01-28-08

擔心經濟衰退亞洲股市大跌 (Asian Markets Down Sharply on Recession Fears)

亞洲股市星期一巨幅下跌，人們擔心美國如果出現經濟衰退將會減少對亞洲進口的需求。中國上海證卷指數猛跌7%以上，東京日經指數和孟買股市敏感指數都下滑將近4%。香港恒生指數跌幅超過5%。

分析人士說，在全球股市上星期暴跌之後，雖然布希總統推出了以退稅來重振增長速度減緩的美國經濟的計劃，但是投資人依然心有餘悸。美國聯邦儲備委員會本星期也開會考慮是否須要繼續降息，來幫助避免發生經濟衰退。

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.

北京奧林匹克運動會 (BEIJING OLYMPICS)

北京奧運會組織者宣佈“水立方”游泳館竣工交付使用，這是今年8月北京奧運會的兩個標誌性場館之一。“水立方”的正式名稱是國家游泳中心，其半透明的藍色調外觀讓它看起來像是一個水晶立方。經過三年多一點的施工後，“水立方”星期一首次對公眾亮相。

“水立方”有固定座位6千個，臨時座位1萬1千個。“水立方”和臨近擁有9萬1千個座位的“鳥巢”國家體育館將構成奧林匹克公園地區的主體。奧運會舉辦期間，42枚比賽項目的金牌將在“水立方”辦法。奧運會8月8號開幕。“水立方”星期五將舉辦一項游泳比賽，檢驗場館的設施。

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.