Weekly Bilingual News

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to the Weekly Bilingual News, online communication of the Spanish-English Club! Today again we are sharing with you some comments we posted in important online publications during the last few days. All are interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

LIBYAN TURMOIL - WSJ story: "Obama Says Gadhafi Must Leave" (Feb. 27, 2011) The article comments President Obama talked with the German Chancellor and both agreed Gadhafi has to leave Libya.

WSJ Journal Comment: "President Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have the right to say Gadhafi must leave, but the Libya's dictator always was hard and heartless with his people and enemies. Nothing new we are seeing from his side. Additionally, he knows how to evade international demands against him. Nobody will defeat him only with words."

2011 US FEDERAL BUDGET - WSJ Journal Community: "Will Congress pass a budget plan for 2011 in time to avert a shutdown of the federal government?" (Feb. 25, 2011) March 4 is the deadline to approve the 2011 budget of the federal government. During the last week some political analysts showed fears about a shutdown of the government if the members of the Congress don't agree about the 2011 budget.

Journal Community Answer (Feb 27, 2011): "After the political analysts expressed their fears, the last reports say that members of Congress are working to pass the budget plan for 2011 before the deadline. If Republicans and Democrats agree on this critical issue, it will be an important achievement after a lot of disagreements."

US SPATIAL FUTURE – PBS report: "Discovery's Launch Marks Beginning of End for NASA Shuttle Program" (Feb. 24, 2011) The report comments details of the mission for Space Shuttle Discovery lifted off Thursday from Cape Canaveral, Florida. It also says NASA will end the shuttle program shortly after this mission. This was the final mission of "Discovery".
Member Comment: "This moment with big economic problems and political disagreements about what are the first investment priorities, it is very difficult for NASA, but we have to make the best efforts to keep the space programs on the radar."

MOBILE COMPUTING WORLD - WSJ article: "Apple Updates MacBooks with Intel Technology" (Feb. 24, 2011) Apple updated its MacBook Pro family of mobile computers with the next generation of Intel processors and graphics that are twice as fast as the previous generation. The new dual-core and quad-core Core processors are based on the high-speed Thunderbolt I/O technology of the semiconductor maker that delivers 10 gigabits per second and can support all the important I/O standards.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "Apple working with the next generation of Intel processors will be in the first line of updating mobile computers."

ETHICS OF LAWMAKERS – WSJ Journal Community Question: "Is it ethical for lawmakers to leave the state or avoid the statehouse in order to avoid a vote on legislation they oppose?" (Feb. 23, 2011) The question is about lawmakers of different states who are blocking the voting of laws they oppose.
Journal Community Answer: "It is not ethical for lawmakers to avoid a vote on legislation they oppose. Democracy requires the participation of all the lawmakers independently of their own ideas or opinions. They have responsibilities like every other public employee with their states and communities."

The main indexes of Wall Street closed the week in the negative territory. Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 260.80 points or 2.10% to 12130.45. It was the biggest weekly percentage drop since November 12, 2010. Nasdaq Composite fell 52.90 points, or 1.87% in the same period, to close at 2781.05. About these results we wrote the following comment at Data Points: U.S. Markets (WSJ, Feb. 25): "In this occasion, the fall of the major indexes of Wall Street has a clear explanation. The key factor was the chaos of Libya - important world provider of oil – that deepened the crisis inthe Arab world."

In summary, during the last few days, the turmoil in Libya was the main headline across the press of the world. In particular, Italy, France and Germany followed the news from the North African country very nervously because they are important buyers of the Libyan oil and they have investments in its petrol industry.

On Saturday February 26, the United Nations agreed on sanctions against the Gadhafi regime. On Sunday, February 27, press sources announced rebel groups advanced to Tripoli, the capital of the country. By the way, about the Libyan chaos we wrote the following comment in the Washington Post blog several days ago: "It is hard to recognize it, but the freedom route of Libya will be very bloody." (Washington Post: "Clashes spread closer to Tripoli; U.S. consults allies on Libya options", By Leila Fadel, Liz Sly and Howard Schneider Feb. 25).

In the United States, other important issues were: 1) the possible shutdown of the federal government, 2) the unions and collective-bargaining rights of the Wisconsin state workers, 3) the future of gay marriage, 4) the oil barrel price over $100.

In other news, PBS (Feb. 24) reported a Saudi Arabian citizen, a college student in US, was charged for a possible bomb plot against the house where former President Bush is living in Dallas, Texas. This case is a new sample of the terrorism threat due to extremist people who are living in the west countries.

Best regards,

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens
Spanish-English Club
Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com
URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/

Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the week?
1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia de la semana?

2) And what was the best news from the week?
2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia de la semana?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:

- against = contra
- ally, allies = aliado, aliados
- Arab = árabe 
- avert = prevenir
- avoid = evitar, eludir
- barrel = barril - bloody = sangriento, sangrienta
- budget = presupuesto 
- chaos = caos
- clash, clashes = choque, choques - closer = muy cerca
- collective-bargaining = contrato colectivo de trabajo, convenio colectivo de trabajo
- computer = computador, computadora
- dictator = dictador
- ethics = ética
- evade = evadir, eludir
- Gadhafi = Gadafi (others write Gaddafi).
- heartless = cruel
- I/O = entrada/salida
- lawmaker = legislador
- launch, launching = lanzamiento
- Libya = Libia
- Libyan, Libyans = libio, libia, libios, libias
- mobile computing = computación móvil
- processor = procesador
- program = programa 
- petrol = gasolina
- oil = petróleo
- sanction, sanctions = sanción, sanciones
- Saudi Arabian = saudí, saudita
- shuttle = transbordador
- spatial = espacial
- statehouse = legislatura
- shutdown = cese o suspensión de actividades
- topple = derribar, volcar
- turmoil = desorden, alboroto
- union = unión, sindicato - update = actualiza

MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Bev, Bob, Erika, Freed, Joseph, Maria Waleska, Peter, Suzanne for your messages about the previous Weekly Bilingual News.
.

The chaos of Libya deepened the crisis in the Arab world.

El caos en Libia profundizó la crisis del mundo árabe. 

Weekly Bilingual News

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to a new online communication of the Spanish-English Club through the Weekly Bilingual News!

The current issue continues with the style we began to outline in the previous Weekly Bilingual News, focusing key issues through several comments we posted in important online publications during the last few days. All are interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

EGYPT VERSUS U.S. JOBS - WSJ Journal Community question: "Jobs, deficit: What should be the higher priority for Congress and President Obama?" (Feb. 6, 2011) On Friday February 5, the US Labor Department posted the Job January Report. The news was not relevant for the press and the Government didn't make a lot of efforts to explain its figures.
WSJ Journal Community Answer: "It is painful to recognize that the first week of February showed that the White House is more interested in the new jobs for the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood and other anti-American groups than the employment panorama of the United States where the survey of businesses found only a net gain of 36,000 jobs on January despite the unemployment rate declined to 9 percent." Domingo A. Trassens

SNOW: BUSINESS IMPLICATIONS - WSJ Journal Community question: "Business owners, what's your strategy for dealing with big snow storms?" (Feb. 5, 2011) This question was part of the analysis of the problems the last snowstorms created for companies and businesses in the United States.

WSJ Journal Community Answer: "The companies cannot stop their activities and cancel their business compromises for bad weather conditions. The owners of the companies have to define their own strategies depending of the kind of business. In some cases, they have to define emergency plans that will allow their employees to do the work in their homes. In other cases, they have to provide tools and clothes to support external operations with the minimum of difficulties for their workers." Domingo A. Trassens

EGYPTIAN PICTURES: GOVERNMENT TRANSITION – Wall Street Journal article: "Egypt's Prime Minister Meets With Protest Leaders". (Feb. 5, 2011) This article analyzes the Egyptian crisis and the reactions of members of the government of this Arab country to facilitate a peaceful political change.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "Intelligent play! It is good that members of the Egyptian government meet protesters trying to reduce pressure. Maybe this way could make easier the transition process." Domingo A. Trassens

CHINA EYES U.S. DEFENSE – Wall Street Journal Article: "China Eyes U.S. Defense Contracts." (Feb. 3, 2011) This article analyzes the Chinese efforts to gain U.S. Defense contracts..
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "From my point of view, U.S. Defense has to block all the attempts of Chinese companies to enter the circle of its providers." Domingo A. Trassens - 4 Recommendations.

EGYPT: FALL OF MUBARAK REGIME – Wall Street Journal Article: "Regime Seeks an Exit for Mubarak." (Feb. 3, 2011) This article comments on the pressure of the United States and other countries to find a peaceful exit for President Mubarak.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "In the international arena, everybody "dreams" a new future for Egypt, but only the Egyptians can define the future for their nation. External hands could complicate more the complex current panorama. Some years ago, when I visited Egypt, I learned the Egyptians are afraid of the influence of the western countries in their internal issues." Domingo A. Trassens - 2 Recommendations

ARAB WORLD IN FLAMES – Wall Street Journal Article: "Hundred Join Antigovernment Protests in Jordan" (Feb. 3, 2011) This article remarks in the Arab world the chaos and protests are spreading across different countries with different regimes and history.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "The spreading of the antigovernment protests across the Arab world is a danger sickness with an unclear end. It is not a democracy movement like we know in the western countries." Domingo A. Trassens

ISRAEL GAS PIPELINE – Wall Street Journal Article: "Israel Worries About Gas Pipeline" (Feb. 3, 2011) This article analyzes the worries of Israel if the new Egyptian regime moves against its neighbor.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "In my opinion, Israel has to develop a plan mulling the worst-case scenario because radical Islamist groups put religion before business." Domingo A. Trassens.

APPLE VERSUS CLASSIC PUBLISHERS – Wall Street Journal Article: "Apple to Tighten Control on Content" (Feb. 2, 2011) This article comments the fears of the classic publishers of publications and magazines in front of the new functions of iPad and the growing of iTunes store.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "Digital devices like iPad will grow with more and more digital content and iTunes could help. For this reason the efforts of Apple to improve the horizons of its products are right. Of course, iTunes will contribute to push down the classic publishing business." Domingo A. Trassens.

The main indexes of Wall Street closed the week in the negative territory. Dow Jones Industrial Average went down 48.14 points or 0.41% to 11823.70. Nasdaq Composite fell 2.65 points, or 0.10% in the same period, to close at 2686.89.

In summary, the week was very intense in the segment of international news. Egypt and the Arab World were at the top of all the headlines of newspapers and TV. In a second step, the U.S. Job Report of January produced poor and ambiguous comments.

Other issues of the week was the health care reform that last year President Obama pushed forward and current reactions of politicians and common people who disagree with the implementation of the new health care legislation.

The snow and bad weather in the north of the country and Europe produced many problems with negative consequences for the economy and transportation.

Best regards,

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens
Spanish-English Club
Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com
URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/


Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the week?

1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia de la semana?

2) And what was the best news from the week?

2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia de la semana?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:

 - ambiguous = ambigüo
- antigovernment = antigubernamental
- contract = contrato
- Egypt = Egipto
- Egyptian = egipcio/a
- eye = mirar de soslayo, mirar, ojear
- Jordan = Jordania
- pipeline = cañería -protest = protesta
- scenario = escenario
- snowstorm = tormenta de nieve
- strategy = estrategia
- worries = preocupaciones, temores

MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Anne, Bob, Erika, Frank, John, Mary, Peter, Stephanie for your messages.

Weekly Bilingual News

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to a new edition of Weekly Bilingual News, the online communication of the Spanish-English Club!

The current issue continues with the style we began to outline in the previous Weekly Bilingual News, focusing key issues through several comments we posted in important online publications during the last few days. All are interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

STATUE TO HONOR BILL CLINTON - WSJ Journal Community: Giant statue of Bill Clinton in New York for three-year anniversary of Kosovo's independent. (Jan. 21, 2011) The Journal Community is asking to its members their opinion about a sculpture artist who wants to honor the former two-term U.S. President.

WSJ Journal Community Comment: "When somebody talks to me about a sculpture for someone who is alive, I am reminded by my teacher's explanation in the primary school about statues are to honor heroes, leaders, politicians and other figures, who are dead, after they made important contributions for the best of the nation or the humanity. Former President Bill Clinton is alive and still very active. I don't understand why an artist wants to freeze his figure in a sculpture at this moment despite Kosovo, Haiti or other issues." Domingo A. Trassens.

NEW ECONOMIC WINDS - PBS NewsHour Analysis: Obama Presses for an Economy in "Overdrive". (Jan. 21, 2011) This article analyzes some initiatives of President Obama to reactive the economy of the country. On Friday, he named General Electric CEO Jeffrey Immelt to lead a panel on job creation and economic competitiveness.
PBS Member Comment: "Today, there is not room for ideologies and dreams. It is time to address the country with pragmatism. President Obama has to take the economy with his both hands, very carefully and responsible… The ECONOMY is first priority in running a lot of other political issues in the right way." Domingo A. Trassens

MORE AGILE GOOGLE - WSJ Article: Chief Seeks More Agile Google. (Jan. 21, 2011) This article analyzes important changes Google is planning with the replacement of the current CEO Eric Schmidt by one of the founder of the company, Larry Page.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "I have my doubts Larry Page will make a better job than Eric Schmidt as CEO of Google. Larry has a very good professional background but he never ran a complex company like Google is today. Before Google, Schmidt was chairman and CEO of Novell and important executive of Sun Microsystems during the golden era of this computer company. Today Google needs a strong management experience and a very balanced helm. Can Page handle these responsibilities? We don't know." Domingo A. Trassens, 3 Recommendations.

CHINESE FRIENDSHIP - WSJ Article: Rivals Seek New Balance. (Jan. 19, 2011) This article comments on the summit between President Obama and Chinese President Hu Hintao at the White House, in Washington DC.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "It is very difficult to see the visit of Mr. Hu Hintao like other White House's visitors because the US-Chinese relationships in the last year were hurt by different issues that showed disagreements from both parties. Despite it all, we have to make our differences in a polite way trying to ensure the visit ends with some positive results." Domingo A. Trassens, 1 Recommendation.

APPLE VULNERABILITY - WSJ Journal Community Question: Can Apple succeed without Steve Jobs at the helm? (Jan. 19, 2011) The Journal Community commented CEO Steve Jobs is taking a new medical leave for his cancer problems. Jobs is like a hero for the Apple's fans because his innovative ideas changed the technology industry during the last decade.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: " In the previous medical leave of Steve Jobs, Apple Computer worked very well showing maturity as a company and discipline in its plans and executions. I think the current conditions are better than before. Apple can go beyond its visionary leader. Don't worry!" Domingo A. Trassens, 1 Recommendation.

The main indexes of Wall Street closed the week with mixed results. Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 84.46 points or 0.72% to 11871.84. Nasdaq Composite declined 65.76 points, or 2.39% in the same period, to close at 2689.84.

In summary, the week was very intense in the political and business arenas. First, the visit of the Chinese President Hu Jintao to Washington generated important analysis of the relationships between the Big Asian Dragon and the United States. After that, the press followed the first signs President Obama plans new efforts to reactive the economy. Also two leading technology companies – Apple and Google - shared the headlines of the papers with crucial decisions that can shake their respective futures. Apple today is the second more valuable company in the US economy after Exxon and before Microsoft.

Best regards,

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens
Spanish-English Club
Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com
URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/

Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the week?

1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia de la semana?

2) And what was the best news from the week?

2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia de la semana?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:

- alive = vivo
- analysis = análisis
- analyze, analyzing = analizar, analizando
- artist = artista
- balanced = balanceado, equilibrado
- beyond = más allá de
- crucial = decisivo, crucial
- dead = muerto
- doubts = dudas
- dragon = dragón
- ensure = asegurar
- execution = ejecución, realización
- fans = fanáticos
- freeze = congelar, helar, convertir un una barra de hielo o de materia
- golden = dorada
- handle = manejar
- helm = timón
- hurt = hacer daño, dañar, lastimar
- medical leave = licencia médica, licencia por enfermedad, licencia por problemas de salud
 - panel = panel (In Spanish the accent syllable is "nel". It is the same word than in English but with a different pronunciation).
- parties = partidos
- pragmatism = pragmatismo
- replacement = reemplazo, cambio 
- room = espacio
- sculpture = escultura
- shake, shaking, shook = sacudir, sacudiendo, sacudió
- signs = señales, rastros
-  statue = estatua
- summit = cumbre
- visit = visita

MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Bill, Bob, Carol, Erika, George, Mary, Peter, Suzanne for your messages.

Jobless pragmatism:  Ask for food, eat

Weekly Bilingual News

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to an online communication of the Spanish-English Club with several comments we posted in online publications during the last few days.

The current Weekly Bilingual News continues with the style we began to outline during the last weeks and focusing key issues that are interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

CHINESE AGENDA – PBS NewsHour Report: U.S. Turns to China for 'Real Action' on North Korea, Other Issues (Jan. 14, 2011). This article explains the message from Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to China before the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao who will meet President Obama in the White House during the next week.

PBS Member Comment: "Chinese President Hu Jintao comes to the US to move his own agenda showing to the world he talks with his rival, but I don't expect the summit with President Obama will produce real action on real issues like climate change, recession and North Korean nuclear proliferation. He needs his "pictures" with Obama in the White House for his own future as a world leader and for his internal political revaluation in front the other top figures of the Communist Party." Domingo A. Trassens.

ARAB TURMOIL - PBS NewsHour Report: Massive Protests in Tunisia Push President to Flee. (Jan. 14, 2011) This article describes Tunisian turmoil that forced President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to leave his country after 23 years ruling the North African nation with Arab population.

PBS Member Comment: "Tunisia goes to the streets after 23 years of being ruled by the same leader. First question: Why has the population waited more than 20 years to yell for revolution? Second question: Will the country institute a democracy or another dictatorship regime?" Domingo A. Trassens

SORROW SHAKING - WSJ Article: Obama's Speech Wins Over Critics. (Jan. 14, 2011) This article analyzes the President Obama's remarks at the memorial service for the victims of the shooting in Tucson, Arizona. Despite some critics, important political analysts applauded the speech.

WSJ Journal Community Comment: "Every time the President of the Nation speaks in public, his speech becomes a political issue. President Obama at the memorial service in Tucson showed also feelings that normally he doesn't share with the citizens of the country. Surely, the sorrow of all who lost somebody in the shooting shook him too. Great! We are human beings after all!!".Domingo A. Trassens

VERIZON AND AT&T WITH THE SAME GUN - WSJ Article: Verizon Wireless to Offer iPhone 4 in February. (Jan. 12, 2011) This article comments on the plans of Verizon Wireless to sell Apple's smart-phones till now sold exclusively by AT&T in the domestic market of the United States.

WSJ Journal Community Comment: "The introduction of iPhone by Verizon Wireless will be an important event because now on the US biggest telecommunication providers must improve their offering to gain the fidelity of the Apple's fans. Additionally, the competition will stimulate new advanced services for smart-phones." Domingo A. Trassens

The main indexes of Wall Street closed the week higher than the previous one. Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 112.62 points or 0.96% to 11787.38. Nasdaq Composite gained 52.13 points, or 1.93% in the same period, to close at 2755.30.

In summary, the week was full of the Arizona's shooting on January 8 producing a lot of scenes of pain, hate, and an extensive analysis about what are the implications of mental illnesses and guns. At the end of the seven days, two new subjects refocused the headlines of the press: Tunisia turmoil and the new summit of President Obama and President Hu Jintao, next weekin Washington DC.

What is your summary of the week? What were the most important events from your point of view? Please explain them in a bilingual mode.

Best regards,

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens

Spanish-English Club

Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com

URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/

Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the week?

1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia de la semana?

2) And what was the best news from the week?

2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia de la semana?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:

- action = acción

- analysis = análisis

- analyze, analyzing = analizar, analizando

- Arab = árabe

- climate change = cambio de clima

- democracy = democracia

- dictatorship = dictadura

- domestic market = mercado interno

- fans = fanáticos

- fidelity = fidelidad

- figures = figuras, personalidades, personas importantes

- guns = armas, armas de fuego

- hate = odio

- issue = asunto, tema

- meet = encontrar, reunirse

- mental illnesses = enfermedades mentales

- North Korean = norcoreano, norcoreana, norcoreanos, norcoreanas

- pictures = fotos

- recession = recesión

- rule, ruled = gobernar, gobernó

- share = compartir

- shake, shaking, shook = sacudir, sacudiendo, sacudió

- shooting = tiroteo

- smart-phones = teléfonos inteligentes

- sorrow = pena, dolor

- stimulate = estimular

- summit = cumbre

- terror = terror

- Tunis = Túnez

- Tunisia = Túnez

- Tunisian = tunecino, tunecina, tunecinos, tunecinas

- turmoil = desorden, alboroto

- visit = visita
- yell = gritar

MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Anne, Bob, Harold, Jim, John, Lilly, Marie, Stephanie and Susy your messages

 Tunisia: New Arab turmoil

(by courtesy of US Secretary of State)

Weekly Bilingual News

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to an online communication of the Spanish-English Club with several comments we posted in online publications during the last few days.

The current Weekly Bilingual News is not any longer than other times, but here you have interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

TERROR - WSJ Article: Gunman Described Himself as a "Terrorist" (Jan. 9, 2011). This article explains the gunman Loughner armed with a semiautomatic pistol shot 19 people in Arizona including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, a 40-year old Tucson Democrat.
WSJ Journal Community Comments: "Please America opens your eyes! How many more crimes do we need to realize the "roots" of terrorism are growing in our own backyards? How much blood of innocent people do we need for rethinking what is "terror" and "terrorism"? It is time we embrace the spirit of our Constitution to recreate the country like the Fathers of the Nation thought." Domingo A. Trassens. 3 Recommendations

AFRICA - PBS NewsHour Report: In Sudanese State of Unity, Mood Foreshadows Secession. (Jan. 7, 2011) Report about the voting on Jan. 9 in South Sudan, where the population for the first time has the possibility to vote for the splitting from the North dictatorship regime that killed thousands and thousands of people of rich oil region of the south during long years.
Member Comment: "After all that South Sudan suffered under the dictatorship of the regime of the north, it is a good news, its population have the opportunity to decide their own destiny. We have to hope they don't make any mistake." Domingo A. Trassens.

JOBS - WSJ Article: Obama Says Economy Moving in Right Direction. (Jan. 7, 2011) This article explains about the December's official unemployment rate declined from 9.6% to 9.4%. The President applauded the fall of the rate.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "Every month President Obama says the economy is moving in the right direction but after that he adds the "move" is slow. Meanwhile, we don't see strong efforts to reverse the current gloomy panorama." Domingo A. Trassens.

INTERNET - WSJ Article: Facebook Sets Stage for IPO Next Year. (Jan. 6, 2011) This article explaines Facebook is planning to offer its common stock to the public during 2012.
WSJ Journal Community Comment: "Be careful! Till now Facebook is a beautiful multicolor balloon raising higher thanks to its founder, a magic creator of new fantasies. But does Facebook have the foundation to be a Google or Microsoft of a new era?" Domingo A. Trassens. 9 Recommendations

Best regards,

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens
Spanish-English Club
Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com
URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/

Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the week?
1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia de la semana?

2) And what was the best news from the week?
2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia de la semana?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:


- backyard = traspatio
- balloon = globo
- be careful! = ¡tenga cuidado!, ¡tengan cuidado!
- courtyard = patio
- destiny = destino
- dictatorship = dictadura
- fantasy, fantasies = fantasía, fantasías
- foreshadow = prefigurar, anunciar
- innocent = inocente
- mood = humor
- population = población
- rate = índice
- regime = régimen
- reverse = invertir, mover in dirección opuesta
- terrorism = terrorismo

 MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Bob,Erika, Harold, Mark, Stephanie and Suzanne for your messages.

Weekly Bilingual News

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to an online communication of the Spanish-English Club with several comments we posted in online publications during the last few days.

Due to professional compromises and personal requirements, we have only time to write a short Weekly Bilingual News, but here you have interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

WSJ Journal Community Question: Has the recession led your company to postpone an IPO? (Dec. 28, 2010)

Journal Community Answer: "Worse, the recession is pushing me to stop any new business project." Domingo A. Trassens. 

WSJ Journal Community Question: Where will crude oil be by April 2011? (Dec. 29, 2010)

Journal Community Answer: "The economic reactivation will push the crude oil prices up because during the last few years our government didn’t at least make one positive initiative to increase the normal production. If in this gloomy economic environment of today the barrel goes over $90, any small demand will increase the barrel price. Basic economy!" Domingo A. Trassens.

WSJ  Journal Community Question: Where will unemployment be at the end of 2011? (Dec. 30, 2010)

Journal Community Answer: "Now nobody has a crystal ball to make the right prediction. It looks the Government doesn’t have any idea how to address the job issue for the right move and Congress has other priorities. Everybody will hope to maintain that rate under 10%." Domingo A. Trassens.

WSJ  Journal Community Question: Will you make a New Year’s resolution for 2011? Tell us about it. (Dec. 31, 2010)

Journal Community Answer:  "I will fight with all my energies to avoid dieing in the street. " Domingo A. Trassens.

Now our question to all of you: Did you make a New Year’s resolution too? Please share your resolution with the other members of the Club. Thank you.

Ahora nuestra pregunta para todos ustedes: ¿Tomaron ustedes resoluciones para Año Nuevo también? Por favor, compartan sus resoluciones con los otros miembros del Club. ¡Muchas Gracias!

Happy New Year! / ¡Feliz Año Nuevo!

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens

Spanish-English Club

Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com

URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/

Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the last year?

1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia del último año?

2) And what was the best news from the last year?

2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia del último año?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:

- at least = al menos, por lo menos

- demand = demanda 

- duck, ducks = pato, patos

- crystal ball = bola de cristal

- gloomy = oscuro, triste, pesimista

- IPO (Initial Public Offering) = oferta inicial en el mercado público de Wall Street

- New Year = Año Nuevo

- oil crude = petróleo crudo

- postpone = aplazar, posponer

- prediction = predicción

- reactivation = reactivación

- recession = recesión

- resolution = resolución  

- under = bajo

- worse = peor

- year = año 

MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Bev, Bob, Erika, Joseph, Louis, Mary, Nelson, and Stephanie for your messages.

Every year, these ducks make the same New Year's resolution: to love each other and swim together enjoying the beautiful Nature.

Weekly Bilingual News - Special Edition

Dear Friends:

Hello! Welcome to a special online communication of the Spanish-English Club with several comments we posted in different online publications during the last few days.

Due to professional compromises and personal requirements, we don't have enough time to write the normal Weekly Bilingual News, but here you have interesting subjects for your debate and bilingual conversation. The Vocabulary included will help you.

WSJ Washington Wire: Via Twitter: Obama's Holiday Reading (President Obama is reading about Ronald Reagan), (Dec. 25, 2010)
Blog Comment: Maybe President Obama needs a special inspiration to address his next two years as president with the pragmatism of Ronald Reagan. Domingo A. Trassens

WSJ Real Times Economics: Outsize Importance of Holidays for Retailers (2010 Christmas shopping), (Dec. 25, 2010)
Blog Comment: In an economy struggling to survive, we have other priorities different fromTV panels, computers, and other electronic devices. Best Buy has to redefine its forecasts according to the reality. Domingo A. Trassens

PBS NEWSHOUR: Shields and Gerson on Obama's Gains, New Political Realities (Political analysis of the last week), (Dec. 24, 2010)
Members Blog: After weeks in free fall, today you showed President Obama gained in important battles. Are these victories the beginning of a realistic era of the White House administration or only some Christmas gifts? Domingo A. Trassens. 2 Recommendations

PBS NEWSHOUR: Violence Against Iraqi Christians Escalates. (Christmas in Iraq), (Dec. 24, 2010)
Members Blog: The persecution against the Iraqi Christians reminds me of the Roman Catacombs in the beginning of Christianity. The current religious intolerance of Iraq shows a violent backward movement from Saddam's times. Domingo A. Trassens. 3 Recommendations

WSJ Story: Parcel Bombs Target Embassies in Rome (Terrorism bombing in the embassies of Switzerland and Chile in Italy), (Dec. 23, 2010)
Journal Community Comment: I don't know if Switzerland and Chile have a lot in common, but Rome like London, Madrid, New York, and Moscow are very good windows to show how terrorism enjoy sacrificing innocent people everywhere. Domingo A. Trassens. 7 Recommendations

WSJ Story: Fortifying Phones From Attackers (Verizon and AT&T plan to protect smart-phones users), (Dec. 22, 2010)
Journal Community Comment: Telecommunication carriers have the OBLIGATION to protect consumers and companies whom embrace smart-phones. If they don't work fast and efficiently the smart-phones will lose value and nobody will believe in the benefits of their technology. These devices will only become luxury game machines. Domingo A. Trassens. 2 Recommendations

All the best,

Domingo

Domingo A. Trassens
Spanish-English Club
Electronic mail: domingo.trassens@gmail.com
URL: http://spaengclub.blogspot.com/

Questions - Preguntas:

1) From your point of view, what was the worst news for the last week?

1) Desde vuestro punto de vista, ¿cuál fue la peor noticia de la última semana?

2) And what was the best news from the last week?

2) ¿Y cuál fue la mejor noticia de la última semana?

Vocabulary - Vocabulario:

- backward movement = movimiento hacia atrás
- catacombs = catacumbas
- Christianity = cristianismo
- due to = debido a 
- embrace = adoptar
- forecast = pronóstico
- gift = regalo, presente
- in free fall = en caída libre
- innocent = inocente
- intolerance = intolerancia
- luxury = lujo
- parcel = paquete
- persecution = persecución
- reading = lectura
- realistic = realista
- sacrificing = sacrificando
- struggling = luchando 
- survive = sobrevivir

MEMBERS AND LIBRARY CORNER

Thanks to Anne, Bob, Erika, John, Lucie, Mary and Peter for your messages.