2007标准VOA(01-07)文本!

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New YorkExhibit Highlights the Beauty of Gold (1/2)金桥翻译"l3W{@5b1BD
It is synonymous with wealth, beauty, and status. It has aroused greed, caused suffering, and led to war and death. It has been mined, melted, and minted into many shapes, sizes, and values. Pirates have pillaged for it, athletes have broken records for it, and musicians have strived for it.金桥翻译2Uh'`Xm/k6w#E}
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Yet, it is so precious, so versatile, so expensive, and still so very rare that co-curator at the American Museum of Natural History James Webster says all of it that exists in the world could fit in one place.金桥翻译qR:@zo9L

u}V,sI(D M(|*j0"If that was ever accumulated, which it hasn't been, but if it was ever put together in a single mass, it would be a cube about twenty meters on the side. Alternatively, another way to look at that, it would fill about sixty tractor-trailer trucks, which really is not that much material."金桥翻译.Z5\cQ ];Z
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Of course it is gold. And it is now a star attraction at the American Museum of Natural History, profiling the connection over time between people and this precious metal.
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New YorkExhibit Highlights the Beauty of Gold (2/2)
G+[{0YIkL+q0The pursuit of gold throughout the ages is highlighted under bright lights behind thick glass walls at the museum. Displays range from the Boot of Cortez, which is the largest nugget ever discovered in the Western Hemisphere, to rare gold doubloons rescued from the ocean wreck of a Spanish Galleon. From ancient Turkey to modern Hollywood, gold is on display in all its forms and fashions.金桥翻译0pyAd |&cP4S
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More than just an exploration of historical items, there is also a science lesson here. The exhibition takes visitors through the natural processes that create one of the world's most sought after metals. The exhibit is also interactive, allowing visitors to step on the scales to find out what their weight would be worth in gold at current market prices.
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"Gold" opened in November, and comes during a year in which commodity prices of the precious metal reached an all time high. The "Gold" exhibition is on display in New York at the American Museum of Natural History near Central Park West through February 2008. The exhibit will then travel extensively throughout the United States and the world.
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2007-01-03
;_Ws#]wi4a$v0IsraelDenies Reports of Imminent Prisoner Swap with Hamas
r7\!ilw0Israeli officials say there has been no significant progress in efforts to win the release of a soldier kidnapped by Hamas militants six months ago and held in the Gaza Strip. Israel played down a statement by a spokesman for the Hamas military wing, Abu Ubaida, who reported a breakthrough in negotiations for a prisoner swap. Ubaida told Israel Radio that a deal could be imminent after Israel softened its position.
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Hamas is demanding the release of 14, 00 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the captive soldier, 19-year-old corporal Gilad Shalit. The freed Palestinians would include top militants convicted of involvement in deadly attacks against Israelis. But Israel says the price is too high, and paying it would be a reward for terrorism.金桥翻译qM4q-Jv5mr.O{

/Yu S7N'^4ng:ENW0Shalit's capture in June prompted Israel to launch a major military offensive in Gaza that went on for months. That brought suffering on the Palestinian people, but Israeli analyst Zvi Mazal says Hamas is in no hurry to make a deal.
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p~2n&\4Moi]i0One Hamas official said the ball is in Israel's court. He said the captive soldier could be released in days, or years.
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2007-01-04
-B-F5[h@-r0Funeral Services Held in Washington for 38th US President Gerald Ford
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.k8H$J6y`OL%E E0E2_0Former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George Bush Sr. attended the ceremony. Other dignitaries were there as well.
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~,Yb}.v&o0President Bush, who escorted Mrs. Ford into the Cathedral, delivered the main eulogy. "In President Ford, the world saw the best of America, and America found a man whose character and leadership would bring calm and healing to one of the most divisive moments in our nation's history."金桥翻译9p4_a[3iau

]5Lf};Ni0President Ford's remains will be buried Wednesday in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he grew up. Many in Grand Rapids have placed flowers and other tributes to the former president at various points in the city.
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B{[jk?w0A private funeral service will be held at Grace Episcopal Church in Grand Rapids Wednesday, following by a private burial at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.金桥翻译w+WF/Lm8m u&Z/{+?D
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2007-01-05金桥翻译8Jn wBv
Searching for Ghosts a Popular Pastime金桥翻译Q6fUW1|k/IGt
It is well past midnight in old town Leesburg, Virginia. And the only ones brave enough to stir in the dark are a group of tourists eager to catch a glimpse of beings many of us would prefer never to encounter -- ghosts. Here, the ghost of a soldier has reportedly been seen several times. With luck, these tourists might just get to encounter the soldier's specter.金桥翻译t"|WHQs2xS9~0[
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Ghost tourist Ann Clark, "You know nothing scares me about all this, so I just find it very interesting."
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!A W'YU[8[`0In the United States, like in many countries around the world, ghost stories may be regarded as mere superstition, but for some people the thrill of seeking out the supernatural makes the adventure worthwhile! In America, ghost tourism is a growing industry. Not only are thousands of ghost tours operated every year, there are also Internet competitions to select the scariest ghost tour of the year.金桥翻译(MI({&d$A
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Unfortunately, on this night, the Leesburg ghost tour couldn’t persuade the local spirits to come out. But with their ‘never say die’ attitude, you can be sure these ghost tourists will be back again.
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2007-01-06
J:z/o9@/W0New Airport Technology Raises Issue of Security versus Privacy
SgSI#fo8V$P0Some U.S. airports will soon begin using what's known as "backscatter x-ray technology" to screen passengers. The harmless technology can see through materials such as clothing -- and that raises concerns.
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“That's crazy, kind of invasive. So no, I wouldn't really enjoy that very much.” The virtually naked images are viewed by some as an invasion of privacy. And that has prompted officials to modify the scanners. Altered images will show cartoon-like black and white outlines of passengers.
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R3_N x6De0The virtual strip search is being tried first at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the western state of Arizona. Initially, the system is being used only on volunteers and on travelers whom officials find require extra screening. Passengers are offered the option of being photographed from the front or the back.
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7I@0b&B:f_0Transportation officials say the new machines may one day replace the metal detectors that are now used -- if they can be improved to take less than the 15 to 20 seconds they currently require. A small number of other U.S. airports will have them in place this month, as part of a nationwide pilot program.
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2007-01-07金桥翻译NV1{Q&o#X0u'L?
Outgoing Corporate Executive Gets $210 Million (1/2)
K%tG0Q%^;} A0i7]q%x0RobertNardelliwas hired in the year 2000 to run Home Depot, a multi-billion dollar corporation that sells hardware, lumber and other home improvement supplies. During his tenure, Nardelli accumulated a personal fortune of $150 million. He is getting $210 million in cash, stocks and other benefits for leaving.金桥翻译6x)P8Z$Ny.h

:k(S]%e5WE)_*Kv0New York Times business columnist Joe Nocera says the separation package was part of Nardelli's contract. "The company was floundering six years ago. They needed a makeover. They wanted a high profile, high energy superstar."金桥翻译 g"S2QU\%B(@ly6Kz
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Home Depot doubled profits during Nardelli's tenure. But the corporation's stock fell seven percent while that of a competitor rose 185 percent. Columnist Joe Nocera says resentment erupted at the company's annual board meeting.
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"I have to tell you this was one of the most dictatorial annual meetings I've ever seen in my life. There were timers and nobody could speak for more than a minute. He refused to answer any questions; there were no board members there."
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