澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-10-28

 Figures released by the US government show the economy grew at an annual rate of two percent in the third quarter. That's only tiny fraction more than most analysts¹ had forecast, but much better than the 1.3 percent growth in the second quarter. Consumer spending and home sales contribute most to the third quarter growth. 

 

The Spanish unemployment rate has hit a record high of 25 percent, as the country continues to struggle through a long recession². Spain is under pressure to ask for more help with its debts after receiving a 100-billion-dollar bailout for its troubled banks this year. The country's jobless rate is one of the highest in Europe, second only to Greece.

 

Cyprus' financial troubles have been discussed at a meeting in Paris. Cypriot President Demetris Christofias met French President Francois Hollande to work out ways Cyprus can overcome its financial difficulties. Cyprus has been a member of the Eurozone since 2008. It's been particularly hard-hit by the Euro crisis³ and it's currently⁴ waiting for a bailout from the EU.

 

Now time for the markets.

 

And when the markets in Europe closed a couple of hours ago, London's FTSE 100 was up slightly, as were the Dax and Euro. In the US, trading comes to close shortly and the Dow Jones is up, while the S&P 500 is down.

 

And the Australian dollar is worth one dollar three US this morning. It'll also buy you 64 British pence and one dollar 26 New Zealand.

1 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

2 recession   

n.（工商业的）衷退（期），萧条（期）

参考例句：

• Manufacturing fell sharply under the impact of the recession.受到经济萧条的影响，制造业急剧衰退。
• A rise in interest rates plunged Britain deeper into recession.利率的提高导致英国经济更加萧条。

3 crisis   

n.危机，危急关头，决定性时刻，关键阶段

参考例句：

• He had proved that he could be relied on in a crisis.他已表明，在紧要关头他是可以信赖的。
• The topic today centers about the crisis in the Middle East.今天课题的中心是中东危机。

4 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。