澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2011-04-23

 Let's look at the finances, Australia's dollar keeps on climbing and overseas tourists sadly though are staying away. The currency has hit a 29-year high to peak just above 107 US cents. Now it's terrific for those of us travelling abroad but not so good for those manufacturers that rely on exports for their income. Tourism operators are also worried the Gold Coast is reporting a big drop in foreign tourists, and there's speculation¹ the dollar now could reach $US1.10 in coming weeks.

 

BP has agreed to pay $1 billion to repay the damage from last year's Mexico Gulf² oil spill. The US Justice Department brokered³ the deal and the money will go to the five Gulf states worst affected⁴. The economic cost of the disaster has reached tens of billions of dollars. BP has also announced it's suing the company that owned the rig for $40 billion.

 

Now to the markets, and overnight in the US, the Dow closed down 52 points. The Nasdaq was up 17. The S&P500 up six. In London, the FTSE dropped three points. Checking commodity prices, West Texas Crude is at $111.69 US a barrel, $131.92 is Tapis. And gold is at $1,506.79 an ounce.

 

And let's look at the latest dollar, 107.46 US, 73 euro cents and 65 pence sterling⁵.

1 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。

2 gulf   

n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂

参考例句：

• The gulf between the two leaders cannot be bridged.两位领导人之间的鸿沟难以跨越。
• There is a gulf between the two cities.这两座城市间有个海湾。

3 brokered   

adj.由权力经纪人安排（或控制）的v.做掮客（或中人等）( broker的过去式和过去分词 )；作为权力经纪人进行谈判；以中间人等身份安排…

参考例句：

• a peace plan brokered by the UN 由联合国出面协商的和平计划
• Your husband brokered the deal to go in, transfrer the assets and get our man out. 你丈夫后来插了一脚，把生意都抢了过去，我们的人也被挤了出来。 来自电影对白

4 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。

5 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。