the affected areas.

世界衛生組織說，中國西南部上個月發生的災難性地震後，幸存者中多達百分之十的人需要長期的心理健康服務。 世界衛生組織駐中國代表韓卓升說，當地衛生保健係統要有能力處理日益增長的心理服務需求。 韓卓升還說，為了幫助那些在地震中失去肢體的人，有必要建立康複設施。 5月12號發生的地震奪去了7萬人的生命。地震之後當地醫院不堪重負。不過韓卓升說，災區沒有爆發重大疫情。

星期四 (06192008)

China Says gas Deal not a Compromise on Territorial Claims in East China Sea
(中國稱油氣田協議非在東海主權問題上妥協)

China's Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei is defending a landmark deal with Japan to jointly develop gas reserves in the disputed East China Sea. Speaking with reporters today (Thursday) in Beijing, Wu says the agreement announced Wednesday does not mean Beijing has given up or compromised its legal territorial claims in the area. Wu says that in making the deal both China and Japan have agreed to shelve their differences. China does not recognize Japan's claim that a median line exists between the two countries in the East China Sea. Instead, China insists its exclusive economic zone stretches farther east to the edge of the continental shelf near the Japanese island of Okinawa. The agreement announced Wednesday allows Japanese companies to invest in and claim proportional profits from existing and developing projects in area.

中國外交部副部長伍大偉為在有爭議的東海與日本聯合開發油氣儲藏的具有裏程碑意義的協議進行辯解。他今天(星期四)在北京對記者說，這項協議並不意味著北京放棄對該海域的合法領土要求或者做出妥協。伍大偉表示，中日雙方在達成協議的過程中同意擱置彼此之間的分歧。 中國不同意日本有關兩國在東海中間存在一條中界線的說法，並堅持認為中國的專屬經濟區一直向東延伸到日本衝繩島附近的大陸架邊緣。 星期三宣布的協議允許日本公司可以對該海域現有以及正在研發的項目投資，並可以獲取一定比例的利潤。

Monitors Say Repression of Human Rights Increasing Worldwide
(觀察人士稱全球範圍壓迫人權情況上升)

A leading non-governmental organization says human rights-defenders in large parts of the world are facing increasing efforts by governments to stifle their actions. The Geneva-based Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders calls the situation for human rights and their defenders "scarcely or not at all satisfactory." The report says rights defenders in China, Africa and parts of eastern Europe were subjected in 2007 to arbitrary arrests, unfair trials and violence.  The report also links the increasingly harsh treatment of rights workers in China to the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

一個主要的非政府組織說，世界很多地區的人權捍衛者都麵臨政府不斷加強的阻撓他們行動的努力。總部設在日內瓦的“保護人權捍衛者觀察組織”稱人權及其捍衛者的處境“幾乎不能令人滿意或完全不能令人滿意”。 報告說，中國、非洲和東歐部分國家的人權捍衛者2007年遭到隨意逮捕、不公正審判和暴力侵犯。 報告還把中國人權活動人士受到的嚴酷對待與即將舉行的北京奧運聯係起來。

星期三 (06182008)

Japan and China Settle East China Sea Gas Feud
(日本和中國解決東海油氣田爭端)

Japan and China have overcome a long-standing energy dispute and agreed to jointly develop gas fields and share profits in areas of the East China Sea. Officials in Tokyo and Beijing confirmed the deal today (Wednesday), that allows Japan to invest in gas field projects, including a field already operated by China, and both sides to reap a portion of the profits. Japan's Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura called the agreement a first step toward realizing a consensus to make the East China Sea a sea of peaceful cooperation and friendship. China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Jiang Yu, called the agreement mutually beneficial and said it would help promote stability and energy cooperation. The deal sidesteps the more difficult issue of where the maritime border between the two countries lies.

日本與中國解決了一項長期存在的能源爭端，雙方同意聯合開發東海油氣田並共享利潤。在東京和北京的官員今天(星期三)證實了這項協議。協議允許日本投資一些油氣田項目，其中包括一個中國已經在操作的油氣田，協議也允許雙方獲得部分利潤。 日本外相高村正彥稱這項協議朝實現將東海變成和平合作和友誼之海的共識上邁出了第一步。中國外交部發言人薑瑜稱這項協議是互利的，並說這也會幫助促進穩定與能源合作。 這項協議沒有涉及確定兩國海上邊界這個難度更大的問題。

EU Passes Tougher Illegal Immigration Laws
(歐盟批準更強硬非法移民法)

The European Parliament has approved new rules for detaining and expelling illegal immigrants, legislation that human rights groups consider unfair. EU lawmakers voted in Strasbourg today (Wednesday) to let governments detain illegal immigrants for up to 18 months and impose a re-entry ban of up to five years. The rules are to go into effect by 2010. Britain, Ireland and Denmark have not signed on to the agreement. Estimates of immigrants in Europe illegally vary from eight million to 12 million people. The new rules provide them some protections, including the right to apply for residency and to leave voluntarily, as well as access to legal counsel. Amnesty International, among other rights groups voicing concern, says the measures do not ensure that illegal migrants will be returned to their home countries in safety and dignity.

歐洲議會批準了有關拘押和驅逐非法移民的新法規。人權組織認為有關法規是不公正的。歐盟的議員們今天(星期三)在斯特拉斯堡投票，允許政府拘押非法移民長達一年半時間，並可以禁止在最多5年內再次入境。這些法規將在2010年前生效。英國、愛爾蘭和丹麥沒有在這項協議上簽字。 歐洲非法移民的人數估計在8百萬到1千2百萬人之間。 新法規向非法移民提供了一些保護，包括申請居留、自願離境和尋求法律谘詢的權利等。 大赦國際和其他人權組織表達了關注。大赦國際說，新法律並不能確保非法移民安全地、有尊嚴地返回各自國家。

星期二 (06172008)

US Treasury Secretary Highlights Energy Needs at US-China Trade Talks
(美國財政部長在美中貿易會談中強調能源需求)

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is urging China to work with the United States on energy issues as the two countries face increased demand at home and record high oil prices. Speaking today (Tuesday) at the opening of two days of high-level trade talks with Chinese officials, Paulson said that as the world's two largest importers of oil, China and the United States have a shared interest in avoiding supply disruptions. Paulson says the two countries should also work to help make alternative energy sources more available, and promote energy security and environmental sustainability. The talks, which end on Wednesday, are being held in (the city of) Annapolis, Maryland, not far from Washington and will be co-chaired by Paulson and China's vice premier, Wang Qishan.

美國財政部長保爾森敦促中國在兩國麵對國內能源需求增長以及石油價格屢創新高之際，與美國共同解決能源問題。保爾森今天(星期二)在與中國官員舉行為期兩天的高層貿易會談開始時表示，作為世界上兩個最大的石油進口國，中國和美國具有避免石油供應中斷的共同利益。 保爾森說，美中兩國還應當合作，幫助使替代性能源更容易得到，並促進能源安全和環境可持續性。 雙方目前在華盛頓附近的馬裏蘭州安納波利斯舉行會談，由保爾森和中國副總理王岐山共同主持。會談將於星期三結束。

Tibetan Exiles Protest Olympic Torch Route
(流亡藏人抗議奧運火炬傳遞路線)

Tibetan exiles in northern India have demonstrated against China's decision to take the Olympic torch through Tibet. Protesters shouted anti-China slogans and dressed as Chinese police enacting scenes of brutality today (Tuesday) in the hill town of Dharamsala. The Olympic torch is expected to pass through the Tibetan capital, Lhasa, on Saturday. Human Rights Watch has condemned the relay, saying it is unconscionable and reckless for China to use the city for such propaganda purposes, while it remains otherwise closed. Also today (Tuesday), Indian police ended a protest march to China by Tibetan exiles, stopping them near the border of Tibet. Close to 50 protesters were arrested.

印度北部的流亡藏人抗議中國決定在西藏舉行奧運火炬傳遞的決定。今天(星期二)，抗議者在山城達蘭薩拉呼喊反對中國的口號，穿著中國警察的服裝，模擬殘酷鎮壓的場景。 預計，奧運火炬將於星期六經過西藏首府拉薩。人權觀察譴責這次奧運火炬傳遞，認為中國利用否則仍對外關閉的拉薩進行宣傳是“不道德和輕率的”。 星期二，印度警方製止流亡藏人試圖進入中國的抗議遊行，在西藏邊界附近阻住了他們。將近50名抗議者被逮捕。

星期一 (06162008)

Report: Japan and China Settle East China Sea Gas Feud
(報導：日本和中國解決東海油氣爭端)

A Japanese media report says Japan and China have reached a compromise and agreed to jointly develop gas fields and share profits in disputed areas of the East China Sea. A Kyodo news agency report today (Monday) cites sources close to the ongoing talks who say the two sides are expected to announce the deal as early as this week.  A spokesman for the Japanese government confirmed today that a deal was in the works, but says details of the deal are still being finalized. China's Foreign Ministry did not have any immediate comment on the reported deal.

日本一個新聞報導說，日本和中國已經達成妥協，同意聯合開發有爭議東海海域的油氣田並分享利潤。共同社的報導今天(星期一)援引一名接近中日會談的消息人士的話說，預計雙方最早本星期將宣布有關協議。 日本政府發言人今天證實，雙方目前正在就有關協議進行談判，有關細節還有待最後敲定。中國外交部沒有立即就報導的這項協議發表評論。

 

Britain to Freeze Iranian Bank Assets
(英國將凍結伊朗銀行資產)

Britain says it is freezing the assets of Iran's largest bank, in a further move to penalize Tehran for failing to ease Western concerns about its suspected nuclear weapons program. Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced the freeze today (Monday), at a joint news conference in London with U.S. President George Bush.  Mr. Brown said he will also press other European governments to agree later this week on a new round of sanctions against Tehran.

英國說將凍結伊朗最大一家銀行的資產，進一步懲罰德黑蘭沒有消減西方國家對伊朗受到懷疑的核武器項目的憂慮。布朗首相今天(星期一)在倫敦與美國總統布什舉行的聯合記者會上宣布了凍結決定。 布朗說，他還將要求其他歐洲國家政府本星期晚些時候同意對德黑蘭采取新一輪製裁。