通勤學英語 15Mins Today

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- Topic: About Canada - Quebec unlocks world’s only maple syrup strategic reserve Quebec Maple Syrup Producers（QMSP）is releasing more than half of the world’s only strategic reserve of 45 million kg of maple syrup to keep up with soaring demand - avoiding a sticky situation for pancake lovers. 魁北克楓糖漿商會（QMSP）正釋出全球僅有的4500萬公斤楓糖漿戰略儲備的逾半儲量，以滿足高漲的需求，避免鬆餅迷無楓糖可吃。 Sales of maple syrup have climbed since the pandemic spread in 2019 and led to more people eating at home. Adding to the syrup squeeze, Quebec’s harvest in 2020 was the smallest in three years due to unusually warm weather. 自2019年疫情蔓延、導致人們更常在家吃飯以來，楓糖漿銷量一飛衝天。由於不尋常的溫暖氣候影響，魁北克省2020年的收成量創下3年新低，也使楓糖漿更加缺貨。 The Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve spans 24,805 square meters, the equivalent of five football fields, securing syrup in sterilized 170-liter barrels. 「全球策略性楓糖漿保留計畫」的儲備廠佔地2萬4805平方公尺，相當於5座足球場，楓糖漿則密封在170公升的滅菌桶中。 QMSP is also approving 7 million new taps during the next three years, a 14% increase, to bolster production. QMSP也同意在3年內增採700萬棵楓樹，約增加14％，以提升楓糖漿生產量。 Next Article Topic: To keep coronavirus out, Canada’s smallest province kept the rest of the country away 為了不讓新冠病毒進入 加拿大最小省分與全國其他地方保持距離 In the winter months, when icy conditions keep most people from traveling by sea, there are only two ways to enter Prince Edward Island: by plane or an eight-mile bridge. 在（因海面）冰凍以致大多數人無法搭船（上島）的冬季月份，只有兩種方式可以進入愛德華王子島：搭機或（開車走）8英里長的橋。 When the novel coronavirus started spreading around the world early this year, Canada’s smallest province, off the country’s eastern coast north of Nova Scotia, found itself at a geographical advantage. The island’s remoteness, paired with an aggressive isolation campaign that restricted nonessential travel and enforced two-week quarantines for those arriving in the province, paid dividends. 當今年稍早新冠病毒開始蔓延全球之際，這個位於加拿大東岸外海、新斯科舍省以北的加國最小省分，發現自己享有地理上的優勢。該島的偏僻性，再加上限制非必要旅遊以及蒞臨該省者強制檢疫2週的激進隔離活動，獲致良好效果。 By late April, as death counts were ticking upward in other parts of Canada and soaring in the United States, the province had confirmed just 27 cases of the virus — all of them linked to off-island travel. None of those patients was hospitalized, and no one died. 到了4月底，當加拿大其他地區的死亡人數向上攀升，美國的死亡人數也一飛沖天之際，該省只有27起新冠病毒確診病例─所有病例都與島外差旅有關。這些患者中無人住院，也無人死亡。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1506234 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1388474 Next Article Topic: Fly south or roost? Canadian ’snowbirds’ weigh Florida mid-pandemic Birds of a feather normally flock together, but the pandemic has divided Canada’s "snowbird" warm weather migrants into two camps：those staying home this winter and those heading to Florida no matter the cost. 通常來說，物以類聚，但是這場疫情已經使加拿大每年遷徙到氣候溫暖區的「雪鳥族」分成兩陣營：待在家鄉過冬，以及不計代價前往佛州者。 Nearly a million Canadians make the annual pilgrimage, fleeing to the southern United States to pass what would otherwise be gray and snowy months with their toes tucked in the sand and ocean breeze in their hair. 每年有將近100萬名加拿大人飛奔到美國南方，享受漫步沙灘、和煦海風吹過髮梢，度過在家鄉會是滿是灰白雪世界的幾個月。 The coronavirus has led a majority to forgo the trip this year － but for those flouting Canada’s repeated calls to stay put, the price tag on winter at the beach has skyrocketed. 新型冠狀病毒導致今年大多數人放棄這趟旅程，但是對那些不顧加拿大一再呼籲不要旅行的人來說，到南方沙灘過冬的代價飛漲。 Each plane ticket costs Can$500 and hauling the vehicle 55 miles across the border sets customers back $1,000. 每張機票要500加幣，把車子運送55英里越過邊境，則要花上1000加幣。 Next Article Canadian officials warn drivers not to let moose lick their cars 加拿大官員警告駕駛 不要讓駝鹿舔他們的車 Officials in Jasper, an alpine town in Canada’s Alberta province, have put up signs asking motorists to avoid allowing moose to lick the salt off their cars. 加拿大亞伯達省高山小鎮賈斯柏的官員們，已經張貼標語要求駕駛人不得允許駝鹿舔他們車外的鹽。 "They’re obsessed with salt, it’s one of the things they need for the minerals in their body," Jasper National Park spokesman Steve Young told CNN. "They usually get it from salt lakes in the park, but now they realized they can also get road salt that splashes onto cars." 「他們癡迷於鹽，鹽是其中一種牠們身體必需的礦物質」，賈斯柏國家公園發言人史蒂夫．楊告訴美國有線電視新聞網，「他們通常會從公園的湖鹽獲取它（礦物質），但現在他們知道，他們也能從濺在車上的路鹽得到」。 At the Jasper National Park, where people often park on the side of the road in hopes of catching a glimpse of the moose, letting the animals near your car is actually a serious danger. 賈斯柏國家公園內時常有人停車在路邊，希望能得到駝鹿的注意，但讓動物接近你的車，其實是非常危險的。 By allowing moose to lick the salt off your car, they will become habituated with being around cars. That poses a risk to both the animals and the drivers who can accidentally crash into them. 允許駝鹿舔你的車外的鹽，將會讓牠們習慣徘徊於車子旁邊。對動物及可能意外與牠們相撞的駕駛人都構成風險。 Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1422097 Topic: In Canada, Unraveling Centuries of Indigenous Land Claims Whenever Prime Minister Justin Trudeau or his Cabinet ministers speak in certain parts of Ontario or Quebec, they begin by acknowledging they are on “unceded Algonquin territory.” 每當總理賈斯汀．杜魯多或他的內閣部長在安大略或魁北克省的特定地方發表演說時，都會以承認他們是站在「未讓渡的阿岡昆領土上」開場。 That recognition is just one of the ways Trudeau’s government has been trying to signal a top priority: righting the wrongs Canada has done to indigenous people, especially over land that aboriginals say was taken from them unjustly. 如此承認只是杜魯多政府試圖表明其第一優先要務的途徑之一，這要務則是導正加拿大對原住民所做的錯事，特別是針對原住民聲稱被以不公平方式奪走的土地。 But finding common ground on this issue has proved to be one of Trudeau’s most difficult policy initiatives, and critics say efforts to resolve the land disputes have bogged down. But both sides agree on the importance of sorting out the claims. 在這議題上尋求共識已證明是杜魯多最棘手的政策舉措之一，且批評者指出，解決土地紛爭的努力已陷入困境。不過，雙方都認同解決土地聲索問題的重要性。 “The process of negotiating land claims should be an absolute pillar of reconciliation,” said Ken Coates, a historian at the University of Saskatchewan who studies treaties and is a consultant to indigenous groups. “This is our chance to get it right and if we don’t — boy, when will we get the chance again?” 薩斯喀徹溫大學歷史學家肯恩．柯茨對條約有深入研究且是原住民團體的顧問，他說：「談判土地聲索的過程應該成為雙方和解的絕對支柱。這是我們導正錯誤的機會，若不這樣做，天哪，不知何時還有機會？ 」 Of the many issues dividing Canada’s federal and provincial governments from its indigenous people, land claims are among the most symbolically important and economically consequential, often involving vast amounts of territory. 在造成加拿大聯邦政府、省級政府與原住民間隔閡的諸多問題中 ，土地聲索是最具象徵意義與經濟重要性者之一，經常事關極大量的領土。 Some claims involve hundreds of millions of dollars, and tribes are often interested in controlling the land at issue, by, for example, having a say over logging, oil exploration and mining. 有些土地聲索涉及數億美元，部落往往對擁有這些爭議土地的控制權感興趣，例如在伐木、探油和開礦上享有發言權。 One claim by various Algonquin groups involves the 8.9 million acres of the Ottawa watershed — which includes Canada’s Parliament buildings and Supreme Court. The government thought it had settled that claim in principle a year ago, but it has ended up in litigation anyway. 各阿岡昆族群共同提出的聲索之一，是渥太華流域的890萬英畝土地，其上有加拿大國會大廈和最高法院。 政府認為1年前原則上已解決了這項聲索，不過到頭來還是成了對簿公堂。 The claims are legally thorny, often requiring historians, archaeologists, geographers and geologists to give evidence sometimes stretching back before recorded history to support, or challenge, them. 這些聲索在法律上相當棘手，經常需要歷史學家、考古學家、地理學家和地質學家提供證據，有時還必須回溯到有文字可考歷史之前，以支撐或挑戰這些聲索。 In some regions, land may have been occupied by different indigenous groups at different times, even changing hands after battles that were unrecorded. These groups may all assert rights, and claims can overlap. 在部分地區，土地可能被不同的原住民族群在不同的時間占據過，甚至曾在戰爭後易手而沒有留下紀錄。這些族群可能都提出主權聲索，而且可能彼此重疊。 Then there is the problem of treaties. Some indigenous groups, like the Algonquins, never signed treaties giving up their land. The government says it is talking with about 140 indigenous groups in that situation. 接著還有條約問題。一些原住民族群如阿岡昆人，從未簽署過放棄他們土地的條約。 政府表示他們正與處於這種狀況下的約140個原住民族群進行談判。 Others did sign treaties, and a government tribunal that deals with treaty disputes has 72 cases and is so overwhelmed that it cannot estimate how long it will take to resolve them. 其他族群確實簽署了條約，處理條約爭端的1個政府法庭手上有72個案件，案件多到不堪負荷，難以估計要多久才能解決。 The result is that settlement negotiations occur at a frustratingly slow pace. 結果則是，和解談判是以令人沮喪的龜速進行。 Source article: https://paper.udn.com/udnpaper/POH0067/320990/web/

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 → https://15minstoday.firstory.io/joinVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 颱風天最適合做什麼？John 老師和阿鍵老師選擇 stay indoors and do more work，完成了《Self-Discipline in 10 Days》的完整分享！這集 Teacher's Lounge 不只要告訴你剩下的三個關鍵階段，更要探討為什麼「過程比結果更重要」，以及如何建立真正有效的自律循環。 完美主義是學習的最大敵人 在進入後三個階段之前，Theodore Bryant 提出了一個重要觀念：不要完美主義。阿鍵老師解釋：「他有勸我們不要這麼完美主義，我們不用一次就一定要怎麼樣，我們其實重視的是持之以恆，然後長久的進步。」 這個觀點直擊現代學習者的痛點。很多人設定了學習目標後，一旦某天沒有完全達成，就會產生「I'm a loser」的想法，進而放棄整個學習計畫。但學習是一個 process，「我今天沒有完全學到，我明天還可以繼續學，不會說我現在沒有學到 and I'll never learn ever again。」 John 老師用社區大學的例子來說明這種心態的價值：「裡面的大哥大姐，他們真的是六七十歲去社大上課，他們的目的不見得真的是要學會什麼，但他們學習這個東西，他們非常開心，然後學東西的時候也更有動力。」 自律循環的核心機制 Theodore Bryant 提出了一個「self-discipline cycle」的概念：學習 → 記錄 → 獲得成就感 → 進入下一個學習循環。這個循環的關鍵在於「學習的過程作為成就感，而不是學習的結果當作你的成就感。」 阿鍵老師總結：「他的這個 discipline 自律的 cycle，從學習然後你把你學到的東西記錄下來，就是有點像我們之前講的 input output，那你就會得到成就感，讓你再進入下一個學習的 cycle。」 記錄的方式可以很簡單，不一定要詳細的 recording，「你可以做一個 tick，你可以做一個 checkbox 把它勾掉，我今天有做了這件事情。」重點是透過這些記錄，「告訴你自己說其實你沒有你想象的糟。」 第三階段：善用零碎時間 進入具體的實踐階段，第三階段的重點是時間分配和拖延克服。「我們用一些方法來避免我們的拖延，例如說我們把幾分鐘的專注學習當成我們的目標，那我們把上一個階段的工作拆解下來，變成我們上班前來聽一段 Podcast，然後午休的時候可以來 shadow 三句。」 這個階段的核心是 smart learning：「每一次做這些學習的時候，都希望 maximize my time and also maximize my goals。」當你的任務和目標夠小的時候，零碎時間更能搭配得上。 這正好呼應了通勤學英語的設計理念。每集長度控制在五到八分鐘，讓大家可以在通勤時間學習，「聽聽新聞，馬上接收到這個世界的軌跡，其實讓你上班的時候，或者是你在做 small talk 的時候，跟你的同事之間互動的時候，馬上就接上軌了。」 第四階段：自我激勵的藝術 當你進入重複性的學習循環時，很容易產生倦怠感。「你會覺得啊，枯燥無味哦，每天都這樣 cycle，都一直重複性的，哇好累哦，我覺得我看不到未來，我開始心裡面會有很多 self doubt 自我懷疑。」 這時候就要進入自律循環最關鍵的部分：記得你的初衷。「莫忘初衷，要回顧自己，我有一步一步的在往我的目標去前進，自我激勵在這邊，我們行動要大于動機，然後告訴自己，你看，I took action。」 不過阿鍵老師也提出了平衡的觀點：「這一本真的比較反人性一點點，這一階段他講自我激勵，他還是要我們先做先不要想。但每一個大師講的，其實心法上都有可以一環一環相扣的地方，看你怎麼樣去把它給統整起來。」 關鍵是了解自己的特質：「有的人是比較行動派的，你就用這本書的方法，你就是先動再說。有的人是比較需要去思考或者找他的理由的，就用我們之前講的另外一本。」 第五階段：反思與檢視 最後一個階段是「reflect and review your process」。這個過程可以周為單位進行回顧：「Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday，然後都 take action，可能 Thursday 就開始有點疲乏了，然後 Friday 就會說 OK one last bit，然後你可以做 review。」 具體的回顧方式是量化你的進步：「你看這個禮拜我就已經學了 ten phrases，然後我讀了，我收聽了一個多小時的英語等等的，那已經比我前一個禮拜多了 40% 50% 的投入時間，這個就是你的成就感。」 阿鍵老師用很實際的例子說明累積的威力：「我們每天只要一個，不用到三個，每天只要一個，一個月下來我們光是 shadowing 的句數可能就有 16 到 20 則。你這個 16 到 20 句子，假如真的可以拿來用的話，你這個一年下來就好多好多了。」 過程導向 vs 結果導向 這本書最重要的洞察是區分「目標導向」和「結果導向」。John 老師分析：「我們普遍都有那種過分高速跟效率的想法，我們都有很明確的目標，希望做什麼可以得到什麼成果，我們反而是結論導向，太結果主義了。」 這種結果主義會導致持續的挫折感：「我今天做了這麼多，然後我的 result 只有這麼少，我這麼努力上班，我只有拿三萬五。」但如果把焦點放在過程上，「我中間的過程雖然我只得到三萬五的薪水，我中間的過程可能是十萬塊，可能我下一個 job 就七萬，就 double 了。」 國際新聞學習的意外收穫 對於 VIP 會員來說，長期累積國際新聞的學習還有意外的收穫。「除了這些 personal goal 以外，可能還有意外得到很多其他東西，像比如說跟同事之間的交流跟互動會更密切，我開始搞懂了，開始了解了很多我的外籍人士同僚他們所看到的、所聽到的、所在意的東西。」 15Mins 的新聞選題經常「太超前了」，比如之前討論的 Gen Z 的 Delulu 風潮，或是瘦瘦筆的趨勢，「在台灣好像隔了兩三個月之後都有報。國外的有一些東西 on trend 或大家在在意的東西，可能要花一點時間才會到我們台灣這邊。」 這種超前的國際視野對投資美股的朋友特別有價值，「從我們的新聞會發現是不是都有類似的脈動，因為我們的 source 其實都是以國外歐美人士的角度去看這個世界，然後給大家不一樣的世界觀。」 學習如同長身高 節目最後，阿鍵老師用了一個很美的比喻來描述學習過程：「學習英語有一點像長身高，我們長高雖然不知不覺的，但是你回頭看，不管是看照片或看記錄，你都會發現真的好像不太一樣了。」 這個比喻完美詮釋了 Theodore Bryant 的核心理念：學習是一個自然的、漸進的過程，重點不在於每天能測量到多少進步，而在於持續的累積和時間的力量。 從理論到實踐的完整藍圖 《Self-Discipline in 10 Days》提供了一個完整的行為改變框架： 從小目標開始建立信心，透過任務分解降低阻力，善用零碎時間提高效率，用自我激勵克服倦怠，最後透過反思檢視鞏固成果。 最重要的是，這個方法承認了人性的弱點（完美主義、結果導向、容易放棄），並提供了具體的應對策略。它不要求你變成超人，只要求你變得比昨天的自己稍微好一點點。 正如 John 老師提醒的：「只要你吸收得了，只要你可以做得到，都是你的。Nobody can take that away from you。」在這個資訊爆炸的時代，也許我們真的需要回到最核心的東西：一步一步地行動，一天一天地累積。 準備好開始你的十天自律之旅了嗎？記住，重點不是十天後變成完美的自己，而是十天後變成會持續行動的自己。

照顧人生無法預期何時來！🎧聽創作者阿松學長說：「一踏入長照後，才發現「根本沒那麼簡單」👉 https://fstry.pse.is/86l23x 「先來一杯 我們再聊」節目聆聽照顧者、陪你預備長照未來！點擊連結，讓我們有機會不在照顧困境掙扎👉 —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— Summary: Japan is a pioneer in cashless technology, but now it is one of the countries in the world that is lagging behind in the adoption of electronic payments. Four out of five purchases are made with cash, while 90% of the payments in Korea are digital. Japanese elders feel more comfortable to use cash, since counterfeiting is non-existent.  In November, Japanese lawmakers giggled during a drill to practice using the disaster prevention helmets. People took to Twitter and questioned the parliament for making light of a life and death matter.  Vocabulary and Sample Sentences: Life-and-death adj. – vitally important It is a life-and-death matter, we need to deal with it very seriously. I need you to take me to the hospital now, it’s a life-and-death matter.  Unfold v.– open or spread out from a folded position / information or sequence that is revealed We would have to wait for Gavin to finish the story to understand how it unfolds. Please unfold the boxes and leave it near the trash can.  Off-key adj – not appropriate or not having the correct pitch He was singing off-key, and it was painful for us to hear. What Peter did last week was off-key.

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 你知道嗎？現在 Instagram 的貼文可以被 Google 搜尋找到啦！本週的《英語咖啡館》John 和 Cariya 老師要來揭開這個新的搜尋演算法遊戲規則，這點對於小型企業或個人工作室來說，可能會是翻身的好機會喔！ 想像一下，以前沒經費運作網站的小老闆們，現在只要會用 Instagram 就能在 Google 上被看見，就像是數位時代的灰姑娘故事一般夢幻。本集節目還聊到了為什麼 Z 世代越來越不愛用 Google 搜尋，以及社群上病毒式傳播的行銷標籤等小秘密。 Did you know? Instagram posts can now be found through Google search! This week on English Cafe, John and Cariya reveal the rules of this new search algorithm game, which could be a great turnaround opportunity for small businesses or individual studios! Imagine this: small business owners who previously couldn't afford to run websites can now be seen on Google just by knowing how to use Instagram—it's like a fairytale Cinderella story of the digital age. This episode also discusses why Generation Z is increasingly moving away from using Google search, and little secrets about viral marketing hashtags on social media.

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- Full Article Here: https://www.15mins.today/blog/15mins-inspirations-ep-10-inspirational-quotes-from-rock-n

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 → https://15minstoday.firstory.io/joinVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep. L064: Nepal's Gen Z Topples Government Highlights 主題摘要Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned after deadly protests killed 22 people, marking a dramatic shift in the country's political landscape.Youth-led demonstrations began over social media bans but evolved into a broader anti-corruption movement challenging Nepal's political establishment.Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed as Nepal's first female prime minister to address the crisis and restore stability. Nepal's political landscape underwent seismic changes this week as youth-led protests forced the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and culminated in the appointment of the country's first female leader. The unprecedented demonstrations, which began as opposition to social media restrictions, evolved into a powerful anti-corruption movement that has fundamentally transformed Nepal's governance structure and challenged decades of traditional political dominance. 尼泊爾政治版圖本週經歷天翻地覆的變化，青年主導的抗議活動迫使總理奧利（K.P. Sharma Oli）辭職，並促成該國首位女性領導人的任命。這場史無前例的示威活動最初是對社群媒體限制的反對，演變為強大的反腐運動，從根本上改變了尼泊爾的治理結構，並挑戰了數十年來的傳統政治主導地位。 The crisis began when the government banned 26 social media platforms, including WhatsApp and Facebook, citing registration requirements with Nepal's communication ministry. However, this decision ignited widespread fury among Nepal's digitally-connected youth, who viewed the ban as a deliberate attempt to suppress their voices and curtail ongoing anti-corruption campaigns. The protests quickly escalated beyond the social media issue, with demonstrators demanding systemic reforms, accountability from corrupt officials, and an end to the widespread nepotism symbolized by the viral #NepoKids hashtag that contrasted politicians' lavish lifestyles with ordinary citizens' struggles. 危機始於政府以向尼泊爾通信部註冊為由，禁用包括WhatsApp和Facebook在內的26個社群媒體平台。然而，這項決定引發數位世代青年的廣泛怒火，他們認為禁令是刻意壓制他們聲音並阻撓正在進行的反腐運動。抗議活動迅速升級，超越社群媒體議題，示威者要求制度性改革、追究貪腐官員責任，並終結以病毒式傳播的#NepoKids標籤所象徵的廣泛裙帶關係，該標籤對比了政治人物奢華生活與一般民眾的困境。 Violence erupted as thousands of Gen Z protesters clashed with police in Kathmandu and other major cities across Nepal. Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition as determined demonstrators scaled parliament walls, breached government building perimeters, and set fire to key political institutions. The confrontations resulted in at least 51 deaths and over 1,300 injuries, creating a humanitarian crisis that shocked the nation. Additionally, more than 12,500 prisoners escaped from multiple jails during the chaos, with many attempting to flee to neighboring India, creating widespread security concerns that stretched law enforcement resources thin. 當數千名Z世代抗議者在加德滿都和尼泊爾其他主要城市與警方發生衝突時，暴力事件爆發。當堅決的示威者攀爬國會圍牆、突破政府建築警戒線，並放火燒毀重要政治機構時，安全部隊以催淚瓦斯、水砲和實彈回應。衝突造成至少51人死亡、超過1300人受傷，形成震撼全國的人道危機。此外，超過12500名囚犯在混亂中從多座監獄逃脫，許多人試圖逃往鄰國印度，造成廣泛的安全疑慮，讓執法資源捉襟見肘。 In response to the escalating crisis, President Ramchandra Poudel appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as interim prime minister, making her Nepal's first female head of government in the country's modern history. The 73-year-old legal veteran, renowned for her unwavering anti-corruption stance and judicial integrity, represents a carefully chosen compromise candidate acceptable to both the protesting Gen Z groups and the broader political establishment. Her appointment signals a potential turning point in Nepal's tumultuous political journey, though the country faces continued uncertainty as it navigates this unprecedented transition while addressing deep-rooted issues of systemic corruption, youth unemployment, and the fundamental disconnect between political elites and ordinary citizens that sparked this remarkable uprising. 為因應不斷升級的危機，總統普代爾任命前首席大法官蘇希拉·卡爾基為臨時總理，使她成為尼泊爾現代史上首位女性政府首腦。這位73歲的資深法律人士以堅定不移的反腐立場和司法操守聞名，代表經過慎重選擇、抗議Z世代群體和更廣泛政治體制都能接受的折衷人選。她的任命標誌著尼泊爾動盪政治歷程的潛在轉捩點，儘管該國在因應這場史無前例的轉型時仍面臨持續不確定性，同時需要處理引發這場非凡起義的根深柢固問題：制度性貪腐、青年失業，以及政治菁英與一般民眾間的根本脫節。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字Culminated [verb, reached the highest point or final result]: The unprecedented demonstrations culminated in the appointment of the country's first female leader.Transformed [verb, changed completely or dramatically]: The unprecedented demonstrations evolved into a powerful anti-corruption movement that has fundamentally transformed Nepal's governance structure.Suppress [verb, prevent something from being expressed or published]: Nepal's digitally-connected youth viewed the ban as a deliberate attempt to suppress their voices and curtail ongoing anti-corruption campaigns.Breached [verb, broke through or violated a barrier]: Security forces responded with tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition as determined demonstrators breached government building perimeters.Navigates [verb, finds a way through or deals with a complex situation]: The country faces continued uncertainty as it navigates this unprecedented transition while addressing deep-rooted issues. Reference article: 1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crkj0lzlr3ro 2. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/9/12/nepal-protest-death-toll-reaches-51-as-12500-prisoners-remain-on-the-run

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- Topic: Junk food habit affects sleep quality French fries and hamburgers are popular with teenagers. Everyone knows that these high-calorie foods can lead to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and high blood pressure, but, according to a report published by Medical Xpress, a study led by the University of Queensland in Australia has found that eating too much junk food can also have an impact on teenagers’ sleep quality. 薯條、漢堡等速食及飲料很受青少年喜愛。眾所皆知這些高熱量食物會導致慢性疾病，如心臟病和高血壓等。不過，「醫療快訊」報導，澳洲昆士蘭大學帶領的一項研究發現，吃過多的垃圾食品還會影響青少年的睡眠品質。 According to the research results, teenagers who drink more than three soft drinks per day were 55 percent more likely to report sleep disturbance than those who only drink one cup per day. Males who ate fast foods on more than four days per week were 55 percent more likely to report sleep disturbance than those who ate them only once a week, while females were 49 percent more likely to do so. 根據研究結果，每天喝三杯以上飲料的青少年自稱有睡眠障礙的機率，比每天只喝一杯軟飲料的青少年高百分之五十五。每週吃四天以上速食的男性自稱有睡眠障礙的機率，比那些每週只吃一次速食的男性高百分之五十五，而女性的機率高出百分之四十九。 This global study examined unhealthy diets and stress-related sleep disturbance in high school students from 64 countries. The study found that 7.5 percent of adolescents reported having stress-related sleep disturbance, which was more common among females than males and increased with more frequent consumption of carbonated soft drinks, as did the occurrence of sleep problems. Because carbonated drinks often contain caffeine and large amounts of sugar, while fast foods are high in energy but poor in nutrients, long-term consumption can cause nutritional imbalances. 這是一項針對全球不健康飲食和與壓力有關的睡眠障礙研究，涉及來自六十四個國家的高中生。研究表明，百分之七點五的青少年自稱有壓力相關的睡眠障礙，其中女性比男性更常見，且隨著碳酸飲料的頻繁飲用而增加，睡眠障礙的比率也愈高。因為碳酸飲料通常含有咖啡因和高糖分，而快餐食品高熱量但較缺乏營養，長期攝取會營養不均衡。 These data were collected from global health surveys conducted by the WHO between 2009 and 2016, which included about 170,000 students aged 12 to 15 years from 64 low, middle and high-income countries in Southeast Asia, Africa, South America and the eastern Mediterranean. 這些數據收集自二○○九年至二○一六年世界衛生組織的全球健康調查，其中包括來自東南亞、非洲、南美部分地區和地中東海東部地區的六十四個低、中、高收入國家的約十七萬名十二至十五歲的學生。 The research team said that frequent intake of soft drinks and eating of fast foods is closely associated with sleep problems in teenagers, and that this phenomenon is particularly clear in high-income countries. The research team said that these findings are worrying because poor-quality sleep has an adverse impact on adolescent health and cognitive development. They suggested that policies should be formulated that target these unhealthy behaviors. 研究團隊表示，青少年經常喝飲料、吃速食與睡眠障礙之間關聯密切，這現象尤其在高收入國家特別明顯。研究團隊指出，這些發現令人擔憂，因為睡眠品質差會對青少年的健康和認知發展產生不利影響。他們建議應針對這些不健康的行為制定相關政策，使青少年能健康成長。 Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2021/01/05/2003749938 Next Article Topic: Cognitive decline linked to ultraprocessed food, study finds Too many daily calories from highly processed foods like lunch meats, frozen dinners, and packaged cookies may speed up cognitive decline, a new study suggests. 一項新的研究表明，每天從午餐肉、冷凍晚餐和包裝餅乾等高度加工食品攝入過多卡路里，可能會加速認知能力下降。 In the study, researchers examined the diets and cognitive function test results of more than 8,000 adults in Brazil. At the start of the study, participants consumed an average of about 2,850 calories a day. About 28 percent of their daily calories came from highly processed foods. 在這項研究中，研究人員檢視巴西8000多名成年人的飲食和認知功能測試結果。在研究開始時，參與者平均每天消耗約2850卡路里的熱量。他們每天有約28％的卡路里來自高度加工食物。 After about nine years of follow-up, cognitive test scores for memory and executive function declined the most for participants who ate the most highly processed foods. 經過約9年追蹤，吃加工食品最多的參與者，其記憶力和執行功能的認知測試分數下降幅度最大。 Ultraprocessed foods are defined as “industrial formulations of food substances (oils, fats, sugars, starch, and protein isolates) that contain little or no whole foods and typically include flavorings, colorings, emulsifiers, and other cosmetic additives,” according to the study. 根據這項研究，超加工食品被定義為「食品物質（油、脂肪、糖、澱粉和蛋白質分離物）的工業配方，含極少或不含全天然食品，通常包括調味劑、色素、乳化劑和其他化妝品添加劑」。 Next Article Topic: Taiwan gourmets shocked at Pizza Hut’s newest cilantro, century egg-flavored delight 必勝客最近傳出將推出「香菜皮蛋豬血糕比薩」，交雜台式料理讓最勇猛的台灣人都震驚。 Pizza Hut is about to release a new “cilantro, century egg pig’s blood cake pizza” (香菜皮蛋豬血糕比薩) whose chaotic combination of flavors is poised to shock even the most daring Taiwanese gourmet. 據網友所述，此比薩將結合台灣各式道地美食，而這個消息也引來熱議。 According to social media users, the new pizza will combine many well-known traditional Taiwanese street foods, and the announcement sparked intense discussions online. 許多人表示當每道口味都那麼重的時候就不會那麼美味，也有人開玩笑的問必勝客「到底有多討厭義大利」。 Many thought that the flavors were too strong and would clash. Social media users even teased Pizza Hut, commenting “how much do you hate Italy?” 必勝客之前也已推出過眾多奇特的口味，其中包括臭豆腐、麻辣鍋、拉麵、榴槤和湯圓等。 Pizza Hut had launched many unusual pizza flavors in the past, including stinky tofu, spicy hot pot, ramen, durian, boba, and fried tangyuan. 最近也因為端午節特別推出了粽子口味的「北皇粽比薩」，如今依舊在菜單上。 Their recent Dragon Boat Festival series, which includes Zongzi flavored pizza, is still on the menu. 根據網友分享，新口味的DM上寫著此比薩內含「香菜、花生粉、豬血糕和Q彈皮蛋」。 According to the poster provided by social media users, the cilantro century egg pig’s blood cake pizza is made with four key ingredients: cilantro and peanut powder from Yunlin, braised pig’s blood cake and chewy century eggs. 網友表示這個口味對於不敢吃香菜、皮蛋、豬血糕或是對花生過敏的人都是極大的挑戰。 Some commented that this flavor is challenging people who dislike cilantro, century eggs, and pig’s blood cake, or are allergic to peanuts. 也有人點出這四種材料單看起來都好，但是被混搭在一起後胃口全沒了。 Others expressed their strong dislike over the idea of mixing those four ingredients together. 然而，還是有勇者表示自己想試試看，並稱「這個口味還是比鳳梨好」。 However, many were still willing to give the pizza a try, commenting “this new flavor is better than pineapple on pizza.” 更有人建議必勝客應該試做「辣味鴨血」或是「銀絲卷」口味。 Another suggested adding “spicy duck blood” or “silver thread buns” (銀絲卷). 網友也開玩笑的指出必勝客真的在向義大利宣戰了，留言中寫道「如果義大利攻打台灣，我一點也不會感到意外」。 Some also joked that Pizza Hut is challenging Italy with this outrageous flavor, with one questioning“Does Pizza Hut want Italy to declare war?” while another said, “If Italy attacks Taiwan, I wouldn’t be surprised.” 根據網友所述，此新口味將在六月底登場。 According to social media users, this flavor will be released at the end of June.

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 → https://15minstoday.firstory.io/joinVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 你是否常常想要改變，卻總是停留在「想」的階段？這集 Teacher's Lounge，John 老師和阿鍵老師要分享一本顛覆傳統思維的書籍《Self-Discipline in 10 Days: How to Go from Thinking to Doing》，探討為什麼現代人越來越難自律，以及如何用「行動先於動機」的革命性方法，真正開始你的英語學習之路。 現代人的自律困境 自律為什麼這麼難？John 老師從人類本性開始分析：「我們作為成人，So many wants，想要的東西永遠多過於我們需要的東西，然後往往就是在想要跟需要中間，有很多的情緒，讓我們消耗很多自己的內心能量。」 更根本的問題在於現代生活的「逆天」本質。「我們不是夜行動物，結果我就要變成夜貓子，晚上不睡覺滑手機。」這種與自然節律對抗的生活方式，導致了許多現代疾病和心理問題。 阿鍵老師也觀察到：「每個人個性不一樣，有的人可能會比較容易去達到自己對自己的規定，可能大部分的人會比較對自己好一點啦。」這種「對自己好一點」的心態，往往成為缺乏自律的藉口。 即時滿足 vs 延遲滿足的現代挑戰 書中重點討論了 instant gratification（即時滿足）與 delayed gratification（延遲滿足）的衝突。John 老師用社群媒體舉例：「我們有 Instagram，然後我們有 social media，這種東西都是即時滿足。我馬上看到，抖音一直刷一直刷，我一直看不完，然後馬上就得到滿足。」 但這種即時滿足就像「cheap calories」，看似解決了無聊或需求，實際上對知識提升或個人成長沒有太多幫助。相對地，延遲滿足的概念是：「我現在吃可能只能吃兩份，可是過幾天之後我可能得到的更多，我為什麼不 delay 這個 gratification？」 著名的棉花糖實驗證實了延遲滿足能力的重要性。阿鍵老師提到：「找一群小朋友來，跟他說你現在拿這顆糖的話你只能拿一顆，你要是等到 40 分鐘之後你可以拿兩顆。」研究發現，小時候就有延遲滿足能力的孩子，長大後的成功率都很高。 革命性觀點：行動先於動機 這本書最顛覆性的觀點是「行動要先於動機」。這與許多motivational books 的方法完全不同。John 老師解釋：「很多時候人們拖延是因為他們需要 be in the mood，我要 in the mood，我今天心情有點雜，今天沒心情，等我狀況好一點的時候再說。」 但作者 Theodore Bryant 認為，這種等待心情或動機的想法正是問題所在。「他的提倡就是行動要大於動機，不要想你有沒有動機，先做了再說。」 阿鍵老師總結了這個方法的特色：「他蠻特別，他解決的是你的拉力的部分，那動力的部分他是說先做再說。」這種方法特別適合已經「行動力非常薄弱的人」，因為「就不要再 think 了，就會 think too much。」 因時制宜的策略選擇 重要的是，不同的方法適合不同的人或不同的階段。John 老師分析：「你已經是那種很謹慎的人，你現在這個狀態已經是很謹慎的狀態了，你就可以 focus on action。可是你這個狀態是很鬆散的，沒有 well thought out，那你可能要先 think，start with the why。」 這個觀察很重要，因為它承認了沒有一種方法適合所有人。「Timing 跟 which phase you are in 會有一些差距。」 十天計畫的前兩個階段 Theodore Bryant 將自律培養分成五到六個階段，這次節目分享了前兩個階段： 第一階段（Day 1-2）：設定小目標 關鍵是「Set smaller goals」，而且要把焦點放在行動而不是結果上。「不要 set day one and day two and say, I want to improve English，因為這很泛空。」 具體的建議是設定可執行的小目標：Five minutes a dayThree sentences a dayI read 4 lines John 老師強調：「Do 是 the goal，not the result，not the concept。」這樣設定的好處是「前兩天就有得到這種快感，有這個達成的感覺。」 第二階段（Day 3-4）：任務進階 當小目標達成後，就要「學習分解你的學習任務」，在原有基礎上增加一點挑戰： 如果第一階段是「5 minutes every day」，第二階段就是「5 minutes every day and I have to be able to read it out loud properly。」 如果第一階段是「make three sentences a day」，第二階段就是「make three sentences a day and I need to take one sentence and apply it in my life。」 阿鍵老師總結：「第一階段就是我們把目標拆成小的一步一步做，第二階段就是這個小目標已經達成了之後，你把它再延伸一點點。」 實際應用到英語學習 這個方法在英語學習上的應用非常具體。與其設定「我要進步英語」這種模糊目標，不如設定： 階段一具體目標：每天聽 5 分鐘英語每天跟讀 3 個句子每天閱讀 4 行文字階段二進階目標：每天聽 5 分鐘英語並能跟著唸出來每天造 3 個句子並在生活中使用其中一個每天閱讀 4 行文字並能大聲朗讀 改變思維模式的意義 這個方法的深層意義在於改變我們對「準備」和「開始」的認知。John 老師提醒：「我們都知道，永遠不會準備好。」與其等待完美的時機或充足的動機，不如先開始行動， 讓動機在行動中產生。 「有時候這跟我們瘦身一樣，你 try 了好幾種方式無法瘦身，why not 換一個方法，換一個方法可能很適合你。」 社群支持的力量 節目最後也展現了學習社群的溫暖。Wilson 聽了 English Cafe 關於第一支手機的故事後，分享了自己從 Nokia 到 iPhone 的科技使用歷程，這種真實的互動讓學習變得更有人情味。 「我們聽眾裡面應該有很多從黑金剛時代到現在的，所以不管你是什麼時代，其實大家都是有經歷過一段很美好的那個時間點，其實都很值得分享。」 從想到做的關鍵轉換 《Self-Discipline in 10 Days》的核心價值不在於提供另一套心法，而在於提供具體可執行的步驟。它承認現代人面臨的真實困境：資訊過載、即時滿足的誘惑、完美主義的拖延，然後提供一個簡單但有效的解決方案：先做再說。 下週 Teacher's Lounge 將繼續分享剩下的階段，但重點是這週就可以開始實踐前兩個階段。如果你一直想要開始英語學習卻遲遲沒有行動，也許是時候放下那些關於「準備」和「動機」的想法，直接從一個五分鐘的小目標開始。 記住，這不是要你變得完美，而是要你開始變得不同。從思考到行動的距離，也許只是一個小小的「開始」。 準備好從想到做的轉變了嗎？立即設定你的第一個小目標，讓行動成為產生動機的起點！

照顧人生無法預期何時來！🎧聽藝人林葉亭說：「爸爸走失，就是我照顧得不好！」👉 https://fstry.pse.is/8683gp 「先來一杯 我們再聊」節目聆聽照顧者、陪你預備長照未來！點擊連結，讓我們有機會不在照顧困境掙扎 —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— Summary:  The boom of sharing economy brought about many types of transportation sharing companies around the world. However, in some countries, sharing economy battle to catch on. For many bike sharing companies, Rome is a difficult city to develop. In 2013, Rome discontinued the bike sharing program after the program ran out of money. Few years ago a Hong Kong company gave up their business in Rome because many of their bicycles landed up in the Tiber river. From there, a Singapore company also left Rome when the romans stole the bikes and broke them down for parts. Uber is confident that its sharing program will grow in Rome.  原跟讀文章: https://www.15mins.today/blog/745-maybe-this-time-the-bikes-won-t-end-up-in-the-river  Vocabulary and Sample Sentences:  Pull the plug idiom. – cancel / discontinue The city of Rome pull the plug on its bike sharing program when it ran out of money. My boss stopped funding us, so we had to pull the plug on the project.  Run out of ph.v- used up (of supply) The bank ran out of new bank notes over the Chinese New Year. My car ran out of gas before reaching Taichung.  Clog v. – blocked or become blocked The highway is clogged with holiday traffic. Food waste usually clog our kitchen drain. 

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 你知道香港人說的「麻煩」其實不是在抱怨，而是想跟你討拍拍，要你同理他嗎？新加坡人的「can can」比「yes」還要肯定？這週的《英語咖啡館》John 老師和資深空中飛人 Angel 老師，要從空服員的第一線經驗，帶你破解亞洲三大變體英文的秘密！ 從香港人把「麻煩」當作聊天開場白，到新加坡人的「can can」其實是超級肯定的意思，再到我們台灣人愛用的「I very like」直譯法。Angel 老師還分享了香港同事們如何用各種「鬼」字輩稱呼外國人，以及 John 老師在101美食街叫人「大哥」被白眼的糗事！每種變體英文都像是文化的碎片，透露出當地人的思維方式和生活習慣。聽完這集，下次在國外遇到聽不懂的表達時，大方的問「你的意思是什麼？」，就知道該怎麼自然地融入當地啦！ Did you know that when Hong Kong people say "troublesome," they're not actually complaining, but rather seeking empathy and wanting you to understand them? And that Singaporeans' "can can" is even more affirmative than "yes"? This week on English Cafe, John and veteran flight attendant Angel use first-hand cabin crew experience to help you decode the secrets of Asia's three major English variants! From Hong Kong people using "troublesome" as a conversation starter, to Singaporeans' "can can" actually meaning super affirmative, to us Taiwanese loving direct translation methods like "I very like." Angel also shares how Hong Kong colleagues use various "ghost" terms to refer to foreigners, and John's embarrassing story of calling someone "big brother" at Taipei 101's food court and getting eye rolls! Each English variant is like a cultural fragment, revealing local people's ways of thinking and living habits. After listening to this episode, next time you encounter expressions you don't understand abroad, confidently ask "What do you mean?" and you'll know how to naturally blend in with the locals!

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- Full Article Here: https://www.15mins.today/blog/15mins-inspirations-ep-9-inspirational-quotes-from-retail

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀 Ep. L060: SpaceX星艦重獲成功 SpaceX Starship Achieves Breakthrough Success Highlights 主題摘要SpaceX's Starship rocket completed successful test flights after multiple explosive failures throughout the year.The world's largest rocket endured intense reentry heat and deployed dummy satellites during critical tests.NASA depends on Starship for its 2027 Artemis Moon mission, though timeline remains uncertain. SpaceX faced mounting pressure throughout 2025 as its revolutionary Starship rocket suffered a devastating series of explosive failures. The world's most powerful launch vehicle, standing 403 feet tall, had experienced three catastrophic explosions during test flights, with debris raining down over the Caribbean and another rocket exploding on its test stand in June. Critics questioned whether Elon Musk's ambitious vision of reaching Mars and supporting NASA's lunar program was achievable, especially after years of development costs exceeding billions of dollars and growing skepticism from aerospace industry observers. SpaceX在2025年面臨巨大壓力，因為其革命性的星艦火箭遭遇了一連串毀滅性的爆炸失敗。這個高達403英尺、全世界最強大的運載火箭，在試飛期間經歷了三次災難性爆炸，碎片散落在加勒比海上空，另一枚火箭更在六月的測試台上爆炸。批評者質疑馬斯克雄心勃勃的火星計劃和支援美國太空總署登月計劃是否可行，特別是在開發成本超過數十億美元的多年後，以及航太產業觀察家日益增長的懷疑聲浪。 The breakthrough finally came during a nail-biting 60-minute test flight from Texas, when Starship successfully demonstrated its remarkable capabilities. Despite experiencing engine explosions and flaps catching fire during descent, the massive rocket completed its mission profile, reaching nearly 200 kilometers above Earth before executing a controlled splashdown in the Indian Ocean. The spacecraft's innovative "Pez"-like satellite deployment system functioned flawlessly, dispensing mock Starlink satellites for the first time—a crucial milestone that previous tests had failed to achieve, providing essential validation for the rocket's commercial viability. 突破終於在德州進行的一次扣人心弦的60分鐘試飛中到來，星艦成功展現了其非凡能力。儘管在下降過程中經歷引擎爆炸和襟翼起火，這個巨大的火箭完成了飛行計劃，到達地球上空近200公里後，成功在印度洋執行受控降落。太空船創新的「Pez糖果盒」式衛星部署系統運作完美，首次發射模擬星鏈衛星——這是先前測試未能達成的關鍵里程碑，為火箭的商業可行性提供了重要驗證。 Technical achievements aside, Starship's success represents crucial validation of SpaceX's controversial "fail fast, learn fast" philosophy, distinguishing it from competitors like Blue Origin who favor extensive ground testing. The company gathered comprehensive data from takeoff through landing, essential information for developing the fully reusable transport system capable of carrying humans to both the Moon and Mars. However, significant engineering challenges remain, including perfecting orbital refueling techniques with super-cooled propellants and developing heat shields that can withstand repeated atmospheric reentries without requiring months of costly refurbishment between missions. 撇開技術成就不談，星艦的成功代表了SpaceX備受爭議的「快速失敗、快速學習」理念獲得關鍵驗證，有別於藍色起源等偏好大量地面測試的競爭對手。公司蒐集了從起飛到降落的完整數據，這些關鍵資訊對於開發能載人前往月球和火星的完全可重複使用運輸系統至關重要。然而，重大工程挑戰依然存在，包括完善超低溫推進劑的軌道加油技術，以及開發能承受重複大氣層重返而無需在任務間進行數月昂貴整修的隔熱罩。 The stakes couldn't be higher for both SpaceX and NASA's ambitious timeline. With the Artemis program targeting human Moon landings by 2027, and Musk promising uncrewed Mars missions within the next year, Starship must prove its operational reliability quickly. The United States finds itself in an intense space race against China, with many experts believing that despite this recent progress, achieving the 2027 lunar deadline remains extremely unlikely. Nevertheless, Tuesday's triumphant success has reinvigorated confidence in the program and demonstrated that SpaceX's boldest engineering dreams may indeed transform from ambitious speculation into technological reality. 對SpaceX和美國太空總署的雄心時程而言，賭注再高不過了。隨著阿提密斯計劃目標在2027年實現人類登月，而馬斯克承諾明年進行無人火星任務，星艦必須迅速證明其營運可靠性。美國發現自己與中國陷入激烈的太空競賽，許多專家認為儘管最近有所進展，達成2027年登月期限仍極不可能。儘管如此，週二的輝煌成功重振了對該計劃的信心，並證明SpaceX最大膽的工程夢想或許真能從雄心勃勃的推測轉化為科技現實。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字Revolutionary [adjective, involving completely new methods or ideas]: SpaceX faced mounting pressure as its revolutionary Starship rocket suffered a devastating series of explosive failures.Explosive [adjective, involving or causing a sudden burst]: The world's most powerful launch vehicle had experienced three catastrophic explosive failures during test flights.Breakthrough [noun, important discovery or development]: The breakthrough finally came during a nail-biting 60-minute test flight from Texas.Capabilities [noun plural, abilities or features]: Starship successfully demonstrated its remarkable capabilities despite experiencing engine explosions during descent.Reinvigorated [verb past tense, gave new energy or strength to]: Tuesday's success has reinvigorated confidence in the program and demonstrated that SpaceX's engineering dreams may become reality. Reference article: 1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly69z9lwnno 2. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/aug/26/spacex-starship-launch

你不理財，財不理你！想學理財，玉山罩你！玉山銀行全新Podcast節目《玉山學堂》帶你深入淺出掌握每週市場脈動！還有知名主持人蔡尚樺領銜的跨世代對談，從不同的角度打好理財基本功！現在就點擊連結收聽👉 https://open.firstory.me/user/cm7037zkd001001s66cbv7npp/platforms —— 以上為 FMTaiwan 與 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— Original icon font promotes beauty of Taiwan 日本設計師Holoko和英國工程師Rob攜手創作出100個代表台灣的文字圖標（Taiwan Icon Font)，提供免費下載，期望透過台味十足的圖標，讓世界知道台灣的魅力，吸引更多人來台觀光旅遊。 Holoko and Rob, a Japanese designer and a British programmer, recently joined hands to design a hundred Taiwan-themed icon fonts in hopes of introducing local tourism attractions and attracting more tourists to Taiwan. 文字圖標是什麼呢？使用者只要打入對應代碼，便能產生小圖示，也可以像文字一樣改變圖示大小、顏色。 But, what’s an icon font? Icon fonts are fonts that contain symbols and glyphs instead of letters and numbers. Internet users can style them with CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) to create original designs in a variety of colors and shapes. 圖標種類分為四大類，分別是觀光景點、產品、交通、其他。除了全台從南到北和離島的觀光景點之外，還有珍珠奶茶、台灣鐵路、YouBike等等代表台灣的事物都變成超可愛迷你圖示。 The aforesaid icon font is organized into four types, including sights, products, traffic and more. In addition to famous Taiwan attractions and offshore islands, various cultural features such as pearl milk tea, Taiwan Railways Administration, and YouBike have been converted into cute mini icons. Taiwan Icon Font官網寫道，創作者的發想理念緣起於2019年8月陸客來台禁令生效，對台灣觀光業造成衝擊，然而，設計師認為來台灣的不只有中國人，台灣的美足以吸引來自世界各地的人，盼能藉由小圖示宣傳台灣之美。 In 2019, China imposed a travel ban that froze individual tourists’ permits to Taiwan, which caused a significant impact on Taiwan’s tourism. Against this backdrop, Holoko and Rob launched this project with the hopes of bringing more people from around the world to discover the beauty of Taiwan, according to the designers’ official website. 文內自介寫道，「我們支持台灣，因為台灣有好大的吸引力，而且台灣就是我們的好朋友！」熱愛台灣的設計師不僅被台灣景致吸引，對他們來說，台灣更像是好朋友。舉例來說，珍珠奶茶在日本掀起的熱潮、每年增加的旅台日人、台灣2011年傾囊相助日本東北地震賑災，可見台灣與日本友好關係。 In addition, they stressed how “we support Taiwan not only because Taiwan is attractive but also is our friends.” Among other highlights, they remarked that Taiwan-Japan ties have been blooming ties in recent years which can be seen in the pearl milk tea craze in Japan, an increase of Japanese tourists to Taiwan and donations to the Japan earthquake in 2011. 「WE STAND BY TAIWAN」是計畫口號，呼應整體概念。設計師支持台灣自由、尊嚴而開始了這個計畫。目前已經出了第一版，而設計師們也會持續更新改善，讓世界認識台灣。 “We Stand By Taiwan” the slogan of the project, reflects such design concepts. The two foreign creators launched this project with the aim of supporting freedom in Taiwan. So far, the first version has already been released and they will continue to improve their original font to let more people know about Taiwan. Source article: https://chinapost.nownews.com/20200114-931025 Legendary singer/actress Barbra Streisand lauds Taiwan’s virus control In a tweet on April 5, legendary singer and actress Barbra Streisand praised Taiwan for its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak. “Taiwan, despite being just 100 miles from mainland China with regular flights to and from Wuhan, has successfully staved off the worst of the coronavirus pandemic,” the superstar tweeted. 在四月五日的推特中，傳奇歌手、演員芭芭拉史翠珊大讚台灣對於武漢肺炎的爆發處理得宜。這位超級巨星推文說：「儘管台灣距離中國大陸僅約一百英里，與武漢間還有例行往返的班機，但已成功擊退新冠病毒流行病最嚴峻的挑戰。」 She pointed out that Taiwan had only five deaths at the time, and that most schools and businesses remained open. Later that day, President Tsai Ing-wen retweeted Streisand’s post, saying that it is encouraging to have one of the world’s most distinctive voices speak up in support of Taiwan’s proactive approach against the outbreak. 她指出台灣至當天為止只有五例病死，大多數學校與商家仍正常運作。蔡英文總統隨後在當天亦轉推這則推文並說，世界上最特別的聲音，能發聲力挺台灣主動對抗疫情的方法，這真是令人大受鼓舞。 “We are more than willing to share our experiences with friends around the world as well,” the president wrote, followed by hashtag #TaiwanCanHelp — a slogan signifying Taiwan’s willingness to contribute to the world during the pandemic. Fans have suggested that Streisand stage a concert in Taiwan after the crisis, so she can see this beautiful land in person. 蔡總統並說：「台灣很樂意與世界各地的朋友分享我們的經驗。」在文末並附上「台灣能夠幫忙」（#TaiwanCanHelp）的標籤——藉此口號表示台灣願為全球防疫盡一己之力。還有歌迷建議史翠珊在疫情平息後來台開唱，親自看看這片美麗的土地。 Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/04/17/2003734741 Taiwan’s culinary innovations cause a stir in the world of pizza Forget your pepperoni or other pizza toppings: Pizza Hut Taiwan has teamed up with Menya Musashi, a popular Japanese ramen restaurant chain, to serve up the world’s first ramen pizza, and it has attracted global interest after a CNN report about the new mashup was published on the front-page of its Japanese version. 忘掉你愛的臘腸或其它配料吧。台灣必勝客近日與熱門日本拉麵連鎖店麵屋武藏合作，共同推出全球首創的「拉麵披薩」！美國有線電視新聞網（CNN）對此混搭的相關報導，還衝上該媒體日本版網站首頁，並進而引發全球關注。 The new pizza has the toppings of a Japanese-style barbecue pork ramen — complete with thick noodles, barbecue pork slices, fresh chilies and white sesame, as well as a half-boiled egg sitting in the middle. It is also garnished with green onions and bamboo shoots on the side. 基本上，這款新口味披薩上有著日式叉燒拉麵的配料——包括粗麵條、叉燒肉片、一些辣椒末和白芝麻，中間還擺著一顆半熟的糖心蛋，旁邊則裝飾著一些青蔥及筍片。 Pizza Hut Taiwan told CNN that its creative pizzas are just a way to introduce some fun into the customer experience. “Taiwanese consumers live a high-pressure life with long working hours and a high cost of living. The food scene has become an exciting and creative escape,” said Lily Chou, the company’s marketing director, adding that it is definitely the first ramen to be served as a slice. 台灣必勝客告訴CNN，它的各種創意披薩其實是想為顧客們帶來一些樂趣。行銷總監周佳麗指出︰「台灣消費者過著高工時、高生活成本的高壓生活，而令人興奮的創意美食已成為逃離壓力的出口，」她還說這絕對是第一款用手吃的拉麵。 The Taiwanese are known for their creativity in making special food and drinks: some of their previous mashups have included matcha green tea pizza, durian pizza, stinky tofu pizza, and even bubble tea pizza. Also known as “boba tea” or “pearl milk tea,” the famous tea of Taiwanese origin mixed with milk and small tapioca balls has become a global sensation in recent years. Domino’s Taiwan even caused a pizza war by launching its “bubble tea pizza” late last year. 台灣人向來以製作新奇飲食的創造力而聞名，之前推出的混搭還包括抹茶披薩、榴槤披薩、臭豆腐披薩，甚至珍珠奶茶披薩等。珍奶在英文中又被稱作波霸奶茶或泡沫奶茶，這種知名茶飲一般混合著牛奶，及樹薯粉製成的粉圓，近年逐漸在世界各地造成轟動。台灣達美樂去年底就因為推出黑糖珍珠披薩，而掀起一場披薩大戰。 “It might be the ultimate meeting of eastern and western cuisine — Taiwan’s famous bubble tea as a topping on a Domino’s pizza,” CNN reported. Domino’s Taiwan originally planned to offer the dessert pizza covered in brown sugar pearls, cheese and honey for a month, but the popularity of the bubble tea pizza secured its spot on the regular menu, and rivals have been trying to join this trend. “In Taiwan everyone loves the texture ‘Q,’ which means chewy or bouncy in the way boba is, and this pizza was indeed very ‘Q,’” Lev Nachman, a US PhD candidate conducting research in Taiwan, told CNN. CNN稍早報導說︰「台灣著名的珍奶化身達美樂披薩配料——這或許是東方和西方飲食的終極交會。」最初台灣達美樂僅計劃推出這款覆蓋著黑糖珍珠、起司、蜂蜜的甜點披薩一個月，不過因產品大受歡迎，最後被加入正式菜單，其它對手亦開始追逐這股風潮。 在台灣做研究的美籍博士候選人南樂對CNN說：「在台灣，每個人都愛『Q』、也就是有嚼勁、會彈牙的口感，就像珍珠粉圓，而這款珍奶披薩口感的確很『Q』。」 Source article: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2020/07/06/2003739406 Taiwan to stop, not block, local sales for Chinese TV streaming services Taiwan plans to stop local sales for Chinese Internet television streaming services operated by the likes of iQiyi and Tencent Holdings, according to regulations released this week, but does not plan on blocking the services. 根據本週發布的規範，台灣將禁止中國的網路電視串流服務在境內進行銷售活動，受到限制的對象包括愛奇藝與騰訊控股等業者，但是串流服務並不會遭到封鎖。 Democratic Taiwan, claimed by China as its sovereign territory, has long been suspicious of Chinese attempts to sway its population, including by use of fake news spread online and efforts to influence Taiwanese media. 被中國聲稱為其主權領土的民主台灣，長久以來相當懷疑中國潛移默化台灣人民的企圖，包括利用網路上散布的假新聞，以及各種影響台灣媒體的手法。 The Ministry of Economic Affairs said late Tuesday that the rules barring Taiwanese companies from selling or operating as sales agents for Chinese Internet streaming services will take effect Sept. 3. The service iQiyi applied in 2016 to set up a Taiwanese subsidiary, but was rejected because Chinese companies cannot operate online streaming services there, the ministry said. 經濟部於週二晚間宣布，台灣公司禁止經銷或代理中國網路串流服務的規定，將於九月三日正式上路。經濟部表示，愛奇藝曾於二○一六年申請成立台灣子公司，但是遭到拒絕，因為中國公司不得在台灣從事網路串流服務等業務活動。 However, Taiwan is not blocking or banning them, the National Communications Commission said. “People can still watch and pay for overseas subscriptions,” commission deputy chief Wong Po-Tsung told Reuters, adding that officials would ensure that subscribers’ rights are not affected. 不過，國家通訊傳播委員會表示，台灣並不會封鎖或是禁止這些平台。通傳會副主委翁柏宗向路透表示：「觀眾仍然可以收看，並且付費海外訂閱。」他補充說，政府官員會確保訂閱者的權益不受影響。 The commission ruled in May, after months of debate, that Chinese online television service providers would not advertise their services in Taiwan. 經過數個月的爭論後，通傳會在五月做出決定，中國的網路電視服務提供業者不得在台灣廣告和促銷其服務。 Baidu-backed, Netflix-like iQiyi said in a statement issued by unit iQiyi International that it was paying close attention to the situation and that it believed it should “not become the specific target of legislation.” “We wish to see the Taiwanese government departments involved recognize the benefits of an open market economy,” it added. Tencent, which runs Tencent Video, declined to comment. 由百度持有股份、類似Netflix的串流平台愛奇藝，在一份由愛奇藝國際發布的聲明中表示，該公司正在密切注意情況，並且認為公司「不應該成為立法的特定對象。」該公告補充表示：「我們希望看到台灣政府的相關部門認知到開放市場經濟的益處。」經營「騰訊視頻」（在台灣以「WeTV」上架）的騰訊則是拒絕發表評論。 Taiwan has a free Internet, unlike China, which blocks sites such as Google, Facebook and Twitter. Taiwan also does not ban access to popular Chinese apps like WeChat or sites like Baidu. China does not permit Taiwanese firms to offer Internet television streaming services. 台灣擁有自由的網路，不像中國封鎖包括Google、Facebook、Twitter等網站。台灣也沒有禁止使用WeChat等受歡迎的中國手機應用程式，或是封鎖百度等網站。中國則是不允許台灣公司在當地提供網路電視串流服務。 Chinese Internet giants have come under pressure internationally, led by the US, where President Donald Trump ordered ByteDance last week to divest video-sharing app TikTok’s US operations within 90 days, the latest effort to ramp up pressure on the Chinese company over concerns about data security. 近來，中國的網路巨頭在國際間受到不少壓力，首先是美國總統川普簽署行政命令，要求「字節跳動」必須在九十天內出售或分拆

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照顧人生無法預期何時來！🎧聽藝人林葉亭說：「爸爸走失，就是我照顧得不好！」👉 https://fstry.pse.is/8683gp 「先來一杯 我們再聊」節目聆聽照顧者、陪你預備長照未來！點擊連結，讓我們有機會不在照顧困境掙扎 —— 以上為 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— Summary: This article talks about how “addictive” media is and how the tide is turning, in that people want to disconnect more. This issue is ours alone though and we can cut our usage easily.  Full article here: https://www.15mins.today/blog/734-addicted-to-screens-that-s-really-a-you-problem  Vocabulary and Sample Sentences:  Enthrall v. : something that takes up all your attention Did the new movie enthrall you? Was the election enthralling?  Enticement n.: persuade someone to do something through a reward Is receiving free samples an enticement to buy something? What entices you to get up every day?  Crib (sheet): Written answers usually used to cheat by students Have you ever used a crib sheet? Are crib sheets useful when making cold calls? 

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 你知道有首歌幾乎人人都會哼，卻不知道原唱是誰嗎？繼上次70年代老鷹合唱團的金曲《Desperado》後，本週《英語咖啡館 - 爵士學英語》John 老師和 Shimin 老師要帶大家進入80年代，探討 Bette Midler 的經典《The Rose》！這位擁有四座金球獎、三座葛萊美的超級巨星，居然發行過14張專輯，但大多數人卻是從電影認識她！ 這首歌最特別的是完全沒有副歌，三段主歌分別描述感情的不同面向，你認為愛更像是河流還是剃刀呢？Shimin 老師也分享了多年前在三芝海邊駐唱時接到的點歌經驗，那是一次沒練過這首歌卻能演唱的奇妙回憶！ Do you know there's a song that almost everyone can hum, but they don't know who originally sang it? Following last time's 70s Eagles hit "Desperado," this week on English Cafe, John and Shimin take everyone into the 80s to explore Bette Midler's classic "The Rose"! This superstar who has won four Golden Globes and three Grammys has actually released 14 albums, but most people know her from movies! What makes this song special is that it has no chorus at all—the three verses each describe different aspects of love. Do you think love is more like a river or a razor? Shimin also shares her experience from years ago when she was performing at a seaside venue in Sanzhi and received a song request—it was a wonderful memory of performing a song she had never practiced before!

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- Full Article Here: https://www.15mins.today/blog/15mins-inspirations-ep-8-inspirations-quotes-from-jazz-singers

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 國際時事跟讀VIP Ep. L055: Wildfires Devastate Multiple European Nations as Heat Fuels Spreading Blazes Highlights 主題摘要Devastating wildfires swept across Spain, Portugal, Turkey and Greece, killing victims and forcing thousands to evacuate from homes and resorts.Nearly 1,000 soldiers joined firefighters battling blazes while emergency services reported 77 hospitalizations from smoke exposure in Turkey alone.European wildfire destruction has increased 87% above historical averages, with over 400,000 hectares already burned this year. Deadly wildfires raged across southern Europe this week as extreme heat created perfect conditions for devastating blazes. Spain witnessed its most tragic incident when flames claimed a victim who suffered burns across 98% of his body near Madrid, where firefighters had largely contained the blaze by Tuesday morning. Firefighters and nearly 1,000 soldiers battled multiple fires in regions including Castile and Leon, Castile-La Mancha, Andalusia, and Galicia, while thousands of tourists fled beach resorts at Spain's southern tip. Regional authorities later confirmed some evacuated beachgoers could return to their hotels. 本週致命野火席捲歐洲南部，極端高溫為毀滅性火災創造了完美條件。西班牙發生最慘烈事件，馬德里附近的火勢奪走一名全身98%燒傷的受害者生命，消防員到週二上午已大致控制該處火勢。消防員與近千名士兵在包括卡斯提亞-雷昂、卡斯提亞-拉曼查、安達魯西亞和加利西亞等地區對抗多處火災，同時數千名遊客逃離西班牙南端的海灘度假村。地方當局稍後證實部分撤離的海灘遊客可以返回飯店。 Portugal mobilized over 700 firefighters to combat a major blaze in Trancoso municipality, located approximately 350 kilometers northeast of Lisbon, while smaller fires burned throughout northern territories. The Portuguese emergency response demonstrated the massive scale of resources needed to tackle such widespread destruction across the country's forested regions. French authorities placed most southern regions under the highest heat warning, with some municipalities offering free access to public swimming pools as relief measures for residents struggling with the intense temperatures. 葡萄牙動員超過700名消防員對抗位於里斯本東北約350公里特蘭科蘇市的大火，較小火災則在北部各地燃燒。葡萄牙的緊急應變展現了處理全國森林地區如此大範圍破壞所需的龐大資源規模。法國當局將大部分南部地區列入最高熱浪警戒，部分市政當局為受強烈高溫所苦的居民提供免費游泳池使用作為緩解措施。 Turkey experienced perhaps the most dramatic evacuations when wildfires swept through Canakkale province, forcing 2,000 residents to flee by both land and sea routes. The blaze originated on agricultural land but rapidly spread to forested areas before reaching residential zones, fanned by strong winds that complicated firefighting efforts. Emergency services reported 77 hospitalizations due to smoke exposure, highlighting the serious health dangers beyond direct fire damage. Agriculture Minister Ibrahim Yumakli confirmed that while the major Canakkale fire was largely contained, firefighters continued battling active blazes in western provinces including Manisa and Izmir. 土耳其可能經歷了最戲劇性的撤離，野火席捲恰納卡萊省時，迫使2,000名居民透過海陸等不同路線逃生。火勢起源於農地但迅速蔓延至森林地區後到達住宅區，強風助長火勢使滅火工作複雜化。緊急服務部門通報77人因吸入煙霧住院，突顯了超越直接火災傷害的嚴重健康危險。農業部長易卜拉欣證實，雖然恰納卡萊的主要火勢已大致控制，但消防員仍在包括馬尼薩和伊茲密爾在內的西部各省對抗活躍火災。 Greece faced multiple emergency situations with seven major wildfires threatening cities and tourist destinations. The most serious blaze approached Patras, the country's third-largest city, where firefighters scrambled resources to protect industrial areas and residential neighborhoods. High winds severely hindered firefighting efforts on popular tourist islands Zakynthos and Kefalonia, where authorities remained on standby to evacuate resort complexes if conditions deteriorated further. Greek civil protection services issued over 20 mobile phone alerts with evacuation orders. European wildfire destruction has escalated 87% above historical averages this year, with over 400,000 hectares already consumed according to EU data published. 希臘面臨多重緊急狀況，七場大型野火威脅城市及觀光景點。最嚴重的火勢逼近該國第三大城市帕特雷，消防員緊急調動資源保護工業區和住宅區。強風嚴重阻礙熱門觀光島嶼札金索斯和凱法利尼亞的滅火工作，當局持續待命，若情況進一步惡化將撤離度假村建築群。希臘民防服務發出超過20次手機警報和撤離命令。根據歐盟公布的數據，今年歐洲野火破壞比歷史平均攀升87%，已有超過40萬公頃土地被吞噬。 Keyword Drills 關鍵字Mobilized [verb, organized and deployed for action]: Portugal mobilized over 700 firefighters to combat a major blaze in Trancoso municipality.Scrambled [verb, moved quickly and urgently]: The most serious blaze approached Patras where firefighters scrambled resources to protect industrial areas.Consumed [verb, completely destroyed by fire]: European wildfire destruction has escalated with over 400,000 hectares already consumed according to EU data.Escalated [verb, increased rapidly in intensity]: European wildfire destruction has escalated 87% above historical averages this year.Deteriorated [verb, became progressively worse]: Authorities remained on standby to evacuate resort complexes if conditions deteriorated further. Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/13/temperature-records-heatwave-europe-france-croatia-wildfires https://apnews.com/article/europe-spain-portugal-wildfires-climate-change-1533bd1d950306686cf433a3a75095d6

你不理財，財不理你！想學理財，玉山罩你！玉山銀行全新Podcast節目《玉山學堂》帶你深入淺出掌握每週市場脈動！還有知名主持人蔡尚樺領銜的跨世代對談，從不同的角度打好理財基本功！現在就點擊連結收聽👉 https://open.firstory.me/user/cm7037zkd001001s66cbv7npp/platforms —— 以上為 FMTaiwan 與 Firstory Podcast 廣告 —— Topic: Japan to fund AI matchmaking to boost birth rate Japan plans to boost its tumbling birth rate by funding artificial intelligence matchmaking schemes to help residents find love. 日本計畫透過資助人工智慧配對相親計畫，幫助國民尋找愛情，以提高該國不斷下降的出生率。 From next year it will subsidize local governments already running or starting projects that use AI to pair people up. 從明年開始，日本政府將提供補貼，資助地方政府已經在運行以及新啟動的人工智慧配對相親項目。 Last year the number of babies born in Japan fell below 865,000 - a record low. 去年，日本新生嬰兒數跌破86.5萬，創下歷史新低。 The fast-greying nation has long been searching for ways to reverse one of the world’s lowest fertility rates. 日本的生育率為全世界最低的國家之一，這個快速高齡化的國家長期以來一直在尋找扭轉局面的方法。 Boosting the use of AI tech is one of its latest efforts.加強人工智慧技術的運用，是其最新舉措之一。 Next year the government plans to allocate local authorities 2bn yen to boost the birth rate, reported AFP news agency. 據法新社報導，日本政府計畫明年撥款20億日圓給地方政府，以提高出生率。 Many already offer human-run matchmaking services and some have introduced AI systems in the hope they will perform a more sophisticated analysis of the standardised forms where people submit their details. 許多企業已經提供了人工婚介服務，一些已經引入AI系統，希望能夠對民眾提交的標準化表格進行更精密的分析。 Next Article Topic: The Age of Quantum AI The age of Quantum AI is upon us. AI needs processing power that current computers can’t provide but quantum computers could pick up the slack. 量子人工智慧的時代來臨。人工智慧（AI）需要當前計算機（電腦）無法提供的處理能力，而量子電腦可以彌補不足之處。 Google announced that it had built the world’s first real quantum processor, the 53-qubit Sycamore chip. It seems that IBM took it a little bit personally, maybe because Big Blue’s Summit is the world’s fastest calculating machine, for now. 谷歌（Google）已宣布研發出全球首座真正的量子處理器，即53量子位元的「Sycamore」晶片。但國際商業機器公司（IBM）對此頗有微詞，因為IBM的超級電腦「Summit」現在還是全球最快的計算機。 Quantum computing and AI aren’t just two parallel research fields that happen to meet somewhere. They’re more like a match made in heaven. 量子運算與人工智慧不僅是平行卻碰巧有交集的兩個研究領域。它們更像是天生一對。 Big Data is the nexus between AI and quantum computers. The former needs data and lots of it to learn and improve its intelligence. The latter are well-equipped to deal with huge swaths of data in a time-efficient manner. 大數據是人工智慧與量子電腦的連接點。前者（人工智慧）需要透過大數據學習及改進。後者（量子電腦）能夠高效處理大數據。 Financial modeling, weather forecasting, chemical simulations, and quantum cryptography are just a few examples of the areas that quantum AI would revolutionize. 財政模型化、天氣預報、化學模擬、量子密碼學都只是量子人工智慧即將革新的其中一些領域。 Next Article: Topic: Evolution of circuits for machine learning 機器學習電路的進化 Artificial intelligence （AI） has allowed computers to solve problems that were previously thought to be beyond their capabilities. There is therefore great interest in developing specialized circuits that can complete AI calculations faster and with lower energy consumption than current devices. 人工智慧（AI）讓電腦能夠解決此前被認為超出計算機能力範圍的問題。人們因此相當關注專門電路的開發，以實現比現有裝置更快速、能源消耗更低的人工智慧計算。 Writing in Nature, Tao Chen et al. demonstrate an unconventional electrical circuit in silicon that can be evolved in situ to carry out basic machine-learning operations. 陳滔（譯音）等人刊登在《自然》的研究，演示一種在矽材料上的非常規電路，它能直接執行基本的機器學習運算。 Previous work by some of the current authors produced isolated charge puddles from a collection of gold nanoparticles that were randomly deposited on a silicon surface, with insulating molecules between them. These puddles are at the heart of Chen and colleagues’ circuit design. 該研究的其中一些作者先前在矽材料的表面隨機堆積奈米黃金顆粒，並用絕緣分子隔開這些電荷坑。金奈米電荷坑是陳博士團隊的電路設計核心。Source article: https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1354193 ; https://features.ltn.com.tw/english/article/paper/1349153 Next Article Topic: Australia wins AI ’Eurovision Song Contest’ Dutch broadcaster VPRO decided to organise an AI Song Contest after the country won the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. The aim was to research the creative abilities of AI and the impact it has on us, as well as the influence it could have on the music industry, according to the official Eurovision website. 荷蘭廣播公司VPRO決定舉辦一場AI歌曲大賽，在這個國家贏得2019年歐洲歌唱大賽後。歐洲歌唱大賽官方網站指出，（比賽的）目標是研究AI的創意能力、對我們的衝擊，以及它對音樂產業的影響。 Thirteen teams entered the contest, with Australia beating out Sweden, Belgium, the UK, France, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands to take home the title, giving fans a taste of Eurovision after 2020 contest was cancelled due to COVID-19. 共有13組人馬參賽，最後由澳洲擊敗瑞典、比利時、英國、法國、德國、瑞士與荷蘭等對手，將冠軍頭銜帶回家，在2020年歐洲歌唱大賽因為2019冠狀病毒流行病（COVID-19）疫情取消後，讓歌迷一嚐大賽的滋味。 The winning song, titled Beautiful the World, includes audio samples of koalas, kookaburras and Tasmanian devils, and was made by music-tech collective Uncanny Valley as a response to the Black Summer bushfires. 獲勝曲的題目為「Beautiful the World」，含有無尾熊、笑翠鳥與袋獾的聲音樣本，由音樂技術團體「恐怖谷」製作，回應黑暗夏日的叢林大火。 Next Article Topic: AI technology causing sensation in translation world Through artificial intelligence (AI), there may be another kind of imagination for translation, said Nicolas Bousquet, the scientific director of Quantmetry, a French consulting firm specializing in AI. The expert made the comment when attending a forum, titled “Translation in the Era of Artificial Intelligence,” at the 2019 Taipei International Book Exhibition on Feb. 15. 法國「人工智慧」(AI)諮詢公司Quantmetry科學主任尼可拉布斯格說，透過AI翻譯也許有另一種想像！這位專家在參與二○一九年台北國際書展時，於二月十五日的「AI人工智慧時代的翻譯論壇」作此表示。 Earlier last year, Quantmetry and German start-up DeepL shocked the industry by completing the translation of an 800-page book in 12 hours using AI. It would take a translator about five to six months to translate a book that thick. However, translator Mu Zhuo-yun believes that since humans and machines comprehend sentences differently, only the former is able to truly capture the more artistic conception of literature that an author wants to convey. 在去年，Quantmetry和德國新創公司DeepL共同藉由AI技術，僅花了十二小時就翻譯完一本八百頁的書籍，翻譯界對此大感震驚，因為一位譯者要翻那麼厚的書，可能要花上五、六個月。不過譯者穆卓芸認為，人類與機器了解句子的方式是不同的，只有人類才能真正掌握作者想傳達的「文學性意境」。 In addition to the evolution of written translation, the demand for real-time language translation devices that translate speech, images and street signs is on the rise. Some AI-powered gadgets even boast that they are capable of interpreting 30 to 40 languages. 除了筆譯的進化之外，對於可以即時翻譯談話，圖像或街道標誌的語言翻譯機，需求也在成長。有些AI支援的翻譯機，甚至宣稱能口譯三十至四十多種外語。Source article: http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/lang/archives/2019/02/28/2003710519

----------------------------------- 🎧 通勤學英語 VIP 專區 & 🚀 線上課程  ----------------------------------- 💡 想要更自然的提升英語力？加入VIP會員，獲得專屬內容與優惠！立即加入VIP方案 →https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstodayVIP訂閱常見問題 →https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/5cjptb 🔥 社會人核心英語有聲書課程→https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/554esm ------------------------------- 🌎 15Mins.Today 相關連結 ------------------------------- 💬 你的想法很重要！留言分享 → 留言連結 Web：www.15mins.today YouTube：https://15minsengcafe.pse.is/3rhuuy 商業合作/贊助來信：15minstoday@gmail.com 意見回覆 : ask15mins@gmail.com -------------------------------------------- 📜 單集逐字稿 & 內容摘要（播放器字數有限，完整逐字稿請到官網查看） -------------------------------------------- 從 Shadowing 練習到真實對話：突破語言學習的最後一哩路 你也有這樣的困擾嗎？明明每天都有在做 shadowing 練習，嘴巴也越來越順了，但一遇到真實對話情境就不知道該怎麼應用？這集 Teacher's Lounge 回應了聽眾Wei的提問，探討如何從練習階段跨越到實際應用，從「嘴巴順了」進化到「能夠對話」的關鍵策略。 一個值得鼓掌的好習慣 首先要給Wei一個大大的讚！能夠持續進行 shadowing 練習並感受到口說進步，這本身就「海放很多人了」。John 老師特別強調這個成就的重要性，因為大多數人都卡在「建立習慣」這一關，而Wei已經成功養成良好習慣並感受到明顯進步。 Wei的問題很典型：「在練習跟讀之後，不知道怎麼實際應用到對話層面的輸出。」這反映了許多學習者面臨的瓶頸—從個人練習跳躍到互動對話的鴻溝。 英語思維的培養核心 John 老師的建議核心是培養「英語思維」（thinking in English）。什麼是英語思維？就是擺脫大腦總是在翻譯的習慣。「看到英文先 translate 變中文，然後再回去到英文，所以一個 apple 就是 apple，不用想說 apple 是蘋果，然後蘋果是 apple。」 這種直接用英語思考的能力，需要在熟悉的領域中培養。魏是工程師，John 老師建議他專注在工程或 IT 相關領域的文章上深化練習，因為「熟悉的領域開始，你才容易在腦中處理更多的英語腦」。 5W1H 架構的實戰應用 具體的練習方法是運用新聞文章的基礎架構：5W1H（Who, What, When, Where, Why, How）。「看完這個文章了以後，去解釋這件文章，去 summarize 這個文章，用 who, what, when, why, how 這個架構去講出來，去解釋出來 in his own words。」 這個練習的對象可以是朋友、家人，甚至「to the mirror if you really have nobody」。重點是用自己的英語去詮釋文章內容，而不是背誦或翻譯。 環境創造的重要性 阿鍵老師強調環境在語言學習中的關鍵作用。雖然節目能提供的環境「每天大概 15 分鐘到一小時」，但更重要的是「是不是可以自己去製造環境」。 許多人其實已經身處英語環境中：「你的筆電打開就是英文的 Windows、英文的 MacBook，然後你手機打開是英文的 iOS、英文的 Google 的 System Android System。」關鍵是要有意識地善用這些環境。 對話技巧的實戰策略 阿鍵老師分享了從雅思口說考試學來的實用技巧：利用緩衝片語爭取思考時間。當聽到問題後，可以先說「Oh that's an interesting question」或「Oh it's a good point」，這些固定句型可以作為「connection 做橋接，讓你可以在中間製造一點點思考的空間」。 另一個技巧是重複對方的問題。當考官問「How is your day?」時，可以回答「Oh how is my day? My day is fine」，前面先重複問題就能爭取思考時間。 語感培養的沉浸體驗 語感（language intuition）是「很難去用學的，必須用 immerse 用沉浸在裡面，然後用身體去感覺的」。這包括了解固定搭配，比如「month 的話通常前面是 in month，但是 Friday Monday 是 on」這些慣用搭配。 阿鍵老師建議透過聽音樂、聽新聞、看劇來「習慣他們講話的步調還有他們的用詞選字」，特別是 idioms 的運用。English Cafe 中有「非常大量的 idioms，都會把固定的字配對在一起」，是很好的語感培養材料。 專業領域的深度練習 針對特定主題的刻意練習非常重要。「你今天看的 finance 跟明天看的 finance，你看了 10 篇 20 篇的 finance，其實那個詞彙大概就是那麼多。」 John 老師強調：「Deliberate practice on certain topics is very important。」如果你想在某個專業領域用英語對話，就必須在該領域累積足夠的詞彙和表達方式。 Reading Out Loud 的隱藏價值 許多學習者認為 reading out loud 沒有用，但 John 老師澄清：「Reading out loud 對你的 brain processing 是非常非常有用的。」如果覺得 shadowing 有壓力，至少要做 reading out loud。 重點是「沉浸在這個 reading out loud 的氛圍裡面，持續的去 focus on English，不用去太專注在阿鍵老師每周都幫大家還有 VIP members 翻譯好好的中文上面。」換句話說，不要依賴中文翻譯，要讓自己完全沉浸在英語環境中。 從練習者到新聞主播 最終的練習建議是把自己當成「news anchor 新聞主播」。看完文章後，用 5W1H 架構解釋出來，「這樣子的方式逼自己不用再去針對單字或片語去做翻譯，而是用你自己所理解的部分、所有的詞彙去應用出來。」 這個過程會讓你「越來越會去挑剔自己在 reading 的時候有沒有做一些理解，還是說我就是做 reading out loud 然後其實我沒有在 process any information」。真正的理解和機械式的朗讀之間有很大差別。 突破最後一哩路的關鍵 從 shadowing 練習到真實對話的跨越，核心在於： 建立在熟悉領域上的英語思維培養、運用結構化方法（5W1H）進行輸出練習、善用身邊的英語環境並主動創造對話機會、掌握實用的對話技巧和緩衝策略、透過大量接觸培養 自然語感，以及在特定專業領域進行深度練習。 魏的提問反映了許多中高級學習者的共同困擾：技能有了，但不知道如何實際應用。關鍵不是需要更多的練習量，而是需要正確的練習方法和心態轉換。當你開始用英語思考、用英語組織想法、用英語表達觀點時，就能真正從練習者轉變為使用者。 記住 John 老師的提醒：不要再依賴翻譯，不要再看字幕，讓自己完全沉浸在英語的世界裡。只有這樣，才能真正突破語言學習的最後一哩路。 面臨類似的學習瓶頸嗎？立即開始你的 5W1H 輸出練習，讓 shadowing 的成果真正轉化為對話能力！ 想要加入這個充滿學習熱忱的VIP社群嗎？ 通勤學英語VIP訂閱方案：https://open.firstory.me/join/15minstoday