------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K653: Japan Takes the Lead in the Sober Curious Movement Sweeping Asia Pacific The sober curious culture, marked by moderation in alcohol consumption rather than complete abstinence, is gaining substantial ground globally. In the vast and diverse landscape of Asia Pacific, Japan emerges as a pioneer in championing this evolving trend, reshaping drinking norms across the region. 以適度飲酒而非完全禁酒作為主張的「關注清醒」文化正在全球廣泛傳播開。在龐大而多樣的亞太地區，日本成為引領這項不斷演變的潮流先驅，重新塑造了整個地區的飲酒習慣。 Transforming Drinking Traditions in Asia Pacific 改變亞太地區的飲酒傳統 For generations, alcohol has been a cornerstone of social bonding in Asia Pacific, particularly in East Asia. However, the seismic shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the adoption of flexible work arrangements have instigated a remarkable transformation. Fewer superfluous drinking gatherings and a heightened emphasis on health have catalyzed a growing interest in non-alcoholic alternatives. 好幾世代以來，酒精一直是亞太地區社交聯繫的基石，特別是在東亞地區。然而，COVID-19大流行以及靈活的工作安排帶來的巨大變革已經引發了顯著的轉變。減少不必要的飲酒聚會和更加強烈的健康意識已經催生了對無酒精替代品的興趣。 The Surge in Non-Alcoholic Beverages 無酒精飲料的激增 The year 2022 witnessed a staggering 481 million liters in total sales of non-alcoholic beverages across Asia Pacific. Projections anticipate a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2022 to 2027, with sales reaching an impressive 621 million liters—reflecting a remarkable 29% increase from 2022. The main driver behind this surge is the rising tide of health-consciousness, fueling the popularity of non-alcoholic products that offer functional benefits. 2022年，亞太地區的無酒精飲料總銷售量達到驚人的4.81億升。預測表明，從2022年到2027年，預計年均複合成長率將強勢成長到5%，銷售量將達到令人印象深刻的6.21億升，較2022年增長29%。這個激增的主要驅動因素是人們不斷增長的健康意識，推動了具有功能性益處無酒精產品的普及。 Shifting Consumption Patterns Among the Youth 年輕一代消費模式的轉變 The younger generations are orchestrating a departure from traditional alcohol consumption habits. Alcohol no longer occupies a central role in their social interactions. Instead, these individuals prioritize personal time and well-being, with a notable 30% increase in Generation Z individuals prioritizing "time for myself" between 2019 and 2023. 年輕一代正在計畫遠離傳統的飲酒習慣。酒精不再在他們的社交互動中占據中心地位。取而代之的，這些人更加注重個人時間和健康，特別是在2019年至2023年期間，有30%的Z世代人們優先考慮"屬於自己的時間"。 Japan's "Dry" Initiatives 日本的"乾"計劃 Japanese alcohol companies are swiftly adapting to these evolving dynamics. In 2022, Asahi Breweries Ltd made a bold move by launching a customizable bar in Shibuya. Here, patrons can choose from an extensive selection of non-alcoholic drinks, including craft cola and lemonade, with the option to tailor alcohol content from 0% to 3%. Simultaneously, PARCO, a prominent shopping center operator targeting a younger demographic, wholeheartedly embraced the Dry January campaign in 2022, actively promoting non/low-alcohol beverages. 日本的酒精公司正在迅速適應這些不斷變化的動態。在2022年，朝日啤酒公司在澀谷推出了一個可自定義的酒吧。在這裡，顧客可以從眾多無酒精飲料中選擇，包括特調可樂和檸檬水，並可根據需要調整酒精含量，範圍從0%到3%。與此同時，面向年輕人的知名購物中心營運商PARCO在2022年全力支持了"乾一月"運動，積極宣傳無/低酒精飲料。 The Future of the Sober Curious Trend 「關注清醒」潮流的未來 While these "dry" initiatives remain relatively niche in Japan, they are poised for substantial expansion in the near future. Furthermore, there is a strong potential for this trend to ripple across other Asian countries, given the heightened sensitivity to alcohol in the Asia Pacific compared to the West. These factors collectively suggest promising growth prospects for the sober curious movement within the region, as it continues to redefine the drinking landscape in Asia Pacific. 盡管這些"乾"計劃目前在日本仍然相對小眾，但它們有望在不久的將來實現大規模擴展。此外，考慮到亞太地區相對于西方對酒精的更高敏感性，這個潮流有望對其他亞洲國家產生影響。這些因素共同表明，在亞太地區，「關注清醒」運動的增長有望前景遼闊，因為它繼續重新定義亞太地區的飲酒概觀。 Reference article: https://www.euromonitor.com/article/japan-leads-the-sober-curious-culture-in-asia-pacific Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Summary: 討論文章: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4992434?fbclid=IwAR31wZnuIPCpb2aIoFInIEgEcalvUd_vupaW2gNWS5iXhEG9wKgeGblfH00_aem_ATXD8CEgGRwezKYF8x-4ryDBszz2-lIRWNqS9I38FwjJ-_1EKtfgqlRbkBfNV69cTvY&mibextid=Zxz2cZ It's the pilot episode of Vocab with 電商讀書會's Lydia and Cariya! They are digital marketing specialist who's going to chat with me about everything cool in the internet space and digital marketing. 喜歡我們討論這些主題，歡迎留言敲碗! Vocabulary: 1. Deserve v. 應得/該得到 John tend to lose cheap umbrellas often, so he thinks he deserves expensive umbrellas that he wont lose. 約翰通常會遺失便宜的雨傘，所以他認為他應得用昂貴的雨傘才不會掉。 2. Sharing economy n. 共享經濟 Companies in the sharing economy space include Uber, Lyft, Youbike, and Raingo. 被認為是共享經濟領域企業保括Uber, Lyft, Youbike與Raingo。 3. Reusable cups / Circular cups n. 循環杯 Starbucks recently launched their reusable cups program that would reduce a lot of single-use waste. 星巴克近期發行了循環杯機制，可以減少很多單次使用的垃圾。 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] Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K652: Shein and Forever 21 Join Forces in a Fast-Fashion Partnership Fast fashion online retailer Shein is set to make its presence felt in shopping malls near you, thanks to a recent partnership with Sparc Group, the parent company of Forever 21. This groundbreaking agreement involves Sparc Group becoming a minority shareholder in Shein while Shein acquires a one-third stake in Sparc. Sparc Group is a collaboration between Simon Group, a retail real estate company, and Authentic Brands Group, known for its portfolio of brands such as Brooks Brothers and Nine West. 快時尚線上零售商 Shein 隨著最近與 Forever 21 的母公司 Sparc Group 建立合作夥伴關係，即將在你附近的購物中心現身啦。這項具有突破性的協議使 Sparc Group 成為 Shein 的少數股東，同時 Shein 也獲得 Sparc 的三分之一股權。Sparc Group 是 Simon Group（一家零售不動產公司）和 Authentic Brands Group（以旗下品牌如 Brooks Brothers 和 Nine West 而聞名）的合作夥伴。 This strategic move is expected to significantly expand the market reach of both companies. Shein's e-commerce platform currently operates in over 150 countries and boasts a staggering 250 million followers on various social media platforms. According to a press release from Sparc, this partnership will "provide Sparc Group a platform to further grow its brands." Sparc's CEO, Marc Miller, emphasized that this collaboration would bring more innovative and trendsetting products to fashion enthusiasts worldwide. 這項市場策略預計將顯著擴展兩家公司的市場覆蓋範圍。Shein 的電子商務平台目前在超過 150 個國家運營銷售，並在各種社交媒體平台上擁有超過 2.5 億的追蹤數。根據 Sparc 發布的新聞稿，這份合作夥伴關係將「為 Sparc Group 提供進一步發展其品牌的平台」。Sparc 的首席執行官 Marc Miller 強調，這項合作將為全球時尚愛好者帶來更多創新和引領潮流的產品。 In exchange, Shein plans to introduce its products into physical retail spaces, with a particular focus on Forever 21 stores. This makes sense as both Shein and Forever 21 cater to a youthful customer base and are known for their fast fashion approach, characterized by the mass production of affordable items that are frequently disposed of as consumers chase the latest trends. It's worth noting that fast fashion has faced criticism due to its environmental impact, as it often encourages disposable fashion. 作為交換，Shein 計劃將其產品引入實體零售空間，特別聚焦於 Forever 21 門市。原因是因為 Shein 和 Forever 21 都面向年輕客群，以大規模生產價格實惠的商品而聞名，這些商品通常會因為消費者追求最新潮流而經常棄置。值得注意的是，快時尚因其對環境的影響而受到批評，因為它通常鼓勵一次性、拋棄式時尚品。 Donald Tang, Shein's executive chairman, highlighted the synergy between Simon's expertise in physical retail, Authentic's brand development proficiency, and Shein's on-demand business model. He stated that this partnership would facilitate scalable growth and make fashion more accessible to a broader audience. Shein 的執行主席 Donald Tang 強調了 Simon 在實體零售方面的專業知識、Authentic 的品牌發展能力以及 Shein 的即時商業模式之間的協同效應。他表示，這份合作夥伴關係將有助於實現大幅擴展增長，使時尚更加容易接觸到更廣泛的受眾。 Reference article: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/25/business/shein-forever-21-deal/index.html Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K651: One Piece Live-Action Series Shatters Netflix Records, Defying Anime Adaptation 'Curse' One Piece, the highly-anticipated live-action adaptation of the beloved manga and anime, has achieved a remarkable feat on Netflix, surpassing the records previously held by Wednesday and Stranger Things. This thrilling pirate series, originating from a Japanese cartoon with a rich history, made its debut on the streaming platform just last week. 《海賊王》這部備受期待的真人版改編，源自深受喜愛的漫畫和動畫，已在Netflix上創下了令人驚嘆的成績，超越了之前由《星期三》和《怪奇物語》保持的紀錄。這部激動人心的海盜系列作品源自一部有豐富歷史的日本動畫，上週剛在這個串流媒體平台上首播。 Within the first few days of its release, One Piece has soared to claim the top spot as the most-watched TV series in a staggering 84 countries worldwide. This achievement surpasses the milestones set by season one of Wednesday and season four of Stranger Things, both of which held the number one position in 83 territories during their initial weekend releases. 在首播的前幾天，《海賊王》已在全球84個國家中飆升至觀看次數最多的電視劇排行榜冠軍寶座。這個成績超越了《星期三》第一季和《怪奇物語》第四季所創下的里程碑，這兩部作品在首周末的發布時都曾在83個地區排名第一。 Fans of the series are celebrating One Piece for breaking the "curse" that has often plagued live-action anime adaptations. Netflix has previously attempted to adapt numerous popular anime properties, such as Cowboy Bebop and Death Note, but most have faced criticism from fans and critics alike. 該系列的粉絲們為《航海王》打破了經常困擾真人版動畫改編的「詛咒」而歡呼。Netflix之前曾試圖改編許多受歡迎的動畫作品，如《星際牛仔》和《死亡筆記》，但多數都受到了粉絲和評論家的批評。 Eiichiro Oda, the creator of the original manga on which both the One Piece anime and the new Netflix series are based, expressed his thoughts ahead of the series' release. In an open letter, he reflected on the challenges of adapting the fantastical world of One Piece into live-action and the extensive efforts involved in bringing it to life. Oda acknowledged that there might be criticism, but he believed it would come from those who truly love the source material. 原作漫畫的創作者尾田榮一郎，也是《航海王》動畫和新的Netflix系列的基礎，他在系列首播前表達了他的想法。在一封公開信中，他反思了將《航海王》奇幻世界改編為真人版所面臨的挑戰，以及將其呈現出來所需的大量努力。尾田承認可能會有批評，但他相信這些批評將來自那些真正熱愛原作的人。 The Netflix adaptation features Iñaki Godoy as the series lead, Monkey D Luffy, along with a talented cast including Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Netflix的改編作品由伊納基·戈多伊飾演主角Monkey D Luffy，還有一個才華洋溢的演員陣容，包括Mackenyu飾演Roronoa Zoro，Emily Rudd飾演Nami，Jacob Romero飾演Usopp，以及Taz Skylar飾演Sanji。 One Piece's record-breaking success marks a significant milestone in the realm of live-action anime adaptations, proving that with dedication and creativity, these cherished stories can successfully transition from page to screen. As fans eagerly dive into this new rendition of their favorite pirate crew's adventures, it's evident that the legacy of One Piece continues to thrive in the world of entertainment. 《航海王》創下的紀錄成功地標誌著真人版動畫改編領域的重要里程碑，證明了只要有奉獻精神和創造力，這些受人喜愛的故事就能成功地從紙張跨足到螢幕。當粉絲們熱切地投入到他們最喜愛的海盜團的新版本冒險中時，顯然可以看出《航海王》的傳奇在娛樂界仍然蓬勃發展。 Reference article: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/one-piece-netflix-live-action-record-b2406876.html Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Topic: Cambodia to ban elephant rides at Angkor Wat temples 柬埔寨的世界文化遺產吳哥窟每年都吸引數百萬國內外觀光客造訪，其中許多很多遊客會選擇騎大象遊覽園區，這項服務多年來一直招受批評，批評者認為利用動物大賺觀光財是相當殘酷也不人道的。面對一波波討伐聲浪，負責管理園區的吳哥暨暹羅地區保護管理局（Aspar Authority）上週五宣布，將在明年初起全面禁止吳哥窟園區騎大象遊園的服務。 Cambodia will ban elephant rides at Angkor Wat temples by early next year in response to pressure from animal groups, a spokesperson of the Aspar Authority said last week. The Angkor Wat temple complex attracts millions of tourists each year. In 2018 for instance, the number of tourists topped six million, and many of them enjoyed elephant rides around the temples, according to Agence France-Presse (AFP). Against this backdrop, animal rights groups have expressed concerns at the risk of mistreating animals. 美聯社報導，三年前，一頭在吳哥窟工作的母象，因為不堪在酷暑中長時間工作而導致心臟衰竭，最終死亡。母象的死亡在社交媒體上引起輿論撻伐，民眾更在網站change.org聯署請願管理局停止大象騎乘服務。 The death of a female elephant in 2016 of heart failure after working in extremely hot weather triggered outrage on social media. A petition was launched on change.org to ask the Aspar Authority to cease elephant riding in archeological sites, according to Associated Press. 面對群眾壓力，吳哥窟園區也在今年做出回應，承諾讓14頭在吳哥窟服務的大象在2020年全數除役。 Three years after the elephant’s death, Aspar Authority promised to stop the services and release all 14 elephants into their natural habitat by early 2020. 管理局發言人Long Kosal向法新社說道：「利用大象來營利是不適當的。」並強調許多大象都已經相當年邁。 The authority’s spokesperson, Long Kosal, told the AFP that “using elephants for business is not appropriate anymore,” adding that the elephants are already old. Long Kosal指出，14頭在吳哥窟服務的大象中，已經有五頭被轉移到附近的保育森林，「他們會在那裡過著自然的生活」Long Kosal說道，並表示擁有這些大象的公司會持續照養牠們。 Long Kosal said five of the 14 elephants had been transported to nearby community forests. “They will live out their natural lives there,” Long Kosal told the AFP, adding that the company owning these elephants will keep looking after them. 柬埔寨媒體The Phnom Penh Post報導，Long Kosal表示，儘管園區內不會再有大象騎乘服務，遊客仍然可以到附近的保育區與大象近距離接觸並拍照。 Long Kosal added that the Aspar Authority aims to stop elephant riding in the park, but tourists can still visit their protected habitat to get a close look and take a photo with the elephants, according to The Phnom Penh Post. Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20191118-859822 Next Article Topic: Dozens of casino workers flee Cambodia by swimming to Vietnam Dozens of Vietnamese casino workers allegedly forced to toil without pay in Cambodia have fled back to their homeland by swimming across a river, authorities in Phnom Penh said Friday. 金邊政府週五表示，數十名據稱被迫在柬埔寨賭場無薪工作的越南員工，游泳渡河逃回家鄉。 About 40 staff with the Golden Phoenix Entertainment Casino in Kandal province － which neighbours Vietnam － fought off security guards to escape, leaving one missing after being swept away by the current, Vietnamese state media reported. 越南國營媒體報導，毗鄰越南的柬國甘丹省金鳳娛樂城賭場約40名員工擊退守衛逃走，1人在渡河時被水流沖走失蹤。 "These people might have been here working illegally," Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng told reporters. 柬國內政部長紹肯向記者說，「這些人或許是在這非法打工」。 "They were promised salaries, but they did not get what they were promised... They crossed back to Vietnam because they could not reach a deal. They fled the place." 「他們獲得承諾有薪水，但實際上沒有拿到…因為無法達成協議，就逃離這裡，渡河回去越南。」 He said Cambodian police had detained a casino manager and were investigating the incident. 他說，柬國警方已經拘押一名賭場經理，正在調查此事。 Next Article Topic: Cambodia to ban elephant rides at Angkor Wat 柬埔寨禁止在吳哥窟騎大象 Following pressure from animal activist groups, Apsara, the management authority for the Angkor Archaeological Park in Siem Reap, Cambodia announced in June 2019 it would ban elephant rides in early 2020. 在許多動物活動組織的施壓下，負責管理吳哥遺址的暹粒地區「阿帕薩拉」保護管理局2019年6月表示，他們將從2020年初起禁止大象騎乘。 Local outlet the Khmer Times reports that on November 15, two of the 14 elephants currently at the park, have been relocated to the nearby Bos Thom community forest. An Apsara press representative told the Khmer Times that the remaining dozen animals would be relocated to the same forest by "early next year." 本地媒體「高棉時報」11月15日報導，該園區的14隻大象中，有2隻被重新安置在附近的「Bos Thom」社區森林。1名「阿帕薩拉」的發言人告訴「高棉時報」，剩下的12隻會在明年初被安置到同座森林。 In 2016, an elephant named Sambo died at Angkor, drawing worldwide attention. Her death was blamed on a combination of heat stroke and exhaustion from ferrying so many human beings around. 2016年，1隻名為珊寶的大象死在吳哥窟，引起了全世界的矚目。牠的死因被歸咎於因為載運了太多人而導致的中暑與過度勞累。 Two years later, the World Wildlife Fund published an in-depth look at the dwindling populations of the Asian elephant, noting that the species’ population had declined by 50% in just three generations. 兩年後，世界自然基金會發布關於亞洲大象數量減少的深入調查，發現該物種現今的數量比3代之前少了50%。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1539968 ; https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/paper/1334758 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 歡迎來到幕後教師室第八集，本集是John老師和Angel老師的精彩對話，還有Angel老師成為配音演員的秘辛喔！ 一開始John老師和Angel老師聊到了學習過程中遇到挑戰的重要性，以及如何克服挑戰進而成長。Angel老師分享了她成為配音員的故事，提到自己小時候想過要像龜派氣功的孫悟空或者航海王的路飛一樣的配音演員（沒錯這兩位配音老師都是女生）。 然而，在學習配音的過程中其實會遇到許多挑戰，包括需要維持情感、速度的掌握以及聽力技巧等等。對於想要嘗試配音演出的通勤家族們，Angel老師建議可以多練習，將耳朵打開，並嘗試模仿：正確的語氣、節奏和情感表達都很重要喔。 話鋒一轉，John老師和Angel老師談到了學習過程中碰到困難的重要性。其實碰到困難代表著在學習過程中我們有所進步，因此不需要害怕挑戰！本集裡面也有分享如何透過帶著目的練習、活化聽力的技巧以及關注細微差異來改進口語和發音。 通勤學英語鼓勵各位通勤家族有耐心，善用每一次學習中的挫折，日常養成習慣多練習目的性的聆聽，很快你就有一對靈敏的耳朵，幫助你實現更好的口語和發音表現啦！ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K650: Rethinking Fake Meat: Examining Changing Tastes and Trends As the popularity of fake meat takes a dip, one must question if our appetite for these plant-based protein alternatives has waned. Tom Crawford-Clarke, a London-based dentist, reflects on his journey with fake meat products, expressing his evolving relationship with them. In the past, he savored various options like Quorn, Linda McCartney, Beyond Burgers, and Moving Mountains, praising their relative tastiness. Yet, he's grown skeptical due to uncertainties about their composition. While these meat substitutes aim to emulate the texture and flavor of traditional meat, doubts about their ingredients linger. 隨著人造肉受歡迎的程度下降，不得不質疑我們對這些以植物為基底的蛋白替代品胃口是否已經減弱。倫敦牙科醫生湯姆·克勞福德-克拉克（Tom Crawford-Clarke）回顧了他與人造肉產品的旅程，表達了他們之間關係的演變。過去，他品嚐了類似Quorn、Linda McCartney、Beyond Burgers和Moving Mountains等各種選擇，稱讚它們相對來說的美味。然而，由於對它們成分的不確定性，他開始產生懷疑。雖然這些肉替代品目標是模仿傳統肉類的質地和風味，但對其成分的疑慮仍然存在。 Fake meat has long been presented as a healthier choice, with offerings like plant-based burgers and sausages promising to satisfy both our taste buds and our desire for more ethical eating. Tom's concerns about the authenticity of these products are shared by others. The red liquid that oozes from Beyond Burgers, meant to mimic blood, is in fact beetroot juice. However, despite endorsements from figures like Leonardo DiCaprio and partnerships with fast-food giants like McDonald's and KFC, Beyond Meat has faced a 30% decline in sales. 人造肉長期以來被視為更健康的選擇，像以植物為基底的漢堡和香腸這樣的產品既能滿足我們的味蕾，又能滿足我們對更加道德飲食的渴望。湯姆對這些產品明確性標註的擔憂被其他人所分享。舉例來說Beyond Burgers滲出的紅色液體，原意是模仿血液，實際上是甜菜汁。然而，儘管得到了李奧納多·狄卡皮歐等人的支持，並與麥當勞和肯德基等快餐巨頭建立了合作關係，Beyond Meat的銷售額仍下降了30％。 Recent survey results from Strong Roots, a vegan company, reveal an intriguing shift in consumer behavior. While 61% of participants reported increasing their plant-based consumption, 40% have started to cut down on fake meat. Taste emerged as the primary factor driving this shift, followed closely by concerns about artificial additives and the highly processed nature of these products. Economic pressures on households have also contributed to the decreased demand for meat alternatives. This decline arrives at a challenging juncture for the meat substitute industry, following the closure of companies like Meatless Farm and the shelving of vegan ranges by Heck. 來自素食公司Strong Roots的最新調查結果揭露了消費者行為的有趣轉變。雖然有61％的參與者表示增加了他們的植物肉替代品消費，但有40％的人已經開始減少人造肉的攝入量。口味成為推動這種變化的主要因素，其次是對人工添加劑的擔憂以及這些產品的高度加工性質。家庭經濟壓力也導致對肉類替代品的需求下降。這種下降正值肉類替代品行業面臨困境之際，肉類替代品公司Meatless Farm關閉，而Heck擱置了其大部分素食系列。 The trajectory of the fake meat market showcases both its rise and some growing pains. With the term "plant-based" gaining prominence in the 2010s, supermarket shelves began featuring an array of meat substitutes alongside established brands like Linda McCartney. The market boomed, and in 2019, a significant portion of new UK food products were labeled vegan. However, setbacks like Beyond Meat's sales slump have exposed challenges around taste, health perceptions, and pricing. This cooling trend is apparent in supermarket adjustments to meat-free selections and a 7% volume sales decrease over a year, as reported by research company Kantar. 人造肉市場的發展軌跡展示了其崛起和一些漸長的痛苦。隨著“植物基底”這個術語在2010年代嶄露頭角，超市貨架上開始出現一系列肉類替代品，與Linda McCartney等知名品牌並存。市場蓬勃發展，2019年，新的英國食品產品中近四分之一被標記為素食，但像Beyond Meat的銷售下滑等挫折暴露了在口味、健康觀念和定價方面所面臨的挑戰。這種退燒趨勢在超市對無肉選擇進行調整以及根據市場研究公司Kantar的報告，一年內銷售量降了7％，都有所體現。 In conclusion, the journey of fake meat in the market exemplifies its evolution from hype to a more nuanced reality. While Beyond Meat and similar brands face sales declines, others like THIS continue to flourish due to affordability and the prevailing concern for environmental and ethical impacts. Consumers are reevaluating their preferences, seeking healthier and cleaner options while considering nutritional content. The shift represents a kink in the graph rather than a market failure, paralleling the evolution seen in other industries. As individuals like Tom Crawford-Clarke emphasize, the motivation for adopting plant-based diets extends beyond mere imitation, reflecting a broader lifestyle shift toward sustainability and ethical considerations. 總之，市場上的人造肉之旅展示了從炒作到更加細緻的現實的演變。儘管Beyond Meat等品牌的銷售額下降，像THIS等其他品牌仍然因其價格親民和對環境和道德影響的關注而蓬勃發展。消費者正在重新評估他們的偏好，尋求更健康、更清潔的選擇，同時考慮營養含量。這種轉變與其他行業的演變相呼應，只代表了圖表中的一個轉變，而不是市場策略失敗。正如牙醫湯姆等人強調的，採用植物基底飲食的動機不該僅是模仿，而是表現了更廣泛的以永續性和道德考量生活方式的轉變。 Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66438807 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K649: The Hollywood Strikes: A Comprehensive Overview In recent times, the glitzy world of Hollywood has been rocked by a series of strikes that have brought its bustling entertainment industry to a standstill. From eminent stars taking a stand to the economic repercussions faced by local businesses, this article provides a concise breakdown of the ongoing upheaval in Los Angeles. 近來，華麗的好萊塢世界受到一系列罷工的影響，使得其繁華的娛樂業陷入停擺。從著名影星站出來表態，到當地企業面臨的經濟影響，本文對洛杉磯正在進行的動盪提供了簡明的分析。 May 2023 marked a significant turning point in Hollywood as the Writers Guild of America, representing over 11,500 screenwriters, commenced a strike due to a long-standing labor dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). This strike has notably disrupted television and film production in the United States, rivaling the pandemic's impact. An intriguing twist occurred when the writers' strike dovetailed with a simultaneous strike by SAG-AFTRA actors, amplifying the broader labor issue within Hollywood. 2023年5月是好萊塢的重要轉折點，代表超過11,500名編劇的美國編劇工會（Writers Guild of America，簡稱WGA）因長期的勞資糾紛與電影和電視製片人聯盟（Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers，簡稱AMPTP）展開了一場罷工。這次罷工明顯地干擾了美國的電視和電影製作，甚至可以說媲美了疫情的影響。有趣的是，這次編劇的罷工與同時進行的演員工會-美國電視和廣播藝人聯合會（Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists，簡稱SAG-AFTRA）的罷工相互交織，放大了好萊塢內部的勞資問題。 The repercussions of these strikes are reverberating beyond US borders. The delay of the Emmys is a mere indication of the larger economic turbulence the strikes have ushered in. Local businesses, ranging from restaurants to dry cleaners, are bracing themselves for an inevitable downturn. The primary players in this conflict are the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). The core concern for WGA is the compensation from streaming networks, specifically residuals, which have significantly eroded writers' incomes over the last decade. 罷工的影響已經超過了美國國境。艾美獎頒獎典禮的延期只是這些罷工所引發更大經濟動盪的一個縮影。從餐廳到乾洗店，當地企業正為即將到來不可避免的衰退做準備。這場衝突的主要參與者是美國編劇工會（WGA）和電影和電視製片人聯盟（AMPTP）。WGA最關切的核心議題是來自串流媒體的報酬，特別是剩餘付款，這在過去的十年中顯著地侵蝕了編劇的收入。 The strikes have already disrupted iconic shows like The Tonight Show and Jimmy Kimmel Live, which rely heavily on writers' creativity. These actions have also cast uncertainty over major events like the Emmys and autumn film festivals. The strikes aren't confined to the US; the UK's Equity, the actors' union, stands in solidarity with the cause. Major US productions in the UK are stalled, encompassing movies like Deadpool 3 and TV shows like Andor. The collective voice of A-list actors like Meryl Streep and George Clooney underscores the significance of these strikes as a transformative juncture in the industry's history. 這些罷工已經打亂了象徵性的節目，例如《今夜秀》和《吉米夜現場》等，這些節目在很大程度上依賴於編劇的創意。這些行動還對艾美獎和秋季電影節等重大活動帶來不確定性。這些罷工不僅僅局限於美國；英國的演員工會Equity也聲援了罷工。在英國，主要的美國製作都陷入了停擺，例如《死侍3》和《安道爾》等電視節目和電影。梅莉·史翠普和喬治·克隆尼等大牌明星的集體發聲也強調了這些罷工在娛樂業歷史上的重要意義。 Reference article: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a44687421/hollywood-strikes-explainer/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 簡介 早期台灣有「鐵道王國」的稱號，鐵道支線深入台灣各地，協助運送木材（Woods）、煤碳（Coal）、蔗糖（Cane Sugar）。然而在產業轉型下，早期依靠鐵路的相關事業（例如：林場、煤礦場）逐漸沒落，加上後續汽機車、公車等交通工具興盛，鐵路支線的需求降低，造就許多支線荒廢或是轉型觀光支線。 台鐵冷知識1：台灣鐵路總共有幾站，總長多少公里？台鐵冷知識2：台鐵總共有幾條觀光支線？台鐵冷知識3：在觀光支線中，哪一條的車站最多？ 111年底臺鐵全線共241座車站，營業里程計1,065.0公里 支線：branch line 台灣總共有六條支線+一條觀光鐵路》 1.深澳線（鐵道自行車 Rail bike） 2.平溪線（天燈Sky Latern） 3.六家線 4.內灣線（內灣老街 - 野薑花粽Ginger lily rice dumpling） 5.集集線（南投集集 - 芭蕉Banana） 6.沙崙線（行經長榮大學） 停靠最多站-內灣線(13站) 補充說明：此次談及的支線，僅包含觀光支線，不包含貨運支線 鐵道英語慣用語 English Idioms That train has left the station 事情已成定局 Meaning: An option, choice, or opportunity is no longer available. Example: I thought the internship programme was still open for applications, but it looks like that train has left the station. Gravy train 肥缺；輕鬆好賺的工作/機會 Meaning: A situation in which someone can make a lot of money or gain many advantages for very little effort. Example: Jack hopped on the gravy train when he married his wife, whose family owns one of the largest property companies in the world. On the fast track 快速成功之路 Meaning: To make progress or achieve something more quickly than usual. Example: This internship opportunity can equip you with the experience you need to be on the fast track for manager. Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K648: Taylor Swift's Impact on the Economy: Exploring Swiftonomics Taylor Swift, the 33-year-old American superstar, is not just dominating the music industry but also making shrewd business decisions that have a far-reaching impact on the U.S. economy. Affectionately dubbed "Swiftonomics" or "Taylornomics," Swift's prowess extends beyond her musical talents, as she leverages her influence to boost the economy and reshape labor compensation dynamics. 33歲的美國巨星泰勒絲，不僅在音樂行業中占據主導地位，還在商業決策方面展現了深遠的影響，對美國經濟產生了重大影響。這位被人們親切地稱為「斯威夫經濟學」或「泰勒經濟學」的天才不僅在音樂才華上出類拔萃，還藉著自己的影響力來促進經濟增長，並重塑勞動補償機制。 Swift's latest tour strategically targets the spending power of women who have seen increased wages post-COVID-19 and are eager to invest in experiences like live concerts. As the second-richest self-made woman in the U.S. music industry according to Forbes, Swift's global tour is set to include over 140 concerts across five continents throughout 2023 and 2024. 泰勒絲的最新巡演有意地瞄準了在後疫情時代工資增加的女性，這些女性渴望在現場音樂會等場合奢侈消費。根據《富比士》的排名，這位白手起家的女性在美國音樂行業中名列第二富有，其全球巡演計劃將於2023年和2024年在五大洲進行超過140場音樂會。 Alicia Modestino, an associate professor of public policy and economics at Northeastern University, highlights the significant impact of Swift's tour. With skyrocketing ticket prices, record-breaking attendance, and impressive revenues, Swift's tour is leaving an indelible mark on the music industry. 東北大學公共政策與經濟學副教授艾莉西亞·莫迪斯蒂諾強調了泰勒絲巡演的重大影響。通過不斷攀升的門票價格、打破記錄的入場人數和驚人的收入，泰勒絲的巡演對音樂產業留下了不可磨滅的印記。 Each show of her Eras tour has grossed around $13 million, totaling more than $300 million after the initial 22 concerts. Swift's ability to evoke powerful emotions through her music, according to David Herlihy, a professor at Northeastern specializing in the music industry, justifies fans' willingness to pay premium prices for an unforgettable experience. 在她的「時代巡迴演唱會」中，每場演出的總票房約為1300萬美元，在前22場演出後便超過了3億美元。根據東北大學另一位教授大衛·赫利希的說法，泰勒絲通過音樂引起觀眾強烈情感，這正是粉絲願意為難忘的體驗支付高價的原因。 Beyond ticket sales, Swift's tour revenue is supplemented by sponsorships and merchandise sales. Devoted fans seek memorabilia to commemorate their Eras experience, further contributing to Swift's substantial earnings. However, Herlihy acknowledges that costs such as staging, crew compensation, and profit sharing with songwriters do impact Swift's overall earnings. 除了門票銷售外，泰勒絲的巡演收入還來自贊助和週邊商品銷售。忠實的粉絲購買紀念品來紀念他們的「時代」體驗，進一步為泰勒絲的收入做出貢獻。然而，赫利希認為，舞台設計、工作人員薪資以及與詞曲作家的利潤分享等成本確實會影響泰勒絲的整體收入。 Swift's influence extends beyond personal profit, as her presence drives economic activity in cities hosting her concerts. Visitor spending on accommodations, dining, transportation, and various local businesses significantly bolsters the local economies. Notably, a single Swift performance in Colorado was projected to inject $140 million into the state's GDP, while her tour stimulated travel and tourism in regions across the nation. 泰勒絲的影響力不僅僅體現在個人利潤方面，她的存在還推動了舉辦音樂會城市的經濟活動。遊客在住宿、餐飲、交通和各種本地企業上的支出顯著地促進了當地經濟。值得注意的是，泰勒絲在科羅拉多的一場演出被預測將為該州的GDP注入1.4億美元，而她的巡演則在全國各地刺激了旅遊業。 In a surprising move, Swift distributed $55 million in bonuses to her Eras tour crew, showcasing her commitment to equitable compensation and fostering a positive work environment. This gesture aligns with broader trends of employers sharing profits with their workers, especially in a post-COVID era of increased profits and tighter labor markets. 令人驚訝的是，泰勒絲向她的「時代」巡演團隊分發了5500萬美元的獎金，展示了她對公平報酬和積極工作環境的承諾。這種舉動與雇主與員工分享利潤的整體趨勢相符，特別是在利潤增加和勞動市場變得更加緊張的後疫情時代。 As Swift's tour continues to captivate audiences globally, her strategic business decisions underscore her commitment to both artistic expression and economic impact. While her profound generosity sets a precedent, it remains to be seen if others in the entertainment industry will follow suit. Swift's unique ability to combine emotion and capitalism places her at the forefront of a new era of celebrity entrepreneurship, leaving an enduring mark on the economy and labor landscape. 隨著泰勒絲的巡演在全球繼續吸引觀眾，她的戰略性商業決策凸顯出她對藝術表達和經濟影響的承諾。儘管她的慷慨行為樹立了榜樣，但娛樂業中的其他人是否會效仿仍然有待觀察。泰勒絲獨特的能力將情感和資本主義相結合，使她站在名人創業的新時代前沿，對經濟和勞動格局留下了不朽的印記。 Reference article: https://news.northeastern.edu/2023/08/11/taylor-swift-economy-impact/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K647: Luckin Coffee Sets Sales Record with 5.4 Million Moutai Alcohol-Infused Lattes Sold in a Day Luckin Coffee made headlines as it announced a remarkable achievement, selling an astonishing 5.42 million cups of its newly introduced alcohol-infused latte in collaboration with Kweichow Moutai, marking an all-time high in sales for the Chinese coffee chain. This achievement has significantly surpassed their previous successful product launches, including a cheese latte that managed to sell 1.31 million cups on its debut day and a coconut cloud latte with 660,000 cups sold. 瑞幸咖啡因宣布一項驚人的成就而登上頭條新聞：與貴州茅台合作推出的全新酒調拿鐵，僅在首日就售出了驚人的542萬杯，創下了中國連鎖咖啡店銷售的歷史新高。這個成績明顯超越了他們之前成功推出的產品，包括在首日售出了131萬杯的起士拿鐵，以及一款售出了66萬杯的椰雲拿鐵。 The star of the show, the "sauce-flavored latte," priced at 38 yuan ($5.23), witnessed an immediate surge in popularity when Luckin Coffee decided to offer it at a promotional price of 19 yuan on its first day. This pricing strategy sent shockwaves through Chinese social media platforms, resulting in a frenzy among coffee enthusiasts. Consequently, the demand for this unique beverage was so overwhelming that it quickly sold out in numerous Luckin Coffee outlets across Beijing and Shanghai within a matter of hours. 這款明星產品名為「醬香拿鐵」，定價為38元（5.23美元），當瑞幸咖啡決定在首日以19元的促銷價提供時，立即引起了廣泛熱潮。這種定價策略在中國社交媒體平台上掀起了轟動，引發了咖啡愛好者的狂熱。因此，對這款獨特飲品的需求非常巨大，以至於它在北京和上海的眾多瑞幸咖啡門市在幾個小時內迅速售罄。 Kweichow Moutai, renowned as China's national liquor, is a potent, colorless spirit traditionally reserved for special occasions and banquets. Drinkers often describe the flavor and aroma of Kweichow Moutai's version as reminiscent of soy sauce, giving this collaboration an intriguing twist by incorporating it into a coffee latte. Remarkably, despite its unconventional nature, this fusion has proven immensely popular among consumers, propelling Luckin Coffee to unprecedented success. 貴州茅台被譽為中國的國酒，是一種強勁的無色烈酒，傳統上保留給特殊場合和宴會飲用。品酒者常常形容貴州茅台的風味和香氣讓人想到醬油，這使得將其融入拿鐵咖啡成為一個創新有趣的嘗試。值得注意的是，儘管這種融合非傳統，但在消費者中卻非常受歡迎，使瑞幸咖啡取得了前所未有的成功。 It's important to note that the companies behind this innovative beverage have emphasized that the alcohol content in the latte is less than 0.5% of its total volume, ensuring it remains within the permissible limits for general consumption. The 100 million yuan ($13.72 million) in sales generated on the first day underscores not only the Chinese market's appetite for unique and creative culinary experiences but also the potential for further unconventional beverage collaborations. This milestone firmly cements Luckin Coffee's position as a trailblazer in the ever-evolving world of coffee and beverage innovation. 值得注意的是，開發這款創新飲品的公司強調，拿鐵中的酒精含量低於其總體體積的0.5％，確保其保持在一般消費的允許限度內。首日創造的1億元人民幣（13.72百萬美元）銷售額不僅凸顯了中國市場對獨特和創意烹飪體驗的渴望，也彰顯了進一步推展非傳統飲品合作的潛力。這個里程碑牢固地鞏固了瑞幸咖啡在不斷發展的咖啡和飲品創新領域中的先鋒地位。 Reference article: https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/chinas-luckin-sells-54-mln-moutai-alcohol-infused-lattes-day-2023-09-05/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Topic: Junk food habit affects sleep quality French fries and hamburgers are popular with teenagers. Everyone knows that these high-calorie foods can lead to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and high blood pressure, but, according to a report published by Medical Xpress, a study led by the University of Queensland in Australia has found that eating too much junk food can also have an impact on teenagers’ sleep quality. 薯條、漢堡等速食及飲料很受青少年喜愛。眾所皆知這些高熱量食物會導致慢性疾病，如心臟病和高血壓等。不過，「醫療快訊」報導，澳洲昆士蘭大學帶領的一項研究發現，吃過多的垃圾食品還會影響青少年的睡眠品質。 According to the research results, teenagers who drink more than three soft drinks per day were 55 percent more likely to report sleep disturbance than those who only drink one cup per day. Males who ate fast foods on more than four days per week were 55 percent more likely to report sleep disturbance than those who ate them only once a week, while females were 49 percent more likely to do so. 根據研究結果，每天喝三杯以上飲料的青少年自稱有睡眠障礙的機率，比每天只喝一杯軟飲料的青少年高百分之五十五。每週吃四天以上速食的男性自稱有睡眠障礙的機率，比那些每週只吃一次速食的男性高百分之五十五，而女性的機率高出百分之四十九。 This global study examined unhealthy diets and stress-related sleep disturbance in high school students from 64 countries. The study found that 7.5 percent of adolescents reported having stress-related sleep disturbance, which was more common among females than males and increased with more frequent consumption of carbonated soft drinks, as did the occurrence of sleep problems. Because carbonated drinks often contain caffeine and large amounts of sugar, while fast foods are high in energy but poor in nutrients, long-term consumption can cause nutritional imbalances. 這是一項針對全球不健康飲食和與壓力有關的睡眠障礙研究，涉及來自六十四個國家的高中生。研究表明，百分之七點五的青少年自稱有壓力相關的睡眠障礙，其中女性比男性更常見，且隨著碳酸飲料的頻繁飲用而增加，睡眠障礙的比率也愈高。因為碳酸飲料通常含有咖啡因和高糖分，而快餐食品高熱量但較缺乏營養，長期攝取會營養不均衡。 These data were collected from global health surveys conducted by the WHO between 2009 and 2016, which included about 170,000 students aged 12 to 15 years from 64 low, middle and high-income countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and the eastern Mediterranean. 這些數據收集自二○○九年至二○一六年世界衛生組織的全球健康調查，其中包括來自東南亞、非洲、南美部分地區和地中東海東部地區的六十四個低、中、高收入國家的約十七萬名十二至十五歲的學生。 The research team said that frequent intake of soft drinks and eating of fast foods is closely associated with sleep problems in teenagers, and that this phenomenon is particularly clear in high-income countries. The research team said that these findings are worrying because poor-quality sleep has an adverse impact on adolescent health and cognitive development. They suggested that policies should be formulated that target these unhealthy behaviors. 研究團隊表示，青少年經常喝飲料、吃速食與睡眠障礙之間關聯密切，這現象尤其在高收入國家特別明顯。研究團隊指出，這些發現令人擔憂，因為睡眠品質差會對青少年的健康和認知發展產生不利影響。他們建議應針對這些不健康的行為制定相關政策，使青少年能健康成長。 Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/01/05/2003749938 Next Article Topic: Cognitive decline linked to ultraprocessed food, study finds Too many daily calories from highly processed foods like lunch meats, frozen dinners, and packaged cookies may speed up cognitive decline, a new study suggests. 一項新的研究表明，每天從午餐肉、冷凍晚餐和包裝餅乾等高度加工食品攝入過多卡路里，可能會加速認知能力下降。 In the study, researchers examined the diets and cognitive function test results of more than 8,000 adults in Brazil. At the start of the study, participants consumed an average of about 2,850 calories a day. About 28 percent of their daily calories came from highly processed foods. 在這項研究中，研究人員檢視巴西8000多名成年人的飲食和認知功能測試結果。在研究開始時，參與者平均每天消耗約2850卡路里的熱量。他們每天有約28％的卡路里來自高度加工食物。 After about nine years of follow-up, cognitive test scores for memory and executive function declined the most for participants who ate the most highly processed foods. 經過約9年追蹤，吃加工食品最多的參與者，其記憶力和執行功能的認知測試分數下降幅度最大。 Ultraprocessed foods are defined as “industrial formulations of food substances (oils, fats, sugars, starch, and protein isolates) that contain little or no whole foods and typically include flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, and other cosmetic additives,” according to the study. 根據這項研究，超加工食品被定義為「食品物質（油、脂肪、糖、澱粉和蛋白質分離物）的工業配方，含極少或不含全天然食品，通常包括調味劑、色素、乳化劑和其他化妝品添加劑」。 Next Article Topic: Taiwan gourmets shocked at Pizza Hut’s newest cilantro, century egg-flavored delight 必勝客最近傳出將推出「香菜皮蛋豬血糕比薩」，交雜台式料理讓最勇猛的台灣人都震驚。 Pizza Hut is about to release a new “cilantro, century egg pig’s blood cake pizza” (香菜皮蛋豬血糕比薩) whose chaotic combination of flavors is poised to shock even the most daring Taiwanese gourmet. 據網友所述，此比薩將結合台灣各式道地美食，而這個消息也引來熱議。 According to social media users, the new pizza will combine many well-known traditional Taiwanese street foods, and the announcement sparked intense discussions online. 許多人表示當每道口味都那麼重的時候就不會那麼美味，也有人開玩笑的問必勝客「到底有多討厭義大利」。 Many thought that the flavors were too strong and would clash. Social media users even teased Pizza Hut, commenting “how much do you hate Italy?” 必勝客之前也已推出過眾多奇特的口味，其中包括臭豆腐、麻辣鍋、拉麵、榴槤和湯圓等。 Pizza Hut had launched many unusual pizza flavors in the past, including stinky tofu, spicy hot pot, ramen, durian, boba, and fried tangyuan. 最近也因為端午節特別推出了粽子口味的「北皇粽比薩」，如今依舊在菜單上。 Their recent Dragon Boat Festival series, which includes Zongzi flavored pizza, is still on the menu. 根據網友分享，新口味的DM上寫著此比薩內含「香菜、花生粉、豬血糕和Q彈皮蛋」。 According to the poster provided by social media users, the cilantro century egg pig’s blood cake pizza is made with four key ingredients: cilantro and peanut powder from Yunlin, braised pig’s blood cake and chewy century eggs. 網友表示這個口味對於不敢吃香菜、皮蛋、豬血糕或是對花生過敏的人都是極大的挑戰。 Some commented that this flavor is challenging people who dislike cilantro, century eggs, and pig’s blood cake, or are allergic to peanuts. 也有人點出這四種材料單看起來都好，但是被混搭在一起後胃口全沒了。 Others expressed their strong dislike over the idea of mixing those four ingredients together. 然而，還是有勇者表示自己想試試看，並稱「這個口味還是比鳳梨好」。 However, many were still willing to give the pizza a try, commenting “this new flavor is better than pineapple on pizza.” 更有人建議必勝客應該試做「辣味鴨血」或是「銀絲卷」口味。 Another suggested adding “spicy duck blood” or “silver thread buns” (銀絲卷). 網友也開玩笑的指出必勝客真的在向義大利宣戰了，留言中寫道「如果義大利攻打台灣，我一點也不會感到意外」。 Some also joked that Pizza Hut is challenging Italy with this outrageous flavor, with one questioning“Does Pizza Hut want Italy to declare war?” while another said, “If Italy attacks Taiwan, I wouldn’t be surprised.” 根據網友所述，此新口味將在六月底登場。 According to social media users, this flavor will be released at the end of June. 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------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 最新一集的Teacher's Lounge節目中，John老師和阿鍵老師輕鬆的分享了自己在英語學習和國際時事方面的選題和看法。 一開始，阿鍵老師分享了留學英國的經歷，體會到語言學習是了解世界的關鍵。我們也提到了學習新語言如何幫助自己拓展視野，明白學習英語不僅僅是為了溝通，還能打開世界的大門，畢竟要溝通的話比手劃腳也就勉強足夠了嘛！ 接著，John老師談到了保持英語能力的努力和習慣。我們分享了使用ChatGPT等工具的經驗，以及閱讀原始文本提高閱讀技巧的方法。這些實用的工具提醒了我們，現代科技和資源可以協助我們更好地學習英語。 最後，我們簡要討論了選擇國際時事英語選題的方向和技巧。如果你剛開始的話，我們會建議選擇與個人興趣相關的文章，並將英語學習融入日常生活中。當你在學習英語的動力被興趣點燃，如此一來就能持之以恆啦。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K646: The Balance Between Pokémon Sleep and Well-being Pokémon enthusiasts around the world are discovering a new way to engage with their favorite franchise through the innovative Pokémon Sleep app. Developed by SELECT BUTTON Inc., this app offers a unique incentive for players to embrace a healthier sleep routine. Much like the cherished Pokémon games and shows, this app has captured the attention of both casual and devoted fans. By monitoring users' sleep patterns through their phones placed on their beds, Pokémon Sleep rewards players with these beloved creatures upon waking up, encouraging not only the thrill of the game but also the importance of quality rest. This novel approach brings a playful twist to the world of sleep apps, merging entertainment with well-being. 全球的寶可夢愛好者們正透過創新的寶可夢睡眠應用程式發現與他們最喜愛的品牌互動的新方式。這款應用程式由SELECT BUTTON Inc.開發，為玩家提供了獨特的誘因，鼓勵他們養成更健康的睡眠習慣。就像深受喜愛的寶可夢遊戲和節目一樣，這款應用程式吸引了休閒玩家和忠實粉絲的關注。藉由監測使用者放在床上的手機來追蹤他們的睡眠模式，寶可夢睡眠在玩家醒來時以這些可愛的生物作為獎勵，不僅鼓勵玩家體驗遊戲的激情，也強調了優質休息的重要性。這種新穎的方法為睡眠應用程式帶來了新樂趣，將娛樂性和健康融為一體。 However, recent suggestions from a Japanese walkthrough website, Game8, sparked controversy by proposing an ill-advised strategy to excel in Pokémon Sleep: the use of sleeping pills. The response was immediate and negative, as the Pokémon community voiced concerns over the potential health risks and ethical considerations of such a recommendation. Aiming to uphold the game's spirit and player's well-being, the website swiftly removed the contentious advice and replaced it with more wholesome alternatives. The episode serves as a reminder that, while aiming to master the game is exciting, achieving a balance between the digital realm and one's health is paramount. 然而，近來來自日本攻略網站Game8的建議引發了爭議，他們提出了一個不明智的策略，以在寶可夢睡眠中取得優勢：使用安眠藥。此舉立即引起了負面的回應，寶可夢社群對此建議的潛在健康風險和道德考量表達了擔憂。為了維護遊戲精神和玩家的健康，該網站迅速刪除了具有爭議性的建議，並用更健康的替代方法取而代之。這個插曲提醒我們，雖然追求掌握遊戲令人興奮，但在數位世界與健康之間取得平衡至關重要。 Pokémon Sleep's concept intertwining sleep quality with gameplay underscores the significance of well-rested living. A good night's sleep not only enhances one's Sleep Score but also contributes to an improved overall score during daytime activities, such as attracting and capturing new Pokémon. Rather than resorting to shortcuts that might compromise well-being, players are encouraged to adopt healthier practices for optimal performance in the game. From indulging in relaxing warm baths to engaging in regular physical activities like walking, these alternatives not only support a fruitful Pokémon journey but also promote a healthier lifestyle. Striking a balance between immersive entertainment and self-care, Pokémon Sleep sets an example for a new generation of gaming experiences. 寶可夢睡眠將睡眠質量與遊戲玩法緊密結合，凸顯了良好休息的重要性。一個良好的睡眠不僅可以提高睡眠得分，還可以在白天的活動中獲得更高的總分，例如吸引和捕捉新的寶可夢。比起採用可能危害健康的捷徑來遊玩，玩家被鼓勵採用更健康的方法，以取得遊戲中的最佳表現。從享受放鬆的溫水浴到參加定期的活動，如散步，這些替代方案不僅支持豐富的寶可夢之旅，還促進更健康的生活方式。寶可夢睡眠在沉浸式娛樂與自我關懷之間取得平衡，為新一代的遊戲體驗樹立了榜樣。 Pokémon Sleep creatively marries the allure of the Pokémon universe with the importance of quality sleep, adding a playful element to the concept of sleep apps. While controversies like the sleeping pill suggestion remind us of the pitfalls of prioritizing success over well-being, the game's core message endures: a harmonious blend of digital engagement and healthy living leads to a truly enriched Pokémon adventure. So, whether you're catching Pikachus or capturing Zekroms, remember that the path to becoming a Pokémon master starts with a well-rested and balanced approach. 寶可夢睡眠巧妙地將寶可夢世界的魅力與優質睡眠的重要性結合在一起，為睡眠應用的概念增添了遊戲的元素。雖然像安眠藥建議這樣的爭議提醒我們不應將成功置於健康之上，但遊戲的核心信息仍然存在：數位參與和健康生活的和諧結合將帶來真正豐富的寶可夢冒險。所以，無論您是在捕捉皮卡丘還是捕捉捷克羅姆，請記住，成為寶可夢大師之路始於充分休息和平衡的方法。 Reference article: 1. https://www.reuters.com/technology/counting-pikachus-pokemon-sleep-app-entices-fans-go-bed-2023-07-25/ 2. https://www.gamesradar.com/please-dont-take-sleeping-pills-to-get-ahead-in-pokemon-sleep/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K645: The Challenge of Lowering Supermarket Prices in France France's Finance Minister, Bruno Le Maire, is engaging in discussions with the country's top supermarkets and suppliers to address the rising cost of food and essential goods. Despite efforts to reduce prices, the cost of living continues to strain consumers' budgets. This article explores the factors contributing to France's struggle to lower supermarket prices. 法國的財政部長布魯諾·勒梅爾正與國內頂級超市和供應商進行討論，以應對食品和生活必需品的成本上漲。儘管努力降低價格，但生活成本仍然使消費者的預算捉襟見肘。本文探討了導致法國難以降低超市價格的因素。 Supply disruptions caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year led to increased commodity costs worldwide, contributing to global inflation. However, even after energy and agricultural commodity costs decreased this year, food prices in France and other countries continued to rise. In June, Le Maire secured a commitment from 75 leading food companies to lower prices on hundreds of products starting in July, aligning with reduced raw material costs. Unfortunately, only around 40 companies followed through on this pledge, highlighting the challenges in the industry. 去年俄羅斯入侵烏克蘭導致供應中斷，導致全球商品成本上升，助長了全球通脹。然而，即使在今年能源和農產品成本下降後，法國和其他國家的食品價格仍在繼續上升。今年六月，勒梅爾成功取得了75家主要食品公司的承諾，將從七月起降低數百種產品的價格，以配合原物料成本的降低。不幸的是，只有大約40家公司履行了此承諾，突顯了該行業所面臨的挑戰。 One key obstacle to aggressive price cuts in France is the way retail prices are determined. Unlike most countries, France has a legal framework that restricts price negotiations to a specific three-month window—between December 1st and March 1st each year. Prices remain fixed for a year unless individual agreements include review clauses. This system has caused retailers and industrial groups to forecast that significant price reductions will not occur until March of the following year. They argue for more frequent negotiations to adapt to changing economic conditions. 在法國，降低價格的一個關鍵障礙是零售價格確定的方式。與大多數國家不同，法國有一個法律框架，將價格談判限制在每年12月1日至3月1日的特定三個月之間。除非個別協議包含檢討條款，否則價格將固定一年。這一系統導致零售商和工業集團預測，重大價格下降將不會發生，直到次年三月。他們主張進行更頻繁的談判，以適應不斷變化的經濟條件。 France's EGAlim legislation, introduced in 2018 and updated in 2021, aimed to boost farmers' income by requiring contracts between suppliers and retailers to include automatic price revision clauses based on commodity price fluctuations. However, these revisions are limited to certain agricultural inputs like grains, milk, sugar, and meat, omitting other essential factors such as energy, labor, and packaging. A Senate report from the previous year revealed that revision clauses covering raw materials applied to only 20% of contracts, with most prices locked in yearly negotiations. 法國的EGAlim法案於2018年推出，並於2021年進行了更新，目標透過要求供應商和零售商之間的合約包含基於商品價格波動的自動價格修訂條款來提高農民的收入。然而，這些修訂僅限於一些農產品，如穀物、牛奶、糖和肉類，不包括其他如能源、勞動力和包裝等其他重要因素。去年的參議院報告顯示，僅有20％的合約涵蓋了與原物料有關的修訂條款，其餘多數的價格則固定在年度談判中。 Additional factors affecting prices include regulations limiting product discounts and promotional offers. Retailers are prohibited from discounting products by more than 34% of their value and from selling more than 25% of a product's volume in promotional deals under the EGAlim legislation. A new law, the Descrozaille law, extends the 34% limit to beauty, hygiene, and care products. Critics, such as Carrefour's CEO Olivier Bompard, argue that this law restricts retailers' bargaining power and ultimately benefits multinational corporations rather than small producers. 影響價格的其他因素包括限制產品折扣和促銷優惠的法規。根據EGAlim法案，零售商不得將產品折扣超過其價值的34％，也不得將產品銷量的25％以上用於促銷。一項名為Descrozaille的新法律將34％的限制擴展到美容、衛生和護理產品。家樂福的CEO奧利維爾·邦帕爾等批評者認為該法律限制了零售商的議價能力，最終受益的只有跨國公司而非小生產商。 Reference article: https://www.reuters.com/markets/europe/why-is-france-struggling-lower-supermarket-prices-2023-08-30/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

想了解AI卻不知從何開始？《數創實驗室》Podcast頻道幫你解惑！我是Vincent，擁有十年以上AI與大數據經驗，將以淺顯方式分享AI應用、技術與社會影響。訂閱《數創實驗室》，一起在AI時代學習！ https://fstry.pse.is/6pa3zj —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— ------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Summary: 討論文章: https://www.buzzfeed.com/briangalindo/foods-people-think-are-expensive-and-overrated McDonald's Taiwan recently broke the internet with its "Deluxe Lobster Roll" for NT385. This week Angel and I will talk about our first impressions of the lobster roll and what delicacies we would categorize as "overrated" or "underrated". 歡迎來分享給我跟Angel老師 Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Sucker n. 容易上當的人/蠢人 I am a sucker for the latest iPhones, but not a sucker for expensive food. 我通常都會跌入新iPhone的坑不過我不會跌入高級食物的坑。 2. Humane n. 人道 Gordon's videos online teaches us how to kill the lobster in a humane way. 主廚高登在網路上的料理影片教導我們如何人道的殺龍蝦。 3. Conspiracy theory n. 陰謀論 I love a good, juicy conspiracy theory. 我愛一個聽起來合理又滿滿是料的陰謀論。 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] Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K644: Argentina's Dilemma: The Love for Dollars and the Pesos' Future In Argentina, the allure of the US dollar is strong, as citizens grapple with rampant inflation exceeding 100% and a relentless devaluation of their local currency, the peso. María Barro, a 65-year-old domestic worker in Buenos Aires, exemplifies this struggle. Each month, she converts her peso salary into dollars as a safeguard against the eroding value of the peso. 在阿根廷，美元的誘惑力很強，因為市民們正在努力應對超過100％的嚴重通貨膨脹和當地貨幣披索的不斷貶值。瑪麗亞·巴羅（María Barro）是一名居住在布宜諾斯艾利斯的65歲家政工，她體現了這種掙扎。每個月，她都要將她的披索薪水換成美元，作為對披索不斷貶值的保護措施。 However, the fate of the peso now hangs in the balance, as Javier Milei, a libertarian radical, emerges as a formidable contender in the upcoming presidential elections. Milei, who faces stiff competition from both right-wing and left-wing traditional candidates, has made the bold promise of dismantling the central bank and adopting dollarization, making Argentina the largest experiment of its kind in Latin America. 然而，披索的命運現在岌岌可危，自由主義激進份子哈維爾·米萊伊（Javier Milei）在即將到來的總統選舉中嶄露頭角。米萊伊將面臨來自傳統的右翼和左翼候選人的激烈競爭，他大膽承諾解散中央銀行並實行美元化，使阿根廷成為拉丁美洲進行此類實驗中規模最大的國家。 Barro acknowledges the appeal of a dollarized economy but remains undecided about Milei's aggressive approach, marked by frequent expletive-laden outbursts against opponents, including the Pope. The debate over Milei's dollarization proposal has polarized opinions. Supporters argue that it offers a solution to the staggering inflation, while critics view it as impractical, fearing the loss of control over interest rates and money supply. 巴羅承認美元化經濟的吸引力，但對米萊伊的激進方式持保留意見，後者經常對包括教皇在內的反對者大放厥詞。米萊伊的美元化提案引發了兩極化的爭論。支持者認為這是解決驚人通貨膨脹的方法，而批評者則認為這是不切實際的，他們擔心會失去對利率和貨幣供應的控制。 Juan Napoli, a Senate candidate from Milei's party, Liberty Advances, concedes that Argentina is not yet prepared for full dollarization and suggests a gradual transition over a span of nine months to two years. He underscores the need for political consensus and sufficient reserves. 米萊伊所屬的自由進步黨的參議院候選人胡安·納波利（Juan Napoli）承認，阿根廷還沒有準備好全面實施美元化，建議在九個月到兩年的時間內進行逐步過渡。他強調需要政治共識和足夠的儲備。 Dollarization has been attempted in various forms in other countries, with outcomes ranging from success to abandonment. Argentina had a brief experience with dollar pegging in the 1990s, which ultimately ended in crisis and currency devaluation. The nation's potential full-scale dollarization would be a unique and colossal endeavor, given its size and economic significance globally. 美元化在其他國家以不同形式嘗試過，結果從成功到放棄不等。阿根廷在1990年代曾經短暫實行美元鎖匯，但最終危機爆發，貨幣貶值。如果全面實行美元化，將是一個獨特且龐大的嘗試，考慮到其在全球的規模和經濟重要性。 Despite the country's challenges, some Argentines remain skeptical of dollarization, fearing dependence on the United States. Recent polls indicate growing opposition to the idea, even as inflation continues to rise. 儘管面臨種種挑戰，一些阿根廷人仍對美元化持懷疑態度，擔心會依賴美國。最近的民意調查顯示，盡管通脹持續上升，但越來越多的人反對這個想法。 Milei's rivals, Economy Minister Sergio Massa and conservative ex-security minister Patricia Bullrich, have rejected the notion of dollarization as unworkable. The government's $44 billion loan program with the IMF further complicates economic policy decisions, with dollarization becoming part of the discussion. 米萊伊的競爭對手，經濟部長塞爾希奧·馬薩（Sergio Massa）和保守的前安全部長帕特里夏·布利奇（Patricia Bullrich），均反對美元化的概念，認為不可行。政府與國際貨幣基金組織（IMF）的440億美元貸款計劃進一步複雜化了經濟政策的決策，美元化成為討論的一部分。 For many Argentines, the trauma of past financial crises, such as the "corralitos," where deposits were seized or forcibly converted, has left deep scars and fueled a preference for holding dollars outside the banking system. Consequently, reconnecting these dollars with the formal financial system has become a pressing issue. 對許多阿根廷人來說，過去金融危機的創傷，如1999年和2002年的"corralitos"，其中存款被沒收、凍結或強制兌換，已留下深深的傷痕，並激發了他們將美元保存在銀行體系之外的偏好。因此，重新將這些美元與正式金融體系重新聯繫已經成為一個迫切的問題。 In conclusion, Argentina stands at a crossroads as it grapples with the allure of the US dollar amid economic turmoil. Milei's proposal to adopt dollarization, while divisive, offers a potential solution to the nation's longstanding inflation problem. However, the complexities, potential risks, and the deep-seated distrust of the peso make this a contentious issue that will likely continue to dominate Argentina's political landscape for some time to come. 總之，阿根廷在應對經濟困難時，面臨著對美元的吸引力。米萊伊提出採用美元化的提議，雖然有爭議，但提供了解決該國長期通脹問題的潛在方案。然而，披索存在的複雜性、潛在風險以及對其深深的不信任使得這個問題充滿爭議，可能將繼續主導阿根廷政治格局相當一段時間。 Reference article: https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/argentina-dollar-love-affair-agonizes-over-divorcing-peso-2023-09-05/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep.K643: Panama Canal Faces Ship Traffic Limits Amid Drought Impact The Panama Canal, a crucial maritime passage connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, is confronting a significant challenge as its water levels drop due to an ongoing drought. This environmental concern has compelled officials to implement restrictions on the number of ships that can navigate through the canal on a daily basis. 巴拿馬運河是連接大西洋與太平洋的關鍵海上通道，目前正面臨因持續性旱災而造成水位下降的重大挑戰。這個環境議題已經迫使官方針對每天通過運河的船隻數量實施限制。 Ricaurte Vásquez Morales, the canal's administrator, disclosed that the operating team has made the difficult decision to limit the passage of ships to a maximum of 32 per day. This marks a reduction of approximately 14% from the usual average of 36 to 38 daily ship transits. The rationale behind this measure lies in the canal's reliance on freshwater rather than seawater. Insufficient rainfall during the summer season has adversely affected the canal's water supply, leading to a diminished capacity to accommodate regular traffic. 巴拿馬運河的總管Ricaurte Vásquez Morales透露，運河的營運團隊已經做出了艱難的決定，將每天通過運河的船隻數量限制為最多32艘。這表示了每天船舶過境數量從平常的36到38艘左右減少了約14％。這項措施背後的理由在於，運河依賴的是淡水而不是海水。夏季期間降雨不足對運河的水供應造成了不利影響，導致運河容納常規交通的能力減弱。 As a direct consequence of the constrained ship traffic, the Panama Canal is also bracing for a potential financial setback. Vásquez expressed concerns that the canal's earnings could plunge by a staggering $200 million in the upcoming year. This sharp decline in revenue is primarily attributed to the projected loss of income resulting from reduced ship movements. 作為限制船舶交通的直接後果，巴拿馬運河也在為可能的財務下滑做好準備。Vásquez表達了擔憂，運河的收入可能在未來一年內暴跌多達2億美元。收入急遽下降的主要原因來自於預計減少的船隻運行量導致的收入損失。 Notably, the Panama Canal's unique reliance on freshwater sets it apart from other maritime routes that utilize seawater for their operations. Vásquez highlighted this distinction, emphasizing the challenges posed by the current drought. In light of these difficulties, he stressed the necessity of adaptation to ensure the canal's viability as an indispensable international trade route. 值得注意的是，巴拿馬運河獨特的淡水依賴使其與其他利用海水運作的海上航線有所不同。Vásquez強調這個區別，強調目前因旱災帶來的挑戰。鑑於這些困難，他強調必須進行適應以確保運河作為不可或缺的國際貿易通道的生存能力。 The situation is further compounded by meteorological projections indicating the possible exacerbation of the drought. The El Niño climate pattern, known for causing both drought and flooding in the Pacific Ocean, could potentially worsen the already precarious water supply situation of the canal. 氣象預測進一步加劇了旱災的可能情況。以造成太平洋上旱災和洪水的聖嬰現象模式，可能會使運河已經不穩定的供水情況惡化。 In response to these challenges, Vásquez emphasized the urgency of finding alternative solutions to maintain the canal's relevance for global trade. He candidly stated that failure to adapt to the evolving circumstances could prove detrimental, even leading to the canal's eventual decline. Vásquez also acknowledged that continued limitations on ship traffic might prompt shipping companies to explore alternative routes, underscoring the need for prompt and effective action. 為應對這些挑戰，Vásquez強調了尋找替代方案以保持運河對全球貿易重要的迫切性。他坦率地表示，未能適應不斷變化的情況可能會對運河產生不利影響，甚至可能導致運河最終衰退。Vásquez還承認，對船舶交通的持續限制可能會促使航運公司探索替代航線，強調必須迅速且有效的採取行動。 Reference article: https://www.businessinsider.com/panama-canal-drought-travel-ships-income-falling-el-nino-2023-8 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Topic: Apple Feels the Sting From an Oscar Slap Apple has a Will Smith problem. 蘋果有個威爾史密斯的麻煩。 Smith is the star of “Emancipation,” a film set during the Civil War era that Apple envisioned as a surefire Oscar contender when it wrapped filming earlier this year. But that was before Smith strode onto the stage at the Academy Awards in March and slapped comedian Chris Rock, who had made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. 史密斯是「解放」（暫譯）的主角，這部設定於南北戰爭期間的電影今年初拍攝殺青時，蘋果視為奧斯卡必勝參賽者，但那是在3月的奧斯卡頒獎典禮前。史密斯在典禮時走上舞台，掌摑喜劇演員克里斯洛克，因為他開了史密斯妻子、潔達蘋姬史密斯的玩笑。 Will Smith, who also won best actor that night, has since surrendered his membership in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and has been banned from attending any Academy-related events, including the Oscar telecast, for the next decade. 威爾史密斯那晚贏得最佳男主角獎，那之後他退回美國影藝學院會員資格，且被禁止未來十年參加所有學院相關活動，包括奧斯卡獎。 Now Apple finds itself left with a $120 million unreleased awards-style movie featuring a star no longer welcome at the biggest award show of them all and a big question: Can the film, even if it succeeds artistically, overcome the baggage that now accompanies Smith? 現在蘋果發現，它花1.2億美元拍攝這部符合奧斯卡得獎風格的未上映電影，片中明星在這個最大獎項會場卻已不再受歡迎。一個很大問題是：即使在藝術上成功了，這部電影如今能夠克服史密斯帶來的包袱嗎？ According to three people involved with the film who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the company’s planning, there have been discussions inside Apple to release “Emancipation” by the end of the year, which would make it eligible for awards consideration. Variety reported in May, however, that the film’s release would be pushed into 2023. 要求匿名談論蘋果公司計畫的三名參與電影人士說，蘋果內部曾討論在今年底前上映「解放」，好讓電影符合獎項考慮資格。然而，「綜藝」雜誌5月報導，電影上映可能推遲到2023年。 When asked for this article how and when it planned to release “Emancipation,” Apple declined to comment. 當被問到計畫如何及何時上映「解放」時，蘋果拒絕置評。 “Emancipation,” directed by Antoine Fuqua (“Training Day”) and with a script by William Collage, is based on the true story of a slave known as “Whipped Peter,”who joined the Union Army while still in the South. 「解放」由「震撼教育」導演安東尼法奎執導，編劇為比爾克爾吉，根據一名叫做「鞭傷彼得」的奴隸，在南方加入聯邦軍的真實故事改編。 Apple set up a general audience test screening of “Emancipation” in Chicago earlier this year, according to three people with knowledge of the event who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to discuss it publicly. They said it generated an overwhelmingly positive reaction, specifically for Smith’s performance, which one of the people called “volcanic.” Audience members, during the after-screening feedback, said they were not turned off by Smith’s recent public behavior. 根據三名知曉活動、但不被允許公開談論此事而匿名的人士表示，蘋果今年初在芝加哥進行一場針對一般大眾的「解放」試映。他們說，電影得到驚人的正面反應，特別是史密斯的演技，有人形容為「有如火山爆發」。在試映結束後的觀眾回饋中，有人說他們不會因為史密斯最近的公開行為而討厭他。 Smith largely disappeared from public view following the Oscars. But in July, he released a video on his YouTube channel in which he said he was “deeply remorseful” for his behavior and apologized directly to Rock and his family. 奧斯卡獎典禮後，史密斯幾乎自公眾目光中消失。但他7月在自己的YouTube頻道上傳一段影片，表示對自己的行為「深感悔恨」，並直接向洛克及其家人道歉。 Next Article Topic: Apple’s Eye-Catching New Home Disrupts Silicon Valley Things change when a spaceship comes to town. Tourists stroll by, whipping out their iPhones to get a photo. New businesses move in. And real estate prices go up even more. 當太空船來到城裡，許多事情都變了。遊客在這裡流連，迅速拿出iPhone拍照。新商家進駐。房地產價格漲得更高。 Apple’s new home in Cupertino — the centerpiece being a $5 billion, four-story, 2.8 million-square-foot ring that can be seen from space and that locals call the spaceship — is still getting some final touches, and employees have just started to trickle in. The full squadron, about 12,000 people, will arrive in several months. But the development of the headquarters, a 175-acre area officially called Apple Park, has already helped transform the surrounding area. 蘋果公司在加州古柏迪諾市的新家——核心是耗資50億美元（合台幣約1500億元），面積280萬平方英尺（約7萬9000坪）的4層樓環狀建物，能從太空中看到，當地人稱為太空船——仍處在最後裝修階段，員工才剛開始陸續遷入。總計1萬2000人將在數月內入駐。 不過，蘋果新總部修建已推動周邊地區的變化。新總部占地175英畝（約21萬坪），正式名稱是蘋果園區。 In Sunnyvale, a town just across the street, 95 development projects are in the planning stages. The city manager, Deanna J. Santana, said she had never seen such action before. In Cupertino, a Main Street Cupertino living and dining complex opened in early 2016. This downtown enclave includes the Lofts, a 120-unit apartment community opening this fall; small shops; and numerous restaurants and cafes. Other local businesses are also gearing up in anticipation. A Residence Inn at Main Street Cupertino, expected to open in September, has been slightly customized to meet the needs of Apple employees. Guests will have access to Macs and high-speed internet connections, said Mark Lynn, a partner with Sand Hill Hotel Management, which operates the hotel and consulted with Apple about what its employees need at a hotel. 在蘋果園區對街的桑尼維爾市，有95個開發案正規劃中。市經理迪安娜．桑塔納說，她未曾見過這樣的發展。在古柏迪諾，居住和餐飲綜合建築「古柏迪諾大街」在2016年初開幕。這個商業區包括有120戶公寓的社區Lofts，將於今秋推出；還有小商店、大量的餐廳和咖啡館。 其他本地企業也滿懷期待在做準備。古柏迪諾大街一間長住型飯店預計9月開幕，飯店稍微調整過，以滿足蘋果員工的需求。經營飯店的沙丘飯店管理公司向蘋果諮詢過其員工對飯店有什麼需求，公司合夥人林恩說，飯店客人有麥金塔電腦和高速網路可用。 “All the things we have, lined up with what they needed,” Lynn said. “They will represent a large part of our business.” Tech companies are nothing new for Cupertino. Apple has called the city home for decades, and Hewlett-Packard had a campus in Apple’s new spot, employing 9,000 people. The surrounding towns have been remade as well in the last decade, as giant tech companies have transformed Silicon Valley’s real estate into some of the most expensive in the country. 林恩說：「我們所有事物都配合蘋果員工的需求，他們會在我們業務中占很大比重。」 對古柏迪諾而言，科技公司並不新鮮。蘋果把這個城市當成家已有數十年，而蘋果新總部所在地曾是惠普一個雇用9000人的園區。過去10年，古柏迪諾周遭城鎮的風貌也翻新了，因為科技巨頭已使矽谷轉變為全美房地產最貴的地方之一。 But city officials and residents say this project is like nothing they’ve seen before. It is even bringing tourists. Onlookers snap pictures of the spaceship from the streets. TV helicopters circle above. Amateur photographers ask residents if they can stand on driveways to operate their drones, hoping to get a closer look at Apple Park. “I just say, ‘Hey, go ahead,'” said Ron Nielsen, who lives in Birdland, a Sunnyvale neighborhood across the street from the spaceship. “Why not?” 但城市官員和居民說，蘋果園區跟他們看過的其他開發案不一樣。園區甚至帶來了遊客。 遊客在街頭拍攝太空船的照片。電視台的直升機在它上方盤旋。業餘攝影師問居民可否站在他們的私家車道上操作無人機，以便更近一點看看蘋果園區。 尼爾森住在桑尼維爾市伯德蘭德地區，就在太空船對街，他說：「我就說，『好啊，行』，為什麼不可以呢？」 Source: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/315730/web/ Next Article Topic: New Apple Watch heralds ‘smart healthcare’ revolution for aging societies The new model iPhone was released mid-last month to a somewhat muted reaction from the market. However, at the same event Apple Inc also released an updated Apple Watch, called the Apple Watch Series 4, which showed that the company is working furiously behind the scenes to break into a new field, as it quietly builds an eco-system around “smart healthcare.” Due to the importance of safeguarding human life, the entry threshold into the healthcare market is high, but the potential rewards are significant. As humans live longer, we are becoming ever more reliant on technology and artificial intelligence as a means to look after our health. 新款iPhone在上個月中發表，市場反應是無甚驚奇。不過從同場發表的Apple Watch，可看出蘋果已在另一個領域鴨子划水，悄悄建起了生態系「智慧醫療」。因為人命關天，這是一個門檻極高的市場，但商機也很大，尤其在人類壽命愈來愈長的未來，勢必仰賴更多科技和人工智慧來照顧我們的健康。 The definition of “smart healthcare” is extremely broad. Starting with the da Vinci surgical robot, already on the market for over a decade, the area now includes specialist fields such as the automatic transfer of patient blood pressure monitoring data to hospitals and AI-assisted artificial gene synthesis (gene printing), which is able to rapidly compile DNA sequences and produce biopharmaceuticals. While attending a discussion forum by the Industrial Technology Research Institute in Taiwan last month, major pharmaceutical company Merck & Co predicted that revenue from AI-related health care alone — which currently stands at about US$600 million — will grow to around US$20 billion by 2026. Furthermore, AI constitutes just one small piece of the overall smart healthcare market. 智慧醫療的定義廣泛，從問世十幾年的達文西手術機器人、將數據自動回傳醫院的血壓機、到基因合成學借助AI及機器學習，能快速編寫DNA序列，製造生物藥劑來治療疾病等等。國際大藥廠默克上個月來台出席工研院產業創新論壇時就估計，目前光是與AI相關的醫療保健產值，全球約六億美元，二零二六年將達兩百億美元；而AI不過是智慧醫療的一小塊領域。 Humanity is on the cusp of an imminent medical care crisis. According to US research, there is a positive correlation between the patient-to-nurse ratio and patient mortality rate: For every additional patient that a nurse has to care for, the 30-day mortality rate for hospitalized patients increases by 7 percent. 人類面臨的醫療窘境，已迫在眉睫。美國研究指出，每位護理師照顧的病人數，和病人死亡率呈現正相關：護理師每多照顧一名病人，病人住院三十天的死亡風險增加百分之七。 As a result of various background factors, “smart healthcare” will be an unstoppable force in the future. As such, global manufacturers, whether involved in communications, machinery, pharmaceuticals or consumer technology, are all getting involved, and Apple naturally wants to claim a piece of the pie for itself. At last month’s launch of the updated Apple Watch, Apple revealed that the device now supports a heart rate monitor and wrist sensor and represents a significant step forward for the wearable device. Previously, the watch was only able to record a wearer’s heart rate, but the technology has been upgraded so that Apple Watch can now monitor a user’s heart condition in a way that provides real medical value. 在種種背景下，智慧醫療是必然之勢；因此全球廠商不論其專長是通訊、機械、製藥或3C，都在積極投入，蘋果當然也不缺席。上個月發表的Apple Watch，能支援心律檢測及手腕感應，這讓穿戴裝置邁進了一大步，從以往只能記錄心跳幾下，升級到可監測具有醫療價值的心律狀況。 In addition to the above new hardware functionality, Apple is also building a health eco-system. Last year, Apple embarked on a partnership with Stanford University Medical Center to found the Apple Heart Study program, which uses Apple Watch to collect large amounts of data on heart rate activity from volunteers. This year Apple has signed agreements with more than 90 hospitals across the US so that patients can use their mobile phones to access their own medical records, making it possible for users to bring their medical history with them wherever they go. If the results are successful, it may well create a snowball effect and spread to other medical institutions. 蘋果不只推出上述的硬體新功能，也在建構生態系。去年它和史丹佛醫學中心合作啟動「Apple Heart Study」計畫，透過Apple Watch收集自願者的心律大數據。今年又與全美逾九十家醫院簽約，病人可透過手機看到自己的醫療紀錄，落實病歷帶著走。若成效良好，未來很可能產生滾雪球效應，擴及更多醫療機構。 Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2018/10/09/2003701979/2 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 歡迎收聽本集的幕後教師室，本週來輪班的是派翠克老師啦！ 本集John老師問了派翠克老師一個埋藏在心中的小問題，為什麼在每集的英文比例越說越多？討論後才發現原來是心理學上的《變色龍效應》(chameleon effect)！ 另外一開始派翠克老師說自己的英文不夠好，其實也是另一個心理效應《冒名頂替症候群》(Impostor syndrome)。另外派翠克老師原來私底下除了心靈控制別人以外，還有在偷偷製毒..... 想知道怎麼學習英文，就別錯過這集派翠克老師的學習秘訣大公開！ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K642: The Unconventional Ferret: A Pioneering Tale from the Particle Accelerator World Step back to the 1970s, a time when laboratory protocols were less stringent than today. In this setting, a group of brilliant minds at what was then known as the US National Accelerator Laboratory, now recognized as Fermilab, embarked on an ingenious experiment involving a rather unexpected participant: a ferret. This intriguing story sheds light on the creative problem-solving that characterized the scientific community of the era. 回到1970年代，那是實驗室標準不如今天嚴格的時候。在這個背景下，一群聰明的頭腦，當時被稱為美國國立加速器實驗室，現在叫費米國立加速器實驗室，參與了一個創意實驗，其中涉及一位充滿意外性的參與者：一隻雪貂。這個有趣的故事啟示了當時科學界以創造力解決問題的特質。 In the winter of 1971, excitement buzzed around the NAL's Meson Laboratory as they unveiled the Main Ring particle accelerator. With a price tag of $250 million, this cutting-edge equipment consisted of a 4-mile tube intended to harness the power of magnets to accelerate protons and push the boundaries of scientific exploration. However, by spring, the initial optimism began to wane as contamination issues surfaced, leading to repeated magnet failures that threatened to derail the project. 在1971年的冬天，美國國立加速器實驗室的介子實驗室公開了主環粒子加速器，這項價值2.5億美元的尖端設備由一條4英里長的管道組成，主要利用磁鐵的力量加速質子，推動科學探索的界限。然而，到了春天，最初的樂觀情緒開始衰退，因為污染問題浮出水面，導致反復出現磁鐵故障，威脅著項目的進展。 The root cause of the problem, as it turned out, was the presence of minuscule metal shavings within the accelerator's confines. Yet, the challenge was far from trivial. The accelerator tube, with a diameter no wider than a tennis ball, posed a formidable obstacle for effective cleaning. This conundrum prompted physicist Ryuji Yamada to propose a novel solution involving magnets. But the crucial question remained: who would carry out this intricate task? 問題的根本原因是加速器內部存在微小的金屬碎片。然而，這個挑戰並不簡單。加速器管道的直徑不到一顆網球寬，對於有效清潔來說是一個艱鉅的阻礙。這個難題促使物理學家山田龍治（Ryuji Yamada音譯）提出了一個採用磁鐵的新解決方案。但關鍵問題仍然存在：誰將執行這個複雜的任務？ Enter Robert Sheldon, a resourceful British physicist, whose inspiration came from an unexpected source: ferrets. Drawing from the knowledge that ferrets were used for tunnel exploration by hunters, Sheldon saw potential in employing these agile creatures for the cleaning task. Thus, the laboratory contacted the Wild Game and Fur Farm in Minnesota, leading to the introduction of Felicia, a diminutive ferret equipped with a harness and a mission to navigate the accelerator's intricate tunnels. 轉到羅伯特·謝爾登（Robert Sheldon），這位機智的英國物理學家，他有個靈感來自於意外的來源：雪貂。謝爾登從獵人使用雪貂進行隧道探索的知識中得到啟發，認為可以利用這些敏捷的生物來進行清潔任務。因此，實驗室聯繫了明尼蘇達州的野生動物和毛皮農場，引入了一隻名叫費莉西亞的小雪貂，它配備了一個馬具，並且有著在加速器複雜隧道中巡查的使命。 With meticulous training and the promise of tantalizing treats, Felicia embarked on her unique role, scurrying through sections of the accelerator to clean away debris. Though her efforts were commendable, advancements in cleaning technology eventually rendered her contributions obsolete. The tale of Felicia, the intrepid ferret, remains a testament to the innovative spirit of the scientific community, showcasing their willingness to embrace unconventional solutions in the pursuit of knowledge and progress. 在細心的培訓和引人入勝的待遇激勵下，費莉西亞開始了她獨特的角色，穿越加速器的各個部分清除碎片。雖然她的努力值得讚揚，但清潔技術的進步最終使她的貢獻變得過時。這隻勇敢的雪貂費莉西亞的故事仍然是科學界創新精神的一個證明，展示了他們在追求知識和進步的過程中，願意接受非傳統的解決方案。 Reference article: https://www.sciencealert.com/bizarre-true-story-physicists-once-put-a-ferret-in-a-particle-accelerator Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K641: Japan Airlines Introduces Innovative Clothing Rental for Travelers Japan Airlines (JAL) has launched an exciting new service called "Any Wear, Anywhere," aimed at transforming the travel experience for those visiting Japan. This innovative service not only simplifies packing but also contributes to a more sustainable and eco-friendly way of traveling. 日本航空（JAL）推出了一項名為「隨心所穿，隨處可穿」的振奮人心新服務，希望能改變旅客造訪日本的旅行體驗。這項創新服務不僅讓打包行李更簡便，還有助於更永續、更環保的旅行方式。 The core concept of "Any Wear, Anywhere" revolves around the idea of packing light. Rather than burdening yourself with heavy suitcases, this service allows travelers to rent the clothing they need and return it at the end of their journey. This not only eases the stress of packing and carrying excessive luggage but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting heavier bags. 「隨心所穿，隨處可穿」的核心概念圍繞著輕裝的理念。與其讓自己背負著沉重的行李箱，這項服務允許旅客租借他們需要的服裝，並在旅程結束時歸還。這不僅緩解了打包和攜帶多餘行李的壓力，還減少了運送較重行李所產生的碳足跡。 For JAL passengers planning to explore Japan, the "Any Wear, Anywhere" service offers a convenient solution. The service can be accessed through the official website and is available during the trial period from July 5th, 2023, to August 31st, 2024. Once you've booked your JAL flight, you can reserve your desired clothing items online up to a month before your rental date. The rented clothes are sourced from excess stock and pre-owned garments, aligning with sustainable practices. 對於計劃探索日本的JAL乘客來說，「隨心所穿，隨處可穿」服務提供了便捷的解決方案。該服務可以前往官方網站進行確認，並在2023年7月5日至2024年8月31日期間進行試運營。一旦預訂了JAL航班，乘客可以在租借日前一個月內線上預訂您想要的服裝。租賃的衣物來自多餘的庫存和二手衣物，符合永續概念的實踐。 The available clothing options cater to both men and women, with prices ranging from JPY 5,000 to JPY 7,000. While undergarments are not included in the rental, the selection includes various sizes and styles suitable for different occasions and seasons. Currently, the service is tailored to adult travelers, but there is potential for it to expand to include children's options in the future. 所提供的衣服選擇包含男裝和女裝，價格從5,000日元到7,000日元不等。雖然租借範圍不包括內衣，但包括各種尺寸和風格，也能適用於不同場合和季節。目前，該服務專門為成年旅行者量身定制，但將來有可能擴展到兒童。 Returning the rented items is a simple process. Travelers just need to pack the clothing in the provided bag, attach the label, and hand it over to their hotel's reception. It's important to note that failing to return the items within two weeks may result in additional charges. Additionally, the service allows cancellations up to 7 days in advance without incurring any fees. 歸還租賃物品的過程非常簡單，旅行者只需將衣物放入提供的袋子中，附上標籤，並交給旅館櫃台。需要注意的是，未在兩週內歸還物品可能會產生額外費用。此外，該服務允許在提前7天內取消預訂而不收取任何額外費用。 Japan Airlines' "Any Wear, Anywhere" service is not only about convenience but also aligns with the growing emphasis on sustainable travel. By reducing baggage weight and promoting a circular economy through garment reuse, this innovative service showcases a greener approach to exploring new destinations. 日本航空的「隨心所穿，隨處可穿」服務不僅非常方便，還與逐漸受到重視的永續旅遊趨勢一致。透過減少行李重量，以及再利用服裝來促進循環經濟，這項創新服務展示了一種更環保的探索旅行目的地方式。 Reference article: https://soyacincau.com/2023/07/09/japan-airlines-any-wear-anywhere-clothing-rental-service/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Lexus: “The Relentless Pursuit of Perfection.” 專注完美，近乎苛求 成立於1989年，是日本汽車製造商豐田旗下的豪華車部門。Lexus品牌在全球 90 多個國家和地區銷售，是日本銷量最大的高檔汽車品牌。按市值計算，它已躋身日本全球十大品牌之列。 Lexus近期在台灣更成為豪車銷售市場的榜首，從今年2月開始，連續5個月坐穩銷售冠軍及豪華車市場同期最佳銷售實績，1到6月份累計銷售台數達16,946台，創下歷史新高成績，有望挑戰賓士在2020年設下的29,654輛豪華車障礙，改寫台灣單一豪華車品牌年銷紀錄。 冷知識：Lexus means luxury & elegance？其實他是一個來自希臘的名字 The name "Lexus" does not have a specific meaning in Japanese or any other language. It was coined from the words "luxury" and "elegance" to embody the brand's commitment to crafting luxurious vehicles. Lexus didn’t begin as "Lexus". The brand started as a secret project named "F1" which stood for "Flagship One". The aim was to create a world-class luxury sedan for international markets. The result was the Lexus LS 400, which debuted in 1989. Environmental Efforts: Lexus was one of the first luxury brands to introduce a hybrid vehicle, the RX 400h, in 2005. Their commitment to sustainability and efficient performance has expanded over the years with an increasing range of hybrid models. Mini: “You Don’t Need A Big One to Be Happy.” Mini (MINI) 是一個專門生產小型汽車的英國汽車品牌，(Suez Crisis)成立於 1959 年，自 1994 年起成為 BMW 的子公司。最初的 Mini 是英國汽車公司製造的一系列標誌性英國小型汽車。MINI 是世界上最小的汽車，銷售遍及109個國家，更有一票擁護者。 Brand Origin: The Mini was launched by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in 1959 and was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis. The main purpose of the Mini's design was to create a small, fuel-efficient car in response to the fuel shortages caused by the Suez Crisis in 1956. Mini Cooper: John Cooper, owner of the Cooper Car Company and designer of Formula One and rally cars, saw the potential of the Mini for competition. He collaborated with BMC to create a more powerful version of the model. Thus, the Mini Cooper was born in 1961, and the more powerful Mini Cooper S followed in 1963. Variants: Over the years, the Mini was produced in various forms – from vans and pickups to estate versions and even a beach car named the "Mini Moke." Cultural Icon: The Mini became a symbol of the 1960s British popular culture. Celebrities like the Beatles, Peter Sellers, and Steve McQueen all owned Minis, elevating its coolness quotient. 冷知識：你知道一台MINI COOPER最高曾經載過幾個人嗎？ 28個，由英國女子體操選手完成。 Tesla: ' This Year We Kill the ICE ' ICE：內燃機的縮寫（Internal combustion engine）內燃機的運用包含汽車、機車、輪船、飛機等交通工具。 公司由兩位矽谷工程師 Martin Eberhard 和 Marc Tarpenning於 2003 年創立，由於在2002年，中東的伊拉克戰爭，導致石油危機爆發，石油價格飆升，讓他們意識到全球經濟對於石油的依賴是越來越嚴重。他們希望證明“電動汽車可以比汽油汽車更好、更快、更有趣。2004年馬斯克以650萬美元投資特斯拉，以投資人身分，成為特斯拉的董事長。 Founding story: Contrary to popular belief, Elon Musk was not one of the original founders of Tesla. The company was founded by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning in July 2003. Elon Musk joined the company as an investor and chairman of the board of directors in February 2004, after leading Tesla's initial round of investment funding. Elon’s tenure as “technoking” In 2021, Elon Musk took on the title of "Technoking of Tesla," while the company's CFO, Zach Kirkhorn, became the "Master of Coin." While seemingly a playful move, it was officially filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K640: Citibank Taiwan Transforms as DBS Takes Over Consumer Banking Citibank Taiwan underwent a significant transformation as it concluded its consumer banking operations, resulting in the closure of 44 bank stores and the removal of 66 ATMs across the country on August 11th. However, the bank's corporate services will continue to operate without interruption. 台灣花旗銀行經歷了一次重大轉變，結束了其個人銀行的業務，在8月11日關閉了台灣的44家銀行分店並移除了66台自動提款機。然而，該銀行的企業服務將繼續運作，不會中斷。 Last December, Taiwan's financial regulatory body approved the acquisition of Citigroup's consumer banking business by DBS Bank, as part of Citigroup's broader strategic withdrawal from consumer banking across several regions, including Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Mexico. 去年12月，台灣的金融監管機構批准了星展銀行收購花旗集團的個人銀行業務，作為花旗集團從亞洲、歐洲、中東、非洲和墨西哥等多個地區撤出個人銀行業務的廣泛策略布局一部分。 DBS Bank is now poised to become the largest foreign bank in Taiwan, following the successful takeover of Citibank's assets and customer base in the country. The transition also impacts existing Citibank credit card holders, who will see a shift in ownership while maintaining their accumulated credit card rewards, cash back, miles, and points. These benefits, held by approximately 2.76 million cardholders, will remain intact even after the transfer to DBS Bank. 星展銀行在成功接管了花旗銀行的資產和客戶基礎後，即將成為台灣最大的外國銀行。這個轉變也影響了現有的花旗信用卡持有人，他們將看到所有權轉移，同時保留其累積的信用卡獎勵、返現、里程和積分。這些福利由約276萬位持卡人持有，即使在轉至星展銀行後也將保持不變。 Importantly, the rights and privileges promised to cardholders under their initial agreement with Citibank will remain unaffected unless the cardholder decides to terminate their card usage. 重要如下，持卡人在與花旗銀行的最初協議下所承諾的權利和特權將保持不變，除非持卡人決定終止使用其卡片。 For individuals holding accounts with Citibank, DBS has already initiated the process of transitioning to the new banking landscape. New bank cards have been dispatched to Citibank account holders as of July, and recipients are advised to activate these cards within three months from August 14th. Activation can be completed conveniently through the DBS Digibank app or at physical DBS locations. 對於持有花旗銀行帳戶的個人，星展銀行已經啟動了新銀行轉換的過程。新的銀行卡已於7月份寄送給花旗銀行的帳戶持有人，並建議收件人在8月14日起的三個月內啟用這些卡片。啟用方式可透過星展銀行應用程式或星展銀行實體店面簡便的完成。 In essence, this transformation marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan's financial landscape, as Citibank's consumer banking chapter draws to a close and DBS Bank takes the reins, focusing on providing enhanced banking services and experiences to their Taiwanese customers. 從本質來說，此項轉變代表著台灣金融格局的一個關鍵時刻，花旗銀行的個人銀行服務即將完結，交由星展銀行接手，繼續專注為台灣民眾提供增強的銀行服務和體驗。 Reference article: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4968942 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K639: Creative Cooling Solutions: Japan's Answer to Heatwaves Japan, renowned for its innovative prowess, has mastered the art of combating extreme heat. As the world grapples with rising temperatures, the Land of the Rising Sun offers an array of cooling solutions, from traditional philosophies to cutting-edge technologies. Japan unveiled a wealth of ingenious strategies that locals employ to stay cool amidst scorching weather. 以其創新能力聞名的日本已經掌握了對抗極端高溫的藝術。隨著全球面臨不斷上升的溫度，這個旭日東升之國提供了一系列的降溫解決方案，從傳統哲學到尖端技術。日本揭露了當地人在炎炎烈日下保持涼爽的聰明策略。 In the midst of July in Japan, foreign travelers found themselves facing sweltering temperatures exceeding 37°C. Walking outdoors felt akin to sizzling wagyu steaks on a grill. Yet, the locals displayed a remarkable composure, prompting us to investigate further. From Osaka to Kyoto, our mission was clear: escape the sweltering heat. Among the throngs of tourists, it became evident that the Japanese held the secret to staying comfortably cool. 在日本的七月期間，外國遊客們發現自己面對超過37°C的酷熱氣溫。走在室外感覺就像在烤架上烤肥牛牛排一樣。然而，當地人表現出非凡的沉著，促使我們進一步調查。從大阪到京都，我們的任務是明確的：擺脫炎熱。在眾多遊客中，顯然日本人掌握了保持舒適涼爽的秘密。 Japan's ability to blend ancient traditions with futuristic innovations becomes strikingly evident in its approach to handling heatwaves. The concept of "mono no aware," encapsulating the transient beauty of all things, offers solace in the face of intense weather. This philosophy, shaped by Japan's historical exposure to natural calamities, fosters an accepting outlook. Seeking refuge in tranquil Zen spaces like Kyoto's Heian Jingu Shrine garden provides respite. The garden's Bridge of Peace, adorned with furin glass chimes, emanates a sense of coolness, a metaphorical reminder of gentle breezes. 日本將古老的傳統與未來的創新融合的能力，在應對熱浪方面變得顯著。"物の哀れ"這一概念，涵蓋了所有事物的瞬息美，能在極端天氣面前帶來慰藉。這種哲學，受到日本歷史上自然災害的影響，培養了一種接納的態度。在像京都平安神宮的庭園這樣的寧靜禪修空間尋求避難，提供了喘息的機會。庭園的和平之橋飾以風鈴玻璃，散發著涼爽的感覺，象徵著和緩的微風。 Fashion plays a pivotal role in Japan's heat-survival toolkit. While tourists embrace light clothing, locals master the art of layering to keep cool while adhering to modest dress codes. Uniqlo's AIRism line, crafted from moisture-wicking fabric, epitomizes Japanese innovation. Further, the distinctive tobi trousers, reminiscent of MC Hammer's parachute pants, combine fashion with functionality. High-tech fan-equipped clothing further demonstrates the fusion of creativity and practicality. 時尚在日本的抗熱工具中扮演著重要角色。雖然遊客擁抱著輕便的服裝，但當地人則懂得如何通過分層來保持涼爽，同時遵守著適度的著裝規範。Uniqlo的AIRism系列以排汗面料製成，體現了日本的創新。此外，獨具特色的Tobi長褲讓人聯想到MC Hammer的降落傘褲，將時尚與功能性結合。配備高科技風扇的服裝進一步展示了創意和實用性的融合。 The Japanese vocabulary reflects their relationship with heat, offering a pragmatic understanding of weather conditions. This linguistic approach enables efficient planning, dressing appropriately for the anticipated climate. Additionally, summer's prevalence in ghost stories aligns with Obon, an August festival honoring departed ancestors. Television channels capitalize on this cultural connection, broadcasting chilling films that offer a literal and metaphorical chill. 日本的詞彙反映了他們與高溫的關係，提供了對天氣情況的實務理解。這種語言學方法使人能夠有效地計劃，適當地選擇適合預期氣候的服裝。此外，夏季鬼故事的流行與八月的盂蘭盆節相吻合，這是一個紀念過世祖先的節日。電視頻道利用這種文化聯繫，播放令人毛骨悚然的影片，帶來實質和隱喻上的寒意。 Culinary choices also play a role in battling heat-induced fatigue. Embracing spicy foods to induce sweat, thereby cooling the body, aligns with Japanese beliefs. Syncing with the environment, public spaces maintain a mild air-conditioning balance, a practice in energy conservation and personal comfort. Moreover, the ancient technique of uchimizu—sprinkling water on the streets—proves surprisingly effective in reducing ambient temperatures and controlling dust. 在對抗受熱引起的疲勞方面，飲食選擇也起著作用。食用辛辣食物誘發出汗，從而降低體溫，這與日本的信仰相符。公共空間保持溫和的空調平衡，與環境同步，這是節能和個人舒適的實踐。此外，將水灑在街道上的古老技術“打水”，在降低環境溫度和控制灰塵方面驚人地有效。 In this age of climate change, Japan's holistic approach to beating the heat serves as a model for others to emulate. From the wisdom of ancient philosophies to the ingenuity of modern inventions, the nation's multifaceted strategy sets an example for a world grappling with escalating temperatures. 在這個氣候變化的時代，日本對抗高溫的整體方法成為其他國家效仿的模範。從古老哲學的智慧到現代發明的創新，這個國家多面性的策略為面臨升溫的世界提供了一個示範。 Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230807-want-to-cope-with-heatwaves-look-to-japans-creative-cooling-solutions Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Topic: Water-Stressed India Seeks a Tap for Every Home The pipes are laid, the taps installed and the village tank is under construction — all promising signs that, come spring, Girja Ahriwar will get water at her doorstep and finally shed a lifelong burden. 管子鋪好，水龍頭裝好，村子的水槽正在建造。這些充滿希望的跡象顯示，春季來臨時，吉爾嘉．艾里瓦可以在家門口取到水，而且終於解除長期以來的負擔。 “I go out and put the jerrycans in the queue at around 5 a.m. and wait there with the children,” Ahriwar, a mother of three who lives in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, said about her routine of fetching from the village hand pump. “Sometimes it could take five or six hours. I have to stay there because if I leave, someone else moves ahead.” 「我大約在清晨5時出門，把大水桶排進隊伍，然後和孩子們一起等待」，住在印度中部中央邦、三個孩子的媽艾里瓦說，她的例行公事就是從村子的手動泵浦取水，「有時候得花五或六個小時，我必須一直留在這裡，因為如果我離開了，其他人就會搶先往前」。 India, one of the world’s most water-stressed countries, is halfway through an ambitious drive to provide clean tap water by 2024 to all of the roughly 192 million households across its 600,000 villages. About 18,000 government engineers are overseeing the $50 billion undertaking, which includes hundreds of thousands of contractors and laborers who are laying more than 2.5 million miles of pipe. 印度是全世界用水最吃緊的國家之一，在2024年之前提供60萬個村落共約1億9200萬戶乾淨自來水，這項宏大的計畫已進行到一半。約1萬8000名政府工程師監督規模500億美元的工程，包括數十萬名包商和工人，鋪設超過250萬哩的水管。 The project has a powerful champion in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has slashed through India’s notorious red tape and pushed aside thorny political divisions to see it through. His success thus far helps explain his dominance over the country’s political landscape. 這項計畫有個有力的擁護者：總理莫迪，他打破印度惡名昭彰的官僚作風，把棘手的政治分歧暫放一邊，推動計畫。目前為止他的成功也顯示他在這個國家政治版圖的主導力。 Modi has remained popular despite a weak economy and a bungled initial response to the coronavirus that left hundreds of thousands dead. He has increasingly relied on communal politics, continuing to consolidate a Hindu nationalist base he has worked for decades to rally. 即使經濟疲弱，且一開始對新冠病毒的笨拙反應造成數十萬人死亡，莫迪仍舊廣得人心。他日漸依賴宗教團體式政治，持續鞏固印度教國族主義基本盤，他投注數十年整合這些勢力。 But the mission to deliver water to every household combines two of Modi’s political strengths: his grasp of the day-to-day problems of hundreds of millions of India’s poor and his penchant for ambitious solutions. Modi, who grew up in a poor village, has spoken emotionally about his own mother’s hardship in fetching water. 不過，將水送到所有家戶的任務，結合莫迪的兩個政治力量：他對印度數億貧窮人口日常問題的理解，以及喜好採取極具雄心的解決方案。在貧窮村莊長大的莫迪，曾充滿感情的談到母親以前取水的困難。 About one-sixth of India’s households had a clean water tap when the program, called Jal Jeevan Mission, began in 2019. Now, almost half have one. 當這個「水生活任務」2019年開始時，印度家戶有潔淨自來水者約六分之一。現在，幾乎一半。 “You rarely have this drive from the government, the head of state, and it is well funded. Behind the concept, there is budget,” said Nicolas Osbert, who leads the UNICEF water and sanitation unit in India. “All social sectors were impacted by COVID. Not this one. This one was preserved.” 「你很少能從政府或國家領袖獲得這種推動力，而且資金充裕。在這個概念後面，重點是預算」，聯合國兒童基金會印度分部水資源和衛生主管歐斯柏特說，「所有社福單位都遭遇新冠病毒衝擊，但這個沒有，這個計畫保留下來」。 The country’s water problem speaks to the mismatch between its global economic ambitions and the dire conditions of much of its 1.4 billion population, two-thirds of whom still live in rural areas. 這個國家的用水問題顯示，其全球經濟野心和14億人口中許多人的悲慘情況，頗不相配。印度人口三分之二住在鄉村地區。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6034821 Next Article Topic: Typhoonless year brings water shortage in fall/winter Most years, Taiwan is hit by typhoons during the summer and fall, but we have yet to see a typhoon this year. This unusual situation has put pressure on water supply levels in reservoirs around Taiwan. 台灣每年夏、秋兩季颱風頻繁，但詭異的是，今年截至目前為止，竟無任何一個颱風登陸台灣，造成水庫缺水問題。 Due to global warming, the typhoons generated in the Pacific Ocean this year have all moved northward, bypassing Taiwan. Although successive fronts and afternoon showers have brought rainfall, it was only fragmented, covering limited areas and did little to replenish reservoirs. As a result, the reservoir storage this year is lower than in previous years. 這是因為全球暖化之影響，今年大平洋生成的颱風往北移，導致沒有任何一個颱風進來台灣，雖然陸續有鋒面及午後陣雨帶來雨量，但下雨範圍多為局部地區，導致水庫蓄水量較往年低。 According to the Water Resource Agency, as of 2pm yesterday, the Shihmen Reservoir’s water storage was 44 percent of capacity, the Feicuei Reservoir’s was 62.3 percent and the Zengwen Reservoir’s was 31.3 percent. Two of the three major water reservoirs have less than 50 percent of their water storage capacity. 水利署資料顯示，截至昨日下午二時為止，石門水庫蓄水量為百分之四十四，翡翠水庫蓄水量百分之六十二點三，曾文水庫蓄水率百分之三十一點三，三大水庫中有兩座儲水量低於五成。 In order to prepare for demand for water next year, the government has decided to implement three measures to control water usage. Firstly, starting from last Wednesday, night water pressure in the Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli areas was to be lowered from 11pm through to 5am the following day. Secondly, the irrigation of some areas of Taoyuan, Hsinchu and Miaoli was to be suspended, and farmers affected by the measures will receive government compensation. Thirdly, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is setting up a central drought response center to better respond to the crisis and to distribute water resources according to needs. Taiwanese are advised to take water-saving measures. 為審慎因應明年用水需求，政府實施三項因應措施。第一，桃竹苗中自上週三起，每天晚上十一點至隔日清晨五點實施減壓供水；第二，桃竹苗部分地區的農田，將停止供灌，政府也會給予補償，維持農民生活；第三，經濟部將成立抗旱中央應變中心，拉高應變層級，做好調度節水，更請全民配合省水。Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/10/19/2003745390 Next Article Topic: Gel-like ice is the lightest form of waterer ever discovered 迄今發現最輕盈的水形態，凝膠般的冰 The frosty cubes we pull from our freezers are just one of 17 possible types of ice, and an 18th type isn’t far from being made real. 我們從冰箱裡拿出來的冰塊，只是17種可能出現的冰類型之一，而第18種冰類型的出現，距離也不遠了。 Hexagonal ice, and the occasional cubic ice in our upper atmosphere, are the only two forms that occur naturally on Earth. Other ices might be found on exoplanets or in the atmospheres of the outer planets. 「六角形晶體結構冰」和偶爾出現的「立方體構冰」存在於我們的上層大氣，是唯二能在地球上自然形成的冰類型。其他類型的冰，則可見於系外行星或外行星的大氣層中。 Under atmospheric pressure or higher, water molecules get squeezed and freeze into a solid denser than normal ice. But when the pressure drops below this, water molecules become a less-dense, lightweight crystal that’s more air than molecule – like an icy candy floss. So far, we only know of two kinds of low-density ice: space fullerenes and zeolitic ices. But lighter ice structures hadn’t been spotted until now. 在一般大氣壓力或更高壓的情況下，被擠壓的水分子凝固成比正常水冰更密集的固體。不過，當大氣壓力降低，水分子會轉變成輕盈、密度較低的晶體，分子內含有更多空氣，就像是冰的棉花糖。目前，我們只知道兩種低密度的冰：「富勒烯冰」和「沸石冰」。更輕盈的冰結構，迄今仍未被辨識。 Masakazu Matsumoto at Okayama University in Japan and his team played molecular Jenga to find this new type of ice, removing and reconfiguring existing zeolitic ice structures to make them lighter. They found more than 300 different nanoscale structures through computer simulations. 日本岡山理科大學的松本正和研究團隊，透過分子疊疊樂，發現這款新類型的冰；他們移除並重新配置既存的「沸石冰」結構，使其更加輕盈。研究團隊透過電腦模擬，找出超過300種不同的奈米尺度結構。Source article: http://iservice.ltn.com.tw/Service/english/english.php?engno=1161164&day=2017-12-18 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 本集的 Teacher's Lounge 開頭是大家敲碗多時的Angel老師！John老師和Angel老師一起讀了我們【社會人核心英語】的課程問卷回覆，其中有好多位老朋友對老師們留下了各種鼓勵以及寶貴的回饋，這些回饋不僅是我們節目成長的關鍵，也是催生通勤學英語2.0計畫，推動我們提供更有價值內容的動力。 接下來，Angel老師分享了在成為一名空服員的過程中所積累的寶貴經驗。她強調了準備過程中的大量英語應用，包括英文口試和與機組人員及乘客演練的有效溝通。對進入航空業有興趣的通勤家族們要準備好筆記重點啦！ 最後，我們鼓勵大家繼續精進學習英語，這是實現夢想的關鍵之一。無論你的目標是成為空服員，或是在其他領域取得成功，精通英語都不只是一個強大的工具，更像是多了一顆腦袋，讓你的人生更寬闊，能追求更美好的未來！ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K638: Grab and Foodpanda Enter Dine-In Services Amidst Growth Transition In response to shifting consumer behavior post-pandemic, Singapore-based food delivery giants, Grab and Foodpanda, are diversifying into the dine-in sector. As daily routines normalize and people venture out more frequently, these platforms are tapping into the dine-in experience to offer convenience and affordability. 作為對後疫情時期消費者行為變化的回應，總部位於新加坡的食品外送巨頭Grab和Foodpanda正將業務多元化至內用領域。隨著日常生活恢復正常並有更多人經常外出，這些平台正嘗試前進內用體驗，提供便捷且實惠的服務。 Grab has initiated a dine-in feature trial across 15 cities in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. This feature enables users to pre-purchase dine-in vouchers at discounts of up to 50%. Additionally, users can access restaurant menus, read reviews, place orders, and pay using a QR-based system, all within the app. The company plans to expand this service to Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam in the near future. Grab已在新加坡、泰國和印尼的15個城市開展內用功能試驗。此功能讓用戶可以預先購買最高折扣達50%的用餐券。此外，用戶可以在應用程式內查看餐廳菜單，閱讀評論，下訂單並使用QR code系統付款。該公司計劃在不久的將來將此服務擴展至馬來西亞、菲律賓和越南。 Foodpanda was a pioneer in introducing dine-in features in Singapore back in 2021. This innovation, known as Foodpanda Dine-in, has since expanded to include multiple countries such as Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Across these nations, over 8,000 restaurants have joined the platform, offering dine-in discounts ranging from 15% to 25%. Foodpanda在2021年首次引入了內用功能，成為新加坡的先驅。這一創新，即Foodpanda Dine-in，後續已擴展到多個國家，包括泰國、菲律賓、馬來西亞、香港、巴基斯坦和孟加拉。在這些國家，已有超過8,000家餐廳加入平台，提供範圍在15%至25%的用餐折扣。 Foodpanda's Asia Pacific CEO, Jakob Sebastian Angele, expressed the platform's enthusiasm for dine-in services, foreseeing considerable potential in this expansion. Despite its growth in the dine-in sector, food delivery remains Foodpanda's primary focus, followed by grocery delivery. In collaboration with restaurant solutions provider TabSquare, Foodpanda has also launched automated food ordering processes through digital menus and QR codes, aiming to enhance the dining experience. Foodpanda的亞太區CEO Jakob Sebastian Angele表達了平台對內用服務的熱情，預見了此擴展業務的巨大潛力。儘管在內用領域有了增長，但美食外送仍然是Foodpanda的主要項目，其次是生鮮雜貨外送。Foodpanda還與餐廳服務供應商TabSquare合作，通過電子菜單和QR code推出了自動化的點餐流程，要進一步提升用餐體驗。 With increasing dining costs due to inflation, Grab's dine-in discounts have been welcomed by consumers. This not only facilitates restaurant discovery but also makes dining out more affordable. Analysts believe that Grab's dine-in service can indirectly generate additional revenue by earning commission fees on dine-in voucher purchases. 由於通貨膨漲導致用餐成本上升，Grab的內用折扣受到了消費者的歡迎。這不僅有助於讓餐廳被注意到，還使外出用餐變得更加經濟實惠。分析師們認為，Grab的內用服務能通過販售餐券取得佣金，間接地產生額外收入。 While both Grab and Foodpanda experienced impressive growth over the past few years, the rate has been moderating recently as customers return to their regular routines. Benchmark Company, an investment banking firm, projects a normalized food delivery growth with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13% through 2025. This adjustment is attributed to shifting consumer preferences, reduced incentives, and the gradual return to in-person dining. 儘管Grab和Foodpanda在過去幾年中經歷了令人印象深刻的增長，但近期增長率有所趨緩，因為客戶開始回歸正常生活節奏。基準資本（Benchmark Company）預測，到2025年，食品外送將進入正常增長軌道，其複合年增長率（CAGR）為13%。這種調整歸因於消費者偏好的轉變、減少的刺激措施，以及對面對面用餐的逐漸回歸。 The expansion of Grab and Foodpanda into dine-in services reflects a strategic response to evolving consumer needs post-pandemic. As more people seek affordable dining experiences and venture outside, these platforms are aligning their services with changing behaviors, providing not only food delivery but also seamless dine-in experiences. This transition is expected to contribute to the platforms' ongoing growth and expansion strategies. Grab和Foodpanda對內用服務的推展是對後疫情時期消費者需求演變的策略性回應。隨著越來越多的人尋求經濟實惠的用餐體驗並外出就餐，這些平台正在調整他們的服務以適應不斷變化的行為，提供的不僅僅是美食外送，還有無縫的內用體驗。這種轉變預計將有助於平台的持續增長和各種策略的推廣。 Reference article: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/03/food-delivery-apps-grab-and-foodpanda-expand-into-dine-in-services.html Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K637:Artificial Sweeteners Not Effective for Weight Loss and May Pose Health Risks, Warns WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a cautionary statement highlighting that artificial sweeteners are not a solution for weight loss and might even lead to increased risks of diabetes, heart disease, and mortality. Common sugar substitutes such as stevia, aspartame, and sucralose have been deemed ineffective for sustainable weight reduction and potentially detrimental to health, based on a comprehensive review of available evidence. 世界衛生組織（WHO）發出警告聲明，強調人工甜味劑並非減重的解方，甚至可能導致增加糖尿病、心臟疾病和死亡風險。根據對現有證據的全面審查，常見的糖替代品如甜菊糖、阿斯巴甜和蔗糖素（三氯蔗糖）被認為在可持續減重方面無效，並可能有害健康。 The WHO's systematic analysis revealed that the utilization of non-sugar sweeteners (NSS) does not yield long-term benefits in terms of reducing body fat for both adults and children. In addition to the lack of weight control advantages, there is a possibility of adverse consequences stemming from prolonged NSS consumption. The review notably identified a potential rise in the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, and overall mortality among adults. WHO的系統分析顯示，非糖甜味劑（NSS）的使用對於成人和兒童的體脂減少並無長期效益。除了缺乏減重優勢外，長期食用NSS還可能產生不良後果。該研究特別指出，可能會在成人中提高第二型糖尿病、心血管疾病和整體死亡風險。 Francesco Branca, the WHO's director for nutrition and food safety, emphasized that substituting sugars with artificial sweeteners does not provide a long-term remedy for weight management. He recommended exploring alternative methods to reduce sugar intake, such as consuming naturally sweetened foods like fruits or unsweetened products. Branca further emphasized that artificial sweeteners possess no nutritional value and advocated for an overall reduction in dietary sweetness to enhance health, starting from a young age. WHO的營養與食品安全主任弗朗切斯科·布蘭卡強調，用人工甜味劑替代糖分並不能長期控制體重。他建議探索其他減少糖攝入的方法，例如食用天然甜味的食物如水果或無糖產品。布蘭卡進一步強調，人工甜味劑沒有營養價值，他主張從年輕時開始減少飲食中的甜味，以增強健康。 Recently, a substantial study in France raised concerns about a potential link between artificial sweeteners and an elevated risk of cancer. National health organizations, including Canada's, have consistently advised against the necessity and effectiveness of zero-calorie or low-calorie sugar substitutes. 最近，法國的一項大規模研究引起了有關人工甜味劑與癌症風險升高的潛在聯繫的擔憂。包括加拿大在內的國家衛生組織持續反對零卡路里或低卡路里糖替代品的必要性和有效性。 The WHO's guidelines underscore that the consumption of sugar substitutes is unnecessary for curbing sugar intake. Instead, they encourage promoting unsweetened nutritious foods and beverages. The organization discourages the consumption of synthetic and naturally occurring sweeteners not classified as sugars, spanning options like acesulfame K, aspartame, saccharin, and more. WHO的指南強調，不需要食用糖替代品來減少糖攝入。相反，他們鼓勵推廣無糖營養豐富的食品和飲料。該組織不鼓勵食用未被歸類為糖的合成和天然甜味劑，包括安賽蜜、阿斯巴甜、糖精等。 However, the recommendations do not extend to personal care products containing NSS, nor to low-calorie sugars and sugar alcohols. These sugar derivatives, while not deemed sugar substitutes due to their caloric content, are commonly present in various sugar-free products like chewing gum. 然而，這些建議不適用於含有非糖甜味劑的個人護理產品，也不適用於低卡路里糖和糖醇。這些糖衍生物由於其卡路里含量而不被視為糖替代品，但常常存在於各種無糖產品中，如口香糖。 Critics have scrutinized the new guidance, asserting that it leans heavily on observational studies that do not establish a direct correlation between sweeteners and weight management. Experts also emphasized that the WHO's advice is directed towards governments and policymakers, not individual consumers. They highlighted potential confusion arising from mixed messages, where individuals are told to avoid both sugar-sweetened beverages and artificial sweeteners. 批評家對新的指南提出質疑，主張其過分倚賴無法建立起甜味劑與減重之間直接相關性的觀察性研究。專家們還強調，WHO的建議是針對政府和政策制定者的，而不是針對個人消費者的。他們強調一般大眾可能會因為被告知既要避免含糖飲料，又要避免人工甜味劑這樣混亂的信息而產生困惑。 Reference article: https://www.euronews.com/next/2023/05/22/artificial-sweeteners-dont-help-you-lose-weight-and-may-carry-long-term-health-risks-who-w Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Summary: 討論文章: https://www.techradar.com/seasonal-sales/best-back-to-school-sales It's the Back To School season again and this week Angel and I will talk about what was BTS for us like in High School and University. 歡迎來分享給我跟Angel老師 Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Out-of-town adj. 外地來的 Most students living in the dormitory are out-of-town students. 多數的住校生都是外地來的。 2. Mattress n. 床墊 For hostel students a mattress and duvet is one of the most important items for back to school. 對住校生來說床墊與棉被是最重要的返校物品。 3. Stationery store n. 文具店 During the BTS season, we love to go to stationery stores to stock up for the year. 在返校日，我們都很愛去文具店去補這一年的貨。 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] Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K636: Concerns Mount for Japanese Eateries in China as Fukushima Water Discharge Looms Just over three weeks have passed since China heightened its scrutiny of Japanese food imports due to radiation concerns, and Kazuyuki Tanioka, the owner of an upscale sushi restaurant in Beijing, is already grappling with fears about the future of his business. Tanioka's Toya, a renowned establishment that has endured the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, now faces a double blow – a decline in customers and a scarcity of seafood – in anticipation of Japan's decision to release treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea. This impending crisis is causing serious concerns for Tanioka, who describes the situation as a potential life or death scenario. 自中國因擔心輻射汙染而加強對日本食品進口的審查後，僅僅過去三個多星期，位於北京的高檔壽司店老闆谷岡和幸已經開始對生意前景感到擔憂。谷岡的東也是一家著名的壽司店，撐過了COVID-19限制措施帶來的挑戰，現在又面臨了顧客減少和海鮮短缺的雙重打擊－皆因為日本計劃將來自福島核電廠的處理過的放射性水排入海洋。這場迫在眉睫的危機讓谷岡深感憂慮，他認為這將是生死攸關的情況。 China stands as the largest importer of Japanese seafood. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster caused by the 2011 tsunami and earthquake, China initially banned food and agricultural product imports from five Japanese prefectures. This restriction was subsequently expanded to include ten prefectures out of Japan's total of 47. Despite these bans, Japan has consistently relied on China as its principal seafood export market. However, the recent surge in import restrictions followed the approval of Japan's plan by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to discharge treated water from the Fukushima site. China, along with domestic opposition, strongly criticized this decision, citing potential threats to marine life and human health. 中國是日本海鮮的最大進口國。在2011年的海嘯和地震損壞福島核電廠後，中國禁止了來自日本五個縣的食品和農產品進口。此後，中國將禁令擴大到日本47個縣中的十個縣。儘管有這些禁令，日本一直將中國視為主要的海鮮出口市場。然而，最近的進口限制激增是在聯合國核監督機構批准日本計劃將處理過的水排放到福島核電廠的海上之後。中國政府和國內的反對派強烈批評了這一決定，稱這種排放對海洋生物和人類健康構成潛在威脅。 The impact of these restrictions on imports has been substantial, with severe delays at customs and a notable decline in customers. Strident warnings circulating on Chinese social media platforms, asserting that Japanese food is radioactive and should be boycotted, have further deterred potential patrons. Kenji Kobayashi, a Japanese restaurant owner in Beijing, has seen a significant drop in his customer base this month, emphasizing the disparity between China's viewpoint of contaminated water and Japan's perspective of purified water as a key factor affecting public perception. 這些限制對進口貿易的影響非常大，造成海關嚴重延誤和顧客顯著減少。在中國社交媒體平台上流傳的強烈警告聲稱日本食品具有放射性，應該對其杯葛，這進一步阻止了潛在的顧客。在北京的日本餐廳老闆小林健二表示，本月他的顧客基數大幅下降，強調中國認為水受到污染，而日本則認為水被淨化，這種觀點的差異對公眾看法產生了重要影響。 Beyond restaurants, seafood suppliers are also grappling with the consequences. Longer wait times at Chinese ports, now averaging around three weeks, have prompted some suppliers to consider diverting shipments to third countries to circumvent the restrictions. This, however, presents challenges and financial burdens. Japanese officials have appealed to their Chinese counterparts to avoid a complete ban, but amidst the tensions, some Chinese diners support the stricter checks for the sake of citizen safety. With the impending discharge of Fukushima water, Japanese restaurant owners are adapting their strategies, exploring alternative seafood sources within China or from foreign suppliers, in a bid to ensure the continuity of their businesses. 除了餐廳外，海鮮供應商也面臨連串影響。中國港口的等待時間增加到大約三周左右，這促使一些供應商考慮將貨物轉運到第三國，以規避這些限制。然而，這帶來了挑戰和財務負擔。日本官員已呼籲中國官方避免完全禁止進口，但在緊張局勢中，一些中國食客支持更嚴格的審查，以保障市民的安全。隨著福島水的排放在即，日本餐廳的業主也正在調整他們的策略，探索中國境內或外國供應商的海鮮替代來源，以確保生意能夠持續。 Reference article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japanese-eateries-china-fear-ruin-fukushima-water-discharge-looms-2023-07-31/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K635: The Rise of Live-Quitting on TikTok: A Reflection of Changing Workplace Priorities In the era of the Great Resignation, where job turnover rates remain high, a new trend has emerged among young workers: live-quitting on TikTok. Instead of sending traditional resignation emails, these individuals are choosing to broadcast their resignations in real-time videos, often attracting millions of views. This phenomenon sheds light on the evolving attitudes of the younger workforce and the growing importance they place on mental health, happiness, and positive work environments. 在「大辭職」時代，員工流動率居高不下，一股新趨勢在年輕員工中崛起：在 TikTok 上實況辭職。這些年輕人選擇以即時影片直播辭去工作，而不是傳統的辭職郵件，這些影片通常吸引了數百萬的點閱。這種現象凸顯了年輕勞動力不斷演變的態度，以及他們對心理健康、幸福和積極的工作環境逐漸提升的重視。 Young workers, especially those from the millennial and Gen Z generations, are taking a novel approach to leaving their jobs. These live-quitting videos capture the exact moment when individuals make the decision to resign, whether by sharing a live Zoom call with their boss or recording the instant they submit their resignation letter. The phenomenon gained momentum after a viral clip in 2021 showcased UK McDonald's workers quitting in the middle of their shifts. Now, TikTok is flooded with similar clips, where users reveal their reasons for quitting, their emotions, and their sense of relief after making a life-altering decision. 年輕的工作者，特別是千禧世代和 Z 世代的人正在採取新穎的方式離開工作。這些實況辭職影片捕捉了個人做出辭職決定的確切時刻，無論是通過直播 Zoom 與老闆的電話，還是記錄他們提交辭職信的瞬間。這股現象在 2021 年的一段爆紅短片後開始蔓延，片中展示了英國麥當勞的員工在工作中辭職。現在，TikTok 上充斥著類似的片段，用戶在這些片段中透露他們辭職的原因、情感，以及做出改變人生的決定後的寬慰感。 The trend's roots can be traced back to the digital native culture of young individuals who grew up sharing personal milestones online. This familiarity with online expression and sharing has extended to the workplace, where quitting has become an event worth sharing. Additionally, the mindset of younger workers has been shaped by the aftermath of the 2008 economic crash, mounting student debt, and the disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they prioritize mental well-being, happiness, and a healthy work environment. Videos of people leaving "toxic workplaces" and challenging unfair bosses resonate deeply with this generation, portraying such actions as aspirational. 這股趨勢的根源可以追溯到成長於數位原生文化中的年輕人，他們在網上分享個人里程碑。這種在線上表達和分享的熟悉感已延伸到工作場所，將離職視為值得分享的事件。此外，年輕勞工的心態受到 2008 年經濟危機後的影響、日益增加的學貸、以及 COVID-19 疫情的顛覆性影響。因此，他們將心理健康、幸福和健康的工作環境放在首位。離開「有毒工作場所」並挑戰不公平老闆的影片深深地引起了這一代人的共鳴，將這樣的行動描繪成值得追求的目標。 One example of this trend's impact is Christina Zumbo, a former Australian government worker. Zumbo's emotional journey of quitting her job and the subsequent video she shared garnered significant attention. Her story resonated with many who felt the same struggles and fears surrounding big career decisions. This trend, she believes, highlights the importance of taking control of one's own happiness and forging a path aligned with personal aspirations. 這股趨勢的影響之一是前澳洲政府員工 Christina Zumbo。Zumbo 辭職的情緒轉折和她隨後分享的影片引起了極大的關注。她的故事使許多人感同身受，他們在面對重大職業決策時感到相同的困惑和恐懼。她相信，這股趨勢強調了掌握自己的幸福，並為實現個人志向鋪平道路的重要性。 Although the long-term effects of the #quittok trend remain uncertain, it signifies a broader shift in workplace priorities among the younger generation. These live-quitting videos advocate for transparency in the corporate world. As young workers continue to reshape traditional notions of employment, their willingness to share significant life moments online challenges conventional norms and encourages discussions around work-life choices in the modern age. 儘管 #quittok 趨勢的長期影響仍不確定，但它標誌著年輕一代工作優先事項的廣泛轉變。這些實況辭職影片倡導企業界的透明度。隨著年輕員工繼續重新塑造傳統的就業觀念，他們願意在網上分享重要的人生時刻，挑戰了傳統規範，並促進了有關現代工作和生活選擇的討論。 Reference article: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230321-quittok-why-young-workers-are-live-quitting-on-tiktok Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Topic: Sellout Culture Is a Problem for Pro Golf Even if you don’t play or follow golf — which I don’t — you’re probably aware of the controversy now engulfing the game. A number of the world’s top-ranked pro players, notably Phil Mickelson, made extremely lucrative deals to play in a new tour, the LIV Golf International Series, sponsored by Saudi Arabia. The PGA Tour, which has traditionally dominated the sport, responded by suspending 17 of these players. 即便不打或不追高球新聞—我也沒追—你也可能知道現在這項運動捲入爭議。一些世界頂級職業球員，尤其是米克森，達成極其有利可圖的交易參加沙烏地阿拉伯贊助的新巡迴賽，即LIV高球國際系列賽。傳統上主導這項運動的職業高球美巡賽（PGA Tour）對此做出回應，將其中17名球員禁賽。 The Saudis are obviously engaged in reputation-laundering — greenswashing? — in an attempt to make people forget about the atrocities their regime has perpetrated. It’s less clear what motivated the PGA. Did it consider the LIV series flawed, not a proper golf tour? Was it attempting to squash competition? Or was the problem with the LIV series’ sponsors? 沙國顯然在清洗名聲—是在「漂白」嗎？試圖讓人們忘記他們政權所犯下的暴行。目前還不太清楚什麼原因驅使PGA這樣做。它是否認為LIV系列賽有缺陷，不是個像樣的高球巡迴賽？它會不會是在試圖壓制競爭嗎？或是LIV系列賽贊助者的問題？ PGA attendees surveyed by ProGolf weekly were in no doubt: An overwhelming majority attributed Mickelson’s exclusion to “media/cancel culture.” And I hope they’re right. I mean, if getting paid big bucks to provide favorable PR to a regime that deals with critical journalists by killing them and dismembering them with a bone saw doesn’t warrant cancellation, what does? And yet Mickelson and others were willing to provide that PR. 接受《ProGolf》周刊調查的PGA與會者均無疑問，絕大多數將米克森遭剔除歸因於「媒體/取消文化」。我希望他們是對的。我的意思是，拿大錢幫一個政權提供公關服務，而這個政權把批評他們的記者殺掉還肢解，如果這不是一個取消的正當理由，那什麼才是？而米克森和其他人卻願意提供這種公關服務。 So if you ask me, the real story here isn’t that the PGA may (or may not) have found a line it won’t cross. It is that so many members of the American elite evidently have no such lines. 所以，若你問我，情況並非PGA可能（或可能沒有）找到一條不會跨越的線，而是這個美國菁英組織許多成員明顯沒有這樣的界線。 What explains the rise of sellout culture? Tax cuts may have played a role: Selling your soul becomes more attractive when you get to keep more of the proceeds. Soaring income inequality may inspire envy, a desire to keep up with the super-elite. And there is surely a process of normalization: Everyone else is selling out, so why shouldn’t I join the party? 如何解釋出賣文化興起？減稅可能起到一定作用：當你能保留更多收益時，出賣你的靈魂就變得更有吸引力。日益嚴重的收入不平等可能會引發嫉妒，讓人渴望跟超級菁英攀比。當然，這是一個正常過程：其他人都在出賣，那我為何不入群呢？ Kids used to look up to public figures, sports stars in particular, as role models. Do they still? Can they, given what public figures will do if the checks are big enough? 以前孩子們常把受人尊敬的公眾人物作為榜樣，尤其是體育明星。他們還會嗎？考慮到支票夠大時公眾人物竟然這樣做，他們還能嗎？Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/6413966 Next Article Topic: Why Are There More Successful Older Golfers Today? From the 18th fairway in the final group of the British Open in 2009, Tom Watson, the five-time Open champion, hit a shot that flew right at the pin. For a moment, it looked like Watson, then age 59, would win the tournament for a record sixth time and become the oldest player to win a major championship. 2009年英國公開賽最後一組第18洞的球道上，五屆冠軍華森一揮直飛旗桿。一時間，當時59歲的華森似乎將贏得創紀錄的第六座英國公開賽冠軍，並成為最年長的四大賽冠軍。 A firm bounce sent the ball off the back of the green, and Watson needed three more shots to get the ball into the hole. That dropped him into a tie for first. In the four-hole playoff, he ran out of gas and lost by six shots. 小白球強力彈跳後滾出果嶺後方，華森又花了三桿才把球送進洞裡。這使他落到並列領先。四洞延長賽，他精力耗盡，最後輸六桿。 A decade ago, the idea of an older golfer contending in, let alone winning, a major championship was something few considered. That was still the time when most golfers petered out in their mid-40s and kicked around the golf world before having a brief resurgence on the Champions Tour when they turned 50. 10年前，很少人料想得到年長的高球選手會參加四大賽，遑論拿冠軍。當時，大多數高球選手在45歲左右開始淡出，到滿50歲參加「冠軍」（譯註：長春）巡迴賽散發短暫餘暉前，其間在高球界四處晃晃。 Leading these middle-age mavericks is Phil Mickelson, 51, won the PGA Championship in May. He beat Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner, and Louis Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, who are both in their 30s. 這些不服老的中年高球選手領導人物是剛滿51歲的米克森，他在今年5月贏得PGA錦標賽冠軍。擊敗了都是30多歲的四屆四大賽冠軍得主科普卡與2010年英國公開賽冠軍歐蘇森。 “All these guys have taken a new approach,” said Dave Phillips, co-founder of the Titleist Performance Institute, which focuses on golf and fitness. “There’s a lot of money out there. They realize they can still compete with the younger guys, but they need to spend more time on their body and what they fuel their body with.” 高球與健身專門機構「冠軍競技表現研究所」共同創辦人戴維．菲利普斯說：「這些人都採取一種新方法。比賽獎金很高。他們意識到自己仍可跟年輕人競爭，只是需要花更多時間在身體及強化身體的物質上面。」 Phillips said what Mickelson and the others were doing provided lessons for older golfers. “It’s not strength, but the recovery and the downtime that matter,” he said. “It’s letting your body recover. Everyone wants to get fitter, stronger, faster. They’re upset when they don’t see the results. But what they’re doing is fatiguing to the body more so than a round of golf.” 菲利普斯說，米克森和其他人的作為，幫年長高球選手上了一課。「重要的不是力量，而是恢復與休息，讓你的身體恢復。每個人都想變得更健康、更強壯、更快。他們沒看到成果時會沮喪，但他們所做的事會讓身體遠比打一輪高球還累。」 Crucial for older players? Maintain leg strength, Phillips said, and that means walk, don’t ride, when you play golf. 對年長球員重要的是什麼？菲利普斯說，保持腿部力量，這意味你打高球時，要走路，不要搭球車。 It is experience, for sure, but that is a double-edged sword: With age, players are more knowledgeable about the nuances of the game and have, in theory, a better psychological understanding of what to do. But they have also failed to do that in similar moments in the past. 當然，這需要經驗，且各有利弊：隨著年紀增長，球員更了解比賽的精妙之處，理論上，他們在心理上對該做什麼有更好的了解，過去遇到類似時刻，他們就做不到。 “The reason we’re going longer is we have the financial security to go longer,” he said “We also have the sports science to reinvent ourselves.” 他說：「我們走得更久是因為我們擁有能夠走得更久的經濟保障，我們還有運動科學來改造自己。」Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5656437 Next Article Topic: Night Golf Is Taking Over South Korea City lights shimmer in the distance. 城市燈光在遠處閃爍。 Shadows splay in every direction on glowing green grass. 陰影在閃閃發光的綠色草地上向四面八方伸展。 It’s close to midnight, the moon hangs high in the dark night sky, and South Koreans are still outside, golfing. 現時已接近午夜，月亮高懸在漆黑夜空中，南韓民眾仍在戶外打高爾夫球。 This is “white night” golf, a nocturnal sports phenomenon in South Korea that reflects the still surging popularity of the sport there, the persistent challenges many encounter in nabbing a tee time in the country’s dense cities and the lengths to which some will nevertheless go to get one. 這就是「白夜」高球，南韓一種夜間運動現象，反映高球在南韓人氣持續攀升，許多人在人口密集城市內要預約打球遇到挑戰，不過有些人還是想辦法要打到球。 South Korea is the third-largest market for golf in the world, behind only the United States and Japan. 南韓是世界第三大高球市場，僅次於美國和日本。 For golf fans worldwide, the game’s grip on the country is most easily observed in its surplus of elite professional players, particularly in the women’s game. As of last week, 32 of the top 100 players in the women’s world rankings, including four of the top 10, were from South Korea. 對世界各地球迷來說，高球對南韓的吸引力，從菁英職業球員充斥南韓人最容易看出，尤其女子高球界。截至上周，世界排名前100的女子高球選手有32人來自南韓，前10名就有4位。 But on the ground, golf is very much a participatory pastime, even if the popularity of the sport and the undersupply of courses in metropolitan areas make opportunities to actually play scarce and expensive. Seoul, a city of nearly 10 million people, has only one course, and it is open only to military personnel. 但在當地，高球主要是一種大家親自下場的消遣，即便這種運動太受歡迎加上都會區球場供應不足，使得打球機會很少又昂貴。擁有近1000萬人口的首爾只有一個球場，且只對軍人開放。 Some make do with screen golf, a virtual simulation game played indoors, which has become its own booming pastime in South Korea, with some facilities offering 24-hour service. 有些人只好改玩螢幕高爾夫，這是一種在室內玩的虛擬模擬遊戲，在南韓已成為蓬勃發展的娛樂，一些場所提供24小時服務。 But golfers understandably desire the real thing. So what do you do when the demand for tee times outstrips the sunlight in a given day? 但可以理解的是，打高球的人渴望真實的東西，因此當某天打球時間的需求量超過日照時間，你該怎麼辦？ According to Seo Chun-beom, president of the Korea Leisure Industry Institute, South Korea now boasts a whopping 117 golf courses of 18 holes or more that offer nighttime play for willing golfers, with tee times as late as 8 p.m. Seo said there are countless other 9-hole courses that also feature floodlights and do not close until midnight or later. 韓國休閒產業研究所所長徐千範說，南韓目前有117座18洞或以上的高球場，可讓想打球的人在夜間打球，打球時間到晚上8點。 徐俊範說，還有其他無數個9洞球場也設有探照燈，開到午夜或是更晚。 Many people from Seoul, for instance, make the trek to Sky 72 Golf & Resort in Incheon, close to the area’s main international airport, where 2,700 lights have been installed to illuminate 36 of the facility’s 72 holes. 例如，很多來自首爾的人，會長途跋涉到靠近當地主要國際機場的仁川Sky 72高球渡假村，該處設有2700盞探照燈，能照亮72個洞當中的36個。 The concept of golfing under lights exists outside South Korea, of course. 當然，在燈光下打高球的想法在南韓以外也存在。 A writer for the website GolfPass last year counted 65 courses in the United States that featured at least some amount of nighttime lighting — although all but one of them were short courses. And courses in the United States that offer late tee times still close far earlier than those in South Korea, which often remain open as late as 1 a.m. 去年，一位幫GolfPass寫文的作家統計，在美國，擁有一定數量夜間照明設備的球場至少65座，儘管除了一座以外都是球洞較少的球場。而且美國晚間打球的高球場，打烊時間仍比南韓球場早得多，後者通常營業到凌晨1點。Source article: https://udn.com/news/story/6904/5574918 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 歡迎回到 Teacher's Lounge 幕後教師室第四集！暑假快結束啦，通勤學英語團隊也趁暑休的時候辦了一場謝師宴聚餐，今天就來跟大家分享一下當天的精采情況～ 當天一走進餐廳，我們就覺得和平時會造訪的店家很不同啊。首先John老師和阿鍵回顧了一下當天的菜色，兩人被新鮮切片的松露嚇到以為荷包不保，John老師接著談到了這一年來老師們的付出，從一開始的Gavin到Angel，然後是Patrick和Jemmy，每位老師在不同領域的專長都讓通勤家族收聽的內容更加豐富。Peddy和阿鍵的幕後支援則是讓整體運作更加順暢，同時我們也非常感謝各位通勤家族－家人們的支持。 接續著每位老師的部分，我們談到精選詞彙Vocab的片段，其實台灣在雙語化的路上已經隨處可見了，但大多數的情形我們還是只會去留意到中文部分，少數例外的情況似乎是品牌名稱！20年前的家樂福，我們不會念Carrefour，但今天的Costco, Ikea, Netflix我們則是不會去念好市多、宜家、網飛等等中文名稱。 其實通勤學英語每週的Vocab課程就是一種通過情境模擬和刻意練習，進而讓大家更深入理解單字應用的自然學習法。這集的最後John老師有分享一個轉述法，藉由將單字與情境聯繫起來，把它們內化成自己的一部分，從而加深記憶和理解。鼓勵大家多多練習，或是可以直接留言給通勤學英語，讓我們看看你對這集最有印象的是哪段故事喔！ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K634: Daring Deep-Sea Quest Unveils Secrets of Human Resilience and Rejuvenation In a remarkable confluence of scientific curiosity and human endurance, retired naval officer Joseph Dituri, an associate professor from the University of South Florida, has embarked on a pioneering odyssey, living underwater for an astonishing 100 days. This unparalleled venture seeks to unravel the physiological and psychological effects of prolonged exposure to extreme pressure, pushing the boundaries of human potential while offering insights that could revolutionize our understanding of health and rejuvenation. 來自南佛羅里達大學的一位副教授，退役海軍軍官約瑟夫·迪圖里（Joseph Dituri）博士，在科學好奇心和人類耐力的驚人交匯中，踏上了一次漫長而驚險的開創性旅程，在水下潛居驚人的100天。這個前所未有的冒險目標是研究長期暴露於極端壓力下，對人體生理和心理的影響，推動人類潛能的界限，同時提供可能徹底改變我們對健康和恢復活力的理解見解。 Dituri's aquatic haven, a compact 100-square-foot habitat nestled 22 feet beneath the ocean's surface at Jules’ Undersea Lodge in Key Largo, provided the backdrop for this extraordinary experiment. While navigating the depths, he simultaneously conducted online biomedical engineering classes, a testament to human adaptability and determination. 迪圖里的水下住所是一個精巧的100平方英尺棲息地，位於基爾拉戈（Key Largo）的朱爾斯海底旅館（Jules’ Undersea Lodge）22英尺深的海底提供了這個驚人實驗的場景。在這個非凡的實驗中，他在深海中航行的同時，同時進行了線上生物醫學工程課程，這是人類適應能力和毅力的證明。 Amidst this immersive journey, the limits of human physiology were tested and redefined. Rigorously monitored by a medical team conducting an array of tests, Dituri's health was meticulously scrutinized. The comprehensive study encompassed psychosocial, psychological, and medical assessments, including blood panels, ultrasounds, electrocardiograms, and stem cell evaluations. Beyond the physical realm, the study delved into the psychological effects of isolation, akin to space travel, offering unprecedented insights into the intricate interplay between mind and environment. 在這個身臨其境的旅程中，人類生理的極限受到了考驗和重新定義。在醫療團隊的嚴格監控下，仔細進行了對迪圖里身體健康的審查。綜合研究包括社會心理、心理和醫學評估，包括血液分析、超聲波、心電圖和幹細胞評估。超越了物理領域，該研究還深入探討了隔離的心理影響，類似於太空旅行，提供了關於思想與環境之間複雜相互作用的前所未有的見解。 Dituri's emergence from the depths was marked by astonishing revelations that challenge conventional paradigms. An analysis of his telomeres, the protective caps at the end of chromosomes, revealed a remarkable 20 percent increase, defying the usual age-related decline. Moreover, his stem cell count experienced an astounding tenfold surge, suggesting a potential avenue for cellular rejuvenation. Tangible health benefits accompanied these transformations, including improved sleep patterns, lowered cholesterol levels, and reduced inflammatory markers. These metamorphic changes, attributed to the pressure-rich underwater environment, mirror the effects of hyperbaric chamber treatments, offering tantalizing prospects for human health. 迪圖里從深淵回歸出現代表著令人驚奇的啟示，挑戰了傳統模式。對他的細胞端粒進行的分析，這些是染色體末端的保護帽，顯示出非凡的20％成長，違反了通常隨著年齡增加的衰減。此外，他的幹細胞數量經歷了驚人的十倍增加，表明可能成為細胞恢復的一個途徑。這些轉變伴隨著實際的健康益處，包括改善的睡眠模式，降低的膽固醇水平和減少的發炎物質。這些變化，歸因於壓力豐富的水下環境，顯示出了類似於高壓氧治療的效果，為人類健康帶來了誘人的前景。 Reference article: 1. https://www.usf.edu/news/2023/usf-researcher-attempts-to-set-world-record-by-living-underwater-for-100-days-hopes-to-emerge-super-human.aspx 2. https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/health-news/man-lives-bottom-atlantic-93-30162825 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K633: Taiwan Embraces New Global Sustainability Reporting Standards In a significant move towards enhancing transparency and consistency in sustainability reporting, Taiwan's Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) has announced its intention to adopt the newly endorsed International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) sustainability and climate-related disclosure standards by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). This adoption follows IOSCO's call to its 130 member jurisdictions, including Taiwan, to consider integrating these standards into their regulatory frameworks. 為了加強永續性報告的透明度和一致性，台灣金融監督管理委員會（FSC，金管會）已宣布其意圖採用國際證監會組織（IOSCO）新近認可的國際財務報導準則（IFRS）永續性和與氣候有關的披露標準。這次的採納遵循了IOSCO對其130個會員管轄區的呼籲，包括台灣在內，必須考慮將這些標準納入其監管框架。 IOSCO, an association overseeing global securities and futures markets, recognizes the importance of these standards in establishing a universal framework for sustainability information. The IFRS sustainability standards, designated as IFRS S1 and IFRS S2, were introduced by the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) of the IFRS Foundation. These standards emphasize coherence between sustainability information and financial statements, aiming to provide comprehensive insights to investors. 作為一個監管全球證券和期貨市場的協會，IOSCO明白了解這些標準普遍框架方面的重要性。國際財務報導準則（IFRS）的永續性標準，即IFRS S1和IFRS S2，由國際財務報導準則基金會的國際永續發展標準委員會（ISSB）引入。這些標準強調了永續發展信息與財務報表之間的一致性，旨在為投資者提供全面的洞察。 IFRS S1 underscores the alignment between sustainability information and financial statements, requiring simultaneous reporting of both to facilitate holistic evaluation of a company's value by investors. On the other hand, IFRS S2 incorporates recommendations from the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD), enhancing disclosures related to transition plans, climate resilience, greenhouse gas emissions, and industry-specific indicators. IFRS S1強調永續信息與財務報表之間的一致性，要求同時報告兩者，以便投資者可以綜合評估公司的價值。另一方面，IFRS S2納入了與任務部門有關的氣候相關財務揭露（TCFD）的建議，增強了與過渡計劃、氣候適應能力、溫室氣體排放以及行業特定指標相關的披露。 Taiwan's FSC is implementing a phased approach to adopting these standards. The commission has already initiated a sustainability development action plan for listed companies, promoting active engagement in sustainability information disclosure. To harmonize with international standards and offer reliable data to investors, the FSC has formed a working group to translate the IFRS sustainability disclosure standards, analyze discrepancies with current reporting practices, and establish guidelines for reference. 台灣的金管會正在實施分階段採用這些標準的方法。該委員會已經啟動了一個針對上市公司的永續發展行動計劃，鼓勵主動參與永續發展信息的披露。為了與國際標準保持一致並向投資者提供可靠的數據，金管會成立了一個工作小組，以翻譯IFRS的永續披露標準，分析與當前報告模式的差異，並建立指南作為參考。 Embracing global standards is expected to bolster the credibility of Taiwanese businesses in the international arena and attract international investment. By adhering to these comprehensive sustainability reporting norms, Taiwan takes a noteworthy step towards transparent and credible disclosure practices, enhancing investor confidence in its capital markets. 擁抱全球標準有望增強台灣企業在國際舞台上的可信度並吸引國際投資。通過遵循這些全面的永續報導標準，台灣朝著透明可靠的披露作法邁出了值得注意的一步，提高了投資者對其資本市場的信心。 Reference article: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4959260 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 芭比 她觀察自己的女兒玩紙娃娃時，當時這些娃娃的型態雖然都是以嬰兒的樣式呈現，但她女兒卻會賦予這些娃娃成人的職業跟身分。因此Ruth認為這可能是玩具市場的一個新需求，於是他向自己的老公，同時也是美泰兒公司的合夥人Elliot提案，但第一時間，Elliot的回覆卻是：「No mother is ever going to buy her daughter a doll with breasts」 1959年全球首款的芭比娃娃登場，Ruth以她的女兒Barbara命名，乳名Barbie，這款娃娃要價3美元，腳踩細高跟鞋，身穿斑馬紋泳裝，綁著馬尾，娃娃的高度約30公分。 經過電視廣告推銷，在第一年就創造賣出30萬個芭比的佳績，Ruth以及美泰兒公司也更積極創造不同衣服、不同職業、不同款式的芭比，有趣的是，女孩們很愛芭比，但他們的母親並不喜歡。 1961年，芭比的男朋友Ken被創造了，這個娃娃的名稱，是來自Ruth的兒子Kenneth 1970年代，芭比因性別刻板印象的外型，受到當時逐漸萌芽的女權主義者反對，包含過度誇張的外貌形象、對於身材的完美要求等等，讓女性走上街頭，高喊「I am not a Barbie doll」 隨著時代演變，美泰兒公司也推出各式各樣，不同身形、膚色、種族的芭比，2022年，芭比的全球銷量替美泰兒公司帶進了14.9億美元的收入，目前為止，芭比的職業種類已多達200種以上。 美泰兒 全球前五大的玩具製造商，2022年營收為54億美元，除了芭比以外，他們另外有兩個代表性的玩具，Hot wheels & Chatty cathy。 Chatty cathy是一款會說話的娃娃，他以一個五歲的小女孩形象在1960年登場，只要透過後面的拉繩，他會隨機開口講出內建的幾個句子，這是當年僅次於芭比，第二受歡迎的玩具，由於他會開口講話的特性，在當時造成轟動，也讓許多玩具開始加入了開口說話的機制。甚至後來Chatty Cathy變成形容一個講話講不停的人。 Hot wheels風火輪小汽車，則是模型汽車，於1968年登場，創立過程是Eliot看見自己的兒子Kenneth在玩另一家玩具公司Matchbox（火柴盒小汽車）於是開始投入研發。 當時一發布就造成轟動，原因在於他們搭配了賽道提供孩子使用，同時在材質上也盡量選擇降低摩擦力、能夠更有速度感的輪胎，讓整個小汽車能夠提供小孩飆速的快感。 進入1980年，Hotwheels還推出了電腦遊戲、以及每輛車的收藏編號，讓有收藏癖的玩家們能夠滿足收藏的欲望。1997年，火柴盒小汽車被美泰兒公司收購，美泰兒成為了模型汽車界的霸主， 近幾年美泰兒更舉辦＜Hot wheel legend tour＞風火輪汽車比賽，美國各地都會有玩家來參賽，通常會在沃爾瑪停車場，展示自己設計的改裝車，並由評審進行評分，結果出爐後，美泰兒會將當年度的冠軍車，做成模型，以此紀念。 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K632: Tokyo's Nightlife Struggles to Recover Despite Global COVID Rebound Tokyo's nightlife is still struggling to regain its vibrant glow even as the global economy recovers from the impact of COVID-19. NASA's luminosity data reveals that the city's nighttime brightness remains at 90% of its pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while cities like Paris and London have fully regained their nocturnal radiance. 儘管全球經濟正從COVID-19的影響中恢復，東京的夜生活仍在掙扎著恢復其活力的光芒。NASA（美國國家航空暨太空總署）的亮度數據顯示，該市的夜間亮度仍然保持在2019年疫情前的水平的90％，而巴黎和倫敦等城市已完全恢復了他們的夜間亮度。 According to data processed by the Colorado School of Mines using NASA satellite images, Nikkei, a Japanese news source, has calculated the nighttime brightness of various cities during the April-October period of 2022. The findings show that Paris experienced a 3.2% increase in illumination levels and London saw a 1.4% rise from 2019 averages. However, Tokyo's luminosity dropped by 11.6%. 日本的新聞來源《日本經濟新聞》根據美國科羅拉多礦業學院使用NASA衛星圖像處理的數據，計算了2022年4月至10月期間各個城市的夜間亮度。結果顯示，巴黎的照明水平增加了3.2％，倫敦則增加了1.4％，而東京的亮度下降了11.6％。 This decline in Tokyo's nighttime radiance is largely attributed to the slow recovery of its central business districts, which were once bustling hubs for after-work socializing. The decrease in luminosity is more pronounced in entertainment districts than residential areas. Nightspots like Roppongi, Shinjuku, and Ginza saw light levels drop by over 15%. Downtown foot traffic in February was about 20% lower than three years prior, according to mobile location data from Docomo Insight Marketing. Labor shortages are exacerbating the situation, making it challenging for understaffed eateries to operate late into the night. 東京夜間亮度的下降主要歸因於其中央商業區恢復的緩慢，這些地區曾經是下班後繁忙的社交中心。亮度的下降在娛樂區比住宅區更為明顯。六本木、新宿和銀座等夜生活熱點的燈光水平下降超過15％。根據電信公司Docomo Insight Marketing提供的行動設備定位數據，2月份市中心的人流量比三年前少約20％。勞動力短缺也加劇了這種情況，使得人手不足的餐廳難以經營到深夜。 The decline in business hours has affected consumption patterns. According to TableCheck, customer traffic at Tokyo eateries in March was 14.9% below the 2019 average. Declines were steeper during late hours, with a drop of 44.8% between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. and 57.9% between 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. 營業時間的減少影響了消費模式。根據TableCheck網站的數據，2023年3月，東京餐廳的客流量比2019年平均水平低了14.9％。在深夜時段，下降更為明顯，例如下午6點至晚上10點之間下降了44.8％，晚上11點至凌晨2點之間下降了57.9％。 Takahiro Saito, representative director of the Japan Nighttime Economy Association (JNEA), emphasizes the need to attract different customer groups, such as families and foreign visitors, to revitalize the sector. He suggests increasing the number of downtown theaters and social events. 日本夜間經濟協會（JNEA）的代表董事Takahiro Saito強調了吸引不同客戶群的必要性，如家庭和外國遊客，以振興該領域。他建議增加市中心劇院和活動的數量。 Although an increase in foreign tourists is expected with COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, Tokyo faces challenges like limited public transportation at night. Despite these hurdles, this situation presents an opportunity for Tokyo to not only boost its economy but also rejuvenate its urban culture. 儘管預計隨著COVID-19限制措施的解除，外國遊客的數量將有所增加，東京仍然面臨著夜間大眾運輸有限的挑戰。儘管存在這些困難，但這種情況為東京提供了一個不僅提振其經濟，還能同時使城市文化得到復興的機會。 Reference article: https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Datawatch/Tokyo-nightlife-still-not-fully-lit-despite-global-COVID-recovery Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K631: Amazon's Warning to In-Person Attendance Draws Mixed Reactions Amazon, the e-commerce giant, has recently issued warnings to some of its US-based office workers regarding their in-person attendance. In an effort to uphold its return-to-office policies, the company has been sending emails to employees who are perceived to be non-compliant with the required attendance. 電商巨頭亞馬遜最近向一些位於美國的員工發出警告，涉及他們的辦公室出勤情況。為了堅持辦公室復工政策，該公司一直在向被認為未遵守所需出勤的員工發送電子郵件。 This move by Amazon emphasizes the company's determination to enforce its rules, even amidst a certain level of resistance from employees. The policy mandates that workers report to a physical office location at least three days a week. This is also part of a broader trend where numerous companies are aiming to reduce the prevalence of remote work. 亞馬遜此舉強調了公司執行規定的決心，即使在一定程度上受到員工的反抗。該政策要求員工每週至少報到辦公室三天。這也是許多公司目標減少遠端上班普及程度的大趨勢之一。 Screenshots of the email sent by Amazon have been circulating on social media, showcasing the company's communication to employees who are falling short of meeting the in-office attendance requirement. The email asserts that these employees are not aligning with the expectation of being physically present in the office for at least three days a week, despite the readiness of their assigned office building. 亞馬遜發送的電子郵件截圖在社群媒體上廣泛流傳，展示了公司與未能滿足辦公室出勤要求的員工的溝通。該電子郵件強調，這些員工未能達到每週至少三天實際在辦公室的要求，儘管他們被分配的辦公室已經準備就緒。 The email goes on to firmly state, "We expect you to start coming into the office three or more days a week now." It further highlights the positive outcomes witnessed among those employees who have adhered to the policy, noting a rise in energy and collaboration within the Amazon community. 該電子郵件進一步堅定地表示：“我們期望你現在開始每週至少三天進入辦公室。”它進一步強調了遵守政策的員工中觀察到的積極成果，並指出亞馬遜社群內的活力和協作均有所提升。 The email's contents triggered diverse reactions among Amazon employees on social media platform Blind, where employees anonymously discuss their workplace experiences. While some users expressed outrage over the email, others supported Amazon's approach in enforcing attendance policies. Interestingly, some employees claimed to have received the email erroneously, either because they had been compliant or because they had never actually worked from the office. 這封電子郵件的內容在科技業社群平台Blind上引發了亞馬遜員工之間的不同反應。Blind是一個員工匿名討論職場經驗的平台。一些用戶對該電子郵件表示憤怒，而其他人則支持亞馬遜執行出勤政策的做法。有趣的是，一些員工聲稱他們錯誤地收到了這封郵件，要麼是因為他們已經遵守規定，要麼是因為他們從未實際在辦公室工作過。 In response to media inquiries, Amazon explained that the email was sent to employees who had not met the in-office attendance criteria as specified in the policy. The follow-up communication clarified that those who had received the notice in error should reach out to their managers for rectification. 在媒體的詢問下，亞馬遜解釋說，這封電子郵件是發送給未能滿足政策中指定的辦公室出勤標準的員工。隨後的溝通澄清，那些因為失誤而收到通知的人應該聯繫他們的主管進行更正。 This incident at Amazon reflects the larger trend among tech companies in reconsidering remote work policies. While initially at the forefront of remote work adoption during the pandemic, companies are now moving towards a more balanced approach. Amazon is not alone in this shift, with Google and Meta (formerly Facebook) also reinforcing in-office attendance. Even government entities are advocating for a return to physical workplaces. 此事件反映了在重新考慮遠程工作政策方面，科技公司中的更大趨勢。儘管在疫情大流行初期，這些公司在遠程工作方面處於領先地位，但現在它們正朝著更平衡的方向邁進。在這一轉變中，亞馬遜並不孤單，谷歌和Meta（前身為Facebook）也在強化辦公室出勤。即使政府機構也在倡導返回實體辦公場所。 Reference article: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/08/11/business/amazon-warns-employees-office/index.html Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 歡迎來到第三集的幕後教師室 Teacher's Lounge ，本集是John老師和阿鍵終於抓到機會來做想了很久的：回應大家的留言！ 不得不說，一邊讀留言真的是一邊被感動，多虧通勤家族們的參與和支持，我們才能透過這些精彩的互動，來體會學習的更多可能性。 在讀留言的過程中，我們也分享了一些學習的心得，本集探討了永續學習的兩大要素：紀律和持續累積。對我們來說，英語並不僅僅是一項技能，更像是一種工具，而透過堅持和累積的過程，這項工具將會越來越順手好用。John老師提到了目前線上課程完課朋友的故事，循序漸進的方法帶來了驚人的結果。阿鍵也鼓勵大家採用獎勵機制，讓學習變得更具趣味。 最後話題轉到了社會人核心英語課程的英雄榜。八月底即將推出第二次榜單啦！我們將再次表揚在學習英語上努力不懈的通勤家族朋友，除了要鼓勵學員之外，也希望透過這樣小小的目標，讓認真完課的朋友更加認可自己的努力。同時，我們近期將送出課程回饋單，期待著大家的寶貴建議，通勤學英語一直在努力提升，希望能夠為大家提供更優質的學習體驗！ 讓通勤學英語陪你繼續一同追求進步，共同探索英語學習的樂趣，相信每一分努力都會成就更美好的明天，Teacher's Lounge 我們下週再見啦！ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K630: Musk's X Platform to Support Users' Legal Bills Against Unfair Treatment Elon Musk has recently announced that his social media platform, X, will take a stand against unjust treatment faced by individuals in their workplaces due to their posts or likes on the platform. In a post shared on X, Musk declared that the platform would not only cover the legal expenses of those who have been treated unfairly by their employers but also take legal action on their behalf. This initiative is aimed at addressing the repercussions that users might face from their online interactions, signaling a commitment to protecting users' rights. 伊隆·馬斯克最近宣布，他的社交媒體平台X將站出來反對用戶因在該平台上發布或點讚而在職場上受到的不公平對待。在X上分享的一篇貼文中，馬斯克宣布該平台不僅將為那些被雇主不公平對待的人承擔法律費用，還將代表他們採取法律行動。此舉目標是解決使用者因網際互動而可能面臨的影響，並表明保護使用者權益的承諾。 Musk's commitment goes beyond financial support; he emphasized that the platform would be vocal in pursuing legal actions against the companies involved. He even mentioned the intention to hold the boards of directors accountable. In a separate response, he pointed out the effectiveness of legal threats in driving behavioral change in the U.S., highlighting the potential impact of such actions. 馬斯克的承諾不僅僅局限於財務支援；他還強調該平台將會在追訴涉及公司的法律行動時為其發聲音。他甚至提到打算對董事會進行追究責任。在另一個回應中，他指出採取法律威脅在推動美國行為改變上十分有效，凸顯了此類行動的潛在影響。 Recent data shared by Musk revealed that X has reached a milestone in terms of monthly users, surpassing 540 million. This achievement comes amidst organizational shifts within the company and efforts to counter declining advertising revenue. The platform's executives have consistently emphasized its growing traction in usage, particularly after the launch of Meta Platforms' Threads, a competing platform. 馬斯克分享的最新數據顯示，X的每月用戶數已達到一個里程碑，超過了5.4億。這個成就是在公司內部進行組織變革以及努力對抗廣告收入銳減的情況下實現的。平台的高層人員一直強調其使用量不斷增長，尤其是在Meta公司推出競爭平台Threads之後。 In a significant rebranding move, Elon Musk renamed the platform from Twitter to X, bidding farewell to the iconic blue bird logo that represented the dissemination of ideas. This transformation aligns with the platform's renewed focus on becoming an "everything app." The shift also underscores Musk's commitment to making the platform a multifaceted tool for communication and expression. 伊隆·馬斯克在一次重要的品牌重塑行動中，將推特（Twitter）平台重新命名為X，告別了象徵著思想傳播的標誌性藍色小鳥標誌。這種轉變與平台重新將焦點聚集在成為一個“全能應用程序”上的想法一致，並且也凸顯出馬斯克致力於將該平台打造成一個全方位交流和表達工具的決心。 Despite the ambitious rebranding and growth aspirations, challenges persist. Musk noted a substantial drop in advertising revenue, leading to negative cash flow for the platform. Hopes for a rebound in advertising revenue following a projected upturn in June were dashed, underlining the need for innovative strategies to revitalize revenue streams. As X continues to evolve from its Twitter origins, it strives to redefine its role as an inclusive and dynamic platform in the ever-changing landscape of social media. 儘管對品牌重塑和成長有著雄心大志，挑戰依然存在。馬斯克指出廣告收入大幅下降，導致該平台出現負現金流。原先預計在六月時廣告收入會回升，但此希望也落空，這凸顯了平台需要創新策略來振興金流的必要性。隨著X平台從Twitter的起源持續發展，它將努力在不斷變化的社交媒體環境中重新定位平台，成為一個具有包容性且充滿活力的角色。 Reference article: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/06/musks-x-to-pay-legal-bills-of-people-unfairly-treated-for-posting-on-platform.html Powered by Firstory Hosting

孩子的肌膚交給理膚寶水B5+全面修復霜，內含專利成分複合益生精粹+維生素原B5，能平衡肌膚微生態，強化肌膚屏障，有效舒緩、修復不適；敏感泛紅、痘疤瑕疵、醫美術後使用也OK，大人小孩都適用！快去藥局買！ https://fstry.pse.is/6p3r3a —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— ------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K629: Tragic Wildfires Ravage Maui, Leaving Destruction and Questions In a devastating turn of events, the Hawaiian island of Maui has been struck by deadly wildfires, claiming the lives of at least 55 people and obliterating a historic town. The tragedy has raised concerns over the efficiency of the state's warning systems, as many residents received inadequate alerts, leaving them little time to react to the raging fires. 夏威夷毛伊島遭受了一場毀滅性野火襲擊，造成至少55人喪生，並摧毀了一座歷史悠久的小鎮。這場悲劇引發了人們對該州警戒系統效率的擔憂，因為許多居民收到的警報不足，使他們在面對熊熊大火時沒有足夠的時間做出反應。 Hawaii's emergency management system, which boasts a network of around 400 sirens, was unable to prevent the catastrophe. The records show that warning sirens remained silent, and instead, alerts were dispatched to mobile devices, televisions, and radio stations. However, these alerts were hampered by widespread power and cellular outages, limiting their reach and effectiveness. 夏威夷的緊急管理系統擁有約400個警報器，然而這場災難並未被阻止。記錄顯示，警報器保持沉默，取而代之的是將警報發送到移動設備、電視和廣播電台。然而，這些警報受到大規模停電和手機信號中斷的影響，限制了它們的傳播範圍和效果。 Survivors recount their experiences, revealing a lack of prior warning, with many realizing the danger only when flames engulfed their surroundings or explosions echoed nearby. This tragedy marks Hawaii's deadliest natural disaster since a devastating tsunami struck the region in 1960, leaving Governor Josh Green to fear that the death toll could rise further as search and rescue operations continue. 倖存者們回憶了他們的經歷，揭示了缺乏事前警告，許多人只有在火焰吞噬周圍或附近傳來爆炸聲時才意識到危險。這場悲劇是夏威夷自1960年一場毀滅性的海嘯襲擊該地區以來最致命的自然災害，州長喬許·格林擔心隨著搜救行動的繼續，死亡人數可能會進一步上升。 The situation is exemplified by the story of Thomas Leonard, a 70-year-old retired mailman from the historic town of Lahaina. The absence of real-time information due to power and cell phone outages left him unaware of the fire until he smelled the smoke. As he attempted to escape, he had to abandon his vehicle and flee on foot amidst exploding cars. Hours of harrowing sheltering behind a seawall followed, with ash and cinders swirling around him. Eventually, firefighters arrived to lead him and other survivors to safety. 這種情況以湯馬士·萊昂納德的故事為例，他是來自歷史悠久的拉海納小鎮的70歲退休郵差。由於斷電和手機信號中斷，無法獲得實時信息，他直到聞到煙味才察覺到火災。在試圖逃脫時，他不得不放棄車輛，徒步逃離，周圍的汽車不斷爆炸。他躲在海堤後面度過了數小時，被熱風中的灰燼和火山灰環繞。最終，消防員趕到，將他和其他倖存者帶到安全地帶。 The fires were fueled by a dry summer and strong winds from a passing hurricane, resulting in multiple wildfires igniting across Maui. One of the most severe blazes transformed Lahaina into a scene of devastation, reducing it to rubble and ashes. The aftermath saw charred remains of buildings and torched palm trees, leaving an eerie landscape between the ocean and lush greenery. 乾燥的夏季加上過境的颶風強風助長了火勢，導致毛伊島各地燃起野火。其中最嚴重的一場大火將拉海納燒成了一片廢墟，只剩下瓦礫和灰燼。事後，建築物的殘骸燒焦，棕櫚樹被燒毀，在海洋和郁郁蔥蔥的綠地之間的留下了一片陰森恐怖的景象。 Despite boasting an extensive emergency warning infrastructure, the quick and unpredictable nature of the fires overwhelmed the response efforts. Maui County's hazard mitigation plan, recognizing the area's wildfire risk, cited the high number of households without vehicles and non-English speakers, which hindered timely alerts and swift actions during crises. 儘管擁有龐大的緊急警報基礎設施，野火的迅速和不可預測性仍然使救災工作不堪重負。毛伊縣的災害緩解計劃清楚的理解該地區的火災風險，指出了沒有交通工具的家庭和非英語使用者的數量較多，這點妨礙了在危機時期的及時警報和迅速行動。 Compounding the issue, the Maui Fire Department's limited staff and resources presented challenges in controlling the fires. With just 65 firefighters managing three islands and without off-road vehicles, containing the fires before they reached populated areas proved difficult. Hurricane Dora's fierce winds further complicated firefighting efforts, resembling a battle against a relentless blowtorch. 除此之外，毛伊島消防局有限的人力和資源也在火災控制方面受到挑戰。僅有65名消防員管理三個島嶼，並且沒有越野車，因此很難在火災蔓延到人口密集區之前將其控制住。颶風多拉帶來的狂風使滅火工作變得更加複雜，彷彿與無情的火焰噴射器在進行一場作戰。 In response to this tragedy, President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in Maui, promising swift assistance to those affected. As the island grapples with the aftermath of these wildfires, questions arise about the adequacy of warning systems, the importance of community preparedness, and the need for bolstered firefighting resources to prevent such devastating incidents in the future. 面對這場悲劇，喬·拜登總統宣布毛伊島發生重大災難，承諾向受災民眾提供迅速的援助。毛伊島在處理野火後的餘波時，人們開始質疑警戒系統是否充分，社區準備的重要性以及增強滅火資源的需求，以防止未來發生類似的災難性事件。 Reference article: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/10/fires-burn-through-hawaii-at-least-36-people-have-died-on-maui.html Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- Summary: 討論文章: https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4899689 ; https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4920892 This year, a few fusion ramens broke the internet. One of them being isopod and durian. This week Angel and I talk about what we think about these fusion ramens and also the extraordinary ingredients. 歡迎來分享給我跟Angel老師 Comment down below! Vocabulary: 1. Pungent adj. 刺鼻的/強烈的 Both durian and stinky tofu have pungent smell that takes some time to get used to. 榴蓮與臭豆腐都有刺鼻的氣味讓人需要花點時間習慣。 2. Pairing v. 搭配 Most people can't imagine pairing giant isopod with ramen. 許多人無法想像拉麵搭配大王具足蟲。 3. Ignorance n. 無知 Please forgive my ignorance, I group spiders and creepy crawly things as insects. 請原諒我的無知，我都把蜘蛛與會爬的小東西視為昆蟲。 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] Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K628: Microsoft's Ambitious Acquisition Faces Regulatory Hurdles in the UK Microsoft's prolonged attempt to acquire the maker of Call of Duty, Activision Blizzard, is approaching a crucial point, as the UK's competition regulator, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), concludes its public consultation on the matter. The CMA will review feedback from the public, submitted over the past week, along with Microsoft's revised proposal to determine whether they will reverse their decision to block the technology giant's takeover bid. The proposed merger has encountered challenges worldwide, with regulators expressing concerns about potential monopolistic power in the gaming market and its impact on consumer choice. 微軟在收購《決勝時刻》系列遊戲開發商動視暴雪的長期努力即將迎來關鍵時刻，因為英國的競爭與市場管理局（CMA）結束了對此事的公開諮詢。CMA 將審查過去一周內公眾提交的意見，以及微軟的修訂提案，以決定是否會撤銷他們阻止這家科技巨頭收購的決定。這項合併計畫的提案在全球各地都有遇到挑戰，監管機構對於在遊戲市場潛在的壟斷力量以及對消費者選擇的影響表示關切。 To address these concerns, Microsoft has entered into 10-year agreements with Sony and Nintendo, ensuring that Call of Duty will be available on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. Additionally, Microsoft committed to making all Activision Blizzard games accessible on other cloud gaming platforms for the next decade. However, the CMA remains wary of the potential threat the merger poses to the fast-growing cloud gaming market, where games are streamed rather than downloaded. 為了應對這些擔憂，微軟與索尼和任天堂簽訂了為期 10 年的協議，確保《決勝時刻》將在 PlayStation 和任天堂的遊戲主機上玩得到。此外，微軟還承諾在未來十年內讓所有動視暴雪的遊戲在其他雲端遊戲平台上可用。然而，CMA 仍對這項合併計劃可能對快速增長的雲端遊戲市場造成威脅保持警惕，雲端遊玩是一種無需下載，直接以串流來播放遊戲的方式。 George Osborn, director of policy communications at Taso Advisory, suggests that the UK regulator is aiming to establish a robust regulatory environment for the technology sector, intending to position the UK as a tech superpower. He observes that the regulator's decision to block the merger aligns with the stance taken by both the US and the EU, pushing Microsoft back to the negotiating table. Despite gaining approval in the EU and China, the approval in the UK remains a significant milestone for Microsoft to complete the acquisition. Taso 諮詢公司的公關策略傳播總監喬治·奧斯本認為，英國監管機構的目標是為科技行業建立強大的監管環境，以使英國成為科技超級大國。他觀察到監管機構阻止此次合併計劃與美國和歐盟採取的立場一致，迫使微軟重新回到談判桌。儘管在歐盟和中國獲得了批准，但在英國獲得批准仍然是微軟收購有待完成的一個重要里程碑。 The UK's gaming industry, generating nearly half of all entertainment sector revenue according to 2022 figures by the Entertainment Retailers Association, is a critical factor fueling Microsoft's interest in the deal. Notably, the lucrative mobile game Candy Crush is one of the key attractions for Microsoft in this acquisition. While the CMA has reiterated its stance on blocking the deal over concerns in the cloud gaming market, it also states that it will independently evaluate any restructuring efforts by Microsoft to address these concerns or claims regarding substantial changes in circumstances before reaching a final decision. The regulator is expected to deliver its verdict by 29 August. 根據 2022 年由娛樂零售商協會發布的數據，英國的遊戲產業收入幾乎佔據了娛樂行業總收入的一半，這是引發微軟對這項交易產生興趣的一個關鍵因素。值得注意的是，在這次收購中，對微軟具有吸引力的一個主要因素是盈利豐厚的手遊《Candy Crush》。儘管 CMA 重申其阻止合併計劃的立場是基於對雲端遊戲市場的擔憂，但監管機構同時表示，在做出最終判決前，仍會獨立評估微軟為解決這些擔憂或對相關情況做出重大實質變更聲明的任何重組行動。監管機構預定將在 8 月 29 日前做出裁決。 Reference article: https://news.sky.com/story/microsofts-determined-to-buy-the-maker-of-call-of-duty-but-will-the-uk-allow-it-12933327 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K626: Taiwan's 'Listening to Young Hearts' Initiative: Addressing Youth Mental Health Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare has taken a significant stride towards addressing the pressing issue of youth mental health with the launch of the "Listening to Young Hearts" initiative, also known as the "Youth Mental Health Support Program." Developed in collaboration with major public, educational, and professional associations, including the Taiwan Society of Psychiatry and the National Association of Clinical Psychologists, the program aims to proactively tackle the growing concerns surrounding mental health among young people in the country. At the forefront of this crucial endeavor stands the spokesperson, renowned psychiatrist Dr. Deng Huiwen, whose expertise and advocacy amplify the program's mission. 台灣衛生福利部推出「年輕的心，有我傾聽」計畫，又稱為「年輕族群心理健康支持方案」，這個重要的計畫期望能積極應對青少年心理健康的緊迫問題。該計畫是與台灣精神醫學會、全國臨床心理師公會等多個主要公共、教育和專業協會共同合作推動的，目標積極應對國內青少年心理健康方面不斷增加的擔憂。計畫的代言人是知名精神科醫師鄧惠文，其專業知識和倡議進一步強化了該計畫的使命。 A mounting concern is the increasing prevalence of depression among young individuals, accompanied by the disconcerting trend of low rates of seeking medical help. Shockingly, more than 50% of young individuals experiencing depression choose not to seek assistance. A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association has brought attention to the barriers that deter young people from seeking help, such as financial constraints and lack of awareness regarding available support. According to National Health Insurance data spanning from 2016 to 2021, there has been a striking 47% rise in young people diagnosed with mental health conditions. Notably, a staggering 70% of calls made to the support helpline were related to depression tendencies, family issues, and interpersonal conflicts. 一個日益嚴重的問題是，青少年憂鬱症的發病率持續上升，同時就醫率卻不容樂觀。而令人震驚的，超過50%的青少年患有憂鬱症卻選擇不求助。一項發表在《美國醫學會期刊》的研究引起了人們對阻礙青少年求助的障礙的關注，例如經濟壓力和缺乏對可用支持的了解。根據從2016年至2021年的全民健康保險數據顯示，青少年診斷出心理健康問題的人數驚人增加了47%。值得注意的是，有70%的安心專線來電與憂鬱傾向、家庭問題和人際衝突有關。 In recent years, research has shown a disconcerting 20% increase in depression rates among young individuals over the past decade. The importance of early diagnosis and timely treatment cannot be overstated, as it plays a critical role in preventing the development of severe mental illnesses. Yet, alarmingly, nearly 40% of young individuals with symptoms of depression do not seek professional help. This highlights the pressing need to address the critical concerns of "early-onset depression" and "low treatment-seeking rates" among the youth population in Taiwan. 近年來的研究顯示，青少年憂鬱症發病率在過去十年中令人擔憂地增加了20%。早期診斷和及時治療的重要性不言而喻，這對於預防嚴重的精神疾病發展至關重要。然而，令人警覺的是，近40%的患有憂鬱症症狀的青少年不尋求專業幫助。這突顯了解決「早發性憂鬱症」和「低就醫率」等重要問題對台灣年輕族群心理健康的迫切需求。 To mitigate these challenges, the "Listening to Young Hearts" initiative commences on August 1, offering young individuals aged 15 to 30 three free counseling sessions to encourage proactive help-seeking behavior. One of the key objectives of the program is to raise awareness about available counseling services and improve accessibility to mental health resources. Additionally, the initiative aims to enhance the referral process for high-risk cases, ensuring those in dire need of support are efficiently connected to appropriate services. 為了應對這些挑戰，「年輕的心，有我傾聽」計畫將於8月1日開始，為15至30歲的年輕人提供三次免費心理諮商，鼓勵他們主動尋求幫助。該計畫的一個主要目標是提高大眾對心理諮商服務的認知，並改善心理健康資源的可及性。此外，計畫還期望加強高風險案例的轉介程序，確保急需幫助的人能夠迅速連接到適當的服務。 The Ministry of Health and Welfare envisions the "Listening to Young Hearts" initiative as a beacon of hope, empowering young people to seek help and promoting a comprehensive mental health support network. Collaboration with the Ministry of Education is part of the holistic approach to establish a "Campus Suicide Case Care and Referral Process." Furthermore, the introduction of the "Australian Mental Health First Aid Kit" aims to create a supportive environment that fosters better mental health understanding and empathy. 衛生福利部希望「年輕的心，有我傾聽」計畫成為一線希望，鼓勵年輕人尋求幫助，並促進全面的心理健康支持網絡的建立。與教育部的合作是推動全面健康支持的一部分，並建立「校園自殺個案關懷轉介流程」。此外，引進「澳洲心理急救包」旨在創建一個支持性的環境，培養更好的心理健康理解和同理心。 By taking these decisive steps, Taiwan strives to cultivate an environment that encourages young individuals to prioritize their mental well-being and embrace the available resources. The "Listening to Young Hearts" initiative serves as a stepping stone towards building a society that acknowledges the significance of mental health and provides unwavering support to its younger generation. 透過這些果斷的步驟，台灣致力於創造一個鼓勵年輕人優先考慮心理健康並善用資源的環境。「年輕的心，有我傾聽」計畫成為建設一個重視心理健康重要性並為年輕一代提供堅定支持的社會的基石。 Reference article: 1. https://www.mohw.gov.tw/cp-16-75401-1.html 2. https://www.commonhealth.com.tw/article/88545 Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 歡迎回到 Teacher's Lounge Episode 2!! 本集是由 John 老師和阿鍵帶來的心得分享，不知道Teacher's Lounge是甚麼的朋友趕快回去聽上周的第一集！ 這集的內容包含了我們對錄音和 Podcast 的熱情和經驗談，我們毫不保留地分享從小白初學者到入門創作者的心路歷程，並對於幾項關鍵的成功因素進行了探討。 節目中，John老師和阿鍵強調了選擇合適的設備：例如錄音器材和環境的重要性。我們討論了動態麥克風與電容麥克風的優勢差異，並介紹業界常見的強大工具—RodeCaster Pro 2，讓大家得以一窺錄音製作背後的苦心。另外節目裡也聊到了心理學和學習領域的達克效應，這種現象某種程度上催促了我們自己持續學習和不斷進步。 最後，John老師和阿鍵也想鼓勵大家，不妨試著把自己的愛好錄下來放到 YouTube 或 Podcast 上。或許可以點燃你的靈魂，讓你找到自我實現的熱情和夢想的勇氣喔！一起來聽這集，讓John老師和阿鍵帶你探索Podcast的奇妙世界！ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K627: Revolutionary 'Room-Temperature Superconductor' LK-99 Sparks Global Debate Scientists from Korea University recently made headlines with their claim of discovering a groundbreaking "room-temperature superconductor" called LK-99, which has garnered widespread attention in the field of solid-state physics. If verified, this discovery could have transformative implications for various industries, including electronics, energy, and medical imaging. However, the scientific community remains cautious, awaiting replication and peer validation to confirm the legitimacy of the claims. 來自韓國大學的科學家最近因宣稱發現一種名為LK-99的突破性「室溫超導體」而成為新聞頭條，該發現在固態物理領域引起廣泛關注。一旦證實為真，此一發現將對電子、能源和醫學影像等多個產業產生革命性的影響。然而，科學界對此仍抱持謹慎的態度，等待複製實驗和同行驗證以確認其合法性。 Superconductors, materials that enable electricity to flow without resistance, have been pursued in physics for over a century. Initially, superconductivity was observed in materials only at extremely low temperatures near absolute zero, making practical applications challenging. Subsequent research identified a few "high-temperature" superconductors, but they still required significant cooling. The novelty of the Korean researchers' claim lies in LK-99's ability to maintain superconductivity at temperatures up to around 127°C, which could revolutionize various technological fields. 超導體是一種能使電流在其內部流動而不受任何阻力影響的材料，在物理學領域被追求已有一個多世紀。最初，人們只在接近絕對零度的極低溫下觀察到超導現象，使實際應用變得困難。隨後的研究發現了一些所謂的「高溫」超導體，但仍需進行大量冷卻。韓國研究者宣稱的突破性在於LK-99能在高達約127°C的溫度下保持超導性，這可能會顛覆各種技術領域。 The material composition of LK-99 consists of copper, lead, phosphorus, and sulfur, rendering it cost-effective and readily available for potential industrial applications. The prospect of room-temperature superconductors has sparked excitement, with possibilities ranging from faster microchips and more efficient electric motors to lossless electricity transmission and improved medical scanners. Quantum computing, a field that relies heavily on superconducting materials, could also benefit significantly from room-temperature superconductors, potentially eliminating the need for bulky refrigerators. LK-99的材料組成包括銅、鉛、磷和硫，使它在潛在的工業應用中成本效益高且易於獲得。室溫超導體的前景令人興奮，可能帶來更快的微晶片、更高效的電動馬達、無損電力傳輸和改進的醫學掃描器等多種應用。強烈依賴超導材料的量子計算領域也可能因室溫超導體而大大受益，潛在地消除冰箱這樣笨重的設備需求。 Despite the enthusiasm, skepticism abounds within the scientific community. The papers detailing LK-99 are preprints, yet to undergo peer review or publication in reputable scientific journals. Researchers worldwide have attempted to replicate LK-99's properties, but so far, none of these efforts have been successful. Some scientists synthesized the material for testing purposes, while others evaluated LK-99 using theoretical methods. Both approaches have yet to provide direct evidence of superconductivity. 儘管消息如此狂熱，科學界仍充斥著懷疑。LK-99的論文屬於預印本，尚未經過同行評審或在知名科學期刊上發表。全球的研究人員已試圖複製LK-99的特性，但迄今為止這些努力尚未成功。有些科學家合成了該材料進行測試，而其他人則使用理論方法評估LK-99。然而，這兩種方法均尚未提供直接證據證明其超導性。 Reference article: 1. https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/scientists-discovery-of-room-temperature-superconductor-sparks-global-interest-article-102437880 2. https://siliconangle.com/2023/08/04/superconducting-lk-99-material-draws-raised-eyebrows-scientists-going-viral/ Powered by Firstory Hosting

------------------------------- 強化英語課程資訊 ------------------------------- 「社會人核心英語」有聲書課程連結：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 歡迎針對這一集留言你的想法： 留言連結 官方網站：www.15mins.today 加入Clubhouse直播室：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/46hm8k 訂閱YouTube頻道：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 主題投稿/意見回覆 : [email protected] 商業合作/贊助來信：[email protected] ------------------------------- 以下有參考文字稿～ 各播放器有不同字數限制，完整文稿可到官網搜尋 ------------------------------- 每日英語跟讀 Ep.K625: Retail and Food & Beverage Sales Show Growth, While Wholesale Sector Struggles According to a recent report by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the domestic retail, and food and beverage sectors experienced significant growth in sales last month. Retail sales reached NT$371.9 billion (US$11.86 billion), marking a 13.9 percent year-on-year increase, while food and beverage sales surged to NT$83.4 billion, showing an impressive 34.7 percent rise compared to the previous year. On the other hand, the wholesale sector faced challenges, experiencing an eighth consecutive month of decline due to weak demand and inventory adjustments. 根據經濟部最近的報告，國內零售和餐飲業上個月銷售額顯著增長。零售銷售額達到3719億新台幣（約118.6億美元），較去年同期增長13.9％，而餐飲業銷售額激增至834億新台幣，較去年同期增長34.7％。然而，批發業面臨挑戰，連續第八個月出現銷售下滑，原因是需求疲弱和庫存調整。 The growth in retail sales last month was primarily driven by department stores, which reported a remarkable 30.4 percent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, sales of automobiles, motorbikes, and related components soared by 45 percent, while clothing and accessories sales rose by 22.2 percent. However, sales of information and communications technology products, home appliances, and household equipment experienced a decline of 5.5 percent annually. Supermarkets and hypermarkets also faced a dip in sales, with a respective decrease of 5 percent and 7.2 percent. 上個月的零售業銷售額增長主要得益於百貨公司，銷售額較去年同期大增30.4％。此外，汽車、摩托車及相關零組件的銷售飆升了45％，而服飾和飾品銷售增長了22.2％。然而，資訊及通訊科技產品、家電和家用設備的銷售較去年同期下降5.5％。超市和量販店的銷售額也分別下降了5％和7.2％。 The food and beverage sector's growth was attributed to catering service providers, which reported an impressive 71.8 percent rise in sales year-on-year. This increase was boosted by airlines adding more passenger flights, leading to higher demand for in-flight meals. Restaurant sales also surged by 36.1 percent, supported by the holiday effect of the Dragon Boat Festival and teacher appreciation banquets during the graduation season. Additionally, beverage sales increased by 16 percent, driven by higher demand for cold drinks amidst hot weather. 餐飲業的增長歸因於餐飲服務供應商，銷售額較去年同期驚人的增長了71.8％。此增長得益於航空公司增加了客運航班，推動了機上餐飲的需求。餐廳銷售額也較去年同期增長了36.1％，受到端午節和畢業季謝師宴對餐飲需求的提振。此外，飲料銷售額因炎熱天氣下對冷飲的需求增加而增長了16％。 In the second quarter of the year, retail sales continued to perform well, rising by 12.7 percent year-on-year, reaching NT$1.12 trillion. The first six months of the year witnessed a record high in retail sales, totaling NT$2.23 trillion, showing a 9 percent growth. The food and beverage sector also experienced remarkable growth, with sales in the second quarter rising by 36.9 percent to NT$248.6 billion and sales in the first six months reaching a record high of NT$503.8 billion, a growth of 26.3 percent. However, the wholesale sector faced ongoing challenges, reporting an 11.4 percent decline in sales last month, amounting to NT$965.5 billion. The second quarter saw a 13.1 percent drop in wholesale sales, totaling NT$2.82 trillion, and sales for the first six months declined by 12.3 percent, amounting to NT$5.61 trillion. 在今年第二季度，零售業銷售持續表現強勁，較去年同期增長12.7％，達到1.12兆新台幣。上半年的零售銷售額創下新高，總計達2.23兆新台幣，增長了9％。餐飲業也取得了顯著增長，第二季度銷售額較去年同期增長36.9％，達到2486億新台幣，上半年銷售額則達到5038億新台幣，較去年同期增長26.3％。然而，批發業面臨持續的挑戰，上個月銷售額下降了11.4％，達到9655億新台幣。第二季度批發銷售額總計2.82兆新台幣，較去年同期下降13.1％，上半年銷售額下降了12.3％，達到5.61兆新台幣。 The Ministry of Economic Affairs predicts that this month's retail and food and beverage sales will continue to rise as more people are willing to spend during the summer vacation. Additionally, auto dealers are planning larger promotional campaigns ahead of Ghost Month, the seventh month of the lunar calendar, which is generally considered an inauspicious time to purchase new vehicles. However, the wholesale sector is expected to face further challenges, as the global economy's growth momentum remains sluggish and end-market demand continues to be weak. 經濟部預測，本月零售和餐飲業的銷售將繼續增長，因為更多人在暑假期間願意消費。此外，汽車經銷商計劃在鬼月前進行更大規模的促銷活動，而鬼月是農曆七月，通常被認為不吉利的購車時期。然而，預計批發業將面臨進一步的挑戰，因為全球經濟增長動力仍然遲緩，終端市場需求持續疲弱。 Reference article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2023/07/25/2003803685 Powered by Firstory Hosting