通勤學英語 15Mins Today

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K528: About furniture - Website offers $1,000 to a couple willing to build IKEA furniture Financial advice website FinanceBuzz is seeking a couple willing to test the strength of their bond by assembling IKEA furniture together this Valentine’s season. 在這個情人節，美國理財資訊網站FinanceBuzz正尋求一對願意藉由一起組裝宜家家居家具，測試兩人親密程度的伴侶。 The website said it is searching for an "IKEA DIY Duo" who would be given $1,000 IKEA Gift Card to purchase a bedroom set. 該網站表示，他們正在尋求一對「宜家家居自己動手做伴侶」，將給予兩人1000美元的宜家家居禮物卡，讓他們購買一整套臥室組合。 The couple would then be asked to assemble the furniture together and document the experience. 這對伴侶將被要求一起組裝家具，並記錄整個過程。 "Just you and your significant other, a wordless instruction manual and a hex key," the site said. 網站上說：「就只有你和你至關重要的另一半、一份沒有文字說明的示範手冊和一把內六角扳手。」 The winning couple will be awarded $1,000 for completing the task. 這對伴侶完成任務、拿下勝利後，將獲頒1000美元。 Next Article Chinese retailers hijack the Ikea experience 中國零售商攔截宜家家居的品牌經驗 Nestled in a southern district of Kunming city in southwest China, is a 10,000 square meter, four-story building that could make Swedish furniture giant Ikea uneasy. 位於中國西南部昆明市南區的一棟面積達1萬平方公尺的4層樓建築物，很可能讓瑞典的家具業龍頭「宜家家居」感到不安。 11 Furniture, as the store is known, copies Ikea’s blue and yellow color scheme, mock-up rooms, miniature pencils, signage and even its rocking chair designs. 這間名為「11家具」的家具店直接拷貝宜家的藍黃兩色設計、模型房間、迷你鉛筆與標誌，甚至連宜家的搖椅設計也照抄不誤。 This knock-off Ikea store is emblematic of a new wave of piracy sweeping through China. Increasingly sophisticated counterfeiters no longer just pump out fake luxury handbags, DVDs and sports shoes but replicate the look, feel and service of successful Western retail concepts -- in essence, pirating the entire brand experience. 這間山寨版宜家家具店正象徵著中國目前掀起的全新仿冒風潮。手法愈來愈精緻的仿冒者不再只是迅速生產出假的名牌手提包、DVD和運動鞋，而是要全面複製西方成功零售業概念的外觀、風格與服務，基本上就是抄襲整個品牌經驗。 Many of the most successful consumer companies have invested millions in promoting and building brands which encapsulate ideals, values and aspirations, creating valuable and loyal customer bases that sometimes border on cults. 大多數成功的消費企業都已投注數百萬美元在推銷與建立品牌上，這些品牌可精簡傳達出企業理想、價值與未來遠景，創造出極有價值的忠實顧客基礎，有時甚至可能形成對品牌的崇拜。 The presence of the fake stores in Kunming highlights China’s seemingly insatiable appetite for western brands in some consumer segments that have not been tapped, particularly in smaller cities far from the affluent eastern seaboard. 昆明出現這些山寨商店，則凸顯出中國某些消費市場對西方品牌的胃口無法得到滿足，卻未獲有效開發，尤其是遠離富裕東部沿海地區的較小型城市。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1566042 ; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/514527

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Summary: 討論文章: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/japan-never-traveler-culture-cmb/index.html The latest post-pandemic era phenomenon in Japan is the rise of the never travelers. They don't feel enticed to travel abroad, nor the need to spend big dollars on travel and seeing the world. In this episode, Angel and I discuss if we have the potential of becoming never travelers one day. Why don't you comment and tell us if you are a never traveler!歡迎投稿有趣的主題給醬老師與Angel老師 Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Tap your heels three times 綠野仙蹤裡，桃樂絲得到魔法鞋後，回家時必須做的 Dorothy tapped her heels three times and said "there's no place like home". 桃樂絲敲了腳跟三下並說“沒有一個地方如家一樣”。 2. Phenomenon n. 現象 The latest phenomenon in Japan is the rise of the never travelers. 日本最新現象是「從不旅行者」的崛起。 3. Convenience n. 便利性 Convenience in a country like Taiwan and Japan are what most travelers miss most. 便利性在台灣跟日本是多數旅客最懷念的。 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K527: Why was the Turkey-Syria earthquake so bad? The magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on Monday last week is likely to be one of the deadliest this decade, seismologists said, with a more than 100km rupture between the Anatolian and Arabian plates. 地震學家表示，上週一襲擊土耳其和敘利亞的7.8級地震，可能是十年來傷亡最慘重的地震之一，安納托利亞和阿拉伯板塊之間斷裂了超過100公里。 Here is what scientists said happened beneath the Earth’s surface and what to expect in the aftermath: 以下是科學家所描述地表下所發生的事，以及預期後果： WHERE DID THE EARTHQUAKE ORIGINATE? 震源位於何處？ The epicenter was about 26km east of the Turkish city of Nurdagi at a depth of about 18km on the East Anatolian Fault. The quake radiated towards the northeast, bringing devastation to central Turkey and Syria. 震央位於土耳其城市努爾達伊以東約26公里處，深度約18公里，處於東安納托利亞斷層上。地震朝東北方向發散出去，蹂躪土耳其中部及敘利亞。 During the 20th Century, the East Anatolian Fault yielded little major seismic activity. “If we were going simply by (major) earthquakes that were recorded by seismometers, it would look more or less blank,” said Roger Musson, an honorary research associate at the British Geological Survey. 東安納托利亞斷層在二十世紀幾乎沒有重大地震活動。「如果我們只根據地震儀記錄的（大）地震來判斷，它看來多少是空白的」，英國地質調查局名譽研究員羅傑．穆森說。 Only three earthquakes have registered above 6.0 on the Richter Scale since 1970 in the area, according to the US Geological Survey. But in 1822, a 7.0 quake hit the region, killing an estimated 20,000 people. 根據美國地質調查局的資料，自1970年以來，該地區僅發生過三次芮氏6.0級以上的地震。但在1822年，一場7.0級地震襲擊了該地區，估計有兩萬人喪生。 HOW BAD WAS THIS EARTHQUAKE? 這次地震有多嚴重？ On average, there are fewer than 20 quakes over 7.0 magnitude in any year, making last Monday’s event severe. 平均來說，每年超過7.0級的地震只有不到20次，這讓上週一的地震變得非常嚴重。 Compared with the 6.2 earthquake that hit central Italy in 2016 and killed some 300 people, the Turkey-Syria earthquake released 250 times as much energy, according to Joanna Faure Walker, head of the University College London Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction. 倫敦大學學院風險與減災研究所所長喬安娜‧佛爾‧沃克表示，與2016年發生在義大利中部、造成約300人死亡的6.2級地震相比，土耳其—敘利亞地震所釋放的能量，是義大利地震的250倍。 Only two of the deadliest earthquakes from 2013 to 2022 were of the same magnitude as last Monday’s quake. 2013年至2022年傷亡最嚴重的地震中，只有兩次與上週一的地震震度相同。 WHY WAS IT SO SEVERE? 為何如此慘烈？ The East Anatolian Fault is a strike-slip fault. 東安納托利亞斷層屬於橫移斷層 In those, solid rock plates are pushing up against each other across a vertical fault line, building stress until one finally slips in a horizontal motion, releasing a tremendous amount of strain that can trigger an earthquake. 在橫移斷層中，堅硬的岩石板塊在垂直斷層線上相互推擠，不斷增加壓力，最後造成一塊岩石板塊水平滑動，釋放出可引發地震的巨大壓力。 The San Andreas Fault in California is perhaps the world’s most famous strike-slip fault, with scientists warning that a catastrophic quake is long overdue. 加州的聖安德列斯斷層或許是最著名的橫移斷層，科學家警告說，一場災難性的地震早該發生了。 The initial rupture for the Turkey-Syria earthquake kicked off at a relatively shallow depth. “The shaking at the ground surface will have been more severe than for a deeper earthquake of the same magnitude at source,” David Rothery, a planetary geoscientist at the Open University in Britain, said. 土耳其—敘利亞地震的斷裂是從深度較淺的地方開始。英國空中大學的行星地質學家大衛．羅瑟里表示：「相同的震級，若發生在地表，其震度將比震源更深的地震更加嚴重」。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2023/02/14/2003794282

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K526: 疫情讓學生損失三分之一學年 Third of School Year Lost, Study of Pandemic Finds Children experienced learning deficits during the COVID pandemic that amounted to about one-third of a school year’s worth of knowledge and skills, according to a new global analysis, and had not recovered from those losses more than two years later. 一項新的全球研究指出，新冠疫情期間，學童經歷學習損失，相當於大約三分之一學年的知識與技能，且兩年多後的現在，仍無法彌補這些損失。 Learning delays and regressions were most severe in developing countries and among students from low-income backgrounds, researchers said, worsening existing disparities and threatening to follow children into higher education and the workforce. 研究人員指，來自發展中國家與低收入家庭學生，面臨最嚴重學習落後與損失問題，導致現存社會不平等加劇，且恐持續影響這些學生至高等教育甚至職場階段。 The analysis, published in the journal Nature Human Behavior and drawing on data from 15 countries, provided the most comprehensive account to date of the academic hardships wrought by the pandemic. The findings suggest that the challenges of remote learning — coupled with other stressors that plagued children and families throughout the pandemic — were not rectified when school doors reopened. 這項分析研究刊登於「自然人類行為」科學期刊，依據15個國家的資料，為疫情造成的學習困境提供至今最全面的報告。研究顯示，遠距學習的挑戰，加上疫情期間孩子與家庭蒙受的其他壓力，導致的學習損失在校門重開之後也無法彌補。 “In order to recover what was lost, we have to be doing more than just getting back to normal,” said Bastian Betthäuser, a researcher at the Center for Research on Social Inequalities at Sciences Po in Paris, who was a co-author on the review. He urged officials worldwide to provide intensive summer programs and tutoring initiatives that target poorer students who fell furthest behind. 研究主要作者之一、法國「巴黎政治學院」社會不平等研究中心研究員貝特豪瑟說：「若要彌補損失，我們需做得比回歸正常更多。」他籲各國針對學習落後狀況最嚴重的貧窮學生提供暑期密集課程，制定輔導計畫。 In the United States, one study showed that the average public elementary or middle school student lost the equivalent of a half-year of learning in math, and 6% of students were in districts that lost more than a full year. Standardized math test scores in 2022, when compared with those in 2019, showed the largest drop ever recorded in the three decades since the exam was first administered. 在美國，一項研究顯示，一般的公立小學或中學學生在數學領域損失了約半年的學習量，而6%學生所處的學區讓他們損失超過一整年的學習量。學生在2022年的數學普考成績大幅低於2019年的成績，是該考試舉辦30年來的最大退步幅度。 The findings challenge the perceptions of many parents, almost half of whom said in 2022 surveys that they did not believe their children had suffered any achievement loss during the pandemic, and only 9% of whom expressed concern about whether their children would catch up. 這項發現顛覆了許多家長的認知，根據2022年民調，近半數受訪家長不認為孩子的學習因疫情受到損失，只有9%的家長擔心他們的小孩是否能趕上。 A separate review of test scores from 2.1 million students in the United States highlighted the impacts of economic disparity. Students at schools in communities with high poverty levels spent more of the 2020-21 school year learning remotely than those at schools in wealthier communities did, and students in poorer schools experienced steeper declines in performance when they were remote. 另一份研究針對210萬名美國學生的考試成績分析，發現了貧富不均造成的影響。2020至2021學年，在較高貧窮率社區的學校，學生比較富裕社區的學校接受了更長時間遠端授課，且較窮學校學生的學業表現在遠端授課期間也出現了更顯著的退步。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6964365

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 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 pl

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Other ways to say: VERY GOOD Top-notch 頂尖的 That restaurant's really top-notch. Great 很棒 You looked great in that outfit. Splendid 輝煌/燦爛 She is a splendid painter. Terrific 非常/了不得 I feel terrific today. Excellent 出色/很棒 Her car is in excellent condition. Wonderful 精彩/雄偉 We had a wonderful time in Italy last summer. Other ways to say: VERY MUCH Deeply 深深的 The comment had offended him deeply. Greatly 大大的 Your support is greatly appreciated. Immensely 非常/廣大的 The visitors had enjoyed the game immensely. Thoroughly 徹底/好好的 The children thoroughly enjoyed the show. Extremely 非常/極端 He knows the area extremely well. Badly 非常 Anne was missing him badly. 分享時間:Tell a personal experience related to something / experience that was very good or very muchPick 4 words and make sentences

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K525: About odd news - San Antonio Zoo will let you name a cockroach after an ex and feed it to an animal The San Antonio Zoo is offering a special Valentine’s Day greeting for exes who just won’t bug off. （美國德州）聖安東尼奧動物園正為那些死纏爛打的前任，提供特別的西洋情人節祝福。 For $10, the zoo will name a cockroach after your not-so-special someone and feed it to an animal – a cold, but direct message that you’re no longer interested. 只要10美元，該動物園就會以你已經不那麼在意的意中人的名字，為1隻蟑螂命名，並將牠餵給動物（吃掉）—此為（向你的前任傳達）你對他（再也）沒興趣的冷酷但直接的訊息。 Those not into bugs can choose a vegetable for $5 or a rodent for $25 instead. 不喜歡蟲子的人可以改選5美元的蔬菜，或25美元的囓齒動物。 All donors will receive a digital Valentine’s Day Card showing their support for the zoo. They can also opt to send their ex-boo a digital Valentine’s Day Card informing them that a cockroach, rodent, or veggie was named after them and fed to an animal. 所有捐款人都將收到1張顯示其對該動物園之支持的數位西洋情人節賀卡，也可選擇發送數位西洋情人節賀卡給其前任，告知對方有蟑螂、囓齒動物或蔬菜以他們命名，並餵給動物吃掉。 Next Article Stolen hot dog statue returned to WVa restaurant owner 遭竊的熱狗塑像回歸西維吉尼亞州餐廳老闆 The owner of a West Virginia restaurant that was heavily damaged by fire has his coveted hot dog statue back. 西維吉尼亞州一間遭逢融祝肆虐的餐廳老闆拿回了他備受覬覦的熱狗塑像。 The “Wienerman” statue was stolen from the Dairy Winkle in Campbells Creek during a break-in sometime after the Jan. 11 fire, the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release. 卡諾瓦郡治安官辦公室在一份新聞稿中說，「懷厄曼」塑像於1月11日火災後某時間點發生的坎貝爾斯河鎮闖空門事件，從海螺乳品場失竊。 A tip led deputies to a location where the statue was found undamaged. It was returned to restaurant owner Kerry Ellison, the statement said. 該聲明說，在一條線索指引下，警方於一處地點發現毫無損傷的該塑像。該聲明說，它已物歸餐廳老闆克里．埃里森。 Investigators have not identified a suspect and are seeking information about the theft. 調查人員尚未確定嫌疑人，正在找這起竊案的相關資訊。 The short statue depicts a hot dog licking its lips and holding a bottle of mustard while pouring a bottle of ketchup on its head. 這座矮小塑像描繪著一根熱狗舔著嘴唇並拿著一瓶芥末，同時把一瓶番茄醬倒到它頭上。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1565012 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1564146

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K524: About Japan -Fans flood Gifu for historical parade led by Takuya Kimura Fans poured into this central Japan city to catch a glimpse of popular actor Takuya Kimura dressed as a renowned feudal lord from the 16th century in a traditional festival held Nov. 6. 粉絲湧入這座日本中部城市，一睹人氣男星木村拓哉在（2022年）11月6日的一場傳統慶典中，裝扮成一名16世紀知名封建領主的風采。 Kimura posed as Oda Nobunaga (1534-1582) in the Gifu Nobunaga festival, along with fellow actor Hideaki Ito, both on horseback. 木村在「岐阜信長祭」上扮演織田信長（1534-1582），與他一道的還有同劇演員伊藤英明，兩人都騎著馬。 Nearly 1 million people applied for spots to view Kimura leading the parade. 近100萬人申請佔位觀看這場由木村引領的遊行。 Loud cheers and applause erupted when Kimura, looking stern and raising his right hand with a folding fan, shouted, “Everyone, time to go into battle.” 當木村一臉嚴肅、高舉持扇右手呼喊：「諸君，出征」，（現場）爆出巨大歡呼聲與掌聲。 The two actors led the procession for about 1 kilometer along Kinkabashi-dori street in central Gifu. 兩名男星帶領遊行隊伍沿著岐阜市中心的金華橋大道走了約一公里。 Next Article Japan leads world in childless middle-aged women 中年無子女婦女比例，日本全球居冠 Japan has the highest share of childless 50-year-old women among developed countries, the most recent data shows, underscoring the challenges the nation faces in averting its looming population crisis. 最新資料顯示，日本50歲無子女女性的比例，在已開發國家中最高，凸顯這個國家在避免其迫在眉睫的人口危機上面臨的挑戰。 In Japan, 27% of women born in 1970 have not experienced any live births by the time they were 50 years of age, according to statistics from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This is by far the biggest share among 17 countries with comparable data, the closest being Finland at 20.7%. 經濟合作暨發展組織（OECD）的統計顯示，在日本，1970年出生的女性中，有27％在50歲之前沒有任何活產經驗。在可比較數據的17國中，這是迄今最大的佔比，最接近的是20.7％的芬蘭。 Austria and Spain ranked third and fourth, respectively. The OECD data does not include Germany, but the country’s official statistics show that 21% of women born in 1969 remain childless. 澳洲與西班牙分別排名第三與第四。OECD數據沒有包含德國，但德國官方數據顯示，1969年出生無子女女性佔比21％。 There are 24 countries with comparable data for women born in 1965. Among that group, Japan once again takes the lead on childless women, at 22.1%. 有24個國家擁有1965年出生女性的可比較數據。在該群體中，日本以22.1％的比例，再度在無子女女性上取得領先。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1562421 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1564434

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 諺語1：Going Down the Rabbit Hole （著迷於新事物；陷入困惑） 兔年來個跟兔子有關的諺語，野兔會挖洞，保護自己有安全感，遮風避雨，睡覺 諺語出自於英國作家路易斯卡羅在1865 年寫的小說《愛麗絲夢遊仙境》( Alice's Adventures in Wonderland ) 小女孩愛麗絲原本在樹底下與姊姊一起在看書，結果看到遠方有一隻白兔手拿著懷錶，甚至還開口講人話，趨於好奇就追了上去，結果一不小心掉進了兔子洞，展開了一連串的奇幻冒險。 Example sentence: - Don't start watching Netflix. You don't want to go down that rabbit hole. - Whenever I try a new mobile game, I fall into the rabbit hole and it take a long time for me to get out. 諺語2：Cat got your tongue （無言以對） 有兩種說法 1. 與古埃及人的貓崇拜有關。當時，說謊者和褻瀆神明的人會因口出不合、作假見證以及發表反對政府或既定宗教的言論而受到嚴厲懲罰。當局會割掉人們的舌頭作為對他們罪行的報復。然後他們將這些舌頭餵給附近的貓。埃及的神話哩，有貓臉人身的女神，叫做芭絲特 殺貓者處以死刑，即使誤殺也是一樣。祭司會讓貓自由進出神廟，讓人不忘貓神芭絲泰特。 2. 英國海軍以前體罰，有一種刑具叫做九尾鞭，或稱九尾貓，由於鞭刑打的受刑人皮開肉綻，且行刑是由海軍軍人輪流執行，因此衍伸出這句諺語，用來形容執行的人，嚇到開不了口。 Example sentence: - What? Cat got your tongue? 諺語3：bark is worse than his bite （刀子嘴豆腐心） Bark is worse than one's bite這個表達在 1600 年代中期開始使用，指的是一隻狂吠的狗忙於狂吠而無法真正咬你。狗行為學家說，吠叫的狗害怕，而願意咬人的狗不害怕；他很有攻擊性，會咆哮，而不是吠叫。 Example Sentence: - Nevermind my dog, his bark is worse than his bite. - Ms. Angel looks very tough, but she is very nice. Some say her bark is worse than her bite.

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K522: What 70 Years of War Can Tell Us About the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Any Russian invasion of Ukraine was long expected to play out as a kind of postmodern war, defined by 21st-century weapons like media manipulation, battlefield-clouding disinformation, cyberattacks, false flag operations and unmarked fighters. 俄國對烏克蘭的任何入侵早已被認為會是一場後現代戰爭，由21世紀武器界定，如媒體操縱、戰場假消息戰、網路攻擊、栽贓行動以及無名戰士。 Such elements have featured in this war. But it is traditional 20th-century dynamics that have instead dominated: shifting battle lines of tanks and troops; urban assaults; struggles over air supremacy and over supply lines; and mass mobilization of troops and of weapons production. 這些的確是這場戰爭的特點。但主導局面的仍是20世紀的傳統動能：戰車與部隊不斷變化的戰線、城市攻防、爭奪制空權和補給線，大規模動員軍隊與生產武器。 The war’s contours, now nearly a year into the fighting, resemble not so much those of any future war but rather those of a certain sort of conflict from decades past: namely, wars fought between nations in which one does not outright conquer the other. 這場持續近一年戰爭的輪廓，不太像任何未來的戰爭，較像是數十年前的某種衝突，也就是一方未完全征服另一方的國與國戰爭。 Such conflicts have grown rarer in the period since 1945, an era often associated more with civil wars, insurgencies and American invasions that have quickly shifted to occupation. 自1945年以來，這類衝突愈來愈少，這一時代往往較常跟內戰、叛亂及美國入侵後迅速轉變成占領的有關。 But wars between nations have continued: between Israel and Arab states, Iran and Iraq, Armenia and Azerbaijan, India and Pakistan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. These are the conflicts that military historians and analysts, when asked to draw parallels with the Russian war in Ukraine, tend to cite. 但國與國間的戰爭仍繼續上演：以色列和阿拉伯國家、伊朗和伊拉克、亞美尼亞和亞塞拜然、印度和巴基斯坦、衣索比亞和厄利垂亞。當被問到能跟俄國在烏克蘭戰爭相提並論之事時，軍事史學家跟分析人士往往會引用這些衝突。 “You have these big commonalities. In Korea, for example,” said Sergey Radchenko, a Johns Hopkins University historian, referring to the Korean War. “Big conventional battles. Bombardment of infrastructure.” 約翰霍普金斯大學歷史學家拉德琴科在談到韓戰時說：「這些有很大的共同點，像是在韓國，大型傳統戰鬥、轟炸基礎設施。」 Every war is unique. But certain trends that have played out across this subset of conflicts, including in Ukraine, may help to shed light on what drives week-to-week fighting, what tends to determine victory or failure and how such wars typically end — or don’t. 每場戰爭都獨一無二，但包括烏克蘭在內的這類衝突中出現的某些趨勢，可能有助於闡明何者導致一周又一周的戰鬥，以及決定勝利或失敗的因素是什麼，還有這類戰爭通常如何結束，或是不會結束。 One after another, Radchenko said, such wars have started over fundamental territorial disputes that date back to the warring countries’ founding and are therefore baked into both sides’ very conception of their national identities. This makes the underlying conflict so difficult to resolve that fighting often recurs repeatedly over many decades. 拉德琴科表示，這樣的戰爭一場接一場，起因可追溯到交戰雙方建國時期重大領土爭端，因此已深植於雙方各自國家認同之中。這造成潛在衝突難以解決，戰爭經常在數十年間反覆發生。 Those wars have often turned, perhaps more than any other factor, on industrial attrition, as each side strains to maintain the flow of materiel like tanks and anti-aircraft munitions that keep it in the fight. 也許比其他任何因素還重要的是，這些戰爭往往轉向工業消耗，因為雙方為了繼續戰鬥下去，都在努力維持戰車和防空彈藥等物資的產出。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6948318

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K522: 養小孩的方式不同於往、更加不易 How Parenting Today Is Different, and Harder American parents are finding the job much harder than they expected, found a large new survey by Pew Research Center. And it’s not just how they feel — parenting is more demanding than it used to be, research has found. 美國民調機構「皮尤研究中心」一份新的大型民調發現，美國爸媽覺得養小孩遠比想像中困難。研究證實，這不僅是感覺，養小孩確實比過去來得更困難。 Eight in 10 parents of children younger than 18 find it to be enjoyable and rewarding most or all of the time, according to the new survey of 3,757 U.S. parents in that group. But two-thirds also say it’s harder than they thought it would be — including about one-third of mothers who say it’s a lot harder than they expected. 民調訪問了3757名家長。在小孩年齡低於十八歲的受訪家長中，八成表示養小孩大多時候或總是讓人感到愉快又有成就感，但其中三分之二也說，養小孩遠比想像中還要困難，包括近三分之一的媽媽們說，養小孩遠比預期困難非常多。 The findings reflect and build on other research. Today’s parents spend more time and money on their children than previous generations and feel more pressure to be hands-on. 這些發現是根據且反映了其他研究。現在的家長比過去幾代付出更多時間與金錢在小孩身上，且感受到更多壓力必須親自教養小孩。 The survey helps describe some of the particular ways in which parenting has become more demanding and stressful (one-third of respondents said it was that way all or most of the time). 這項民調有助描述某些特殊樣貌，讓養小孩更費力且壓力更大（三分之一的受訪者表示他們多半或總是有此感受）。 For one, mothers feel increasingly torn between their various roles. They have more options beyond motherhood, yet they still feel societal pressure to meet certain standards as mothers. 正因為如此，許多媽媽們在不同角色間感受到更強烈的拉扯。除了扮演媽媽，她們其實還有更多角色選項，但她們還是感受到社會壓力，必需符合某些當媽媽的標準。 In the Pew survey, just one-third of mothers said being a mother was the most important aspect of who they were as a person. Yet they also said they felt judged for their parenting, more than fathers were, and spent significantly more time than fathers on the physical and emotional labor of parenting. 皮尤研究指出，僅三分之一的媽媽表示，當媽媽是她們人生最重要的一個層面。但她們同時也覺得，在養小孩上，自己比爸爸們受到更多評判，因此也比爸爸們付出明顯更多的時間、體力與精神養小孩。 Low-income parents, and those who are Black or Hispanic, were most likely to say that being a parent was the most important thing about them. They were also more likely to say that parenting was enjoyable or rewarding most of the time. 低收入父母，以及非裔或西班牙裔，最有可能表示為人父母對他們而言是最重要的事。他們也最有可能表示養小孩大多時候很愉快且有成就感。 Also, research has found, today’s parents feel intense pressure to constantly teach and interact with their children, 另外，研究也發現，經常教導孩子以及與孩子互動讓現在的家長感到巨大壓力。 Often, Pew found, this means more emotional engagement. Nearly half said they were raising their children differently than they had been raised by their own parents. That meant less yelling, and more verbal affirmations, outward displays of affection and honest conversations about hard topics. 皮尤研究指出，這大多是因為他們在其中付出了更多心力。近半數受訪者表示，他們養小孩的方式與父母養育他們的方式不同：他們較少大吼，較常口頭鼓勵並表現出對孩子的愛，也更常與孩子誠實討論嚴肅的話題。 Another way parenting has become harder, according to the survey, is a new set of concerns about children’s well-being. Three-quarters of parents said they were worried their children would struggle with anxiety or depression, or face bullying. 根據這項研究，父母對孩子身心健全的一些新擔憂，也讓養小孩變難。四分之三受訪家長表示，他們擔心孩子出現焦慮、憂鬱等問題，或遭遇霸凌。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6964380

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 主題: 跟讀挑戰 – 台灣燈會在台北與日本壽司郎事件Taiwan Lantern Festival and Sushiro incident 摘取文章：https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4808035; https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4807840 Topic: Over 1 million visitors attend Taiwan Lantern Festival in a single day As the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei counts down to its conclusion, visitors have increased and surpassed 1 million in a single day on Saturday (Feb. 11). 隨著台北的臺灣燈會逐漸圓滿結束，遊客人數逐漸增加，在星期六（2月11日）一天之內已經超過100萬人。 According to the department, despite the large crowd, traffic flowed smoothly and without accidents. This was thanks to flexible traffic control policies such as closing road sections for pedestrians’ use, as well as nearly 500 police officers and volunteer traffic wardens. 根據市府部門的說法，儘管人群眾多，交通順暢且沒有發生事故。這要歸功於靈活的交通管制政策，例如關閉道路區域供行人使用，以及近500名警察和志願交通管制員。 Additionally, Taipei Metro arranged for every other MRT train to pass by the Sun Yet-sen Memorial Hall station without stopping to increase efficiency. The station’s exits were also under traffic control, while Ministry of Transportation and Communications staff members and volunteers, working with the innovative Skeleton-Print Technology that analyzes people’s postures and actions, monitored the crowd’s movements. 此外，台北捷運安排每隔一列捷運車經過國父紀念館站而不停靠以提高效率。該站的出口也在交通管制之下，交通部工作人員和志願者與創新的骨架印刷技術合作，分析人們的姿勢和行為以監控人群的動向。 Topic: Taiwan restaurant bans Tiktok use following Japan's Sushiro incident A restaurant in Kaohsiung’s decision to ban the use of TikTok on its premises has generated controversy on social media. 高雄一家餐廳禁止在其餐廳內使用TikTok的決定在社交媒體上引起了爭議。 On Tuesday (Feb. 7), “Fishers’ Diner” (釣客食堂) wrote in a Facebook post, “Considering the previous incident where someone unhygienically licked public utensils at a large chain restaurant for a TikTok video, we have specially printed 300 stickers to gift to our friends! We also announce that starting today, any TikTok video-making is banned at our restaurant, and TikTok influencers are banned from entering! This is to avoid thoughtless licking.” 星期二（2月7日），「釣客食堂」（Fishers' Diner）在Facebook上發布了一則貼文：「考慮到以前有人在大型連鎖餐廳為了TikTok視頻而不衛生的舔公共餐具的事件，我們特別印製了300張貼紙送給我們的朋友！我們還宣布，從今天開始，任何TikTok影片製作都在我們的餐廳被禁止，TikTok創作者也被禁止進入！這是為了避免無腦的行為。」 分享時間               Have you seen the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Taipei? What is your favorite part of the Lantern Festival?Should social media challenges be banned? Why and why not?

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K521: About Thailand - Thai hotel sets Guinness world record with largest Negroni cocktail A hotel in the Thai capital set a Guinness World Record by stirring up the world’s largest Negroni cocktail, with more than 630 litres (1,109 pints) of the bitter Italian drink. 泰國首都一家飯店創下金氏世界紀錄，調製出世界最大杯的義大利苦口飲料尼格羅尼雞尾酒，總量超過630公升（1109品脫）。 Mixologists at the Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok Hotel poured dozens of bottles of the key ingredients - gin, vermouth, and Campari - into an iced acrylic container which is 1.7m tall and weighing about 400 kg. 曼谷金普頓馬瀨飯店的調酒師將數十瓶琴酒、苦艾酒和金巴利酒等主要材料，倒入一個1.7公尺高、約400公斤重的冰鎮壓克力容器中。 The previous record was 504 litres, said Guinness adjudicator Kazuyoshi Kirimura, who added that the hotel was required to bottle and distribute the entire concoction within the next couple of months. 金氏世界紀錄認證官桐村和義（音譯）表示，先前的紀錄是504公升。他也補充道，該飯店必須在接下來數月內將所有雞尾酒裝瓶及分送。 Next Article ’CIA’-like street food vendors first on scene to feed Thai protesters 「如中情局般」的小吃攤販率先抵達現場餵飽泰國示威者 With an intelligence network so good they have been compared to the CIA, Thai street vendors are often first on the scene at "guerilla" democracy protests in Bangkok, where they hawk sour pork and fishballs to a democracy-hungry crowd. 靠著一套厲害到被拿來與美國中央情報局相提並論的情報網，街頭小吃攤通常是率先抵達曼谷民主示威「游擊戰」現場的一群，向渴望民主的群眾兜售酸肉、魚丸。 After a government crackdown last week, protest groups have begun keeping the venues for their demonstrations secret until the last minute, in a bid to outsmart authorities. 經過上週政府鎮壓後，抗爭團體為了智取當局，開始將他們的示威活動地點保密到最後一刻。 But protesters have quickly noticed that they are often second on the scene, behind food vendors setting up their carts and readying themselves for a busy night of brisk sales. 但是示威者很快就發現，小吃攤常比他們搶先一步到那裡設攤，準備迎接生意火熱的一夜。 Meatball seller Rattapol Sukpa says he stays ahead of the curve by monitoring Facebook for hints of the latest locations, and is in constant contact with other vendors who tip each other off. 賣肉丸的拉塔波說，他觀察臉書上最新示威地點線索，與其他互相通報消息的小販保持聯繫，領先示威者一步。Source article: https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1564829 ; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1414951

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K520: About Tech - Robot that stocks drinks is newest thing at the corner store A small robot with a clip-like hand and enough smarts to know which drinks are popular is to make convenience stores even more convenient. 一組體型小巧、手掌像剪刀，且聰明到能夠分辨哪一種飲料受歡迎的機器人，將讓便利商店更加便利。 On a recent day in Tokyo, the robot named TX SCARA slid back and forth behind the refrigerated shelves in the back of a FamilyMart store. 近期在東京的某一天，這組名叫TX SCARA的機器人在一家全家便利商店備貨區的冷藏架後方來回滑動。 The hand on the end of its mechanical arm grasped a bottle or can from the stacks, then the robot slithered to the right spot and placed the drink on the shelf — in a place chosen after its artificial intelligence and tiny cameras matched the kind of beverage to what’s running short. 它機械手臂尾端的手掌，從貨物堆中抓起一個瓶子或罐子，接著滑行到正確的位置，把飲料放到架上。它是在利用人工智慧和迷你攝影機比對缺貨中的飲品後，選擇要移動到哪一個位置。 The beverage shelves in the back are farthest from the cash register, keeping workers running back and forth. And the beverage space is refrigerated, uncomfortably cold for people to stay there too many hours. 商店後方的飲料架距離櫃台最遠，員工得來回奔走，而且飲料區為冷藏空間，人待在裡頭好幾小時會冷到不舒服。 Next Article A new supercomputer just set a world record for speed一台新的超級電腦速度刷新世界紀錄 A new supercomputer just passed a major milestone. 一台新的超級電腦剛越過一個重大里程碑。 It is the first to officially reach the “exascale.” That means it can perform at least a quintillion calculations per second. 它是第一台正式達到百億億次級計算的電腦。這表示它每秒執行計算的次數可達到至少一百京。 The new computer is called Frontier. 這台新電腦名為邊界。 That’s a ranking of the world’s speediest supercomputers updated twice each year. 那是一個世界上最快速的超級電腦的排名，每年更新兩次。 Such fast computing could help research in physics, medicine and many other fields. Scientists in those fields often need to make complex calculations which would take too long to do with a normal computer. 如此快速的計算有助於物理、醫學和很多其他領域的研究。這些領域的科學家時常需要操作複雜的計算，使用一般電腦會費時許久。 But a machine like Frontier manage it. 但是像邊界這樣的機器能夠順利完成。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1562314 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1565338

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Summary: 討論文章: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4788498 Netflix, Disney+, and KKTV streaming services are releasing original TV series and drama in droves. The TV generation is accustomed to scheduled programmes that is aired at specific time slots during the day. Growing up with TV series and drama, Angel and I discuss our favorite dramas and what we remember of them. Tell us down below which TV series or drama is your favorite!歡迎投稿有趣的主題給醬老師與Angel老師 Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Adaptation n. 改編 The TV series Meteor Garden is an adaptation of the manga, Boys over flowers. 電視劇流星花園是漫畫花樣男子改編的。 2. Award-winning tv series n. 得獎影集 Light the night and Gold leaf are popular and award-winning tv series. 華燈初上與茶金是熱門得獎影集。 3. Binge-watch v. 追劇 Thanks to Netflix, we now binge-watch TV series around the world. 多虧了Netflix，我們現在可以追國際不同的影劇。 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K519: Divided US Republicans name Kevin McCarthy House speaker Republican favorite Kevin McCarthy was finally elected speaker of the US House of Representatives early Saturday last week, ending a paralyzing standoff with right-wing holdouts that raised concerns about his party’s ability to exercise power in Congress. 上週六凌晨，共和黨熱門人選凱文‧麥卡錫終於當選美國眾議院議長，結束了與右翼勢力的僵持局面，這僵局令人對共和黨是否能在國會行使權力感到憂心。 McCarthy’s victory required an historic 15 rounds of voting and was secured only after a late-night session of high drama that saw Republican members almost come to blows as tempers flared. 經過了歷史性的15輪投票，議事挑燈夜戰、共和黨成員幾乎上演全武行的火爆場面後，麥卡錫才得以勝出。 It also required major concessions to the small group of Republican conservatives who had opposed his candidacy, and turned what would normally be a showcase of party unity into a days-long display of internal division. 麥卡錫之所以能勝選，其中因素還包括反對他參選的一小群共和黨保守派做出重大讓步，讓這通常是展示黨內團結的場合變成長達數天的內部分裂家醜外揚。 The speaker wields key influence in Washington by presiding over House business and is second in line to the presidency, after the vice president. 美國眾議院議長在華盛頓主持眾議院事務，影響力很大，是美國總統的第二順位繼承人，僅次於副總統。 As he accepted the gavel in the early hours of Saturday, McCarthy, who was backed by former US president Donald Trump, outlined the Republicans’ aggressive lines of attack ahead of the 2024 presidential race. 獲前總統唐納‧川普背書的麥卡錫，在接下議事槌時概述了共和黨在2024年總統大選之前的激進路線。 He vowed to “pass bills to fix the nation’s challenges, from the wide open Southern border to ‘America last’ energy policies, to woke indoctrination in our schools.” 他誓言「通過法案來解決國家所面臨的挑戰，從門戶洞開的南部邊境到『美國最後』的能源政策，再到我們學校中的思想覺醒」。 On “America’s long-term challenges -- the debt and the rise of the Chinese Communist Party -- Congress must be with one voice,” the 57-year-old Californian told the House. 這位57歲的加州人對眾議院表示，「對於美國的長期挑戰——債務和中國共產黨的崛起——國會必須口徑一致」。 McCarthy, who represents the conservative enclave of Bakersfield, California, has been in politics since his late teens. The son of a firefighter and grandson of a cattle rancher, he married his high school sweetheart. 麥卡錫代表加州的保守派飛地貝克斯菲爾德，他從十多歲就踏入政壇。 他是消防員之子、養牛場主之孫，娶了高中時代的戀人為妻。 His career has soared since he became the minority Republican leader in the California Assembly in 2003, just one year after being elected. 當選加州議員僅一年後，他在2003年成為加州議會的少數派共和黨領袖，自此他的從政之路步步高升。 Four years later, he was elected to Washington, and moved rapidly up the ladder in the House as a team player and organizer who readily bared his ambition to become party leader. 四年後，他獲選進入華盛頓國會殿堂，並作為合群的團隊成員及動員者在眾議院迅速晉升，並毫不遲疑展現成為黨魁的抱負。 Affable in the face of adversity, and a prolific fundraiser for his fellow lawmakers, McCarthy is no policy strategist or conservative ideologue. 麥卡錫在逆境中表現得和藹可親，且經常為其他議員募款，他既不是政策戰略家，也不是保守派思想家。 Instead, his rise has come from his willingness to tackle the tricky task of trying to keep his party -- which has been turned upside down by Trump -- on the rails and focused on opposing the Democrats’ agenda. 相反地，他的崛起是因為他願意解決一項棘手的任務，即試圖讓他的政黨——已經被川普搞得天翻地覆——保持正常運轉，並聚焦反對民主黨的議程。 But it remains to be seen if he can charm hardline conservative dissidents. McCarthy’s seeming lack of deep ideological underpinnings and his skepticism of party hardliners has made him a regular target of the Republican right, especially Trump supporters. 但他是否能夠吸引持不同政見的強硬保守派，仍有待觀察。 麥卡錫似乎缺乏深刻的意識形態基礎，而且他對黨內強硬派持懷疑態度，這使他經常成為共和黨右翼的攻擊目標，尤其是川普的支持者。 Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2023/01/10/2003792288

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K518: Prestige Films, Made for Oscar, Fail to Impress A year ago, Hollywood watched in despair as Oscar-oriented films like “Licorice Pizza” and “Nightmare Alley” flatlined at the box office. The day seemed to have finally arrived when prestige films were no longer viable in theaters and streaming had forever altered cinema. 一年前，好萊塢絕望地看著以奧斯卡獎為目標的「甘草糖披薩」和「夜路」處於票房低谷。這一天似乎終於來了，藝術導向的電影無法在電影院存活，串流媒體永遠改變影業。 But studios held out hope, deciding that November 2022 would give a more accurate reading of the marketplace. By then, the coronavirus would not be such a complicating factor. This fall would be a “last stand,” as some put it, a chance to show that more than superheroes and sequels could succeed. 然而，片廠仍抱持希望，認為2022年11月能更準確解讀市場。屆時，新冠疫情就不會是如此複雜的因素。正如一些人所說，今年秋季會是「最後一搏」，是證明不是只有超級英雄和續集能在電影院大賣的機會。 It has been carnage. 結果是場大屠殺。 One after another, films for grown-ups have failed to find an audience big enough to justify their cost. “Armageddon Time” cost roughly $30 million to make and market and collected $1.9 million at the North American box office. “Tár” cost at least $35 million, including marketing; ticket sales total $5.3 million. Universal spent around $55 million to make and market “She Said,” which also took in $5.3 million. “Devotion” cost well over $100 million and has generated $14 million in ticket sales. 一部接一部供成人觀賞的電影未能吸引夠多觀眾，以打平製作成本。10月在美國上映的「世界末日」斥資約3000萬美元製作和行銷，在北美獲190萬美元票房。「Tár塔爾」包含行銷斥資至少3500萬美元，票房收入只有530萬美元。環球影業花費約5500萬元製作和行銷「她有話要說」，票房也只有530萬美元。「決戰38度線」製片成本遠超過1億美元，創造1400萬美元票房。 Even a charmer from box office king Steven Spielberg has gotten off to a humdrum start. “The Fabelmans,” based on Spielberg’s adolescence, has collected $5.7 million in four weeks of limited play. Its budget was $40 million, not including marketing. 即使是票房之王史蒂芬史匹柏的討喜之作，也只落得差強人意的起步。以史蒂芬史匹柏青少年時期為藍本的電影「法貝爾曼」以有限上映方式播放四周，創造570萬美元票房。該片預算為4000萬美元，不包括行銷。 What is going on? 這是怎麼回事？ The problem is not quality; reviews have been exceptional. Rather, “people have grown comfortable watching these movies at home,” said David A. Gross, a film consultant who publishes a newsletter on box office numbers. 問題不在品質，這些電影一直被評為傑出作品。出版票房數據簡報的電影顧問格羅斯表示，原因反是「人們日益習慣在家中觀賞」。 Ever since Oscar-oriented films began showing up on streaming services in the late 2010s, Hollywood has worried that such movies would someday vanish from multiplexes. The diminishing importance of big screens was accentuated in March when, for the first time, a streaming film, “CODA,” from Apple TV+, won the Academy Award for best picture. 2010年代晚期，這些以奧斯卡為目標的電影開始出現在串流媒體，好萊塢就開始擔心這類電影總有一天會從影城消失。大螢幕重要性的式微在3月更明顯，當時Apple TV+推出的「樂動心旋律」獲得奧斯卡最佳影片獎，是串流電影首例。 This is about more than money. Hollywood sees the shift as an affront to its identity. Film power players have long clung to the fantasy that the cultural world revolves around them, as if it were 1940. But that delusion is hard to sustain when their lone measuring stick — bodies in seats — reveals that the masses can’t be bothered to come watch the films that they prize most. Hollywood equates this with cultural irrelevancy. 這不僅是錢的問題。好萊塢認為這種變遷是侮辱其身分。電影製片大廠長久以來抱持文藝界繞著他們轉動的幻想，好像現在還是1940年。但這種錯覺難以維持，因為作為他們唯一衡量標準的觀眾人數顯示，民眾懶得前往電影院觀賞他們最重視的電影。好萊塢卻以不合時宜的觀點看待此事。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6925560

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Topic: Macron Tries to Get France to Work The sign on the window of Red Rhino, a popular barbecue restaurant in central Paris, has been up for a month: “Closed until further notice due to lack of personnel.” Bus and train service has been cut back in the tourist city of Lyon amid a dearth of drivers. In the Loire Valley, tons of vegetables went unharvested in the summer as thousands of picking jobs were left unfilled. 法國巴黎市中心一家人氣燒烤店「紅犀牛」櫥窗招牌已立了一個月：「人手不足，暫停營業至另行通知」。因司機不足，東南部觀光城市里昂的客運和鐵路已減班。在西部羅亞爾河谷，由於數千個採菜工作懸缺，去年夏季有成噸蔬菜無人採收。 Economic activity has fitfully revved up again in France and across Europe since the end of COVID-19 lockdowns, only to be knocked back by the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Even so, employers in numerous industries remain desperate to hire, with a range of businesses still not finding the workers needed to operate at capacity. 新冠疫情防疫封鎖結束以來，法國乃至全歐洲的經濟活動已陸續再次活絡，孰料又遭俄烏戰爭效應擊退。儘管如此，諸多產業的雇主依然需人孔急，一些企業仍未覓得產能全開所需的勞工。 All of which has prompted France, Europe’s second-largest economy, to seek a variety of solutions — all of them politically combustible. 這些狀況已促使歐洲第二大經濟體法國尋求各種解決之道，而這些解方都會引爆政治爭議。 President Emmanuel Macron’s government is proposing a fast-track legalization for migrants in the country illegally who want to work in sectors facing staff shortages. 總統馬克宏領導的政府提議，非法居留法國的移民若願意在面臨缺工行業上班，就可快速合法化。 For added measure, the government is moving to tighten France’s famously generous unemployment system, with its lengthy benefits, in a bid to cycle jobless people more quickly back into the workforce. 馬克宏政府還採額外措施，收緊以長期給付而慷慨聞名的法國失業制度，設法加快失業者重回職場的周期。 The plans have met with resistance from different ends of the political spectrum. Lawmakers from France’s rising far right say a growing influx of migrants must be brought under tighter control and that French nationals should be given priority for jobs. The country’s powerful labor unions are warning that measures to cut jobless benefits risk pushing the unemployed toward poverty. 相關改革計畫已招致法國政治光譜兩端的反對。法國崛起的極右派國會議員指稱，愈來愈多移民湧入，必須更嚴格控制，法國國民應享有優先工作權。法國強勢的工會正警告，削減失業給付恐將失業者推向貧困。 For thousands of businesses that form the backbone of the economy, the double-barreled approach has become necessary to help fix to what appears to be a permanent shift in workplace dynamics since the pandemic, as European workers in droves switch jobs or decide not to return to strenuous work that demands early or late hours on relatively low pay. Over half a million people in France resigned in the first three months of the year, the highest level in 15 years, France’s statistics agency reported. 對形成法國經濟骨幹的數以千計企業而言，前述雙管齊下方法已不可或缺，才能有助化解新冠疫情以來職場動態似乎出現的永久性轉變，也就是歐洲大批勞工換工作，或決定不回到相對低薪還要求一早或很晚上班的勞累工作。法國統計局通報，2022年第一季全法有50多萬人辭職，創15年來新高。 “Our society after the pandemic has a different outlook,” said Thierry Marx, a Michelin-starred French chef who is the president of UMIH, France’s influential trade association of restaurants and hotels. “People are saying, I don’t want to have a sacrificial relationship to work.” 法國頗具影響力的餐廳與旅館同業公會「旅館餐飲職業產業聯盟」主席、法籍「米其林」星級主廚馬克斯說，「疫情之後我們社會出現一個不同的觀點，如今人們會說，我不想為工作犧牲奉獻」。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6909797 Next Article Topic: Wanted in France: Thousands of Workers as Hotels and Restaurants Reopen For six months, Christophe Thiriet has waited for France’s grinding national lockdowns to be lifted so he can reopen his company’s restaurants and hotels in a picturesque corner of eastern France and recall the 150 employees who were furloughed months ago. 六個月來，克里斯多弗．提希耶一直等待折磨人的法國全國封城解除，好讓公司設在如詩如畫的法國東部的餐廳和飯店能重新開張，並召回數個月前放無薪假的一百五十位員工。 But when he asked them to return for a reopening in mid-May, he faced an unexpected headache: At least 30 said they wouldn’t be coming back, leaving him scrambling to hire new workers just as he needed to swing into action. 但是當他要求他們於五月中旬重新開業時復職，卻面臨意料之外的頭痛狀況：至少三十人說他們不會回來，讓他在需要積極展開行動之際急著雇請新員工。 “When you close things for so long, people think twice about whether they want to stay,” said Thiriet, a co-manager of the Heintz Group. 「當你關店太久，人們會三思是否要留下。」海因茲集團共同經理人提希耶說。 Restaurants and hotels across the country are facing the same problem. After months on furlough, workers in droves are deciding not to return to jobs in the hospitality industry. 全國各地的餐廳和飯店正面臨相同問題。在數個月的無薪假後，成群的勞工決定不返回在餐旅業的工作。 A shortfall of perhaps as many as 100,000 restaurant and hotel workers is especially troubling, because hundreds of thousands of people are looking for work after France’s worst recession in decades. Employers say it is becoming harder to lure job seekers to an industry whose future is more or less tethered to the vagaries of the coronavirus and the uncertainty of vaccine campaigns. 餐廳和飯店工作者的短缺可能多達十萬人，這一點格外令人憂慮，因為在法國經歷數十年來最嚴重的經濟衰退後，此際有數十萬人正在找工作。雇主說，這個產業未來或多或少受制於新冠病毒的變化莫測，以及疫苗推廣的不確定性，要吸引求職者變得更困難。 The missing manpower conundrum has emerged as thousands of hotels and restaurants that survived the crisis pivot toward trying to make up for an 80% plunge in busines

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 主題: 英語慣用語系列 – 運動相關的慣用語 Sports related idioms 1. To drop the ball – 犯錯了/失誤了 Example: “You dropped the ball when you rejected that job offer.” When you drop the ball, it means you made a stupid mistake or forgot something really important. In some situations, it also means you have given up before reaching your goal…which is definitely a mistake! 2. To give your best shot- 做出最好 Example: “Give this audition your best shot – you won’t regret it!” Sometimes we feel insecure and worried, but we want something so much that we still decide to go after it. It could be a job interview, an audition, getting a date or moving abroad. In those situations, we must “give our best shot” – this means trying your best. 3. To be out of (someone’s) league- 高攀不上 Example: “She will never want to date me, look at her! She’s out of my league.” When somebody is out of your league, it means they are much better or more successful than you are. 4. To stay ahead of the game- 保持領先 Example: “The deadline for the report is tomorrow, but I want to be ahead of the game, so I finished it yesterday.” A smart way to be professional is to be prepared. Sometimes we have to predict what our competitors will do and know what their next move is going to be. 5. To throw in the towel- 放棄/投降 Example: “Are you going to throw in the towel just because your boss fired you? You can’t! Get up and look for a new job!” Have you ever felt like giving up on something that felt very important to you? Maybe you were tired, exhausted, frustrated. If your answer is yes, it means you have wanted to “throw in the towel”. 練習時間: 請使用二到三個慣用語來分享自身小故事 Please think of two to three scenarios where you can use sports related idioms or share a story.

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K517: About regulations - Obnoxiously loud car? A traffic camera might be listening After the relative quiet of the pandemic, New York City has come roaring back. Just listen: Jackhammers. Honking cars and trucks. Rumbling subway trains. Sirens. Shouting. 在（武漢肺炎）疫情大流行期間的相對寧靜後，紐約市已開始咆哮回來。只要傾聽：電鑽、鳴喇叭的汽車和卡車、轟隆作響的地鐵、警報器、呼喊。 Over the years, there have been numerous efforts to quiet the cacophony. One of the latest: traffic cameras equipped with sound meters capable of identifying souped-up cars and motorbikes emitting an illegal amount of street noise. 多年來，人們做出許多努力來平息這種噪音。其中一項最新努力：配備聲級計的交通攝影機，能夠識別發出非法街頭噪音的改裝汽車和摩托車。 At least 71 drivers have gotten tickets so far for violating noise rules during a yearlong pilot program of the system. The city’s Department of Environmental Protection now has plans to expand the use of the roadside sound meters. 在該系統為期1年的試驗期間，迄今至少有71名司機因違反噪音規定而收到罰單。紐約市環保局現在計畫擴大路邊聲級計的使用範圍。 New York City already has one of the most extensive noise ordinances in the country, setting allowable levels for a host of noisemakers, such as jackhammers and vehicles. 紐約市的規定是全美範圍最廣泛的噪音法規之一，為許多噪音製造者設定了可容許的標準，例如電鑽和車輛。 Next Article New smoking ban starts at Miami Beach parks and beaches新禁煙令從邁阿密海灘市的公園與海灘開始實施 Starting New Year’s Day, you can still wear bikinis on the beaches of Miami Beach, but forget about showing any butts — cigarette butts, that is. 元旦開始，你還是可以在邁阿密海灘市的海灘穿比基尼，但別想秀屁股——是說煙屁股。 A smoking ban is being implemented Sunday after the stroke of midnight at all Miami Beach municipal parks and public beaches. Under the new measure, a person can be fined $100 and spend up to 60 days in jail for a first-time violation. 週日午夜鐘聲響後，所有邁阿密海灘市市立公園和公共海灘實施起禁煙令。根據新措施，民眾首次違規即可罰100美元並坐牢最多60天。 Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez said he sponsored the measure to keep the city’s beaches pristine and protect sea turtles, seabirds and other wildlife. According to the Ocean Conservancy, cigarette butts are the most commonly recovered item during coastal cleanup efforts. 邁阿密海灘市市政委員亞歷克斯．費爾南德斯說，他支持這項措施以保該市海灘不受污染，並保護海龜、海鳥和其他野生生物。根據海洋保護協會，煙頭是沿海清理工作中最常被回收的物品。 “This paradise is an important economic engine,” Fernandez said in a statement. “Cigarette butts are not the butts our 18 million visitors want to see. This new law will help keep our paradise clean and beautiful.” 「這個天堂是個重要的經濟引擎」，費爾南德斯在一份聲明中說道。「煙蒂不是我們1800萬名遊客想看的屁股。這部新法將有助我們的天堂保持乾淨美麗。」Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1563904 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1562621

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K516: About soccer - Neymar ’psychologically destroyed’ by World Cup exit Neymar said Saturday he was "psychologically destroyed" by Brazil’s elimination from the World Cup in a penalty shootout defeat to Croatia and admitted it hurt more than any other loss in his career. 內馬爾週六說，巴西在12碼戰中敗給克羅埃西亞，從世界盃中淘汰，令他「心理上被擊垮」，並且承認此事對他的傷害，超過他生涯中其他任何一場敗仗。 Neymar scored a superb individual effort to equal Pele’s record goalscoring haul of 77 goals for the Selecao in Friday’s match that finished 1-1 after extra time. 週五的比賽經過延長賽後，以1比1平手，內馬爾在這場比賽中締造個人絕佳成績，追平比利為巴西國家足球隊踢進77球的紀錄。 But he never got to take a spot kick in the shootout that Croatia won 4-2 to move into the semi-finals. 但是他在12碼大戰中還沒上陣，克羅埃西亞就以4比2獲勝進入準決賽。 "I am psychologically destroyed," Neymar said in an Instagram message. 「我心理上被擊垮」，內馬爾在Instagram上發文說。 Next Article Germany crash out of World Cup despite 4-2 defeat of Costa Rica （儘管以4比2擊敗哥斯大黎加，德國仍在世界盃中被淘汰） Germany crashed out of the World Cup at the group stage for the second time in succession despite a 4-2 win against Costa Rica on Thursday. 德國儘管在週四以4比2贏得對哥斯大黎加之戰，但仍連續第2屆在世界盃小組賽階段就被淘汰出局。 The four-time World Cup winners came into the match needing a win but were also relying on the result of Japan’s game with Spain to progress. 這支4屆世界盃冠軍贏家帶著需要一場勝利展開這場比賽，但要晉級也得看日本與西班牙之戰的結果。 But the Germans were eliminated due to goal difference as Japan followed up their defeat of Germany with another shock result by beating Spain 2-1. 不過，在日本繼擊敗德國隊，再次爆冷以2比1擊敗西班牙之後，由於進球數差異，德國遭到淘汰。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1563324 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1562052

歡迎留言或投稿告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Summary: 討論文章: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4769725 Netizens in Taiwan are outraged by the 2 make-up days in February. Taiwan happens to be the only country that has make-up days in exchange for days taken off to allow for long weekends. What is the rationale behind this sytem? Why don't you comment down below whether you like make-up days or not！歡迎投稿有趣的主題給醬老師與Angel老師 Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Make-up day n. 彈性補班/補課 February 18th is a make-up day for a day off on the 27th. 二月十八要補二十七日的放假。 2. Dilemma n. 窘境/進退兩難 No work no pay puts freelancers in a dilemma on a weekend make-up day. 沒工作就沒有錢讓自由工作者在週末補班進退兩難。 3. Standby n. 待命 LINE groups today puts all employees on standby. 現在LINE群組讓所有員工都處於待命狀態。 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K515: Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ Review: Her Lonely Heart Calls No one could sing like Whitney Houston, and Kasi Lemmons, the director of the biopic “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” only rarely asks her lead, Naomi Ackie, to try. This is a jukebox retelling of Houston’s parabola from sweatshirts to sequins, from church choir girl to tabloid fixture, from her teenage romance with Robyn Crawford, the woman who would continue on as her creative director, to her volatile marriage to Bobby Brown, who slithers into the movie licking his lips like he’s hungry to eat her alive. 沒有人能像惠妮休斯頓那樣唱歌，而惠妮休斯頓傳記電影「與你共舞」導演卡茜萊蒙斯，也沒有要求她的女主角娜歐蜜艾基如此做。這部片改編自惠妮一生的高低起伏與光碟點唱機般的金曲匯集，涵蓋她從運動衫穿到亮片禮服，從教會唱詩班女孩到八卦報刊熟面孔，從她青少女時期與羅蘋克勞福的一段情，這位女性後來成為她的創意總監，還有她和巴比布朗不穩定的婚姻，他潛伏在片中舔著嘴唇的樣子，彷彿恨不得生吞她。 Those beats are here. But it’s the melodies that matter, those moments when Ackie opens her mouth to channel Houston’s previously recorded songs. We’ve heard Houston’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You” countless times, and Lemmons bets, correctly, that the beloved hit will still seize us by the heart during the rather forthright montage she pairs with it, images of Houston marrying Brown, birthing her daughter Bobbi Kristina and honoring Nelson Mandela underneath a sky filled with fireworks. 這些情節盡在其中，然而當艾基開口和惠妮生前錄製歌曲對嘴的那些片段出現，音樂才是本片的重點。我們聽過惠妮演繹「我會永遠愛你」無數次，而萊蒙斯確信，這首備受喜愛的金曲，在她拼貼相對而言平鋪直敘的畫面播放之際，仍然能牢牢抓住我們的心，這些畫面包括惠妮和巴比布朗結婚，她生下女兒芭比．克莉斯汀娜，以及在煙火絢爛的天空下為曼德拉獻唱。 Ackie doesn’t much resemble the superstar, although her carriage is correct: eyes closed, head flung back, arms pushing away the air as if to make room for that mezzo-soprano. That the film sticks to Houston’s surfaces is half excusable. Screenwriter Anthony McCarten seems to find that the woman underneath the pop star shell was still struggling to define herself at the time of her death at the age of 48. At Houston’s final “Oprah” performance, re-created here, she belts an earnest ballad called, “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength.” 艾基和這位超級巨星並沒有那麼神似，但是她表演的神態是正確的：閉著雙眼，頭微微後仰，雙手向空中伸展，彷彿要為這位次女高音歌手開展空間。這部片執著於惠妮的表面，至少有一部分算是情有可原。編劇安東尼．麥卡坦似乎發現到這位在流行樂巨星外皮底下的女性真貌，直到48歲去世之前，她一直掙扎於定義自我。片中重現惠妮最後一次在「歐普拉溫芙蕾秀」的演出，她發自肺腑的高唱歌曲「我不知道我的力量（或譯「心的力量」）」。 Houston didn’t write her own material; she just sang like she did, courtesy of Cissy’s fastidious coaching. “God gives you a gift, you got to use it right,” Cissy lectures. Yet, Houston as seen here can only say yes or no to other people’s ideas of what she should sing, wear and do. Increasingly, she chooses opposition. Her successes are shared — but her mistakes are all hers. 惠妮自己沒有寫歌，她只是在母親西西嚴格的近身訓練下，照她所會的方式唱歌。「上帝給了妳這項天賦，妳必須好好使用。」西西如此訓誡。然而，關於她應該唱什麼歌，穿什麼衣服和做什麼事的旁人意見，片中的惠妮只能說好或不。漸漸地，她選擇唱反調。她的成功被大家瓜分，但失敗全歸咎於她一人。 Houston’s defiance is the movie’s attempt to answer the great mystery of her career: why she deliberately damaged her voice through smoking and hard drugs. “It’s like leaving a Stradivarius in the rain!” the legendary then-head of Arista Records Clive Davis yelps. 惠妮的叛逆，正是這部電影所嘗試解答、她的事業最大謎團：她為何故意用抽菸和毒品來傷害自己的嗓子？「這就像是把史特拉底瓦里琴放在雨中！」時任芒穗唱片老闆的樂壇傳奇人物克萊夫戴維斯大叫。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6892768

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K514: Macron Tries to Get France to Work The sign on the window of Red Rhino, a popular barbecue restaurant in central Paris, has been up for a month: “Closed until further notice due to lack of personnel.” Bus and train service has been cut back in the tourist city of Lyon amid a dearth of drivers. In the Loire Valley, tons of vegetables went unharvested in the summer as thousands of picking jobs were left unfilled. 法國巴黎市中心一家人氣燒烤店「紅犀牛」櫥窗招牌已立了一個月：「人手不足，暫停營業至另行通知」。因司機不足，東南部觀光城市里昂的客運和鐵路已減班。在西部羅亞爾河谷，由於數千個採菜工作懸缺，去年夏季有成噸蔬菜無人採收。 Economic activity has fitfully revved up again in France and across Europe since the end of COVID-19 lockdowns, only to be knocked back by the effects of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Even so, employers in numerous industries remain desperate to hire, with a range of businesses still not finding the workers needed to operate at capacity. 新冠疫情防疫封鎖結束以來，法國乃至全歐洲的經濟活動已陸續再次活絡，孰料又遭俄烏戰爭效應擊退。儘管如此，諸多產業的雇主依然需人孔急，一些企業仍未覓得產能全開所需的勞工。 All of which has prompted France, Europe’s second-largest economy, to seek a variety of solutions — all of them politically combustible. 這些狀況已促使歐洲第二大經濟體法國尋求各種解決之道，而這些解方都會引爆政治爭議。 President Emmanuel Macron’s government is proposing a fast-track legalization for migrants in the country illegally who want to work in sectors facing staff shortages. 總統馬克宏領導的政府提議，非法居留法國的移民若願意在面臨缺工行業上班，就可快速合法化。 For added measure, the government is moving to tighten France’s famously generous unemployment system, with its lengthy benefits, in a bid to cycle jobless people more quickly back into the workforce. 馬克宏政府還採額外措施，收緊以長期給付而慷慨聞名的法國失業制度，設法加快失業者重回職場的周期。 The plans have met with resistance from different ends of the political spectrum. Lawmakers from France’s rising far right say a growing influx of migrants must be brought under tighter control and that French nationals should be given priority for jobs. The country’s powerful labor unions are warning that measures to cut jobless benefits risk pushing the unemployed toward poverty. 相關改革計畫已招致法國政治光譜兩端的反對。法國崛起的極右派國會議員指稱，愈來愈多移民湧入，必須更嚴格控制，法國國民應享有優先工作權。法國強勢的工會正警告，削減失業給付恐將失業者推向貧困。 For thousands of businesses that form the backbone of the economy, the double-barreled approach has become necessary to help fix to what appears to be a permanent shift in workplace dynamics since the pandemic, as European workers in droves switch jobs or decide not to return to strenuous work that demands early or late hours on relatively low pay. Over half a million people in France resigned in the first three months of the year, the highest level in 15 years, France’s statistics agency reported. 對形成法國經濟骨幹的數以千計企業而言，前述雙管齊下方法已不可或缺，才能有助化解新冠疫情以來職場動態似乎出現的永久性轉變，也就是歐洲大批勞工換工作，或決定不回到相對低薪還要求一早或很晚上班的勞累工作。法國統計局通報，2022年第一季全法有50多萬人辭職，創15年來新高。 “Our society after the pandemic has a different outlook,” said Thierry Marx, a Michelin-starred French chef who is the president of UMIH, France’s influential trade association of restaurants and hotels. “People are saying, I don’t want to have a sacrificial relationship to work.” 法國頗具影響力的餐廳與旅館同業公會「旅館餐飲職業產業聯盟」主席、法籍「米其林」星級主廚馬克斯說，「疫情之後我們社會出現一個不同的觀點，如今人們會說，我不想為工作犧牲奉獻」。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6909797

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Topic: Collins Dictionary picks ‘NFT’ as word of the year C ollins 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 d

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 主題：職場系列 - 開工如何歡迎同事歸來Welcome your colleagues back to work Source: https://simplynoted.com/blogs/news/welcome-back-to-work-messages Make it specific. 要具體 Acknowledge what they were doing and why they were away. This shows that you're aware of what's going on in their life and are interested enough to pay attention. This small detail can make a difference in how much your warm welcome back will resonate with them. Share a story about something that happened while they were gone. 分享能夠讓同事快速跟大家接軌的事 This can help your reunited coworker feel more connected with what they missed and give them helpful context as they ease back into their responsibilities. Ask how their break was and then use that knowledge to write a personalized message. 客製化你的歡迎 This is a simple conversation where you get some extra details to add into your message. You might find out where they went on vacation and then use that to add personal flair. Keep it positive! 正向This isn't a "dear sir or madam" message. This is a coworker and a friend! No need to be all business. Share good wishes to help ease your recipients well-being as they do the tough work of easing back into the swing of things. Examples:"We missed you, and we're so glad you're back!" "It's great to have you back in the office!" "We hope you had a great time, and we're happy to have you back."  Return from holidays"We can't wait to hear all about your vacation, welcome back!" "We're excited to have you back and can't wait to see all the amazing photos from your trip." "Welcome home! We missed you and can't wait to hear all about your adventures." Return from maternity leave"You are an amazing mom and we are excited to have you back at work." "Congratulations on your new arrival! We are so excited to have you back at work. Welcome back!" "Welcome home to your work family! We missed you and are so happy you're finally back."Return from sick leave"We're so glad you're feeling better and are able to be back with us again." "Welcome back to work! You were sorely missed but we're glad you're finally back and on the mend." "We hope you're feeling better and can't wait to have you back at work." 

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K513: About Argentina - Argentine artist paints on inflation-hit banknotes Argentina’s cash has lost so much value in recent years that local artist Sergio Guillermo Diaz finds painting on even the most valuable banknotes has become affordable. 阿根廷鈔票的價值近年大幅衰減，以至於當地藝術家塞希歐‧古勒莫‧迪亞茲發現，就算在最有價值的紙幣上作畫，他也能夠負擔。 With annual inflation that likely neared 100% last year, the largest denomination of Argentine currency, the 1,000-peso bill, is worth around $5.60 officially or just $3 on parallel markets commonly used to skirt capital controls. 由於去年通膨年增率逼近100％，阿根廷最大面額貨幣1000披索，在正規市場僅值約5.6美元，在通常用以規避資本管制的平行市場上則僅值3美元。 "Nowadays it makes sense for me to paint on the largest denominated bill here in Argentina. Once I paint on it, I can sell it for much more than what the bill is worth," said Diaz. 迪亞茲說：「現在在阿根廷，我在最大面額的紙幣上作畫並不奇怪，反而畫在上面可以用比紙幣本身高很多的價格賣出去。」 On the banknotes he has painted pictures ranging from soccer star Lionel Messi lifting the World Cup to satirical images about the peso’s sharp depreciation in recent years. 他在紙幣上作畫的主題很多，從足球明星萊昂內爾‧梅西舉起世界盃獎盃，到對阿根廷披索近年狂貶值的諷刺圖案都有。 Next Article Argentina lakes turn pink but the outlook not rosy, environmentalists say 阿根廷湖泊變粉紅色，但環保人士說不妙 Two lakes in a far-flung coastal region of Patagonia, in Argentina, have turned fluorescent pink, as of yet unexplained phenomena that local environmentalists fear could be harmful and caused by industrial contamination. 2座位於阿根廷帕塔哥尼亞一處偏遠海岸地區的湖泊，變成螢光粉紅色，由於出現此現象的原因尚不明，當地環保人士擔心是工業污染所致，可能有害環境。 Local activist Pablo Lada told Reuters in an interview that the pink color could potentially be the result of a dye typically used to give prawns raised nearby their typically rose-colored hue. 當地環保運動者帕布羅．拉達受訪時向「路透」說，這個粉紅色可能是附近養殖明蝦常用來讓蝦子呈現粉紅色調的染料所致。 "I think that the pink lagoon uncovered a ...lack of treatment of this waste that has become a big problem," Lada said. 「我想，這個粉紅色湖揭露了…這種未經處理廢水已成為一大問題」，拉達說。 Local and regional environmental officials are investigating the cause and potential damage to the lakes but have yet to arrive at any conclusions. 當地和地區環境官員正在調查原因，以及對湖泊的潛在破壞，但尚未有結論。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1563482 ; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1470155

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K512: About Nature - Butterfly ‘tails’ might be part of an escape tactic Tail-like extensions on some butterfly wings may be more than just stylish. 有些蝴蝶翅膀末端像尾巴的延長部分可能不只是時髦。 These break-away parts may help them survive attacks by hungry predators, new data suggest. 新的資料指出，這些斷裂部分可以幫助牠們在遭到飢餓掠食者攻擊時存活下來。 Birds are known to attack eyespots or head-shaped patterns on butterfly wings. 目前已知鳥類會攻擊蝴蝶翅膀上的眼狀斑點或是頭形圖樣。 Because the tails tear off easily, attacked butterflies often can escape and fly away. 因為翅膀尾端容易脫落，被攻擊的蝴蝶通常能夠逃跑飛走。 Those tails distract birds away from the prey’s most vulnerable body parts. 那些尾巴可以分散鳥類對獵物最脆弱身體部位的注意力。 These eye-catching “tails” may have evolved as a decoy to keep hungry birds from grabbing a butterfly’s head or abdomen, scientists say. 科學家表示，這些吸引目光的尾巴可能已經逐步演化成誘餌，防止飢餓的鳥類抓住蝴蝶的頭部或腹部。 The tails of some moths can interfere with the echolocation tactics of hungry bats. 部分飛蛾的尾巴可以干擾飢餓蝙蝠的回聲定位戰術。 Next Article Escaped king cobra crawls back to Swedish Terrarium 逃脫的眼鏡王蛇爬回瑞典飼養箱 A venomous 2.2-meter (7 foot) king cobra that escaped from its home in a Swedish zoo has returned back home by itself, bringing a happy ending to over a week-long disappearance saga. 一條2.2公尺（7英尺）長、從瑞典動物園逃離的有毒眼鏡王蛇，已自行返家，為長達一週的失踪傳奇劃下圓滿句號。 “Houdini, as we named him, has crawled back into his terrarium,” CEO Jonas Wahlstrom of the Skansen Aquarium told the Swedish public broadcaster SVT on Sunday. 週日，斯坎森水族館的執行長喬納斯‧瓦爾斯壯告訴瑞典公共電視台（SVT）：「我們口中的『胡迪尼』（知名逃脫大師）已經爬回牠的飼養箱。」 The deadly snake, whose official name is Sir Vass, escaped on Oct. 22 via a light fixture in the ceiling of its glass enclosure at the aquarium. 這條致命的蛇正式名稱為「瓦斯爵士」，於10月22日經由水族館玻璃外殼天花板上的燈具逃脫。 As a result of an intensive search with X-ray machines, “Houdini” was located earlier this week in a confined space near the terrarium in the insulation between two walls. 園方利用X光機進行密集搜索，本週稍早找出「胡迪尼」的位置，牠身處靠近飼養箱、位於兩堵牆之間絕緣層中的一處密閉空間。 Holes were drilled into the walls where the snake was hiding but the cobra disappeared from the view of the X-ray cameras in the early Sunday. It turned out the snake had given up its freedom ride and crawled back to its terrarium. 蛇藏身的牆壁上被鑽了幾個洞，但這條眼鏡蛇週日稍早從X光攝影機的視野中消失了。原來這條蛇放棄自由行，爬回牠的飼養箱。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1561560 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1551362

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Summary: 討論文章: https://www.businessinsider.com/is-quiet-quitting-new-genz-tiktok-millennial-boomer-2022-8 This week John and Jemmy look at the new buzzwords in the office. Quiet quitting is not just a buzzword, but a phenomenon that's plaguing the workspace. Now that we are back in the office, the office morale and atmosphere has changed. 喜歡我們討論人資、職涯、外商工作相關主題，請留言支持我們雙J論！ Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Quiet quitting v. 安靜離職 It is common for staff to quiet quit when they have become familiar with the job. 員工在熟悉工作後安靜離職是很常見的。 2. Slack off ph. 鬆懈/偷懶 It is easy to see who is slacking off when it comes to manual labor jobs. 很容易看出在勞力活裡誰再偷懶。 3. Buzzword n. 流行語/時髦用語 Quiet quitting is a top buzzword in 2022. 安靜離職再在2022年裡是熱門流行語。 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K511: Early Disney Creation Will Soon Be Public Property For the first time, one of The Walt Disney Co.’s marquee characters — Mickey himself — is set to enter the public domain. “Steamboat Willie,” the 1928 short film that introduced Mickey to the world, will lose copyright protection in the United States and a few other countries at the end of this year, prompting fans, copyright experts and potential Mickey grabbers to wonder: How is the notoriously litigious Disney going to respond? 迪士尼公司招牌卡通人物之一米老鼠米奇，將首度納入「公眾領域」。1928年上映、將米奇介紹給世人的短篇電影「汽船威利號」，將於今年底在美國和其他一些國家失去版權保護，這使粉絲們、著作權專家與有意掠奪米奇的人納悶，出名愛打官司的迪士尼如何反應？ The matter is more complicated than it appears, and those who try to capitalize on the expiring “Steamboat Willie” copyright could easily end up in a legal mousetrap. 此事遠比表面複雜。那些試圖藉由汽船威利號版權到期牟利者，恐輕易落入一個法律的捕鼠器。 Only one copyright is expiring. It covers the original version of Mickey Mouse as seen in “Steamboat Willie,” an eight-minute short with little plot. This nonspeaking Mickey has a ratlike nose, rudimentary eyes (no pupils) and a long tail. 僅一個版權將到期，涉及片長不到8分鐘、幾乎沒有劇情的汽船威利號中原始版米老鼠。片中未開金口的米奇有個像老鼠的鼻子、發育不全的雙眼（沒有瞳孔）及一條長尾巴。 Later versions of the character remain protected by copyrights, including the sweeter, rounder Mickey with red shorts and white gloves most familiar to audiences today. They will enter the public domain at different points over the coming decades. 米奇這個人物此後的版本依然受版權保護，包括現在最為觀眾熟知，穿紅色短褲、戴一雙白色手套、更討人喜歡與更圓潤的米奇。在今後幾十年間，這些版本會在不同時候納入公眾領域。 “Disney has regularly modernized the character, not necessarily as a program of copyright management, at least initially, but to keep up with the times,” said Jane C. Ginsburg, an authority on intellectual property law who teaches at Columbia University. 在美國哥倫比亞大學執教的智慧財產權法權威金斯柏格表示，「迪士尼已定期優化米奇這個角色，未必是出於它的著作權管理方案，至少一開始是如此，而是旨在與時俱進」。 The expiration of the “Steamboat Willie” copyright means that the black-and-white short can be shown without Disney’s permission and even resold by third parties. (There may not be much sales value left, however. Disney posted it for free on YouTube years ago.) It also means that anyone can make use of the film and the original Mickey to further expression — to create new stories and artwork. 汽船威利號版權到期，意味這部黑白短片可在不經迪士尼同意下播映，甚至由第三方轉售。（然而，可能沒剩多少銷售價值，迪士尼幾年前就免費貼在影音分享平台YouTube上。）這也代表，任何人都能運用這部影片及原始版米奇去延伸表達，創作新的故事和作品。 Of course, it does get tricky: Disney also holds trademarks on its characters, including the “Steamboat Willie” version of Mickey Mouse, and trademarks never expire as long as companies keep submitting the proper paperwork. A copyright covers a specific creation (unauthorized copying), but trademarks are designed to protect against consumer confusion — to provide consumers assurance about the source and quality of a creation. 當然，此事的確變得微妙：迪士尼亦握有旗下各人物的商標，包含汽船威利號版的米老鼠。只要該公司持續提交適當文件，這些商標就永遠不會到期。一個版權涉及一個獨特的創作（未經授權的複製），但商標旨在保護消費者避免混淆誤認，提供消費者有關一項創作的來源與品質保證。 Boiled down, any public domain use of the original Mickey cannot be perceived as coming from Disney, Ginsburg explained. This protection is strong, she added, because the character, even in his early form, has such close association with the company. 金斯柏格解釋，簡言之，任何對公眾領域內原始版米奇的使用，不能被視為來自迪士尼。她補充說，由於米奇這個人物，甚至在他早期，都跟該公司有著如此密切的結合，因此對米奇的智財權提供強力保護。 Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6909811

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K510: Streaming’s Golden Age Is Suddenly Dimming American television viewers have become accustomed to it: Dozens of premieres every month, hundreds of shows every year, a guarantee from Hollywood that there’s always going to be something new to watch. 美國電視觀眾對此已習以為常：每個月有數十部新片上架，每年有好幾百部片可看，好萊塢保證永遠有源源不絕的新影片可看。 But a new reality has become increasingly clear over the past few months in Hollywood: Peak TV has peaked. 但是過去幾個月來，一個新現實在好萊塢日趨明顯：電視黃金期已過巔峰。 The number of adult scripted series ordered by TV networks and streaming companies aimed for U.S. audiences fell by 24% in the second half of last year, compared with the same period of the year before last, according to Ampere Analysis, a research firm. Compared with 2019, it is a 40% drop. 根據研究公司安彼爾的分析，電視公司和串流公司所訂購、以美國觀眾為目標的成人導向影集數量，與前年同期相比，去年下半年下跌了24%。與2019年相比，則跌了40%。 For years, television executives tossed off billions of dollars on TV series to help build out their streaming services and chase subscribers. 多年來，電視台主管豪擲數十億美元於電視影集，欲建立自家串流服務並吸引訂戶。 But Wall Street soured on the buy-at-any-cost strategy starting in the spring, when Netflix, the streaming powerhouse, announced that it had lost subscribers for the first time in a decade. Netflix’s stock nose-dived, and other entertainment companies soon watched their share prices fall, too. Hollywood companies quickly shifted, putting a new emphasis on higher profits instead of raw subscriber counts. 但是，當串流巨擘網飛今年春季宣布，出現10年來首次訂戶數下滑時，華爾街嘲諷了這種「不惜代價買片」的策略。網飛股價一瀉千里，其他娛樂公司也很快看到自家股價跟著下跌。好萊塢迅速見風轉舵，轉而重視更高收益而非新訂戶數。 Then, in recent months, entertainment companies became increasingly anxious about a slowing economy, the cord-cutting movement and a troublesome advertising market. Since the summer, scores of executives have abruptly been dismissed, strict cost-cutting measures have been adopted, and layoffs have taken hold throughout the industry. 接著，近幾個月來，娛樂公司對於放緩的經濟、退訂風潮和混亂的廣告市場益發感到焦慮。自今年夏季以來，數十名主管突遭解雇，嚴格的降低成本方針已經實施，而且裁員席捲整個產業。 For the year, the deepest declines in the number of orders for scripted adult series in the United States were at Netflix, Warner Bros. Discovery (which includes HBO and the Turner networks) and Paramount (which includes CBS, Paramount+ and Showtime). The series orders for U.S. audiences have fallen 22% to 27% at those three companies, according to Ampere. In the second half of the year, the drop-off in orders from the three companies was even steeper. 今年美國的成人導向影集訂購數量減少最多的公司是網飛、華納兄弟探索（擁有HBO和透納系列頻道）以及派拉蒙（擁有哥倫比亞廣播公司、派拉蒙+和Showtime電視網）。根據安彼爾，這三家公司針對美國觀眾的影集購買數量占比下跌了22%至27%。今年下半年，三家公司的購買量更是銳減。 There are a few outliers to this year’s trend: Apple TV+ and Amazon have increased the number of adult scripted series they have purchased this year. So has Disney, according to Ampere’s research. 根據安彼爾的研究，有幾家公司不受今年趨勢影響：Apple TV+和亞馬遜今年購買的成人導向影集數量增加了，迪士尼亦然。 In addition to TBS and TNT, digital giants like Facebook and YouTube, which were investing in original series just a few years ago, have mostly moved on. The CW, which was recently acquired by Nexstar, is looking for lower-cost programming. And there are numerous basic cable networks that in recent years have pulled back from original scripted programming ambitions. 除了TBS和TNT頻道，臉書和YouTube等數位巨擘也從幾年前開始投資原創影集，而且仍在繼續。最近剛被次星傳媒集團收購的CW電視網，正在尋找低成本節目。此外，為數不少的基層有線電視台近年已收回企畫原創影集的野心。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6925559

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Topic: Coronavirus Is Battering Africa’s Growing Middle Class 新冠重創非洲新興中產階級 As the coronavirus surges in many countries in Africa, it is threatening to push as many as 58 million people in the region into extreme poverty, experts at the World Bank say. But beyond the devastating consequences for the continent’s most vulnerable people, the pandemic is also whittling away at one of Africa’s signature achievements: the growth of its middle class. 世界銀行專家指出，新冠肺炎疫情在非洲多國急遽加重，恐將使多達5800萬人陷入極端貧窮（赤貧）。而且疫情除了給非洲大陸最弱勢者帶來毀滅性後果之外，還逐步削弱非洲一項指標性成就，也就是中產階級的成長。 For the last decade, Africa’s middle class has been pivotal to the educational, political and economic development across the continent. New business owners and entrepreneurs have created jobs that, in turn, gave others a leg up as well. 過去這十年，非洲中產階級在非洲大陸全境教育、政治和經濟的發展上，扮演著關鍵性的角色。新的企業主和創業者創造出就業機會，也從而幫了別人一把。 Educated, tech-savvy families and young people with money to spare have fed the demand for consumer goods, called for democratic reforms, expanded the talent pool at all levels of society, and pushed for high-quality schools and health care. 受過教育、熟諳現代科技且有閒錢的家庭和年輕人支撐了消費品的市場，提出了對民主改革的要求，擴大了社會各層次的人才庫，並鼓吹高品質的學校和醫療照護服務。 About 170 million out of Africa’s 1.3 billion people are now classified as middle class. But about 8 million of them could be thrust into poverty because of the coronavirus and its economic fallout, according to World Data Lab, a research organization. 非洲13億人口中，約有1.7億人現在被歸類為中產階級，不過，根據研究機構「世界資料實驗室」的說法，其中約800萬人可能因新冠肺炎疫情及其經濟衝擊而淪為窮人。 It’s a setback that may be felt for years to come. 這個挫敗可在未來幾年內感受到。 “The tragedy is that because Africa is not growing fast, this collapse of the middle class could take several years to recover,” said Homi Kharas, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and the co-founder of the World Data Lab. 華府智庫布魯金斯研究所高級研究員兼世界資料實驗室共同創辦人卡拉斯說：「不幸的是，非洲成長速度並不快，中產階級的潰縮可能得花上幾年才能恢復。」 Africa’s middle class tripled over the past 30 years, by some estimates, spurred by job opportunities in sectors like technology, tourism and manufacturing. 一些估計顯示，在科技、觀光和製造業等領域的就業機會帶動下，非洲中產階級人數過去30年間增為三倍。 But now that the region is facing its first recession in 25 years, millions of educated people living in urban centers could fall victim to the extreme income inequality that has defined Africa for decades. 不過，由於非洲遭逢25年來首次經濟衰退，數以百萬計住在都會區的受過教育者可能淪為極端收入不平等的受害者。極端收入不平等數十年來一直是非洲的特徵。 Kharas defined the middle class in Africa as households that spend anywhere between $11 and $110 per capita per day. 卡拉斯把非洲中產階級定義為，平均每人每天花費11美元到110美元（約台幣330元到3300元）的家庭。 The rising middle class has been “critical for the future prospects of African economies as they stimulate long-term growth, social progress, an inclusive and prosperous society and effective and accountable governance,” said Landry Signé, author of “Unlocking Africa’s Business Potential.” The coronavirus “will drastically delay wages and hold back the dreams of Africa’s middle class,” he said. 著有「解放非洲商業潛力」一書的賽恩說，中產階級崛起「對非洲的經濟前景至關重要，因為中產階級能促進長期成長、社會進步，造就具包容性且繁榮的社會，以及有效率且可問責的治理」。他說，新冠肺炎「將大幅延後薪水發放，並讓非洲中產階級難以圓夢」。 What distinguishes the middle class from the poor, said Razia Khan, chief economist for Africa and the Middle East at Standard Chartered bank, is the ability to earn a steady income. But because of the pandemic, many more people across Africa are at risk of being “knocked back into poverty” because of lack of jobs, unemployment benefits or any social safety net, she said. 渣打銀行非洲中東首席經濟學家拉奇雅．卡恩說，中產階級與窮人不同之處在於，他們有賺取穩定收入的能力。不過她說，由於疫情大流行，非洲各地有更多人可能因為缺乏就業機會、失業救濟金或任何社會安全網而被「打回貧窮」。 The pandemic is also posing a threat to nascent industries supported by governments in Africa in recent years to boost the number of middle-income earners. 疫情大流行還威脅到剛起步的一些產業。非洲各國政府近年來支持這些產業，冀以促進中所得人數的成長。 Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/4712407 Next Article Topic: South Africa is considering letting women have multiple husbands South Africa’s government is considering allowing women to have multiple husbands, a possibility that has thrown the country’s conservatives into uproar. 南非政府正在考慮允許女性擁有多名丈夫，這種可能性使該國保守派一片譁然。 The proposal to allow polyandry was included in a green paper from South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, which hopes to make marriage more inclusive. 這項允許一妻多夫的提議已經被納入南非內政部的綠皮書中，希望使婚姻更具包容性。 South Africa has one of the world’s most liberal constitutions, embracing same-sex marriages for all and polygamy for men. 南非有世界上最自由的憲法之一，接受所有性別的同性婚姻與男性的一夫多妻。 Businessman and TV personality Musa Mseleku - who has four wives - is among those opposed to polyandry. 有四名妻子的企業家兼電視名人穆薩．姆斯萊庫是反對一妻多夫制的其中一人。 ’’This will destroy African culture.’’ Mseleku said. ’’The woman cannot now take the role of the man. It’s unheard of.’’ 「這會摧毀非洲文化。」姆斯萊庫說。「女性不能扮演男性的角色。這是前所未聞的。」 The idea that polyandry is not African was also prevalent among religious leaders, the Department of Home Affairs found. 內政部發現，一妻多夫「不非洲」的想法也流傳於宗教領袖中。 Next Topic: 11 S.African miners rescued, none still t

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 跟讀挑戰 – 故宮文物與台灣KTV前十歌 National Palace Museum artifacts and top 10 KTV songs 摘取文章：https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4706552; https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4701669 National Palace Museum After confirming that three items in its archive had been damaged, the National Palace Museum has released more details about the incidents, including photos of the broken porcelain pieces. 在確認其檔案中的三件物品被損壞後，故宮博物院發布了有關該事件的更多細節，包括破碎瓷片的照片。 In a press conference, Wu said on Feb. 3, 2021 and April 7, 2022, while staff members were organizing artifacts, they discovered upon opening packages that a Ming dynasty (1368-1644) “yellow teacup with two green dragons” and a Qing dynasty (1636–1911) "yellow teacup with dragon pattern” were damaged. Additionally, on May 19, 2022, due to staff mishandling, a Qing dynasty “blue-and-white floral plate” fell and broke. 吳在新聞發布會上說，2021年2月3日和2022年4月7日，工作人員在整理文物時，打開包裝發現一個明朝（1368-1644）“黃茶杯兩青龍”和一個 清代（1636-1911）“龍紋黃茶杯”受損。此外，2022年5月19日，由於工作人員處理不當，一件清代“青花盤”摔碎。 Wu said the broken pieces were classified as “ordinary artifacts” and not “important artifacts” or “national treasure,” which was why the incidents did not warrant public announcements. The museum had been waiting to confirm liabilities before reporting that the “blue-and-white floral plate” had been broken due to mishandling. 吳說，這些碎片被歸類為“普通文物”，而不是“重要文物”或“國寶”，這就是為什麼這些事件不值得公開的原因。 博物館一直在等待確認責任，然後才報告“青花盤”因處理不當而損壞。 Top 10 KTV Mandarin songs in Taiwan While checking the latest list of the top 10 most popular KTV Mandopop songs in Taiwan, a PTT user noticed that an old Jay Chou (周杰倫) song is No. 7 on the list. The song is "Step Aside" (擱淺), which was first released in 2004. The list is based on the 10 most requested songs at Party World KTV clubs in Taiwan for Oct. 25-31. The PTT member also observed that half of the songs are by artists from China. Chinese singer Xiao Ah Qi (小阿七) seized the No. 1 spot with her song "Once upon a time" (從前說)​​​​. In second place was "Red Scarf" (如果可以) by WeiBird (韋禮安), followed by Power Station's (動力火車) "Love me true" (我很好騙), Zhang Yuan's (張遠) "Jia Bin" (嘉賓), Ren Ran's (任然) "Fei Niao He Chan" (飛鳥和蟬) rounding out the top five. In sixth place was Crowd Lu's (盧廣仲) "Your Name Engraved Herein" (刻在我心底的名字), followed by the aforementioned "Step Aside" by Jay Chou, and Jing Long's (井朧) "Bu Shan" (不刪). In ninth place was the rap song "50 Yuan Betel nut" (50元的檳榔) by Taiwanese Indigenous rapper CZ Dogg (潮州土狗), who is of Atayal and Paiwan descent. Taking the 10th spot was A Rong (阿冗) with his song "Yu Wo Wu Guan" (與我無關). 分享時間               What is your go-to song at KTVs?What’s your favorite memory of the National Palace Museum?

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k Points to remember about initiating small talkIt’s not about gossip in the workplace 不是八卦Your response need not be exact or specific 無需太認真It’s about warming up to the other person 讓互動慢慢加溫Start from broad, generic topics down to narrow, specific topics 宏觀到微觀 大綱主題Topics: Topic : Work and location 工作或地點  So, is this your first time here?  I work in (city), and where are you based?  How often do you have to travel for work?  How long have you been working here/there?  What do you like most/least about your job? Topic : Transport for work 交通  Do you commute to work, or do you live nearby?  How long does it take you to get to work?  Do you think the public transport here is better than in (city)? Topic : Holidays 度假假期  Where do you like to go on holiday?  What is the one of the best places you've visited?  Do you prefer to fly or take the car? Topic : Free time, Hobbies, Sport 休閒活動  What do you usually do at the weekend?  Do you like to watch/play football? Topic : Education and training 教育相關  Where did you go to college/university?  What did you study at college/university?  Would you recommend that course to others?  Do you speak any other languages? Topic : Food and drinks 飲食相關  Have you tried/Do you like the food here?  Do you know any good restaurants around here?  What is your favorite type of food? 雙人對話時間Exchange dialogues: Work in pairs. Take turns to initiate small talk.

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 主題: 英語慣用語系列 – 朋友相關的慣用語 Friend / Friendship related Idioms 1. Cross someone’s path This phrase originally implied that such a meeting included opposing a person or otherwise causing him trouble, but in the modern sense it doesn’t necessarily mean this. Example: Ann swore she would scream if a spider crossed her path. 2. Friends in high places This phrase means that one has friends who have important or influential positions. Example: Jim is very rude to other workers just because he has some friends in high places. 3. Be an item This is said about people who are dating, who have a romantic relationship with each other. Example: Kate and Richard began seeing each other and were an item for almost two years. 4. Birds of a feather A well-known expression which refers to people that have something in common, for example, interests, hobbies, or views about life. Example: My friend prefers the same clothes as me. Well, birds of a feather flock together. 5. Like two peas in a pod Two people or things that are very similar to each other, or go very well together. Example: Growing up with a pet dog, we were like two peas in a pod! 6. To hit it off To find yourself immediately and naturally friendly with someone Example: I totally hit it off with Peter after meeting him for the first time. 練習時間: 請使用二到三個慣用語來分享自身小故事 Use two to three idioms to share a personal story about your friendship.

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 主題: 跟讀挑戰 – 雙十煙火與必勝客出怪餅 National Day fireworks and exotic pizza 摘取文章：https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/cate/10 ; https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4676673 National Day fireworks A three-minute pyrotechnic spectacle took place at the Southern Branch of the National Palace Museum (NPM) at 7:30 p.m. against the backdrop of music by Wu Bai (伍佰), a rock singer-songwriter born in Chiayi. 晚上 7 點 30 分，在故宮博物院南館舉行了一場三分鐘的煙火表演。 在嘉義出生的搖滾歌手伍佰的音樂背景下。 It has been 18 years since Chiayi last hosted the National Day fireworks display. Also to be featured in the nighttime celebrations on Oct. 10 is a drone show, the first on such an occasion that will beam patterns from a giant Taiwan flag to antiques from the NPM collection. 嘉義上一次舉辦國慶煙花匯演已經18年了。 在 10 月 10 日的夜間慶祝活動中，還有一場無人機表演，這是第一次在這樣的場合展示巨大的台灣國旗到 NPM 收藏的古董的圖案。 Multiple drone spectacles have been held in the run-up to Double Ten Day as warm-up events. The key visual for this year’s National Day celebrations was unveiled earlier this month, a design underscoring “defense” amid heightened cross-strait tensions. 作為熱身活動，在雙十日前舉行了多場無人機盛會。 今年國慶慶典的主視覺圖於本月初揭曉，該設計強調了兩岸緊張局勢加劇的“防禦”。 Pizza Hut Halloween pizza Pizza Hut Taiwan, which has made its name after introducing a series of exotic and peculiar flavors in recent years, on Tuesday (Oct. 4) announced its new Halloween flavor for 2022: tangyuan garlic chicken. 台灣必勝客，因近年推出一系列異域奇特風味而名聲大噪，週二（10月4日）公佈了2022年萬聖節新口味：湯圓蒜香雞。 The pie features ten large tangyuans decorated to look like eyeballs on the pizza crust as well as a ‘spider web’ made of black-colored Caesar sauce on its surface. In a Facebook post, Pizza Hut Taiwan wrote, “Please beware, this party might be so scary that everyone’s eyes pop out.” 餡餅有十個大湯圓，在披薩皮上裝飾得像眼球，還有一個由黑色凱撒醬製成的“蜘蛛網”。 台灣必勝客在臉書上寫道：“請注意，這個派對可能會嚇到所有人的眼睛。” According to the company, the pizza’s ingredients include chicken slowly stewed with fresh clams, garlic from local farmers in Yunlin, as well as sesame tangyuan. From the salt used in the clam chicken soup to the garlic, to the glutenous rice used to make tangyuan, are all used to ward off evil in various cultures. Pizza Hut Taiwan wrote that zombies and ghouls would be willing to risk “ascending” for the taste. 據該公司介紹，披薩的原料包括用新鮮蛤蜊慢燉的雞肉、雲林當地農民的大蒜以及芝麻湯圓。 從蛤蜊雞湯的鹽到大蒜，再到製作湯圓的糯米，在各種文化中都被用來辟邪。 台灣必勝客寫道，殭屍和食屍鬼願意冒險“攀登”以換取口味。 隨堂考 QUIZZHow many years ago did Chiayi last host the National Day fireworks?What is used as eye-balls and spider webs on the pizza?Name a few of the pizza’s ingredients

歡迎留言告訴我你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 主題: 英語慣用語系列 – 死亡相關慣用語 Death related Idioms 1. A brush with death  與死神擦肩而過 If someone has a brush with death, they survived a situation where they could have died. Example: Paulo had a brush with death when he drove his car off the road. 2. One foot in the grave 一隻腳在墳墓裡 A less formal way to say that someone’s close to death is to say that they have one foot in the grave. Example: I wasn’t really surprised to hear that our neighbour had passed away; he’d had one foot in the grave for years. 3. Six Feet Under 六尺以下 It is customary to bury a coffin six feet in the ground. So when we say someone is six feet under, it means he/she is dead and buried. Example: Even though Michael Jackson is six feet under, his recordings are still making money. 4. Kick the bucket 翹辮子 From the people standing on buckets to commit suicide – the moment of death. Example: Sam achieved his goal of climbing Mount Everest before he kicked the bucket. 5. On your last legs 奄奄一息 Someone or something that is on its/their last legs is close to dying or failing to work. Example: I thought Granddad was on his last legs but he seems determined to stick around for a while!” 6. Over My Dead Body 除非我死了 It shows resistance in doing/ allowing to do something - under no circumstances. Example: You’re only 17! You’ll go to that party over my dead body! 練習時間: 請使用二到三個慣用語來分享自身小故事 Use two to three idioms to share a personal story about death.

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 即刻加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k Idioms about being busy 很忙的慣用語 1. Busy as a beaver It shows that you are busy indeed. Example: I am busy as a beaver these days; I couldn’t take out time for lunch. 2. A lot on one’s plate / A lot going on It shows that you have lot of work to do. Example: Today, there are a lot of things in my plate as I am supposed to do an extra work of my colleague who is on leave. 3. Slammed It is used to convey that you are being overloaded with work. Example: Because of yesterday’s pending work, I am slammed with a lot of work today. 4. Swamped This is a slang term used for describing yourself as being overworked. Example: I can’t take more projects as I am already swamped with lot of work. Expressions for saying “No” 說不的短例句 Saying no outright直接說不"Unfortunately, I have/am_________. I can help you another time."" Sorry, I have/am _______. I hope you understand.""No, I have/am_ this week.""Sadly, I cannot help with that. I'm not qualified for that type of work."Saying no politely 有禮貌的說不"I'm flattered by your offer, but no thank you.""That sounds fun, but I have a lot going on at home.""Thank you for thinking of me, but I can’t.""I would love to join you, but I'm feeling a little overwhelmed with work right now." 雙人對話時間Exchange dialogues: Work in pairs. Take turns to offer something and decline the offer.

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Article from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/during.html Drop. Cover. Hold on.  趴下、掩護、穩住 In most situations, you can protect yourself if you immediately:DROP down onto your hands and knees before the earthquake knocks you down. This position protects you from falling but allows you to still move if necessary.COVER your head and neck (and your entire body if possible) underneath a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down near an interior wall or next to low-lying furniture that won’t fall on you, and cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.HOLD ON to your shelter (or to your head and neck) until the shaking stops. Be prepared to move with your shelter if the shaking shifts it around.If you are inside, stay inside. 在室內時，待在室內 DO NOT run outside or to other rooms during an earthquake. You are less likely to be injured if you stay where you are. DO NOT stand in a doorway. You are safer under a table. In modern houses, doorways are no stronger than any other part of the house. Doorways do not protect you from the most likely source of injury − falling or flying objects. If you are in a high-rise building, drop, cover, and hold on. 在高樓時，趴下、掩護、穩住Move away from windows and outside walls.Stay in the building.DO NOT use the elevators. The electricity may go out, and the sprinkler systems may come on.If you are outside, stay outside. 在戶外時，待在戶外Move away from buildings, utility wires, sinkholes, and fuel and gas lines. The greatest danger from falling debris is just outside doorways and close to outer walls of buildings.Go to an open area away from trees, telephone poles, and buildings. Once in the open, get down low and stay there until the shaking stops.If you are in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly and safely as possible. 在行車時，立刻停下找安全地方Move your car to the shoulder or curb, away from utility poles, overhead wires, and under- or overpasses.Stay in the car and set the parking brake. A car may jiggle violently on its springs, but it is a good place to stay until the shaking stops.Turn on the radio for emergency broadcast information. 隨堂考 What should you do when an earthquake hits ? + Sure?When you are in your bedroom?When you are in the mall?When you are in your car?

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 喜歡這樣的內容嗎？加入15Mins通勤學英語直播室，每週一9pm等你一起來說英文 : https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 主題: 跟讀挑戰 – 政府普發6000與台灣彩卷Taiwan NTD6000 tax surplus rebate and CNY lottery 摘取文章：https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/01/05/2003792015 ; https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2023/01/15/2003792637 Taiwanese to receive NT$6,000 each from tax surplus The government plans to give each Taiwanese a one-off cash payment of NT$6,000 (US$195.35) as a rebate from what has been described as surplus tax revenue, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) said yesterday. 行政院院長蘇貞昌昨日表示，政府計劃向每位台灣人一次性發放 6,000 新台幣（195.35 美元）的現金，作為對所謂盈餘稅收的返還。 The government would keep NT$40 billion of the NT$180 billion in surplus tax revenue in reserve and share the rest with the public, Su told reporters in Chiayi County. 蘇在嘉義縣告訴記者，政府將把新台幣 1800 億元的盈餘稅收中的新台幣 400 億元留作儲備，其餘與人民分享。 With the aim of “sharing the nation’s economic achievements with all citizens, young and old,” each Taiwanese would be given NT$6,000, Su said. 蘇說，為了“與所有公民，無論老少，共享國家的經濟成就”，每個台灣人將獲得新台幣 6,000 元。 The Ministry of Finance estimated that last year’s tax revenue could exceed the amount budgeted by NT$450 billion after the central government collected more than NT$3 trillion in tax revenue in the first 11 months of last year. 財政部估計，在去年前11個月中央政府徵收超過新台幣3兆元的稅收後，去年的稅收收入可能會超過新台幣4,500億元的預算。 The government would also distribute NT$70 billion of the total to local governments, while leaving a reserve of NT$180 billion that would be “shared with the people,” the statement said. 聲明說，政府還將把總額中的 700 億新台幣分配給地方政府，同時留下 1800 億新台幣的儲備金“與人民共享”。 Taiwan Lottery to add NT$900 million in prizes To celebrate the upcoming Year of the Rabbit and boost sales, Taiwan Lottery Co is to add NT$900 million (US$29.6 million) in prize money to the jackpots of several lotteries. 為慶祝即將到來的兔年並促進銷售，台灣彩票公司將向幾張彩票的頭獎中增加 9 億新台幣（2960 萬美元）的獎金。 The amount available would be the highest in six years, with major lotteries such as the Lotto 6/49, the Super Lotto and BINGO BINGO boasting much larger jackpots, Huang said. 黃說，可用金額將是六年來最高的，主要彩票如 Lotto 6/49、Super Lotto 和 BINGO BINGO 擁有更大的累積獎金。 The additional prize money for Lotto 6/49, which is the most popular lottery run by Taiwan Lottery, would be distributed in two parts according to the standard practice, Huang said. 黃說，根據標準做法，台灣彩票最受歡迎的樂透 6/49 的額外獎金將分為兩部分分配。 The Lotto 6/49, which requires ticket buyers to pick the correct six numbers from a total of 49 numbers to win the top prize, is usually held every Tuesday and Friday. Lotto 6/49 要求購票者從總共 49 個號碼中選出正確的 6 個號碼才能贏得頭獎，通常每週二和周五舉行。 As for the Super Lotto, ticket holders must have six winning numbers drawn from 38 numbers in the first set, and one winning number out of eight numbers in a second set to win the top prize, he said. 他說，至於超級樂透，持票人必須在第一組的38個號碼中抽出6個中獎號碼，並在第二組的8個號碼中抽取一個中獎號碼，才能贏得頭獎。 If the accumulated lottery jackpot for the top prize falls below NT$300 million, Taiwan Lottery would add NT$200 million to the jackpot from Monday next week to March 16, Huang said. 黃說，如果最高獎金的累計彩票頭獎低於新台幣 3 億元，台灣彩票將從下週一至 3 月 16 日期間增加新台幣 2 億元的頭獎。 分享時間               How do you plan to use with your NTD6000 tax surplus rebate?Which type of lottery do you buy? Why?

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K509: About animals - Shakin’ bacon? Belgian researchers study pigs’ response to music Scientists in Belgium are investigating a farmer’s claim that different styles of music affect the behavior of his pigs. 比利時科學家正在調查一名農夫所說，不同類型的音樂會影響其豬隻行為之事。 Piet Paesmans first noticed the phenomenon when his son started singing a tune in the barn during a sluggish insemination session his sows seemed excited and started wagging their tails. 皮耶特‧帕斯曼斯最先注意到這個現象，是在一次閒適的授精作業時，他的兒子在豬舍裡唱起一段旋律，而母豬似乎很興奮，開始搖擺尾巴。 Paesmans has since created a playlist to coincide with different parts of the day. 在那之後，帕斯曼斯設計了一份播放清單，在一天中不同時段播放。 "Jolly dance songs are the biggest hits. When it’s really dynamic they even start dancing around and frolicking. Rock music is too strong, they don’t like it," he said. 他說：「歡快的舞曲最受歡迎。當歌曲真的很動感時，牠們甚至會開始跳舞作樂。搖滾樂則太強烈，牠們不喜歡。」 "A top athlete needs to be completely fit not only physically, but also mentally. And that’s just the same for pigs. When they are slaughtered, you can see when they’ve had too much stress. It’s really important for the quality of the meat." 「一名頂尖運動員不光身體狀況必須無懈可擊，心理狀況也得強健，豬也是一樣。當牠們被宰殺時，你可以看出牠們是否承受過多壓力。這對肉的品質真的很重要。」 Next Article Real snowbird in Southern California? Snowy owl to be exact真的雪鳥現蹤南加州？準確來說是雪鴞 Snowbirds are a common sight in Southern California in wintertime. A snowy owl to be exact. 雪鳥在南加州冬季很常見。準確來說是隻雪鴞。 Crowds of bird-watchers have been showing up regularly in an Orange County neighborhood to gawk at a snowy owl, a species normally found around the Arctic, Canada and several northern U.S. states. 橘郡有個街區經常出現目不轉睛地看著一隻雪鴞的賞鳥人潮，該物種通常出現在北極、加拿大附近和美國北部諸州。 It’s current home is a rooftop perch in the balmy city of Cypress. 牠現在的家位在氣候溫和宜人的賽普拉斯市一處屋頂邊緣。 “It is absolutely unique as a bird observation,” Vic Leipzig, who teaches birding at Saddleback College, told The Orange County Register this week. 在馬鞍背學院教導觀鳥的維克．萊比錫本週告訴《橘郡紀事報》，「做為觀鳥活動，這絕對是獨一無二的。」 The newspaper reported that local bird experts speculated that the owl could have arrived in Southern California aboard a ship or could be a captive bird that escaped. 該報報導指出，當地鳥類專家推測這隻貓頭鷹可能是搭船抵達南加州，也可能是一隻逃脫的圈養鳥。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1560986 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1560082

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K508: About the US - Why are New York’s squirrels ‘splooting’? People strolling through New York City’s parks may be stopped in their tracks this summer by a squirrel sprawled out, face down, limbs outstretched and lying still. Don’t be alarmed, says the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. They’re just “splooting.” 民眾今夏漫步穿梭於（美國）紐約市的公園時，可能會因為（看到）松鼠懶散癱趴、面朝下、四肢伸展靜止不動而駐足。別緊張，該市公園休憩局說，牠們只是在「splooting」。 A tweet by the parks agency earlier this week went viral online, confusing and delighting people in equal measure, after it advised: “If you see a squirrel lying down like this, don’t worry; it’s just fine...on hot days, squirrels keep cool by splooting (stretching out) on cool surfaces to reduce body heat.” 該局本週稍早一篇在網路上瘋傳的推文，既令人困惑又覺得有趣，因為該文建議：「若你看到松鼠像這樣趴著，別擔心，沒事的…松鼠在大熱天為保持涼爽，會在涼爽表面splooting（伸展四肢）以降低體溫。」 That sparked a rush of queries about what splooting means. But the word, of unknown origin, has been swirling around the internet for some time, popular among pet owners delighted at the sight of their dog or cat stretching out their hind legs in an amusing posture. 該推文引發一股詢問splooting是什麼意思的熱潮。但此起源不明的字在網路上已流傳一段時間，是樂見愛犬或愛貓以逗趣姿勢伸展後肢的寵物飼主間的流行語。 Next Article Arizona driver cited for carpooling with inflatable Grinch亞利桑那州駕駛因和充氣的鬼靈精共乘被傳訊 The Grinch came early for an Arizona driver who tried to pass off an inflatable figure of the Dr. Seuss character as a passenger. 一名試圖把蘇斯博士故事人物的充氣人偶拿來冒充乘客的亞利桑那州駕駛，一早迎來鬼靈精。 The Arizona Department of Public Safety says a state trooper last week noticed a car in a high-occupancy vehicle lane on Interstate 10 in Phoenix with a “Seusspicious-looking” green passenger. 亞利桑那州公共安全部說，一名州警上週注意到鳳凰城10號州際公路高乘載車道一輛汽車有一位「看起來很可疑」的綠色乘客。 While the gag may have caused the officer’s heart to grow, it did not stop the driver from getting cited for being in the HOV lane during a restricted time. 雖然這個惡作劇可能讓警官心跳加速，但未擋住這名駕駛因在限制時段上高乘載車道而被傳喚之路。 The agency, however, could not help but post a photo of the Grinch figure with the driver’s face blurred on its Twitter account. 不過，該單位忍不住在其推特帳戶發布了一張駕駛臉部模糊和鬼靈精人偶的照片。 They are urging motorists to follow traffic laws. 他們敦促駕車者遵守交通法規。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1561180 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1561359

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Summary: Many Asian tourists come to Taiwan not only for the food and sights. Fortune telling is also one of the major tourist attractions. In this episode, Angel and I share the top methods of fortune telling romance. Which is your favorite? Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Fortune telling n. 算命 There are many fortune telling methods around the world. 世界上有許多不同的算命方式。 2. Tasseography n. 茶渣占卜法 Tasseography is a way to tell one's fortune from reading tea leafs. 茶渣占卜法是用解讀茶渣來進行算命的方式。 3. Context n. 情境 When you visit the God of Love, be sure to write down the full context of the relationship you are looking for. 去找月老時，確保要寫下你想要的完整感情情境。 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K507: In a Rapidly Warming Arctic, Rain Where It Used to Snow As humans warm the planet, the once reliably frigid and frozen Arctic is becoming wetter and stormier, with shifts in its climate and seasons that are forcing local communities, wildlife and ecosystems to adapt, scientists said Tuesday in an annual assessment of the region. 科學家們周二在對北極地區的年度評估中表示，隨著人類使地球變暖，昔日非常寒冷和冰凍的北極正在變得更潮濕且多風雨，氣候與季節的變化正迫使當地社區、野生動物和生態系統進行調適。 Even though 2022 was only the Arctic’s sixth warmest year on record, researchers saw plenty of new signs this year of how the region is changing. 儘管2022年只是北極有紀錄以來第六溫暖的年份，但研究人員今年看到該地區正發生改變的許多新跡象。 A September heat wave in Greenland, for instance, caused the most severe melting of the island’s ice sheet for that time of the year in over four decades of continuous satellite monitoring. In 2021, an August heat wave had caused it to rain at the ice sheet’s summit for the first time. 例如，格陵蘭島9月熱浪導致島上冰蓋融化的嚴重程度，創衛星連續監測40多年來的同期之最。2021年8月的熱浪首度導致冰蓋頂部下雨。 “Insights about the circumpolar region are relevant to the conversation about our warming planet now more than ever,” said Richard Spinrad, administrator of the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “We’re seeing the impacts of climate change happen first in polar regions.” 美國國家海洋暨大氣總署署長史賓拉德說：「對極地地區的深入了解，跟我們關於地球暖化的討論比以往任何時候都更相關。我們看到氣候變遷的影響最先發生在極地地區。」 Temperatures in the Arctic Circle have been rising much more quickly than those in the rest of the planet, transforming the region’s climate into one defined less by sea ice, snow and permafrost and more by open water, rain and green landscapes. 北極圈氣溫上升速度一直比地球其他地區快上許多，這造成該地區的氣候不再由海冰、積雪和永凍土決定，而取決於開放水域、雨水與綠色景觀。 Nearly 150 experts from 11 nations compiled this year’s assessment of Arctic conditions, the Arctic Report Card, which NOAA has produced since 2006. This year’s report card was issued Tuesday. 來自11國近150名專家編纂今年的北極狀況評估報告，也就是美國國家海洋暨大氣總署2006年以來發布的《北極年度報告》。今年的報告在周二發布。 Between October 2021 and September, air temperatures above Arctic lands were the sixth warmest since 1900, the report card said, noting that the seven warmest years have been the last seven. Rising temperatures have helped plants, shrubs and grasses grow in parts of the Arctic tundra, and 2022 saw levels of green vegetation that were the fourth highest since 2000, particularly in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, northern Quebec and central Siberia. 報告中表示，北極在2021年10月到今年9月間的氣溫為1900年來第六高，並指最近7年是氣溫前七高的年份。氣溫上升有助於部分北極苔原地區植物、灌木及草的生長，2022年綠色植被水準創2000年以來第四高，尤其是在加拿大北極群島、魁北克北部及西伯利亞中部。 Indicators of sea ice rebounded this year after near-record-lows in 2021, but they were still below long-term averages, the assessment found. March is typically when the ice is at its greatest extent each year, September its lowest. At both points this year, ice levels were among the lowest since satellites have been making reliable measurements. 評估發現，2021年接近歷史低點後，海冰指標今年有所反彈，但仍低於長期平均水準。每年3月通常是海冰面積最大的時候，9月時則最小。在今年這兩個時間點，海冰冰層均是自衛星進行可靠測量以來最低。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6861249

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K506: 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 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

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Topic: Covid-Inspired ‘Silent Cut Haircutting Service Gains Popularity in Japan Devised by a Tokyo hair salon during the Covid-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the ‘Silent Cut’ service is becoming increasingly popular in Japan. 在武漢肺炎（Covid-19）疫情期間，日本東京一家髮廊為防止病毒傳播而推出「無聲剪髮」服務，在日本愈來愈受歡迎。 As a way of curbing the spread of the coronavirus during the Covid-19 pandemic, authorities in Japan started promoting “no conversation” or “less conversation” policies in schools, shops and supermarkets. One Tokyo salon decided to implement the ‘silent cut’ service and it proved so popular that others quickly followed suit. 做為在Covid-19大流行期間遏制冠狀病毒傳播的一種方式，日本當局開始提倡在學校、商店和超市「不交談」或「少交談」。東京一家髮廊決定實施「無聲剪髮」服務。事實證明，這項服務非常受歡迎，其他髮廊也紛紛跟進。 As it turns out, hairstylists prefer the silent cut as well, with many claiming that they were taught to chat up clients in their apprenticeship. 事實證明，髮型師也更喜歡無聲剪髮，許多髮型師表示，他們在學徒期間需要學習如何與客人搭訕。 Next Article Topic: We’re hiring: Babies wanted for Japan nursing home 我們正在招聘：日本療養院需要嬰兒 A nursing home in southern Japan is “hiring” babies for a very important job — to keep its elderly residents company and make them smile. 日本南部一間療養院正在招聘嬰兒，擔任非常重要的職位──陪伴年長居民、讓他們開心。 A job advert pinned to the wall informs would-be workers they will be compensated for their services in diapers and powdered milk. 一個釘在牆上的工作廣告告知未來的員工，他們將會收到尿布和配方奶做為服務報酬。 New recruits at the facility in Kitakyushu must be under four years old, and their guardians have to sign a contract stipulating that the babies and toddlers can show up for work “whenever they feel like it.” 這間北九州機構的新成員必須小於4歲，而且他們的監護人必須簽署一份合約，明文規定嬰兒和學步幼童可以依照他們的意願，想上班的時候再出現。 More than 30 babies have been signed up so far, tasked with lifting the spirits of more than 100 residents who are mostly in their 80s. 至今已有超過30名嬰兒報名，他們被賦予提升逾百名居民興致的任務，這些居民大多超過80歲。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1555385 Next Article Topic: What’s behind strained China-Japan relations Japan and China on Thursday last week marked the 50th anniversary of the 1972 normalization of their ties, but there isn’t much of a celebratory mood. Improved ties between Asia’s two biggest economies are considered vital to the region’s stability and prosperity, but they remain at odds over disputed East China Sea islands and China’s growing military and economic assertiveness in the region. Here are the key issues in the often strained relations between these powerhouse neighbors: 日本和中國上週四慶祝一九七二年兩國關係正常化五十週年，但並沒有太多慶祝的氣氛。亞洲最大的兩個經濟體間關係之改善，咸認攸關亞洲的穩定與繁榮，但對於有領土爭端的東海島嶼，以及中國軍事和經濟上在該區域愈趨強勢，兩國的立場仍然分歧。這兩個鄰近的強國經常處於緊張的關係，以下是其中幾個關鍵問題： TERRITORIAL DISPUTES A huge source of contention is an uninhabited group of Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed East China Sea islands called Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. Japan insists that the islands, which once hosted a Japanese seafood factory, are part of its territory, both historically and by international law. China says they were stolen by Japan in 1895 and should have been returned at the end of World War II. The disputed islands are surrounded by rich fishing grounds and undersea oil deposits, and Japan accuses China of suddenly making its territorial claims after the undersea resources were found in a 1969 United Nations report. The 1972 normalization communique did not deal with the issue, but the dispute intensified after Japan’s government in 2012 nationalized the Senkaku islands, leading to violent protests across China. Chinese coast guard and fishing boats are regularly found in the area, routinely intruding on Japanese waters. 領土爭端 一個主要的爭論是東京所控制、北京聲稱擁有主權的東海無人島群，在日本稱為尖閣諸島，在中國稱為釣魚島。日本堅稱，日本曾在這些島嶼設有海產工廠，無論就歷史或國際法而言，這些島都是日本領土的一部分。中國說這些島是在一八九五年被日本偷走，日本應該在二戰結束時將其歸還。這些有爭端的島嶼，周圍環繞著富饒的漁場，海底石油儲量豐沛，日本指責中國是在一九六九年聯合國報告發現海底資源後才忽然提出領土主張。一九七二年的兩國關係正常化公報並未處理此問題，但日本政府二○一二年將尖閣諸島國有化後，爭端愈演愈烈，在中國各地引發了暴力抗議。中國海岸警衛隊及漁船常在此區域出現，經常侵犯日本水域。 FEAR OF TAIWAN EMERGENCY Japan, along with its security ally the US, has openly criticized increased Chinese activities in the South China Sea. Tokyo has also pushed for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary. With a US-China trade war and naval tensions on the rise in the area, Japan is increasingly worried about Taiwan emergencies. China’s increased joint military drills with Russia near Japanese coasts have also irked Japan. Tokyo is shifting its military posture toward southwestern Japan, including Okinawa and remote islands just east of Taiwan. China staged major military drills in areas surrounding Taiwan in August in an angry response to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Taipei visit, and fired five ballistic missiles into waters near Okinawa. Fear of conflict over Taiwan adds to Japan’s urgent efforts to reinforce its military capabilities and boost its budget. Japan is currently revising its national security strategy, which is expected to ca

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 主題: 英語慣用語系列 – 新年相關的慣用語 Idioms for the New Year 1. Turn over a new leaf 翻開新的一頁 /改變過去的方式 Meaning: Start behaving in a better, different way. Example: I've decided to turn over a new leaf this year, and do a lot more exercise. So I'm starting tomorrow! 2. A change is as good as a rest 改變就是最好的休息 Meaning: A change of occupation can be just as relaxing as a having a rest. Example: He seems so much happier since he started his new job! A change is as good as a rest, as they say. (The change of routine has refreshed him.) 3. Nothing ventured, nothing gained 不入虎穴，焉得虎子 Meaning: You can't expect to achieve anything if you don't take risks. Example: I'm going to apply to that university and work hard on my exams to get there. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! 4. Start with a clean slate 既往不咎 Meaning: Make a fresh start, or not connected to how things were before. Example: Last year he had a lot of problems so he is starting this year with a clean slate and a positive attitude. 5. Out with the old and in with the new. 舊的不去，新的不来 Meaning: We’re changing everything anew. Example: Shall we get rid of these curtains too? Yes. Out with the old and in with the new. 練習時間: 請使用二到三個諺語慣用語來分享自身小故事 Share you personal stories using the proverbs and idioms

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K505: About health - Napping regularly linked to high blood pressure and stroke, study finds People who often nap have a greater chance of developing high blood pressure and having a stroke, a large new study has found. 一項大規模新研究發現，經常小睡的人患高血壓和中風的風險更高。 Study participants who typically napped during the day were 12% more likely to develop high blood pressure over time and were 24% more likely to have a stroke compared with people who never napped. 與從不小睡的人相比，白天經常小睡的人隨著時間的推移，患高血壓的可能性增加12%，中風的可能 性增加24%。 If the person was younger than age 60, napping most days raised the risk of developing high blood pressure by 20% compared with people who never or rarely nap, according to the study published Monday in Hypertension, an American Heart Association journal. 週一發表在美國心臟協會《高血壓》期刊上的一項研究稱，在60歲以下人群中，經常小睡者患高血壓的風險，比從不小睡或很少小睡的人增加20%。 The results held true even after researchers excluded people at high risk for hypertension, such as those with type 2 diabetes, existing high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep disorders and who did night-shift work. 即使研究人員排除了高血壓高危人群，如患2型糖尿病、高血壓、高膽固醇、睡眠障礙和夜班工作的人群，研究結論仍然成立。 Next Article Billion young people may be at risk of hearing loss from headphones and loud venues 10億年輕人可能因耳機和嘈雜場所而聽力受損 Around one billion young people worldwide could be at risk of hearing loss from listening to headphones or attending loud music venues, a large review of the available research estimated on Wednesday. 一項對既有研究的大型分析報告週三估計，全球約有10億年輕人因使用耳機或出入嘈雜音樂場所，可能面臨聽力受損的風險。 The analysis published in the journal BMJ Global Health looked at data from 33 studies published in English, Spanish, French and Russian over the last two decades covering more than 19,000 participants aged between 12-34. 這篇發表在「英國醫學期刊全球健康」（BMJ Global Health）的分析報告，審視過去20年來以英語、西班牙語、法語和俄語發表的33項研究數據，對象涵蓋1萬9000多名從12歲到34歲不等的受試者。 It found that 24 percent of the young people had unsafe listening practices while using headphones with devices such as smartphones. And 48 percent were found to have been exposed to unsafe noise levels at entertainment venues such as concerts or nightclubs. 調查發現，24％的年輕人在使用耳機和智慧手機等設備時有不安全的聆聽習慣，並發現48％的受試者常常待在演唱會或夜店等娛樂場所，暴露於不安全的噪音環境。 Combining these findings, the study estimated that between 670 million to 1.35 billion young people could be at risk of hearing loss. 結合這些發現，該研究估計有6.7億至13.5億年輕人可能身處聽力受損風險。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1533237 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1553969

歡迎留言告訴我們你對這一集的想法： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K504: About Tech - The Tamagotchi Breeder on Her 65th Generation of the Digital Pet Alicia Kostoglou, a sports teacher for disabled children by trade, has a side hobby that feels like a second job. 以身障兒童體育老師為業的艾麗西亞．科斯托格魯，擁有一個像是第二份工作的業餘興趣。 She’s currently taking care of four Tamagotchis at a time. 目前她同時照顧四隻電子雞。 These are actually the great-great-grandchildren of her original Tamagotchi pets. 實際上它們是她最初電子雞寵物的曾曾孫。 Her personal record so far is 65 generations in a row. 至今她的個人紀錄是連續養了65代電子雞。 “Every morning, I wake them up, I check to see if they’re hungry, then I clean up if they’ve pooped,” she said. “I give them a bath, then I clean their homes or play with them.” 她說，「我每天早上醒來，會查看確認它們是否餓了，要是它們先前有排便，就會清理。我給它們洗澡，然後會打掃它們的住所或是陪玩」。 As a Tamagotchi breeder, her goal isn’t simply to keep her creatures alive – she marries them off once they’ve reached adulthood, and then makes sure they have children so those can grow up and procreate, too. 身為電子雞飼主，她的目標不僅是讓她的動物活著，一旦它們成年，她會幫它們完婚，並且確保它們的小孩也能長大成人和生育。 Next Article Singapore plans S$300m to spur innovation in digital push 新加坡擬投資3億星幣推動數位化創新 Singapore will allocate a further S$300 million (US$222 million) to spur research in digital innovation as the government transforms the economy through technology. 新加坡將再提撥3億星幣（約2億2200萬美元）鼓勵數位化創新研究，做為政府藉由科技改變經濟的政策。 The amount, almost double the current budget, is part of the next phase of the National Research Foundation’s five-year plan ending 2020, Minister for Communications and Information S. Iswaran said during a parliamentary session. It will be used for research in the services and digital economy. 通訊及新聞部長易華仁告訴國會，該筆預算金額約為當前預算的兩倍，是下一階段「國家研究基金」五年計畫（至2020年截止）的一部分。它將用於數位化經濟服務研究。 Singapore will roll out artificial-intelligence and cloud-based solutions to every business sector by 2020, Iswaran said. The nation introduced a nationwide electronic invoicing network for businesses in January, and also has an initiative to help businesses securely exchange digital trade documents. 易華仁表示，新加坡將在2020年前針對各個商業領域，推出人工智慧與以雲端為基礎的解決方案。星國一月間推出企業的全國性電子發票網路，並主動協助企業安全地交換數位化貿易文件。 The Infocomm Media Development Authority plans to begin rolling out fifth-generation, or 5G, mobile-phone networks by 2020 to maintain Singapore’s "competitive edge in connectivity," Iswaran said. 易華仁說，資訊通信媒體發展局擬於2020年前開展第五代（5G）行動通訊，以維持新加坡的「通訊競爭優勢」。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1560255 ; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1279952

想要雙J論單元繼續討論外商職場相關主題嗎： https://open.firstory.me/user/cl81kivnk00dn01wffhwxdg2s/comments Summary: 討論文章: https://www.inc.com/suzanne-lucas/elon-musk-can-fire-anyone-he-wants-to.html We are piloting the latest Vocab to include Human Resource (HR) related topics. Jemmy, my bud working at the HR solution provider firm came to chat about the mass firing at Twitter recently. 想要我們繼續討論人資、職涯、外商工作相關主題，請留言支持我們雙J論！ Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. C-Suite n. C字輩 / 最高主管層 Elon Musk fired 3 C-Suite executives on his first day at Twitter. 馬斯克在上任的第一天就炒三位最高主管的魷魚。 2. Golden parachute n. 黃金降落傘 失業補償金 The golden parachute clauses among the executives cost Elon $122million. 高階主管的黃金降落傘條款讓馬斯克付出一百二十二萬美金。 3. Severance n. 遣散費 Before signing the employment contract, it is wise to check the severance package. 在簽僱傭合約前，檢查一下相關遣散費用是聰明的。 更多Vocab Podcast節目: https://www.15mins.today/vocab 歡迎主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected]