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BBC news 2008-01-25 加文本

2008-01-25来源:和谐英语
BBC 2008-01-25


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BBC News with Ian Perdon
Congressional leaders in the United States have agreed a 150-billion-dollar rescue package to stimulate the ailing American economy. More than 100 million families will benefit under the plan with some couples receiving tax rebates of up to 600 dollars. There will also be incentives for businesses. It's hoped the new measures could help end days of stock market turmoil amid concerns that America is heading for economic recession. The Republican leader of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, welcomed the deal.
"This agreement is a big win for the American people. It will stimulate our economy in the most direct and effective way possible by putting money in the hands of middle income American families and by giving businesses incentives to create and build new jobs in our country. I think it's a good compromise that will benefit the American people."
The Italian Prime Minister, Romano Prodi, has resigned after losing a vote of confidence in his coalition government in the upper house of parliament, the Senate. A presidential spokesman said Mr. Prodi would continue as caretaker leader until a successor was found. The president may now call a snap election. The BBC Rome correspondent says that if he does, the Center-Right Alliance led by the former Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi is well placed to win. A member of the coalition, Senator Francesco Storace welcomed Mr. Prodi's resignation.
"Finally, Italy gets rid of a government which has taxed the population above all limits, has made our people feel more insecure and has aimed at wiping out the value of our national identity. It was the worst government of the republic.
France 's second largest bank Societe Generale has filed a legal complaint against one of its traders, accusing him of a massive fraud which has cost the bank more than 7 billion dollars. The bank's chairman, Daniel Bouton, said the trader had acted alone and that he’d made no personal gain. Alex Sanford reports. Societe Generale wouldn't confirm it. But several sources say the trader at the center of the scandal is Jerome Kerviel, a 31-year-old who worked on the bank's futures desk. He's been suspended. Societe Generale described his motives as totally irrational and admitted it didn't know where the man was. A number of managers have also been...