今天的数据显示美国汽车制造商通用公司健康运转带来了巨大收益。2009年,美国政府不得不帮助该公司免于倒闭,如今,通用创造了2011年来的最高利润。但据BBC商业记者Mark Gregory所说的那样,该公司并不是事事顺利。
The big picture is General Motors has made a remarkable recovery from near collapse three years ago. The company spent months in bankruptcy and only survived thanks to a multi-billion dollar bailout from the US government. But last year, armed with lower labour costs and shorn of many of its debts, GM roared back to financial health. However, investors are still finding things to worry about: sales were flat in the all-important North American market towards the end of last year.
通用汽车三年前濒于破产,如今,从大体上来看已显著恢复。该公司在破产边缘熬过几个月,多亏了美国政府数十亿美元的救助资金,才得以生存下来。但是去年,由于低劳工成本和债务削减,通用很快就恢复了财政健康。然而投资者还有担心的地方:截至去年年底,非常重要的北美市场的销量平平。
The European Commission has welcomed the Italian government's plan to make the Catholic Church there subject to property tax. The proposal could earn the state more than $1bn in much needed revenue. Here's Alan Johnston.
意大利政府决定对本国的天主教堂征收财产税,欧洲委员会对此表示欢迎。该政策将为意大利增加10亿美元急需的收入。Alan Johnston报道。