1. America’s economy grew slower than expected in the first quarter. GDP figures fell short of the forecast 2.2% growth, at 1.6% year on year. America’s Commerce Department said that slowing international trade and business inventories were responsible for the decline. First-quarter core annual inflation stood at 3.7%, above analyst estimates of 3.4%, suggesting that the Federal Reserve may delay cutting interest rates.
美國經濟增長速度在第一季度低於預期。GDP數據較預測的2.2%增長短缺，年增長率為1.6%。美國商務部表示，國際貿易放緩和商業庫存下降是導致這一下降的原因。第一季度核心年度通脹率為3.7%，高於分析師預測的3.4%，這表明美聯儲可能延遲降息。
Do you think Taiwan is suffering the poor economy too? Why or why not?
What is the best solution to dealing with business inventories?
2. New York’s top court overturned a conviction against Harvey Weinstein, the film producer who in 2020 was sentenced to 23 years in prison for rape and other sex crimes. The court found that Mr Weinstein did not receive a fair trial, because prosecutors allowed women whose allegations were not part of the indictment to testify. Mr Weinstein is also serving 16 years for a rape conviction in California.
紐約最高法院撤銷了對電影製片人哈維·溫斯坦的定罪，他於2020年因強姦和其他性犯罪被判處23年徒刑。法院認為溫斯坦先生沒有得到公正的審判，因為檢察官允許那些指控不在起訴書中的女性作證。溫斯坦先生也因加州的一項強姦定罪而被判處16年徒刑。
What may be a better way to deal with sex crimes?
What should men protect themselves from such allegations? What should women protect themselves from sex crimes?
3. America’s Supreme Court appeared divided on Thursday about whether Donald Trump is entitled to “absolute immunity” from prosecution for actions he took while in office. It is unclear when the court will issue its opinion, but if it were to send some issues back to lower courts to decide, the trial might not take place until after the election.
美國最高法院在星期四對於唐納德·川普是否有權享有「絕對豁免權」免於就任職期間的行為受到起訴一事出現分歧。目前尚不清楚法院何時會發表意見，但如果法院將一些問題退回下級法院做決定，審判可能要等到選舉後才能進行。
Should anyone in office be entitled to absolute immunity from prosecution?
4. Belgium summoned Israel’s ambassador to the country after a Belgian aid agency worker and his son were killed in an Israeli attack in Gaza. Meanwhile, America demanded “answers” from Israel after Palestinian officials discovered mass graves containing hundreds of bodies at two hospitals in Gaza. The European Union and the UN have called for an independent investigation.
比利時召見了以色列駐該國大使，此前一名比利時援助機構工作者及其兒子在以色列對加薩地帶的襲擊中喪生。與此同時，美國要求以色列提供「答案」，因為巴勒斯坦官員發現了加薩地帶兩家醫院中含有數百具屍體的集體墳墓。歐盟和聯合國已呼籲進行獨立調查。
Generally speaking, does an independent investigation work?
5. Ariel Henry stepped down as prime minister of Haiti. A council tasked with choosing a new prime minister has been installed. Mr Henry had been locked out of the country for weeks. In his absence Haiti became even more chaotic, with armed gangs, who now wield the real power, roaming at will. Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, a gang leader, had called for him to go.
亞瑞爾·亨利辭去海地總理職務。一個負責選舉新總理的委員會已經成立。亨利先生被鎖在國外已有幾個星期。在他缺席期間，海地變得更加混亂，槍手幫派橫行，現在已經掌握了實際的權力。幫派頭目吉米·「燒烤」·謝里吉耶曾呼籲他下台。
If you were the leader of the country, what should be better measures to restore order in Haiti?
6. Wine production around the world fell by almost 10% in 2023, according to a new report by The International Organisation of Vine and Wine. The industry group blamed the numbers on “adverse climatic events”, including extreme weather and fungal diseases. The grapevine was first domesticated some 8,000 years ago in Georgia; global warming has pushed vineyards to surprising places.
根據國際葡萄與葡萄酒組織的最新報告，全球葡萄酒產量在2023年下降了近10%。該行業組織將這一數據歸咎於「不利的氣候事件」，包括極端天氣和真菌病害。葡萄藤最早在約8000年前在喬治亞被馴化；全球變暖已將葡萄園推到一些出人意料的處境。
If you were a wine businessperson, what would you do about such a hurdle?
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