23 THE TOP TEN ECONOMIC&HIGH-TECH NEWS

hightmare in the New Century

---America under Attack

   Thousands of people are feared dead after a devastating 1 series of terrorist attacks on the United States of America. At around 9 a.m. local time 1)hijacked 2 passenger aircraft wereflown deliberately 4 into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. Within the next two hours, the center of Manhattan's business area lay in ruins after the twin towers of the Trade Center, America's two tallest buildings, collapsed 5.

   All air traffic in the country was 2)suspended and security forces put onto a state of the highest alert. President Bush who had been visiting Florida was 3)evacuated 7 to a nuclear 4)bunker from where he pledged to 5)hunt down and punish those responsible.

   The first blow was struck at a quarter to nine in the morning New York time. A hijacked airliner 8 carrying dozens of passengers flew straight into the World Trade Center’snorth tower with devastating effect. Eighteen minutes later, a second attack another hijacked jet struck the trade center's twin south tower exploding in a huge fireball.

   Next it was the turn of Washington and the Pentagon, the nerve center of America's military. A third hijacked American airliner again with dozens of passengers on board deliberately flown into the side of the building. As panic spread on the streets, all civilian 9 flights were 6)grounded, New York's stock exchange was suspended and the White House was evacuated along with thousands of personnel in other government buildings. Then, the unthinkable, the south tower of the World Trade Center, the world's fourth tallest building collapsedl. Followed minutes later by the center's second tower, the building symbol of global trade and workplace for 50,000 people, reduced to 7)rubble. No one knows how many have died. A fourth hijacked plane crashed later in Pennsylvania.

   President George W. Bush made a television address to the American people and again he said he would do everything possible to bring those responsible to justice.

   “Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, businessmen and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors.

     Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror.

   The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing 10 have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger.

    These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos 11 and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation.

  Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent 6 the steel of American resolve.

   America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon 12 for freedom and opportunity in the world.

     And no one will keep that light from shining.

   Today, our nation saw evil, the very worst of human nature, and we responded with the best of America, with the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.

  Immediately following the first attack, I implemented 13 our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared.

   Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington, D.C., to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks.

   The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow.

   Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.

    The search is under way for those who are behind these evil acts. I've directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.

   I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning 14 these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance.

   America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.

   Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us spoken through the ages in Psalm 15 23, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for You are with me.”

     This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down many enemies before, and we will do so this time.

     None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.

    Thank you. Good night and God bless America.”

China’s  Entry to the WTO is in Sight

   In a speech to the World Affairs Counsel of Los Angeles, U.S. President George W. Bush made clear he wanted free tradewith China despite strained relations with Beijing 8)triggered by the spy plane 9)standoff.

   “Trade creates prosperity and prosperity promotes democracy. I will notify Congress on June 1, that I intend to extend normal trade relation status with China for another year. For open trade is a force to freedom in China, a force for stability in Asia, a force for prosperity in the United States.”

    Last year, the U.S. Congress granted China permanent normal trade relation status but the deal hinged on Beijing's entry to the World Trade Organization. Entry talks have 10)dragged on and China is not expected to enter until early next year so Bush must now seek a one-year extension of China's trade benefits.

clinton's 11)Memoirs 16

    Former U.S. President Bill Clinton will reportedly receive over $10 million for his memoirs, a record amount. Clinton's memoirs are to be published by Alfred A. Knopf in 2003.

   It's a good time, probably the best, of Mr. Clinton's post-presidency. Last week he dazzled Harlem, today Park Avenue publisher Knopf. Mr. Clinton's multi-million dollar advance far exceeds the then record breaking advances given to the Pope, to Mrs. Clinton and to G.E. Chairman Jack 3 Welch. Knopf says in a statement, “the book will be a thorough and candid 17 telling of his life with a primary focus on the White House years.” Sources close to the former President say he will address his impeachment 18. It is less apparent how far he will go in describing personal relationships including with Monica Lewinsky.

the World'sThree Biggest Economies

   The world's three biggest economies show worrying signs of slowdown. In the U.S. the Federal Reserve's 12)Beige Book reveals that economic growth is close to a standstill. In Germany, unemployment is on the rise while manufacturing orders are shrinking and 13)the International Monetary 19 Fund forecasts that Japan’s economy will shrink by 0.2 percent in 2001.

   Manufacturing output declines for the fourth month in a row in Japan and Europe and major companies announce further job cuts as the global industrial slowdown widens. U.S. manufacturers also report a decline in July.

prime Minister Koizumi Enacts 21 Economic Reforms

   Japan's governing 14)Liberal Democratic Party wins a strong majority in Upper House Parliamentary elections paving the way for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to presume long awaited economic reforms. He vows 22 to enact 20 his strategy by year-end.

the Bank of England Cuts Interest Rates

   The Bank of England cuts interest rates by a quarter percentage point to five percent, the lowest level in two years. Meanwhile, the European Central Bank decides against taking action at its latest meeting.

the American Dollars and Japanese Yen 23 are Devalued

   The dollar falls to a two and a half-month low against the Euro following a drop in U.S. consumer confidence. Meanwhile, the yen hits a four-month low against U.S. currency over concerns of Japan’s faltering 24 economy.

echoStar Communications Bid for Hughes Electronics

   EchoStar Communications launches a $30 billion bid for Hughes Electronics. The bid is an effort to prevent the sale of Hughes to Newscorp, which has been negotiating to buy the company for months. If the deal succeeds, EchoStar would own 90 percent of U.S. satellite television services.

the Universal Ban on Cloning humans

   Researchers announce plans to attempt to clone a human in November. Experts warn that most 15)cloned animals suffer from severe birth defects or die. Following the announcement, France and Germany asked the United Nations Secretary General Koffi Annan to negotiate a universal ban on cloning.

the Code Red Computer Virus is Detected

   A new more 16)malicious version of the Code Red computer virus is detected. The economic damage caused by the viruses rises to $2 billion. Analysts 25 say final costs may top $8.7 billion exceeding the estimated damages from last year’s love bug 26 virus.

全球十大经注和新闻

新世纪的梦魇--美国遭受恐怖袭击

   一系列恐怖袭击发生后，美国上下人人自危。在当地时间早上九点钟左右，被劫持的客机蓄意冲向纽约的世贸中心和华盛顿的五角大楼。在接着的两个小时内，随着美国两座最高的摩天大楼，世贸中心的双塔倒塌，曼哈顿的商业中心顿成一片废墟。

   全国所有的航班均停飞，安全部队处于高度的警备状态。正在佛罗里达州度假的布什总统撤离到核弹基地，他发誓一定把凶手缉拿归案，并给他们应有的惩罚。

   首次撞击是在纽约时间早上八点四十五分，一架载有几十人的被劫持的飞机直冲向世贸中心的北塔，造成破坏性影响。十八分钟后，第二次撞击由另外一架被劫持的飞机撞向世贸中心的南塔，爆炸成巨大的火球。

   接着是华盛顿和五角大楼，美国军事的神经中枢。同样劫持的载有几十名旅客的第三架美国飞机蓄意撞向大楼的一角。街上一片惊慌，所有民航班机均被停飞，纽约股市交易停止，白宫和其它政府大楼的上万名人员均被撤离。然后，世贸中心的南塔，世界第四高的大楼，不可思议地倒塌了，数分钟后，中心的另一座大楼也倒塌了。大楼是全球贸易的标志，也是五万人办公的地方，一下子化为乌有。没人知道死亡人数多少，第四架被劫持的飞机在宾夕法尼亚州坠毁。

   总统小布什向美国人民作了电视讲话，他再次强调他将用一切可能的办法把凶手绳之以法。

  “今天，我们的同胞、我们的生活及我们珍视的自由受到了恐怖主义分子的一系列蓄意和致命的攻击。被劫持的乘客、正在办公的工作人员都不幸遇难，他们可能是：文员、商人、妇女、军方和联邦政府工作人员、为人父母者、你们的亲朋好友或者邻居。

   成千上万人在恐怖分子的卑劣和罪恶行径下突然间失去了宝贵的生命。

   面对飞机撞毁、熊熊大火、楼房倒塌等图片，我们无法相信眼前的惨状，感到无比的悲哀和无声的愤怒。

   恐怖分子的大规模屠戮行为旨在将我们的国家引向混乱和倒退。但他们的阴谋不会得逞。我们的国家依然强大，伟大的美国人民已被动员起来保卫自己伟大的国家。

   恐怖主义分子的袭击可以震撼我们最大的建筑物，但他们无法动摇我们牢固的国家基础。这些行径可以粉碎钢筋，但它们无法挫伤美国人民捍卫国家的钢铁意志。

   美国之所以成为攻击的目标，是因为我们自由和机遇的灯塔是世界上最明亮、最耀眼的。

   没有人能阻止这种自由之光。

   今天，我们见识了人性中最肮脏的灵魂，而我们以美国人的最优秀的品质回应罪恶。我们的救援人员表现出了大无畏精神，人们纷纷为陌生人及邻里献血，竭尽所能给予援助。

   在首次遭受袭击后，我立即下令实施政府紧急救援计划。我们强大的军队随时准备投入战斗。

   紧急行动小组正在纽约州和华盛顿特区协助地方力量实施求援。我们的第一要务是抢救受伤人员，并保护国内及全世界的美国人不再受到伤害。

   美国政府的政务仍在正常进行，今天被迫撤出华盛顿的联邦各部门中的重要机构今晚已恢复办公，所有部门均将于明天恢复办公。

   政府的经济机构仍强大有力，美国各经济部门也将正常运转。

调查此次邪恶事件元凶的工作正在进行。我已下令美国所有的情报机构和警察机构全力找出肇事元凶，并将其绳之以法。胆敢包庇肇事恐怖分子的人也会被我们视为恐怖分子。

   我向内阁中与我一道强烈声讨此次恐怖事件的成员表示感谢，也代表美国人民向表示哀悼并给予我们帮助的其他国家的领导人表示感谢。

   美国、我们的盟国与友邦和全世界所有热爱和平的人将并肩战斗，与恐怖主义活动作斗争，并取得胜利。

   今晚，我请求你们与我一起为在事件中受到伤害的人祈祷、为那些受伤的儿童祈祷、为那些安全感受到威胁的人祈祷。我祈祷他们能得到神的安抚，正如世代流传的圣经《诗篇》第23篇中所说，“尽管我行走在死亡的阴影之谷中，但我并不惧怕邪恶，因主与我同在。”

   今天是所有美国人团结起来寻求正义与和平的日子。过去，美国击败了自己的敌人，今天的美国人也会战胜自己的敌人。

   每一个美国人都不会忘记今天，但我们将奋力向前，捍卫自由，捍卫世界上一切美好与正义的事物。

   谢谢你们。晚安。愿主保佑美国。”

中国入世在即

   在洛杉矶国际事务会议的演说中，美国总统小布什明确提出他想与中国建立自由贸易关系，尽管由于侦察机事件而与北京关系紧张。

   “贸易能促进经济繁荣，而经济繁荣能推进民主进程。我会在六月一日通知国会，我打算明年延续与中国的正常贸易关系。贸易开放是中国自由的动力，亚洲稳定的动力，美国经济繁荣昌盛的动力。”

   去年，美国国会授予中国永久正常贸易关系，但是北京加入世界贸易组织是前提。入世谈判在拖延着，中国有望在来年初入世，所以布什必须现在寻找延续一年的中国贸易利益。

克林顿天价售丑闻

   据报道美国前任总统克林顿就他的回忆录收取超过一千万美元的酬金，创下了记录。克林顿的回忆录将于2003年由艾尔弗雷德·克诺夫出版社出版。

   这是克林顿先生卸任后的好时机，可能是最佳的时机。上个星期，他迷惑了哈莱姆，今天轮到公园大街的出版商克诺夫，克林顿先生的千万美元远远超过了记录打破者教皇、克林顿夫人和通用公司主席杰克· 韦尔奇。克诺夫在一次演讲中说：“回忆录将会彻底而坦白地述说他的生活，特别是白宫的岁月。”有消息透露前总统将陈述他的被弹劾事件，个人生活包括与莱温斯基的性丑闻会深入到何种程度不太明朗。

世界三大经济体系疲软

   世界最大的三个经济体系出现速度放缓、令人担忧的迹象。据美国褐皮书披露，经济增长近乎停滞。在德国，失业率上升，而生产订单在缩减，国际货币基金会预测日本经济在2001年会萎缩0.2%。

   日本和欧洲的制造业连续四个月衰退，随着全球工业不景气情况的加剧，大公司宣布会进一步裁员。美国制造业也在七月给出了衰退的报告。

日本首相小泉实施经济改革

   日本执政党---自民学在上议院的国会选举中赢得绝大多数席位，为首相小泉纯一郎开展的时候时已久的经济改革铺平了道路。他发誓在年底实施策略。

英格兰银行减息

   英格兰银行减息0.25%使利率低至5%，这是五年来最低水平。同时，欧洲中央银行在最近一次会议决定不采取行动。

美元与日元贬值

   随着美国消费者信心的下降，美元对欧元的汇率跌到两个半月来的新低。而由于对日本经济疲软的忧虑，日元对美元的汇率也跌到四个月来的新低。

通讯回波星收购休斯电子

   通讯回波星出价300亿美元收购休斯电子，以防休斯被出售给新闻公司，他们已就收购的问题商讨了几个月。如果交易成功，回波星将占有美国卫星电视90%的市场份额。

全球禁止克隆人类

   研究员宣布准备在十一月克隆人类，专家警告说克隆动物多数有严重的生理缺陷，甚至会死亡。对于此事，法国和德国促请联合国秘书长安南商议全球禁止克隆生物的事宜。

红色代号病毒出现

   更加致命的新版红色代号电脑病毒出现了，这种病毒导致的经济损失已达到20亿美元。分析家说总额会高达87亿美元，超过去年的爱虫病毒的破坏。

1) hijack   v. 劫持，绑架

2) suspend  v. 使悬而未决；推迟；中止    

3) evacuate  v. 疏散；撤离

4) bunker   n. 障碍    

5) hunt down 穷追……直至捕获

6) ground  v. 使停飞    

7) rubble   碎石，碎砖，破瓦 

8) trigger   v.激发起，引起    

9) standoff   n.避开，冷漠    

10) drag on 拖延

11) memoirs   n.回忆录，自传

12) beige   n.米色，灰棕色     

13) The International Monetary Fund (IMF) 国际货币基金会组织

14) Liberal Democratic Party日本自民党

15) clone  v.（使）无性生长，（使）无性繁殖    

16) malicious  a.恶意的，恶毒的