看新聞，學英語！VOA 雙語新聞 - 星期五 (05232008) (ZT)

星期五 (05232008)

US Home Sales Drop (美國房屋銷售量下滑)

Home sales in the United States dropped between April and March, evidence that the housing market's problems are not over. Today's (Friday's) report from a business group (The National Association of Realtors) says sales of previously-owned homes fell one percent in March. That pushed the sales of homes down to an annual rate of just under four-point-nine million units. The same report says the median sales price for a home fell eight percent from the same period last year. Sales of previously-owned homes are the largest part of the housing market. Sales of newly-constructed homes will be reported next week. Problems in the housing market are one key reason for the current economic slowdown in the United States.

美國房屋銷售量在三四月之間下降，由此證明房屋市場的問題並未結束。 今天(星期五)，一個商業組織(全國房地產商聯合會)的報告說，三月份舊房銷售量下降了1%。 這促使房屋的年銷售量略低於490萬套。報告還說住房銷售價格的中值比去年同期下降了8%。 舊房銷售是房屋市場的主力。新建的房屋銷售下周將有報告。 房屋市場的問題是現在美國經濟減緩的一個關鍵原因。

Swiss Climber Dies After Climbing Everest
(瑞士一登山者在登上珠峰後死亡)

A Swiss climber has died from exhaustion after making it to the top of Mount Everest. Fellow climbers say 44-year-old Gianni Goltz had scaled the nearly nine-thousand-meter-high mountain without the aid of bottled oxygen. Climbing to the top of Mount Everest without additional oxygen is considered risky because of the very thin air, which makes it hard to breath. News of the death came shortly after officials announced that a veteran Sherpa guide climbed to the top of Mount Everest for a record 18th time Thursday.

瑞士一位登山者在登上珠穆朗瑪峰頂之後因過度疲勞死亡。 他的登山同伴說，44歲的詹尼.戈爾茨在沒有氧氣瓶幫助的情況下攀登上近9千米的高峰。 由於空氣稀薄，呼吸困難，不借助額外的氧氣而攀登珠穆朗瑪峰被認為是危險的。 在此之前不久，有關官員宣布，一位資深的夏爾巴人向導星期四在創下18次登上珠峰峰頂的紀錄後死亡。

星期四 (05222008)

Taiwan's President 'Hopes to Resume Negotiations With China'
(台灣總統“希望與中國恢複談判”)

In Taipei, President Ma Ying-jeou says Taiwan and China have a historic opportunity to improve relations, and that he hopes the island and the mainland can build up mutual trust through expanded ties. Mr. Ma welcomed Beijing's warm reaction today (Thursday) to his inaugural address this week, in which he promised to pursue cross-Strait ties and regional stability. China's top official on Taiwan affairs, Chen Yunlin, says that just two days after Mr. Ma was sworn into office, there are already positive efforts at reconciliation. Mr. Chen's comments during a speech in the Chinese capital have been republished on the Internet by the State Council, China's Cabinet. The head of Taiwan's ruling Nationalist Party is scheduled to visit the mainland in the coming days.

台灣總統馬英九在台北說，台灣和中國有曆史性的機會改善關係，他希望台灣島和中國大陸能夠通過擴大關係建立互信。馬英九對北京星期四就他本星期就職演說的熱情反應表示歡迎。他在演說中承諾發展兩岸關係和謀求地區穩定。 中國台灣事務的最高負責人陳雲林表示，馬英九宣誓就職僅僅兩天後，在和解方麵已經出現了積極的努力。陳雲林在北京演講時發表的這個評論，被刊登在中國國務院的網絡上。 台灣執政黨國民黨的主席定於近日訪問中國大陸。

China Denies Zimbabwe Received Weapons Shipment
(中國否認津巴布韋收到軍火)

China is denying reports that a shipment of weapons meant for Zimbabwe's government has reached Zimbabwe. A Foreign Ministry spokesman in Beijing (Qin Gang) today (Thursday) rejected southern African media reports that said the arms have been delivered to Harare. The reports from South Africa and Mozambique said the cargo -- consisting of bullets, grenades, and mortar shells -- was unloaded in either Angola or the Republic of Congo and then flown to Zimbabwe. The Chinese spokesman says the reports are completely false, and that the weapons are being carried back to China on the ship that was to have delivered them. The ship (the An Yue Jiang) was refused permission to unload in South Africa because of concern the weapons would be used against opponents of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

中國否認有關為津巴布韋政府運送一批軍火已經抵達津巴布韋的報導。中國外交部發言人今天(星期四)在北京否認南部非洲媒體有關這批軍火已經交給哈拉雷的報導。 南非和莫桑比克的報導說，包括子彈、手榴彈和迫擊炮彈等軍火的這船貨在安哥拉或剛果共和國卸貨，隨後把被空運到津巴布韋。 中國外交部發言人說，有關報導完全是不真實的，這批軍火正在由那艘原本要運貨的貨船運回中國。 由於擔心這批軍火會被用來鎮壓津巴布韋總統穆加貝的反對者，這艘船被拒絕在南非卸貨。

星期三 (05212008)

China to Relocate Devastated Quake City
(中國將易地重建被地震毀壞城鎮)

Chinese officials say they will move and completely rebuild one of the towns worst hit by last week's powerful earthquake in Sichuan province. China's official state-run news agency today (Wednesday) quotes local officials who say the (Qushan) town in Beichuan county, surrounded by steep hills, is no longer safe, and it should be relocated to flat land. The earthquake killed more than eight-thousand-600 people in that town alone,  Xinhua says, and destroyed 70 percent of the buildings. News of the relocation plan comes as authorities are rushing emergency supplies and shelter to some five million people left homeless by the earthquake. Although increasingly desperate, rescue efforts continue. Today, a woman was rescued from a tunnel at a power plant nine days after she was trapped during the seven-point-nine magnitude

中國官員說，將遷移並全麵重建一個在上星期四川大地震中受損嚴重的城鎮之一。中國官方媒體今天(星期三)援引地方官員的話說，北川縣的這個鎮四麵陡壁環繞，已不再安全，因此要遷至平原地帶。 新華社說，僅這個鎮就有8600多人死於地震，70%的房屋被毀。在宣布遷移計劃的同時，有關當局正加緊為大約500萬無家可歸的地震災民提供緊急救援物資和帳篷。盡管希望愈來愈無望，但搜救工作仍在繼續。 今天，一名被四川7.9強烈地震掩埋在一座發電站隧道下9天的婦女獲得解救。

Tibetan Government-in-Exile Calls for End to Anti-Chinese Protests
(西藏流亡政府呼籲停止反中國抗議)

The Tibetan government-in-exile is calling for a temporary halt to protests against China in the wake of last week's deadly earthquake. In a statement released today (Wednesday) from its headquarters in Dharamsala, India, the government urges Tibetans to stop the demonstrations in front of Chinese embassies around the world "to express our solidarity" with the Chinese people. The statement also asks Tibetans to send messages of condolences for the victims, raise funds for relief efforts and explore the possibilities of establishing "Sino-Tibetan friendship associations." China has come under international criticism over its harsh crackdown on anti-government protesters in Tibet in March. Angry demonstrations in several cities marred the international torch relay for the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

在上星期四川發生造成慘重傷亡大地震之後，西藏流亡政府呼籲暫停反對中國的抗議活動。西藏流亡政府星期三在印度達蘭薩拉的總部發表聲明，敦促藏人停止在全球的中國駐外使館門前示威，以表達與“我們中國人民的團結”。 聲明還要求藏人向地震受害者發送悼念慰問、為救災行動募捐並探討成立“漢藏友好協會”的可能性。 中國今年3月在西藏嚴厲鎮壓反政府抗議，招致國際社會的批評。憤怒的抗議人士在幾個城市幹擾了即將舉行的北京奧運會的火炬國際傳遞活動。

星期二 (05202008)

Woman Rescued After Eight Days; China Quake Death Toll Tops 40,000
(八天之後女子獲救；中國地震死亡人數超過四萬)

A Chinese woman has been rescued from the rubble in quake-struck Sichuan province, eight days after the country's massive earthquake hit, toppling buildings and leaving five million homeless. The official Xinhua news agency says the woman spent 195 hours under the rubble, but did not provide any other details. She is the second person to be rescued today, as hopes dim for those still trapped. Chinese officials say the death toll has risen to more than 40-thousand, and warned that the final death total could be more than 50-thousand. As China continues to work to rescue those buried, its focus is increasingly shifting toward caring for survivors of the seven-point-nine magnitude quake.

中國四川的一名婦女在大地震發生的八天後從廢墟中獲救，地震造成很多房屋倒塌，5百萬人無家可歸。官方新華社說，這名婦女在廢墟中被埋195小時，但沒有提供任何其他細節。隨著被埋在廢墟中的人能夠生還希望渺茫，她是今天被救出的第二個人。 中國官員說，死亡人數已經超過4萬，並警告說，最終的死亡人數可能超過5萬。中國在繼續營救被埋在廢墟中的人的同時，將施救重點逐漸轉向照顧這次7點9級大地震的幸存災民。

Dalai Lama Begins 11-Day Visit to Britain
(達賴喇嘛開始對英國11天訪問)

The Dalai Lama has begun an 11-day visit to Britain, where he will meet the country's prime minister and testify before a parliamentary committee on China's recent military crackdown in Tibet. The Tibetan spiritual leader arrived today (Tuesday) in London from Berlin, one of five cities he visited in Germany as part of his campaign for human rights. The exiled monk will testify Thursday before a British parliamentary committee on foreign affairs. He will meet with Prime Minister Gordon Brown Friday at Lambeth Palace, the residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. The location of the meeting sparked controversy because it will not take place at 10 Downing Street, the prime minister's official residence. Some of Mr. Brown's critics say the decision to meet the Dalai Lama informally at the archbishop's residence was designed to appease China, which opposes the Dalai Lama's meetings with any foreign government official.

達賴喇嘛開始對英國的11天訪問，其間將會晤英國首相，並在一個議會委員會就中國當局最近在西藏進行武力鎮壓一事作證。西藏精神領袖達賴喇嘛今天(星期二)從柏林抵達倫敦，柏林是他訪問的五個德國城市之一。這次出訪是達賴喇嘛爭取人權努力的一部分。 流亡的達賴喇嘛星期四將在一個英國議會委員會就外交問題作證。星期五，達賴喇嘛將在坎特伯雷大主教威廉姆斯居住的蘭柏特宮會晤布朗首相。這次會晤的地點引發爭議，因為不在首相官邸唐寧街10號舉行。布朗的一些批評者說，決定在大主教的住所與達賴喇嘛進行非正式會晤是為了取悅中國。中國反對達賴喇嘛會晤任何外國政府官員。

星期一 (05192008)

China Estimates Economic Losses from Quake Nearly $10 Billion in Sichuan
(中國估計四川地震經濟損失近一百億美元)

Chinese officials say direct economic losses from last week's earthquake could be as high as 10 billion dollars in Sichuan province alone. China's Ministry of Industry and Information says (today/Monday) the earthquake affected more than 14-thousand companies in Sichuan, and it projects their economic losses at nine-point-six billion dollars. Independent estimates say China's overall economic losses from the quake could reach 20 billion dollars. Chinese officials say the earthquake destroyed more than 30-thousand hectares of grains and vegetables in Sichuan, the hardest hit area. The government is closely watching food prices, but does not expect damage from the quake to affect the cost of food nationwide. Sichuan province produces six percent of China's grain and is an important region for rice, wheat, corn and other crops.

中國官員說，上星期地震造成的直接經濟損失，僅在四川省就可能高達100億美元。中國工業和信息化部今天(星期一)說，這場地震影響到四川省的1萬4千多家公司，估計經濟損失為96億美元。 按照獨立機構的估計，這場地震給中國造成的總體經濟損失可能高達200億美元。中國官員說，在受災最嚴重的四川省，3萬多公頃種植糧食和蔬菜的農田被毀。目前，中國政府在密切關注糧食價格，但預計地震造成的損害不會影響全國的糧價。 四川省的糧食產量占全國的百分之6，是水稻、小麥、玉米以及其他作物的重要產地。

China Mourns Quake Dead
(中國哀悼地震死難者)

China came to a standstill for three minutes today (Monday) as the public mourned the over thirty thousands of victims of last Monday's powerful earthquake. Across the country, air raid sirens and car, train and ship horns blared at 2:28 p.m. (0628 UTC) to mark the exact time the seven-point-nine earthquake struck Sichuan province seven days ago, killing more than 34-thousand people. Authorities expect the final death toll could be above 50-thousand. Today's three minute pause is part of three days of mourning for quake victims during which China has suspended the Olympic torch relay. Internet Web sites have also been ordered to shut down entertainment content, and public recreational activities have been canceled. As China mourned today, the official Xinhua news agency reports that a mudslide in the disaster area buried more than 200 relief workers. No details were given.

中國今天(星期一)靜默三分鍾，為在上星期一的強烈地震中3萬多死難者哀悼。在下午2點28分，全國各地響起空襲警報聲，汽車、火車和輪船鳴笛，紀念7天前四川發生7.9級地震的這一時刻。這次地震造成3萬4千多人死亡。 當局預計最後的死亡人數會超過5萬。今天的三分鍾默哀是為地震受害者舉行的為期三天的哀悼活動的一部分，在哀悼期內，中國暫停奧運火炬的傳遞活動。互聯網站也被下令關閉文娛內容，公共娛樂活動也被取消。 在今天舉國哀悼時，官方新華社報導說，震災區發生的一場泥石流掩埋了200多名救援人員，但是沒有透露細節。

星期五 (05162008)

China Is Allowing Foreign Search-and-Rescue Teams Into the Country
(中國允外國搜救人員進入中國)

China is allowing foreign search-and-rescue teams into the country to assist in finding survivors from Monday's massive earthquake, as the rescue efforts reach a critical phase. Several members of a Japanese rescue squad arrived in Sichuan province today (Friday), with several more due to arrive later. A group of Russian emergency personnel, including doctors, is on its way to China. Beijing has also given permission for teams from South Korea and Singapore to come and assist the 130-thousand troops deployed in the affected areas.

中國允許外國搜救人員入境，幫助尋找星期一強地震後的幸存者。同時，營救工作進入關鍵階段。 日本搜救隊的一些人員星期五抵達四川省，晚些時候還有一些人將抵達。一組俄羅斯應急人員，包括醫生，正前往中國。 北京還允許韓國和新加坡的兩個救援隊來幫助部署在災區的13萬軍人救災。

Oil Prices Soar to New Record High
(原油價格上漲再創新高)

The price of crude oil soared to yet another record high in today's (Friday's) trading in New York. The price of a barrel of oil for future delivery went as high as 127 dollars, 43 cents a barrel. The price hike follows declines in the value of the dollar, strong oil demand from China, and a prediction by experts at the Goldman Sachs investment bank that oil could rise to an average price of 141 dollars a barrel in the second half of this year.

原油價格今天(星期五)在紐約交易市場的價格再創新高。原油期貨每桶價格達到127.43美元。 石油價格上升前，美元幣值下跌，中國對石油的需求強勁，高盛投資銀行的專家預測今年下半年每桶石油平均價格將達到141美元。

星期四 (05152008)

China Says Quake Death Toll Could Top 50,000
(中國稱地震死難者可能逾5萬)

China says nearly 400 dams and reservoirs near the epicenter of Monday's deadly earthquake were damaged, triggering new worries as Chinese officials warned today (Thursday) that the death toll could top 50-thousand. The military is in a race against time to rescue tens of thousands believed buried beneath the rubble from Monday's quake. Officials in southwestern Sichuan province say the known death toll has risen to more than 19-thousand-500. The official Xinhua news agency says troops have been sent to repair cracks in the Zipingpu Dam in Sichuan. China's water minister (Chen Lei) says there are major safety issues with dams, reservoirs, and hydropower stations in the earthquake zone. The Chinese military has sent 130-thousand troops to Sichuan and deployed 101 more helicopters to airlift victims and drop emergency supplies to quake survivors.

中國說，星期一致命大地震震中附近有將近400座水壩和水庫受到損壞，引發外界新的擔憂。中國官員今天(星期四)警告說，死亡人數可能超過五萬。 軍方繼續爭取時間搶救數以萬計被埋在廢墟下的人。西南省份四川的官員說，死亡人數已經上升到了一萬九千五百多人。 官方的新華社說，部隊已被派去修複四川紫坪鋪大壩的裂縫。中國水利部部長說，震區的水壩、水庫和水電站都存在嚴重的安全問題。 中國軍隊已經向四川派出13萬軍人，並增派101架直升機來轉移災民並向幸存者空投急救物資。

Dalai Lama Arrives in Germany
(達賴喇嘛抵德)

The Dalai Lama called for real autonomy for Tibet as he arrived in Germany today (Thursday) on the first leg of a visit to several Western countries. The Tibetan spiritual leader will give lectures and meet with politicians while in Germany. But he will not meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel, who is in Latin America. Beijing insists Tibet is a part of China. A meeting between the Dalai Lama and Chancellor Merkel in Berlin last September strained relations between the two countries and led to Beijing canceling high-level contacts with German officials. After landing in Frankfurt, the Dalai Lama criticized China's violent suppression of Tibetans following protests in Lhasa in March, which spread to neighboring provinces. He said Tibet is not seeking independence but autonomy within China.

達賴喇嘛今天(星期四)抵達德國時呼籲西藏獲得真正的自治，這是他訪問西方幾國第一站。藏人精神領袖達賴喇嘛將在德國布法，並將與德國政界人士會見。但是他將不會見正在拉丁美洲訪問的德國總理默克爾。 北京堅持西藏是中國的一部分。達賴喇嘛和默克爾去年9月在柏林的會見使得德國和中國關係緊張，導致北京取消了與德國高級官員接觸的計劃。 達賴喇嘛乘抵達法蘭克福後，批評中國3月在拉薩暴力鎮壓抗議活動。拉薩的示威後來蔓延到臨近省份。達賴喇嘛說，西藏並不要求從中國獨立，隻是在中國內部自治。

星期三 (05142008)

Beijing Has First Fatality of Child Virus
(北京出現首例手足口病死亡病例)

Chinese health officials say the capital city Beijing has recorded its first death from an outbreak of a severe intestinal virus that has now killed 42 children nationwide. A 13-month-old boy from the city's Chaoyang District died Sunday while on the way to a hospital. A spokeswoman for the Health Ministry says the boy tested positive for enterovirus 71, a severe form of hand, foot and mouth disease that can lead to high fever, paralysis and viral meningitis. The spokeswoman says another child died of the disease in a Beijing hospital, but the case will be recorded in the neighboring Hebei province, where the child resided. More than 24-thousand cases of hand, foot and mouth disease have been reported this year. The majority of the casualties have been recorded in the eastern province of Anhui.

中國衛生官員說，首都北京出現第一例嚴重腸道病毒爆發導致的死亡案例，這種病毒現在全國造成42名兒童死亡。北京朝陽區一名13個月的男孩星期天在去醫院的路上死亡。 衛生部一位女發言人說，這個男孩的EV71病毒測試呈陽性。EV71是手足口病的一種嚴重的病毒。手足口病可以導致高燒、癱瘓和腦膜炎。這位女發言人說，另外一名兒童在北京一家醫院死於這個疾病，但是這個死亡病例將由這名兒童居住的鄰近的河北省記錄。 中國今年報告有超過兩萬四千例手足口病，主要死亡病例發生在東部的安徽省。

China Begins Airlifting Emergency Aid to Quake Victims
(中國開始向地震災民空運物資)

The Chinese military has begun airlifting emergency supplies to areas affected by Monday's devastating earthquake that has killed thousands of people.  The official Xinhua news agency says seven military helicopters have delivered supplies to Wenchuan county, the epicenter of the seven-point-nine magnitude quake, and several surrounding counties.

中國軍方已經開始向星期一極具破壞力的地震的受災地區空運急救物資，地震已經造數以千計的人死亡。 官方新華社說，七架軍用直升機向這次七點九級地震的震中汶川縣以及周圍幾個縣送去了供應品。

星期二 (05132008)

Quake Disaster Won't Stop Olympic Torch Relay in Sichuan
(震災未阻止奧運火炬在四川傳遞)

The organizing committee for the Beijing Olympics says the torch relay for the 2008 Games will go on as planned in China's Sichuan province next month. Speaking in Beijing today (Tuesday), a spokesman for the committee said the earthquake in Sichuan will not affect the relay because the quake-stricken areas are not along the route. The epicenter of Monday's seven-point-nine magnitude earthquake was in Sichuan, and most of the confirmed deaths from the quake are in the province. The Olympic torch relay continued today in the Chinese city of Longyan, in the province of Fujian. The torch is expected to reach Sichuan province next month, touring seven cities between June 15th to June 18th.

北京奧組委說，2008奧運火炬的接力活動將按計劃下個月在四川省舉行。 北京奧組委發言人今天(星期二)說，四川地震災區不在定於舉行火炬接力的線路附近，因此不影響接力活動。 星期一7.9級地震的震中位於四川。大部分確認的死傷也在該省。 奧運火炬接力活動今天在福建省的城市龍岩繼續進行。預計火炬下個月抵達四川，於6月15號到18號期間在7座城市傳遞。

Some Chinese Pandas Near Center of Earthquake Zone Safe
(震中附近一些中國熊貓安然無恙)

Chinese officials say about 60 giant pandas at a Chengdu breeding center near the epicenter of Monday's devastating earthquake are safe. However, the official Xinhua news agency said today (Tuesday) that there was no immediate word on the status of the pandas at another research center near Wolong, also located in the disaster area. Pandas are among the world's most endangered animals. The breeding centers are part of efforts to help ensure the survival of the species by breeding them to be released into the wild. Only about 16 hundred pandas live in the wild in China's mountainous west.

中國官員說，在星期一強烈地震的震中附近的成都一個熊貓繁殖中心內的大約60隻熊貓安然無恙。但是官方的新華社星期二說，目前還不清楚也在災區的臥龍附近的另外一個研究中心裏的熊貓狀況。 熊貓屬於世界最瀕危動物。人們努力維持這一物種的生存，包括建立繁殖中心，繁殖熊貓，把他們放生野外。隻有大約一千六百隻野生熊貓生活在中國西部山區。

星期一 (05122008)

State Media: Chinese Quake Kills Between Three and Five Thousand
(官方媒體：中國地震死亡三千至五千人)

Chinese state media estimate that between three to five thousand people were killed in one single county today (Monday) when a powerful earthquake struck China's southwestern province of Sichuan. The official Xinhua news agency says that at least 10-thousand people are also feared injured in that same area, Sichuan's Beichuan county. Reports also say that that nearly 900 students were buried when two primary schools collapsed but no details were provided and their fate is unknown. Xinhua says there are 107 confirmed deaths in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Yunnan and in the municipality of Chongqing.

中國官方媒體估計，中國西南部的四川省發生強烈地震後，僅在一個縣就造成3千至5千人死亡。官方新華社說，同一地區，四川省的北川縣可能還有至少一萬人恐怕受傷。 報導還說，兩所小學的校舍倒塌，將近900名學生被埋。報導沒有提供任何細節，這些學生目前的命運還不清楚。 新華社報導說，在四川、甘肅、雲南和重慶市，已經證實有107人死亡。

China's Trade Surplus Down on Weaker Global Demand
(中月貿易順差因全球需求減弱下)

China's trade surplus fell about one percent in April to a still robust 16-point-eight billion dollars as global demand weakened slightly. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, the trade gap for April was much bigger than in February (13.4 billion dollars) and March (8.6 billion), but still well below last year's monthly figures that often exceeded 20 billion dollars. China's growing trade gap with the 27-nation European Union and the United States is frequently a point of contention, as Western nations push Beijing to ease currency controls and lift import barriers. China also announced today (Monday) that its inflation rate rose to eight-point-five percent in April, remaining near decade-high levels.

由於全球需求量略有減少，中國4月份的貿易順差減少了大約一個百分點，但仍高達強勁的168億美元。中國國家統計局公布的數據，4月份的貿易順差遠遠超過2月份和3月份，但大大低於去年，去年每月的貿易順差常常超過200億美元。 中國與歐盟27國以及美國的不斷增加的貿易順差是經常引起爭議的問題，西方國家敦促北京放鬆對本國貨幣控製以及取消進口壁壘。 此外，中國今天(星期一)宣布，中國4月份的通貨膨脹率上升到百分之8點5，仍然接近10年來的最高水平。