Scientists say global warming appears to be affecting the dates at which plants flower in spring much more than they'd thought.

Writing in Nature, they say observations show that flowering is moving forward eight times faster than climate modelling predicts. They suggest that spring flowering will continue to advance by five to six days a year for every degree Celsius of warming.

BBC News

第二页：中英双语听力稿

The two contenders in the French presidential election are taking part in a televised debate. Polls suggest President Nicolas Sarkozy is trailing his Socialist rival Francois Hollande by around six points. Chris Morris reports.

两位法国总统选举竞争者正在进行电视辩论，民调显示总统萨科奇的支持率比其社会党对手奥朗德要低大约6%。Chris Morris报道。

Both men have accused the other of lying as they've sparred over economic policy in particular. "You want less rich people," the president said to his Socialist challenger, "I want less poor people." "I'll protect our children," Mr Hollande responded, "you just protect the privileged." Mr Hollande began by saying he'd be a president who would end division and bring France together. Mr Sarkozy, who really needs to win this debate to have any chance of winning the election, responded by saying the people would decide. "It's too late to change your mind," he said, "once you've elected someone who's not up to scratch."