澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-02-19

 A significant downturn in the Fortunes of several Australian fashion brands,most even go to foreign hands.Billabong's 72% slide in half year profits,pumped a take over offer could form global priority¹ firm TPG but the offer was rejected.Pacific brands on the rebonds haven't yet build in kengi* double its losses from a year ago losing 362 million dollars.But the company blames the tough retailing² environment.Billabong is shedding staffing,stores and part of its Nixson brand.

 

Fresh produce farmers are bracing³ from a another blow as Indonesia clamps⁴ down on Australia food exports.Indonesia became a free-trade parter with Australia early this year,but next month will restrict fresh produce from entry most of its main exports.The claims concerns the quantity and the illegal imports is driving the introduction of straight regulations.Australian fruit and vegetables experts say it's already taking on a toll⁵ profits.

 

 

The boss of ANZ bank has sought to defend this month,job cuts and last week's interest rate rise.Chief executive,Mike Smith says the global financial turmoil⁶ made the move necessary.The banks says in order to make the profit come in at 1.7 billion dollars for the half year.

 

 

A look at the latest numbers from the markets.

 

 

In the US,the Dow is up 46 points.In Asia,stocks finished up,the NIKKEI 146 higher.And back home,the all-ordes finished the week 16 points higher.

1 priority   

n.优先处理的事，居先，优先（权）

参考例句：

• The development of the national economy is a top priority.发展国民经济是应予以最优先考虑的事。
• Things should be taken up in order of priority.办事应有个先后次序。

2 retailing   

n.零售业v.零售(retail的现在分词)

参考例句：

• career opportunities in retailing 零售业的职业机会
• He is fond of retailing the news. 他喜欢传播消息。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 bracing   

adj.令人振奋的

参考例句：

• The country is bracing itself for the threatened enemy invasion. 这个国家正准备奋起抵抗敌人的入侵威胁。
• The atmosphere in the new government was bracing. 新政府的气氛是令人振奋的。

4 clamps   

夹具( clamp的名词复数 )； 夹子； 夹钳； 车轮锁

参考例句：

• Torsional microslip at the clamps results in spurious torques which act like pivot friction torques. 夹紧处扭杆的微小滑移会产生干扰力矩，它的作用和轴颈的摩擦力矩一样。
• I'll need some lap pads,forceps, metzenbaums and satinsky clamps. 我需要一些包垫，镊子，以及夹钳。

5 toll   

n.过路(桥)费；损失，伤亡人数；v.敲(钟)

参考例句：

• The hailstone took a heavy toll of the crops in our village last night.昨晚那场冰雹损坏了我们村的庄稼。
• The war took a heavy toll of human life.这次战争夺去了许多人的生命。

6 turmoil   

n.骚乱，混乱，动乱

参考例句：

• His mind was in such a turmoil that he couldn't get to sleep.内心的纷扰使他无法入睡。
• The robbery put the village in a turmoil.抢劫使全村陷入混乱。