澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-01-09

 The number of people looking for work across the Eurozone has hit an all-time high. November figures put the unemployment rate at 11.8 per cent. Spain recorded the highest rate at 26.6 per cent.

 

Greece has the second highest at 20 per cent. More than 26 million people are now looking for work across the EU. The eurozone has struggled in recent years as government measures to reduce sovereign debt levels have impacted on economic growth.

 

Growing sales of smart phones have powered another quarter of record profits for Samsung electronics. The company estimates an operating profit of 8.3 billion dollars, a 90 per cent jump from the same period last year. The success of its Galaxy¹ smart phones helped Samsung overtake Nokia as the world's biggest phone maker² last year.

 

To the markets.

 

The Dow has closed down 54 points. The Nasdaq lost 8 points. The S&P 500 fell 5 points. And in London overnight, the FTSE shed 11 points. 

 

Checking commodity prices.

 

West Texas Crude is trading at 93 US dollars a barrel. Tapis Crude is at 119 US dollars a barrel. And gold is trading at 1658 US dollars an ounce.

 

The Australian dollar and you can buy 105 US cents, 80 Euro cents and 65 pence sterling³.

1 galaxy   

n.星系；银河系；一群(杰出或著名的人物)

参考例句：

• The earth is one of the planets in the Galaxy.地球是银河系中的星球之一。
• The company has a galaxy of talent.该公司拥有一批优秀的人才。

2 maker   

n.制造者，制造商

参考例句：

• He is a trouble maker，You must be distant with him.他是个捣蛋鬼，你不要跟他在一起。
• A cabinet maker must be a master craftsman.家具木工必须是技艺高超的手艺人。

3 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。