09-17-07

美國財長稱世界經濟強勁 (US Treasury Secretary Says World Economy Strong)

美國財政部長保爾森說，雖然市場最近出現波動，但是全球經濟依然強勁。

保爾森星期一在巴黎會晤了法國財政部長，他在會晤之後說，不要倉促地決定加強市場管制。保爾森說，雖然目前的市場出現動蕩，但是全球經濟的根基穩固。市場動蕩首先從美國的次級房貸無力償還開始。

由於利率上升以及很多市場的房屋銷售和價格滑落，美國房屋市場出現了越來越多的因無法償還貸款而被沒收房屋的現象。

美國財長保爾森還對前法國財政部長斯特勞斯-卡恩競選國際貨幣基金組織的新總裁做出了積極的評價。

U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson says the global economy is strong despite recent market turmoil.

After meeting in Paris Monday with his French counterpart, Paulson cautioned against any quick decisions to increase market regulation. Paulson said the world's economic underpinnings are sound despite the current turmoil that began with defaults on sub-prime mortgage loans in the United States. 

The U.S. housing market has faced an increasing number of foreclosures as interest rates rose and home sales and prices declined in many markets.

The Treasury secretary also spoke positively about the candidacy of former French Finance Minister Dominique Strauss-Kahn as the new head of the International Monetary Fund.

泰國政府調查死亡墜機事件 (Thai Authorities Investigate Deadly Plane Crash)

泰國調查人員找到了在渡假地普吉島墜毀的客機上的兩個飛行數據記錄器。飛機墜毀造成機上130人中的至少89人遇難。

記錄器將被送往美國進行分析，這個過程預計需要至少一個星期。當局希望有關資訊能夠幫助查明飛機失事原因。

這架美制麥道MD-82噴氣客機由泰國低成本航空公司“一二走”(One-Two-Go)經營。飛機著地時摔成兩截，起火燃燒。

有關官員說，在星期天的墜機中，34名泰國人和55名外國人喪生。外國大使館證實，死者當中包括4名美國公民、一名澳大利亞人和一名法國國民。

飛機上還有德國和伊朗公民。泰國官員說，41名倖存者已經被送入醫院，其中5人燒傷嚴重，情況危急。

Thai investigators have found both flight data recorders from a passenger plane that crash-landed on the resort island of Phuket, killing at least 89 of the 130 passengers and crew on board.

The devices will be sent to the United States for analysis, a process expected to take at least a week. Authorities hope the information will help explain why the plane crashed. 

The airliner broke in two upon impact and burst into flames. The U.S.-made McDonnell Douglas MD-82 jet was operated by the Thai budget carrier One-Two-Go. 

Officials say 34 Thais and 55 foreigners were killed in Sunday's crash. Foreign embassies have confirmed that four U.S. citizens, one Australian and a French national are among the dead.

Citizens from Germany and Iran also were aboard. Thai officials say 41 survivors have been taken to hospitals. Five are in critical condition with severe burns.