News Spotlight

News Spotlight¹

POLITICS

Brazil’s government has confirmed press reports that it barred International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors² from part of a new 1)uranium enrichment plant near Rio de Janeiro, but Brazil angrily rejects what it sees as baseless American 2)insinuations that the plant might be used to make the 3)ingredients for bombs.

The facility in question is being built to enrich uranium for Brazil’s nuclear power plants. The Brazilians say they’ve allowed all the inspections³ required by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but so far they’re 4)baulked at letting inspectors take a closer look at certain machinery⁴. Foreign Minister Celso Amorim says Brazil has a right to shield 5)legitimate⁵ industrial secrets.

“Brazil is entitled to protect its 6)proprietary⁶ technology, technology that was developed in Brazil,” Amorim says. 7)Prominent nuclear physicist⁷ Josia Goldenberg says, Brazilian technicians have managed to build the facility without outside help, but he’s 8)skeptical⁸ of the need for secrecy⁹.

Josia: It’s an achievement you know but which does not mean that the process has any great originality¹⁰.

The controversy¹¹ was touched off by a front-page story in Sunday’s Washington Post, which highlighted the limits on inspections at the facility. The Brazilian government 9)took offence at the story which many here saw as an unjustified attack on Brazil’s nuclear non-proliferation credentials¹². Politicians here have assumed the story was planted either by the U.S. government or the International Atomic Energy Agency, even though the IAEA won’t comment on the situation. Jose Sarney is the president of the Brazilian Senate.

“I don’t see how anyone could compare Brazil to North Korea or Iran,” Sarney said. Brazil abandoned its bomb programme in the 1980s and the constitution here now bans nuclear weapons. But the country has not yet signed what’s known as the Additional Protocol¹³, an 10)addendum¹⁴ to the Non-Proliferation Treaty which allows more intrusive¹⁵ inspections.

Despite the 11)dust up caused by the Post article, Brazil and the IAEA are hardly stuck at a stand off over inspections. Brazilian authorities say they’re still willing to negotiate the terms of the inspections. And a Brazilian delegation¹⁶ is planning a trip to the agency’s headquarters in Vienna where they say they’ll disclose more details of their enrichment process.

BUSINESS

Bank of America said yesterday it plans to 12)eliminate more than 12,000 jobs. The announcement came four days after the North Carolina based company completed a 13)merger¹⁷ with Fleet Boston to become the country’s third largest bank.

The jobs being eliminated represent about seven percent of Bank of America’s workforce¹⁸. 12,500 positions will be done away with in the next two years; some of the affected¹⁹ employees will begin receiving the news this month.

Bank of America says most of the jobs will be in such areas as marketing²⁰, finance and back office processing. It hopes about 30 percent of them will come from normal 14)attrition. In yesterday’s announcement, the company said it expects a short term employment drop in New England.

John Conaughtan (Economist): Historically, Bank of America, as they’ve merged²¹ and acquired other banks, most of the cuts have come from the acquired bank, so that’s not unusual. They simply believe that their systems are better and are more profitable, and that’s why they were able to acquire the bank: they were more profitable than the other bank they’re acquiring.

Despite the layoffs²², Bank of America promises it will eventually restore current employment levels in New England by adding jobs and opening new offices. Bank of America hopes to achieve $1.6 billion in cost savings²³ from the merger. It says its 36 million customers won’t notice the difference.

PEOPLE

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates may no longer be the world’s richest man. Swedish news reports say the businessman who founded the furniture retail²⁴ chain IKEA has taken over the top spot.

77-year old Swede Ingvar Kamprad is estimated to have a personal fortune of $53 billion. That’s six billion dollars more than Gates’ estimated fortune. Kamprad is known for his money-saving habits, such as flying 15)economy class, and no longer takes part in the daily running of IKEA, although he is still the owner.

SOCIETY

And finally, New York’s Times Square is celebrating its 100th birthday. 16)Confetti fell as the so-called “Crossroads of the World” celebrated²⁵ its 17)centenary. Times Square originated in 1904 when the mayor renamed what was then called Long Acre Square after the new headquarters of the New York Times newspaper; the newspaper built a giant 18)skyscraper²⁶, No. 1 Times Square. At 100-year anniversary celebrations, New York city’s mayor, Michael Bloomberg, paid 19)tribute to the Square’s 20)pivotal role in the image of the 21)Big Apple. The Square has seen several disreputable phases over the years before becoming famous for its flashing 22)neon and giant electronic screens.

注释：
1) uranium enrichment 铀浓缩，铀提纯
2) insinuation [insinju5eiFEn] n. 暗示
3) ingredient [in5^ri:diEnt ] n. 原料
4) baulk [bC:lk] v. 阻碍
5) legitimate [li5dVitimEt] a. 合法的
6) proprietary [prE5praiEtEri] a. 专有的
7) prominent [5prCminEnt] a. 卓越的， 显著的，突出的
8) skeptical [5skeptikEl] a. 怀疑的
9) take offence at 为……而生气
10) addendum [E5dendEm] n. 附录，补遗
11) dust up 争吵，吵闹
12) eliminate [i5limineit] v. 排除
13) merger [5mE:dVE] n. 合并
14) attrition [E5triFEn] n. 人员自然减缩
15) economy class  经济舱位，二等舱位
16) confetti [kEn5feti] n. （喜庆活动中抛撒的）五彩纸屑
17) centenary [sen5ti:nEri] n. 一百年
18) skyscraper [5skaiskreipE] n. 摩天大楼
19) tribute [5tribju:t] n. 颂词
20) pivotal [5pivEtEl] a.  关键的
21) Big Apple 纽约市又被称作大苹果
22) neon [5ni:En]  n. 霓虹灯

新闻聚光灯

政治

巴西政府正式证实媒体的报道，该国已经拒绝了国际原子能机构（IAEA）的要求，不容许该机构派员对里约热内卢附近一座新的提炼浓缩铀工厂内的部分设施进行核查。此前美国曾暗示该设施可能会被用于生产核武器原料，巴西政府愤怒否认，认为这是无事实根据的猜测。
此次引起争议的是兴建中的铀浓缩设施，它是为巴西的核电站提供所需原料的。巴西声称已经按照《不扩散核武器条约》的规定接受了检查，但目前巴西拒绝核查人员进一步检查部分设施。巴外长塞尔索·阿莫林指出巴西有权保护其合法的工业秘密。
阿莫林：“巴西有权保护其自行发展的专有技术。”著名核物理学家乔斯·戈登伯格说，巴西技术人员已经成功独力建造核设施，但他不认为有保密的必要。
乔斯: 众所周知，这是个了不起的成就，但这并不意味着其中有什么了不起的首创成分。
周日版的《华盛顿邮报》的头版报道成为引发此次争议的导火线。该报道特意强调巴西政府回绝了部分核查要求这一举动，这让巴西大为不悦，因为他们禁止核武扩散的声誉因此遭到了无理的怀疑。巴西的政治家还认为该报道代表了美国政府或国际原子能机构的意旨，尽管国际原子能机构不会就此作出回应。荷西·萨尼是巴西参议院主席。
萨尼说，“不知道为什么有人会把巴西和朝鲜、伊朗两国相提并论”。巴西早在20世纪80年代就宣布放弃发展核武器，宪法也明令禁止核武器的开发。但巴西至今仍未签署《不扩散核武器条约》的附加协定书，从而得以拒绝国际社会对该国核设施进行强制性核查。
《华盛顿邮报》的报道引起的争议并没有导致巴西与IAEA的关系因核查问题而出现僵局，巴西政府表示愿意就核查细节展开进一步磋商。一个巴西代表团拟出访IAEA的总部所在地维也纳，届时他们将透露更多关于铀浓缩设施的细节。

财经

美国银行昨天宣布将裁员一万两千多人。四天前，总部位于北卡罗来纳州的美国银行刚刚完成了对弗利特波士顿公司的并购，成为全美第三大银行。
本次美国银行的裁员人数占员工总数的7%，这一万两千五百人的裁员将在未来两年的时间里完成。部分员工这个月内就会接到离职通知。
美国银行指出，裁员主要集中在市场、金融和后台处理部门，预计约30%的减员将通过员工的自然流失来完成。美国银行在昨天发表的声明中预计，该行在新英格兰地区的员工人数在短期内会出现下跌。
约翰·康纳坦（经济学家）:回看历史，每次美国银行吞并其他银行后，被裁的员工大多数都是来自被吞并的银行，因此，这次这样做也并不奇怪，美国银行本来就认定本公司的制度更完善，盈利更多，这也是他们能够兼并对方的原因：他们的经营状况更胜一筹。
美国银行许诺，这次裁员之后将会在新英格兰地区开设新的分支机构，增设新职位，届时该行在此地区雇用的人数将恢复到原有水平。美国银行希望这次合并能节省十六亿美元的成本开支，但三千六百万客户不会因此受到任何影响。

人物

微软主席比尔·盖茨可能不再是世界首富了。瑞典媒体报道，家具连锁店宜家的创办人已取代盖茨荣登世界首富宝座。
77岁的瑞典人英瓦尔·坎普拉德的个人资产预计达到530亿美元，比盖茨还要多60亿。坎普拉德有不少众所周知的省钱癖好，如乘飞机坐的是经济舱。尽管他仍是宜家的老板，但已经不再参与公司的日常事务运作。

社会

纽约时代广场迎来了它的百年华诞！飘飞的彩屑给走过百年风雨的“世界十字路口”祝寿。1904年，《纽约时报》将其总部搬进了新建的摩天大厦“时代广场一号”，因而，当时的纽约市长将该大厦所在的广场（当时名为“长亩广场”）更名为“时代广场”。在百年庆典上，纽约市长迈克尔·布隆伯格高度评价了时代广场在塑造纽约形象中发挥的重要作用。在经历了数次不甚光彩的阶段之后，今天，时代广场因其绚丽的霓虹灯和巨幅电子广告屏幕而名扬世界。

 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 machinery   

n.(总称)机械，机器；机构

参考例句：

• Has the machinery been put up ready for the broadcast?广播器材安装完毕了吗？
• Machinery ought to be well maintained all the time.机器应该随时注意维护。

5 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

6 proprietary   

n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主

参考例句：

• We had to take action to protect the proprietary technology.我们必须采取措施保护专利技术。
• Proprietary right is the foundation of jus rerem.所有权是物权法之根基。

7 physicist   

n.物理学家，研究物理学的人

参考例句：

• He is a physicist of the first rank.他是一流的物理学家。
• The successful physicist never puts on airs.这位卓有成就的物理学家从不摆架子。

8 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

9 secrecy   

n.秘密，保密，隐蔽

参考例句：

• All the researchers on the project are sworn to secrecy.该项目的所有研究人员都按要求起誓保守秘密。
• Complete secrecy surrounded the meeting.会议在绝对机密的环境中进行。

10 originality   

n.创造力，独创性；新颖

参考例句：

• The name of the game in pop music is originality.流行音乐的本质是独创性。
• He displayed an originality amounting almost to genius.他显示出近乎天才的创造性。

11 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

12 credentials   

n.证明，资格，证明书，证件

参考例句：

• He has long credentials of diplomatic service.他的外交工作资历很深。
• Both candidates for the job have excellent credentials.此项工作的两个求职者都非常符合资格。

13 protocol   

n.议定书，草约，会谈记录，外交礼节

参考例句：

• We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
• The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。

14 addendum   

n.补充，附录

参考例句：

• This is an addendum to the book.这是本书的附录。
• Six parts and one addendum are separated in the paper.论文由六章和一个附录组成。

15 intrusive   

adj.打搅的；侵扰的

参考例句：

• The cameras were not an intrusive presence.那些摄像机的存在并不令人反感。
• Staffs are courteous but never intrusive.员工谦恭有礼却从不让人感到唐突。

16 delegation   

n.代表团；派遣

参考例句：

• The statement of our delegation was singularly appropriate to the occasion.我们代表团的声明非常适合时宜。
• We shall inform you of the date of the delegation's arrival.我们将把代表团到达的日期通知你。

17 merger   

n.企业合并，并吞

参考例句：

• Acceptance of the offer is the first step to a merger.对这项提议的赞同是合并的第一步。
• Shareholders will be voting on the merger of the companies.股东们将投票表决公司合并问题。

18 workforce   

n.劳动大军，劳动力

参考例句：

• A large part of the workforce is employed in agriculture.劳动人口中一大部分受雇于农业。
• A quarter of the local workforce is unemployed.本地劳动力中有四分之一失业。

19 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

20 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

21 merged   

（使）混合( merge的过去式和过去分词 )； 相融； 融入； 渐渐消失在某物中

参考例句：

• Turf wars are inevitable when two departments are merged. 两个部门合并时总免不了争争权限。
• The small shops were merged into a large market. 那些小商店合并成为一个大商场。

22 layoffs   

临时解雇( layoff的名词复数 )； 停工，停止活动

参考例句：

• Textile companies announced 2000 fresh layoffs last week. 各纺织公司上周宣布再次裁员两千人。
• Stock prices broke when the firm suddenly announced layoffs. 当公司突然宣布裁员时，股票价格便大跌

23 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。

24 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。

25 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

26 skyscraper   

n.摩天大楼

参考例句：

• The skyscraper towers into the clouds.那幢摩天大楼高耸入云。
• The skyscraper was wrapped in fog.摩天楼为雾所笼罩。