Developing Nations Need Debt Relief, Report Warns 利率飆升 開發中國家債台高築情勢惡化


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紐時周報精選 Developing Nations Need Debt Relief, Report Warns 利率飆升 開發中國家債台高築情勢惡化
Canada Moves to Protect Arctic From Threats by Russia and China 加拿大採取行動保護北極防中俄威脅
紐時周報精選
 
Developing Nations Need Debt Relief, Report Warns 利率飆升 開發中國家債台高築情勢惡化
文/Alan Rappeport
譯/羅方妤

利率飆升 開發中國家債台高築情勢惡化

Soaring inflation saddled developing countries with a record $1.4 trillion in debt servicing costs last year, the World Bank said in a report published Tuesday, detailing the precarious state faced by the world's most vulnerable economies since the pandemic.

世界銀行周二發布一份報告,稱全球最脆弱經濟體自新冠疫情以來面臨的危險狀態,通貨膨脹率飆升,使開發中國家去年背負1.4兆美元的創紀錄債務清償成本。

As central banks around the world raised interest rates to slow rising prices, poor countries with already high debt burdens saw the interest payments on the money that they owed to creditors balloon. While principal balances held steady at around $951 billion, interest payments jumped by a third, to $406 billion. That has left more countries facing fiscal crises and struggling to avoid default.

隨著世界各國中央銀行提高利率以減緩物價上漲,原本就背負沉重債務負擔的貧窮國家,目睹他們積欠債權人款項的利息支出激增。儘管本金餘額穩定維持在約9510億美元,但利息支付增加三分之一,達4060億美元。這使更多國家面臨財政危機,努力掙扎避免違約。

"These facts imply a metastasizing solvency crisis that continues to be misdiagnosed as a liquidity problem in many of the poorest countries," Indermit Gill, the World Bank's chief economist, wrote in the report. "It is easy to kick the can down the road, to provide these countries just enough financing to help them meet their immediate repayment obligations. But that simply extends their purgatory."

世界銀行首席經濟學家吉爾在報告中寫道:「這些事實暗示一場償付能力危機正在蔓延,這場危機在許多最貧窮的國家仍被誤判為流動性問題。逃避問題很容易,也就是只給這些國家足夠的資金,協助他們履行目前的還款義務。但這只是延長他們的痛苦。」

More than a dozen sovereign nations defaulted on their debt in the past three years, and more than 30 of the world's poorest countries have experienced "debt distress," according to the United Nations. In 2023, Belarus, Ghana, Lebanon, Sri Lanka and Zambia were all in default, according to Fitch Ratings.

聯合國指出,超過一打主權國家在過去三年拖欠債務,且超過30個世界最貧窮國家曾經歷「債務困擾」。國際信評機構惠譽國際指出,在2023年,白俄羅斯、迦納、黎巴嫩、斯里蘭卡和尚比亞都出現債務違約。

Global financial institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have been working with international lenders to help developing countries restructure their debt, but the process has been slow and painstaking.

世界銀行和國際貨幣基金等全球金融機構一直與國際貸款機構合作,協助開發中國家重組其債務,但這個過程緩慢而艱苦。

The IMF estimated that global public debt would exceed $100 trillion this year, and the World Bank has warned that poverty-reduction efforts have reached a standstill because of weak growth in poor countries that were hardest hit by the pandemic.

國際貨幣基金估計,今年全球公共債務會超過100兆美元,世界銀行警告,由於受新冠疫情影響最嚴重的貧窮國家經濟成長疲軟,這些國家的脫貧工作陷入停滯。

 
Canada Moves to Protect Arctic From Threats by Russia and China 加拿大採取行動保護北極防中俄威脅
文/Ian Austen
譯/羅方妤

加拿大採取行動保護北極防中俄威脅

Citing growing interest by China and Russia in the Arctic as global warming makes the region more accessible, Canada said it would focus on building stronger alliances with other nations in the region, particularly the United States.

加拿大表示,全球暖化使北極地區更容易進入,中國和俄羅斯對此區域興趣漸增,加國將著重在北極地區與其他國家建立更強大的聯盟,特別是美國。

"For many years, Canada has aimed to manage the Arctic and northern regions cooperatively with other states as a zone of low tension," according to a statement by the Canadian government.

加拿大政府發布的一份聲明指出:「多年來,加拿大的目標是和其他國家合作管理北極和北部地區,成為一個低緊張區域。」

But more recent developments, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, had "shaken the foundations of international cooperation in the Arctic," the statement said.

聲明表示,但近期事態發展,包括俄羅斯2022年入侵烏克蘭,「已動搖北極地區國際合作基礎」。

Canada has long debated how best to assert control over its vast but very sparsely populated Arctic.

加拿大長期以來一直在討論,如何才能以最好的方式,對其幅員廣闊但人煙卻非常稀少的北極地區行使控制權。

The policy statement calls climate change "the overarching threat" to that control. Warmer temperatures and thinning ice make it increasingly likely that it will soon be possible in the summers for ships to regularly travel from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean by way of an Arctic route known as the Northwest Passage.

這份政策聲明稱氣候變遷是對控制權的「首要威脅」。更溫暖的氣溫和冰層變薄,使船舶很快有可能在夏季經常藉由被稱為西北航道的北極航線,自太平洋航行至大西洋。

Canada's government said the country was committed to increasing military spending in the Arctic, including a 5 billion Canadian dollar ($3.6 billion) upgrade of defense systems used by the North American Aerospace Defense Command — a joint operation of the two countries.

加拿大政府表示,該國致力於增加北極地區的軍事支出,包括花費50億加元(36億美元)升級兩國組成北美防空司令部所使用的防空系統。

"It is clear that Russia has no red lines, its designs on the Arctic and its resources are well known," Mélanie Joly, the foreign minister said. "But what is new is that Russia is increasingly dependent on China because of its war in Ukraine."

加拿大外交部長趙美蘭表示:「顯然,俄羅斯沒有紅線,該國對北極地區和該地區資源的不軌企圖眾所周知。但新的狀況是,俄羅斯因為和烏克蘭的戰爭,日益依賴中國。」

A warming Arctic climate is playing havoc in the region. Melting permafrost threatens coastal communities with inundation, and unstable sea ice is limiting the ability of the Inuit, who dominate the region, to hunt.

北極氣候暖化正對該地區造成破壞。永凍土融化讓沿海地區面臨洪水威脅,而不穩固的海冰限制主導該地區的因紐特人狩獵能力。

China has declared its interest in becoming an Arctic power and many experts say that may be partly driven by the prospect of an expansion of mining being made commercially viable by a less icy Arctic.

中國已宣布有興趣成為北極強權,而許多專家表示,這可能部分是因為北極冰層減少,使礦業擴張前景在商業上變得可行。

China, which also has an Arctic cooperation agreement with Russia, regularly sends "dual purpose" ships into the area to conduct scientific research and to collect military intelligence, according to Canada's government.

加拿大政府指出,中國和俄羅斯也有北極合作協議,定期派遣「雙重用途」船舶進入該地區,進行科學研究並收集軍事情報。

It also listed a number of joint military exercises by China and Russia, as well as Chinese incursions into airspace patrolled by the United States, to underscore how the Arctic is become an increasingly active theater of global competition.

加國也列出中國和俄羅斯進行數場聯合軍演,以及中國侵入美國巡邏的空域,強調北極地區如何成為日益活躍的全球競爭戰場。

 
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客廳就是辦公室


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【編輯小語】 Discussing Contract Terms 討論合約條款
【英語學習Plus】 When Your Living Room Is Your Office 客廳就是辦公室
【本月發燒書】 地表最頂!完勝新多益必考單字總整理(加贈寂天雲Mebook單字學習APP)
【好康情報局】 ★2025寂天開學暨線上國際書展★
 

Discussing Contract Terms 討論合約條款

Jacob and Katharine are discussing contract terms with the website designer, Aaron. 雅各跟凱薩琳正在和網站設計師亞倫討論合約條款。

J: Thanks for coming in this morning. You've had a chance to look over the contract, right?
謝謝您今早過來。您已經看過合約了對吧?

A: Yes, and everything seems nearly in order, at least on my end.
看過了,看來大概都安排得差不多了,至少我這邊是如此。

J: I'm glad to hear that. We tried to set up the deliverable schedule exactly according to your work specifications.
很高興聽到您這麼說,我們試著按您的工作計畫來安排可行的時間表。

────── 節錄寂天講堂「討論合約條款」
 

When Your Living Room Is Your Office 客廳就是辦公室

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many employees were told to work from home. In Germany, the number of telecommuters rose from 12 to 25 percent; in Canada, it jumped from under 10 to around 40 percent! For most people, working from home was a new experience that came with both positives and negatives. Without a commute, employees saved both time and money. But for parents with children at home, or even couples sharing a small apartment, working in a crowded space could also be stressful.

On balance, however, telecommuting seemed to be popular with employees. Ninety percent of British workers who telecommuted during the pandemic said they would like the arrangement to continue. Surprisingly, it was equally popular with bosses. Just over half of American managers were pleasantly surprised by the effectiveness of home working. The chart on the next page contains further statistics on COVID-19 and telecommuting:

25% of American business owners bought new digital tools in March 2020.
35% of American office workers had switched to telecommuting by April 2020.
43% of British people worked from home during April 2020, compared to 6% before the virus.
37% of office jobs in the United States could be done from home, according to the Becker Friedman Institute for Economics.
30% of staff at Google and Facebook continued to work in US offices during 2020.
40% of German people who telecommuted during the virus wanted to continue doing so occasionally.
71% of French people who telecommuted during the virus wanted to continue doing so occasionally.

It's highly possible that the trend of telecommuting will continue beyond the virus years. Skeptics suggest that workers are less productive at home, though only 30 percent of UK workers agree. Forty percent said they were equally productive at home and in the office, and 30 percent actually did more from the comfort of their living rooms! It is possible that home workers feel less stressed, making them better employees—but the longerterm economic effects of this social shift are yet to be understood.


在新冠肺炎疫情全球大流行期間,許多員工均被告知在家工作。德國的遠距工作百分比已從12%攀升至25%。加拿大則從10%跳到40%!對多數人而言,在家工作是一種優缺參半的新體驗。在不需通勤的情況下,員工可節省時間和金錢。但對於家有幼童的家長,甚至是同住一間小公寓的夫妻來說,在擁擠的空間下工作,其實滿有壓力。

不過,持平來說,遠距工作似乎比較受到員工歡迎。在疫情全球大流行期間而遠距工作的90%英國勞工表示,他們希望這樣的安排能持續下去。令人驚訝的是,連老闆們也相當歡迎這種模式。因為美國有超過半數的經理級人士,對於在家工作的高效率感到驚訝又開心。下頁圖表則含有新冠肺炎和遠距工作的更多統計數據:

25% 的美國業主於2020 年3 月購入新的數位工具。
35% 的美國辦公室勞工,在2020 年4 月之前轉換為遠距工作的模式。
43% 的英國人於2020 年4 月期間在家工作,相較病毒爆發前的6%。
37% 的美國辦公室職務可在家完成(根據貝克•費里曼經濟研究所的資料)
30% 的Google 和臉書員工,於2020 年期間繼續在美國辦公室裡工作。
40% 的德國人於病毒疫情期間遠距工作,並希望能偶爾繼續此一模式。
71% 的法國人於病毒疫情期間遠距工作,並希望能偶爾繼續此一模式。

遠距工作的趨勢很有可能會在病毒消退後持續下去。懷疑論者則認為,勞工在家工作的產能較低,雖然只有30%的英國勞工同意此說法。40%的勞工表示,在家與在辦公室工作的產能相同,有30%的勞工甚至因為在自家客廳舒服地工作,而讓產能提升!在家工作者確實有可能會比較沒有壓力,而成為表現較好的員工─不過這樣的社會轉變所帶來的長期經濟影響,仍有待觀察。

──選自《打造英文閱讀核心素養力1:108課綱大考混合題型攻略(16K+寂天雲隨身聽APP)》
 

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史嘉琳:often的“t”要發音?美式英語進化中


【發現-史前館電子報】有考古學家帶你進入時光隧道,讓你更認識臺灣豐富史前文化、原住民文化與自然史。 想告別爛英文?想讀懂英文新聞?【讀紐時學英文】週五發報,中英文逐段對照,讓你閱讀國際新聞還能學英文!
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2025/01/21 第522期  |  訂閱/退訂  |  看歷史報份

often的"t"要發音?美式英語進化中

文/台大外文系教授 史嘉琳

 

You should be a good noticer.” – Salman Rushdie

要好好培養隨時注意周圍環境所有大小事的習慣。—— 薩爾曼·魯西迪 

近幾年不知道讀者有沒有聽過有些人把「好熱」唸成「好樂」,「愛吃肉」唸成「愛吃漏」? 這就是近五十多年台灣華語正進行中的語音變化的例子,讀者也許還可以想到一些其他年輕人常說的新發音。也請讀者想一下, ... ...

【News Takeaway】世界最酷的10大街區

‘World’s coolest’ neighborhood for 2024

Visiting famous landmarks is always a highlight of any trip, but discovering hidden local gems—like cozy coffee shops, dreamy bookstores, and chic restaurants—can be even more rewarding.

This is the idea behind Time Out’s latest list of the “world’s coolest” neighborhoods. Unlike popular tourist spots, these lesser-known areas give travelers a chance to experience a city like a local.

These neighborhoods may not be as famous, but they stand out for their unique culture, community spirit, nightlife, and food scenes. The 2024 rankings were created by Time Out’s editors and writers, focusing on areas with a distinct local flavor.

Notre-Dame du Mont in Marseille, France, tops the list for its street art, nightlife, and strong community vibe. Local shop owners say it’s a place where everyone helps each other and where authenticity thrives. One of its standout spots is the bookstore Histoire de l’œil, a beloved establishment for nearly 20 years.

In second place is Mers Sultan in Casablanca, Morocco, praised for its genuine, artistic feel. Pererenan in Bali, Indonesia, comes in third, celebrated for its pristine beaches and laid-back atmosphere.

Kerns in Portland, Oregon, ranked as the highest US neighborhood, is valued for its small-town charm. Meanwhile, Stokes Croft and St Paul’s in Bristol, UK, at number six, captures the city’s rebellious spirit and diverse culture.

Principe Real in Lisbon, which appeared on the list in 2018, returns in 2024, reflecting how some neighborhoods continue to evolve without losing their essence.
Time Out’s list showcases these unique districts, where visitors can blend in and explore the real soul of a city.

Time Out’s Top 10 Coolest Neighborhoods for 2024
1. Notre-Dame du Mont, Marseille, France
2. Mers Sultan, Casablanca, Morocco
3. Pererenan, Bali, Indonesia
4. Seongsu-dong, Seoul, South Korea
5. Kerns, Portland, USA
6. Stokes Croft & St Paul’s, Bristol, UK
7. Chippendale, Sydney, Australia
8. Principe Real, Lisbon, Portugal
9. Glória, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
10. Windsor, Melbourne, Australia


來讀幾個有趣的形容詞
1. Chic 時尚的、有品味的
F“Chic” 是一個英文形容詞,表示“時尚的”或“優雅有品味的”。它通常用來形容人、服飾、家居風格或場所,給人一種簡約、精緻而不失品味的感覺。例如:
• A chic outfit(時尚的服裝)
• A chic café(有品味的咖啡館)
She always dresses in a chic and sophisticated style, making her stand out at every event.
她總是穿著時尚又精緻的風格,在每個場合都非常出眾。

The new restaurant in town has a chic interior design, attracting many young professionals.
城裡新開的餐廳擁有時尚的室內設計,吸引了許多年輕專業人士。

2. Lesser-known  不那麼有名的
"Lesser-known" 的意思是「較不知名的」。用來形容某個人、地方或事物相對於其他更知名的對象來說,知名度較低或不被廣泛熟知。
例句:
• Lesser-known tourist spots are often less crowded and offer a more authentic experience.
較不知名的旅遊景點通常人潮較少,並且能提供更真實的體驗。
• This author is lesser-known compared to his contemporaries, but his work is equally compelling.
這位作家相較於同時期的作家來說較不知名,但他的作品同樣引人入勝。

3. Laid-back  放鬆的、隨和的
“Laid-back” 是一個形容詞,指「輕鬆、隨和、悠閒」的特質。它通常表示一個人不容易緊張或焦慮,對待事情很放鬆、不急躁,也不會對小事斤斤計較。
描述人的性格:
He has a laid-back personality. 他有著隨和的個性。
指某人處理事情的方式:

She is really laid-back about her deadlines. 她對於截止日期的態度非常放鬆。
表示對待壓力或挑戰的態度:

Even in stressful situations, he remains laid-back.即使在壓力大的情況下,他依然保持冷靜放鬆。

《Time Out》是一位於英國倫教的文化雜誌,介紹本地的表演、藝術、電影、文學、時尚、飲食、夜生活等訊息。

 

中文翻譯

參觀著名地標總是旅行的亮點,但發現當地隱藏的小眾寶地——比如舒適的咖啡館、夢幻的書店和時尚的餐廳——可能會帶來更驚喜的體驗。

這正是Time Out最新一期「世界上最酷的街區」榜單的靈感來源。與熱門旅遊景點不同,這些不那麼有名的街區讓遊客有機會像當地人一樣體驗城市生活。

這些街區可能不如旅遊景點知名,但它們因獨特的文化、社區精神、夜生活和美食而脫穎而出。2024年的榜單由Time Out編輯和撰稿人共同選出,專注於展現具有鮮明地方風味的街區。

排名第一的是法國馬賽的Notre-Dame du Mont區,這裡以街頭藝術、夜生活和強烈的社區感聞名。當地商家表示,這裡是個互相幫助、保有真實性的地方,其中的Histoire de l’œil書店已經成為當地近20年的地標性存在。

排名第二的是摩洛哥卡薩布蘭卡的Mers Sultan街區,因其真實而充滿藝術氣息的氛圍而受到好評。印尼峇里島的Pererenan則因其優美的海灘和悠閒的氛圍位列第三。

美國排名最高的街區是奧勒岡州波特蘭的Kerns,因其小鎮風情而被選中。英國布里斯托的Stokes Croft和St Paul’s街區排名第六,展現了該市叛逆的個性與多元文化。

里斯本的Principe Real區曾於2018年上榜,今年再次入選,彰顯了一些街區在不失本色的情況下,持續進化和發展。

Time Out的榜單展示了這些獨具特色的街區,讓遊客可以融入當地,探索城市真正的靈魂。

Time Out 2024年10大最酷街區

  1. 法國馬賽,Notre-Dame du Mont區
  2. 摩洛哥卡薩布蘭卡,Mers Sultan區
  3. 印尼峇里島,Pererenan區
  4. 韓國首爾,聖水洞(Seongsu-dong)
  5. 美國波特蘭,Kerns區
  6. 英國布里斯托,Stokes Croft & St Paul’s區
  7. 澳大利亞雪梨,Chippendale區
  8. 葡萄牙里斯本,Principe Real區
  9. 巴西里約熱內盧,Glória區
  10. 澳大利亞墨爾本,Windsor區                                              

 一對一學英文,有策略、有方法 

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「您先忙」說成"You go busy first." 外國人聽不懂
Michael走進辦公室,跟外國同事打招呼,本想跟他聊個幾句,同事在忙,他就說:"You go busy first."他的意思是「你先忙」,結果老外不懂他是什麼意思。像你先忙,我先走,我稍後就來,你先坐,這類很短的口語,我們用的都不是它字面意思,不適合直譯。我們來看看這些句子在英文裡該如何表達。
 
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