澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-04-09

 The ASX says it must consolidate¹ with other stock exchanges after the Federal Government rejected its deal with Singapore. The treasurer², Wayne Swan, rejected the proposed 8-million-dollar merger³ of the two. He says protecting jobs was a key reason for vetoing the deal, but he indicated he would not be opposed to a future takeover of the ASX. 

 

Spain has insisted that it will not be the next domino to fall in Europe. The European Union is aiming to arrange a massive financial bailout for Portugal with speculation⁴ the country could need a 100-billion-dollar lifeline, but Spain's economics minister says it can deal with its own debt crisis. 

 

The European Central Bank has lifted its main interest rate for the first time in nearly three years in an attempt to curb⁵ inflation. The 25 basis point rise takes its benchmark rate to 1.25 percent. It is the first increase since July 2008. 

 

And taking a look at the market, local shares finished the week on a positive note. The ASX 200 gained about two thirds of a percent. Markets were also up elsewhere in the region. Japan's Nikkei finished 177 points higher and in the US, at the end of the week, the Dow and the Nasdaq are both down. And the Australian dollar is currently hovering⁶ above at 105 US cents.

1 consolidate   

v.使加固，使加强；(把...)联为一体，合并

参考例句：

• The two banks will consolidate in July next year. 这两家银行明年7月将合并。
• The government hoped to consolidate ten states to form three new ones.政府希望把十个州合并成三个新的州。

2 treasurer   

n.司库，财务主管

参考例句：

• Mr. Smith was succeeded by Mrs.Jones as treasurer.琼斯夫人继史密斯先生任会计。
• The treasurer was arrested for trying to manipulate the company's financial records.财务主管由于试图窜改公司财政帐目而被拘留。

3 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。

4 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。

5 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

6 hovering   

鸟( hover的现在分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫

参考例句：

• The helicopter was hovering about 100 metres above the pad. 直升机在离发射台一百米的上空盘旋。
• I'm hovering between the concert and the play tonight. 我犹豫不决今晚是听音乐会还是看戏。