________________________________

This Election King Loses But Wins

This is the world's biggest election year! But what's an election?
今年是全球選舉年。那什麼是選舉呢?
An election is when a group of people say who they want for their leaders.
Maybe the leaders are for their city or country.
選舉就是一群人選出他們想要的領導者，像是一個城市或是國家的領導者。
People vote to say who they want. The person who gets the most votes is the
winner.
民眾投票表達他們想要什麼樣的人，得到最多票的人就是贏家。
This year, Taiwan had a big election. Some people wanted to be leaders. They
ran for election. People voted. Now we have a new president, President Lai!
想要成為領導者的人就會參選，再由人民投票。今年台灣也有大選，我們新選出賴總統。
India had a big election too. Many people ran for election! They wanted to
win! But one man didn't want to win…
印度也有大選，很多人參選，想要贏得選舉，但是有一個人不想贏。
A repairman has run for election 239 times. In India, people pay to run in an
election. This man has paid more than $3 million Taiwan dollars!
有一位修理工已經參選239次。在印度需要付錢才能參選，他已經付了超過300萬台幣。
He hasn't won. But that's okay! He wants people to see that anyone can run
for election. And he wants people to see that it's okay to lose.
他從來沒有贏過，但是沒有關係，他想要讓大家知道任何人都可以參選，而且輸了也不會怎麼樣。
People call this man the "Election King." Maybe he's the real winner!
________________________________________

Vocabulary
選舉在許多國家都是一件重大的事。
1. vote 投票。
Have you made up your mind? 你拿定主意了嗎?
About whom to vote for? 要投給誰嗎?
Yes. 對。
Of course I have.我當然決定好了。I'll be voting for the youngest people.
我要投給最年輕的候選人。
2. election 選舉。
Not many young people run for elections. 年輕人競選的不多。
You're wrong. 你錯了。Many of them are interested in
politics.他們很多都對政治有興趣。
3. leader 領袖。
But look at those world leaders. 但是你看看那些世界領袖。Many are older, even
beyond 70。很多都老老的，甚至超過七十歲。
Wrong again. 你又錯了。
4. win 贏得。
Canada's Justin Trudeau is young and handsome. 加拿大總理杜魯道年輕又帥氣。
That's different! 那不一樣! His family was in politics.他來自政治家庭。
我們一起來讀單字。vote投票 election選舉 leader領袖 win贏得

________________________________________

Quiz
1. How do people say what they want in elections?
a. They vote.
b. They run.
c. They win.

2. Who is President Lai?
a. An Indian repairman
b. India's new president
c. Taiwan's new president

3. What does the Election King want to show people?
a. Anybody can run.
b. Losing is bad.
c. He has money.

Answers
1. a
2. c
3. a
 

Good afternoon, and welcome to today's episode of News Bites!

I'm Philip Brossard, and I'm Eric Gau

First up, we talk about how a sweet fruit brought a herd of customers to a
store in Taipei over the weekend.

Then we learn about Mexicans standing up to fight for the safety of women in
their country.

And finally, we hear of an idea here in Taiwan to make some train cars into
spaces where people can bring their pets along for the ride.

Stay tuned to hear all about it.

----------------------------

Customers Rush to Buy Imported Mangosteens 人潮湧向市場買山竹

Customers in Taipei lined up Sunday morning to buy the first mangosteens 山竹
imported into Taiwan in 16 years.

To import, 進口, means to buy products or materials from another country.

The government stopped imports of Thai mangosteens in 2003 because of fruit
fly 果蠅 problems.

But after meeting related quarantine 隔離檢疫 requirements, that import ban
was lifted in April this year.

Quarantine is when you keep something away from other things to protect them.

The first batch 第一批 of mangosteens was sold only at one store in Neihu
District.

Even before the store opened, a long line of over 100 customers had formed
outside.

People were given numbers and each one was limited 受限 to two boxes of
mangosteens.

"To be limited" means to have only a certain amount of power to do something.

---------------------------------

Mexicans March to Demand Justice for Violence Against Women
墨西哥人為婦女伸張正義

Hundreds of women have taken to the streets 走上街頭 of Mexico City to demand
justice for themselves.

"To take to the streets" is an expression that means to gather in protest.

They are fighting for young girls and countless 無數 women who have been
attacked, murdered, or gone missing.

"Countless" means there are so many of something that it is hard to know the
exact number.

Mexico is one of the most dangerous countries in the world to be a female.

The coordinator of a Mexican group against femicide 殺害婦女 says Sunday's
march was to point out the government's inability 無能 to prevent, to attend
to or to punish this violence.

"Femicide" is a special word that means to kill women. "Fem" means women and
"-icide" means to kill.

-----------------------------

Petition for Pet-Friendly Train Cars Takes Off 開放寵物友善車廂連署

A petition in support of pet-friendly train cars is taking off.

Thousands of people have signed on to the proposal on a government suggestion
website.

Friendly, 友善, means to be good to someone or something.

Pet friendly, 寵物友善, generally refers to stores or public spaces that
allow people to bring their pets, or that have special services for pets.

The proposal lays out several suggestions, including allowing small pets on
trains as long as they are in strollers, that pets be charged half-price or
have a special pet ticket, and that the owners must carry their pet's
registration and rabies vaccination information on them.

The cars should also be clearly marked as pet-friendly ones so that people
who don't like animals or are allergic to them will know not to enter.

The petition has gathered nearly 3 thousand signatures in ten days.

It requires 5 thousand within 60 days to get an official response.

----------------------------------

Now to review what we've learned today.

Taiwan's first mangosteens 山竹 in over 10 years caused a massive line up at
a store this weekend.

The tropical fruit from Thailand were banned after it was found they had
problems with fruit flies 果蠅.

But they started importing 進口 mangosteens again after meeting requirements
for quarantine 隔離檢疫.

"To import" means to buy things from another country.

Quarantine is when you keep something away from other things to protect them.

----------------------------------

Second, women in Mexico took to the streets 走上街頭 to protect women.

"To take to the streets" means to gather in a group to say an opinion on
something.

Mexico is one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a women.

These women want the government to do more to protect women from femicide
殺害婦女.

"Femicide" is a special word that means to kill women.

---------------------------------

Lastly, people in Taiwan are calling for pet-friendly train cars.

Friendly, 友善, means to be good to someone or something.

So here, "pet-friendly" means to make trains that are suitable for pets.

They want train cars where people can bring their pets with them if they meet
certain requirements.

If enough people sign up for this idea, the government will have to talk
about it and make a decision.

And that's it for today!

Catch you all again tomorrow for another episode of News Bites.

----------------------------------

主播每周一問Have Your Say

This week, we want you to have your say about school uniforms.

School uniforms have been part of the Taiwan education system for a long
time.

Some believe they help students feel like a part of the school, but some say
they are more harmful than helpful.

Do you think schools should have uniforms for students?

Record your message and send it to newsbites@icrt.com.tw with your name and
age, and if you like, the name of your school.

And you might hear your message on our show on Friday.


 

Hello everybody, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites!

I'm Trevor Tortomasi...

And I'm Ryan Drillsma.

In today's news:

The last "English Schweitzer" teacher leaves Taiwan, a potato isn't a potato,
and Ukrainian circus performers find home in Hungary.

All that and more, coming up next.
________________________________

最後一個 「英語史懷哲」老師離開金門
Last "English Schweitzer" Teacher Leaves Kinmen

Andrew Steward was 23 when he and his younger brother Lucas moved to Kinmen
to teach English.

The two of them were recruited by the English Schweitzer social welfare
program in 2004.
他們兩人在2004年應徵「英語史懷哲」社會福利計劃。

Now, he is moving back to the U.S. after 18 years.

Although the English Schweitzer program ended in 2013, Andrew continued to
teach in Kinmen.
雖然「英語史懷哲」計畫2013 年結束，但 史安竹 繼續留在金門教書。

While in Taiwan he met his wife who is also from America and they had a
daughter.

They will move back to their home state of Ohio in the Midwest (中西部).

Originally, they planned to stay in Taiwan for at least four more years.

But they changed their mind last summer, when they visited their hometown
(家鄉).

They saw their daughter adapt (適應) to life in the U.S. very well.

The principal (校長) of Andrew's school said everyone was sad to see him
leave.

Andrew said he appreciated (感謝) being accepted by the people of Kinmen.

And he loved the island's natural beauty.

After the pandemic is over he plans to bring his wife and daughter back to
visit Kinmen.
他打算在疫情結束後，帶著太太和女兒回來金門拜訪。
________________________________

破紀錄的馬鈴薯 不是馬鈴薯
Record-Breaking Potato Isn't a Potato

A husband and wife in New Zealand found an eight-kilogram potato in their
garden last year.
去年紐西蘭有一對夫妻在他們的菜園裡，發現一顆重達八公斤的馬鈴薯。

They gave the potato the name "Doug" and he became famous.

The couple thought the giant potato broke the world record, so they contacted
the Guinness Book of World Records.
這對夫妻以為那顆巨大的馬鈴薯，打破了世界紀錄，於是打電話給金氏世界紀錄。

They sent some of the potato to Guinness, to confirm (確認) their record.

But after several months they got some bad news...

Doug was not a potato, after all!

Guinness said they had found the tuber (塊莖) of a gourd (葫蘆).

They used a DNA test to confirm Doug's species (種類).

Unfortunately, Guinness disqualified (取消資格) Doug because it isn't a
potato.

So, the record for the biggest potato hasn't been broken yet.

The current record holder is still a potato that was found in Britain in 2011.

That potato weighed over 5 kilograms.

The couple are disappointed (失望), but they will try to break the record
again next year.

And this time, it will definitely be a potato!
________________________________

烏克蘭馬戲團成員 在匈牙利找到家
Ukrainian Circus Performers Find Home in Hungary

There is still a lot of danger (危險) in Ukraine right now.

Most people in Ukraine are staying in their country, but there are also many
people fleeing (逃離) to other countries nearby.

And now, two Hungarian circus schools have opened their doors to Ukrainian
students.
兩所匈牙利馬戲學校歡迎烏克蘭學生就讀。

There was a group of around 100 students, who left their homes in Ukraine, to
find safety (安全).

They are between the ages of 5 and 20 years old, and they are from the cities
of Kyiv and Kharkiv.

The city of Budapest and one of the schools arranged for students to come to
the country of Hungary.
布達佩斯市安排學生來匈牙利。

That group of Ukrainian students will be provided with food and housing.

And they will be able to continue their training (訓練) at the schools in
safety.

We can be grateful that there are so many people ready to help those people
in need!
________________________________

So in today's news bites:

The last English teacher from a social welfare program has left Kinmen.

Andrew Steward and his family moved back to their home state of Ohio.

He lived in Taiwan for 18 years and he appreciated being accepted by the
people of Kinmen.
________________________________

A couple in New Zealand found a giant potato, which they named Doug.

It weighed 8 kilograms, so they thought it broke the world record.

But after Guinness did a DNA test on Doug, they found out it was not a
potato, so it was disqualified!
________________________________

Two Hungarian circus schools have opened their doors to Ukrainian students.

Around 100 students had to leave their homes in Ukraine, because of the war
in their country.

They will be given food and housing, and will continue their training.
________________________________

And that's today's episode of News Bites!
________________________________

主播每周一問
Have Your Say

This week, we want you to have your say about acting in a movie.

Watching TV and movies can be fun and relaxing. But have you ever thought…
wow, this movie is so cool! I wish I was in it! Action, adventure, comedy and
horror…

There are lots of different movies out there, but if you could choose one
movie to be in, which would it be, and why?

Record your message and send it to newsbites@icrt.com.tw with your name and
age, and if you like, the name of your school.

Make sure to send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear
your message on our show on Friday!
 

Hello everybody, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites!

I'm Trevor Tortomasi...

And I'm Clifford Chu.

In today's news:

A boat gets burned to the ground, British people are mad at their Prime
Minister, and an old painting gets a new name.

All that and more, coming up next.
________________________________

東港迎王平安祭典
Donggang's King Boat Burning Festival

The years of the Bull, Dragon, Goat, and Dog are auspicious (吉祥) for the
people of Donggang (東港).

These are the years they get to take part in a special ceremony for "Wangye"
(溫王爺), also called the god of plague (瘟疫之神).

The celebration is called the Wangye Worshipping, or the Donggang Boat
Burning Ceremony, and takes place over eight days.

The celebration dates back to the Qing Dynasty, or about three centuries
(世紀) ago, and to the days when Donggang attracted migrants (移民) from the
Fujian province.

Those migrants often prayed to Wen Wangye to make sure he protected them from
getting sick from different plagues.
移民經常祈求溫王爺保佑，避免得到各種瘟疫。

The biggest part of this eight day celebration is the burning of a
beautifully painted wooden boat.

The wooden boat, which is known as the "King Boat" is not a fake (不是假貨).

In fact, organizers say the boat is seaworthy (可以出海), which means it can
travel across the water, and won't sink (沈船).

It takes between 80 to 90 people to build and decorate (裝飾) this boat.

They spend between four and five months from start to finish (從頭到尾).

The last boat may have cost $10 million NT.

But the boat doesn't sit around for very long.

After it is dragged around on a tour to capture (捉住) evil spirits that
cause disease and disasters, it is filled with paper dolls that represent
people.

It is taken to a beach, where it is then burned to the ground (燒得一乾二凈).

The burning symbolises (象徵) Wang Ye's return to heaven, and the casting out
of plagues.

And remember the paper dolls? Those are burned along with the boat.

And that's supposed to help the people they symbolise get rid of the evil
spirits that might be harming them.
________________________________

英國民眾對首相感到不滿
Many British People are Mad at their Prime Minister

A rule is a rule, and no one should be exempted (有豁免權), even if a rule is
difficult to follow.

When the COVID-19 pandemic happened in Britain (英國) in 2020 and 2021, the
British government imposed (強制施行) some very difficult rules.

One of the rules restricted social gatherings (限制社交聚會), like parties.

This meant that two or more people could not get together in an indoor space,
no matter what the reason was.

This meant people couldn't visit family in hospitals.

They couldn't visit healthy relatives.

And they couldn't go to events like funerals (葬禮).

Anyone who broke the law would be fined (罰鍰).

But after the lockdowns ended, British people found out that even if they
were following the law, their Prime Minister Boris Johnson wasn't doing the
same thing.
當封城結束後，英國民眾發現首相強森並沒有像他們一樣遵守規定。

He, and people in his government, were throwing parties (舉辦派對).

The London Police conducted an investigation (進行調查) to be certain that
the parties really happened.

As a result, several people in Johnson's office resigned (辭職下台).

Johnson himself was also found guilty (有罪) of breaking his own rules.

The police asked him and his wife to pay a fine.

Today, Boris Johnson is the first Prime Minister to have broken the law while
serving in office (在職).

And because of that, many people think Johnson should resign.
________________________________

一幅油畫重新命名
An Oil Painting Gets a New Name

An art museum decided to change the name of a painting created by artist
Edgar Degas (竇加).

The painting used to be called "Russian Dancers" (俄羅斯舞者).

But the dancers in the picture were performing a traditional Ukrainian
(烏克蘭) dance.

They even wore ribbons with Ukraine's national colors, yellow and blue.

So the museum said it was time to change the painting's name.
美術館認為，應該要更改畫作名稱。

The painting, which is now called "Ukranian Dancers" was painted during the
time Ukraine was under Russian control (遭俄國掌控).

Degas fans are now wondering if similar paintings in New York and Texas will
have the same name change too.
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

The years of the Bull, Dragon, Goat, and Dog are auspicious ones for the
people of Donggang.

These are the years they get to take part in a special ceremony for "Wangye",
or the god of plague.

The celebration takes place over eight days, and dates back to the Qing
Dynasty.
________________________________

And…

Many British people are unhappy with their prime minister, Boris Johnson.

Johnson imposed very strict lockdown rules to keep COVID-19 from spreading.

But he and people in his government broke those rules, by holding parties.
________________________________

And…

An art museum has changed the name of one classic painting.

Instead of being called "Russian Dancers"... the painting is now called
"Ukrainian Dancers."

The dancers in the picture are wearing the national costume and colors of
Ukraine.
________________________________

And that's today's episode of News Bites!
________________________________

主播每周一問
Have Your Say

This week, we want you to have your say about food.

There's a saying in English "It's raining cats and dogs". It means it's
raining really hard. But that idea of strange things raining down from the
sky really makes you think right?

If the sky could rain food, what food would you like to have rain down?

Record your message and send it to newsbites@icrt.com.tw with your name and
age, and if you like, the name of your school.

Make sure to send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear
your message on our show on Friday!
 

Hi there, and welcome to a new episode of News Bites!

I'm Nancy Sun...

And I'm Paz Bueno.

In today's news:

Numbers worth a lot of money, meat NOT from a farm, and a Swift with hundreds
of legs.

All that and more, coming up next.
________________________________

車牌號碼也可以有特殊意義?
Special License Plates Sell for Top Dollar

Sometimes, some numbers together can have a special meaning.

And sometimes, that's worth a lot of money.

Last month, some special license plate numbers (車牌號碼) sold for a lot of
money.

License plates are the signs on the back of cars.

In Taiwan, license plates have three letters, and four numbers.

Usually, people cannot choose license plate numbers.

But the government lets people try to buy some special license plate numbers.

Some people think these numbers are fun, or will give them good luck.

"8888" is the most popular, because it sounds like "get rich" (發) in
Mandarin.

In fact, the government says BQQ-8888 was sold for $300,000 NT last month.

Some people also like "6" because it sounds like "things going smoothly".

And "520" is popular too, because it sounds like "I love you" in Mandarin.

The license plate number BMW-0520 was sold for $110,000 NT in February.

And the three letters on the license place are important too.

"VVV" is one of the most popular combinations (組合).

In some countries around the world "V" can mean victory.
有些人也覺得前面的英文字母可以有特殊意義，像是用三個V開頭，象徵「勝利」。

Back in 2019, the license plate number "VVV-8888" sold for $881,000 NT.

But another license plate sold for even more money.

In 2011, "88-8888" sold for $3,589,000 NT!
________________________________

去外太空種肉
Growing Meat in Space

Scientists have been growing plants in space for many years.

And now, they want to try to "grow" meat!

New tests to try to grow meat in space started last month.

Astronauts flew up to the International Space Station.

They took a small box with them.

Inside the box, were animal cells (動物細胞).

The plan is to give those cells nutrients (養分) they need to grow.

Then, these cells grow and make more cells, until they become muscle (肌肉).

And this becomes meat that we can eat.

動物的細胞得到需要的養分後開始繁殖增加，形成肌肉組織，最終成為可以吃的肉。

Some people are excited about this way of "growing" meat.

They think it means we won't have to hurt animals to get meat anymore.

And they think we won't have to use so much water and electricity to raise
(養) these animals.

Some scientists also think "growing" meat will help people live on other
planets (星球) in the future.

But for now, they will first try to grow the meat on the International Space
Station.

The scientists aren't sure if the meat will grow the same way in space.

Many things like light, air and gravity (地心引力) are different from on
Earth.

And some other problems have to be worked out (解決) too.

But if these problems can be solved, "growing" meat might lead to a big
change for everyone!
________________________________

名為泰勒絲的馬陸
Millipede Named After Taylor Swift

American singer Taylor Swift has won many awards.

But she's never had an honor (榮譽) like this.

A scientist has found a new species of millipede (馬陸).

And he's named it after Taylor.

The Nannaria swiftae, or Swift twisted-claw millipede was found in the U.S.
state of Tennessee.

It is brown, with reddish spots on the sides.

The scientist that found this millipede says he is a Swiftie.

That's what some Taylor Swift fans call themselves.

Taylor's music helped him get through hard times.

And he wants to thank her, by naming the millipede after her.

這位科學家說泰勒絲的音樂幫助他度過了生活中的低谷，想感謝她。

The scientist says he hopes she is happy about this.

He also points out that millipedes are very important for the environment.

They eat dead plants, and help make the soil better for living plants.
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

Last month, some special license plate numbers sold for a lot of money.

"BQQ-8888" was sold for $300,000 NT last month.

And in 2011, the license plate number "88-8888" sold for $3,589,000 NT!
________________________________

Scientists are trying to "grow" meat in space.

They will try to grow the meat from animal cells on the International Space
Station.

Some scientists think "growing" meat will help people live on other planets
in the future.
________________________________

And,

A scientist found a new species of millipede, and named it after American
singer Taylor Swift.

The Nannaria swiftae, or Swift twisted-claw millipede was found in the U.S.
state of Tennessee.

The scientist that found this millipede says he is a Swiftie.
________________________________

And that's today's episode of News Bites!
________________________________

主播每周一問
Have Your Say

This week, we want you to have your say about secret passages.

Secret passages seem like a lot of fun. They could help you go somewhere,
without anyone knowing. And just walking in a secret passage seems like a
great adventure.

So if you could have a secret passage that starts from your room, where would
it go?

Record your message and send it to newsbites@icrt.com.tw with your name and
age, and if you like, the name of your school.

Make sure to send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear
your message on our show on Friday!