澳洲新闻 (ABC新闻快递) 2012-03-07

 The big banks are refusing to rule out another interest rate rise.This is despite of course the Reserve Bank's decision to leave official rates on hold.The RBA has decided¹ to keep the cash rate at four and a quarter percent for the second month,because of what it says is a better than expected global outlook.

The Bank of Queensland was the first to break ranks,lifting its standard variable rate by 10 basis points.The ANZ meets on Friday to decide if it will lift its rates.

Lehman Brothers has announced its exit from bankruptcy² protection.In a statement issued in New York overnight,it says it will start repaying creditors³ next month as a move towards total liquidation⁴.

The speculator collapse⁵ of the former Wall Street investment firm in September 2008 was a prelude⁶ to the global financial crisis.

To the markets and I am sad to say it was a grim everywhere.The DOW Jones lost 200 points,the biggest fall there in three months.The NASDAQ lost more than 1%.The S&P500 dropped 21 points,while in London,the FTSE shed more than 100 points as Europe hit a one-month closing low.

Checking commodities prices now.

West Texas Crude is trading at 105 US dollars a barrel,Tapis Crude is at 133 US dollars a barrel.And Gold this morning at 1672 US dollar an ounce.The Australian dollar has weakened on the back of that non decision by the RBA,it's buying a dollar and five US cents,80 Euro cents and 67 pence sterling⁷.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 bankruptcy   

n.破产；无偿付能力

参考例句：

• You will have to pull in if you want to escape bankruptcy.如果你想避免破产，就必须节省开支。
• His firm is just on thin ice of bankruptcy.他的商号正面临破产的危险。

3 creditors   

n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• They agreed to repay their creditors over a period of three years. 他们同意3年内向债主还清欠款。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Creditors could obtain a writ for the arrest of their debtors. 债权人可以获得逮捕债务人的令状。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 liquidation   

n.清算，停止营业

参考例句：

• The bankrupt company went into liquidation.这家破产公司停业清盘。
• He lost all he possessed when his company was put into liquidation.当公司被清算结业时他失去了拥有的一切。

5 collapse   

vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷

参考例句：

• The country's economy is on the verge of collapse.国家的经济已到了崩溃的边缘。
• The engineer made a complete diagnosis of the bridge's collapse.工程师对桥的倒塌做了一次彻底的调查分析。

6 prelude   

n.序言，前兆，序曲

参考例句：

• The prelude to the musical composition is very long.这首乐曲的序曲很长。
• The German invasion of Poland was a prelude to World War II.德国入侵波兰是第二次世界大战的序幕。

7 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。