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新闻背景导读
美国将于10月1日中午12点01分进入2014年财政年度，但由于政治博弈，共和党控制的众议院与民主党占多数席位的参议院迟迟未能就新的财政年度预算达成一致，特别是在“奥巴马医改法案”方面，双方更是僵持不下。9月20日，众议院通过临时预算议案，决定自10月1日起继续为联邦机构提供运作资金至12月15日，但拒绝为“奥巴马医改法案”拨款。根据立法程序，该议案还需得到参议院通过并送交奥巴马签署后才能生效。9月27日，参议院通过其临时预算案，除删除有关禁止向医改法案拨款的内容，还将临时预算案的到期日缩短至11月15日。9月29日凌晨，众议院又通过新版本的预算案，要求将“奥巴马医改法案”延期一年并废除医疗器械税收法案，将“皮球”再次踢向参议院。
新闻词汇热身
fiscal adj. 国库的，（政府）财政的
trillion n. 一万亿
federal adj. 联邦（制）的，联邦政府的
blueprint n. 蓝图
congressional adj. 会议的；国（议）会的
halfway n. 半途，中间
entitlement n. 授权，命名
independent adj. 独立的
cancellation n. 取消
presidential adj. 总统的，统辖的
compromise n. 妥协，折中
正点新闻播报
Obama Administration Proposes Federal Budget
This week, the Obama administration released a budget plan for the 2014 fiscal year. The plan calls for three trillion 770 billion dollars in federal spending during the year beginning in October.
President Barack Obama calls the proposal, "a fiscally responsible blueprint " for middle class jobs and economic growth. The budget is his attempt to move closer to a "grand bargain" he sought in debt and deficit reduction talks with Republican Party lawmakers.The plan includes one-point-eight trillion dollars in deficit reduction over 10 years. It also adds two-point- five trillion dollars in savings the president says have already been realized. This would bring total savings to four-point-three trillion dollars.
To become law, the president's budget would require congressional approval, which political experts say is unlikely. His budget would replace tens of billions of dollars in required spending cuts.
President Obama, who is a Democrat, says he has gone more than halfway to meet concerns of Republican lawmakers who have resisted tax increases.
House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, a Republican, gives Mr. Obama credit for seeking more savings from Social Security and other big entitlement programs. But he says the president's proposals are another attempt to increase taxes.
Another critic, Senator Bernie Sanders, is an independent . He says the proposal is a cancellation of a promise Mr. Obama made as a presidential candidate.
"When Barack Obama was running for president in 2008, he said that he would not cut Social Security."
Mr. Obama defended his Social Security offer and changes to Medicare, the health insurance program for older adults and Americans with disabilities. But he says any compromise must not hurt Americans who depend on these programs.
新闻播报译文
奥巴马政府提出的联邦预算
这个星期，奥巴马政府发布了2014年的财政预算计划。这项预算中，从10月份开始联邦政府的开支算将达37700亿元。奥巴马总统对中产阶级的就业和经济增长提出了一项可靠的财政蓝图。对该项预算他努力试着折中。他和共和党立法人讨论了债务和削减赤字。这项预算包括了超过10年的0.8万亿元的赤字削减少。总统说，预算里增加2.5万亿元的储蓄已经实现。这将使总储蓄量达4.3万亿元。
政治专家说，总统的预算要形成法律需要国会批准，这是不太可能的。他的预算要取代数百亿支出削减。
作为民主党派的奥巴马总统说，他已经尽量满足了共和党议员反对增税的要求。
身为众议院议长的共和党员约翰·博纳相信奥巴马先生能从社会保障和其他津贴方案中寻求更多的储蓄。但他又说，总统的提议是另一种增税企图。
另外一位无党派的评论家，参议员伯尼·桑德斯说，这项提议违背了奥巴马作为总统候选人时的承诺。
“当奥巴马在2008年竞选总统时，他说他不会削减社会保障。”奥巴马先生为有关老年人和美国残疾人的社会保障福利和医疗保险和健康保险规划的改变做辩护。他说任何折中方案都不能损害这些美国人的利益。
新闻语言点睛
1. call for 要求，需要
例句 The problem calls for immediate solution.
这个问题非马上解决不可。
2. attempt to do sth. 尝试做某事
例句 She will attempt to beat the world record.
她决心要打破世界纪录。
3. in debt 欠债，负债
例句 His extravagance kept him always in debt.
他的挥霍无度使他常常负债。
4. depend on 取决于
例句 It would depend on your life today.
那要看你现在的生活怎么样。
新闻背景导读
世界银行（WBG）是世界银行集团的俗称，成立于1945年12月27日，1946年6月开始营业。凡是参加世界银行的国家必须首先是国际货币基金组织的会员国。“世界银行”这个名称一直是用于指国际复兴开发银行（IBRD）和国际开发协会（IDA）。这些机构联合向发展中国家提供低息贷款、无息信贷和赠款。它是一个国际组织，其一开始的使命是帮助第二次世界大战中被破坏的国家的重建。今天它的任务是资助国家摆脱穷困，其各机构在减轻贫困和提高人民生活水平的使命中发挥了独特的作用。
新闻词汇热身
fragile adj. 脆弱的
uncertain adj. 不定的；不可靠的
recovery n. 恢复
expansion n. 扩大，扩张
financial adj. 财政的，金融的
infrastructure n. 结构，基础设施
assistance n. 帮助，援助
正点新闻播报
World Bank Makes Predictions for Global Economy
The World Bank released its Global Economic Prospects report this week. World Bank experts are using the words " fragile " and "uncertain " to describe the economic recovery this year.
The report predicts the international economy will grow a little over two percent in 2013. Slightly greater economic expansion is expected in 2014 and 2015.
Predictions of limited growth have become familiar since the financial crisis four years ago. Wealthy countries are expected to have slower growth than developing ones as they deal with larger amounts of debt and big budget deficits.
World Bank President Jim Yong Kim is urging developing countries to become drivers of growth. But he notes that it is important to build a foundation for growth that can last over time.
He said, "What we are suggesting is that we cannot wait for the return growth in the high income countries. We really need developing countries to think about setting the stage for medium-and longterm growth. We have to continue to support developing countries in making investments in infrastructure , in health, in education."
The World Bank notes that budget deficits are decreasing in most other high-income nations. But these nations continue to carry a lot of debt compared to the size of their economies.
Developing countries are positioned for stronger growth. But they will face basic risks to economic progress over the next few years. World Bank chief Kim said he is concerned that low supplies of important grains, such as wheat and corn, could bring high food prices, hurting the poor.
The World Bank offers knowledge, assistance and loans to developing countries. Economic conditions in high-income nations affect the developing world because they are the largest and most developed markets for exports. Such nations are also the providers of investment that can fuel economic growth.
新闻播报译文
世界银行关于全球经济做出预测
这个星期，世界银行发布了《全球经济展望》报道。世行专家用了“脆弱”和“渺茫”两个词来形容今年的经济复苏。
该报道预测国际经济在2013年增长将超过2%，预计在2014与2015年出现略微更大的经济扩张。
从4年前的金融危机以来，关于有限增长的预测已经变得耳熟。富裕国家将比发展中国家发展更慢，因为他们要处理更大数量的债务和高预算赤字。世行行长金墉要求发展中国家变成发展的动力，但他强调，构建一个能长期持续发展的基础也很重要。
他说，“我们的建议是，不能去等高收入国家恢复增长，而是真的需要那些发展中国家来思考为中、长期发展建立一个平台。我们要在基础设施、健康和教育等方面投资继续支持发展中国家。”
世界银行指出，在大多数其他的高收入国家中，预算赤字正在逐渐减少。但与他们的经济规模相比，这些国家还是继续背负着很大的债务。
发展中国家被定位为会有更强劲的增长势头，但他们也将在未来几年中面临一些经济发展的基本风险。世界银行长官金姆说，他担心像小麦、玉米这些重要谷物的低供应会使食品价格上涨，伤害到穷人。
世界银行会提供知识、援助和贷款给发展中国家。高收入国家中的经济状况之所以会影响到发展中世界是因为对于出口商品来说，他们是最大和最发达的市场。这样的国家也是可以刺激经济增长的投资供应商。
新闻语言点睛
1. deal with 处理
例句 We have a heavy correspondence to deal with.
我们有大批信件待处理。
2. budget deficit 预算赤字
例句 We have to attack the budget deficit and other economic problems.
我们要着手解决预算赤字及其他经济问题。
3. wait for 等待
例句 We are waiting for a more prosperous moment.
我们在等待更有利的时刻。
4. make investment in 在……方面投资
例句 The Postal Service has made a large investment in new technology.
邮政系统在新技术上投入很多。
5. compared to 比较，与……相比
例句 Compared to me, he is rich.
跟我比起来，他算有钱。
新闻背景导读
国际金融危机的爆发使美国政府赤字大幅度上升，举债度日成为家常便饭，国债纪录屡创新高。截至2010年9月30日，美国联邦政府债务余额为13.58万亿美元，占GDP约为94%，同年年底一举突破14万亿美元。2011年2月22日，在可供发债余额仅剩2180亿美元的时候，美国国会未就提高上限达成一致。终于在2011年5月，美国国债触顶，开创了14.29万亿美元的历史新高。面对这种情况，美国财长盖特纳忧心忡忡。他表示，由于采取了一些紧急措施以维持借债能力，美国政府支付开支最多能延迟到2013年8月2日。到了2013年8月2日，政府若不提高债务上限或削减开支，就会开始债务违约，无法偿还美国国债券本金和利息，这种情况可能让国际金融市场陷入混乱。
新闻词汇热身
ceiling n. 最高限度，最大限额
dispute v. 争论，争吵
negotiate v. 洽谈，协商
periodically adv. 偶然地，定期地
bond n. 债券
security n. 安全，保障
正点新闻播报
Investors Concerned About US Debt Ceiling Crisis
There has been a lot of talk about the debt ceiling in the United States. The debt ceiling is a legal limit on the amount of money the federal government can borrow. Political disputes over that amount have concerned investors in recent weeks.
Alexander Gelber is an assistant professor of public policy at the University of California in Berkeley. He says American lawmakers must negotiate a new debt ceiling everytime the federal debt reaches that legal limit.
"The debt ceiling is a limit on the amount that US Treasury can borrow, and that limit needs to be raised by congress periodically ."
National debt is necessary when a government spends more money than it has available. Governments offer bonds and other investments to raise money to pay for the spending. In return, the government promises to repay investors who buy the securities .
Other nations buy United States Treasury department securities because they are considered the safest investment in the world. The partial shutdown of the federal government led to worldwide concern about the safety of these investments.
Professor Gelber says the possibility of the United States failing to pay its debts caused concern around the world.
新闻播报译文
投资者担心美国债务上限危机
很多人都在谈论美国的债务上限。债务上限是指联邦政府允许借款的法定限额。最近几周就这一限额的政治争议令投资者深感担忧。
亚历山大·盖尔伯是加州大学伯克利分校公共政策助理教授。他说，每次联邦债务触及该法定限额时，美国国会都必须重新商定新的债务上限。
“债务上限是指美国财政部允许借款的限额，该限额必须由国会定期提高。”
当政府开支超出可用资金时就必须发行国债。政府发行债券和其它投资募集资金用于支付开销。作为回报，政府承诺偿付买入债券的投资者。
其他国家购买美国财政部债券，是因为它们被认为是全球最安全的投资。联邦政府的部分停摆导致全球开始担心这些投资的安全性。
盖尔伯教授表示，美国政府无法偿付债务的可能性引发了全球的关注。
新闻语言点睛
1. on the amount of ……的数量
例句 We must cut down on the amount of material we use.
我们必须削减原料使用量。
2. raise money 集资，筹款
例句 Corporations can sell stock as a way to raise money.
企业可以通过出售股票来集资。
3. pay for 付……的款
例句 Who will find the money to pay for this trip?
谁来筹措旅费？
4. lead to 导致
例句 Problems always lead to other problems.
有些问题总是连带着另外的问题。
5. the possibility of ……的可能性
例句 They could not conceive of the possibility of failure.
他们不能设想失败的可能性。
新闻背景导读
在欧盟内部开始的马拉松式峰会上，欧盟各国领导人最终达成一致，将2014至2020年欧盟财政预算的上限定为9600亿欧元（约合1.3万亿美元），比过去7年减少3个百分点。这是欧盟历史上首次预算削减。欧盟理事会主席范龙佩周五表示，这一协议是经过两天的协商后达成的。欧盟一位高级官员称，未来7年预算的最终数字是9600亿欧元，远低于欧盟委员会最早提出的1.03万亿欧元。此项协议尚须获得欧盟议会批准，而后者此前已暗示不可以接受这样大幅的预算削减。
新闻词汇热身
multiannual adj. 多年的
framework n. 框架；参照标准
represent v. 代表
vulnerable adj. 易受伤的，脆弱的
intact adj. 完整无缺的，未受损伤的
external adj. 外部的，外面的
vital adj. 极其重要的
predictable adj. 可预知的
threaten v. 威胁
正点新闻播报
EU Agrees to 113 Trillion Budget
European Union countries have struggled to find common ground as they worked out a budget agreement in Belgium this month. European leaders finally had success last week. They agreed on the European Union's multiannual financial framework , or MFF, for the period from 2014 to 2020.
The MFF sets the EU's total spending at $1.3 trillion. That represents one percent of the total income of EU members. Members agreed to reduce total spending by over three percent for the period. This is the first time spending cuts have been made.
European Council President Herman Van Rompuy spoke after the agreement was announced. He said the compromise budget may not be perfect. But he said it should help all EU members.
"Our support to the most vulnerable people remains intact , so does our external action funding even despite the crisis. This budget will allow Europe to keep engaging on vital global issues such as climate change, nuclear safety and development aid."
German Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the long-term spending plan. She said the agreement makes policy more predictable and enables members to act in the interest of Europe.
Some EU leaders have been calling for greater spending controls in their home countries. They wanted the EU to show that it is willing to cut costs.
British Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the agreement. Before the two-day meeting, he had threatened to veto the budget if there were no steps toward cutting spending.
新闻播报译文
欧盟达成113万亿美元预算
欧盟国家一直在努力寻找共同点。本月，他们在比利时达成了一项预算协议。上周，欧盟领导人终于取得了成功。他们在欧盟2014年到2020年期间的多年度金融框架（简称MFF）上取得了一致。
MFF设定欧盟总支出为1.3万亿美元，这一数字代表着欧盟成员国总收入的1%。各成员国同意在此期间，把总支出降低3%以上。这是欧盟成员国首次作出削减开支的决定。
欧洲理事会主席范龙佩在协议公布后发表了讲话。他说，这项妥协预算可能并不完美，但它对所有欧盟成员国应该会有所帮助。
他说，“我们对弱势群体的支持仍然保持不变，包括我们的对外行动拨款，哪怕是在经济危机中。这项预算方案将会使欧盟继续介入一些关键的全球性问题，如气候变化、核安全以及发展援助。”
德国总理默克尔称赞了这一长期支出计划。她表示，该协议使得政策更具可预测性，成员国也得以在欧洲利益上采取行动。
一些欧盟领导人一直呼吁在本国进行更大规模的支出控制。他们希望欧盟表明其削减支出的意愿。
英国首相卡梅伦对该协议表示了欢迎。在这次为期两天的会议之前，他曾威胁如果没有迈出削减支出的步伐，他就要投票否决这一预算方案。
新闻语言点睛
1. work out 解决
例句 I could work out that problem standing on my head.
我解决那个问题易如反掌。
2. agree on 对……意见一致
例句 Both parties agreed on these terms.
双方同意这些条件。
3. agree to 同意，赞同，达成一致
例句 Under no circumstance can we agree to this.
我们绝对不能同意这一点。
新闻背景导读
总部在香港的政经风险顾问公司日前就亚洲13个国家和经济体的政治、经济和金融制度中的腐败现象进行了综合评估。结果显示，菲律宾超过了过去5年连续被评为最腐败国家的印度尼西亚，成为该地区腐败现象最严重的国家。紧随其后的印度尼西亚和泰国并列第二。政经顾问公司的报告认为，东亚和东南亚是目前世界经济增长最快的区域，但法制不健全和腐败严重，则是可能影响区域经济持续发展的重要因素。
新闻词汇热身
corruption n. 腐化；贪污
bribe n. 贿赂，行贿物
estimate v. 估计，估量
competition n. 竞争
profitable a. 有利可图的，有益的
headline n. 新闻提要
tackle v. 对付，交涉
supervision n. 管理，监督
enforcement n. 实施，执行
正点新闻播报
Corruption in Asia Slows Economic Growth
Many Thais joined protests in Bangkok last year. They urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to deal with growing corruption in Thailand. A 79-year old businessman noted the rising cost of doing business, including giving bribes to Thai officials.
How much economic activity is lost to corruption can be difficult to estimate . The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce studied the issue. The university found that over two percent of national production, or about 1. billion dollars, will likely be lost to corruption this year. It found that many business people who were questioned said they are paying more to Thai officials and politicians to win government contracts. Political economist Pasuk Pongpaichit says there is evidence officials are making progress in controlling lower level corruption. But, she says, the slowing world economy means growing competition for profitable deals with the government.
Bandid Nijathaworn is a former central bank official and president of the Thai Institute of Directors. He says corruption in Thailand appears to be more of a problem now than 10 years ago.
"Corruption is a global problem. You know, you see corruption appearing as headlines in many, many countries. So it has become a global issue both in national organization and individual country's governments trying to tackle it."
Shervin Majlessi is with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. He says given Asia's growing influence in the world economy there is a need for more supervision .
In 2003, the United Nations passed a Convention against Corruption. In South East Asia, Burma approved the agreement last December — the last to do so of the 10 member Association of South East Asian Nations. Observers say the fight against corruption needs to go beyond law enforcement , and include non-government and private industry groups.
新闻播报译文
亚洲腐败拖累经济增长
去年许多泰国人在曼谷举行抗议，他们敦促总理英拉·西那瓦处理泰国日益猖狂的腐败案。一位79岁的商人称商业的成本在上升，包括要给泰国官员贿赂。
很难估算腐败造成多少经济损失，泰国商会大学研究了这个问题，他们发现今年有2%以上的国民生产可能因腐败而损失掉，相当于110亿美元。研究发现，许多接受调查的商人说，他们会向泰国官员和政客多送点贿赂来赢得政府合约。政治经济学家蓬沛齐特说，有证据显示官方在控制低水平腐败上取得进展，但是她说，世界经济放缓意味着商人需要更加激烈地竞争政府那有利可图的交易。
班迪德·尼加萨温是央行前行长，也是泰国企业董事联合会主席，他说早在10年前泰国的腐败就成问题了。
“腐败是个全球问题，很多国家的新闻头条都有腐败报道。所以这已成为全球问题，无论是全国性组织还是各国政府都在努力予以解决。”
Shervin Majlessi就职于联合国毒品与犯罪办公室，他说考虑到亚洲在全世界经济的影响力日益上升，有必要加强监管。
2003年，联合国通过一项反腐协定。在东南亚，缅甸去年12月通过该协定，是东盟10个成员国中最后签署协定的国家。观察家称要打击腐败，不仅需要法律支持，还需要非政府和商业组织参与。
新闻语言点睛
1. make progress 进步，进展
例句 He has made progress in every aspect.
他在各方面都有起色。
2. a need for 需要
例句 There is a need for academic rigor in approaching this problem.
处理这个问题需要学术上的严谨。
3. fight against 和……作斗争
例句 His whole life is a fight against poverty and unemployment.
他的一生是与贫苦和失业斗争的一生。
在收听VOA新闻广播中，听众会遇到大量的专有名词（包括地名、人名、建筑物名、机构和条约名等），给理解增加了难度。其中地名常表示事件的发生地、消息来源或代表某国政府；人名是事件的当事者或发言人；机构、条约和建筑物名常用来代表一定的组织机构和政府。这些专有名词对听众理解新闻起着重要作用。那么初学者在收听过程中应该怎样处理众多的专有名词呢？我们认为，总的原则是：就大不就小，分清主次，辨明从属。现分述如下：
地名主要指大洲、大洋、海域、河流、岛屿、国家及其首都名，还有历史名城，国际会议城，各国下属的州、省、邦名等。这些地名在新闻广播中使用的频率较高，可以说每一个节目中，甚至每一条新闻中都会涉及到几个。
人名主要指各国的主要领导人（包括国王、国家元首、政府首脑、外交部长、国防部长、各部门的新闻发言人等），各大国际组织的头号人物以及一些重要的新闻人物（包括在野党首要领导，反对派领导人等）。人名和地名一样，出现频率极高。但是人名一般都比地名要长，而且有的非英语国家的人名特别难记，有的则和汉语译名的读音“风马牛不相及”，如日本人的名字，初学者想记住他们是要花大气力的。