VOA 雙語新聞 - 星期五(022208) (ZT)

星期五(022208)


Ecuador Flooding Prompts State of Emergency
(厄瓜多爾洪水使全國進入緊急狀態)

Ecuadorian officials say at least 10 people have died and thousands have been left homeless by severe rains and floods that have inundated large portions of the Andean nation. Five people, including a newborn, were killed Thursday in an ambulance accident caused by the rising water. Ecuador's government declared a state of emergency Wednesday, ordering the military and police to help rescue workers. Officials say millions of dollars in emergency funds have been released.

厄瓜多爾官員說，大雨和洪水淹沒了厄瓜多爾大部分地區，至少10人喪生，成千上萬人無家可歸。星期四，高漲的洪水造成一輛救護車發生事故，5人死亡，其中包括一名新生嬰兒。 厄瓜多爾政府星期三宣布進入緊急狀態，下令軍方和警方幫助救援工作者。有關官員說，已經發放了數百萬美元的緊急救援資金。

State of Emergency Extended on East Timor
(東帝汶延長緊急狀態)

East Timor's parliament has approved a 30-day extension of the state of emergency imposed after suspected rebels tried to kill the country's two top leaders. Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for the extension Friday. The measure imposes a nighttime curfew and bans gatherings and rallies. Meanwhile, more than one-thousand Timorese police and soldiers are being deployed on a nationwide search for rebels accused of being involved in separate attacks on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on February 11th. They will join about one-thousand Australian police and soldiers and a contingent of United Nations peacekeepers.Mr. Ramos-Horta was critically wounded. He was airlifted to a hospital in the Australian city of Darwin, where he has undergone a series of operations. Mr. Gusmao escaped injury in the attack.

東帝汶議會通過了一項議案把該國的緊急狀態延長30天。東帝汶叛亂分子嫌疑人試圖刺殺該國的兩名最高領導人之後開始實施緊急狀態。議員在星期五投票通過延長緊急狀態。緊急狀態法實施宵禁並且禁止集會和遊行。 與此同時，1千多東帝汶的警察和士兵部署在全國各地，追查被控在2月11號分別襲擊了東帝汶總統奧爾塔和總理古斯芒的反叛分子。他們將會同1千多名澳大利亞的警察和軍人以及聯合國的維和部隊一起行動。總統奧爾塔在襲擊中受了重傷。他被用飛機送到澳大利亞的達爾文市。他在醫院裏接受了一係列的手術。總理古斯芒在攻擊中沒有受傷。

星期四(022108)


Top Chinese Official Tries to Calm Food Fears in Japan
(中國高官試圖平息日本食品擔憂)

A top Chinese official is trying to calm Japanese concerns over Chinese-made food as the two countries prepare for a major state visit by China's President Hu Jintao in April. In a speech delivered Thursday in fluent Japanese in Tokyo, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan offered his sympathy to Japanese people who fell ill last month after eating frozen Chinese-made dumplings. He also expressed his hope for a swift investigation into the case. Tang made his remarks just before meeting Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. He is in Japan to prepare for Mr. Hu's expected visit in April, the first such trip by a Chinese president in a decade. Fears about food from China have been growing in Japan since 10 became sick after eating imported dumplings.

在日中兩國籌備中國國家主席胡錦濤今年4月重大國事訪問之際，中國一名高級官員試圖緩解日本對中國製造食品的擔憂。國務委員唐家璿星期四在東京用流利日語發表演講，對上個月吃了中國生產的凍餃子而患病的日本民眾表示同情。他還希望迅速調查這起案件。  唐家璿在會晤日本首相福田康夫前發表這番講話。他訪問日本是為胡錦濤預計4月訪問日本做準備，這將是10年來中國國家主席首次訪日。自從10名日本民眾食用進口水餃後患病以來，日本對來自中國的食品的擔憂越來越大。

China Tells US Olympic Team Food at Beijing Games will be Safe
(中國告訴美國奧運代表隊北京奧運食品安全)

China has told the international community that food at the 2008 Olympic Games will be safe and that there is no need for teams to ship their own food to the Beijing Games. Speaking at a press conference Thursday in Beijing, Chinese food safety officials outlined an elaborate food safety system set up for the games. They also voiced regret at recent reports that the U.S. Olympic team plans to bring its own meat to the Olympics. A recent report in the New York Times said the U.S. Olympic team is concerned that banned chemicals in the Chinese meat supply could lead to athletes testing positive for steroids. The report also said the U.S. Olympic Committee will ship 11-thousand kilograms of beef, chicken and pork to the games. Chinese officials reject the claims in the report and say athletes will not be allowed to bring their own food into the Olympic Village.

中國告訴國際社會說，2008年奧運會提供的食品將是安全的，各代表隊沒有必要向北京奧運會運送自己的食品。 中國食品安全官員星期四在北京舉行的記者會上介紹了為奧運會製定的嚴密食品安全係統。他們還對最近有關美國奧運代表團計劃自行攜帶肉類食品參加奧運的消息表示遺憾。 紐約時報最近的一篇報導說，美國奧運會代表團擔心，中國肉類供應中的被禁化學物質可能導致運動員接受興奮劑檢測時呈陽性反應。 報導還說，美國奧委會將運送1萬1千公斤的牛肉、雞肉和豬肉到北京奧運會。中國官員否認報導中的說法，並表示將不允許運動員自行攜帶食品進奧運村。

星期三(022008)


Major Earthquake off Western Indonesian Coast
(印尼西海岸外強烈地震)

A powerful earthquake has been detected off the coast of western Indonesia Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude seven-point-six quake struck off the western coast of Sumatra island. The agency says the tremor was centered about 319 kilometers west of the town of Medan.  The earthquake prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning, but no immediate reports of damages or injuries have been reported.

印度尼西亞西部海岸附近的海域星期三發生強烈地震。美國地質勘測局說，印尼蘇門答臘島西部海岸附近的海域發生7.6級地震，震中在梅丹鎮以西319公裏的地方。 這次地震促使當局發出了海嘯警報。不過，目前還沒有人員受傷或財產損失的報導。

Bush: US Not Planning New Military Bases in Africa
(布什：美國不計劃在非洲建新軍事基地)

A powerful earthquake has been detected off the coast of western Indonesia Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude seven-point-six quake struck off the western coast of Sumatra island. The agency says the tremor was centered about 319 kilometers west of the town of Medan.  The earthquake prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning, but no immediate reports of damages or injuries have been reported.

印度尼西亞西部海岸附近的海域星期三發生強烈地震。美國地質勘測局說，印尼蘇門答臘島西部海岸附近的海域發生7.6級地震，震中在梅丹鎮以西319公裏的地方。 這次地震促使當局發出了海嘯警報。不過，目前還沒有人員受傷或財產損失的報導。

星期二(021908)

BEIJING OLYMPIC
(北京奧運會)

The organizing committee for this August's Beijing Olympics has announced that Chinese officials will manage all 28 sports at the Games. Director of the organizing committee's sports department, made the announcement Tuesday in Beijing. He said China extensively lobbied the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations to persuade them to accept Chinese officials for all the sports. The managers are responsible for organizing their sport's competition and coordinating with the applicable sports federations. Managers not up to Olympic standards were put through extensive training regimens, including spending six months in Athens gaining experience and working as technical officials at the 2004 Summer Games there.

8月份在北京舉行的北京奧運會的組委會宣布，中國工作人員將負責全部28個項目的比賽。組委會運動項目負責人星期二作出了以上的宣布。他說，中國極力說服國際奧委會和國際單項運動各聯盟組織，接受中國官員承擔所有比賽項目的責任。 有關主管人員將和有關項目的運動聯盟一起安排所負責項目的全部比賽進程。沒有達到奧運會標準的主管人員都經過了嚴格的訓練，其中包括在雅典接受6個月的培訓，並在雅典舉行的2004年夏季奧運會期間充當技術人員以獲取足夠的經驗。

Chinese Bus Collision Causes Tanker to Explode, At Least 15 Dead
(中國一輛巴士裝車導致油罐車爆炸至少十五人喪生)

Chinese state media says 15 people were killed and 25 injured when a bus crashed into a tanker truck, triggering an explosion in Hunan Province. The official Xinhua news agency says the accident occurred Monday evening in the central province of Hunan on China's main north-south highway. Xinhua did not say what substance the tanker was carrying.

中國官方媒體說，在中國湖南省境內，一輛大客車撞上一輛罐車，引發爆炸，造成15人死亡，25人受傷。官方的新華社報導說，這次重大交通事故星期一晚上發生在中國主要的南北高速公路的湖南省境內的路段。新華社沒有報導罐車上運載的是何種物質。

星期一(021808)


Space Shuttle Atlantis Heads Home
(亞特蘭蒂斯號航天飛機飛回地球)

The space shuttle Atlantis is on its way home after working more than a week to improve the International Space Station. The shuttle undocked from the scientific outpost early Monday morning and is slated to return to Earth Wednesday.The crews of Atlantis and the International Space Station had an emotional farewell Sunday before they closed the hatches. The goodbyes were especially poignant for astronaut Daniel Tani who had a four-month stay on the station. During that time, his 90-year-old mother died in a car accident. The Atlantis astronauts completed three spacewalks during their mission. The next shuttle flight is scheduled for a March 11th liftoff.

美國亞特蘭蒂斯號航天飛機在執行了一個多星期的改進國際空間站的任務之後，正在返回地球。亞特蘭蒂斯號星期一早晨脫離國際空間站，定於星期三返回地球。亞特蘭蒂斯號和國際空間站的機組人員星期天下午激動地相互告別，然後關閉了對接艙口。 這次道別對宇航員丹尼爾.塔尼來說更加意味深長，他在空間站上留駐了4個月，在此期間，他的90歲的母親死於車禍。亞特蘭蒂斯號上的宇航員在這次飛行任務中完成了3次太空行走。下一次航天飛機飛行定於3月11號起飛。

Chinese Company Wins Bid to Build Libyan Rail Lines
(中國公司贏得合同為利比亞修建鐵路)

Beijing says a Chinese contractor has won a bid to construct two rail lines in Libya.The official Xinhua news agency said Monday that the China Railway Construction Corporation will build a 352-kilometer coastal railway along Libya's east to west Mediterranean coast, and an 800-kilometer line linking the cities of Sebha and Misurata.  The agency said the contract is worth about two-point-six billion dollars. The work is expected to be completed in four years.

中國說，一家中國承包商中標，在利比亞鋪設兩條鐵路。官方的新華社星期一說，中國鐵建股份有限公司將修建一條352公裏長的沿海鐵路，連接利比亞的東西兩部分，並建設一條800公裏長的鐵路，將塞卜哈和米蘇拉塔這兩個城市連接起來。 新華社說，這項承包合同價值大約26億美元。工程計劃4年完工。

星期五(021508)

China Trade Surplus Hits Nearly 20 Billion U.S. Dollars in January
(中國一月份貿易順差將近兩百億美元)

China's trade surplus hit 19-point-five billion dollars in January, an increase of more than 22 percent from a year ago.China's official Xinhua news service says January's figures were down compared to the previous month's surplus of 22-point-seven billion dollars. China hit a record 262-point-five billion dollar trade surplus in 2007. China's growing trade surplus has been a point of contention with both the United States and the European Union. China's major trading partners accuse Beijing of manipulating its currency, to keep its value low and give Chinese products an unfair price advantage on world markets. China has allowed its currency's value to rise, but not enough to stop the growing surplus.

中國1月份的貿易順差195億美元，比去年同期增長了22%以上。中國官方的新華社說，1月份的貿易順差比前一個月的227億美元有所下降。中國在2007年的貿易順差達創紀錄的2625億美元。中國貿易順差不斷增長一直是它與美國和歐洲聯盟發生爭執的一個焦點。 中國主要的貿易夥伴國指責北京操縱貨幣，保持人民幣的低值，在世界市場上給中國產品不公平的價格優勢。中國已經允許其貨幣增值，但還不足以製止貿易順差的增長。

ENGLISH TITLE TWO)Ghosts and Demons to Disappear from Chinese Music and Film
(神鬼將從中國音像產品中消失)

Chinese media authorities have banned video and audio content depicting horror or the supernatural.The General Administration of Press and Publications says the ban is an attempt to protect the psychological health of young people from horrific, violent or cruel content.The administration explained that content depicting ghosts, demons or other frightening subjects for the sole purpose of terror will be forbidden. A statement published on the administration's Web site directs local press regulators to remove offending products from store shelves. New materials will be censored to remove horror and supernatural content.The statement says producers have until the end of the month to comply with the new policy.

中國媒體主管當局禁止出售帶有恐怖或超自然內容的錄像和音像材料。中國新聞出版總署說，頒布禁令是為了保護青年人的身心健康不受恐怖、暴力以及殘暴等內容的影響。新聞出版總署解釋說，被禁內容包括那些為了製造恐怖氣氛而製作的描述妖魔鬼怪的音像材料。 新聞出版總署在自己的網站上發表聲明，要求地方媒體管理機構從商店的貨架上清除含有這些內容的產品。新的產品必須經過審查，去除恐怖和迷信的內容。聲明說，製作商必須在2月底之前遵守這項新規定。

星期四(021408)

Putin: Russia will Target Former Satellites if Necessary
( 普京：如有必要俄將導彈瞄準三前衛星國)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has again warned that Russian missiles will be pointed at Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Poland if those countries allow U.S. missile defense facilities to be deployed within their borders. Speaking at his last annual news conference before stepping down in May, Mr. Putin also said that Russia did not plan a conflict with the West, and would not point its missiles at any state unless it was forced to do so. Russia is strongly opposed to U.S. plans to deploy 10 missile interceptors in Poland, and guidance radar in the Czech Republic to protect against missile attacks by rogue states such as Iran. Mr. Putin is constitutionally barred from running for president again, but his hand picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, has a wide lead in the polls ahead of the March 2nd election.

俄羅斯總統普京再次警告說，如果烏克蘭、捷克共和國和波蘭允許美國在他們的邊境內部署導彈防禦係統，俄羅斯導彈就會瞄準這三個國家。普京在今年5月離任前的最後一次年度記者會上還說，俄羅斯不打算與西方發生衝突，而且除非被迫無奈，也不會將導彈瞄準任何國家。 俄羅斯堅決反對美國在波蘭部署10枚導彈攔截器並在捷克共和國境內部署製導雷達的計劃。美國說，這項計劃是防範來自伊朗等無賴國家的導彈攻擊。俄羅斯憲法禁止普京再次競選總統，但是他親手選定的接班人德米特裏.梅德韋捷夫在3月2號大選之前的民意測驗中大幅領先。

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Greece
(強烈地震震撼希臘)
 

A powerful earthquake struck southern Greece Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.The quake with a magnitude of six-point-five was felt throughout the capital, Athens. It sent people rushing out of buildings in cities across southern Greece. It struck shortly after 12 noon local time and witnesses said the quake lasted at least 15 seconds.The epicenter was believed to be beneath the seabed south of the southern city of Kalamata. Another earthquake hit Athens in late January with a magnitude of five point zero.

希臘南部星期四發生強烈地震，目前還沒人員傷亡和財產損失的報導。地震強度為6.5級，希臘首都雅典全城感受到了地震。在希臘南部地區各個城市，地震迫使居民衝出建築物。 地震發生在當地時間中午12點過後不久。目擊者說，地震持續了至少15秒。據信，震中位於南部城市卡拉馬塔以南的海底。今年1月底，雅典遭受了一次5級地震的襲擊。

星期三(021308)

Spielberg Steps Down as Consultant to Beijing Olympics
(斯皮爾伯格辭去北京奧運顧問)

U.S. film director Stephen Spielberg has stepped down as artistic consultant to the Beijing Olympics due to China's policy on Sudan and the conflict in Darfur. Spielberg said his conscience will not allow him to continue in the position because he believes China has not been active enough in resolving the crisis in Darfur. Human Rights Watch says Spielberg's decision should prompt other influential people to press China to reform. On Tuesday, a group of Nobel Peace laureates, politicians and Olympic athletes called on China to use its influence on Sudan to help end ongoing violence in Darfur.

美國電影導演斯皮爾伯格因中國對蘇丹政策以及達爾富爾衝突，辭去北京奧運會藝術顧問一職。斯皮爾伯格表示，他的良心不允許他繼續擔任藝術顧問，因為他相信中國在解決達爾富爾衝突上不夠積極。 人權觀察說，斯皮爾伯格的決定應當促使其他有影響力的人物施壓中國進行改革。星期二，一些諾貝爾和平獎得主、政界人士和奧林匹克運動員呼籲中國運用其對蘇丹的影響力，幫助製止仍在達爾富爾發生的暴力。

China Says Recent Winter Storms Killed 107 People
(中國稱最近的冬季暴風雪使107人喪生)

Chinese state media are reporting that the recent wave of brutal winter weather across the southern half of the country left 107 people dead and caused more than 15 billion dollars in damages. The new death toll released by the official Xinhua news agency raises the total by more than 40.  Xinhua also reported that Chinese insurers have already paid out more than one billion dollars for deaths and damages from the storms, which began early last month. Millions of other claims are still pending. The freezing winter weather downed power lines, and destroyed homes, businesses and crops. It left millions of Chinese stranded during China's biggest holiday, the Lunar New Year, as it disrupted transportation on highways, railways and in the air.

中國官方媒體報導，中國南部地區最近一波嚴酷的冬季天氣導致107人死亡和150億美元的損失。官方新華社公布的死亡數將總數提高了40多人。 新華社還報導說，中國的保險公司已經為在1月初開始的暴風雪中喪生和財產損失賠償了10多億美元。目前仍然有數以百萬計的索賠等待受理。 嚴冬天氣癱瘓了供電網並毀壞了房屋、企業設施和農作物。由於暴風雪阻斷了高速公路、鐵路以及航空交通，數以百萬計的民眾在中國最重要的節日農曆新年期間被困在旅途中。

星期二(021208)

Taiwan Assessing Damage From US Espionage Case

Taiwan's defense ministry says it is trying to determine whether individuals involved in a Chinese espionage case in the United States provided China with information on the island's military defense systems. In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said the case was of great importance, adding that Taiwan has set up a task force to assess the possible damage spies in the United States may have caused.  On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department said it was charging a Defense Department employee and two others with selling sensitive information to China. Some of that information was related to U.S. military sales to Taiwan. Court documents show the accused had conversations about a major project to upgrade the island's command and communications capabilities for its troops.  Any insight into Taiwan's military operations would be significant for China, which has threatened to attack the self-governed island if it makes any permanent moves toward independence.

台灣國防部說，正在試圖確定美國一個中國間諜案涉案人員是否向中國提供有關台灣軍事防禦係統的情報。台灣國防部星期二在一份聲明中說，這起間諜案很重大。國防部補充說，台灣已經成立特別小組來評估在美國的間諜可能造成的損害。 美國司法部星期一說，正在指控國防部一名雇員和兩名其他人士向中國出售敏感情報。一些情報與美國對台軍售有關。法庭文件顯示，被告人曾經談論過有關提升台灣軍隊指揮與通訊能力的一項重大項目。 任何有關台灣軍事行動的情報對中國來說都將很重要的。中國威脅，如果台灣有任何邁向永久獨立的舉動，中國就會攻擊台灣這個自治的島嶼。

UN Food Chief Says World's Poorest Cannot Afford Food
(聯合國糧食主管稱全球最貧困者買不起食品)

Josette Sheeran, the head of the United Nations World Food Program says that many of the world's poorest people cannot buy food because of soaring prices. Josette Sheeran said in an interview with the Associated Press that severe weather, shorter harvests, higher oil prices and the use of food to produce biofuel are driving food costs out of the reach of the poor. In her words, "they are simply being priced out of the food markets."  She said that food supplies have to be adjusted, so they will get to the most vulnerable parts of the world without disruptions. Sheeran said she would like to see the international community make investments in regions that need a stronger agricultural foundation. The World Food Program is currently doing an assessment of 30 nations it has deemed most needy, including Afghanistan and several African nations.

聯合國世界糧食計劃署負責人約瑟特.施林說，很多世界上最貧困的人都由於飛漲的物價而買不起糧食。施林在接受美聯社采訪時說，惡劣的天氣、縮短的收獲期、升高的原油價格以及用糧食製作生物燃料，都導致食品開銷超出貧困人口承受能力。用她的話說，“他們完全被高物價排擠出食品市場”。 她說，食品供應必須要調整，這樣糧食才能不間斷地運到世界上最易受影響的地區。施林說，她希望看到國際社會向需要加強農業基礎的地區投資。 世界糧食計劃署目前正對該機構認為最急需幫助的30個國家進行評估，其中包括阿富汗和幾個非洲國家。

星期一(021108)


Chinese Meteorologists Warn of Blizzards in Western Regions
(中國氣象官員發布西部暴風雪警告)

Chinese weather officials have warned of another bout of blizzards, as the country recovers from weeks of severe winter weather. The Chinese Meteorological Administration Monday forecasts snow and sleet in the next few days in the province of Guizhou -- one of the hardest hit by recent storms. The Western provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai and the Tibet Autonomous Region can also expect to see blizzards. But meteorologists expect warmer weather in other areas. China's State Council on Sunday ordered local governments in western regions to prepare for transportation and electricity difficulties. Recent winter storms caused transportation chaos for tens of millions of migrant workers trying to make their way home for the Lunar New Year holiday. Nearly 40 cities and counties lost electricity as a result of downed power lines and disrupted coal shipments.

中國正從曆時數星期的嚴寒中逐步恢複之際，中國氣象官員又警告說，將會出現另一輪暴風雪。中國氣象局星期一預報，最近受暴風雪災重創的貴州省未來幾天將出現降雪和雨夾雪。另外，貴州、四川、甘肅、青海以及西藏自治區等西部地區預計還會出現暴風雪。 但是，氣像人員同時預測其他地區會出現比較溫暖的天氣。中國國務院星期天命令西部地區地方政府準備好應對交通和電力的問題。最近的幾場風暴給數千萬準備回家過年的農民工帶來嚴重的交通混亂。由於電線倒塌、煤碳運輸中斷，將近40個中國城市斷電。

Fire Destroys 600-Year Old Korean Landmark
(大火燒毀韓國六百年曆史地標)

A fire has destroyed one of South Korea's most historic landmarks which the government had declared the country's premier national treasure. The 600-year old wooden building called the Namdaemun gate burned to the ground Sunday. Police suspect arson. A taxi driver told authorities he saw a man believed to be in his 50s climb to the building just before it went up in flames. The Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. It was built in 1398 and sat on top the remnants of a stone gate that once surrounded the city. Many Koreans told local newspapers they are shocked and devastated that the landmark has been destroyed.

大火燒毀了韓國最著名的曆史古跡之一、被政府宣布為重要國寶的建築。星期天，擁有600年曆史的木製城樓“南大門”被大火燒塌。 警方懷疑有人縱火。一名出租車司機對當局說，他看到一名可能50多歲的男子爬到這座建築上，隨後那裏燃起了烈焰。 南大門是首爾最古老的木製建築。它修建於1398年，座落於石城牆遺跡之上。很多韓國人對當地報紙說，這座曆史地標毀於大火，讓他們感到震驚和傷心。

星期四(020708)


Fireworks Light Up Chinese Sky for Start of Lunar New Year Celebrations
(煙火照亮中國天空慶祝農曆新年開始)

A huge fireworks celebration in Beijing has ushered in the start of the Lunar New Year, the biggest holiday in the Chinese calendar. Government-run television today staged an extravagant variety show as part of the festivities marking the Year of the Rat. The show also paid tribute to millions of migrant workers who are not able to return home for the holiday, following the country's worst winter weather in half a century. The snow and ice storms cut off transportation for days, and left thousands without power and crucial supplies.  President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have been touring many areas hard-hit by the bad weather. During a visit to the southern province of Guangxi today, Mr. Hu thanked soldiers for delivering relief supplies.

北京盛大煙火慶祝迎來中國農曆最重要的節日-農曆新年。官方電視台舉辦盛大的春節聯歡晚會，作為慶祝鼠年活動的一部門。晚會還向數以百萬計因半個世紀來最惡劣嚴冬天氣而無法回家過年的農民工表達敬意。 暴風雪連續多天阻斷了交通，使數以千計的人無電，失去基本供應。中國國家主席胡錦濤和總理溫家寶視察了受災最嚴重的很多地區。胡錦濤在南部廣西省慰問期間，感謝運送救援物資的軍人。

New Research Shows Genes May Cause Childhood Obesity
(新研究發現基因可能導致兒童肥胖)

A new study shows genes are more likely to blame for obesity in children than poor eating habits. Scientists studied more than five thousand pairs of twins aged eight to eleven, and found the variation in a child's waist and body mass index was 77 percent attributable to their genes.  Children born with the so-called fat genes are not doomed to become obese, but the scientists said those children will have to work extra hard to keep their weight at a healthy level.  Research leader Jane Wardle of the University College London said --in her words-- "this study shows that it is wrong to place all the blame for a child's excessive weight gain on the parents."

一項新的研究顯示，基因比不良飲食習慣更能導致兒童過度肥胖。科研人員調查了5000對8歲到11歲的雙胞胎，發現兒童腰圍和體重指數有77%是由他們的基因造成的。 出生時帶有所謂肥胖基因的孩子並非注定要肥胖，但是科研人員說，這些孩子必須付出額外的努力使體重保持在健康水準。研究負責人、倫敦大學學院的簡.沃德爾說，“這項研究顯示，把孩子體重過重的所有責任都推在父母身上是錯誤的”。

星期三(020608)

China Releases Hong Kong Journalist Imprisoned for Espionage
(中國釋放因間諜罪被囚禁香港記者)

Chinese officials say a veteran Hong Kong reporter imprisoned for two years for espionage activities has been freed on parole. Reports in Hong Kong say Ching Cheong, chief correspondent for Singapore's "The Straits Times" newspaper, is expected to return home Tuesday. Ching was arrested in April of 2005. In a one-day closed-door trial held in 2006, he was sentenced to five years in prison, convicted of spying for Taiwan. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week China had 29 journalists behind bars. The group said China imposes severe constraints on its national media, and has not kept a promise to apply no restrictions to the coverage of the 2008 Olympics before and during the games.

中國官員說，因間諜活動被監禁兩年的香港資深記者程翔已經被假釋。香港的報導說，新加坡海峽時報派的首席記者程翔預計星期二返家。 程翔2005年4月被捕。在2006年一次持續一天的不公開審判中，他被定犯有為台灣充當間諜罪，判處5年監禁。 總部設在紐約的保護記者委員會上個星期說，中國目前關押著29名記者。該組織說，中國對全國媒體施行嚴格的控製，而且沒有履行在奧運前及期間不受限製地報導2008年奧運會的承諾。

Japanese Minister Says Dumpling Poisoning May Have Been Deliberate
(日本大臣稱毒餃子可能故意所為)

Japan's health minister says Chinese-made dumplings that left 10 people ill and sparked a nationwide food scare may have been deliberately poisoned with pesticide. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Tokyo, Yoichi Masuzoe said the evidence uncovered so far suggests that it is highly likely that the poisoning was a crime. So far, tests in China have turned up no signs of the pesticide that Japanese authorities have blamed for making people sick. Investigators in Japan have found punctures on the outside of at least one of the bags tied to the poisonings as well as traces of the pesticide. The source of the contamination has yet to be identified. In Beijing Tuesday, four Japanese officials began talks to discuss the event of poisonous dumplings. They will later visit the factories where the dumplings were made.

日本厚生勞動相舛添要一說，造成10名日本人中毒並引發全國範圍食品恐慌的中國出產的餃子，可能被人有意投下殺蟲劑。舛添要一星期二在東京對記者說，目前發現的證據顯示，下毒非常可能是一次犯罪行為。 到目前為止，中國的檢測沒有發現日本當局認為造成民眾中毒的這種殺蟲劑的痕跡。日本調查人員在其中至少一袋涉及中毒案的餃子的外包裝袋上發現了刺孔以及殺蟲劑的痕跡。汙染源目前還沒有查明。 4名日本官員星期二在北京跟中國官員討論毒餃子事件。他們隨後將參訪餃子生產廠家。

星期二(020508)

China Releases Hong Kong Journalist Imprisoned for Espionage
(中國釋放因間諜罪被囚禁香港記者)

Chinese officials say a veteran Hong Kong reporter imprisoned for two years for espionage activities has been freed on parole. Reports in Hong Kong say Ching Cheong, chief correspondent for Singapore's "The Straits Times" newspaper, is expected to return home Tuesday. Ching was arrested in April of 2005. In a one-day closed-door trial held in 2006, he was sentenced to five years in prison, convicted of spying for Taiwan. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week China had 29 journalists behind bars. The group said China imposes severe constraints on its national media, and has not kept a promise to apply no restrictions to the coverage of the 2008 Olympics before and during the games.

中國官員說，因間諜活動被監禁兩年的香港資深記者程翔已經被假釋。香港的報導說，新加坡海峽時報派的首席記者程翔預計星期二返家。 程翔2005年4月被捕。在2006年一次持續一天的不公開審判中，他被定犯有為台灣充當間諜罪，判處5年監禁。 總部設在紐約的保護記者委員會上個星期說，中國目前關押著29名記者。該組織說，中國對全國媒體施行嚴格的控製，而且沒有履行在奧運前及期間不受限製地報導2008年奧運會的承諾。

Japanese Minister Says Dumpling Poisoning May Have Been Deliberate
(日本大臣稱毒餃子可能故意所為)
 

Japan's health minister says Chinese-made dumplings that left 10 people ill and sparked a nationwide food scare may have been deliberately poisoned with pesticide.  Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Tokyo, Yoichi Masuzoe said the evidence uncovered so far suggests that it is highly likely that the poisoning was a crime. So far, tests in China have turned up no signs of the pesticide that Japanese authorities have blamed for making people sick. Investigators in Japan have found punctures on the outside of at least one of the bags tied to the poisonings as well as traces of the pesticide. The source of the contamination has yet to be identified.  In Beijing Tuesday, four Japanese officials began talks to discuss the event of poinous dumplings. They will later visit the factories where the dumplings were made.

日本厚生勞動相舛添要一說，造成10名日本人中毒並引發全國範圍食品恐慌的中國出產的餃子，可能被人有意投下殺蟲劑。舛添要一星期二在東京對記者說，目前發現的證據顯示，下毒非常可能是一次犯罪行為。 到目前為止，中國的檢測沒有發現日本當局認為造成民眾中毒的這種殺蟲劑的痕跡。日本調查人員在其中至少一袋涉及中毒案的餃子的外包裝袋上發現了刺孔以及殺蟲劑的痕跡。汙染源目前還沒有查明。 4名日本官員星期二在北京跟中國官員討論毒餃子事件。他們隨後將參訪餃子生產廠家。

星期一(020408)

Media Group Says China Falling Short of Olympic Promises
(媒體組織說中國沒充分履行奧運承諾)

An international media rights organization is criticizing China in its annual report, accusing it of falling short of its pledge to allow unrestricted media coverage before and during the 2008 Olympic Games. In the report, "Attacks on the Press," the Committee to Protect Journalists says China continues to suppress news and commentary. The report says that during China's Communist Party Congress last year, authorities cracked down on Web sites and bloggers reporting on local government abuses. The report says that in 2007 China remained the world's leading jailer of journalists, putting 29 journalists behind bars. The report also says that while foreign journalists are said to be free to do their work, reporters tell them they continue to be watched and harassed.

一個國際媒體權益組織在年度報告中批評中國沒有充分遵守諾言，在2008年奧運會之前和奧運期間允許媒體進行毫無限製的報導。 保護記者委員會在這份題為“攻擊媒體”的報告中說，中國繼續壓製新聞和評論。報告說，去年中共召開代表大會時，當局鎮壓了報導地方政府濫用職權的網站和博客。 報告說，中國在2007年關押了29名記者，這使中國再次成為世界上關押記者最多的國家。報告還說，盡管在中國的外國記者被告知，他們可以自由地工作，但是他們告訴保護記者委員會，他們仍繼續受到監視和騷擾。

Israeli Commandos Kill 2 West Bank Palestinian Gunmen
(以色列突擊隊在約旦河西岸打死兩巴勒斯坦槍手)

Israel says commandos killed two Palestinian gunmen and wounded a third in a pre-dawn raid in the occupied West Bank today (Monday). The military said troops operating in the village of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, spotted three armed men and opened fire. Palestinians identified the three as members of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

以色列說，突擊隊員星期一拂曉前在以色列占領的約旦河西岸地區進行了一次突擊行動，打死了兩名巴勒斯坦武裝分子，還有一武裝分子被打傷。 以色列軍方說，在傑寧以南的卡巴提亞村展開行動的以軍部隊發現了三名武裝男子並向他們開火。巴勒斯坦人說，這三人是激進的的伊斯蘭聖戰者組織成員。

星期五(020108)


Chinese Activist Charged with Subversion
(中國活動人士被控顛覆罪)

The lawyer for prominent Chinese rights activist Hu Jia says his client has been formally charged with subversion and could be put on trial later this year. Hu Jia was arrested by Chinese authorities in a raid on his home in December. He is known for his advocacy for AIDS victims in rural China. Hu's wife and fellow activist Zeng Jinyan has been under house arrest with the couple's infant daughter since the raid. Chinese authorities often use the charge of "inciting the subversion of power" as a means to detain dissidents for years. China's communist government has intensified its crackdown on activists ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The European Union and the United State have demanded Hu's release.

中國知名維權活動人士胡佳的律師說，他的當事人已被正式指控犯有顛覆罪，並可能在今年晚些時候受審。 胡佳去年12月在中國當局查抄他的住宅時被逮捕。胡佳以維護中國農村艾滋病受害者的權益而聞名。 自當局查抄他的家以來，他的妻子、維權活動人士曾金燕與出生不久的女兒一直被軟禁。 中國當局經常以“煽動顛覆政權罪”為手段將異議人士關押多年。中共當局在2008年北京奧運會之前加緊了鎮壓活動人士。歐盟和美國要求釋放胡佳。

China's Panchen Lama Makes Rare Appearance in Beijing
(中國的班禪喇嘛在北京罕見露麵)

The boy chosen by China as Tibetan Buddhism's second-most influential figure has met with China's top legislator in a rare public appearance. China's official Xinhua news agency says Gyaltsen Norbu expressed support for the Communist Party when he met with Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Thursday in Beijing. He said he would work to make his religious work adapt to China's socialist society. In 1995, Tibans' spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in exile chose six-year-old Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama. Soon afterwards, however,the boy and his parents were taken into custody by Chinese authorities, and have not been heard from since. Months later, China named Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama. He was sent to study at Tashilhunpo monastery in Shigatse - the traditional seat for Tibet's second-most prominent figure.

中國政府指定的作為西藏佛教中影響力第二大人物的男孩在一次罕見的公開露麵中會見中國人大最高官員。中國官方新華社說，第11世班禪額爾德尼.確吉傑布星期四在北京會見全國人大常委會委員長吳邦國時，表達了對中國共產黨的支持。他說，他會努力把他的宗教活動與中國的社會主義製度相適應。 1995年，西藏流亡精神領袖達賴喇嘛挑選6歲的根敦確吉尼瑪為第11世班禪喇嘛。但是之後不久，這位轉世靈童和他的父母被中國當局帶走，此後毫無音訊。 幾個月後，中國指定確吉傑布為第11世班禪。他被送往西藏日喀則的紮什倫布寺學經。紮什倫布寺是西藏佛教中影響力第二大的僧侶傳統的駐錫地。

星期四(013108)


China to Restrict Internet Video
(中國將限製因特網視頻)
 

China is scheduled to take steps Thursday to tighten controls on the Internet. The measure, announced December 29th, will give state companies the exclusive right to provide online video content or allow users to share their own videos. The measure was adopted by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information. It was not immediately clear how the policy will be implemented.  Popular Web sites run by private companies like Tudou-dot-com, 56-dot-com and Wangyou-dot-com were still operating early Thursday. China announced last week that it will also take steps to rein in online music content to prevent piracy.

中國政府定於星期四開始采取措施，加強對因特網的控製。12月29號宣布的措施給予國營公司提供網上視頻或允許用戶分享個人視頻的獨家權力。 這一措施由中國國家廣電總局和信息產業部製訂。目前還不清楚這一政策將如何落實。 星期四早上，像土豆網、我樂網和網友天下等由私營公司經營的廣受歡迎網站還在運行。 中國上個星期還宣布，將采取措施控製針網上音樂內容，以防止盜版行為。

Chinese Official Says Winter Storms Having Extremely Serious Impact on Crops
(中國官員稱暴風雪嚴重影響農作物)

A top Chinese agricultural official says brutal winter storms in China are having an extremely serious impact on winter crops. Speaking with reporters Thursday in Beijing, Chen Xiwen said the impact on crops in southern China was already extremely serious. He called the damage to fruit and fresh vegetable crops catastrophic. Chen said it is still unclear what the full impact and losses will be, adding that would largely depend on the weather. He said the situation could worsen if storms move north and threaten winter grain supplies. Forecasters are predicting a new wave of harsh winter weather will bring more snow and freezing rain to central and southern China Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese remain stranded at train stations and airports in parts of the country.

中國一位主要農業官員表示，中國惡劣的暴風雪對越冬農作物帶來極為嚴重影響。陳錫文星期四在北京對媒體表示，對中國南方農作物的影響已經極為嚴重。他稱對水果和新鮮蔬菜造成毀滅性損害。 陳錫文表示，目前還不清楚全部的災情和損失情況。他補充說，這將主要取決於天氣。他說，如果暴風雪向北方移動，威脅到冬季糧食供應，局勢將進一步惡化。 天氣預報說，新一波嚴冬天氣星期四將為中國中部和南部帶來更多降雪和凍雨。數以十萬計的中國民眾仍然被困在這些地區的火車站和機場。

星期三(013008)

FBI Chief Impressed With China's Security Preparations for 2008 Beijing Olympics
(FBI主管對中國2008北京奧運安全籌備印象深刻)

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller says Wednesday in Beijing that he anticipates that the Olympics will be secure and safe. Mueller arrived in Beijing on Monday to discuss ways the FBI could cooperate with Chinese police and security officials during the Games, which open on August eighth and run to the 24th. He did not say what kind of support the FBI would provide, stressing that the focus would be on securing Olympic venues from potential attacks. He did not mention any plans to build up the agency's small presence in China. The FBI set up a liaison office in Beijing in 2002.

美國聯邦調查局局長羅伯特.米勒星期三在北京表示，他預計這次奧運會將是安全的。米勒星期一抵達北京，討論美國聯邦調查局與中國警方和安全官員在奧運會期間可能合作的途徑。北京奧運會將於8月8號開幕，8月24號結束。 米勒沒有說明美國聯邦調查局要提供哪些幫助。他強調說，重點將放在保障奧運會場所不受到潛在襲擊。米勒沒有提到擴大這個機構目前在中國人數有限的工作人員的計劃。FBI2002年在北京設置了一個聯絡處。

North Korean Leader Meets With Chinese Envoy Ahead of US Visit
(北韓領導人在美國官員到訪前會晤中國特使)

North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong Il held a rare meeting with a visiting Chinese envoy Wednesday just as the United States is stepping up efforts to restart talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program. North Korea's Central News Agency says the Chinese delegation was led by senior Communist Party official Wang Jiarui. The report says Kim had lunch with Wang, and that they had a "warm and friendly" discussion, but did not give any other details. The visit comes one day before Sung Kim, a U.S. State Department expert on North Korea, prepares to visit Pyongyang. Sung Kim says that during his visit, he will press North Korea to deliver a complete list of its nuclear programs as soon as possible. His visit is expected to last three-days.

北韓很少公開露麵的領導人金正日星期三與到訪的一名中國特使舉行了一次罕見的會談。同時，美國正在加大努力，重新啟動有關平壤核項目的會談。 北韓官方的朝中社說，中國這個代表團由中國共產黨高級官員王家瑞率領。報導說，金正日與王家瑞共進了午餐，進行了一次“熱情友好”的會談，但沒有提供更多的細節。這次訪問一天後，美國國務院分管北韓事務的專家金成計劃訪問平壤。金成說，在訪問期間，他將敦促北韓盡早提交一份完整的核項目清單。預計金成將在北韓訪問三天。

星期二(012908)

Bus Crash Kills 25 During Heavy Snows in China
(中國暴雪中大客車翻車二十五人喪生)

Chinese official Xinhua news agency say at least 25 people were killed and 13 injured when their bus crashed on an icy road early Tuesday in Guizhou Province. Chinese authorities say more snow storms are threatening parts of the country already struggling with transport chaos and power shortages. China's Meteorological Administration issued warnings Monday of further heavy snow and freezing rain in some central and eastern provinces.The snow storms have paralyzed highways, railways and airports, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers hoping to join their families for the Lunar New Year holiday. Premier Wen Jiabao ordered all government departments Sunday to take urgent action to prepare for what he called an "increasingly grim situation." He says the government faces a "severe" challenge in maintaining China's energy supplies.

中國官方新華社報導說，貴州省一輛大客車星期二早上在結冰的路麵上翻車，造成至少25人死亡，13人受傷。中國當局說，更多暴雪仍在威脅中國疲於應對交通混亂和電力短缺的部分地區。 中國國家氣象局星期一發出警告，中部和東部一些省份繼續會有大雪和冰雨。暴風雪使中國的公路、鐵路和機場癱瘓，困住了數以十萬計的希望同家人共度農曆新年的旅客。 中國總理溫家寶星期天命令所有政府部門采取緊急行動，應對他所稱的“越來越嚴峻的形勢”。溫家寶說，政府麵臨保障能源供應的“嚴峻”挑戰。

Iran Executes Customs Official for Financial Crimes
(伊朗以金融罪處死一海關官員

Iran has executed a customs contractor for corruption -- a rare punishment for financial crimes in the country. An Iranian judiciary spokesman said Tuesday the contractor was executed for corruption, bribery and disrupting the financial system. He did not identify the person executed, or give details about the crime. The spokesman said three other customs employees are facing the death penalty for similar crimes, but judicial officials are considering their appeal to reduce the sentence to life imprisonment. Under Iran's Islamic law, murder, rape, robbery, adultery and drug trafficking are punishable by death. The sentences are usually carried out by hanging. The human rights group Amnesty International says Iran executed more than 200 people last year.

伊朗以腐敗罪名處死一名海關合同人員，這是伊朗對金融犯罪罕見的懲罰。伊朗一位司法發言人星期二說，這名合同工因腐敗、賄賂以及幹擾金融秩序被處死。他沒有公布被處死人的身份，也沒有提供罪行的詳情。 這位發言人說，其他3名海關雇員也因類似的罪行麵臨死刑判決，但是司法官員正在考慮他們提出的要求減判為終身監禁的上訴。 根據伊朗的伊斯蘭法律，謀殺、強奸、搶劫、通奸以及販毒等罪行可判處死刑。死刑通常都以絞刑執行。 人權組織大赦國際說，伊朗去年處死了200多人。

星期一(012808)


Asian Markets Down Sharply on Recession Fears
(擔心經濟衰退亞洲股市大跌)

Asian markets fell sharply Monday on fears a recession in the United States will weaken the demand for Asian exports. China's Shanghai Composite Index tumbled more than seven percent while the Nikkei in Tokyo and Sensex in Mumbai were both down almost four percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped more than five percent. Analysts say investors are still nervous following last week's worldwide plunge, despite President's Bush's plan to revitalize the slowing U.S. economy with tax rebates. The U.S. Federal Reserve meets this week to consider if another interest rate cut is needed to help stave off a recession.

亞洲股市星期一巨幅下跌，人們擔心美國如果出現經濟衰退將會減少對亞洲進口的需求。中國上海證卷指數猛跌7%以上，東京日經指數和孟買股市敏感指數都下滑將近4%。香港恒生指數跌幅超過5%。 分析人士說，在全球股市上星期暴跌之後，雖然布什總統推出了以退稅來重振增長速度減緩的美國經濟的計劃，但是投資人依然心有餘悸。美國聯邦儲備委員會本星期也開會考慮是否須要繼續降息，來幫助避免發生經濟衰退。

BEIJING OLYMPICS
(北京奧林匹克運動會)

Olympic organizers in Beijing have unveiled the "Watercube," one of the two iconic venues for the 2008 Games later this year. Known officially as the National Aquatics Center, the building's design and its translucent, blue-toned outside skin make it appear like a cube of bubbles. On Monday, the public got its first look at the building after a little more than three years of construction. The venue has six-thousand permanent and 11-thousand temporary seats. The Watercube will anchor the Olympic Green area along with the neighboring 91-thousand seat National Stadium called the "Bird's Nest." Forty-two gold medals will be handed out at the Watercube during the Olympics, which begin on August eighth. A swimming meet on Friday will help test the facility.

北京奧運會組織者宣布“水立方”遊泳館竣工交付使用，這是今年8月北京奧運會的兩個標誌性場館之一。“水立方”的正式名稱是國家遊泳中心，其半透明的藍色調外觀讓它看起來像是一個水晶立方。經過三年多一點的施工後，“水立方”星期一首次對公眾亮相。 “ 水立方”有固定座位6千個，臨時座位1萬1千個。“水立方”和臨近擁有9萬1千個座位的“鳥巢”國家體育館將構成奧林匹克公園地區的主體。奧運會舉辦期間，42枚比賽項目的金牌將在“水立方”辦法。奧運會8月8號開幕。“水立方”星期五將舉辦一項遊泳比賽，檢驗場館的設施。

星期五(012508)


Gates Says U.S. Will Not Set Up Permanent Bases in Iraq
(蓋茨說美國不會在伊拉克建立永久軍事基地)

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. has no interest in setting up permanent military bases in Iraq. Gates spoke to reporters at the Pentagon Thursday, playing down concerns from Democratic critics in Congress that a planned "Status of Forces Agreement" with Iraq will commit the U.S. to a long term military presence. Some Democrats say such an agreement may force future U.S. presidents to have a set number of troops in Iraq. But Gates stressed that the agreement would not talk about force levels. He added that the agreement is still in its earliest stages, and that the Bush administration will consult with Congress during its development.  A State Department spokesman (Tom Casey) said the "Status of Forces Agreement" would be a legal outline for the U.S. presence in Iraq.

美國國防部長羅伯特.蓋茨說，美國無意在伊拉克建立永久軍事基地。 蓋茨星期四在五角大樓對記者作出上述表示。蓋茨試圖消除國會民主黨人對美國和伊拉克擬議中的“駐軍協議”的擔憂。國會一些批評人士擔心，這份協議將要求美軍長期駐守在伊拉克。 但是蓋茨強調說，協議並不涉及部隊規模。他補充說，協議目前還處在初步談判階段，而且在製定過程中，布什行政當局也會與國會磋商。 美國國務院發言人說，“駐軍協議”將為美國在伊拉克部署軍隊提供法律框架。

Bushes to Visit Africa Next Month
(布什下個月訪問非洲)

The White House says President Bush and his wife, first lady Laura Bush, will travel to Africa next month. The trip -- from February 15th through the 21st -- will take them to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. The White House says the president will meet with the leaders of those countries to discuss how the United States can support continued democratic reform, respect for human rights and economic opportunity across the continent. Mr. Bush last visited Africa in 2003. The White House says that on this visit, he will review progress made in U.S.-assisted efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and other treatable diseases.

白宮宣布，布什總統與妻子，第一夫人勞拉將於下個月前往非洲。 他們這次定於2月15號到21號的出訪行程將包括貝寧、坦桑尼亞、盧旺達、加納和利比裏亞。 白宮表示，布什總統將與這些國家的領導人舉行會晤，共同探討美國如何支持非洲大陸正在進行的民主改革、尊重人權以及經濟機會。 布什總統上一次訪問非洲是在2003年。白宮表示，布什總統此次出訪將考察美國協助的各種項目的進展情況。這些項目包括促進經濟發展、抗擊艾滋病和瘧疾以及其他可治療的疾病。

星期四(012408)

White House Negotiating Economic Stimulus with Congress
(白宮和國會談判刺激經濟方案)

The Bush administration and congressional lawmakers appear to be nearing an agreement on legislation to boost the slumping U.S. economy. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson held three lengthy negotiating sessions Wednesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Republican leader John Boehner. Boehner says all sides were "hopeful" about a possible deal. The two sides are expected to hold another round of meetings today (Thursday). The stimulus package is expected to cost as much as 150-billion dollars. It will include income tax breaks for businesses to spur new investment, and tax rebates for individuals between 800 and 16-hundred dollars.  Democratic lawmakers, led by Pelosi, are pushing to extend the tax rebates for low-income Americans who do not make enough to pay income tax.

布什行政當局和國會議員看來接近就刺激正在滑坡的美國經濟法案達成協議。 美國財政部長保爾森星期三與美國眾議院議長佩洛西以及眾議院共和黨領袖博納舉行了三次長長的會談。博納表示各方都對達成協議抱有希望。預計雙方星期四舉行新一輪會談。 刺激經濟方案預計將耗資多達1千5百億美元，包括為了促進新的投資而給企業減免稅收，以及向納稅的個人退稅800到1600美元。 民主黨議員在佩洛西領導下努力把退稅範圍擴大到那些收入不足以交稅的低收入美國人。

Burmese Poet Detained for Secret Criticism of Junta Leader
(緬甸詩人因為暗批軍政府領導人而被捕)

Authorities in Burma have arrested a prominent poet over a recently published work that contains a hidden message criticizing junta leader Than Shwe.  The romantic-themed poem by Saw Wai was published in a popular weekly magazine in advance of next month's Valentine's Day observance. But on closer reading, the first word of each line forms a phrase that calls General Shwe power crazy. Burma's ruling military junta keeps a close watch on all media outlets to snuff out any criticism of its rule. But dissidents have used similar techniques in the past to avoid government censors. An advertisement in a Burmese newspaper last year contained a hidden message calling Than Shwe a "killer."

緬甸當局逮捕了一位著名詩人，罪名是他最近出版的詩暗藏批評軍政府領導人丹瑞的內容。 詩人索瓦在一個受歡迎的周刊雜誌上為下個月的情人節提前發表了這首情詩。 仔細閱讀後發現，每行詩的第一個詞所組成的句子稱丹瑞是權力狂。 緬甸軍政府密切注意所有媒體，以封殺對軍政府統治的任何批評。但是異議人士過去曾使用類似手段來躲避政府的新聞檢查。緬甸一家報紙去年刊登的一個廣告就影射丹瑞是殺人凶手。

星期三(012308)


China Says it Shut Down 44-Thousand Pornographic Web sites Last Year
(中國說去年關閉四萬四千多個色情網站)

Chinese state media say authorities shut down more than 44-thousand Web sites last year as part of a nationwide crackdown on Internet porn. The official Xinhua news agency says more than 800 people have been arrested and about two-thousand penalized in connection with the effort. Authorities say the crackdown will continue until after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Rights groups have said the campaign is being used as an excuse to crackdown on dissent and round up dissidents ahead of the 2008 Games. China's Internet population soared to 210-million people in 2007 and it could surpass the United States this year to become the world's largest. The report says the government will increasingly concentrate on Web sites that have audio or video, blogging or send information to cell phones.

中國國營媒體說，當局去年關閉了4萬4千多個網站，作為全國範圍打擊網絡色情的一部分。官方新華通訊社說，800多人在這次嚴打中被捕，大約2000人受到懲處。當局說，打擊網絡色情的活動將繼續到2008年北京舉辦奧運會之後。 人權組織說，當局利用打擊網絡色情活動作為借口，在2008年北京奧運到來之前壓製異見，逮捕異議人士。中國的網民人數2007年增加到2億1千萬，今年可能超過美國，成為世界上網民人數最多的國家。報導說，政府將加強管製刊載音像、博客以及向手機發送信息的網站。

French President and Singaporean Prime Minister Discuss Burma
(法國總統與新加坡總理討論緬甸問題)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy discussed Burma's political crisis during a visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to France this week. During their talks, Mr. Sarkozy said the Burmese people must not be forgotten. He also told Mr. Lee he believes Burma is an obstacle to the cohesion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN. Mr. Lee voiced Singapore's support for United Nations efforts to resolve the crisis, stressing the importance of diplomacy. Mr. Lee concludes his visit to France today (Wednesday). After Burma's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters last year, European nations urged ASEAN to take a tougher stance on Burma. But so far, the group -- which includes Burma -- has been unwilling to use sanctions or other tough measures.

法國總統薩爾科齊本星期在新加坡總理李顯龍訪問法國期間，討論了緬甸的政治危機。薩爾科齊在會談中說，緬甸人民不能被遺忘。他還對李顯龍說，他相信緬甸是東盟團結的一個障礙。 李顯龍表達了新加坡對聯合國化解緬甸危機努力的支持，強調外交的重要性。李顯龍星期三結束了對法國的訪問。緬甸去年血腥鎮壓支持民主的抗議人士之後，歐洲國家敦促東盟對緬甸采取更加強硬的立場。但是包括緬甸為成員國的東盟迄今為止不願對緬甸采取製裁或者其它強硬措施。

星期二(012208)


China Rejects Calls for Pressure on Burma
(中國拒絕向緬甸施壓呼籲)
 

China has rejected demands for stepped up pressure on ally Burma. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference Tuesday that Beijing does not believe sanctions and applying pressure on Burma are helpful to the resolution of issues. Her comment followed a meeting Monday in Beijing between senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Tang Jiaxuan and Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint, who was visiting as a special envoy. The 15-member UN Security Council, including China, criticized Burma last week for being too slow in bringing about democratic reforms. Jiang also said China supports the work of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari and wants a timetable set for his next visit to Burma.

中國拒絕向盟友緬甸加大施壓的要求。中國外交部發言人薑瑜星期二在記者會上說，北京不相信對緬甸實施製裁和施加壓力有助於問題的解決。 在她做出這個評論之前，中國資深外交政策顧問唐家璿和作為特使訪問中國的緬甸副外長在北京舉行了會談。 由包括中國在內的15個成員國組成的聯合國安理會上個星期批評緬甸實施民主改革的動作太慢。 薑瑜還說，中國支持聯合國特使甘巴裏的工作，並希望提出他下一次訪問緬甸的時間表。

US Central Bank Slashes Interest Rates After Global Stock Sell-off
(美中央銀行在全球股市拋售後降息)

The U.S. central bank， the Federal Reserve， has cut the key federal interest rate by three-quarters of one percent, in an effort to boost the troubled U.S. economy and stem a sell-off in global stock markets. The Federal Reserve action puts the new rate at three-point-five percent. A statement issued by the Fed says it took the action in light of "weakening" economic outlook and tight credit that is hampering business. Stock markets around the world have been in an accelerated decline for the past two days, as investors worry that a slowing U.S. economy could hurt businesses in the many nations that trade with the United States.

美國中央銀行聯邦儲備委員會將主要聯邦利率削減0.75%，希望以此振作出現問題的美國經濟，並阻擋全球股市拋售的趨勢。美聯儲的行動將新的利率降低到3.5%。 美聯儲在一份聲明中說，美聯儲采取這項減息行動是鑒於經濟前景趨於疲軟，信貸市場不斷收緊進而限製商業發展。 在過去兩天裏，全球各地股市加速下滑，因為投資者擔心，美國經濟放慢會傷害與美國有貿易關係的許多國家的商務。

星期一(012108)


Beijing to Punish Celebrities, Wealthy Who Violate One-Child Policy
(中國將懲治違反一胎化名人及富人)

Chinese officials say Beijing will punish celebrities who ignore the country's one-child policy. The official Xinhua news agency quoted city family planning chief Deng Xiangzhou Monday, as saying celebrities and the wealthy would be more heavily fined in the future for having more than one child. Chinese media have reported several cases in which well-off people paid only minimal fines for violating family planning restrictions. Xinhua mentioned the case of soccer star Hao Haidong, who was fined only 68 hundred dollars for having a second child, despite having an annual salary of nearly 691 thousand dollars, one of the highest for a soccer player in China. The news agency quoted a family planning official, as saying the number of celebrities who have more than one child is not large, but because of their fame, their behavior has a negative social influence.

中國官員說，北京市將懲治無視國家一胎化政策的名人。官方新華社星期一援引北京市計生委主任鄧行舟的話說，未來將對超生的名人和富人處以更嚴厲罰款。 中國媒體報導了幾位違反計劃生育限製規定的有錢人繳納最低罰款的事例。 新華社提到了足球明星郝海東的例子，盡管他的年收入將近69萬1千美元，是中國足球運動員收入最高的之一，但是他隻因第二個孩子被處以6800美元的罰款。 新華社援引一名計劃生育官員的話說，雖然超生的名人人數不多，但是由於他們的知名度，他們的行為具有負麵社會影響。

World Stocks Plunge on Fears of US Recession
(全球股市擔心美國衰退大幅下跌)

Stock prices dropped sharply in Europe and Asia Monday, with fears of economic problems in the United States leading to the biggest single-day losses in recent years. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index fell five-point-five percent -- its biggest fall since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Losses of between three and seven percent were recorded in India, China, Britain, France and Germany.

歐洲和亞洲股票價格星期一猛烈下跌，對美國經濟問題的擔心導致近年來股市最大幅度單日下跌。 在香港，恒生指數下跌5.5%，是2001年9/11恐怖襲擊以來最大幅度的下跌。印度、中國、英國、法國和德國的股市下跌3%到7%之間。

星期五(011808)

Bush to Offer Ideas for Stimulating Economy
(布什將提出刺激美國經濟構想)

President Bush is expected today (Friday) to offer ideas for stimulating the U.S. economy. On Thursday, U.S central bank chief Ben Bernanke told a congressional committee that a timely package of new fiscal policies could revitalize the economy, following a string of downbeat economic reports. A Federal Reserve report showed manufacturing declining sharply in a key area, while a separate government study said the number of new homes under construction in 2007 dropped by 25 percent, the steepest drop for that industry since 1980. Bernanke stressed that any stimulus package must be implemented quickly and designed to be temporary. Economic stimulus packages usually come in the form of higher federal spending, lower taxes or some combination of the two.

預計布什總統星期五將提出刺激美國經濟的想法。 在一係列報告說美國目前經濟狀況欠佳之後，星期四，美國中央銀行行長伯南克對國會的一個委員會表示，及時出台一套新的財政政策將有助於重振美國經濟。 美聯儲的一個報告顯示，製造業的一個重要領域出現顯著下滑。政府部門的另外一個研究報告說，在2007年新建房屋的數量下降了25%，是自1980年以來新房數量下滑幅度最大的一年。 伯南克強調說，任何刺激經濟的成套方案一定要快速實施，也必須是暫時性的。刺激經濟的舉措一般指的是增加聯邦支出，減稅，或兩者並舉。

Taiwanese Government Spokesman Resigns Amid Election Defeat
(敗選後台灣政府發言人辭職)

Two Taiwanese Cabinet ministers have offered to resign, following the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's defeat in legislative elections held last week. Government Information Office chief Shieh Jhy-wey told reporters today (Friday) that he wanted to quit ahead of the Cabinet's planned mass resignation on January 28th. Media reports say Education Minister Tu Cheng-sheng has also offered to go as well. In last week's elections, the opposition Nationalists won 81 of the 113 seats in Taiwan's legislature. The Nationalists campaigned on a theme of improving ties with China and strengthening Taiwan's stagnant economy, which they blamed on President Chen Shu-bian's pro-independence stance.

在台灣執政的民進黨在上星期的立法委員選舉中遭到挫敗後，台灣兩名內閣部長級官員提出辭職。 台灣行政院新聞局長謝誌偉星期五對記者表示，他要在內閣成員計劃於1月28號集體辭職之前就辭職。 媒體報導說，教育部長杜正勝也提出要卸去部長一職。 在上個星期的選舉中，反對黨國民黨贏得了台灣立法院113個席位中的81席。 國民黨的競選綱領是要與中國改善關係，強化台灣停滯的經濟。國民黨把經濟問題歸咎於陳水扁總統所持的傾向台獨的立場。

星期四(011708)

South Korean President-Elect Says He Will be Patient With North Korea
(韓國當選總統表示他將對北韓有耐心)

South Korea's president-elect Lee Myung-bak says his government will continue to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons after he takes office, but adds that he will also be patient with Pyongyang. Speaking with foreign correspondents in Seoul Thursday, Mr. Lee promised more cooperation with countries involved in the talks on North Korea's nuclear program, such as the United States, China, Russia and Japan. He also said he would try to convince the North that giving up its nuclear weapons program will benefit both the government and its people.

韓國當選總統李明博表示，在接任總統之後，他的政府將繼續迫使北韓放棄核武器，但他補充說，他同時將耐心對待平壤。 李明博星期四在首爾與外國記者談話時承諾，他將和參與北韓核項目談判的國家，像美國、中國、俄羅斯和日本進行更多的合作。 李明博還表示，他將試圖說服北韓，放棄核武計劃會更有利於北韓政府和人民。

British Prime Minister Leaves for China and India
(英首相啟程前往中印)

The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is going to Asia Thursday to visit China and India. It will be Gordon Brown's first trip to the region since he became prime minister. The visit is expected to focus on the environment and trade. The prime minister's first stop is China, where he is also expected to discuss the Beijing Olympics -- as London prepares to host the games in 2012. Prime Minister Brown has said developing a long-term business relationship with China could help create tens of thousands of British jobs. Mr. Brown then heads to India for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

英國首相戈登.布朗星期四前往亞洲，對中國和印度進行訪問。這將是布朗擔任首相後首次出訪這個地區。預計，布朗此行的重點是環境和貿易問題。 布朗的首站是中國。由於倫敦正在為主辦2012年奧運會做準備，預計，他還將討論北京奧運會。 布朗首相曾說，與中國發展長期的商業關係可能幫助英國創造成數以千計的就業機會。 布朗隨後將前往印度與印度總理辛格會談。

Former Chinese Lawmaker Sentenced to Death for Multiple Rapes
(前人大代表因多次強奸被判處死刑)

Chinese state media report that a former national lawmaker has been sentenced to death for raping more than 20 middle school girls over a period of two years. According to reports, Wu Tianxi was actively seeking out young girls to rape between 2005 and 2007. He was sentenced to death by a court in central China's Henan province on Tuesday. Reports say the aging 61-year-old believed that having sexual relations with the girls (between the ages of 12 and 16) would boost his health and wealth. A woman who helped Wu track down the girls and several other accomplices were also given jail terms in connection with the case. Wu had an illustrious career and was once named one of Henan's top entrepreneurs. He served in China's National People's Congress from 1998 to 2003.

據中國官方媒體報導，一名前全國人大代表因在兩年期間強奸了20多名中學女生被判處死刑。據報導，吳天喜在2005年到2007年間主動尋求年輕女孩實施強奸。中國中部的河南省一家法庭星期二將他判處死刑。 報導說，年齡漸高的61歲的吳天喜相信與12到16歲的女孩“交合”將延年益壽、財運亨通。同案的一名幫助吳天喜尋找這些女孩的婦女和其他幾名同謀也都被判處了有期徒刑。 吳天喜在事業上曾很卓越，還被河南省命名為優秀企業家之一。他在1998年到2003年間曾經是全國人大代表。

Foreign Ministers from Six Countries to Discuss Iran
(六國外長將討論伊朗問題)

The officials from China, US and others will hold a multi-national discussions in Berlin that will discuss possible new sanctions against Iran next week.  The upcoming talks in Berlin will be the first between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her counterparts from China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany since the release of a new U.S. intelligence estimate on Iran.

中國和美國等國家的官員下星期將在柏林舉行多國會議，討論對伊朗可能實施新的製裁。 這次柏林會議將是自美國公布有關伊朗的新情報評估後，美國國務卿賴斯與中國、俄羅斯、英國、法國和德國外長的首次會晤。

US Admiral Wants More Transparency from China's Military
(美國海軍上將希望中國軍方增加透明度)

The head of U.S. forces in the Pacific says China needs to be more open about its military expansion, and he suggested the build-up was aimed at Taiwan. Admiral Timothy Keating told a news conference in Beijing Tuesday that he is concerned about China's development of new hardware, including long-range cruise missiles and anti-satellite technology. One of China's top generals has said the United States should not be concerned about increases in China's military spending, which went up to a reported 45 billion dollars last year. General Chen Bingde (chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army) met with Admiral Keating Monday and said China sees no need to compete militarily with the United States, and that its military development is for defensive purposes. Keating said today that the main theme of his visit is to build trust with his Chinese counterparts.

美軍太平洋司令部司令說，中國對於本國軍力擴充需要更加透明。他稱，中國加強軍力是針對台灣。 基廷海軍上將星期二在北京一個記者會上說，他對中國發展新的軍事裝備，包括遠程巡航導彈和反衛星技術表示關切。 一名中國高層將領曾說，美國不必擔心中國的軍事開支增長。中國軍費開支去年增加到了報道所稱的450億美元。中國人民解放軍總參謀長陳炳德上將星期一會晤了基廷，並且說，中國沒有必要與美國進行軍事競賽，中國發展軍力是出於自衛目的。 基廷星期二說，他此行的主題是同中國軍方同行建立起互信。

MySpace to Adopt Web Safety Measures
(我的空間網站將施行新安全措施)
 

MySpace, the world's most popular social networking site, has agreed to set stricter guidelines in an effort to protect children from online predators. MySpace, along with the attorneys-general of 49 U.S. states, announced (Monday) various new safety measures. Among them are a 24-hour police hotline, and improving response time to complaints of inappropriate content. They also announced the creation of an online safety task force that will explore new technologies, including better ways to verify ages of MySpace users. The Web site owned by NewsCorp will also create a database allowing parents to prevent their children from opening an account. Texas is the only state that did not endorse the agreement.

世界上最受歡迎的社交網站MySpace同意製定更為嚴格的指導原則，以保護少年兒童免受網上歹徒的性侵犯。 MySpace和美國49個州的州檢察長星期一一起宣布了各項新的安全措施。這些措施中包括設立一條24小時警察熱線，改進隊不良內容投訴的回應時間。 他們還宣布成立一個在線安全工作組，將探討新的技術，包括更好地鑒別MySpace用戶年齡的方式。 這個由“新聞公司”擁有的網站還將設立一個數據庫，可以讓家長們防止孩子設立帳戶。 得克薩斯州是唯一沒有讚同這項協議的州。