澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-01-18

 China economy has grown at its slowest pace in more than two years. The latest government figures show the country economy grew by 8.9% in the three month to the end of December. That's down slight by from the 9.1% in the previous quarter growth to the full year with 9.2%. A drop of half of 1% from 2009. 

 

The ANZ bank has announced its first round of job cuts. The bank has told 130 staff in Victoria that their jobs will be axed. The ANZ is expected to slash¹ by 1,000 jobs in the next six month in a bid to cut costs. Analysts² are predicting up to 5,000 jobs could be disappeared from Australia's big banks in the next two years. 

 

 

To the markets now, which have just closed for the day. The Dow has finished 59 points higher. The Nasdaq ended up 21 points. The S&P 500 was four points higher. And in London, the FTSE closed up 36 points. 

 

 

And checking commodity prices. West Texas Crude is trading at 100 US dollars and 68 cents a barrel. Tapis Crude is trading at 118 US dollars and 4 cents a barrel. And Gold is trading at 1651 US dollars and 20 cents an ounce. The Australian dollar is buying 104 US cents, 82 Euro cents and 68 pence sterling³.

1 slash   

vi.大幅度削减；vt.猛砍，尖锐抨击，大幅减少；n.猛砍，斜线，长切口，衣衩

参考例句：

• The shop plans to slash fur prices after Spring Festival.该店计划在春节之后把皮货降价。
• Don't slash your horse in that cruel way.不要那样残忍地鞭打你的马。

2 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

3 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。