We are in one of the most severe recessions in modern times.我们正在经历现代最严重的一段经济衰退。The earthquake was one of the worst disasters in modern times.那场地震是近代最严重的灾难之一。I cannot recall any other instance in modern times in which a huge and mighty state crumbled to dust.我想不出当代还有哪个疆域辽阔、国力强大的国家像这样分崩离析、灰飞烟灭。