澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2010-10-23

In business. The Australian Securities Exchange went into an unexpected trading halt yesterday afternoon, as rumors¹ swirled² about a possible takeover bid. The trading halts have renewed market speculation³ of a possible merger⁴ with the Singapore Stock Exchange. Shares in the eight billion Singapore Stock Exchange have also been halted. An ASX spokesman said the trading halt would remain in place until next Tuesday or when an announcement is made.

Lexus and Toyota drivers are being told to book their car in for an inspection⁵ after the Japanese manufacturer ordered a recall of more than 25,000 vehicles across the country. The announcement is a part of a global recall of more than 150,000 vehicles, involving faulty brake parts. The recall involves four specific vehicles produced under the Toyota and Lexus brands between 2003 and 2005.

And taking a look at the market numbers now. In the US, the Dow Jones is lower, the NASDAQ is up slightly. Australian shares ended the session yesterday higher. The All Ords was up 23 points and the ASX 200 gained 25. On the commodities' market, gold and oil are both higher. And let's check the currencies, the Australian dollar is buying around 98 US cents and almost 80 yen⁶.

1 rumors   

n.传闻( rumor的名词复数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷v.传闻( rumor的第三人称单数 )；[古]名誉；咕哝；[古]喧嚷

参考例句：

• Rumors have it that the school was burned down. 有谣言说学校给烧掉了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Rumors of a revolt were afloat. 叛变的谣言四起。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 swirled   

v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The waves swirled and eddied around the rocks. 波浪翻滚着在岩石周围打旋。
• The water swirled down the drain. 水打着旋流进了下水道。

3 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

4 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。

5 inspection   

n.检查，审查，检阅

参考例句：

• On random inspection the meat was found to be bad.经抽查，发现肉变质了。
• The soldiers lined up for their daily inspection by their officers.士兵们列队接受军官的日常检阅。

6 yen   

n. 日元；热望

参考例句：

• He wanted to convert his dollars into Japanese yen.他想将美元换成日币。
• He has a yen to be alone in a boat.他渴望独自呆在一条船上。