VOA 双语新闻 - 星期五(022208) (ZT)

星期五(022208)


Ecuador Flooding Prompts State of Emergency
(厄瓜多尔洪水使全国进入紧急状态)

Ecuadorian officials say at least 10 people have died and thousands have been left homeless by severe rains and floods that have inundated large portions of the Andean nation. Five people, including a newborn, were killed Thursday in an ambulance accident caused by the rising water. Ecuador's government declared a state of emergency Wednesday, ordering the military and police to help rescue workers. Officials say millions of dollars in emergency funds have been released.

厄瓜多尔官员说，大雨和洪水淹没了厄瓜多尔大部分地区，至少10人丧生，成千上万人无家可归。星期四，高涨的洪水造成一辆救护车发生事故，5人死亡，其中包括一名新生婴儿。 厄瓜多尔政府星期三宣布进入紧急状态，下令军方和警方帮助救援工作者。有关官员说，已经发放了数百万美元的紧急救援资金。

State of Emergency Extended on East Timor
(东帝汶延长紧急状态)

East Timor's parliament has approved a 30-day extension of the state of emergency imposed after suspected rebels tried to kill the country's two top leaders. Lawmakers overwhelmingly voted for the extension Friday. The measure imposes a nighttime curfew and bans gatherings and rallies. Meanwhile, more than one-thousand Timorese police and soldiers are being deployed on a nationwide search for rebels accused of being involved in separate attacks on President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao on February 11th. They will join about one-thousand Australian police and soldiers and a contingent of United Nations peacekeepers.Mr. Ramos-Horta was critically wounded. He was airlifted to a hospital in the Australian city of Darwin, where he has undergone a series of operations. Mr. Gusmao escaped injury in the attack.

东帝汶议会通过了一项议案把该国的紧急状态延长30天。东帝汶叛乱分子嫌疑人试图刺杀该国的两名最高领导人之后开始实施紧急状态。议员在星期五投票通过延长紧急状态。紧急状态法实施宵禁并且禁止集会和游行。 与此同时，1千多东帝汶的警察和士兵部署在全国各地，追查被控在2月11号分别袭击了东帝汶总统奥尔塔和总理古斯芒的反叛分子。他们将会同1千多名澳大利亚的警察和军人以及联合国的维和部队一起行动。总统奥尔塔在袭击中受了重伤。他被用飞机送到澳大利亚的达尔文市。他在医院里接受了一系列的手术。总理古斯芒在攻击中没有受伤。

星期四(022108)


Top Chinese Official Tries to Calm Food Fears in Japan
(中国高官试图平息日本食品担忧)

A top Chinese official is trying to calm Japanese concerns over Chinese-made food as the two countries prepare for a major state visit by China's President Hu Jintao in April. In a speech delivered Thursday in fluent Japanese in Tokyo, State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan offered his sympathy to Japanese people who fell ill last month after eating frozen Chinese-made dumplings. He also expressed his hope for a swift investigation into the case. Tang made his remarks just before meeting Japan's Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda. He is in Japan to prepare for Mr. Hu's expected visit in April, the first such trip by a Chinese president in a decade. Fears about food from China have been growing in Japan since 10 became sick after eating imported dumplings.

在日中两国筹备中国国家主席胡锦涛今年4月重大国事访问之际，中国一名高级官员试图缓解日本对中国制造食品的担忧。国务委员唐家璇星期四在东京用流利日语发表演讲，对上个月吃了中国生产的冻饺子而患病的日本民众表示同情。他还希望迅速调查这起案件。  唐家璇在会晤日本首相福田康夫前发表这番讲话。他访问日本是为胡锦涛预计4月访问日本做准备，这将是10年来中国国家主席首次访日。自从10名日本民众食用进口水饺后患病以来，日本对来自中国的食品的担忧越来越大。

China Tells US Olympic Team Food at Beijing Games will be Safe
(中国告诉美国奥运代表队北京奥运食品安全)

China has told the international community that food at the 2008 Olympic Games will be safe and that there is no need for teams to ship their own food to the Beijing Games. Speaking at a press conference Thursday in Beijing, Chinese food safety officials outlined an elaborate food safety system set up for the games. They also voiced regret at recent reports that the U.S. Olympic team plans to bring its own meat to the Olympics. A recent report in the New York Times said the U.S. Olympic team is concerned that banned chemicals in the Chinese meat supply could lead to athletes testing positive for steroids. The report also said the U.S. Olympic Committee will ship 11-thousand kilograms of beef, chicken and pork to the games. Chinese officials reject the claims in the report and say athletes will not be allowed to bring their own food into the Olympic Village.

中国告诉国际社会说，2008年奥运会提供的食品将是安全的，各代表队没有必要向北京奥运会运送自己的食品。 中国食品安全官员星期四在北京举行的记者会上介绍了为奥运会制定的严密食品安全系统。他们还对最近有关美国奥运代表团计划自行携带肉类食品参加奥运的消息表示遗憾。 纽约时报最近的一篇报导说，美国奥运会代表团担心，中国肉类供应中的被禁化学物质可能导致运动员接受兴奋剂检测时呈阳性反应。 报导还说，美国奥委会将运送1万1千公斤的牛肉、鸡肉和猪肉到北京奥运会。中国官员否认报导中的说法，并表示将不允许运动员自行携带食品进奥运村。

星期三(022008)


Major Earthquake off Western Indonesian Coast
(印尼西海岸外强烈地震)

A powerful earthquake has been detected off the coast of western Indonesia Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude seven-point-six quake struck off the western coast of Sumatra island. The agency says the tremor was centered about 319 kilometers west of the town of Medan.  The earthquake prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning, but no immediate reports of damages or injuries have been reported.

印度尼西亚西部海岸附近的海域星期三发生强烈地震。美国地质勘测局说，印尼苏门答腊岛西部海岸附近的海域发生7.6级地震，震中在梅丹镇以西319公里的地方。 这次地震促使当局发出了海啸警报。不过，目前还没有人员受伤或财产损失的报导。

Bush: US Not Planning New Military Bases in Africa
(布什：美国不计划在非洲建新军事基地)

A powerful earthquake has been detected off the coast of western Indonesia Wednesday. The U.S. Geological Survey says a magnitude seven-point-six quake struck off the western coast of Sumatra island. The agency says the tremor was centered about 319 kilometers west of the town of Medan.  The earthquake prompted authorities to issue a tsunami warning, but no immediate reports of damages or injuries have been reported.

印度尼西亚西部海岸附近的海域星期三发生强烈地震。美国地质勘测局说，印尼苏门答腊岛西部海岸附近的海域发生7.6级地震，震中在梅丹镇以西319公里的地方。 这次地震促使当局发出了海啸警报。不过，目前还没有人员受伤或财产损失的报导。

星期二(021908)

BEIJING OLYMPIC
(北京奥运会)

The organizing committee for this August's Beijing Olympics has announced that Chinese officials will manage all 28 sports at the Games. Director of the organizing committee's sports department, made the announcement Tuesday in Beijing. He said China extensively lobbied the International Olympic Committee and international sports federations to persuade them to accept Chinese officials for all the sports. The managers are responsible for organizing their sport's competition and coordinating with the applicable sports federations. Managers not up to Olympic standards were put through extensive training regimens, including spending six months in Athens gaining experience and working as technical officials at the 2004 Summer Games there.

8月份在北京举行的北京奥运会的组委会宣布，中国工作人员将负责全部28个项目的比赛。组委会运动项目负责人星期二作出了以上的宣布。他说，中国极力说服国际奥委会和国际单项运动各联盟组织，接受中国官员承担所有比赛项目的责任。 有关主管人员将和有关项目的运动联盟一起安排所负责项目的全部比赛进程。没有达到奥运会标准的主管人员都经过了严格的训练，其中包括在雅典接受6个月的培训，并在雅典举行的2004年夏季奥运会期间充当技术人员以获取足够的经验。

Chinese Bus Collision Causes Tanker to Explode, At Least 15 Dead
(中国一辆巴士装车导致油罐车爆炸至少十五人丧生)

Chinese state media says 15 people were killed and 25 injured when a bus crashed into a tanker truck, triggering an explosion in Hunan Province. The official Xinhua news agency says the accident occurred Monday evening in the central province of Hunan on China's main north-south highway. Xinhua did not say what substance the tanker was carrying.

中国官方媒体说，在中国湖南省境内，一辆大客车撞上一辆罐车，引发爆炸，造成15人死亡，25人受伤。官方的新华社报导说，这次重大交通事故星期一晚上发生在中国主要的南北高速公路的湖南省境内的路段。新华社没有报导罐车上运载的是何种物质。

星期一(021808)


Space Shuttle Atlantis Heads Home
(亚特兰蒂斯号航天飞机飞回地球)

The space shuttle Atlantis is on its way home after working more than a week to improve the International Space Station. The shuttle undocked from the scientific outpost early Monday morning and is slated to return to Earth Wednesday.The crews of Atlantis and the International Space Station had an emotional farewell Sunday before they closed the hatches. The goodbyes were especially poignant for astronaut Daniel Tani who had a four-month stay on the station. During that time, his 90-year-old mother died in a car accident. The Atlantis astronauts completed three spacewalks during their mission. The next shuttle flight is scheduled for a March 11th liftoff.

美国亚特兰蒂斯号航天飞机在执行了一个多星期的改进国际空间站的任务之后，正在返回地球。亚特兰蒂斯号星期一早晨脱离国际空间站，定于星期三返回地球。亚特兰蒂斯号和国际空间站的机组人员星期天下午激动地相互告别，然后关闭了对接舱口。 这次道别对宇航员丹尼尔.塔尼来说更加意味深长，他在空间站上留驻了4个月，在此期间，他的90岁的母亲死于车祸。亚特兰蒂斯号上的宇航员在这次飞行任务中完成了3次太空行走。下一次航天飞机飞行定于3月11号起飞。

Chinese Company Wins Bid to Build Libyan Rail Lines
(中国公司赢得合同为利比亚修建铁路)

Beijing says a Chinese contractor has won a bid to construct two rail lines in Libya.The official Xinhua news agency said Monday that the China Railway Construction Corporation will build a 352-kilometer coastal railway along Libya's east to west Mediterranean coast, and an 800-kilometer line linking the cities of Sebha and Misurata.  The agency said the contract is worth about two-point-six billion dollars. The work is expected to be completed in four years.

中国说，一家中国承包商中标，在利比亚铺设两条铁路。官方的新华社星期一说，中国铁建股份有限公司将修建一条352公里长的沿海铁路，连接利比亚的东西两部分，并建设一条800公里长的铁路，将塞卜哈和米苏拉塔这两个城市连接起来。 新华社说，这项承包合同价值大约26亿美元。工程计划4年完工。

星期五(021508)

China Trade Surplus Hits Nearly 20 Billion U.S. Dollars in January
(中国一月份贸易顺差将近两百亿美元)

China's trade surplus hit 19-point-five billion dollars in January, an increase of more than 22 percent from a year ago.China's official Xinhua news service says January's figures were down compared to the previous month's surplus of 22-point-seven billion dollars. China hit a record 262-point-five billion dollar trade surplus in 2007. China's growing trade surplus has been a point of contention with both the United States and the European Union. China's major trading partners accuse Beijing of manipulating its currency, to keep its value low and give Chinese products an unfair price advantage on world markets. China has allowed its currency's value to rise, but not enough to stop the growing surplus.

中国1月份的贸易顺差195亿美元，比去年同期增长了22%以上。中国官方的新华社说，1月份的贸易顺差比前一个月的227亿美元有所下降。中国在2007年的贸易顺差达创纪录的2625亿美元。中国贸易顺差不断增长一直是它与美国和欧洲联盟发生争执的一个焦点。 中国主要的贸易夥伴国指责北京操纵货币，保持人民币的低值，在世界市场上给中国产品不公平的价格优势。中国已经允许其货币增值，但还不足以制止贸易顺差的增长。

ENGLISH TITLE TWO)Ghosts and Demons to Disappear from Chinese Music and Film
(神鬼将从中国音像产品中消失)

Chinese media authorities have banned video and audio content depicting horror or the supernatural.The General Administration of Press and Publications says the ban is an attempt to protect the psychological health of young people from horrific, violent or cruel content.The administration explained that content depicting ghosts, demons or other frightening subjects for the sole purpose of terror will be forbidden. A statement published on the administration's Web site directs local press regulators to remove offending products from store shelves. New materials will be censored to remove horror and supernatural content.The statement says producers have until the end of the month to comply with the new policy.

中国媒体主管当局禁止出售带有恐怖或超自然内容的录像和音像材料。中国新闻出版总署说，颁布禁令是为了保护青年人的身心健康不受恐怖、暴力以及残暴等内容的影响。新闻出版总署解释说，被禁内容包括那些为了制造恐怖气氛而制作的描述妖魔鬼怪的音像材料。 新闻出版总署在自己的网站上发表声明，要求地方媒体管理机构从商店的货架上清除含有这些内容的产品。新的产品必须经过审查，去除恐怖和迷信的内容。声明说，制作商必须在2月底之前遵守这项新规定。

星期四(021408)

Putin: Russia will Target Former Satellites if Necessary
( 普京：如有必要俄将导弹瞄准三前卫星国)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has again warned that Russian missiles will be pointed at Ukraine, the Czech Republic and Poland if those countries allow U.S. missile defense facilities to be deployed within their borders. Speaking at his last annual news conference before stepping down in May, Mr. Putin also said that Russia did not plan a conflict with the West, and would not point its missiles at any state unless it was forced to do so. Russia is strongly opposed to U.S. plans to deploy 10 missile interceptors in Poland, and guidance radar in the Czech Republic to protect against missile attacks by rogue states such as Iran. Mr. Putin is constitutionally barred from running for president again, but his hand picked successor, Dmitry Medvedev, has a wide lead in the polls ahead of the March 2nd election.

俄罗斯总统普京再次警告说，如果乌克兰、捷克共和国和波兰允许美国在他们的边境内部署导弹防御系统，俄罗斯导弹就会瞄准这三个国家。普京在今年5月离任前的最后一次年度记者会上还说，俄罗斯不打算与西方发生冲突，而且除非被迫无奈，也不会将导弹瞄准任何国家。 俄罗斯坚决反对美国在波兰部署10枚导弹拦截器并在捷克共和国境内部署制导雷达的计划。美国说，这项计划是防范来自伊朗等无赖国家的导弹攻击。俄罗斯宪法禁止普京再次竞选总统，但是他亲手选定的接班人德米特里.梅德韦捷夫在3月2号大选之前的民意测验中大幅领先。

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Greece
(强烈地震震撼希腊)
 

A powerful earthquake struck southern Greece Thursday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.The quake with a magnitude of six-point-five was felt throughout the capital, Athens. It sent people rushing out of buildings in cities across southern Greece. It struck shortly after 12 noon local time and witnesses said the quake lasted at least 15 seconds.The epicenter was believed to be beneath the seabed south of the southern city of Kalamata. Another earthquake hit Athens in late January with a magnitude of five point zero.

希腊南部星期四发生强烈地震，目前还没人员伤亡和财产损失的报导。地震强度为6.5级，希腊首都雅典全城感受到了地震。在希腊南部地区各个城市，地震迫使居民冲出建筑物。 地震发生在当地时间中午12点过后不久。目击者说，地震持续了至少15秒。据信，震中位于南部城市卡拉马塔以南的海底。今年1月底，雅典遭受了一次5级地震的袭击。

星期三(021308)

Spielberg Steps Down as Consultant to Beijing Olympics
(斯皮尔伯格辞去北京奥运顾问)

U.S. film director Stephen Spielberg has stepped down as artistic consultant to the Beijing Olympics due to China's policy on Sudan and the conflict in Darfur. Spielberg said his conscience will not allow him to continue in the position because he believes China has not been active enough in resolving the crisis in Darfur. Human Rights Watch says Spielberg's decision should prompt other influential people to press China to reform. On Tuesday, a group of Nobel Peace laureates, politicians and Olympic athletes called on China to use its influence on Sudan to help end ongoing violence in Darfur.

美国电影导演斯皮尔伯格因中国对苏丹政策以及达尔富尔冲突，辞去北京奥运会艺术顾问一职。斯皮尔伯格表示，他的良心不允许他继续担任艺术顾问，因为他相信中国在解决达尔富尔冲突上不够积极。 人权观察说，斯皮尔伯格的决定应当促使其他有影响力的人物施压中国进行改革。星期二，一些诺贝尔和平奖得主、政界人士和奥林匹克运动员呼吁中国运用其对苏丹的影响力，帮助制止仍在达尔富尔发生的暴力。

China Says Recent Winter Storms Killed 107 People
(中国称最近的冬季暴风雪使107人丧生)

Chinese state media are reporting that the recent wave of brutal winter weather across the southern half of the country left 107 people dead and caused more than 15 billion dollars in damages. The new death toll released by the official Xinhua news agency raises the total by more than 40.  Xinhua also reported that Chinese insurers have already paid out more than one billion dollars for deaths and damages from the storms, which began early last month. Millions of other claims are still pending. The freezing winter weather downed power lines, and destroyed homes, businesses and crops. It left millions of Chinese stranded during China's biggest holiday, the Lunar New Year, as it disrupted transportation on highways, railways and in the air.

中国官方媒体报导，中国南部地区最近一波严酷的冬季天气导致107人死亡和150亿美元的损失。官方新华社公布的死亡数将总数提高了40多人。 新华社还报导说，中国的保险公司已经为在1月初开始的暴风雪中丧生和财产损失赔偿了10多亿美元。目前仍然有数以百万计的索赔等待受理。 严冬天气瘫痪了供电网并毁坏了房屋、企业设施和农作物。由于暴风雪阻断了高速公路、铁路以及航空交通，数以百万计的民众在中国最重要的节日农历新年期间被困在旅途中。

星期二(021208)

Taiwan Assessing Damage From US Espionage Case

Taiwan's defense ministry says it is trying to determine whether individuals involved in a Chinese espionage case in the United States provided China with information on the island's military defense systems. In a statement Tuesday, the ministry said the case was of great importance, adding that Taiwan has set up a task force to assess the possible damage spies in the United States may have caused.  On Monday, the U.S. Justice Department said it was charging a Defense Department employee and two others with selling sensitive information to China. Some of that information was related to U.S. military sales to Taiwan. Court documents show the accused had conversations about a major project to upgrade the island's command and communications capabilities for its troops.  Any insight into Taiwan's military operations would be significant for China, which has threatened to attack the self-governed island if it makes any permanent moves toward independence.

台湾国防部说，正在试图确定美国一个中国间谍案涉案人员是否向中国提供有关台湾军事防御系统的情报。台湾国防部星期二在一份声明中说，这起间谍案很重大。国防部补充说，台湾已经成立特别小组来评估在美国的间谍可能造成的损害。 美国司法部星期一说，正在指控国防部一名雇员和两名其他人士向中国出售敏感情报。一些情报与美国对台军售有关。法庭文件显示，被告人曾经谈论过有关提升台湾军队指挥与通讯能力的一项重大项目。 任何有关台湾军事行动的情报对中国来说都将很重要的。中国威胁，如果台湾有任何迈向永久独立的举动，中国就会攻击台湾这个自治的岛屿。

UN Food Chief Says World's Poorest Cannot Afford Food
(联合国粮食主管称全球最贫困者买不起食品)

Josette Sheeran, the head of the United Nations World Food Program says that many of the world's poorest people cannot buy food because of soaring prices. Josette Sheeran said in an interview with the Associated Press that severe weather, shorter harvests, higher oil prices and the use of food to produce biofuel are driving food costs out of the reach of the poor. In her words, "they are simply being priced out of the food markets."  She said that food supplies have to be adjusted, so they will get to the most vulnerable parts of the world without disruptions. Sheeran said she would like to see the international community make investments in regions that need a stronger agricultural foundation. The World Food Program is currently doing an assessment of 30 nations it has deemed most needy, including Afghanistan and several African nations.

联合国世界粮食计划署负责人约瑟特.施林说，很多世界上最贫困的人都由于飞涨的物价而买不起粮食。施林在接受美联社采访时说，恶劣的天气、缩短的收获期、升高的原油价格以及用粮食制作生物燃料，都导致食品开销超出贫困人口承受能力。用她的话说，“他们完全被高物价排挤出食品市场”。 她说，食品供应必须要调整，这样粮食才能不间断地运到世界上最易受影响的地区。施林说，她希望看到国际社会向需要加强农业基础的地区投资。 世界粮食计划署目前正对该机构认为最急需帮助的30个国家进行评估，其中包括阿富汗和几个非洲国家。

星期一(021108)


Chinese Meteorologists Warn of Blizzards in Western Regions
(中国气象官员发布西部暴风雪警告)

Chinese weather officials have warned of another bout of blizzards, as the country recovers from weeks of severe winter weather. The Chinese Meteorological Administration Monday forecasts snow and sleet in the next few days in the province of Guizhou -- one of the hardest hit by recent storms. The Western provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Gansu, Qinghai and the Tibet Autonomous Region can also expect to see blizzards. But meteorologists expect warmer weather in other areas. China's State Council on Sunday ordered local governments in western regions to prepare for transportation and electricity difficulties. Recent winter storms caused transportation chaos for tens of millions of migrant workers trying to make their way home for the Lunar New Year holiday. Nearly 40 cities and counties lost electricity as a result of downed power lines and disrupted coal shipments.

中国正从历时数星期的严寒中逐步恢复之际，中国气象官员又警告说，将会出现另一轮暴风雪。中国气象局星期一预报，最近受暴风雪灾重创的贵州省未来几天将出现降雪和雨夹雪。另外，贵州、四川、甘肃、青海以及西藏自治区等西部地区预计还会出现暴风雪。 但是，气像人员同时预测其他地区会出现比较温暖的天气。中国国务院星期天命令西部地区地方政府准备好应对交通和电力的问题。最近的几场风暴给数千万准备回家过年的农民工带来严重的交通混乱。由于电线倒塌、煤碳运输中断，将近40个中国城市断电。

Fire Destroys 600-Year Old Korean Landmark
(大火烧毁韩国六百年历史地标)

A fire has destroyed one of South Korea's most historic landmarks which the government had declared the country's premier national treasure. The 600-year old wooden building called the Namdaemun gate burned to the ground Sunday. Police suspect arson. A taxi driver told authorities he saw a man believed to be in his 50s climb to the building just before it went up in flames. The Namdaemun was the oldest wooden structure in Seoul. It was built in 1398 and sat on top the remnants of a stone gate that once surrounded the city. Many Koreans told local newspapers they are shocked and devastated that the landmark has been destroyed.

大火烧毁了韩国最著名的历史古迹之一、被政府宣布为重要国宝的建筑。星期天，拥有600年历史的木制城楼“南大门”被大火烧塌。 警方怀疑有人纵火。一名出租车司机对当局说，他看到一名可能50多岁的男子爬到这座建筑上，随后那里燃起了烈焰。 南大门是首尔最古老的木制建筑。它修建于1398年，座落于石城墙遗迹之上。很多韩国人对当地报纸说，这座历史地标毁于大火，让他们感到震惊和伤心。

星期四(020708)


Fireworks Light Up Chinese Sky for Start of Lunar New Year Celebrations
(烟火照亮中国天空庆祝农历新年开始)

A huge fireworks celebration in Beijing has ushered in the start of the Lunar New Year, the biggest holiday in the Chinese calendar. Government-run television today staged an extravagant variety show as part of the festivities marking the Year of the Rat. The show also paid tribute to millions of migrant workers who are not able to return home for the holiday, following the country's worst winter weather in half a century. The snow and ice storms cut off transportation for days, and left thousands without power and crucial supplies.  President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao have been touring many areas hard-hit by the bad weather. During a visit to the southern province of Guangxi today, Mr. Hu thanked soldiers for delivering relief supplies.

北京盛大烟火庆祝迎来中国农历最重要的节日-农历新年。官方电视台举办盛大的春节联欢晚会，作为庆祝鼠年活动的一部门。晚会还向数以百万计因半个世纪来最恶劣严冬天气而无法回家过年的农民工表达敬意。 暴风雪连续多天阻断了交通，使数以千计的人无电，失去基本供应。中国国家主席胡锦涛和总理温家宝视察了受灾最严重的很多地区。胡锦涛在南部广西省慰问期间，感谢运送救援物资的军人。

New Research Shows Genes May Cause Childhood Obesity
(新研究发现基因可能导致儿童肥胖)

A new study shows genes are more likely to blame for obesity in children than poor eating habits. Scientists studied more than five thousand pairs of twins aged eight to eleven, and found the variation in a child's waist and body mass index was 77 percent attributable to their genes.  Children born with the so-called fat genes are not doomed to become obese, but the scientists said those children will have to work extra hard to keep their weight at a healthy level.  Research leader Jane Wardle of the University College London said --in her words-- "this study shows that it is wrong to place all the blame for a child's excessive weight gain on the parents."

一项新的研究显示，基因比不良饮食习惯更能导致儿童过度肥胖。科研人员调查了5000对8岁到11岁的双胞胎，发现儿童腰围和体重指数有77%是由他们的基因造成的。 出生时带有所谓肥胖基因的孩子并非注定要肥胖，但是科研人员说，这些孩子必须付出额外的努力使体重保持在健康水准。研究负责人、伦敦大学学院的简.沃德尔说，“这项研究显示，把孩子体重过重的所有责任都推在父母身上是错误的”。

星期三(020608)

China Releases Hong Kong Journalist Imprisoned for Espionage
(中国释放因间谍罪被囚禁香港记者)

Chinese officials say a veteran Hong Kong reporter imprisoned for two years for espionage activities has been freed on parole. Reports in Hong Kong say Ching Cheong, chief correspondent for Singapore's "The Straits Times" newspaper, is expected to return home Tuesday. Ching was arrested in April of 2005. In a one-day closed-door trial held in 2006, he was sentenced to five years in prison, convicted of spying for Taiwan. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week China had 29 journalists behind bars. The group said China imposes severe constraints on its national media, and has not kept a promise to apply no restrictions to the coverage of the 2008 Olympics before and during the games.

中国官员说，因间谍活动被监禁两年的香港资深记者程翔已经被假释。香港的报导说，新加坡海峡时报派的首席记者程翔预计星期二返家。 程翔2005年4月被捕。在2006年一次持续一天的不公开审判中，他被定犯有为台湾充当间谍罪，判处5年监禁。 总部设在纽约的保护记者委员会上个星期说，中国目前关押着29名记者。该组织说，中国对全国媒体施行严格的控制，而且没有履行在奥运前及期间不受限制地报导2008年奥运会的承诺。

Japanese Minister Says Dumpling Poisoning May Have Been Deliberate
(日本大臣称毒饺子可能故意所为)

Japan's health minister says Chinese-made dumplings that left 10 people ill and sparked a nationwide food scare may have been deliberately poisoned with pesticide. Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Tokyo, Yoichi Masuzoe said the evidence uncovered so far suggests that it is highly likely that the poisoning was a crime. So far, tests in China have turned up no signs of the pesticide that Japanese authorities have blamed for making people sick. Investigators in Japan have found punctures on the outside of at least one of the bags tied to the poisonings as well as traces of the pesticide. The source of the contamination has yet to be identified. In Beijing Tuesday, four Japanese officials began talks to discuss the event of poisonous dumplings. They will later visit the factories where the dumplings were made.

日本厚生劳动相舛添要一说，造成10名日本人中毒并引发全国范围食品恐慌的中国出产的饺子，可能被人有意投下杀虫剂。舛添要一星期二在东京对记者说，目前发现的证据显示，下毒非常可能是一次犯罪行为。 到目前为止，中国的检测没有发现日本当局认为造成民众中毒的这种杀虫剂的痕迹。日本调查人员在其中至少一袋涉及中毒案的饺子的外包装袋上发现了刺孔以及杀虫剂的痕迹。污染源目前还没有查明。 4名日本官员星期二在北京跟中国官员讨论毒饺子事件。他们随后将参访饺子生产厂家。

星期二(020508)

China Releases Hong Kong Journalist Imprisoned for Espionage
(中国释放因间谍罪被囚禁香港记者)

Chinese officials say a veteran Hong Kong reporter imprisoned for two years for espionage activities has been freed on parole. Reports in Hong Kong say Ching Cheong, chief correspondent for Singapore's "The Straits Times" newspaper, is expected to return home Tuesday. Ching was arrested in April of 2005. In a one-day closed-door trial held in 2006, he was sentenced to five years in prison, convicted of spying for Taiwan. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists said last week China had 29 journalists behind bars. The group said China imposes severe constraints on its national media, and has not kept a promise to apply no restrictions to the coverage of the 2008 Olympics before and during the games.

中国官员说，因间谍活动被监禁两年的香港资深记者程翔已经被假释。香港的报导说，新加坡海峡时报派的首席记者程翔预计星期二返家。 程翔2005年4月被捕。在2006年一次持续一天的不公开审判中，他被定犯有为台湾充当间谍罪，判处5年监禁。 总部设在纽约的保护记者委员会上个星期说，中国目前关押着29名记者。该组织说，中国对全国媒体施行严格的控制，而且没有履行在奥运前及期间不受限制地报导2008年奥运会的承诺。

Japanese Minister Says Dumpling Poisoning May Have Been Deliberate
(日本大臣称毒饺子可能故意所为)
 

Japan's health minister says Chinese-made dumplings that left 10 people ill and sparked a nationwide food scare may have been deliberately poisoned with pesticide.  Speaking to reporters Tuesday in Tokyo, Yoichi Masuzoe said the evidence uncovered so far suggests that it is highly likely that the poisoning was a crime. So far, tests in China have turned up no signs of the pesticide that Japanese authorities have blamed for making people sick. Investigators in Japan have found punctures on the outside of at least one of the bags tied to the poisonings as well as traces of the pesticide. The source of the contamination has yet to be identified.  In Beijing Tuesday, four Japanese officials began talks to discuss the event of poinous dumplings. They will later visit the factories where the dumplings were made.

日本厚生劳动相舛添要一说，造成10名日本人中毒并引发全国范围食品恐慌的中国出产的饺子，可能被人有意投下杀虫剂。舛添要一星期二在东京对记者说，目前发现的证据显示，下毒非常可能是一次犯罪行为。 到目前为止，中国的检测没有发现日本当局认为造成民众中毒的这种杀虫剂的痕迹。日本调查人员在其中至少一袋涉及中毒案的饺子的外包装袋上发现了刺孔以及杀虫剂的痕迹。污染源目前还没有查明。 4名日本官员星期二在北京跟中国官员讨论毒饺子事件。他们随后将参访饺子生产厂家。

星期一(020408)

Media Group Says China Falling Short of Olympic Promises
(媒体组织说中国没充分履行奥运承诺)

An international media rights organization is criticizing China in its annual report, accusing it of falling short of its pledge to allow unrestricted media coverage before and during the 2008 Olympic Games. In the report, "Attacks on the Press," the Committee to Protect Journalists says China continues to suppress news and commentary. The report says that during China's Communist Party Congress last year, authorities cracked down on Web sites and bloggers reporting on local government abuses. The report says that in 2007 China remained the world's leading jailer of journalists, putting 29 journalists behind bars. The report also says that while foreign journalists are said to be free to do their work, reporters tell them they continue to be watched and harassed.

一个国际媒体权益组织在年度报告中批评中国没有充分遵守诺言，在2008年奥运会之前和奥运期间允许媒体进行毫无限制的报导。 保护记者委员会在这份题为“攻击媒体”的报告中说，中国继续压制新闻和评论。报告说，去年中共召开代表大会时，当局镇压了报导地方政府滥用职权的网站和博客。 报告说，中国在2007年关押了29名记者，这使中国再次成为世界上关押记者最多的国家。报告还说，尽管在中国的外国记者被告知，他们可以自由地工作，但是他们告诉保护记者委员会，他们仍继续受到监视和骚扰。

Israeli Commandos Kill 2 West Bank Palestinian Gunmen
(以色列突击队在约旦河西岸打死两巴勒斯坦枪手)

Israel says commandos killed two Palestinian gunmen and wounded a third in a pre-dawn raid in the occupied West Bank today (Monday). The military said troops operating in the village of Qabatiya, south of Jenin, spotted three armed men and opened fire. Palestinians identified the three as members of the Islamic Jihad militant group.

以色列说，突击队员星期一拂晓前在以色列占领的约旦河西岸地区进行了一次突击行动，打死了两名巴勒斯坦武装分子，还有一武装分子被打伤。 以色列军方说，在杰宁以南的卡巴提亚村展开行动的以军部队发现了三名武装男子并向他们开火。巴勒斯坦人说，这三人是激进的的伊斯兰圣战者组织成员。

星期五(020108)


Chinese Activist Charged with Subversion
(中国活动人士被控颠覆罪)

The lawyer for prominent Chinese rights activist Hu Jia says his client has been formally charged with subversion and could be put on trial later this year. Hu Jia was arrested by Chinese authorities in a raid on his home in December. He is known for his advocacy for AIDS victims in rural China. Hu's wife and fellow activist Zeng Jinyan has been under house arrest with the couple's infant daughter since the raid. Chinese authorities often use the charge of "inciting the subversion of power" as a means to detain dissidents for years. China's communist government has intensified its crackdown on activists ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The European Union and the United State have demanded Hu's release.

中国知名维权活动人士胡佳的律师说，他的当事人已被正式指控犯有颠覆罪，并可能在今年晚些时候受审。 胡佳去年12月在中国当局查抄他的住宅时被逮捕。胡佳以维护中国农村艾滋病受害者的权益而闻名。 自当局查抄他的家以来，他的妻子、维权活动人士曾金燕与出生不久的女儿一直被软禁。 中国当局经常以“煽动颠覆政权罪”为手段将异议人士关押多年。中共当局在2008年北京奥运会之前加紧了镇压活动人士。欧盟和美国要求释放胡佳。

China's Panchen Lama Makes Rare Appearance in Beijing
(中国的班禅喇嘛在北京罕见露面)

The boy chosen by China as Tibetan Buddhism's second-most influential figure has met with China's top legislator in a rare public appearance. China's official Xinhua news agency says Gyaltsen Norbu expressed support for the Communist Party when he met with Wu Bangguo, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Thursday in Beijing. He said he would work to make his religious work adapt to China's socialist society. In 1995, Tibans' spiritual leader the Dalai Lama in exile chose six-year-old Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama. Soon afterwards, however,the boy and his parents were taken into custody by Chinese authorities, and have not been heard from since. Months later, China named Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama. He was sent to study at Tashilhunpo monastery in Shigatse - the traditional seat for Tibet's second-most prominent figure.

中国政府指定的作为西藏佛教中影响力第二大人物的男孩在一次罕见的公开露面中会见中国人大最高官员。中国官方新华社说，第11世班禅额尔德尼.确吉杰布星期四在北京会见全国人大常委会委员长吴邦国时，表达了对中国共产党的支持。他说，他会努力把他的宗教活动与中国的社会主义制度相适应。 1995年，西藏流亡精神领袖达赖喇嘛挑选6岁的根敦确吉尼玛为第11世班禅喇嘛。但是之后不久，这位转世灵童和他的父母被中国当局带走，此后毫无音讯。 几个月后，中国指定确吉杰布为第11世班禅。他被送往西藏日喀则的扎什伦布寺学经。扎什伦布寺是西藏佛教中影响力第二大的僧侣传统的驻锡地。

星期四(013108)


China to Restrict Internet Video
(中国将限制因特网视频)
 

China is scheduled to take steps Thursday to tighten controls on the Internet. The measure, announced December 29th, will give state companies the exclusive right to provide online video content or allow users to share their own videos. The measure was adopted by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and the Ministry of Information. It was not immediately clear how the policy will be implemented.  Popular Web sites run by private companies like Tudou-dot-com, 56-dot-com and Wangyou-dot-com were still operating early Thursday. China announced last week that it will also take steps to rein in online music content to prevent piracy.

中国政府定于星期四开始采取措施，加强对因特网的控制。12月29号宣布的措施给予国营公司提供网上视频或允许用户分享个人视频的独家权力。 这一措施由中国国家广电总局和信息产业部制订。目前还不清楚这一政策将如何落实。 星期四早上，像土豆网、我乐网和网友天下等由私营公司经营的广受欢迎网站还在运行。 中国上个星期还宣布，将采取措施控制针网上音乐内容，以防止盗版行为。

Chinese Official Says Winter Storms Having Extremely Serious Impact on Crops
(中国官员称暴风雪严重影响农作物)

A top Chinese agricultural official says brutal winter storms in China are having an extremely serious impact on winter crops. Speaking with reporters Thursday in Beijing, Chen Xiwen said the impact on crops in southern China was already extremely serious. He called the damage to fruit and fresh vegetable crops catastrophic. Chen said it is still unclear what the full impact and losses will be, adding that would largely depend on the weather. He said the situation could worsen if storms move north and threaten winter grain supplies. Forecasters are predicting a new wave of harsh winter weather will bring more snow and freezing rain to central and southern China Thursday. Hundreds of thousands of Chinese remain stranded at train stations and airports in parts of the country.

中国一位主要农业官员表示，中国恶劣的暴风雪对越冬农作物带来极为严重影响。陈锡文星期四在北京对媒体表示，对中国南方农作物的影响已经极为严重。他称对水果和新鲜蔬菜造成毁灭性损害。 陈锡文表示，目前还不清楚全部的灾情和损失情况。他补充说，这将主要取决于天气。他说，如果暴风雪向北方移动，威胁到冬季粮食供应，局势将进一步恶化。 天气预报说，新一波严冬天气星期四将为中国中部和南部带来更多降雪和冻雨。数以十万计的中国民众仍然被困在这些地区的火车站和机场。

星期三(013008)

FBI Chief Impressed With China's Security Preparations for 2008 Beijing Olympics
(FBI主管对中国2008北京奥运安全筹备印象深刻)

U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Robert Mueller says Wednesday in Beijing that he anticipates that the Olympics will be secure and safe. Mueller arrived in Beijing on Monday to discuss ways the FBI could cooperate with Chinese police and security officials during the Games, which open on August eighth and run to the 24th. He did not say what kind of support the FBI would provide, stressing that the focus would be on securing Olympic venues from potential attacks. He did not mention any plans to build up the agency's small presence in China. The FBI set up a liaison office in Beijing in 2002.

美国联邦调查局局长罗伯特.米勒星期三在北京表示，他预计这次奥运会将是安全的。米勒星期一抵达北京，讨论美国联邦调查局与中国警方和安全官员在奥运会期间可能合作的途径。北京奥运会将于8月8号开幕，8月24号结束。 米勒没有说明美国联邦调查局要提供哪些帮助。他强调说，重点将放在保障奥运会场所不受到潜在袭击。米勒没有提到扩大这个机构目前在中国人数有限的工作人员的计划。FBI2002年在北京设置了一个联络处。

North Korean Leader Meets With Chinese Envoy Ahead of US Visit
(北韩领导人在美国官员到访前会晤中国特使)

North Korea's reclusive leader Kim Jong Il held a rare meeting with a visiting Chinese envoy Wednesday just as the United States is stepping up efforts to restart talks on Pyongyang's nuclear program. North Korea's Central News Agency says the Chinese delegation was led by senior Communist Party official Wang Jiarui. The report says Kim had lunch with Wang, and that they had a "warm and friendly" discussion, but did not give any other details. The visit comes one day before Sung Kim, a U.S. State Department expert on North Korea, prepares to visit Pyongyang. Sung Kim says that during his visit, he will press North Korea to deliver a complete list of its nuclear programs as soon as possible. His visit is expected to last three-days.

北韩很少公开露面的领导人金正日星期三与到访的一名中国特使举行了一次罕见的会谈。同时，美国正在加大努力，重新启动有关平壤核项目的会谈。 北韩官方的朝中社说，中国这个代表团由中国共产党高级官员王家瑞率领。报导说，金正日与王家瑞共进了午餐，进行了一次“热情友好”的会谈，但没有提供更多的细节。这次访问一天后，美国国务院分管北韩事务的专家金成计划访问平壤。金成说，在访问期间，他将敦促北韩尽早提交一份完整的核项目清单。预计金成将在北韩访问三天。

星期二(012908)

Bus Crash Kills 25 During Heavy Snows in China
(中国暴雪中大客车翻车二十五人丧生)

Chinese official Xinhua news agency say at least 25 people were killed and 13 injured when their bus crashed on an icy road early Tuesday in Guizhou Province. Chinese authorities say more snow storms are threatening parts of the country already struggling with transport chaos and power shortages. China's Meteorological Administration issued warnings Monday of further heavy snow and freezing rain in some central and eastern provinces.The snow storms have paralyzed highways, railways and airports, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers hoping to join their families for the Lunar New Year holiday. Premier Wen Jiabao ordered all government departments Sunday to take urgent action to prepare for what he called an "increasingly grim situation." He says the government faces a "severe" challenge in maintaining China's energy supplies.

中国官方新华社报导说，贵州省一辆大客车星期二早上在结冰的路面上翻车，造成至少25人死亡，13人受伤。中国当局说，更多暴雪仍在威胁中国疲于应对交通混乱和电力短缺的部分地区。 中国国家气象局星期一发出警告，中部和东部一些省份继续会有大雪和冰雨。暴风雪使中国的公路、铁路和机场瘫痪，困住了数以十万计的希望同家人共度农历新年的旅客。 中国总理温家宝星期天命令所有政府部门采取紧急行动，应对他所称的“越来越严峻的形势”。温家宝说，政府面临保障能源供应的“严峻”挑战。

Iran Executes Customs Official for Financial Crimes
(伊朗以金融罪处死一海关官员

Iran has executed a customs contractor for corruption -- a rare punishment for financial crimes in the country. An Iranian judiciary spokesman said Tuesday the contractor was executed for corruption, bribery and disrupting the financial system. He did not identify the person executed, or give details about the crime. The spokesman said three other customs employees are facing the death penalty for similar crimes, but judicial officials are considering their appeal to reduce the sentence to life imprisonment. Under Iran's Islamic law, murder, rape, robbery, adultery and drug trafficking are punishable by death. The sentences are usually carried out by hanging. The human rights group Amnesty International says Iran executed more than 200 people last year.

伊朗以腐败罪名处死一名海关合同人员，这是伊朗对金融犯罪罕见的惩罚。伊朗一位司法发言人星期二说，这名合同工因腐败、贿赂以及干扰金融秩序被处死。他没有公布被处死人的身份，也没有提供罪行的详情。 这位发言人说，其他3名海关雇员也因类似的罪行面临死刑判决，但是司法官员正在考虑他们提出的要求减判为终身监禁的上诉。 根据伊朗的伊斯兰法律，谋杀、强奸、抢劫、通奸以及贩毒等罪行可判处死刑。死刑通常都以绞刑执行。 人权组织大赦国际说，伊朗去年处死了200多人。

星期一(012808)


Asian Markets Down Sharply on Recession Fears
(担心经济衰退亚洲股市大跌)

Asian markets fell sharply Monday on fears a recession in the United States will weaken the demand for Asian exports. China's Shanghai Composite Index tumbled more than seven percent while the Nikkei in Tokyo and Sensex in Mumbai were both down almost four percent. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index dropped more than five percent. Analysts say investors are still nervous following last week's worldwide plunge, despite President's Bush's plan to revitalize the slowing U.S. economy with tax rebates. The U.S. Federal Reserve meets this week to consider if another interest rate cut is needed to help stave off a recession.

亚洲股市星期一巨幅下跌，人们担心美国如果出现经济衰退将会减少对亚洲进口的需求。中国上海证卷指数猛跌7%以上，东京日经指数和孟买股市敏感指数都下滑将近4%。香港恒生指数跌幅超过5%。 分析人士说，在全球股市上星期暴跌之后，虽然布什总统推出了以退税来重振增长速度减缓的美国经济的计划，但是投资人依然心有余悸。美国联邦储备委员会本星期也开会考虑是否须要继续降息，来帮助避免发生经济衰退。

BEIJING OLYMPICS
(北京奥林匹克运动会)

Olympic organizers in Beijing have unveiled the "Watercube," one of the two iconic venues for the 2008 Games later this year. Known officially as the National Aquatics Center, the building's design and its translucent, blue-toned outside skin make it appear like a cube of bubbles. On Monday, the public got its first look at the building after a little more than three years of construction. The venue has six-thousand permanent and 11-thousand temporary seats. The Watercube will anchor the Olympic Green area along with the neighboring 91-thousand seat National Stadium called the "Bird's Nest." Forty-two gold medals will be handed out at the Watercube during the Olympics, which begin on August eighth. A swimming meet on Friday will help test the facility.

北京奥运会组织者宣布“水立方”游泳馆竣工交付使用，这是今年8月北京奥运会的两个标志性场馆之一。“水立方”的正式名称是国家游泳中心，其半透明的蓝色调外观让它看起来像是一个水晶立方。经过三年多一点的施工后，“水立方”星期一首次对公众亮相。 “ 水立方”有固定座位6千个，临时座位1万1千个。“水立方”和临近拥有9万1千个座位的“鸟巢”国家体育馆将构成奥林匹克公园地区的主体。奥运会举办期间，42枚比赛项目的金牌将在“水立方”办法。奥运会8月8号开幕。“水立方”星期五将举办一项游泳比赛，检验场馆的设施。

星期五(012508)


Gates Says U.S. Will Not Set Up Permanent Bases in Iraq
(盖茨说美国不会在伊拉克建立永久军事基地)

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says the U.S. has no interest in setting up permanent military bases in Iraq. Gates spoke to reporters at the Pentagon Thursday, playing down concerns from Democratic critics in Congress that a planned "Status of Forces Agreement" with Iraq will commit the U.S. to a long term military presence. Some Democrats say such an agreement may force future U.S. presidents to have a set number of troops in Iraq. But Gates stressed that the agreement would not talk about force levels. He added that the agreement is still in its earliest stages, and that the Bush administration will consult with Congress during its development.  A State Department spokesman (Tom Casey) said the "Status of Forces Agreement" would be a legal outline for the U.S. presence in Iraq.

美国国防部长罗伯特.盖茨说，美国无意在伊拉克建立永久军事基地。 盖茨星期四在五角大楼对记者作出上述表示。盖茨试图消除国会民主党人对美国和伊拉克拟议中的“驻军协议”的担忧。国会一些批评人士担心，这份协议将要求美军长期驻守在伊拉克。 但是盖茨强调说，协议并不涉及部队规模。他补充说，协议目前还处在初步谈判阶段，而且在制定过程中，布什行政当局也会与国会磋商。 美国国务院发言人说，“驻军协议”将为美国在伊拉克部署军队提供法律框架。

Bushes to Visit Africa Next Month
(布什下个月访问非洲)

The White House says President Bush and his wife, first lady Laura Bush, will travel to Africa next month. The trip -- from February 15th through the 21st -- will take them to Benin, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana and Liberia. The White House says the president will meet with the leaders of those countries to discuss how the United States can support continued democratic reform, respect for human rights and economic opportunity across the continent. Mr. Bush last visited Africa in 2003. The White House says that on this visit, he will review progress made in U.S.-assisted efforts to increase economic development and fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and other treatable diseases.

白宫宣布，布什总统与妻子，第一夫人劳拉将于下个月前往非洲。 他们这次定于2月15号到21号的出访行程将包括贝宁、坦桑尼亚、卢旺达、加纳和利比里亚。 白宫表示，布什总统将与这些国家的领导人举行会晤，共同探讨美国如何支持非洲大陆正在进行的民主改革、尊重人权以及经济机会。 布什总统上一次访问非洲是在2003年。白宫表示，布什总统此次出访将考察美国协助的各种项目的进展情况。这些项目包括促进经济发展、抗击艾滋病和疟疾以及其他可治疗的疾病。

星期四(012408)

White House Negotiating Economic Stimulus with Congress
(白宫和国会谈判刺激经济方案)

The Bush administration and congressional lawmakers appear to be nearing an agreement on legislation to boost the slumping U.S. economy. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson held three lengthy negotiating sessions Wednesday with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Republican leader John Boehner. Boehner says all sides were "hopeful" about a possible deal. The two sides are expected to hold another round of meetings today (Thursday). The stimulus package is expected to cost as much as 150-billion dollars. It will include income tax breaks for businesses to spur new investment, and tax rebates for individuals between 800 and 16-hundred dollars.  Democratic lawmakers, led by Pelosi, are pushing to extend the tax rebates for low-income Americans who do not make enough to pay income tax.

布什行政当局和国会议员看来接近就刺激正在滑坡的美国经济法案达成协议。 美国财政部长保尔森星期三与美国众议院议长佩洛西以及众议院共和党领袖博纳举行了三次长长的会谈。博纳表示各方都对达成协议抱有希望。预计双方星期四举行新一轮会谈。 刺激经济方案预计将耗资多达1千5百亿美元，包括为了促进新的投资而给企业减免税收，以及向纳税的个人退税800到1600美元。 民主党议员在佩洛西领导下努力把退税范围扩大到那些收入不足以交税的低收入美国人。

Burmese Poet Detained for Secret Criticism of Junta Leader
(缅甸诗人因为暗批军政府领导人而被捕)

Authorities in Burma have arrested a prominent poet over a recently published work that contains a hidden message criticizing junta leader Than Shwe.  The romantic-themed poem by Saw Wai was published in a popular weekly magazine in advance of next month's Valentine's Day observance. But on closer reading, the first word of each line forms a phrase that calls General Shwe power crazy. Burma's ruling military junta keeps a close watch on all media outlets to snuff out any criticism of its rule. But dissidents have used similar techniques in the past to avoid government censors. An advertisement in a Burmese newspaper last year contained a hidden message calling Than Shwe a "killer."

缅甸当局逮捕了一位著名诗人，罪名是他最近出版的诗暗藏批评军政府领导人丹瑞的内容。 诗人索瓦在一个受欢迎的周刊杂志上为下个月的情人节提前发表了这首情诗。 仔细阅读后发现，每行诗的第一个词所组成的句子称丹瑞是权力狂。 缅甸军政府密切注意所有媒体，以封杀对军政府统治的任何批评。但是异议人士过去曾使用类似手段来躲避政府的新闻检查。缅甸一家报纸去年刊登的一个广告就影射丹瑞是杀人凶手。

星期三(012308)


China Says it Shut Down 44-Thousand Pornographic Web sites Last Year
(中国说去年关闭四万四千多个色情网站)

Chinese state media say authorities shut down more than 44-thousand Web sites last year as part of a nationwide crackdown on Internet porn. The official Xinhua news agency says more than 800 people have been arrested and about two-thousand penalized in connection with the effort. Authorities say the crackdown will continue until after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Rights groups have said the campaign is being used as an excuse to crackdown on dissent and round up dissidents ahead of the 2008 Games. China's Internet population soared to 210-million people in 2007 and it could surpass the United States this year to become the world's largest. The report says the government will increasingly concentrate on Web sites that have audio or video, blogging or send information to cell phones.

中国国营媒体说，当局去年关闭了4万4千多个网站，作为全国范围打击网络色情的一部分。官方新华通讯社说，800多人在这次严打中被捕，大约2000人受到惩处。当局说，打击网络色情的活动将继续到2008年北京举办奥运会之后。 人权组织说，当局利用打击网络色情活动作为借口，在2008年北京奥运到来之前压制异见，逮捕异议人士。中国的网民人数2007年增加到2亿1千万，今年可能超过美国，成为世界上网民人数最多的国家。报导说，政府将加强管制刊载音像、博客以及向手机发送信息的网站。

French President and Singaporean Prime Minister Discuss Burma
(法国总统与新加坡总理讨论缅甸问题)

French President Nicolas Sarkozy discussed Burma's political crisis during a visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to France this week. During their talks, Mr. Sarkozy said the Burmese people must not be forgotten. He also told Mr. Lee he believes Burma is an obstacle to the cohesion of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN. Mr. Lee voiced Singapore's support for United Nations efforts to resolve the crisis, stressing the importance of diplomacy. Mr. Lee concludes his visit to France today (Wednesday). After Burma's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protesters last year, European nations urged ASEAN to take a tougher stance on Burma. But so far, the group -- which includes Burma -- has been unwilling to use sanctions or other tough measures.

法国总统萨尔科齐本星期在新加坡总理李显龙访问法国期间，讨论了缅甸的政治危机。萨尔科齐在会谈中说，缅甸人民不能被遗忘。他还对李显龙说，他相信缅甸是东盟团结的一个障碍。 李显龙表达了新加坡对联合国化解缅甸危机努力的支持，强调外交的重要性。李显龙星期三结束了对法国的访问。缅甸去年血腥镇压支持民主的抗议人士之后，欧洲国家敦促东盟对缅甸采取更加强硬的立场。但是包括缅甸为成员国的东盟迄今为止不愿对缅甸采取制裁或者其它强硬措施。

星期二(012208)


China Rejects Calls for Pressure on Burma
(中国拒绝向缅甸施压呼吁)
 

China has rejected demands for stepped up pressure on ally Burma. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told a news conference Tuesday that Beijing does not believe sanctions and applying pressure on Burma are helpful to the resolution of issues. Her comment followed a meeting Monday in Beijing between senior Chinese foreign policy adviser Tang Jiaxuan and Burmese Deputy Foreign Minister U Maung Myint, who was visiting as a special envoy. The 15-member UN Security Council, including China, criticized Burma last week for being too slow in bringing about democratic reforms. Jiang also said China supports the work of UN special envoy Ibrahim Gambari and wants a timetable set for his next visit to Burma.

中国拒绝向盟友缅甸加大施压的要求。中国外交部发言人姜瑜星期二在记者会上说，北京不相信对缅甸实施制裁和施加压力有助于问题的解决。 在她做出这个评论之前，中国资深外交政策顾问唐家璇和作为特使访问中国的缅甸副外长在北京举行了会谈。 由包括中国在内的15个成员国组成的联合国安理会上个星期批评缅甸实施民主改革的动作太慢。 姜瑜还说，中国支持联合国特使甘巴里的工作，并希望提出他下一次访问缅甸的时间表。

US Central Bank Slashes Interest Rates After Global Stock Sell-off
(美中央银行在全球股市抛售后降息)

The U.S. central bank， the Federal Reserve， has cut the key federal interest rate by three-quarters of one percent, in an effort to boost the troubled U.S. economy and stem a sell-off in global stock markets. The Federal Reserve action puts the new rate at three-point-five percent. A statement issued by the Fed says it took the action in light of "weakening" economic outlook and tight credit that is hampering business. Stock markets around the world have been in an accelerated decline for the past two days, as investors worry that a slowing U.S. economy could hurt businesses in the many nations that trade with the United States.

美国中央银行联邦储备委员会将主要联邦利率削减0.75%，希望以此振作出现问题的美国经济，并阻挡全球股市抛售的趋势。美联储的行动将新的利率降低到3.5%。 美联储在一份声明中说，美联储采取这项减息行动是鉴于经济前景趋于疲软，信贷市场不断收紧进而限制商业发展。 在过去两天里，全球各地股市加速下滑，因为投资者担心，美国经济放慢会伤害与美国有贸易关系的许多国家的商务。

星期一(012108)


Beijing to Punish Celebrities, Wealthy Who Violate One-Child Policy
(中国将惩治违反一胎化名人及富人)

Chinese officials say Beijing will punish celebrities who ignore the country's one-child policy. The official Xinhua news agency quoted city family planning chief Deng Xiangzhou Monday, as saying celebrities and the wealthy would be more heavily fined in the future for having more than one child. Chinese media have reported several cases in which well-off people paid only minimal fines for violating family planning restrictions. Xinhua mentioned the case of soccer star Hao Haidong, who was fined only 68 hundred dollars for having a second child, despite having an annual salary of nearly 691 thousand dollars, one of the highest for a soccer player in China. The news agency quoted a family planning official, as saying the number of celebrities who have more than one child is not large, but because of their fame, their behavior has a negative social influence.

中国官员说，北京市将惩治无视国家一胎化政策的名人。官方新华社星期一援引北京市计生委主任邓行舟的话说，未来将对超生的名人和富人处以更严厉罚款。 中国媒体报导了几位违反计划生育限制规定的有钱人缴纳最低罚款的事例。 新华社提到了足球明星郝海东的例子，尽管他的年收入将近69万1千美元，是中国足球运动员收入最高的之一，但是他只因第二个孩子被处以6800美元的罚款。 新华社援引一名计划生育官员的话说，虽然超生的名人人数不多，但是由于他们的知名度，他们的行为具有负面社会影响。

World Stocks Plunge on Fears of US Recession
(全球股市担心美国衰退大幅下跌)

Stock prices dropped sharply in Europe and Asia Monday, with fears of economic problems in the United States leading to the biggest single-day losses in recent years. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index fell five-point-five percent -- its biggest fall since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Losses of between three and seven percent were recorded in India, China, Britain, France and Germany.

欧洲和亚洲股票价格星期一猛烈下跌，对美国经济问题的担心导致近年来股市最大幅度单日下跌。 在香港，恒生指数下跌5.5%，是2001年9/11恐怖袭击以来最大幅度的下跌。印度、中国、英国、法国和德国的股市下跌3%到7%之间。

星期五(011808)

Bush to Offer Ideas for Stimulating Economy
(布什将提出刺激美国经济构想)

President Bush is expected today (Friday) to offer ideas for stimulating the U.S. economy. On Thursday, U.S central bank chief Ben Bernanke told a congressional committee that a timely package of new fiscal policies could revitalize the economy, following a string of downbeat economic reports. A Federal Reserve report showed manufacturing declining sharply in a key area, while a separate government study said the number of new homes under construction in 2007 dropped by 25 percent, the steepest drop for that industry since 1980. Bernanke stressed that any stimulus package must be implemented quickly and designed to be temporary. Economic stimulus packages usually come in the form of higher federal spending, lower taxes or some combination of the two.

预计布什总统星期五将提出刺激美国经济的想法。 在一系列报告说美国目前经济状况欠佳之后，星期四，美国中央银行行长伯南克对国会的一个委员会表示，及时出台一套新的财政政策将有助于重振美国经济。 美联储的一个报告显示，制造业的一个重要领域出现显著下滑。政府部门的另外一个研究报告说，在2007年新建房屋的数量下降了25%，是自1980年以来新房数量下滑幅度最大的一年。 伯南克强调说，任何刺激经济的成套方案一定要快速实施，也必须是暂时性的。刺激经济的举措一般指的是增加联邦支出，减税，或两者并举。

Taiwanese Government Spokesman Resigns Amid Election Defeat
(败选后台湾政府发言人辞职)

Two Taiwanese Cabinet ministers have offered to resign, following the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's defeat in legislative elections held last week. Government Information Office chief Shieh Jhy-wey told reporters today (Friday) that he wanted to quit ahead of the Cabinet's planned mass resignation on January 28th. Media reports say Education Minister Tu Cheng-sheng has also offered to go as well. In last week's elections, the opposition Nationalists won 81 of the 113 seats in Taiwan's legislature. The Nationalists campaigned on a theme of improving ties with China and strengthening Taiwan's stagnant economy, which they blamed on President Chen Shu-bian's pro-independence stance.

在台湾执政的民进党在上星期的立法委员选举中遭到挫败后，台湾两名内阁部长级官员提出辞职。 台湾行政院新闻局长谢志伟星期五对记者表示，他要在内阁成员计划于1月28号集体辞职之前就辞职。 媒体报导说，教育部长杜正胜也提出要卸去部长一职。 在上个星期的选举中，反对党国民党赢得了台湾立法院113个席位中的81席。 国民党的竞选纲领是要与中国改善关系，强化台湾停滞的经济。国民党把经济问题归咎于陈水扁总统所持的倾向台独的立场。

星期四(011708)

South Korean President-Elect Says He Will be Patient With North Korea
(韩国当选总统表示他将对北韩有耐心)

South Korea's president-elect Lee Myung-bak says his government will continue to press North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons after he takes office, but adds that he will also be patient with Pyongyang. Speaking with foreign correspondents in Seoul Thursday, Mr. Lee promised more cooperation with countries involved in the talks on North Korea's nuclear program, such as the United States, China, Russia and Japan. He also said he would try to convince the North that giving up its nuclear weapons program will benefit both the government and its people.

韩国当选总统李明博表示，在接任总统之后，他的政府将继续迫使北韩放弃核武器，但他补充说，他同时将耐心对待平壤。 李明博星期四在首尔与外国记者谈话时承诺，他将和参与北韩核项目谈判的国家，像美国、中国、俄罗斯和日本进行更多的合作。 李明博还表示，他将试图说服北韩，放弃核武计划会更有利于北韩政府和人民。

British Prime Minister Leaves for China and India
(英首相启程前往中印)

The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown is going to Asia Thursday to visit China and India. It will be Gordon Brown's first trip to the region since he became prime minister. The visit is expected to focus on the environment and trade. The prime minister's first stop is China, where he is also expected to discuss the Beijing Olympics -- as London prepares to host the games in 2012. Prime Minister Brown has said developing a long-term business relationship with China could help create tens of thousands of British jobs. Mr. Brown then heads to India for talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

英国首相戈登.布朗星期四前往亚洲，对中国和印度进行访问。这将是布朗担任首相后首次出访这个地区。预计，布朗此行的重点是环境和贸易问题。 布朗的首站是中国。由于伦敦正在为主办2012年奥运会做准备，预计，他还将讨论北京奥运会。 布朗首相曾说，与中国发展长期的商业关系可能帮助英国创造成数以千计的就业机会。 布朗随后将前往印度与印度总理辛格会谈。

Former Chinese Lawmaker Sentenced to Death for Multiple Rapes
(前人大代表因多次强奸被判处死刑)

Chinese state media report that a former national lawmaker has been sentenced to death for raping more than 20 middle school girls over a period of two years. According to reports, Wu Tianxi was actively seeking out young girls to rape between 2005 and 2007. He was sentenced to death by a court in central China's Henan province on Tuesday. Reports say the aging 61-year-old believed that having sexual relations with the girls (between the ages of 12 and 16) would boost his health and wealth. A woman who helped Wu track down the girls and several other accomplices were also given jail terms in connection with the case. Wu had an illustrious career and was once named one of Henan's top entrepreneurs. He served in China's National People's Congress from 1998 to 2003.

据中国官方媒体报导，一名前全国人大代表因在两年期间强奸了20多名中学女生被判处死刑。据报导，吴天喜在2005年到2007年间主动寻求年轻女孩实施强奸。中国中部的河南省一家法庭星期二将他判处死刑。 报导说，年龄渐高的61岁的吴天喜相信与12到16岁的女孩“交合”将延年益寿、财运亨通。同案的一名帮助吴天喜寻找这些女孩的妇女和其他几名同谋也都被判处了有期徒刑。 吴天喜在事业上曾很卓越，还被河南省命名为优秀企业家之一。他在1998年到2003年间曾经是全国人大代表。

Foreign Ministers from Six Countries to Discuss Iran
(六国外长将讨论伊朗问题)

The officials from China, US and others will hold a multi-national discussions in Berlin that will discuss possible new sanctions against Iran next week.  The upcoming talks in Berlin will be the first between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and her counterparts from China, Russia, Britain, France and Germany since the release of a new U.S. intelligence estimate on Iran.

中国和美国等国家的官员下星期将在柏林举行多国会议，讨论对伊朗可能实施新的制裁。 这次柏林会议将是自美国公布有关伊朗的新情报评估后，美国国务卿赖斯与中国、俄罗斯、英国、法国和德国外长的首次会晤。

US Admiral Wants More Transparency from China's Military
(美国海军上将希望中国军方增加透明度)

The head of U.S. forces in the Pacific says China needs to be more open about its military expansion, and he suggested the build-up was aimed at Taiwan. Admiral Timothy Keating told a news conference in Beijing Tuesday that he is concerned about China's development of new hardware, including long-range cruise missiles and anti-satellite technology. One of China's top generals has said the United States should not be concerned about increases in China's military spending, which went up to a reported 45 billion dollars last year. General Chen Bingde (chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army) met with Admiral Keating Monday and said China sees no need to compete militarily with the United States, and that its military development is for defensive purposes. Keating said today that the main theme of his visit is to build trust with his Chinese counterparts.

美军太平洋司令部司令说，中国对于本国军力扩充需要更加透明。他称，中国加强军力是针对台湾。 基廷海军上将星期二在北京一个记者会上说，他对中国发展新的军事装备，包括远程巡航导弹和反卫星技术表示关切。 一名中国高层将领曾说，美国不必担心中国的军事开支增长。中国军费开支去年增加到了报道所称的450亿美元。中国人民解放军总参谋长陈炳德上将星期一会晤了基廷，并且说，中国没有必要与美国进行军事竞赛，中国发展军力是出于自卫目的。 基廷星期二说，他此行的主题是同中国军方同行建立起互信。

MySpace to Adopt Web Safety Measures
(我的空间网站将施行新安全措施)
 

MySpace, the world's most popular social networking site, has agreed to set stricter guidelines in an effort to protect children from online predators. MySpace, along with the attorneys-general of 49 U.S. states, announced (Monday) various new safety measures. Among them are a 24-hour police hotline, and improving response time to complaints of inappropriate content. They also announced the creation of an online safety task force that will explore new technologies, including better ways to verify ages of MySpace users. The Web site owned by NewsCorp will also create a database allowing parents to prevent their children from opening an account. Texas is the only state that did not endorse the agreement.

世界上最受欢迎的社交网站MySpace同意制定更为严格的指导原则，以保护少年儿童免受网上歹徒的性侵犯。 MySpace和美国49个州的州检察长星期一一起宣布了各项新的安全措施。这些措施中包括设立一条24小时警察热线，改进队不良内容投诉的回应时间。 他们还宣布成立一个在线安全工作组，将探讨新的技术，包括更好地鉴别MySpace用户年龄的方式。 这个由“新闻公司”拥有的网站还将设立一个数据库，可以让家长们防止孩子设立帐户。 得克萨斯州是唯一没有赞同这项协议的州。