澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2013-03-24

 And when the markets in Europe closed a couple of hours ago, London's FTSE 100 was a little up. We are just waiting for the graphics¹ there. The Dax and Euro were both lower. In the US, trading comes to a close shortly. The Dow Jones is up, as is the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq.

The Australian dollar is worth around 104 US  cents this morning. It'll also buy you 68 British pence and around 125 New Zealand.

 

The Reserve Bank says Australian consumers are benefiting from more aggressive competition between banks for deposits in the wake of the global financial crisis. During a speech in Melbourne, one of RBA's assistant governors, Malcolm Edey said competition before the GFC(Global financial crisis) was largely the function  of banks' lending businesses. Doctor Edey says there are now two sides of competition in the banking² industry and that's a good thing for customers and the overall stability of the financial sector³. 

 

Three software giants have acknowledged that Australian consumers are paying more for their products. Microsoft, Adobe⁴ and Apple have fronted  the parliamentary inquiry⁵ which is investigating software prices in Australia. Microsoft said they charged what markets in each country can bear. Apple blamed higher costs charged  by the entertainment industry for content destined⁶ for the Australia market. While the Adobe justified⁷ the higher prices, saying that Australian websites provided a customised retail⁸ experience.

1 graphics   

n.制图法，制图学；图形显示

参考例句：

• You've leveraged your graphics experience into the video area.你们把图形设计业务的经验运用到录像业务中去。
• Improved graphics took computer games into a new era.经改进的制图技术将电脑游戏带进了一个新时代。

2 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 adobe   

n.泥砖，土坯，美国Adobe公司

参考例句：

• They live in an adobe house.他们住在一间土坯屋里。
• Adobe bricks must drived dried completely before are used.土坯砖块使用前一定要完全干燥。

5 inquiry   

n.打听，询问，调查，查问

参考例句：

• Many parents have been pressing for an inquiry into the problem.许多家长迫切要求调查这个问题。
• The field of inquiry has narrowed down to five persons.调查的范围已经缩小到只剩5个人了。

6 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

7 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

8 retail   

v./n.零售；adv.以零售价格

参考例句：

• In this shop they retail tobacco and sweets.这家铺子零售香烟和糖果。
• These shoes retail at 10 yuan a pair.这些鞋子零卖10元一双。