________________________________

Hi there, it's time for another episode of News Bites!

I'm Nancy Sun…

And I'm Hope Ngo.

In today's news:

Mini watermelons, magic cubes, and new music from Doja Cat.

All that and more, coming up next.
________________________________

一手一顆的迷你西瓜
A Watermelon that Fits in Your Hand

A watermelon is usually a fruit that we share.

But this watermelon, you may want to keep for yourself!

Mini watermelons were on show at the Taipei International Food Show earlier
this month.

You could hold the "Miniball" watermelon with one hand.

The round watermelon has green skin with dark green stripes.

The fruit is red inside.

The Miniball has thin skin, and doesn't have many seeds.

They weigh around 600 grams.

That's about the weight of a basketball.

The little watermelons are grown in Kaohsiung.

Experts say they can grow and be ready for harvest (採收) in 60 days.

This isn't the first time watermelons have surprised us.

Experts have also grown square watermelons that are cube-shaped.

There are also pyramid-shaped watermelons, and even heart-shaped watermelons!

這種新研發的 Miniball 小西瓜，只有手掌大小，一個人吃剛好。
________________________________

神手速少年破解魔術方塊打破世界紀錄
Rubik's Cube World Record Smashed

The Rubik's Cube is a 3D puzzle.

It's a cube (立方體) with nine smaller cubes on each side.

Each cube can move, and each side has a different color.

To solve the puzzle, you must get each side back to one color.

It's not as easy as it looks.

Mathematicians say there are more than 3,000,000,000 ways to move the Rubik's
Cube.

But there is only ONE solution (解答).

Many people can do one or two sides of the cube.

Some people can solve the whole cube given enough time.

But there are some people who are "speedcubers".

They can solve the Rubik's Cube very quickly.

A speedcuber recently broke the world record for solving the puzzle cube.

Max Park finished the puzzle in 3.13 seconds!

Max 花了3.13秒的時間，把魔術方塊的六面火速回歸原位，打破金氏世界紀錄。

The 21-year-old broke the record at a competition in California earlier this
month.

It happened so quickly that everyone around him was shocked.

And when they realized he broke the world record, they cheered!

Max's dad says it's been an amazing journey.

He says Max was diagnosed with autism (自閉症) when he was young.

He had a hard time doing things with his hands, like opening bottles.

So Max started playing with a Rubik's Cube to practice using his hands.

And now he holds many world records for solving puzzles!

Many of Max's fans say he is an inspiration.
________________________________

蜜桃貓朵佳推出新單曲
Doja Cat Reveals New Rap Single

Doja Cat is sharing her new rap single.

The song, "Attention" is the first solo music from the Grammy winner since
her album "Planet Her" in 2021.

The song talks about some of the things she's been going through recently.

Doja Cat says she's been listening to music from her childhood.

The musician says that has helped her write music for her new album.

She promises that her fourth album will be coming out soon.

歌手蜜桃貓朵佳說她很快就要跟大家分享新專輯了。

Doja Cat has won one Grammy Award, and been nominated 16 times.
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites...

Mini watermelons were on show at the Taipei International Food Show earlier
this month.

You could hold the "Miniball" watermelon with one hand.

They weigh around 600 grams.

Experts say they can grow and be ready for harvest in 60 days.
________________________________

A speedcuber recently broke the world record for solving the puzzle cube.

Max Park finished the puzzle in 3.13 seconds!

Max was diagnosed with autism when he was young, and started playing with a
Rubik's Cube to practice using his hands.

Now he holds many world records for solving puzzles!
________________________________

And,

Doja Cat is sharing her new rap single.

The song, "Attention" is the first solo music from the Grammy winner since
her album "Planet Her" in 2021.

The song talks about some of the things she's been through recently.

And the musician promises that her fourth album will be coming out soon.
________________________________

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 your summer vacation.

Another school year is finishing, and there are lots of things you can do
this summer. You can spend more time with your family and friends, you can go
on a trip to somewhere new... or you can take more classes, too!

So, what are you planning to do this summer?

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

Send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear your message
on our show on Friday!
 

________________________________

Yo, yo, yo! Welcome to the News Bites.

This is the show, and I am the Trevor Tortomasi.

Hello, I am the Paz Bueno.

In today's news:

The good thing about braces, the crazy part about humans, and the last new
song by a famous band.

Stay tuned for the stories, coming up next!
________________________________

台灣黑熊有牙套
Taiwan Bear Gets Braces

You have probably seen a person with braces (牙套) on their teeth.

People can get braces when their teeth are crooked (歪歪的).

The braces help a person's teeth stay together, to become more straight
(更整齊).

And braces aren't only for changing a person's appearance.
牙套並不只是為了改變人的外表。

Some teeth can cause pain (有的牙齒會造成痛苦), and braces can help to fix
that.

But can animals have braces, too?

Well, yes!

Recently, a Taiwanese black bear had a big problem with his teeth...

Some of his teeth were broken (壞掉了)!

But animal doctors at the Kaohsiung Zoo got together to help him out.

Animal doctors, also called "veterinarians" (獸醫), or "vets", put some big,
giant braces on the bear's teeth.

They helped the bear's teeth stay straight, so vets could make new teeth to
replace the old, broken ones.
牙套讓這隻熊的牙齒保持整齊，好讓獸醫製作新的牙齒給熊代替舊的。

Of course, they had to give the bear medicine (藥), to make sure he was
asleep for the vets to work.

Now, the bear is eating better, thanks to braces and his new teeth!

Some people are still afraid to see a dentist (害怕去看牙醫), but this bear
must have been way more scared than that.

So, getting braces can't be that bad, right?
________________________________

人跟馬賽跑 結果人類勝出
Human Runner Wins Race Against Horse

How fast can you run?

One time, I ran, like, really fast.

Buuuut it probably wasn't faster than A HORSE.

Of course you know, LOTS of animals can run faster than people can.

Horses, dogs, and even some pigs, can all run faster than we can.

But there's something really special about humans and our running abilities
(跑步的能力)...

We can run for longer distances than any animal in the world!
人類跑步的距離，比全世界任何其他動物都長！

And one man proved this (有一名男子證明了這一點), when he raced a horse
(跟馬兒賽跑)... and he won (贏了)!

It was only the fourth time a human has ever won this race (賽跑) against a
horse.

The race was about 35 kilometers long (距離三十五公里), and the road went
through the mountains (穿越山脈).

And the horse needed a rider (馬需要有人騎著牠) so it could know where to run.

But here's where humans are special...

We can sweat!
我們能夠流汗！

Most animals have to pant, like when a dog sticks out its tongue, to cool
down.
大部分的動物要喘氣，就像狗伸出舌頭一樣，這是為了冷卻。

And when they run, they can feel too hot, very quickly (很快就會覺得太熱).

But because we have less hair than most animals
(我們皮膚上的毛比大部分的動物少), we can sweat more... and that helps us to
stay cool (維持涼爽).

So even though this racer (賽跑者) couldn't run FASTER than a horse...

When the race is long, humans still have a chance!
________________________________

披頭四最後一首歌
The Beatles' Last Song

If you like listening to music, then you've probably heard "The Beatles"
(披頭四).

Whether you like their music, or don't (不管你喜不喜歡他們的音樂)... they
might be the most famous band (最有名的樂團) of all time!

The Beatles was a band of four men, who got very famous in the 1960s
(在一九六零年代大紅大紫).

Of course, 70 years later (七十年後)... two of them have passed away
(其中兩位去世了).

So the band became a part of history (這個樂團成為歷史), but couldn't make
any new music...

...Until now!

Before one of the Beatles passed away, he left behind a cassette tape with
some songs, including one called "Now and Then".
披頭四一個成員去世之前，留下了錄音帶，裡面有一些歌曲，包括一首叫做【Now and
Then】的歌。

And now, thanks to artificial intelligence (人工智慧), or AI, that song can
be shared with the world.

Sound engineers (音響工程師) worked hard to "clean up" the cassette's
low-quality sound (把錄音帶低品質的聲音弄【乾淨】一點).

And they used AI to reproduce the old singer's voice (複製之前團友的聲音),
and finish the song.

The Beatles say they will release one last album (最後一張專輯) with the
special song on it.

45 years after the song was written... it can still be something new!
________________________________

So, in the News Bites today... the.

A Taiwanese black bear had a big problem with his teeth... some of them were
broken!

Kaohsiung Zoo veterinarians got together to give him braces, and replace the
broken teeth.

Now, the bear is eating better, thanks to braces and his new teeth!
________________________________

And,

A human has raced a horse, and won!

The race was 35 kilometers long, and went through the mountains.

Thanks to humans' ability to sweat and cool down, we can run longer distances
than any other animal.
________________________________

And,

Before one of the Beatles passed away, he left behind a cassette tape with
some songs, including one called "Now and Then".

Sound engineers "cleaned up" the cassette's sound, and used AI to reproduce
the old singer's voice, and finish the song.

The Beatles say they will release one last album with the special song on it.
________________________________

And that's the today's episode... the... (Sorry, Trevor 很煩)

And that's the today's episode of the News Bites... the... FOR THE WEDNESDAY!
________________________________

主播每周一問
Have Your Say

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

Another school year is finishing, and there are lots of things you can do
this summer. You can spend more time with your family and friends, you can go
on a trip to somewhere new... or you can take more classes, too!

So, what are you planning to do this summer?

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

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 Nancy Sun…

And I'm John Seaward.

In today's news:

An Indian artist, getting paid to stay in bed, and whales return to
California.

All that and more, coming up next.
________________________________

印度藝術家展示傳統的花鳥畫
Indian Artist Showcases Traditional Huaniaohua Paintings

Our first story is about an Indian artist who has found inspiration (靈感) in
traditional Chinese art (藝術).

The huaniaohua (花鳥畫), also known as bird and flower painting.

Harsha Dass moved to Taiwan in 2020.

During her stay, she fell in love with the painting style (繪畫風格) and
learned it from a Taiwanese artist.

Next month, she will proudly exhibit her creations (展示她的作品) at the
National Central Library.

Her show is called 'From Strokes to Shapes: My Three-year Brush with Taiwan.'

These paintings mean a lot to Harsha.

She expresses her love and gratitude to Taiwan and its people through her
artwork.
她以藝術作品，表達她對台灣和台灣人民的愛與感激之情。

In addition to painting, Harsha has also learned Chinese.

Her special exhibition (展覽) will be open for visitors at the library in
Taipei from July 7th to July 14th.

With her art, Harsha aims to reciprocate (回報) the love she received from
Taiwan and its people.

________________________________

歐洲太空總署付錢讓志願者躺在床上
ESA Pays Volunteers to Stay in Bed

The European Space Agency, or ESA, is paying volunteers (志願者) for an
interesting study.

They are giving 12 volunteers $18,000 US dollars each…to lay in bed for two
months!
他們給12位志願者每人$18,000美元...讓他們躺在床上兩個月！

This might sound like a dream come true (夢想成真), but it's actually
important science work!

You see, when astronauts go into space, the lack of gravity (重力) can cause
problems for their bodies.

The ESA wants to learn how to lessen these effects (影響), especially for
longer journeys to places like the Moon or Mars.

So, they've started a special study that began in April this year.

It's being held at a laboratory in France, where the volunteers are spending
60 days lying in bed.

But they're not just lying around doing nothing.

They have to do everything - like eating, showering, and even using the
toilet - while keeping one shoulder touching the bed.

The beds are tilted a bit to mimic what happens to astronauts' blood flow in
space.
床有點傾斜，好模仿太空人血液流動的情況。

The cool part is, this isn't just helpful for astronauts.

The results can also help design better treatments for older people and
patients with bone and muscle conditions here on Earth.
研究結果還可以替老年人和骨骼肌肉病患者，設計更佳的治療方法。
________________________________

太平洋藍鯨返回加州
Pacific Blue Whales Return to California

We have a heartwarming (令人心暖) story from the US State of California.

The Pacific blue whale, the biggest creature in the world, is making a strong
comeback (強勢反彈).

These huge animals were almost gone due to hunting (狩獵).

But now, they're returning!

Blue whales are really big.

They can be 33 meters long and weigh as much as 200 tons!
他們可以長達33公尺，重達200噸！

In summer, they travel north to find food.

Now, people in California are seeing them more and more.

Since the 1970s, it has been illegal (非法) to hunt for whales.

Since then, people have been working together to protect the whales.

They changed fishing rules so that whales didn't get trapped in nets.

Big ships also started going slower and changed their routes (航線) to avoid
hitting the whales.

Not just blue whales, but other big sea animals are also increasing in
number.

The humpback whales and elephant seals are also growing in numbers.
座頭鯨和海象的數量也在增加。

The new rules that help blue whales are also helping these animals.

There is still work to do to help make the ocean safer for them.

But the return of the blue whales is very good news.
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

Indian artist Harsha Dass moved to Taiwan in 2020.

During her stay, she fell in love with the huaniaohua painting style and
learned it from a Taiwanese artist.

Next month, she will proudly exhibit her creations at the National Central
Library.
________________________________

And,

The European Space Agency is paying volunteers for an interesting study.

They are giving 12 volunteers over $18,000 US dollars each…to lay in bed for
two months!

This important science work can help both astronauts and patients with bone
and muscle conditions.

________________________________

And,

The Pacific blue whale is making a strong comeback in California.

These huge animals were almost gone due to hunting.

But now, they're returning!
________________________________

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 your summer vacation.

Another school year is finishing, and there are lots of things you can do
this summer. You can spend more time with your family and friends, you can go
on a trip to somewhere new... or you can take more classes, too!

So, what are you planning to do this summer?

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

Send us your recording by Thursday at noon, and you might hear your message
on our show on Friday!
 

________________________________

Hi there! It's time for another episode of News Bites!

I'm Nancy Sun.

And I'm Paz Bueno.

In today's news:

New paint for old gods, and a hero's greatest fear.

And stay tuned for today's Tasty Tidbits at the end of the episode...

Where our animal jokes will quack you up!
________________________________

新生代匠師為書院古蹟繪門神
Qing Dynasty School to Reopen in 2026


你的學校門口，有門神守護嗎?

An ancient school in northern Taiwan is being restored (修復).

Hsuehhai Academy was built during the Qing Dynasty.

The school in Taipei's Wanhua District was later bought by a local family.

The family used it as a temple.

"學海書院"
是清朝建的書院，日治時期由一個姓高的家族買下建物作為宗祠使用，現在也是台北市唯一的書院建築古蹟。

Two big door gods (門神) are painted on the doors to the building.

Door gods are gods that guard (守護) doors or gates.

They protect people inside from evil.

There are also door gods who bring in good luck and blessings (祝福, 喜事).

Traditionally, most family temples did not have door gods.

But the family that bought the building was a bit different.

One of the family members was a Qing Dynasty official.

高氏宗祠所有權人說，傳統的宗祠比較少有門神彩繪，不過高氏家族先祖是清朝的官，所以宗祠才會有門神彩繪，

Now, the Taipei government hopes the building can reopen for the public by
2026.

The city government asked a traditional artist, Chou Meng-hsun (周孟勳), to
paint new door gods.

Chou is 36 years old, and he is a traditional painter certified by the
Ministry of Culture.

To paint the door, Chou says he will use the same art style and same type of
paint.

But Chou says his door gods will show how artists from different times paint
a little differently.

The old original (原本的) doors will be cleaned and put on display.

Chou says this job is very important to him.

In fact, he says that this is "not just a job" for him.

He says "it is a work of art".
________________________________

讓英雄怕怕的秘魯新品種蛇類
New Snake Species Named After Harrison Ford


A hero isn't afraid of anything, right?

This hero has traveled through dangerous jungles.

He's fought evil bad guys (邪惡的壞蛋) and monsters.

And he's even been chased by a giant rolling rock!

He's Indiana Jones, from the famous Hollywood movies.

But this hero has one weakness...he's afraid of snakes!

Indiana Jones is a professor and archaeologist (考古學家) who goes on many
adventures.

This movie character is played by American actor Harrison Ford.

And now, Harrison Ford shares his name with a real snake!

Recently, four scientists discovered a new species of snake.

They had to walk through dangerous jungles in Peru (秘魯) to find this snake.

They almost ran into drug traffickers (毒販).

And after a lot of hard work and danger, they found the "Tachymenoides
harrisonfordi".

The snake is about 40 centimeters long.

It has bronze and gold scales.

The scientists thought it would be funny to name the snake after the man who
played Indiana Jones, who hates snakes.

哈里遜福特曾飾演的電影主角印第安納瓊斯在劇中其實很怕蛇。

And Harrison Ford, who played the character, also works in nonprofit groups
(非營利組織) to help protect the environment.

After hearing the news, Ford joked that he and the snake "probably would've
been friends in the early '60s."

But seriously, Ford says this reminds all of us that there is still a lot to
learn about nature.

He says we must mend (修補) "our broken relationship with nature" and protect
living things.
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

Hsuehhai Academy, built during the Qing Dynasty is being restored.

The city government asked a traditional artist, Chou Meng-hsun, to paint new
door gods.

The city hopes the building can reopen for the public by 2026.
________________________________

And...

Four scientists discovered a new species of snake, the "Tachymenoides
harrisonfordi".

They named the snake after American actor Harrison Ford.

The scientists thought it would be funny to name the snake after the man who
played the character of Indiana Jones, who hates snakes.
________________________________

趣味小點
Tasty Tidbit

And before we go, here's a Tasty Tidbit to go with your News Lunchbox.

You ready?

How do you get a squirrel to like you?

You act like a nut!

Alright, if that doesn't tickle your funny bone...

Here's two more animal jokes from 11-year-old Ray, Heping Experimental
Elementary School in Taipei City.

***

That was hilarious Ray!

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 another episode of News Bites!

I'm Nancy Sun.

And I'm Paz Bueno.

In today's news:

Staying healthy in all ways, and giving back a piece of history.

And in today's Tasty Tidbit...

We've got something berry funny to share with you. Make sure to stay tuned!
________________________________

台大通過「心理健康假」
NTU to Have Mental Health Leave


We all know being healthy is important.

So we know we should try to eat healthy foods, get some exercise, and take
care of our bodies.

But we are starting to learn that mental health (心理健康) is important too.

Many things in life can cause mental health problems.

So slowing down and getting rest is very important.

The National Taiwan University's Student Counseling Committee (輔導委員會) is
trying something new.

They want to start letting students take "mental health leave".

This mean students can take up to 3 days off school each semester for mental
health.

學生每一學期可以請三天的心理健康假。

They can use an online system to apply for this leave.

And the students do not need to show proof that they are sick.

But the second time that students take leave, the system would send a
notification (通知) to the university's counseling center (心理諮商中心).

And the center would start taking steps to help the student.

Some other universities in Taiwan also let students take mental health leave.

Experts are reminding (提醒) the schools to keep student information private.

They say students should be able to take the leave online, without telling a
teacher.

And the experts point out that it's still hard for high school students to
take mental health leave.

High school students have to fill out a form (申請表).

Then they have to give it to the teacher for approval (許可, 批准)

The students also have many classes, which makes it hard for them to have
time to visit the counseling office.

And they may be worried about how other people would react (反應) if they
found out.

But all the experts agree that student mental health is important, and it
should not be neglected (忽略).

________________________________

希臘要求歸還大理石雕
Greece Calls for British Museum to Return Parthenon Sculptures


The British Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world.

It houses countless (數不清楚) treasures.

But earlier in August, around 2,000 treasures were stolen from the museum.

Police found that it was an inside job (內賊作案).

And the stealing had been happening for over two decades.

These priceless artifacts were stolen because they were not properly
cataloged (編入目錄) by the museum.

After this, many people questioned if the museum could handle taking care of
all those artifacts.

Now, Greece is calling for the museum to return the Parthenon Sculptures.

The sculptures were taken from a famous temple in Athens, Greece hundreds of
years ago.

被要求歸還的「帕德嫩石雕」，是在19世紀一位英國外交官從希臘「帶出」的文物。

Greece has asked the museum to return the sculptures many times.

But the museum says the sculptures were taken to protect them.

Other countries, like Nigeria and China, are also calling for the museum to
return things.

Hundreds of years ago, the British Empire (大英帝國) controlled many parts of
the world.

And some experts say many cultural treasures were taken from those places
during this time.

They say many things in the British Museum were looted (被掠奪).

Over the years, some museums in Europe and the US have started returning
artifacts taken from other countries.

But it remains to be seen (尚不確定) if the British Museum will do the same.
________________________________

So, in today's News Bites:

The National Taiwan University's Student Counseling Committee wants to start
letting students take "mental health leave".

This mean students can take up to 3 days off school each semester for mental
health.

Experts agree that student mental health is important, and it should not be
neglected.
________________________________

And...

Greece is calling for the British Museum to return the Parthenon Sculptures.

This is after thousands of treasures were stolen from the museum.

Many people questioned if the museum could handle taking care of all those
artifacts.

Over the years, some museums in Europe and the US have started returning
artifacts taken from other countries.

But it remains to be seen if the British Museum will do the same.
________________________________

趣味小點
Tasty Tidbit

And before you go, here's a Tasty Tidbit to go with today's News Bites. Get
ready...

What do you call a sad strawberry?

A blueberry!

And speaking of berries...

11-year-old Harley from Heping Elementary School has an interesting fact
about one!

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!