News Bites

Hi there. It's time for an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Kelly Kimura. In today's news: Repairing Taroko National Park, and saving ocean corals. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: The clouds tell all! Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 太魯閣國家公園需花費10億修復 Taroko National Park Repairs Will Cost $1 Billion NT Taroko National Park is known for its spectacular (壯觀) mountains and marble canyons (大理石峽谷). The park was established in 1986 to protect the stunning beauty of the Taroko gorge. The gorge is a 19 km long canyon. It's filled with breathtaking scenic views of nature. Millions of tourists flock to see the amazing views every year. But the park has suffered severe damage from the powerful earthquake that happened on Apr 3rd. The gorge and nearby trails were buried in landslides (土石流) and rockslides (岩石滑落). Facilities (設施) and structures were also severely damaged. Access to the gorge has been closed until further notice. According to preliminary (初步) estimates, restoring the park would cost more than $1 billion NT. And that is only for parts of the park that the Ministry of the Interior (內政部) takes care of. However, $1 billion NT is just a rough estimate. There are still aftershocks (餘震) in the area which have delayed detailed assessments. There are also severely affected areas which experts cannot get to on foot. The assessments have to be done by aerial photography (空拍). The April 3rd earthquake is the strongest since the 921 quake 25 years ago. Not only did it damage the national park, it also caused many buildings in Hualien to collapse. Even the famous hotel within the national park, Silks Place Taroko, is temporarily closed for damage assessments and repairs. 相關單位評估3個月後將能夠逐漸開放災損較不嚴重的步道。 There is no definite date for when the park will be fully reopened. But officials are confident that they will restore the park to its former glory. ________________________________ 用吸管保護小珊瑚 Boba Straws Save Young Corals We've all see the devastating (毀滅性) effects of plastic pollution in the ocean. That includes plastic straws. Many people have watched the video of a vet pulling out a plastic straw from a sea turtle’s nose. But now, scientists are putting straws in the ocean to protect coral (珊瑚). What are they thinking? Don’t worry, these are not the usual plastic straws that we use for drinking. It’s a biodegradable (生物分解) straw that will dissolve (溶解) in the ocean after a few months. Scientists have been working hard to save coral reefs all over the world. One of the solutions is growing new corals in lab and placing them in the ocean. There is however, a major problem. Fishes like to bite newly transplanted (移植) coral and destroy them. This leaves the corals with a less than 40% survival rate (存活率). One expert say parrot fish especially love biting the new corals. He says it's like popcorn to them. The fish lose interest as the coral grows up, but protection is needed when the corals are little. To solve the problem, the experts and another researcher came up with a solution. They created a small cage with biodegradable straws and put it over the new corals. This increased the survival rate of newly transplanted corals to over 90%. They called it the “Coral Fort.” At first, they used regular sized straws that dissolve after 2 months. However, the fish still wanted to bite the coral after 2 months. They then experimented with other straws until they found the perfect one… Boba straws (珍奶吸管)! Boba straws are wider and thicker than average drinking straws. And that gives just enough time for the coral to grow until the straws dissolve. 誰能想得到可生物分解的珍珠奶茶吸管竟然能保護珊瑚。 Experts hope that the Coral Fort can benefit reef restoration projects (珊瑚復原計畫) all over the world. ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, Taroko National Park was severely damaged after the powerful earthquake that happened on Apr 3rd. According to preliminary estimates, restoring the park would cost more than $1 billion NT. But officials are confident that they will restore the park to its former glory. ________________________________ And Scientists are using biodegradable boba straws in the ocean to protect coral. They make small cages with the straws and put them over the new corals. This has increased the survival rate of newly transplanted corals to over 90%. Experts hope that the Coral Fort can benefit reef restoration projects all over the world. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Looking up at fluffy clouds can be fun. But did you know their shapes can tell you about the weather? Stratus clouds are flat with a layer of gray. They often mean there might be a bit of rain coming. Puffy white clouds mean nice weather. And cirrus clouds are wispy, like long feathers. They might mean that a storm is coming! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Brody Halverson. Today's stories… Sidewalks are getting safer to walk on, a newly discovered planet would not be good for a bath, and using frogs to keep milk fresh. Let's go! ________________________________ 新法改善人行道安全 New Laws Improve Sidewalk Safety Do you feel safe when you walk outside? On some roads, the cars and the scooters drive really fast. That's why you should walk on the sidewalk (人行道). Cars and scooters shouldn't drive on the sidewalk. So it's supposed to be a safer place. But in many parts of Taiwan, the sidewalks are… not great. For example, sidewalks may be blocked by parked cars or walls. And many roads have no sidewalk at all. 有的人行道被堵住，有的道路根本沒有人行道。 That's bad for pedestrians (行人) who want to walk places. And many pedestrians get hurt or killed on Taiwan's roads every year. That's why the government is making new laws for sidewalk safety. The laws say they must plan for safer sidewalks. They will need to build sidewalks on city streets that don't have any yet. What's more, if the sidewalk is blocked by a mailbox or fire hydrant, the government needs to move those things (要把它們遷走). If someone blocks a sidewalk by building over it, they will have to pay a fine (支付罰款). What about sidewalk safety near schools or train stations? Those are the places where there are often more people walking. The law covers that, too. It says local governments can declare pedestrian-friendly zones (行人友善區) around schools, hospitals and public transit stations. How will we know if the plan works? They government has set a clear goal (目標). They hope to reduce pedestrian deaths by 50% by 2030 and have "zero pedestrian deaths" by 2050. 他們的目標是到 2050 年行人的死亡數降為零。 However, some people say this goal is not strong enough. Why should we wait until 2050 for pedestrians to be safe on the road? That's why all kinds of people are pushing for more pedestrian safety laws. ________________________________ 科學家發現 熾熱行星 Boiling Water Planet Discovered Do you like to bathe in hot springs (溫泉)? It's so comfortable. You go to a hot spring, where hot water comes from the ground. Then you can sit in the water and relax. Did you hear scientists have discovered a hot spring planet (溫泉行星)? Yeah, they think the whole planet is covered in hot water. 科學家認為整個星球都被熱水覆蓋。 Wow! So can we take a bath there? I don't think so. For one thing, that planet is very far from Earth. It's in outer space, 70 light-years (七十光年) away from us. Scientists only found it with a powerful telescope. They noticed water vapor (水汽) on the planet, which makes them think it could be covered in hot water. But there's another reason we can't take a bath there… The water is super hot. Scientists from England think it's more than 100 degrees! At that temperature, the planet's ocean is hotter than boiling water (比滾水還熱). But another team of scientists from Canada thinks it's even hotter than that. They saw the same planet, and they think it's actually 4,000 degrees! They think the planet is covered in hot steam (熱蒸氣). Hmmm… I guess that wouldn't be very comfortable for humans. That's not all. Scientists think the planet is tidally locked (潮汐鎖定). That means it doesn't spin around, like Earth does. Instead, one side of the planet always faces towards its star, and the other side always faces away. 它的一邊永遠面對太陽，也就是它自己的恆星，另外一邊永遠背對著。 The bright side would be very hot. But the dark side of the planet would be much cooler. Maybe the dark side would be easier for life to survive on. By the way, what's this planet called? They call it "TOI-270 d". That's a boring name. Let's think of a better one. 我們來為這個星球想一個名字。 We can call it "Hydroscorch". Or maybe "Steamtopia". Do you have any ideas to name this hot water planet? ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Taiwan's government is making new laws for sidewalk safety. They want to build more sidewalks, and make sure the sidewalks are easy to walk on. Their goal is to make sure by the year 2050 that pedestrians aren't dying on the roads. ________________________________ And, Scientists have discovered a planet covered in hot water. They think the water is more than 100 degrees. Other scientists think it is actually hot steam. Either way, humans probably couldn't survive there. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Have you ever smelled milk that's gone bad? It's pretty yucky! Long before we had refrigerators, people had to figure out how stop their milk from spoiling too quickly. People in Russia and Finland had a special way to keep their milk fresh. They would place live Russian brown frogs in the milk! *sfx: croak!* A scientist from Moscow State University found out why this worked. The skin of these frogs has peptides and anti-microbial compounds… Basically, the frog's skin produces chemicals that fight germs and keep the milk from going bad! Would you drink milk after a frog's been in it? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. It's time for an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's news: the Ministry of Agriculture launches digital ID cards for pets, and an Italian island is giving away goats for free. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: The world's first camera. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 毛小孩有身分證 整合生老病死資訊 MOA Launches ID Cards For Pets We've got big news from the Ministry of Agriculture (農業部). They're rolling out something special for furry friends (毛小孩). What might that be? Well, it's digital pet ID cards, of course! 就是寵物數位身份證。 Now, you might be wondering what the big deal with these cards is. They aren't just ordinary cards. They're like a VIP pass for pets, helping with their management and welfare. See, more and more people are welcoming pets into their families. Right now, there are over 2 million pet dogs and cats in Taiwan, and most of them have microchips (微晶片) for identification. In fact, the number of registered pet dogs and cats in Taiwan outnumbered newborns by nearly 100,000 last year. 去年台灣的寵物狗和貓，登記數量比新生兒多了近 十萬隻。 So pets are becoming more and more popular. The Ministry wants to make things even easier for pet owners. That's why it's introducing these ID cards. The Ministry explained these digital cards will have all the important information about pets. For example, their name, the name of the owner, if they've been neutered (絕育), and even their vaccination records (接種疫苗的紀錄). Imagine a handy card with all these details! But it's not just about convenience. These digital ID cards will also help crack down on illegal breeding and smuggling of pets. 可以打擊非法繁殖和走私寵物。 With clear info on where your pet came from, it'll be easier to spot any shady business (可疑的交易). The Ministry is also planning to make it super easy for pet owners to update their info without any hassle. Remember, pets are not just animals! They're companions, and bring joy to many owners every day. So, if you've got a pet, make sure to register them and grab their ID card. ________________________________ 義大利小島 願意捐贈山羊 Italian Island Giving Away its Goats Here's a quirky story coming all the way from Italy. A tiny island off the coast of Sicily is dealing with a goat problem. Yep, you heard that right - goats! This island is called Alicudi. It's super small, and only has about 100 people living there. But the island has over 600 goats roaming around! Now, these goats might seem cute, but they're causing quite a stir. 這些山羊也許看起來可愛，但是牠們也製造麻煩。 They're munching on people's crops, barging into homes, and basically making a mess everywhere they go. 牠們偷吃農作物，闖進人們家裡，引起混亂。 That sucks for the inhabitants (居民). The mayor says it all started with a few goats supposedly escaping from their owner. Then they multiplied. 他們繁殖得很快。 Now there's too many to handle. They're causing "massive damage" to the island's landscape (也破壞風景). But here's the twist: The Island has come up with a solution. They're giving away these goats to anyone who wants them. The goats would normally cost 200 euros each - that's just under 7000 NT. But the Alicudi goats will be free to anyone who wants them! It's not often you get free goats in life. The goats will be checked out by a vet (獸醫會先檢查) before they are delivered. So far, they've had requests from all over Italy, from as far as Tuscany to Lombardy. There's also no limit to how many goats you can ask for. So what if you ask for one million goats? There's only 600 goats on the island, so requesting one million just isn't possible. Well that's my masterplan to become a millionaire foiled. I mean, imagine if you could get a million goats for free, with each of them worth 7000 NT. All you'd have to do is sell them, then you'd be able to buy a dinky flat in Taipei (可以買一間小公寓). Not everyone is convinced this plan will work smoothly. Gloria, who runs a caf? on the island, is worried about how to get them off the island. The island's terrain is mountainous, making it difficult to catch and transport the goats. Despite the challenges, it's a creative solution to a dire situation. Let's hope the goat giveaway helps bring some peace back to the tiny island of Alicudi! ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, The Ministry of Agriculture is introducing digital ID cards for pets. These cards will contain essential information, such as the pet's name, owner's name, neutering status and vaccination records. The ID cards will also help to curb illegal breeding and smuggling activities. Pet owners are encouraged to register their pets and obtain these ID cards to ensure their companions' well-being. And, A tiny Italian island off the coast of Sicily is giving away goats for free. Only 100 humans live on Alicudi, but there's over 600 goats! The goats often barge into people's homes and munch on crops, so they're causing lots of problems. So the authorities are planning to give them away for free to anyone willing to take them. _______________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know the world's first "camera" was invented in the year 1816? It was invented by Joseph Nicephore Niepce and was called the heliograph. Heliographs use sunlight to send messages over long distances, and some special ones can even capture pictures! They work by focusing sunlight onto a light-sensitive surface, like a special type of paper, to create an image. They've been used for various purposes, from early photography experiments to scientific observations. ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next in today's news: eat bugs to protect fruit, and drones deliver to prison cells in France! And in today's Tasty Tidbit… what spends most of the day in water but can't swim? Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ 吃臭蟲來保護水果 Eat Bugs to Protect Fruit Taiwan is famous for many things, and one of them is fruit. We have some of the best fruit in the world. We have mangos, pineapples, wax apples (蓮霧), star fruits (楊桃), lychees (荔枝), longans (龍眼), and more! Our hard-working farmers and excellent agricultural technologies (農業技術) grow these delicious fruits. However, there is a big problem that technology hasn't solved (解決): pests (害蟲). One pest has been causing problems for lychee and longan farmers. It's the lychee giant stink bug (荔枝椿象). It damages (損害) lychee and longan trees. The bug protects itself by releasing a stinky liquid (釋放臭的液體). (Cough, cough) The stinky liquid burns the leaves and the fruit on the trees. So farmers sprayed organic pesticides (他們噴灑有機農藥). And local governments (地方政府) offered money for stink bug eggs! But lychee giant stink bugs are still a problem. Now, there's a new way to get rid of (消滅) them. It's easy! Cook and eat the stink bugs! We can eat stink bugs?! Ummm…yum?? Ewwww! Well, eating them is a good way to get protein (蛋白質). And we can protect lychees and longans by eating these bugs! But how do we cook them? Well, now the Ministry of Agriculture's Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (農業部林業及自然保育署) is giving stink bug cooking classes! The classes teach easy ways to cook these bugs. People in some parts of Southeast Asia and China eat lychee giant stink bugs. But will people here eat these bugs too? Can we eat enough to help Taiwan get rid of them and protect some of Taiwan's fruit? 台灣雖然有昆蟲料理，不過願意嘗試的人畢竟是少數。 This is a "stink" bug we're talking about… But who knows? Maybe it's a tasty tidbit! Hahaha! (Laughter) That's a good one! ___________________________________________________________ 無人機向法國監獄牢房運送 Drones Deliver to Prison Cells in France Deliveries by drones can cut delivery times in half. So why aren't drones being used for deliveries? It's because there are problems to solve first. Flight paths (航線) are a big problem. What will happen when many companies deliver thousands and thousands of packages a day with drones? The sky will be full of drones! That sounds terrible! However, there are drone deliveries to places most people don't think about: prison cells (監獄)! Some delivery services (送貨服務) deliver orders to prisoners (囚犯) in prisons in France and Belgium (比利時). That is illegal (違法的), of course. Prisoners order online. The average (平均) order is almost $500 US dollars for one package. They order phones, food, illegal drugs (非法藥物), books and many other things. But the packages can't be heavier than 350 grams. Drones can't carry more than that. Delivery services mostly use small and quiet drones. The drones deliver the packages late at night. There are fewer prison guards then 深夜時.守衛人員比較少。 The drones fly with no lights on. Prisoners shine a light (點亮一盞燈)from their prison cell windows. The drones go to the light. Then the prisoners put their hands out to catch their orders! Prison guards say there are hundreds of deliveries every year. The French government spent a lot of money on equipment (設備) to fight the problem. But the equipment hasn't stopped all drone deliveries. These delivery services are always thinking of new ways to deliver to prison cells. 這種貓捉老鼠的模式真是防不勝防。 Technology is great, but not when it's used to do something illegal. ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: Lychee giant stink bugs damage two kinds of fruit trees every year in Taiwan. A new idea to protect these fruits is to cook and eat these stink bugs. And now there are stink bug cooking classes! But can we eat enough lychee giant stink bugs to help protect some of Taiwan's fruit? ___________________________________________________________ And… Drones are delivering orders to prison cells in France. Prisoners order online. The drones fly the orders to prison cell windows at night. France's government is trying to stop these deliveries, but it's not easy. ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Have you seen a hippopotamus at a zoo? If you did, this big, interesting animal was probably in some water. Hippos spend most of the day in water. They need to keep their skin wet. And they have a lot of skin! When hippos are hot, their skin doesn't get wet with sweat. They have something called "red sweat." It looks like blood, but it's not. This thick red sweat helps to keep their skin wet. So… hippos love being in water. But did you know they can't swim? Their bones are too big and heavy. Their legs are too short and thick. When they're in a river or sea, they sloooowwwwly run. And hippos can sleep with their heads underwater. As they sleep, they come up for a very short time. They take a breath (deep inhale). Then they go back down into the water. They don't wake up at all! Hippos are cool in the water and out of it! ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to us at newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hello and welcome to another episode of News Bites! I’m Paz Bueno. And I’m Nancy Sun. In today's news: Two eateries accused of food poisoning, bad sleep can make you feel years older than you really are, and a Milky Way! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 王品旗下兩間餐廳 顧客疑似食物中毒 Two Eateries Linked to Food Poisoning Nowadays, many people work late and don’t have time to cook. So they either eat out or order food deliveries. From fine dining to roadside vendors (路邊攤販), Taiwan has a competitive catering industry (餐飲業). With so many food providers, food safety is really important. Recently, food poisoning has been all over the news. A while ago, many people that dined at two Wowprime restaurants (王品集團旗下餐廳) had to go to the hospital. They ate at Truewow and Xiang La Hotpot Restaurant Ximen branch, which are next to each other. They showed suspected food poisoning symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea (腹瀉). Upon receiving the report, the Taipei Department of Health sent inspectors to inspect the restaurants. At Truewow, many areas and equipment were found to be dirty, food ingredients were repacked in undated bags (未標示日期包裝), and scraps of food were found on the floor. At Xiang La, food ingredients were also repacked in undated bags, ingredients didn’t have source documents, and kitchen countertops were dirty. The Health Department collected swabs (用棉花棒取樣本) from patients and the kitchen area, as well as taking samples of the drinking water. The swabs will be used to test for the source behind the food poisoning. The restaurants were ordered to improve their hygiene (衛生) problems. The amount of people suspected of food poisoning has exceeded the criteria (標準) for suspending operations (停業). The restaurants were ordered to close down for investigation and submit an improvement plan. They would be allowed to resume business after they pass the re-inspection and their improvement plans are approved. According to the Act Governing Food Safety and Sanitation (食品安全衛生管理法), if they fail again, they might face a fine between $60,000 to 200 million NT. Experts commented that there are really too many cases of food poisoning happening lately. 相關部門真的必須落實食品安全檢驗，為民眾的健康把關。 ________________________________ 睡眠不足 讓人覺得老了 Bad Sleep can Make You Feel Older Sleeping is important for all humans. Experts recommend that adults should get seven hours of sleep each night. However, sleep deprivation (睡眠不足) is becoming more common as people live in high-stress environments. Sleep deprivation causes high levels of anxiety and depression (憂鬱). It could even make people act more selfish. Now, there is another important reason to sleep well. Have you ever woken up in the morning and felt a lot older than you really are? Or have you ever had a good night’s sleep and woke up feeling fresh and young? There is an explanation to this phenomenon (現象). The results of this research were published in a scientific journal by Stockholm University. The researchers first interviewed 429 participants the age that they feel right now. They also asked about their sleep conditions for the past 30 days. They found out that those who experienced no days of bad sleep felt six years younger than their true age. Those that didn’t sleep well, they felt that they had aged three months with each day of bad sleep. For the second part of the research, they had 186 volunteers experience two consecutive (連續) nights of sleep. Those that had bad sleep—only four hours of sleep per night—felt over four years older than their true age. Those who had two nights of saturated sleep (睡飽了) felt three months younger. According to experts, how old a person feels may have an important impact on health and lifespan. Feeling older could reduce energy levels. In time, it might lead to the lowering of motivation to exercise and socialize (交際) with people. 那些覺得自己的狀態比實際年齡輕的人，通常都比較健康長壽。 So, if you want to feel younger, just sleep well! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Two eateries in Taipei have been linked to food poisoning. Customers showed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea. The restaurants were closed down temporarily for investigations. ________________________________ And, A study suggests bad sleep can make you feel years older than you really are. 2 consecutive nights of bad sleep can make you feel four years older than you really are. According to experts, how old a person feels may have an important impact on health and lifespan. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Our galaxy is called the ‘Milky Way’ in English. But where does the name come from? Well, it looks like a bright, milky band in the sky! This is because it has millions of stars that glow brightly. A long time ago, the ancient Romans named it ‘Via Lactea’, which means 'a milky way'! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, It's time for another episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Kelly Kimura. Today's episode proves that every dog has its day, from saving lives, to keeping everyone relaxed and happy! And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did we make you yawn? Same goes for your dog! So get ready for a barking good time, because all those stories are coming up next. ________________________________ 「轉職」搜救犬立大功 Playful Pup Finds His Calling Can you still be a hero if you fail? Roger proves that you can! Roger is an 8-year-old Labrador Retriever (拉不拉多). The dog is part of a search and rescue team with the Kaohsiung Fire Bureau. After the magnitude 7.2 earthquake earlier this month, Roger was sent to help find missing people. The quake caused many landslides (土石流). And Roger and his handler (領犬員) helped find the body of someone who was killed in a landslide in Taroko National Park. Every life lost in the earthquake was a terrible tragedy. But with Roger's help, the woman's family could give her a proper burial (葬禮). Many people praised (誇獎) all the amazing hard work of the rescue teams and dogs. But Roger wasn't always a search and rescue dog. In fact, Roger was supposed to be a drug-sniffing dog (緝毒犬). When he was a puppy, Roger went through special training. He was supposed to help police find drugs (毒品). But he was too playful! Roger活潑又好動的個性，讓他無法專心嗅聞毒品而遭到淘汰。 But fun-loving Roger was perfect for another job… Search and rescue! Trainers say Roger has lots of energy. This helps him keep going on long, hard searches for missing people. Roger loves people and is friendly with strangers (陌生人). This means he is happy to look for and find people. And Roger is smart and independent (獨立). He can move through new places and search where his handler can't go. Roger was a very important part of the search and rescue mission at Taroko National Park. And everyone saw Roger's playful side during an interview (訪問). While his handler was talking with reporters, Roger tried to grab a microphone with his mouth! He thought it was a toy, and made everyone laugh. Roger has been working at the Kaohsiung Fire Bureau for many years now. But he is now getting close to retirement age (退休的年紀). When he is 9 years old, he will retire. And the bureau will find him a loving home. ________________________________ 伊斯坦堡機場「治療犬」幫旅客舒緩壓力 Canine Crew Calms Passengers at Istanbul Airport Airports are busy places. And these places need a lot of workers to make everything run smoothly. Istanbul Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. In fact, the airport served 76 million passengers last year. So they need a lot of workers. Recently the airport hired five new workers. But these workers are a bit different. They have four legs, lots of fur, and love belly rubs! Istanbul Airport has hired a "Therapy Dog Team". These dogs walk around the airport with a human trainer. And their job is to help travelers relax. 土耳其伊斯坦堡機場的「治療犬」計畫，讓5隻受過訓練的狗狗在機場「上班」，跟旅客互動，幫助大家舒緩壓力。 They go through the airport, and visit people. People can pet the dogs and play with them. The dogs are official airport employees. They have official badges and uniforms. The uniforms say "Pet Me" on the back! And the dogs have a set schedule. The team takes turns to work from 10am to 4pm each day. To get ready for duty, the team trained for a year. This is to help them get used to the airport environment, and make sure they stay safe. And the dogs started working at the airport in February. Kuki, a grey dog with curly fur, is the team leader. He works hard, but also likes to take breaks. And Alita is also on the team. She's a border collie (邊境牧羊犬), and she's very good at helping people calm down. The team also has a veterinarian (獸醫) to take care of them. Many visitors have said they really enjoyed meeting the dogs. The airport already has plans to expand the team. 伊斯坦堡機場已經計畫將「狗狗員工」增加到10隻。 ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Roger the search and rescue dog helped find missing people after a major earthquake in Taiwan this month. Roger actually failed training to be a drug-sniffing dog. But he is perfect for search and rescue work, and is now a hero. ________________________________ And, Istanbul Airport has hired a "Therapy Dog Team". These dogs walk around the airport with a human trainer, and help travelers relax. Many visitors have said they really enjoyed meeting the dogs. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit… (yawn)…Hey, pass it on! We all know that seeing another person yawn can make us want to yawn too. It's like it's contagious (會傳染). But did you know that happens to dogs too? Studies show that seeing or hearing another yawn can make dogs yawn too. This happens even if they see humans yawn, and especially if that human is their owner! And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Paz Bueno. Coming up next in today's news: the big RedBall rises again in Tainan and gas stations in space are coming soon! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…schools of fish swim quietly! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ "紅球"在台南如鳳凰冉冉升起 RedBall Rises Like a Phoenix in Tainan Did you see the RedBall? It's so big! It's four and a half meters wide. Uh, no. Where is it? In a playground? Well, it was in Tainan. The city, called the Phoenix City (鳳凰城) by people there, is celebrating its 400th birthday. It's not in Tainan anymore? No, the RedBall's a traveling street art (街頭藝術) project (計畫). I thought street art was writing and paintings on buildings. Don't shopkeepers get mad about it? No, street art can be anything. It's art for everyone to see, but it isn't there forever (永遠). And shopkeepers don't get mad about the RedBall. The artist (藝術家) gets permission (允許) first. Where does the RedBall travel? It's been to 40 cities around the world.(它去過世界四十個國家) What happens when it goes to cities? Well, it goes for a week or two. Every day, it's in a different place. The artist puts it in famous places and surprising places. Sometimes it's squished (壓扁) between two buildings. Sometimes it's high up in an arch (拱門)! What do people do when they see the RedBall? Many people stop. They're amazed (驚訝)! It's like a UFO (飛碟) landed (降落)! Their phones come out. Some people pose (擺姿勢) for photos in crazy ways in front of it. Kids run up to it. They poke (戳) it. They bounce off (在上面跳) of it! That ball must be strong! It is. But one day in Tainan, the RedBall went pop! pssssssssssss! The big ball burst (破裂)! Oh no! How did that happen? Some scaffolding (鷹架) pierced (刺穿) it. But the artist fixed it with a patch (補丁). Then he wrote "RedBall Tainan 2024" and drew a heart on the patch. Now Tainan is on the Redball forever! What a great way to fix the RedBall! Oh - and one more question: why is the ball red? Red makes people want to play with the ball. The artist says red means energy (活力) and love. From the first time he thought of the ball, it's been red! 和台南鳳凰城一樣，紅球重生了，現在台南的名字將傳遍全世界. ___________________________________________________________ 太空加油站 即將登場 Space Gas Stations Are Coming Soon Three, two, one, liftoff! (升空). A rocket launches into space (火箭發射升空了)! Rockets have carried more than fifteen thousand satellites (衛星) up high enough to orbit the Earth (環繞地球軌道運行). Satellites give us a lot of important information. We learn more about space science, the Earth, our weather, and climate change (氣候變遷). Satellites let phone, radio, television, and other telecommunication devices (電信設備) connect (連接) to other places all over the Earth. Satellites help us know where we are and how to go to places with global positioning systems, or GPS (全球定位系統). But about half of these satellites stopped working. However, they weren't broken (壞了). They didn't have enough fuel to keep working properly (燃料用完了). Many of these satellites exploded (爆炸). They became space junk (太空垃圾). Some satellite space junk burned up when the pieces fell back to Earth. But there are almost thirty-seven thousand pieces of space junk that are ten centimeters or more. There are one hundred thirty million pieces that are one centimeter or less. It's difficult to clean up space junk. And space junk is dangerous! The pieces fly fast. They're seven times (倍) faster than bullets! So they can cause a lot of damage (造成損害) to rockets and satellites. New rockets and satellites are very expensive. But now there's a way to help satellites work longer. It also helps to make less space junk, making space safer. Scientists and engineers are making spacecraft that are gas stations (加油站). They're for satellites and other spacecraft in orbit! These space gas stations will be in orbit too. Spacecraft will be able to refuel (加油). Then they'll go and do their important work for us for a long time! 太空加油站可以讓太空船工作更久，有助於減少太空垃圾的產生，也讓太空更加安全。 ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: The RedBall is a traveling street art project. It traveled to Tainan for the city's 400th birthday. The RedBall burst one day. Now it has a new patch that says "RedBall Tainan 2024." Now Tainan's name will travel with the RedBall! ___________________________________________________________ And… Satellites give us a lot of important information. But when they have no more fuel, they stop working. They become space junk. But soon there will be space gas stations for them! ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Do you ever watch schools of fish? A school of fish is a group of fish. They swim together beautifully. They swim together to stay safe from being eaten! The number of fish in the school helps make them safer. But something else does too! Scientists found that swimming together makes fish quieter than when they swim alone. A school of fish can sound like one fish! How? The fish don't move their tails at the same time. They take turns. This cancels out the sound of swimming. When fish take turns moving their tails, another good thing happens. The fish swim faster, using less energy! Scientists also found that when one fish starts swimming with another fish, they get quieter right away. And the more fish there are, the quieter the school is. How about your school? When there are more students, does your school get quieter? No? Hmmmm… Maybe it's time to go swimming! ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to us at newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. It's time for an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news: A tortoise-shaped pizza, and a missing dog is found over 3200 kilometers away from home. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: Quakes on other planets. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 像烏龜形狀的草仔粿披薩 Tortoise-Shaped Pizza Hey pizza lovers! Get ready because there's a new pizza in town. A popular pizza chain in Taiwan recently unveiled a new flavor of pizza. 最近在台灣一家知名的披薩連鎖店推出了一種新口味的披薩。 You won't quite believe what it is. The pizza is shaped like a tortoise (陸龜). The tortoise-shaped pizza has a circular base as normal, but there's a head at the front, along with two front paws and two back paws. The pizza toppings are all green. Going from photos, it looks like it's topped with green mochi (麻糬) and coriander. That doesn't sound appetizing. 好噁心喔! And get this, the head is stuffed with red bean paste (紅豆餡). Pizza chains in Taiwan have been known to release strange flavors. Previously there was a pizza topped with coriander (香菜), century egg (皮蛋) and pig's blood cake (豬血糕). There was also a pizza topped with fried squid and Oreo biscuits. That is utterly revolting. And then there's boba pizza… Boba pizza topped with cheese and boba balls - the same kind found in bubble milk tea. So what are some netizens saying about the tortoise pizza? Well, one person said, "It looks kinda cute". Someone else said it looks like a roadkill toad (路殺蟾蜍). But surprisingly there are some who say they want to try it. I know I certainly don't! Even though tortoise-shaped pizza didn't win any Michelin stars, some say it could be a hit at parties or gatherings. But making this pizza isn't easy. Staff at the pizza chain said it takes twenty times longer to prepare than a regular pizza. I don't even agree with pineapple on pizza, let alone pig's blood cake, Oreos, squid or whatever else those dastardly pizza chains devise in their twisted minds. I mean those things are not meant for pizza. Good pizza is topped with Italian tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella (水牛起司) and salty salami (鹹鹹的義式臘腸), with some fresh basil (九層塔). 這樣才算是回味無窮齒頰留香的披薩。 I couldn't agree more, though pineapple pizza isn't so bad. Pineapple pizza is awful! No, it's not! Anyway, this turtle pizza is definitely shaking things up in the pizza world. Who knows, maybe it'll inspire even more wacky pizza creations in the future! Please NOOOO!!!!!!!! ________________________________ 狗狗失蹤九個月後，在離家三千兩百公里之外被找到 Missing dog turns up nine months later and 3,200 kilometers from home Moving swiftly on from that pizza, it's now time to talk about a heartwarming story (溫馨的故事). It's about a missing dog that was found. Aww! So a little dog called Mishka was just living life in sunny California with her family. But one day, she suddenly went missing. 牠突然失蹤了。 As you can imagine, Mishka's owners were distraught. They searched and searched for Mishka for over nine months, couldn't find her. They even posted on social media, but still nothing turned up. Now, fast forward to just before Easter (復活節) in suburban Detroit, Michigan. The local police get a call about a wandering stray dog (一隻流浪狗). When they picked the dog up, they discovered it was Mishka! But here's the mystery: Michigan is over 3200 kilometers away from California! How did Mishka make it that far? Well, no one really knows. The director of an animal welfare group thinks Mishka might have been stolen and then sold before ending up in Michigan. Luckily, Mishka had a microchip (寵物微晶片) with her owners' information. So the police were able to contact her family right away. 幸虧Mishka有寵物微晶片，所以警方能夠立即聯絡到牠的主人。 Mishka's owners didn't waste any time. As soon as they got the call, they hopped on a plane (跳上飛機), then drove 10 hours to collect Mishka. Thankfully, Mishka was found in good shape - clean, well-fed, and taken care of. 牠被照顧得很好。 After a check-up at the vets, she was ready to head back home to California. So, there you have it - the incredible journey (不可思議的旅程) of a lost dog who found her way back home against all odds. ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, A famous pizza chain in Taiwan introduced a tortoise-shaped pizza. It's topped with green mochi and coriander, and the head stuffed with red bean paste. While some find it amusing or cute, others are repulsed by the idea. Pizza chains in Taiwan have released strange creations before, using squid, Oreo and century egg as toppings. And, Mishka, a little dog from California, went missing. Her owners searched for her tirelessly for over nine months, posting on social media, all to no avail. But just before Easter, she was discovered as a stray by Michigan police, over 3200 kilometers away from her home. Thanks to her microchip, Mishka's owners were contacted, and they promptly traveled to retrieve her. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know Earth is not the only place in the solar system that has quakes? The Moon and planets Mars and Mercury also experiences quakes. These are called Moonquakes, Marsquakes and Mercuryquakes. ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! Welcome to a brand new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. Today's stories… Kaohsiung is very thirsty, legendary Amazons might be real, and a plant that grows ketchup and fries! Keep on listening to find out more about these stories! ________________________________ 高雄：台灣最愛喝飲料的城市！ Kaohsiung: The Thirstiest City in Taiwan! Taiwan is known around the world for its delicious tea and unique tea culture. Hand-shaken drinks (手搖飲) can be found all across the island! But do you know which city spends the most money on these tea drinks? Last year, Kaohsiung was the number one city in Taiwan for buying drinks. People there spent a whopping $8.26 billion NT on them! 高雄人去年在這些飲料上花了整整82.6億新台幣！ According to the Ministry of Finance (財政部), there are a lot of places to buy hand-shaken drinks in Taiwan- 15,837 shops, to be exact! And Kaohsiung has the most shops of any city, with 3,077 places, beating Tainan and Taichung. In this competition of cities, after Kaohsiung, Tainan came in second place, and Taichung was third. When we look at the whole country, from the north to the south, we notice more drink shops as we move southward. 當我們觀察整個國家，從北到南，我們會注意到越往南，飲料店的數量就越多。 New Taipei City, Taoyuan, and Taipei also love their drinks but have fewer shops compared to the southern cities. When it comes to how much everyone spent on these tasty beverages, all of Taiwan spent $53.75 billion NT last year. 全台灣在這些美味飲料上的總花費，去年達到537.5億新台幣。 Kaohsiung wasn't just the city with the most drink shops; it also spent the most money on drinks. Tainan was a close second in spending. But, if we talk about how much money each person spends on drinks, Tainan's residents take the crown. 但如果我們講的是個人在手搖飲上的花費，台南的居民則是冠軍。 Each person in Tainan spent an average of $4,199 NT last year… …while in Kaohsiung, each person spent about $3,015 NT. So, whether it's a milk tea, a fruit shake, or something else entirely, it looks like the people of Kaohsiung and Tainan love their drinks a lot! ________________________________ 古代女戰士或許是傳說中的亞馬遜人 Ancient Warrior Women Might be Legendary Amazons Long ago, people believed in stories about the Amazons (亞馬遜人). They were strong women warriors (女戰士) who were as fierce (兇猛) as any man in battle. These women rode horses (騎馬) and used bows and arrows (弓箭). The legends say they lived without men and were famous for their fighting skills. While these tales seemed like just stories… 這些故事聽起來像是虛構的…… …archeologists digging up old graves have recently found clues that these warrior women might have been real! …不過考古學家最近挖掘古墓時發現了線索，這些女戰士可能真的存在過！ In a place called Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan (在亞塞拜然的納希切萬), scientists found graves from 4,000 years ago. They found women buried with weapons (武器) like sharp arrowheads (箭頭), a bronze dagger (青銅匕首), and even a heavy club (棍棒), as well as beautiful jewelry. This made them think these could be the graves of the Amazons. More discoveries support this idea. In Russia (俄羅斯), they found four women buried with weapons. In Armenia (亞美尼亞), there was a woman buried with an arrow in her leg from a fight. And near Kazakhstan (哈薩克斯坦), they found a woman buried with a dagger. What's fascinating is the evidence (證據) in their bones. Some women had fingers shaped by using bows and arrows a lot, and their hips showed they rode horses often. 有些女性的手指因頻繁使用弓箭而變形，她們的臀部顯示她們經常騎馬。 They even found special jewelry, which suggests these women were important and respected. 他們甚至發現了很特別的珠寶，表示這些女性的重要身分。 These findings will be shown in a TV series, telling stories of these ancient warrior women. The show will explore places where cultures mixed and traded (文化交融和貿易), and where these women might have lived. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Last year, Kaohsiung was the number one city in Taiwan for buying drinks. People there spent a whopping $8.26 billion NT on them! Tainan came in second place, and Taichung was third. Kaohsiung also has the most tea shops of any city. ________________________________ And, Archeologists digging up old graves have recently found clues that Amazon warrior women might have been real! Scientists found graves in Azerbaijan from 4,000 years ago. They found women buried with weapons like sharp arrowheads, a bronze dagger, and even a heavy club, as well as beautiful jewelry. These findings will be shown in a TV series, telling stories of these ancient warrior women. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Do you like eating French fries with ketchup? In the UK, a company called Thompson & Morgan made a special plant. This plant can grow cherry tomatoes up top and potatoes below. They named it the "ketchup and fries plant!" Experts put together a tomato and a potato plant because they are like family, so they grow well together. They use a process called grafting (移植). After planting, you'll get sweet tomatoes in the summer. Then, in the fall, you can dig up tasty, smooth potatoes that are great for cooking! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next in today's news: Taiwan's J&G Fried Chicken is opening their first shop in the US, and the floating door frame from the movie "Titanic" sells for over $700,000 US dollars. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…you can't get too much sugar from fruit! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ 繼光香香雞美國第一家分店開幕 Taiwan's J&G Fried Chicken Will Open Its 1st shop in the US Where do you go when you crave (渴望) fried chicken? Do you go to KFC, McDonalds or maybe somewhere local? When it comes to fried chicken, other than the traditional popcorn chicken (鹹酥雞), many choose American fast-food franchises (快餐連鎖店). These fast-food restaurants are famous around the world. Currently, there are over 400 McDonalds and 180 KFCs in Taiwan. But did you know that some Taiwanese restaurants are also popular overseas? One of them is J&G Fried Chicken. It has only 70 branches (分店) in Taiwan. However, the company has 430 shops in countries such as Canada, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The restaurant has chosen Southern California for its first branch in the US. It will work with 85°C Bakery Caf? (85度C), another Taiwanese restaurant, to open three branches in the US this year. The company wants to have 150 stores in the US, and 1,000 around the world in 10 years. The CEO of J&G Fried Chicken says the company wants to combine Taiwanese snacks and American dining culture. Therefore, in addition to its usual menu (菜單), the restaurant will also serve fried chicken sandwiches. J&G is not the only successful Taiwanese restaurant abroad. The famous xiaolongbao restaurant Din Tai Feng has around 175 restaurants around the world. Other restaurants, like Bafang Dumpling and MWD (麥味登) are also doing well overseas. And of course, we mustn't forget the famous drink that everyone loves, bubble tea. Famous Taiwanese bubble tea shops are also popping up around the world. Taiwan is a country famous for its variety of food. Now more and more people can enjoy Taiwanese food wherever they live! 經由飲食推廣台灣文化是最簡單，也最直接的方式 ___________________________________________________________ "鐵達尼號"女主角救命門框高價拍賣 Floating Door Frame from Movie 'Titanic' Sells for Over $700,000 US Dollars If you have seen the movie "Titanic," you've seen the door frame that saved Rose. When the ship sank into the icy water, Rose climbed onto the wooden door frame. Jack clung (抓緊) onto the edge, his body mostly in the ice-cold water. The door frame is one of the most iconic (具代表性) Hollywood (好萊塢) movie props (道具) in cinema history. People debated (辯論) whether Jack and Rose could have sat on the door frame together while they waited for help. Titanic's movie director even did an experiment on this. The result was not clear, but that's not what we're here to talk about today. A while ago, there was an auction (拍賣會) of 1,600 Hollywood movie props. The famous door frame was among the movie props that people paid high prices for. The bidding (出價) started at $60,000 US dollars and went up quickly to $700,000 US dollars in just a few minutes. The final price was over $700,000 US dollars, but the auction company did not say who the buyer was. According to the movie director, the design (圖案) of the door frame was based on (根據) a piece of debris (碎片) from the original Titanic. The debris was part of a door frame from the entrance to the first-class lounge (休息室) on the ship. There were also other famous movie props sold at the auction. Indy's whip (皮鞭) from "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" sold for over half a million US dollars. Princess Leia's blaster (雷射槍) from "Return of the Jedi" sold for $150,000. There are people who are really interested in movie props! The most expensive movie prop ever sold is 007's car from the 1964 James Bond movie, "Goldfinger." The Aston Martin DB5 sold for over $6 million US dollars. Wow! 或許擁有電影裡的道具能夠滿足人們的幻想。 Wouldn't it be cool to drive around in Batman's Batmobile? ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: Taiwan's J&G Fried Chicken will open its first shop in the US. J&G's American menu will also have fried chicken sandwiches. Taiwan is famous for its food. Now more people can enjoy Taiwanese food wherever they live! ___________________________________________________________ And… The floating door frame from the movie "Titanic" sold for over $700,000 US dollars. The iconic movie prop and other famous movie props were sold at an auction. People are really interested in movie props! ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Some parents worry about their kids eating too much sugar. Sugar? Yes, candy and sweet drinks usually have lots of sugar. Oh! Sugar! I love sugar! Well, maybe it's better to eat fresh fruit then. We can't get too much sugar from fresh fruit. Really? Uh-huh. Fresh fruit has sugar, but it also has lots of fiber (纖維) and water. Fiber and water make the fruit move more slowly in your body. They make you feel full for a longer time. Cool! So let's go and enjoy all the delicious fresh fruit that Taiwan has! Yum! ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to us at newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. Today's stories… Taiwan's place in a global air pollution report, a dolphin fossil in Peru, and who holds the record for the longest time to complete a marathon? Let's check it out. ________________________________ 台灣空氣品質在全球排名第45 Taiwan's Air is 45th Most Polluted in the World Taiwan's air is cleaner than some places but could still get better. That's according to a big study on air around the world. The 2023 World Air Quality Report looked at tiny particles in the air (空氣中的微小粒子) that are too small to see but can make us sick. These particles are called PM2.5, and they come from cars, factories, and other places. In 2023, Taiwan ranked 45th in air pollution comparing it with 134 other places. 台灣去年在134個地區中，空氣汙染排名第45。 It had less air pollution (空氣汙染) than countries like China and Mongolia… …but was a bit more polluted than South Korea, Hong Kong, and Japan. The cleanest countries included places like Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland. And the most polluted countries were Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. In Taiwan, the air is different depending on where you look. Some areas have more pollution. The government is working hard to make the air cleaner, especially in central and southern Taiwan. They're asking power plants and factories to pollute less. 政府要求發電廠和工廠減少汙染。 But, figuring out air quality isn't simple. It changes with the weather and where you are. 空氣品質會隨著天氣和地點變化。 For example, dust from a river can affect the air in one place, while in another part, the type of wind can change what kind of air pollution there is. 例如，河流的塵土可以影響某地的空氣，而在另一個地方，風的類型可以改變空氣汙染的情況。 The government also mentioned that the study might not have all the right numbers. They have their own measurements (測量數據) and say the air is getting a bit cleaner than the study suggests. So, Taiwan is trying to make the air cleaner for everyone. It's important because clean air means healthier people. And even though we're doing okay, there's still work to be done to make our air even better. ________________________________ 秘魯發現1600萬年前的河豚化石 16-Million-Year-Old River Dolphin Fossil Found in Peru Let's travel back in time, way, way back to when the Earth looked very different. Imagine a time with huge animals and very big dolphins (河豚) in the rivers! We can learn about this old world through fossils (化石). Fossils are like clues from a long time ago, left by animals that aren't here anymore. They help us understand what the world used to be like. A long time ago, a big dolphin swam in rivers that are now part of the Amazon rainforest. This dolphin was bigger than any dolphin we see today in South America. 很久以前，一隻比南美洲今天見到的任何河豚都要大的河豚，在亞馬遜雨林的河流裡游泳。 Scientists found its fossilized skull (化石頭骨) in Peru and learned it was about as long as a small car! They estimate the fossil is around 16 million years old. 他們估計這個化石大約有1600萬年歷史。 This ancient dolphin was called Pebanista yacuruna. It's named after a mythological creature (神話裡的動物) from stories in Peru, the Yacuruna, known for living in deep waters. The dolphin from Peru is like a distant cousin (遠親) of the river dolphins found in India today. Both types of dolphins used to live in the sea a very, very long time ago before they moved to rivers. This discovery in Peru was made by scientists with the help of the National Geographic Society. They found the dolphin's skull near the Napo River. Even though the giant dolphins from the past are gone, the Amazon River is still home to a unique type of dolphin. 即使過去的巨大河豚已經消失，亞馬遜河仍然是一種獨特的河豚的家。 It's known as the Amazon river dolphin or the pink river dolphin. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The 2023 World Air Quality Report says Taiwan ranked 45th in air pollution comparing it with 134 other places. They studied particles in each country's air called PM2.5. The countries with the cleanest air included places like Australia, New Zealand, and Iceland. And the most polluted countries were Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. ________________________________ And, Scientists found the fossilized skull of a big dolphin in Peru that's around 16 million years old. This ancient dolphin was called Pebanista yacuruna, after a mythological creature from stories in Peru, the Yacuruna, known for living in deep waters. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The record for the longest time to complete a marathon is 54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes, and 20.3 seconds. It's held by runner Shizo Kanakuri from Japan. He went to Sweden in 1912 to run a long race in the Olympics…but got very tired and stopped to rest. He never finished the race and went back to Japan quietly. 50 years later, Sweden offered Mr. Kanakuri a chance to finish the race, and he agreed! He says, "It was a long trip. Along the way, [he] got married, had six children and 10 grandchildren." If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. Welcome to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news, Facing an earthquake, waiting in Paris, and the fluffy stuff. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣努力從重大地震中恢復 Taiwan Working to Recover from Major Earthquake What were you doing on April 3rd, at 7:58am? Were you on your way to school? Or were you still in bed? Whatever you were doing, wherever you were, it's now one of those moments that we will remember for a long time. That day, at that moment, a major earthquake struck. The magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook the ground for some time. The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) says the center of the quake was in Hualien County. So that's where the shaking probably felt the strongest. Two buildings in Hualien were very badly damaged (受損). And the rest of the island felt a lot of strong shaking too. Many people were on their way to work or school. Trains and cars stopped. Everyone tried to hold on and stay safe. It was the biggest earthquake in Taiwan since 1999. There were people hurt or killed, and many were missing. Hundreds of people also needed to be rescued. And through all that, the island continued to shake with aftershocks (餘震). The CWA has recorded hundreds of aftershocks since the first magnitude 7.2 earthquake hit last week. The CWA says the number of daily aftershocks is going down. 氣象署說目前還是有餘震，不過頻率會慢慢減少，但無法預測什麼時候會完全停止。 And Taiwan is now working hard to recover (復原). After the quake, people started trying to help. The government opened an account for donations (捐款). The account has over $300 million NT (3億) in donated funds. A rescue team from Turkey (土耳其) is in Taiwan to help look for missing people. There are still many challenges up ahead. But everyone is working together and trying to help. ________________________________ 巴黎舉辦服務生賽跑 Get Ready, Get Set, Wait! Paris Holds Race for Waiters Most of the time, a race is all about being fast. But to win this race… You need to wait! Paris recently held a very special race. It's the "Course des Cafes", or the Paris Waiters Race. It's a race for Paris' waiters (服務生)! More than 200 waiters took part in the race through the center of the French city. These servers wore their uniforms, with white shirts, and black pants. They also wore aprons (圍裙), and some wore bow ties. They all carried a tray with a croissant, a full glass of water, and an empty coffee cup. The race is almost 2 kilometers long. It starts and ends at Paris City Hall. And all these expert waiters had to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. But they couldn't run, couldn't spill any water, and they couldn't use two hands to carry their tray! 法國巴黎舉辦「咖啡廳賽跑」，服務生端著放有水、咖啡杯和可頌的托盤在市中心競走2公里。 Judges stood at the finish line. They checked each server's tray. And the servers lost points for water outside the glass, and for broken dishes. So how fast can these waiters go? The men's winner finished the race in 13 minutes and 30 seconds. The women's winner finished in 14 minutes and 12 seconds. They each got a medal, and got to stay one night in a luxurious hotel (豪華的飯店). They also got two tickets to the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics this summer. ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, On April 3rd, at 7:58am, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Taiwan. It was the biggest earthquake in Taiwan since 1999. There were people hurt or killed, and many were missing. There are still many challenges up ahead. But everyone is working together and trying to help. ________________________________ And, Paris recently held the Paris Waiters Race. More than 200 waiters raced through the center of the French city, wearing uniforms and balancing trays. The winners each got a medal and a one-night stay at a luxurious hotel. They also got two tickets to the opening ceremony for the Paris Olympics this summer. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Have you ever looked up at a fluffy white cloud and imagined bouncing on it? Well, clouds are actually made up of tiny drops of water or ice crystals, floating high up in the sky. They bump together and stick, making those big puffy shapes we see. But don't really try to jump on one, this fluffy stuff won't hold your weight! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey you guys. It’s time for another episode of News Bites. I’m Jacob Ingram. And I’m Nancy Sun In today's news: A Formosan black bear is euthanized after a trap injury, and recycling cannot keep pace with e-waste increase. And in today’s Tasty Tidbit: Rust! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 受困的台灣黑熊，搶救四天不治 Formosan black bear euthanized after trap injury The mountain forests of Taiwan are home to many wonderful creatures. Among them are the Formosan clouded leopard (雲豹) which is believed to be extinct, the pangolin (穿山甲) and of course, the well-known Formosan black bear. The Formosan black bear has an area of V-shaped white fur on its chest. This makes it very distinctive from its other black bear cousins in Asia. Recently, one of these bears had to be euthanized (安樂死) after it was rescued from a trap (陷阱). Euthanize means to put an “animal to sleep”, which means to kill it in a humane way. The bear was caught in a hunting trap meant for other animals. An indigenous (原住民) Bunun (布農族) patrol in Taitung discovered the injured bear. The patrol is part of a project on wildlife conservation. The team was changing the batteries of infrared (紅外線) cameras in black bear habitual grounds when they heard a groaning sound. They followed the sound and discovered a bear caught in a trap. 30 people were then mobilized to help carry the 93 kg male bear out of the forest. It was sent to a veterinary hospital (獸醫診所) where it was treated for 4 days. Unfortunately, the injuries were too severe, leading to sepsis (敗血症) and organ failure (器官衰竭). The vet had no choice but to euthanize the bear. This is not the first incident of a bear being caught in a trap. There are also incidents of the same bear getting trapped twice and more. The indigenous people of Taiwan are legally allowed to hunt a limited amount every year. They usually hunt deer and goats, but not bears. However, due to the size of traditional traps, bears are often caught in them. In recent years, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency has produced a new trap. 林業保育署設立的陷阱比較小，而且有感應器 This can prevent (避免) bears and baby animals from triggering (觸發) the trap. The agency is currently encouraging indigenous hunters (原住民獵人) to use the new trap. They hope this method can reduce the number of animals being caught accidentally. ________________________________ 聯合國報告指出，電器回收趕不上廢棄物的產量 Recycling cannot keep pace with e-waste increase Electronics are considered daily necessities (必需品) nowadays. This includes phones, tables, laptops, screens, microwave ovens, and a lot more. Millions of electronic products are produced every day. And of course, millions of broken electronics are thrown away each day. Discarded (被丟棄的) devices with a plug or battery are all defined as e-waste (電器垃圾). According to a report released by the United Nations, 62 million tonnes (公噸) of e-waste was generated in 2022. That is enough to fill trailers (聯結車) to line up around the globe. The report also mentioned that only 22% of the 62 million tonnes was properly recycled (回收再利用). The efficiency (效率) of recycling e-waste is really low. Metals, including copper (銅), gold and iron, make up half of the 62 million tonnes. If properly recycled, these metals are worth about 91 billion US dollars. There is also a huge amount of plastic and glass in the waste. Where does all the unrecycled waste go? They end up in dumpsites (垃圾場) in countries that have few laws on e-waste or recycling targets (目標). This causes huge damage to the environment. There are hazardous materials like mercury (水銀) in the waste. You remember what mercury is, right? Mercury is a shiny, silver metal which is a liquid at room temperature (室溫). Mercury produces a toxic vapor (會釋放有毒氣體). It can damage the brain, kidneys and nervous system (神經系統). So when it rains and rainwater runs through e-waste, it carries harmful materials like mercury into the soil. When the soil is contaminated (污染), it also pollutes the water supply. Experts say the e-waste problem is only going to grow. This is due to many reasons like higher consumption (消耗) of electronics, limited repair options and shorter product life. Also, less than half of the world is implementing (實施) and enforcing approaches to manage the problem. With these numbers, e-waste is expected to reach 82 million tonnes by 2030. The recycling rate is expected to fall to 20%. 科技讓我們的生活更便利，但也對環境造成傷害。 Next time you want to trade your old phone for a newer model, maybe hold on to it just a little longer. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A Formosan black bear was found caught in a trap by an indigenous group in Taitung. The bear was rescued and treated it for 4 days. Unfortunately, its injuries were too severe, so it had to be euthanized. ________________________________ And, Recycling cannot keep pace with e-waste increase. The amount of e-waste produced in 2022 is 62 million tonnes. Only 22% is properly recycled. The rest ends up in dumpsites, and causes harm to the environment. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know the only metal that rusts is iron (鐵)? Rust is a word we use to talk about iron and its mixtures, or alloys rather, like steel, when it gets damaged by oxygen and water. But there are other metals that can also get damaged like this, although they might not make the same reddish-brown bits we usually see with rust. ________________________________ And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or a joke you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We’ll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. It's time for an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Paz Bueno. In today's news: A publishing house in Taiwan crowdfunds a Chinese translation, and a man unearths the UK's largest golden nugget. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: Yellow metal. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 「魔戒」新譯本集資逾500萬 翻譯版本引討論 New Translations for Lord of the Rings Fly, you fools! It's time to talk about "Lord of the Rings" again. You remember what that is, right? It's the classic novel by British author J.R.R. Tolkien. Tolkien has been called the "father" of modern fantasy (現代奇幻小說). "Lord of the Rings" is considered his "magnum opus (代表作)". That's a fancy word meaning "great work" or "masterpiece". It can be used to describe an artist or author's greatest work. The book was first translated into Chinese in 1978. The translation took several years to complete. Since then, it's been updated and revised to accommodate different dialects and readerships. The most familiar and circulated version in Taiwan was the translation by Zhu Xue-heng (朱學恆). It's over 20 years old. Now it seems another Chinese version of the novel is on the way! Recently, a Taiwanese publishing house (出版社) launched a crowdfunding campaign (群眾集資) for a new Chinese translation not only of Lord of the Rings, but also "the Hobbit" too, which is the prequel to Lord of the Rings. 最近台灣一家出版社發起群眾集資，想要重新翻譯著名的小說魔戒和它的前傳哈比人歷險記。 The publishing house raised over 5 million NT! But why do we need a new translation? Well, an experienced translator said languages don't stay the same forever. They change over time. Take English for example. The English spoken 100 years ago isn't the same as the English we speak today. 一百年前的英文跟現代英文有點不同。 For example, words like "internet," "smartphone," or "selfie" didn't exist a hundred years ago because those things weren't around yet. Another example is the word "awful". It used to mean "filled with awe". 「Awful」這個詞兒原本的意思是「充滿敬畏」。 Oh, I get it! "Awe" and "full". Full of awe! Yeah, but now "awful" means "terrible" or "horrible". So if you say "I feel awful", that's not good. The Chinese language is also changing. To demonstrate this, all you have to do is read an old book, like "the Travels of Lao Can" (老殘遊記). In fact, let's read a passage from that book right now. 我們來看看老殘遊記是怎麼寫的吧。 看此風景，今兒日出是看不著的了。天風海水，能移我情，即使看不著日出，此行亦不為辜負。 No one talks like that anymore, right? In any case, the Chinese used in the Lord of the Rings translations is considered a little bit out of date. So who will be doing the translating? Someone called Li Han (李函). He has a master's degree from the University of Glasgow. The publishing house expects the translation to launch next March! ________________________________ 故障的金屬探測器找到 英格蘭最大金塊 The UK's Biggest Golden Nugget Found with Faulty Detector Now, it's time to travel to England for this next story. A guy called Richard Brock went on a treasure hunt, and quite literally "struck gold"! Oh really? What happened? Richard is a hobbyist treasure hunter. He goes from place to place with his metal detector. For 35 years, he has been looking for treasure. So how do treasure hunters look for treasure? They use metal detectors. These devices can find metallic objects hidden underground or underwater (地下或是水裡). Users sweep them over the ground or along surfaces. It emits a beeping noise (會發出嗶嗶叫的聲音) when it detects metal, like this… Recently, Richard Brock went to Shropshire. Shropshire is located in the West Midlands of England, near the border with Wales. There he joined up with other treasure hunters. Things weren't looking so good for Richard at the start. Not only did he arrive late, his metal detector was faulty (故障的). To make matters worse, everyone else had up-to-date equipment. Sounds like he was all set for a bad day, right? But soon after he started his search, guess what he found? A golden nugget! But this was not just any golden nugget! It was large, weighing 64.8 grams (公克)! In fact, it was the largest golden nugget ever found in the UK on record! It's been named "Hiro's Nugget", but there doesn't seem to be any information on why it's called that? In any case, the golden nugget has been valued at over 30,000 pounds. That's over 1.2 million NT! A golden nugget is basically a chunk of gold. They're usually very small, and look like golden stones. No one knows how "Hiro's Nugget" ended up in Shropshire. Some speculate (猜測) the site where it was found used to have a railway going through it. Maybe the nugget fell off an old mine cart while in transit (運輸過程中)? There has to be lots of treasure out there, waiting to be discovered. Remember to keep an eye out and who knows, you might just find a shiny piece of treasure on your next adventure! ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, A publishing house in Taiwan launched a crowdfunding campaign for a new Chinese translation of "Lord of the Rings". It raised over 5 million NT! "Lord of the Rings" is one of the most popular fantasy stories of all time. The current translations are considered outdated, prompting the need for a fresh rendition. Translator Li Han will handle the new translation, which is expected to launch next March. And, Richard Brock, a hobbyist treasure hunter, found the largest golden nugget ever discovered in the UK. He found it in Shropshire, England, using a faulty metal detector. The nugget is named "Hiro's Nugget," and it's worth over 1.2 million NT! It is speculated to have been lost from a railway that used to pass through the area. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know that gold is the only yellow metal? But gold is not just special because of its color. It is also very valuable and has been important for a long time. Gold doesn't get rusty or dirty. That's why people use gold to make jewelry. They can make very pretty things with it that will last a long time! ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's stories… How a laser could fight cancer, how our food affects the planet, and how a "bee's-eye-view" helps find the sweet spot. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 偵測癌細胞的雷射系統 A Laser that Finds Cancer Cells Fast Taiwan's Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛生福利部) says cancer has been the leading cause of death in Taiwan for 41 consecutive (連續) years. But now there may be a new way to fight cancer. It's a breakthrough (突破) in medical technology. A team at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology has developed new technology. It is a laser that can detect cancer cells in an hour. When cancer happens in a human body, a tumor (腫瘤) grows in the affected part. The tumor then releases circulating tumor cells (CTCs 循環腫瘤細胞) that spreads the cancer throughout the body. That's how cancer spreads to other parts of the body. One way to fight cancer is to find it early. And to find it, doctors follow CTCs. Usually, doctors take a little bit of the patient's blood. They send the blood to a lab to get tested. Experts do the testing and look at the results. It usually takes at least two weeks to get the test results. All this takes a lot of time, work, and money. CTC tests are not covered by National Health Insurance. The tests cost around $15,000 to 20,000 NT. This may be a lot of money for some people. But NTUST's new laser can quickly scan (掃描) for CTCs. The team says this uses less materials and costs less money. The old way of testing also kills the CTCs. But the new laser allows the CTCs to stay alive. This way, the live CTCs can be cultured (培養) for cancer drug testing, speeding up early treatment. 這項科技目前正在申請醫療儀器認證中，預計3年後能量產。 The team hopes this technology would make a change in cancer treatments. ________________________________ 科學家提議蟒蛇肉為食物來源 Could Python Meat Change the Way We Eat? The effects of global climate change have been threatening (威脅) our food sources. Traditional farming takes up a lot of resources. You need land, food, water, and more. The carbon footprint (碳足跡) that traditional farming produces is also shocking. Researchers are trying to find a more sustainable (永續) meat source that is eco-friendly. And they might have just found the answer… Snake meat. Not just any snake, but the long and enormous python (蟒蛇). Snake meat is considered a delicacy (佳餚) in many countries. To meet this demand, commercial snake farming has been popping up (出現) in recent years. Snake meat is healthy in some ways. It is high in protein and low in saturated fats (飽和脂肪). Some say it tastes like chicken. Some researchers think python farming has a low impact on the environment. They believe snakes do not need to be fed often. They say the snakes can even go months without eating. On top of that, pythons can be fed waste meat, such as rats or dead animals. They also don't need much water. Sometimes they can drink the dew (露水) that forms on their scales (鱗片) every morning. Pythons don't need a lot of space. They seem to be able to tolerate (忍受) small confined (狹窄) spaces. Compared to other animals, pythons are relatively easy to farm. But some feel that treating animals this way is wrong. There are still many questions that need to be answered. And more research needs to be done. Many also wonder if people would be willing to eat snake meat. 縱使養殖蟒蛇作為食物有一些好處，那也要人們願意接受才行。 ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, A team at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology has developed a laser that can detect cancer cells in an hour. The new laser uses less materials and costs less money. The team hopes this technology would make a change in cancer treatments. ________________________________ And, Researchers are trying to find a more sustainable meat source that is eco-friendly, and they're thinking about python meat. Some researchers think python farming has a low impact on the environment. But some feel that treating animals this way is wrong. There are still many questions that need to be answered. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Many people like looking at beautiful flowers. But did you know that these flowers have "secret signs" for bees? Bees see the world differently. They can see ultraviolet light. And under this light, many flowers have patterns and colors that humans can't normally see. These patterns and colors help bees find pollen (花粉). So next time you see a bee buzzing around a flower, remember, they're not just smelling the roses, they're seeing the secret signs! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, get ready for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Brody Halverson. And I'm Paz Bueno. Today's stories… A Taiwanese Youtuber hits ten million subscribers, and a Japanese mayor makes a town more baby-friendly. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…what animal is mostly water? Let's check it out. ________________________________ 玩武術特技的YouTuber獲得千萬訂閱者 Tricking YouTuber Gets 10 Million Subscribers Hey Brody, can you do a flip? Sure, no problem. Just watch me. Ouch! Okay, it's not easy to do a flip. That's right. If you want to learn, you need a good teacher. Fortunately, you can see how to do it on YouTube. Some YouTubers teach their viewers how to do flips, kicks, and twists. It's called "tricking", and it's super popular. 武術特技又叫做"tricking"，它包括了跳躍和空中翻滾，非常流行。 In fact, one tricker on YouTube recently reached ten million subscribers (訂閱者). And he's from Taiwan! That means he's the first Taiwanese YouTuber to reach ten million subscribers. His name is Wu Chi-hsuan (吳奇軒), and his channel is called "Chi Hsuan Tricking". Watch his videos, and you can learn all sorts of amazing movements. In one video, he teaches a student how to do a cartwheel (側手翻). First, he shows her, wheeling onto his hands and back to his feet. Then, he explains to her the different steps of the motion. Last, he helps her as she tries the cartwheel herself. The lesson showed her and all the viewers (觀眾) how to do this awesome stunt. Why does Chi-hsuan love tricking so much? He says "It's very liberating because you can create your own movements and style." He also says "Mastering one move gives a sense of achievement and makes you want to keep pushing yourself." How did his channel (頻道) get so popular? He got interested in tricking after it came to Taiwan from the US, more than twenty years ago. In 2016 Chi-hsuan uploaded his first YouTube video. 奇軒2016年上傳了他的第一個YouTube影片。 At first, he didn't get many subscribers. That changed in 2022, when he started making shorter videos and they went viral (爆紅). Last year, his videos got more than 2 billion views and 70 million likes. Now he has ten million subscribers. He's got fans all over the world, especially in North America and Southeast Asia. So what is Chi-hsuan's next move? He says he wants to take part in action movies. He wants to use tricking to show the world that Taiwan has lots of action talent. ________________________________ 日本市長讓父母的生活更輕鬆 Japanese Mayor Makes Parents' Lives Easier Why are parents so busy? They have a lot worry about. They need to take care of their kids every day, bringing them to daycare (托兒所), to school and everywhere else. Parents also need to work, to get the money to feed their kids. No wonder (難怪) people are not having as many children these days. It's just too difficult. In many countries, the population is shrinking, because so few kids are born. 許多國家的人口不斷減少，因為新生兒太少了。 That's a big problem. And in one Japanese city, a mayor is working to solve it. His name is Yoshiharu Izaki. He's the mayor of Nagareyama, a city near Tokyo (東京附近的城市). His city has a special system (特別的制度). Every morning, parents from the city take the train into Tokyo to work. And they just leave their kids at the train station (火車站). Then, a bus brings the children to daycare, so the parents don't have to worry about it. In the evening, the parents can just pick their kids up at the train station again. Wow, that's super convenient (超方便)! It's all part of Mayor Yoshiharu's plan to make parent's lives easier. What else is his city doing? It's adding more parks and greenery (綠化面積). The mayor wants people to think of Nagareyama as "the forest city nearest to Tokyo." That way, parents don't have to go far to bring their kids to the park. Is the mayor's plan working? Yes, it is. Nagareyama has a birth rate of 1.5. That means each woman has an average of 1.5 children. Nagareyama的出生率為1.5，這意味著每個女性平均有1.5個孩子。 It's much higher than the birth rate for the rest of Japan. But it's still pretty low. The birth rate needs to be 2.1 or higher for the population to grow (人口成長). That's why Mayor Yoshiharu wants to improve his plan, and share it with other mayors. If parents can save time, they might have more kids… …and spend more time relaxing with their kids. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… A Taiwanese YouTuber has reached 10 million subscribers. His channel is called "Chi Hsuan Tricking". He teaches people how to do amazing tricks, like jumps, flips and cartwheels. ________________________________ And, One city in Japan is making life easier for parents. Nagareyama lets parents drop off their kids at the train station, on their way to work. It saves the parents lots of time, and is improving the birth rate. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Humans are made up of 50-75% water. On average, a human adult body has about 60% water. But do you know which animal has the highest water content? It's jellyfish! (水母) They are made of 95% water! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next in today's news: Taiwan dishes you've never tried and a 10-year-old girl sees a Japanese wolf on a shelf! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…comets smell really bad! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ 這些台灣菜來自哪裡？ These Taiwan Dishes Are From Where? Do you like "Taiwan ramen"? Taiwan ramen?! I've never heard of it. What? We're in Taiwan. Let's go and try some. Okay. Wait… Hey, there's no Taiwan ramen in Taiwan! Taiwan ramen is a popular dish in Nagoya (名古屋), a city in Japan. People in Nagoya LOVE Taiwan ramen. Where's it from? Nagoya! A Taiwanese chef (廚師) in Nagoya made noodles for his workers' lunch. He had eaten danzai noodles (擔仔麵) in Taiwan. In Nagoya, he changed the danzai soup from shrimp (蝦) to chicken. He put chives (韭菜) and bean sprouts (豆芽) in the soup. He put lots of garlic (蒜) and chili pepper powder (辣椒粉) in some ground pork (豬絞肉). Now this spicy ground pork (辣肉燥) is called "Taiwan mince" (肉燥). A customer (顧客) said the dish looked delicious. So the chef put Taiwan ramen on the menu! Now Taiwan ramen is at over two hundred ramen shops in Nagoya. People who don't like spicy food order "Taiwan ramen American." People who love it order super spicy "Taiwan ramen Italian." There are other Taiwan dishes that people in Nagoya love. There's Taiwan mazesoba. It's Taiwan ramen with no soup. Chives, Taiwan mince, and a raw egg yolk (生蛋黃) are on top. Taiwan mazesoba was first made when a chef couldn't make good Taiwan ramen soup. He was going to throw away the noodles and Taiwan mince. But a worker asked him to make a dish without soup! There's Taiwan curry (咖哩). It has lots of spices (香料), onions (洋蔥), and potatoes (馬鈴薯). It has Taiwan mince and a raw egg on top. Taiwan curry was first made when a chef put leftover (剩下的) Taiwan mince on curry for his workers. There are many other Taiwan dishes in Nagoya. They all have Taiwan mince in them! Any dish with Taiwan mince in it is delicious to people there. When a dish goes from one country to another country, it can change A LOT. And that's great! Would you like to try a Taiwan dish in Nagoya one day? ___________________________________________________________ 十歲女孩發現日本狼標本 10-Year-Old Girl Finds a Japanese Wolf Hinako, a Japanese girl, loves animals. She's especially interested in animals that are extinct (滅絕的). When she was three, she saw a Japanese wolf specimen (標本). It was at a natural history museum (自然歷史博物館) From then, she studied the animal. She looked at pictures of Japanese wolf specimens for hours. Over one hundred years have passed since someone saw a living one. When Hinako was 10, she went on a tour (參觀). It's held just once a year at the large research department (研究部) of the museum. They hold two million specimens for the museum! Hinako saw a dog-like (跟狗很像的) specimen on a dark bottom shelf (放在底層的架子上). Its tail was bushy (濃密的). Its neck and front legs were short. It was small, but it wasn't a dog. She thought it looked like a Japanese wolf! There were only four specimens in the world. Was this specimen a Japanese wolf too? The next day, she sent a message (訊息) to the museum about the specimen. They answered three months later. The museum thought it was a mountain dog. Japanese wolves were sometimes called mountain dogs. Hinako was excited. She did a lot of research. She found a zoo in Tokyo got two Japanese wolves in 1888. She thought this specimen could be one of them. She wrote a report (報?). It won an award (獎項) from the Japanese education ministry (教育部). Two researchers wanted to do research and write a scientific paper (科學論文)with her. They found a genetic analysis (基因分析) of the specimen matched (匹配) with the Japanese wolf. But the specimen's head had differences (差異) from other Japanese wolf specimens. It turned out that the specimen didn't have a skull (頭骨)! Maybe the person who made the specimen had never seen a Japanese wolf. They finished the scientific paper. Hinako is thirteen years old now. She's in junior high school. There's still a lot for her to find out about the Japanese wolf! ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: Taiwan dishes are popular in a city in Japan. All the dishes have a spicy ground pork called Taiwan mince in them. But none of them are eaten in Taiwan. When a dish goes from one country to another, it can change a lot! ___________________________________________________________ And… A young girl saw a specimen. She thought it looked like an extinct Japanese wolf. But nobody knew if it was a Japanese wolf. The girl and two researchers did research and found that it was! ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Have you ever seen a comet (彗星)? They look like a ball of light with a long tail. They fly very fast and very high in the sky. We don't see them often, so they're exciting to watch. Thirty-eight years ago, more than one million visitors went to Kenting National Park to see Halley's Comet! It was very cloudy, but they still went! Only about twenty thousand people saw the comet! Now scientists say comets smell bad. They smell like rotten (腐爛的)eggs, pee, and vinegar (醋).Pee-ew! It's good that they're so far away! Thirty-eight years from now, Halley's comet comes back. Will you think of how it smells then? ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to us at newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Good afternoon! Welcome to another episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's stories… Hsinchu helps stray animals, the world's first Dragon Ball theme park, and the longest poem in the world! Let's jump right into these stories. ________________________________ 新竹市成立動物管制隊 Hsinchu City Establishes Animal Control Team Stray animals are pets that don't have a home. They roam (遊蕩) our neighborhoods, parks, and streets, trying to survive. While some are shy and keep to themselves… 有些動物很害羞，喜歡單獨行動… …others are friendly and approach people, hoping for a little bit of kindness. …但也有一些很友善，會接近人類，希望得到一點點關懷。 Taking care of these animals and making sure they're safe and healthy is a big job. And Hsinchu City is making sure this job gets done! The city government has created a special team called the Animal Control Team (動物管制隊). Their job is take care of stray dogs and cats (流浪狗和貓). They help these animals by sterilizing them (絕育). And they rescue animals that are in trouble. They're working all day and night to make sure every animal gets the help it needs. The people in Hsinchu City are helping out, too! The city set up a 24-hour emergency animal rescue notification system (24小時動物緊急救援通報機制). People can use it to report animals that need rescue, which means more animals are getting saved. That's teamwork at its best! 這就是最棒的團隊合作！ But that's not all. Hsinchu City is also making sure animals are taken care of from the moment they're born until they're no longer with us. 新竹市也確保動物從出生到離世都受到妥善照顧。 They offer services like free cremation (火化) for stray animals. And they also make it cheaper for pet owners to have the same service for their pets. And for a bit of extra fun, Hsinchu is planning more pet parks! That means more spaces for pets and their owners to play and enjoy the outdoors. Hsinchu City is becoming a friendlier place for animals, thanks to the Animal Control Team and new pet parks. It's great to see how much they care for our furry friends! ________________________________ 全球首座《七龍珠》主題樂園 World's First "Dragon Ball" Theme Park "Dragon Ball" is a very popular manga and anime that many people around the world love. 《七龍珠》是一部全世界許多人都喜愛的超人氣漫畫和動畫。 It's about a young boy named Son Goku (孫悟空) who goes on exciting adventures to find seven magical orbs (神奇寶珠) called "Dragon Balls." These orbs are very powerful because if you collect all seven, a dragon named Shenron (神龍) appears and can make any wish come true. Since the story started in 1984, "Dragon Ball" has made lots of TV shows, movies, and toys. People love it because of the exciting fights, great friendships, and it teaches us to never give up. Now, imagine being able to walk into Goku's world! Saudi Arabia is planning to build the world's first ever "Dragon Ball" theme park. 沙烏地阿拉伯計畫建造全球首座《七龍珠》主題樂園。 There's going to be a huge 70 meter tall dragon right in the middle. 中央將有一座高達70米的巨龍。 …and more than 30 fun rides to explore! 還有超過30座好玩的遊樂設施等你探索。 However, not everyone is happy about this plan. Some fans are worried because of the country's human rights issues (人權問題). They're talking about it online, sharing different opinions. The company making this park is owned by Saudi Arabia's government. They are working with the Japanese company that owns "Dragon Ball." This theme park is part of a bigger plan to make Saudi Arabia known for fun and tourism. It's going to be near the capital, Riyadh. Sadly, the creator of "Dragon Ball," Akira Toriyama, passed away recently. Fans all over the world are remembering him and how much they love the adventures of Goku and his friends. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Hsinchu City is becoming a friendlier place for animals. The city government has created a special team called the Animal Control Team. Their job is take care of stray dogs and cats. The city government also plans to build more pet parks. ________________________________ And, Saudi Arabia is planning to build the world's first ever "Dragon Ball" theme park. "Dragon Ball" is a very popular manga and anime that many people around the world love. However, not everyone is happy about this plan. Some fans are worried because of the country's human rights issues. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The Mahabharata is the longest poem in the world. It's a special text that teaches about Hinduism (印度教). It has 74,000 parts called verses, all adding up to 1.8 million words. Imagine talking day and night for two weeks - that's how long it would take to say the whole thing without stopping! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news: A black bear makes a comeback, a fuzzy find almost fools scientists, and super sticky stuff. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 受傷台灣黑熊回歸森林 A Formosan Black Bear Makes a Big Comeback! It was another peaceful day out in Taitung County. The sun was shining, the grass was green, the birds were singing… And a Formosan black bear was walking near a road when… Ouch! The bear got caught in a trap! It was a rope trap. The bear was very scared, and climbed up a tree to hide. 幾個月前，台東山區1隻台灣黑熊因前肢誤中套索受傷躲到樹上。 People from an Indigenous village close by found the bear. And they called forest rangers (護林員) and experts in to help. Everyone worked together to rescue the bear. They saw that it was a male bear, about 3 or 4 years old. They named him "Lanihu". At first, they saw that the bear's front paw (熊掌) was very badly hurt. They were worried that they may have to cut it off to save the bear. But after seven months of nutritious (營養的) food, and medical care, Lanihu got better! The people helped Lanihu go back into the forest. And Indigenous villagers asked mountain spirits to help protect Lanihu. Formosan black bears have a special place in Indigenous culture. To many tribes, the bears are brave warriors, and leaders in the forest (森林中的王者). They are also sacred (神聖的), and in some tribes, it is forbidden to kill a Formosan black bear. Forest officials say they put a tracking device on Lanihu. This way they know where Lanihu is in the wild. And this makes it easier to help him if he is in danger. Officials also thanked Indigenous tribes for their help in saving bears. And they hope they can keep working with Indigenous communities and people living nearby to help protect Formosan black bears. ________________________________ 澳洲發現毛毛的新甲蟲 Beetle Almost Mistaken for Bird Poo What's fuzzy all-over, and kind of looks like bird poo? It's a newly-discovered beetle! A scientist was in a forest in Australia. As he was walking, something caught his eye (吸引他的目光)… Something white and a little fuzzy on a leaf… He thought it was bird poo. When he looked closer, he realized it was a longhorn beetle. The beetle was red and black, with long white hairs all over its body. 研究員無意中發現這個長角甲蟲家族的新品種，剛看到還以為是鳥糞。 The scientist went home, and quickly looked through all the books and papers he could find. He wanted to find out more about this amazing beetle. But none of the pictures he saw looked anything like his fuzzy beetle. He asked other experts. And they were sure that this beetle was a totally new species (物種). But that wasn't all. This beetle was in fact, a new genus (屬), that's a new family of species! They named the beetle "Excastra albopilosa". That's Latin for "from the camp", and "white and hairy". But why is this strange-looking beetle so hairy? Some scientists think the white hairs help protect the beetle. The hairs make the beetle look like it is covered in fungus (菌). And this would make it look less tasty (不怎麼好吃) to birds. The scientists are also amazed that no one has found this beetle before. They are looking for more, to study the beetle in detail (仔細研究). They say this also shows that there could be many more species in nature that we haven't found yet. And many could be in danger of extinction. In fact, scientists believe there could be 5.5 million insect species in the world. And they say only 20 percent of these have been found. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A Formosan black bear got caught in a trap. People from an Indigenous village close by and forest rangers all worked together to rescue the bear. They named him Lanihu. After seven months of nutritious food, and medical care, Lanihu got better! The people helped Lanihu go back into the forest. And, A scientist in Australia found a new species of longhorn beetle. The beetle was red and black, with long white hairs all over its body. They named the beetle "Excastra albopilosa". This beetle was in fact, a new genus, that's a new family of species! They say this also shows that there could be many more species in nature that we haven't found yet. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit… Ever wonder how geckos defy gravity? They can walk on walls, or even on the ceiling! It's all because of tiny hairs on their feet. These hairs are called setae. These setae have millions of tiny, tiny branches. And these branches make a force that makes things stick together. They're like millions of tiny sticky pads. These hairs are the secret behind the gecko's wall-walking ways! And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey you guys, it's time for another episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Paz Bueno. In today's news: The government wants ease traffic rules, and some French cheeses are at risk of going extinct. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: Teeth! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 政府提出交通微罪 不開放檢舉 Government to Ease Minor Traffic Violations Taiwan has been called a "living hell for pedestrians". 有人說「台灣是行人地獄」。 It came from a Facebook page by the same name that went viral. 這個說法來自[行人地獄]臉書專頁，引起廣泛的注意。 The government strove (努力) to change the situation. It toughened up the traffic rules. 政府於是加強交通違規執法。 Though it might have gone a bit too far. 但是可能做過了頭。 Police received lots of minor traffic violation reports and became overwhelmed. 警方收到太多交通違規檢舉案件，沒有辦法處理。 Minor traffic violations (情節輕微的違規事項) are those that incur a fine of 1,200 NT or less. Now the government is wanting to ease some of the rules. Currently there are 59 traffic violations that the public can report to authorities. The government wants to take 10 of these away, leaving 49 reportable violations. Some of the cut violations include talking on a handheld phone while driving, smoking cigarettes while driving, and illegal parking. Authorities hope that reducing the number of reportable traffic violations will ease the burden off the police (減輕警察的負擔). But it's causing some backlash! The amendment angered road safety activists (社會運動人士). One group commented that talking on a handheld phone while driving is "extremely dangerous" and it endangers road safety. They also say that illegal parking violates the rights of road users and blocks emergency vehicles. Even scholars (學者) are worried that easing traffic violations would make Taiwan less safe for pedestrians. ________________________________ 法國起司可能會失傳 French Cheeses at Risk of Extinction When something goes extinct it disappears completely. Animals and plants can go extinct. But did you know foods can go extinct too? One reason is because fewer people learning traditional crafts (傳統技藝). So the techniques are not being passed down (流傳下來). But for some popular French cheeses on the verge of extinction, there's another reason. The fungi (菌) used to make these cheeses are going extinct. Fungi promote fermentation (發酵) and give cheese its aroma (香氣), color and flavor. Take Camembert cheese for example. For the French, it's not only a delicious snack, it's also a national pride. In the past, cheesemakers used several strains (品種) of a fungus for Camembert. Different strains of fungus result in different aromas, colors and flavors for cheeses. 不同品種的真菌會給乳酪帶來不同的香氣、顏色和風味。 About 100 years ago, cheesemakers started using a specific fungus strain known as Penicillium camemberti, or "P. camemberti" for short. This strain of fungus became the gold standard for Camembert cheese, and others. This allowed the aroma, color and flavor of the cheeses to be consistent (一致的). However, there's a downside. The fungus is changing genetically. In other words, mutations (變異) are developing in the fungus' genome (基因組合). 隨著時間的推移，此菌的基因組開始發生變異。 So the original P. camemberti fungus will no longer exist. This means Camembert cheese as we know it really is on the verge of extinction. Other cheeses are also facing a similar problem. So French cheese lovers around the world are worried. What can be done about it? Well, experts are saying cheesemakers can use other fungi that's closely related to P. camamberti. While this may save Camembert from extinction, it won't taste or smell quite the same as the original. 只要是消費者願意接受這微小的變化，卡芒貝爾起司就不會消失。 ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Taiwan has been called a living hell for pedestrians. The government toughened up traffic rules, but police became inundated with minor traffic violation reports. So the government is now easing the rules. But many are worried this will make Taiwan less safe for pedestrians. ________________________________ And, Some French cheeses are at risk of extinction. This is because fungi used to make many cheeses are disappearing. Experts have suggested cheesemakers can use strains of fungi that are similar to the original. But this might result in the taste and smell of famous cheeses being slightly different in the future. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit. Did you know that human teeth are the only part of the body that can't heal themselves? This is because teeth are not made of live tissue. They are made of enamel, which cannot regenerate in the same way cells can. So that's why it's important to take care of your teeth! Because if you lose them, there's no getting them back. And that's today's episode of News Bites! Thank you for listening to today's News Bites! If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, and welcome to another episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. Today's stories… Making money from convenience, saving newspaper kiosks, and the power of popcorn. Let's check it out. ________________________________ 台灣超商營業額破4千億大關 Taiwan's Convenience Store Craze Convenience stores are a part of daily life in Taiwan. We go there to pay bills, buy tickets, pick up packages… Not to mention the usual necessities (必需品) and 24-hour services. 台灣有很多便利商店門市，民生用品種類多、而且24小時全年無休又服務多元化，讓它成為民眾生活中重要一部分。 The Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部) says as of December 2023, there were 13,706 convenience stores in Taiwan. That's an average of one store for every 1,703 people. Taiwan’s density (密度) of convenience stores exceeded (超越) Japan in 2016. That made us the country with the second-highest density of convenience stores in the world. South Korea is highest on the list, with 57,617 convenience stores. That’s one store for every 897 people. We see lots of convenience stores in Taiwan. Sometimes, you can even see 3 stores on the same intersection (交叉路口). And all those stores together means a lot of money. The government says convenience stores in Taiwan made a total of $ 412.6 billion NT last year. The stores have two peak sale periods. The first one is in January, which is considered hot pot season. Some people skip the supermarket, and buy their ingredients at convenience stores. They think convenience stores are closer and open 24/7. The second peak season is from July to August, during summer. During the hot weather, drinks and ice-cream sales go through the roof (飆升). And many convenience store chains promote membership. When members buy something, they can accumulate (累積) points. They can exchange these points for things at the store. The stores will also roll out limited co-branded (聯名) products from time to time. That includes famous cartoon characters, bags or even model cars. All these promotions help increase sales. Another source of revenue is from selling coffee. Many adults like to get a cup of coffee before school or work. Major convenience store chains sell a lot of coffee In fact, if you stack up all the coffee sold by three major convenience store chains in 2020… They would be higher than 100,000 Taipei 101s! That's a lot of coffee! No wonder, it’s called black gold. ________________________________ 義大利標誌性報亭沒落 Italy’s Disappearing Newspaper Kiosks Have you ever seen a news kiosk? It’s a stall that sells newspapers, books and magazines. 30 years ago, they could be seen all over Italy. No street or plaza (廣場) was complete without a news kiosk. For many locals, it was a place to socialize (社交、互動). When you picked up a newspaper, you could also chat with neighbors, or talk about politics, soccer and the weather. But over the years, newspaper sales have been going down. And that meant the number of kiosks went down too. In 2004, kiosks sold about 9.5 million newspapers every day. But by January this year, kiosks only sold around 950,000 every day. So over the past 20 years, two thirds of Italy's kiosks have closed down. Italy's government wants to keep kiosks around. It is offering incentives (獎勵) up to $2,000 euros for kiosks to stay open. But kiosk owners say that money can't solve problems in the long term. One owner says "Everything is online, no one reads papers and magazines anymore.” Some owners say the only way to keep kiosks open is to diversify (多樣化). And that is exactly what many are doing right now. 為了生存，許多報攤開始販賣紀念品給遊客。 Many kiosks now sell fridge magnets, baseball caps, T-shirts, football cards and more. The future of newspaper kiosks is uncertain. But there are still people out there working to protect their culture. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The government says convenience stores in Taiwan made a total of $ 412.6 billion NT last year. The Ministry of Economic Affairs says as of December 2023, there were 13,706 convenience stores in Taiwan. In fact, Taiwan is the country with the second-highest density of convenience stores in the world. ________________________________ And, The number of newspaper kiosks in Italy is going down. Italy's government wants to keep kiosks around, and it is offering incentives up to $2,000 euros for kiosks to stay open. But kiosk owners say that money can't solve problems in the long term. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Today's Tasty Tidbit is all about the power of popcorn. Have you ever wondered how popcorn pops? It all has to do with water and heat! Inside a kernel of popcorn, there's a tiny bit of water. When things get hot, the water turns to steam and quickly expands. This creates more and more pressure inside the kernel until… POP! The kernel explodes, turning into fluffy popcorn! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hello and welcome to today's episode of News Bites! I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's stories… Kaohsiung offers sunny savings, a man gets hundreds of vaccines, and an adorable arctic selfie! Let's get started! ________________________________ 高雄推動太陽能補助計畫 Kaohsiung Promotes Solar Subsidy Program Imagine living in a world where the air is cleaner, the Earth is greener, and our energy comes from the endless power of nature. This isn't just a dream; it's becoming a reality! We now have renewable energy sources (再生能源) like the sun, wind, and water. Unlike the energy we get from coal or oil, renewable energy never runs out. 從煤炭或石油獲得的能源總會用完，再生能源卻取之不盡，用之不竭。 Using renewable energy helps us cut down on (減少) harmful gases that are bad for our health and the environment. Plus, it helps us save money and creates jobs for people who install and maintain these green energy systems. 此外，它還幫我們省錢，並且創造工作機會，因為需要人力安裝和維護再生能源系統。 In Kaohsiung City, there's exciting news for people who care about the Earth and saving money! The city government is offering a subsidy (補助) for residents who want to put solar panels (太陽能板) on their roofs. Since March 20th, people can apply for the subsidy program. They can get up to 200,000 NT (可以獲得最高20萬台幣) to help pay for these solar panels. This year, Kaohsiung has set aside 10 million NT, just for this (留了1000萬台幣的預算)! Last year, thanks to this help, many solar panels were installed. These panels can power (供電) thousands of houses for a long time. Plus, people who have solar panels can even make money by selling the extra electricity back to the city (可以將多餘的電力賣回給市政府來賺錢)! These panels also help to keep houses cooler (保持房屋涼爽) when the weather is hot. So, if you live in Kaohsiung and are interested in the idea of a cooler home, saving money, and helping the planet… Now is the time to think about solar panels! ________________________________ 德國男子 接種217劑疫苗 German Man Gets 217 Vaccine Shots From 2020 to 2022, the world faced a big challenge. COVID-19 spread all over the planet, changing how we live in big ways. COVID-19在全球蔓延，大大改變了我們的生活方式。 We all started wearing masks (口罩) to keep safe. And getting vaccinated (接種疫苗) became very important. Vaccines (疫苗) help us not get sick from the virus. To be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19, health organizations said people needed to get two vaccine doses, and a booster shot. 要對抗COVID-19，衛生組織表示人們需要接種兩劑疫苗和一劑加強針。 It's also recommended (建議) that people get more than one booster shot (不止一劑的加強針) to protect them from the virus. So maybe you know someone who got 3, 4, or even 5 vaccine shots… But what happens if you get more than that? A 62-year old man from Germany got more doses of COVID-19 vaccines than recommended. He got 217--that's right--217 vaccine shots in 29 months! 他在29個月內接種了217劑疫苗！ Why did he do it? He says he was curious (好奇) about what would happen if a person got vaccinated against COVID-19, many, many times. At one point, he was getting shots almost every day. And people started to wonder what he was doing. Researchers (研究人員) recently studied him and found something interesting. They found that getting so many shots didn't change his health much (他的健康狀況沒怎麼改變). He didn't get sick with COVID-19, but it's not clear why. Doctors and scientists are very interested in what happens to him. But they remind us this is just one person's unusual story. 這只是一個人的不尋常的故事。 This story is fascinating, but we should always follow professional health advice (專業的健康建議). ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Kaohsiung City is offering a subsidy for people who want to put solar panels on their roofs. Since March 20th, people can apply for the subsidy program. They can get up to 200,000 NT to help pay for these solar panels. ________________________________ And, A 62-year old man from Germany got 217 COVID-19 vaccine doses. He says he was curious about what would happen if a person got vaccinated against COVID-19, many, many times. Researchers found that getting so many shots didn't change his health much. He didn't get sick with COVID-19, but it's not clear why. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The word "selfie" means taking a photo of yourself. This fun word became really popular and was even added to the English dictionary in 2013. Today we've got a special report about a unique selfie, coming from 10-year old Vincent, who studies at He-Mu Elementary School in Chiayi County! -- Penguin selfies? I have to go take a look! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. You’re listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I’m Jacob Ingram. And I’m Nancy Sun. In today's news: An Invoice Lottery winner disqualified, and a set of dentures auctioned for big bucks. And in today’s Tasty Tidbit: Rainbows on Venus. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 統一發票兌獎 中獎者被取消資格 Uniform Invoice Lottery Winner Disqualified Have you ever bought something in Taiwan? Many places give you a receipt (發票) after you buy something. These receipts are special in Taiwan. Because if you hold onto them, you might have a chance at winning money! This is called the Uniform Invoice Lottery (統一發票). Receipts, or invoices, have eight-digit numbers on them. 發票上有八位數字的號碼。 Every two months the government announces a list of winning numbers. If the number on your receipt matches a winning number or parts of it, you can win money. The more receipts you have, the higher your chances of winning. That’s certainly what one trickster (耍花招者) thought. A guy bought lots and lots of cheap items from online stores. He collected lots of receipts, i.e. uniform invoices. In fact, he collected more than 10 thousand invoices from last May to this February. 從去年五月到今年二月他蒐集了一萬多張發票！ That’s a heck of a lot of receipts! He ended up winning 30,000 NT from these receipts. But authorities found out what he was up to. They said over 90 percent of his purchases were small and irregular. 他們說他超過九成的購買是小額且不規律的。 In other words, it did not fit regular consumption patterns. 換句話來說，它不符合常規消費模式。 This breached the rules of the Invoice lottery. 違反了統一發票中獎的規矩。 So what happened next? Officials wrote the person a letter, informing him that he broke the rules. The man then voluntarily returned the winnings. So if you want to win in the Uniform Invoice Lottery, you have to play fair. ________________________________ 邱吉爾的假牙 拍賣價格上萬美元 Churchill's Teeth Sell for Thousands at Auction This next story is about teeth. But not just any ol’ teeth. It’s about Winston Churchill’s teeth. 是關於【溫斯頓．邱吉爾】的牙齒。 Now, you might have heard of him. Winston Churchill was Britain’s Prime Minister (英國首相) during the Second World War (第二次世界大戰). He led his country with courage and determination. He inspired people with his powerful speeches and never gave up, even in the toughest times. But did you know Churchill had a secret? He wore false teeth, which are also called “dentures” (假牙). Dentures were so important to him that he always carried two sets with him. 假牙對他來說如此重要，他總是隨身帶著兩副。 And recently a set of his dentures sold at an auction for a whopping 18,000 Pounds. That’s about the same as 23,000 US dollars, or 732,000 NT. 這副假牙賣了兩萬三千美金，或是七十三萬兩千台幣。 It’s believed up to four sets of dentures were made for him, one of which was buried with him. 一般相信他總共訂做了四副假牙，其中一副跟著他入土為安。 The set sold at the auction was mounted on gold, and were designed by his dentist. Gold dentures? Wow! It was made for him when he was 65 years old. Another item sold at the auction was the microphone reputedly used by Churchill to announce the end of World War Two. It sold for 11,500 Pounds, which is over 400,000 NT! ________________________________ So in today’s News Bites, A man bought lots of cheap things to get receipts for the Uniform Invoice Lottery. He won 30,000 NT, but officials found most of his purchases weren't normal. They told him he broke the rules. So he gave the money back. Top of Form And, A set of dentures belonging to Winston Churchill sold at an auction for 18 thousand Pounds. The set sold was mounted on gold. It was made for him by his dentist when he was 65 years old, at the start of World War Two. It is believed Churchill owned four sets of dentures, and always carried two with him at all times. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know that a rainbow on Venus is called a glory? Now, Venus is a hellish place, with surface temperatures as hot as a wood-fired pizza oven. I won’t ever be cooking my pizzas on Venus. That’s for sure! Even though Venus has a very different atmosphere than Earth, it still has some similar things happening in its sky. A glory happens when sunlight hits tiny drops of acid in Venus' air. These drops scatter light, making a circular rainbow-like shape. These circular rainbows are called “glories”. Unlike Earth's rainbows, which come from water droplets, Venus' glories come from acid droplets. Ouch! ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: Biker pups, behemoth blueberries, and blink and you'll miss it. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 新北市待養毛孩學當機車族 Shelter Pups Train to be Scooter Buddies Have you ever dreamt of cruising down the road with your furry best friend, the wind blowing through your hair, and fur? Well, buckle up because the New Taipei Animal Protection Office has a barking good idea! Many people ride scooters (機車) in Taiwan. Scooters are cheaper than cars. And they are useful for short distances (短距離) and busy roads. So the office wants to help animals get used to scooters. This may help them get adopted. And the animals can fit into their new owner's daily life more easily. The office says workers at its animal shelter in Bali District are working with dogs there. They are helping the dogs get comfortable around scooters. They help the dogs get used to the sounds of the scooter engine. This is so the dogs don't get scared when it goes "VROOM"! And the workers help the dogs learn how to sit safely on a motorcycle. They also use special equipment so the dogs can be comfy and protected. 新北市動保處教狗狗當機車族，訓練在適當防護下坐機車，熟悉搭車感覺。 They say some doggos are natural biker pups. But some dogs get a little scared. Just like learning tricks, some dogs get it faster than others. But the most important thing is that they all get a chance to find a loving forever home. And the Animal Protection Office is reminding everyone that safety comes first! If you're taking your furry friend on a scooter ride… Make sure they have a leash or harness to keep them secure. 動保處也請民眾載毛寶貝出門前一定要做好相關安全措施。 A happy and safe animal is the best riding buddy! ________________________________ 澳洲農場種出巨無霸藍莓 Supersized Superfood: Australian Farmers Grow Giant Blueberry Hey there fruit fans. Buckle up for a berry good story! Blueberries are a small round fruit. They are dark purple or blue, with a light sweet taste. Usually, blueberries are about the size of a marble (彈珠). But some farmers in Australia have grown a giant blueberry that would crush them all! This giant blueberry is bigger than a ping-pong ball (乒乓球). It weighs 20.4 grams, which is about 10 times heavier than a regular blueberry. This colossal blueberry didn't just magically happen. The group of farmers have been working on this for a long time. Blueberries are known to be good for you, full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants (抗氧化劑). In fact, they are often called a "superfood". And the farmers say more people are now eating blueberries as snacks. But they say people want bigger berries. So they developed a special kind of blueberry, called the Eterna. They say Eterna blueberries are usually bigger than regular blueberries. And they say Eternas are still full of blueberry flavor (味道). The farmers thought their giant blueberry might be the biggest in the world. They told the Guinness World Records about it. And the Guinness World Records confirmed that it was now officially the heaviest blueberry ever recorded. 這顆藍莓獲得金氏世界紀錄認證，成為世界最大藍莓的新紀錄保持者。 For now, the farmers are keeping the giant blueberry in the freezer (冷凍庫). And they say they are still trying to decide what to do with it. But so far, they say they don't plan on eating this giant berry. 農場團隊說，他們都捨不得吃掉這顆藍莓，還在思考要怎麼處理它。 ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The New Taipei Animal Protection Office is helping the dogs learn how to sit safely on a motorcycle. This may help them get adopted and fit into their new owner's daily life more easily. They say some doggos are natural biker pups. But some dogs get a little scared. Just like learning tricks, some dogs get it faster than others. But the most important thing is that they all get a chance to find a loving forever home. And, Farmers in Australia have grown a giant blueberry that's bigger than a ping-pong ball. It weighs 20.4 grams, which is about 10 times heavier than a regular blueberry. The Guinness World Records confirmed that it was now officially the heaviest blueberry ever recorded. For now, the farmers are keeping the giant blueberry in the freezer. And they say they are still trying to decide what to do with it. But so far, they say they don't plan on eating this giant berry. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit… Why do we say something is "as fast as lightning"? Well, that's because lightning is really, really fast! A bolt of lightning can travel at an incredible speed of about 430,000 kilometers per hour! Just how fast is that? It would take lightning less than one second to get from Taipei to Kaohsiung. We wouldn't even have time to finish a blink before it's done. And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. Welcome to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Kelly Kimura. In today's news, The future of laser technology, and a tasty way to save ancient history. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… A tiny bug that packs a big punch! Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣研發雷射防空系統 Laser Systems to Protect Taiwan Laser technology has changed a lot. We use lasers in many places that we don't even think about… From the QR-code scanner at the convenience store near your home, to equipment for surgery (手術). This technology can be used in so many ways. Lasers are also used in military technology. Now, we're not talking about laser guns and light sabers, at least, not yet. We're still a long way from that. Laser weapons are also known as directed-energy (指定向能量) weapons. They are electromagnetic (電磁) systems. They take chemical or electrical energy and turn it into focused energy. This energy can hit something far away. Scientists believe this can help protect people from dangers in the sky. Many countries are working on this type of technology. Traditional weapons and defense systems are very expensive. And they also cost a lot of money to maintain (維修). Laser technology may be cheaper. The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has been working on this technology. Last year, the institute made a low-powered prototype (原型). Now, they've made a 50 kilowatt laser system on a vehicle. The institute says the laser system can neutralize (消除) dangers in the sky. It can target drones, missiles or rockets. And it can use a quiet electronic attack to stop them. 這個雷射系統可以破壞無人機、慢速機、和其他的空中武器。 Scientists still have to do more tests on the laser system. But they hope the system can be used to protect Taiwan in the future. ________________________________ 山葵能幫助保存古莎草紙 A Spicy New Way to Save Ancient Papyrus It's green… It's mushy… And whew! It really makes your nose burn and your eyes water! Do you like wasabi? It often looks like a light green paste (漿糊). And many people eat it with sushi. But be careful! If you have too much in one bite, it can be quite spicy! And it can also clear up your stuffy nose. Now, scientists have found a whole new way to use wasabi! No, not for food. They use it to preserve (保存) papyrus rolls! Papyrus is a type of material (材料) used long ago. It's made from the stem of a water plant. Thousands of years ago, it was used to make sails (船帆), rope, baskets and many other items. Ancient Egyptians also used it as paper, for writing and painting. It was used throughout the ancient Mediterranean (地中海) world. This means many ancient texts found by archaeologists are written on papyrus. The papyrus tells us a lot of about ancient history and culture. But since papyrus is made from a plant, it's fragile (脆弱). Papyrus is often damaged by fungal infections (黴菌感染). When fungus grow on papyrus, the papyrus cracks and the paint disappears. In fact, scientists say the bio-deterioration (生物腐蝕) of papyrus is a worldwide problem. Museums all over the world were looking for a way to keep papyrus safe. And that way may be wasabi! Scientists mixed water and wasabi powder. Then they put the wasabi on aluminum foil (鋁箔) and left some near papyrus infected with fungus. Wasabi vapors (氣體) got onto the papyrus. After three days, the scientists found that the fungus on the papyrus was gone! And, the papyrus was stronger by 26 percent. They were amazed! And compared with other disinfectants (消毒劑), wasabi is safer and greener for the environment. Scientists are now trying to find out if wasabi can be used on other materials. 誰能想到山葵除了美味，竟然能保存古文物。 ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, The National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology has made a special laser system. The institute says the system can neutralize dangers in the sky. They hope the system can be used to protect Taiwan in the future. ________________________________ And, Scientists are preserving papyrus rolls with wasabi. They mix water and wasabi powder, then leave that close to papyrus infected with fungus. The wasabi helps kill the fungus and makes the papyrus stronger. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Fire-breathing dragons only live in stories. But how about a tiny real-life bug that shoots super-hot stuff out its backend? The bombardier beetle has two chemicals in its body. When it is in danger, it mixes the chemicals to make a really hot spray, and shoots out the chemicals. That explosive spray can get up to almost 100 degrees Celsius! Anything that tries to eat this beetle will probably regret it! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next in today's news: Two Taiwanese grandmas are movie stars and scientists go deep in the ocean to find new kinds of life! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…don't eat fried toothpicks! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ 台灣奶奶和外婆成為電影明星 Two Taiwanese Grandmas Become Movie Stars During the pandemic (疫情), a movie director (電影導演)stayed at his parents' house in California. He couldn't make any movies. So he made videos of his grandmas. This was nothing new. He's been making videos of them since he was a kid. His paternal grandma (奶奶)is 97 years old. She says she feels like she's 100 years old. His maternal grandma (外婆)is 86 years old. She says she feels like she's 20 years old! They're from Taiwan. Now they live with their children in California. They're like sisters (像姐妹一樣). They sleep in one bed. They take care of each other (互相照顧). They cook, sing, dance, and read the newspaper together. They do morning exercises (晨練), work in the garden (做園藝), and arm-wrestle (扳手腕) with each other. They laugh a lot! They even joke (開玩笑) about… uh, can we say this here? Farts! (放屁) They have happy and sad times together. In the end, their grandson made a short movie about them. It's called Nai Nai and Wai Po, and yes, that's "Grandma and Grandma" in English. Why did he make the movie? Well, because of the pandemic, some people didn't like Asian people (亞洲人). Some older Asian people were attacked (被攻擊). He wanted everyone to see older Asian people as real humans, not stereotypes (刻板印象). Then the movie was nominated (被提名) for the most famous award for movies in the United States (美國最有名的電影獎). The grandmas were movie stars (電影明星)! The grandmas dressed in beautiful red clothes. They walked on a red carpet (紅地毯)when their movie opened! They were in a famous fashion magazine (著名時尚雜誌) ! They wore custom-made designer clothes (設計師服裝) to the awards ceremony (頒獎典禮)! The movie didn't win the award, but it changed the grandmas. Thinking of her movie director grandson, Nai Nai wants parents to support their kids' interests and let them follow their own paths (奶奶希望父母支持孩子的興趣，讓他們走自己的路). The movie made Wai Po realize she still has value in society. 這部電影讓外婆覺得，她在社會上仍然有價值。 She hopes kids will become closer to their grandmas and grandpas when they see the movie. ___________________________________________________________ 紐西蘭水域 科學家發現百種新海洋物種 Scientists Find 100 New Marine Species in New Zealand Waters Did you know the ocean covers 71% of the Earth? What's in it? Well, we know about 240,000 of the ocean's marine species (海洋物種). Wow! But there are many that we don't know about. Scientists think there are over two million marine species! Some scientists explored (探索) a very deep part near the coast (海岸) of New Zealand. How deep was it? Four thousand eight hundred meters! Is that a lot? Well, Jade Mountain (玉山), the tallest mountain in Taiwan and East Asia, is almost 4,000 meters tall! The scientists found almost 1,800 marine animals! So far, there are 100 new species in this group. They think they will find more species in this group. They found many new mollusk (軟體動物) species and three new fish species. They also found a very small star-shaped marine animal. It's just one centimeter wide (寬). Nobody knows what it is. Maybe it's a coral (珊瑚動物). Looking for new marine species sounds fun and interesting. But is it important? Yes, it's very important. Marine ecosystems (生態系統) have plants, animals, and very, very small living things called microbes (微生物). Marine ecosystems help life on Earth. Their food chains include fish that feed billions of people. Marine ecosystems take in about a quarter of the carbon dioxide (二氧化碳) made from human activities (人類活動). The deep ocean has fifty times more (多五十倍) carbon than our atmosphere (大氣層)! This is one way marine ecosystems regulate the climate (調節氣候). Scientists are trying to understand more about marine life to help marine animals… and us! ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: Two Taiwanese grandmas become movie stars! One grandma hopes the movie will help kids become closer to their grandmas and grandpas. ___________________________________________________________ And… Scientists explored a deep part of the ocean near the coast of New Zealand. Understanding marine life is important because the ocean helps life on Earth. ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Don't eat those toothpicks! When you eat, does food sometimes get between your teeth? Maybe you use a toothpick to pick the food out. In South Korea, some toothpicks are environmentally friendly. They are made from starch. Noodles, rice, and bread are some foods that have starch. Hmmm. Does that mean we can eat the toothpicks too? Well, no. But someone tried frying them. Uhhhh…What happened? The toothpicks looked like crispy rice noodles! Many people tried frying toothpicks and posted pictures online too. The South Korean government became worried. They're telling people not to eat these toothpicks. They aren't food! ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to us at newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Brody Halverson. And I'm Paz Bueno. Today's stories… Aging farmers turn to robots to take care of Taiwan's farms, and a Russian cosmonaut sets a record for his time in space. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a mammal with no stomach. Let's check it out. ________________________________ 無人機取代老農夫 Drones Replace Aging Farmers Do you know any farmers (農夫)? Yeah, my grandma and grandpa are farmers. They live in the countryside (鄉下). They have been farming all their lives. What about you? No…Everybody I know lives in the city. In fact, not many young people in Taiwan are farmers now. Most farmers are older people. According to statistics, the average farmer is 60-some years old. 根據統計，農夫平均年齡在60多歲。 Many of them will retire soon, and there will not be enough young farmers to replace them. Who will grow the food and run the farms? There are a few solutions (解決方案). One idea is to invite people from other countries to work on the farms. That's already happening. There are more and more immigrants (移民) working in agriculture. Another idea is to use drones (無人機). Those are like robots. People can control them remotely (可以遙控). Many of the drones can fly, too. That means they can move faster than people, and reach many places more easily. 無人機的移動速度比人快，許多地方更容易去。 Recently, the government has been trying a new way to use drones. They are testing the drones in sugarcane fields (甘蔗田). It's a lot of work to take care of them. But so far, the drones have done quite well. Each drone is even more efficient (更有效率) than a human. What's the job, exactly? They need to attach insect larvae (昆蟲幼蟲) to each sugarcane plant. The larvae will become helpful insects, which will help reduce harmful insects. A person needs an hour or two to do this for a small field. But the drone can finish the same field in just 5 to 10 minutes. It's a promising result (這是很好的結果). Now, the government is cooperating (合作) with farmers to get more drones into the fields. There are still lots of jobs for people on farms. Drones can't do everything. But they can go a long way in helping a new generation (新一代) grow food in Taiwan. ________________________________ 太空人待在太空的時間 創新紀錄 Cosmonaut Sets Record For Time in Space How much time can a person spend in space (太空)? Most astronauts (太空人) only spend six months or a year in space. They can't stay there for too long. It's not healthy to spend too much time in a place with no gravity (沒有重力的地方). But some do anyway. Did you hear about the man who spent two-and-a-half years in space? He's still there now. His name is Oleg Kononenko. He's a cosmonaut, which means an astronaut from Russia (俄羅斯). Cosmonauts have set a lot of records. The first man in space was a Russian, Yuri Gagarin. And so was the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova. Now, a cosmonaut has set another record. 俄羅斯太空人創造了另一項紀錄。 Oleg Kononenko has broken the record for most time spent in space. He broke the record back in February, after spending 878 days in space. How did he stay in space for so long? Well, it wasn't all in one trip. Oleg has logged that time during five separate trips to space. Oleg是五次太空旅行加起來，總共待了那麼久的時間。 By the time his mission (任務) ends in September, he will have logged 1,110 days in space. Most of that time was on the International Space Station, or ISS (國際太空站). How does Oleg feel about his time in space? He says as technology gets more advanced, the job has become more complicated. 他說，科技越進步，太空人的工作就變得越複雜。 He is also a little sad that he didn't spend more time with his children. But he's proud (自豪) of the work he's done. Oleg is still doing experiments (實驗) on the ISS. There he works together with astronauts from America and other countries. Even though Russia and America have a poor relationship right now (現在美俄關係不好), they can still work together to learn more about space… …and both can benefit from the long experience (長期經驗) of Oleg Kononenko. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… New drones are being tested on Taiwan's sugarcane farms. The drones can work much more efficiently than people. It's good, because many of Taiwan's farmers are getting old, and there are not enough young people replacing them. ________________________________ And, A cosmonaut has set the world record for total time in space. Oleg Kononenko has spent more than two and a half years in space over his career. He's still up there, working on the International Space Station. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Platypuses and echidnas are very special animals because they are the only mammals that don't have a stomach. When they eat, their food goes directly from their throat to their intestines. Scientists believe this unique feature evolved a long time ago, around 450 million years! But, why platypuses and echidnas don't have a stomach is still a mystery. Isn't that interesting? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hello there, and welcome to another episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. Today's stories… Officials consider a new holiday, a shark's epic journey, and the origin of blessing people when they sneeze! Let's check it out. ________________________________ 勞動節可能成為國定假日 Labor Day Might Be a National Holiday Hey Jake, what's your favorite holiday? It's got to be New Years' Eve. I love that it's so close to Christmas, so it's like a double holiday! What about you? Even though it's not a national holiday here in Taiwan, my favorite holiday is Christmas! I love putting up a Christmas tree (裝飾聖誕樹), baking cookies, and watching Christmas movies in December! Holidays are special times when we pause from our daily routines (日常生活) to celebrate, remember, or enjoy time with the people we love. In Taiwan, we have a set number (固定數量) of holidays each year. It's usually around 115 to 116 days. Recently, government officials have been thinking about adding one more holiday to our calendar (日曆). They're talking about making Labor Day a special day off (假日) for everyone! Labor Day is observed on May 1st. 勞動節是在五月一日。 Right now, some people don't have to work on this day, but schools and some jobs still do. This idea sounds great because while some parents are off work, their kids still have to go to school. It was proposed (提出) by Legislator Lin I-chin (立法委員林宜瑾). She says Taiwan should give people a day to enjoy with their families. Premier Chen Jien-ren (行政院長陳建仁) says the government is considering (考慮) making Labor Day a national holiday. However, they need to figure out (解決) a few things first… Like how to pay for overtime (加班費怎麼算) for important jobs like police and firefighters. They are still reviewing (審查) the idea and need to do more checks to see how it would work out. Once they have all the information they need, they will make a decision and share it with everyone. So, there's a chance that soon, everyone in Taiwan might get to enjoy Labor Day together! ________________________________ 大白鯊吸引科學家的目光 Great White Shark Catches Scientists' Eye Marine scientists (海洋科學家) are interested in learning about animals that live in the sea. Using special technology, they can keep track of (追?) sea creatures on their adventures. For example, sharks (鯊魚)! Sharks come in all shapes and sizes, and they keep the ocean's ecosystem healthy. 鯊魚有各種形狀和大小，它們維持海洋生態系統的健康。 To learn more about them, scientists use tags that attach to the sharks' fins. 科學家在鯊魚鰭上裝設標籤。 When a shark swims to the surface, the tag sends a signal to satellites in space. 當鯊魚游到水面上，標籤就發送信號給太空中的衛星。 This "ping" (「嗶」) tells scientists where the shark is. Recently, marine scientists are tracking an interesting female (雌性) great white shark. They named her LeeBeth, and she is 430 centimeters long, and 1,179 kilograms! That's the size of a small car! LeeBeth has been on a long journey in the Gulf of Mexico (墨西哥灣). Experts have been closely following her travels. 專家一直密切關注她的旅行。 They say her moves are really unexpected (出乎意料). She was tagged in December last year, near the US state of South Carolina (美國的南卡羅來納州). Scientists say she's special because she's traveled farther west in the Gulf of Mexico than any great white shark known before. 科學家說，她很特別是因為她在墨西哥灣向西旅行的距離超過了之前任何已知的大白鯊。 LeeBeth is also the champion of "pinging" more than any other shark they've tagged. LeeBeth也是「嗶」次數最多的鯊魚，超過了他們標記的其他任何鯊魚。 This shark was last spotted near the US states of Texas and Louisiana (靠近美國的德州和路易斯安那州). That means she's traveled more than 3,200 kilometers. LeeBeth's adventure is helping scientists learn more about great white sharks in the Gulf of Mexico. Her journey is a big deal because great whites are rare in this part of the sea. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Government officials have been thinking about adding one more holiday to our calendar. They're talking about making Labor Day a special day off for everyone! They are still reviewing the idea and need to do more checks to see how it would work out. ________________________________ And, Marine scientists are tracking a great white shark in the Gulf of Mexico. They say she's special because she's traveled farther west in the Gulf of Mexico than any great white shark known before. LeeBeth is also the champion of "pinging" more than any other shark they've tagged. Her journey is a big deal because great whites are rare in this part of the sea. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit A long time ago, in the 14th century, people started saying "bless you" when someone sneezed. *sneeze* Bless you! Thank you. This began because Pope Gregory the VII, wanted people to say it to him. He believed it would keep him safe from the Black Plague (黑死病). In Spanish, you can also say "salud", and in German, "gesundheit!" Both mean 'good health', as a way to wish the sneezer to stay healthy! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Paz Bueno. In today's news: Taiwan is working with NASA to monitor air pollution, and a runaway train travels over 64 kilometers without a driver. And in today's tasty tidbit: One of the oldest professions in the world, and it has to do with teeth! Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣與美國太空總署合作 監控空氣品質 Taiwan Working With NASA on Asia Air Quality Project NASA sent a special airplane to Taiwan to help make the air cleaner. The Ministry of the Environment (環境部) told us all about it. Wait, hang on a minute. What's NASA? NASA stands for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It's a government agency in the United States. It's responsible for researching space. So if there's aliens out there, NASA will be the first to know about them. And the Ministry of the Environment? They're the government folks in Taiwan who are responsible for protecting and conserving the environment. 環境部負責環境和生態保護。 I see. Anyhow, NASA originally planned to send two airplanes, but one had a problem with its engine. So only one airplane went to Taiwan. It's called the Gulfstream G-III. The G-III flew high in the sky, taking pictures and collecting data. G-III 飛上高空，拍攝照片並收集資料。 The data and images it collects will help scientists understand pollution better, 它蒐集的資料和圖像會讓科學家更瞭解空氣汙染。 The Ministry of Environment and NASA watched the air in Taiwan for hours. They looked at central, southern and eastern Taiwan to see if the air is clean. 他們查看了台灣中部、南部和東部，看看空氣是否乾淨。 In addition to the air, they examined the weather and the land as well. 除了空氣外，他們還檢查了天氣和土地。 It was a big project! The Ministry of the Environment says it will use the information to find ways to keep the air healthy. It will keep working with NASA. But it might take a bit of time for the next flight to happen. ________________________________ 失控列車 自己行駛了64公里 Runaway train travels 64 kilometers Without Driver Now, let's head over to India for the next story. It's about a runaway train that travelled 64 miles without a driver. A train going by itself without a driver? Sounds like a ghost story. 聽起來像是鬼故事 I know, right? But I can assure you no ghosts were involved in this one. Phew, okay. 真是鬆一口氣。 I can't stomach scary stories. 我不敢聽恐怖故事。 So the train was on its way from Jammu to Punjab in the northwest. It stopped in Kathua to change crew. But the driver and his helper alighted (下車), and forgot to apply the handbrake. 他們忘了拉手煞車。 Oh dear. You might have seen handbrakes in cars. Handbrakes are normally between the driver's and front passenger's seats. 手煞車通常位於駕駛座和前排的乘客座位之間。 They're often a lever that can be pulled up or pushed down. Handbrakes stop cars moving when parked. Now, because the train was parked on a sloping track (火車停在斜坡上) and the handbrake wasn't engaged, you can imagine what happened next. The train went by itself down the sloping track! It reached a speed of nearly 100 kilometers per hour. It moved through around five stations, and travelled over 64 kilometers. Lots of videos were shared on social media that showed the train zooming past at speed (很快開過去). Thankfully, railway officials put wood blocks on the tracks, and this helped slow the train down. Local reporters say the train came to halt in the village of Uchi Bassi. Officials say no casualties were reported in the incident. Phew! Talk about good luck. Now, people are investigating what happened to make sure it doesn't happen again. Trains are exciting, but we must make sure they are safe too. India has one of the biggest railway networks in the world. 印度擁有世界上最大的鐵路網絡之一。 It has thousands of kilometers of tracks. Every day, over 13 million people travel on trains in India, and tons and tons of goods are moved from place to place. So it's a big responsibility to keep it running smoothly and safely for everyone. ________________________________ So in today's News Bites, Taiwan partnered with NASA on an air quality project in Asia. NASA sent a special airplane to Taiwan to help monitor and improve air quality. The G-III analyzed air, weather and land to find ways to keep air clean and healthy. Taiwan says it will keep working with NASA. And, A train in India traveled over 64 kilometers without a driver. The driver and his helper forgot to engage the handbrake during a crew change in Kathua. Because of this and because the train was parked on a sloping track, it took off by itself. Fortunately, railway officials managed to slow down the train using wood blocks, and no one was hurt. Investigations are underway to prevent similar incidents in the future. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know that one of the oldest professions in the word is dentistry? Humans have been performing dentistry for over 10 thousand years! How do we know? Well, it's all thanks to archaeology! Archaeologists believe that dental procedures have been practiced since ancient times. This includes drilling teeth to remove decay or applying substances to soothe toothaches. ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's stories… A pangolin pops by the store, and the mystery of whale songs. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… A bird, a TV show host, and a big election! We'll tell you all about it at the end of the episode. ________________________________ 穿山甲逛台東超商 Pangolin Strolls through Convenience Store Guess who stopped by a convenience store on World Pangolin Day? A real-life pangolin (穿山甲)! That's right, the pangolin is a mammal (哺乳類動物) that lives in Asia and parts of Africa. They have large scales (鱗片) on most of their bodies. It's like armor (盔甲), and helps protect them from predators. And pangolins are the only mammal that have these scales! They also have long tongues that help them catch ants and termites (白蟻). Usually, they live in forests. But recently, one of these armored animals strolled right into a convenience store! That night, a worker at the store in Taitung County heard the doors open. And the worker said "Welcome! 歡迎光臨!" But no one came through the door. Then he looked down… And he saw something small and dark. It was a pangolin! The worker was shocked. He was worried the pangolin could get hurt. So he quickly called police. 店員仔細一看竟發現剛進門的「客人」竟是保育類穿山甲，趕快打電話請求警察協助。 They put the pangolin safely in a box. And they took the pangolin to a wild animal hospital. Vets said the pangolin was healthy and could return to the forest. This is a good reminder that wild animals are…well, wild. If you ever see one, don't chase or bother them. Just keep a safe distance, and they'll probably move away on their own. 動保人員說如果遇上野生動物以不打擾為原則，記得保持安全距離。 Protecting wild animals is a team effort. We can all do our part to keep these amazing animals safe. ________________________________ 科學家解開鯨魚歌唱之謎 Whale Song Mystery Solved Deep beneath the ocean waves… A symphony unfolds… But this music doesn't come from instruments made of metal or wood… This music comes from the throats of giants! For whales, the ocean is their home… But it's also their concert hall. They fill the ocean with their haunting and beautiful songs. But how do these enormous animals make this amazing music? Scientists have recently learned the secret behind their underwater melodies. They looked very closely at baleen whales (鬚鯨). That includes blue whales, and humpback whales. These are whales that do not have teeth. They have plates on their mouth, called "baleen". They use these plates to catch tiny animals in the ocean. Baleen whale songs are also amazing. The blue whale makes the loudest long sounds of any animal. In fact, their "songs" can be heard hundreds of kilometers away. But for a long time, we didn't know how baleen whales made these amazing sounds underwater. Now scientists have learned that baleen whales have a special "voice box". 科學家找到大型鯨魚身上的「語音盒」，這個特殊的結構讓牠們可以在水裡發出奇妙的聲音。 It's big and U-shaped. And there's a big cushion of fat. This "voice box" lets the whales "sing" by recycling air. It also makes sure the whales don't breath in water when they sing. Scientists say this new discovery is "super-exciting". But they are also worried. They know these songs are a "must" for whale survival. It's the only way baleen whales can find each other to mate (交配) in the ocean. But the whales often can't hear each other's songs… Because of the noise made by ships. Our ocean noise makes it harder for whales to communicate over long distances. Just imagine trying to tell your friend something… But everyone around you is shouting! The scientists hope their findings can help us learn more about whales, and how to protect these endangered giants of the sea. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Recently, a wild pangolin strolled right into a convenience store! The store worker quickly called police, and the pangolin was taken to an animal hospital. Vets said the pangolin was healthy and could return to the forest. ________________________________ And, Scientists have now learned that baleen whales have a special "voice box". This "voice box" lets the whales "sing" underwater. The scientists hope their findings can help us learn more about whales, and how to protect these endangered giants of the sea. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Today's Tasty Tidbit is a real hoot! You ready? Why does the flamingo lift up one leg? Because if it lifted both legs it would fall over! And now, 8 year-old Andy from Xisong Elementary School in Taipei tells us how a TV show host helped some very special birds. *** If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Paz Bueno. In today's news: A new age for stamps, a new way to talk it out, and a tiny sea creature packs a BIG punch. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 中華郵政和集郵的樂趣 Chunghwa Post Hopes to Revive Stamp Collecting When was the last time you wrote something BY HAND, and sent it through mail? If you wanted to send a letter halfway around the world, it used to take months! Now, you can send a message instantly to someone far away with the click of a button. In the past, many people liked to collect (收集) stamps. These were small stickers that you stuck onto mail. It shows how much money you paid to send something. But now, most people are sending messages online. And less people collect stamps. But one company is trying to bring back stamp collecting as a fun hobby! The Chunghwa Post has a stamp-collecting program. It sends newly-issued (發行) stamps to subscribers (訂閱者). Twenty years ago, there were 31,000 long-term subscribers. But today there are only 15,000 left. Chunghwa Post says stamps are like a country's "business card" (名片). It says through stamps, you can learn about a country's history, culture and more. And sending letters with these stamps to other countries allows others to know more about Taiwan. The stamps of Taiwan are divided into three categories… Stamps that are used as postage (郵資), commemorative (紀念性) stamps for special events and special themed stamps. Chunghwa Post has some ideas to help everyone enjoy stamp collecting. The company thinks elementary students would have fun collecting stamps. The company says it has lots of things that students can use. And they think stamp experts could be invited to schools to tell students about what they know. Chunghwa Post is also introducing stamps with special themes. The stamps show famous cartoon characters that many young people like. 雖然集郵的人數減少了許多，但許多收藏家還是非常熱衷於這個活動。 For them, every stamp is a piece of art and history. ________________________________ 人工智慧治療師能超越真人嗎？ Can AI Therapists Help Us? Artificial intelligence has brought a lot of changes for the world. And more changes may be coming. Some people believe AI can help mental health. A woman is going through a hard time. She just lost her job, and moved back in with her family. She and her boyfriend have been arguing (吵架) a lot. The woman wanted some help. So she tried seeing a therapist (心理治療師) once a week. She hoped this would help her get through her struggles (困境). But it wasn't working very well. She didn't feel she could be totally honest with the therapist. And she didn't want to burden (負擔) her friends with her problems. One night, she logged on to a website called "character.ai". It's a chatbot (聊天機器人) that can talk like a real person. The woman used the website to build herself a personal psychologist (心裡醫師). She made the chatbot "caring, supportive and intelligent". And she talked with the chatbot a few times a week. When she was worried about finding a job, the chatbot gave her positive reassurance (安慰). When she couldn't muster (鼓起) the energy to exercise, the chatbot encouraged her. The woman says she felt like the chatbot was just a normal person talking to her. And the chatbot "lived" in her cell phone. It was always patient and always ready to talk. The woman says she doesn't have to worry about what she says. Since AI took a huge step through ChatGPT, people have grown used to talking to AI. Now, millions are using chatbots for emotional needs. This raises the question, can talking to an AI therapist help us? There are definitely some advantages (好處). But experts say there are some downsides (壞處) too. We might rely (依賴) too much on chatbots. In the end, it's not a real person. It might not give appropriate (適當的) advice like a real therapist. So AI can help us with some emotions. But we should still get professional help if we need it. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Chunghwa Post is trying to bring back stamp collecting as a fun hobby! It has a stamp-collecting program. And it believes through stamps, you can learn about a country's history, culture and more. And, Can talking to an AI therapist help us? There are definitely some advantages, but experts say there are some downsides too. We should still get professional help if we need it. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit… Animals make lots of noises. There are some really loud ones. But what's the loudest living animal? Hmm… Nope. Uh uh. Nope, not that one either. It's a shrimp! The Tiger Pistol Shrimp lives in the ocean. It has a special large claw. When it snaps this claw, it makes an air bubble that bursts with a loud CRACK! This crack can be over 200 decibels. That's louder than a gunshot! And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! Thanks for tuning in to today's New Bites! I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's stories… Taiwan's gender pay gap becomes smaller, and the Tower of London's new Ravenmaster. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…can you guess which game has more possible moves than the number of stars in the sky? Keep on listening to find out! ________________________________ 性別平等薪水日 今年比去年早達成 Taiwan Marks Earlier Equal Pay Day The gender pay gap (男女之間的薪水差距) is when women and men get paid differently for doing the same job. Around the world, women usually earn (賺) less money than men for similar work. In Taiwan, a special day called Equal Pay Day shows us how long women have to work after the new year to earn what men made the previous year. 台灣有性別平等薪水日，這個日子告訴我們，男子工作一年所賺的錢，女子要一年又五十幾天才能賺到。 This year, that day was February 23rd, which is four days sooner than last year. 今年這個日子在二月23號，比去年提早了四天。 This means women are getting closer to earning the same as men. But there's still a long way to go. 但是還有很長的路要走。 In 2023, women earned about 14% less than men. This means they had to work 54 extra days to make the same amount of money. Women made an average of (平均每小時賺得) NT$318 per hour, while men made NT$373. Even though the gender pay gap has gotten a bit smaller over time, it got a little worse after COVID-19. But in 2023, the gap became smaller again. Especially because more jobs in services (服務業) were available, and many of these jobs were taken by women. Compared to other places in the world (與世界其他地方相比), Taiwan is doing quite well in making sure men and women are paid more equally. For example, the pay gap is much larger in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. The idea of Equal Pay Day started in the United States in 1996. It was created to help people understand that men and women should be paid the same for the same work. Taiwan has been marking (標記) this day every year since 2012 to show how it's making pay equal for everyone. It's a step forward in making sure everyone gets a fair chance (公平對待), no matter if they are a man or a woman. ________________________________ 倫敦塔的新烏鴉守護者 The Tower of London's New Ravenmaster The Tower of London in England (英格蘭) is a place with a lot of history. It's been a palace (皇宮), a prison (監獄), and even a zoo. Now, it's a place where lots of tourists come to learn about history and see the Crown Jewels (皇家寶石). There's a legend that has been told about the tower for centuries. 倫敦塔有一個傳說，已經流傳了好幾個世紀。 It's about a prophecy that says the tower and the British kingdom will face great trouble if the ravens that live there ever leave. 這個預言說，如果住在塔裡的烏鴉離開，倫敦塔和英國將面臨巨大的麻煩。 To prevent this, the Tower assigns a person, called a ravenmaster, to take care of them. 為了防止這種情況發生，倫敦塔指派了烏鴉守護者來照顧牠們。 And this very special job has just been given to Michael "Barney" Chandler. Chandler is 56 years old, and he is a Yeoman Warder, or "Beefeater" (皇家侍衛). They wear special uniforms (制服) and look after the tower. They also guide tours (導覽) and do special ceremonies (進行特別儀式). Now, he's the new ravenmaster at the Tower of London. According to the legend, there must always be six ravens at the tower. Chandler promises that while he's in charge, the number of ravens will never drop below six. Chandler and his team take care of seven ravens - that's one extra, just in case! These ravens are name Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, Branwen and Rex. They are very smart, almost as clever as a 7-year-old child (幾乎和七歲的小孩一樣聰明)! Chandler says he loves working with them because they all have different personalities (各有不同的個性). Chandler makes sure the ravens are healthy and happy. Even though their feathers are trimmed to keep them from flying away, these clever birds sometimes manage to escape. 即使它們的羽毛被修剪，免得牠們逃走，這些聰明的鳥兒有時候還是會設法逃脫。 Chandler says working with the ravens is never boring because they are so smart and always full of surprises (充滿驚喜). He's making sure to take care of them well, and keeping the ancient legend alive (維繫這個古老傳說). ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Equal Pay Day shows us how long women have to work after the new year to earn what men made the previous year. This year, Taiwan's Equal Pay Day arrived four days sooner than last year. This means women are getting closer to earning the same as men. But there's still a long way to go. ________________________________ And, Michael "Barney" Chandler is the Tower of London's new ravenmaster. He has to make sure the number of ravens at the tower never drops below six. According to an old prophecy, if the ravens ever leave the tower, the British kingdom will face great trouble. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit There are endless possibilities hidden in the game of chess. There are so many possible moves they outnumber (數量多於) the stars in the sky! Every time you move a piece, you can choose from thirty-eight different moves next. In a chess match, each player makes about forty moves. That means the total number of possible moves is ten to the power of 126. There are still many chess moves people haven't even thought of yet! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. You’re listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I’m Jacob Ingram. And I’m Nancy Sun. In today's news: Taiwan delves into space exploration, and a passenger plane missing windows. And in today’s tasty tidbit: The fear of long words. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣加入「巨型麥哲倫望遠鏡」計畫 Taiwan Teaming Up with Six Countries to Build Giant Magellan Telescope Taiwan is known for many things. Among them are high-tech manufacturing, night markets, scenic landscapes … Don’t forget bubble milk tea. Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. You know, I haven’t had one of those in a while. So, have you got any news for us today? As a matter of fact, I have! I was about to say … 我正要說呢 … Taiwan might soon be well-known for its contributions to space exploration. 台灣正在深入太空探索領域. Isn’t that exciting? Taiwan is teaming up with six other countries to build something cool. It's called the Giant Magellan Telescope, or GMT for short. 它叫巨型麥哲倫望遠鏡。 This telescope isn't just any telescope. It's going to be one of the biggest and best in the whole world! 這架望遠鏡會很厲害的。 It will even be better than the famous Hubble Space Telescope. You remember what the Hubble Space Telescope is? It’s basically a super-powered camera in space. It orbits the Earth and takes really clear pictures of objects in space, like stars, galaxies and planets. 它繞著地球運行，拍攝宇宙中的物體，如星星、星系和行星，拍攝的圖像非常清晰。 It's going to be built in Chile. When it's finished around the year 2030, it'll be able to take super-detailed pictures of things in space! Taiwan will be working with six countries on research on this new GMT telescope. Those are the United States, Australia, Brazil, Chile, Israel and South Korea. Taiwan is going to give light sensor parts (光感測器) and super accurate measuring tools (精密測定檢查儀器). Scientists from Taiwan will also teach them how to do precise laser cutting (精密激光切割). For Taiwan's astronomers, being part of this project is a dream come true. Plus, by teaming up with other countries, Taiwan is making new friends in the world of space exploration. ________________________________ 飛機窗戶不見 Passenger Plane Missing Window You won’t believe what happened in this next story. A plane took off from London, bound for Florida. It had 11 crew members and 9 passengers on-board. But two of the window panes (玻璃窗) were completely missing! What?! No way. Shortly after take-off the passengers said the cabin seemed noisier and colder than normal. Crew members investigated, and they discovered a missing window. But by then, the plane was already 4000 meters in the air! 飛機飛到逾4000公尺高空才發現窗戶不見。 How can no one notice if a window is missing from a plane? Crazy, right? So what happened afterwards? The pilots acted quickly, reducing speed and turning the plane around. They touched down safely in London. Thankfully, no one got hurt. But it was a close call. Inspectors then examined the craft. They discovered a second missing window. They also discovered a dislodged (鬆脫的) window and a window protruding slightly from its frame (稍微突出的). They later found one of the missing panes on the runway. But it was shattered. So how did the windows in the plane end up getting damaged? It turns out it could’ve been due to a film shoot that took place the day before the flight. 原來可能是跟飛行的前一天一場拍攝有關係的。 Air accident investigators think high-power flood lights on the film set may have damaged the windows. These are really big and strong lights that are used to brighten up big areas, like a football field at night or a park when it's dark. They're called "floodlights", because they flood the area with light. The lights were placed fairly close to the aircraft, and shone on it for over nine hours. This caused the stuff around the windows to become warped (扭曲的). The investigators say if things were different, it could've been more serious. ________________________________ So in today’s News Bites, Taiwan is teaming up with six other countries to build a large telescope. It’s called the Giant Magellan Telescope. It will rival the Hubble Space Telescope. When it’s built, it will be able to take lots of clear pictures of space. ________________________________ And, A passenger plane with missing and damaged windows took off from London, bound for Florida. Crew members didn’t discover them until after the plane was over 4000 meters in the air. Thankfully, the pilots landed the plane safely, and no one was hurt. Investigators believe that high-powered flood lights from a film set damaged them. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know that the fear of long words is called Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. Uh, say that again. Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia. I give up. This 36-letter word was first used by the Roman poet Horace in the first century BCE, which is around 3 thousand years ago. Horace used that word to criticize writers who used too many long words. And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Paz Bueno. Coming up next in today's news: Taiwan's aging doctor problem, gene-edited pork could be coming to your dining table, and why it's a good idea not to step on ants! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ________________________________ 台灣面臨醫生老化的問題 Taiwan's Aging Doctor Problem Population (人口) aging is one of the main problems of this century (世紀). It is when the number of older people goes up and the number of younger people goes down for a long time. This is happening because people are having fewer and fewer children. In the future, there won't be enough workers for many kinds of jobs. Doctors are aging too. Some are worried that there may not be enough doctors in the next ten years. According to the Taiwan Medical Association (台灣醫療協會TMA), the average age of Taiwanese doctors is over 51. Doctors in Taiwan are divided into 23 departments. Obstetricians and gynecologists (婦產科) are the oldest, with an average age of almost 57. In second place are family doctors, with an average age of 54. Very close to family doctors are ophthalmologists (眼科), with an average age of almost 54. The youngest doctors are radiation oncologists (放射腫瘤科), with an average age of almost 47. TMA says the real problem is not about the age of doctors. Taiwan currently has 55,000 doctors. Doctors in Taiwan do not have to retire (退休). About 1,300 medical students become doctors every year. The number of doctor deaths each year is less than this number. TMA says the real problem is the uneven (不平均) number of doctors in different departments. Some departments do not have enough doctors. For example, about 400,000 babies were born in Taiwan every year 20 years ago. However, last year, only about 130,000 babies were born. Seeing this, young doctors do not choose to be pediatricians (小兒科). Every year, there are 130 jobs for pediatricians but only around 90 people become pediatricians. Hoping for more pediatricians, the government (政府) is giving bigger bonuses (獎金) to pediatricians who specialize (專長) in caring for children under four years old. 專家表示，這類的獎勵因該要擴展到所有醫療科系。 This will make sure there are enough doctors in every department. ________________________________ 基因改良豬肉未來可望上餐桌 Gene-Edited Pork Could Be Coming to Your Dining Table Ever since scientists discovered gene-editing, it has been used in various fields. One of them is agriculture (農業). Gene-editing is used to grow crops (農作物) that are resistant (抵抗) to some diseases (疾病). Now, scientists want to use gene-editing on other food, for example, meat. A virus is making some pigs sick. It can cause pneumonia (肺炎) in baby pigs and stop adult females from having babies. The virus also makes pigs more vulnerable (脆弱) to bacterial infections (細菌感染). This virus can cause pig farmers around the world to lose $2.7 billion US dollars a year. There are vaccines (疫苗) for this virus, but they are not always effective. Scientists found that the virus looks for part of one gene. Researchers at a company edited the gene. Pigs with these edited genes will then have descendants (後代) that are more and more resistant to the virus. To earn government approval, the company must show that the altered (被改變的) gene is safe. They must also show that the gene can be passed to descendants and can protect them from the virus. Some organizations and farmers are excited about the new technology because this virus causes pigs to get sick and farmers to lose a lot of money every year. However, some animal welfare organizations (動物福利組織) think very differently. They say that keeping too many animals in one place is the main reason that diseases spread quickly. 專家們擔心如果牲畜都對疾病免疫，那它們就會被圈養在比目前更差的環境。 That's because the animals would not get sick. They think agribusiness (農業企業) should stop keeping too many animals in one place, not develop gene-edited animals. If all goes well for the company, they will get government approval next year. So don't be surprised if you see gene-edited meat at the supermarket in a few years. ________________________________ So in today's News Bites: Taiwan has an aging doctor problem. There are actually enough doctors in Taiwan. The main problem is the uneven distribution of doctors among the departments. And, Gene-edited pork could be coming to your dining table. Scientists are working to make pigs safe from a virus. Some organizations and farmers are excited about the new technology because this virus causes pigs to get sick and farmers to lose a lot of money every year. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Smelly Ants What's that smell?! Oh, that's from ants. They're those busy little bugs that you sometimes find in your kitchen, looking for food. When many kinds of ants are angry, in danger, or crushed under your shoe, a very strong smell comes out of them. Maybe you've smelled trap-jaw ants. Taiwan has them. They smell like chocolate! Mmmmm…? Some ants smell like lemons! Oh! Some smell like vinegar. Ooof! And some smell like blue cheese or rotten coconuts. Ugh! Pee-ew! If you see a line of ants, don't step on them! ________________________________ Thank you for listening to today's News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to us at newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! Welcome back to News Bites. I’m Paz Bueno. And I’m Nancy Sun. In today's news: Climate change raises risk of forest fires in Taiwan, and EU farmers’ frustrations grow. And in today’s Tasty Tidbit…let’s talk about made-up words! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 氣候變遷增加台灣森林大火的機率 Climate Change Raises Risk of Forest Fires in Taiwan Taiwan has magnificent forests and mountains. Around 60% of the island is covered by forests. That is over 2 million hectares (公頃), around 20,000 square kilometers. With so many forests covering the island, it also increases the risk of forest fires. Although Taiwan is surround by the ocean, there is still a dry season. It starts from November to April of the following year. Due to the change of the global climate, experts are predicting it will lead to a greater chance of forest fires. Researchers from National Chung Hsing University (中興大學) and Utah State University (猶他州立大學) conducted a study. They predicted that the weather conditions of Taiwan will change in the future. The team found out that Taiwan’s temperature and wind speed are increasing. This will reduce humidity (濕度) and cause organic matter in the soil to dry out. All these would lead to a longer dry season and increase the risk of wildfires. Dryer leaves and wood and easier to ignite (點燃), and it will spread really fast. More fire prevention belts (防火林帶) should be constructed in high-risk areas. With all this information, Taiwan can develop better strategies to diminish (減少) the impact of wildfires. According to the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (農業部林業及自然保育署), 90% of forest fires are due to human factors. For example, it happens a lot during Tomb Sweeping season. Many cemeteries (公墓) are in the mountains or near a forest. One of the traditions is to burn paper money for the ancestors. If precautions are not taken, a sudden gust of wind can blow the burning papers into the trees. Other factors include camping, burning trash, discarding a burning cigarette butt and many more. All these incidents can be avoided. 為了保護台灣美麗的森林，我們必須遵守規定，降低野火的風險。 ________________________________ 歐盟農夫 集體抗議複雜的規定 EU Farmers’ Frustrations Grow Earlier in February, tens of thousands of farmers were protesting (抗議) all over Europe. They demanded protection against cheap imports, and looser (寬鬆的) environmental rules. Among the demands, there is one that stands out: more respect for farmers. Over the years, countries around the world have been working hard to be eco-friendly. The European Union have imposed (實施) strict regulations to various industries, including farming. On the surface, that might seem like a good thing. However, according to the farmers, it’s really annoying. They have to follow the rules and regulations up to the slightest detail. For example, Dochy, a Belgium farmer, said they have to register all artificial fertilizer (人造肥料) online within 7 days of purchase. Then, they have to register exactly how it is spread on every single plot of land (在每塊土地上如何施肥). They have to register how many kilos and how it is distributed. If there is a slight error, the farmers would be fined. There are also bureaucratic (官僚的) deadlines imposed on the farmers. For example, certain crops have to be sown (播種) by September 1st. Even if the weather is not suitable for sowing, the farmers still have to comply (遵守). Or they would be placed with a fine. On Dochy’s computer, there is a government farming program. He has to register all the statistics (數據) of his farm, fertilizer, pesticides (農藥), production and harvesting. “They also supervise us with satellite images and even with drones,” he said. Similar stories come up at all the farmers’ protest all around Europe. The farmers understand the need for environmental rules. Dochy says that farmers live by nature, but you can’t control nature. It looks like there are going to be countless negotiations ahead. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Climate change is raising the risk of forest fires in Taiwan. The weather is going to be dryer in the future. This increases the risk of trees and leaves catching fire. ________________________________ And, EU farmers are growing more and more frustrated with all the new regulations. They have to follow the rules up to every slightest detail. They are demanding change from the authorities. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit There are many made up words in English. Roald Dahl, who wrote "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," made up more than 500 new words and names. Think about "Oompa-Loompas" and "Scrumdiddlyumptious" – they came from his imagination! In 2016, the Oxford University Press even made a special dictionary with almost 8,000 words that Dahl liked to use, mixing real and made-up ones. If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Kelly Kimura. In today's stories… He's definitely real, and "bear-y" polite, and a purple superfood helps power-up our health. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…? An animal that carries a whole ecosystem on its back? Stay tuned for all that and more, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣黑熊「站姿」引發網友熱議 A Bear-y Special Star at the Zoo Meet "Bobby". He's a 19-year-old Formosan black bear, and he lives at Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung. But Bobby isn't just your average bear. Bobby has a "bear-y" special skill (技能). He stands up and walks like a person! In fact, Bobby and his skill stole the spotlight earlier this month. He stood up, and walked slowly towards visitors. Everyone got very excited. When he got close to the visitors, Bobby even nodded his head, almost like he was saying "hello"! Many people started taking photos and videos. Bobby's behavior (行為) was so surprising, some people wondered if he was really a bear! Some even joked that Bobby was probably a zoo worker in a bear costume. 高雄壽山動物園的台灣黑熊「波比」站姿太挺直，讓遊客懷疑是不是工讀生假扮。 So many people talked about Bobby, that even Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai shared Bobby's photo online. The mayor also posted a photo of Bobby eating sugar cane (甘蔗), to show he is a real bear. This actually isn't the first time that Bobby has stood on two legs to say "hello" to visitors. He did the same thing just a few years ago, and also left everyone confused. The mayor of Kaohsiung at that time had to explain things. She said the bears in Kaohsiung are real. She said the city doesn't allow "unsafe" behavior at work. Bobby's tricks are funny. But he also reminds us of something important, that Formosan black bears are in danger. Data shows that there are just 200 to 600 Formosan black bears left in the wild in Taiwan. And they are the only bear species that live in Taiwan's wilderness. Formosan black bears are an endangered species. The bears, along with other endemic (特有的) species like the leopard cat and Formosan Pangolin, need our help. We need to do our part to protect the environment, and all living things! ________________________________ 美國推出基改紫色番茄 The Power of the Purple Tomato Calling all gardeners and fruit lovers! How would you like to try a tomato that looks like a juicy grape, and packs a superfood punch? Well, hold on to your watering cans… Because the Purple Tomato is finally here! Wait a minute…. Tomatoes are mostly red, orange, or green, right? Yes, but the Purple Tomato is genetically modified. It's a genetically modified organism, or GMO (基因改造生物). But wait! Don't run away screaming "Frankenfood!" just yet! This purple fruit isn't a lab monster. Scientists spent 20 years making the Purple Tomato. They borrowed some genes from a snapdragon flower. These genes give the tomato its purple color… AND, they give the tomato lots of "anthocyanin". Anthocyanin is good for your health! It's the same thing that gives blueberries and eggplants their color, and also makes them superfoods. 這種紫色基改番茄帶有兩個取自「金魚草」的基因，讓他含有大量的抗氧化物「花青素」。 Regular red tomatoes that we plant have anthocyanin too. But it's mostly in the leaf and stems, not in the red tomato itself. So Purple Tomatoes make it easier to get that anthocyanin into our bodies! Scientists ran some tests. They added Purple Tomatoes to food for some mice. And mice that ate Purple Tomatoes lived 30 percent longer than mice that didn't. 研究人員把一些基改紫番茄加入老鼠的飼料中，結果發現這些老鼠的壽命明顯增長。 The Purple Tomato will be the first GMO crop (農作物) sold directly to home gardeners in the US. So would you plant these powerful purple superfoods in your garden? ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Bobby the 19-year-old Formosan black bear lives at Shoushan Zoo in Kaohsiung. He stands up and walks like a person! Many people were amazed, and some even wondered if he was really a bear! ________________________________ And, Scientists have made a Purple Tomato. The tomato has lots of "anthocyanin", which is good for your health. The Purple Tomato will be the first GMO crop sold directly to home gardeners in the US. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit In today's Tasty Tidbit…. They may be slow, like reeealllly sloooooowwwww….. But sloths carry whole ecosystems in their fur! That's right, it's like a mini rainforest growing on the sloth's back. Tiny green algae grows on the fur. This algae is food for little green moths. And tiny beetles love eating these moths! The sloth gives them a safe place to live on its fur. But these critters aren't freeloaders! All these living things help the sloth look and smell like the forest, helping it hide from predators. And the moths and beetles eat the sloth's dead skin and parasites, helping keep the sloth clean and healthy. They're like a personal spa for the sloth! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next in today's news: New Taipei has a new way to process food waste, and old stuffed animals are getting a new life! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…you are more than human! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ 新北高效堆肥廠試運轉 New Taipei Launches High-Efficiency Composting Plant What happens to the food we don't eat? It becomes food waste. Just one city, New Taipei City, collects over two hundred sixty thousand kilograms of food waste every day! Now, this city has a new high-efficiency composting plant (高效堆肥廠)! It's in trial operation (試營運). From April, this composting plant will turn fifty thousand kilograms of food waste into compost every day! Food waste can be processed (處理) more quickly. This cuts down on bad odors from rotting food. This plant is part of New Taipei's plans to diversify (多樣化) the ways it processes food waste. The ways include traditional (傳統的) composting, bioenergy (生物能源) production, and innovative methods like black soldier fly breeding (繁殖黑水虻). The city is working with a major paper mill (造紙廠) to produce bioenergy. This produces 90% less carbon (碳) than traditional composting! It processes waste efficiently, and also aligns with net-zero emissions goals (符合淨零排放的目標). This helps the city make progress in environmental sustainability (環境永續性). At New Taipei's black soldier fly breeding plant, larvae (幼蟲) process twelve thousand kilograms of waste daily. The larvae are scavengers (腐食性動物). They eat anything! This black soldier fly breeding plant also turns fly larvae into high-quality protein (蛋白質). The larvae are given to poultry (家禽) and fish to eat. This adds to circular economy (循環經濟) efforts. The leftover fiber (廚餘的纖維) from food waste and the black soldier flies' poop can be used to improve soil (改良土壤). Cities work hard to process food waste. Food waste is a big problem for Taiwan. Let's all try not to waste food! ___________________________________________________________ 絨毛動物玩具的新生活 A New Life for Stuffed Animals A woman in England helps the Earth by rescuing (營救) old stuffed animals (填充玩具). She saves them from becoming dog toys or going into a landfill (垃圾掩埋場). Many stuffed animals are made with manmade materials (人工材料). In a landfill, they would take hundreds of years to break down. The oil, natural gas, and water used to make them would be wasted. So she made a company. It's an environmentally friendly adoption agency (收養機構) for stuffed animals! People give her their old stuffed animals instead of throwing them away. But they do something special first. They write a message about the stuffed animal's personality (性格) or life. Personality?? Yes. Knowing about the stuffed toy's personality helps a new person know if they want to take it home. When the old stuffed animal arrives at the company, the woman gives it a spa treatment (水療護理). What?? A spa treatment? Yes! She washes it with lots of soap. She sterilizes (消毒) it with steam (蒸氣). She dries it carefully. She fluffs up the fur (讓絨毛蓬鬆起來). She puts in new stuffing 也會裝新的填充物進去。 She sews up holes. She carefully cleans its eyes. When the spa treatment is done, the stuffed animal is very clean! It doesn't always look new, but it's good enough to go to a new home. The woman says the life and love the stuffed animals had makes them more valuable (更加珍貴). She sells these secondhand (二手的) stuffed animals at a big department store! She puts them in environmentally friendly gift boxes. She puts the messages about them on the boxes. The woman also sells some of the stuffed animals on her company's website. People buy them fast! The new owners can send her photos and news about their stuffed animal. She puts these on her website so the old owners can see their stuffed animal's new life! She thinks that no new stuffed animals need to be made. There are already so many! The woman rescues many stuffed animals and gives half of her profits to charity (把賺來的錢一半捐給慈善機構). Let's do good things too! ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: New Taipei has a new high-efficiency compost plant. It will turn 50 thousand kilograms of food waste into compost every day. ___________________________________________________________ And… A British woman is helping the Earth by saving stuffed animals. She asks the old owners to write a message about them. She cleans and sterilizes the stuffed animals and sells them at a department store. The woman says the life and love they had make them more valuable. ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know there are more bacterial cells (細菌細胞) than human cells in your body? By number of cells, the average person is about 56% bacteria! Does that sound like a lot? Before a 2016 study, scientists thought we were 90% bacteria! Bacteria are very, very light. So by weight, we are more than 99.7 percent human. The bacteria of the average adult weighs about 200 grams in total. Human males have 40 trillion bacterial cells. Most of them are where food travels through the body. Scientists say these bacteria are necessary for health. ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey you guys, it's time for a new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's episode: Two students find something amazing in Hualien, and Kobe the dog saves his neighborhood. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: Fruit that's radioactive. Stay tuned for more on these stories coming up next. ________________________________ 花蓮發現古代珠寶 Students Find Ancient Jewelry in Hualien Do you like to wear jewelry (珠寶)? It can look beautiful when you put it on. Sometimes I wear a necklace (項鍊) around my neck. I also want to wear earrings (耳環). But I'm afraid to get my ears pierced (穿耳洞). People have been wearing jewelry like necklaces and earrings for a long time. Have you heard about the students who found some mysterious (神秘的) jewelry in Hualien? The two girls study at Tsing Hua (清華) University. Recently, they went to help out at the Hualien Archeological Museum (花蓮縣考古博物館). They had internships (實習) at the museum. That means they got a chance to help the museum and gain some experience. But on their first day, something incredible happened. They were searching an archaeological site near Hualien, when they found something buried in the ground. It looked like a piece of jade. 學生在考古遺址中發現了埋在地下的一塊玉石。 One of the students recognized the thing from her textbook. It was a piece of jewelry, and it looked very old. In fact, the jade jewelry was 2,700 years old. It started as a jade earring. The jade it was made of came from Taiwan. The earring was carved into a shape that was half person and half animal. Such a thing was rare and valuable. 耳環雕刻成半人半獸的造型，十分罕見，很有價值。 So the person who wore it must have been important. But at some point, the earring was broken. It also had a hole cut in it, to put a string through. The students think that when the earring broke, it was attached to a string to become a necklace. But that was all thousands of years ago. I wonder how long it was in the ground before the students discovered it? Good thing it was finally found. 還好終於被發現了。 Now anyone can see this ancient jewelry. Just go to the Hualien Archaeological Museum to check it out. ________________________________ 聰明狗狗 及時阻止瓦斯外洩 Dog Saves Neighborhood From Gas Leak Have you ever smelled a gas leak (瓦斯外洩)? You might smell it if you accidentally leave the gas stove on. It's stinky, with a smell like rotten eggs (臭雞蛋的味道). It's also dangerous. Gas can catch fire easily. If there's a lot of it, the gas can even cause an explosion (爆炸). A gas leak can also come from a broken pipe (破損的瓦斯管). That's what recently happened in the US city of Philadelphia. It could have caused a serious disaster… …but it didn't, thanks to one smart dog. Woof! Woof! So what's the story? It started when a woman saw her dog Kobe digging a hole in her yard. 一位女士看到她的狗狗Kobe在院子裡挖洞。 The woman thought it was so strange. Kobe was a good dog, and he didn't usually dig holes. It turns out, there was a gas leak under the hole. It was coming from a gas pipe underground. If the gas leak caught on fire, it could have blown up the whole neighborhood. 如果瓦斯外洩著火，整個街區都可能被炸毀。 And Kobe was the one who smelled the leak. Somehow, the dog knew something was wrong. Philadelphia city workers came to fix the pipe, and the woman made a video for social media. People from around the world loved the story of the hero dog Kobe. 女子在社群媒體上發布了一段影片，網友都愛Kobe的故事。 One person commented, "This is beautiful. Dogs are SO SMART and so is mom." Another person said, "That dog saved lives. Give him a medal (獎牌)." Now, the woman wants to spread the message to everyone. If you smell a gas leak, let somebody know. Remember, it smells like rotten eggs. It could be a matter of life and death (生死交關). You might save your neighborhood, just like Kobe saved his. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites, Two students found some ancient jewelry in Hualien. They found it during their internship at the Hualien Archaeological Museum. It was a piece of ancient jade that used to be an earring and a necklace. And, A dog in Philadelphia saved his neighborhood from a gas leak. Kobe dug a hole to let people know where the gas leak was. If not for Kobe, the whole neighborhood could have exploded. ________________________________ And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know that bananas are radioactive (放射性)? Bananas contain a small amount of potassium (K/鉀). Some of this is potassium-40, which is radioactive. But don't worry. It's not harmful in such a small amount. In fact, you would have to eat thousands of bananas in a short time to receive a dangerous dose of radiation from them. Even a greedy guzzler (貪吃的人) wouldn't be able to do that. ________________________________ And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news: Helping turtles too much might not be good for the environment, and an old book becomes valuable treasure. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…can you imagine standing for 12 years? Let's check it out. ________________________________ 海龜麻煩：幫助一個可能傷害另一個 Turtle Trouble: Helping One Can Harm Another Nature is like a finely tuned orchestra (合作無間的管弦樂團), where each animal plays an important role. Each one has a special job that helps everything live together in peace (和平共處). But sometimes, when people try to help, they can accidentally cause problems (意外地造成問題). Scientists have discovered something interesting about sea turtles and their eggs on Orchid Island (蘭嶼). For many years, people have been trying to protect these turtles and their eggs from being eaten by other animals. 多年來，人們努力保護這些海龜和牠們的蛋不要被其他動物吃掉。 They did this to help more baby turtles reach (爬到) the ocean. However, a new study shows this might not be the best idea (這可能不是最好的主意). Sea turtles are very important to Orchid Island. They lay their eggs on the beach (在沙灘上產蛋), which helps bring food from the ocean to the land. This food is not just for the baby turtles, but for other animals too. But because people wanted to save the turtles, they put up fences (圍籬) to keep other animals away from the eggs. This made it hard for some animals, like snakes, to find food. These snakes used to eat turtle eggs, but with the fences up, they started eating lizard eggs instead. 這些蛇過去吃海龜蛋，但圍籬設立之後，蛇開始吃蜥蜴蛋。 This change has made it difficult for lizards to survive (生存) on the island. The number of lizards has gone down a lot because there are not enough eggs for the snakes to eat. 由於蛇沒有足夠的蛋吃，蜥蜴的數量大大減少。 The scientists think we need to find a better way to help sea turtles without hurting other animals. They suggest that letting some of the turtle eggs be eaten by other animals might actually be good. 他們說讓其他動物吃掉一些海龜蛋，實際上可能有好處。 This way, the food from the ocean can still help the land, and all animals can have enough to eat. Helping one animal might cause problems for another if we're not careful. ________________________________ 舊書換來千金 Old Book Turns Pennies into Thousands Imagine finding a treasure in a place you least expect. 想像一下在最不可能的地方找到寶藏。 Sometimes, things that don't look special at first can turn out to be very valuable (很有價值). Once upon a time, almost 30 years ago, someone found a very special book in a second-hand shop (二手店) in south London. It was a rare version (稀有版本) of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone," the first book about a famous young wizard named Harry Potter. This wasn't just any book, but a "proof copy," (校對本) which means it was made before the final version to check for mistakes. The best part? It was bought for just a few coins (只花了幾枚硬幣就買到), along with two other books for only 40 British pence. That's about 15NT for three books! For years, the person who bought the book didn't think it was anything special. It was just another book on the shelf. 它只是書架上的另一本書。 But then, they learned that some Harry Potter books were selling for a lot of money. So, they decided to sell this special book at an auction (拍賣會). And guess what? This old book that cost pennies was sold for 11,000 British pounds! 這本僅花幾毛錢買到的舊書賣了一萬一千英鎊！ With extra charges (額外的費用), the total came to 14,432 pounds. That's just over 578,000 NT. A private buyer (私人買家) in the U.K. decided to buy it. The book even had a little mistake inside. 書內甚至有一個小錯誤。 It says the author is "J. A. Rowling" instead of "J.K. Rowling." This mistake makes the book even more unique. This proof copy started the whole Harry Potter magic for people all around the world. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Scientists have discovered that overprotecting sea turtles and their eggs on Orchid Island might not be a good idea. Because people wanted to save the turtles, they put up fences to make it hard for some animals to eat them. But now, these animals started eating lizard eggs instead. This change has made it difficult for lizards to survive on the island. ________________________________ And, Almost 30 years ago, someone found a rare version of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone" in a second-hand shop in south London. It was originally bought for about 15NT, along with two other books. Recently, the book was sold at an auction for just over 578-thousand NT in total. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know there are people called standing babas in Indian culture? They make a promise to never sit, lay down, or squat for twelve years! They do this to reach a special kind of spiritual understanding that you can't get if you sit down. During the day, they rest their arms on a small hammock, and at night, they rest their torso…but always keep one leg on the ground. I wouldn't be able to stand it! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites. I'm Kelly Kimura. and I'm Nancy Sun. In today's news: More robots and drones for firefighters, air pollution makes flowers smell less appealing to pollinators and the reason why your dog tilts its head when you're talking to it. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 政府將為消防員採購機器人與無人機 More Robots and Drones for Firefighters Being a firefighter is an honorable (光榮的) job that comes with lots of risks. They are one of the first responders (急救員) to respond to various emergencies. They save lives while putting their own lives in danger. That's why they need lots of special equipment to help protect themselves. Thanks to the advancement of technology, there are now many inventions that can help firefighters with their rescue missions. The government plans to invest $1.1billion NT to procure specialized firefighting gear. There will be 88 firefighting robot vehicles and 88 drones equipped with infrared (紅外線) sensors. The equipment will be deployed by 22 firefighting units across the country. When responding to a factory fire, firefighters sometimes have little information about the interior of the factory. A robot vehicle could be sent in to gather various kinds of information. They can scan for survivors, detect hazardous (有毒) materials and gas, and gather details of the floor plan (平面圖). They can also douse (澆熄) flames with water. For an emergency in a tunnel, the robot would also be able to gather valuable information. Other than building fires, firefighters also have to cope with emergencies in natural landscapes. This is where the drones come in. During forest fires, the drones would be able to provide real-time images to rescue workers on the ground. They would also be crucial for locating distressed trekkers in the mountains, or even for locating shipwreck (船難) survivors in the water. 長久以來，災難現場的有限資訊造成了許多消防員的受傷。 The government hopes that this equipment can protect the safety of these first responders. ________________________________ 空氣污染減少花香對授粉者的吸引力 Air Pollution Makes Flowers Smell Less Appealing to Pollinators Pollinators (授粉者) are essential to our eco-system. Bees, birds, butterflies and many other animals are responsible for helping plants reproduce. Without them, our food supply would collapse (崩壞). That's why experts around the world are asking farmers reduce the use of pesticides (農藥). The pesticides not only kill pests but also bees. A recent study shows that air pollution is also affecting pollination. Researchers found out that emissions (排放) from cars and factories are breaking down (分解) wild plant fragrances (香氣). The fragrance from plants is essential for attracting pollinators. The experiment studied the interaction between primroses (晚櫻) and hawk moths (天蛾). Primroses are wildflowers that only bloom (開花) at night. The hawk moth is a nocturnal (夜行性) insect pollinator. The researchers first captured air samples that contained the flower's fragrance. Back at the lab, they analyzed the fragrance and reconstructed the chemical components that attract the moths. They then made an artificial flower that contains these chemicals. The researchers also put pollutants on the flower. The fake flower was placed in a wind tunnel with a healthy flower. The team then released two species of hawk moth into the tunnel. One species reduced visitation of the fake flower by 50%. The other species stopped visiting the polluted flower completely. The team also placed their polluted flower in a field of healthy primroses. The visitation of moths to the polluted flower fell by 70% in one night. This would drastically (大幅) reduce the seed production of the primroses. In the final stage of the experiment, the team designed computer models. The model analyzed how plant scents interacted with air pollution. They found out that air pollution has reduced the distance pollinators can detect scents by 50%. It is happening in most cities around the world. This phenomenon is known as "sensory pollution (感官污染)," which means artificial elements are messing with animal senses. 專家表示，他們需要更深入的研究來了解這個現象是否也影響其他物種。 One thing for sure is that humans need to reduce the use of fossil fuels. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The government plans to buy 88 robots and 88 drones, to be deployed by 22 firefighting units across Taiwan. This equipment will greatly improve the safety of firefighters responding to fires and other emergencies. And, Air pollution makes flowers smell less appealing to pollinators. Chemicals in the air are messing with the hawk moths' ability to sense a flower. This is happening around the world to pollinators. Humans need to reduce the use of fossil fuels. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And now for today's Tasty Tidbit… Do you have a dog? Does your dog's head tilt (傾斜) when you're talking to him? If it does, he's trying to find out where sounds are from faster. He's also trying to find words he knows, like "sit" or "lie down." He's listening to how you are speaking to him too. Are you happy? Angry? Some dogs don't tilt their heads very much. They listen for sounds less. But they're looking at you more! They want to find out the same things! Whether your dog is tilting his head or not, he wants to understand what you're saying and feeling. And that's today's episode of News Bites! ________________________________ Thank you for listening to today's News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw. You might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! Welcome to a brand new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. Today's stories… Changhua becomes more digital, and a Spanish song inviting friends to come over and play goes viral! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…let's talk about French time! Keep on listening to learn more. ________________________________ 數位化校園的數位學生證 Smart IDs for Smarter Schools Smartphones, smart TVs, smart vacuums, smart washing machines… 智慧手機、智慧電視、智慧吸塵器、智慧洗衣機… …smartwatches, smart lights, smart refrigerators… …智慧手錶、智慧燈光、智慧冰箱… …and, well, the list goes on. Smart technology is everywhere! Every day, we use technology to chat with friends, find information, and even order food. It makes things faster, easier, and sometimes, more fun. As technology grows, it's becoming a big part of how we learn and communicate at school too. And in Changhua County, schools have been getting a cool tech update (科技升級)! The county has introduced digital student IDs (數位學生證) in 212 schools. It's making daily school life easier and more fun for everyone. Imagine this: With just a tap (嗶) of your digital ID, *beep* you can check in and out of school, borrow books from the library, and even get discounts (折扣) on buses and bikes. That's super convenient (方便). County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei (彰化縣長王惠美) showed off these new IDs at Yongjing Elementary School (永靖國小). She explained how these IDs work with a special app called彰化校園e指通or "Campus e-Zhitong". This app connects schools, teachers, and parents, making sure everyone know what's happening at school. But there's more! These digital IDs aren't just for show (不僅僅是為了好看). They help parents keep an eye on their kids' school attendance (上學情況) and even how they spend their pocket money (零用錢). For kids who need a little extra help, there's also a feature for digital meal vouchers (數位餐券), making lunchtime easier. Changhua County is also looking to the future by setting up special centers for AI and technology learning (AIoT智慧聯網教育中心). This means kids can get hands-on with the latest tech (親自體驗最新科技). Changhua County is leading the way in making schools smarter and safer. With these digital IDs and the e-Zhitong app, going to school just got a whole lot more exciting. ________________________________ 流行歌曲席捲全球 Catchy Tune Takes over the World When something becomes super popular overnight, we say it "went viral" (走紅). Lots of people want to go viral nowadays. Everyone secretly wants to become a superstar. When Christell Rodriguez was five-years-old, she wanted to be a singer. She participated on a TV talent show in 2003, and sang a catchy song called 'Dubidubidu'. 她參加了電視達人秀，唱了一首朗朗上口的歌曲「Dubidubidu」。 The song, which talks about driving around and inviting friends over, became a big hit (熱門歌曲) in her home country, Chile (智利). But as time went by, people started to forget about it. Fast forward to now, 20 years later, and Christell's song is making a surprise comeback! 20年後，Christell的歌曲意外地回歸了！ Thanks to the power of the internet, social media, and music streaming services (音樂串流服務), 'Dubidubidu' is being loved all over again. This time, it's not just in Chile, but in countries like Japan, Germany, Finland, and South Korea. It even reached number one on Spotify's Viral Top 50 in Japan! 它甚至在日本Spotify的Viral Top 50中，排名第一！ Christell was surprised to see her song become popular again. She found out when she saw a video of a cat moving its head to her song that people were sharing online. Now, she's excited that more and more people will enjoy her song and share it on social media. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… In Changhua County, schools have been getting a tech update. The county has introduced digital student IDs in 212 schools. Students can check in and out of school, borrow books from the library, and even get discounts on buses and bikes using their smart IDs. ________________________________ And, A Chilean girl named Christell is going viral for a song she sang 20 years ago! She participated on a TV talent show in 2003, and sang a catchy song called 'Dubidubidu'. The song talks about driving around and inviting friends over. The song is popular in Japan, Germany, Finland, and South Korea. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The way we think about time is standardized. We know there are 60 seconds in one minute, 60 minutes in one hour, and 24 hours in a day. But did you know there was a different way people thought about time? During the French Revolution, the government of France used the "French Republican Calendar." For 12 (Gregorian) years, there were 100 seconds in a minute, ten hours in a day, ten weeks in a month, and twelve months in a year. They used a decimal system for time, so an hour had 100 minutes, and a minute had 100 seconds. How would you spend a 10-hour day? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news… A non-emergency with a big price tag, and fairytale ending for a mermaid dog. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… How does our air get hotter than the Sun? We'll tell you all about it at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 旅客害火車急煞 最高恐罰100萬 Sleepy Passenger Gets Emergency Brake Blues Ah…taking the train can be such a relaxing way to travel… Unless somebody pulls the emergency brake! Someone on a super-fast train in Taiwan hit the "big red button". But it wasn't exactly for an emergency. Police say the man from Taitung was on an EMU3000 train. The train was going from Taitung to Hualien County. And the man fell asleep…and missed his stop. So what did he do? He got up and pulled the emergency brake! 這位睡過頭的旅客擅自轉動車長閥，導致列車臨停台東金崙站。 The train came to an unplanned stop at Jinlun Station. But now, this snoozing passenger may face a hefty fine…maybe up to $1 million NT! That's definitely more than the cost of a ticket! 鐵路警察局表示，任意操控鐵路站、車設備，或以他法妨害系統設備正常運作，可裁處1萬元以上、100萬元以下罰鍰。 Fortunately the train wasn't damaged (受損). Everyone on the train had to get off. They had to take another train to get to their stop. But at least no one was hurt. So what should you do if you miss your stop on the train? Railway police say you can ask the conductor for help. They say the emergency brake is ONLY for emergencies! Using that for any other reason is breaking the law. 鐵路警察局呼籲，搭乘列車應遵守秩序，若不小心過站，可以向列車長尋求協助。 ________________________________ 美人魚小黑狗 重獲新生 Ariel the Mermaid Dog Gets Her Happy Ending A dog named after a princess has found her happy ending! The black puppy was found abandoned (丟棄) in a parking lot in the UK. But she was just a little different from other puppies. She had six legs! 英國一隻11週大的小狗天生擁有6條腿，被棄在一間超市的停車場。 Her rescuers named her "Ariel", because her two extra legs looked a little like a mermaid's tail. Vets checked her over. They said Ariel was mostly healthy. But she needed an operation (手術) to remove her extra legs, or they could hurt her in the future. The vets said they had never seen a puppy quite like Ariel. The surgery to remove her extra legs would cost around $9,000 US dollars. But her rescuers did not have that much money. They posted Ariel's story online. Word about the mermaid dog spread around the world. And everyone wanted to help. In the end, Ariel got more than $19,000 US dollars in donations. Two vets worked on Ariel for her surgery. It was very complicated, and they had to be very careful. But in the end, they left Ariel with four working legs. Ariel的手術過程很順利，隔天就能起來走動、吃吃喝喝了。 The puppy is now resting and getting stronger in a foster home (寄養家庭). Her foster family is helping her practice using her legs. They say she is already playing and eating, and is a very happy puppy! And more than 200 people have asked about adopting (領養) Ariel. They hope Ariel can soon find her furever home! ________________________________ So, in today's news… A man on a train fell asleep and missed his stop. He pulled the emergency brake to stop the train! But now, this snoozing passenger may face a hefty fine…maybe up to $1 million NT! ________________________________ and… Ariel the six-legged puppy was found abandoned in a parking lot in the UK. She had surgery, and now has four working legs. Her foster family hopes she can soon find her furever home. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit In today's Tasty Tidbit… What's faster than fast and hotter than hot? Sometimes when things are super-fast, we say they're "as fast as lightning". But lightning is not just fast folks! A single bolt can heat the air around it to five times hotter than the Sun's surface! So that blinding flash, and then the ear-splitting thunder? That's the air itself exploding from the heat! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there. You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram, I'm Nancy Sun and I'm Ron Stuart! Welcome to the show, Ron. In today's news: Mountain trekkers ask fire bureau to deliver food and hermit crabs are using trash as shells. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: Almonds and peaches! Oh! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 登山客請消防局外送食物 Mountain Trekkers Ask Fire Bureau to Deliver Food In the past, firefighters in Taiwan had to do everything. Other than putting out fires, they even had to catch snakes and remove beehives. In order to lighten the workload (減少工作量), animal-related issues were assigned (指派) to local agriculture bureaus (農業局). This allowed firefighters to focus mainly on what they do best: Putting out fires (滅火). A while ago, the Nantou County Fire Bureau received a call asking them to deliver food. The call came from a group of mountain trekkers who had ran out of food. Mountain trekkers out of food, eh? I guess they didn't have any "lembas bread" with them. Or maybe a greedy guzzler (貪吃的人) in the group ate the whole lot! Uh, what bread? Lembas bread! That's how Frodo and Sam made it to Mordor. 那是電影《魔戒》裏面，兩個哈比人佛羅多和山姆吃的麵包。 They lived off of lembas bread, which can stay fresh for months. Uh, lembas bread is from Lord of the Rings, Jake. I don't think it exists in real life. That's disappointing. Anyhow, after making sure the trekkers were not in any danger or had any medical emergencies, the Bureau refused the request to deliver food. "There ain't no rest for the wicked," as the saying goes. Likewise, there ain't no food delivery in the mountains. But boy, them trekkers got some nerve. 他們好大膽！ Imagine askin' fire folks to deliver yo lunch! The trekkers were taking on the famous South Third Section (南三段). It's an arduous trail (陡峭的步道) across the Central Mountain Range (中央山脈). Usually it takes about 10 days. They originally planned to finish their trek at the village of Dongpu (東埔) in Nantou county. However, the group met the recent cold wave which brought freezing weather to the mountains. I'm still feelin' the chill from that cold wave. No, wait! It's just the air con. Oh! … The trails at high altitudes (高海拔的地方) were frozen. This slowed down the group, meaning they could not make it to their destination on time. They did not prepare enough food for the extra days. As a result, the leader of the group called the fire bureau and asked them to deliver food. After the bureau refused, the leader then called companies in Nantou that specialize in mountain trekking services. They provided guides and porters (搬運工) who could carry food and supplies to their site. The fire bureau also kept in contact with the trekking group to make sure they got to their destination safely. Remember, folks, it's not a good idea to misuse emergency services. ________________________________ 全球百分之六十的寄居蟹 以垃圾為家 Hermit Crabs Using Trash as Shells Across the World Have you ever seen a hermit crab? They are usually small crabs that use marine snail shells (海蝸牛的殼) as protection. Over the past decade, pictures and videos of hermit crabs using human litter as homes have been circulating the internet. They use anything they can find: Lego pieces, bottle caps, soda cans and many more such items. Who da heck be throwin' Lego in the trash? I mean, come on, folks! Recently, researchers have used these internet sightings to conduct an analysis (分析). They tried to find out how often hermit crabs repurpose our waste. 他們想知道，寄居蟹如何使用人類製造的垃圾。 The study identified 386 instances (實例) of crabs wearing shells taken from trash. Out of the 16 species of terrestrial hermit crabs (陸生寄居蟹) identified, 10 were spotted wearing trash. This behavior occurred in every tropical region (熱帶區域) on the planet. The researchers scoured through thousands of hermit crab pictures and videos on the internet. They found out that 85% of the chosen trash was plastic. Metal, glass and other materials comprised the remaining 15%. There are a few theories as to why the crabs are making homes out of human trash. One of them is the decline of the number of marine snail shells. A reason for this might be humans picking up the shells off shores and using them as souvenirs (紀念品). Whoopsie… Therefore the crabs may be turning to plastic as it's more readily available. However, there aren't enough statistics (數據) to support this theory at the moment. Phew! Dodged a bullet there… Other experts suggested the crabs preferred plastic, as it's lighter and easier to carry. But they have not yet studied the effects trash shells have on the crabs. Nevertheless, they are confident plastic pollution inside our ocean is seriously damaging the ecosystem. A study in 2019 showed more than half a million hermit crabs die each year after getting stuck in bottles and other trash. Alright, folks! Let's make more of an effort to recycle, reuse and repurpose plastic waste. ________________________________ So in today's news, Mountain trekkers ask fire bureau to deliver food. The trekkers were slowed down due to the cold front and ran out of food. The fire bureau responded that food delivery is not included in their emergency services. And, Hermit crabs are using trash as shells across the world. This phenomenon has been spotted in every tropical region on earth. Experts warn plastic pollution is damaging the eco-system. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit, Did you know almonds are a member of the peach family? Wait, what?! No way! The family is scientifically known as Rosaceae. Ain't nobody goin' to remember that. This botanical family encompasses a diverse range of plants, including not only peaches and almonds but also cherries, apricots, plums and even roses. Almonds and peaches may seem different in appearance and taste, but they share common ancestry and genetic characteristics. You learn something new every day. And that's today's episode of News Bites! ________________________________ If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Brody Halverson. And I'm Paz Bueno. Today's stories… How tall must you be to become a firefighter? And scientists find some very, very old chewing gum. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…have you seen a frog being sick? Let's check it out. ________________________________ 女子因消防員身高要求 控訴政府違憲 Woman Challenges Government over Firefighter Rules Firefighters (消防員) have a hard job. They face danger all the time. But people respect them, because of the work they do. For some young people, it is a dream to become a firefighter. They want to help others and serve their community. 有些人夢想成為消防員，這樣可以幫助別人。 For example, there is a woman named Chen (陳). She wants to become a firefighter. Chen took the certification test (消防人員考試), and she passed it. There's only one problem… The government says she is too short for the job. They say a women needs to be at least 160 centimeters tall to become a firefighter. 政府規定，女性身高必須至少達到 160 公分才能成為消防員。 But Chen is only 158.9 centimeters tall. That means she is 1.1 centimeter too short. So the government did not accept her for the job. Now, Chen is suing the government (控告政府). She has brought her case to the Constitutional Court (憲法法院). This special court decides if the country's laws follow the constitution. The constitution protects people's rights (人民的權利). It gives everyone the right to work in government. That's why Chen says the height requirement is a form of discrimination. 陳說，身高要求是一種歧視。 However, the government does not agree. They say the height requirement is important. The rules make sure firefighters are strong enough to do their job. What's more, they say if the firefighters are too short, it may be dangerous for public safety or for other firefighters. Still, Chen insists (堅持) that the rule is not fair between men and women. Men must be 165 centimeters tall to join, and 90% of men meet this requirement. But women must be 160 centimeters tall to join, and only 45% of women are. That's why Chen thinks the law is not balanced (不平衡). The Constitutional Court will listen to both sides carefully. They will make a decision by this summer. Then Chen will know if she can become a firefighter, or if she really is too short for the job. ________________________________ 科學家研究有一萬年歷史的口香糖 Scientists Study Chewing Gum from 10,000 Years Ago Have you ever found some old chewing gum (口香糖)? I found this gum under my chair. Gross (噁心)! It looks like someone was chewing on it, and then just left it there. I wonder who it was… Scientists in Sweden (瑞典) recently found something like that. It was gum someone had been chewing on. But that gum was ten thousand years old. Now, scientists are studying it to learn more about how people lived long ago. The gum is black and covered in teeth marks (牙齒印記). Scientists say it's made of tree resin (樹脂). They think people chewed the gum to use as a kind of glue (黏合劑). After they chewed it, they could use it to make tools. Other scientists think they used the gum as a medicine. They found it buried next to some bones in the ground. 科學家發現口香糖埋在一些骨頭旁邊。 But the interesting part is, the scientists found DNA on the ten-thousand year old gum. That told them the gum was chewed by teenagers (青少年). Scientists could also learn about the teenager's diet (飲食習慣). The DNA showed that the teenagers ate trout meat and deer meat. They also ate apples and hazelnuts. DNA顯示青少年吃了鱒魚肉、鹿肉、蘋果、榛果。 Scientists think this discovery is amazing. This DNA from the gum is the only way scientists can know for sure what people used to eat. They were surprised by how many different things people used to eat. It seems like ancient people had a rich diet. But there was some bad news, too… The DNA on the gum showed that one of the teenagers had a bad tooth infection (嚴重的牙齒感染). The scientists guess her teeth fell out soon after she chewed the gum. Maybe, in the past, people didn't know how to brush their teeth. 過去人們也許不知道怎麼刷牙。 Whatever the case, it's so cool to think your gum could tell future people all about your life. Maybe, in 10,000 years, people will find your gum. What will it say about you? ________________________________ So, in today's newsbites… The government says you need to be 160 centimeters tall to be a firefighter. But one woman who is shorter says the rule is not fair. She wants to be a firefighter, and the Constitutional Court is hearing her case. ________________________________ And, Scientists found some old gum from 10,000 years ago. It was chewed by ancient teenagers. Scientists used DNA from the gum to learn what the teens used to eat. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit When you eat something that's been sitting out for too long, you might feel a bit nauseous. Sometimes, you might even get rid of the bad microbes you ate by throwing up, or vomiting. But did you know…frogs CAN'T vomit? When a frog eats something toxic, it throws up its entire stomach! Like turning a pocket inside out, the frog will dump out its stomach… …wipe it clean to remove toxic food… …and then put it back inside its body. Wild! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news… Play to sharpen your mind, and swipe your palm to pay. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… 14,998, 14,999…annnnnd 15,000! What have we done for the day? We'll explain at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 台北長照中心徵麻將志工 Mahjong Mania Helps Seniors Did you hear this sound over the Lunar New Year holiday? Mahjong is a big part of game culture in many parts of the world, especially in Asia. The game was developed in 19th century China, during the Qing Dynasty (清朝). The word "Mahjong" means "sparrow" in southern Chinese dialect (方言). Many say that the name refers to the bird-like sound the tiles make when reshuffling (洗牌). Over the years, the game grew popular in Asia. It also became popular in western countries. It's mostly a game for 4 players. They use up to 144 tiles, all with different symbols and numbers. Each player tries to collect the strongest set of tiles to win. There are many different ways to win. Each player has to plan carefully. They also have to pay attention to what other players are doing. And this is why some research says playing mahjong may help elderly people who have mild cognitive impairment (輕度認知障礙). A long-term care center in Taipei was looking for volunteers. They wanted these volunteers to play mahjong with the elderly. They were looking for seniors aged 65 years or older, and college students. Students who volunteered could also get credits for school. The center planned to take 5 volunteers. But within a week, they got hundreds of applications (申請)! More seniors are now taking classes to play mahjong. 研究顯示打麻將能為長輩帶來許多的益處。 Playing mahjong requires lots of focus, calculation and coordination (協調性). All these challenges can help fight the symptoms of dementia (失智). And, as it is a 4-player game, you need to interact (互動) with people, which also helps fight dementia. This helps lower the possibility of depression (憂鬱) and improve mental health. For the seniors that are disabled and have difficulty leaving their house, online mahjong is also an alternative (替代方案). Who would have expected that a traditional game could help the well-being of the elderly? ________________________________ 付錢只要"刷掌"? Just Swipe Your Hand to Pay Nowadays, people can do almost anything with a swipe of their cards or phones. They do this for rides on public transportation, or to pass through security at their offices. What if you can do all these things…with just a swipe of your hand? The technology of biometric scanning (生物辨識) is not new. Face, fingerprints, even retinal (視網膜) scanning have been on the market for some time. But they have only been used in specific areas. Now, a company in China wants to make palm scanning (刷掌) mainstream. Tencent, the company that owns Wechat, is launching a palm payment system in China. For traditional palm scanning, users press their palm on machines to scan. But after the COVID-19 pandemic, some people do not want to do this. Tencent's system uses infrared (紅外線) cameras to look at palm prints and the veins (靜脈) under the skin. The users only have to hold their hands over the sensor. The company says the system is like facial recognition (臉部辨識). But they also say it is more accurate (準確). The company says people can look a lot like each other, like twins. But even twins have different palm prints and veins. The company thinks the system can save people the trouble of carrying physical items (實體). Currently, more than 1,500 shops in Guangdong, China are using the system. However, experts have warned that technology like this is risky. The system would store a lot of important data about people. That data could be stolen by cybercriminals (網路犯罪份子). Other experts say that this technology could also be used to monitor (監控) people. The system would make it very easy to track where you go, and what you do. Do you think this technology is a tool or a danger? 你覺得這種科技為人類生活帶來的是方便還是危險? ________________________________ So, in today's news… A long-term care center in Taipei was looking for volunteers to play mahjong with the elderly. Playing mahjong requires lots of focus, calculation and coordination. All these challenges can help fight the symptoms of dementia. ________________________________ and… Tencent is launching a palm payment system in China. The company thinks the system can save people the trouble of carrying physical items. However, experts have warned that technology like this is risky. Do you think this technology is a tool or a danger? ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit What are we talking about in today's Tasty Tidbit? Oh, you just did it… Oh, you just did it again… Wow, you just can't stop doing it, can you? Did you know that we humans blink over 15,000 times a day? It's not just a funny habit. Your eyelids are like windshield wipers on a car. Every time you blink, your lids clear away gunk in your eyes. And blinking keeps your eyes moist and sparkling! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Kelly Kimura… And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next in today's news: The latest dance craze hits Ningxia Night Market! And a French boy lived alone for two years. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… the hardest things about snails! Stay tuned for more on those stories! ___________________________________________________________ 讓孩子們為之瘋狂科目 A Subject Kids Are Crazy About Have you been to Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市) in Taipei's Datong District? It's well known for delicious Taiwanese traditional street food (街頭傳統小吃). Many of the food stalls (餐車) are forty to fifty years old. You can find oyster omelets (蚵仔煎), boiled chicken (鹽水雞), stinky tofu (臭豆腐), and many more things to eat! But for one special night, Ningxia Night Market was popular (受歡迎的) for another reason! It held a dance contest (舞蹈比賽). Teenagers and children danced. They didn't dance just any dance. They danced the kemusan (科目三) dance! Kemusan means "Subject Three" in English. It's thought that the dance began two years ago at a wedding in China. A wedding guest showed his dance moves. This dance has gone viral (爆紅) on social media. Together, videos of people dancing kemusan have gotten billions of views. Back at the night market, some dancers wore leather (皮革) jackets and high-top sneakers (高筒運動鞋), or denim jackets and sunglasses. But clothes weren't the important thing to see here. The dancers swung (搖擺) their knees left and right. They rolled their feet sideways (側身) to the outer edge of their shoes. They crossed their arms and twisted their wrists (扭動他們的手腕) to a fast beat. And that was just some of the dance! Other people ate the night market's food and watched the dancers move. People like to dance kemusan using their own style (風格). And that's great! The dance makes them feel happy and full of energy. Many post their own videos on social media. They hope to go viral! Some businesses (公司) have joined in on the kemusan dance craze. One restaurant chain has a dish named kemusan. The restaurant's workers do the kemusan dance when someone orders the dish. As for the Ningxia Night Market, they wanted new young customers (顧客) to visit. They also wanted customers to spend more. That's why they had this fun kemusan dance contest! Have you tried this dance? ___________________________________________________________ 男孩在法國獨自生活了兩年 A Boy Lived Alone for Two Years in France A nine-year-old boy lived in a small town in France. He went to school every day. He did very well in school. Fifth grade and then sixth grade went by. Nobody worried about him. Nobody knew he was living by himself. What happened? His mother went to live with her boyfriend. But she didn't take her son. His mother and her boyfriend lived in another town. That town was five kilometers away. The apartment where the boy lived had no heat or electricity (電) sometimes. There was no hot water. He couldn't take a hot shower (淋浴) or have a hot bath. The boy tried to keep warm by sleeping in three comforters (棉被). The mother brought food to her son… sometimes. But it was all junk food (垃圾食物). He ate cakes and canned (罐頭的) food. Sometimes he had no food. He stole (偷) tomatoes from his neighbor's balcony. Some neighbors gave him some food. But they didn't think he lived by himself. They saw his mother come to the apartment where her son lived. They saw her leave without her son. It took a long time before they thought she wasn't living with her son. How long? Two years! Then they called the police. When the police came, they found an empty refrigerator. The trash can had cake wrappers (包裝紙) and empty (空的) cans. His mother had nothing of hers in the apartment. Then the police found his mother. She said her son lived with her. She said she didn't know why her son said she left him for two years. But neighbors in her new town didn't know about her son. This boy was very brave (勇敢的)! He was having a hard life, but he went to school every day. He was such a good student that nobody thought anything was wrong. Now he is in foster care (寄養). A new family will take good care of him! ___________________________________________________________ So in today's News Bites: Ningxia Night Market in Taipei had a dance contest. Teenagers and children danced the kemusan, or Subject Three dance! This dance is viral on social media. It makes people who dance it feel happy and full of energy. Some businesses have joined in on the kemusan dance craze too! ___________________________________________________________ And… A French boy lived in an apartment by himself for two years. His mother gave him only cakes and canned food. He had a very hard time with no heat, hot water, or electricity. But he went to school every day and was a very good student! ___________________________________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit Snails have teeth! They have one thousand to twelve thousand teeth! There are many lines of teeth… on their tongues! When a tooth wears out or breaks, a new one grows in. For some kinds of snails, that's just three teeth a day. For other kinds, that's several hundred teeth falling out or growing in a day! Snail teeth wear out and break, but they are strong too. Sea snail teeth are one of the strongest natural materials in the world. Sea snails crush rocks with their teeth! ___________________________________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's stories… A man's face appears in a grain of rice, and mountain goats start to come out at night. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…how busy is your body? Let's check it out. ________________________________ 新總統的臉 出現在一粒米上面 New President Appears in Rice Do you remember the election last month? Yeah. Taiwan's voters chose Lai Qing-te as the next president. During the election, his face was everywhere. There were huge ads in every city. His face was on big buildings and billboards. I even saw him on the side of a bus. 選舉期間，到處都可以看到賴清德的廣告。 But now, his face has appeared in a much smaller place… …carved into a grain of rice (刻在一粒米上). What? You mean just one tiny grain of rice? Yes. An artist carved it there with a little knife. The artist is Chen Feng-xian (陳逢顯). I know about him! All of his art is tiny. 他所有的藝術作品都很小。 His portrait (肖像) of Lai is only half a centimeter long. The face is so small, you need a magnifying glass (放大鏡) to look at it. Even though the work is so small, it took Chen three days to finish. Why did Chen use a grain of rice? He says rice is connected to the livelihood of the people. Even though grains of rice are tiny, people depend on them to live. Chen says he wanted his art to remind Lai of something important. That is, our leaders need to remember the small things that make up our livelihood. 陳希望總統當選人明白，稻米跟人民的溫飽息息相關，他盼望新總統以民生為念。 Where is the tiny portrait now? It's on display at Chen's museum in New Taipei City. His museum is filled with all kinds of tiny art he has made. Some are made from a grain of sand (一粒沙). Others are made from a sesame seed (一粒芝麻). Chen's latest work is a tiny golden dragon. 陳的最新作品是一條小金龍。 He made it to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The dragon is also less than 1 centimeter long. He says it's the smallest golden dragon in the world. You can check out the dragon, Lai's portrait, and the other works at the Chen Feng-xian Museum in Xindian. ________________________________ 全球暖化導致山羊改變夜間行為 Global Heating Makes Goats Come Out at Night How do you stay cool when the weather is hot? When the sun is bright, at the hottest part of the day… You can turn on the air conditioning (冷氣). Or you can get some ice cream (冰淇淋). But what about animals? They don't have air conditioning or ice cream. They have to find other ways to cool down (冷卻). They may wait until night to come out, even if it's more dangerous for them. That's what scientists from Italy have found out. They discovered that as the climate gets warmer… …mountain goats are changing to a nocturnal lifestyle. 科學家發現，隨著氣候變暖，山羊改變了夜間生活方式。 They studied one kind of mountain goat called an Alpine ibex. The Alpine ibex (高山野生山羊) is a powerful animal, with huge horns on its head. Even though it's strong, the goat has a natural predator. Wolves come out at night to hunt the goats. 山羊的天敵是狼。 That's why the Alpine ibex usually comes out to find food during the day, and hides during the night. Scientists from the University of Sassari wanted to learn more about these goats. The scientists put GPS collars on some wild goats. That let them track the goat's activity. 科學家用 GPS 項圈追蹤山羊的活動。 The scientists were surprised by what they discovered. On hot days, more goats were coming out at night… …even in areas that have lots of wolves. It's not safe for these mountain goats. There is danger from the wolves. And it's harder for the goats to climb in the mountains at night. The scientists think the Alpine ibex is doing this to escape the heat of day (躲避白天的熱氣). And as global heating increases, the days will just get hotter. What's more, other animals may be doing the same thing. Now scientists want to learn more about how climate change affects the ecosystem (生態系統). ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… An artist carved a tiny portrait of the newly elected president Lai Qing-te. The picture is on a grain of rice, and it's less than half a centimeter long. The artist, Chen Feng-xian, is a master when it comes to making tiny art. ________________________________ And, Mountain goats are starting to come out more at night, so they can stay cool. Scientists from Italy found that the goats are changing the time they come out. They think it might be connected to climate change. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Here's a surprising fact for you: Every thirty seconds, your body is super busy! On average, it makes a whopping 72 million red blood cells that keep you energized and healthy. But that's not all; you also lose about 174,000 skin cells! And your brain? It's on a sprint too, generating around twenty thoughts in that half a minute. So, in just a blink, you're creating, shedding, and thinking at an amazing rate. Isn't it fascinating how much happens inside us without even noticing? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news… A superhero in a school uniform, and an ancient site with a modern twist. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Oh, excuse you Earth! Earth burps too? We'll tell you all about it at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 高中生緊急CPR救援長者挽回一命 Student Saves Elderly Man Not all superheroes wear capes. Sometimes, a superhero is…a student. One real-life superhero named Zhang Jing-lun used bravery and superfast reflexes to save a life! Imagine this… You're waiting for your train at the train station. Suddenly, someone nearby collapses (倒下). What do you do? This really happened to Zhang Jing-lun. He was waiting for a train in Taoyuan… When an elderly man close by fell down, and didn't get back up. Jing-lun burst into action (採取行動). The high school student heard workers at the station calling for help. He told them he was certified to give emergency aid (急救). He knew how to perform CPR (心肺復甦術). Jing-lun checked the elderly man. The man was not breathing, and did not have a pulse (沒有脈搏). So Jing-lun started CPR. And he asked train station staff to go get an AED (自動體外心臟電擊去顫器). Police also helped. This may surprise you, but it's not the first time Jing-lun has done CPR for someone. When he was in junior high, he performed CPR on his grandpa. Unfortunately, Jing-lun could not save him. This time around, Jing-lun was determined things would be different. He worked very hard to bring the elderly man back to life. Jing-lun said he was very scared. And when he finally heard the man's heartbeat come back, he was so happy that he cried. The student says he made his grandpa a promise that he would help save lives. 張靖綸說救人是對爺爺的承諾。 Jing-lun worked hard and got his first-aid certification (急救執照). He also started a first-aid team at school. The team works at school events, helping make sure everyone stays safe. And Jing-lun also got his EMT license (EMT緊急救護技術員資格)! He says he is just doing his part to help people. And Jing-lun's story shows that we all have the power to make a difference! ________________________________ 馬來西亞景點「黑風洞」將設電扶梯 Ancient Malaysian Site to Get Escalator Visiting an ancient temple in Malaysia sounds like an amazing experience. But first, you have to climb lots of stairs! The Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur may be around 400 million years old. The caves are a religious site and a big part of an annual festival every year. Many tourists visit every year. 黑風洞是印度教的聖地，據說有約4億年的歷史。 The Batu Caves are famous for its big flight of rainbow-colored stairs. But those stairs are a problem for some visitors. To reach the temple in a limestone cave at the top, you have to climb 272 steps! 目前，遊客必須爬272層階梯才能到達頂部石灰岩洞穴中的寺廟。 Does that sound a little tough? Well, people who take care of the site are thinking about adding an escalator. They want to help the elderly, and people with disabilities. They say they want everyone to be able to reach the top and experience the temple's magic. And they also want to build a "hall" (大廳) that can be used for special events. 黑風洞的管理委員會打算在此設一座電扶梯，希望為那些無法或不願意爬272層階梯的人們提供另一個選擇。 But hold on, not everyone is happy about the escalator express! Some are worried that the escalator will be bad for the caves. They think such a modern machine would ruin the history of the caves. Other people just don't think it's needed. So do you think the escalator will solve problems, or create problems? ________________________________ So, in today's news… High school student Zhang Jing-lun helped save an elderly man who collapsed. He performed CPR and brought the man back to life! The student says he made his grandpa a promise, and he is just doing his part to help people. ________________________________ and… The Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur is famous for its 272 rainbow-colored steps. Now people who take care of the site are thinking about adding an escalator. But some are worried that the escalator would ruin the history of the caves. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know… the Earth burps? Sort of, kind of burps? Our planet lets out these burps from "geysers". It's hot water, steam, and minerals from deep underground. These geysers can shoot water up really high, like up to 90 meters into the sky. That's about 30 floors high! Deep inside the Earth, things are super-hot and bubbly, and when the pressure gets too high… BOOM! Up comes a geyser, letting out all that built-up energy! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Salutations. You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Paz Bueno. In today's news: A giant yellow duck returns to Kaohsiung, and a blind mole unseen for 90 years. And in today's tasty tidbit: The unexplored depths! Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 黃色小鴨鴨重返高雄 Giant Rubber Duck Returns to Kaohsiung Something big is back in Kaohsiung, something that hasn't been seen there in over 10 years. Is it clear skies? No. Is it clean air? No. What is it, then? A giant rubber yellow duck! 就是一隻胖大的黃色小鴨鴨！ How big are we talkin'? 32 meters tall! 三十二公尺。 That's about the height of a ten-story building! 那大約是一棟十層樓的高度！ The rubber duck hadn't been seen in Kaohsiung in over 10 years. It was created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. Last time the rubber duck visited, lots people came to see it. This brought in lots of money for the city. On January 27th of this year, over 40 thousand people gathered to cheer for the duck's return. Kaohsiung's mayor and Hofman himself welcomed the duck. The duck is floating in Love River Bay (愛河). But wait, there's more! There was a baby race too! The babies wore duck-themed clothes! 還有一場嬰兒競賽！ 嬰兒穿著鴨子主題的衣服！ Tickets sold out fast. It was a huge hit! The babies might not have known they were racing, but they sure were cute. Hotels also joined in on the fun. The Grand Hotel had a fountain full of ducks. Other hotels ran special offers. One offer in particular was for those with the surname "Huang (黃)", which means "yellow"; they could get a discount. I'm getting Salmon Chaos vibes from this… More recently, another giant rubber yellow duck appeared. Another one? Yeah, so now there's two apparently. I guess the other one got lonely, or something. The two ducks kissed on Valentines' Day. Aww, fun! So, if you're in Kaohsiung, go check out the giant yellow ducks, snap some photos, and have fun with the events. ________________________________ 科學家和狗狗 重新發現消失的鼴鼠物種 Scientists and Sniffer Dog Rediscover Lost Mole Species Now, let's talk about something else that hasn't been seen in a very long time. Meet the De Winton's Golden Mole (德溫頓金鼴鼠). This mole is considered one of the most-wanted lost species. 這隻鼴鼠被視為是最受歡迎的消失物種之一。 It's a tiny mole about the size of a mouse. 牠是一隻細小的鼴鼠，大約和老鼠一樣大小。 It has a shiny gold-colored coat that looks like sand. 牠有一層閃亮的金色外衣，看起來像沙子一樣。 It is blind (盲目的), and lives underground. Even though it can't see, its sense of hearing is so good it can detect movement aboveground. 它的聽覺非常敏銳，可以探測到地面上方的移動。 The species hadn't been sighted since 1936! It had been lost for over 80 years. 已經消失了80年。 The last time it was sighted was in Port Nolloth, which is in South Africa. But recently scientists re-discovered this mole! De Winton's moles live in burrows (地洞) that are hard to reach. They rarely leave tunnels behind them. This makes them even harder to find. So, how did scientists detect this mole? They relied on samples of environmental DNA. You know DNA, right? 去氧核醣核酸。 DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic acid in English. That's quite a mouthful. 那個詞兒真是難唸。 Anyhoo, DNA is a molecule that carries genetic information for each living thing. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is DNA that animals shed (脫落) as they move around, like skin cells (皮膚細胞) and hair (毛). In June 2021, the team went on an expedition to Port Nolloth. Guess what they took with them? … A sniffer dog called Jessie! Woof! Woof! With Jessie's help, they collected lots of soil samples (土壤樣本). They looked for eDNA of the golden mole in the samples to figure out where moles were located. With lots of persistence and effort, eventually they found 11 of the golden moles! The team was ecstatic. They said even though many people doubted the golden mole was still out there, they had good faith it had not gone extinct (絕種). Not only did they find the De Winton's golden mole, they also discovered another rare mole called Van Zyl's golden mole (Van Zyl 的金鼴鼠) And that, is how a sniffer dog and scientists teamed up to bring back the mystery mole from the "sands of time"! Let's keep exploring and stay curious! ________________________________ So in today's news, The iconic 32-meter-tall rubber duck returns to Kaohsiung after a decade. It was created by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. The duck's reappearance sparked city-wide festivities, including baby races and duck-themed hotel offers. The giant rubber duck was joined by another, and they kissed on Valentine's Day. And, Scientists rediscovered the De Winton's Golden Mole, missing since 1936 in Port Nolloth. Using eDNA and Jessie the sniffer dog (Woof!), they found 11 of these moles. They also found another rare species: Van Zyl's golden mole. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's tasty tidbit… Did you know that more than 80% of the ocean remains unexplored and unmapped. This makes it one of the least understood parts of the Earth. The deep ocean presents numerous challenges for exploration, including extreme pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures. These conditions make it difficult for traditional exploration methods. ________________________________ And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there! Are you excited to be back in school? Let's dive into this semester's first News Bite! I'm Paz Bueno… And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's news: A new discovery in Taiwan, and a mouse who found a chore! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…tiny creatures that talk to your brain! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 南台灣發現新魚種！ New Fish Discovered in South Taiwan! Even in our big, explored world, scientists are still finding new animals we didn't know about before. 我們探索過的大世界，科學家還是會發現之前不知道的新動物。 These discoveries happen in deep oceans, tall mountains, and everywhere in between (以及其他的所有地方). Each new animal teaches us more about how amazing our planet is. It also shows us how important it is to take care of nature (保護自然), because every animal has its special place on Earth. Scientists in Taiwan have found a new kind of fish that only lives in Taiwan's southern waters. 台灣的科學家發現了一種新的魚類，只生活在台灣南部的水域。 This special fish was found in the Kaoping River (高屏溪), near the Yushan Mountain (玉山). The fish has a name that honors the Yushan Mountain (紀念玉山而命名的), called Hemimyzon yushanensis. It's different because it has a sleek shape with tiny white spots on its greenish-brown skin. 它之所以不同，是因為它有著流線型的身體，身上有著微小的白點，皮膚是綠棕色的。 It also has unique fins (獨特的鰭) that are not like those of other fish found in Taiwan's rivers. The discovery was part of a big study by Professor Chen I-shiung (陳義雄教授) and his team. They explored (探索) rivers in Taiwan for two years, from 2022 to 2023. They visited many places and found 30 types of fish and seven kinds of tiny sea animals (小型海洋動物). The team learned that this new fish needs clean water to live. This reminds us how important it is to keep our environment clean. 這提醒我們保持環境清潔的重要性。 We should not throw trash in nature, especially in mountains and rivers. This special find (特別的發現) shows us how much we still have to learn about the animals living in Taiwan's beautiful nature. ________________________________ 小老鼠的打掃任務 Mouse on a Cleaning Mission Imagine finding your room magically clean every morning. 想像一下，每天早上醒來你的房間都神奇地變乾淨了。 All your toys and books are put back in their place (放回原處). Now, think about a small mouse doing all the cleaning for you! In Wales, a man named Rodney Holbrook found out that a tiny mouse was tidying up his shed almost every night for two months. 在威爾士，一位名叫Rodney Holbrook的男子發現，有一隻小老鼠幾乎每晚都在整理他的小屋達兩個月之久。 Rodney, a wildlife photographer (野生動物攝影師), was puzzled (困惑) when he saw things moving back to their spots without anyone touching them. To solve this mystery, he set up a night vision camera. 為了解開這個謎團，他設置了一個夜視攝影機。 What he found was astonishing (令人驚訝)! A mouse was caught on camera, organizing his shed like a little cleaning expert (攝影機拍到一隻老鼠，像個小清潔專家一樣清理他的小屋). Rodney lovingly calls it the "Welsh Tidy Mouse". Rodney把這隻老鼠暱稱為"威爾士整潔小老鼠"。 This clever mouse gathered small items like clothes pegs (衣服夾), corks (軟木塞), and nuts (堅果). The mouse put them away neatly in a tray. 小老鼠將它們整齊地放在一個托盤裡。 Rodney even tested (測試) the mouse by leaving out different objects to see if it could move them. Sure enough (果不其然), the mouse proved to be a hard worker, even carrying cable ties (電線束帶) to their proper place. Rodney was amazed by his little helper. He now leaves the tidying up (整理) to the mouse, knowing that everything will be back in order by morning. This isn't the first time a mouse has been seen doing such tasks. A similar story happened in 2019 near Bristol, where a mouse was found stockpiling items (囤積物品) in a man's shed. These stories show us how even the smallest creatures can do big things, like a scene straight out of a cartoon movie (就像卡通電影演的一樣). Just like in "Ratatouille," (料理鼠王) where a rat dreams of cooking, our real-life "Welsh Tidy Mouse" shows us that sometimes, reality can be just as magical as the movies. 有時候，現實可以和電影一樣神奇!! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Scientists have found a new kind of fish in Taiwan's southern waters. This special fish, called Hemimyzon yushanensis, was found in the Kaoping River, near the Yushan Mountain. The discovery was part of a big study by Professor Chen I-shiung and his team. ________________________________ And, A man in Wales found out that a tiny mouse was tidying up his shed almost every night for two months. He set up a night vision camera and caught the clever mouse! The "Welsh Tidy Mouse" gathered small items like clothes pegs, corks, and nuts, and put them away neatly in a tray. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know that the tiny creatures living in your stomach can actually talk to your brain? These little helpers are called gut microbiota (腸道菌群), and they have a big job. They can influence how you feel or even change parts of your personality. So, next time you're feeling happy, sad, or a bit grumpy, remember, it might just be your gut microbiota chatting with your brain. This gives a whole new meaning to the saying "you are what you eat." So, choose your snacks wisely, because they might be shaping more than just your meals, but your moods and personality too! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's stories… A sword dancer goes to France, and monkeys see some old friends. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a fact about rats! Let's get into it! ________________________________ 台灣劍舞者走紅法國 Taiwanese Sword Dancer Famous in France Do you like dancing? Sure, it's fun. Lots of people know how to dance. But can you dance with swords? That's right! It's called sword dancing (劍舞). It's difficult, it's dangerous, and it looks amazing. In fact, a sword dancer from Taiwan has become famous in France. The dancer's name is Tsai Hong-yi (蔡宏毅), but everyone calls him Titos Tsai. Recently, Titos danced on a TV show called "La France a un Incroyable Talent". It's a popular talent show, and the French people voted him into second place. Titos在法國熱門選秀節目中獲得第二名。 It was all because of his incredible performance. First, Titos dances with two flaming swords (火焰劍舞). He flips them around and throws them in the air. Then, Titos does a blindfolded dance (蒙著眼睛跳舞). A cloth is tied over his eyes so he can't see anything. But he still does the dance perfectly. Titos even shaved his head bald, so he could spin a sword on his head. Finally, he dances with six swords at once (六劍舞). He not only uses his hands, but also his back, his knees and his feet. Just when you think he's about to drop them, Titos keeps his balance (保持了平衡). The show's judges were very impressed. 節目的評審團印象深刻。 How did he put on such a successful dance? Titos says he used Taiwanese culture for his performance. While he is dancing, four Taiwanese drummers (鼓手) play music for him. Titos says he used to dance at temple fairs and parades in Taiwan. Titos曾經在台灣的廟會和遊行中跳舞。 In 2020, he started putting videos online. He said he wanted to allow the world to see Taiwan. His videos were viewed over 100 million times. Last year, Titos went on an American talent show. The American judges liked him, but he did not get picked. But he kept going, finally appearing on the French talent show. He says French people were able to notice the creativity of his performances. Titos說法國人注意到他表演的創意。 He thanked his fans from France, Taiwan and around the world for supporting him. ________________________________ 猴子可以認出老朋友 Monkeys Can Recognize Old Friends Have you ever run into an old friend? You might meet someone on the street who you haven't seen for years. Maybe your childhood friend, or your elementary school classmate. You may not even recognize them! Especially if it's been a long time since you saw them last. 久別重逢的老朋友，你可能都認不出來了！ Scientists recently did a study (研究) about recognizing old friends. Only it wasn't with people. It was with monkeys (猴子). They wanted to know if monkeys could recognize their old friends. The scientists tested two kinds of monkeys, chimps and bonobos. 科學家研究了黑猩猩和倭黑猩猩。 Amazingly, these monkeys could recognize other monkeys they had spent time with, even if they hadn't seen each other in decades. It was a surprising result. Scientists didn't expect these animals to have such a long memory (長記憶力). How did they do the test? The scientists showed each monkey two photos (兩張照片). One photo was another monkey they used to know. The other photo was another monkey they had never met. Then, the scientists watched the monkey's eyes as it looked at the two photos. They found that monkeys pay a lot more attention to pictures of other monkeys they knew. 猴子們花更多的時間看它們以前認識的猴子的照片。 What's more, the monkeys spend more time looking at photos of other monkeys they liked. According to the scientist, that means monkeys remember each other better if they had a positive relationship (正面的關係). That makes sense. Even for humans, we tend to remember the people we like, and forget the people we don't care about. So, monkeys are more like people than we thought. They might run into old friends in the forest, and recognize them. I wonder how a monkey says "long time no see?" ________________________________ So, in today's newsbites… A Taiwanese sword dancer got famous in France. Titos Tsai danced with swords on a talent show, and he won second place. He got his start dancing at temple parades in Taiwan. ________________________________ And, Monkeys can recognize their old friends. Scientists tested monkeys with photos of other monkeys they used to know. Just like people, monkeys remember the other monkeys that they like the most. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know rats can't throw up? Rats have a special body design that stops them from vomiting. They have a strong barrier in their throat and their muscles and nerves are not set up for vomiting. Instead of throwing up, rats have other clever ways to avoid getting sick from bad food. They learn quickly not to eat food that makes them feel bad. Also, if they feel sick, they eat things like clay to help. If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, welcome to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news… Tasty eats on Taiwan trains, and the science of feeling full. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: How is your brain like a vegetable? Find out at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 台鐵便當紅到日本 Taiwan Railway Bento Finds Fans in Japan Eating bento (便當) on a train has been a tradition for many people in Taiwan. Some passengers really enjoy the nostalgic (懷舊) braised pork rib lunchboxes. And it seems that many people in Japan enjoy the lunchbox too. Recently, the railway's special bentos were part of a food fair in Japan. 600 classic pork rib bentos went on sale. The bentos used a vintage (復古) stainless-steel lunchbox, and a special bag. It cost $685NT. And it was sold out within 2 hours! Taiwan officials say the food fair was a good time to promote (推廣) railway travel. Train bento has been an important part of railway culture in Taiwan. A long time ago in Taiwan, railway tracks that connected the north and the south were built. That made traveling more convenient, but travelers also needed food. At that time, food wasn’t sold on the trains, only at some train stations. Vendors (攤販) began popping up on train platforms to sell bentos. Passengers would hold their money out of the carriage (車廂) windows. And the vendors would take the money, and hand them a lunchbox. As train travel became more and more popular, so did the lunchboxes. Different areas started making different flavors, with their own special style. Some of the popular railway bentos are the Chishang (池上) bento, the Fulong (福隆) bento and the Fenchihu (奮起湖) bento from Alishan. In 1960, the railway began its own catering (提供食物) service. And that was when bentos became available on trains. For those who grew up during the 50s to the 70s, railway bentos are extra special. During that time, having a railway bento usually meant that you were traveling somewhere. It might be a family trip, or going back to your hometown during the Lunar New Year. 對於許多人來說，鐵路便當代表著快樂的回憶。 Railway bentos are a unique part of Taiwan culture that is worth promoting to the world. ________________________________ 震動藥丸製造飽足感 A Vibrating Pill that Makes You Feel Full Many people are paying more attention to their health nowadays. We try to get more exercise. And we try to eat right. But sometimes doing that regularly (有規律的) can be hard! And sometimes it's easy to mix up what is healthy and what isn't. Scientists have come up with a new pill. This pill vibrates (震動). That's because the pill has a tiny vibrating motor and a battery made of silver oxide. The whole pill is about the size of a large vitamin pill. 這種膠囊的大小跟維他命差不多，內含一個振動馬達，由銀氧化物電池供電。 In the past, scientists have found that when a muscle is vibrated, it creates a feeling that the muscle has been stretched. Stomach muscles also stretch when we are full. The body then sends a signal to stop eating. So scientists used this to make the vibrating pill. And the pill is supposed to make you feel full. Scientists have tested the pill on pigs. These pigs have a similar digestive (消化) system to humans. And they found that the pigs ate 40 percent less food than usual. The pill also did not hurt the animals. It passed through the animals’ digestive system within 4 to 5 days. This pill is still in its trial (實驗) period and hasn’t been tested on humans yet. There are still many more tests to be done. But just feeling full doesn't mean your body is healthier. It's more important to choose healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take good care of yourself. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Recently, special railway bentos from Taiwan were part of a food fair in Japan. The bentos used a vintage stainless-steel lunchbox, and a special bag. And it was sold out within 2 hours! Taiwan officials say the food fair was a good time to promote railway travel. ________________________________ And, Scientists have come up with a new vibrating pill that makes you feel full. This pill is still in its trial period and hasn’t been tested on humans yet. But just feeling full doesn't mean your body is healthier. It's more important to choose healthy foods, exercise regularly, and take good care of yourself. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Here's some "food for thought"…. Did you know that your brain weighs about the same as a head of cauliflower? Even though that's not huge, your brain is like a powerful supercomputer, learning new things every day. Some scientists believe it can store as much information as 4.7 billion books! So keep learning, keep playing, and keep your brain happy! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, you’re listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I’m Jacob Ingram. And I’m Paz Bueno. In today's news: Salmon Chaos makes a return, and an Australian woman becomes the queen of Denmark. And in today’s tasty tidbit: The country that eats the most chocolate! Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 鮭魚之亂再度回歸 Salmon Chaos Makes a Return In March 2021, something strange happened in Taiwan. Lots of people changed their names. You are probably wondering why. It has to do with conveyor belt sushi restaurant chain Sushiro (壽司郎). In March of that year, Taipei branches of Sushiro ran a promotional campaign (優惠活動) on the 17th and 18th. They said anyone whose Chinese name sounds like 鮭魚 (“salmon”) can get a 10 to 50 percent discount. And anyone who had the word 鮭魚 in their name could eat for free. If only Sushiro would have foreseen the chaos! 但願…壽司郎能預測那次優惠活動會引起多大的混亂！ According to reports, over 300 people changed their name just for the event! People got creative with their names. One person named themselves “Liao Salmon (廖鮭魚)”, another was “Zhangjian Salmon (張簡鮭魚)”. Sounds like they had a “fin-tastic” time. In Taiwan, people can change their name up to three times. That meant lots of people changed their name to get free sushi, then changed it back. But some people ran into a problem… For example, a medical student changed his name to Zhang Salmon Dream (張鮭魚之夢). But because he had already changed his name twice before, he was unable to change it back. 因為他已經用掉兩次改名機會，所以他後來就用完改名額度了。 That meant he ended up being stuck with his “dream” name. The whole ordeal made quite a splash. But Jake, isn’t this old news? Why bring up something that happened almost three years ago? Well, recently Salmon Chaos made a surprise return, just before Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election. The Taiwan Design Research Institute and the Central Election Commission teamed up to design new election materials. 【台灣設計研究院】與【中選會】合作來設計關於選舉的嶄新材料。 This included ballots (選票) and voting notifications (投票通知單). But they ran into a problem. I think I see where this is going… They discovered some people still had very long names, containing the word "salmon". This meant the name field (姓名欄位) in the form had to be enlarged (擴大). This is inconvenient for those with normal-sized names. Remember folks, always think twice before changing your name for free sushi. ________________________________ 澳洲平民女變身成為丹麥王妃 Australian Woman Becomes Queen of Denmark Get ready for a royal story that's like a fairy tale but real. Meet Princess Mary from Australia… She's all set to become the Queen of Denmark soon! Before becoming a princess, she was a marketing executive (行銷專員). It all started during the 2000 Summer Olympics. She met Prince Frederik of Denmark inside a Sydney pub. Can you believe it? A pub meeting turned into a royal love story! Can you imagine them telling their kids the story of how they met? “Daddy, how did you meet Mummy?” “Och, we met in a pub, wee laddie.” How unroyal is that? 真不像皇家的故事! Before moving to Denmark, Mary took a special course on being fancy. The course was called deportment (儀態) and etiquette (禮節). 甚麼東西? It's like a crash course in being super confident, having great posture and being magnetic. 這門課程叫做美姿美儀；這是一門讓你具自信、有良好儀態並具有魅力的速成班。 Magnetic, eh? Mary paid the equivalent of around 25-thousand NT for this course. That’s a lot of money. Mary’s teacher had no clue Mary was dating a prince. Mary kept it a secret. Mary and Frederik got married in 2004 and now have four kids. That’s a lot of kids. On New Year's Eve, Frederik's mom, Queen Margrethe II, surprised everyone. She said she'll step down after being queen for 52 years! 丹麥女王瑪格麗特二世在新年夜宣布退位，令人震驚。 她已經當女王五十二年！ Mary's teacher, Teresa Page, is super proud of her. Teresa said Mary was a top-notch student, always smart and engaged. Now, the pub where they met is flying the Danish flag. So, that's the magical journey of Princess Mary … from an Aussie pub to the grand Danish palace! ________________________________ So, in today’s news… Salmon Chaos resurfaces in Taiwan! In 2021, Sushiro's promotion campaign led to lots of name changes. Three years later, some people still have lengthy names containing the word "salmon". This has caused issues in the redesigning of future election materials. And, An Australian marketing executive is set to become the new queen of Denmark. Princess Mary met Prince Frederik inside a pub during the 2000 Summer Olympics, and they married four years later. This chance encounter blossomed into a royal love story. Recently, Queen Margrethe II announced her retirement after a 52-year reign. Princess Mary is now set to ascend the Danish throne. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's tasty tidbit… The country that eats the most chocolate per year is Switzerland. The Swiss are not only renowned for their fancy watches, but also their love of chocolate. This is also reflected in the country’s chocolate industry. Switzerland is famous for producing some of the finest in the world. And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hello there! Welcome to a new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: A different way to ring in the New Year, and a very old man in Italy. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a bird that flies for years! Keep on listening to find out more! ________________________________ 哭泣迎接新年 Crying in the New Year Crying. Laughing! Or even getting a little angry. These are all normal ways to show how we feel (表達情感). Emotions (情感) are part of being human. Whether we feel super happy or a bit sad, it's okay to express those feelings. Sometimes, crying can actually make us feel better. Just like laughing with friends. Or talking about what's bothering us. In Taipei, a very different and special event happened on New Year's Eve. A person on the internet made a plan called "Crying at Daan Forest Park While Ringing in the New Year." 一名網友推出「在大安森林公園一邊哭一邊跨年」活動。 This event was inspired by a famous movie called "Vive L'Amour." 這個活動受到一部著名電影《愛情萬歲》的啟發。 In the movie, the actress Yang Kuei-Mei (楊貴媚) cries on a park bench for seven minutes. The idea of the event was to remember this scene from the movie (電影中的這個場景). More than 10,000 people online said they were interested in this event. And on New Year's Eve, hundreds of people actually went to Daan Forest Park to join in. Some people cried because of sad things that happened in the past year. But the mood was happy and friendly. 有些人因為過去一年發生不開心的事情而哭泣，但整體氣氛卻是愉快和友好的。 The person who thought of this event said it was just for fun (只是為了好玩). They didn't expect many people to come. They wanted people to be happy and enjoy the New Year in their own way. The actress Yang Kuei-Mei heard about the event. She was surprised and happy that people really care about the movie. She even said she would like to go to this event next year if it happens again. This unusual event turned a scene from a movie into a real-life event where people could share their feelings and start the New Year with a special memory. ________________________________ 義大利最長壽男人辭世 Italy's Oldest Man Passes Away at 111 Staying healthy (保持健康) is really important. Eating well, exercising, and staying happy are all things people around the world do to live very long lives. In Italy, the oldest man in the country passed away (過世) at 111 years old. His name was Tripoli Giannini. He believed in living a simple life with less stress. 他的信念是簡單、沒有壓力的生活。 He lived in a small town called Cecina. Giannini was almost the oldest man in Europe, just a little younger than a man from France. His son, Tripoli Romano, shared that Giannini had hoped to live forever but passed away on New Year's Eve. 他的兒子Tripoli Romano分享說，Giannini曾經希望能永遠活下去，但在新年前夕離世了。 He was 111 years and 133 days old. In Italy, there are many people who live to be over 100 years old. In 2023, there were about 22,000 people in Italy who were 100 or older. Most of them were women. Giannini was born in 1912 and saw a lot in his life, including two World Wars and two major pandemics. Giannini出生於1912年，他在他的一生中見證了許多事情，包括兩次世界大戰和兩次大流行病。 On his 111th birthday, he shared his lifestyle tips: eat simple food with some wine, don't get stressed or smoke, and be thankful for each day. 在他的111歲生日上，他分享了他的生活方式建議：吃簡單的食物，喝一點葡萄酒，不要壓力或吸煙，感謝每一天。 People often say the Mediterranean diet (地中海飲食), which includes lots of fruit, vegetables, and olive oil (橄欖油), is why many Italians live such long lives. This diet is thought to keep people healthy and help them live longer. I guess I should order more Italian pizzas! 我應該多點義大利披薩！ ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A netizen made a plan called "Crying at Daan Forest Park While Ringing in the New Year." This event was inspired by a famous movie called "Vive L'Amour." It turned a scene from a movie into a real-life event where people could share their feelings and start the New Year with a special memory. ________________________________ And, In Italy, the oldest man in the country passed away at 111 years old. He believed in living a simple life with less stress. People often say the Mediterranean diet, which includes lots of fruit, vegetables, and olive oil, is why so many Italians live such long lives. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Hey Jake, what's the longest flight you've been on? I would have to say Amsterdam to Taipei. It takes roughly 13 to 14 hours to get from Amsterdam to Taipei. What about you? 14 hours! Flying from New York to Taipei. Did you know there's a bird that can fly even longer than that? This incredible bird is called the sooty tern. It spends most of its life in the air, over the open ocean. So it does everything while flying? - Eating, drinking, and even sleeping? Yes! But when it's time to start a family, the sooty tern comes down to land. That's the only time it rests its wings, just to breed and take care of its young. How fascinating! ________________________________ If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey you guys! It's time for a new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Brody Halverson. Today's stories… Cosplayers have a wonderful night at the museum, and people try to get treasure from the bottom of the sea. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…growing teeth! Let's dive into these stories. ________________________________ Cosplayers來到故宮博物院 Cosplayers Come to National Palace Museum Do you like cosplay? That's short for "costume play". It's a fun kind of art, where people dress as their favorite characters. Cosplayers get together to show off their costumes, take photos and have fun. They usually choose costumes from cartoons, comic books, movies and video games. But there's another kind of cosplay too, where people dress in historical costumes (古裝). This kind of cosplay can let you feel like you've traveled back in time! For example, take the event at Taipei's National Palace Museum (故宮博物院). The museum recently held their "Night of Revelry" (今夜嗨翻故宮). Everyone at this party dressed in clothes from China's Han Dynasty (漢朝). You could bring your own costume or rent one there. The event was inspired by a famous painting at the museum, called "Spring Morning in the Han Palace" by the painter Chiu Ying. 活動的靈感來自博物館內畫家仇英的一幅名畫《漢宮春曉圖》。 This painting shows nobles (貴族) living in a huge palace in imperial China. There are princes and princesses, court musicians and officials, dancers and gardeners. These nobles are all painted with beautiful clothes. They are relaxing peacefully and showing off their elegant manners. The cosplayers at the museum wanted to copy these scenes in real life. They hoped to recreate the feeling of life in the palace. Cosplayers想要重現古代生活的感覺。 The event was really popular. More than 3,000 people took part. The cosplayers took photos with each other, and with historical items from the museum. There was a fashion show (時裝秀), and an orchestra (國樂團) playing ancient music. There were even artists to paint portraits (肖像) of the cosplayers. It was a warm feeling for everyone there that night. If you missed the event, don't worry… The National Palace Museum will have another party next winter. ________________________________ 哥倫比亞打撈 沈船上的寶藏 Colombia Recovers Sunken Treasure Have you ever heard of "sunken treasure" (沉沒的寶藏)? That means treasure at the bottom of the ocean. Sometimes, a ship sinks with some expensive things on it. The treasure can sit underwater for a long time, waiting for someone to find it. That's what happened in Colombia (哥倫比亞). It's a country in South America, near the Caribbean Sea (加勒比海). More than 300 years ago, a ship called the San Jose sank in this sea. The San Jose was a Spanish treasure ship. The ship was filled with millions of gold and silver coins, as well as precious gems. 這艘船當時滿載金幣，銀幣和寶石。 For years, everyone thought it was lost. But in 2015, the ship was found at the bottom of the ocean. Now, the government of Colombia says they want to collect the treasure. 哥倫比亞政府現在說，它要打撈這些寶藏。 They say since this ship is off the coast of Colombia, it belongs to Colombia. Plus, the treasure came from South America (南美洲) in the first place. They say this treasure should return to the people of South America. But other people think it's a bad idea. They worry the government will destroy the ship's remains (船的殘骸), so they can grab the treasure. They also worry that Colombia might just sell off the treasure. It's a lot of treasure, estimated to be worth billions of dollars. 寶藏估計價值數十億美元。 Besides, other people want that treasure too. It will not be easy to decide who gets the treasure, or what to do with it. But, Colombia's government is moving ahead with the plan. They want to start collecting the treasure in April or May. 他們想在四月或五月開始把這批寶藏弄到手。 And nobody knows how much treasure is really on the San Jose. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The National Palace Museum recently held a cosplay event. More than 3,000 people dressed in historical costumes. They wanted to re-create a famous painting, called "Spring Morning in the Han Palace". ________________________________ And, A country in South America wants to get treasure from the bottom of the ocean. Colombia plans to raise the treasure of the San Jose this spring. It has gold, silver and gems worth billions of dollars. But people disagree over what should happen to the treasure. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Have you ever lost a tooth and wish you could just grow a new one? Well, scientists are able to do that! …sort of. They can take special cells from baby teeth and use them to grow new ones! It takes 15 years. They haven't grown a whole mouth yet, but soon, everyone might have their own tooth garden! No more fake teeth, just your own sparkly smile! So take care of your baby teeth if you have them, because they might sprout something amazing! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you??d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: Changes in radio, and a cat beamed back from outer space! And in today's Tasty Tidbit: Sit back with a bucket of popcorn, we're taking you to the movies! Stay tuned for that and more, coming up next. ________________________________ 廣播聽眾9年流失逾4成 What's in the Future of Radio? Do you listen to the radio? Many people who grew up in the 80s and 90s remember tuning in to their favorite radio programs every day. During that time, the radio kept people company (陪伴). But now in the digital era, the number of radio listeners have been falling. The government took a new survey. This survey is done every 3 years. The survey found that radio listeners have dropped more than 40% in 9 years. Nowadays, people watch videos or surf the internet on their cellphones. Others listen to music or podcasts. The majority (大多數) of radio listeners are the drivers on the road. They listen to traffic reports or the news while commuting (通勤). Other loyal listeners say that they like the real-time (即時) effects of a radio program. That's because most programs are hosted live by a DJ. It can feel like the DJ is talking to you. Listeners also like the feeling of nostalgia (懷舊) and surprise when a familiar oldie (老歌) is played. Many listeners even enjoy calling in to shows to share their comments. Even though the number of listeners is declining, the radio still is still irreplaceable (不可取代) in some ways. Radio transmission is more convenient and would work in the situation of war. 電視及網路訊號比較容易被切斷，但廣播不會。 Some experts say radio stations should consider transforming to "listen on demand." Whatever changes it might adopt, it looks like radio broadcasting will still be around for quite some time. ________________________________ "喵星人"影片從外太空傳回地球 NASA Streams Cat Video from Space Cats can be funny, and a bit strange. Sometimes, it's almost like they're from another planet. NASA has sent a video from space, back to Earth. The video shows a cat playing. This cat wasn't an alien though! The video was filmed on Earth. NASA was using the video to test technology for communicating from space. It did not send the video using traditional radio waves. Instead, NASA used infrared (紅外線) laser to send the video. They put the laser on a spacecraft named "Psyche". Psyche was launched into space in October 2023. It is heading for an asteroid belt (小行星帶) between Mars and Jupiter. And Psyche sent the video back to Earth, from a distance of more than 30 million kilometers away! That's about 80 times the distance between Earth and the Moon! NASA wanted to send a video that would be meaningful, but also fun. So they chose the 15-second video of an orange cat, named Tater, chasing a laser pointer. This video took less than 2 minutes in ultra-high definition (解析度). That's faster than most broadband (寬頻) internet connections. This is a breakthrough in space communication. This type of technology is already used in satellites orbiting around Earth and the Moon. But this experiment shows that we can now send visual communications from beyond Earth's orbit (軌道). Psyche is still moving further out into space. And NASA will try to send their cat video every week. They will keep doing this until Psyche reaches a distance similar to Mars later this year. They hope in the future, astronauts will be able to use this technology to send videos from Mars, or even further. 往後的太空通訊應該會更快速更可靠。 Wouldn't it be interesting if someone or something other than humans received the transmission? ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A government survey finds that radio listeners have dropped more than 40% in 9 years. Some people focus more on videos and social media on their cellphones. But radio broadcasting is very important during emergency situations. ________________________________ And, NASA has sent a video from space, back to Earth, showing a cat playing. This experiment shows that we can now send visual communications from beyond Earth's orbit. NASA hopes in the future, astronauts will be able to use this technology to send videos from Mars, or even further. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Lights, camera, action! It's all about movie magic today… You ready? Why can't you give Elsa a balloon? Because, she'll "Let It Go"! And now, 12-year-old Ben from Niao Song Elementary School in Yunlin tells us about his favorite movie! ****** And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Welcome back, you're listening to a whole new episode of News Bites! I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. Coming up next… Cancer treatment funded by the government, and keeping cats in Singapore! And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Some distinctive patterns found in nature…and on us! Keep listening to learn more. ________________________________ 台灣首次全民健保涵蓋的CAR T細胞治療 The First NHI-Funded CAR T-cell Therapy Cancer (癌症) is a disease where cells in the body grow out of control. It can happen almost anywhere in the body and affects many people around the world. Treating cancer is a big challenge. Doctors often use treatments like chemotherapy (化療), radiation (放射線治療), or surgery (手術). These methods aim to kill or remove cancer cells (癌細胞). But sometimes, they can be hard on the patient's body. 對患者的身體影響較大。 Now, scientists are looking for new ways to fight cancer more effectively (有效) and with fewer side effects (副作用更小). One of these new methods is called CAR T-cell therapy (CAR T細胞治療). It's a type of treatment that uses the patient's own immune system (免疫系統) to fight the cancer. And this year, a woman in her 70s has become the first patient to receive CAR T-cell therapy covered by the National Health Insurance (全民健保). She's being treated for a type of cancer known as DLBCL (擴散性大B細胞淋巴瘤的癌症). Nine years ago, she was first diagnosed with DLBCL and had gone into remission (進入緩解期). Sadly, her cancer returned two years ago. That's where CAR T-cell therapy comes in. It's a special treatment that changes a patient's white blood cells (白血球) to help them fight cancer better. This treatment is really expensive, costing about $8 million NT. But now, thanks to the NHI system, it's available to more people in Taiwan (變得更加普及). This therapy has shown promising results. About 40% of DLBCL patients can completely beat their cancer, and another 13% show significant improvement. However, because it's so costly (成本高昂), the NHI is currently only funding this treatment for certain types of cancer patients. Every year, the NHI plans to spend around $800 million NT to provide this life-saving treatment to 110 cancer patients. This month, six more patients will receive CAR T-cell therapy. This step is a big deal in Taiwan's healthcare. It shows a strong commitment (堅定承諾) to use advanced treatments and make them accessible to more people. ________________________________ 新加坡放寬 寵物貓法令 Pet Cat Laws in Singapore Change Cats are such great companions (伴侶). They're playful, independent, and can be really affectionate (跟人很親). They're perfect for apartment living too! They don't need much space and are pretty low maintenance. 不需要太多空間，而且照顧起來相對簡單。 In Singapore, a big change is coming for cat lovers! For 34 years, cats were not allowed in most apartments. But soon, this rule is going away. People like Sunny, who secretly kept her cat Mooncake, will not have to worry about fines anymore. 像Sunny這樣偷偷養貓的人不必再擔心罰款了。 Why the change? Well, many people in Singapore love cats. A survey in 2022 found that 9 out of 10 people think cats are great pets for apartments. So, the government decided it was time to update the rules (更新規則). But it's not just about letting cats live in apartments. There are new plans to keep cats safe and happy. Each home can have up to two cats. Cats will need a microchip and a license. 寵物貓需要有晶片和執照。 This change is exciting for cat owners. Plus, it might help more rescued cats find homes. 也許可以讓更多被拯救的流浪貓找到家。 Singapore is known for having lots of rules. For example, you can't buy or import chewing gum there. And until now, you couldn't have cats in most apartments. But times are changing! Some people think the new cat rules could be better. They want all cats to be sterilized (絕育) and owners to take full responsibility for their pets. This is important because sometimes cats need help, like when they get sick or hurt. Overall, this new law is a big step forward for cat lovers in Singapore. It shows that the city cares about its furry citizens (毛茸茸的市民) and the people who love them. Now, cats like Mooncake can live happily and safely in their homes. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A woman in her 70s has become the first patient to receive CAR T-cell therapy covered by the National Health Insurance. She's being treated for a type of cancer. This treatment is really expensive, costing about $8 million NT. But now, thanks to the NHI system, it's available to more people in Taiwan. ________________________________ And, A big change is coming for cat lovers in Singapore! For 34 years, cats were not allowed in most apartments. But soon, this rule is going away. People like Sunny, who secretly kept her cat Mooncake, will not have to worry about fines anymore. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit There are many distinctive patterns in nature. Just like our fingerprints are all different, each zebra has its own special pattern of stripes. No two zebras have the same stripes, making them as unique as our fingerprints! And speaking of fingerprints, did you know that koala bears have fingerprints too? What's really surprising is that koala fingerprints are so similar to human fingerprints that even experts can have a hard time telling them apart! Nature sure has some interesting ways of making each creature special. What's something about you that makes you unique? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, you're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news, Taipei Police capture a fugitive teacher and a fanfiction writer files a lawsuit. And in today's tasty tidbit: Diamonds in pencils. Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 台北警方逮捕逃犯教師 Taipei Police Capture Fugitive Teacher In December 1999, something really bad happened in a karaoke bar in Taipei. A person was shot and killed. One of the suspects (嫌犯) was a guy. His nickname … Teacher Chen (陳老師). The police tried to catch Chen, but he managed to stay hidden for a very, very long time. Chen avoided being caught by not having any ID, not staying in one place and moving mostly at night. He walked or biked to not attract attention, like a shadow moving in the dark. 他步行或騎?踏車，以免引起注意，就像黑暗中移動的影子一般。 For many years, "Teacher Chen" was like a tricky puzzle for the police. Chen knew how the police worked. So he cleverly moved around different places without them finding him. In the last two years, he returned to a neighborhood in Taipei. Maybe he thought the police wouldn't be looking for him anymore? But guess what? The police got a secret tip about where he was. 警方收到了一個有關他的住處的秘密線報。 They then formed a special team to catch him. Even though Police didn't have a photo of him, they identified him using his fingerprints. 儘管警方沒有他的照片，他們用了他的指紋來辨認他。 Police took him to the Shilin Prosecutor's Office (士林地方檢察署). They suspect he was involved in the murder. ________________________________ 《魔戒》同人小說作者提出訴訟 Lord of the Rings Fanfiction Writer Files a Lawsuit Have you heard of Demetrious Polychron? I'm sorry, who? Didn't think so. But maybe you've heard of Lord of the Rings? Yes, I have. Lord of the Rings one of the most famous and best-selling fantasy books of all time. It's a story about a hobbit called Frodo Baggins, who goes on a journey to destroy a powerful ring. Along the way, he is joined by humans, elves, dwarves, and wizards. Together, they face various challenges and battles against the dark forces led by the evil Sauron. The story explores themes of friendship, courage, and the struggle between good and evil in the fantasy world of Middle-earth. That's right! It has sold over 150 million copies. 它賣出一千五百萬本。 Now, imagine writing your very own sequel (續集) to this story. Meet Demetrious Polychron… He wrote a book called "The Fellowship of the King". Oh, come on! 見鬼了！ He just took the title from the first volume of Lord of the Rings. 他只是用了《魔戒》一部曲的標題，做了一點改變。 That might be the case. 有可能。 The first volume of Lord of the Rings is called "The Fellowship of the Ring". 《魔戒》系列的第一部曲名為《魔戒現身》。 In any case, he thought it was the perfect sequel. But guess what? He got into some serious trouble. 他陷入了麻煩之中。 Oh, did he now? Yes! Back in 2017, Polychron tried to team up with the Tolkien Estate to publish his book. 在2017年，Polychron曾試圖與托爾金遺產委員會合作來出版他的書。 They said, "No." 他們直接拒絕他了。 But he went ahead and published it on his own anyway in 2022. 他在２０２２年偏偏自己出版。 Fast forward to 2023, he actually sued (提出訴訟) the Tolkien Estate and Amazon. What? How come? Polychron claimed they stole ideas from his book for their TV series, "The Rings of Power". Polychron聲稱他們偷了他書裏的?容，用於他們的電視系列《力量之戒》。 And get this, he wanted a whopping 250 million US dollars! That. Is. Insane. As you can expect, things didn't quite go his way. 正如你所預料的，事情並未那?順利。 The judge ruled that Polychron's book was actually copying stuff from Amazon's show, not the other way around. 法官裁定Polychron的書實際上是在抄襲亞馬遜的電視系列，而不是亞馬遜偷他的。 The court ordered Polychron to destroy all physical and digital copies of his book. 法院命令Polychron下架所有實體書和數位拷貝。 They also ordered him to pay $134-thousand US dollars in legal fees to the Tolkien Estate and Amazon. 他們還命令他支付十三萬四千美元的法律費用給托爾金遺產委員會與亞馬遜公司。 Ouch! Talk about a tough day for poor old Polychron! Lesson learned, folks: Don't mess with the magic of Middle-earth! ________________________________ So, in today's news… A fugitive teacher was arrested by Police suspected he was involved in the murder inside a Karaoke Bar in 1999. "Teacher Chen" evaded the police for over 20 years. But eventually they found him! And, A Lord of the Rings fanfiction writer sued the Tolkien Estate and Amazon. Demetrious Polychron accused them of stealing ideas from his novel, the Fellowship of the King. Polychron wanted a whopping 250 million US dollars! But his lawsuit backfired. The judge ordered Polychron to destroy all copies of his book. He also had to pay 134-thousand US dollars in legal fees. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's tasty tidbit… Did you know Diamonds are made from the same chemical as the lead in pencils? Pencil lead is not actually made of lead (Pb/鉛), but rather graphite, which is a form of carbon (C/碳). Diamonds are also made of carbon. The difference between Diamond and Graphite is the arrangement of the carbon atoms. And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, you're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news: Chiayi Township hails new fly larvae composting system, and a small turbine that can harness the power of passing cars. And in today's tasty tidbit: The longest word in the English language without a vowel. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 嘉義推廣黑水虻消滅廚餘 Chiayi township hails new fly larvae composting system Processing food waste has always been a tricky problem. When we discard food waste, we have to separate the cooked and uncooked food waste. As a result, many people just don't separate them, or even just discard food waste with trash. Now, there is a method that might be the best solution to food waste processing, fly larvae (幼蟲). We're not talking about the common household fly that we hate so much. The black soldier fly looks more like a wasp (黃蜂) due to its long body. The fly's larvae can eat almost any organic waste. This makes them perfect for dealing with discarded food or agricultural (農業) waste. The waste management office in Chiayi's Meishan Township adopted a fly larvae-based composting (堆肥) system earlier this year. They system now processes around 200kg of food waste per day. Previously, the food waste was naturally decomposed. But the process took 3 to 6 months and generated significant carbon emissions. Using the new system, the larvae eat up the food waste while lowering the carbon emissions. The excrement (排泄物) of the larvae is also an excellent organic fertilizer (肥料). Another surprising use of the larvae is that it can be used as animal feed (飼料). The larvae is actually rich in high quality protein and fatty acids. The life cycle of the fly is 28 to 35 days. When the larvae enter the pupa (蛹) stage, they can be fed directly to poultry or fish. There are studies that show chickens that feed on black soldier fly larvae produce more eggs. Chiayi county magistrate (縣長), Weng, praised the project highly. Weng plans to promote this system to all the waste management offices in Chiayi. He said the flies are "probably the second most beneficial insect species to humanity, after bees. 能夠吃掉廚餘、減碳、製造肥料，甚至成為動物飼料。 It certainly doesn't get better than that. ________________________________ 這部小型風力發電機能靠車輛產生的風力發電 This small turbine can harness the power of passing cars The wind is a great resource for energy. Over the centuries, humans have been harnessing (駕馭) the wind for many functions. The best example is the windmill, where people used the power of the wind to mill (研磨) grains. Nowadays, gigantic wind turbines are installed near the coast to generate electricity. A major downside (缺點) of wind turbines is that they don't work when there is no wind. But a company have made a turbine that can capture the wind created by a passing car. The turbine made by Alpha 311 is nothing like the traditional wind turbines. Wind turbines usually look like giant electric fans. The CEO, Thompson, said they built the first prototype (原型) during the Covid lockdown in 2020. The Alpha 311 turbine is made of carbon fiber (碳纖維) and has a cylindrical (圓柱體) shape. It is attached to a pole and the whole thing is 1.8 meters tall. The advantage of its size makes it able to be installed anywhere. When installed on a rooftop, it can create power from the wind. When installed by the road, it can harness the air movement of passing vehicles. Thompson said that if the turbine is installed on a highway, it can produce 30 times the power of a 300W solar panel. The company's next step is to test the effects when the turbines are mounted onto lampposts. Theoretically, the turbines would be able to power the street lamps immediately. The excessive (過多的) power can go back into the grid (電網) and used for other purposes. The turbines can do more than producing energy. They can also be fitted with sensors to monitor (監控) the air quality or traffic flow. The company has received numerous interests from parties around the world. They include stadiums, factories, gas stations and many others. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Chiayi Township hails new fly larvae composting system. The larvae of the black soldier fly can eat organic waste, produce fertilizer and become animal feed. And, This small turbine can harness the power of passing cars. The new turbine can be installed anywhere and capture the wind created by passing vehicles. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know the longest word in the English language without a vowel is "rhythms" (節奏)? English has five vowels. Those are A, E, I, O and U. And now for today's joke… What do you call a fake noodle? An "impasta"! HAHA! It sounds like the word "imposter" but spoken with a New York accent. You're an "impasta", Spiderman! And that's it for today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Good afternoon, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Brody Halverson. Today's stories… A bird of prey shows up in New Taipei City, and some Korean students are not happy about their big test. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…let's visit a magical place in Hawaii! Stay tuned for more on these stories. ________________________________ 一隻老鷹在新北市出現 Hawk Appears in New Taipei Have you ever heard a hawk's call (老鷹的鳴叫聲)? That's the sound of a bird of prey (猛禽). Hawks usually live in the wild. But recently, one of them appeared (出現) in New Taipei City. And the government is trying to find out where it came from. What happened? People first noticed the hawk living near a bike path. It made its home beneath a bridge, under the Xin-dian Shui-yuan Expressway. 人們注意到新店水源路下方棲息著一隻鷹。 It is strange for such a bird to show up in the city. So, the Animal Protection Office (動物保護防疫處) came to check it out. This government office makes sure animals are healthy and safe. When they caught the hawk, they were surprised The bird was actually a Harris's Hawk (栗翅鷹). This is a big hawk from the Americas. Harris's Hawks are smart and social (喜愛社交). They get along well with humans. What's more, this hawk was wearing an ankle ring. 這隻鷹的腳踝竟然戴著一個圈圈。 That's a ring it wears on its foot, to show that it is a pet. But, the hawk's ring did not say who it belongs to. So now the Animal Protection Office is looking for the hawk's owner (主人). They say the hawk is in good health. But they have no idea who its owner might be. 沒有人知道主人到底是誰。 It's tricky because a lot of people actually own hawks. They train (訓練) the hawks to hunt small birds and rats. And the Harris's Hawk is the most popular kind of hawk to train. However, Harris's Hawks are still wild at heart (內心還有野性). If they are not taken care of, they might attack people or harm the environment. That's why the government wants to return this hawk to its owner. Because we can't have wild hawks flying around New Taipei City. ________________________________ 學生因考試時間不公平提起訴訟 Students Sue over Unfair Test Time Do you want to go to college (大學)? Then you need to take the college entrance exam (大學入學考試)! It's an important test, and many students find it stressful. When the test day comes, you write as much as you can, and hope your time doesn't run out… So how would you feel if the teacher accidentally (不小心) ended the test early? That's what happened to some students in South Korea. The students were so angry that they sued the government. 一些韓國學生控告政府，因為大考提前結束。 Do you think that's reasonable? Well, in South Korea, the test is a big deal. It's called the "Suneung" (修能), and it's one of the hardest tests in the world. The test is eight hours long, and covers several subjects. Many students feel like their whole future depends on this one test score (考試成績). After all, the score determines (決定) which university a student can get into. And that determines what job they can get and what kind of life they can lead. On the test day, the whole country stays quiet so students can focus (集中注意力). But recently, something bad happened to one group of students. During the first part of the test, the bell rang early. It was only 90 seconds early… but the students felt like it hurt their score. Many students were so upset they couldn't focus on the other parts of the test. 很多學生非常沮喪，沒有辦法專心完成別的科目考試。 Some of them even gave up and went home. Now, 39 students have joined a lawsuit (訴訟). They are suing the government for 20 million won each. That's about half a million NT (五十萬台幣). They say that's the cost of studying for another year to take the test again. Maybe it seems ridiculous (荒謬), but it's not the first time this has happened. Last year, another group of students sued the government when their test ended 2 minutes early. And they won. In a way, it makes sense (有道理). Everyone asks these students to study so hard. At least they deserve a fair chance. 學生至少應該得到公平的機會。 ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… A hawk was recently found in New Taipei City. It's a Harris's hawk, and it used to be somebody's pet. Now the city government is looking for the hawk's owner. ________________________________ And, Some students in South Korea are suing their government. That's because a teacher ended their college entrance exam 90 seconds early. The students think it's unfair that they got less time. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Imagine a beach with sand that's not golden or white, but green! Yes, you heard that right - green sand! This special beach is called Papakolea Beach. Now, you might wonder, how did the sand turn green? It's all thanks to a special kind of rock called olivine. This rock comes from deep inside volcanoes. When a volcano erupts, it spews out this rock. Over time, the waves and wind crush it into tiny, tiny pieces. These pieces mix with the sand, giving it a beautiful green color. Papak?lea Beach is one of the rarest beaches in the world. If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, and welcome to today's episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram! In today's news, A yellow duck returns, and a slithery surprise at a tennis game. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: How do dolphins get some shut-eye? Learn the surprising answer at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 黃色小鴨重返高雄 Giant Rubber Duck Returns to Kaohsiung Rub-a-dub-dub… A giant rubber duck is back for a quacking good time! A famous rubber duck is heading back to Kaohsiung later this month. This giant yellow duck is a piece of art. It was made by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman. The duck is actually famous around the world. It has been on show in many cities. Hofman actually makes a new duck for every city. The first giant rubber duck was made for Saint-Nazaire, a city in France, in 2007. Since then, his toy ducks have floated (漂浮) in the waters of almost 30 cities around the world, including Osaka, Los Angeles, and Auckland. And the duck has been shown in Taiwan many times too. In 2013, it visited Keelung, Taoyuan, and Kaohsiung. That duck was 18 meters tall. That's more than 4 floors high! At that time, it was on show in Kaohsiung for 32 days. And 3.9 million people visited the duck during that time. This time around the rubber duck will float around in Love River Bay. It will stay there from January 27th until February 25th. 「黃色小鴨」預計1月27日至2月25日在高雄愛河灣展出。 Hofman visited the bay. The artist checked that it would work for the duck. He also said the city had grown a lot in 10 years. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai says the duck will be in Kaohsiung just in time for the Kaohsiung Lantern Festival. The mayor says people visiting the area may start to see pictures of the duck on famous places in the city. 周邊也會舉行市集與冬日遊樂園等活動，還有高雄的一些地標和新建築也許也能看到黃色小鴨的logo。 And he says many other fun events will be held near Love River Bay. There will be a holiday market. And there will winter wonderland activities. ________________________________ 布里斯本網賽 世界第二毒蛇出沒 A Tennis Tale with a Slithery Surprise Tennis is an exciting sport. Professional tennis matches are very intense (激烈). There is often a lot of prize money. And the players are very famous. You never know what's going to happen. The yellow ball flying back and forth often keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. But one recent tennis match was a shock, even for the players! It happened in Australia, at the Brisbane International. Tennis star Dominic Thiem was playing against James McCabe. Both players were hitting hard, and doing their best. But suddenly, a slithery surprise showed up on the tennis court (網球場). It was a snake, a real, live snake! And this wasn't just any old snake… It was an eastern brown snake. This snake is the second most venomous (有毒的) snake in the world. Experts say this snake lives in many parts of Australia. In fact, they say the bite of an eastern brown snake causes more deaths than any other snakes in Australia. 這條蛇是東方褐蛇，也被稱為「世界第2毒蛇」，毒液含有強大神經毒素。 And this eastern brown snake slithered onto the court! Dominic said he really loves animals, but this was a very dangerous situation. The snake was quite close to the ballkids (球童). Everyone tried to stay calm. They called a snake catcher. The snake catcher safely scooped up the snake… And the game was back on! Actually at first, Dominic was not doing very well. It looked like he was about to lose. But he did not give up. Even after the snake scare, he kept trying hard. He fought back, point by point… Until he turned the tables, and won the match! Dominic says this surprising match was something that has never happened to him. And he says it's something he'll definitely never forget! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A famous giant rubber duck is heading back to Kaohsiung later this month. This piece of art made by Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman will float around in Love River Bay. It will stay there from January 27th until February 25th. ________________________________ And, Tennis star Dominic Thiem was playing against James McCabe, when a snake slithered onto the court. It was an eastern brown snake, the second most venomous snake in the world. A snake catcher safely took the snake away. And Dominic won the match! ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Getting some "shut-eye" means getting some sleep. And that kind of makes sense, because usually you would shut your eyes to sleep. But did you know, that dolphins sleep with one eye open? They rest half their brain at a time. The left eye will be closed when the right half of the brain sleeps, and vice versa. This helps them keep an eye out for sharks or other types of danger! If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, and welcome to today's episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news, A sparkling soda comeback, and healing robots made by you for you. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… One of our listeners tested his skills out in the wilderness. Hear all about it at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 蘋果西打復活了 Apple Sidra's Comeback Apple Sidra is a popular soda (汽水) in Taiwan. It has a history of almost 60 years. It was first made in 1965. And it can be found in the refrigerator of many local restaurants, especially "rechao (熱炒)" and seafood restaurants. The company that makes Apple Sidra is Oceanic Beverages. They say that Apple Sidra is made without any preservatives (防腐劑) or artificial flavor. But the makers of the gold-colored soda ran into some trouble earlier this year. Someone saw some white sediment (沉澱物) in bottles of the soda. Health officials tested the soda. And they checked the factory in Taoyuan that made the soda. They found some problems. They found mold (霉) and yeast (酵母菌) in the sediment. And there were some problems at the factory too. Health officials ordered the factory to shut down for some time. 工廠遭桃園市衛生局令停工。 It couldn't make any Apple Sidra during this time. Many customers were surprised when the soda was not on store shelves anymore. Some complained that they could not find an apple soda that tasted the same. Oceanic Beverages worked on making improvements for six months. Officials let the factory restart. And health officials checked the sodas that it made. They said all the sodas met safety standards (標準). Many people have made videos introducing Taiwanese drinks to people in other countries. Some of them really enjoyed Apple Sidra. 蘋果西打產線已經恢復出貨，產品也通過地方衛生局的檢驗了。 ________________________________ Tiny Robots Made from Human Cells 人類細胞做出的"活體機器人" The advancement of technology in medicine is incredible (難以置信的). Scientists have made tiny groups of human cells that can move on their own. They call them "anthrobots" (人類機器人). And these anthrobots could help us fight disease! The idea actually came from "xenobots." (異種機器人) Xenobots are tiny robots made by stitching frog embryo (胚胎) cells together. They can group themselves together. And they can even move over surfaces and through liquid. But xenobots are not made from human cells. This means they cannot be used to fix problems in the human body. But anthrobots can! Scientist did an experiment. They wanted to see if anthrobots could help heal wounds (治癒傷口). They put a layer of neurons (神經細胞) in a dish. Then they scratched (刮傷) the neurons. And they put the anthrobots near the scratch. Within days, the neurons regrew, and the wound closed. Scientists are still trying to find out how the anthrobots helped heal the wound. They also tried the experiment with other substances (物質). But they did not get the same result. This healing was quite surprising to scientists. Because the cells were not genetically modified (基因改良). They were just grown from a single adult human lung cell. This means that they can use anyone's cells, even cells from elderly patients. The genes don't have to go through editing and that saves a lot of time and work. The anthrobots ability to heal could lead to many uses in regenerative medicine (再生醫學). Regenerative medicine is about fixing or even replacing (撤換) parts of the human body that have been damaged. Now, scientists are trying to grow human organs (器官) in the lab. They want to find out what triggers (引發) the anthrobot's healing mechanism. And they hope to use it to repair damaged organs in the human body. 科學家希望這些使用人類細胞製造的機器人可以修復人類的身體。 It sounds like something straight out of a science fiction movie! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Apple Sidra, a popular soda in Taiwan, ran into some trouble earlier this year. An Apple Sidra factory had to shut down after white sediment was found in the soda. There were some other problems at the factory too. But after six months of improvemetns, health officials say the soda now meets safety standards. And, Scientist have made tiny groups of human cells that can move on their own. These "anthrobots" have helped heal wounds in neurons. The scientists hope to use anthrobots to repair damaged organs in the human body. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Learning and having an adventure out in nature sounds like a lot of fun! Here's a joke to start you off. You ready? Where do young trees go to learn? "Elementree" school! And here's 5th-grader Anthony Su from Chiaoyong Primary School in Pingtung County, to tell us about his wilderness adventure. ***** If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, and welcome to today's episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news, Some people say "money talks", and that's definitely what we're talking about today, from Taiwan's riches, to a surprise left at a homeless shelter! And in today's Tasty Tidbit: These "out-of-this-world" numbers are right here on Earth. We'll tell you all about it, at the end of the episode. ________________________________ 全球最富國 台灣排第14名 Taiwan Ranks 14th Richest Country in the World Cha-ching! Is Taiwan one of the richest countries in the world? A magazine called "Global Finance" made a list. It looked at how much a country made in a year. This is the country's gross domestic product (GDP). Imagine it like your family income (家庭收入). Every time you do homework, wash the dishes, or walk your dog, you are adding to your family's income. It's the same with a country. When a baker bakes bread, or a scientist makes a new medicine, or a farmer grows crops, they are adding to the country's GDP. A higher GDP usually means the country is making more, and the economy is strong. Of course, GDP doesn't give us the whole picture of how well a country is doing, it's just one part. But it can tell us about how well the country is doing in the "business of making stuff". So how is Taiwan doing? Well, Global Finance says Taiwan was the 14th richest country in the world this year. The magazine's list says Taiwan's GDP is the 14th highest, out of 193 countries and territories. 美國「全球金融」雜誌公布2023年世界最富裕的國家排名，台灣名列14。 To calculate each country's GDP, the magazine took information from the International Monetary Fund (國際貨幣基金組織). It also looked at things like inflation (通貨膨脹), and how many people live in the country. Based on all that, who was at the top of the list? Global Finance says the richest country in the world in 2023 was Ireland. Luxembourg was second. And Singapore was third. Some big countries were further down on the list. The United States was 9th, Japan was 38th, and China was 77th. But the magazine also says many things can change these numbers. It says its list is just one way to look at finance (財政) around the world. ________________________________ 遊民收容所收到金光閃閃喬丹鞋款 Shiny Shoe Surprise! Rare Air Jordans Donated to Shelter It's a mystery, a miracle, and a whole lot of moolah! A homeless shelter (遊民收容所) in the US got a special donation. The shelter has a donation bin. It's a box where people can leave things that they would like to donate (捐). One day, a shelter worker was taking things out of the bin. He saw something shiny at the bottom. It was a pair of gold-colored sneakers. The sneakers looked a lot like a pair worn by a famous film maker. But the worker thought the sneakers couldn't be "the real thing". The shelter asked an expert. And the expert said yes, these sneakers are real, and very valuable (值錢). They are a pair of gold Air Jordans. The sneakers were especially designed for American director (導演) Spike Lee. He wore a pair of these shoes to the 2019 Academy Awards. And the director won an Oscar that night. 設計師於2019年為史派克李設計了這雙鞋，史派克李穿著它們出席同年的奧斯卡頒獎典禮，並獲得最佳改編劇本獎。 And in total, Mr. Lee has four pairs of these gold Air Jordans. But he says he did not donate his sneakers. He says his shoes are all size 9. But the gold sneakers given to the shelter were a size 12. So the identity of the donor remains a mystery. But the shoes are also a miracle (奇蹟) for the shelter. The gold sneakers were sold at an auction for $50,800 US dollars. That's about $1.6 million NT (160萬台幣)! Workers at the shelter were so happy that they cried. The money will help them buy clothes and food for people at the shelter. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: A magazine called "Global FInance" says Taiwan was the 14th richest country in the world this year. The magazine's list says Taiwan's GDP is the 14th highest, out of 193 countries and territories. The richest country in the world in 2023 was Ireland. But the magazine also says its list is just one way to look at finance around the world. And, A homeless shelter in the US got a special donation. It was a pair of gold-colored Air Jordans. The gold sneakers were sold at an auction for $50,800 US dollars. The money will help them buy clothes and food for people at the shelter. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… We've got more numbers for you. Did you know that there are about 8 billion people on Earth… But there's around 20 quadrillion ants alive on Earth right now? That's 20,000,000,000,000,000 ants! Think about it this way… That's about 2.5 million ants for every one person on Earth! If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm John Seaward. In today's stories… A Kaohsiung neighborhood gets ready to move, and two scientists find something amazing deep in the Earth. And in today's tasty tidbit: Electricity in the human brain. Let's check it out. ________________________________ 高雄大林蒲村民準備搬家 Kaohsiung Neighborhood Prepares to Move Have you ever been to Kaohsiung? Maybe you've been to Siaogang District (小港區). It's one of Taiwan's biggest industrial areas (工業區). It's really heavy industry down there! There are big factories, making steel (鋼鐵), oil (石油), and every kind of chemical (各種化學品). There's a company building huge ships, and a power plant burning coal. 小港工業區有工廠、造船廠、發電廠。 And right in the middle of it, there's a little village where people live. It's called Dalinpu Village (大林蒲村). For many years, the people of Dalinpu have had to live next to all of these factories and power plants. Every day, they eat and sleep surrounded by the pollution (污染) from the industrial areas. Now, the government (政府) says it will help the people move away from there. They have agreed to spend 80 billion NT on the move. The money will provide (提供) new homes to almost 6000 people from Dalinpu. 政府提供八百億元幫助近六千名居民搬家。 They will be able to escape the pollution, and live in a cleaner area. Not everybody wants to leave Dalinpu. Even though the air is dirty, some residents (居民) still regard it as home. Some people have even lived there since before the area became an industrial zone. But most people want to go. In 2017, they had a vote, and 90% of people agreed to relocate. 90%的居民投票決定搬遷。 Now they need to decide where to go. Many of the details (細節) still need to be worked out. But people agree that they can't stay there much longer. Each year, the pollution gets worse. So, the residents of Dalinpu are getting ready to say goodbye to their old neighborhood (舊社區) and say hello to a cleaner, safer living environment (生活環境). ________________________________ 地球內部的另一個行星 Another Planet Inside Earth What is inside our planet (行星)? Yes, our planet Earth (地球)! We live on the surface (地表). But if you dig down, deep into the ground, what is at the center of the planet? In the past, people thought there might be a secret world down there. Later, scientists found out that the core of the earth is made of hot rock and oceans of magma. 科學家知道地球的核心是由岩漿組成的。 But recently, scientists have made a startling discovery (驚人的發現). They think there might be another planet inside Earth. How can that be? It started when scientists tried to test a theory (檢驗理論). They wanted to know how the moon (月亮) was made. According to the theory, another planet called Theia crashed into Earth billions of years ago. 根據理論，數十億年前，另一顆名為Theia的行星撞擊了地球。 The crash melted both planets, and blew lots of dirt and rocks into space. Then, this rock came together to form the moon. Scientists thought it was an interesting idea, but they weren't sure it was correct. After all, nobody was around billions of years ago, so how could they know? A couple scientists thought if planet Theia had crashed into Earth, maybe some pieces of Theia would still be inside our planet. 兩位科學家認為Theia 的一些碎片可能仍然存在於我們的地球內。 Dr Qian Yuan from California and Professor Hongping Deng from China used a computer to test the idea. The test showed that part of the planet Theia would remain as blobs of rock (岩石團) inside Earth. The amazing thing is, there really are two huge blobs of strange rock in the earth. The blobs are deep underground, 3,000 kilometers below Africa and the Pacific Ocean. 他們確實在地下三千公里處發現了兩塊巨大的岩石。 Scientists know these blobs are different from the rest of Earth, but for a long time they have not known where these blobs come from. Now, Dr Yuan and Professor Deng say these blobs might come from the planet Theia. If that's true, it means there are parts of a completely different planet buried (埋著) under our feet. Now, the scientists want to test rocks from the moon. If the moon rocks are similar to the underground blobs in Earth, then maybe both of them came from the planet Theia. 如果月球岩石跟地下岩石團相似，那它們可能都來自Theia行星。 ________________________________ So, in today's newsbites… All the people from a Kaohsiung neighborhood are preparing to move away. Dalinpu Village is polluted, because it is near an industrial area. Now, the government has set aside some money to help nearly 6000 residents find new homes. And… Scientists think there might be another planet inside Earth. They think the planet Theia crashed into Earth billions of years ago. That crash might have left parts of Theia inside Earth, and also created the moon. ________________________________ And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know that the human brain generates about 20 Watts of electrical power? While the brain represents only about 2% of a person's total body weight, it consumes about 20% of the body's energy. The electrical activity generated by the brain, often measured in watts, is roughly equivalent to the power consumption of a dim light bulb. And that's today's episode of News Bites! If you have a fun fact or joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, you're listening to an all-new episode of news bites! I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news… Keelung launches mystery passenger program to monitor bus drivers, and giant goldfish are bad news for lakes. And in today's tasty tidbit: An animal with three hearts. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 基隆實施"神秘客"計畫提升公車服務 Keelung launches mystery passenger program to monitor bus drivers Buses are a very important part of public transportation. In Taipei alone, there are around a million commuters (通勤者) who take the bus every day. With so many passengers, service quality and safety are essential (必須的). That's why the Keelung City Government implemented a "mystery passenger" program. 這就是基隆市政府實施神秘客計畫的原因。 In this type of program, mystery passengers are hired to check how well drivers are doing their job without them knowing. Mystery passengers monitor the driver's driving habits and attitude towards passengers. The main purpose of the program is to observe the service and conduct of bus drivers. To the driver, mystery passengers will appear as just a normal passenger. This means the driver won't know when they are being evaluated. In November, there were 3 complaints about bus drivers made to the city's hotline. The first driver skipped stops on the route, causing passengers to miss their bus. The second driver had a bad attitude towards elderly passengers. The third driver closed the door too quickly and a passenger was pinched (夾) by the doors. All three incidents were investigated and proven to be true. The drivers were given warnings and required to go through counseling (輔導). Other previous complaints include speeding, running red lights and delays. The Keelung City Bus Management Office hopes that a mystery passenger program will encourage the drivers to be more attentive (細心) and considerate (周到). '神秘客'將會不定時搭乘隨機路線。 In contrast to the few reckless (魯莽) bus drivers, most drives are kind and friendly. There were also reports of compliments (稱讚) made to the hotline. A particular bus driver, Zhou, was complimented for being kind and attentive. On the other hand, it's not easy to be a bus driver. They have long working hours and drive the same routes numerous times every day. They are under stress to be on schedule, and they can only go to the restrooms when they return to the bus terminals. They are also seriously understaffed and overworked. Therefore, some people suggest authorities should improve workplace environments for bus drivers. Because happy drivers will make passengers happy. ________________________________ 巨大的金魚會傷害湖泊 Giant goldfish are bad news for lakes Do you have a goldfish? The goldfish is one of the most common household pets. Their bright colors are pretty to look at as they swim around in a fish tank. However, when people are tired of them, they might release the goldfish into a lake or pond. 看膩金魚者有可能會把之釋放於湖泊或池塘裏。 This seems like a good harmless solution, as fish belong in water. But the situation is actually quite the opposite. Given the right environment, the goldfish can grow up to almost 50 centimeters and weigh 4 kilograms. It's unbelievable that a fish that small can become the size of a football! In lakes, goldfish can root up (連根拔起) plants, consume native vegetation and spread diseases (傳播疾病). This will cause damage to the native ecosystem (生態). Researchers are now studying their patterns, finding a method to remove them from the lakes. They are called invasive species (入侵物種). The situation is usually created by abandoning pets, just like the green iguana invasion in southern Taiwan. Green iguanas (綠鬣蜥) were originally imported as pets from South America. When people grew tired of them, they were just abandoned in the wild. The green iguana has no natural enemies in Taiwan. This allowed it to reproduce at an astonishing (驚人的) speed. There are also some religious parties that practice a ritual which releases captive (圈養) animals into the wild. The intention (意圖) is good, but it actually causes problems for the local ecosystem. Recently, many venomous (有毒的) snakes were seen in the mountain areas in central Taiwan. Local residents reported seeing religious parties releasing the snakes into wild. The snakes slithered (滑) into houses, causing panic among local residents. 動物專家們請求社會大眾不要棄養寵物。 If you see someone releasing animals into wild, notify the local authorities. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Keelung launches mystery passenger program to monitor bus drivers. The mystery passenger will be on random bus routes to evaluate the driver's behavior. And, Giant goldfish are bad news for lakes. When abandoned, goldfish can grow up to the size of a football and cause damage to the local ecosystem. Therefore, experts are urging people not to abandon pets anywhere. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's tasty tidbit… Did you know that octopuses have three hearts? 你知不知道章魚有三顆心臟？ Two pump blood to the gills, and one pumps it to the rest of the body. 其中兩顆將血液送到鰓，另一顆將血液送到身體的其他部分。 And now for today's joke… Why did the cow go to outer space? Because it wanted to see the moooon! Haha! That is one of the funniest jokes ever written. I couldn't agree more. ________________________________ If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Welcome back to another episode of News Bites! I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: The first blue whale exhibit in Taiwan, and the possible first Native American team in the Olympics. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…an accidental icy treat! Keep on listening to learn more! ________________________________ 台灣首次展出藍鯨骨架 Taiwan's First Blue Whale Exhibit Blue whales are the biggest animal in the world. They're longer than a basketball court, and heavier than an airplane. They're also very important for keeping the marine ecosystem in balance (維持海洋生態平衡). And, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium has a special new exhibit: a giant blue whale skeleton! 國立海洋生物博物館有個特別的新展覽：一個巨大的藍鯨骨架！ This exhibit is really exciting because it's the first time Taiwan is showing a blue whale skeleton (骨架). Three years ago, people found the body of a young blue whale on the coast of Taitung. This was a big deal because blue whales are rare (很稀有). Records say the last time a blue whale was seen near Taiwan was more than 100 years ago. 記錄顯示，上一次在台灣附近看到藍鯨是在一百多年前。 Restoring the whale's skeleton took a lot of work. 把藍鯨骨頭恢復原狀花了很多功夫。 Experts spent three years carefully studying it and putting it together (組裝). The whale is huge - about 20 meters long and weighs a ton! 這隻鯨魚非常巨大 - 大約20米長，重達一噸！ The exhibit doesn't just show the whale's bones. The special display makes the whale look like it's diving in the ocean (看起來像在海洋中潛水). This helps us imagine how the whale lived and moved in the water. This exhibit is not only interesting but also teaches us a lot. It shows how important it is to protect our oceans and the creatures that live in them. People are really excited to see this exhibit. It's a great way to learn about marine life (海洋生物) and why we should take care of our oceans. So, this blue whale exhibit is more than just a display. It's a chance to learn, be amazed, and think about how we can help protect our oceans and the amazing animals that live in them. ________________________________ 從古老根源到奧運夢想 From Ancient Roots to Olympic Dreams Lacrosse (長曲棍球) is a very old sport. Long ago, Native American people invented it. 很久以前，美洲原住民發明了這項運動。 They played it for fun and to solve problems between tribes (解決部落間的問題). They played it on wide fields using sticks made from hickory and catgut. 他們在寬闊的田野上，使用由山核桃木和貓腸線製成的棍子來玩。 They see the game as a gift from their Creator. 他們認為這個遊戲是他們的造物主賜予的禮物。 Now, lacrosse is a popular sport played all over the world! A team called the Haudenosaunee Nationals wants to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. 一支由加拿大和美國原住民組成的國家隊，希望在2028年洛杉磯奧運會上比賽。 The Haudenosaunee Nationals are a lacrosse team made up of Native American players. Why is this a big deal? Well, they come from the people who first invented and played lacrosse! Last summer, they showed their skills, finishing in third place at the World Lacrosse Championship (在長曲棍球世界錦標賽中取得第三名). Now, with lacrosse added to the 2028 Olympics (隨著長曲棍球被納入2028年奧運會), there's a chance for them to play under their own flag. US President Joe Biden is supporting the idea (支持這個想法) because of their unique connection to the sport. But there's a problem. To play in the Olympics, teams have to come from countries that everyone knows. The Haudenosaunee team is from a group of Native American communities in the U.S. and Canada. They don't fit the normal rules for Olympic teams. The International Olympic Committee, which runs the Olympics, once made an exception by creating a refugee team. 國際奧林匹克委員會曾經破例讓一支難民運動員隊伍參加奧運。 But they're hesitant (猶豫不決) to do something similar for the Haudenosaunee. If they do, it could open the door for other unrecognized groups to ask for the same thing. 如果他們這樣做，其他沒有被承認的團體可能會要求同樣的待遇。 This could make things really complicated (複雜) for the Olympics. Despite these challenges, the Haudenosaunee have a lot of support. 儘管面臨這些挑戰，這個原住民隊伍得到許多支持。 World Lacrosse and the organizers of the LA Olympics are helping too. 世界長曲棍球組織和洛杉磯奧運會也在幫忙。 They want to find a way for the team to play. It's exciting to see a team with such a special history be in the Olympics. We hope they can make it! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium has a special new exhibit: a giant blue whale skeleton! Experts spent three years carefully studying it and putting it together. It's a chance to learn, be amazed, and think about how we can help protect our oceans and the amazing animals that live in them. ________________________________ And, A team called the Haudenosaunee Nationals wants to play in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. They come from the people who first invented and played lacrosse! But to play in the Olympics, teams have to come from countries that everyone knows. World Lacrosse and the organizers of the LA Olympics are supporting the team to find a way they can play. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And… Today's Tasty Tidbit is all about a sweet, icy treat - the Popsicle (冰棒)! Did you know it was invented by accident? In 1905, an 11-year-old boy named Frank Epperson left a mixture of powdered soda, water, and a stirring stick outside overnight. It was a chilly night, and the next morning, he discovered the mixture had frozen to the stick, creating a frozen pop! He called it the "Epsicle." It was so popular with his friends that, when he grew up, he patented the idea and renamed it "Popsicle." That's how this icy treat was born! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, and welcome to today's episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news, A broken trunk, and a tree that grows with you. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: It's a lunch you'll never forget! Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 象鼻岩斷裂墜海 Elephant Trunk Rock Collapses into the Sea Attention nature lovers and selfie stars. We have some sad news. Remember that giant rock that looked like an elephant? Sadly, a part of that big rock has fallen into the sea. Elephant Trunk Rock was a famous part of Taiwan's landscape (風景、景觀). The rock is in New Taipei, close to Shen-ao Fishing Harbor. It looked like a giant elephant with a long trunk (象鼻), standing in the sea. 新北市瑞芳深澳的「象鼻岩」，是一個外型像大象的海蝕洞。 Actually, there are many interesting rocks in that area with amazing shapes. The famous Queen's Head (女王頭) rock is there too. It's in Yehliu Geopark. And the rock looks like a woman's head, with a crown, and a long neck. But many of these famous rocks won't be around forever. In fact, Elephant Trunk Rock lost its trunk earlier this month. And it's all because of nature. Over time, the seawater and winds change the rock. The salt, water, and wind make the rock weak. And experts say the wind and waves were extra strong that afternoon, just before Elephant Trunk Rock fell down. 海水長期沖蝕加上自然風化，造成象鼻部分斷裂。 Elephant Trunk Rock used to be a popular spot. Many people would visit to take photos there. But some of those people would climb onto the rock. This was very dangerous, and could have damaged (損壞) the rock. So in 2020, officials set up a warning line around the rock, to keep people safe. Right now, the rest of Elephant Trunk Rock is still off-limits. Officials are asking everyone to stay away from the rock for safety. 目前象鼻岩附近地質不穩定，已管制禁止遊客進入。 ________________________________ 聖誕樹循環出租 Rent-and-Return Christmas Trees It's the day after Christmas. No more delicious Christmas treats. We've got to say goodbye to beautiful Christmas decorations. And worst of all, in some countries, there's a sad sight in the streets… Used Christmas trees, left by the road. The lifeless brown trees will be picked up by garbage trucks, and taken to landfills (垃圾掩埋場). In many parts of the world, these traditional Christmas trees were living trees. They were cut down especially for Christmas. And they are thrown away after Christmas is over. But the world is changing. More people feel that cutting down the trees is wasteful (浪費) and bad for the environment. Now, there is a greener way to enjoy Christmas. You don't have to cut down a living tree. And you don't have to buy a plastic tree. Some companies now have living Christmas trees FOR RENT (出租). They grow Christmas trees on a farm. They take care of the trees through most of the year. When December comes around, people come to the farm, to pick out a tree. The companies put the tree in a pot. Customers take the tree home and decorate it for Christmas. They need to remember to water their living tree too. And when Christmas is over, people take their tree back to the farm. The tree is replanted. And it keeps growing until next year. 顧客可以一月再歸還聖誕樹，之後公司會把樹重新種植。 The companies call it "rent, water, return". You can even rent the same tree every year. Some companies say a 1 meter-tall Christmas tree could be 1.3 meters tall next year. So the tree grows with you! They say their trees are not perfect. People who rent these living trees can't forget to water them. And some needles (松針) will fall from the trees. But the trees will keep living for years. And when the trees get over 200 centimeters tall, they "retire" (退休). The companies plant these big trees in the forest. This helps the environment and cuts waste. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Elephant Trunk Rock was a famous part of Taiwan's landscape. But part of the rock broke off and fell into the ocean. Seawater and wind slowly made the rock weak. And experts say the wind and waves were extra strong that afternoon, just before Elephant Trunk Rock fell down. And, Some companies now have living Christmas trees for rent. They grow Christmas trees on a farm. Customers take a tree home and decorate it for Christmas. When Christmas is over, people take their tree back to the farm, and the tree is replanted. And it keeps growing until next year. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Are you enjoying your lunch today? Nothing like a good laugh to go with your food. You ready? Why did 4 and 4 skip lunch today? They already 8! And here's Andy from Chupei Junior High School in Hsinchu County to tell us the special person he would choose as his guest for lunch. If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi there, you're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Nancy Sun. First off, before we begin … it's the 25th of December today. And that means it's Christmas, everybody! Merry Christmas, Jake! And a Merry Christmas to you too, Nancy! Well done on making it this far into the year. Haha! In today's news, an expedition to an abandoned forest and a couple drive from the North to the South Pole in an electric car. And in today's tasty tidbit: the tallest mountain in the solar system (太陽系中最高的山). Stay tuned for those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 救援任務拯救受傷的勘測人員 Rescue Mission Saves Injured Surveyors Have you ever been on an expedition (探險) before? No, I haven't. What about you? I have been on many expeditions. My last one was to Family Mart to buy a sweet potato. I don't think that counts as an expedition, Jake… Does it not? No, no! An expedition is a journey undertaken for exploration, research or adventure. Expeditions are typically organized and planned. They normally involve challenging or dangerous environments, such as mountains, jungles, snowy wastes, or remote places. Ahh! So you have to go to a dangerous or faraway place, like the Arctic? And you have to go there to explore, to conduct research or for adventure? Yes. Therefore popping down to Family Mart doesn't count. Right then. Well, now that I know what an expedition is, I do have a news story to share, something that happened recently in Taiwan. I'm sure you can't wait to hear it. Recently in Tainan, a team of eight surveyors (勘測人員) went on an expedition to an abandoned forest in the mountains. An abandoned forest? That sounds spooky. You bet. So what were they doing there exactly? They went there to survey the forest, which had been abandoned for 30 years. In this case, surveying means to examine a piece of land and collect data about it. They were also inspecting a disused helipad (直升機停機坪) to see if it could still be used. That doesn't sound too bad. However, they soon found out they bit off more than they could chew. 不過，他們很快就發現他們承擔超過自己所能勝任的任務。 One of the eight surveyors fell and injured themselves. Two others suffered from altitude sickness (高山症) and hypothermia (失溫症). And to make matters worse, adverse weather conditions, such as dense fog and heavy rain, made rescue efforts more difficult. They were stranded (滯留的) in that abandoned, remote forest for three days. Oh, my! Imagine being stranded for three days. That must have been terrifying. Thankfully, after the weather conditions cleared, a rescue helicopter airlifted them to hospital. They have all received medical treatment, and have no issues. Note to self: Stick to safe walks, and avoid abandoned forests! ________________________________ 一對夫妻從地磁北極到南極駕駛電動車 Husband and Wife Team Drive from Magnetic North Pole to South Pole in Electric Car Have you ever wondered about the ends of the Earth, where it's super cold? Well, get ready for a frosty expedition, as we talk about the North and South Poles! The North Pole is way up in the Arctic (北極地區), surrounded by icy waters. The South Pole is in Antarctica (南北州), the fifth-largest continent. Now, imagine driving from one pole to the other in an electric car. That's what husband-and-wife team Chris and Julie Ramsey did! It's a tale of freezing temperatures, polar bears, and making history. They set off in March from the Magnetic North Pole (地磁北極) in Canada, driving their Nissan Ariya electric car. They then drove through the United States, and then through South America. In total, they drove over thirty-thousand kilometers, travelling across fourteen different countries. 總共，他們開車行駛超過三萬公里，穿越了十四個不同的國家。 They reached Antarctica on December 15th. Imagine driving through all those places in one car! Now, why is this so special? Well, it's the first time ever that a car has made this incredible journey! Their car was also powered by solar and wind energy. 他們的汽車是由太陽能和風能驅動的。 The journey wasn't easy. The weather was so cold that they both got frozen eyelashes (他們的睫毛都結了冰). They even saw polar bears (北極熊). But the couple loves a good challenge. They previously drove from London to Mongolia in an electric car. In any case, the couple couldn't believe they made it to the South Pole after years of planning. The couple not only fulfilled their dream, but also made history while raising awareness about climate change. 這對夫妻不僅實現了他們的夢想，也因為提高人們對氣候變遷的意識，創造了歷史。 Keep dreaming big, and who knows where life might take you one day! ________________________________ So, in today's news… We talked about expeditions. Expeditions are organized journeys for exploration, research or adventure. Recently, eight surveyors went on a real expedition to an abandoned forest in Tainan. Unfortunately, one surveyor got hurt, two got sick, and bad weather made rescue efforts difficult. Luckily, a helicopter rescued them when the weather cleared, and they're all safe now. And… Husband-and-wife adventurers, Chris and Julie Ramsey, drove an electric car from the Magnetic North Pole all the way to the South Pole in Antarctica. Their car was powered by solar and wind energy. The couple covered over 30,000 kilometers, crossing 14 countries. The Ramseys, known for their love of challenges, had previously driven from London to Mongolia. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's tasty tidbit… The tallest mountain in the solar system is Olympus Mons on the planet Mars. It stands about 22 kilometers high. 火星的奧林帕斯山高約22公里。 The tallest mountain on Earth, Mount Everest, is about 8.8 kilometers high. 世界第一高峰聖母山高約8.8公里。 That means Olympus Mons is roughly three times the height of Mount Everest. 於是乎奧林帕斯山大約是聖母峰高度的三倍。 It is a shield volcano (盾狀火山). Shield volcanos have broad bases and gentle slopes. Who knows? Maybe Chris and Julie will become the first couple to drive up Olympus Mons in a planetary rover (行星漫遊車). If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hello everybody, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun! In today's stories… Taiwan's students are number one in civics, and the reason it's good to sing to babies. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a color we can see that doesn't exist! Let's get into it. ________________________________ 台灣公民學 世界第一 Taiwan's Students Top in Civics Knowledge Do you study civics (公民學)? In this class, you might learn how the government works. Or you might learn about your rights (權利). These are things you need to know, if you want to be a better citizen (公民). That's what "civics" means. It's about learning how to be a good citizen. If you're a student in Taiwan, you have probably taken a civics class. Are these classes worth it (值得嗎)? By one measure, they are. A new study says Taiwan's students know more about civics than any other country. 這項研究指出，台灣學生比其他國家的學生更了解公民學。 It's called the "International Civic and Citizenship Education Study". It asks questions to eighth-grade students (國二的學生) around the world. That includes 24 countries, such as France, Italy, and Brazil. These questions aim to find out how much students knows about civics. For example, they ask why a person might join a political party (政黨). They ask about the right way for a police officer to behave (行為). They also ask how to fight fake news (假新聞). It turns out, Taiwan's students know a lot about these questions. And Taiwan's score (成績) is getting better. Fifteen years ago, Taiwan was in fourth place (第四名) worldwide, with a score of 559. But now the country has moved up to first place (第一名), with a score of 583. Why is the score so good? Maybe because students in Taiwan take civics as a class. In other countries, students learn about civics, but they don't always have a special class for it. In addition, the study asks students what they think about social issues (社會議題). Compared to other countries, Taiwan's students show the highest support for gender equality. 跟其他國家相比，台灣學生對性別平權的支持度最高。 That means equal rights for men and women. They also show the most support for immigrants' rights (移民權利) and environmental protection (環保). On top of that, these students trust their government much more. These are all good results (好的結果). This study shows that Taiwan's students know a lot about civics. But will they actually act like good citizens? That's for you to decide. 學生的行為是不是真的就像個好公民，這由你來回答。 ________________________________ 唱歌給嬰兒聽可以幫助他們學習 Singing to Babies Helps Them Learn How does a baby learn to speak? When a baby is born, it can't say anything. By the time it's two years old, it can say simple words. 嬰兒滿兩歲才會講簡單的話。 For a long time, nobody knew how babies learned words. But recently, scientists from the University of Cambridge (劍橋大學) found the best way to teach a baby how to speak. And that is singing. Of course, lots of people like to sing to babies. Parents sing simple songs to communicate (溝通) with their baby. Now, scientists say that singing helps teach babies how to use words. There are two reasons. One reason is that songs have a strong rhythm (節奏). Babies can hear rhythm before they understand words. 嬰兒在了解單字之前就能聽到節奏。 Every language has a special rhythm. And babies can use this rhythm to guess what words mean. The second reason is that songs have tone (音調). That means they use high sounds and low sounds, with some words rising and other words falling. So, babies can use rhythm and tone to learn how to speak. 嬰兒使用節奏和音調來學習如何說話。 That's why the scientists say parents should sing to their babies as much as possible. There are lots of nursery rhymes (童謠), or special songs for babies. Next time you're with a baby, you can try singing "Pat a Cake." The song goes like this: "Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker's man." "Bake me a cake as fast as you can." "Roll it, pat it, and mark it with a B." "Put it in the oven for Baby and me." That's an old nursery rhyme from England (英國). Maybe the baby won't understand each word. But it will hear the rhythm and the tone clearly. 這首來自英國的古老童謠，可以讓嬰兒清楚地聽到節奏和音調。 And this will help the baby learn to speak. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… A new study shows Taiwan's students are top in the world for civics knowledge. These students know a lot about how to be good citizens. But just knowing it is not the same as really using it. ________________________________ And, Scientists at the University of Cambridge say we should sing to babies. When babies hear songs, it helps them learn how to speak. This is because songs have rhythm and tones that babies can hear clearly. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit How many colors does a rainbow have? Well, let's see…there's red…orange…yellow…green…blue…indigo…and violet! That makes seven! But what about pink? How come it's not on the rainbow? That's because it doesn't really exist! Pink is actually a mix of red and violet, two colors at opposite ends of the visible spectrum (可見光譜). Our brains blend these colors to create pink. But it in the spectrum of light, there's no pink. It's a color that exists only in our perception! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time, for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun… And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: Changes in entertainment, and the best way to ride a gondola. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Imagine walking around all day and tasting your shoes! What animal does this? Find out at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 有線電視面對娛樂產業轉變 Cable TV Faces Changing Entertainment Industry Many people like watching TV. The television was invented about a century ago. Since then, TV has been a mainstream (主流) kind of entertainment. Grab some snacks and drinks, and you're ready to watch your favorite show or movie. In the last 10 years, the technology of television has advanced a lot. But government data shows that the number of cable subscribers fell to a new low this year. That means fewer people are paying for cable TV now. In fact, the number of cable subscribers has been falling for many years now. Now, around 4.55 million people pay for cable TV. Why is this happening? Many people are finding entertainment in other places. Some are now using streaming platforms (串流平台). On these platforms, there's no commercials. And you can pause anytime you like. Some people also say that shows on TV are not very interesting anymore. They say there are too many reruns (重播). And some say many of the shows are about the same. Some cable TV companies are trying ways to bring back customers. Some of these companies now offer broadband (寬頻) internet service with cable TV. But many customers only want internet service. They don't watch cable TV. And other companies now offer internet and streaming platforms along with their cable TV. Even with offers like this, the number of subscribers still dropped. 有線電視訂閱者的減少也導致許多頻道的停播。 It looks like the way we find entertainment is definitely changing. ________________________________ 遊客站立自拍，威尼斯貢多拉翻船 Best Stay Sitting on Venice Gondolas Some tourists visiting Venice landed in deep water, after not following the rules. The five visitors were enjoying a ride on one of the city's famed gondolas (貢多拉). The gondolier (船夫) was moving the boat under a low bridge. And the visitors all moved to one side of the boat. They wanted to take a selfie (自拍). The gondolier had asked them to stay sitting during the ride. But maybe they didn't understand. With everyone standing on one side, the boat capsized (翻覆)! Everyone fell into the water. No one was hurt, but one visitor lost their cellphone. The gondola was not damaged. But the soft cushions (軟墊) and blankets all fell into the canal (運河). Italy has been trying to find ways to deal with tourists who do not follow the rules. Many people are traveling again, and Italy is getting lots of visitors. And some are behaving badly. Some travelers swam in Venice's canals, even though that is against the law. One person carved words onto the walls of the Colosseum (羅馬競技場). Two other visitors threw their scooters down the Spanish Steps in Rome. Some say this kind of bad behavior is a phenomenon (現象) called "holiday madness." They say it happens because traveling to another place gives us a feeling that no one knows who we are. Some may feel like no one will catch them even if they do something bad. Psychologists (心理學家) also say these people want internet clout (影響力). They want more likes and followers. Many other tourists are worried that this bad behavior will bring stricter restrictions (規定). We need to respect the culture and rules of the place we're visiting. 未來，我們如果只能從遠處觀看古蹟及博物館展示品的話，那就真的太可惜了。 ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The technology of television has advanced a lot, but government data shows that the number of cable subscribers fell to a new low this year. Many people are finding entertainment in other places. Some are now using streaming platforms. Some people also say that shows on TV are not very interesting anymore. It looks like the way we find entertainment is definitely changing. ________________________________ And, Five visitors fell into the water on a gondola ride in Venice. They stood up and moved to one side of the boat to take a selfie, and the boat capsized! Everyone fell into the water. No one was hurt, but one visitor lost their cellphone. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit For today's Tasty Tidbit… No spoons needed! Do you ever wonder how butterflies enjoy the sweet taste of nectar? You might be surprised to learn…that butterflies taste with their FEET! Yup, those delicate little legs have something called "tarsal chemoreceptors". These parts help the butterfly taste their food. So when a butterfly lands on a flower, those parts tell them if the nectar will taste good. And yes, if a butterfly lands on you, it can probably taste you too! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. Tune in again next time, for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun… And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: Google Taiwan's top searches, and the mystery of a missing tomato. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… It's not all fun and games in the world of chess. Stay tuned to find out more. ________________________________ 2023年Google台灣搜尋排行榜出爐 Taiwan's Most Googled in 2023 We're getting close to the end of the year. And we know what was on everyone's minds in 2023. Google Taiwan says we all wanted to know about things that affected our lives, sports events, and international news. The company is sharing the results of its "Year in Search 2023" report. The report lists the most-searched-for things on Google each year. This year's report covers December 2022 until end of November 2023. Google 公布了台灣2023年度搜尋排行榜，列出今年台灣網友最關注的新聞和議題。 Google Taiwan says "typhoons" was its most-searched term this year. The company says many typhoons and tropical storms came close to Taiwan this year. And not many typhoons have passed over land in Taiwan in recent years. So many netizens in Taiwan were interested in this topic. 今年台灣周圍有許多颱風形成，加上這幾年比較少颱風中心登陸，所以「颱風」成為台灣網友最熱門的搜尋焦點。 ChatGPT was second, and the World Baseball Classic was third. These were definitely a part of our lives this year. What was next on the list? Google says "NT$6000 universal cash remittance" was fourth. "iPhone 15" was fifth. And "Israel" was sixth. Google also looked at other types of most-searched terms. The company says many movies and TV programs were talked about on Google. And it says Taiwanese crime thriller "Copycat Killer" was the most-searched-for TV series on Google in Taiwan. The series follows the story of a police officer trying to find a killer. Many people also used Google to search for travel destinations. The company says Okinawa in Japan was the most-searched-for on Google. Hong Kong was second, and Osaka was third. What about Google searches worldwide? The company says its top news story this year was the Israel Hamas war. Searches for the "Titanic submarine" was second. And "Turkey earthquake" was third. ________________________________ 太空之謎「流浪番茄」找到了 The Case of a Missing Space Tomato "Space Station to Houston, come in Houston" "This is Houston. Reading you loud and clear." "Houston be advised…we have found THE TOMATO." "Roger that Space Station, we confirm, THE TOMATO has been found." A space mystery has finally been solved. A tiny tomato disappeared on the International Space Station earlier this year. This tomato wasn't just a healthy snack. It was part of a very important experiment. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio helped grow tomatoes on the ISS. Scientists want to see how well vegetables would grow in space. Eventually, they want to grow vegetables on the moon, or on Mars. So, after the tomatoes were harvested, each astronaut on the ISS got some. Frank also got a tomato too. He carefully put the tomato into a plastic bag. And he says he stuck the bag onto the wall using velcro (魔鬼氈) You have to remember that there is almost no gravity on the International Space Station. If things are not secured (固定好), they may float away. And maybe that was what happened to Frank's tomato. The astronaut says when he came back, the tomato was gone! 太空人Frank在太空站種植小番茄，收成後有一顆番茄竟不翼而飛。 How hard is it to find a tomato in space? Well, the International Space Station is bigger than a six-bedroom house. And there's 25 years-worth of stuff on it. Plus, in microgravity (微重力), things can easily float away to who-knows-where! Frank spent around 20 hours looking for the tomato. But he didn't find it before he had to come back to Earth. The missing tomato became a mystery (謎). Some people thought Frank may have EATEN the tomato! But now, eight months later, NASA says the tomato has been found. They did not say where they found it, but everyone knows now that Frank is innocent (無辜的). Aside from tomatoes, NASA has also grown other plants in space. They've grown cabbage, kale, and even flowers! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Google Taiwan is listing its most-searched-for things this year. It says "typhoons" was its most-searched term this year. ChatGPT was second, and the World Baseball Classic was third. ________________________________ And, A tiny tomato disappeared on the International Space Station earlier this year. NASA astronaut Frank Rubio lost the tomato, which is part of a very important experiment. Many people thought Frank ate it. But now, eight months later, NASA says the tomato has been found. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit For today's Tasty Tidbit… We're looking into the secret history of the word "checkmate". It doesn't just mean that you win in chess. It actually carries a special message. "Checkmate" actually comes from the Persian phrase "shah mat". It translates to "the king is dead". So the next time you outsmart your opponent and say "checkmate"… You'll know that you're announcing the fall of a king! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. Tune in again next time, for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hello and welcome to another episode of News Bites! I'm Paz Bueno… And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's news: Taipei rolls out vaccines to protect boys, and scientists discover an interesting solar system! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…an unusual walking fish! Keep on listening to find out more about that, coming up next! ________________________________ 台北市提供 人類乳突病毒疫苗給國中男生 HPV Vaccinations for Boys in Taipei Schools Have you ever heard of HPV? It's a tiny germ (病毒) that can make people sick. HPV stands for human papillomavirus. HPV是人類乳突病毒的縮寫。 It's really common and can spread easily (容易傳播). Sometimes, it can cause things like warts (疣), and other times, it can lead to more serious problems. That's why doctors say it's important to protect ourselves from it. Starting next September, Taipei will offer HPV vaccinations for junior high school boys. This plan was announced by the city's Department of Health (衛生局). The vaccinations will be given at 93 schools, just like they do for girls each year. HPV can cause serious health problems. For women, it's linked to cervical cancer (子宮頸癌). For men, it can cause head and neck cancers (頭頸癌). HPV can also lead to genital warts (生殖器疣) in both boys and girls. HPV is not just spread through sexual contact. HPV不僅僅透過性接觸傳播。 For example, a doctor once saw a baby with genital warts from HPV. The baby probably caught it from the parents while changing diapers (換尿布). The HPV vaccine is safe and effective (安全又有效). It's important to get vaccinated because most people will get HPV at some point in their lives. 接種疫苗很重要，因為大多數人一生中都會感染HPV。 In Taipei, the vaccination rate for junior high school girls is already high, at 91%. 在台北市，國中女生的疫苗接種率已經很高，達到91%。 Now, the city plans to spend more money to offer free HPV vaccines to boys too. Parents and the students must agree in writing before a boy can get the vaccine. ________________________________ 六顆行星的宇宙之舞 Cosmic Dance of Six Planets Far away, in a distant corner of space, there's a rare solar system (太陽系) with a special secret. Astronomers (天文學家) have discovered something amazing there… Six planets moving together in perfect harmony! 六顆行星完美地一起運行。 This cosmic dance is happening 100 light-years away from us and it's billions of years old! In that solar system, the planets are a bit like Neptune (海王星), but smaller. All of those planets are closer to their star than Mercury is to our Sun. 所有這些行星，都比我們太陽系的水星更靠近它們的恆星。 That means they orbit (環繞軌道) really fast! What's super cool is that their orbits are perfectly lined up. 它們的軌道完美地排列起來。 It's like a pattern (模式). When astronomers found some planets, they guessed (猜測) where others would be. And they were right! To find these planets, scientists used special tools. One is called TESS, a NASA satellite (衛星) that's been finding new planets for five years. Another one is a European satellite. They work together to spot these faraway worlds (遙遠的世界). Soon, the James Webb Space Telescope will join in. It will look at these planets to see what their air is like. Do they have lots of gas, or maybe even water? 它們是否有很多氣體，或者甚至有水？ This discovery is really important. It helps scientists understand what solar systems look like when they're brand new. 這個發現可以幫助科學家了解太陽系在剛形成時的樣子。 Our solar system has had lots of things happen to it, like asteroids crashing into planets (小行星撞擊行星). But this new solar system is quiet and peaceful (安靜平和), just as it was when it started. Finding a place so calm and in sync (平靜且同步) in space is really rare and exciting. Scientists are eager (迫不及待) to learn more about it. This could help us know more about the beginnings of space and maybe even our own solar system. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Starting next September, Taipei will offer free HPV vaccinations for junior high school boys. HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a tiny germ that can make people sick. Sometimes, it can cause things like warts, and other times, it can lead to more serious problems. It's important to get vaccinated because most people will get HPV at some point in their lives. ________________________________ And, Astronomers have discovered six planets moving together in a rare solar system. All of these planets are closer to their star than Mercury is to our Sun. Scientists are excited to learn more about it to know more about the beginnings of space. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Have you ever seen a fish that walks? Meet the mudskipper, a fish with an interesting talent! Mudskippers don't just swim; they use their fins to walk on land. They can be seen hopping around on muddy shores, looking a bit like tiny water-loving frogs. What's even more amazing is that mudskippers can breathe air when they're out of the water. They store water in their gills, which lets them take a stroll on land. Mudskippers spend time catching bugs and hanging out with other mudskippers on land, then dive back into the water when they need a swim. A walking, air-breathing fish? Now that's a splashy surprise! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey there, you’re listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I’m Jacob Ingram. And I’m Paz Bueno. In today's news, The public is urged to use spare coins to help cut carbon emissions … and Italian designers use fruit peel to make furniture. Wait, did you just say fruit peel? Uh, yeah… How can you make furniture from fruit? That’s just what it says… Right then. And in today’s tasty tidbit … the deepest part of the ocean. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ TOP OF TAIWAN 央行邀民眾一起讓硬幣動起來減碳。 Public urged to use spare coins to help cut carbon emissions. What do you do with the coins you get from buying things? Do you keep them in your purse or wallet? Or do you put them in your piggy bank (撲滿)? Coins are heavy, and that’s why a lot of people don’t like bringing them. But now, the Central Bank (中央銀行) are asking people to spend their coins to help cut carbon emissions. Now you might be wondering, what does spending coins have to do with carbon emissions? As technology advances every day, e-payments (行動支付) are getting more convenient. You can pay with the swipe of a card or cellphone. It’s so much faster than counting your coins for the exact amount. As a result, many people leave them at home. Therefore less and less coins circulate (流通) on the market. However, business owners still need them to give change (找零錢) to customers. This is especially true at traditional markets and night markets. They have to exchange bills for coins at the bank. But there are not enough coins circulating, as a lot of them are sitting in people’s homes. So, the central bank will have to make more to meet the demands. To do this, they would have to buy the materials, which are mined (採礦). The materials are then be minted (鑄幣) into coins. The process from mining to minting would create unnecessary carbon emissions. The Central Bank also added that making deposits with coins can also help the cause. There are seven financial institutions (金融機構) that are equipped with automated coin deposit machines. All you have to do is just locate them and pour the coins into the machines. 很難想像花錢與存錢竟然也可以救地球。 So, let’s all start hunting for coins under our beds, couches and empty our piggy banks. ________________________________ GOING GLOBAL 義大利設計師用果皮製造家具。 Italian designers use fruit peel to make furniture. In a perfect world, everything can be reused, reused and recycled. But in the real world, that is not the case. According to a report by the Circle Economy Foundation, only 7.2% of used materials are being fully recycled and reused. The rest just end up in landfills (掩埋場) or incinerators (焚化爐). But what if there is perfect material that could be reused over and over again, and is biodegradable (生物分解)? A group of designers from Italy might just have the answer. An Italian company named Krill Design created a biomaterial (生物材料) called Rekrill. The material is made from fruit peel, orange seeds and coffee ground waste. The food waste is first dried and crushed into a very fine powder. Then, it is compounded with a biodegradable plastic alternative (替代品) known as PHB. The powder makes the PHB more rigid (堅硬). The compound is put into a 3D printer to print the products. Currently, the company manufactures products like bookends, stools, clocks and bowls. If the product is discarded after a few years, the company will recover it. It will then be crushed and used to print other new products. If the material ends up in the ocean by mistake, it is fully biodegradable. Di Maio, the director of the company, said that Rekrill is as sturdy (結實) as wood. It will not degrade unless it’s touched by water, bacteria or acidity (酸性). When it breaks down in the ocean, it’s even safe for the fish to eat. Despite all these advantages, there is one obstacle (障礙). Rekrill is expensive. It costs 6 time more than common plastic. Di Maio said the process is difficult and expensive. So he can understand the reason why other companies aren’t doing it. However, he is hopeful that in the near future, Rekrill would be widely accepted. 這個材料能夠重複回收使用，還能生物分解。 What’s more to ask for? ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The public are urged to use spare coins to help cut carbon emissions. The Central bank encourages the public to spend the coins lying at home. If more coins circulate on the market, we won’t have to make new coins. This helps cut carbon emissions. And, Italian designers are using fruit peel to make furniture. They created Rekrill, a material made from food waste. This material can be reused multiple times and is biodegradable. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Did you know the deepest part of the ocean is the Marianas Trench? It is around eleven kilometers deep. It is so deep that it’s pitch dark. That means if you held up your hands to your eyes, you would not be able to see them. Not only that, the pressure from all the water down there is the same as one-hundred elephants standing on your head. I wouldn’t like to have one elephant stand on my head, let alone one-hundred! ________________________________ And now for today's joke… What do you call a cow in full armor? Sir Loin. Haha! Did you come up with that joke? I wish I did. ________________________________ Thank you for listening to today’s News Bites! If you have a fun fact or a joke you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We’ll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for a new episode of News Bites… I’m Paz Bueno. And I’m Nancy Sun. In today’s stories… People in Taipei march for wildlife, and some unique items go up for sale in Japan. And in today’s Tasty Tidbit…a day that’s longer than a year! Let’s check it out. ________________________________ 台北為野生動物而走 Taipei March for Wildlife Rights What wild animals live in Taiwan? Well, there are pangolins (穿山甲). These cute creatures love to eat ants. There are also muntjacs (山羌). They are little deer that live in the mountains. And do you know the Taiwan Blue Magpie (臺灣藍鵲)? Yeah! What a beautiful bird. But what about stray dogs and cats (流浪犬 流浪貓)? Are they wild animals? Not exactly. Stray dogs and cats come from cities. They don’t really belong in the wild. In fact, they often attack wild animals. 流浪的狗和貓不屬於野外，其實他們常常攻擊野生動物。 This is a big problem. That’s why people recently held a protest in Taipei. It was called the “2023 Walk for Wildlife”. University students planned the event. 大學生策劃了這個活動。 They say more wild animals are getting hurt by stray dogs and cats. What’s more, stray dogs and cats spread diseases (傳播疾病) to wild animals. This is a disaster (災難) for Taiwan’s wildlife. Just ask Philip Liao (廖). He works at Taitung’s wildlife rescue center (台東的動物救援中心) Philip says the center has seen sixteen injured muntjacs this year. The poor muntjacs had all been attacked by stray dogs and cats. Philip joined the Walk for Wildlife because he wants the laws to change. He was one of more than four thousand people who came to protest at the Legislative Yuan (立法院). They say the government should not let stray dogs and cats into ecological areas. 他們說政府該禁止流浪狗貓進入生態保護區。 That way, fewer dogs and cats will come to places where wild animals live. Wild animals have been here a lot longer than dogs, cats, or people. Many wild animals are unique to Taiwan, and it is their only home. So let’s have some respect (尊重) for wildlife. We have a responsibility (責任) to protect wild animals… …because we all live on this island together. ________________________________ 京都 可以買賣人孔蓋 City of Kyoto Sells Manhole Covers What can you see when you walk on the street? You might see the shops and the signs, the cars driving by, or the people around you. But if you look down on the ground, you will see something else. You’ll see manhole covers (人孔蓋). They look like circles made of iron (鐵做的). Every street has them. They cover manholes. Those are holes in the ground for workers to get under the streets. That’s where the city keeps water pipes and electrical lines (水管和電纜). The covers can be boring (無趣), or they can be quite beautiful (漂亮). And in Japan, these covers are a big deal. Japanese manhole covers are like works of art. Many are decorated with colorful designs. 日本的人孔蓋，很多有色彩繽紛的圖案。 For example, in the city of Osaka (大阪市), the covers have a picture of Osaka Castle. In Tokyo (東京市), they are decorated with cartoon animals. Other cities decorate the covers with pictures of famous people or flowers. For many cities, it is a tourist attraction (旅遊景點). People go there just to check out these iron covers. Some people in Japan even like to collect them. 有些人甚至喜歡收集人孔蓋。 Recently, the city of Kyoto (京都市) decided to sell its old manhole covers. The city sold each one for 3000 yen. That’s just 650 NT. It’s a win-win situation (雙贏的局面). The city gets some money, and collectors (收藏家) get a special item. Lots of people are interested in buying these covers. Why do collectors love these things so much? After all, it’s just an old piece of iron. Well, people love that they’re so unique (獨特). When they buy one, it feels like they own a piece of the city’s history. 收藏家感覺自己擁有城市的一部分歷史。 Now, many cities in Japan have started using decorated manhole covers on the streets. The trend (趨勢) is even spreading around the world. So the next time you walk down the street… …take a look at what’s under your feet. ________________________________ So, in today’s newsbites… There was recently a march for wildlife rights in Taipei. University students planned it, and over four thousand people came. They want to protect wild animals from stray dogs and cats. ________________________________ And, In Japan, the city of Kyoto is selling its old manhole covers. These heavy iron covers can be found on any street. They are beautiful works of art, and people want to collect them. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know that a day on Venus is longer than a year on Venus? This might sound strange, but it's true! Venus rotates on its axis very slowly. It takes about 243 Earth days to complete one rotation, which is a day on Venus. However, Venus orbits the Sun faster than it spins on its axis. It takes only about 225 Earth days for Venus to go all the way around the Sun, which is a year on Venus. So, a single day on Venus lasts longer than an entire year on the planet! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We’ll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hello hello! You're listening to a brand new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: AI translation helps travelers in Taiwan, and hibernating squirrels could help humans! And in today's Tasty Tidbit…let's talk about a food that never goes bad! Keep on listening to find out what is it, at the end of the episode! ________________________________ AI幫助來台灣的遊客 AI Helps Tourists in Taiwan Traveling to a new country is super exciting! But sometimes there's a challenge: language barriers (語言障礙). Language barriers make it tricky (困難) to ask for directions, find out about cool places, or even order food. You might use hand gestures (手勢), draw pictures, or even try a few words in the local language. But what if there was an easier way to communicate (溝通) while exploring new places? Imagine being able to chat in your own language and get all the information you need! 想像一下，用自己的語言交談，並且獲得你需要的所有訊息！ That's what's starting to happen in Taiwan, and it's making traveling a lot smoother (順暢) for visitors. The Tourism Administration is putting in special kiosks (機台) that can talk in different languages to help visitors. This is great news for people coming from other countries. The Tourism Administration is doing this because they expect lots of visitors next year - about 12 million! 觀光署預計明年會有很多外來遊客 - 大約1200萬人！ They want to make sure everyone can get help and information easily, even if they speak English, Japanese, or Korean. Usually, information counters have people who speak different languages, but they can't be there all the time. 通常，旅遊詢問台有會說不同語言的人，但他們不可能一直在那裡。 So, these new kiosks use artificial intelligence (人工智能), to understand different languages. They work any time, so visitors can always get help. These kiosks are not only helpful; they also show how advanced Taiwan's technology is. 這些機台不僅實用，還展示了台灣的先進技術。 The AI is so good, it's like talking to a professional interpreter (專業翻譯員) with three years of experience! The kiosks also use cool transparent screens (透明螢幕) and super-fast 5G internet to make the conversation feel real. Right now, you can find these kiosks at Taipei International Airport and Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei City. If people like them, they will put more kiosks in other airports and 13 scenic areas (風景區). They're even planning to add more languages in the future. This is a big step to make visiting Taiwan easier and more fun for everyone! ________________________________ 北極松鼠幫助科學家研究人類健康 Scientists Study Arctic Squirrels' to Help Humans Animals in the wild have developed some special skills to survive and thrive in their environments. 野生動物為了在自然環境中生存和繁衍，發展出了一些特殊技能。 For example, cats can see really well in the dark. Octopuses can change colors. And in the freezing Arctic, ground squirrels have a superpower. When winter comes, they don't just sleep - they lower their body temperature to freezing levels (把體溫降到冰點) and stay like that for up to eight months! This is called hibernation (冬眠). Scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying these amazing squirrels. They want to understand how these Arctic ground squirrels can sleep in such cold temperatures and wake up just fine in spring. 他們想弄明白這些松鼠如何在超低溫中睡覺，然後春天醒來時毫髮無損。 This could help humans too, especially in treating injuries and diseases (傷痛和疾病). Here's how these squirrels hibernate: They go into a deep sleep (深度睡眠狀態) called 'torpor.' Their heart beats very slowly, and they breathe only once a minute. 它們的心跳非常慢，一分鐘只呼吸一次。 They can stay super cold for weeks! But then they warm up a little bit to make important things their bodies need, like glucose and immune cells (葡萄糖和免疫細胞). Scientists think if they can learn how squirrels do this, they might create medicines to help humans. For example, people with brain injuries could benefit. 腦部受傷的人可能會受益。 Lowering body temperature can slow down brain damage (減緩腦部損傷). So, if scientists can find a way to safely lower human body temperatures, it could help treat injuries like strokes (中風). The scientists are also excited because this could help astronauts too. Imagine astronauts sleeping like these squirrels on long space trips! The research is still going on. And it might take years before humans can hibernate like these squirrels do. But it's exciting to think of all the possibilities! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The Tourism Administration is putting in special kiosks that can talk in different languages to help visitors. They want to make sure everyone can get help and information easily, even if they speak English, Japanese, or Korean. If people like them, they will put more kiosks in airports and 13 scenic areas. ________________________________ And, Scientists at the University of Alaska Fairbanks are studying Arctic ground squirrels. They want to understand how these squirrels hibernate. This could help humans in treating injuries and diseases, or in planning long space trips! ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit When we buy food, we often check the expiration date (有效日期) on the package to make sure it's still good to eat. Most foods have an expiration date because they might not be safe to eat or taste good after some time. But there's one food that doesn't have this problem: honey! Natural honey that is properly preserved will not expire. People have found honey in very old Egyptian tombs, more than 3,000 years old, and it's still good to eat! Honey lasts so long because it doesn't have much water and it's very acidic. That makes it hard for bacteria to live in honey. Bees also add an enzyme (酵素), and that helps keep honey good for a very long time. So, honey is not just tasty, it's also amazing because it can last for years and years and years! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news, The sound of music, but not after 10pm, and a comeback from extinction. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: We've got a great place to get some peace and quiet. We'll tell you all about it at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 北市住宅區禁夜間音樂商業行為 Taipei Bans Music for Business after 10PM in Residential Areas We know pollution is bad for the environment and our health. But we often forget about one type of pollution…noise pollution. During daytime, we hear a lot of noises. Some of those noises come from traffic, construction, and the sounds of people going to work or school. But at night, some of those noises are very annoying (令人困擾). That noise pollution can make it hard for us to sleep. The World Health Organization says night noise levels should be less than 40 decibels (dB 分貝). That's about the sound of a quiet library. According to a study, around 30% of people who live in Taipei deal with noise levels of 45 dB at night. That is the legal limit for night noise. Some of these night noises come from restaurants. In Taipei City, many restaurants and cafes are in lanes and alleys. They're often on the 1st floor of residential buildings (住宅). Sometimes this noise can bother people who live nearby. In the first 10 months of this year, the city government got more than 1,500 complaints about noise caused by restaurants. More than half of these restaurants were in residential areas (住宅區). When the government checks the noise level, the levels are not over the legal limit. But people living nearby still say the noise level is too high. So, the city government is now changing laws. Now, businesses in residential areas are not allowed to play music after 10pm. This includes using music equipment, like amplifiers (擴大器) and speakers (喇叭). 台北市環保局禁止住宅區晚上10點至隔日上午8點播放音樂致妨礙安寧的商業行為。 If a business does not follow the law, it could be fined between $3,000 and $30,000 NT. The law applies to restaurants, bars, cafes, convenience stores, and other shops. And things that make noise are not allowed, such as using a leaf blower (吹葉機) or other cleaning work. People can make a report to the city's citizen hotline, if someone breaks the law. ________________________________ 渡渡鳥有望復活？ "De-Extincting" the Dodo Humans have come a long way as a species. But we have also caused damage to the ecosystem. Over the past few centuries, many species have gone extinct. As we need more land, we cut down forests. And cutting down forests makes animal species go extinct even faster. The dodo bird (渡渡鳥) was discovered in the 1500s. Less than 80 years after it was discovered, it was wiped off the surface of the Earth. But now, scientists have a plan to bring them back. A genetic engineering company named Colossal Biosciences is working closely with top researchers. They want to "de-extinct" (復活) the dodo. Scientists need to figure out the Dodo's genetic information, also known as a genome (基因組). But the bird is extinct. So scientists will study the genome of the Nicobar pigeon. The pigeon is the Dodo's closest living relative. By doing this, scientists hope to rebuild the Dodo's genetic code. If they are successful, they will then use genetically-modified (基因改造) chickens to breed real dodos. The dodo is not the only species on the "De-Extinction" list. The company is also trying to bring back woolly mammoths (長毛象). They are using DNA from frozen mammoths to reengineer the genome of an Asian elephant. In their labs, they're searching for ways to grow a mammoth calf. The company says its work could prevent extinction of other species. Some endangered species only have a few animals left. This means they don't have genetic diversity (基因多樣性). This makes boosting the population very challenging. The company says its gene-editing techniques could help increase genetic diversity. And its breeding techniques could help increase the number of young born. All these ideas could save endangered species. The company says it could successfully breed a live mammoth in 2028. 或許，我們有一天真的能見到活生生的恐龍。 ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The Taipei City government has changed the law, and now businesses in residential areas are not allowed to play music after 10pm. If a business does not follow the law, it could be fined between $3,000 and $30,000 NT. The law applies to restaurants, bars, cafes, convenience stores, and other shops. ________________________________ And… A genetic engineering company named Colossal Biosciences wants to "de-extinct" the dodo. The dodo is not the only species on the "De-Extinction" list. The company is also trying to bring back woolly mammoths. And the company says its work could prevent extinction of other species. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Today's tasty tidbit will awe you into silence. Imagine a room so quiet, you can almost hear your own heartbeat. Deep within the Microsoft headquarters in Washington, lies the world's quietest room. This room is designed to absorb almost all sound waves. It has a sound level of minus-9 decibels. That's quieter than even your own breath! Scientists use this room to test equipment. If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun… And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: Gold-winning chocolate, and the world's rarest lobster And in today's Tasty Tidbit… We're having fun with food today. Hear all about it at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 台灣巧克力師勇奪世界巧克力大賽冠軍 Taiwan Chocolatier Bags Gold Medals at International Contest It's the sweet taste of victory! A Taiwan chocolatier has won many prizes at an international competition. Queenie Wu took part in the International Chocolate Awards World Final earlier this month. The competition (比賽) was held in Florence, Italy. Judges tried to find the best chocolate in the world. Everyone in the final had won competitions in their country. Wu was invited to the final after winning silver and bronze in the Asia-Pacific regional contest. And she did very well at the final in Italy. Queenie won three gold medals, two silvers, one bronze, and six special prizes! Many of the chocolates she made for the competition had flower flavors or fruit puree (果泥). One of her gold-winning chocolates was called "Comfort chocolate bar - Jasmine & Strawberry". 今年吳葵妮製作的野薑花、埔里玫瑰、茉莉花、青芒果等等花果口味全部得獎。 Queenie says using fresh fruit for her chocolates was very challenging. She says most of the time, frozen puree is used to make fruit jelly in chocolates. And every fruit has different amounts of fiber, water, and sugar. It took her a year to find the best way to use fresh fruit. Queenie說新鮮花朵和水果，每種纖維質含量、甜度和水份都不同，這些都會影響巧克力的味道。 This is the third year in a row that Queenie has won gold at the world finals. She said she chose to use flowers in her chocolates to show the power of women. Queenie says many chocolate-makers are men, and she wants to be a voice for women. She hopes her success can encourage other women to get into the chocolate business. ________________________________ 漁民捕獲罕見雌雄同體「雙色」龍蝦 The Rarest Lobster in the World Bowie the lobster is all kinds of rare. In fact, many say Bowie is the rarest lobster in the world! Bowie is a split-color lobster. Half of its body, from head to tail is blue. And the other half is red. AND… Bowie is also half-male, and half-female! The blue side is male, and the red side is female. How does that even happen?! Well, Bowie was caught by a fisherman in the US. The fisherman noticed right away that the lobster was two different colors. And his friend shared many videos about the lobster on social media. People online suggested that the lobster be named Bowie, after pop star David Bowie. Other names were also suggested, like "Two-Face", "50 Percent" and "Lobstery McLobsterface". Soon, Bowie became internet famous! But how rare is a lobster like Bowie? American lobsters can be blue, green, brown, orange, and red. Their color is determined by (取決於) their genes and the food they eat. But most of the time, their body is just one color. Experts say 1 out of 50 million lobsters may be bicolored. 專家說這種先天基因變異的「雙色龍蝦」，捕獲率只有5000萬分之1。 Scientists say this is because of mutations (突變) that happen before the lobster is born. And they say many bicolored lobsters are both male and female. BUT, scientists say that if Bowie were to be cooked… It would turn red, just like any other lobster. 雖然Bowie是雙色龍蝦，但只要經過烹煮，甲殼上的顏色就會跟所有其他的龍蝦一樣消失，變成紅色。 So what's next for Bowie? It is being kept as a pet for now. It may be hard for Bowie to survive in the wild, because it looks so different from other lobsters. And its owner wants to find out if Bowie can lay eggs. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Taiwan chocolatier Queenie Wu has won many prizes at the International Chocolate Awards World Final. She won three gold medals, two silvers, one bronze, and six special prizes! Many of the chocolates she made for the competition had flower flavors or fruit puree. ________________________________ And, Bowie is a half-blue, half-red lobster. And Bowie is also half-male, and half-female! It is being kept as a pet for now. And its owner wants to find out if Bowie may lay eggs. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Today's Tasty Tidbit is so good, we could just eat it up! Let's hear it. What did one slice of bread say to the other before a fight? "You're toast"! And here's 12-year-old Bonnie from Sin Bi Elementary School in Chiayi County, with an interesting fact about a new type of snack. *** If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. Tune in again next time, for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's news: CUSTOMS OFFICERS, and THE MISSION TO MARS. And in today's Tasty Tidbit: The world's oldest eating tool (世界上最古老的餐具). Keep on listening to learn more! Without further ado, let's begin. ________________________________ 機場海關揭示一宗重大的毒品 Airport customs reveal a major drug bust Most countries have a customs service (海關). It is run by customs officers (海關官員). They are responsible for checking goods to make sure nothing or illegal dangerous enters or leaves the country. 他們負責檢查行李和貨物，以確保沒有危險或違法的物品進入跟出境。 They work mostly at ports, airports and border checkpoints between countries. 他們主要在港口、機場和邊境管制站工作。 They are most commonly seen at airports, inspecting passengers' luggage. 他們最常見於機場檢查旅客的行李。 Have you ever been stopped by a customs officer before? 你有沒有被海關人員攔查過？ No, I haven't. Well, I have. It was because I forgot to put my toothpaste into a plastic bag. 是因為我忘了把牙膏放在小塑膠袋裏。 Luckily, I was not arrested. Thanks for that, Jake. Anyway … some customs officers use sniffer dogs (嗅探犬). Sniffer dogs are very clever. They are able to sniff luggage and containers to detect if there are any bad stuff, like drugs and weapons, hidden inside. I wonder if they used sniffer dogs to bust Bald Head's drug operation. Excuse me? Did you not hear about 'Bald Head' and his two accomplices (幫兇)? Uhh… Well, let me tell you more. Sometimes, criminals give themselves nicknames to keep their real names secret. 有時候，犯罪團夥的成員會給自己取綽號，以避免洩露真實姓名。 The big boss, or 老大, of a drug cartel (販毒集團), gave himself the nickname 'Bald Head' (光頭). Okay… Customs officers recently found two people trying to bring drugs into Taiwan. 最近海關官員揭示兩個嘗試走私毒品入境的人。 They hid drugs inside containers labeled as protein powder. 這兩個人把毒品藏在標示為蛋白質粉的容器內。 After the police questioned them, the two individuals said they were working for someone called 'Bald Head.' So where is 'Bald Head' now? At the moment, I'm afraid 'Bald Head' is still at large. 目前為止，恐怕光頭大老逍遙法外！ He is wanted by five different police stations. 五所不同的警察局正在追蹤他。 ________________________________ 日本火星衛星探測器發射時間將推遲至2026年度 Japan Postpones Launch of Mars Moon Probe to 2026 You've heard of Mars, right, Nancy? 南熙，你聽說過火星吧？ Yes, I have. Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system. 火星是太陽系中距離太陽第四遠的行星。 That's correct. Now, our planet Earth has just one moon. But did you know that Mars has two moons? 地球只有一顆衛星，火星則有兩顆。 Two moons? Yup. Pretty cool, huh? Their names are Phobos and Deimos. 它們的名字分別是火衛一和火衛二。 Now, you may be wondering why I'm bringing up the subject of Mars and its two moons. It seems a bit random, doesn't it? Especially after hearing about the Bald Head story. Randomness is aplenty in my scripts. Anyway, you might have heard in the news recently … Japan plans to launch a probe to both of Mars' moons to collect soil samples (土壤樣本). Most space missions focus on studying Mars itself, not its moons. 大部分的太空探索任務主要集中於研究火星本身，而非其衛星。 However, Japan delayed the launch of its Mars moon probe by two years. 不過，日本將火星衛星探測器發射時間延期兩年。 為甚麼？ The reason is that their H3 rocket (火箭) failed in March. Before space probes go to their destination, they have to be lifted off the Earth quickly. We use carrier rockets (運載火箭) to accomplish this. Carrier rockets can travel very fast. They typically reach speeds between 25-thousand and 40-thousand kilometers per hour. 運載火箭通常達到時速二萬五千至四萬公里的速度。 That's 83 to 133 times faster than the top speed of Taiwan High Speed Rail! 這比台灣高鐵的全速快83到133倍！ When a carrier rocket is flying, equipment detaches and continues into space, while the rocket falls back to Earth. 當運載火箭飛行時，設備會自行分離並繼續往太空前行，而火箭則會墜回地球。 If a carrier rocket isn't foolproof, there's no way to leave Earth. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… …we talked about customs officers and what they do. They are responsible for checking goods to make sure nothing dangerous enters or leaves the country. Some customs officers use sniffer dogs. And… Japan postpones the launch of their Mars Moon Probe to 2026. This is because their H3 rocket failed in March. Carrier rockets are used to send things like satellites and probes into space. 運載火箭被用來把衛星和探測器等物品送入太空。 ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit And in today's tasty tidbit… The oldest eating tool is probably the knife. People have used knives to cut and prepare food for thousands of years. At first, knives were likely made of stones. Never in my life have I used a stone to cut anything… Neither have I… If you have a fun fact, a joke or interesting news story you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode. We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hey everybody, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's stories… Motorcycle drivers want to use Taiwan's highways, and breakdancers help kids in Gaza. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…do you know about collective nouns? Keep on listening to learn more about all of these! ________________________________ 重機騎士想要上國道 Motorcyclists Want to Use National Highways What's that sound? Woah, check out those heavy motorcycles (重機)! Motorcycles, eh? You mean like scooters (機車)? Kind of. Motorcycles and scooters both have two wheels. But a heavy motorcycle is much bigger. And its engine is more powerful. So they're not scooters. 重機比機車更強大。 Does that mean you can drive them on the highway, like a car? Not exactly. And many motorcyclists think that's a problem. Recently they had a protest (抗議示威) in Taipei. It was on the street outside of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, or MOTC (交通部). Hundreds of motorcycles showed up. All down the road, you could hear these big bikes revving their engines. 一路上都能聽到重機引擎的聲音。 Thousands of other people came to support them, too. What did they want? They want to be able to use national highways. It all has to do with Taiwan's road laws (交通規則). The MOTC says anyone can use smaller roads. But scooters and motorcycles can't use the big national freeways (國道). They can't really use provincial highways (省道), either. In the past, people thought it was too dangerous to let motorcycles on these high-speed roads (高速公路). But motorcyclists say it is actually safer. If they can't use the highways, they often have to take small, dark mountain roads, which may be unsafe. 重機如果不能上公路，必須走又小又黑的山路，這可能不安全。 They also want the government to change some other laws for heavy motorcycles. They want to be able to turn like cars, and to park in more places. So how did the government (政府) respond to these protests? The MOTC says it is not ready to talk about changing the law. They say most people still don't want motorcycles on national highways. 交通部回應，大多數人民還不希望重機上國道。 The protesters were not happy (不滿) with this answer. They say they will keep spreading their message, until they get a chance to change the law. ________________________________ 地板舞者幫助加沙的孩子 Breakdancers Help Kids of Gaza Have you ever seen breakdancing (地板舞)? It's a really cool activity. Imagine someone dancing with a lot of energy, jumping, flipping, and spinning on the floor. That's breakdancing. It's popular all over the world, even in Gaza (加沙). That's part of Palestine, in the Middle East. 加沙是中東巴勒斯坦的一部分。 Maybe you heard about Gaza in the news. There's a war going on there, and many people are trapped. That includes two breakdancers, Ahmed and Karim. 由於戰爭，許多人被困在加沙，包括兩個舞者Ahmed跟Karim。 When the war started, they could not leave Gaza. At first, they spent five days hiding in their houses. When Ahmed and Karim came out, they saw many homes were destroyed. They also saw the kids from those homes were now living in camps. 許多房屋被摧毀了，許多孩子必須住在難民營裡。 They noticed how hard it was for the kids, and decided to do something about it. Ahmed and Karim got together with their friends and started a group called the Camp Breakerz Crew. They go to the camps, and teach breakdancing. 地板舞隊去給難民孩子舉行跳舞活動。 The families and kids gather in a big circle to watch. The Camp Breakerz Crew teaches the kids how to do jumps and flips. The kids can learn how to spin on the floor (在地上旋轉). Everyone is excited, and many kids want to try the dance moves. Ahmed says it makes him feel good. He says "When I see this number of children and families around me, I feel a sense of responsibility (責任感)." He also says "To see the children respond is a pleasure. It makes me feel proud (自豪感)." He knows his group is really helping the kids of Gaza. It's not just for fun, either. Ahmad says breakdancing gives them the energy to stay strong and focused. Karim adds that the dancing helps the kids relieve stress. 他們說跳舞給大家力量並有助於緩解壓力。 The war is still going on today, and many kids are still stuck in Gaza. But Ahmed and Karim are there helping. The Camp Breakerz Crew will keep on dancing, no matter what. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Motorcycle riders had a protest in Taipei. They want to change the laws, so they can ride heavy motorcycles on highways. They say it is safer, but the government says that most people don't want that. ________________________________ And, A group in Gaza is teaching kids how to breakdance. The Camp Breakerz Crew helps kids whose homes have been destroyed in the war. They say breakdancing can help the kids of Gaza stay strong and relieve stress. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know that groups of animals have some really funny names? The names of groups are called "collective nouns." There are many animals that have really interesting collective nouns! Here are some of my favorites: A group of flamingos is called a "flamboyance." Imagine them showing off their bright pink feathers! And what about a group of crows? They're called a "murder" of crows, but don't worry, they're not as scary as it sounds. Have you ever heard of a "parliament" of owls? It's like they're having a wise old meeting in the trees. And let's not forget a "crash" of rhinos - sounds like a noisy bunch! Do you know about other funny collective nouns? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun… And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: 3D printing helps cancer patients, and hot pot oil makes planes fly. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Learning English does take some work, but learn this one word, and you can use it in hundreds of different ways! Hear all about it at the end of the episode. ________________________________ 3D列印口顎彌補物 Taiwan's First 3D-printed Prosthetic Jaw. 3D printing is used a lot in making prosthetics (義肢). In the past, making prosthetics was very expensive. They had to be custom-made for every user. Each user's prosthetic was different. It took a lot of time and effort. But now, 3D printing helps make prosthetics in a much shorter time. And they can be made with very detailed specifications (規格). Recently, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI 工研院) and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital (KVGH 高雄榮總) worked together on a project. They developed Taiwan's first 3D-printed prosthetic jaw. The prosthetic jaw would help oral cancer patients (口腔癌病患). Some experts say around 10,000 people in Taiwan are diagnosed (診斷) with oral cancer every year. Around 60% of these people have to undergo reconstructive (重建) surgery of their jaw. This type of surgery usually involves using the patient's leg bone to build back the jaw. But doing this means it can be harder for the patient to move around after the surgery. And the shape of the leg bone is very different from the jaw bone. This means patients will look different. And it could change the way they eat and speak. Many patients who had this surgery could only eat liquid food (流質食物). Now, all this may change because of 3D printing. ITRI and KVGH made a 3D-printed jaw using titanium (鈦金屬). ITRI tested the jaw more than 500 million times. They had to check the "bite" of the jaw, to make sure the jaw fitted and worked properly. Testing began in 2019, and there are currently 9 patients who are using the 3D-printed jaws. None of these nine patients complained of their device coming loose. 超過50%的病患已經恢復咀嚼的能力。 ________________________________ 火鍋廢油飛上天 Leftover Hot Pot Oil Gets Second Life as Aviation Fuel Did you know that oil from your hot pot could power a plane? That is exactly what the Sichuan Jinshang Environmental Technology company is doing. They collect leftover hot pot oil. Then they export it to be turned into aviation (航空) fuel. The city of Chengdu (成都) produces 150,000 tons (公噸) of leftover oil each year. The company collects the oil from various restaurants around the city. At the restaurant, the leftover oil is first poured into a special filter (過濾器) that separates oil from water. Then, collectors arrive to pick up the cans of red grease. The oil is sent to Jinshang's treatment plant (處理廠) on the outskirts of the city. There, the oil is further refined (精煉) to get rid of impurities (雜質) and water. The oil becomes a yellowish industrial-grade oil. That oil is then sent to clients that further process it into "sustainable aviation fuel." (SAF 永續航空燃料) SAFs can reduce CO2 emissions by 80 %. All this is part of efforts to reduce food waste. 各國政府也在努力減少食物的浪費。 We can all do more to help cut food waste, if we avoid buying or ordering more food than we can eat. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The Industrial Technology Research Institute and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital have made Taiwan's first 3D-printed prosthetic jaw. The prosthetic jaw would help oral cancer patients. Testing began in 2019, and there are currently 9 patients who are using the 3D-printed jaws. ________________________________ And, A company in China is turning leftover hot pot oil into aviation fuel. SAFs can reduce CO2 emissions by 80 %. All this is part of efforts to reduce food waste. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit In today's Tasty Tidbit, the word with the most meanings in English is only three letters long! According to the Guinness World Records, the word "set" has the most meanings in the English language. It has 430 different meanings, listed in the dictionary! It can be used as a noun, a verb, an adjective, or an adverb. For example, you could say "I set my alarm clock", or "He's set for life", or "The sun set over the horizon". But another three-letter word also has hundreds of meanings…"run"! For example, "The dog runs away", or "The government runs the country", or "The river runs through the valley". Which English words boggle your mind? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. Tune in again next time, for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! Welcome to a whole new episode of News Bites. I'm Jacob Ingram. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news: Two new spiders discovered in Taiwan, and Mexico's mission to save axolotls. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…the world's smallest mammal! Keep on listening to learn more! Let's get into it. ________________________________ 台灣發現兩種新蜘蛛 Two New Spiders Found in Taiwan Spiders are fascinating creatures. There are over 40,000 different kinds of spiders around the world. They have eight legs and belong to a group called arachnids, which include scorpions and ticks. 蜘蛛屬於一個叫做節肢動物的大家族，這個家族還包括蠍子和壁蝨。 Spiders are known for spinning webs (結網), their unique way of moving, and sometimes, their spooky appearances (恐怖的外觀). And guess what? Scientists in Taiwan have discovered two new spider species (品種) in the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島)! The first one is called the Parilarilao trapdoor spider (巴利澤敖海穴蛛). This spider lives in intertidal zones (潮間帶), and builds special nests with trap doors (帶陷阱門的巢穴). They're cleverly designed so they don't get flooded when the tide comes in. 它們的設計非常巧妙，潮水漲潮時不會被淹沒。 These spiders only show themselves when it's time to catch food. The name "parilarilao" comes from an indigenous word. It means "living at the end of Taiwan." The second new spider is the Taiwanese tree-dwelling wolf spider (樹穴狼蛛). Unlike most wolf spiders, these live in trees. And they are quite big, over 2 centimeters! They were found in tree holes in various parts of southern and eastern Taiwan. Its scientific name "Hogna arborea" combines "wolf spider" and "living on trees." The team of scientists comes from the Endemic Species Research Institute (生物多樣性研究所). They worked for years together with local universities and international experts to confirm these spiders as new species. They collected lots of spiders, studied their DNA, and compared them to other spiders from around the world. 他們收集了很多蜘蛛標本，研究它們的DNA，並將它們與世界各地的其他蜘蛛進行比較。 These discoveries are exciting because they add to Taiwan's rich biodiversity (生物多樣性). Who knows what other fascinating creatures are waiting to be found? ________________________________ 拯救墨西哥鈍口螈 Axolotl Rescue Mission Speaking of fascinating creatures… Have you heard of axolotls (墨西哥鈍口螈)? In Mexico, scientists are worried about this unique salamander (獨特的蠑螈). They're asking people to help save these amazing creatures. Unlike other salamanders, axolotls live in water all their lives. They have long bodies, short legs, and tails. What's really cool about them is their ability to heal themselves. 真正酷的是它們的自我療癒能力。 They can even regrow parts of their heart or brain! 它們甚至能夠再生心臟或大腦的部分！ Unfortunately, axolotls are endangered (瀕臨滅絕). Their numbers have dropped a lot, especially in Lake Xochimilco near Mexico City (墨西哥城附近的索奇米爾科湖). Years ago, there were thousands of axolotls there, but now there are only a few. The water has become dirty, and other fish are eating their food and babies. To help, scientists at Mexico's National Autonomous University started a program called "AdoptAxolotl." People can donate money (捐款) to help save the axolotls. The money goes to cleaning the lake and raising axolotls in safe places. Last year, this program was a big success. It raised over US$26,000! This year, they're doing it again. People can "adopt" (領養) an axolotl for a month with a US$30 donation. Smaller donations help buy food, and bigger ones improve the axolotl's home. 小額捐款可以幫助購買食物，大額捐款則用於改善墨西哥鈍口螈的生活環境。 Donors (捐款者) can even visit the place where axolotls are being raised. The money will support the scientists and help bring back axolotls in their natural home. The scientists also want to count how many axolotls are left in the wild. This will help them protect these incredible animals better. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Scientists in Taiwan have discovered two new spider species in the Hengchun Peninsula! The first one is called the Parilarilao trapdoor spider. The second new spider is the Taiwanese tree-dwelling wolf spider. The scientists worked for years with local universities and international experts to confirm these spiders as new species. ________________________________ And, Scientists in Mexico are worried about axolotls because they are endangered. They are unique salamanders with the special ability to heal themselves. To help, scientists started a program called "AdoptAxolotl." People can donate money to help save the axolotls, and help bring back axolotls in their natural home. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The world's smallest mammal is the bumblebee bat. Well, its actual name is Kitti's hog-nosed bat, but people also call it the bumblebee bat because it's tiny. It's so small that it can sit on your thumb! This little bat is about 1 to 1.3 inches long and has a mass of 2 grams! It lives in Thailand and Myanmar, in Southeast Asia. And it likes to live in limestone caves near rivers. This tiny bat eats insects and comes out to fly mostly at dusk. Do you know about other interesting animals? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun… And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: A warm winter, and a record-breaking wig. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… What English words do you use all the time? We've got the one that's used the most! Stay tuned to find out more. ________________________________ 今年迎接暖冬 Taiwan to See Warm and Humid Winter Winter is coming. But you may have to PUT AWAY your warm winter coat. This year's winter in Taiwan might be a bit different. The Central Weather Administration says the coming winter will be warmer and wetter than usual. 中央氣象署預估今年冬季和春季「氣溫偏暖、雨量偏多」。 That's because of something called El Nino. El Nino is a weather pattern. It happens when parts of the Pacific Ocean get warmer. This warmer water can change the weather all over the world, including in Taiwan. 氣象署說，聖嬰現象的反氣旋環流，會導致北方的寒冷空氣比較不容易向南到台灣。 The CWA says that temperatures in Taiwan this winter will be about 18-20 degrees Celsius in December. Then in January, it will be about 16-19 degrees. And in February, it will be about 17-19 degrees. That's a bit warmer than usual! It will also be wetter than usual. The CWA says that rainfall in December will be about the same as in past years. But there will be more rain in January and February. So, maybe keep your umbrella and raincoat handy for this winter! ________________________________ 奈及利亞假髮師打造世界最長假髮 How Long is the World's Longest Wig? Hair's something that will amaze you! Imagine a wig so long, it could stretch over seven Olympic-sized swimming pools! That's exactly what Helen Williams made! She is a wig maker from Lagos, Nigeria. And she made a wig that's a whopping 351 meters long! Making this amazing wig took Helen 11 days. She used 1,000 bundles of hair. She also needed 12 cans of hairspray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips! All in all, she spent almost $2,500 US dollars. Helen Williams花了11天時間，製作了一頂351公尺長的假髮，成功打破金氏世界紀錄。 Helen has been making wigs for eight years. She makes up to 300 wigs per week. That's a lot of wigs! Helen said that it wasn't easy to find the materials (材料) to make the wig. Still, her experience as a wig maker helped her. She also said that she felt exhausted sometimes. But her friends and family encouraged her to keep going. Helen 說做這頂假髮的過程中，有時候會感到筋疲力盡，但是朋友和家人都鼓勵她，幫助她保持專注。 Helen's perseverance paid off! Her wig is now the longest handmade wig in the world. It's kept in her office, and people can come see it whenever they want. What an amazing achievement! Helen's story is an inspiration to everyone. She showed that dreams can come true, no matter how big or small, or LONG they are. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The Central Weather Administration says the coming winter will be warmer and wetter than usual. That's because of the weather pattern, El Nino. The CWA says that temperatures in Taiwan this winter will be about 18-20 degrees Celsius in December. Then in January, it will be about 16-19 degrees. And in February, it will be about 17-19 degrees. That's a bit warmer than usual! It will also be wetter than usual. So, maybe keep your umbrella and raincoat handy for this winter! ________________________________ And, Helen Williams, a wig maker from Nigeria, made a wig that's 351 meters long! It could stretch over seven Olympic-sized swimming pools! Making this amazing wig took Helen 11 days. She used 1,000 bundles of hair. She also needed 12 cans of hairspray, 35 tubes of hair glue, and 6,250 hair clips! All in all, she spent almost $2,500 US dollars. Her wig is now the longest handmade wig in the world. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit In today's Tasty Tidbit, the word "I" is the most used word in the English language. We use it all the time to talk about ourselves. For example, you could say "I love to learn English," "I'm going to the store," or "I hope you have a nice day." Can you guess what's the second most used word is? It's "the"! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. Tune in again next time, for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's stories… Searching for staff, and solving the Sphinx mystery. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Here's what happens when AI takes over! Stay tuned. ________________________________ 旅宿業缺工 Hotels Facing Staff Shortage More people are traveling nowadays. That's because the COVID-19 pandemic has eased (減低、緩解) This means now, there is more demand for accommodation (住宿), especially during holidays. But there is also a huge shortage (短缺) of workers. During the pandemic, many hotel workers were laid off. But now, many workers do not want to go back. They have found new jobs, and do not want to return to the hospitality industry (旅宿業). Some data shows that many hotels are 30 percent short of workers. Others are 70 percent short of workers in the housekeeping department (房務). So many hotels have changed their check-in time, from 3pm to 5pm. Some say that working in hotel housekeeping is very tiring. And some say the pay is not high enough. 有些學者說低薪才是招不到員工的主因。 Other workers say there isn't a high chance of getting a promotion (升遷). The government is thinking about turning to migrant workers (移工) to help the shortage. Officials also suggested that hotels can hire more middle-aged women and elderly workers. They say employers need to change their mindset and give these workers a chance. Other officials say the hotel industry does hire such workers. But they say many are not interested in working in the industry. Whatever the reason, everyone is hoping to find a solution to the problem. Or customers may have to keep waiting a little longer to check in. ________________________________ 人面獅身像不是埃及人蓋的？ Wind May Have Helped Sculpt Egypt’s Famous Sphinx. A Sphinx is a creature from myths (神話). It is a being with the head of a human and the body of a lion. A very famous statue of a sphinx, is the Great Sphinx of Giza. The statue was made 4,500 years ago. It is one of the largest sculptures (雕像) in the world. Archeologists (考古學家) have wondered how it was made for a long time. It was carved from one giant piece of limestone (石灰岩). Experts now think a natural rock formation may be the sculpture’s foundation (底座). These rock formations are known as “Yardang” (雅丹). Yardangs are made from wind erosion (風化). When the desert wind blows sand onto the rocks, the softer parts erode (被侵蝕). And the harder parts stay. A team of researchers in New York tested this theory. They took a mound of clay and stuck it inside harder materials. Then they ran a stream of water over it. Slowly, a sphinx-like shape appeared. The harder material became the head. And other "parts" also developed. 這項實驗結果指出，人面獅身像的形狀或許是大自然的傑作。 So the scientists think this may have been the first step for making the Sphinx. Then ancient highly-skilled craftsmen worked on the rock to create the details. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The hospitality industry is facing a shortage of workers. Many workers do not want to go back. Some data shows that many hotels are 30 percent short of workers. Others are 70 percent short of workers in the housekeeping department. ________________________________ And, Experts have a new theory about how the Great Sphinx of Giza was made. They believe a natural rock formation may be the sculpture’s foundation. Then ancient highly-skilled craftsmen worked on the rock to create the details. But the Sphinx is still a mystery in many ways. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit In today's Tasty Tidbit, artificial intelligence may be super smart, but does it have our awesome sense of humor? This is a good one…you ready? A husband told his wife, “Did you know Old McDonald’s farm has been taken over by Artificial Intelligence?” Wife: AI? Husband: AI. Wife: Oh. And now, 14-year-old Kenny from Tucheng Junior High School has a few thoughts on artificial intelligence. < [CLIP] Slug: > Do you think AI is a tool or a danger? If you have a fun fact or a joke you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi everyone, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun… And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's news: The hidden dangers of hotpot, and fighting rising waters. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… What would you say if you met an alien? Hear all about it at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 北市抽檢火鍋料，5分之1不合格 Hotpot Ingredients Fail Inspections. Taiwan is known for its delicious delicacies (美食). One of these tasty treats is hotpot. Taiwan has many different types of hotpot. Many people enjoy eating hotpot, especially when the weather gets cold. Going to a hotpot restaurant is convenient. We don't have to get the ingredients, or clean up afterwards. But is the food safe or healthy? The Taipei Department of Health recently finished a random inspection (隨機抽查) of hotpot ingredients. They chose 55 items to test. They checked for pesticide residue (農藥殘留), food additives (食品添加物) and other harmful substances. They include 15 types of vegetables, 15 frozen processed foods, 10 meat products, 5 seafood items, 5 soybean products and 5 peanut powders. Five vegetables were found with pesticide residue levels over the legal limit. Two peanut powder items had excessive (過多的) levels of aflatoxins. Three tofu products contained benzoic acid, a preservative (防腐劑). Most of the items that failed the inspections were taken from well-known hotpot restaurants. Out of the 3 tofu items, 2 had no labels or information on the company that made the food. The restaurants using those tofu items were each fined $30,000 NT. All these items have been removed from the shelves. The restaurants' branches (分店) now have to check if they use the same supplier. This problem is not only found in restaurants. Experts say excessive pesticides can also be found on the vegetables that we buy to take home. Fruits and vegetables have to be washed with running water. Then they have to be soaked for 10 to 20 minutes, then washed again with running water. 專家們建議消費者向有良好商譽的商家購買食品。 Authorities also urge farmers to use pesticides appropriately (適當) to lower excessive residues. Hot pot is delicious, but we should also pay attention to the quality of the food we eat. ________________________________ 馬爾地夫建造人工島嶼 Maldives Building Islands as Sea Levels Rise Global warming is a serious problem that the world has to face. And it is more dangerous for some countries than others. The rise in global temperature has caused glaciers (冰河) and ice sheets (冰原) to melt into the ocean. This causes the water level of the ocean to rise over the years. According to statistics, the sea level has risen about 21 to 24 cm since 1880. Some experts say that by the end of the century, the sea level is going to rise at least 30 centimeters. This threatens low-lying (低窪) areas, especially island countries. Maldives is an island in the Indian Ocean. Many people like to go there for holidays. It is famous for its white sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and vast coral reefs. Sadly, this island paradise is in danger because of the rising sea level. 80% of the country is less than 1 meter above sea level. If ocean waters keep rising, the Maldives could become completely submerged (沈沒). The former president of the country wanted to buy land in neighboring countries. He warned that citizens might need to move to another place. The current president Mohamed Muizzu has promised that they would survive. He says the Maldives can work on land reclamation (填海造地) and building the island higher. A giant sea wall (海堤) already surrounds the capital of Maldives. The wall protects the city against the waves. The country has also built Hulhumale. It's an artificial (人造) island. The island was built 2 meters above sea level. It's designed to withstand (抵擋) the rising waters. There are also plans to build other islands and sea walls. 如果一切順利，這些計畫或許能夠拯救這些即將沈沒的島嶼。 But environmental and rights groups are warning Maldives. They say that land reclamation must be done with care. And the work must follow environmental protection laws. Maldives has a rich ocean environment. So experts and researchers are still trying to find a better solution. The best solution would save the country and protect the environment at the same time. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The Taipei Department of Health recently finished a random inspection of hotpot ingredients. Five vegetables were found with pesticide residue levels over the legal limit. And other items were found to have too much preservatives or toxins. The restaurants and manufacturers were fined. ________________________________ And, Maldives is in danger because of the rising sea level. The country built Hulhumale, an artificial island 2 meters above sea level. There are also plans to build other islands and sea walls. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Today's Tasty Tidbit is out of this world! You ready? What do aliens like to drink? "Gravi-tea"! And here's 12-year-old Danny from Shih Min Elementary School in Yilan County on what he would say to an extraterrestrial. *** If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit, to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear your voice at the end of an episode. Tune in again next time, for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! You’re listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I’m Jacob Ingram. And I’m Paz Bueno. In today’s news: Unlimited travel, and ultra-processed foods! And in today’s Tasty Tidbit… Did you know that the average temperature on the surface of the planet Venus (金星) is as hot as a wood-fired pizza oven? Keep on listening to learn more about that, coming up next! ________________________________ T-Pass將台北的交通減少7.3% T-Pass Reduces Traffic in Taipei by 7.3% Have you heard of T-Pass? 你聼說過T-Pass嗎？ Can’t say that I have. Why don’t you tell me more? It’s a monthly transport pass for northern Taiwan, granting users (使用者) unlimited travel on buses and the MRT. It even includes YouBike. Wait, did you say ‘unlimited travel’ (無限旅行)? I did indeed! 沒錯! That means you can take as many journeys as you want, without having to pay extra. And you only have to top up (加值) once per month. Gee, that’s pretty handy for getting around. 這對出遊來說非常方便。 You’ll be able to save money on travel fares too. 還可以節省旅行費用。 What’s more, is that since July 2023, over 2 million passes have been sold. This has resulted in a 7.3 percent reduction in Taipei traffic. As you may know, it’s very busy in the city, especially during rush hour. Less traffic not only eases road conditions (不僅可以緩解道路狀況), but also it’s good for the planet. With fewer vehicles on the road, there's a decrease in air pollution (空氣汙染) and greenhouse gas emissions (溫室氣體排放), contributing to a better living environment. 因交通減少而空氣汙染與溫室氣體排放量降低，藉以營造更為良好的生活環境。 Well, I better go get a T-Pass right away! 那麼我馬上去弄一張T-Pass! ________________________________ 【超加工食品】是甚麽東西？ What Are Ultra-Processed Foods? Processed foods are those that have been changed from their natural state. 加工食品是指那些經過自然狀態改變的食品。 This can involve adding artificial ingredients (化學添加). Artificial ingredients include preservatives, which is stuff to make them last longer, flavor enhancers like MSG (味精), and colorings, to name a few. 化學添加物包括可延長保存期限的防腐劑、味精等增味劑及色素等。 They can be found almost everywhere, in the supermarkets, convenience stores, and in night markets. Some examples include instant hot pot, dried noodles, convenience store bento boxes, frozen pizzas, instant ramen, and … bubble tea (珍珠奶茶). Oh man, but I like bubble tea! Ultra-processed foods, on the other hand, contain ingredients “never or rarely used in kitchens”, or stuff that make them “more appealing” (更有吸引力). For example, dou gan (豆干) contains certain chemicals to improve its texture (口感). Therefore dou gan is considered an ultra-processed food. Oh well … I guess I have to say ‘bye bye’ to Dou Gan. Some other examples include chicken nuggets, soda, French fries, and even some types of yogurt. Eating too many processed and ultra-processed foods is unhealthy (不健康). They contain things that aren’t good for our bodies. That’s why it's always a good idea have a balanced diet (均衡飲食). Eating a variety of fresh and non-processed foods is important for better health. ________________________________ So, in today’s News Bites: Over 2 million sold T-Passes has resulted in 7.3% less traffic in Taipei. This eases road conditions, and improves the environment. With fewer vehicles on the road, there's a decrease in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to a better living environment. ________________________________ And … Processed foods are foods that have been changed a bit from how they're found in nature. Ultra-processed foods contain ingredients rarely used at home, like chemical agents. Both types of foods aren’t good for our bodies, so we should try to eat less of them! Eating a variety of fresh and non-processed foods is important for better health. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Venus, often called Earth's twin, is very different from our planet. And did you know? The planet is named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty! It's extremely hot, hot enough to melt lead. Venus spins in the opposite direction to Earth, and its days are longer than its years. Long ago, Venus might have had oceans, but now it's dry and rocky. We study Venus to learn about other planets. Venus is super-hot because it has lots of carbon dioxide in its atmosphere and it's closer to the Sun, making its surface very, very hot. ________________________________ If you have a fun fact or a joke you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We’ll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's episode… A competition for land in Longtan, and a doctor who wants you to eat insects. And for today's Tasty Tidbit…a pink lake! Let's get into it. ________________________________ 科技與祠堂爭奪土地 Technology and Temples Compete for Land What is in northwestern Taiwan (台灣西北部)? This corner of the country is famous for making computer chips (電腦晶片). Many companies have factories (工廠) in Hsinchu and Taoyuan. They make some of the most advanced technology in the world. It's an important business for a small country like Taiwan. But there is something else. That place has many temples, graves and other historical sites (古蹟). Some of them are hundreds of years old, and highly important to local people. And because Taiwan is not very big, there is a competition for land. 高科技工廠和當地人爭奪台灣有限的土地。 It's new technology versus old temples. That's what happened in Longtan (龍潭). It's a beautiful area close to the mountains near Taoyuan City. Recently, a top company decided to build a new factory in Longtan. The factory would make semiconductors (半導體). The company promised it would bring money and opportunities to Longtan. The new factory would manufacture 600 billion NT worth of computer chips every year. Plus, it would provide nearly 6,000 jobs. 該工廠可以提供近6,000個就業機會。 But, they would need to buy a lot of land to build the factory. And the people who live on that land didn't want to sell it. It was their home, and their families had lived there for generations 本地人世世代代住在那裡。 These families have old temples on that land, where they pay respects to their ancestors (祭拜祖先). And their ancestors' graves (祖先的墳墓) are there, too. The company tried to change their minds, but the people just didn't want to move. Recently, the company cancelled plans for the Longtan factory. 本地人不要搬家，所以公司取消了工廠的計畫。 They said they would find a different place to build it. This kind of thing is happening all over the country. Many people are worried about it. The semiconductor industry is important for Taiwan. Plus, technology around the world depends on computer chips made in Taiwan. But, history is also important, and it cannot be replaced (無法替代). As we move into the future… …we need to find a compromise (遷就) between technology and temples. ________________________________ 科學家說我們應該吃昆蟲 Scientists Say We Should Eat Insects Do you like to eat insects? You could try some cricket cookies, or some worm flour waffles. Or do you think that sounds strange? It's true that most people rarely eat insects. A lot of people think it's yucky. But in some communities, people eat insects all the time. 有些人覺得吃昆蟲很噁心，但有些人則天天吃。 And scientists say we should all eat more insects. That's what Dr. Kelemu says. She is the director of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology. Kelumu博士是國際昆蟲生理學與生態學中心的主任。 This center in Kenya studies everything about insects. Dr. Kelumu says insects are a good food source. That's because insects are nutritious (有營養). She says they have a lot of protein (蛋白質). That means insects can give us energy. They also have lots of nutrients, like zinc and iron. 昆蟲含有鋅和鐵等營養素。 That's why more than two billion people around the world eat insects. Insects can even be used to make cooking oil (食用油). Dr. Kelumu also says that eating insects is better for the environment. It's more sustainable (可持續) than eating meat. That's because of how much food we need to feed animals. To make 1 kilogram of beef (牛肉), a cow needs to eat 25 kilograms of food. On the other hand, insects only need to eat 2.2 kilograms of food. 牛需要吃25公斤才能生產一公斤肉，而昆蟲只需要吃2.2公斤。 So we don't need to feed insects as much, to get the same amount of food. For these reasons, people should eat more insects. It's healthy for our bodies and for our planet. So, if you're willing to add insects to your diet, you could help make our world a better place. Who knows… you might even find them delicious (好吃). ________________________________ So, in today's newsbites… Two groups of people disagreed over how to use land in Taoyuan's Longtan district. A technology company wanted to build a big factory there. But the local people didn't want to sell the land where they've lived for generations. ________________________________ And, A doctor wants everyone to eat more bugs. Dr. Kelumu says insects can be a healthy part of our diet. She says eating insects is also better for the environment. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Lake Hillier is a special lake in Australia. It's famous for its bright pink color. This lake is about 600 meters long and 250 meters wide, surrounded by sand and trees. The pink color stays the same even if you take the water out of the lake. This color comes from tiny organisms living in the lake, like algae and red bacteria. An explorer first wrote about this lake in 1802. Even though the lake has lots of salt, like the Dead Sea, it's safe to swim in, but you need permission first. Do you know about other lakes around the world? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hi there! It's time for another episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's news: A plan to help take care of senior pets, and a safe space for whales. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…puzzling pine trees in Poland. Stay tuned for more on those stories, coming up next. ________________________________ 新北市規劃寵物長照醫院 New Taipei City Plans Long-Term Care Hospital for Pets When we think of pets, we often picture playful puppies and kittens. But just like people, pets grow older and sometimes need special care. As our furry friends age, they might need more help with their health (健康). This is called long-term care for pets (寵物長期照顧). It includes everything from regular check-ups at the vet to special treatments for older animals. 包括從定期在獸醫那裡檢查到為年長動物提供特殊治療的一切。 Long-term care helps our pets stay comfortable and healthy in their later years (晚年). New Taipei City is planning something special for pets. They want to build the first long-term care hospital for pets in Taiwan. It will be in Baiji Mountain, Sanxia District (三峽區的白雞山). The Animal Protection Office hopes this hospital will get private businesses to join in pet care. 動物保護處希望這家醫院能讓私人企業加入寵物照顧行業。 The hospital will offer nursing, rehabilitation, brain exercises, and special devices for pets. 醫院將提供護理、復健、腦部運動和寵物專用設備。 The city already trains people in pet care, but they need a place with professional equipment (專業設備) to teach better. The city also started a program in 2020 to certify (認證) places that take care of older pets. This new pet hospital plan in New Taipei City could mark a big step forward in animal welfare (動物福利). It could not only provide essential care (必要的照顧) for aging pets but also inspire more dedication towards long-term pet healthcare. It could ensure (確保) our beloved animal companions receive the best support in their golden years. ________________________________ 多米尼克為抹香鯨創建海洋保護區 Dominica's Ocean Home for Sperm Whales In the Caribbean Sea, there's a small island called Dominica. 在加勒比海，有一個叫做多米尼克的小島。 And this island is creating the first-ever protected ocean area for sperm whales! 這個島嶼正在創建世界上第一個為抹香鯨而設的海洋保護區！ These whales are big and rare animals that need our help. This new protected area covers almost 300 square miles of blue sea. It's a place where the sperm whales can safely live, eat, and have babies. The Prime Minister of Dominica (多米尼克的總理) says they want to keep these amazing whales safe and help our planet too. Sperm whales are good for the ocean and our climate. When they dive deep (深潛) and come back up, they poop (排泄) near the surface. Their nutrient-rich poop helps tiny ocean organisms called plankton grow. 它們富含營養的排泄物有助於微小的浮游生物的生長。 The plankton capture carbon dioxide and bring it down to the ocean floor when they die. 浮游生物會捕捉大氣中的二氧化碳，並在死亡時將其帶到海底。 And in Dominica, these whales seem to poop more than usual (比平常更多)! Scientists aren't sure why whales near Dominica poop more. They say it could be because they can find more food there, or maybe because of the type of squid they are eating. Scientists think there are fewer than 500 sperm whales around Dominica. These whales don't travel much and live together as families. They talk to each other with special clicking sounds. 它們用特殊的叫聲相互交流。 A long time ago, there were millions of sperm whales. But people hunted them for oil, so now there are much fewer, and they are endangered (面臨滅絕). The new protected area in Dominica will help them live better. It will stop big ships from hitting them and keep the whales safe. This is great news for the whales…and for us! By helping these whales, we're also taking care of our planet. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: New Taipei City is planning to build the first long-term care hospital for pets in Taiwan. The idea is to help take care of older pets and keep them healthy. City council members sent the plan to the Ministry of Agriculture for approval. ________________________________ And, The Caribbean island of Dominica is creating the first-ever protected ocean area for sperm whales! This new protected area covers almost 300 square miles of blue sea. It's a place where the sperm whales can safely live, eat, and have babies. By helping these whales, we're also taking care of our planet. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit In Poland there's a strange and wonderful place known as the Crooked Forest. There are around 400 pine trees in this forest that look like the letter J! Despite their odd shape, these trees are healthy and grow as tall as 50 feet. Some people thought there was a special kind of gravity in this area that made the trees grow bent. But that doesn't really make sense, because gravity pulls things straight down, not sideways. Another idea was that heavy snow might have pushed the young trees over when they were growing. But then, why didn't other trees nearby grow the same way? Some people say the farmers who planted these trees in 1930 did something to make them grow like this. But no one knows for sure. The people who might have known the secret of the Crooked Forest are probably not around anymore. It's a puzzle that might never be solved, but it sure makes the Crooked Forest a fascinating and mysterious place! Do you know about other mysterious places on Earth? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's stories… A big year-end party, and a special honor for K-pop stars. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Nobody likes being stuck in a traffic jam, but this one would really DRIVE you nuts. Stay tuned to find out what we mean! ________________________________ 高雄聖誕跨年嘉年華12月登場 Kaohsiung Year End Party with Fireworks Show Kaohsiung is ending the year with a big party! The Kaohsiung City government says this year, it is combining Christmas and New Year celebrations. Officials say Christmas decorations will be put up in Kaohsiung's Central Park. There will be a big reindeer that's more than 5 meters tall. And the main Christmas tree at the park will be 20 meters tall. That's about as tall as a 5-story building! The city government says there will be Christmas events there on December 22nd and 23rd. And visitors can also enjoy the Christmas market there, with more than 250 stalls and performances. Roads and shopping areas close by will also be decorated. There will be lots of Christmas lights, and a festive atmosphere (節日氣氛). Officials say the holiday fun will continue into New Year's Eve. That night, Kaohsiung will put on one of its biggest ever fireworks displays! The city government says the New Year's Eve party will start at 6:30pm on December 31st. And at midnight, everyone will see a big fireworks show that is four minutes long! Officials say that is 60 seconds longer than last year. And this time, more than 7,000 fireworks will be set off! 高雄市政府宣布，12月31日跨年晚會倒數後施放240秒跨年煙火，迎接2024年。 ________________________________ BLACKPINK獲英國皇室授勳 Blackpink Presented with Honorary MBEs Stardom for K-pop supergroup Blackpink has taken a royal turn. The UK's King Charles III gave Rose, Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa a special honor. They were made honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire. This honor is for people who have done great things for arts and sciences, or served the public. In Blackpink's case, the honor was for their work in helping fight climate change. The women were ambassadors for the COP climate change summit held in Glasgow in 2021. The king said they help "millions of young people" care more about the environment. 英王查爾斯三世頒發「大英帝國員佐勳章」給韓國女團BLACKPINK成員，表揚她們支持環保的努力。 And he said that he admires the women for working on these important issues, and being global superstars at the same time. The king gave each member a medal. This happened at a special ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace. Jennie, Jisoo, and Lisa received honorary MBEs. Rose was given a traditional MBE, because she is a citizen of New Zealand. And King Charles is officially the head of state (國家元首) in New Zealand. South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady, Kim Keon Hee were also at the ceremony. They were on a state visit to the UK. Blackpink was also invited to a state banquet (國宴) at the palace. They ate pheasant (野雞), and a dessert made with mango ice cream. At the banquet, King Charles talked about how South Korean pop culture has reached the world. He talked about BTS, Squid Games, and of course, Blackpink. The king also said that he has visited South Korea before. But he joked that he did not develop much "Gangnam Style." The famous K-pop song was also played outside the palace earlier in the day. Many people visit Buckingham Palace to watch the changing of the guard (衛兵交接儀式). Most of the time, the band plays marching songs for the changing of the guard. But that day, they played many South Korean pop songs, including "Gangnam Style". The band also played Blackpink's "DDU-DU DDU-DU". What an exciting day for the group! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The Kaohsiung City government says this year, it is combining Christmas and New Year celebrations. Officials say Christmas decorations will be put up in Kaohsiung's Central Park. And on New Year's Eve, Kaohsiung will put on one of its biggest ever fireworks displays! More than 7,000 fireworks will be set off! ________________________________ And, The members of Blackpink have been made honorary Members of the Order of the British Empire. The UK's King Charles III gave Rose, Jennie, Jisoo and Lisa special medals. The honor was for their work in helping fight climate change. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Have you ever been stuck in a traffic jam? Traffic jams can last for hours, but how about one that lasted 12 days? That's how long the longest traffic jam in history lasted! It happened in Beijing, China, in 2010. People were waiting in their cars for so long that some drivers fell asleep. Others started selling food and water to people stuck in their cars. Traffic jams are so annoying. What's something else that drives you nuts? If you have a fun fact or a joke you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, welcome to another episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: Recycling cellphones, and wooden satellites. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…! We think of snowflakes as tiny crystals of ice, but how big can they actually get? Find out at the end of today’s episode! ________________________________ 台灣提升手機回收率 Taiwan Boosts Cellphone Recycling Rates Do you know how many cellphones are sold in Taiwan every year? The number is 6 million. That means around a quarter of the population in Taiwan buy new cellphones every year. That's a lot of cellphones! But did you know that only 12-percent of old cellphones are recycled? 台灣每年銷售600萬支手機，但回收率只有大約12%。 The rest of the phones go into the incinerator (焚化爐) and landfills (掩埋場). Or owners just leave them somewhere at home. All these old cellphones are "e-waste". E-waste is unwanted electronic products. They include cellphones, laptops, tablets and a lot more. Experts believe that in 2021, the world made more than 57.4 million metric tons of e-waste. Altogether, that e-waste weighs more than the Great Wall of China! And that number is growing every year. Recently, the Ministry of Environment announced a new set of rules. Starting April 1st, 2024, companies that make or sell cell phones must set up recycling facilities. They must also give incentives (獎勵) for users who recycle their old cell phones. And they must help users delete personal data from their old cell phones. Experts say there are many reasons why people do not recycle their cellphones. Some people think there aren't enough rewards. Some can't find places to recycle their phones. And others are afraid that their personal data will be leaked. But recycling old cell phones can help the environment. There are valuable metals that can be recycled from cellphones, including gold, copper and cobalt (鈷). If they are properly recycled, we can cut down the need to mine these elements from the Earth. There are also mercury, lead and other poisonous elements in these devices. If they’re not properly processed, they could damage the environment. The government hopes this new rule can help encourage everyone to recycle their cellphones. ________________________________ 日本科學家計畫發射木製衛星 A Wooden Satellite in Space Humans have been using wood for thousands of years. We use wood to make tools, furniture, and even houses. Wood can give off a retro (復古) feeling. So it's not something that we think of right away when we think about technology. Many might not connect wood with futuristic designs. But Koji Murata doesn’t feel that way. For years, he has been exploring how natural materials could be used in space. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the US completed a new study. They found metallic particles (金屬微粒) in the stratosphere (平流層). These particles came from spacecrafts and satellites. Scientists are worried that these tiny pieces of metal could damage the Earth’s fragile ozone layer (臭氧層). This is the reason why Murata came up with the idea of a wooden satellite. Murata says when satellites re-enter the atmosphere, they break into tiny pieces of metal. But wood just burns up, and becomes gas. That sounds like a good thing. But what about rot (腐爛)? Murata says on Earth, wood would burn, rot, or change shape. But this would not happen in space. That's because there is no oxygen or living creatures in space. Murata's team has already done some tests at the International Space Station. They found that wood is very resilient (適應性強的) in space. In fact, out in space, wood is about as strong as aluminum (鋁). Murata is now working with Japan's space agency and NASA. They are making a prototype (原型) wooden satellite called LingoSat. The satellite is expected to be launched in the summer of 2024. If all goes well, Murata thinks wood could be widely used in space development. 誰會想到太空科技竟然能使用木材? It might even be possible to build wooden structures on the moon in the future. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The Ministry of Environment says starting April 1st, 2024, companies that make or sell cell phones must set up recycling facilities. They must also give incentives for users who recycle their old cell phones. The government hopes this new rule can help encourage everyone to recycle their cellphones. ________________________________ And, Japanese scientist Koji Murata came up with the idea of a wooden satellite. He is now working with Japan's space agency and NASA, to make a prototype wooden satellite called LingoSat. The satellite is expected to be launched in the summer of 2024. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Snowflakes fall “softly” and “quietly” from the sky right? Maybe not this snowflake. The world’s largest snowflake was found in Montana in 1887. The snowflake was 38 centimeters wide. That’s wider than two pencils held end-to-end! I wouldn’t want that snowflake to fall on my head. Do you like snow? What’s your favorite type of weather? If you have a fun fact or a joke you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! It’s another episode of News Bites! I’m Paz Bueno… And I’m Nancy Sun. In today's news: A name to remember, and a brand new island. And in today’s Tasty Tidbit…New Zealand’s flightless wonder. Stay tuned to learn more about these, coming up next! ________________________________ 原住民Bawtu Payen 創造歷史！ Bawtu Payen Makes History! Names are more than just words. They carry our identity (身份), our heritage (遺產), and tell a story about who we are and where we come from. Every name has a unique meaning and significance. 每個名字都有獨特的意義和重要性。 In many cultures, names are carefully chosen to reflect (反應) family history, personal traits, or cultural traditions. They connect us to our ancestors (祖先) and can be a source of pride and strength. Our names represent us in the world. And Bawtu Payen, a member of Taiwan's Atayal People, did something very special. 泰雅族的Bawtu Payen做了一件特別的事。 He changed his identity card (身分證) to show his indigenous name in a new way. Before, his ID card had his Atayal name and Chinese characters (中文字). Now, it only has his Atayal name, Bawtu Payen, in Romanized letters (羅馬拼音). This is the first time this has happened in Taiwan. Bawtu went to the Luzhou Household Registration Office in New Taipei City (新北市蘆洲戶政事務所) to get his new ID card. He is happy because this change shows the beauty of his indigenous identity (原住民身份). The name Bawtu Payen was given to him by his grandmother. It's very important to him because it connects him to his culture and history. He thanked the people who helped make this change, including a lawyer and the staff at the registration office. 他感謝那些幫助他改身分證名字的人，包括一位律師和戶政事務所的工作人員。 Bawtu believes that using indigenous names is a way to share and celebrate tribal cultures (部落文化). He also wants to help save tribal languages by focusing on the need for more teachers who speak these languages. Now, Bawtu's ID card shows his Atayal name in a way that honors his heritage. This is a big step for indigenous people in Taiwan and their right (權利) to use their traditional names. ________________________________ 日本有新島嶼! A New Japanese Island Japan is a country famous for its many islands. Each one is unique, with its own landscapes (風景), traditions, and stories. Some are big and bustling with cities, while others are small and peaceful, perfect for exploring nature. 有些島嶼大且繁忙熱鬧；有些則小而寧靜，非常適合探索自然。 Japan's islands stretch across the Pacific Ocean (橫跨太平洋), making the country an interesting mix of different environments. And recently, Japan has a new island! It appeared after a volcano under the sea erupted. 這是在海底火山爆發後形成的。 This happened near Ioto Island (硫磺島), about 1,200 kilometers south of Tokyo. The eruptions started in October. They were special kinds of explosions called phreatomagmatic eruptions (岩漿噴發). This happens when hot magma (滾燙的岩漿) from the volcano meets water. A landmass about 100 meters wide popped up because of these eruptions. 因為岩漿爆發，一塊約100公尺寬的陸地冒了出來。 Fukashi Maeno, a professor from Tokyo University, flew over the new island. He saw smoke and ash (煙塵和灰) shooting up more than 50 meters high! Every few minutes, there was an eruption. Large rocks flew through the air, and the sea around the island turned brown with floating pumice stones (浮石). Ioto Island is one of Japan's Volcano Islands (火山列島). Professor Maeno said this new island shows that the area has volcanic activity again. The island could get bigger if eruptions continue. But, it might also disappear under the sea. New islands made of ash and rock can be washed away by waves. Other islands formed like this in 1904, 1914, and 1986 didn't last long. But if the volcano keeps erupting, it might make lava flows that turn into a hard surface (堅硬的表面). That could make the island stay longer, making Japan's family of islands a little bigger. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Bawtu Payen, a member of Taiwan's Atayal tribe, did something very special. He changed his identity card to show his indigenous name in a new way. Before, his ID card had his Atayal name and Chinese characters. Now, it only has his Atayal name in Romanized letters This is the first time this has happened in Taiwan. ________________________________ And, Recently, Japan has a new island! A landmass about 100 meters appeared after a volcano under the sea erupted, about 1,200 kilometers south of Tokyo. The island could get bigger if eruptions continue. But, it might also disappear under the sea. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The Kiwi bird from New Zealand has wings but can’t fly. Instead, it runs around and uses its long beak to find food in the ground. Kiwi birds are shy, nocturnal animals, and their unique look makes them a symbol of New Zealand. Which animal is a symbol of Taiwan? If you have a fun fact or a joke you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We’ll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

B*News Bites 文字檔 (國中) ________________________________ Hi there! It's time for another episode of News Bites! I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: More garbage in the river, and a new topping on your pizza. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… Winter is coming! And we've got the jokes to get you ready for chilly winter! Stay tuned! ________________________________ 淡水河垃圾量三年增一倍 Tamsui River Garbage Doubles in Three Years It's the year 2023 and it's hard to believe people just throw trash into the rivers and oceans. But that is still happening. A local environmental NGO (非政府組織), recently released the results of a survey. The Society of Wilderness (荒野保護協會SOW) says the amount of garbage along the Tamsui River and its tributaries (支流) has doubled in the past 3 years. How did they figure this out? The society asked 36 volunteers to collect data. They covered the entire Tamsui River basin, estuaries (河口) and nearby areas. They traveled just over 283 kilometers on bicycle and foot. They picked up as much trash as they could, and put them into 14-liter garbage bags. In total, they collected 56,617 bags of garbage. That works out to about 156 bags of garbage per kilometer. In 2020, it was 73 bags of garbage per kilometer. This year, they also found that 80% of the garbage was concentrated (集中) along the river banks. And single-use plastic items took up almost 70% of the waste. This includes plastic bottles, containers, food packaging bags and disposable tableware. The SOW thinks the increase of the plastic garbage was due to the pandemic. During the pandemic, there was a huge demand for food delivery and takeaways. This led to the increase of single-use plastic waste. 這些垃圾幾乎都來自於民眾在上游人煙稀少區域非法丟棄垃圾。 When there is heavy rain or a typhoon, the garbage is brought downstream. This is a huge threat to the eco-system of the river, especially the Mangrove Conservation Area (紅樹林保護區). Garbage gets stuck in the mangrove forests very easily. The SOW suggested that we need to use less disposable items. Authorities aid they would continue to strengthen the promotion of waste reduction. And people really should think twice about dumping garbage illegally. ________________________________ 香港披薩店推出蛇肉披薩 Pizza Chain Sells Snake Pizza in Hong Kong We've talked before about strange new pizza toppings. Remember durian pizza, bubble tea pizza and pig's blood cake pizza? All these were made by pizza restaurants in Taiwan. And pizza shops in Japan have made pork bone soup ramen pizza. Now, it's Hong Kong's turn. A Hong Kong pizza chain is working with a very old restaurant to make a special pizza. They're turning a traditional dish into pizza. It's snake stew pizza! 披薩連鎖店在香港地區推出全新「蛇肉披薩」。 What's on this pizza? There's shredded snake meat (蛇肉絲), black mushroom and dried ham. Snake stew has long been a local delicacy (美食) in Hong Kong and southern China. Local people eat it during the colder months. There's a saying in Cantonese (廣東話), the best time to eat snake is "when the autumn wind begins to blow." This is because during this time, snakes have fattened up to prepare for winter hibernation (冬眠). Eating snake is not a totally new idea. Snake meat is on the menu in some Asian countries. And snake parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine. But people have very different opinions about this new snake stew pizza. Some who don't eat snake say the idea is very scary. But some who like to eat snake meat are excited about the pizza. Some people say the snake meat tastes even better with cheese. It looks like the fusion of pizza and traditional dishes is getting really popular. It makes people wonder what's next on the menu. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: The Society of Wilderness says the amount of garbage along the Tamsui River and its tributaries has doubled in the past 3 years. 36 volunteers picked up garbage from the entire Tamsui River basin, estuaries and nearby areas. In total, they collected 56,617 bags of garbage. The SOW suggested that we need to use less disposable items. ________________________________ And, A Hong Kong pizza chain is working with a very old restaurant to make a special pizza. They're turning a traditional dish into pizza. It's snake stew pizza, with shredded snake meat, black mushroom and dried ham. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Brrr… Have you been feeling the chill? It seems like winter is coming soon. Here's a joke to warm you up. You ready? What did one snowman say to the other? "Do you smell carrot?" And here's fifth-grader 葉峟希 telling us what she likes about winter. < [CLIP] Slug: > If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Brody Halverson. In today's stories… A ghost appears in Changhua County, and the world prepares for a big meeting on climate change. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a regal sweet fruit. Keep on listening to find out more! Let's get into it. ________________________________ 警方破獲雨衣鬼案 Police Crack the Case of the Raincoat Ghost Have you ever seen a ghost (鬼魂)? I know ghosts aren't real. But sometimes we see something we can't explain… …and we turn to superstitions (迷信) to find the answer. That's what happened recently in Changhua County. One evening, someone was waiting at a stoplight in Xizhou (溪州) Township. They saw something that nearly scared them to death (差點嚇死他). It was a yellow raincoat (雨衣), floating over the zebra crossing. The raincoat looked just like a person was wearing it… ….but there was nobody inside! 彰化縣某人看到一件雨衣自己移動，就像鬼魂一樣。 It was so strange, because there was no wind that day, and nobody else was nearby. So, the frightened person took a video with their phone. They watched the raincoat drift around for more than two minutes, with no explanation. Local security cameras saw it too. Soon, the videos were posted online. People from all over Taiwan began to share their theories. 影片上傳到網路上，許多網友提出他們的理論。 Some people said the raincoat was pulled by invisible strings. Other people said construction workers put the coat there, to keep cars away from their work site. But, the Changhua police didn't find any strings, and the workers said they didn't do it either. There were a few people online who said the coat really did belong to a ghost. But the police wouldn't believe that. In the end, they used security cameras to find the man who was responsible. It was all a silly prank (惡作劇). The raincoat belonged to a local man. He was a plumber named Chung (鍾). He said he filled the raincoat with hydrogen gas (氫氣). Chung also taped the hood and the sleeves shut, so the gas would not get out. Because hydrogen gas can float, it made the raincoat float around like a ghost. 鍾先生在雨衣中註入氫氣，讓它飄起來。 Why did Chung do it? He told police he thought it was funny. 他做這樣是因為他覺得很好玩。 But police say his prank scared people, and could have caused a car accident. Now they are charging Chung with a crime. 警方指控鍾先生違法。 So, there may not be any such thing as ghosts… …but there are a lot of pranksters out there. ________________________________ 氣候變遷高峰會 下週開幕 Climate Change Meeting Starts Next Week The world is heating up. Scientists say 2023 is probably the hottest year ever. All over the world, people are working to find a solution for climate change. 世界各地的人們都在努力思考，如何回應氣候變遷。 There are lots of meetings between countries who want to solve this problem. But one meeting is bigger than all of them. You could say it's the most important event in the world. And it starts next week. The meeting is called the "2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference". But most people just call it "COP28". 這個會議叫做「第28次締約方會議」，簡稱COP28. Why 28? Because it's the 28th time the United Nations (聯合國) have held this meeting. So what's going on? For two weeks, the meeting will bring together world leaders, scientists and experts to try to find a solution. They will meet in Dubai (杜拜). It's a city in the United Arab Emirates (阿拉伯聯合大公國). Because that country is hosting the meeting, they get to choose the meeting's president. They have chosen a man named Sultan Al Jaber. This is a controversial choice, because Al Jaber is also the CEO of an oil company. 今年會議的主席很有爭議，因為他是一家石油公司的執行長。 As we all know, climate change is caused by burning oil and other fossil fuels. So how can Al Jaber lead this meeting if his company is helping cause climate change? He says that oil companies need to be part of the solution. Lots of people disagree. Still, there are four goals for the COP28 meeting that everyone agrees on. 會議有四大目標。 First, they want to speed up the energy transition (能源轉型). That means quickly moving away from fossil fuels, and moving towards green energy. Second, they want to improve climate finance (氣候貸款). That means getting more money to projects that can fight climate change. Third, they want to put nature, lives and livelihoods at the heart of climate action. That means thinking about both nature and people when making decisions. Finally, they want to make the meeting more inclusive (包容性). That means including people who have been left out of conversations on climate change before. These are four huge goals. But the people at COP28 will do their best to reach them. The fate of our planet (地球的命運) depends on it… …and we have no time to lose. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Someone took a video of a raincoat floating like a ghost in Changhua County. It scared a lot of people, and there were many theories about what it might be. In the end, police found out that it was just a silly prank. ________________________________ And, The COP28 meeting starts next week in Dubai. World leaders and scientists will meet to talk about solutions to climate change. The leader of the meeting is controversial, but everyone has agreed on four big goals. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Pineapples are tasty fruits, but did you know they wear a crown? That's right! The spiky leaves on top of a pineapple are often called a "crown." And, it can take 18 months to three years for a single pineapple to reach its full size. That's a long wait for a royal fruit! What do you know about your favorite fruit? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's time for another episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's stories… Twists and turns at the airport, and seeing sea stars in a new way. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…! You know how big and scary tsunamis can be, but what about a "megatsunami"? Stay tuned to hear more! ________________________________ 桃園機場飛機盃魔術方塊大賽 Taoyuan Airport Hosts Rubiks' Cube Competition How fast can you twist and turn? The Taoyuan Airport Cube Day 2023 was held last week. The event challenged people to solve Rubiks' Cubes as fast as they could. The Rubiks' Cube is a 3D puzzle. It was invented in 1974. The cubes are made up of many smaller cubes with different color on each side. You have to twist and turn the cube, to try to get each side all the same color. The competition at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport was a whirlwind of speed, skill, and strategy. The two-day event brought some of the world's best Rubik's Cube solvers from around the world. There were competitors from Taiwan, of course. There were also competitors from the US, Japan, and Singapore. All in all, there were 150 strong competitors. They had to battle it out in different types of Rubik's Cube competitions. There's the 2x2, 3x3, 4x4, 5x5, pyramid, and skewb. And in the end, Taiwan athletes swept the championships! 最後，全部賽程都由台灣選手奪冠。 There was also a special demonstration at the competition. A Rubiks' Cube expert Li Hua-ting (李華庭) solved a cube in a special way. She used her feet! In fact, Hua-ting holds the record in Taiwan for solving a 3x3 Rubiks' Cube with her feet. She also shared some tips and techniques. She says finding the right chair height can make a big difference. 台灣3階腳解紀錄保持人李華庭說，要用腳解魔術方塊，最重要的是椅子的高度，只要高度適中就能快速解開。 The Taoyuan Airport Cube Day 2023 showed the mind-bending talents of people from around the world. And it shows how this amazing toy is still a lot of fun! ________________________________ 新研究發現海星整個都是「頭」! Starfish Bodies Aren't Bodies At All Picture an animal in your mind. Can you find its head? Most of the time, it's easy to figure out where an animal's head is. But that wasn't always the case…for starfish! For a long time, scientists thought that starfish had five arms. And these animals had a layer of something like feet, that helped them move around on the seafloor. And many scientists wondered if sea stars had heads at all. 長期以來，科學家認為，海星可能完全沒有頭部。 But now, new research may have a surprising answer. A new study finds that most of the sea star's body IS its head. 不過最新的研究發現海星的整個身體其實都是頭！ To figure this out, scientists used new technology that helped them look closely at genes. This technology helped them see genes that control the growing of different body parts, like a head, or a tail. Then they looked at the genes on sea stars. And they saw that genes for growing a head are all over the sea star. But there were almost no genes for growing a body or a tail. One scientist has an interesting way to describe (形容) starfish. He says the starfish is basically "just a head", crawling around on the seafloor! 科學家說其實海星經過演化後，就像是一顆頭，在海床上爬行。 This scientist has been studying (研究) sea stars for 10 years. But he says there is still a lot more to learn about these amazing animals. Some scientists think understanding more about sea stars could give us clues on how different animals stay healthy. This could help us solve medical or environmental problems. And some think that learning about sea stars could even help us figure out how life on Earth started. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… The Taoyuan Airport Cube Day 2023 was held last week. The event challenged people to solve Rubiks' Cubes as fast as they could. The two-day event brought some of the best Rubik's Cube solvers from around the world. And in the end, Taiwan athletes swept the championships! ________________________________ And, A new study finds that most of the sea star's body is its head. To figure this out, scientists used new technology that helped them look closely at genes. One scientist says the starfish is basically "just a head", crawling around on the seafloor! Some scientists think understanding more about sea stars could help us solve medical or environmental problems. And some think that learning about sea stars could even help us figure out how life on Earth started. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know that the world's largest ocean wave ever recorded was 524 meters tall? That's taller than Taipei 101! It was recorded in Lituya Bay, Alaska in 1958. There was a big underwater earthquake, and the wave became so big, it's called a "megatsunami". Two people on a boat, including a seven-year-old boy were caught by the wave and lifted high up into the air, but they survived! If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hi everyone, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's stories… A tunnel under Taoyuan City, and loud music in New Zealand. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…what's a desert bloom? Let's find out after these stories… ________________________________ 捷運隧道穿越桃園市 Metro Line Tunnel Goes Under Taoyuan City Do you ride the metro (捷運)? If you live in a big city, the metro is a great way to get around. Metro trains carry people from station to station quickly and conveniently. Some metro train lines are elevated. That means they rise into the air, like a bridge. Other metro lines are underground. They are in tunnels (隧道) deep below the city streets. That's like the new Green Line (綠線) in Taoyuan City. What? You didn't know Taoyuan had a Green Line? That's because it's not open yet. The Green Line is still under construction. It's a huge project, costing almost 20 billion NT. 桃園綠線正在興建，耗資200億元。 The good news is, the construction team has already finished about 40% of the Green Line. But now they are getting into one of the hardest parts of the project. Recently, they started work on the part of the line between G10 station and G07 station. This part is tricky, because it goes right under the center of Taoyuan City. The construction team (施工隊) has lots of things to worry about here. They don't want the tunnel work to damage any buildings on the surface. Lots of people are afraid that it might affect Jingfu Temple. This 300-year-old temple is one of the oldest buildings in Taoyuan. 大家擔心開挖隧道會損壞地面建築，例如有 300 年歷史的景福宮。 So, the team has decided to adjust the tunnel plan, so it won't pass right under the temple. Taoyuan's Mayor (市長) even visited the temple, to pray (祈求) that everything goes okay with the construction. Next, the team needs to make sure the tunnel is wide enough. For that, they are using the biggest tunneling machine in Taiwan. 他們在用台灣最大的隧道鑽掘機。 This huge machine can cut a tunnel through the earth that is 8 meters wide. Finally, they need to make sure the tunnel is deep enough. The metro station at Taoyuan Station will be one of the deepest stations in Taiwan. It will be 40 meters underground. 桃園捷運站會在地下很深的地方，有40公尺深。 These are serious challenges (挑戰), but the construction team is not afraid. They will keep working, and they say this part of the Green Line will be open to ride by 2028. ________________________________ 紐西蘭城市厭倦了席琳狄翁 New Zealand City Gets Tired of Celine Dion Do you like to listen to Celine Dion? I love her music! My favorite of her songs is this one… "You're here~ There's NOOOOTHING I fear…" Oh yeah, I know that one. She might be the greatest singer of all time. 席琳狄翁可能是有史以來最偉大的歌手之一。 And her voice is so powerful. Recently, one city in New Zealand has been hearing a lot of her voice. And lots of people are tired of it. How could anyone get tired of Celine Dion? Well, it's like this. Porirua is a small city on New Zealand's North Island (紐西蘭的北島). In the past, it was a quiet and peaceful place. But these days, there are lots of "speaker battles". Special cars drive around the city with huge speakers on top. 人們在汽車上安裝巨大的擴音器，並且進行聲音大戰。 The car's owners are competing to see whose speakers can make the best sound. That means the loudest, clearest sound. They like to play Celine Dion's music on their speakers. They say it's because her songs are very clear, with lots of high notes, and not too many low notes. 他們使用席琳迪翁的歌聲，因為她的聲音清晰而高亢。 It's true that their speakers are incredible… But lots of people in Porirua think it's annoying (很吵)! Sometimes the speaker battles happen late at night. The noise wakes people up. Plus, the city of Porirua is in a valley (山谷中). That makes the noise seem even louder. People don't want to ban (禁止) the speaker battles completely. Everyone knows that this is an important part of the local culture. But they hope that the speaker battles can move outside of the city. They also hope these events can stop happening at night. 這是當地重要的文化，但居民不想在晚上聽到。 Now, the city government is working together with the car's owners and the local residents to find a solution. Celine Dion might be the greatest singer of all time… But, people need to sleep too! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… A new metro line is under construction in Taoyuan City. The Green Line will go through a tunnel under the city center. It's a big challenge for the construction team, but they say it will be ready to ride by 2028. ________________________________ And, A New Zealand city is dealing with a unique problem. Cars with huge speakers are playing loud Celine Dion music late into the night. The speakers sound impressive, but local residents say it's too loud and too late at night. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit The Atacama Desert in Chile is one of the driest places on Earth. But, once in a while, rain falls, and something magical happens. The desert bursts into a rainbow of flowers. It's called a "desert bloom" and it transforms the sandy land into a colorful garden. What other places on Earth do you think are magical? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Hope Ngo. In today's stories… It's not all fun and games at the night market, and what really killed the dinosaurs. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… We know turtles can live for a long time. But another animal can live longer! Find out more at the end of today's episode! ________________________________ 日本節目實測台灣夾娃娃機 Japanese Show Talks About Night Market Claw Machines Night markets are a special part of Taiwan. Many tourists enjoy visiting night markets when they are in Taiwan. One of the most well-known night markets is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. It is also one of the biggest and most-visited night markets in Taiwan. Recently a Japanese TV show visited Shilin Night Market. The hosts (主持人) of “Open Pandora’s Box Untouchable TV” visited the night market. They sampled (品嚐) some local food and tried some games, They then looked into what they called the dark side of the night market: claw machines (夾娃娃機). Earlier this year, one of the hosts came to Taiwan on a family trip. The children tried the claw machines. But they couldn’t grab anything even after many tries (嘗試). They said it was a very unhappy experience. So the TV show decided to take a closer look at claw machines. They spent $2,000 NT for 200 attempts. They said they were successful just 4 times. 日本綜藝節目日前到台灣士林夜市挑戰娃娃機，夾了200次卻只中4次。 The hosts said the claws always seemed to throw the prizes in the wrong direction when they successfully grabbed one. One claw machine owner said some of the machines are rigged (調整過). This is to make sure the owners don’t lose money. The owner also said that renting space in Shilin night market costs a lot of money. Many people love going to night markets. It can be a great place to eat delicious food and play games. But sometimes there are stories about how night markets can be overpriced. Or some people say they get "scammed" (欺騙，詐騙). We all hope that night markets can be a fun place for everyone. ________________________________ 導致恐龍滅絕的元兇是粉塵? Did Dust Kill the Dinosaurs? Dinosaurs dominated (統治) Earth a long time ago. Then something killed them, leaving only their fossils (化石) deep in the ground. Many scientists believe a gigantic asteroid (小行星) crashed into Earth about 66 million years ago. The impact left a huge crater (坑). The catastrophic (毀滅性的) impact caused Earth to go into a long dark cold winter. After this disaster, 75% of living species on Earth went extinct (絕種). Many scientists accept this theory (科學理論). But what they don’t agree on, is what caused the long winter that led to the extinction. There is now a new theory. According to researchers, the asteroid didn’t kill all the dinosaurs right away when it hit Earth. Instead, they think it was a slow process that gradually killed many species. When the asteroid struck Earth, granite (花崗岩) was crushed into dust. That dust floated up into the atmosphere. And the dust was probably so thick that it completely blocked out the sun for almost 620 days. During this time with no sunlight, plants could not photosynthesize (光合作用). After the plants died, many animals that eat plants probably died too. And next, predators that eat those animals starved (餓死) too. Researchers think the dust may have stayed in the atmosphere for 15 years. And this dust may have caused temperatures around the world to drop by about 15 degrees Celsius. All this would change the ecosystem in a big way. Many scientists believe it's not just one change that killed off most of the living things back at that time. They say the asteroid impact was so huge that it sparked tsunamis, acid rain and wildfires. 許多專家推測就是這些災難造成了地球物種大規模的死亡。 Scientists still have to do more work on the granite dust theory. But the data from this research could help further studies. One day, we may know exactly what killed the dinosaurs. ________________________________ So, in today's newsbites… A Japanese TV show visited Shilin Night Market and tried out claw machines. They spent $2,000 NT for 200 attempts. They said they were successful just 4 times. ________________________________ And, A new theory says when an asteroid struck Earth, granite was crushed into dust. That dust floated up into the atmosphere. And the dust was probably so thick that it completely blocked out the sun for almost 620 days. And this gradually killed plants and animals, including dinosaurs. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know that the world's oldest living animal is the Greenland shark? It can live for up to 500 years! The Greenland shark is found in the cold waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hey there! You're listening to an all-new episode of News Bites. I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Jacob Ingram. In today's news: Fewer and fewer single-use cups, and a long-lost city with buried treasure. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a crunchy accident! Keep on listening to find out more, coming up next! ________________________________ 再見，一次性塑膠杯！ Good-Bye, Disposable Cups! Taiwan has been making a big change to help the environment. The country has decided to stop using single-use, disposable plastic cups (一次性，用過就丟的塑膠杯). These are the cups you can use once and throw away. The government said all shops should stop using plastic cups by July next year. Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung… …along with Hsinchu City and Hsinchu County, have already stopped using plastic cups. The local governments check shops to make sure they follow the new rule. If a shop doesn't follow the rule, they might have to pay a fine (罰款). Taiwan is known for its tasty milk tea with tapioca pearls (珍珠奶茶). But these drinks come in plastic cups, and they create a lot of trash. Every year, Taiwan throws away 4 billion disposable cups. Most shops are doing good things like letting people use cups again or giving discounts if you bring your own cup. 現在大多數商店都讓人重複使用杯子，另外如果你帶自己的杯子去就給折扣。 This has helped reduce (減少) trash by a lot. New Taipei City and Taoyuan are also seeing less trash because of the new rule. In Kaohsiung, the change has helped lower the pollution (污染) that comes from making and throwing away cups. But some shop owners say paper cups can be more expensive than, and not as strong as, plastic ones. Some also say that paper cups don't show off the colors in the drinks very well. The government is watching how well the new rule works. They want to make sure it's good for everyone before they ask more places to stop using plastic cups. They are listening to what people have to say and thinking about how to make things better for the planet. ________________________________ 埃及消失的城市 秘密揭曉 Egypt's Sunken Secrets Unveiled The ocean is like a giant treasure chest (寶箱), deep and full of secrets. It's so big that we've only seen a tiny part of it. Over the years, lots of things have disappeared into the ocean (消失在海洋中). Ships, planes, and even whole cities have been swallowed up by the waves and lost to time. 船隻、飛機，甚至整個城市都曾經被波浪吞噬，被時光遺忘。 Under the water, there are amazing things waiting to be discovered (等待被發現). And sometimes, what's lost can be found again. 有的時候，失去的東西又會被找到。 Long ago, there was a city in Egypt called Thonis-Heracleion (東尼斯-赫拉克利翁). It was next to the sea and was very busy with ships and traders (商人). But one day, a big earthquake and huge waves made the whole city sink into the sea. For many years, no one saw the city because it was under the water. Then, in the year 2000, a team of underwater archaeologists (水下考古學家) found Thonis-Heracleion again. It was hidden under the sea, about 7 kilometers away from the beach. The archaeologists have found many special things from the city. And recently, they told everyone about their newest find. They found a temple (神殿) under the water! It was a place where people long ago would honor a god named Amun. 很久以前，人們會在這裡敬拜一位名叫阿蒙的神。 This deity (神) was very important, especially to new Egyptian pharaohs (埃及法老王). The temple had precious things like silver and gold and big jars that once held sweet-smelling perfumes. 神殿中有寶貴的東西，例如銀器和金器，以及曾裝有香水的大罐子。 Near this temple, they also found a place for worshiping Aphrodite, the goddess of love from Greece. 他們在附近還發現了一個供奉希臘愛神阿佛洛狄的地方。 This shows that people from Greece lived happily in the Egyptian city. They found pots and statues and even weapons there! 他們在那裡找到許多銅器和陶瓷器物，甚至有武器！ Finding these things is very exciting. They are so old, but they are still whole and beautiful. The people who found them say it feels amazing to see things that were hidden for so long. Now we know more about the city that sank and the people who lived there a very, very long time ago. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Taiwan has been making a big change to help the environment. The government said all places should stop using single-use, disposable plastic cups by July next year. Six cities have already stopped using these cups. It shows people in Taiwan are thinking about how to make things better for the planet. ________________________________ And, Thonis-Heracleion was an Egyptian city that sank into the sea in the 8th century AD. Underwater archaeologists recently shared what they found in this sunken city. They found a temple with precious treasure like silver and gold. It's amazing to see things that were hidden for so long! ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Who doesn't love a good snack? Around the globe, snacks are a universal joy, bringing smiles to faces with their delightful flavors and textures. From the salty crunch of nuts to the sweet, creamy taste of ice cream, there's always something for everyone. But did you know that some of our favorite munchies were created completely by chance? The potato chip was invented by accident! A chef in New York was trying to make French fries, but a customer complained they were too thick. The chef got angry, and decided to slice the potatoes very thin, and fried them until they were super crispy… …and the customer loved it! That's how the crispy potato chip was born. Where does your favorite snack come from? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's time for another episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Paz Bueno. In today's stories… An ancient southern city is a new kind of "cool", and a rare look at what's for dinner on the Titanic. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…! All that glitters is not gold! We have the facts on something very sparkly, at the end of today's episode! ________________________________ 台南上榜"2024全球30個最酷景點" Tainan Makes National Geographic 2024 "Cool List" Are you ready for an exciting adventure? National Geographic Traveler has released its "Cool List" for 2024. They chose 30 amazing places to visit for the list. These destinations are perfect for travelers who want to experience something new and different. 國家地理旅遊雜誌，最近公布2024年全球最酷的30個旅遊景點。 Whether you're looking for ancient ruins, vibrant cities, or stunning landscapes, there's something on this list for everyone. And a city in Taiwan has made it onto the list! Tainan City was listed for its amazing connection to history. National Geographic says people have lived there for a long time. And it says Tainan has been influenced (影響) by many other countries including Spain and Japan. National Geographic says you can see a lot of history in Tainan's architecture (建築物). It also says there are many big events in Tainan throughout the year. Nat Geo points to the Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival as a very exciting event. During the festival, tons of rockets are set off with people standing close by. National Geographic says it's "not for the faint-hearted". 國家地理說台南每年都有很多特別的活動，例如農曆年的鹽水蜂炮，但也提醒，這個活動是相當刺激的。 And Nat Geo says street food in Tainan is also a major draw (吸引人的因素). It recommends visitors try the danzai noodle soup with shrimp, or the "coffin bread" with creamy soup inside. And Nat Geo says in 2024, Tainan will celebrate its 400th birthday. It says this is another great reason to visit next year. Other "cool" places that made the list include Tartu in Estonia, Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, and the Atacama Desert in Chile. ________________________________ 鐵達尼號頭等艙菜單揭秘 Titanic First Class Menu Up for Auction Imagine you are a passenger on a big ship called the Titanic. It is a very fancy ship, and the food is delicious! In fact, many people called it the "most luxurious ship in the world". Would you like to see what the first-class menu looked like on the night the Titanic sailed away? 鐵達尼號是百年前世界上最大、最豪華的郵輪，不過這艘郵輪上的頭等艙餐點到底有多豪華呢? A rare first-class menu from the Titanic is up for auction. This menu is very old and special, and it might sell for a lot of money! In fact, experts say it may sell for $86,000 US dollars. That's about $2,700,000 NT! The menu shows the first dinner for first-class customers on board the Titanic after it set sail on April 11th, 1912. Some of the dishes people could choose include oysters, sirloin steak (沙朗牛排), French ice cream and chocolate puffs. The paper menu has a lot of water stains. Some of the words are hard to see. Experts believe the menu was in the North Atlantic Ocean for some time, after the Titanic sank. The auction house selling the menu says so far they have found no other first-class menus for that night from the Titanic. A few years ago, an auction house sold another menu from the Titanic. That was a first-class lunch menu, for the day the Titanic sank into the ocean. The menu sold for $88,000 US dollars. There are also other things from the Titanic that are being sold. A blanket used by someone in a lifeboat is also expected to sell for a lot of money. That person got safely to shore, and gave the blanket to someone else. Experts believe this blanket could sell for $123,000 US dollars. It is sad to think about the people who didn't survive the sinking of the Titanic. But these objects help us remember them. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… National Geographic Traveler has released its "Cool List" for 2024, and Tainan made the list! National Geographic says you can see a lot of history in Tainan's architecture. And Nat Geo says in 2024, Tainan will celebrate its 400th birthday. It says this is another great reason to visit next year. ________________________________ And, A rare first-class menu from the Titanic is up for auction. This menu is very old and special, and it might sell for $86,000 US dollars. The menu shows the first dinner for first-class customers on board the Titanic after it set sail on April 11th, 1912. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Did you know that the world's largest producer of diamonds is Russia? In fact, Russia produces more than a third of all the diamonds in the world! Diamonds are formed under high pressure and temperatures deep within the Earth's mantle. They are then brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. Diamonds are used in jewelry, industry, and science. If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you’d like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!

Hello there! Welcome to another episode of News Bites! I'm Paz Bueno. And I'm Nancy Sun. In today's news: Taiwan is working with NASA to study aerosols, and the furthest black hole on record. And in today's Tasty Tidbit…a vegetable that's also a flower! Stay tuned to learn more about these, coming up next. ________________________________ 台灣與美國太空總署攜手研究空氣污染 Taiwan and NASA Team Up to Study Air Pollution Aerosols are tiny particles that float around in the air we breathe. 氣溶膠是空氣中飄浮的微小粒子。 They can come from dust, smoke, and even sea spray (海水噴霧). Some aerosols are natural, but others come from cars, factories, and even wildfires. These tiny particles can make the air dirty and affect our health, the weather, and even the temperature of our planet. Understanding aerosols is really important for keeping our air clean. And Taiwan and NASA are teaming up to learn more about these invisible particles and their big impact (影響) on air quality! Together, they have created the first-ever Asia Pacific AERONET Center. It's at the Lulin Atmospheric Background Station (鹿林山空氣品質背景測站). This center's job is to study aerosols. Lulin Station is now the first station in Asia that's certified by NASA, to check on air quality. 鹿林站現在是亞洲第一個獲得美國太空總署認證的站點，用來檢查空氣品質。 Before this, only two other places had this honor (獲得了這個榮譽)-one in Hawaii, and one in Spain. Taiwan has been working with NASA since 2002. This new center is going to help lots of countries around Asia Pacific (亞太地區) understand more about aerosols. The Lulin Station is high up in the mountains, on the edge of Chiayi and Nantou (介於嘉義和南投的邊緣). Since 2006, it has been looking out for greenhouse gasses (溫室氣體) and other air pollutants (空氣污染物). With NASA's help, it uses a tool called AERONET to see how much sunlight aerosols block from reaching the ground. 太空總署協助鹿林站使用一個名叫AERONET的工具，來看氣溶膠阻擋了多少陽光到達地面。 This information helps satellites (衛星) all over the world. With new tools at the station, scientists will soon know even more about where these aerosols come from and what they're made of. It's a big step for keeping our air clean and understanding our environment better! ________________________________ 太空總署發現創紀錄的黑洞 NASA Discovers Record-Breaking Black Hole Black holes are one of the most mysterious things in space. They are like space vacuums (宇宙中的吸塵器) that suck in everything, even light! Black holes are made when a big star dies and collapses (坍塌) into a tiny spot. This spot has so much pull (吸引力) that not even light can escape from it. That's why we call it a black hole - you can't see it because no light can get out. But scientists can still find them by the effects they have on things around them. Scientists have recently found a super old black hole in space… And it's the farthest one (最遠的一個) they've ever seen! NASA used two space telescopes (太空望遠鏡) to find this black hole. They saw it because it was shining brightly in X-rays. They think this black hole was formed only 470 million years after the universe started with a big bang. 他們認為這個黑洞是在宇宙大爆炸後，僅僅4億7千萬年形成的。 The black hole is in a galaxy (星系) called UHZ1. This galaxy is super far away, 13.2 billion light-years from Earth. That means the galaxy and the black hole are from a time when the universe was very young. Scientists used a trick called gravitational lensing (重力透鏡效應) to see the black hole better. This is when gravity from something big, like a cluster of galaxies, makes light from far away bend and look brighter. 像星系團這樣龐大天體的重力，會讓來自遙遠地方的光線彎曲，看起來更亮，這就是重力透鏡效應。 This discovery helps scientists understand how the first giant black holes started. They're not sure if these black holes came from huge clouds of gas or from big stars that exploded a long time ago. 科學家不確定這些黑洞是來自巨大的氣體雲，還是很久以前爆炸的巨型恆星。 This black hole was already big to begin with, so it got even bigger quickly. They think the black hole has a mass of 10 to 100 million Suns. 他們認為黑洞的質量相當於一千萬到一億個太陽。 Scientists are excited because they can learn more about the early universe from this black hole. This discovery helps us learn about planets around other stars and the history of the universe. ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites: Taiwan and NASA are teaming up to learn more about aerosols and their big impact on air quality! The Lulin Atmospheric Background Station is in the mountains of Chiayi and Nantou. And it's now the first station in Asia that's certified by NASA, to check on air pollution. Understanding aerosols is really important for keeping our air clean. ________________________________ And, NASA scientists have recently found a super old black hole in space… And it's the farthest one they've ever seen! They think this black hole was formed only 470 million years after the universe started with a big bang. This discovery helps scientists understand how the first giant black holes started. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Broccoli is a vegetable that many people eat, but did you know it's also a flower? The green parts we eat are actually the buds of the flower before they bloom. If left to grow, the broccoli would blossom into a bunch of yellow flowers. So, the next time you munch on broccoli, remember, you're eating a flower in disguise! Do you know any other interesting facts about vegetables? If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! We'll see you next time for an exciting new episode of News Bites!

Hi there, it's time for a new episode of News Bites… I'm Nancy Sun. And I'm Brody Halverson. Today's stories… Troublesome macaques, and the next step to living in space. And in today's Tasty Tidbit… We all know dogs have an amazing sense of smell. But have you noticed which side of their nose they use? Find out what it all means, at the end of the episode! ________________________________ 驅趕猴子照網上瘋傳 Macaques Give Restaurant Owner a Headache Is a picture really worth a thousand words? Recently, a photo of an elderly woman went viral online. The Kaohsiung woman was holding a gun. Many people commented on the photo. Some even said maybe she was a retired spy. Others were worried about safety in the city. The police looked into the matter. They found out that it was a misunderstanding (誤會). The woman in the photo was the owner of a breakfast store. Her restaurant is at the foot of Shoushan (壽山) in Gushan district (鼓山區). Shoushan is famous for Formosan Rock Macaques (台灣獼猴). Many of the macaques live on the mountain. The monkeys have been notorious (惡名昭彰) in the area for decades. They grab food and water from hikers, and will also steal from nearby stores. They have also been making trouble at National Sun Yat-sen University (國立中山大學) , which is on the other side of Shoushan. The monkeys would break into students' rooms and make a mess. They even stole food from convenience stores. The elderly woman in the picture says the monkeys are always going into her store. That's because her store is near the foot of Shoushan. The monkeys invade her store for food. They have damaged the window to the bathroom and often bring garbage inside her shop. So every morning, she would use her BB gun to scare away the monkeys. According to the police, the BB gun was not loaded. They also added that the macaques are not protected animals. So the restaurant owner did not break the law. The police say hikers and tourists who visit Shoushan should take precautions (預防). They should try not to show their food, or make noise with plastic bags. And they should avoid direct eye contact with the monkeys. Police are reminding everyone to keep a safe distance, and not to feed the macaques. 警察呼籲遊客要盡量做到「食物不外露」、「不發出塑膠袋聲響」、與獼猴保持距離，維護生態及自身安全。 ________________________________ 太空中培育老鼠胚胎 Mouse Embryos Grown in Space for the First Time Exploring space has always been a goal for scientists. And a recent study showed that we might be getting closer to this goal. A Japanese research team has successfully grown mouse embryos (胚胎) on the International Space Station (ISS). The scientists say this means humans may soon be able to have children in space. In August 2021, the team sent frozen mouse embryos on a rocket to the ISS. In orbit, astronauts thawed (解凍) these early-stage embryos. Then they grew the embryos for 4 days. They found out that the embryos developed normally into blastocysts (囊胚). Blastocysts are cells that will develop into a fetus (胎兒) and placenta (胎盤). The researchers looked closely at the blastocysts after they were sent back to Earth. They found that the blastocysts were about the same as ones that grew on Earth. They couldn't find any difference in the DNA and genes (基因). The scientists say "this is the first ever study that shows mammals maybe able to thrive in space." These findings also show that mammals may be able to reproduce (繁殖) in microgravity (微重力) environments. However, this is only the first step. The next step would be to put these embryos into mice to see if mice can give birth. This would be very important for future space exploration and colonization (殖民) missions. The success of this experiment would be important for NASA's Artemis program. Artemis scientists want to understand how humans can reproduce and thrive in space. They plan to send humans to live long-term on the moon by the end of the 2030s. Artemis may also have a part in future Mars missions. If all goes well, there may soon be people living in space! ________________________________ So, in today's News Bites… Recently, a photo of an elderly woman holding a gun went viral online. The woman in the photo was trying to scare away macaques. According to the police, the BB gun was not loaded. ________________________________ And, A Japanese research team has successfully grown mouse embryos on the International Space Station. The scientists say this means humans may soon be able to have children in space. These findings also show that mammals may be able to reproduce in microgravity environments. ________________________________ 趣味小點 Tasty Tidbit Dogs and their incredible noses…they get all kinds of information through their sense of smell. But did you know that dogs sniff good smells with their left nostril? Scientists say dogs start by smelling with their right nostril. And if it's a smell they like, such as dog food, they will switch to smelling with their left nostril. But if it's a smell the dog doesn't like so much, such as the smell of its veterinarian, the dog will keep smelling with its right nostril. If you have a fun fact, a joke, or interesting news you'd like to share with us, record your message and send us your Tasty Tidbit to newsbites@icrt.com.tw, and you might hear it at the end of an episode! Tune in again next time for an all new episode of News Bites!