10-25-07

聯合國報告：空氣污染仍為2008年北京奧運憂患 (UN Report: Air Pollution Remains a Concern for 2008 Beijing Olympics)

聯合國新公佈的有關中國首都環境的一份報告警告說，空氣污染依然是2008年北京奧運會令人擔心的問題。聯合國環境規劃署星期四在北京公佈的報告提到，中國在改善空氣品質以及創建“綠色奧運”方面邁出了“顯著步伐”。

但是，報告同時說，污染依然是奧運組織者、運動員以及觀眾理應關注的問題。報告在指出中國為解決環境擔憂所做創新的同時特別提到一些失去的機會。

根據這份報告，北京空氣中的微粒平均含量極大超過了世界衛生組織的標準。

國際奧會成員本星期早些時候進行實地考察、監測北京2008年奧運會準備進展情況時，對空氣污染的擔憂也列入討論議題。

A newly released United Nations report on the environment in China's capital warns that air pollution remains a concern for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The report, released Thursday in Beijing by the U.N. Environmental Program, notes China's "significant strides" to improve air quality and create a "Green Olympic Games."

But it also said pollution remains a legitimate concern for Olympic organizers, competitors and observers. The report highlights some missed opportunities, while noting China's innovation in addressing environmental concerns.

According to the report, the average level of particulate matter - tiny particles in the air - in Beijing greatly exceeds World Health Organization levels.

Concerns about air pollution were also on the agenda earlier this week when International Olympic Committee members held an inspection tour to monitor progress for the 2008 Olympics.

美國9月份房屋銷售下跌創記錄(US Home Sales Drop By Record Amount in September)

美國一個商業協會說，二手房的銷售額9月份下降到創記錄的低點。專家預測，房屋市場的疲軟還會加劇。全美房地產經紀人協會星期三發佈的一篇報告顯示，房屋銷售9月下滑8%，降到相當於大約500萬棟房屋的年銷售量。

這是1999年開始有記錄以來最慢的銷售速度，而且下降幅度超過了專家預估。這提高了美聯儲公開市場委員會下星期開會時降息的可能性。

分析人士預測，由於很多房屋購買者失去償付能力致使房屋被收回，這會使房屋市場不景氣還會持續至少一年。

A U.S. trade association says sales of previously owned homes declined to a record low in September, and experts predict the housing slump will get even worse. The National Association of Realtors Wednesday issued a report showing home sales dropped eight percent in September to an annual rate of about five million homes. 

That is the slowest pace since record-keeping began in 1999, and a steeper decline than experts expected. It raises the probability that the Federal Reserve's Open Market Committee will decide to cut interest rates when it meets next week.

Analysts predict the housing slump will continue for at least another year because of the continued effects of home foreclosures.