疯狂英语阅读：THETOPTENECONOMIC&HIGH-TECHNEWS

文章作者 100test 发表时间 2007:05:30 11:26:27
来源 100Test.Com百考试题网

hightmare in the New Century

---America under Attack

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

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 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 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 centers twin south tower exploding in a huge fireball.

Next it was the turn of Washington and the Pentagon, the nerve center of Americas 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 flights were 6)grounded, New Yorks 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 worlds fourth tallest building collapsedl. Followed minutes later by the centers 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 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 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 the steel of American resolve.

America was targeted for attack because were the brightest beacon 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 our governments emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and its 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. Ive 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 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 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 Beijings 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 Chinas trade benefits.

clintons 11)Memoirs

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

Its a good time, probably the best, of Mr. Clintons post-presidency. Last week he dazzled Harlem, today Park Avenue publisher Knopf. Mr. Clintons multi-million dollar advance far exceeds the then record breaking advances given to the Pope, to Mrs. Clinton and to G.E. Chairman Jack Welch. Knopf says in a statement, “the book will be a thorough and candid 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. It is less apparent how far he will go in describing personal relationships including with Monica Lewinsky.

the WorldsThree Biggest Economies

The worlds three biggest economies show worrying signs of slowdown. In the U.S. the Federal Reserves 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 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 Economic Reforms

Japans 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 to enact 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 are Devalued

The dollar falls to a two and a half-month low against the Euro following a 0drop in U.S. consumer confidence. Meanwhile, the yen hits a four-month low against U.S. currency over concerns of Japan’s faltering 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 say final costs may top $8.7 billion exceeding the estimated damages from last year’s love bug virus.