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Topic: Sellout Culture Is a Problem for Pro Golf

Even if you don’t play or follow golf — which I don’t — you’re probably aware of the controversy now engulfing the game. A number of the world’s top-ranked pro players, notably Phil Mickelson, made extremely lucrative deals to play in a new tour, the LIV Golf International Series, sponsored by Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour, which has traditionally dominated the sport, responded by suspending 17 of these players.

即便不打或不追高球新聞—我也沒追—你也可能知道現在這項運動捲入爭議。一些世界頂級職業球員，尤其是米克森，達成極其有利可圖的交易參加沙烏地阿拉伯贊助的新巡迴賽，即LIV高球國際系列賽。傳統上主導這項運動的職業高球美巡賽（PGA Tour）對此做出回應，將其中17名球員禁賽。

The Saudis are obviously engaged in reputation-laundering — greenswashing? — in an attempt to make people forget about the atrocities their regime has perpetrated. It’s less clear what motivated the PGA. Did it consider the LIV series flawed, not a proper golf tour? Was it attempting to squash competition? Or was the problem with the LIV series’ sponsors?

沙國顯然在清洗名聲—是在「漂白」嗎？試圖讓人們忘記他們政權所犯下的暴行。目前還不太清楚什麼原因驅使PGA這樣做。它是否認為LIV系列賽有缺陷，不是個像樣的高球巡迴賽？它會不會是在試圖壓制競爭嗎？或是LIV系列賽贊助者的問題？

PGA attendees surveyed by ProGolf weekly were in no doubt: An overwhelming majority attributed Mickelson’s exclusion to “media/cancel culture.” And I hope they’re right. I mean, if getting paid big bucks to provide favorable PR to a regime that deals with critical journalists by killing them and dismembering them with a bone saw doesn’t warrant cancellation, what does? And yet Mickelson and others were willing to provide that PR.

接受《ProGolf》周刊調查的PGA與會者均無疑問，絕大多數將米克森遭剔除歸因於「媒體/取消文化」。我希望他們是對的。我的意思是，拿大錢幫一個政權提供公關服務，而這個政權把批評他們的記者殺掉還肢解，如果這不是一個取消的正當理由，那什麼才是？而米克森和其他人卻願意提供這種公關服務。

So if you ask me, the real story here isn’t that the PGA may (or may not) have found a line it won’t cross. It is that so many members of the American elite evidently have no such lines.

所以，若你問我，情況並非PGA可能（或可能沒有）找到一條不會跨越的線，而是這個美國菁英組織許多成員明顯沒有這樣的界線。

What explains the rise of sellout culture? Tax cuts may have played a role: Selling your soul becomes more attractive when you get to keep more of the proceeds. Soaring income inequality may inspire envy, a desire to keep up with the super-elite. And there is surely a process of normalization: Everyone else is selling out, so why shouldn’t I join the party?

如何解釋出賣文化興起？減稅可能起到一定作用：當你能保留更多收益時，出賣你的靈魂就變得更有吸引力。日益嚴重的收入不平等可能會引發嫉妒，讓人渴望跟超級菁英攀比。當然，這是一個正常過程：其他人都在出賣，那我為何不入群呢？

Kids used to look up to public figures, sports stars in particular, as role models. Do they still? Can they, given what public figures will do if the checks are big enough?
以前孩子們常把受人尊敬的公眾人物作為榜樣，尤其是體育明星。他們還會嗎？考慮到支票夠大時公眾人物竟然這樣做，他們還能嗎？Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6413966

Next Article

Topic: Why Are There More Successful Older Golfers Today?

From the 18th fairway in the final group of the British Open in 2009, Tom Watson, the five-time Open champion, hit a shot that flew right at the pin. For a moment, it looked like Watson, then age 59, would win the tournament for a record sixth time and become the oldest player to win a major championship.

2009年英國公開賽最後一組第18洞的球道上，五屆冠軍華森一揮直飛旗桿。一時間，當時59歲的華森似乎將贏得創紀錄的第六座英國公開賽冠軍，並成為最年長的四大賽冠軍。

A firm bounce sent the ball off the back of the green, and Watson needed three more shots to get the ball into the hole. That dropped him into a tie for first. In the four-hole playoff, he ran out of gas and lost by six shots.

小白球強力彈跳後滾出果嶺後方，華森又花了三桿才把球送進洞裡。這使他落到並列領先。四洞延長賽，他精力耗盡，最後輸六桿。

A decade ago, the idea of an older golfer contending in, let alone winning, a major championship was something few considered. That was still the time when most golfers petered out in their mid-40s and kicked around the golf world before having a brief resurgence on the Champions Tour when they turned 50.

10年前，很少人料想得到年長的高球選手會參加四大賽，遑論拿冠軍。當時，大多數高球選手在45歲左右開始淡出，到滿50歲參加「冠軍」（譯註：長春）巡迴賽散發短暫餘暉前，其間在高球界四處晃晃。

Leading these middle-age mavericks is Phil Mickelson, 51, won the PGA Championship in May. He beat Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner, and Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, who are both in their 30s.

這些不服老的中年高球選手領導人物是剛滿51歲的米克森，他在今年5月贏得PGA錦標賽冠軍。擊敗了都是30多歲的四屆四大賽冠軍得主科普卡與2010年英國公開賽冠軍歐蘇森。

“All these guys have taken a new approach,” said Dave Phillips, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, which focuses on golf and fitness. “There’s a lot of money out there. They realize they can still compete with the younger guys, but they need to spend more time on their body and what they fuel their body with.”

高球與健身專門機構「冠軍競技表現研究所」共同創辦人戴維．菲利普斯說：「這些人都採取一種新方法。比賽獎金很高。他們意識到自己仍可跟年輕人競爭，只是需要花更多時間在身體及強化身體的物質上面。」

Phillips said what Mickelson and the others were doing provided lessons for older golfers. “It’s not strength, but the recovery and the downtime that matter,” he said. “It’s letting your body recover. Everyone wants to get fitter, stronger, faster. They’re upset when they don’t see the results. But what they’re doing is fatiguing to the body more so than a round of golf.”

菲利普斯說，米克森和其他人的作為，幫年長高球選手上了一課。「重要的不是力量，而是恢復與休息，讓你的身體恢復。每個人都想變得更健康、更強壯、更快。他們沒看到成果時會沮喪，但他們所做的事會讓身體遠比打一輪高球還累。」

Crucial for older players? Maintain leg strength, Phillips said, and that means walk, don’t ride, when you play golf.

對年長球員重要的是什麼？菲利普斯說，保持腿部力量，這意味你打高球時，要走路，不要搭球車。

It is experience, for sure, but that is a double-edged sword: With age, players are more knowledgeable about the nuances of the game and have, in theory, a better psychological understanding of what to do. But they have also failed to do that in similar moments in the past.

當然，這需要經驗，且各有利弊：隨著年紀增長，球員更了解比賽的精妙之處，理論上，他們在心理上對該做什麼有更好的了解，過去遇到類似時刻，他們就做不到。

“The reason we’re going longer is we have the financial security to go longer,” he said “We also have the sports science to reinvent ourselves.”
他說：「我們走得更久是因為我們擁有能夠走得更久的經濟保障，我們還有運動科學來改造自己。」Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5656437

Next Article

Topic: Night Golf Is Taking Over South Korea

City lights shimmer in the distance.
城市燈光在遠處閃爍。

Shadows splay in every direction on glowing green grass.
陰影在閃閃發光的綠色草地上向四面八方伸展。

It’s close to midnight, the moon hangs high in the dark night sky, and South Koreans are still outside, golfing.
現時已接近午夜，月亮高懸在漆黑夜空中，南韓民眾仍在戶外打高爾夫球。

This is “white night” golf, a nocturnal sports phenomenon in South Korea that reflects the still surging popularity of the sport there, the persistent challenges many encounter in nabbing a tee time in the country’s dense cities and the lengths to which some will nevertheless go to get one.
這就是「白夜」高球，南韓一種夜間運動現象，反映高球在南韓人氣持續攀升，許多人在人口密集城市內要預約打球遇到挑戰，不過有些人還是想辦法要打到球。

South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
南韓是世界第三大高球市場，僅次於美國和日本。

For golf fans worldwide, the game’s grip on the country is most easily observed in its surplus of elite professional players, particularly in the women’s game. As of last week, 32 of the top 100 players in the women’s world rankings, including four of the top 10, were from South Korea.
對世界各地球迷來說，高球對南韓的吸引力，從菁英職業球員充斥南韓人最容易看出，尤其女子高球界。截至上周，世界排名前100的女子高球選手有32人來自南韓，前10名就有4位。

But on the ground, golf is very much a participatory pastime, even if the popularity of the sport and the undersupply of courses in metropolitan areas make opportunities to actually play scarce and expensive. Seoul, a city of nearly 10 million people, has only one course, and it is open only to military personnel.
但在當地，高球主要是一種大家親自下場的消遣，即便這種運動太受歡迎加上都會區球場供應不足，使得打球機會很少又昂貴。擁有近1000萬人口的首爾只有一個球場，且只對軍人開放。

Some make do with screen golf, a virtual simulation game played indoors, which has become its own booming pastime in South Korea, with some facilities offering 24-hour service.
有些人只好改玩螢幕高爾夫，這是一種在室內玩的虛擬模擬遊戲，在南韓已成為蓬勃發展的娛樂，一些場所提供24小時服務。

But golfers understandably desire the real thing. So what do you do when the demand for tee times outstrips the sunlight in a given day?
但可以理解的是，打高球的人渴望真實的東西，因此當某天打球時間的需求量超過日照時間，你該怎麼辦？

According to Seo Chun-beom, president of the Korea Leisure Industry Institute, South Korea now boasts a whopping 117 golf courses of 18 holes or more that offer nighttime play for willing golfers, with tee times as late as 8 p.m. Seo said there are countless other 9-hole courses that also feature floodlights and do not close until midnight or later.
韓國休閒產業研究所所長徐千範說，南韓目前有117座18洞或以上的高球場，可讓想打球的人在夜間打球，打球時間到晚上8點。 徐俊範說，還有其他無數個9洞球場也設有探照燈，開到午夜或是更晚。

Many people from Seoul, for instance, make the trek to Sky 72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, close to the area’s main international airport, where 2,700 lights have been installed to illuminate 36 of the facility’s 72 holes.
例如，很多來自首爾的人，會長途跋涉到靠近當地主要國際機場的仁川Sky 72高球渡假村，該處設有2700盞探照燈，能照亮72個洞當中的36個。

The concept of golfing under lights exists outside South Korea, of course.
當然，在燈光下打高球的想法在南韓以外也存在。

A writer for the website GolfPass last year counted 65 courses in the United States that featured at least some amount of nighttime lighting — although all but one of them were short courses. And courses in the United States that offer late tee times still close far earlier than those in South Korea, which often remain open as late as 1 a.m.
去年，一位幫GolfPass寫文的作家統計，在美國，擁有一定數量夜間照明設備的球場至少65座，儘管除了一座以外都是球洞較少的球場。而且美國晚間打球的高球場，打烊時間仍比南韓球場早得多，後者通常營業到凌晨1點。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5574918

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1.Sam Walton (Walmart Founder)

Quote: "There is only one boss: the customer. And hecan fire everybody in the company from the Chairman on down, simply by spending his money somewhere else."

Samuel Moore Walton was born in 1918 inKingfisher, Oklahoma, during the Great Depression. Before creating the world's largest retail chain, he worked multiple jobs, including waiting tables and delivering newspapers. In 1945, he borrowed $20,000 from his father-in-law to buy his first retail store, a Ben Franklin franchise in Newport, Arkansas. Walton revolutionized retail by focusing on small rural towns that other retailers ignored. He would fly his own plane to visit stores and scout locations, accumulating over 230,000 flight hours. His first Walmart opened in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas, and he introduced innovative practices like computerized inventory systems and profit-sharing with employees. Despite becoming one of the richest people in America, Walton maintained his modest lifestyle, driving the same 1979 Ford F-150 pickup truck and living in the same small house. He even continued visiting stores until shortly before his death in 1992, showing his dedication to hands-on management. Walton received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992 for his contributions to American retail and job creation.


山姆·沃爾頓（沃爾瑪創辦人）
名言：「公司裡只有一個老闆：顧客。他可以用腳投票，只要把錢花在別處，就能讓從董事長以下的所有人都丟掉飯碗。」
山姆·摩爾·沃爾頓1918年生於奧克拉荷馬州金費舍，正值經濟大蕭條時期。在創立全球最大零售連鎖企業之前，他打過多份工，包括當服務生和送報員。1945年，他向岳父借了2萬美元，在阿肯色州紐波特買下第一間零售店，是一家班·富蘭克林加盟店。沃爾頓專注經營其他零售商忽視的小型鄉鎮，徹底改變了零售業。他開自己的飛機視察店面和勘查地點，累積超過23萬飛行小時。1962年，他在阿肯色州羅傑斯開設第一家沃爾瑪，並推出創新做法，如電腦化庫存系統和員工分紅制度。儘管成為美國首富之一，沃爾頓保持簡樸作風，開著同一輛1979年的福特F-150皮卡車，住在同一間小房子裡。直到1992年去世前不久，他仍堅持親自到店巡視，展現他對親力親為管理的堅持。沃爾頓因對美國零售業和就業市場的貢獻，於1992年獲頒總統自由勳章。

2. Jeff Bezos (Amazon Founder)

Quote: "I knew that if I failed I wouldn't regret that,but I knew the one thing I might regret is not trying."
Trivia (90 seconds): Born in 1964 in Albuquerque, NewMexico, Jeff Bezos showed entrepreneurial spirit from an early age. He graduated as valedictorian of his high school and studied computer science at Princeton University. Before founding Amazon, he worked on Wall Street and became the youngest senior vice president at investment firm D.E. Shaw. In 1994, Bezos read that internet usage was growing by 2,300% annually, which inspired him to start an online bookstore. He wrote Amazon's business plan while driving cross-country from New York to Seattle with his wife MacKenzie.
Initially operating from his garage, Amazon sold its first book in July 1995. Bezos chose Seattle because of its large tech talent pool and proximity to a major book distributor. He based early decisions on what he called the "regret minimization framework," asking himself what he would regret
least when he was 80 years old. Despite early skepticism from investors and media (who called Amazon "Amazon.bomb" during the dot-com bust), Bezos maintained his long-term vision, famously saying Amazon would be "willing to be misunderstood for long periods of time."

傑夫·貝佐斯（亞馬遜創辦人）
名言：「我知道失敗不會讓我後悔，但不去嘗試可能會讓我後悔。」 出處：2001年接受成就學院訪談

傑夫·貝佐斯1964年生於新墨西哥州阿爾伯克基，從小就展現企業家精神。他以高中第一名的成績畢業，進入普林斯頓大學主修電腦科學。創立亞馬遜之前，他在華爾街工作，成為投資公司D.E.Shaw最年輕的資深副總裁。1994年，貝佐斯讀到網路使用率年增2300%的報導，因此萌生創辦線上書店的想法。他在和妻子麥肯齊開車從紐約橫越美國到西雅圖的途中，擬定了亞馬遜的營運計畫。亞馬遜最初在他的車庫營運，1995年7月賣出第一本書。他選擇西雅圖是因為當地有豐富的科技人才和主要書商。他的早期決策都基於「後悔最小化原則」，問自己80歲時最不會後悔的選擇是什麼。儘管早期投資人和媒體持懷疑態度（網路泡沫時期稱亞馬遜為「炸彈」），貝佐斯堅持長遠眼光，他有句名言：「我們願意被誤解很長一段時間。」

3. IngvarKamprad (IKEA Founder)

Quote: "Making mistakes is the privilege of the active.It is always the mediocre people who are negative, who spend their time proving that they were not wrong."
Trivia (90 seconds): Ingvar Kamprad was born in 1926 inSmåland, Sweden. He began his entrepreneurial journey at age five, buying matches in bulk and reselling them to neighbors. The name IKEA combines his initials (IK) with the first letters of Elmtaryd and Agunnaryd, the farm and
village where he grew up. He founded IKEA in 1943 at age 17, initially selling small household items like picture frames and pencils. The company's breakthrough came in 1956 when an employee removed the legs of a table to fit it into a car, inspiring IKEA's flat-pack furniture concept. Despite his
wealth, Kamprad was known for his frugal lifestyle – he flew economy class, drove an old Volvo, and encouraged a corporate culture of cost-consciousness. He had dyslexia, which influenced IKEA's product naming system – using names instead of numbers made it easier for him to remember products. This personal challenge led to a unique IKEA naming convention: bathroom items are named
after Swedish lakes and rivers, while bedding products are named after plants and flowers.

英格瓦·坎普拉德（IKEA創辦人）
名言：「犯錯是行動者的特權。總是那些平庸的人才會持否定態度，花時間證明自己沒有錯。」

英格瓦·坎普拉德1926年生於瑞典斯莫蘭。他5歲就開始創業，大量購入火柴再轉賣給鄰居。IKEA這個名字結合了他的英文縮寫（IK）和他成長的農場Elmtaryd與村莊Agunnaryd的首字母。他17歲時於1943年創立IKEA，最初販售相框和鉛筆等小家居用品。1956年，一位員工為了把桌子裝進車子而拆下桌腳，啟發了IKEA的平面包裝家具概念。儘管身為富豪，坎普拉德以節儉著稱－搭經濟艙、開舊款富豪車，並提倡節約的企業文化。他有閱讀障礙，這影響了IKEA的產品命名系統－用名字代替數字讓他更容易記住產品。這個個人特質促成了IKEA獨特的命名慣例：浴室用品用瑞典湖泊和河流命名，床上用品則用植物和花卉命名。

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In this episode of 15Mins Cafe, we examine the cultural significance of driving experiences, comparing our journeys to obtaining driver's licenses in South Africa and Taiwan. We discuss the unique aspects of each country's learner's license system, our personal challenges, and our excitement for upcoming car models in 2024. Patrick and I reflect on manual versus automatic transmission, modern vehicle preferences, and the rise of electric cars. Through relatable anecdotes and driving-related idioms, we explore how navigating the roads mirrors our life journeys, making for a humorous and insightful discussion.

在這一集的15Mins 英語咖啡館中，我們探討駕駛經驗的文化意義，比較在南非和台灣考取駕照的不同歷程。我們討論了兩國考照制度的獨特之處、個人在考照過程中所面臨的挑戰，以及對2024年即將推出的新車款的期待。Patrick和我分享了對手排車和自排車的看法、現代汽車的偏好，以及電動車的崛起。透過生動的軼事分享和與開車相關的俗語，我們探索了如何在人生道路上駕駛前行，帶來一場既幽默又富有洞察力的對談。

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K883: Hello Kitty at 50: The Global Icon That Transcends Cultures


Highlights 主題摘要：

Hello Kitty's success stems from her unique adaptability and the Japanese concept of "kawaii," allowing her to remain relevant across different cultures and generations while maintaining her core appeal.Despite her cat-like appearance, Hello Kitty is officially a British schoolgirl with a detailed backstory, including family members and pets, which helps create deeper emotional connections with fans worldwide.The character's 50-year journey from a simple decoration to an $80 billion global phenomenon demonstrates how a well-crafted brand can transcend cultural boundaries and become a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures.

Hello Kitty, the beloved character created by Japanese company Sanrio, celebrates her remarkable 50th birthday this November, marking half a century of unprecedented cultural influence and commercial success. What began as a simple decoration on a coin purse in 1974 has evolved into a global phenomenon worth over $80 billion, captivating audiences across generations and continents. From humble beginnings to worldwide recognition, her journey represents one of the most successful character franchises in history.

深受喜愛的角色 Hello Kitty 由日本三麗鷗公司所創造，今年十一月迎來其意義非凡的五十歲生日，標誌著半世紀以來前所未有的文化影響力與商業成就。從 1974 年最初只是錢包上的簡單裝飾，發展至今已成為價值超過 800 億美元的全球現象，吸引著跨世代、不同大陸的觀眾。從最初簡單的開始到今天的世界知名，她的旅程代表了史上最成功的角色品牌之一。

Despite her feline appearance, Hello Kitty is officially not a cat but rather a British schoolgirl named Kitty White. Standing five apples tall and weighing three apples, she lives in London with her parents and twin sister Mimmy. Her character profile includes charming details like her love for baking cookies, playing piano, and her mother's homemade apple pie. This carefully crafted backstory has helped create a deeper connection with fans worldwide. She even has her own pets: a Persian cat named Charmmy Kitty and a white Djungarian hamster called Sugar, adding layers to her character that appeal to diverse audiences.

儘管外表像貓，Hello Kitty 官方設定其實不是貓，而是一位名叫 Kitty White 的英國女學生。她身高五個蘋果、體重三個蘋果，與父母和雙胞胎妹妹 Mimmy 一起住在倫敦。她的角色設定包含許多迷人的細節，例如喜歡烤餅乾、彈鋼琴，以及最愛媽媽做的蘋果派。這些精心設計的背景故事幫助她與全球粉絲建立更深層的連結。她還養了自己的寵物：一隻波斯貓 Charmmy Kitty 和一隻三線鼠 Sugar，為她的角色增添了更多層次，吸引不同群眾。

The secret to Hello Kitty's enduring success lies in her remarkable adaptability and the concept of "kawaii" - the Japanese word for "cute" that encompasses a broader cultural significance. Under the guidance of three successive female designers, most notably Yuko Yamaguchi since 1980, Hello Kitty has remained both timeless and contemporary. Her mouthless face allows people to project their own emotions onto her, making her relatable across different cultures and contexts. This versatility has led to countless collaborations, from luxury brands to everyday products, and even earned her roles as a UNICEF children's ambassador and Japan's tourism ambassador. The character's ability to evolve while maintaining her core appeal has been crucial to her longevity in the fast-paced world of popular culture.

Hello Kitty 經久不衰的成功秘訣在於她非凡的適應力，以及「可愛」（kawaii）這個日文概念——它不僅僅是可愛，更包含更廣泛的文化意涵。在三位女性設計師的相繼帶領下，特別是自 1980 年起的山口裕子（Yuko Yamaguchi），Hello Kitty 既保持經典又與時俱進。她沒有嘴巴的臉孔讓人們可以投射自己的情緒，使她在不同文化和情境中都能引起共鳴。這種多變性使她獲得了無數合作機會，從奢侈品牌到日常用品，甚至擔任聯合國兒童基金會（UNICEF）兒童大使和日本觀光大使。這個角色在保持核心魅力的同時能夠不斷進化，是她在瞬息萬變的流行文化中長盛不衰的關鍵。

As Hello Kitty enters her sixth decade, her influence shows no signs of diminishing. The character has embraced modern platforms, attracting millions of followers on TikTok and appearing in various digital formats. Recent celebrations of her 50th anniversary have included museum exhibitions, theme park spectacles, and special merchandise collections worldwide. Even Britain's King Charles acknowledged her cultural significance during a state banquet with Japan's Emperor Naruhito, demonstrating how this kawaii icon has become a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures. Hello Kitty's journey from a simple character to a global phenomenon reflects not just successful marketing but also the power of creating a symbol that resonates with universal human emotions and experiences. Her story continues to inspire new generations, proving that some cultural icons truly are timeless.

隨著 Hello Kitty 邁入第六個十年，她的影響力絲毫未減。這個角色已經擁抱現代平台，在 TikTok 上吸引了數百萬追隨者，並以各種數位形式出現。近期為慶祝她五十週年所舉辦的活動包括博物館展覽、主題樂園表演，以及全球限定商品系列。就連英國查爾斯國王在與日本德仁天皇的國宴上都認可了她的文化重要性，展現這個可愛偶像如何成為東西方文化之間的橋樑。Hello Kitty 從單純角色到全球現象的旅程，不僅反映了成功的行銷策略，更展現了創造一個能引起普世情感共鳴符號的力量。她的故事持續啟發新一代，證明某些文化偶像確實能歷久彌新。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Unprecedented (Un-prec-e-dent-ed): Hello Kitty celebrates her remarkable 50th birthday this November, marking half a century of unprecedented cultural influence and commercial success.Adaptability (A-dapt-a-bil-i-ty): The secret to Hello Kitty's enduring success lies in her remarkable adaptability and the concept of "kawaii".Notably (No-ta-bly): Under the guidance of three successive female designers, most notably Yuko Yamaguchi since 1980, Hello Kitty has remained both timeless and contemporary.Versatility (Ver-sa-til-i-ty): This versatility has led to countless collaborations, from luxury brands to everyday products.Longevity (Lon-gev-i-ty): The character's ability to evolve while maintaining her core appeal has been crucial to her longevity in the fast-paced world of popular culture.

Reference article:
1. https://apnews.com/article/hello-kitty-50-birthday-anniversary-sanrio-fb7569605d5e302ddbe92a877fd1768d
2. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/a-half-century-of-whiskers-wishes-and-worldwide-wonder-hello-kitty-turns-50

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Topic: Drinking any amount of alcohol causes damage to the brain

There is no such thing as a "safe" level of drinking, with increased consumption of alcohol associated with poorer brain health, according to a new study.
根據一項新研究，沒有所謂的「安全」飲酒量，飲酒量增加與大腦健康狀況較差有關。

In an observational study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, researchers from the University of Oxford studied the relationship between the self-reported alcohol intake of some 25,000 people in the UK, and their brain scans.
在一項尚未經過同行評審的觀察性研究中，牛津大學的研究人員，研究英國約2萬5000人報告的飲酒量，和與他們的大腦掃描圖像之間的關係。

The researchers noted that drinking had an effect on the brain’s gray matter － regions in the brain that make up "important bits where information is processed," according to lead author Anya Topiwala, a senior clinical researcher at Oxford.
研究人員指出，飲酒對大腦的灰質有影響，灰質是構成「重要資訊處理位元」的大腦部位，牛津大學高級臨床研究員托皮瓦拉說。

The team also investigated whether certain drinking patterns, beverage types and other health conditions made a difference to the impact of alcohol on brain health.
研究團隊還調查了特定的飲酒習慣、酒精飲料類型和其他健康狀況，是否會改變酒精對大腦健康的影響程度。

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Topic: Scientists have taught bees to smell the coronavirus 科學家教導蜜蜂嗅出冠狀病毒

Scientists in the Netherlands have trained bees to identify COVID-19 through their sense of smell, according to a press release from Wageningen University.
瓦赫寧恩大學發布新聞稿聲稱，荷蘭科學家已訓練蜜蜂透過嗅覺，識別2019冠狀病毒病（COVID-19，武漢肺炎）。

The research was conducted on more than 150 bees in Wageningen University’s bio-veterinary research laboratory.
這項研究是在瓦赫寧恩大學生物獸醫研究實驗室對150多隻蜜蜂進行的。

The scientists trained the bees by giving them a treat — a sugar-water solution — every time they were exposed to the scent of a mink infected with COVID-19. Each time the bees were exposed to a non-infected sample, they wouldn’t get a reward.
科學家透過獎勵糖水溶液來訓練蜜蜂，每次蜜蜂在聞到感染COVID-19的貂身上氣味時，都會獲得獎勵。如果蜜蜂聞到的是沒被感染病毒的氣味樣本，則不會獲得獎勵。

Eventually, the bees could identify an infected sample within a few seconds — and would then stick out their tongues like clockwork to collect the sugar water.
最終，這些蜜蜂可以在幾秒鐘內識別出感染的樣本，而且牠們的舌頭會像發條一樣，伸出來吸取糖水。

Bees aren’t the first animals to detect COVID-19 by scent. Researchers have also trained dogs to distinguish between positive and negative COVID-19 samples from human saliva or sweat with fairly high levels of accuracy.
蜜蜂不是第一種透過氣味識別COVID-19的動物。研究人員也曾訓練狗區分來自人類唾液或汗液的陽性和陰性COVID-19樣本 ，準確率相當高。

Topic: Whale of a time: NYC offers walk-up vaccinations for all

Appointments are no longer mandatory at any of the coronavirus vaccination sites run by New York City, including its newest and maybe coolest location： beneath the giant blue whale at the Museum of Natural History.
任何紐約市設立的新型冠狀病毒疫苗接種處，不再強制要求預約，包括最新設立、或許也是最酷的地點：位於自然歷史博物館巨大藍鯨下的接種處。

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Friday that the city will now be accepting walk-ins at all its vaccination sites. "You can just walk up and get vaccinated," he said.
市長白思豪週五宣布，該市所有接種站現在接受隨到隨登記接種，「你可以直接進來接種疫苗」。

The expansion of walk-in service comes as supplies of the vaccine have increased.
擴大實施現場登記接種，是在疫苗供應量已經增加之際推出。

Just weeks ago, most people trying to get an appointment for a vaccination in the nation’s biggest city had to game online appointment systems in which scarce slots would be snapped up in moments.
僅在數週之前，在這個全美最大城市，大多數要預約接種時間的人還得在網路預約系統上賭運氣，稀少的名額一下子就會被搶光。

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Topic: Serbian diner thanks those getting COVID shots with plates of roast meat （感謝客人打新冠疫苗 塞爾維亞餐館請吃烤肉）

Get a COVID-19 vaccine and you will be served a plate of spit-roast ox or wild game goulash for free - in the Serbian city of Kragujevac.
塞爾維亞「米盧廷圖書館」餐廳招待接種疫苗的顧客吃牛肉大餐。（路透資料照）
在塞爾維亞克拉古耶瓦茨，只要接種新冠肺炎疫苗，就能免費獲得一盤烤牛肉串或野味燉牛肉。

Restaurateur Stavro Raskovic offered the popular local dishes as his way of promoting vaccination and campaigning for the full reopening of the country’s restaurants, cafes and bars.
餐館老闆斯塔夫羅．拉斯科維奇端出這2道受歡迎的本地菜餚，作為推廣疫苗及推動該國餐廳、咖啡廳、酒吧全面重新營業的方式。

Lockdowns in 2020 and partial restrictions this year have driven Biblioteka kod Milutina (Milutin’s Library) restaurant to the brink of closure, he said.
他說，2020年的封城及今年的局部封鎖措施，讓「米盧廷圖書館」餐廳瀕臨停業。

"Our trade, catering, has been particularly hit... and if this (vaccination) is the way out, then we wanted to contribute."
「我們的生意、外燴服務尤其受到影響…若這（疫苗）是解決方法，我們想要出一份力。」

Local health authorities turned the restaurant into a vaccination point to deliver shots made by Pfizer/BioNtech, and China’s Sinopharm.
當地衛生當局把餐廳變成疫苗接種點，提供輝瑞／BNT疫苗和中國國藥集團疫苗。

"Today we have vaccines from both East and West on the menu, to everybody’s taste," said Raskovic.
拉斯科維奇說：「今天我們的菜單上有來自東方和西方的疫苗，任君挑選。」

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Topic: Dracula’s castle’ offers tourists Covid shots 「德古拉的城堡」提供觀光客武漢肺炎疫苗接種

Visitors to Romania’s forbidding Bran Castle are being jabbed with needles rather than vampiric fangs this weekend in a coronavirus vaccination drive.
造訪羅馬尼亞令人生畏的布蘭城堡的遊客，在本週末的冠狀病毒疫苗接種活動中，將會被針頭而不是吸血鬼的毒牙扎刺。

Those who take the jab are handed a certificate hailing their＂boldness and responsibility＂promising they will be welcome at the castle＂for the coming 100 years＂ － as well as offered a free tour of the＂torture chamber＂.
那些接受施打的人將拿到證書，為他們的「勇氣與責任」喝采，並承諾這座城堡在未來100年都歡迎他們，並提供一次「酷刑室」的免費導覽。

Nestled in a misty valley in the Carpathian mountains, Bran Castle is associated with the 15th-century Romanian prince Vlad Dracula.
布蘭城堡坐落於喀爾巴阡山迷霧籠罩的山谷，與15世紀羅馬尼亞王子弗拉德．德古拉有關。

Dracula author Bram Stoker is believed to have been inspired by Vlad and descriptions of Bran Castle when writing his 1897 novel that helped found the modern vampire genre.
德古拉的作者布拉姆．史托克在撰寫他的1897年的小說時，被認為受到弗拉德與布蘭城堡的描述的啟發，這本小說幫助他奠定現代吸血鬼體裁。Source article:
https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1449642;https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1449828;https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1450439

Topic: Spanking may affect brain development in children

Spanking may affect a child’s brain development in similar ways to more severe forms of violence, according to a new study led by Harvard researchers.
哈佛大學研究人員領導的一項新研究表明，打屁股對兒童大腦發育的影響，可能與更嚴重的暴力虐待造成的後果類似。

The research, published recently in the journal Child Development, builds on existing studies that show heightened activity in certain regions of the brains of children who experience abuse in response to threat cues.
這篇最近發表在《兒童發育》期刊上的研究，以現有的一些研究為基礎，這些研究發現，遭受虐待的兒童在回應威脅提示時，大腦的特定區域活動會增強。

The group found that children who had been spanked had a greater neural response in multiple regions of the prefrontal cortex (PFC). These areas of the brain respond to cues in the environment that tend to be consequential, such as a threat, and may affect decision-making and processing of situations.
研究團隊發現，打屁股會增強兒童大腦前額葉皮層（PFC）多個區域的神經反應。大腦的這些區域會根據環境中的威脅等重要線索做出反應，並可能影響兒童的決策，以及對局勢的分析能力。

According to the study’s authors, corporal punishment has been linked to the development of mental health issues, anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, and substance use disorders.
研究作者指出，體罰一直和心理健康問題、焦慮、憂鬱、行為問題及藥物濫用有關。

Next Article

Topic: Coffee before exercise increases fat-burning/運動前喝咖啡增加燃脂

If you’re looking to maximize the amount of fat burned in your next workout, think about having a coffee half an hour before you get started – as a new study suggests it can make a significant difference to fat burning, especially later on in the day.
如果你希望在下次運動健身時最大程度地燃燒脂肪，不妨考慮在開始之前半小時喝咖啡—因為有新研究表明，它可以使脂肪燃燒量明顯變化，尤其是在下午。

Researchers found that 3 milligrams of caffeine per kilogram of body weight can boost the rate of fat burning during aerobic exercise, based on results gathered from 15 male volunteers.
研究人員發現，根據從15名男性志願者收集到的結果，按每公斤體重3毫克的量來攝取咖啡因，就可以提高有氧運動期間的脂肪燃燒率。

The coffee dose was shown to increase maximal fat oxidation rate（MFO, a measure of how efficiently the body burns off fat）by an average of 10.7 percent in the morning and 29 percent in the afternoon.
研究表明，這個咖啡攝取量可以增加最大脂肪氧化率（MFO，衡量人體燃燒脂肪效率的指標），上午平均增加10.7%，下午增加29%。

This is a study with a fairly small sample of participants, so it’s important not to jump to too broad a conclusion, but the results are clear enough to suggest that there is some kind of association there.
由於該研究的參與者樣本數很少，因此重要的是不要過於廣泛下結論，但結果足夠清楚，表明存在某種關聯。

Next

Topic: Study Shows Baldness Can Be a Business Advantage 研究：光頭可成職場優勢

Men with shaved heads are perceived to be more masculine, dominant and, in some cases, to have greater leadership potential than those with longer locks or with thinning hair, according to a recent study out of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
賓州大學華頓商學院最近的一項研究顯示，剃光頭的男人讓人覺得更有男人味和支配地位，在某些情況下，他們比頭髮較長或者頭髮稀疏的男人看起來更具領導潛力。

Some executives say the style makes them appear younger—or at least, makes their age less evident—and gives them more confidence than a comb-over or monk-like pate.
一些主管認為，光頭的髮型讓他們看起來更年輕，至少沒那麼顯老，而且相較於將頭髮梳向一邊或像修道士一樣的腦袋瓜，這種髮型能讓他們感到更自信。

The study found that men with thinning hair were viewed as the least attractive and powerful of the bunch, a finding that tracks with other studies showing that people perceive men with typical male-pattern baldness as older and less attractive. For those men, the solution could be as cheap and simple as a shave.
該研究發現，頭髮稀疏的男人被認為最沒有魅力、最沒有力量的一群人。這一結果也與其他研究相符，這些研究表明，人們認為典型的雄性禿頭讓男人看上去更老，更缺乏魅力。對於這些男人來說，既便宜又簡單的解決辦法就是剃個頭。

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歡迎回到《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》！本週的值班老師是 John 老師和阿鍵老師。你有出差經驗嗎？或是你經常需要出差呢？今天讓我們來聊聊 Business Trip 這個主題！

本集節目中，阿鍵老師分享了在中亞地區的出差經驗。從極度現代化的杜拜，到保有傳統文化的亞美尼亞，兩個截然不同的國家令人印象十分深刻。另外提到商務差旅，上網和資安需求也是不可或缺。阿鍵老師也說，要是當時能認識 NordVPN 這類工具就好了，它內建的加密功能和雲端空間能讓商務差旅過程更安心！

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台北嘿掰講Episode 15 - Luxury toilet paper a hit in Taiwan

每週更新的播客，來聽聽Gavin跟John這禮拜討論台灣高級衛生紙

#Taipeibanter＃台北嘿掰講

In Taiwan, which variety of toilet paper currently sells the best? The answer may not be the one you were expecting. Household sanitary paper manufacturers have this year discovered that 3-ply toilet tissue has emerged as a force to be reckoned with within the market, with sales volumes jumping 20 percent. Toilet tissue impregnated with balsam and forest-friendly, recycled alternatives have all exhibited strong sales performance. The industry is speculating that Taiwan is gradually moving toward becoming an M-shaped society, as consumer purchasing power becomes more polarized.

在台灣，現在哪一種衛生紙最好賣？答案可能跌破不少人眼鏡。家用紙業者發現，今年以來價格較高的三層衛生紙異軍突起，銷售量大增二成；添加乳霜的衛生紙、不砍樹的再生紙衛生紙，也都有不錯的銷售成績。業者推測，應與台灣走向Ｍ型社會，消費力逐漸兩極化有關。

Household sanitary paper manufacturers have discovered that 3-ply loo paper is selling like hot cakes. For example, for US wholesaler Costco, in addition to its own-brand Kirkland toilet paper, other 3-ply offerings from Kleenex and established brand May Flower, have all been selling well. According to papermaking conglomerate YFY, although 2-ply toilet paper still constitutes the bulk of the market, sales volumes of 3-ply have been gradually increasing, with some lines becoming best-sellers. Papermakers are now rushing to ramp up production and supply of 3-ply.

家紙業者發現，「三層衛生紙超好賣」，以美式賣場好市多為例，除了自有品牌Kirkland外，目前銷售的舒潔以及先前銷售的五月花都相當受歡迎，這些都是「三層衛生紙」。永豐餘控股指出，雖然目前二層衛生紙仍是市場主流，但三層衛生紙的銷售額逐年成長，部分通路甚至是「三層衛生紙最好賣」，因此紙廠會儘可能將產能供應三層衛生紙。

According to YFY, in 2016 sales revenue for 3-ply toilet paper totalled NT$870 million but broke the NT$1billion mark last year: a year-on-year increase of nearly 19 percent and 16 percent market share.

永豐餘指出，二○一六年台灣市場三層衛生紙銷售金額僅八．七億元，二○一七年已突破十億元，年增近百分之十九，且在衛生紙產品的占比提升至百分之十六。

This year, YFY launched a premium 3-ply version of its flagship May Flower toilet paper to appeal to consumers who demand a superior quality feel and softness. Cheng Loong Corp, which markets a top-of-the-range 3-ply extra-thick, 50-percent-more-absorbent toilet paper under the Andante brand, has seen a 20 percent increase in sales of the product since the beginning of this year.

永豐餘今年就主打旗下「五月花」三層衛生紙，訴求高質感、柔軟的特性。正隆的「春風」三層衛生紙，則主打「三層厚手、吸水力提升百分之五十」，今年以來銷售量大增二成。

As for the cause of mushrooming sales of 3-ply toilet paper, the industry believes Taiwan’s consumer market is becoming “M-shaped.” Although many Taiwanese consumers still count every penny, consumers on the right lobe of the “M” curve attach a greater degree of importance to quality, the environment and functionality, and are willing to fork out more cash to buy products perceived to be of a higher quality.

對於三層衛生紙銷售成長的主因，業者認為，台灣的消費市場出現Ｍ型化趨勢，雖然有不少消費者仍對價格錙銖必較，但在Ｍ型右方的消費者更重視品質、環保、功能等，願意花較多的錢買品質更好的產品。

Taipei Banter, where John and Gavin talk about the interesting things around the world.

Article referred in the podcast:http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2018/09/04/2003699732

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最近的新聞充滿各種「演唱會」，從周杰倫、劉德華到十一月開搶的YOASOBI。這週的《英語咖啡館》John老師和 Angel 老師要來談各自參加演唱會的經驗，同時聊聊台灣的各個演出場地！

從新落成的台北大巨蛋，到老字號的小巨蛋，還有在高雄的高雄國家體育場，你去過幾個呢？另外還有很多比較小規模的場地像是TICC, 比較新的北流或是Zepp New Taipei, 越來越多國際表演者前來台灣演出。你知道其中誰最讓我們難忘且回味嗎？

來信跟我們分享你最難忘的演唱會與場地喔～

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K879:
Microsoft Transforms Copilot into a Digital Companion

Highlights 主題摘要：

Microsoft has updated Copilot to be more than a productivity tool, transforming it into an AI companion with a warmer personality that offers encouragement and advice alongside information.The new Copilot features advanced capabilities like voice interactions, image interpretation, and integration with Microsoft Edge, all designed with user privacy in mind.While Copilot represents a shift towards more personalized and emotionally intelligent AI assistants, balancing AI assistance with genuine human connections remains a crucial consideration.

Microsoft has unveiled a major update to its AI chatbot, Copilot, aiming to create a more personalized and user-friendly experience. This redesign marks a significant step towards developing an "AI companion" that goes beyond being just a productivity tool. The update comes at a time when many people still struggle to trust AI tools and haven't fully integrated them into their daily lives.

微軟最近公布了其 AI 聊天機器人 Copilot 的重大更新，旨在創造更個人化、更友善的使用體驗。這次的重新設計標誌著朝向開發「人工智慧伴侶」的重要一步，超越了單純的生產力工具。這項更新恰逢許多人仍在努力信任 AI 工具，尚未將其完全融入日常生活之際。

The new Copilot comes with enhanced capabilities, including real-time voice interactions and the ability to interpret images and text on users' screens. Microsoft claims it's one of the fastest AI models available. However, the most notable innovation is the chatbot's new personality. Copilot now interacts with users in a warmer tone, offering not only information but also encouragement, feedback, and advice for everyday challenges. This approach helps Copilot stand out in the growing field of general-purpose AI chatbots.

新版 Copilot 具備更強的功能，包括即時語音互動以及解讀使用者螢幕上圖像和文字的能力。微軟聲稱這是市面上最快速的人工智慧模型之一。然而，最引人注目的創新是聊天機器人的全新個性。Copilot 現在以更溫暖的語調與使用者互動，不僅提供資訊，還能在日常生活的挑戰中給予鼓勵、回饋和建議。這種方法幫助 Copilot 在日益增長的通用 AI 聊天機器人領域中脫穎而出。

These changes reflect Microsoft's vision for the future of AI in people's daily lives. Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft AI CEO, believes that AI will become more than just a tool; it will be a digital friend that users turn to for various tasks and support. The company has invested in developing Copilot's personality, employing a team of creative directors, language specialists, and psychologists to refine the AI's conversational abilities. This effort aims to create a balance between making Copilot feel familiar and friendly while still maintaining appropriate boundaries.

這些變化反映了微軟對 AI 在人們日常生活中的未來願景。微軟人工智慧執行長 Mustafa Suleyman 認為， AI 將不僅僅是一個工具，它將成為一個數位朋友，使用者可以向它尋求各種任務和支持。公司投入資源開發 Copilot 的個性，聘請了一個由創意總監、語言專家和心理學家組成的團隊來精進 AI 的對話能力。這項努力希望在讓 Copilot 感覺親切友好的同時，仍保持適當的界限之間取得平衡。

The updated Copilot introduces several new features. Users can now have voice conversations with the AI, choosing from four different voice options designed to sound natural without imitating specific individuals. A "daily" feature provides weather and news updates, sourced from partnerships with reputable news outlets. Integration with Microsoft Edge allows for quick access to Copilot's assistance directly from the browser's address bar. For more adventurous users, "Copilot Labs" offers experimental features like "Think Deeper" for complex reasoning and "Copilot Vision" for visual analysis. Microsoft emphasizes that these new capabilities, especially those involving screen viewing, are designed with user privacy in mind. All Copilot Vision sessions are opt-in, and the content it sees is not stored or used for training.

更新後的 Copilot 引入了幾項新功能。使用者現在可以與 AI 進行語音對話，從四種不同的語音選項中選擇，這些語音選項設計得自然，而不模仿特定個人。「每日」功能提供天氣和新聞更新，這些資訊來自與知名新聞媒體的合作。與微軟 Edge 瀏覽器的整合允許直接從瀏覽器的網址列快速存取 Copilot 的協助。對於更愛冒險的使用者，「Copilot Labs」提供實驗性功能，如用於複雜推理的「Think Deeper」和用於視覺分析的「Copilot Vision」。微軟強調，這些新功能，特別是那些涉及螢幕查看的功能，設計時考慮到了使用者隱私。所有 Copilot Vision 行程都是自訂加入，並且看到的內容不會被儲存或用於訓練。

As AI technology continues to evolve, Microsoft's approach with Copilot showcases a shift towards creating more personalized and emotionally intelligent AI assistants. The company's focus on developing an AI companion that can provide both practical help and emotional support signals a new direction in how we might interact with AI in the future.

隨著 AI 技術持續發展，微軟對 Copilot 的做法展示了朝向創造更個人化、情感智能 AI 助理的轉變。公司專注於開發能夠提供實際幫助和情感支援的人工智慧伴侶，這也預示著我們未來與 AI 互動方式的新方向。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Companion (Com-pan-ion): Microsoft Transforms Copilot into a Digital CompanionInterpret (In-ter-pret): The new Copilot comes with enhanced capabilities, including real-time voice interactions and the ability to interpret images and text on users' screens.Encouragement (En-cour-age-ment): Copilot now interacts with users in a warmer tone, offering not only information but also encouragement, feedback, and advice for everyday challenges.Conversational (Con-ver-sa-tion-al): The company has invested in developing Copilot's personality, employing a team of creative directors, language specialists, and psychologists to refine the AI's conversational abilities.Adventurous (Ad-ven-tur-ous): For more adventurous users, "Copilot Labs" offers experimental features like "Think Deeper" for complex reasoning and "Copilot Vision" for visual analysis.

Reference article:
1. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/10/01/tech/microsoft-copilot-ai-chatbot-update-friendly/index.html
2. https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/1/24259187/microsoft-copilot-redesign-vision-voice-features-inflection-ai

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史考特給自己的筆記,一個出生平凡的台灣人,在34歲那年,接觸到靈修和量子物理之後,在美國成為上市企業裡的最高業績團隊,同行業績全球冠軍,管理百人團隊,來聽聽看他是怎麼從平庸匱乏的日子走到幸福富足的生活

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Topic: Newspapers in New York, Like Their Readers, Are Vanishing

Kenny Hospot is in some ways a typical reader of The Daily News. He’s a construction worker from Queens who’s lived in the city most of his life. He always liked reading the comics and the horoscope in The News.
就某些方面而言，肯尼．霍斯帕堪稱每日新聞報的典型讀者。他是紐約市皇后區的一個建築工人，這一生大多數時間都住在這個城市。他一向愛看該報的漫畫和星座運勢。

How long since he last bought a copy of the paper? Hospot laughed. “I would say like 15 years.”
他上一次買這份報紙是多久之前？霍斯帕笑了，「我看大概有15年了吧。」

Kamel Brown is another archetypal customer for New York’s Hometown Newspaper, as The Daily News styles itself. He’s a maintenance worker for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He’s 55 years old. He grew up buying the paper for his grandmother in Brooklyn. “When she was finished reading it, I’d pick it up, flip back and start with the sports,” Brown said.
對於自我定位為紐約家鄉報紙的每日新聞報，凱默．布朗是另一種典型讀者。他是都市交通局的維修工人，55歲。他在布魯克林區的成長過程中，常幫祖母買這份報紙。布朗說：「她看完後，我會拿過來，翻回去，從運動版開始看。」

He doesn’t remember the last time he bought it. When he paged through a copy at a friend’s home this past week, he was unimpressed.
他不記得上次買這份報紙是何時。過去這一周的某日他在友人家翻閱一分報紙時，很無感。

Tristan Dominguez, on the other hand, is still a big Daily News fan. “It’s the only place you see anything local,” Dominguez said at a bodega in Washington Heights, where a stack of papers sat behind the counter.
另一方面，崔斯坦．多明奎茲仍是新聞報的大粉絲。「這是你唯一能看到在地新聞的地方。」多明奎茲在華盛頓高地的一家雜貨店內說，櫃檯後方有一大疊報紙。

He reads the paper mostly online and through Twitter.
他大多數是上網或透過推特看這份報紙。

All of this helps explain why there was an air of inevitability about the news Monday that the organization was laying off half its editorial staff.
這些例子亦可說明，當這家報社決定資遣編輯部一半員工的消息周一（7月23日）傳出時，為何外界會覺得此事似難避免。

Once upon a time, The Daily News sold more than 2 million papers a day. Now its circulation is only about a tenth of that, and the paper’s non-hometown owner, the Chicago-based media company Tronc, which bought the paper in 2017, does not have the patience for non-profitability that the prior owner, Mort Zuckerman, did.
每日新聞報曾經一天賣出200萬分以上，現在發行量大約只剩十分之一。這家報社的非在地老闆、芝加哥的媒體公司Tronc，2017年買下每日新聞報，對於它未能獲利，並沒有前任老闆莫特．札克曼那般的耐性。

At a cultural moment when the very idea of New York City as a hometown is quickly dissolving, and when most people get their news from some sort of glowing screen, the thirst for local ink is not what it used to be.
在當下這個文化時刻，將紐約市當作家鄉的想法正在快速瓦解，而且大多數人是從某種閃爍的螢幕獲得新聞，對於在地新聞文字報導的渴求已不如以往。

And those who do crave hard-hitting coverage that holds officials accountable for the state of the city were not pleased to hear about the layoffs.
對於那些渴望看到逼官員為城市現況負起責任的強烈抨擊報導的人，聽到前述資遣消息並非樂事。

“You need those old-school people because they know what they’re doing,” Rosanne Nunziata, a manager at the New Apollo Diner in downtown Brooklyn, said of The Daily News’ staff of veteran shoe-leather reporters, many of whom are now pounding the pavement in search of employment. “They know how to sneak in and get their stories, and know how to get witnesses to talk and do their thing.”
布魯克林鬧區「新阿波羅餐館」經理羅珊娜．努齊亞塔說：「你需要這些老派人士，因為他們知道自己在做什麼。」她指的是新聞報本分且資深的記者，這些人中有不少正在路上奔走著找工作。「他們知道如何潛入並取得新聞，也知道如何讓目擊者開口，做好他們的工作。」

The New York Post, The Daily News’ longtime rival for tabloid dominance, has seen its circulation plummet, too. Rupert Murdoch, whose News Corp. owns The Post, has long tolerated the paper’s unprofitability, but there may come a time when his successors have far less stomach for red ink.
每日新聞報的長期對手，爭奪八卦小報霸主地位的紐約郵報，發行量也持續大跌。擁有紐約郵報的新聞集團老闆魯柏．梅鐸，長期容忍這家報紙未能獲利。但是也許有一天，他的接班人對赤字的容忍度會小得多。
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/330084/web/

Next Article

Topic: Dumplings tempt New Yorkers with pizza, peanut butter flavors - and no human contact

New Yorkers can now get their dumpling fix from an automat with no human contact, and the adventurous can order flavors ranging from pepperoni pizza to peanut butter and jelly.
紐約客現在可由一套不需要與人接觸的自動販賣機為他們料理餃子，喜歡嘗試新鮮的人可從義式臘腸披薩到花生醬、果醬等口味中選購。

While the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop in the city’s East Village offers traditional pork and chicken bite-sized treats, chicken parm or Philly cheesesteak are also on the menu.
位於這座城市東村的布魯克林餃子店，提供一口大小的傳統豬肉、雞肉餡點心，菜單上也有焗烤雞肉，或是費城牛肉起司三明治。

Spurred by the pandemic and technology advances, the Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is delivering food via automat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
在這場疫情以及科技進步的帶動下，布魯克林餃子店正透過自動販賣機，全年無休24小時出餐。

"Embrace technology, because technology is something that has to be embraced by hospitality（business）to thrive," said the shop’s owner Stratis Morfogen.
「擁抱科技，因為餐旅（業）要蒸蒸日上，就得擁抱科技」，店老闆史特拉狄斯．摩佛根說。

Next Article

Topic: New York lawmakers pass bill allowing gender-neutral "X" option in govt documents 紐約州議員通過法案 允許政府文件中可選擇中立性別「X」

The New York state assembly has passed a bill that would allow people who do not identify as either male or female to use "X" as a marker to designate their sex on drivers’ licenses.
紐約州議會通過一項法案，允許認為自己既不是男性也不是女性的民眾，在駕照上標記其性別為X。

The new marker would help transgender, nonbinary and intersex individuals’ identity be recognized in government documents, according to a statement from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly member Daniel O’Donnell.
根據州眾議院議長希斯堤和州眾議員歐唐納發出的聲明，這項新註記會有助於跨性別、非二元性別和雙性人的性別認同，獲得政府文件承認。
"The provisions in this bill will make life safer, reduce the stigma and affirm the identities for so many of our friends and neighbors," O’Donnell said in the statement.
歐唐納在聲明中說，「這項法案中的該項條文，將讓人生活更安全，減少污名，並且確認我們廣大鄉親朋友的身分認同。」

Next Article

Topic: Looking Back on 100 Years of New York City Drinking Culture, From Gritty to Elegant

The history of drinking in America goes straight through the heart of New York. As with so many aspects of the city, that history has run from gritty to stylish and back again.
美國的飲酒歷史直接穿越紐約的心臟，就像這座城市的許多方面一樣，這段歷史經歷了從粗獷到風雅，再回到當初的過程。

For generations, taverns and saloons were largely places for men to gather, drink, gamble and chew tobacco. Those places could be discerning, as with Fraunces Tavern, a still-existent bar patronized in the 18th century by the likes of George Washington and his soldiers, or more suited to the average Joe, like McSorley’s Old Ale House, which opened in the mid-19th century and, until 1970, admitted only men.
數世代以來，酒館和酒吧大多是男人聚集、喝酒、賭博與嚼菸草的地方。這些地方可能是比較有品味的，像是18世紀喬治華盛頓和他旗下軍人經常光顧、至今依然存在的弗朗西斯酒館，也可能是更適合一般人的，像是19世紀中葉開業，且在1970年前只接待男性的麥克索利酒吧。

By the time McSorley’s had opened, many American bartenders had made a a of inventing what we now think of as craft cocktails. The atmosphere at these locales was often hostile and crude.Prohibition changed all that. The idea of bars as hospitable, welcoming spaces gained traction when liquor sales became illegal.
當麥克索利開業時，許多美國酒保已具備發明現今所謂精調雞尾酒的專長。這些地方的氣氛常常是不友善而且粗魯的。

With the advent of speak-easies, owners and bartenders suddenly had a new clientele: women. The social appeal of speak-easies pulled them into new and vibrant communal spaces. Alongside the new customers came bar stools, live jazz and a new breed of cocktails.
禁酒令改變了這一切。當賣酒變成非法時，酒吧是個好客、歡迎人的場所的想法才流行起來。隨著地下酒吧的出現，業主和酒保突然有了一個新的客群：婦女。地下酒吧的社會吸引力將她們拉進新的、充滿活力的公共空間。除了新客群，還出現了酒吧高腳凳、現場爵士樂與新一代雞尾酒。

Despite the end of Prohibition in 1933, these changes to New York’s drinking culture endured, opening up the cocktail scene to a broader audience.
禁酒令雖於1933年廢止，紐約飲酒文化的這些變化卻持續了下來，將雞尾酒的舞台向更廣泛的觀眾開放。

By the 1960s and into the ‘80s and ‘90s, bar culture in New York had become as varied and textured as the city itself. Cocktail bars got yet another revival at the Rainbow Room, where Dale DeGroff took over the drinks program. In the Village, the Stonewall Inn and others became centers for gay culture, while uptown venues like the Shark Bar attracted a mostly African-American clientele.
到了1960年代並進入1980和1990年代，紐約的酒吧文化已變得跟城市本身一樣多采多姿。 雞尾酒酒吧在戴爾．第格洛夫接管酒單的彩虹廳又迎來一次流行。在紐約格林威治村，石牆酒吧等處所成了同性戀文化的中心，而鯊魚酒吧等曼哈頓上城場所則吸引了以非洲裔美國人為主的客群。

Today, despite an unfortunate turnover rate, modern New York cocktail bars are doing their best to foster a sense of community and hospitality.
現今，儘管翻桌率很低，但現代的紐約雞尾酒酒吧正盡最大努力營造一種社群意識和好客氣氛。

It’s this spirit that an editorial writer for The Brooklyn Eagle captured in an 1885 column (quoted by David Wondrich in his book “Imbibe”). “The modern American,” the paper observed, “looks for civility and he declines to go where rowdy instincts are rampant.”
這正是《布魯克林鷹報》一位主筆1885年在專欄中提到的精神（大衛·旺德里奇在所著《飲酒》一書中引用了這段文字）。該報評論道：「現代美國人追求文明有禮，他拒絕去那些粗暴本能猖獗的地方。」

But American bars are not by definition civil. Luckily, it’s as easy to find your watering hole fit today as it was a century ago.
但從定義上說，美國酒吧並非文明的。幸運的是，今天很容易找到適合你的酒吧，跟一個世紀前一樣。Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/335069/web/

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歡迎回到《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》這幾天受到強烈颱風影響，希望各位聽眾朋友都平安無事。我們也很感謝在風雨中依然陪伴著我們的你！

本集節目中，John老師和阿鍵跟大家分享了一些令人驚喜的數據：如果你這一年來持續收聽我們的節目，相當於上了整整100小時的英語課程，或是讀完3-4本哈利波特囉

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1. Netflix / Amazon Prime 網飛與雅馬遜串流服務
2. feeble adj. - 不驚艷
3. skeptical adj. -帶有疑慮
4. 7-day trial - 七天鑑賞
5. content n . - 內容
6. Chinese subtitles - 中文字幕
7. prime channel - 主要的頻道
8. The Grand Tour:
9. sth is/isn't worth it - sth值得/不值得
10. stream v. - 串流
11. device n. - 裝置
12. stand-up comedy - 單人脫口秀(單人相聲)
13. Louis C.K.
14. resonate v. - 共鳴
15. perspective n. - 觀點
16. subscribe v. - 訂閱
17. follow v. - 追蹤
18. cable TV - 第四台

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This week Lydia is going to fill us in on the latest trends in UI and UX in 2025. A lot is happening in the tech space lately, especially with AI. However, outside AI, the user-centric design space is also moving forward at a rapid pace.

This year we've seen the latest in AR/VR as well as accessibility features. Out of the five trends that Lydia is going to share with us in this episode, what other trends are you seeing? Send in your observations and we will give you a shout out in the next episode!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K875:
South Korea Takes Bold Step to Revive Economy with Interest Rate Cut

Highlights 主題摘要：

The Bank of Korea has cut its key interest rate to 3.25%, marking the first reduction in over four years, in an effort to stimulate South Korea's sluggish economy.The decision was influenced by slow domestic demand recovery, stabilizing inflation, and a cooling housing market, but the BOK remains cautious about further rate cuts.While aiming to boost economic growth, the BOK is balancing stimulation with financial stability concerns, particularly regarding household debt, and will continue monitoring market conditions closely.

South Korea's central bank, the Bank of Korea (BOK), has made a significant move to stimulate the country's sluggish economy. The BOK cut its key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points, bringing it down to 3.25%. This marks the first rate reduction in over four years, signaling a shift in the bank's monetary policy. The decision comes after a long period of rate increases, which began in August 2021 and saw the rate climb to a 15-year high of 3.5% in January 2023.

南韓中央銀行──韓國銀行（Bank of Korea，BOK）採取重大行動以刺激該國疲軟的經濟。韓國銀行將其關鍵利率下調 0.25 個百分點，降至 3.25％。這是四年多以來的首次降息，顯示著該行貨幣政策的轉變。此決定是在長期升息後做出的，升息始於 2021 年 8 月，並在 2023 年 1 月將利率推升至 15 年來的最高水平 3.5％。

The decision to lower interest rates comes as South Korea faces mounting economic challenges. The BOK cited a slow recovery in domestic demand and a sluggish pace of economic growth as primary reasons for the rate cut. Additionally, the bank noted that inflation has shown signs of stabilizing, with the consumer price inflation easing to 1.6% in September, below the policy target of 2%. This economic environment provided room for the central bank to take action without risking excessive inflation. The cooling housing market in the greater Seoul area also contributed to the decision, as it has led to a slower increase in household debt.

降息決定是在南韓面臨日益嚴峻的經濟挑戰之際做出的。韓國銀行援引國內需求復甦緩慢和經濟增長步伐遲緩作為降息的主要原因。此外，該行指出通貨膨脹已呈現穩定跡象，9 月份消費者物價通膨率降至 1.6％，低於 2％ 的政策目標。這種經濟環境為中央銀行採取行動提供了空間，而不會冒過度通膨的風險。首爾大都會區房地產市場降溫也促成了這一決定，因為它導致家庭債務增長放緩。

Despite the rate cut, the BOK remains cautious about further reductions. Governor Rhee Chang-yong described the move as a "hawkish cut," indicating that the bank still favors relatively tight monetary conditions. The central bank is keeping a close eye on various factors, including the recovery of domestic demand, economic conditions in major countries, and trends in information-technology exports. The ongoing crisis in the Middle East also poses potential risks to fuel prices, exchange rates, and public utility costs, which could impact the country's economic outlook. These uncertainties underscore the need for careful monitoring and potential adjustments to monetary policy in the future.

儘管降息，但韓國銀行對進一步降息仍持謹慎態度。行長李昌鏞（Rhee Chang-yong）將此舉描述為「鷹派式降息」，表明該行仍傾向於相對緊縮的貨幣條件。中央銀行正密切關注各種因素，包括國內需求的復甦、主要國家的經濟狀況以及資訊科技出口的趨勢。中東地區持續的危機也對燃料價格、匯率和公用事業價格構成潛在風險，可能影響該國的經濟前景。這些不確定因素凸顯了未來需要謹慎監測並可能調整貨幣政策的必要性。

The rate cut is expected to have far-reaching effects on South Korea's economy. It aims to encourage borrowing and spending, potentially boosting economic growth. However, the BOK remains vigilant about the potential risks associated with household debt, which has been a concern in recent years. The bank projects South Korea's economy to grow at 2.4% this year, down from 2.6% in 2023. As the country navigates these economic challenges, the central bank's decision reflects a delicate balance between stimulating growth and maintaining financial stability. The move has been welcomed by government officials, including Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who sees it as a positive step towards revitalizing the economy. However, the BOK has indicated that it will continue to monitor the situation closely and make decisions based on the stability of financial markets, suggesting a cautious approach to future rate adjustments.

預計降息將對南韓經濟產生深遠影響。它旨在鼓勵借貸和支出，可能會促進經濟增長。然而，韓國銀行對家庭債務相關的潛在風險保持警惕，這在近年來一直是一個令人擔憂的問題。該行預測南韓經濟今年將增長 2.4％，低於 2023 年的 2.6％。隨著該國應對這些經濟挑戰，中央銀行的決定反映了在刺激增長與維持金融穩定之間的微妙平衡。政府官員對此舉表示歡迎，包括財政部長崔尚穆（Choi Sang-mok），他認為這是振興經濟的積極一步。然而，韓國銀行表示將繼續密切監測局勢，並根據金融市場的穩定性做出決策，這暗示著未來利率調整將採取謹慎行動。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Sluggish (Slug-gish): The decision to lower interest rates comes as South Korea faces mounting economic challenges. The BOK cited a slow recovery in domestic demand and a sluggish pace of economic growth as primary reasons for the rate cut.Relatively (Rel-a-tive-ly): Governor Rhee Chang-yong described the move as a "hawkish cut," indicating that the bank still favors relatively tight monetary conditions.Uncertainties (Un-cer-tain-ties): These uncertainties underscore the need for careful monitoring and potential adjustments to monetary policy in the future.Associated (As-so-ci-at-ed): However, the BOK remains vigilant about the potential risks associated with household debt, which has been a concern in recent years.Revitalizing (Re-vi-tal-iz-ing): The move has been welcomed by government officials, including Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who sees it as a positive step towards revitalizing the economy.

Reference article:
1. https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-rate-cut-central-bank-economy-66f3bdd72aae9910f072b08f901b711f
2. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/11/bank-of-korea-cuts-interest-rates-by-25-basis-points-after-holding-for-almost-two-years.html

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Topic: In Race for Tuition-Free College, New Mexico Stakes a Claim

As universities across the United States face steep enrollment declines, New Mexico’s government is embarking on a pioneering experiment to fight that trend: tuition-free higher education for all state residents.

隨著美國各地大學入學人數急劇下滑，新墨西哥州政府正著手進行一項開創性實驗來應對這一趨勢：為全州居民提供免學費高等教育。

After President Joe Biden’s plan for universal free community college failed to gain traction in Congress, New Mexico, one of the nation’s poorest states, has emerged with perhaps the most ambitious plans as states scramble to come up with their own initiatives.

在美國總統拜登的全民免費社區大學計畫未能獲得國會支持後，美國最窮的州之一新墨西哥州提出的計畫，可能是各州爭相提出行動倡議中最具雄心的一個。

A new state law approved in a rare show of bipartisanship allocates almost 1% of the state’s budget toward covering tuition and fees at public colleges and universities, community colleges and tribal colleges. All state residents from new high school graduates to adults enrolling part-time will be eligible regardless of family income. The program is also open to immigrants regardless of their immigration status.

一項新的州法在兩黨罕見合作下通過，將州預算的1%用於支付公立大學、社區大學與部落學院的學費。所有州民，從剛畢業的高中生到參加兼職教育的成人都有資格參加，無論家庭收入。該計畫也向移民開放，無論他們的移民身分如何。

Some legislators and other critics question whether there should have been income caps and whether the state, newly flush with oil and gas revenue, can secure long-term funding to support the program beyond its first year. The legislation, which seeks to treat college as a public resource similar to primary and secondary education, takes effect in July.

一些議員和其他批評人士質疑是否應設所得限制，以及剛獲大量石油與天然氣收入的該州是否能在計畫實施第一年後，獲得長期資金支持。這項立法將於7月生效，旨在將大學視為與中小學教育類似的公共資源。

Although nearly half the states have embraced similar initiatives that seek to cover at least some tuition expenses for some students, New Mexico’s law goes further by covering tuition and fees before other scholarships and sources of financial aid are applied, enabling students to use those other funds for expenses such as lodging, food or child care.

儘管近半的州已採取類似舉措，想幫一些學生支付至少部分學費和雜費，新墨西哥州法律更進一步，在申請其他獎學金和學費補助前，先支付學雜費，讓學生能使用其他資金，支付如住宿、食物或兒童照顧等費用。

“The New Mexico program is very close to ideal,” said Michael Dannenberg, vice president of strategic initiatives and higher education policy at the nonprofit advocacy group Education Reform Now. Considering the state’s income levels and available resources, he added that New Mexico’s program is among the most generous in the country.

非營利倡議組織Education Reform Now策略倡議暨高教政策副總裁丹能貝格說：「新墨西哥的計畫非常貼近理想。」他表示，考量收入水準與可用資源，新墨西哥州的計畫是全美最慷慨的。

Dannenberg emphasized that New Mexico is going beyond what larger, more prosperous states like Washington and Tennessee have already done. Programs in other states often limit tuition assistance to community colleges, exclude some residents because of family income or impose conditions requiring students to work part time.

丹能貝格強調，新墨西哥州正超越華盛頓和田納西這些更大、更繁榮的州所做的事。其他州通常限制對社區大學的學費補助，因家庭收入排除一些州民，或要求學生兼職。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6329103

Next Article

Topic: Colleges Slash Budgets in the Pandemic,With ‘Nothing Off-Limits’

Ohio Wesleyan University is eliminating 18 majors. The University of Florida’s trustees last month took the first steps toward letting the school furlough faculty. The University of California, Berkeley, has paused admissions to its doctoral programs in anthropology, sociology and art history.

美國俄亥俄衛斯理大學取消了18個科系。佛州大學董事會9月採取初步措施，目標是讓校方有權放教師無薪假。柏克萊加州大學則暫停招收人類學、社會學和藝術史的博士班學生。

As it resurges across the country, the coronavirus is forcing universities large and small to make deep and possibly lasting cuts to close widening budget shortfalls. By one estimate, the pandemic has cost colleges at least $120 billion, with even Harvard University, despite its $41.9 billion endowment, reporting a $10 million deficit that has prompted belt tightening.

由於全美各地新冠肺炎疫情再度惡化，美國各大學不論規模大小，都被迫大砍支出，以彌補逐漸擴大的預算缺口，刪減的支出可能長期都不會恢復。有人估計，疫情至少使美國各大學合計損失1200億美元，就連坐擁419億美元辦學基金的哈佛大學也出現1000萬美元預算赤字，被迫勒緊褲帶。

The persistence of the economic downturn is taking a devastating financial toll, pushing many to lay off or furlough employees, delay graduate admissions and even cut or consolidate core programs like liberal arts departments.

經濟持續疲軟造成極其嚴重的財務災情，迫使許多大學裁員或放無薪假，推遲研究所學生入學，甚至取消或合併文科等核心學程。

The University of South Florida announced last month that its College of Education would become a graduate school only, phasing out undergraduate education degrees to help close a $6.8 million budget gap. In Ohio, the University of Akron, citing the coronavirus, successfully invoked a clause in its collective-bargaining agreement in September to supersede tenure rules and lay off 97 unionized faculty members.

南佛州大學上個月宣布，其教育學院將只留下研究所，分階段取消大學部，以彌補680萬美元的預算缺口。在俄亥俄州，艾克朗大學以疫情為由，在9月成功援用團體協約一項條款取代任期規則，裁掉97名加入工會的教師。

“We haven’t seen a budget crisis like this in a generation,” said Robert Kelchen, a Seton Hall University associate professor of higher education who has been tracking the administrative response to the pandemic. “There’s nothing off-limits at this point.”

西東大學高等教育副教授柯爾欽一直在關注校方對疫情的反應，他說：「這是一個世代以來從未見過的預算危機，在這種關頭，沒有什麼不能碰。」

Even before the pandemic, colleges and universities were grappling with a growing financial crisis, brought on by years of shrinking state support, declining enrollment, and student concerns with skyrocketing tuition and burdensome debt. Now the coronavirus has amplified the financial trouble systemwide, though elite, well-endowed colleges seem sure to weather it with far less pain.

早在疫情爆發前，美國大專院校就為日益嚴重的財務危機而掙扎，原因是州政府補助日漸減少，學生註冊數下滑而且介意學費高漲和學貸負擔沉重，如今，疫情擴大了整個高教體系財務問題，不過，辦學基金厚實的菁英大學似乎可度過難關，且承受的痛苦會少得多。

“We have been in aggressive recession management for 12 years — probably more than 12 years,” Daniel Greenstein, chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, told his board of governors as they voted to forge ahead with a proposal to merge a half-dozen small schools into two academic entities.

賓州高等教育體系董事會表決通過，大力推動將6個小規模學院併為兩個學術單位，當時總校長葛林斯坦對董事會說：「我們積極從事於衰退問題管理已有12年，應該還不止12年。」
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/359091/web/

Next Article

Topic: Remember the MOOCs? After Near-Death, They’re Booming

Sandeep Gupta, a technology manager in California, sees the economic storm caused by the coronavirus as a time “to try to future-proof your working life.” So he is taking an online course in artificial intelligence.

美國加州科技業經理古普塔認為，新冠肺炎引發的經濟風暴是「防止職業生涯被未來淘汰」的時機，所以修讀了一門關於人工智慧的線上課程。

Dr. Robert Davidson, an emergency-room physician in Michigan, says the pandemic has cast “a glaring light on the shortcomings of our public health infrastructure.” So he is pursuing an online master’s degree in public health.

密西根州急診室醫師戴維森說，疫情「使我們公衛基礎設施的弱點顯而易見」，所以他在修讀線上公衛碩士學位。

Children and college students aren’t the only ones turning to online education during the coronavirus pandemic. Millions of adults have signed up for online classes in the past two months, too — a jolt that could signal a renaissance for big online learning networks that had struggled for years.

在新冠肺炎大流行期間轉而接受線上教育者，不限於兒童和大學生。過去兩個月，數以百萬計的成人也註冊參加線上課程，這令人驚訝的事實可能意味苦撐多年的大型線上學習網路即將再起。

Coursera, in which Gupta and Davidson enrolled, added 10 million new users from mid-March to mid-May, seven times the pace of new sign-ups in the previous year. Enrollments at edX and Udacity, two smaller education sites, have jumped by similar multiples.

古普塔與戴維森註冊的Coursera，從3月中旬到5月中旬增加1000萬新用戶，是去年同期新增註冊人數的七倍。edX與Udacity這兩個規模較小的教育網站，新註冊人數也以類似倍數暴增。

“Crises lead to accelerations, and this is best chance ever for online learning,” said Sebastian Thrun, a co-founder and chairman of Udacity.
Udacity共同創辦人兼董事長史朗說：「危機導致改變加速發生，這是線上學習業未曾遇過的最佳良機。」

Coursera, Udacity and edX sprang up nearly a decade ago as high-profile university experiments known as MOOCs, for massive open online courses. They were portrayed as tech-fueled insurgents destined to disrupt the antiquated ways of traditional higher education. But few people completed courses, grappling with the same challenges now facing students forced into distance learning because of the pandemic. Screen fatigue sets in, and attention strays.
Coursera、Udacity和edX近十年前出現，嘗試與大學合作推出線上課程而備受矚目，這類課程名為

「大規模開放線上課程」，簡稱「磨課師」。這種課程被描述為獲得科技支持的反叛者，意在顛覆傳統高等教育過時的授課方式。不過，很少有人能修完課程，這些人窮於應付的挑戰，與目前因為疫情被迫遠距學習的學生一樣。長時間盯著螢幕造成疲勞，而且注意力難以集中。

But the online ventures adapted through trial and error, gathering lessons that could provide a road map for school districts and universities pushed online. The instructional ingredients of success, the sites found, include short videos of six minutes or less, interspersed with interactive drills and tests; online forums where students share problems and suggestions; and online mentoring and tutoring.

不過這些線上企業透過反覆試驗來調整，並且積聚了可供被迫線上授課的學區和大學參考的知識和經驗。這些網站發現，線上授課成功的要素包括：短片時間不超過6分鐘，穿插互動練習和測驗；設立線上論壇，讓學生提出問題和建議；並提供線上指導和輔導。

A few top-tier universities, such as the University of Michigan and the Georgia Institute of Technology, offer some full degree programs through the online platforms.

有幾所頂尖大學，如密西根大學和喬治亞理工學院，透過這些線上平台提供一些正式學位學程。

While those academic programs are available, the online schools have tilted toward skills-focused courses that match student demand and hiring trends.

這些線上學校雖提供學術性學程，卻更傾向開設符合學生需要和雇用趨勢的技能課程。

The COVID-19 effect on online learning could broaden the range of popular subjects, education experts say. But so far, training for the tech economy is where the digital-learning money lies. With more of work and everyday life moving online — some of it permanently — that will probably not change.

教育專家指出，新冠肺炎可能會使線上課程熱門科目範圍變得更廣。不過到目前為止，針對科技經濟提供的訓練課程，才是數位教學業的金雞母。隨著更多的工作和日常生活轉移到線上進行，有些是永遠轉到線上，這種情況大概不會改變。
Source articles: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/354879/web/

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1. Binge shopping - 瘋狂購物
2. Availability / Unavailability - 可取得性/非可取得性
3. Shipping - 運送
4. being big on sth - 非常喜好 sth
5. Pay upfront - 先付錢
6. Pay on delivery - 貨到付款
7. Buyer rating - 買家評定
8. International couriers - 國際貨運公司
9. Convenience stores - 便利商店
10. Capsules - 膠囊 (Nespresso 膠囊咖啡)
11. Credit card - 信用卡
12. Seller's rating - 賣家評定
13. Legitimate seller/company - 合法/合規則的賣家
14. Browse (v.) - 遊覽

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This week Klim will update us on the latest announcement of the Michelin Guide in Taiwan. This year the most number of stars were awards in the whole guide for Taiwan, and that means it's going to be more and more difficult to book restaurants and eateries. That's not all, average joes like me always gets confused about with Bidebndum or Bib Gourmand is. Klim will also shed some light on this for us.

Which Bib Gourmand or Michelin starred restaurant do you often eat at? Share your experience with us and we will give you a shout out in the next episode!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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想了解AI卻不知從何開始？《數創實驗室》Podcast頻道幫你解惑！

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K871: Rafael Nadal's Retirement: The End of a Tennis Era

Highlights 主題摘要：

Rafael Nadal, one of tennis's greatest players, has announced his retirement due to persistent injuries, marking the end of an era after nearly two decades of dominance.Nadal's extraordinary career includes 22 Grand Slam titles and 14 French Open victories, showcasing his unparalleled skill, work ethic, and sportsmanship both on and off the court.Nadal's retirement, following Federer's, leaves Djokovic as the last of the "Big Three", signaling the conclusion of men's tennis's golden era and prompting tributes from players and fans worldwide.

Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has announced his retirement from professional tennis. This news marks the end of an era in the sport, as Nadal has been a dominant force for nearly two decades. The Spanish champion's decision comes after a series of injuries that have limited his ability to compete at the highest level.

納達爾（Rafael Nadal），這位史上最偉大的網球選手之一，已宣布從職業網壇退役。這個消息標誌著這項運動一個時代的終結，因為納達爾近二十年來一直是網壇的主宰力量。這位西班牙冠軍的決定，是在一連串傷病限制了他在最高水平競技的能力之後做出的。

Nadal's career has been nothing short of extraordinary. With 22 Grand Slam titles, including an incredible 14 French Open victories, he has left an indelible mark on tennis history. His uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, revealed that Rafa had hoped to play for one more season, particularly on his favorite clay courts. However, persistent injuries have forced the Spanish champion to end his career earlier than he might have wished. Toni Nadal told Marca, "Rafa would have liked another good season on clay and that means winning or at least performing at a good level."

納達爾的職業生涯可謂非凡卓越。他贏得了 22 座大滿貫冠軍，其中包括驚人的 14 次法國公開賽勝利，在網球史上留下了不可磨滅的印記。他的叔叔兼前教練托尼・納達爾透露，拉斐爾本希望再打一個賽季，特別是在他最愛的紅土球場上。然而，持續的傷病迫使這位西班牙冠軍比他可能希望的更早結束職業生涯。托尼・納達爾告訴《馬卡報》，「拉斐爾本想在紅土上再有一個好賽季，這意味著贏得比賽或至少表現得很好。」

Throughout his career, Nadal has been known for his incredible work ethic, fighting spirit, and sportsmanship. He has been a role model both on and off the court, earning respect from fans, fellow players, and coaches alike. His rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have produced some of the most memorable matches in tennis history, pushing the sport to new heights of popularity and excellence. Nadal's unique playing style, characterized by his powerful topspin forehand and exceptional court coverage, has made him virtually unbeatable on clay and formidable on all surfaces.

納達爾的整個職業生涯以其驚人的職業道德、鬥志和體育精神而聞名。他在場內場外都是人們的榜樣，贏得了球迷、同行和教練的尊重。他與費德勒（Roger Federer）和喬科維奇（Novak Djokovic）的競爭產生了一些網球史上最難忘的比賽，將這項運動推向熱門程度和卓越性的新高峰。納達爾獨特的打法，以其強大的上旋正手和出色的場上覆蓋率為特點，使他在紅土上幾乎無人能敵，在所有場地上都令人生畏。

Nadal's retirement draws a line under what many consider to be the golden era of men's tennis. His departure, following Federer's retirement two years ago, leaves Djokovic as the last remaining member of the "Big Three". While new stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner are emerging, Nadal's absence will be deeply felt in the tennis world. As Nadal prepares for his final appearance at the Davis Cup Finals in November, fans around the globe are preparing to bid farewell to one of the sport's true legends. His retirement has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow players and fans alike. Roger Federer wrote on Instagram, "What a career, Rafa! I always hoped this day would never come." These sentiments echo the feelings of tennis fans worldwide as they prepare to say goodbye to a player who has given his all to the sport until he simply couldn't anymore.

納達爾的退役為許多人認為是男子網球的黃金時代畫上了句號。繼費德勒兩年前退役之後，他的離去使得喬科維奇成為「三巨頭」中最後一位在役的成員。雖然像卡洛斯・艾卡拉茲（Carlos Alcaraz）和揚尼克・辛納（Jannik Sinner）這樣的新星正在崛起，但納達爾的缺席將令網球界感受強烈。目前納達爾準備在十一月的台維斯盃決賽中最後一次亮相時，全球球迷正準備向這位體壇真正的傳奇告別。他的退役引發了同行和球迷的大量致敬。費德勒在 Instagram 上寫道：「多麼輝煌的職業生涯啊，拉斐爾！我一直希望這一天永遠不會到來。」這些感言呼應了全世界網球迷的心聲，他們正準備向一位全身心投入這項運動直到再也無法繼續的選手道別。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Retirement (Re-tire-ment): Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players of all time, has announced his retirement from professional tennis.Persistent (Per-sist-ent): However, persistent injuries have forced the Spanish champion to end his career earlier than he might have wished.Unbeatable (Un-beat-a-ble): Nadal's unique playing style, characterized by his powerful topspin forehand and exceptional court coverage, has made him virtually unbeatable on clay and formidable on all surfaces.Formidable (For-mi-da-ble): Nadal's unique playing style, characterized by his powerful topspin forehand and exceptional court coverage, has made him virtually unbeatable on clay and formidable on all surfaces.Outpouring (Out-pour-ing): His retirement has prompted an outpouring of tributes from fellow players and fans alike.

Reference article:
1. https://www.eurosport.com/tennis/rafael-nadal-uncle-toni-retirement-dilemma-season_sto20045019/story.shtml
2. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2024/oct/11/rafael-nadals-retirement-draws-a-line-under-golden-era-of-mens-tennis
3. https://apnews.com/article/rafael-nadal-retires-appreciation-0039ddaebd5413d9ab1340871501eddb

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Topic: Water-Stressed India Seeks a Tap for Every Home

The pipes are laid, the taps installed and the village tank is under construction — all promising signs that, come spring, Girja Ahriwar will get water at her doorstep and finally shed a lifelong burden.

管子鋪好，水龍頭裝好，村子的水槽正在建造。這些充滿希望的跡象顯示，春季來臨時，吉爾嘉．艾里瓦可以在家門口取到水，而且終於解除長期以來的負擔。

“I go out and put the jerrycans in the queue at around 5 a.m. and wait there with the children,” Ahriwar, a mother of three who lives in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, said about her routine of fetching from the village hand pump. “Sometimes it could take five or six hours. I have to stay there
because if I leave, someone else moves ahead.”

「我大約在清晨5時出門，把大水桶排進隊伍，然後和孩子們一起等待」，住在印度中部中央邦、三個孩子的媽艾里瓦說，她的例行公事就是從村子的手動泵浦取水，「有時候得花五或六個小時，我必須一直留在這裡，因為如果我離開了，其他人就會搶先往前」。

India, one of the world’s most water-stressed countries, is halfway through an ambitious drive to provide clean tap water by 2024 to all of the roughly 192 million households across its 600,000 villages. About 18,000 government engineers are overseeing the $50 billion undertaking, which includes hundreds of thousands of contractors and laborers who are laying more than 2.5 million miles of pipe.

印度是全世界用水最吃緊的國家之一，在2024年之前提供60萬個村落共約1億9200萬戶乾淨自來水，這項宏大的計畫已進行到一半。約1萬8000名政府工程師監督規模500億美元的工程，包括數十萬名包商和工人，鋪設超過250萬哩的水管。

The project has a powerful champion in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has slashed through India’s notorious red tape and pushed aside thorny political divisions to see it through. His success thus far helps explain his dominance over the country’s political landscape.

這項計畫有個有力的擁護者：總理莫迪，他打破印度惡名昭彰的官僚作風，把棘手的政治分歧暫放一邊，推動計畫。目前為止他的成功也顯示他在這個國家政治版圖的主導力。

Modi has remained popular despite a weak economy and a bungled initial response to the coronavirus that left hundreds of thousands dead. He has increasingly relied on communal politics, continuing to consolidate a Hindu nationalist base he has worked for decades to rally.

即使經濟疲弱，且一開始對新冠病毒的笨拙反應造成數十萬人死亡，莫迪仍舊廣得人心。他日漸依賴宗教團體式政治，持續鞏固印度教國族主義基本盤，他投注數十年整合這些勢力。

But the mission to deliver water to every household combines two of Modi’s political strengths: his grasp of the day-to-day problems of hundreds of millions of India’s poor and his penchant for ambitious solutions. Modi, who grew up in a poor village, has spoken emotionally about his own mother’s hardship in fetching water.

不過，將水送到所有家戶的任務，結合莫迪的兩個政治力量：他對印度數億貧窮人口日常問題的理解，以及喜好採取極具雄心的解決方案。在貧窮村莊長大的莫迪，曾充滿感情的談到母親以前取水的困難。

About one-sixth of India’s households had a clean water tap when the program, called Jal Jeevan Mission, began in 2019. Now, almost half have one.

當這個「水生活任務」2019年開始時，印度家戶有潔淨自來水者約六分之一。現在，幾乎一半。

“You rarely have this drive from the government, the head of state, and it is well funded. Behind the concept, there is budget,” said Nicolas Osbert, who leads the UNICEF water and sanitation unit in India. “All social sectors were impacted by COVID. Not this one. This one was preserved.”

「你很少能從政府或國家領袖獲得這種推動力，而且資金充裕。在這個概念後面，重點是預算」，聯合國兒童基金會印度分部水資源和衛生主管歐斯柏特說，「所有社福單位都遭遇新冠病毒衝擊，但這個沒有，這個計畫保留下來」。

The country’s water problem speaks to the mismatch between its global economic ambitions and the dire conditions of much of its 1.4 billion population, two-thirds of whom still live in rural areas.
這個國家的用水問題顯示，其全球經濟野心和14億人口中許多人的悲慘情況，頗不相配。印度人口三分之二住在鄉村地區。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6034821

Next Article

Topic: Typhoonless year brings water shortage in fall/winter

Most years, Taiwan is hit by typhoons during the summer and fall, but we have yet to see a typhoon this year. This unusual situation has put pressure on water supply levels in reservoirs around Taiwan.

台灣每年夏、秋兩季颱風頻繁，但詭異的是，今年截至目前為止，竟無任何一個颱風登陸台灣，造成水庫缺水問題。

Due to global warming, the typhoons generated in the Pacific Ocean this year have all moved northward, bypassing Taiwan. Although successive fronts and afternoon showers have brought rainfall, it was only fragmented, covering limited areas and did little to replenish reservoirs. As a result, the reservoir storage this year is lower than in previous years.

這是因為全球暖化之影響，今年大平洋生成的颱風往北移，導致沒有任何一個颱風進來台灣，雖然陸續有鋒面及午後陣雨帶來雨量，但下雨範圍多為局部地區，導致水庫蓄水量較往年低。

According to the Water Resource Agency, as of 2pm yesterday, the Shihmen Reservoir’s water storage was 44 percent of capacity, the Feicuei Reservoir’s was 62.3 percent and the Zengwen Reservoir’s was 31.3 percent. Two of the three major water reservoirs have less than 50 percent of their water storage capacity.

水利署資料顯示，截至昨日下午二時為止，石門水庫蓄水量為百分之四十四，翡翠水庫蓄水量百分之六十二點三，曾文水庫蓄水率百分之三十一點三，三大水庫中有兩座儲水量低於五成。

In order to prepare for demand for water next year, the government has decided to implement three measures to control water usage. Firstly, starting from last Wednesday, night water pressure in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli areas was to be lowered from 11pm through to 5am the following day. Secondly, the irrigation of some areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli was to be suspended, and farmers affected by the measures will receive government compensation. Thirdly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is setting up a central drought response center to better respond to the crisis and to distribute water resources according to needs. Taiwanese are advised to take water-saving measures.

為審慎因應明年用水需求，政府實施三項因應措施。第一，桃竹苗中自上週三起，每天晚上十一點至隔日清晨五點實施減壓供水；第二，桃竹苗部分地區的農田，將停止供灌，政府也會給予補償，維持農民生活；第三，經濟部將成立抗旱中央應變中心，拉高應變層級，做好調度節水，更請全民配合省水。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/10/19/2003745390

Next Article

Topic: Gel-like ice is the lightest form of waterer ever discovered 迄今發現最輕盈的水形態，凝膠般的冰

The frosty cubes we pull from our freezers are just one of 17 possible types of ice, and an 18th type isn’t far from being made real.

我們從冰箱裡拿出來的冰塊，只是17種可能出現的冰類型之一，而第18種冰類型的出現，距離也不遠了。

Hexagonal ice, and the occasional cubic ice in our upper atmosphere, are the only two forms that occur naturally on Earth. Other ices might be found on exoplanets or in the atmospheres of the outer planets.

「六角形晶體結構冰」和偶爾出現的「立方體構冰」存在於我們的上層大氣，是唯二能在地球上自然形成的冰類型。其他類型的冰，則可見於系外行星或外行星的大氣層中。

Under atmospheric pressure or higher, water molecules get squeezed and freeze into a solid denser than normal ice. But when the pressure drops below this, water molecules become a less-dense, lightweight crystal that’s more air than molecule – like an icy candy floss. So far, we only know of two kinds of low-density ice: space fullerenes and zeolitic ices. But lighter ice structures hadn’t been spotted until now.

在一般大氣壓力或更高壓的情況下，被擠壓的水分子凝固成比正常水冰更密集的固體。不過，當大氣壓力降低，水分子會轉變成輕盈、密度較低的晶體，分子內含有更多空氣，就像是冰的棉花糖。目前，我們只知道兩種低密度的冰：「富勒烯冰」和「沸石冰」。更輕盈的冰結構，迄今仍未被辨識。

Masakazu Matsumoto at Okayama University in Japan and his team played molecular Jenga to find this new type of ice, removing and reconfiguring existing zeolitic ice structures to make them lighter. They found more than 300 different nanoscale structures through computer simulations.

日本岡山理科大學的松本正和研究團隊，透過分子疊疊樂，發現這款新類型的冰；他們移除並重新配置既存的「沸石冰」結構，使其更加輕盈。研究團隊透過電腦模擬，找出超過300種不同的奈米尺度結構。Source article: http://iservice.ltn.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=1161164&day=2017-12-18

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史考特給自己的筆記,一個出生平凡的台灣人,在34歲那年,接觸到靈修和量子物理之後,在美國成為上市企業裡的最高業績團隊,同行業績全球冠軍,管理百人團隊,來聽聽看他是怎麼從平庸匱乏的日子走到幸福富足的生活

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1.Ella Fitzgerald (Jazz)

Quote: "It isn't where you came from, it's where you're going that counts."

Ella Fitzgerald, known as the "First Lady of Song" and "Queen of Jazz," was born in 1917 in Newport News, Virginia. Her career spanned nearly six decades, during which she won 13 Grammy Awards and sold over 40 million albums. Fitzgerald was known for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, and "scat" singing ability. She rose to fame despite a challenging childhood, including a period of homelessness. In 1934, she won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater, which launched her singing career. Fitzgerald broke racial barriers, becoming the first African American woman to win a Grammy in 1958. She collaborated with many jazz greats, including Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington. Despite her fame, Fitzgerald remained humble, often suffering from stage fright before performances. Her ability to sing in multiple languages made her an international star, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1992. Ella Fitzgerald's resilience, talent, and dedication to her craft continue to inspire musicians and music lovers worldwide.

艾拉·費茲傑拉（爵士樂）

名言：「重要的不是你從哪裡來，而是你要去哪裡。」

艾拉·費茲傑拉，被尊稱為「歌壇第一夫人」和「爵士樂女王」，1917年出生於美國維吉尼亞州紐波特紐斯。她的演藝生涯橫跨近六十年，贏得13座葛萊美獎，專輯銷量超過四千萬張。費茲傑拉以音色純淨、咬字清晰，以及「口技爵士」聞名。儘管童年坎坷，甚至曾無家可歸，她仍然成功嶄露頭角。1934年，她在阿波羅劇院的業餘比賽中獲勝，由此開啟了她的歌唱事業。費茲傑拉打破種族藩籬，1958年成為首位獲得葛萊美獎的非裔美國女性。她與路易斯·阿姆斯壯、杜克·艾靈頓等爵士樂大師合作無間。儘管聲名顯赫，費茲傑拉始終保持謙遜，演出前常感到怯場。她能以多種語言演唱，成為國際巨星，並於1992年獲頒美國總統自由勳章。艾拉·費茲傑拉的堅韌、才華和對音樂的執著，至今仍啟發著世界各地的音樂人和樂迷。


2.Ray Charles (R&B)

Quote: "I was born with music inside me. Music was one of my parts. Like my ribs, my kidneys, my liver, my heart. Like my blood. It was a force already within me
when I arrived on the scene. It was a necessity for me – like food or water."

Ray Charles, often called "The Genius," was born in 1930 in Albany, Georgia. He lost his sight completely by the age of seven due to glaucoma, but this didn't stop him from becoming one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Charles pioneered the genre of soul music in the 1950s by combining rhythm and blues, gospel, and jazz. He learned to read, write, and arrange music in Braille, which allowed him to compose his own songs. Charles was one of the first African American musicians to be given artistic control by a mainstream record company. He won 17 Grammy Awards and was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1987. Despite his success, Charles struggled with heroin addiction for nearly 20 years before successfully overcoming it in 1965. He was known for his distinctive raspy voice and his ability to convey deep emotion through his music. Ray Charles' influence extended beyond music; he was a prominent supporter of the Civil Rights Movement and refused to play to segregated audiences. His life story was portrayed in the 2004 biographical film "Ray," which won several Academy Awards.

雷·查爾斯（節奏藍調）

名言：「我生來就有音樂在體內。音樂是我身體的一部分，就像我的肋骨、腎臟、肝臟、心臟一樣。就像我的血液。當我來到這個世界時，它就已經是我體內的一股力量了。對我來說，它像食物或水一樣必不可少。」

雷·查爾斯，常被稱為「天才」，1930年出生於美國喬治亞州奧爾巴尼。他七歲時因青光眼完全失明，但這並沒有阻止他成為20世紀最具影響力的音樂家之一。查爾斯在1950年代開創了靈魂樂流派，將節奏藍調、福音音樂和爵士樂融合在一起。他學會了用盲文閱讀、書寫和編排音樂，使他能夠創作自己的歌曲。查爾斯是首批獲得主流唱片公司給予藝術控制權的非裔美國音樂家之一。他贏得了17座葛萊美獎，並在1987年獲頒葛萊美終身成就獎。儘管事業有成，查爾斯曾與海洛因成癮抗爭近20年，最終在1965年成功戒毒。他以獨特的沙啞嗓音和傳達深沉情感的能力聞名。雷·查爾斯的影響力不僅限於音樂領域；他也是民權運動的重要支持者，拒絕在種族隔離的場合表演。他的人生故事被改編成2004年的傳記電影《雷》，該片獲得多項奧斯卡獎。

3.B.B. King (Blues)

Quote: "The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you."

B.B. King, born Riley B. King in 1925 on a cotton plantation in Mississippi, became known as the "King of the Blues." He got his nickname "B.B." from "Beale Street Blues Boy," a moniker he earned as a young musician in Memphis. King's guitar, which he famously named "Lucille," has an interesting story behind it. In 1949, King ran into a burning building to save his guitar from a fire caused by two men fighting over a woman named Lucille. From then on, he named all his guitars Lucille as a reminder never to fight over women or run into burning buildings. King developed a unique guitar style, characterized by his bent notes and vibrato, which influenced countless blues and rock guitarists. Despite only having a fifth-grade education, King was awarded honorary doctorates from several universities. He performed an average of 300 shows a year well into his 70s. B.B. King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2006. His dedication to his craft, resilience in the face of adversity, and lifelong commitment to learning make him an inspiring figure for language learners and music enthusiasts alike.

B.B. 金（藍調）

名言：「學習最美好的地方在於，沒有人能把它從你身上奪走。」

B.B. 金，原名萊利·B·金，1925年出生於美國密西西比州的一個棉花種植園，後來被尊稱為「藍調之王」。他的綽號「B.B.」源自「比爾街藍調小子」（Beale Street Blues Boy），這是他年輕時在曼菲斯當音樂家時得到的稱號。金的吉他有個有趣的故事，他著名的將其命名為「露西兒」（Lucille）。1949年，金為了搶救吉他衝進一棟因兩個男人為了一個叫露西兒的女人打架而起火的建築物。從那以後，他把所有的吉他都叫做露西兒，以提醒自己永遠不要為女人打架或衝進燃燒的建築物。金發展出獨特的吉他彈奏風格，以彎音和顫音聞名，影響了無數藍調和搖滾吉他手。儘管只有小學五年級的學歷，金卻獲得了多所大學的榮譽博士學位。即使到了70多歲，他每年仍平均演出300場。B.B. 金於1987年入選搖滾名人堂，2006年獲頒美國總統自由勳章。他對音樂的專注、面對逆境的堅韌，以及終身學習的態度，使他成為語言學習者和音樂愛好者的榜樣。

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1. 喪茶文化 Sung tea
"喪"茶跟負能量次文化 播客 Podcast

2. Sung tea menu
“Sang” culture, which revels in often-ironic defeatism, is fueled by internet celebrities, through music and the popularity of certain mobile games and TV shows, as well as sad-faced emojis and pessimistic slogans.

While “sang” can be a pose or affectation, despondency among a segment of educated young people is a genuine concern for President Xi Jinping and his government, which prizes stability.

“Sang” culture, which revels in often-ironic defeatism, is fueled by internet celebrities, through music and the popularity of certain mobile games and TV shows, as well as sad-faced emojis and pessimistic slogans.

While China’s roughly 380 million millennials - or those aged about 18 to 35 - have opportunities that earlier generations would have found unimaginable, they also have expectations that are becoming harder to meet.

3. Gudetama 蛋黃哥

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Gen Z quiz: https://www.wikihow.com/Gen-Z-Slang-Quiz

Remember Angel previously talked about her encounters with the newcomers at work? This episode, we are taking on a Gen Z slang challenge to see who can truly communicate with the younger generation.

Why don't you take the quiz along with us and tell us who you beat (Me or Angel) in the quiz? Share with us and we will give you a shout out!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K867: Hurricane Helene: A Devastating Force Across the Southeastern US

Highlights 主題摘要：

Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern US, particularly North Carolina, causing over 200 deaths and widespread destruction. It's the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina in 2005.The storm's impact was catastrophic, leaving hundreds missing and nearly 780,000 homes without power. Massive flooding and landslides have complicated rescue and aid distribution efforts.Despite ongoing recovery efforts, including federal assistance and National Guard deployment, the region remains on high alert as the Atlantic hurricane season continues with more storms brewing.

Hurricane Helene, the strongest storm ever to hit Florida's Big Bend region, has left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States. The hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, has claimed over 200 lives, making it the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina in 2005.

颶風海倫（Hurricane Helene），這場有史以來襲擊佛羅里達州大彎地區（Florida's Big Bend）最強烈的風暴，在美國東南部留下了一條破壞的軌跡。這場以四級颶風登陸的風暴已奪走超過 200 條生命，成為自 2005 年卡崔娜（Katrina）颶風以來美國大陸最致命的颶風。

The impact of Helene has been catastrophic, with North Carolina bearing the brunt of the damage. More than half of the reported deaths occurred in this state, where entire communities were uprooted by the storm's fury. The mountainous area around Asheville was particularly hard-hit, with residents describing scenes of "complete pandemonium." Massive flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages have left tens of thousands without basic necessities like electricity and running water. As one Asheville native, Samuel Hayes, put it, "It's going to take us a long time to clean this up."

海倫颶風的影響是災難性的，北卡羅萊納州首當其衝。超過一半的死亡案例發生在這個州，整個社區被風暴的怒火連根拔起。阿什維爾周圍的山區受創尤其嚴重，居民形容場景如同「完全混亂」。大規模的洪水、山崩和廣泛的停電使得數萬人失去電力和自來水等基本必需品。正如阿什維爾的原住民山繆・海耶斯所說：「需要很長的時間才能清理乾淨。」

The storm's effects were felt across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia. In Florida's Keaton Beach, residents returned to find their homes completely destroyed. Eric Church, a local resident, stood in disbelief before the wreckage of his house, saying, "Man, I just lost my house. I have nowhere else to go." The devastation in some areas was so severe that officials have deemed it unsafe for residents to return, as is the case in Cedar Key, Florida.

風暴的影響遍及多個州，包括佛羅里達州、喬治亞州、南卡羅萊納州和維吉尼亞州。在佛羅里達州的基頓海灘，居民返回時發現他們的家園完全被摧毀。當地居民艾瑞克・丘奇站在他房子的廢墟前，難以置信地說：「天啊，我剛失去了我的房子。我無處可去。」某些地區的破壞如此嚴重，以至於官員認為居民返回是不安全的，佛羅里達州的錫達礁就是這種情況。

Rescue and recovery efforts are in full swing, with over 6,700 National Guard members deployed across 16 states. The federal government has also sent 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist. However, the task is enormous. Hundreds of people are still missing, and nearly 780,000 homes remain without power almost a week after the hurricane made landfall. The flooding has made many roads impassable, complicating aid distribution to hard-hit areas. In response, private citizens have stepped in to help, using everything from mules to helicopters to deliver supplies to remote communities.

救援和恢復工作正全力進行，超過 6,700 名國民警衛隊成員已部署到 16 個州。聯邦政府也派遣了 1,000 名現役士兵協助。然而，任務是艱鉅的。數百人仍下落不明，颶風登陸近一週後，將近 78 萬戶家庭仍然斷電。洪水使許多道路無法通行，使得援助物資難以運送到受災嚴重的地區。為此，私人公民也挺身而出，利用從騾子到直升機等各種方式，將物資送到偏遠社區。

As affected areas begin the long process of rebuilding, President Joe Biden has toured the devastated regions, promising federal support. "I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you, and I promise you we have your back," Biden told residents in Ray City, Georgia. The president has approved federal disaster assistance for survivors in the affected states. However, with the Atlantic hurricane season continuing until the end of November and two more storms brewing, the region remains on high alert, bracing for potential further challenges in the coming months.

當受災地區開始漫長的重建過程時，美國總統喬・拜登也視察了災區，承諾聯邦政府的支持。拜登告訴喬治亞州雷城的居民：「我看到你們，我聽到你們，我與你們同悲，我承諾我們會支持你們。」總統已批准為受災州的倖存者提供聯邦災難援助。然而，由於大西洋颶風季節將持續到 11 月底，且還有兩場風暴正在醞釀，該地區仍然保持高度警惕，為未來幾個月可能面臨的進一步挑戰做好準備。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Deadliest (Dead-li-est): The hurricane, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm, has claimed over 200 lives, making it the deadliest mainland US hurricane since Katrina in 2005.Catastrophic (Cat-a-stroph-ic): The impact of Helene has been catastrophic, with North Carolina bearing the brunt of the damage.Pandemonium (Pan-de-mo-ni-um): The mountainous area around Asheville was particularly hard-hit, with residents describing scenes of "complete pandemonium."Landslide (Land-slide): Massive flooding, landslides, and widespread power outages have left tens of thousands without basic necessities like electricity and running water.Enormous (E-nor-mous): However, the task is enormous. Hundreds of people are still missing, and nearly 780,000 homes remain without power almost a week after the hurricane made landfall.

Reference article:
1. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/28/weather/hurricane-helene-florida-georgia-carolinas/index.html
2. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k70rnrp4xo

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Topic: About scientific research - Certain Junk Foods Could Be Messing With Your Brain’s Appetite Control, Study Finds

Emerging evidence in humans suggests a typically Western high-fat, high-sugar ’junk food’ diet can quickly undermine your brain’s appetite control.
在人類中新發現的證據顯示，含有高脂高糖「垃圾食物」的典型西方飲食，可以快速破壞大腦對食慾的控制。

After indulging in a week-long binge of waffles, milkshakes and similarly rich foods, researchers in Australia found young and healthy volunteers scored worse on memory tests and experienced a greater desire to eat junk food, even when they were already full.
狂吃鬆餅、奶昔和類似的高脂食物一週後，澳洲研究人員發現，年輕健康的志願者在記憶力測試中成績欠佳，而且對垃圾食物更有食慾，甚至在吃飽之後還想吃。

The findings suggest something is amiss in the hippocampus - a region of the brain that supports memory and helps to regulate appetite. When we are full, the hippocampus is thought to quieten down our memories of delicious food, thereby reducing our appetite.
研究結果顯示問題出在海馬體，這個區域在大腦中支援記憶力，協助調節食慾。我們吃飽之後，海馬體被認為會使美食記憶不再活躍，從而降低食慾。

When it’s disrupted, this control can be seriously undermined.
當海馬體受到擾亂，對食慾的控制也會受到嚴重破壞。

Over the years, extensive research on juvenile mice has found the function of the hippocampus is very sensitive to ’junk food’ , but this has only recently been observed in young and healthy humans.
近年來對幼鼠進行的廣泛研究發現，海馬體對「垃圾食物」很敏感，但最近才在年輕健康的人群中發現這一問題。

Next Article

Topic: Squatting or kneeling is better for your posture than sitting all day, anthropologists claim 人類學家：蹲姿或跪姿比坐一整天來得好

Resting postures such as squatting or kneeling may be better for health because they require more muscle activity than sitting on a chair, researchers claim.
研究人員聲稱，蹲或跪這類休息姿勢也許更有益於身體健康，因為它們比坐在椅子上需要更多的肌肉活動。

The findings are based on data gathered from a hunter-gatherer population in Tanzania who wore devices that measured physical activity as well as periods of rest.
這些發現是根據從坦尚尼亞一個狩獵採集部落收集來的數據，這個部落的人佩戴裝置來測量他們的體力活動和休息時間。

Anthropologists from the US found that despite being sedentary for almost 10 hours each day, equivalent to clocking a shift in the office at the desk, the Hazda people appeared to lack the markers of chronic diseases associated with long periods of sitting.
美國的人類學家發現，儘管哈茲達部落的人每天靜止不動的時間將近10個小時，相當於在辦公桌前上一天班，但他們似乎並未出現久坐帶來的慢性病跡象。

They believe this is down to the ‘active rest postures’ used by the tribe.
他們相信，這歸結於該部落使用的「主動休息姿勢」。
Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1368761 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1367176

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Topic: Aboriginal canoe sets out on voyage to Japan for research

An Aboriginal Amis canoe is set to sail from Taiwan’s Taitung County to Japan’s Yonaguni Island some time between Monday and July 13. Organized by Taiwan’s National Museum of Prehistory and Japan’s National Museum of Nature and Science (NMNS), the voyage is part of the NMNS’ research on people’s movement from Taiwan to Japan in ancient times.
一艘原住民阿美族的獨木舟，預計在週一至七月十三日間，從台灣的台東縣航向日本的與那國島。該活動是由國立台灣史前文化博物館，及日本的國立科學博物館合辦，此航行是科博館研究的一部分，旨在探討古代人們從台灣到日本的遷徙活動。

According to archaeologists, some of the early inhabitants of Japan most likely traveled from Taiwan to the Ryukyu Islands on similar wooden vessels during the Paleolithic, about 30,000 years ago. The canoe will have to cross the Kuroshio Current (the Black Current) and travel around 205km to Yonaguni Island, Japan’s westernmost island in Okinawa Prefecture.
根據考古學家們指出，日本的某些早期居民，極有可能是搭乘著類似的木筏，自台灣來到沖繩列島，當時大約是距今三萬年的舊石器時代。這艘獨木舟必須跨越「黑潮」洋流，航行約兩百零五公里至沖繩縣、位於全日本最西端的與那國島。

The research team failed to complete a voyage on an Amis bamboo raft last year and the year before that, because the boats used were not strong enough for the big waves. This time around, a canoe made of cedar will be used in the adventure, which is expected to take 2 to 3 days.
研究團隊去年、前年均嘗試以阿美族竹筏渡海，但因竹筏不夠堅固無法抵擋大浪沖擊，最終挑戰失敗。本次冒險則改用以雪松打造的獨木舟，預計需二到三天才能完成整趟航程。
Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2019/06/20/2003717213

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Topic: Researchers ‘reboot’ pig brains hours after animals died

The brains of decapitated pigs can be partially revived several hours after the animal has died, researchers have revealed, with some of the functions of cells booted back up when an oxygen-rich fluid is circulated through the organ.
研究人員近日指出，宰殺後的豬隻大腦在死亡數個小時之後，仍然可以被「部分復甦」──藉由一種富含氧氣的液體在器官中進行循環，死亡豬隻的腦細胞部分功能被重新啟動。

The scientists stress that the brains do not show any signs of consciousness — for example, there was no sign that different parts of the brain were sending signals to each other — and that it does not change the definition of death. “This is not a living brain. But it is a cellularly active brain,” said Prof Nenad Sestan from Yale University, who led the research.
科學家強調，實驗中的大腦並未顯示任何具有意識的徵兆──舉例而言，大腦不同部位並沒有出現互相傳遞訊號的跡象──而這項實驗也並未改變死亡的定義。耶魯大學的內納德‧塞斯坦教授是這篇研究的主持人，他表示：「這並不代表它是一個活的大腦，但確實是一個就細胞層面而言仍在活動中的大腦。」

A number of studies have suggested brain cells might not inevitably die after blood stops circulating. Writing in the journal Nature, researchers in the US reported how they sought to examine this further by taking brains from 32 pigs that had been killed in a slaughterhouse. Four hours after their deaths the arteries of the pig brains were hooked up to a sophisticated system dubbed BrainEx, which pumped an oxygenated synthetic blood through the organ. This fluid contained a host of nutrients as well as other substances to tackle processes that lead to cell death, and the circulation was continued for six hours.
曾有多份研究指出，在血液停止循環後，大腦細胞可能不會必然死亡。在期刊《自然》這次刊出的報告中，美國的研究人員解釋他們如何藉由三十二頭豬在屠宰廠被宰殺後留下的大腦，試圖進一步檢驗這個現象。在豬隻死亡四個小時後，豬的大腦動脈被接上一個稱為「BrainEx」的複雜系統，它會把加入氧氣的人工合成血液灌注到器官中。液體內含有許多營養物和其他物質，能夠阻撓導致細胞死亡的過程，並在大腦中持續循環六個小時。

At that point, the team found the circulating fluid successfully flowed through blood vessels in the brain, including tiny capillaries, and that the blood vessels were able to dilate in response to a drug, while the brain as a whole consumed oxygen and glucose from the fluid and released carbon dioxide back into it at similar rates to an intact brain.
此時，研究團隊發現循環的液體順利流經大腦中的血管──包括極細的微血管──而血管也能夠對某種藥物產生擴張反應，大腦整體則會消耗液體中的氧氣和葡萄糖，並釋出二氧化碳回到液體中，速率近似於正常大腦。

What is more, the cells showed certain functions, including the release of various immune-response substances when triggered. After tissues were removed from the brains and flushed of the BrainEx fluid the researchers found individual neurons were still able to function.
此外，細胞更開始出現某些功能，例如在受到刺激時會釋放出多種免疫反應物質。研究人員移除部分腦組織、並且沖洗掉「BrainEx」液體後，發現單獨的神經元仍然能夠運作。

The team said that while the BrainEx fluid was circulating, they monitored the brains to check for any signs of organized electrical activity that might suggest consciousness. “That monitoring didn’t show any kind of organized global electrical activity,” said Dr Stephen Latham, a bioethicist and co-author of the study.
研究團隊表示，當「BrainEx」液體正在循環時，他們有偵測大腦，檢查是否有任何可能代表意識的組織性帶電活動跡象。生物倫理學家史蒂芬‧拉譚姆博士是這份研究的共同作者，他指出：「監測過程中並未顯示出任何組織性的整體帶電活動」。

But, he said, the team had been ready for signs of consciousness. “Had that appeared they would have lowered the temperature of the brain and used anesthesia to stop that kind of activity,” said Latham, adding that at present there are no ethics committees set up for such an eventuality, and it remained unclear in any case if the technique could ever restore consciousness.
不過，他也表示，研究團隊已做好準備，面對隨時出現意識的徵兆。拉譚姆博士說：「如果有類似跡象出現，研究人員就會降低腦部溫度，並且用麻醉藥物阻止這類活動。」但他也補充說，目前並沒有為這種可能性成立任何倫理委員會，而且無論如何，該技術是否能夠恢復意識仍然在未定之天。

The team said the approach could provide a new way to study the brain, and even help in the development and testing of new therapies for stroke and other conditions in which bloodflow to parts of the brain is blocked, causing cells to die.
研究團隊表示，這個方法可望提供新的大腦研究方式，甚至有助於開發和測試新療法，治療中風和其他因為大腦部分血流受阻而導致細胞死亡的相關疾病。
Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2019/04/28/2003714163/2

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歡迎回到《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》！本週的值班老師是 John 老師和阿鍵老師。天氣入秋，這兩天終於氣候涼些了，你的國慶假期是怎麼過的呢？

本集節目裡，我們聊到了最近一則與美國營養午餐文化相關的新聞，也分享了John老師和阿鍵過去在南非和英國吃冷便當的經驗。比較起來，台灣的Uber和Panda真的是太方便了吧！

最後也要跟大家說，通勤學英語正在忙一件大事，就是我們的訂閱制即將滿週年啦！老師群正在預備著與大家空中相會，敬請期待啦！

聽完本集歡迎到FB/IG私訊或留言分享心得。別忘了，想要獲得更多精彩內容，歡迎訂閱我們的 VIP 會員，還能享有主題許願的特權喔！​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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想了解AI卻不知從何開始？《數創實驗室》Podcast頻道幫你解惑！

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暑假放完了，也忙完這陣子！嘿掰講又繼續啦！
這禮拜Gavin 想在我的名字上找碴～
1. Johan -約翰 ; John - 強
2. I am in the john - 我在洗手間裡
3. Ladies of the night （性工作者）call their customers John. （用常見的名字用來給恩客隱私）
4. I need your John Hancock - 我需要你的簽名
5. John Doe / Jane Doe - 無名氏，未辨識的人
6. Lazy susan - 桌轉盤
7. Bob's your uncle - 就這樣，結束了
8. Murphy's law - 墨菲定律
9. In like flynn - 用關係很輕易的得到機會/成功
10. Davie Jone's locker - 去深海
11. Pleased as Punch - 很開心快樂 （由來-Punch and Judy 布偶秀）
12. Jack of all trades, master of none - 什麼都會一點，都不在行
13. Keep up with the Jones' - 更進/追上你鄰居
14. Peeping Tom - 偷窺者
15. Take the Mickey out of sb. - 開sb.玩笑
16. The real Mccoy - 正牌的，正確的人or事or物

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This week is a special week for us here in Taiwan! It is the National Day of Taiwan on October 10th! Patrick will give us the trivia to not just the Double Tenth Day, but also some brands and events that happened in 1911. How are you spending this years National Day holiday? Let us know and we will give you a shout out!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K863: Meta Connect 2024: A Glimpse into the Future of AR and AI

Highlights 主題摘要：

Meta unveiled the "Orion" AR glasses prototype, showcasing advanced features like hologram display and gesture tracking in a regular glasses form factor, signaling a major step towards wearable AR technology.The new Quest 3S VR headset, priced at $299, offers a more affordable entry point to virtual reality, demonstrating Meta's commitment to making VR technology more accessible to mainstream consumers.Meta's AI advancements, including updates to Ray-Ban smart glasses and the Llama 3.2 model, highlight the company's focus on integrating AI into everyday devices and expanding its capabilities across social platforms.

Meta's annual Connect event, held in September 2024, showcased the company's latest innovations in augmented reality (AR) and artificial intelligence (AI). CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled a range of new products and features, highlighting Meta's commitment to shaping the future of technology.

Meta 年度 Connect 大會於 2024 年 9 月舉行，展示了該公司在擴增實境（AR）和人工智慧（AI）方面的最新創新。執行長祖克柏公開了一系列新產品和功能，表明 Meta 致力於塑造科技未來的承諾。

The star of the show was undoubtedly the "Orion" AR glasses prototype. Although not yet available for purchase, these glasses represent a significant step towards truly wearable AR technology. Unlike bulky headsets, Orion aims to pack advanced features into a form factor resembling regular glasses. The prototype boasts tiny projectors that display holograms on the lenses, along with sensors for tracking voice, eye movement, and hand gestures. While a release date remains uncertain, Meta hinted at a launch in the "near future."

本次展會的亮點無疑是「獵戶座」（Orion）AR 眼鏡原型。儘管尚未上市，這款眼鏡代表了向真正可穿戴 AR 技術邁進的重要一步。與笨重的頭戴式裝置不同，獵戶座旨在將先進功能融入類似普通眼鏡的外形中。這款原型配備了微型投影機，可在鏡片上顯示全息影像，還有用於追蹤語音、眼球運動和手勢的感應器。雖然發售日期尚未確定，但 Meta 暗示將在「不久的將來」推出。

On the more accessible front, Meta introduced the Quest 3S, a budget-friendly virtual reality (VR) headset priced at $299. This new model offers a more affordable entry point into VR, with some compromises in resolution and storage compared to its higher-end sibling, the Quest 3. The Quest 3S is set to begin shipping on October 15, marking Meta's continued push to make VR technology more mainstream.

在更易入手的產品方面，Meta 推出了售價 299 美元的 Quest 3S，這是一款經濟實惠的虛擬實境（VR）頭戴裝置。相較於其高階版本的 Quest 3，這款新機型在解析度和儲存空間方面有所妥協，但提供了更實惠的 VR 入門選擇。Quest 3S 將於 10 月 15 日開始出貨，標誌著 Meta 持續推動 VR 技術普及化的努力。

AI advancements were another key focus of the event. Meta announced updates to its Ray-Ban smart glasses, integrating new AI features without changing the hardware. These enhancements include improved voice commands, the ability to set reminders based on objects in view, and better language translation capabilities. The company also revealed updates to its Meta AI assistant, introducing celebrity voices and expanding its capabilities across Meta's social media platforms.

AI 進展是本次活動的另一個重點。Meta 宣布對其雷朋（Ray-Ban）智慧眼鏡進行更新，在不改變硬體的情況下整合新的 AI 功能。這些增強功能包括改進的語音命令、根據視野中的物體設置提醒的能力，以及更優秀的語言翻譯能力。該公司還公布了對 Meta AI 助理的更新，引入名人聲音並擴展其在 Meta 社交媒體平台上的功能。

Meta's open-source AI model, Llama 3.2, now includes vision capabilities, allowing it to analyze and describe images. This puts it in direct competition with similar features offered by other tech giants. Additionally, Meta's AI can now edit photos with text prompts, performing tasks like adding or removing objects or changing backgrounds.

Meta 的開源 AI 模型 Llama 3.2 現在包含視覺能力，可以分析和描述圖像。這使其與其他科技大廠提供的類似功能直接競爭。此外，Meta 的 AI 現在可以通過文字提示編輯照片，執行添加或移除物體或更改背景等任務。

Meta Connect 2024 painted a picture of a future where AR and AI technologies seamlessly blend into our daily lives. From glasses that can display holograms to AI assistants that understand natural language, Meta is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in human-computer interaction.

Meta Connect 2024 勾勒出一幅 AR 和 AI 技術無縫融入我們日常生活的未來圖景。從可顯示全息影像的眼鏡到能理解自然語言的 AI 助理，Meta 正在推動充滿人機互動可能性的界限。

However, these advancements also raise important questions about privacy and data security. As Meta continues to innovate, balancing technological progress with ethical considerations will be crucial in shaping the future of digital experiences. The company's success will depend not only on the capabilities of its products but also on how well it addresses concerns about user privacy and responsible AI use.

然而，這些進展也引發了有關隱私和資料安全的重要問題。隨著 Meta 持續創新，平衡技術進步與倫理考量將是塑造數位體驗未來的關鍵。該公司的成功不僅取決於其產品的能力，還取決於如何有效解決使用者隱私和負責任的 AI 使用疑慮。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Augmented (Aug-ment-ed): Meta's annual Connect event, held in September 2024, showcased the company's latest innovations in augmented reality and artificial intelligence.Undoubtedly (Un-doubt-ed-ly): The star of the show was undoubtedly the "Orion" AR glasses prototype.Compromise (Com-pro-mise): This new model offers a more affordable entry point into VR, with some compromises in resolution and storage compared to its higher-end sibling, the Quest 3.Capabilities (Ca-pa-bil-i-ties): The company also revealed updates to its Meta AI assistant, introducing celebrity voices and expanding its capabilities across Meta's social media platforms.Ethical (Eth-i-cal): As Meta continues to innovate, balancing technological progress with ethical considerations will be crucial in shaping the future of digital experiences.

Reference article:
1. https://www.engadget.com/home/smart-home/apples-rumored-smart-display-may-arrive-in-2025-running-new-homeos-212401853.html
2. https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-connect-live-updates-mark-zuckerberg-keynote-2024-9#thats-a-wrap-zuckerberg-closes-out-his-keynote-with-a-glimpse-into-the-ai-future

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Topic: About Technology - ’Smart crib’ aims to help rockabye baby

As every new parent knows, sleep can go out the window after the arrival of a newborn.
如每對剛生孩子的爸媽所知，新生兒到來後，再也沒有夜夜好眠。

That was certainly the case for parents Radhika and Bharath Patil, who seeking relief for their own disrupted sleep patterns, put their electronic engineering backgrounds together to create a "smart crib".
這確實就是拉德西卡和巴拉特‧帕蒂爾的狀況，這對父母正在補救自身混亂的睡眠模式，結合他們的電子工程背景，創造了一個「智慧嬰兒床」。

Their crib, powered by artificial intelligence, combines a baby monitor, rocker, bassinet and crib in one.
他們把一台嬰兒監視器、弧形搖桿、搖籃和嬰兒床合而為一，由人工智慧來驅動嬰兒床。

"It’s not the amount of work around the baby that tires the parents, it’s the lack of sleep," Radhika Patil, Cradlewise chief executive, told Reuters in an interview.
「智慧搖籃」執行長拉德西卡‧帕蒂爾在訪問中告訴路透，「並非圍繞著嬰兒的工作量累到父母，而是睡眠不足。」

Early detection is key, she said, adding that the sooner parents can detect the baby waking up, the easier it is to get the child to fall back asleep.
她說，早期偵測是關鍵，並補充指出，父母越早發現嬰兒醒來，就越容易讓他們的孩子再度入睡。

"Once you put the baby in, the crib takes care of everything. That’s the aim," Bharath Patil said.
巴拉特‧帕蒂爾說，「只要把嬰兒放進去，嬰兒床就顧好每件事。這就是目的。」

Next Article

Topic: New Thoughts on Math Of Effective Baby Talk

It has been nearly 20 years since a landmark education study found that, by age 3, children from low-income families have heard 30 million fewer words than more affluent children, putting them at an educational disadvantage before they have begun school.
將近20年前，一項具有里程碑意義的教育研究發現，低收入戶兒童到了3歲時，已比家庭較富裕的兒童少聽到3000萬個字彙，以致就學前即已處於教育上的劣勢。

Now, a growing body of research is challenging the notion that merely exposing poor children to more language is enough to overcome the deficits they face. The quality of the communication between children and their parents and caregivers, the researchers say, is of much greater importance than the number of words a child hears.
如今，越來越多的研究向此一觀念提出挑戰，不認為光是讓貧窮兒童暴露於更多語言，就能克服他們所面對的不足。這些研究人員指出，兒童與父母及看顧者之間的溝通品質，遠比兒童聽到多少字彙來得重要。

A study presented last month at a White House conference on “bridging the word gap” found that among 2-year-olds from low-income families, quality interactions involving words — the use of shared symbols (“Look, a dog!”); rituals (“Want a bottle after your bath?”); and conversational fluency (“Yes, that is a bus!”) — were a far better predictor of language skills at age 3 than any other factor .
上月在白宮「縮小字彙差距」會議中發表的一項研究結果發現，對2歲的低收入戶兒童而言，和字彙相關的優質互動，例如使用共通的符號（「看哪，一隻狗！」）；固定程序（「洗完澡想喝瓶奶？」）；流暢的對話（「是的，這是一輛公車！」），在預測3歲兒童語言技巧方面，是遠勝於其他因素的更好指標。

“It’s not just about shoving words in,” said Kathryn Hirsh- Pasek, a professor of psychology at Temple University in Philadelphia and lead author of the study. “It’s about having these fluid conversations around shared rituals and objects, like pretending to have morning coffee together or using the banana as a phone. ”
費城天普大學心理學教授、該研究報告主要作者凱瑟琳．赫許─巴塞克說：「它不光是塞進字彙而已，它與圍繞著共有的固定程序和物件的流暢對話有關，例如佯裝一起喝晨間咖啡，或是拿香蕉當電話打。」

In a related finding, published in April, researchers who observed 11- and 14-month-old children in their homes found that the prevalence of one-on-one interactions and frequent use of parentese — the slow, highpitched voice commonly used for talking to babies — were reliable predictors of language ability at age 2. The total number of words had no correlation with future ability.
四月發表的一項相關研究中，研究人員觀察11個月和14個月大孩子在家中的生活情形，發現經常一對一互動，以及頻繁使用「父母語」，也就是父母常用的，對嬰兒說話的那種緩慢、高音調聲音，是2歲兒童語言能力的可靠預測指標。字彙的總數量與兒童的未來能力無關。

Even the 1995 study that introduced the notion of the 30-million- word gap, conducted by the University of Kansas psychologists Betty Hart and Todd R. Risley, found that parental tone, responsiveness and use of symbols affected a child’s I.Q. and vocabulary.
引進3000萬字彙差距概念的那項研究發表於1995年，由堪薩斯大學心理學家貝蒂．哈特和陶德．Ｒ．里斯利所完成，即使那項研究也發現，父母的語氣、反應和符號的使用，對兒童的智商高低和詞彙多寡均有影響。

But this year’s studies are the first time researchers have compared the impact of word quantity with quality of communication.
不過，今年的研究，是研究人員首次將字彙數量和溝通品質的影響作比較。

For the new study, Dr. Hirsh- Pasek and colleagues selected 60 low-income 3-year-olds with varying degrees of language proficiency from a long-term study of 1,300 children from birth to age 15.
在新研究中，赫許─巴塞克和同事，在參與一項從出生到15歲長期研究的1300名兒童中，挑選出60名3歲的低收入戶兒童，語言能力程度各不相同。

The quality of communication accounted for 27 percent of variation in expressive language skills one year later, Dr. Hirsh-Pasek said.
赫許─巴塞克說，1年後，優質溝通占表達語言技巧差異的27％。

But those who urge parents to talk to their children more say increased quantity of language inevitably leads to better quality.
但是，那些呼籲家長多跟自己孩子說話的專家表示，提高語言數量，定會帶來更高的品質。

Anne Fernald, a developmental psychologist at Stanford University in California, said, “When you learn to talk more, you tend to speak in more diverse ways and elaborate more, and that helps the child’s cognitive development.”
加州史丹福大學發展心理學家安妮．費納德說：「當你學會說得更多時，你會以更多樣、更複雜的方式說話，這有助兒童的認知發展。」

Still, Ann O’Leary, director of Too Small to Fail, a joint effort of the nonprofit Next Generation and the Bill, Hillary & Chelsea Clinton Foundation that focuses on closing the word gap, acknowledged that messages to parents could do more to emphasize quality.
「小到不能失敗」計畫負責人安．奧利里說，在提供給家長的訊息上，確實可多強調質。「小到不能失敗」由非營利組織「下一代」和「比爾、希拉蕊、雀兒喜．柯林頓基金會」共同設置，致力於縮小兒童字彙差距。

“When we’re doing these campaigns to close the word gap, they do capture the imagination, they do get people understanding that we do need to do a lot more talking,” she said. “But we also need to be more mindful that part of what we need to do is model what that talking looks like.”
她說：「當我們從事縮小兒童字彙差距努力時，它確實引起我們注意，它也讓人們理解，我們確實需要多說點話。但我們同時需要更注意的是，在我們必須從事的工作中，有一部分是提供那種談話的模範，那種談話中該有的東西。」
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/269227/web/#2L-5280944L

Next Article

Topic: Scientists identify ancient baby bottles ...and some are really cute

Ceramic vessels, sometimes fashioned in whimsical animal forms, were used thousands of years ago as baby bottles to feed infants animal milk, according to scientists, offering an intriguing look at how and what infants were fed in prehistoric times.
科學家指出，數千年前的人類有時會把陶製容器塑造成異想天開的動物形狀，將它們作為奶瓶使用，餵嬰兒喝動物的乳汁。這項發現提供一個有趣的觀點，讓人一窺史前時代人類如何、又是用什麼來餵食嬰兒。

Archaeologists said on Sept. 25 they confirmed the function of these ceramic objects by finding chemical traces of milk belonging to animals such as cows, sheep and goats in three such items found buried in child graves in Germany.
考古學家在九月二十五日表示，他們在埋入德國兒童墳墓裡面的三個同類型物件中，發現殘留動物乳汁的化學痕跡──包括母牛、綿羊、山羊等──因此確認了這些陶製物品的用途。

The oldest of the three vessels described in the study was made between 2,800 and 3,200 years ago during the Bronze Age. Other similar objects dating back as far as about 7,000 years ago during Neolithic times have been found in various other locations, the researchers said.
在研究描述的三個容器中，年代最早的製造於兩千八百年前到三千兩百年前的青銅器時代。研究人員指出，其他許多地點都曾經發現類似的物件，最遠可追溯到大約七千年前的新石器時期。

“I think this has provided us the first direct evidence of what foods babies were eating or being weaned on in prehistory,” said biomolecular archaeologist Julie Dunne of the University of Bristol in the UK and lead author of the study, published in the journal Nature. “I think this shows us the love and care these prehistoric people had for their babies.”
該篇研究發表於期刊《自然》，主要作者為英國布里斯托大學的生物分子考古學家茱莉‧鄧恩，她表示：「我認為這項發現提供第一手直接證據，顯示史前時代的小寶寶吃什麼食物，或是用什麼食物斷奶。」她也指出：「我想，這項發現也向我們展現這些史前時代人類對小嬰兒的愛與關懷。」

These objects, little enough to fit into a baby’s hands, served as vessels for milk, with a narrow spout for the baby to suckle liquid. While the three objects examined for the study were somewhat plain, others boasted lively shapes including animal heads with long ears or horns and human-looking feet.
這些物件小到能夠放進嬰兒的小手中，是用來盛裝奶水的容器，瓶身上附有一個狹長的壺嘴，讓小寶寶能夠從中吸吮液體。雖然研究檢驗用的三個物件外觀稍嫌平淡無奇，但其他同類陶器形狀卻相當生動，有著動物的頭，附著長長的耳朵或是犄角，以及像人類的腳。

“I find them incredibly cute. And prehistoric people may have thought so, too — they would certainly have a dual function of entertaining the children just like modern stuffed animals,” said archaeologist Katharina Rebay-Salisbury of the Austrian Academy of Sciences’ Institute for Oriental and European Archaeology, and a co-author of the study. “They testify to the creativity and playfulness we often forget to attribute to our ancestors,” Rebay-Salisbury added.
研究的共同作者、奧地利科學院東方與歐洲考古研究所的考古學家凱瑟琳娜‧雷貝─索爾斯伯里表示：「我覺得這些陶器難以置信地可愛。而且搞不好史前的人們也是這樣覺得──這些陶器很可能還具備另一項娛樂小孩的雙重功能，就像是現代的填充玩具。」她補充說：「這些陶器證實老祖先們具備的創意和愛開玩笑的個性，那都是我們經常忘記的。」

Life at the time was not easy, Rebay-Salisbury added, with many people living in unhygienic conditions, experiencing famine and disease and facing low life expectancy. During the Bronze Age and subsequent Iron Age in Europe, perhaps about a third of all newborns died before their first birthday and only about half of children reached adulthood, Rebay-Salisbury said.
雷貝─索爾斯伯里還指出，當時的生活並不容易，原因在於許多人都居住在不衛生的環境中、遭受饑荒與疾病，還要面臨很短的預期壽命。她表示，在青銅器時代以及接下來的鐵器時代，歐洲地區可能有大約三分之一的新生兒在一歲之前死亡，而且大概只有一半的小孩能夠順利長大成人。

These feeding vessels may have made life easier for mothers, as animal milk could substitute for breastfeeding, the researchers said. “Duties of mothering — amongst which feeding is an important one — can also be undertaken by other members of the community when children are fed with feeding vessels,” Rebay-Salisbury said.
研究人員表示，這些餵食用的容器會讓母親們的生活輕鬆一些，因為動物的乳汁可以代替親餵母乳。雷貝─索爾斯伯里指出：「當小孩可以用器具餵食的時候，為人母的諸多責任──其中，最重要的一項是餵食嬰兒──也就可以由部落的其他成員接手幫忙。」
Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2019/10/06/2003723440

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幕後教師室Teacher's Lounge Ep.51: IG英美小測驗的解答與家族們的Shout out! Jan's review of the IG quizzes

Hello通勤家族們！本週阿鍵老師來跟我們一起review一下過去幾週的IG英美小測驗，你都有答對嗎？
時不時醬老師都會有些小彩蛋給大家娛樂一下喔～ 喜歡我們IG上的小測驗要記得多多分享與來答題！

有希望我們Teacher's Lounge聊些什麼主題嗎？歡迎來信留言喔。

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This week we have Shimin in the house! In this episode, Shimin is going to share with us another Grammy award-winning artist, Nicole Zuraitis. Apart from her voal talent, she is also a A-grade pianist and performs regularly with her husband's band. This song is more for the seasoned adults, it's a piece that is poetic in its lyrics as well as its melody.

20 Seconds by Nicole Zuraitis: https://youtu.be/vmBQ6xDHhGw?si=-qSdGcltNKicfaq5

Do you resonate with the song? Share your thoughts and experience with us and we will give you a shout out!

Remember to hold your thumbs and support Shimin for winning a GBA award! Stay tuned for good news on October 12th~

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K859: Big Companies Tighten Return-to-Office Rules

Highlights 主題摘要：

PwC is implementing a stricter return-to-office policy, requiring UK employees to spend at least 60% of their time in the office or with clients, reflecting a broader trend among major companies.Tech giants and financial institutions like Amazon, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase are also enforcing similar policies, citing the importance of in-person collaboration for productivity and company culture.Experts suggest a balanced approach might be more effective, recommending that companies seek equilibrium between employee needs and business requirements in their hybrid work models.

In a significant move, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world's largest consulting and accounting firms, has announced a stricter return-to-office policy for its UK employees. Starting January 2024, PwC staff will be required to spend at least three days a week, or 60% of their time, in the office or with clients. This marks an increase from the previous two to three-day requirement. To ensure compliance, the company plans to monitor employees' locations using data tracking. This new policy aims to provide clarity and consistency across the business.

在一項大動作中，全球最大的諮詢和會計公司之一資誠聯合會計師事務所（PwC）宣布對其英國員工實施更嚴格的重返辦公室政策。從 2024 年 1 月開始，普華永道的員工被要求每週至少有三天，或 60% 的時間在辦公室或與客戶在一起。這比之前要求的每週兩到三天有所增加。為確保政策執行，公司計劃使用數據追蹤來監控員工的位置。這項新政策旨在為整個企業提供明確性和一致性。

PwC's decision reflects a growing trend among major companies to bring employees back to the workplace as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. The firm believes that face-to-face interactions are crucial for building strong relationships with clients and creating a positive learning environment. Laura Hinton, PwC UK's Managing Partner, stated that this change "feels right for our business and right for our people, given our focus on client service, coaching, and learning and development." The company argues that being physically together offers clients a differentiated experience and fosters a better environment for learning and coaching.

資誠的決定反映了隨著新冠肺炎（COVID-19）疫情消退，大型公司將員工帶回工作場所的普遍趨勢。該公司認為，面對面互動對於建立與客戶的緊密關係和創造積極的學習環境至關重要。資誠的英國管理夥伴蘿拉・欣頓表示，這個變化「對我們的業務和員工來說都是合適的，考慮到我們專注於客戶服務、指導和學習發展」。公司認為，真人在場可以為客戶提供差異化的體驗，並為學習和指導創造更好的環境。

Other tech giants and financial institutions have also implemented similar policies. Amazon and Meta now require employees to be in the office at least three days a week. Amazon has even warned that non-compliance could jeopardize promotions or lead to termination. JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs have taken steps to reduce remote work as well. JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon has been particularly vocal about the flaws associated with working from home. These companies argue that in-person collaboration is essential for productivity, innovation, and maintaining company culture. However, the shift back to office-based work has not been without controversy, with some employees expressing concerns about work-life balance and flexibility.

其他科技巨頭和金融機構也實施了類似的政策。亞馬遜和 Meta 現在要求員工每週至少在辦公室工作三天。亞馬遜甚至警告，不遵守規定可能會危及晉升機會或導致解雇。摩根大通、摩根史坦利和高盛也採取措施減少遠距工作。摩根大通執行長傑米・戴蒙直言不諱地指出了在家工作的缺陷。這些公司認為，面對面的合作對於提高生產力、促進創新和維護公司文化至關重要。然而，重返辦公室的轉變並非沒有爭議，一些員工對工作生活的平衡和靈活性表示擔憂。

While many companies are pushing for a return to the office, experts suggest that a balanced approach might be more effective. Claire McCartney from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) notes that companies with hybrid working models generally rate the performance of remote employees positively. She advises employers to seek a balance that meets both employee needs and business requirements. McCartney emphasizes that it makes good business sense for employees or teams to be together on specific days, rather than requiring everyone in the office due to a lack of trust in remote work performance. As the debate continues, it's clear that the future of work will likely involve a mix of in-office and remote options, with companies fine-tuning their policies to find the right balance for their specific needs and culture. The challenge lies in creating an environment that fosters collaboration and innovation while still offering the flexibility that many employees have come to value during the pandemic era.

儘管許多公司正在推動重返辦公室，但專家建議採取更平衡的方法可能更有效。英國特許人事與發展協會（Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development，CIPD）的克萊爾・麥卡特尼指出，採用混合工作模式的公司普遍對遠距員工的表現評價良好。她建議雇主尋求平衡，以滿足員工需求和業務要求。麥卡特尼強調，讓員工或團隊在特定日子聚在一起是有商業意義的，而不是因為不信任遠距工作表現而要求所有人都在辦公室。隨著辯論持續發展，未來的工作方式很可能會涉及辦公室和遠距選項的組合，公司將微調他們的政策，以找到適合其特定需求和文化的正確平衡。而挑戰則在於創造一個能促進協作和創新的環境，並同時仍然提供許多員工在疫情時期所重視的靈活性。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Consulting (Con-sult-ing): In a significant move, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), one of the world's largest consulting and accounting firms, has announced a stricter return-to-office policy for its UK employees.Consistency (Con-sist-en-cy): This new policy aims to provide clarity and consistency across the business.Differentiated (Dif-fer-en-ti-a-ted): The company argues that being physically together offers clients a differentiated experience and fosters a better environment for learning and coaching.Jeopardize (Jeop-ard-ize): Amazon has even warned that non-compliance could jeopardize promotions or lead to termination.Collaboration (Col-lab-o-ra-tion): These companies argue that in-person collaboration is essential for productivity, innovation, and maintaining company culture.

Reference article:
1. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/09/06/business/pwc-tracking-employees-office-gbr-scli-intl/index.html
2. https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/company-plans-track-workers-locations-return-to-office-crackdown

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Topic: In Amsterdam, Floating Homes That Only Look Like Ships

When Karen Bosma first moved her boat to the Borneokade, northeast of Amsterdam’s bustling city center, in 1999, the neighborhood was barely more than a cluster of commercial docks and underused warehouses.
凱倫．博斯馬1999年剛把她的船移到荷蘭首都阿姆斯特丹熱鬧市中心東北方的波諾卡德時，這一帶幾乎只有成排商船船席和不常使用的倉庫。

“It was for poor people — a lot of artists lived on boats,” she said, sitting in her neat, cozy living room just below the waterline.
博斯馬坐在她整潔舒適的客廳裡回憶說：「當時這是窮人聚居區，很多藝術家住在船上。」客廳就在吃水線下方。

In the quarter century since, Bosma, a 62-year-old social worker, and her husband have raised two sons on the Distel, a 1912 82-foot freighter, which — stripped of its engine, fuel tanks and cargo hold — is one of Amsterdam’s iconic houseboats, with a seagoing hull, wheelhouse and curtained windows.
此後的四分之一個世紀，現年62歲的社工博斯馬和先生，在這艘船上把兩個兒子帶大。這艘船名叫「迪斯特爾」，是1912年打造的貨船，長25公尺，引擎、燃料槽和貨艙都已去除，是阿姆斯特丹著名船屋之一，具備遠洋船船體、舵手室和裝上窗簾的窗子。

Three boats down lies the B18, an elegant 131-foot, 2 1/2-story floating mansion (with more than 3,000 square feet of interior space) that shows just how perfectly the soul of a luxury yacht combines with open-space living and elegant living quarters.
三艘船以外停泊著B18，是雅緻的兩層半水上豪宅，長40公尺，室內面積超過279平方公尺（約84坪），顯示奢華遊艇的精髓如何與室外生活和優美的室內起居空間完美結合。

“It has to be a ship on the outside and a house on the inside,” said Gijs Haverkate, 53, who created the vessel and lives on it with his family.
53歲的哈福卡特造了B18，並與家人住在船上，他說：「B18必須外觀是艘船，內部是個家。」

In the Dutch capital, houseboats have gone upmarket. The new owners are wealthy and discerning, interested in new designs, upgraded comfort and sustainability.
在阿姆斯特丹，船屋已變得高檔了。新一批船屋主人富裕且有品味，對新設計、更高的舒適感和永續性都很感興趣。

Haverkate, a designer by trade, hopes his boat will inspire others to build on the water. He runs UrbanShips, a company that builds customized houseboats designed to look like ships.
哈福卡特以設計為業，希望他的船能激勵別人在水上蓋房子。他經營「都市船」公司，依照客戶需求打造看來像船隻的船屋。

After years of serving as a relatively cheap place to live in an expensive city, Amsterdam’s houseboats — or rather the spaces they float — have become popular and expensive, with prices increasing 30% to 40% over the past five years alone, according to Jon Kok, one of the city’s best known houseboat real estate agents.
阿姆斯特丹的船屋（更確切地說，是承載船屋的水面），原本的功用是在這昂貴的城市中作為相對廉價的住所，多年下來卻變得大受歡迎且價格高漲，阿姆斯特丹最知名船屋仲介公司之一「約翰科克」資料顯示，單單這五年來，船屋價格就漲了三到四成。

The whale’s share of the price increase comes from the value of the berth, not the ship.
船屋價格上漲，主要是因為船席變得更值錢，而不是船體本身。

A typical Amsterdam canal berth might be worth close to a half-million dollars, depending on its location and how big a ship it will allow; some of the older, unrenovated ships in those berths might be worth only $20,000 (building a new ship, of course, is much more expensive).
一個典型的阿姆斯特丹運河船席，可能就要近50萬美元，視地點和可容下多大船隻而定。停在這種船席上的一些老舊未翻新船隻，可能只值兩萬美元。（當然，造新船貴得多。）

But in this gentrification debate, the cost of new berths is less important than the architecture of the ship — and whether they ever served as actual commercial ships.
不過，在討論船屋愈來愈高級的話題時，新船席的價格並不如船隻的設計美感和是否曾作為真正的商船來得重要。

Once populated by converted working boats, the canal now holds an increasing number of floating houses designed to look like oceangoing vessels but with hardly any of the working features of a real boat.
阿姆斯特丹的運河曾經滿是工作船改造後的船屋，現在有愈來愈多的水上房屋，設計成外觀像遠洋船，但實際上幾乎不具備真正船隻的功能。

Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/348587/web/#2L-16188816L

Next Article

Topic: Japan has so many vacant homes it’s giving them away

Four years ago, Naoko and Takayuki Ida were given a house in the small town of Okutama, in Tokyo prefecture. For free.
4年前，井田直子與孝之得到一棟位於東京都小鎮奧多摩的房子。不用錢。

A free house may sound like a scam. But Japan faces an unusual property problem： it has more homes than people to live in them.
免費的房子聽起來像是騙局。但日本正面臨一項不尋常的房地產問題：房屋數量多於入住人數。

In 2013, there were 61 million houses and 52 million households, according to the Japan Policy Forum. And the situation is poised to get worse.
「日本政策論壇」指出，2013年時有6100萬間房子與5200萬戶家庭。而且，這種情況還會日益惡化。

Japan’s population is expected to decline from 127 million to about 88 million by 2065, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security, meaning even fewer people will need houses. As young people leave rural areas for city jobs, Japan’s countryside has become haunted by deserted "ghost houses."
根據（日本）「國立社會保障、人口問題研究所」，預料日本人口到了2065年，會從1億2700萬減至約8800萬，意味需要房屋的人會更少。隨著年輕人為了在都市工作離開鄉間，日本鄉間已充斥遭棄置的「鬼屋」。

It’s predicted that by 2040, nearly 900 towns and villages across Japan will no longer exist － and Okutama is one of them. In that context, giving away property is a bid for survival.
預料到了2040年，全日本將近900座小鎮與村莊將不復存在—奧多摩便是其中之一。在此情況下，贈送房地產便成為一種求生之道。

Next Article

Topic: Part Office Building , Part Homeless Shelter

A year ago, when Amazon let a homeless shelter for families move into a former motel it owned, it was viewed as a nice but fleeting gesture.
The motel was on a chunk of downtown property where Amazon planned to eventually erect yet another set of sparkling buildings to meet its insatiable need for office space in this city. The hotel would be torn down and the shelter kicked out when that time came.
一年前，亞馬遜公司讓一個遊民（無處可住）家庭收容所遷進該公司所有，曾為汽車旅館的一棟建築，當時被認為是好心，但僅屬暫時性的善舉。
這家汽車旅館位於市中心的一大片地產上，亞馬遜最終計畫在這塊土地上興建另一批閃閃發光的建築，以因應該公司在這個城市對辦公室空間永難滿足的需求。當重建的時刻降臨時，旅館會被拆除，收容所也會被掃地出門。

Instead, Amazon has decided to let the shelter stay. In an unusual arrangement, the company has agreed to give the shelter, Mary’s Place, a permanent home inside one of the new office buildings for which it will break ground in the fall.
Amazon will give roughly half of the six-story building to the shelter, providing it with 47,000 square feet of space with private rooms that can hold 65 families, or about 220 people and their pets. The facility, expected to open in early 2020, will have its own entrance and elevators.
然而事非如此，亞馬遜已決定讓收容所留下。在一項不尋常的安排下，該公司已同意在預定秋天動工興建的新辦公大樓中的某一棟裡，讓收容所「瑪麗之家」擁有一個永遠的家。
亞馬遜準備大約將這棟六層樓大樓的一半提供給收容所，讓收容所擁有4萬7000平方英尺地坪，計有足可容納65戶家庭，或約220人和他們的寵物的私人房間。這項設施預計2020年年初啟用，將有自己的大門和電梯。

“I see it as this huge gift because everywhere we go, we end up leaving,” said Marty Hartman, the executive director of Mary’s Place, which runs seven transitional shelters around the Seattle area meant to house families until they can find permanent homes. “You come in and become a fabric of the neighborhood you’re in, and then you say goodbye. That’s a hard thing for a lot of people to do.”
In an interview at the current Mary’s Place site owned by Amazon, which was bustling with families returning to the shelter for the evening, John Schoettler, Amazon’s vice president for global real estate and facilities, said the company would spend “tens of millions of dollars” on the design and construction of the shelter’s portion of the building. Amazon will pay the utilities for Mary’s Place, which will occupy the space rent free, although the organization will continue to pay its own staff.
「瑪麗之家」執行長馬蒂．哈特曼說：「我把它看成天大的一份禮物，因為無論我們到那裏，最終都得離開。」「瑪麗之家」在西雅圖地區經營七個中途之家性質的收容所，收容一些尚未找到固定住所的家庭。她說：「你住進來，成為你所加入鄰里的一份子，然後又得說再見。這對很多人來說是件困難的事。」
「瑪麗之家」目前所在地產權為亞馬遜所擁有，此刻正因一些家庭返回過夜而顯得頗為熱鬧，亞馬遜主管全球房地產和設施的副總裁約翰．舒特勒在此處接受訪問表示，該公司將花費「數千萬美元」設計和建造這棟建築內的收容所部分。亞馬遜將支付「瑪麗之家」的水電費、讓「瑪麗之家」免租金使用空間，不過「瑪麗之家」將繼續支付他們自己員工的薪水。

Schoettler said Amazon originally allowed the shelter to stay in the motel because of the severity of Seattle’s homelessness crisis, which had prompted the city’s mayor to declare a state of emergency in 2015. Schoettler said Amazon was impressed by Mary’s Place, and he described its plan to give the shelter a permanent home as an investment in the neighborhood.
In San Francisco, Google, Salesforce.com and others have funded a campaign to find permanent housing for homeless people. But Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a nonprofit advocacy group in Washington, D.C., said she was unaware of any other private corporation integrating a homeless shelter into its building.
舒特勒說，亞馬遜最初允許收容所搬進汽車旅館，是因西雅圖遊民危機十分嚴重。遊民危機2015年時促使西雅圖市長宣布進入緊急狀態。舒特勒說， 亞馬遜被瑪麗之家給打動了，他把亞馬遜計畫給收容所一個長久的家這件事，稱為該公司對當地社區的一項投資。
在舊金山，谷歌、Salesforce.com 和其他公司都在資助替無家可歸者尋找固定住處的一項運動。不過，華盛頓特區非營利宣導團體「終結無家可歸全國聯盟」總裁南恩．羅曼說，據她所知，沒有任何其他私人公司讓遊民收容所進住他們的大樓。
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/314016/web/

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Hello通勤家族們！本週是爵士之詩的詩詩老師來作客，除了要跟大家分享她入圍廣播金鐘獎的喜悅外，也要請大家一同集氣讓我們15Mins老師把獎拿下～！

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Excerpt 摘要:

King Willem-Alexander, reigning monarch of the Netherlands, revealed in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Telegraafthat he'd regularly flown flights for a subsidiary of the Dutch flag carrier for over two decades.

Calling the part-time role a "hobby," the King says that he'd taken to the cockpit as a co-pilot of KLM Cityhopper -- the airline's short-haul carrier -- flights for over 21 years.

The King told the newspaper that he used the twice-monthly flights with KLM to decompress from his royal duties, with his pastime allowing him to fully concentrate on the task at hand.

Britain's heir to the throne, Prince Charles, is a qualified pilot, and his two sons, William and Harry, flew helicopters in their previous military careers -- William, a search and rescue chopper and Harry, Apache helicopters in Afghanistan.

Article discussed: http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/netherlands-king-willem-alexander-klm-pilot/index.html

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You must have stayed up all night watching some of the greatest athletes and sportsmen/sportswomen compete in the biggest game of the year! Have you ever wondered what foods were available at the cafeterias? In this episode, Klim and I discuss the menu that the world's top athletes got to have at the biggest game this year in Paris.

What do you think is your favorite dish? Share it with us and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K855: Climate Change Threatens South Korea's Beloved Kimchi


Highlights 主題摘要：

Climate change is threatening South Korea's kimchi production by affecting napa cabbage growth. Rising temperatures are making it difficult to cultivate cabbage in traditional mountainous regions, impacting both quality and quantity.The area of highland cabbage farming in South Korea has decreased by over 50% in the past 20 years. Projections suggest this trend will continue, potentially leading to no highland cabbage cultivation by 2090.The South Korean government and scientists are working to address these challenges through climate-controlled storage and developing heat-resistant cabbage varieties. However, concerns remain about maintaining traditional taste and affordable production.

South Korea's iconic dish, kimchi, is facing an unexpected challenge: climate change. The rising temperatures are affecting the quality and quantity of napa cabbage, the main ingredient in this traditional fermented food. Scientists, farmers, and kimchi makers are becoming increasingly concerned about the future of this cultural staple.

南韓的招牌料理泡菜（kimchi）正面臨一項意想不到的挑戰：氣候變遷。日益升高的氣溫正影響著大白菜（napa cabbage）的品質和產量，而大白菜是這種傳統發酵食品的主要原料。科學家、農民和泡菜製造商對這項文化瑰寶的未來越來越擔憂。

Napa cabbage, which thrives in cooler climates, has typically been grown in mountainous regions where summer temperatures rarely exceeded 25°C. However, recent studies show that warmer weather is now putting these crops at risk. Plant experts warn that if current trends continue, South Korea might struggle to grow napa cabbage in the future due to intensifying heat. The ideal temperature range for cabbage growth is between 18°C and 21°C, but climate change is pushing temperatures beyond this narrow band. Plant pathologist Lee Young-gyu expressed hope that these predictions don't come to pass, highlighting the delicate nature of cabbage cultivation.

大白菜喜歡在較涼爽的氣候中生長，通常種植在夏季溫度很少超過 25°C 的山區。然而，近期研究顯示，較溫暖的天氣現在正威脅著這些作物。植物專家警告，如果當前趨勢持續下去，由於熱度加劇，南韓未來可能難以種植大白菜。大白菜生長的理想溫度範圍介於 18°C 至 21°C 之間，但氣候變遷正將溫度推升至這個狹窄範圍之外。植物病理學家 Lee Young-gyu 表示希望這些預測不會成真，突顯出大白菜栽培的細緻性。

The effects of higher temperatures on cabbage are already visible in fields and kitchens across the country. Farmers and kimchi makers report that the vegetable's quality is declining, with the cabbage heart going bad and the roots becoming mushy. This change is not only affecting the taste and texture of kimchi but also its production. Government data reveals that the area of highland cabbage farming has decreased by more than half in the past 20 years, from 8,796 hectares to just 3,995 hectares. Climate change projections suggest this trend will continue, with predictions of dramatic shrinkage in farmable areas over the next few decades. Some models even suggest that by 2090, there might be no cabbage grown in the highlands at all.

較高的溫度對大白菜的影響已在全國各地的田野和廚房中顯而易見。農民和泡菜製造商報告說，蔬菜的品質正在下降，大白菜心變壞，根部變得軟爛。這種變化不僅影響泡菜的味道和口感，也影響其生產。政府數據顯示，過去 20 年間，高地白菜種植面積已減少了一半以上，從 8,796 公頃降至僅 3,995 公頃。氣候變遷預測顯示這一趨勢將持續下去，預計在未來幾十年內可耕地面積將大幅縮減。一些模型甚至預測，到 2090 年，高地可能完全無法種植大白菜。

To address these challenges, the South Korean government is taking steps to protect its kimchi industry. They are using large climate-controlled storage facilities to prevent price increases and shortages. Additionally, scientists are working to develop new cabbage varieties that can withstand warmer temperatures and are more resistant to rainfall fluctuations and plant diseases. However, some farmers worry that these new varieties might be more expensive to grow and may not have the same traditional taste. As the country grapples with these changes, many South Koreans are concerned about the future of their beloved kimchi, wondering how they will adapt if cabbage becomes scarce or too costly to produce. The challenges facing kimchi production highlight the far-reaching effects of climate change, touching not just the environment but also cultural traditions and national identity. For now, kimchi remains a staple on Korean tables, but its future in a warming world remains uncertain.

為應對這些挑戰，南韓政府正採取措施保護其泡菜產業。他們正在使用大型的氣候控制儲存設施來防止價格上漲和短缺。此外，科學家正在努力開發能夠耐受較高溫度，且對降雨波動和植物疾病更具抗性的新品種白菜。然而，一些農民擔心這些新品種可能種植成本更高，且可能無法保留傳統口味。隨著國家努力應對這些變化，許多南韓人對他們深愛的泡菜的未來感到憂慮，思考著如果白菜變得稀少或生產成本過高，他們將如何適應。泡菜生產面臨的挑戰凸顯了氣候變遷的深遠影響，不僅涉及環境，還涉及文化傳統和國家認同。目前，泡菜仍然是韓國餐桌上的主食，但在這個日益溫暖的世界裡，它的未來充滿了不確定性。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Mountainous (Moun-tain-ous): Napa cabbage, which thrives in cooler climates, has typically been grown in mountainous regions where summer temperatures rarely exceeded 25°C.Intensifying (In-ten-si-fy-ing): Plant experts warn that if current trends continue, South Korea might struggle to grow napa cabbage in the future due to intensifying heat.Pathologist (Pa-thol-o-gist): Plant pathologist Lee Young-gyu expressed hope that these predictions don't come to pass, highlighting the delicate nature of cabbage cultivation.Hectares (Hec-tares): Government data reveals that the area of highland cabbage farming has decreased by more than half in the past 20 years, from 8,796 hectares to just 3,995 hectares.Facilities (Fa-cil-i-ties): They are using large climate-controlled storage facilities to prevent price increases and shortages.

Reference article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/kimchi-no-more-climate-change-puts-south-koreas-beloved-cabbage-dish-risk-2024-09-03/

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Topic: Water-Stressed India Seeks a Tap for Every Home

The pipes are laid, the taps installed and the village tank is under construction — all promising signs that, come spring, Girja Ahriwar will get water at her doorstep and finally shed a lifelong burden.

管子鋪好，水龍頭裝好，村子的水槽正在建造。這些充滿希望的跡象顯示，春季來臨時，吉爾嘉．艾里瓦可以在家門口取到水，而且終於解除長期以來的負擔。

“I go out and put the jerrycans in the queue at around 5 a.m. and wait there with the children,” Ahriwar, a mother of three who lives in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, said about her routine of fetching from the village hand pump. “Sometimes it could take five or six hours. I have to stay there
because if I leave, someone else moves ahead.”

「我大約在清晨5時出門，把大水桶排進隊伍，然後和孩子們一起等待」，住在印度中部中央邦、三個孩子的媽艾里瓦說，她的例行公事就是從村子的手動泵浦取水，「有時候得花五或六個小時，我必須一直留在這裡，因為如果我離開了，其他人就會搶先往前」。

India, one of the world’s most water-stressed countries, is halfway through an ambitious drive to provide clean tap water by 2024 to all of the roughly 192 million households across its 600,000 villages. About 18,000 government engineers are overseeing the $50 billion undertaking, which includes hundreds of thousands of contractors and laborers who are laying more than 2.5 million miles of pipe.

印度是全世界用水最吃緊的國家之一，在2024年之前提供60萬個村落共約1億9200萬戶乾淨自來水，這項宏大的計畫已進行到一半。約1萬8000名政府工程師監督規模500億美元的工程，包括數十萬名包商和工人，鋪設超過250萬哩的水管。

The project has a powerful champion in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has slashed through India’s notorious red tape and pushed aside thorny political divisions to see it through. His success thus far helps explain his dominance over the country’s political landscape.

這項計畫有個有力的擁護者：總理莫迪，他打破印度惡名昭彰的官僚作風，把棘手的政治分歧暫放一邊，推動計畫。目前為止他的成功也顯示他在這個國家政治版圖的主導力。

Modi has remained popular despite a weak economy and a bungled initial response to the coronavirus that left hundreds of thousands dead. He has increasingly relied on communal politics, continuing to consolidate a Hindu nationalist base he has worked for decades to rally.

即使經濟疲弱，且一開始對新冠病毒的笨拙反應造成數十萬人死亡，莫迪仍舊廣得人心。他日漸依賴宗教團體式政治，持續鞏固印度教國族主義基本盤，他投注數十年整合這些勢力。

But the mission to deliver water to every household combines two of Modi’s political strengths: his grasp of the day-to-day problems of hundreds of millions of India’s poor and his penchant for ambitious solutions. Modi, who grew up in a poor village, has spoken emotionally about his own mother’s hardship in fetching water.

不過，將水送到所有家戶的任務，結合莫迪的兩個政治力量：他對印度數億貧窮人口日常問題的理解，以及喜好採取極具雄心的解決方案。在貧窮村莊長大的莫迪，曾充滿感情的談到母親以前取水的困難。

About one-sixth of India’s households had a clean water tap when the program, called Jal Jeevan Mission, began in 2019. Now, almost half have one.

當這個「水生活任務」2019年開始時，印度家戶有潔淨自來水者約六分之一。現在，幾乎一半。

“You rarely have this drive from the government, the head of state, and it is well funded. Behind the concept, there is budget,” said Nicolas Osbert, who leads the UNICEF water and sanitation unit in India. “All social sectors were impacted by COVID. Not this one. This one was preserved.”

「你很少能從政府或國家領袖獲得這種推動力，而且資金充裕。在這個概念後面，重點是預算」，聯合國兒童基金會印度分部水資源和衛生主管歐斯柏特說，「所有社福單位都遭遇新冠病毒衝擊，但這個沒有，這個計畫保留下來」。

The country’s water problem speaks to the mismatch between its global economic ambitions and the dire conditions of much of its 1.4 billion population, two-thirds of whom still live in rural areas.

這個國家的用水問題顯示，其全球經濟野心和14億人口中許多人的悲慘情況，頗不相配。印度人口三分之二住在鄉村地區。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6034821

Next Article

Topic: Typhoonless year brings water shortage in fall/winter

Most years, Taiwan is hit by typhoons during the summer and fall, but we have yet to see a typhoon this year. This unusual situation has put pressure on water supply levels in reservoirs around Taiwan.

台灣每年夏、秋兩季颱風頻繁，但詭異的是，今年截至目前為止，竟無任何一個颱風登陸台灣，造成水庫缺水問題。

Due to global warming, the typhoons generated in the Pacific Ocean this year have all moved northward, bypassing Taiwan. Although successive fronts and afternoon showers have brought rainfall, it was only fragmented, covering limited areas and did little to replenish reservoirs. As a result, the reservoir storage this year is lower than in previous years.

這是因為全球暖化之影響，今年大平洋生成的颱風往北移，導致沒有任何一個颱風進來台灣，雖然陸續有鋒面及午後陣雨帶來雨量，但下雨範圍多為局部地區，導致水庫蓄水量較往年低。

According to the Water Resource Agency, as of 2pm yesterday, the Shihmen Reservoir’s water storage was 44 percent of capacity, the Feicuei Reservoir’s was 62.3 percent and the Zengwen Reservoir’s was 31.3 percent. Two of the three major water reservoirs have less than 50 percent of their water storage capacity.

水利署資料顯示，截至昨日下午二時為止，石門水庫蓄水量為百分之四十四，翡翠水庫蓄水量百分之六十二點三，曾文水庫蓄水率百分之三十一點三，三大水庫中有兩座儲水量低於五成。

In order to prepare for demand for water next year, the government has decided to implement three measures to control water usage. Firstly, starting from last Wednesday, night water pressure in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli areas was to be lowered from 11pm through to 5am the following day. Secondly, the irrigation of some areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli was to be suspended, and farmers affected by the measures will receive government compensation. Thirdly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is setting up a central drought response center to better respond to the crisis and to distribute water resources according to needs. Taiwanese are advised to take water-saving measures.

為審慎因應明年用水需求，政府實施三項因應措施。第一，桃竹苗中自上週三起，每天晚上十一點至隔日清晨五點實施減壓供水；第二，桃竹苗部分地區的農田，將停止供灌，政府也會給予補償，維持農民生活；第三，經濟部將成立抗旱中央應變中心，拉高應變層級，做好調度節水，更請全民配合省水。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/10/19/2003745390
Next Article

Topic: Gel-like ice is the lightest form of waterer ever discovered 迄今發現最輕盈的水形態，凝膠般的冰

The frosty cubes we pull from our freezers are just one of 17 possible types of ice, and an 18th type isn’t far from being made real.

我們從冰箱裡拿出來的冰塊，只是17種可能出現的冰類型之一，而第18種冰類型的出現，距離也不遠了。

Hexagonal ice, and the occasional cubic ice in our upper atmosphere, are the only two forms that occur naturally on Earth. Other ices might be found on exoplanets or in the atmospheres of the outer planets.

「六角形晶體結構冰」和偶爾出現的「立方體構冰」存在於我們的上層大氣，是唯二能在地球上自然形成的冰類型。其他類型的冰，則可見於系外行星或外行星的大氣層中。

Under atmospheric pressure or higher, water molecules get squeezed and freeze into a solid denser than normal ice. But when the pressure drops below this, water molecules become a less-dense, lightweight crystal that’s more air than molecule – like an icy candy floss. So far, we only know of two kinds of low-density ice: space fullerenes and zeolitic ices. But lighter ice structures hadn’t been spotted until now.

在一般大氣壓力或更高壓的情況下，被擠壓的水分子凝固成比正常水冰更密集的固體。不過，當大氣壓力降低，水分子會轉變成輕盈、密度較低的晶體，分子內含有更多空氣，就像是冰的棉花糖。目前，我們只知道兩種低密度的冰：「富勒烯冰」和「沸石冰」。更輕盈的冰結構，迄今仍未被辨識。

Masakazu Matsumoto at Okayama University in Japan and his team played molecular Jenga to find this new type of ice, removing and reconfiguring existing zeolitic ice structures to make them lighter. They found more than 300 different nanoscale structures through computer simulations.
日本岡山理科大學的松本正和研究團隊，透過分子疊疊樂，發現這款新類型的冰；他們移除並重新配置既存的「沸石冰」結構，使其更加輕盈。研究團隊透過電腦模擬，找出超過300種不同的奈米尺度結構。Source article: http://iservice.ltn.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=1161164&day=2017-12-18

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15Mins 名人正念語錄 Inspirations

1.Mel Blanc

Quote: "That's all folks!" This was Blanc'ssignature sign-off line as Porky Pig, which he used at the end of many Warner
Bros. cartoons.

Trivia (90 seconds): Mel Blanc, known as "The Man of aThousand Voices," was one of the most influential voice actors in history. He voiced numerous iconic characters for Warner Bros. cartoons, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig. Blanc's career spanned over 60 years, during which he voiced characters in over 3,000 cartoons. His dedication to his craft was legendary - during a severe car accident in 1961, Blanc was in a coma for two weeks. Doctors struggled to get him to respond until one of them asked, "How are you feeling today, Bugs Bunny?" To everyone's amazement, Blanc answered in Bugs' voice, "Eh... just fine, Doc. How are you?" This incident showcased Blanc's deep connection to his characters and his incredible talent.

1. 梅爾·布蘭克（MelBlanc）

名言：「就這樣啦，各位！」這是布蘭克作為小豬波奇的標誌性告別台詞，他在許多華納兄弟卡通片結尾處使用。

趣聞（90秒）：梅爾·布蘭克被稱為「千音之王」，是歷史上最具影響力的配音演員之一。他為華納兄弟卡通配音了眾多標誌性角色，包括兔八哥、達菲鴨和小豬波奇。布蘭克的職業生涯跨越60多年，期間他為超過3,000部卡通片配音。他對工作的奉獻精神是傳奇性的——1961年，布蘭克遭遇嚴重車禍，昏迷兩週。醫生們努力讓他有所反應，直到其中一位醫生問道：「兔八哥，你今天感覺如何？」令所有人驚訝的是，布蘭克用兔八哥的聲音回答：「呃...很好啊，醫生。你呢？」這一事件展示了布蘭克與他的角色之間深厚的聯繫和他令人難以置信的才能。

2. June Foray

Quote: "I love everything I do with all of the partsthat I do because there's a little bit of me in all of them."

Trivia (90 seconds): June Foray was often called the"First Lady of Voice Acting." Her career spanned almost 80 years, from radio in the 1930s to cartoons in the 21st century. Foray voiced a wide array of beloved characters, including Rocky the Flying Squirrel and Natasha Fatale from "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," Cindy Lou Who in "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," and Granny in the Sylvester and Tweety cartoons. Despite her immense talent and prolific career, Foray remained humble and passionate about her work throughout her life. She was a founding member of ASIFA-Hollywood, which created the Annie Awards to recognize excellence in animation. In a fitting tribute, ASIFA-Hollywood created the June Foray Award in 1995 to honor individuals who have made significant
contributions to animation. Foray herself was the first recipient of this award named in her honor.

2. 朱恩·福瑞（June Foray）

名言：「我熱愛我所做的一切，以及我扮演的所有角色，因為每個角色中都有一點我自己。」

趣聞（90秒）：朱恩·福瑞常被稱為「配音界第一夫人」。她的職業生涯橫跨近80年，從1930年代的廣播到21世紀的卡通。福瑞為眾多深受喜愛的角色配音，包括《洛基和布魯溫克爾秀》中的飛鼠洛基和娜塔莎·法塔爾、《鬼靈精》中的辛蒂·露·胡、以及貓貓與崔弟卡通中的奶奶。儘管擁有巨大的才華和豐富的職業生涯，福瑞一生都保持謙遜，對工作充滿熱情。她是ASIFA-Hollywood的創始成員之一，該組織創立了安妮獎，以表彰動畫領域的傑出成就。作為一項恰當的致敬，ASIFA-Hollywood於1995年設立了朱恩·福瑞獎，以表彰對動畫事業做出重大貢獻的個人。福瑞本人是這個以她名字命名的獎項的首位獲得者。

3. Frank Oz

Quote: "I think if you study–if you learn too much ofwhat others have done, you may tend to take the same direction as everybody
else."

Trivia (90 seconds): Frank Oz is a multi-talented artistknown for his work as a puppeteer, actor, and director. However, his voice acting has left an indelible mark on popular culture. Oz is perhaps best known as the voice of Yoda from the Star Wars franchise, bringing wisdom and gravitas to the tiny Jedi Master. He also voiced Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, and other characters in The Muppet Show, and various characters on Sesame Street, including Cookie Monster and Bert. Oz's approach to voice acting involves fully embodying his characters. For Yoda, he created a complete backstory and
personality that informed every aspect of the character's speech and mannerisms. This dedication to character development has made his performances particularly memorable and inspiring. Beyond voice acting, Oz has directed several successful films, including "Little Shop of Horrors" and
"In & Out," showcasing his diverse talents in the entertainment industry.

3. 法蘭克·奧茲（Frank Oz）

名言：「我認為如果你研究——如果你過多地學習別人所做的，你可能會傾向於和其他人走同樣的方向。」

趣聞（90秒）：法蘭克·奧茲是一位多才多藝的藝術家，以其木偶操縱、演員和導演工作而聞名。然而，他的配音工作在流行文化中留下了不可磨滅的印記。奧茲可能最為人所知的是為《星球大戰》系列中的尤達大師配音，為這位小個子絕地大師帶來了智慧和威嚴。他還為《芝麻街》和《木偶秀》中的多個角色配音，包括餅乾怪獸、伯特、豬小姐和福茲熊。奧茲的配音方法包括完全融入他的角色。對於尤達，他創造了一個完整的背景故事和性格，這些都影響了角色的言談舉止的每個方面。這種對角色發展的奉獻使他的表演特別令人難忘和具有啟發性。除了配音之外，奧茲還執導了幾部成功的電影，包括《小商店》和《同性大廚》，展示了他在娛樂產業中的多樣化才能。

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Growing up in Taiwan, we can never forget some of the iconic food or drinks from our childhood. This week Patrick and I talk about the most iconic drink in our childhoods - Yakult. Patrick will also uncover the brand origin of Yakult and how it got popularized in Taiwan.

What is your favorite childhood drink and what are some of your stories? Share it with us and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀Ep.K851: Oasis Reunion Tour: Global Ambitions and Ticket Turmoil

Highlights 主題摘要：

Oasis is planning a global reunion tour for 2025, potentially expanding beyond the UK and Ireland to the US, Mexico, and Argentina, with expected profits exceeding £500 million.The initial ticket sales faced significant problems, including long queues and price hikes due to Ticketmaster's dynamic pricing, leading to fan frustration and a regulatory investigation.In response to the backlash, Oasis added shows, implemented a lottery system for tickets, and clarified their lack of involvement in pricing decisions, aiming to improve the fan experience.

The music world is buzzing with excitement as the long-awaited Oasis reunion tour takes shape, promising to be a global phenomenon. Initially slated for the UK and Ireland in 2025, rumors now suggest the Gallagher brothers are eyeing an expansion into the United States, Mexico, and Argentina. This ambitious move could see the band performing at massive venues like the 70,000-seat SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, potentially pushing the tour's profits beyond the £500 million mark.

樂壇因期待已久的綠洲合唱團重聚巡演正在成形一片沸騰，有望成為全球性的音樂盛事。原本計劃於 2025 年在英國和愛爾蘭展開，如今傳聞蓋勒格兄弟正考慮將演出擴展至美國、墨西哥和阿根廷。這個雄心壯志可能會讓樂團在洛杉磯的 SoFi 體育場等大型場地演出，該場地可容納 7 萬名觀眾，有望將巡演收益推升至 5 億英鎊以上。

However, the euphoria surrounding the reunion has been tempered by the chaos that ensued during the initial ticket sales. Fans faced numerous challenges, including lengthy virtual queues and unexpected price hikes due to Ticketmaster's controversial "dynamic pricing" system. Many supporters were shocked to find standing tickets priced at £355, more than double the expected £148.50. This situation sparked widespread frustration and disappointment, prompting an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority into whether Ticketmaster violated consumer protection laws.

然而，重聚的欣喜之情卻因首輪售票的混亂而蒙上陰影。歌迷們面臨諸多挑戰，包括冗長的虛擬排隊等候，以及因 Ticketmaster 備受爭議的「動態定價」系統而導致的意外漲價。許多支持者震驚地發現，站票價格高達 355 英鎊，是預期 148.50 英鎊的兩倍多。這種情況引發了廣泛的不滿和失望，促使競爭與市場管理局（Competition and Markets Authority）展開調查，以確定 Ticketmaster 是否違反了消費者保護法。

In response to the backlash, Oasis has taken steps to address the situation. The band announced two additional shows at Wembley Stadium for September, implementing a lottery system for ticket sales. This new approach aims to streamline the process and reduce stress for fans. Oasis also released a statement clarifying that they were unaware of Ticketmaster's intention to use dynamic pricing, emphasizing that all ticketing and pricing decisions were left to their management and promotion teams.

為了回應這些批評，綠洲合唱團採取了一系列措施。樂團宣布在九月於溫布利體育場增加兩場演出，並採用抽籤制售票。這種新方法旨在簡化過程，減輕歌迷的壓力。綠洲合唱團還發表聲明，表示他們不知道 Ticketmaster 打算使用動態定價，強調所有票務和定價決策都由他們的管理和推廣團隊負責。

The Oasis reunion tour is set to kick off in Cardiff in July 2025, with subsequent stops in Manchester, London, and Edinburgh before concluding in Dublin. With the addition of the extra Wembley dates, the tour now comprises 20 shows in total. As fans eagerly await the brothers' return to the stage, there's hope that the new ticket sale strategy will provide a more equitable opportunity for supporters to secure their spots at these highly anticipated concerts.

綠洲合唱團重聚巡演定於 2025 年 7 月在卡地夫揭開序幕，隨後將在曼徹斯特、倫敦和愛丁堡演出，最後在都柏林結束。加上額外的溫布利場次，巡演共計 20 場演出。歌迷們熱切期待兄弟倆重返舞台，希望新的售票策略能為支持者提供更公平的機會，搶到這些備受期待的演唱會門票。

Excitement for potential international dates has been further fueled by electronic billboards appearing in New York's Times Square. These teasers, featuring the Amazon Music logo and a picture of the Gallaghers, displayed the message: "If we need to put up a billboard to get these guys to come to the States, here it is." This has intensified speculation about a US leg of the tour, suggesting that the Oasis reunion might truly become a global phenomenon, thrilling fans around the world.

對於可能的國際巡演日期，紐約時代廣場出現的電子廣告看板更是火上加油。這些預告片上有亞馬遜音樂的標誌和蓋勒格兄弟的照片，並顯示訊息：「如果我們需要豎立一個廣告牌才能讓這些傢伙來美國，這就是那面廣告。」這進一步加劇了對綠洲合唱團可能進行美國巡演的猜測，暗示這次重聚可能真的會成為一個全球性現象，讓全世界的歌迷為之瘋狂。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Reunion (Re-un-ion): The music world is buzzing with excitement as the long-awaited Oasis reunion tour takes shape, promising to be a global phenomenon.Frustration (Frus-tra-tion): This situation sparked widespread frustration and disappointment, prompting an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority into whether Ticketmaster violated consumer protection laws.Backlash (Back-lash): In response to the backlash, Oasis has taken steps to address the situation.Unaware (Un-a-ware): Oasis also released a statement clarifying that they were unaware of Ticketmaster's intention to use dynamic pricing, emphasizing that all ticketing and pricing decisions were left to their management and promotion teams.Equitable (Eq-ui-ta-ble): As fans eagerly await the brothers' return to the stage, there's hope that the new ticket sale strategy will provide a more equitable opportunity for supporters to secure their spots at these highly anticipated concerts.

Reference article:
1. https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/oasis-reunion-set-go-around-29890650
2. https://uk.news.yahoo.com/oasis-respond-backlash-over-reunion-074232011.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAIbHqxkU0jvigzo3viZGoWE7gF8AEaK3mZO4W6Sjoo9bx5rebGeZwfSWP3FX5YVkBpV8XJXwSiwF5nT35G175etQOQXCS_Rmue_kTsoVEqQvSE30wk2DejOXMBpwnQEmX5G2gL7qSK-3bnSmFd5p0zoqMkcc5juDyMAja1bj-6uz&guccounter=2

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史考特給自己的筆記,一個出生平凡的台灣人,在34歲那年,接觸到靈修和量子物理之後,在美國成為上市企業裡的最高業績團隊,同行業績全球冠軍,管理百人團隊,來聽聽看他是怎麼從平庸匱乏的日子走到幸福富足的生活

https://fstry.pse.is/6mq3m7

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Topic: Collins Dictionary picks ‘NFT’ as word of the year

Collins Dictionary has chosen the term NFT as its word of the year after surging interest in the digital tokens that can sell for millions of dollars brought it into the mainstream.

《柯林斯詞典》於近日選出「NFT」為年度詞彙！該數位貨幣交易動輒高達數百萬美元，各界對它的興趣大增，並成功打入主流市場。
NFT is short for non-fungible token. Collins defines it as “a unique digital certificate, registered in a blockchain, that is used to record ownership of an asset such as an artwork or a collectible.”

NFT是「非同質代幣」的縮寫，《柯林斯詞典》將NFT定義為「一種基於區塊鏈的獨特數位認證，用於記錄藝術品或收藏品等資產的所有權。」

Most people didn’t know what an NFT was until this year, when sales boomed, sparked in large part by artist Beeple’s March auction of a digital collage NFT for nearly US$70 million (approximately NT$2 billion). Experts at Collins said they chose NFT because of its “meteoric rise in usage,” up 11,000 percent this year.

人們原本對NFT很陌生，但自從數位藝術家畢波今年三月以近七千萬美元（近二十億台幣）的天價，售出一件數位拼貼作品後，NFT熱潮隨即興起，人們紛紛將目光投向NFT市場。柯林斯的專家表示，NFT一詞的使用量「迅速竄升」，今年已增長一百一十倍。

“NFTs seem to be everywhere, from the arts sections to the financial pages and in galleries and auction houses and across social media platforms,” said Alex Beecroft, managing director of Collins Learning. But whether NFT will have a lasting influence is yet to be determined, he added.

「柯林斯學習」的總經理比克羅夫特表示︰「NFT似乎無所不在，從藝術領域到金融版面，並且在畫廊、拍賣會還有社交平台都有它的蹤影。」他補充︰「但NFT是否會產生持久的影響，仍有待觀察。」Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/12/06/2003769067

Next Article

Topic: Art Museums Are Struggling to Weed Out the Vandals From the Visitors

For Hans-Peter Wipplinger, the director of Vienna’s Leopold Museum, the past few weeks have been challenging. As climate protesters across Europe stepped up their attacks against art, Wipplinger took measures to protect his storied collection, which includes famous paintings by Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele. Bags were banned; coats, too. The museum hired extra guards to patrol its five floors.

對維也納立奧波德博物館館長維普林格來說，過去幾周充滿挑戰。隨著歐洲各地氣候抗議者加大對藝術品的攻擊力道，維普林格採取措施保護他的著名收藏，包括克林姆和席勒的名畫。禁止包包，外套也是。博物館雇用額外警衛巡視五個樓層。

It didn’t work. Last week, members of a group called Last Generation walked into the museum and threw black liquid at one of Klimt’s major works, “Death and Life.” A protester had sneaked the liquid into the museum in a hot water bottle strapped to his chest, Wipplinger said.

但沒有成功，上周一個名為「最後一代」團體的成員走進博物館，向克林姆主要作品之一《死亡與生命》潑灑黑色液體。維普林格說，一名抗議者將這種液體裝在一個熱水瓶內偷偷帶進博物館。

The Klimt, protected by glass, was unharmed. But Wipplinger said his security team could only have stopped the attack by subjecting visitors to invasive body searches, “like at the airport.” He didn’t want to even consider that prospect, he added.

受玻璃保護的克林姆作品雖毫髮無損，但維普林格說，他的保安團隊恐怕只能對訪客進行侵入式搜身
來阻止攻擊，「就像在機場一樣」。他還表示，他甚至不想考慮這一可能性。

With the attacks showing no sign of abating, museum directors across Europe are settling into a nervous new equilibrium, fearful for the works in their care but unwilling to compromise on making visitors feel welcome. So far, nothing has been permanently damaged. But many fear that an accident or an escalation in the protesters’ tactics could result in a masterpiece being destroyed.

由於攻擊沒有減弱跡象，歐洲各地博物館館長正陷入一種緊張的新平衡狀態，擔心自己照顧的作品受到損害，但又不願在讓訪客感覺賓至如歸的問題上妥協。到目前為止，還沒有任何永久性的損壞，但許多人擔心，若發生意外或抗議者升級策略，恐導致名作被毀。

The actions, which began in Britain in June, are already increasing in frequency and daring. At first, protesters glued themselves to the frames of famous paintings, but since footage of activists splattering Vincent Van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” with tomato soup spread rapidly on social media in October, masterpieces have been doused in pea soup, mashed potatoes and flour.

這些行動於6月在英國開始，如今已日益頻繁，愈來愈大膽。最初，抗議者將自己黏在名畫畫框上，但自從10月活動人士向梵谷《向日葵》潑灑番茄湯影片在社群媒體上迅速傳播以來，名作陸續被潑上豌豆湯、馬鈴薯泥以及麵粉。

Those works were all protected by glass, and the protesters’ projectiles never touched an artist’s brushstroke. Yet, last month, protesters in Paris poured orange paint directly onto a silver Charles Ray sculpture outside the Bourse de Commerce contemporary art space. (A Bourse de Commerce spokesperson said the sculpture was cleaned within a few hours.)

這些作品都有玻璃保護，抗議者的投擲物從未接觸到藝術家的畫作。然而，巴黎的抗議者上月將橘色油漆直接倒在商業交易所當代藝術空間外查爾斯．雷的銀色雕像上。（法國商業交易所一名發言人說，這座雕像在數小時內就被清理乾淨了。）

In a statement last month signed by the leaders of more than 90 of the world’s largest art institutions, museum administrators said they were “deeply shaken” by the protesters’ “risky endangerment” of artworks.

在全球90多間最大藝術機構負責人上月簽署的一份聲明中，這些博物館管理人員表示，抗議者對藝術品的「危險危害」，令他們「深感震驚」。

Yet, few museums appear to have taken bold steps to protect their collections. Norway’s National Museum and the Barberini Museum in Potsdam, Germany, have banned visitors from taking bags or jackets into their exhibition halls. Others have made no changes.

然而，似乎很少博物館採取大膽措施保護館藏。挪威國家博物館及德國波茨坦巴貝里尼博物館禁止遊客攜包包或夾克進入展覽廳，其他博物館則未做出任何改變。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6828062

Next Article

Topic: Piet Mondrian artwork displayed upside down for 75 years

An artwork by the abstract Dutch painter Piet Mondrian has been hanging upside down in various galleries for 75 years, an art historian has said.

一名藝術史家說，荷蘭抽象畫家皮特‧蒙德里安的一幅作品，75年來在多個不同藝廊都被上下顛倒掛反了。

Despite the recent discovery, the work, entitled New York City I, will continue to be displayed the wrong way up to avoid it being damaged.

不過，儘管這項最近的發現，這幅名為「紐約市1號」的作品，將繼續以上下顛倒的方式展出，以避免畫作被損毀。

It has hung at the art collection of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia in Düsseldorf since 1980.

這幅作品1980年起一直掛在杜塞道夫的北萊茵—西伐利亞邦藝術品收藏館。

Curator Susanne Meyer-Büser noticed the longstanding error when researching the museum’s new show on the artist earlier this year, but warned it could disintegrate if it was hung the right side up now.

策展人蘇珊娜‧梅爾—布瑟今年稍早研究該館新推出的這名畫家展覽時，發現這個長期以來的錯誤，但她警告，如果現在用正確的方向掛，可能使這幅畫解體。

Next Article

Topic: Manga artist falls for fake Mark Ruffalo, loses $500,000 漫畫家被假的馬克‧魯法洛迷倒，損失50萬美元

The latest work from veteran manga artist Chikae Ide follows her common theme of romance and relationships, but “Poison Love” is quite different than her previous pieces.

（日本）資深漫畫家井出智香惠的最新力作，秉持其一貫的羅曼史與男女關係的主題，但（這部名為）「毒戀」（的漫畫）與其以往的作品大不相同。
First of all, it is based on a true story about a lovestruck woman in an international romance who gets swindled out of 75 million yen ($523,200).

首先，該作品是改編自真實故事，描述一名在跨國戀中被愛情沖昏頭的女子，被人騙走7500萬日幣（52萬3200美元）。
And secondly, the protagonists are Ide herself and a man she believed was Mark Ruffalo, the Hollywood actor who plays the Bruce Banner-Hulk character in the “Avengers” films.

其次，故事主人翁是井出本人，以及與一名她原以為是好萊塢男星馬克‧魯法洛的男子。魯法洛曾在「復仇者聯盟」系列電影中，扮演本名布鲁斯‧班纳的（漫威英雄）浩克。
Ide, 74, says she hopes her latest work, a confession of sorts, will help others avoid being scammed in online international romances.
74歲的井出說，希望她的最新力作或說告白，能協助其他人避免陷入國際網戀騙局。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1555570 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1555996

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Article excerpt: How much exercise do I really need?

Two and half hours a week of moderate intensity exercise is what is recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association.

Ideally, this means 30 minutes, five times per week, of activities such as jogging, ballroom dancing, biking or swimming.

Moderate intensity means you're working in the intermediate zone. If you're able to hold a conversation with the person next to you while doing that activity, you're in the zone.

Newer evidence about high intensity workouts known as HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), shows that intensity minutes reduce required exercise time by almost half.

There are obvious benefits to exercise. People feel better, they look better, and they perform better in all aspects of their lives when they exercise regularly.

Across the spectrum of the human body, irrefutable evidence shows that exercise isn't just about getting a good workout, it's about staying healthy in a broader sense.

Exercise can treat depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances.

For your heart, it lowers blood pressure, cholesterol levels, the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Exercise reduces the risk of inflammatory bowel disease and both prevents and treats type 2 diabetes

Source article: http://edition.cnn.com/2017/03/29/health/how-much-exercise-metzl/index.html

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This week Angel brings us to a very important topic for middle-aged people - weight loss. We all know to stay slim and fit require exercising and eating right, but what if we can actually lose weight without exercising? In this episode, we discuss a few possible alternatives to losing weight.

Remember, these alternative methods are merely interesting ways you can trick your mind to eat less. It's no means of a proper healthy approach to weight loss.

If you have any interesting tips and tricks for losing weight, share it with us and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K847: K-Beauty Tourism: A Growing Trend in South Korea

Highlights 主題摘要：

South Korea has become a global beauty tourism destination, offering innovative and affordable treatments. Tourists combine travel with beauty procedures, taking advantage of competitive prices and cutting-edge techniques.The affordability of treatments in South Korea, such as Botox injections costing as little as $70, has led to a significant increase in medical tourism, with over 600,000 visitors in 2023.While low prices are attractive, experts advise prioritizing safety and quality. Thorough research, choosing reputable clinics, and understanding potential risks are crucial for a successful beauty tourism experience in South Korea.

South Korea has become a global beauty capital, attracting tourists from around the world who are eager to experience its famous skincare treatments and cosmetic procedures. This trend has given rise to a new form of tourism, where visitors combine their travel experiences with beauty treatments, taking advantage of the country's innovative techniques and competitive prices. The Korean beauty industry, known as K-beauty, has gained international recognition for its cutting-edge products and services.

南韓已成為全球美容之都，吸引世界各地的遊客前來體驗其著名的護膚療程和美容手術。這股趨勢催生了一種新型態的觀光，遊客在旅遊中融入美容療程體驗，享受該國創新技術和具有競爭力的價格。韓國美容產業，也就是所謂的 K-beauty（韓式美容），以其尖端產品和服務贏得國際認可。

One such tourist, Yerim Lee, recently shared her experience of undergoing 15 beauty treatments in just three days during a trip to Seoul. Her story highlights the growing popularity of beauty tourism in South Korea. Lee's treatments ranged from non-invasive procedures like microblading and skin boosters to more intensive ones such as Ultherapy and fat-dissolving injections. These treatments aim to achieve the Korean beauty ideal, which emphasizes glowing skin, delicate features, and a youthful appearance. Lee's beauty makeover included popular treatments like Botox, collagen-promoting injectables, and high-tech scalp treatments. The total cost of her treatments came to $4,578, which she claims is significantly cheaper than similar treatments in her home city of New York.

一位名叫 Yerim Lee 的遊客最近分享了她在首爾三天內接受 15 種美容療程的經歷。她的故事凸顯了南韓美容觀光日益普及的現象。李女士接受的療程從非侵入性的眉毛紋繡和皮膚重生注射（skin boosters），到較密集的音波拉提（Ultherapy）和溶脂注射等。這些療程目標是要達到韓式美的理想，強調亮澤肌膚、精緻五官和青春外表。 Lee 小姐的美容改造包括了諸如肉毒桿菌（Botox）注射、膠原蛋白促進劑注射，以及高科技頭皮護理等流行療程。她的療程總費用為 4,578 美元，她聲稱這比在她的家鄉紐約接受類似療程便宜許多。

The affordability of these treatments is a major draw for many tourists. For instance, Botox injections in Seoul can cost as little as $70, compared to $500-$1,400 in New York City. This price difference has led to a surge in medical and beauty tourism, with the South Korean government actively promoting this sector. In 2023, the country saw a record-breaking 605,768 tourists visiting for cosmetic procedures, a 144.2% increase from the previous year. The government has even announced plans to ease immigration procedures for medical tourists, aiming to attract 700,000 such visitors by 2027. This influx of beauty-seeking tourists has transformed areas like Seoul's Gangnam district, which is now famous for its high concentration of plastic surgery clinics and beauty treatment centers.

這些療程的可負擔性是吸引眾多遊客的主要原因。舉例來說，在首爾注射肉毒桿菌素的費用低至 70 美元，相較之下在紐約則需 500 至 1,400 美元。這樣的價差導致醫療和美容觀光大幅增長，南韓政府也積極推廣這個產業。2023 年，該國接待了破紀錄的 605,768 名前來接受美容手術的遊客，較前一年增加了 144.2%。政府甚至宣布計畫放寬醫療遊客的入境程序，目標在 2027 年前吸引 70 萬名此類遊客。這股美容遊客潮已經改變了首爾江南區等地的面貌，該區現在以高密度的整形診所和美容中心聞名。

However, experts caution that while the low prices are attractive, tourists should prioritize safety and quality over cost. Lee advises thorough research and recommends choosing reputable boutique clinics over cheaper "factory clinics." She emphasizes the importance of consulting with medical professionals and understanding the potential risks and side effects of each procedure. Language barriers can also pose challenges for international visitors, making it crucial to choose clinics that offer services in multiple languages. As beauty tourism continues to grow, South Korea is working to improve accessibility for non-Korean speakers and enhance the overall experience for international visitors. This includes developing resources and databases to help tourists navigate the complex world of K-beauty treatments and find reputable clinics. With proper research and caution, beauty tourists can enjoy the benefits of Korea's advanced beauty industry while ensuring their safety and satisfaction.

然而，專家提醒，儘管低價具有吸引力，遊客仍應將安全和品質置於價格之上。 Lee 小姐建議進行徹底的研究，並推薦選擇信譽良好的精品診所，而非較便宜的「工廠式診所」。她強調諮詢醫療專業人員、了解每項療程潛在風險和副作用的重要性。語言障礙也可能對國際遊客造成挑戰，因此選擇提供多語言服務的診所非常重要。隨著美容觀光持續成長，南韓正致力於提高非韓語使用者的便利性，並優化國際遊客的整體體驗。這包括開發資源和資料庫，以協助遊客在複雜的韓式美容療程世界中尋找信譽良好的診所。透過適當的研究和謹慎態度，美容遊客可以享受韓國先進美容產業的好處，同時確保自身的安全和滿意度。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Procedure (Pro-ce-dure): Lee's treatments ranged from non-invasive procedures like microblading and skin boosters to more intensive ones such as Ultherapy and fat-dissolving injections.Emphasize (Em-pha-size): These treatments aim to achieve the Korean beauty ideal, which emphasizes glowing skin, delicate features, and a youthful appearance.Affordability (Af-ford-a-bil-i-ty): The affordability of these treatments is a major draw for many tourists.Immigration (Im-mi-gra-tion): The government has even announced plans to ease immigration procedures for medical tourists, aiming to attract 700,000 such visitors by 2027.Boutique (Bou-tique): Lee advises thorough research and recommends choosing reputable boutique clinics over cheaper "factory clinics."

Reference article: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/10/style/south-korea-beauty-tourism/index.html

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Topic: About space - NASA and Tide team up to do laundry in space

Tide is going to outer space. The Procter & Gamble brand is partnering with NASA to keep astronauts’ spacesuits fresh, even on Mars.
汰漬正在前往外太空。這個寶鹼公司的品牌正與美國航太總署合作，維持太空人太空服的乾淨，即便是在火星。

Company and NASA scientists have created a fully degradable detergent that will clean clothes without wasting water.
該公司與NASA科學家已經創造一款完全可自然分解的洗滌劑，不用浪費水就能潔淨衣物。

Over the next decade, they’ll be testing fabric care products, including Tide pens and wipes, at the International Space Station and on missions to the moon and Mars.
在未來10年中，他們將在國際太空站與登月、登火星的任務中，測試織物照護產品，包括汰漬的筆與濕紙巾。

The months or even years that astronauts spend away from Earth means that their spacesuits and clothes can become smelly and stained. Clothes have to be reworn several times before they are ejected with other waste into the atmosphere or sent back to Earth as trash. A crew member will receive 160 pounds of clothes per year through resupply shipments.
太空人離開地球數月，甚至數年的時間，意味著他們的太空服與衣物會變臭且染色。這些衣物與其他廢物被拋入大氣層或當成垃圾送回地球前，必須重複穿著許多次。1名組員每年將透過補給，拿到160磅重的衣物。

Next Article

Topic: Russia wants to return to Venus, build reusable rocket 俄羅斯希望重返金星，打造可重複使用的火箭

The head of Russia’s space agency said Friday that Roscosmos wants to return to Venus and bring back soil samples and build spacecraft that will surpass Elon Musk’s rockets.
俄羅斯太空機構負責人週五說，俄羅斯航太太空活動國有公司（Roscosmos）想重返金星 ，帶回土壤樣本，並打造超越（太空探索科技公司）創辦人穆斯克的火箭的太空船。

"We are making a methane rocket to replace the Soyuz-2," Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in an interview with state news agency RIA Novosti.
「我們正在打造一種甲烷火箭取代聯合2號火箭（Soyuz-2）」，俄羅斯航太總裁羅戈辛在接受國營「俄羅斯新聞社」訪問時說。

He said it will be a reusable space complex, noting that it will be possible to use its first stage at least 100 times.
他說，新火箭將是可以重複使用的太空綜合體，並強調第一節將有望重複使用至少100次。

"Of course we are looking at what our American colleagues are doing," said Rogozin. "But our engineers are trying to take a shortcut － not to repeat what our SpaceX colleagues are doing but surpass them."
「我們當然有在關注美國同業的進展」，羅戈辛說。「但我們的工程師正試圖抄近路—不是重複SpaceX在做的事，而是超越他們。」Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1457274; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1395146

Next Article

Topic: Why Tom Hanks turned down Jeff Bezos’ offer to go to space

Jeff Bezos offered Tom Hanks a ride to space on his Blue Origin rocket, but it came at a price.
（亞馬遜創辦人）傑夫‧貝佐斯曾邀請（好萊塢男星）湯姆‧漢克搭乘他的「藍源」火箭上太空，但要付出代價。

The actor confirmed that Bezos had asked him during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Tuesday, saying if he accepted the offer he was expected to pay.
這名男星週二現身（電視節目）「吉米金默現場秀」時證實，貝佐斯曾邀約他（上太空），並說若他接受（邀約），應該要付錢。

"Well yeah, provided I pay," Hanks said. "It costs like $28 million or something like that. And I’m doing good, Jimmy — I’m doing good — but I ain’t paying $28 million. You know what, we could simulate the experience of going to space right now."
「是啊，若我付錢（就能上太空），」漢克說。「大概要2800萬美元左右。我算是事業有成，吉米—我混得還不錯—但我才不要付2800萬。你知道嗎，我們現在就可以模擬上太空的經驗。」

Hanks, who appeared to promote his new movie "Finch," mimicked shaking in a rocket while in his chair, saying, "I don’t need to spend 28 million bucks to do that."
上節目宣傳新片「芬奇的旅程」的漢克（語畢）便在椅子上模仿搭火箭（上太空時）身體抖動的模樣，並說「我才不要花2800萬來做這種事。」

Next Article

William Shatner says Prince William is ’missing the point’ of space tourism 威廉沙特納說 威廉王子沒搞懂太空旅行的真諦

William Shatner is firing a rhetorical rocket back at Prince William after the future king criticized space tourism.
在（英國）威廉王子出言批評太空觀光後，（男星）威廉‧沙特納反唇相譏，還擊這位未來國王。

Shatner, who blasted into space on one of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ rockets, said the British royal has "got the wrong idea" by saying that solving problems on Earth should be prioritized over tourist trips to space.
搭乘亞馬遜創辦人傑夫‧貝佐斯的一艘火箭上太空的沙特納說，宣稱解決地球上的問題應優先於太空旅行的這位英國王室成員，「搞錯了」。

The 90-year-old "Star Trek" actor said that a power generating base could be constructed 250 miles above the Earth and used to supply homes and businesses below. "The prince is missing the point," he added.
這位90歲「星際爭霸戰」男演員說，距離地表250英里的上空可以蓋一座發電基地，用來供應地面住家與建築（所需）。「王子沒搞懂（太空旅行的真諦），」他補充道。

Without mentioning names, William criticized billionaires focused on space tourism in an interview Thursday with the BBC, saying they should invest more time and money in saving Earth.
威廉週四接受英國廣播公司訪問時，在未指名道姓的情況下批評億萬富豪聚焦太空觀光的現象，指稱富豪們應將更多時間與金錢投資於拯救地球。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1498987 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1499857

Next Article

Topic: Ex-official: Space station ‘largely isolated’ from tensions

Tensions in eastern Ukraine and heightened Western fears of a Russian invasion should not have a significant impact on the International Space Station or US-Russia cooperation in space, the former head of the National Space Council told The Associated Press.
烏克蘭東部的緊張局勢以及西方對俄羅斯入侵的擔憂加劇，不應該對國際空間站或美俄太空合作產生重大影響，國家太空委員會前負責人告訴美聯社。

That was before Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine on Thursday last week, however.
然而，那是在俄羅斯上週四入侵烏克蘭之前。

Four NASA astronauts, two Russian cosmonauts and one European astronaut are currently on the space station.
四名NASA宇航員，兩名俄羅斯宇航員和一名歐洲宇航員目前正在空間站上。

Scott Pace, who served as executive secretary of the space council under US President Donald Trump and is now the director of the Space Policy Institute at George Washington University, said the space station “has been largely isolated” from political events.
斯科特·佩斯（Scott Pace）曾擔任美國總統唐納德·特朗普太空委員會執行秘書，現在是喬治華盛頓大學空間政策研究所所長，他說，空間站"在很大程度上與政治事件隔離"。

“It’s possible to imagine a break with Russia that would endanger the space station, but that would be at the level of a dropping diplomatic relations,” said Pace. “That would be something that would be an utterly last resort so I don’t really see that happening unless there is a wider military confrontation.” The space station, an international partnership of five space agencies from 15 countries, including Canada, several countries in Europe, Japan, Russia and the United States, launched in 1998 and morphed into a complex that’s almost as long as a football field, with 13km of electrical wiring, an acre of solar panels and three high-tech labs.
"可以想象與俄羅斯的決裂會危及空間站，但那將是外交關係下降的水準，"佩斯說。"這將是完全最後的手段，所以除非有更廣泛的軍事對抗，否則我真的不會看到這種情況發生。該空間站由來自15個國家的五個航太機構組成，包括加拿大，歐洲的幾個國家，日本，俄羅斯和美國，於1998年發射，並演變成一個幾乎與足球場一樣長的綜合體，擁有13公里的電線，一英畝的太陽能電池板和三個高科技實驗室。

It marked two decades of people continuously living and working in orbit in 2020.
它標誌著2020年人們在軌道上持續生活和工作的二十年。

The first crew — American Bill Shepherd and Russians Sergei Krikalev and Yuri Gidzenko — blasted off from Kazakhstan on Oct. 31, 2000.
第一批船員——美國人比爾·謝潑德（Bill Shepherd）和俄羅斯人謝爾蓋·克里卡列夫（Sergei Krikalev）和尤里·吉岑科（Yuri Gidzenko）——於2000年10月31日從哈薩克起飛。

The three astronauts got along fine but tension sometimes bubbled up with the two mission controls, in Houston and outside Moscow.
三名宇航員相處得很好，但有時在休士頓和莫斯科郊外的兩個任務控制中心會引發緊張局勢。

Russia kept station crews coming and going after NASA’s Columbia disaster in 2003 and after the space shuttles retired in 2011.
俄羅斯在2003年美國宇航局的哥倫比亞號災難和2011年航太飛機退役后，讓空間站的工作人員來來去去。

There have been concerns raised in US Congress about the impact that conflict over Ukraine could have on the International Space Station.
美國國會一直擔心烏克蘭衝突可能對國際空間站產生的影響。

Lawmakers have specifically exempted space cooperation from previous sanctions and can be expected to make similar arguments against targeting it as the administration considers its next steps over Ukraine.
立法者已經明確將太空合作從以前的制裁中豁免，並且可以預期，隨著政府考慮其對烏克蘭的下一步行動，將提出類似的論點反對針對太空合作。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2022/03/01/2003773937回顧星期天LBS - 太空相關時事趣聞 2023 All About Space

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15Mins 名人正念語錄 Inspirations


1. Emma Watson
Quote: "I don't want the fear of failure to stop me from doing what I really care about."

Emma Watson was born on April 15, 1990, in Paris, France. She rose to fame as Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter film series, starting at just 9 years old. Despite her early success in acting, Watson pursued higher education, graduating from Brown University with a degree in English literature. She's known for her advocacy of education, particularly for girls, and was appointed as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador in 2014. Watson has consistently emphasized the importance of lifelong learning, balancing her acting career with her studies and activism. She's also a certified yoga and meditation teacher, demonstrating her commitment to personal growth and learning new skills. Watson's dedication to education and self-improvement has made her a role model for many young people around the world.

2. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
Quote: "Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency. Consistent hard work leads to success. Greatness will come."

Dwayne Johnson, born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California, is an actor, producer, and former professional wrestler. Known for his incredible work ethic, Johnson's approach to learning is deeply rooted in consistency and dedication. Before his Hollywood fame, he played college football for the University of Miami, where he learned the value of discipline and teamwork. His transition from wrestling to acting showcases his ability to learn and master new skills. Johnson is known for doing many of his own stunts, constantly pushing himself to learn new physical skills for his roles. Off-screen, he's an avid reader and often shares book recommendations with his followers. Johnson has openly discussed his struggles with depression, using his experiences to learn and grow, and now advocates for mental health awareness. His production company, Seven Bucks Productions, reflects his commitment to learning the business side of entertainment. Johnson's journey from a struggling athlete to one of Hollywood's highest-paid actors illustrates his dedication to continuous learning and self-improvement.

3. Natalie Portman
Quote: "I don't love studying. I hate studying. I like learning. Learning is beautiful."

Natalie Portman was born on June 9, 1981, in Jerusalem, Israel. She began her acting career at a young age, starring in the film "Léon: The Professional" at just 13. Despite her early success in Hollywood, Portman has always prioritized education. She famously took a break from acting to attend Harvard University, where she graduated with a degree in psychology in 2003. Portman is fluent in five languages: English, Hebrew, French, Japanese, and German, showcasing her love for learning. She's also published in scientific journals, co-authoring two papers in neuroscience. Beyond acting, Portman has directed and produced films, demonstrating her eagerness to learn different aspects of filmmaking. She's known for thoroughly researching her roles, often learning new skills for her characters, such as ballet for her Oscar-winning performance in "Black Swan." Portman's dedication to learning, both in academics and her craft, has made her a respected figure in Hollywood and beyond.

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Podcast

Feeding knowledge directly into your brain, just like in sci-fi classic The Matrix, could soon take as much effort as falling asleep, scientists believe.

Researchers claim to have developed a simulator which can feed information directly into a person’s brain and teach them new skills in a shorter amount of time, comparing it to “life imitating art”.

They believe it could be the first steps in developing advanced software that will make Matrix-style instant learning a reality.

They studied the electric signals in the brain of a trained pilot and then fed the data into novice subjects as they learned to pilot an aeroplane in a realistic flight simulator.

Dr Matthews believes that brain stimulation could eventually be implemented for tasks like learning to drive, exam preparation and language learning
“What our system does is it actually targets those changes to specific regions of the brain as you learn,” he added.

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/03/01/scientists-discover-how-to-download-knowledge-to-your-brain/

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It's a very eventful year for people in the IT sector in Taiwan. In the ecommerce space, a bombshell shocked everyone. Qoo10 group's WeMakePrice and TMON is in the midst of a liquidity crunch, resulting in millions of dollars in debt. This week, Lydia and Cariya sheds more light on the news

If you are in the digital marketing space and have more info on this, share your news with us and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K843: Made in Korea: British Boy Band Takes on K-pop Challenge


Highlights 主題摘要：

A new British boy band, Dear Alice, is participating in a BBC show "Made in Korea: The K-pop Experience," undergoing intense K-pop training in Seoul to blend British charm with K-pop precision.The show emphasizes participant welfare, reflecting recent changes in UK broadcasting regulations, with a strong support team in place to ensure the well-being of the band members throughout the process.The journey of Dear Alice offers an intriguing look at cultural exchange between British and Korean pop music traditions, as they aim to create a unique "hybrid fusion" in the competitive music industry.

In recent years, K-pop has become a global phenomenon, captivating millions of fans worldwide and generating billions in revenue. With South Korean acts dominating music charts, it's no surprise that the British entertainment industry wants to join the party. Enter Dear Alice, a newly formed British boy band created for the BBC One talent show "Made in Korea: The K-pop Experience." This six-part series follows five young men - Blaise, Dexter, James, Olly, and Reese - as they embark on an intense 100-day K-pop training program in Seoul, South Korea.

近年來，K-pop 已成為一股全球現象，吸引了全世界數百萬粉絲，並創造了數十億美元的收益。隨著南韓藝人主宰音樂排行榜，英國娛樂產業也想分一杯羹，這並不令人意外。就此，「Dear Alice」應運而生，這個新組建的英國男團為 BBC 第一頻道的選秀節目「韓國製造：K-pop 體驗」（Made in Korea: The K-pop Experience）而創立。這部六集系列節目隨著五名年輕男性——布萊斯（Blaise）、德克斯特（Dexter）、詹姆斯（James）、奧利（Olly）和里斯（Reese）——在南韓首爾展開為期 100 天的密集 K-pop 訓練計劃。

The show, a collaboration between the BBC, SM Entertainment, and Moon&Back Media, aims to transform these aspiring performers into a polished K-pop act. Under the watchful eye of K-pop expert Hee Jun Yoon, the boys face grueling vocal and dance training sessions, along with harsh criticism. Hee Jun's no-nonsense approach makes for compelling television, with her brutal honesty reportedly making Simon Cowell look tame in comparison. The series also showcases Korean culture, offering viewers a glimpse into the world that has produced some of today's biggest music stars.

這個節目是英國廣播公司、SM 娛樂（SM Entertainment）和 Moon&Back Media 的合作成果，旨在將這些懷抱夢想的表演者打造成一個成熟的 K-pop 團體。在 K-pop 專家 Hee Jun Yoon 的嚴格監督下，這些男孩們面臨艱苦的歌唱和舞蹈訓練，同時還要承受嚴厲的批評。 Hee Jun Yoon 的直言不諱讓節目更具吸引力，據說她毫不留情的誠實態度使賽門考威爾（Simon Cowell）相形之下顯得溫和許多。這個系列節目還展示了韓國文化，讓觀眾得以一窺孕育出當今一些最大牌明星的世界。

One key aspect of the show is its focus on participant welfare, reflecting recent changes in UK broadcasting regulations. Following concerns about the wellbeing of reality TV contestants, new rules were introduced in 2020 to protect those taking part in such programs. The producers of "Made in Korea" emphasize that the band members' welfare remains their top priority, with a strong support team in place throughout the process. This commitment to care is not only crucial for the participants but also helps to build audience trust in the show.

節目的一個重要特色是對參與者福利的重視，這反映了英國廣播法規的近期變化。鑑於對真人秀節目參賽者福祉的擔憂，2020 年引入了新規定以保護參與此類節目的人。「韓國製造」的製作人強調，團隊成員的健全始終是他們的首要任務，在整個過程中都有一個強大的支援團隊。這種對關懷的投入不僅對參與者至關重要，還有助於建立觀眾對節目的信任。

As Dear Alice continues to work hard and improve their skills, the question remains: can they successfully blend British charm with K-pop precision to create something unique? The band members, who come from diverse backgrounds in musical theatre, dance, and social media, are optimistic about their future. They appreciate the opportunity to learn from the Korean training system and hope to create a "hybrid fusion" that will set them apart in the competitive music industry. While it's too early to tell if Dear Alice will achieve the same level of success as established K-pop groups like BTS or Blackpink, their journey offers an intriguing look at the cultural exchange between British and Korean pop music traditions.

隨著「Dear Alice」繼續努力工作並提升技能，一個問題依然存在：他們能否成功地將英國魅力與 K-pop 精準結合，創造出獨特的東西？樂團成員來自音樂劇、舞蹈和社交媒體等不同背景，他們對未來充滿樂觀。他們珍惜從韓國訓練體系學習的機會，希望創造出一種「混合交融」，在競爭激烈的音樂產業中脫穎而出。雖然現在還為時尚早，無法判斷「Dear Alice」是否能達到像防彈少年團或 Blackpink 這樣成功的 K-pop 團體的水準，但他們的旅程為英國和韓國流行音樂傳統之間的文化交流提供了一個引人入勝的視角。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Dominating (Dom-i-na-ting): With South Korean acts dominating music charts, it's no surprise that the British entertainment industry wants to join the party.Collaboration (Col-lab-o-ra-tion): The show, a collaboration between the BBC, SM Entertainment, and Moon&Back Media, aims to transform these aspiring performers into a polished K-pop act.Contestants (Con-tes-tants): Following concerns about the wellbeing of reality TV contestants, new rules were introduced in 2020 to protect those taking part in such programs.Commitment (Com-mit-ment): This commitment to care is not only crucial for the participants but also helps to build audience trust in the show.Optimistic (Op-ti-mis-tic): The band members, who come from diverse backgrounds in musical theatre, dance, and social media, are optimistic about their future.

Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx72dzqgne8o

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打詐新四法已上路，嚴懲詐欺犯罪！騙越多關越久，最多關 12年，最重罰3億元，並提高假釋門檻，
犯三次不得假釋，千萬不要以身試法。全民同心，杜絕詐欺，有疑慮就打165，讓政府來幫你！

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Topic: Sellout Culture Is a Problem for Pro Golf

Even if you don’t play or follow golf — which I don’t — you’re probably aware of the controversy now engulfing the game. A number of the world’s top-ranked pro players, notably Phil Mickelson, made extremely lucrative deals to play in a new tour, the LIV Golf International Series, sponsored by Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour, which has traditionally dominated the sport, responded by suspending 17 of these players.

即便不打或不追高球新聞—我也沒追—你也可能知道現在這項運動捲入爭議。一些世界頂級職業球員，尤其是米克森，達成極其有利可圖的交易參加沙烏地阿拉伯贊助的新巡迴賽，即LIV高球國際系列賽。傳統上主導這項運動的職業高球美巡賽（PGA Tour）對此做出回應，將其中17名球員禁賽。

The Saudis are obviously engaged in reputation-laundering — greenswashing? — in an attempt to make people forget about the atrocities their regime has perpetrated. It’s less clear what motivated the PGA. Did it consider the LIV series flawed, not a proper golf tour? Was it attempting to squash competition? Or was the problem with the LIV series’ sponsors?

沙國顯然在清洗名聲—是在「漂白」嗎？試圖讓人們忘記他們政權所犯下的暴行。目前還不太清楚什麼原因驅使PGA這樣做。它是否認為LIV系列賽有缺陷，不是個像樣的高球巡迴賽？它會不會是在試圖壓制競爭嗎？或是LIV系列賽贊助者的問題？

PGA attendees surveyed by ProGolf weekly were in no doubt: An overwhelming majority attributed Mickelson’s exclusion to “media/cancel culture.” And I hope they’re right. I mean, if getting paid big bucks to provide favorable PR to a regime that deals with critical journalists by killing them and dismembering them with a bone saw doesn’t warrant cancellation, what does? And yet Mickelson and others were willing to provide that PR.

接受《ProGolf》周刊調查的PGA與會者均無疑問，絕大多數將米克森遭剔除歸因於「媒體/取消文化」。我希望他們是對的。我的意思是，拿大錢幫一個政權提供公關服務，而這個政權把批評他們的記者殺掉還肢解，如果這不是一個取消的正當理由，那什麼才是？而米克森和其他人卻願意提供這種公關服務。

So if you ask me, the real story here isn’t that the PGA may (or may not) have found a line it won’t cross. It is that so many members of the American elite evidently have no such lines.

所以，若你問我，情況並非PGA可能（或可能沒有）找到一條不會跨越的線，而是這個美國菁英組織許多成員明顯沒有這樣的界線。

What explains the rise of sellout culture? Tax cuts may have played a role: Selling your soul becomes more attractive when you get to keep more of the proceeds. Soaring income inequality may inspire envy, a desire to keep up with the super-elite. And there is surely a process of normalization: Everyone else is selling out, so why shouldn’t I join the party?

如何解釋出賣文化興起？減稅可能起到一定作用：當你能保留更多收益時，出賣你的靈魂就變得更有吸引力。日益嚴重的收入不平等可能會引發嫉妒，讓人渴望跟超級菁英攀比。當然，這是一個正常過程：其他人都在出賣，那我為何不入群呢？

Kids used to look up to public figures, sports stars in particular, as role models. Do they still? Can they, given what public figures will do if the checks are big enough?
以前孩子們常把受人尊敬的公眾人物作為榜樣，尤其是體育明星。他們還會嗎？考慮到支票夠大時公眾人物竟然這樣做，他們還能嗎？Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6413966

Next Article

Topic: Why Are There More Successful Older Golfers Today?

From the 18th fairway in the final group of the British Open in 2009, Tom Watson, the five-time Open champion, hit a shot that flew right at the pin. For a moment, it looked like Watson, then age 59, would win the tournament for a record sixth time and become the oldest player to win a major championship.

2009年英國公開賽最後一組第18洞的球道上，五屆冠軍華森一揮直飛旗桿。一時間，當時59歲的華森似乎將贏得創紀錄的第六座英國公開賽冠軍，並成為最年長的四大賽冠軍。

A firm bounce sent the ball off the back of the green, and Watson needed three more shots to get the ball into the hole. That dropped him into a tie for first. In the four-hole playoff, he ran out of gas and lost by six shots.

小白球強力彈跳後滾出果嶺後方，華森又花了三桿才把球送進洞裡。這使他落到並列領先。四洞延長賽，他精力耗盡，最後輸六桿。

A decade ago, the idea of an older golfer contending in, let alone winning, a major championship was something few considered. That was still the time when most golfers petered out in their mid-40s and kicked around the golf world before having a brief resurgence on the Champions Tour when they turned 50.

10年前，很少人料想得到年長的高球選手會參加四大賽，遑論拿冠軍。當時，大多數高球選手在45歲左右開始淡出，到滿50歲參加「冠軍」（譯註：長春）巡迴賽散發短暫餘暉前，其間在高球界四處晃晃。

Leading these middle-age mavericks is Phil Mickelson, 51, won the PGA Championship in May. He beat Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner, and Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, who are both in their 30s.

這些不服老的中年高球選手領導人物是剛滿51歲的米克森，他在今年5月贏得PGA錦標賽冠軍。擊敗了都是30多歲的四屆四大賽冠軍得主科普卡與2010年英國公開賽冠軍歐蘇森。

“All these guys have taken a new approach,” said Dave Phillips, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, which focuses on golf and fitness. “There’s a lot of money out there. They realize they can still compete with the younger guys, but they need to spend more time on their body and what they fuel their body with.”

高球與健身專門機構「冠軍競技表現研究所」共同創辦人戴維．菲利普斯說：「這些人都採取一種新方法。比賽獎金很高。他們意識到自己仍可跟年輕人競爭，只是需要花更多時間在身體及強化身體的物質上面。」

Phillips said what Mickelson and the others were doing provided lessons for older golfers. “It’s not strength, but the recovery and the downtime that matter,” he said. “It’s letting your body recover. Everyone wants to get fitter, stronger, faster. They’re upset when they don’t see the results. But what they’re doing is fatiguing to the body more so than a round of golf.”

菲利普斯說，米克森和其他人的作為，幫年長高球選手上了一課。「重要的不是力量，而是恢復與休息，讓你的身體恢復。每個人都想變得更健康、更強壯、更快。他們沒看到成果時會沮喪，但他們所做的事會讓身體遠比打一輪高球還累。」

Crucial for older players? Maintain leg strength, Phillips said, and that means walk, don’t ride, when you play golf.

對年長球員重要的是什麼？菲利普斯說，保持腿部力量，這意味你打高球時，要走路，不要搭球車。

It is experience, for sure, but that is a double-edged sword: With age, players are more knowledgeable about the nuances of the game and have, in theory, a better psychological understanding of what to do. But they have also failed to do that in similar moments in the past.

當然，這需要經驗，且各有利弊：隨著年紀增長，球員更了解比賽的精妙之處，理論上，他們在心理上對該做什麼有更好的了解，過去遇到類似時刻，他們就做不到。
“The reason we’re going longer is we have the financial security to go longer,” he said “We also have the sports science to reinvent ourselves.”
他說：「我們走得更久是因為我們擁有能夠走得更久的經濟保障，我們還有運動科學來改造自己。」Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5656437

Next Article

Topic: Night Golf Is Taking Over South Korea

City lights shimmer in the distance.
城市燈光在遠處閃爍。

Shadows splay in every direction on glowing green grass.
陰影在閃閃發光的綠色草地上向四面八方伸展。

It’s close to midnight, the moon hangs high in the dark night sky, and South Koreans are still outside, golfing.
現時已接近午夜，月亮高懸在漆黑夜空中，南韓民眾仍在戶外打高爾夫球。

This is “white night” golf, a nocturnal sports phenomenon in South Korea that reflects the still surging popularity of the sport there, the persistent challenges many encounter in nabbing a tee time in the country’s dense cities and the lengths to which some will nevertheless go to get one.
這就是「白夜」高球，南韓一種夜間運動現象，反映高球在南韓人氣持續攀升，許多人在人口密集城市內要預約打球遇到挑戰，不過有些人還是想辦法要打到球。

South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
南韓是世界第三大高球市場，僅次於美國和日本。

For golf fans worldwide, the game’s grip on the country is most easily observed in its surplus of elite professional players, particularly in the women’s game. As of last week, 32 of the top 100 players in the women’s world rankings, including four of the top 10, were from South Korea.
對世界各地球迷來說，高球對南韓的吸引力，從菁英職業球員充斥南韓人最容易看出，尤其女子高球界。截至上周，世界排名前100的女子高球選手有32人來自南韓，前10名就有4位。

But on the ground, golf is very much a participatory pastime, even if the popularity of the sport and the undersupply of courses in metropolitan areas make opportunities to actually play scarce and expensive. Seoul, a city of nearly 10 million people, has only one course, and it is open only to military personnel.
但在當地，高球主要是一種大家親自下場的消遣，即便這種運動太受歡迎加上都會區球場供應不足，使得打球機會很少又昂貴。擁有近1000萬人口的首爾只有一個球場，且只對軍人開放。

Some make do with screen golf, a virtual simulation game played indoors, which has become its own booming pastime in South Korea, with some facilities offering 24-hour service.
有些人只好改玩螢幕高爾夫，這是一種在室內玩的虛擬模擬遊戲，在南韓已成為蓬勃發展的娛樂，一些場所提供24小時服務。

But golfers understandably desire the real thing. So what do you do when the demand for tee times outstrips the sunlight in a given day?
但可以理解的是，打高球的人渴望真實的東西，因此當某天打球時間的需求量超過日照時間，你該怎麼辦？

According to Seo Chun-beom, president of the Korea Leisure Industry Institute, South Korea now boasts a whopping 117 golf courses of 18 holes or more that offer nighttime play for willing golfers, with tee times as late as 8 p.m. Seo said there are countless other 9-hole courses that also feature floodlights and do not close until midnight or later.
韓國休閒產業研究所所長徐千範說，南韓目前有117座18洞或以上的高球場，可讓想打球的人在夜間打球，打球時間到晚上8點。 徐俊範說，還有其他無數個9洞球場也設有探照燈，開到午夜或是更晚。

Many people from Seoul, for instance, make the trek to Sky 72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, close to the area’s main international airport, where 2,700 lights have been installed to illuminate 36 of the facility’s 72 holes.
例如，很多來自首爾的人，會長途跋涉到靠近當地主要國際機場的仁川Sky 72高球渡假村，該處設有2700盞探照燈，能照亮72個洞當中的36個。

The concept of golfing under lights exists outside South Korea, of course.
當然，在燈光下打高球的想法在南韓以外也存在。

A writer for the website GolfPass last year counted 65 courses in the United States that featured at least some amount of nighttime lighting — although all but one of them were short courses. And courses in the United States that offer late tee times still close far earlier than those in South Korea, which often remain open as late as 1 a.m.
去年，一位幫GolfPass寫文的作家統計，在美國，擁有一定數量夜間照明設備的球場至少65座，儘管除了一座以外都是球洞較少的球場。而且美國晚間打球的高球場，打烊時間仍比南韓球場早得多，後者通常營業到凌晨1點。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5574918

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歡迎回到《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》！本週的值班老師是 John 老師和阿鍵老師。時光飛逝，今年的夏天轉眼之間就過去，希望各位通勤家族都度過了一個愉快的夏季。
最近John老師和阿鍵老師頻頻往新竹跑，各位新竹的通勤家族，有沒有什麼私藏的美食店家想要推薦呢？

講到美食，有個好消息要跟大家分享。《寧可當吃貨》的克寧老師近期正在準備新的米其林星星特輯，要在英語啡館的Foodie單元分享給大家，敬請期待更多美食饗宴喔！

另外在本集節目裡，我們也分享了一個小小的秘辛。其實奧運期間，我們準備了三四份的稿子，但因為版權比較敏感，所以暫時還沒能發布。不過別擔心，我們會慢慢修改後陸續公開，讓大家能夠重溫奧運的精彩時刻。

各位通勤家族，你們有什麼當地美食想要推薦給我們嗎？或是有什麼話題想在節目中聽到呢？歡迎到FB/IG私訊或留言分享。別忘了，想要獲得更多精彩內容，歡迎訂閱我們的 VIP 會員，還能享有主題許願的特權喔！​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
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背景故事：
很久很久以前，John老師覺得好玩，就找了同樣在台教英語的台灣女婿(南非人)開啟錄Podcast的里程，
當時的器材與網路平台都不熟悉，也不上手，面對麥克風還是會抖～ 這個單元也啟發了現在大家常聽的Vocab與15Mins Cafe單元。
不過近期有老朋友們敲碗，說找不到了，希望想要聽，要John老師重制上架。

那每週四就一起來聽聽當時Podcast菜雞們在網路上做英語教學所踏出的第一步！
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A trademark battle between Kylie Minogue and Kylie Jenner appears to have come to an end.
Jenner, who first shot to fame in the US reality TV show Keeping Up With the Kardashians, has been trying to trademark the name Kylie in the US.

But she has been blocked by the veteran Australian pop star Minogue, best known for hits such as I Should Be So Lucky and Can't Get You Out Of My Head.
According to papers filed with the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in April 2015 Jenner attempted to register the mark "KYLIE" in the US for "advertising services" and "endorsement services".

They noted Minogue was an "internationally renowned performing artist, humanitarian and breast cancer activist" who already owns Kylie-related trademarks in the US in several industries, as well as the website www.kylie.com.

Jenner, on the other hand, was dismissed as a "secondary reality television personality" who had drawn criticism for her "photographic exhibitionism and controversial posts" on social media.

Excerpt from source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38877658

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Shimin is in the house this week! She's brought an artist that had some life-changing encounters and put everything in her new English album. We are going to share a song we love from this album - Take it one day at a time and also talk about our life-changing experiences.

Have a story to share? Write to us and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K839: Mpox Outbreak: A Growing Global Concern

Highlights 主題摘要：

The WHO has declared the mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency due to the rapid spread of a deadlier strain (clade Ib) in multiple countries.Mpox, related to smallpox, is spreading through a new mutation (clade Ib) that's more severe and adapted to human transmission, posing increased risks to vulnerable groups.Global efforts to contain the outbreak include vaccine distribution and increased surveillance, but challenges remain in vaccine accessibility and diagnostic capabilities, especially in rural areas.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared the ongoing mpox outbreak in Africa a global health emergency. This decision follows a similar declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak is particularly worrying due to the rapid spread of a deadlier strain of the virus, known as clade Ib, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its appearance in at least four previously unaffected African countries.

世界衛生組織最近宣布非洲持續發生的猴痘疫情為全球衛生緊急事件。此決定緊隨非洲疾病預防控制中心的類似宣告。由於在剛果民主共和國內一種稱為 clade Ib 更致命的病毒株迅速傳播，並已出現在至少四個先前未受影響的非洲國家，此次疫情更加令人擔憂。

Mpox, formerly called monkeypox, is a viral disease related to smallpox. It spreads through close contact and can cause flu-like symptoms followed by a painful rash. The current outbreak is different from previous ones because it's driven by clade I, which causes more severe illness than clade II. The subtype responsible for most of the current spread, clade Ib, is a relatively new mutation that has adapted to human transmission, making it more concerning for public health officials. The danger of mpox varies depending on the strain and the individual affected. Clade I has shown fatality rates of up to 10% in some outbreaks, though recent cases have had lower death rates. Certain groups, such as infants, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, are at higher risk of severe infections.

猴痘 Mpox，之前稱為 monkeypox ，是一種與天花相關的病毒性疾病。它通過密切接觸傳播，並可能引起類似流感的症狀，隨後出現疼痛的皮疹。此次疫情與之前不同，因為它由 clade I 引起，比 clade II 造成更嚴重的疾病反應。目前傳播的主要亞型 clade Ib 是一種相對較新的突變，已適應人傳人，這使公共衛生官員更為擔憂。猴痘的危險性因病毒株和個體而異。在某些疫情中，clade I 的致死率高達 10％，儘管近期病例的死亡率較低。某些群體，如嬰兒、免疫系統較弱者和孕婦，更容易出現嚴重感染。

While mpox has historically been found in Central and West Africa, the current outbreak is spreading to new countries within Africa and has recently been detected in Sweden, marking its first appearance outside the continent. This geographic expansion, combined with the potential for international spread, has prompted urgent action from global health organizations. The outbreak is particularly challenging to monitor and control in rural areas due to limited access to diagnostic tools and laboratories.

雖然猴痘歷來主要存在於中非和西非，但目前的疫情正從非洲內部蔓延到新的國家，最近還在瑞典被檢測到，顯示著它首次出現在非洲大陸之外。這種地理擴張，加上潛在的國際傳播，促使全球衛生組織採取緊急行動。由於診斷工具和實驗室的有限使用，在農村地區監測和控制疫情尤其具有挑戰性。

Efforts to contain the outbreak include vaccine distribution, increased surveillance, and research to better understand the virus. The Vaccine Alliance, Gavi, has allocated up to $500 million for supplying mpox vaccines to affected countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo and surrounding areas. Beginning in 2026, Gavi will establish a global stockpile of mpox vaccines. However, challenges remain, especially in terms of vaccine accessibility in affected African countries and the need for improved diagnostic capabilities in rural areas. WHO has emphasized that vaccines are only part of the response; containing the spread will also require enhanced surveillance, diagnostics, and research to fill gaps in understanding the disease.

為遏制疫情所做的努力包括疫苗分發、加強監測和深入了解病毒的研究。全球疫苗免疫聯盟（Vaccine Alliance，Gavi）已撥款高達 5 億美元，為受影響國家（包括剛果民主共和國及周邊地區）提供猴痘疫苗。從 2026 年開始，Gavi 將建立全球猴痘疫苗儲備。然而，挑戰仍然存在，尤其是在受影響的非洲國家獲得疫苗的可及性，以及提高農村地區診斷能力的需求方面。世界衛生組織強調，疫苗只是應對措施的一部分；遏制傳播還需要加強監測、診斷和研究，以填補對這種疾病認知的不足。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Declaration (Dec-la-ra-tion): This decision follows a similar declaration by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.Mutation (Mu-ta-tion): The subtype responsible for most of the current spread, clade Ib, is a relatively new mutation that has adapted to human transmission, making it more concerning for public health officials.Pregnant (Preg-nant): Certain groups, such as infants, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women, are at higher risk of severe infections.Diagnostic (Di-ag-nos-tic): The outbreak is particularly challenging to monitor and control in rural areas due to limited access to diagnostic tools and laboratories.Stockpile (Stock-pile): Beginning in 2026, Gavi will establish a global stockpile of mpox vaccines.

Reference article: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/08/15/health/mpox-outbreak-clade-ib-africa?cid=ios_app

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Topic: A Monster Wind Turbine Is Upending an Industry

Twirling above a strip of land at the mouth of Rotterdam’s harbor is a wind turbine so large it is difficult to photograph. The turning diameter of its rotor is longer than two American football fields end to end. Later models will be taller than any building on the mainland of Western Europe.

鹿特丹港口一處狹長土地上，有座風力發電機在轉動，規模大到難以近距離拍攝，葉片旋轉直徑比兩座美式足球場接起來還長，日後更新版的風機將比西歐大陸上任何建物都高。

Packed with sensors gathering data on wind speeds, electricity output and stresses on its components, the giant whirling machine in the Netherlands is a test model for a new series of giant offshore wind turbines planned by General Electric. When assembled in arrays, the wind machines have the potential to power cities, supplanting the emissions-spewing coal- or natural gas-fired plants that form the backbones of many electric systems today.

這個位於荷蘭的巨型旋轉機器，是奇異公司所規畫新系列巨型離岸風機的測試模型，配備了收集風速、電力輸出及各零件所受應力數據的感應器。這些風機若以陣列布建，具備為城市供電的潛力，取代大量排放廢氣、組成當今許多發電系統骨幹的燃煤或燃氣發電廠。

GE has yet to install one of these machines in ocean water. As a relative newcomer to the offshore wind business, the company faces questions about how quickly and efficiently it can scale up production to build and install hundreds of the turbines.

奇異公司尚未在海上安裝此類機器。奇異在離岸風電業堪稱新兵，面臨的問題是，能多快、多有效地擴大生產規模，以建造並安裝數百座風機。

But already the giant turbines have turned heads in the industry. A top executive at the world’s leading wind farm developer called it a “bit of a leapfrog over the latest technology.” And an analyst said the machine’s size and advance sales had “shaken the industry.”

然而這種巨型風機已在業界引起轟動。全球頂尖風場開發商的一位高管稱其為「超越最新技術的一次飛躍」。一位分析師表示，這款機器的尺寸與預售量「撼動了整個產業」。

The prototype is the first of a generation of new machines that are about a third more powerful than the largest already in commercial service. As such, it is changing the business calculations of wind equipment makers, developers and investors.

這是新世代風機的第一個原型機，新世代風機功能比已在商業運轉的最大風機還要強三分之一左右。因此，它正在改變風力設備製造商、開發商與投資人的盤算。

The GE machines will have a generating capacity that would have been almost unimaginable a decade ago. A single one will be able to turn out 13 megawatts of power, enough to light up a town of roughly 12,000 homes.

奇異的風機將具有十年前幾乎無法想像的發電能力，一座就能產生13百萬瓦電力，足夠點亮約有1.2萬戶家庭的小鎮。

The turbine is capable of producing as much thrust as the four engines of a Boeing 747 jet, according to GE, and will be deployed at sea, where developers have learned that they can plant larger and more numerous turbines than on land to capture breezes that are stronger and more reliable.

奇異表示，這種風機能產生相當於波音747飛機四具引擎的推力，將部署在海上，開發商已經知道在海上能安裝比陸上更大也更多的風機，以捕捉更強也更可靠的風。

The race to build bigger turbines has moved faster than many industry figures foresaw. GE’s Haliade-X generates almost 30 times more electricity than the first offshore machines installed off Denmark in 1991.

建造更大風機的競賽步調比許多業內人士預測的要快。奇異的Haliade-X風機，發電量幾乎是1991年安裝於丹麥近海的第一座離岸風機的30倍。

In coming years, customers are likely to demand even bigger machines, industry executives say. On the other hand, they predict that turbines will reach a point at which greater size no longer makes economic sense.

業界高層表示，未來幾年顧客很可能要求更大的機器。另一方面，他們預測，風機遲早會來到再大就不合經濟效益的時刻。
Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5180307

Next Article

Topic: A Scary Energy Winter Is Coming. Don’t Blame the Greens.

Every so often the tectonic geopolitical plates that hold up the world economy suddenly shift in ways that can rattle and destabilize everything on the surface. That’s happening right now in the energy sphere.
有時候，承載世界經濟的地緣政治板塊會突然移動，把地表每樣東西搖得嘎嘎作響。這種事現在就在能源領域發生。

Several forces are coming together that could make Vladimir Putin the king of Europe, enable Iran to thumb its nose at America and build an atomic bomb, and disrupt European power markets enough that the upcoming United Nations climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, could suffer blackouts owing to too little clean energy.
有幾股勢力正在匯聚，能使俄國總統普亭成為歐洲之王，使伊朗有本錢不把美國放在眼裡，進而造出原子彈，並足以打亂歐洲能源市場，讓即將登場的英國蘇格蘭格拉斯哥聯合國氣候大會可能會因為潔淨能源太少而停電。

Yes, this is a big one.
沒錯，問題很大。

Natural gas and coal prices in Europe and Asia just hit their highest levels on record, oil prices in America hit a seven-year high and U.S. gasoline prices are up $1 a gallon from last year. If this winter is as bad as some experts predict — with some in the poor and middle classes unable to heat their homes — I fear we’ll see a populist backlash to the whole climate/green movement. You can already smell that coming in Britain.
歐亞兩洲的天然氣和煤價剛剛達到史上最高，美國原油價格創七年新高，而汽油價格每加侖比去年上漲1美元。如果今年冬天跟一些專家預測的一樣糟，一些貧窮和中產階級人家負擔不起取暖費用，我擔心會出現針對整個氣候和綠能運動的民粹反彈。在英國已經可以嗅到這個跡象。

How did we get here? In truth, it’s a good-news-bad-news story.
我們怎會走到這一步？其實，這是個好消息壞消息都有的故事。

The good news is that every major economy has signed onto reducing its carbon footprint by phasing out dirtier fuels like coal to heat homes and to power industries. The bad news is that most nations are doing it in totally uncoordinated ways, from the top down, and before the market has produced sufficient clean renewables like wind, solar and hydro.
好消息是，每個主要經濟體都已同意，透過逐步淘汰煤炭這類比較髒的燃料給家庭取暖和給產業供電，減少碳足跡。壞消息則是，多數國家這麼做的時候完全沒有互相協調，由上而下執行，而且市場還沒製造出足夠多的風力、太陽能和水力等清潔能源。

But how did the bad-news side of this story emerge so fast?
這個故事的壞消息面為何這麼快出現？

Blame COVID-19. First, the pandemic erupted and signaled to every major economy that we were headed for a deep recession. This sent prices of all kinds of commodities, including oil and gas, into downward spirals.
要怪新冠肺炎。首先，疫情爆發，對每個重要經濟體而言意味我們正走向深度衰退，使原油、天然氣等各類大宗商品價格走軟。

This, in turn, led banks to choke off investment in new natural gas capacity and crude wells after seven years of already declining investments in these hydrocarbons because of lousy returns.
這進而使銀行停止投資擴充天然氣產能和油井。銀行已減少投資這些碳氫化合物達七年，因為報酬率很差。

As Bill Gates points out in his smart book “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster,” the only way to reach our climate targets is to shift production of all the big heavy industries, like steel, cement and automobiles, as well as how we heat our homes and power our cars, to electricity generated from clean energy. Safe and affordable nuclear power has to be part of our mix because, Gates argues, “it is the only carbon-free, scalable energy source that’s available 24 hours a day.”
就像微軟創辦人蓋茲在他那本睿智的書「如何避免氣候災難」指出的，達成氣候目標的唯一方法是，改變所有重工業如鋼鐵、水泥、汽車業等的生產方式，以及我們在家取暖和為愛車提供動力的方式，轉而用潔淨能源發電。蓋茲主張必須接納安全可負擔的核能，因為「這是唯一不產生二氧化碳又能擴增的能源來源，每天24小時供應」。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5820545

Next Article

Topic: Londoners are better off returning to the office as bills soar

City of London workers looking to save money may want to embrace the office over winter as the cost of working from home soars alongside energy bills.
在家工作的成本隨著能源費用的飆升一起上漲，因此到了冬天，想要省錢的倫敦城上班族可能會希望進辦公室上班。

Those prepared to go into the office every day could save about €50 (US$60) per week in January 2023 if they can walk, run or cycle into their workplace. That’s thanks to the money they’ve saved by not heating a home for the whole day, according to estimates by price comparison site Uswitch.
公室的人若可以走路、跑步或騎自行車到工作地點的話，在二○二三年一月，每週可節省約五十英鎊（六十美元）。根據價格比較網站Uswitch的估計，他們之所以省下這些錢，是因為家裡整天都不開暖氣。

Those working from home in January could expect to pay around €175 a week in energy costs and other incidentals included in Bloomberg’s calculations such as buying in your own coffee, a freebie in many offices. The combined cost of energy bills — factoring in the lower consumption expected — and five return trips on the Tube from London’s Zone 4 would be about €160 a week in January 2023, a €15 saving.
一月份在家工作的人預計每週要支付大約一百七十五英鎊的能源費用，以及彭博社所計算出的其他雜費，例如自費買咖啡——很多辦公室會免費供應咖啡。二○二三年一月能源帳單的總成本（以預期較低的花費計算），加上由倫敦第四區坐地鐵來上班來回五次，每週將花費約一百六十英鎊，因此跟在家工作相比，到辦公室上班節省了十五英鎊。

For those taking the bus, the total cost is about €140, a €35 weekly saving. In both cases, any rise in the cost of the commute will eat into those savings.
坐公車上班的人，總花費則約為一百四十英鎊，每週可節省三十五英鎊。在坐地鐵和公車這兩種情況下，任何通勤成本的增加都會消耗所省下的錢。

Uswitch estimates that the average monthly energy bill could hit €683 in January for home workers, compared to €492 for those heading to the office. It assumes remote workers use 25 percent more electricity and 75 percent more gas per day including from central heating.
Uswitch估計，在家工作的人，一月份的平均能源費用可能會達到六百八十三英鎊，而到辦公室上班的人則為四百九十二英鎊。這是假設遠距上班的人每天多使用百分之二十五的電力，以及多百分之七十五的瓦斯，包括用於中央暖氣。

Coping Mechanism
“People are going to be really struggling to heat their own homes and they are going to look for warmth in other places — we know that is a coping mechanism that people use, whether that is going to a public space, such as a library or a church maybe, or whether it’s going to work when you usually would work from home” Matt Copeland, policy officer at National Energy Action said. “Those are the options people will consider and people will take to actually find warmth.”
因應機制
「要把自己家裡變暖將是難以負擔的窘境，所以人們會到其他地方取暖——我們知道這是一種因應機制，無論是去公共場所，比如圖書館或教堂，或是在你通常在家工作的時候到辦公室上班」，國家能源行動組織政策主管馬特‧科普蘭表示。「人們會考慮和採用這些選項，而實際上找到暖源」。

The incentive to come into the office is likely to be welcomed by some in the City of London, where finance bosses have been pushing for a return to the office. Right now less than half of workers in the UK’s banking sector go into the office on an average day, and just 18 percent of insurance sector employees do so, according to a survey by consultancy Advanced Workplace Associates.準備每天去辦
對於這進辦公室的動機，倫敦城某些人可能會樂見其成。這些金融業老闆一直在推動員工重返辦公室。根據諮詢公司Advanced Workplace Associates的一項調查，目前英國銀行業平均只有不到一半的員工進辦公室上班，而保險業只有百分之十八的員工這麼做。source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2022/08/23/2003783959

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15Mins 名人正念語錄 Inspirations


1. Warren Buffett (華倫·巴菲特):
"The more you learn, the more you earn."（你學得越多，賺得越多。）

Warren Buffett was born in 1930 in Nebraska, USA. He is one of the world's most successful investors, often referred to as the "Oracle of Omaha." Buffett started working at his father's brokerage firm at the age of 11, which was also when he began investing in stocks. Buffett's investment philosophy emphasizes value investing, focusing on companies with strong competitive advantages or "moats." Beyond his investment career, he is also passionate about philanthropy, having initiated a campaign with Microsoft founder Bill Gates to donate 50% of their wealth to charitable causes. His investment wisdom and personal charisma have made him a legendary figure in the global financial world.
華倫·巴菲特於1930年出生於美國內布拉斯加州，是全球最成功的投資家之一，更有人稱他是“奧馬哈的先知”。巴菲特早在11歲就在父親的證券公司工作，當年也是他操作股票的起點，巴菲特的投資哲學強調價值投資，專注於具有護城河的公司。除了投資事業以外，他也熱衷於慈善，與微軟創辦人比爾·蓋茲發起捐贈50%財產給慈善事業。他的投資智慧和人格魅力使他成為全球金融界的傳奇人物。

2. Carlos Slim (卡洛斯·史林):
"When you live for others' opinions, you are dead. I don't want to live thinking about how I'll be remembered."（如果你活在別人的評價之中，代表你已經死了。我不想活著思考我會如何被記住。）

Carlos Slim was born in Mexico City in 1940 and was ranked as the world's richest person by Forbes magazine in 2011. Slim primarily operates in the telecommunications industry in the Americas. His company, América Móvil, is the fourth-largest telecom company globally and the largest in the Americas. Slim has diversified into various industries, including finance, retail, energy, and construction. At a business forum, Slim shared his views on work, suggesting that humans should work until 70 or 75 years old, working 3 days a week for 11 hours a day, with 4 days off. He believes this approach would allow for more relaxation and a better quality of life.
卡洛斯·史林於1940年出生於墨西哥城，曾在2011年成為富比士雜誌富豪冠軍。史林主要經營美洲的電信業務，旗下的美洲電信，是全球第四大，美洲第一大的電信公司。史林更跨足多個行業，包括金融、零售、能源和建築。在某次的商業論壇中，史林發表他對於工作的看法，他認為人類應該工作到70或75歲，一週工作3天、每天11小時，周休4日，如此一來更能放鬆與追求生活品質。

3. Sheryl Sandberg（雪莉·桑德伯格）
"Done is better than perfect."（完成比完美更重要。）

Sheryl Sandberg was born in 1969 in the United States and is a globally renowned business leader, author, and social activist. She previously worked at Google before becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook (now Meta), helping to transform the social media company into a global tech giant. Sandberg is known for advocating for women's advancement in the workplace. Her book "Lean In" encourages women to actively seek leadership opportunities in their careers. Her leadership and promotion of equality have made her a representative figure in both the business world and social change. Sandberg is also actively involved in charitable activities, supporting numerous projects related to women's rights.
雪莉·桑德伯格於1969年出生於美國，是全球知名的商業領袖、作家和社會活動家。她曾任職於谷歌，後來成為Facebook（現稱Meta）的首席運營官，幫助將這家社交媒體公司打造成全球科技巨頭。桑德伯格以推動女性在職場中的地位聞名，她的著作《向前一步》倡導女性在職業生涯中應積極爭取領導機會。她的領導力和對平等的推動使她成為商界和社會變革的代表性人物。桑德伯格也積極參與慈善活動，支持多個與女性權益相關的項目。

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背景故事：
很久很久以前，John老師覺得好玩，就找了同樣在台教英語的台灣女婿(南非人)開啟錄Podcast的里程，
當時的器材與網路平台都不熟悉，也不上手，面對麥克風還是會抖～ 這個單元也啟發了現在大家常聽的Vocab與15Mins Cafe單元。
不過近期有老朋友們敲碗，說找不到了，希望想要聽，要John老師重制上架。

那每週四就一起來聽聽當時Podcast菜雞們在網路上做英語教學所踏出的第一步！
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After a relationship ends, even the most mundane objects can become painful reminders. One museum in Los Angeles puts them on display.
At the Museum of Broken Relationships in Hollywood, everyday stuff is exhibited as art along with each object's story of betrayal or loss. The result is a moving collection of heartbreak.

One woman from San Francisco crammed her wedding dress into a pickle jar after her husband of five years left her. Even though her dress was "non-traditional" - meaning the kind you could wear again - she never did.

One of the more unusual exhibits is a pair of sizeable silicone breast implants a woman says she felt pressured to get by an ex-boyfriend. Her body rejected the implants and she had to have multiple surgeries to remove them and reconstruct her body.

"She held on to them to remind herself don't change for someone else. You have to love yourself to be loved and be in a productive relationship," Ms Hyde says, adding that the woman hoped her donation would inspire others to have healthier relationships.

Source article: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38960969

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This week Patrick will give us another insightful episode on the person who was responsible for creating "summer vacation" in the modern education system. How's you summer vacation so far this year? Sound off using the comment link and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K835: Unrest in Bangladesh: Quota System Sparks Nationwide Protests

Highlights 主題摘要：

Bangladesh is experiencing widespread protests against a controversial job quota system, which have escalated into violent clashes between demonstrators, government supporters, and security forces, challenging Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government.The unrest is fueled by broader issues of corruption, economic inequality, and shrinking democratic space, despite Bangladesh's economic growth under Hasina's leadership, leading to widespread public anger.The government's response, including the use of force and internet restrictions, has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, while the international community calls for restraint and dialogue to address underlying issues.

Bangladesh is experiencing widespread protests and civil unrest, marking one of the most significant challenges to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government in recent years. The demonstrations, which began as peaceful student protests against a controversial job quota system, have escalated into violent clashes between protesters, pro-government supporters, and security forces.

孟加拉正經歷廣泛的抗議和社會動盪，顯示著近年來對謝赫•哈西娜（Sheikh Hasina）總理政府最重大的挑戰之一。這場示威最初是學生針對具爭議性的工作配額制（job quota system）發起的和平抗議，但已升級為抗議者、親政府支持者和安全部隊之間的暴力衝突。

At the heart of the conflict is a quota system that reserves a significant portion of government jobs for specific groups, including descendants of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence. Critics argue that this system is discriminatory and unfairly benefits supporters of the ruling Awami League party. Students and young job seekers are demanding that recruitment be based on merit, pointing to high unemployment rates and limited job opportunities for university graduates.

衝突的核心是一個為特定群體保留大量政府職位的配額制度，包括孟加拉 1971 年獨立戰爭退伍軍人的後代。批評者認為，這個制度具有歧視性，並不公平地使執政的人民聯盟黨（Awami League）支持者受益。學生和年輕求職者將目標指向高失業率和大學畢業生有限的就業機會，要求基於才能進行招聘。

The protests have intensified due to broader issues of corruption, economic inequality, and concerns about shrinking democratic space in Bangladesh. Despite the country's impressive economic growth under Hasina's leadership, many citizens feel that the benefits have not been equally distributed. Allegations of corruption among high-ranking officials and a perceived lack of accountability have further fueled public anger.

由於更廣泛的腐敗問題、經濟不平等以及對孟加拉民主空間萎縮的擔憂，抗議活動已經加劇。儘管在哈西娜的領導下，該國經濟增長令人印象深刻，但許多公民認為這些利益並未被平均分配。高級官員涉嫌貪腐以及沒有人為此負責則是進一步激發了公眾的憤怒。

The government's response to the protests has been controversial, with reports of excessive force being used against demonstrators. The deployment of riot police and paramilitary forces, along with internet shutdowns and restrictions on mobile services, has drawn criticism from human rights organizations. As the situation continues to evolve, the international community is closely monitoring events in Bangladesh, calling for restraint and dialogue to address the underlying issues fueling the unrest.

政府對抗議的回應引起爭議，有報導稱對示威者使用了過度武力。部署防暴警察和準軍事部隊，以及關閉網路和限制電信服務的做法，招致人權組織的批評。隨著局勢持續發展，國際社會正密切關注孟加拉的事態，呼籲各方保持克制，並通過對話解決引發動盪的根本問題。

The unrest has spread beyond the capital Dhaka to other major cities, with university campuses becoming focal points for demonstrations. Reports suggest that dozens of people have been killed and hundreds injured in the violence. The government has ordered the closure of schools and universities in an attempt to quell the protests, but this move has only seemed to intensify the anger among students and their supporters.
動盪已經從首都達卡（Dhaka）蔓延到其他主要城市，大學校園成為示威的焦點。報導稱，數十人在暴力中喪生，數百人受傷。政府下令關閉學校和大學以試圖平息抗議，但這項行動似乎只是加劇了學生及其支持者的憤怒。

Prime Minister Hasina has announced a judicial investigation into the killings and called for patience as the Supreme Court reviews the quota system. However, many protesters feel that these measures are insufficient and are calling for more substantial reforms. The situation remains tense, with both sides seemingly unwilling to back down. As Bangladesh grapples with this crisis, the outcome of these protests could have far-reaching implications for the country's political landscape and economic future.

哈西娜總理已宣布對死亡事件進行司法調查，並呼籲耐心等待最高法院審查配額制度。然而，許多抗議者認為這些措施不足，並呼籲進行更實質性的改革。目前局勢仍然緊張，雙方似乎都不願退讓。隨著孟加拉應對這場危機，這些抗議的結果可能對該國的政治格局和經濟未來產生深遠的影響。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Descendant (De-scend-ant): At the heart of the conflict is a quota system that reserves a significant portion of government jobs for specific groups, including descendants of veterans from Bangladesh's 1971 war of independence.Discriminatory (Dis-crim-i-na-to-ry): Critics argue that this system is discriminatory and unfairly benefits supporters of the ruling Awami League party.Intensified (In-ten-si-fied): The protests have intensified due to broader issues of corruption, economic inequality, and concerns about shrinking democratic space in Bangladesh.Inequality (In-e-qual-i-ty): The protests have intensified due to broader issues of corruption, economic inequality, and concerns about shrinking democratic space in Bangladesh.Judicial (Ju-di-cial): Prime Minister Hasina has announced a judicial investigation into the killings and called for patience as the Supreme Court reviews the quota system.

Reference article:
1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5xye1d285o
2. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/19/asia/bangladesh-job-quota-protests-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html

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Topic: In Amsterdam, Floating Homes That Only Look Like Ships

When Karen Bosma first moved her boat to the Borneokade, northeast of Amsterdam’s bustling city center, in 1999, the neighborhood was barely more than a cluster of commercial docks and underused warehouses.
凱倫．博斯馬1999年剛把她的船移到荷蘭首都阿姆斯特丹熱鬧市中心東北方的波諾卡德時，這一帶幾乎只有成排商船船席和不常使用的倉庫。

“It was for poor people — a lot of artists lived on boats,” she said, sitting in her neat, cozy living room just below the waterline.
博斯馬坐在她整潔舒適的客廳裡回憶說：「當時這是窮人聚居區，很多藝術家住在船上。」客廳就在吃水線下方。

In the quarter century since, Bosma, a 62-year-old social worker, and her husband have raised two sons on the Distel, a 1912 82-foot freighter, which — stripped of its engine, fuel tanks and cargo hold — is one of Amsterdam’s iconic houseboats, with a seagoing hull, wheelhouse and curtained windows.
此後的四分之一個世紀，現年62歲的社工博斯馬和先生，在這艘船上把兩個兒子帶大。這艘船名叫「迪斯特爾」，是1912年打造的貨船，長25公尺，引擎、燃料槽和貨艙都已去除，是阿姆斯特丹著名船屋之一，具備遠洋船船體、舵手室和裝上窗簾的窗子。

Three boats down lies the B18, an elegant 131-foot, 2 1/2-story floating mansion (with more than 3,000 square feet of interior space) that shows just how perfectly the soul of a luxury yacht combines with open-space living and elegant living quarters.
三艘船以外停泊著B18，是雅緻的兩層半水上豪宅，長40公尺，室內面積超過279平方公尺（約84坪），顯示奢華遊艇的精髓如何與室外生活和優美的室內起居空間完美結合。

“It has to be a ship on the outside and a house on the inside,” said Gijs Haverkate, 53, who created the vessel and lives on it with his family.
53歲的哈福卡特造了B18，並與家人住在船上，他說：「B18必須外觀是艘船，內部是個家。」

In the Dutch capital, houseboats have gone upmarket. The new owners are wealthy and discerning, interested in new designs, upgraded comfort and sustainability.
在阿姆斯特丹，船屋已變得高檔了。新一批船屋主人富裕且有品味，對新設計、更高的舒適感和永續性都很感興趣。

Haverkate, a designer by trade, hopes his boat will inspire others to build on the water. He runs UrbanShips, a company that builds customized houseboats designed to look like ships.
哈福卡特以設計為業，希望他的船能激勵別人在水上蓋房子。他經營「都市船」公司，依照客戶需求打造看來像船隻的船屋。

After years of serving as a relatively cheap place to live in an expensive city, Amsterdam’s houseboats — or rather the spaces they float — have become popular and expensive, with prices increasing 30% to 40% over the past five years alone, according to Jon Kok, one of the city’s best known houseboat real estate agents.
阿姆斯特丹的船屋（更確切地說，是承載船屋的水面），原本的功用是在這昂貴的城市中作為相對廉價的住所，多年下來卻變得大受歡迎且價格高漲，阿姆斯特丹最知名船屋仲介公司之一「約翰科克」資料顯示，單單這五年來，船屋價格就漲了三到四成。

The whale’s share of the price increase comes from the value of the berth, not the ship.
船屋價格上漲，主要是因為船席變得更值錢，而不是船體本身。

A typical Amsterdam canal berth might be worth close to a half-million dollars, depending on its location and how big a ship it will allow; some of the older, unrenovated ships in those berths might be worth only $20,000 (building a new ship, of course, is much more expensive).
一個典型的阿姆斯特丹運河船席，可能就要近50萬美元，視地點和可容下多大船隻而定。停在這種船席上的一些老舊未翻新船隻，可能只值兩萬美元。（當然，造新船貴得多。）

But in this gentrification debate, the cost of new berths is less important than the architecture of the ship — and whether they ever served as actual commercial ships.
不過，在討論船屋愈來愈高級的話題時，新船席的價格並不如船隻的設計美感和是否曾作為真正的商船來得重要。

Once populated by converted working boats, the canal now holds an increasing number of floating houses designed to look like oceangoing vessels but with hardly any of the working features of a real boat.
阿姆斯特丹的運河曾經滿是工作船改造後的船屋，現在有愈來愈多的水上房屋，設計成外觀像遠洋船，但實際上幾乎不具備真正船隻的功能。
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/348587/web/#2L-16188816L

Next Article

Topic: Japan has so many vacant homes it’s giving them away

Four years ago, Naoko and Takayuki Ida were given a house in the small town of Okutama, in Tokyo prefecture. For free.
4年前，井田直子與孝之得到一棟位於東京都小鎮奧多摩的房子。不用錢。

A free house may sound like a scam. But Japan faces an unusual property problem： it has more homes than people to live in them.
免費的房子聽起來像是騙局。但日本正面臨一項不尋常的房地產問題：房屋數量多於入住人數。

In 2013, there were 61 million houses and 52 million households, according to the Japan Policy Forum. And the situation is poised to get worse.
「日本政策論壇」指出，2013年時有6100萬間房子與5200萬戶家庭。而且，這種情況還會日益惡化。

Japan’s population is expected to decline from 127 million to about 88 million by 2065, according to the National Institute of Population and Social Security, meaning even fewer people will need houses. As young people leave rural areas for city jobs, Japan’s countryside has become haunted by deserted "ghost houses."
根據（日本）「國立社會保障、人口問題研究所」，預料日本人口到了2065年，會從1億2700萬減至約8800萬，意味需要房屋的人會更少。隨著年輕人為了在都市工作離開鄉間，日本鄉間已充斥遭棄置的「鬼屋」。

It’s predicted that by 2040, nearly 900 towns and villages across Japan will no longer exist － and Okutama is one of them. In that context, giving away property is a bid for survival.
預料到了2040年，全日本將近900座小鎮與村莊將不復存在—奧多摩便是其中之一。在此情況下，贈送房地產便成為一種求生之道。

Next Article

Topic: Part Office Building , Part Homeless Shelter

A year ago, when Amazon let a homeless shelter for families move into a former motel it owned, it was viewed as a nice but fleeting gesture.
The motel was on a chunk of downtown property where Amazon planned to eventually erect yet another set of sparkling buildings to meet its insatiable need for office space in this city. The hotel would be torn down and the shelter kicked out when that time came.
一年前，亞馬遜公司讓一個遊民（無處可住）家庭收容所遷進該公司所有，曾為汽車旅館的一棟建築，當時被認為是好心，但僅屬暫時性的善舉。
這家汽車旅館位於市中心的一大片地產上，亞馬遜最終計畫在這塊土地上興建另一批閃閃發光的建築，以因應該公司在這個城市對辦公室空間永難滿足的需求。當重建的時刻降臨時，旅館會被拆除，收容所也會被掃地出門。

Instead, Amazon has decided to let the shelter stay. In an unusual arrangement, the company has agreed to give the shelter, Mary’s Place, a permanent home inside one of the new office buildings for which it will break ground in the fall.
Amazon will give roughly half of the six-story building to the shelter, providing it with 47,000 square feet of space with private rooms that can hold 65 families, or about 220 people and their pets. The facility, expected to open in early 2020, will have its own entrance and elevators.
然而事非如此，亞馬遜已決定讓收容所留下。在一項不尋常的安排下，該公司已同意在預定秋天動工興建的新辦公大樓中的某一棟裡，讓收容所「瑪麗之家」擁有一個永遠的家。
亞馬遜準備大約將這棟六層樓大樓的一半提供給收容所，讓收容所擁有4萬7000平方英尺地坪，計有足可容納65戶家庭，或約220人和他們的寵物的私人房間。這項設施預計2020年年初啟用，將有自己的大門和電梯。

“I see it as this huge gift because everywhere we go, we end up leaving,” said Marty Hartman, the executive director of Mary’s Place, which runs seven transitional shelters around the Seattle area meant to house families until they can find permanent homes. “You come in and become a fabric of the neighborhood you’re in, and then you say goodbye. That’s a hard thing for a lot of people to do.”
In an interview at the current Mary’s Place site owned by Amazon, which was bustling with families returning to the shelter for the evening, John Schoettler, Amazon’s vice president for global real estate and facilities, said the company would spend “tens of millions of dollars” on the design and construction of the shelter’s portion of the building. Amazon will pay the utilities for Mary’s Place, which will occupy the space rent free, although the organization will continue to pay its own staff.
「瑪麗之家」執行長馬蒂．哈特曼說：「我把它看成天大的一份禮物，因為無論我們到那裏，最終都得離開。」「瑪麗之家」在西雅圖地區經營七個中途之家性質的收容所，收容一些尚未找到固定住所的家庭。她說：「你住進來，成為你所加入鄰里的一份子，然後又得說再見。這對很多人來說是件困難的事。」
「瑪麗之家」目前所在地產權為亞馬遜所擁有，此刻正因一些家庭返回過夜而顯得頗為熱鬧，亞馬遜主管全球房地產和設施的副總裁約翰．舒特勒在此處接受訪問表示，該公司將花費「數千萬美元」設計和建造這棟建築內的收容所部分。亞馬遜將支付「瑪麗之家」的水電費、讓「瑪麗之家」免租金使用空間，不過「瑪麗之家」將繼續支付他們自己員工的薪水。

Schoettler said Amazon originally allowed the shelter to stay in the motel because of the severity of Seattle’s homelessness crisis, which had prompted the city’s mayor to declare a state of emergency in 2015. Schoettler said Amazon was impressed by Mary’s Place, and he described its plan to give the shelter a permanent home as an investment in the neighborhood.
In San Francisco, Google, Salesforce.com and others have funded a campaign to find permanent housing for homeless people. But Nan Roman, president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness, a nonprofit advocacy group in Washington, D.C., said she was unaware of any other private corporation integrating a homeless shelter into its building.
舒特勒說，亞馬遜最初允許收容所搬進汽車旅館，是因西雅圖遊民危機十分嚴重。遊民危機2015年時促使西雅圖市長宣布進入緊急狀態。舒特勒說， 亞馬遜被瑪麗之家給打動了，他把亞馬遜計畫給收容所一個長久的家這件事，稱為該公司對當地社區的一項投資。
在舊金山，谷歌、Salesforce.com 和其他公司都在資助替無家可歸者尋找固定住處的一項運動。不過，華盛頓特區非營利宣導團體「終結無家可歸全國聯盟」總裁南恩．羅曼說，據她所知，沒有任何其他私人公司讓遊民收容所進住他們的大樓。
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/314016/web/

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歡迎回到《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》！本週的值班老師是電商讀書會的 Lydia 和 Cariya 。首先要來對所有關注體育盛事的通勤家族 shout out 一下，希望大家都能帶著滿滿的熱情回到工作崗位上。

今天我們聊到了 AI 時代下的職場溝通。我們的共識是，雖然 ChatGPT 在寫作上幫了大忙，但面對主管時的口語表達仍需要持續練習。說到職場溝通，老師們強調了目標性的重要。不論是向下佈達還是向上管理，找到最有效率的溝通方式才是王道。善用AI工具不僅能提高工作效率，更能從中學習。

各位通勤家族，你們有什麼獨特的溝通技巧或是使用AI工具的心得嗎？歡迎分享給我們喔！別忘了，想要更多職場英語的秘笈，歡迎訂閱我們的VIP會員，還能享有主題許願的特權： https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday

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背景故事：
很久很久以前，John老師覺得好玩，就找了同樣在台教英語的台灣女婿(南非人)開啟錄Podcast的里程，
當時的器材與網路平台都不熟悉，也不上手，面對麥克風還是會抖～ 這個單元也啟發了現在大家常聽的Vocab與15Mins Cafe單元。
不過近期有老朋友們敲碗，說找不到了，希望想要聽，要John老師重制上架。

那每週四就一起來聽聽當時Podcast菜雞們在網路上做英語教學所踏出的第一步！
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Annoying passenger rankings 討厭乘客排名
So how do all the aggravating passengers stack up? Here's the full 2016 list:
1. The Rear Seat Kicker (cited by 64% of respondents) 踢椅背
2. Inattentive Parents (59%) 放任的家長
3. The Aromatic Passenger (55%) 狐臭乘客
4. The Audio Insensitive (49%) 音樂放很大聲
5. The Boozer (49%) 喝醉酒
6. Chatty Cathy (40%) 愛聊天
7. The Queue Jumper (35%) 喜歡插隊
8. Seat-Back Guy (35%) 椅背仰后到底
9. The Armrest Hog (34%) 搶靠手
10. Pungent Foodies (30%) 吃重口味食物
11. The Undresser (28%) 脫衣人
12. The Amorous (28%) 強曬恩愛
13. The Mad Bladder (22%) 一直上洗手間
14. The Single and Ready to Mingle (18%) 單身愛交友

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Reference article: https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20240323000868-260405?chdtv

I came across an article that identified all the big no-nos for an in-flight passenger and I realized we, one time or the other must have violated these unwritten rules. In a way, these are in-flight etiquettes that we were never taught.

In this episode, I check these no-nos with Angel, the newly minted Purser! Congratulations on her promotion and she gives us some inside stories about what it's like in the air as a Purser. If you have violated some of the big no-nos shared in this episode, sound off using the comment link and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K831: YouTube 最大明星 MrBeast 因過往言論陷入爭議 MrBeast: YouTube's Biggest Star Faces Controversy Over Past Remarks

Highlights 主題摘要：

MrBeast, YouTube's biggest star, is facing controversy over past racist and sexist comments from 2017 podcasts, which have recently resurfaced on social media.MrBeast's team acknowledged his past inappropriate language, stating he has since apologized and learned about the responsibility that comes with his increasing influence.The controversy extends beyond MrBeast's past remarks, as his collaborator Ava Kris Tyson faces accusations of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, leading to Tyson's removal from MrBeast's company.

MrBeast, the YouTube sensation known for his extravagant videos and philanthropic efforts, has recently found himself at the center of controversy. The content creator, whose real name is Jimmy Donaldson, has acknowledged using "inappropriate language" in his early online days. This admission comes as clips from 2017 podcasts, containing racist and sexist comments, have resurfaced on social media.

YouTube 知名網紅 MrBeast ，以其誇張的影片和慈善行為聞名，近來卻捲入了爭議風波。這位本名為 Jimmy Donaldson （吉米唐納森）的內容創作者承認在早期網路生涯中使用過「不當語言」。這個告解源於 2017 年播客節目片段的重新流傳，其中包含種族主義和性別歧視言論。

With a staggering 307 million YouTube subscribers, MrBeast has become a household name among young audiences. His videos, featuring whimsical challenges and generous giveaways, regularly attract over 100 million views. However, the emergence of these controversial clips has cast a shadow over his reputation. In one instance, Donaldson was heard responding to a viewer's comment about "selling Black people for money," stating that "the most I would pay is probably 300." He also used homophobic slurs and made inappropriate comments about underage celebrities.

MrBeast 擁有驚人的 3.07 億 YouTube 訂閱者，已成為年輕觀眾中家喻戶曉的名字。他的影片以異想天開的挑戰和慷慨的贈禮為特色，經常吸引超過 1 億次的觀看。然而，這些具爭議性片段的出現，卻為他的名聲蒙上了一層陰影。在其中一個例子中，唐納森回應一位觀眾關於「販賣黑人賺錢」的留言，稱「我最多可能願意付 300 美元」。他也使用了同性戀歧視性詞彙，並對未成年名人發表不當評論。

A spokesperson for MrBeast addressed the situation, explaining that when Donaldson was a teenager, he "acted like many kids and used inappropriate language while trying to be funny." The statement emphasized that over the years, Donaldson has repeatedly apologized and learned about the responsibility that comes with his increasing influence. As an adult, he has reportedly focused on engaging with his community to make a positive impact around the world. This response highlights the complex issue of holding public figures accountable for past behavior while acknowledging personal growth and change.

MrBeast 的發言人針對此事發表聲明，解釋當唐納森還是青少年時，他「和許多孩子一樣，為了搞笑而使用不當語言」。聲明強調，多年來唐納森已多次道歉，並了解到隨著影響力增加，責任也隨之而來。據報導，他成年後致力於與社群互動，共同為世界帶來正面影響。這回應凸顯了一個複雜議題：如何在追究公眾人物過往行為責任的同時，也認可其個人成長與改變。

The controversy surrounding MrBeast doesn't end with his past remarks. His longtime collaborator, Ava Kris Tyson, has been accused of sending inappropriate messages to a minor. Donaldson has distanced himself from Tyson, stating that he is "disgusted and opposed to such unacceptable acts." He has taken immediate action to remove Tyson from his company and channel. As MrBeast navigates these challenging times, it remains to be seen how these controversies will affect his career and the empire he has built. With a reported net worth of around $500 million in 2022 and a recent $100 million TV deal with Amazon, Donaldson's influence extends far beyond YouTube. His ability to weather this storm may depend on how he continues to address these issues and demonstrate genuine change. The situation also raises broader questions about cancel culture, redemption, and the responsibility of influencers with massive followings.

MrBeast 的爭議並不止於他過去的言論。他的長期合作夥伴 Ava Kris Tyson （艾娃克里斯泰森）被指控向未成年人發送不當訊息。唐納森已與泰森劃清界線，聲明他「對這種不可接受的行為感到厭惡和反對」。他已立即採取行動，將泰森從公司和頻道中移除。在 MrBeast 面對這些艱難時刻之際，這些爭議將如何影響他的事業和已建立的帝國仍有待觀察。據報導，唐納森在 2022 年的淨資產約為 5 億美元，最近還與亞馬遜簽下了 1 億美元的電視合約，他的影響力已遠超 YouTube 平台。能否渡過這場風暴，可能取決於他如何繼續處理這些問題並展現真誠的改變。這種情況也引發了更廣泛的問題，包括網路取消文化（公審）、贖罪，以及擁有大量追隨者的網紅應負的責任。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Philanthropic (Phil-an-throp-ic): MrBeast, the YouTube sensation known for his extravagant videos and philanthropic efforts, has recently found himself at the center of controversy.Resurfaced (Re-sur-faced): This admission comes as clips from 2017 podcasts, containing racist and sexist comments, have resurfaced on social media.Whimsical (Whim-si-cal): His videos, featuring whimsical challenges and generous giveaways, regularly attract over 100 million views.Inappropriate (In-ap-pro-pri-ate): He also used homophobic slurs and made inappropriate comments about underage celebrities.Repeatedly (Re-peat-ed-ly): The statement emphasized that over the years, Donaldson has repeatedly apologized and learned about the responsibility that comes with his increasing influence.

Reference article:
1. https://apnews.com/article/mrbeast-jimmy-donaldson-allegations-philanthropy-feastibles-742306d7c77e2eca8d895bf439790c69
2. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/youtube-mr-beast-racist-controversy-statement-b2589319.html

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Topic: 對現狀不滿拉美從傾右變傾左 Leftists Replacing Right-Wing Leaders Across Latin America

In the final weeks of 2021, Chile and Honduras voted decisively for leftist presidents to replace leaders on the right, extending a significant, multiyear shift across Latin America.
在2021年的最後幾周，智利和宏都拉斯果斷地投票支援 左翼總統取代右翼領導人，延續 了整個拉丁美洲長達數年的重大轉變。

This year, leftist politicians are the favorites to win presidential elections in Colombia and Brazil, taking over from right-wing incumbents, which would put the left and center-left in power in the six largest economies in the region, stretching from Tijuana to Tierra del Fuego.
今年，左翼政客是贏得哥倫比亞和巴西總統選舉的最愛，他們接替了右翼現任者，這將使左翼和中左翼在該地區從蒂華納到火地島的六大經濟體中掌權。

Economic suffering, widening inequality, fervent anti-incumbent sentiment and mismanagement of COVID-19 have all fueled a pendulum swing away from the center-right and right-wing leaders who were dominant a few years ago.
經濟困境、不斷擴大的不平等、狂熱的反現任情緒以及對COVID-19的管理不善，都助長了幾年前佔主導地位的中右翼和右翼領導人的鐘擺擺動。

The left has promised more equitable distribution of wealth, better public services and vastly expanded social safety nets. But the region’s new leaders face serious economic constraints and legislative opposition that could restrict their ambitions — and restive voters who have been willing to punish whoever fails to deliver.
左翼承諾更公平地分配財富，提供更好的公共服務，並大大擴展社會安全網。但該地區的新領導人面臨著嚴重的經濟限制和立法反對，這可能會限制他們的野心-以及願意懲罰任何未能兌現承諾的人的不安分選民。

The left’s gains could buoy China and undermine the United States as they compete for regional influence, analysts say, with a new crop of Latin American leaders who are desperate for economic development and more open to Beijing’s global strategy of offering loans and infrastructure investment. The change could also make it harder for the United States to continue isolating authoritarian leftist regimes in Venezuela, Nicaragua and Cuba.
分析人士說，左翼的收益可能會提振中國，削弱美國，因為他們在爭奪地區影響力時，新一批拉丁美洲領導人迫切希望經濟發展，並對北京的全球戰略持更開放的態度， 提供貸款和 基礎設施投資。這一變化還可能使美國更難繼續孤立委內瑞拉、尼加拉瓜和古巴的獨裁左翼政權。

With rising inflation and stagnant economies, Latin America’s new leaders will find it hard to deliver real change on profound problems, said Pedro Mendes Loureiro, a professor of Latin American studies at the University of Cambridge. To some extent, he said, voters are “electing the left simply because it is the opposition at the moment.”
隨著通貨膨脹率上升和經濟停滯，拉丁美洲的新領導人將發現很難在深刻的問題上實現真正的變革，劍橋大學拉丁美洲研究教授佩德羅·門德斯·洛雷羅（Pedro Mendes Loureiro）說。他說，在某種程度上，選民正在"選舉左翼，僅僅是因為它目前是反對派。"

Unlike the early 2000s, when leftists won critical presidencies in Latin America, the new officeholders are saddled by debt, lean budgets, scant access to credit and, in many cases, vociferous opposition.
與2000年代初不同，當時左翼分子在拉丁美洲贏得了關鍵的總統職位 ，而新的官員則背負著債務，預算緊張， 信貸匱乏以及在許多情況下大聲反對的負擔。

Eric Hershberg, director of the Center for Latin American and Latino Studies at American University, said the left’s winning streak is born out of widespread indignation.
美國大學拉丁美洲和拉丁裔研究中心主任埃裡克·赫什伯格（Eric Hershberg ）表示，左翼的連勝源於 廣泛的憤怒。

“This is really about lower-middle-class and working-class sectors saying, ‘Thirty years into democracy, and we still have to ride a decrepit bus for two hours to get to a bad health clinic,’”Hershberg said.
"這實際上是關於中下層階層和工人階層部門說，'民主三十年後，我們仍然必須乘坐破舊的公共汽車兩個小時才能到達一個糟糕的健康診所，'"赫什伯格說。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6092284

Next Article

Topic : Venezuela, Once an Oil Giant, Reaches the End of an Era

For the first time in a century, there are no rigs searching for oil in Venezuela.
百年來，委內瑞拉首次沒有鑽油平台在鑽探石油。

Wells that once tapped the world’s largest crude reserves are abandoned or left to flare toxic gases that cast an orange glow over depressed oil towns.
曾自全球最大原油礦藏採油的油井，不是廢棄，就是任由洩漏的毒性氣體逕自燃燒，使附近蕭條的石油城鎮蒙上一層橘光。

Refineries that once processed oil for export are rusting hulks, leaking crude that blackens shorelines and coats the water in an oily sheen.
先前把石油加工出口的煉油廠成了生鏽的殘骸，洩漏的原油染黑了海岸線，並在海面形成一層油光。

Fuel shortages have brought the country to a standstill. At gas stations, lines go on for miles.
燃料短缺使這個國家陷入癱瘓。在加油站，排隊加油的車輛綿延數哩。

Venezuela’s colossal oil sector, which shaped the country and the international energy market for a century, has come to a near halt, with production reduced to a trickle by years of gross mismanagement and U.S. sanctions. The collapse is leaving behind a destroyed economy and a devastated environment and, many analysts say, bringing to an end the era of Venezuela as an energy powerhouse.
委內瑞拉龐大的石油業曾形塑這個國家和國際能源市場長達百年，如今卻幾近停頓，由於多年來管理不善和遭受美國制裁，產量只剩一丁點。石油業崩潰導致經濟慘淡，環境重創，且如許多分析家所言，為委國作為能源大國的時代畫下句點。

The country that a decade ago was the largest producer in Latin America, earning about $90 billion a year from oil exports, is expected to net about $2.3 billion by this year’s end — less than the aggregate amount that Venezuelan migrants who fled the country’s economic devastation will send back home
to support their families, according to Pilar Navarro, a Caracas, Venezuela-based economist.
長駐委國首都卡拉卡斯的經濟學家納瓦洛說，當地10年前是拉丁美洲最大產油國，每年出口石油賺進900億美元，但到今年年底，預計可進帳23億美元，還不及為逃避經濟崩潰而出國的國民匯回養家的金錢總額。

Production is the lowest in nearly a century after sanctions forced most oil companies to stop drilling for or buying Venezuelan oil — and even that trickle could dry up soon, analysts warn.
分析家警告，制裁迫使許多石油公司停止鑽探或購買委國石油，以致其產量降到近百年來最低，甚至最後這點生產也可能即將停止。

The decline has diminished beyond recognition a country that just a decade ago rivaled the United States for regional influence. It is also unraveling a national culture defined by oil, a source of cash that once seemed endless; it financed monumental public works and pervasive graft, generous scholarships and flashy shopping trips to Miami.
石油業衰落，使十年前與美國享有同等區域影響力的委內瑞拉面目全非，還破壞了以石油為基礎的的國家文化，石油曾經是看似取之不盡的現金來源：支應大型公共工程，助長普遍存在的貪腐，用以發放豐厚的獎學金，也讓人們享受到美國佛州邁阿密的豪華購物之旅。

Crippling gasoline shortages have led to an outbreak of dozens of daily protests across most Venezuelan states in recent weeks.
汽油嚴重短缺，導致最近幾周委內瑞拉多數州每天總共爆發數十場抗議。

More than 5 million Venezuelans, or 1 in 6 residents, have fled the country since 2015, creating one of the world’s greatest refugee crises, according to the United Nations. The country now has the highest poverty rate in Latin America, overtaking Haiti this year, according to a recent study by Venezuela’s three leading universities.
聯合國資料顯示，2015年起已有逾500萬，也就是六分之一委國人逃離，是全球最大難民潮之一。委國三所頂尖大學最近的調查顯示，委國今年取代海地，成為拉美貧困率最高的國家。
Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/358363/web/

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各位《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》的聽眾朋友們大家好！本週的值班老師是Angel老師和John老師，
今天Angel老師來聊聊他升遷當Purser後的生活是如何的，還有她與年輕人互動的趣事。

如果你做管理職，也遇到與Gen Z世代互動的culture shock，歡迎留言！讓我們聽聽你的故事，並會在下一集給你個special mention喔。

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背景故事：
很久很久以前，John老師覺得好玩，就找了同樣在台教英語的台灣女婿(南非人)開啟錄Podcast的里程，
當時的器材與網路平台都不熟悉，也不上手，面對麥克風還是會抖～ 這個單元也啟發了現在大家常聽的Vocab與15Mins Cafe單元。
不過近期有老朋友們敲碗，說找不到了，希望想要聽，要John老師重制上架。

那每週四就一起來聽聽當時Podcast菜雞們在網路上做英語教學所踏出的第一步！
----------------------------------


Autodesk's Elbo Chair​

Autodesk’s Elbo Chair is the result of an uncommon partnership. Designers in the company’s generative design lab harnessed the power of algorithms to make the organic wooden seat.

To start, the designers fed a 3-D model of a chair inspired by Hans Wegner’s iconic Round Chair and Berkeley Mills’ Lambda Chair into Dreamcatcher, Autodesk’s generative design software.

Then they let the algorithm do its thing. Every so often, the humans would pick one of the algorithm’s designs, and the software would propagate a new lineage based on their selection.

The result was the chair you see here—a skeletal creation that points toward a future in which designers collaborate with algorithms on new ideas.

Microsoft Surface Studio
The $3,000 desktop computer is aimed squarely at the creative set.

With its massive 28-inch monitor and a hinge system that allows the display to become a tabletop touch-screen, it’s easy to see why:

The Surface Studio is more interactive drafting table than it is computer, and proof that Microsoft is thinking seriously about what the future of desktop computing should look like.
https://www.wired.com/2016/12/2016-innovative-objects/

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Every crazy hot summer is the best time to savor and taste some of the iconic desserts in Taiwan.
We've tasted many of them, but how many of them can you introduce to your international friends?
This episode is for you~ Klim and I will discuss our favorite Taiwanese desserts and for VIP members, we will list out all the toppings as well for your reference.

Let us know your favorite dessert and toppings using the comment link and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K827: Global IT Meltdown: CrowdStrike Update Causes Widespread Computer Crashes

Highlights 主題摘要：

A single software update from CrowdStrike caused a global IT meltdown, affecting millions of Windows computers and highlighting the fragility of our interconnected digital systems.The incident impacted various industries worldwide, from airports to broadcasting, demonstrating how dependent modern society has become on technology and its vulnerability to disruptions.While CrowdStrike responded quickly, the scale of the problem made it challenging to implement fixes, prompting organizations to reassess their reliance on single-point software solutions.

On July 19, 2024, a routine software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike led to a worldwide IT breakdown, affecting millions of Windows computers. The incident, which caused chaos across various industries, stemmed from a single coding error in the company's Falcon sensor program. This article explores what happened and its impact.

2024 年 7 月 19 日，網路安全公司 CrowdStrike 的一次例行軟體更新，引發了全球性的資訊系統崩潰，影響了數百萬台微軟 Windows 電腦。這起事件源於該公司 Falcon 感應器程式中的一個編碼錯誤，造成了各行各業的混亂。本文將探討事件的來龍去脈和影響範圍。

The trouble began when CrowdStrike released a sensor configuration update for its Falcon program, a cloud-based cybersecurity tool used by many businesses and organizations. The update, intended to enhance protection against cyber attacks, contained a "logic error" that resulted in Windows systems crashing. Users across the globe reported seeing the infamous "Blue Screen of Death" and experiencing reboot loops, rendering their devices unusable. The problem affected Windows version 7.11 and above, while Mac and Linux systems remained unaffected. This type of update was routine for CrowdStrike, with multiple releases occurring daily since the program's launch.

問題始於 CrowdStrike 為其 Falcon 程式發布的一次感應器設置更新。 Falcon 是一款雲端網路安全工具，廣泛應用於各類企業和組織。這次更新本意是加強對網路攻擊的防護，卻因一個「邏輯錯誤」導致微軟 Windows 系統崩潰。全球用戶紛紛報告遇到了眾所厭惡的「藍色畫面」，並陷入重啟循環，導致設備無法使用。這個問題影響了 Windows 7.11 及以上版本，而蘋果的 Mac 和 Linux 的系統則不受影響。對 CrowdStrike 來說，這類更新是例行操作，自程式推出以來每天都會發布多次。

The impact of this IT outage was felt far and wide. Airports faced operational challenges, supermarket check-outs malfunctioned, and journalists struggled to report on the very issue causing havoc. Major organizations, including Sky News, were unable to broadcast, highlighting the severity of the situation. Planes were grounded in the U.S., trains in the U.K. were impacted, and boarding scanners at Edinburgh airport in Scotland faced issues. The incident serves as a stark reminder of how dependent modern society has become on technology and how vulnerable we are to widespread disruptions.

這次資訊系統故障的影響範圍極為廣泛。機場面臨營運挑戰，超市結帳系統故障，記者們難以報導這場正在造成混亂的事件。包括 Sky News 在內的大型機構無法播出，凸顯了事態的嚴重性。美國的飛機被迫停飛，英國的火車受到影響，蘇格蘭愛丁堡機場的登機掃描器也出現問題。本次事件令人警醒，現代社會對科技的依賴程度之高，以及我們面對大規模中斷時的脆弱性。

CrowdStrike responded swiftly to the crisis, acknowledging the issue within an hour of the first reports. By 5:27 AM UTC, the company had pushed out an update to replace the flawed configuration files. However, many users continued to experience problems for hours after the initial crash. CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz confirmed that the issue was not a cyberattack but rather a defect in a content update. The company provided a manual fix for affected systems, which involved deleting a specific file in the Windows directory. However, applying this fix at scale proved challenging for large organizations with thousands of affected devices.

CrowdStrike 迅速回應了這場危機，在首次收到報告後一小時內就承認了問題的存在。到世界標準時間上午 5:27，公司已經推出了更新來替換有缺陷的設置文件。然而，許多用戶在系統初次崩潰後的數小時內仍然遇到問題。 CrowdStrike 執行長 George Kurtz 確認，這個問題並非網路攻擊，而是內容更新中的一個缺陷。公司提供了一個手動修復方法，需要刪除 Windows 目錄下的特定檔案。然而，對於擁有數千台受影響設備的大型組織來說，廣泛的使用這個方法修復具有挑戰性。

Experts in the field, such as Ajay Unni from StickmanCyber and Mark Jones from Tesserent, commented on the situation. They explained that while the rollback of the configuration update seemed to be working, deploying it through entire systems like servers and multiple desktops would take hours. The incident highlighted the complexities of managing large-scale IT infrastructures and the potential for small errors to cause significant disruptions. As businesses and organizations recovered from this unexpected IT meltdown, many were left reassessing their dependency on single-point software solutions and the need for more robust contingency plans in an increasingly digital world.

業內專家，如 StickmanCyber 的 Ajay Unni 和 Tesserent 的 Mark Jones 對此事發表了評論。他們解釋說，雖然設置更新的回溯似乎正在發揮作用，但在整個系統（如伺服器和多台桌上型電腦）中部署可能需要數小時。此次事件凸顯了管理大規模資訊基礎設施的複雜性，以及小錯誤可能造成重大中斷的潛在風險。在從這次意外的資訊崩潰中恢復之際，許多企業和組織開始重新評估他們對單一軟體解決方案的依賴，並在這個日益數位化的世界中，認識到建立更強大的應急計劃的必要性。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Infamous (In-fa-mous): Users across the globe reported seeing the infamous "Blue Screen of Death" and experiencing reboot loops, rendering their devices unusable.Operational (Op-er-a-tion-al): Airports faced operational challenges, supermarket check-outs malfunctioned, and journalists struggled to report on the very issue causing havoc.Malfunctioned (Mal-func-tioned): Airports faced operational challenges, supermarket check-outs malfunctioned, and journalists struggled to report on the very issue causing havoc.Havoc (Ha-voc): Airports faced operational challenges, supermarket check-outs malfunctioned, and journalists struggled to report on the very issue causing havoc.Cyberattack (Cy-ber-at-tack): CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz confirmed that the issue was not a cyberattack but rather a defect in a content update.

Reference article:
1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-20/what-happened-crowdstrike-global-outage-explainer/104122582
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2024/07/19/crowdstrike-windows-outage-what-happened-and-what-to-do-next/

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Topic: Sellout Culture Is a Problem for Pro Golf

Even if you don’t play or follow golf — which I don’t — you’re probably aware of the controversy now engulfing the game. A number of the world’s top-ranked pro players, notably Phil Mickelson, made extremely lucrative deals to play in a new tour, the LIV Golf International Series, sponsored by Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour, which has traditionally dominated the sport, responded by suspending 17 of these players.

即便不打或不追高球新聞—我也沒追—你也可能知道現在這項運動捲入爭議。一些世界頂級職業球員，尤其是米克森，達成極其有利可圖的交易參加沙烏地阿拉伯贊助的新巡迴賽，即LIV高球國際系列賽。傳統上主導這項運動的職業高球美巡賽（PGA Tour）對此做出回應，將其中17名球員禁賽。

The Saudis are obviously engaged in reputation-laundering — greenswashing? — in an attempt to make people forget about the atrocities their regime has perpetrated. It’s less clear what motivated the PGA. Did it consider the LIV series flawed, not a proper golf tour? Was it attempting to squash competition? Or was the problem with the LIV series’ sponsors?

沙國顯然在清洗名聲—是在「漂白」嗎？試圖讓人們忘記他們政權所犯下的暴行。目前還不太清楚什麼原因驅使PGA這樣做。它是否認為LIV系列賽有缺陷，不是個像樣的高球巡迴賽？它會不會是在試圖壓制競爭嗎？或是LIV系列賽贊助者的問題？

PGA attendees surveyed by ProGolf weekly were in no doubt: An overwhelming majority attributed Mickelson’s exclusion to “media/cancel culture.” And I hope they’re right. I mean, if getting paid big bucks to provide favorable PR to a regime that deals with critical journalists by killing them and dismembering them with a bone saw doesn’t warrant cancellation, what does? And yet Mickelson and others were willing to provide that PR.

接受《ProGolf》周刊調查的PGA與會者均無疑問，絕大多數將米克森遭剔除歸因於「媒體/取消文化」。我希望他們是對的。我的意思是，拿大錢幫一個政權提供公關服務，而這個政權把批評他們的記者殺掉還肢解，如果這不是一個取消的正當理由，那什麼才是？而米克森和其他人卻願意提供這種公關服務。

So if you ask me, the real story here isn’t that the PGA may (or may not) have found a line it won’t cross. It is that so many members of the American elite evidently have no such lines.

所以，若你問我，情況並非PGA可能（或可能沒有）找到一條不會跨越的線，而是這個美國菁英組織許多成員明顯沒有這樣的界線。

What explains the rise of sellout culture? Tax cuts may have played a role: Selling your soul becomes more attractive when you get to keep more of the proceeds. Soaring income inequality may inspire envy, a desire to keep up with the super-elite. And there is surely a process of normalization: Everyone else is selling out, so why shouldn’t I join the party?

如何解釋出賣文化興起？減稅可能起到一定作用：當你能保留更多收益時，出賣你的靈魂就變得更有吸引力。日益嚴重的收入不平等可能會引發嫉妒，讓人渴望跟超級菁英攀比。當然，這是一個正常過程：其他人都在出賣，那我為何不入群呢？

Kids used to look up to public figures, sports stars in particular, as role models. Do they still? Can they, given what public figures will do if the checks are big enough?

以前孩子們常把受人尊敬的公眾人物作為榜樣，尤其是體育明星。他們還會嗎？考慮到支票夠大時公眾人物竟然這樣做，他們還能嗎？Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6413966

Next Article

Topic: Why Are There More Successful Older Golfers Today?

From the 18th fairway in the final group of the British Open in 2009, Tom Watson, the five-time Open champion, hit a shot that flew right at the pin. For a moment, it looked like Watson, then age 59, would win the tournament for a record sixth time and become the oldest player to win a major championship.

2009年英國公開賽最後一組第18洞的球道上，五屆冠軍華森一揮直飛旗桿。一時間，當時59歲的華森似乎將贏得創紀錄的第六座英國公開賽冠軍，並成為最年長的四大賽冠軍。

A firm bounce sent the ball off the back of the green, and Watson needed three more shots to get the ball into the hole. That dropped him into a tie for first. In the four-hole playoff, he ran out of gas and lost by six shots.

小白球強力彈跳後滾出果嶺後方，華森又花了三桿才把球送進洞裡。這使他落到並列領先。四洞延長賽，他精力耗盡，最後輸六桿。

A decade ago, the idea of an older golfer contending in, let alone winning, a major championship was something few considered. That was still the time when most golfers petered out in their mid-40s and kicked around the golf world before having a brief resurgence on the Champions Tour when they turned 50.

10年前，很少人料想得到年長的高球選手會參加四大賽，遑論拿冠軍。當時，大多數高球選手在45歲左右開始淡出，到滿50歲參加「冠軍」（譯註：長春）巡迴賽散發短暫餘暉前，其間在高球界四處晃晃。

Leading these middle-age mavericks is Phil Mickelson, 51, won the PGA Championship in May. He beat Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner, and Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, who are both in their 30s.

這些不服老的中年高球選手領導人物是剛滿51歲的米克森，他在今年5月贏得PGA錦標賽冠軍。擊敗了都是30多歲的四屆四大賽冠軍得主科普卡與2010年英國公開賽冠軍歐蘇森。

“All these guys have taken a new approach,” said Dave Phillips, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, which focuses on golf and fitness. “There’s a lot of money out there. They realize they can still compete with the younger guys, but they need to spend more time on their body and what they fuel their body with.”

高球與健身專門機構「冠軍競技表現研究所」共同創辦人戴維．菲利普斯說：「這些人都採取一種新方法。比賽獎金很高。他們意識到自己仍可跟年輕人競爭，只是需要花更多時間在身體及強化身體的物質上面。」

Phillips said what Mickelson and the others were doing provided lessons for older golfers. “It’s not strength, but the recovery and the downtime that matter,” he said. “It’s letting your body recover. Everyone wants to get fitter, stronger, faster. They’re upset when they don’t see the results. But what they’re doing is fatiguing to the body more so than a round of golf.”

菲利普斯說，米克森和其他人的作為，幫年長高球選手上了一課。「重要的不是力量，而是恢復與休息，讓你的身體恢復。每個人都想變得更健康、更強壯、更快。他們沒看到成果時會沮喪，但他們所做的事會讓身體遠比打一輪高球還累。」

Crucial for older players? Maintain leg strength, Phillips said, and that means walk, don’t ride, when you play golf.

對年長球員重要的是什麼？菲利普斯說，保持腿部力量，這意味你打高球時，要走路，不要搭球車。

It is experience, for sure, but that is a double-edged sword: With age, players are more knowledgeable about the nuances of the game and have, in theory, a better psychological understanding of what to do. But they have also failed to do that in similar moments in the past.

當然，這需要經驗，且各有利弊：隨著年紀增長，球員更了解比賽的精妙之處，理論上，他們在心理上對該做什麼有更好的了解，過去遇到類似時刻，他們就做不到。

“The reason we’re going longer is we have the financial security to go longer,” he said “We also have the sports science to reinvent ourselves.”

他說：「我們走得更久是因為我們擁有能夠走得更久的經濟保障，我們還有運動科學來改造自己。」Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5656437

Next Article

Topic: Night Golf Is Taking Over South Korea

City lights shimmer in the distance.
城市燈光在遠處閃爍。

Shadows splay in every direction on glowing green grass.
陰影在閃閃發光的綠色草地上向四面八方伸展。

It’s close to midnight, the moon hangs high in the dark night sky, and South Koreans are still outside, golfing.
現時已接近午夜，月亮高懸在漆黑夜空中，南韓民眾仍在戶外打高爾夫球。

This is “white night” golf, a nocturnal sports phenomenon in South Korea that reflects the still surging popularity of the sport there, the persistent challenges many encounter in nabbing a tee time in the country’s dense cities and the lengths to which some will nevertheless go to get one.
這就是「白夜」高球，南韓一種夜間運動現象，反映高球在南韓人氣持續攀升，許多人在人口密集城市內要預約打球遇到挑戰，不過有些人還是想辦法要打到球。

South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan.
南韓是世界第三大高球市場，僅次於美國和日本。

For golf fans worldwide, the game’s grip on the country is most easily observed in its surplus of elite professional players, particularly in the women’s game. As of last week, 32 of the top 100 players in the women’s world rankings, including four of the top 10, were from South Korea.
對世界各地球迷來說，高球對南韓的吸引力，從菁英職業球員充斥南韓人最容易看出，尤其女子高球界。截至上周，世界排名前100的女子高球選手有32人來自南韓，前10名就有4位。

But on the ground, golf is very much a participatory pastime, even if the popularity of the sport and the undersupply of courses in metropolitan areas make opportunities to actually play scarce and expensive. Seoul, a city of nearly 10 million people, has only one course, and it is open only to military personnel.
但在當地，高球主要是一種大家親自下場的消遣，即便這種運動太受歡迎加上都會區球場供應不足，使得打球機會很少又昂貴。擁有近1000萬人口的首爾只有一個球場，且只對軍人開放。

Some make do with screen golf, a virtual simulation game played indoors, which has become its own booming pastime in South Korea, with some facilities offering 24-hour service.
有些人只好改玩螢幕高爾夫，這是一種在室內玩的虛擬模擬遊戲，在南韓已成為蓬勃發展的娛樂，一些場所提供24小時服務。

But golfers understandably desire the real thing. So what do you do when the demand for tee times outstrips the sunlight in a given day?
但可以理解的是，打高球的人渴望真實的東西，因此當某天打球時間的需求量超過日照時間，你該怎麼辦？

According to Seo Chun-beom, president of the Korea Leisure Industry Institute, South Korea now boasts a whopping 117 golf courses of 18 holes or more that offer nighttime play for willing golfers, with tee times as late as 8 p.m. Seo said there are countless other 9-hole courses that also feature floodlights and do not close until midnight or later.
韓國休閒產業研究所所長徐千範說，南韓目前有117座18洞或以上的高球場，可讓想打球的人在夜間打球，打球時間到晚上8點。 徐俊範說，還有其他無數個9洞球場也設有探照燈，開到午夜或是更晚。

Many people from Seoul, for instance, make the trek to Sky 72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, close to the area’s main international airport, where 2,700 lights have been installed to illuminate 36 of the facility’s 72 holes.
例如，很多來自首爾的人，會長途跋涉到靠近當地主要國際機場的仁川Sky 72高球渡假村，該處設有2700盞探照燈，能照亮72個洞當中的36個。

The concept of golfing under lights exists outside South Korea, of course.
當然，在燈光下打高球的想法在南韓以外也存在。

A writer for the website GolfPass last year counted 65 courses in the United States that featured at least some amount of nighttime lighting — although all but one of them were short courses. And courses in the United States that offer late tee times still close far earlier than those in South Korea, which often remain open as late as 1 a.m.
去年，一位幫GolfPass寫文的作家統計，在美國，擁有一定數量夜間照明設備的球場至少65座，儘管除了一座以外都是球洞較少的球場。而且美國晚間打球的高球場，打烊時間仍比南韓球場早得多，後者通常營業到凌晨1點。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5574918

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1. Michelle Obama (Former First Lady of the United States)

Quote:"Patience is a virtue that can be hard to come by in our fast-paced world. But it's a crucial skill to develop if we want to make real and lasting change."

Background:Michelle Obama, born on January 17, 1964, in Chicago, Illinois, is a lawyer, author, and former First Lady of the United States. She has been a strong advocate for education, healthy living, and women's rights. Her memoir "Becoming" became one of the best-selling books of all time, inspiring millions with her life story and insights on personal growth.

1. 蜜雪兒·歐巴馬（美國前第一夫人）

名言：「在我們快節奏的世界裡，耐心是一種難以獲得的美德。但如果我們想要實現真正且持久的改變，這是一項必須培養的關鍵技能。」

背景：蜜雪兒·歐巴馬於1964年1月17日出生於伊利諾伊州芝加哥，是一位律師、作家和美國前第一夫人。她一直是教育、健康生活和女性權益的堅定倡導者。她的回憶錄《成為》成為有史以來最暢銷的書籍之一，以她的生活故事和個人成長見解啟發了數百萬人。

2. Tom Hanks (Actor and filmmaker)

Background:"Patience is a virtue, and I'm learning patience. It's a tough lesson."

Trivia: TomHanks, born on July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, is one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood. He has won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and is known for his versatile performances in films like "Forrest Gump," "Saving Private Ryan," and "Cast Away." Hanks is also a
filmmaker and has been involved in producing numerous TV series and documentaries.

2. 湯姆·漢克斯（演員和電影製作人）

名言：「耐心是一種美德，而我正在學習耐心。這是一堂艱難的課。」

背景：湯姆·漢克斯於1956年7月9日出生於加利福尼亞州康科德，是好萊塢最受喜愛的演員之一。他曾兩次獲得奧斯卡最佳男主角獎，以在《阿甘正傳》、《搶救雷恩大兵》和《浩劫重生》等電影中的多樣化表演而聞名。漢克斯也是一位電影製作人，參與製作了眾多電視劇集和紀錄片。

3. Arianna Huffington (Businesswoman and author)

Quote:"We think, mistakenly, that success is the result of the amount of time we put in at work, instead of the quality of time we put in."

Background:Arianna Huffington, born on July 15, 1950, in Athens, Greece, is the co-founder
of The Huffington Post and founder of Thrive Global. She has been a vocal
advocate for work-life balance and the importance of sleep and well-being in
achieving success. Huffington has authored numerous books on topics ranging
from politics to personal growth.

3. 亞莉安娜·赫芬頓（企業家和作家）

名言：「我們錯誤地認為，成功是我們投入工作時間的結果，而不是我們投入的時間質量的結果。」

背景：亞莉安娜·赫芬頓於1950年7月15日出生於希臘雅典，是《赫芬頓郵報》的共同創始人和Thrive Global的創始人。她一直大力提倡工作與生活的平衡，以及睡眠和健康對於實現成功的重要性。赫芬頓撰寫了許多書籍，涵蓋從政治到個人成長等各種主題。

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背景故事：
很久很久以前，John老師覺得好玩，就找了同樣在台教英語的台灣女婿(南非人)開啟錄Podcast的里程，
當時的器材與網路平台都不熟悉，也不上手，面對麥克風還是會抖～ 這個單元也啟發了現在大家常聽的Vocab與15Mins Cafe單元。
不過近期有老朋友們敲碗，說找不到了，希望想要聽，要John老師重制上架。

那每週四就一起來聽聽當時Podcast菜雞們在網路上做英語教學所踏出的第一步！
----------------------------------

France employees are getting the legal right to avoid work emails outside working hours.
working hours - 工作時間/時數

The new law, which has been dubbed the "right to disconnect", comes into force on 1 January.
right to disconnect - 斷線的權利

France has a working week of 35 hours, in place since 2000.
working week of 35 hours - 每週35工作小時

Supporters of the new law say that employees who are expected to check and reply to their work emails out of hours are not being paid fairly for their overtime, and that the practice carries a risk of stress, burnout, sleep problems and relationship difficulties.
are not being paid fairly for their overtime - 並沒有給付公平的加班費

Some private companies have previously tried to put limits on their employees' use of work email outside working hours.
For instance, in 2014, the German vehicle-maker Daimler set up an optional service for workers going on holiday; instead of sending an out-of-office reply, they could opt to have all new emails automatically deleted while they were away.

Daimler - 德國賓士
all new emails automatically deleted - 所有新的郵件自動刪除

Source article: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-38479439

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It's the middle of summer, and Shimin brought us a classic "summer jam" from the "King" himself. Nat King Cole has sang some of the world's most renowned Jazz songs and left us a classic legacy for the ages.

Those lazy hazy crazy days of summer is a joyful song that I learnt in my singing class in elementary school. It is super catchy and easy to learn. Do you know any other classic Nat King Cole songs? Drop us a comment and we will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!
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國際時事跟讀 Ep.K823: The Ambanis: India's Business Royalty and Their Spectacular Wedding

Highlights 主題摘要：

The Ambani family's grand wedding showcases their immense wealth and global influence, attracting international celebrities and business leaders, and capturing worldwide attention for months.Reliance Industries, led by Mukesh Ambani, has transformed from an oil company into a diverse conglomerate, becoming integral to many aspects of Indian consumers' daily lives.The extravagant wedding serves as both a celebration and a strategic marketing opportunity, reinforcing the Ambani brand and cementing their status as India's business royalty.

The Ambani family, led by Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani, has been the talk of India and the world for months. The reason? The grand wedding of Mukesh's youngest son, Anant Ambani, to Radhika Merchant. This event has showcased the family's immense wealth and influence, attracting global attention. The celebrations have been ongoing for six months, culminating in a lavish ceremony in Mumbai. The scale of these festivities has surpassed even the most extravagant Indian weddings, featuring performances by international stars like Rihanna and Justin Bieber, and attended by a who's who of global business and politics.

安巴尼（Ambani）家族，由亞洲首富穆克什‧安巴尼（Mukesh Ambani）領導，已成為印度乃至全球數月來的熱門話題。原因何在？在於穆克什最小的兒子阿南特‧安巴尼（Anant Ambani）與拉迪卡‧默錢特（Radhika Merchant）的盛大婚禮。這場盛事展現了這個家族的巨大財富和影響力，吸引了全球的目光。慶祝活動持續了六個月，最終在孟買舉行了一場奢華的典禮。這些慶祝活動的規模甚至超越了最奢華的印度婚禮，其中包括了蕾哈娜和小賈斯汀等國際巨星的演出，並有全球商業和政界名流出席。

The Ambanis are more than just a wealthy family; they are a symbol of India's economic growth and ambition. Their company, Reliance Industries, began as an oil and petrochemicals business but has expanded into various sectors including telecommunications, retail, and entertainment. Mukesh Ambani has skillfully transformed the company his father started, making it a central part of many Indians' daily lives. From smartphones to fashion, and from grocery shopping to streaming services, Reliance's reach is vast and growing.

安巴尼家族不僅僅是一個富有的家族；他們更是印度經濟成長和野心的象徵。他們的公司信實工業（Reliance Industries）最初是一家石油和石化企業，但已擴展到包括電信、零售和娛樂在內的多個領域。穆克什‧安巴尼巧妙地轉型了他父親創立的公司，使其成為許多印度人日常生活中不可或缺的一部分。從智慧型手機到時尚，從雜貨購物到串流服務，信實的觸角廣泛且持續的擴張。

What sets the Ambanis apart is not just their wealth, but their strategic importance in the global business landscape. The wedding guest list, which included figures like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, and numerous world leaders, demonstrates the family's international connections. These relationships are crucial as Reliance continues to expand and form partnerships with major global companies. The Ambanis have become key players in bringing international brands to India and in shaping the country's digital future through partnerships with tech giants like Google and Meta.

讓安巴尼家族與眾不同的不僅是他們的財富，還有他們在全球商業版圖中的戰略重要性。婚禮賓客名單中包括馬克‧祖克柏、比爾‧蓋茲和眾多世界領導人，這展現了該家族的國際人脈。隨著信實繼續擴張並與主要全球公司建立合作關係，這些關係變得至關重要。安巴尼家族已成為將國際品牌引入印度，並透過與谷歌和 Meta 等科技巨頭合作塑造該國數位未來的關鍵角色。

The extravagant wedding serves multiple purposes for the Ambani family. It's a celebration, of course, but it's also a display of their power and influence. For the Indian public, who may never attend such an event, the extensive media coverage makes them feel part of this spectacle. This connection is important as Reliance touches so many aspects of Indian consumers' lives. The wedding is not just a personal milestone for the family; it's a marketing opportunity, reinforcing the Ambani brand in the minds of millions. As India's economy continues to grow, the Ambanis are positioning themselves at the forefront, using events like this wedding to cement their status as India's business royalty.

這場奢華的婚禮對安巴尼家族來說有多重目的。當然，這是一場慶祝活動，但同時也是展示他們權力和影響力的舞台。對於可能永遠無法參加這種盛事的印度大眾來說，廣泛的媒體報導讓他們感覺自己也成為了這場盛會的一部分。這種連結很重要，因為信實影響了印度消費者生活的諸多方面。這場婚禮不僅是家族的個人里程碑；它更是一個行銷機會，在數百萬人心中強化安巴尼品牌。隨著印度經濟持續增長，安巴尼家族正將自己定位在最前沿，利用這樣的婚禮等事件來鞏固他們作為印度商業王者的地位。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Culminating (Cul-mi-na-ting): The celebrations have been ongoing for six months, culminating in a lavish ceremony in Mumbai.Petrochemicals (Pet-ro-chem-i-cals): Their company, Reliance Industries, began as an oil and petrochemicals business but has expanded into various sectors including telecommunications, retail, and entertainment.Skillfully (Skill-ful-ly): Mukesh Ambani has skillfully transformed the company his father started, making it a central part of many Indians' daily lives.Extravagant (Ex-trav-a-gant): The scale of these festivities has surpassed even the most extravagant Indian weddings, featuring performances by international stars like Rihanna and Justin Bieber, and attended by a who's who of global business and politics.Positioning (Po-si-tion-ing): As India's economy continues to grow, the Ambanis are positioning themselves at the forefront, using events like this wedding to cement their status as India's business royalty.

Reference article:
1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c51yp353g0ro
2. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2024/7/12/obscene-amounts-spent-at-indian-billionaire-ambanis-sons-wedding

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Topic: Water-Stressed India Seeks a Tap for Every Home

The pipes are laid, the taps installed and the village tank is under construction — all promising signs that, come spring, Girja Ahriwar will get water at her doorstep and finally shed a lifelong burden.

管子鋪好，水龍頭裝好，村子的水槽正在建造。這些充滿希望的跡象顯示，春季來臨時，吉爾嘉．艾里瓦可以在家門口取到水，而且終於解除長期以來的負擔。

“I go out and put the jerrycans in the queue at around 5 a.m. and wait there with the children,” Ahriwar, a mother of three who lives in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, said about her routine of fetching from the village hand pump. “Sometimes it could take five or six hours. I have to stay there
because if I leave, someone else moves ahead.”

「我大約在清晨5時出門，把大水桶排進隊伍，然後和孩子們一起等待」，住在印度中部中央邦、三個孩子的媽艾里瓦說，她的例行公事就是從村子的手動泵浦取水，「有時候得花五或六個小時，我必須一直留在這裡，因為如果我離開了，其他人就會搶先往前」。

India, one of the world’s most water-stressed countries, is halfway through an ambitious drive to provide clean tap water by 2024 to all of the roughly 192 million households across its 600,000 villages. About 18,000 government engineers are overseeing the $50 billion undertaking, which includes hundreds of thousands of contractors and laborers who are laying more than 2.5 million miles of pipe.

印度是全世界用水最吃緊的國家之一，在2024年之前提供60萬個村落共約1億9200萬戶乾淨自來水，這項宏大的計畫已進行到一半。約1萬8000名政府工程師監督規模500億美元的工程，包括數十萬名包商和工人，鋪設超過250萬哩的水管。

The project has a powerful champion in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has slashed through India’s notorious red tape and pushed aside thorny political divisions to see it through. His success thus far helps explain his dominance over the country’s political landscape.

這項計畫有個有力的擁護者：總理莫迪，他打破印度惡名昭彰的官僚作風，把棘手的政治分歧暫放一邊，推動計畫。目前為止他的成功也顯示他在這個國家政治版圖的主導力。

Modi has remained popular despite a weak economy and a bungled initial response to the coronavirus that left hundreds of thousands dead. He has increasingly relied on communal politics, continuing to consolidate a Hindu nationalist base he has worked for decades to rally.

即使經濟疲弱，且一開始對新冠病毒的笨拙反應造成數十萬人死亡，莫迪仍舊廣得人心。他日漸依賴宗教團體式政治，持續鞏固印度教國族主義基本盤，他投注數十年整合這些勢力。

But the mission to deliver water to every household combines two of Modi’s political strengths: his grasp of the day-to-day problems of hundreds of millions of India’s poor and his penchant for ambitious solutions. Modi, who grew up in a poor village, has spoken emotionally about his own mother’s hardship in fetching water.

不過，將水送到所有家戶的任務，結合莫迪的兩個政治力量：他對印度數億貧窮人口日常問題的理解，以及喜好採取極具雄心的解決方案。在貧窮村莊長大的莫迪，曾充滿感情的談到母親以前取水的困難。

About one-sixth of India’s households had a clean water tap when the program, called Jal Jeevan Mission, began in 2019. Now, almost half have one.

當這個「水生活任務」2019年開始時，印度家戶有潔淨自來水者約六分之一。現在，幾乎一半。

“You rarely have this drive from the government, the head of state, and it is well funded. Behind the concept, there is budget,” said Nicolas Osbert, who leads the UNICEF water and sanitation unit in India. “All social sectors were impacted by COVID. Not this one. This one was preserved.”

「你很少能從政府或國家領袖獲得這種推動力，而且資金充裕。在這個概念後面，重點是預算」，聯合國兒童基金會印度分部水資源和衛生主管歐斯柏特說，「所有社福單位都遭遇新冠病毒衝擊，但這個沒有，這個計畫保留下來」。

The country’s water problem speaks to the mismatch between its global economic ambitions and the dire conditions of much of its 1.4 billion population, two-thirds of whom still live in rural areas.

這個國家的用水問題顯示，其全球經濟野心和14億人口中許多人的悲慘情況，頗不相配。印度人口三分之二住在鄉村地區。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6034821

Next Article

Topic: Typhoonless year brings water shortage in fall/winter

Most years, Taiwan is hit by typhoons during the summer and fall, but we have yet to see a typhoon this year. This unusual situation has put pressure on water supply levels in reservoirs around Taiwan.

台灣每年夏、秋兩季颱風頻繁，但詭異的是，今年截至目前為止，竟無任何一個颱風登陸台灣，造成水庫缺水問題。

Due to global warming, the typhoons generated in the Pacific Ocean this year have all moved northward, bypassing Taiwan. Although successive fronts and afternoon showers have brought rainfall, it was only fragmented, covering limited areas and did little to replenish reservoirs. As a result, the reservoir storage this year is lower than in previous years.

這是因為全球暖化之影響，今年大平洋生成的颱風往北移，導致沒有任何一個颱風進來台灣，雖然陸續有鋒面及午後陣雨帶來雨量，但下雨範圍多為局部地區，導致水庫蓄水量較往年低。

According to the Water Resource Agency, as of 2pm yesterday, the Shihmen Reservoir’s water storage was 44 percent of capacity, the Feicuei Reservoir’s was 62.3 percent and the Zengwen Reservoir’s was 31.3 percent. Two of the three major water reservoirs have less than 50 percent of their water storage capacity.

水利署資料顯示，截至昨日下午二時為止，石門水庫蓄水量為百分之四十四，翡翠水庫蓄水量百分之六十二點三，曾文水庫蓄水率百分之三十一點三，三大水庫中有兩座儲水量低於五成。

In order to prepare for demand for water next year, the government has decided to implement three measures to control water usage. Firstly, starting from last Wednesday, night water pressure in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli areas was to be lowered from 11pm through to 5am the following day. Secondly, the irrigation of some areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli was to be suspended, and farmers affected by the measures will receive government compensation. Thirdly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is setting up a central drought response center to better respond to the crisis and to distribute water resources according to needs. Taiwanese are advised to take water-saving measures.

為審慎因應明年用水需求，政府實施三項因應措施。第一，桃竹苗中自上週三起，每天晚上十一點至隔日清晨五點實施減壓供水；第二，桃竹苗部分地區的農田，將停止供灌，政府也會給予補償，維持農民生活；第三，經濟部將成立抗旱中央應變中心，拉高應變層級，做好調度節水，更請全民配合省水。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/10/19/2003745390

Next Article

Topic: Gel-like ice is the lightest form of waterer ever discovered 迄今發現最輕盈的水形態，凝膠般的冰

The frosty cubes we pull from our freezers are just one of 17 possible types of ice, and an 18th type isn’t far from being made real.

我們從冰箱裡拿出來的冰塊，只是17種可能出現的冰類型之一，而第18種冰類型的出現，距離也不遠了。

Hexagonal ice, and the occasional cubic ice in our upper atmosphere, are the only two forms that occur naturally on Earth. Other ices might be found on exoplanets or in the atmospheres of the outer planets.

「六角形晶體結構冰」和偶爾出現的「立方體構冰」存在於我們的上層大氣，是唯二能在地球上自然形成的冰類型。其他類型的冰，則可見於系外行星或外行星的大氣層中。

Under atmospheric pressure or higher, water molecules get squeezed and freeze into a solid denser than normal ice. But when the pressure drops below this, water molecules become a less-dense, lightweight crystal that’s more air than molecule – like an icy candy floss. So far, we only know of two kinds of low-density ice: space fullerenes and zeolitic ices. But lighter ice structures hadn’t been spotted until now.

在一般大氣壓力或更高壓的情況下，被擠壓的水分子凝固成比正常水冰更密集的固體。不過，當大氣壓力降低，水分子會轉變成輕盈、密度較低的晶體，分子內含有更多空氣，就像是冰的棉花糖。目前，我們只知道兩種低密度的冰：「富勒烯冰」和「沸石冰」。更輕盈的冰結構，迄今仍未被辨識。

Masakazu Matsumoto at Okayama University in Japan and his team played molecular Jenga to find this new type of ice, removing and reconfiguring existing zeolitic ice structures to make them lighter. They found more than 300 different nanoscale structures through computer simulations.

日本岡山理科大學的松本正和研究團隊，透過分子疊疊樂，發現這款新類型的冰；他們移除並重新配置既存的「沸石冰」結構，使其更加輕盈。研究團隊透過電腦模擬，找出超過300種不同的奈米尺度結構。Source article: http://iservice.ltn.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=1161164&day=2017-12-18

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各位《Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室》的聽眾朋友們大家好！本週的值班老師是John老師和阿鍵老師，希望大家都平安度過了凱米颱風的肆虐。首先，我們來為台灣的抗災精神 shout out 一下，感謝每一位在風雨中堅守崗位的防災人員們 👏

說到天災的威力，這次確實上了一堂寶貴的課。剛開始還以為就是沿著台灣東北側擦過，沒想到颱風會直接切入撞進來。從新聞報導中可以看到這次中南部地區嚴重淹水，希望各位聽眾、通勤家族朋友們都平安。

下面幾點小提醒，大家有餘力的話再來執行就好囉：
1. 颱風過後，別忘了做好環境消毒，預防疾病發生。
2. 外出時要特別小心，注意路況，避免進入積水地區。
3. 多關心身邊的人，特別是獨居長輩或行動不便的鄰居。

大家要平安健康，我們下週再會！
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This week we are going to talk about a very localized French sports retailer in Taiwan! Patrick and I will talk about our impressions of the mega-sports retailer- Decathlon and their own-brands.

Their apparel, equipment, and accessories are so ubiquitous in Taiwan, people don't even know how to pronounce the brands. So, we will also discuss the pronunciations of their tope in-house brands.

If you have fond memories and experiences of Decathlon, share your story with us using the comment link! We will give you a shout out for sharing!

Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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國際時事跟讀VIP Ep.K819: Japan Unveils High-Tech Banknotes with Advanced Security Features


Highlights 主題摘要：

Japan has introduced new banknotes with world-first 3D holographic portraits, larger fonts, and tactile elements, balancing advanced security features with improved accessibility for all users.The new banknotes feature historical figures who contributed to Japan's economic, social, and scientific progress, alongside iconic Japanese imagery, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage.While promoting cashless transactions, Japan's massive currency update required extensive preparation across various sectors, demonstrating the country's commitment to modernizing its financial system while honoring tradition.

Japan has introduced its first new banknotes in two decades, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to modernize its currency and combat counterfeiting. The new bills, which began circulating on July 3, 2024, feature innovative security measures and fresh designs that reflect Japan's rich history and progressive values.

日本時隔二十年首次推出新版鈔票，象徵著該國在貨幣現代化和打擊偽鈔方面邁出重要一步。這些新鈔票於 2024 年 7 月 3 日開始流通，採用創新的防偽措施和全新設計，反映了日本豐富的歷史和進步的價值觀。

The most striking feature of the new banknotes is the use of three-dimensional holographic portraits, a world-first technology in paper money. These holograms change appearance depending on the viewing angle, making the bills extremely difficult to replicate. The 10,000-yen note showcases Eiichi Shibusawa, known as the "father of Japanese capitalism," while the 5,000-yen bill honors Umeko Tsuda, a pioneer in women's education. The 1,000-yen note depicts Shibasaburo Kitasato, a renowned medical scientist. These choices reflect Japan's commitment to recognizing figures who have contributed to the nation's economic, social, and scientific progress.

新鈔票最引人注目的特色是採用了三維全像肖像技術，這在紙幣領域尚屬全球首創。這些全像圖會隨觀看角度改變外觀，使鈔票極難仿造。一萬日圓鈔票上印有被稱為「日本資本主義之父」的澀澤榮一（Eiichi Shibusawa）肖像，五千日圓鈔票則表彰女子教育先驅津田梅子（Umeko Tsuda），而一千日圓鈔票則描繪了著名醫學科學家北里柴三郎（Shibasaburo Kitasato）。這些人物選擇反映了日本致力於表彰為國家經濟、社會和科學進步做出貢獻的人物。

In addition to the advanced security features, the new banknotes have been designed with improved accessibility in mind. The denominations are printed in larger font sizes, and the notes incorporate tactile elements to assist visually impaired users. The reverse sides of the bills feature iconic Japanese imagery, including Tokyo Station, wisteria flowers, and Hokusai's famous "Great Wave" woodblock print, celebrating the country's cultural heritage.

除了先進的防偽特徵外，新鈔票的設計也考慮到了改善可及性。面額以更大字體印刷，並加入了觸覺元素以協助視障使用者。鈔票背面則印有日本標誌性景象，包括東京車站、紫藤花和葛飾北齋（Hokusai）著名的《神奈川沖浪裏》浮世繪，彰顯該國豐富的文化遺產。

While the introduction of new banknotes has prompted businesses to upgrade their payment systems, it also highlights the ongoing shift towards digital transactions in Japan. Although cash remains popular, the government is encouraging a move towards cashless payments to enhance economic efficiency. As of 2023, cashless transactions accounted for 39% of consumer spending in Japan, a significant increase over the past decade but still lagging behind many other developed nations.

雖然新鈔票的推出促使企業升級支付系統，但也凸顯了日本正朝向數位交易轉型。儘管現金仍然普及，但政府正鼓勵轉向無現金支付以提高經濟效率。截至 2023 年，無現金交易占日本消費支出的 39%，較十年前大幅增加，但仍落後於許多其他發達國家。

The Bank of Japan plans to print approximately 7.5 billion new bills by the end of the current fiscal year, gradually replacing the 18.5 billion banknotes currently in circulation. This massive undertaking has required extensive preparation, with over 90% of bank ATMs and most retail cash registers already updated to handle the new currency. However, some sectors, such as vending machines and ticket machines in restaurants and parking lots, are still in the process of adapting to the changes.

日本銀行計劃在本財政年度結束前印製約 75 億張新鈔票，逐步替換目前流通的 185 億張鈔票。這項浩大工程需要大量準備工作，目前已有超過 90% 的銀行自動提款機和大多數零售收銀機更新以處理新貨幣。然而，某些領域如自動販賣機、餐廳和停車場的售票機仍在適應這些變化。

As Japan balances tradition with innovation, these new banknotes represent a blend of cutting-edge technology and cultural significance, setting a new standard for currency design and security in the modern era. While the transition may pose temporary challenges for some businesses, it underscores Japan's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its currency while embracing technological advancements. The successful implementation of these high-tech banknotes demonstrates Japan's ability to honor its past while looking towards a more secure and efficient financial future.

隨著日本在傳統與創新之間取得平衡，這些新鈔票代表了尖端科技和文化意義的融合，為現代貨幣設計和安全性樹立了新標準。儘管過渡期可能為部分企業帶來暫時挑戰，但這凸顯了日本在擁抱技術進步的同時，致力於維護其貨幣完整性的決心。這些高科技鈔票的成功實施，展現了日本能夠在尊重過去的同時，也朝向更安全、更高效的金融未來邁進的能力。

Keyword Drills 關鍵字：

Banknotes (Bank-notes): Japan has introduced its first new banknotes in two decades, marking a significant step in the country's efforts to modernize its currency and combat counterfeiting.Dimensional (Di-men-sion-al): The most striking feature of the new banknotes is the use of three-dimensional holographic portraits, a world-first technology in paper money.Denominations (De-no-mi-na-tions): The denominations are printed in larger font sizes, and the notes incorporate tactile elements to assist visually impaired users.Circulation (Cir-cu-la-tion): The Bank of Japan plans to print approximately 7.5 billion new bills by the end of the current fiscal year, gradually replacing the 18.5 billion banknotes currently in circulation.Transition (Tran-si-tion): While the transition may pose temporary challenges for some businesses, it underscores Japan's commitment to maintaining the integrity of its currency while embracing technological advancements.

Reference article:
1. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/japan-new-banknotes-yen-holograms-counterfeits-cash-4453516
2. https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Markets/Currencies/Japan-rolls-out-new-banknotes-with-90-of-bank-ATMs-ready

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About Japan - Asia Welcomes Travelers, but Japan Says, Not Yet
In a normal year, this would be peak season for tourism to Japan. But as the cherry blossoms burst into bloom along Kyoto’s ancient, temple-lined alleys and boat tours ply the waters of Tokyo’s flower-lined rivers, Japanese tourists largely have the spectacular display to themselves.
在正常情況的年份，此時正是日本旅遊旺季。但隨著櫻花盛開於古剎林立的京都巷弄，以及遊覽船往返花卉夾道的東京河川的水域，這些盛況大抵上僅限日本的遊客獨享。

The country sealed its borders to most foreign travelers early in the pandemic and has only recently begun to allow a slow drip of students and business people to return.
該國在武漢肺炎疫情大流行之初就對大多數外國旅客封鎖邊境，直到最近才允許留學生與商務客慢慢回流。

Those hoping to visit Japan for fun, shouldn’t hold their breath. Despite the national tourism organization’s wishful thinking, Koichi Wada, the head of Japan’s tourism agency, told parliament last month that“it’s exceedingly difficult to forecast the long-term trends for inbound tourism.”
那些希望能赴日觀光旅遊的人可有得等了。儘管日本國家旅遊局想得很美，日本觀光廳長官和田浩一上個月告訴國會，「很難預測入境觀光的長期趨勢。」

Next Article

Topic: Vietnam plans border reopening, includes Taiwanese among list of potential travelers

越南因應疫情暫停國際觀光客到訪已逾一年半，慶和省近日研擬重新恢復國際旅遊，並將台灣旅客視為潛在目標族群。越南知名渡假景點芽莊市就位於慶和省。
Taiwan is on the list of potential countries allowed to send travelers to Vietnam as the nation’s Khanh Hoa Province (慶和省) recently released plans to reopen borders for international travelers.

網路媒體越南快訊（VnExpress）引述越南政府網報導，慶和省（Khanh Hoa）政府昨天向越南文化體育旅遊部遞交兩階段的疫苗護照計畫草案，歡迎外國旅客搭乘包機前來旅遊。
According to VnExpress, Khanh Hoa’s local government submitted a draft of a two-stage vaccine passport program to the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (越南文化體育旅遊部) on Oct. 5 hoping to welcome foreign travelers into the region.

第一階段從11月起至年底，外國旅客須搭乘包機抵達，並待在金蘭市（Cam Ranh）的渡假村裡。第二階段則是明年初至明年3月，屆時旅客將能造訪更多景點與芽莊市的渡假村。
The first stage is scheduled to begin near the end of November, and travelers need to take charter flights to the country and stay at the resort at Cam Ranh (金蘭市), the proposal stated.
The second stage is planned to start from January to March 2022, during which visitors will be able to visit more attractions and resorts in Nha Trang (芽莊市).

慶和省將鎖定來自COVID-19（2019冠狀病毒疾病）疫情防範得宜且疫苗施打率高的國家與地區的旅客，例如中國、日本、韓國、台灣、俄羅斯、澳洲、法國、德國以及部分北美國家。
Khanh Hoa Province currently welcomes travelers from countries whose COVID-19 situation has been successfully controlled and have a high vaccination rate for its population.
As of Tuesday, countries that fit both categories according to the local government include China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Russia, Australia, France, Germany, and some areas in North America.

旅客必須要持有完整的疫苗接種證書，且所施打的疫苗廠牌必須獲越南核可。
Travelers need to show vaccination proof and the vaccine manufacturers need to be recognized by the Vietnamese government.

目前越南共計核准8款疫苗緊急使用，包括阿斯特捷利康（AstraZeneca，AZ）、嬌生（Johnson & Johnson）、莫德納（Moderna）、輝瑞BNT（Pfizer-BioNTech）、俄羅斯衛星-V（Sputnik V）、中國國藥（Sinopharm）、Hayat-Vax、阿布達拉（Abdala）。
As of press time, Vietnam has authorized 8 types of vaccines, including AstraZeneca (AZ), Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik V, Sinopharm, Hayat-Vax and Abdala. Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20211008-2813742

Next Article

Topic: Airlines targeting post-pandemic ‘revenge travel’

The blow caused to the airline industry by the COVID-19 pandemic has been especially felt by budget airlines, which mostly operate narrow-bodied passenger jets and have therefore been unable to develop a sideline in air freight during the pandemic. According to one academic’s analysis, when the outbreak stabilizes, businesses are targeting a trend in so-called “revenge travel.” However, she also hopes that, rather than the pre-pandemic price wars between budget airlines, the consolidation that has taken place during the pandemic will restore healthy competition in the industry.
疫情衝擊航空界，其中廉航受限於機隊多為窄體客機，無法發展貨運，受疫情衝擊更大。學者分析，業者瞄準疫情穩定後的「報復性出遊」，但也希望疫情前廉航削價競爭的情況，能因疫情重整，回歸良性競爭。

According to associate professor Melody Dai of National Cheng Kung University’s Department of Transportation and Communication Management Science, costs per flight have not changed during the pandemic, but if carriers are required to implement social-distancing seating plans, leaving empty seats between passengers, this would eat into airlines’ profit margins, causing a fresh headache for the industry. Dai says she hopes that budget airlines will manage to survive, since they help stimulate Taiwan’s domestic tourism sector as well as the wider economy.
成大交通管理學系副教授戴佐敏說，每航班成本不變、但座位未來若須採間隔座導致收入減少，確實是疫後的難題，希望廉航仍有生存空間，對促進觀光與經濟有正面幫助。

Dai says that choosing to operate flights during the pandemic is a test of airlines’ ability to sustain losses, but the crisis may also prove to be a turnaround for the industry. Dai says there are many variables to the pandemic. She says that once the outbreak stabilizes, if the demand for “revenge travel” exceeds supply, this could resolve the pre-pandemic situation of supply exceeding demand, which led to price wars among budget airlines. The consolidation that the pandemic has triggered within the airline industry could bring about a return to healthy competition, says Dai.
戴佐敏認為，選擇在疫情期間開航，考驗航空公司「虧本」的能力，不過危機也有可能是轉機，疫情仍有變數，疫情穩定後的「報復性出遊」若需求大於供給，疫情前廉航供過於求、削價競爭的情況，這次可能因疫情重整，回歸良性競爭。

One industry insider stated that, despite the lockdowns and reduced number of travelers and flights during the pandemic, the industry is bullish about post-pandemic prospects for both freight and passenger travel in the flourishing Asian region. The insider added that a trend in “revenge travel” could cause short-haul routes to become particularly busy.
業者指出，雖然國境仍然封鎖，疫情期間每週班次不多，旅客也非常少，但看好疫情後亞洲旺盛的物流、人流，預估疫情趨緩後將出現「報復性出遊」，亞洲短程航線將會更繁忙。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/09/12/2003764205

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This week we have Lydia from ECom Study Group to come and give us an status update of the hot YouTube shorts that's filling up our screens these days.
Many people have jumped on the bandwagon and tested their creativity, but are they seeing any benefits?

If you are a brand owner who placed ads on YouTube, come and share your insight with us. We will give you a shout out for sharing!
Hope you will enjoy this episode with us as much as we enjoyed producing it!

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