US capital’s arbor ardor unabated despite outage outrage 儘管發生大停電，美國首都對樹木的熱情絲毫不減

◎俞智敏
 Power utilities and regulators alike blame downed trees as the main culprit for recent power outages across the U.S. capital region, but the area’s love affair with a green canopy shows no signs of abating.

雖然電力公司和主管機關都把美國首都地區最近發生的大停電主因歸咎於路樹倒塌，但當地居民對綠蔭的熱愛卻未出現絲毫減退跡象。

 Washington has a long history of tree lovers. It includes former presidents such as George Washington, despite the legendary story about him chopping down a cherry tree, and Thomas Jefferson, who ordered poplars planted on Pennsylvania Avenue between the Capitol Building and the White House. Arboreal fervor went into overdrive in the 1870s when Alexander "Boss" Shepherd, who served as Washington’s leader, ordered the planting of 60,000 trees.

 華府愛樹人的歷史非常悠久。這些愛樹人包括了傳說中曾砍倒櫻桃樹的華盛頓，以及下令在國會山莊與白宮間的賓州大道上種植白楊木的傑佛遜等多位前總統。華府對樹木的熱情更在1870年代達到最高潮，當時的華府市長謝波德下令在市區遍植6萬株樹木。

 These days even as extreme storms in both summer and winter knock down trees contributing to power outages that last several days, residents say keeping large trees is a price worth paying.

 近年來雖然夏季和冬季發生的強大暴風雨經常吹倒路樹，導致電力中斷長達數日，但華府居民仍表示，為了保存大樹，這是值得付出的代價。

 Trees are certainly not the only cause of power outages and they are not the only reason why it takes the region so long to get power restored.

 樹木絕非造成停電的唯一原因，更不是當地電力恢復進度緩慢的唯一理由。

 Regulators will study the causes of this outage. But Paula Carmody, who represents consumers as the People’s Counsel for Maryland, said utilities have long tried to make trees take the fall for the power woes. "The utility companies try to blame the victim and that just doesn’t work." （Reuters）

 主管機關將研究此次大停電的可能原因。但根據代表消費者權益的馬里蘭州人民顧問卡莫蒂女士表示，電力公司過去就一直試圖把停電問題推到路樹身上。「電力公司試圖怪罪受害者，這根本行不通。」（路透）

 新聞辭典 love affair：名詞，指對某事抱有極高的熱忱，例句：Her love affair with ballet began when she was ten.（她自10歲起就深深愛上芭蕾。） go into overdrive：overdrive指汽車的加速檔，本文中指開始加倍努力、認真工作，或以激動的方式開始做某事，例句：With her exams only two weeks away, she’s gone into overdrive and is studying ten hours a day.（距離考試只有2週時間，她開始加倍認真，每天讀書10小時。） take the fall（for sb/sth）：片語，指替人承擔責任，為某事負責，例句：The team’s general manager takes the fall when the team loses but gets a lot of credit when they do well.（當球隊輸球時，經理必須負起責任，但當球隊贏球時，經理也會獲得許多讚賞。）

Made in Israel? Not a simple question 以色列製造？問題沒這麼簡單

For decades, Israel has marketed an array of cosmetics and food products manufactured in the occupied West Bank as "Made in Israel," blurring their true origins in Jewish settlements opposed by virtually the entire international community. 數十年來，以色列一直把在以色列佔領下約旦河西岸所製造的各種化妝品與食物標示為「以色列製造」來行銷，刻意模糊了這些商品的真正來源是猶太屯墾區，而幾乎整個國際社會都反對屯墾區存在。 Now that practice is being challenged with demands that products made in the settlements be labeled accordingly. 現在這種作法正遭到挑戰，以色列被要求應將這些在屯墾區所製造的商品如實標示。 Recent criticism, coming most prominently from South Africa, is putting Israel in a bind over the muddle it has created in the West Bank：Despite 45 years of control and a massive and costly effort to settle it with Jews, Israel has never annexed the territory – and the Palestinians claim it for a future state. 近來的批評聲浪，其中最主要來自南非，讓以色列陷入它自己在約旦河西岸所製造的窘境中：儘管以色列控制西岸長達45年，並投下鉅資推動猶太人大規模前往西岸屯墾，以色列從未正式併吞這塊土地，而巴勒斯坦人則要求在此建立未來的國家。 Several weeks ago, South Africa issued a notice saying it wants to require merchants "not to incorrectly label products that originate from the Occupied Palestinian Territory as products of Israel." It said consumers should not be "misled" that the products originated in Israel. 數週前，南非發布一項公告表示將要求商人「不要誤把源自被佔領巴勒斯坦領土的產品標示為以色列產品。」南非政府表示，消費者不該被「誤導」認為這些產品來自以色列。 The notice did not specify what the label should say, saying "the burden for proving where the products originate will lie with traders." 公告中並未詳述標示上該如何說明，只說「證明產品來源的責任將由商人自行承擔。」 South Africa is not a major market for Israel. Nonetheless, the voice of the South African government could be a symbolic boost to the Palestinians, given the country’s history of overcoming apartheid and its leading role in the developing world.（AP） 南非並非以色列的重要市場。然而南非政府的聲音對巴勒斯坦人卻可能是一種象徵性的鼓勵，因為南非過去曾克服了種族隔離政策，並在開發中世界扮演著重要角色。（美聯社） 新聞辭典 settlement：名詞，指殖民、定居，或殖民地、新拓居地等，如Many Native Americans were killed during the settlement of the American West by Europeans in the nineteenth century.（歐洲人於十九世紀前往美國西部拓荒期間，有許多美洲原住民遭到殺害。） in a bind：片語，指陷入困境或尷尬處境，如Borrowing money may put you in a real bind.（借錢可能讓你陷入困境。） lie with：動詞片語，指由某人或某事決定、負責，如Responsibility for the disaster must ultimately lie with the government.（這場災難的責任最終必須由政府來擔負。）

Jerusalem doggie DNA database to trace poo offenders 耶路撒冷狗狗DNA資料庫追蹤狗屎違規者

◎張沛元
The Jerusalem municipality is planning to compile a DNA database for dogs in the Holy City in a bid to combat the problem of dog poo by tracing droppings back to the offending pooch.
耶路撒冷市政當局正計畫為這座聖城的狗彙整一個DNA資料庫，以便藉由追溯違規狗的便便來打擊狗屎問題。
In a statement, the municipality said it would first be collecting saliva samples from dogs in the city before inputting them into a citywide database.
市政當局在一份聲明中指出，首先將蒐集該市狗的唾液樣本，然後將之輸入一個全市的資料庫。
"The municipality pilot project calls for establishment of a database of dog DNA to allow us to reduce the soiling of pavements, parks and public spaces," the statement said.
「市府的這項先導計畫需要建立狗的DNA資料庫，好讓我們能減少人行道、公園與公共空間的狗便污穢，」該聲明如是說。
Once the DNA database has been compiled, the city will conduct testing to see whether the samples can be effectively matched to dog droppings found around the city.
狗DNA資料庫一旦彙整完成，該市將進行測試，以了解這些樣本是否能有效與在該市各地發現的狗便配對。
Israeli daily newspaper Haaretz said the municipality hoped to get saliva samples from around 70 to 80 percent of the 11,000 dogs registered in Jerusalem.
以色列國土報報導，該市希望能蒐集到在耶路撒冷登記有案的1萬1000隻狗中7到8成的唾液樣本。
Once the database is that complete, the programme will begin trying to match droppings to the offending canine, charging each pooch’s owner a fine of 750 shekels. （AFP）
資料庫一旦彙整完成，該計畫就會試圖比對狗便與違規犬隻，並對每名狗主人處以以色列幣750元的罰款。（法新社）

新聞辭典
compile：動詞，彙整，收集。
in a bid to：片語，為了，試圖。例句：She tried acupuncture in a bid to lose some weight.（她為了減重嘗試針灸。）
trace back：片語，追溯。例句：He has never traced back his lineage, but believes his great-grandparents were from East Europe.（他從未追溯自己的家系，但深信他的曾祖父母來自東歐。）

App for leaving your virtual mark at physical places 讓你在實際地點留下虛擬記號的App

Imagine standing at the Eiffel Tower and being able to see messages and videos overlaid through your smartphone from all visitors who have come before you. A new app called Wallit combines augmented reality, a virtual view of the real world that can be extended with graphics and other content, with a social experience.
想像自己站在艾菲爾鐵塔前，可以看到在你之前來的所有旅客所留的訊息與影片，撲天蓋地的出現在你的智慧型手機上。新應用程式Wallit能將擴增實境，也就是透過圖片等內容擴展的真實世界虛擬影像，與社交經驗相結合。
It allows users to post and view content at virtual walls in popular places, tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, stadiums and stores.
Wallit讓使用者在艾菲爾鐵塔、體育場或商店等熱門地點或景點的虛擬塗鴉牆上，張貼及觀看內容。
"Think of a virtual wall on the face of the Golden Gate Bridge from one end to the other where people can leave sentiments, photos, movies and even audio that are persistent at that location, even though the people who generate the content constantly keep changing," said Veysel Berk, the founder of Wallit.
Wallit創辦人柏克表示：「想像一下金門大橋的一端到另一端有面虛擬塗鴉牆。民眾可以在上面留下會一直留在那裡的感想、照片、影片甚至是音檔，即便是內容提供者會一直改變。」
The goal, he said, is to record a cumulative, human experience at a location that exhibits the character of a place over time.（Reuters）
他表示，目標是記錄1個地點的累計人類體驗，展現1個地方經年累月的特性。（路透）
新聞辭典
physical：形容詞，實際的。例句：All physical objects occupy space.（所有實物都佔有空間。）
overlay：動詞，覆蓋，塗在上面。例句：The foundation of the house is built from rubble overlaid with concrete.（這間屋子的地基是以粗石覆蓋水泥建成。）
face：名詞，（物體的）正面。例：the north face of a mountain山的北面。

Left Party wants men to pee sitting down 左派黨要男人坐著尿尿

◎陳泓達
Men who work for the Sormland County Council in central Sweden should sit down rather than stand up when urinating in office toilets, according to a motion put forward by the local Left Party chapter.
在瑞典中部的瑟姆納郡議會上班的男性，上廁所時應該坐著而非站著尿尿，根據當地左派黨黨團提出的動議。
The Left Party in Sormland is taking a stand to ensure men take a seat when emptying their bladders in the county council’s own toilets.
瑟姆納左派黨主張男職員在郡議會上廁所時應坐著小解。
According to the party, there are two very important reasons for the proposal encouraging men to sit instead of stand when they urinate.
該黨認為，鼓勵男性坐著而非站著小便的提案，有兩個很重要的理由。
One reason has to do with hygiene and a desire to ensure that no one who uses the toilets at the county council’s offices will be required to walk through puddles or residue left by stray urine which happens to splash out of the bowl and onto the floor when male employees pee standing up.
理由之一與衛生有關，希望確保不會有人在使用郡議會辦公室廁所時，必須被迫踏過因為男職員站著小便而不慎濺出尿斗，在地板上造成的尿漬或殘留尿液。
The Left Party also cites medical research it claims shows that men empty their bladders more efficiently when they are seated.
左派黨也引述醫學研究，聲稱男性在清空他們的膀胱時，坐著要比站著來得更有效率。
The improved bladder evacuation not only reduces the risk for prostate problems, according to the party, but also helps men who sit rather than stand achieve a longer and healthier sex life, the local Folket newspaper reported.
改進淨空膀胱的方式不僅可以降低攝護腺問題的風險，該黨表示，也有助於坐著而非站著小便的男性，擁有更長久且更健康的性生活，當地「人民報」報導。
As a first step in its quest to get men to take a seat, the Left Party proposes labeling toilets which are designated for men who absolutely want to remain standing when they pee.
做為要求男職員坐著小便的第一步，左派黨提議針對一定要站著小便的男職員標示專用的廁所。
新聞辭典
take a stand：片語，表明、主張。例句：He takes a stand against our opinions.（他反對我們的意見。）
has to do with：片語，與…有關。例句：It has nothing to do with me.（這件事與我無關。）
residue： 名詞，殘餘、殘渣。例句：All chemicals, when applied to crops, animals, water or soil, will leave residues.（所有施用於農作物、動物、水或土壤的化學製品，都會留下殘餘。）

BD藍光光碟

從原來單層的25GB到三層的33.4GB和四層的32GB。

原文連結

’Human barcode’ could make society more organized, but invades privacy, civil liberties 「人體條碼」可能使社會更有秩序，但侵犯隱私、公民自由

◎管淑平
Would you barcode your baby?
你會在你寶寶身上打上條碼嗎？
Microchip implants have become standard practice for our pets, but have been a tougher sell when it comes to the idea of putting them in people.
植入微晶片已成為對我們寵物的標準做法，但談到在人身上打條碼，這個想法就比較難讓人接受。
Science fiction author Elizabeth Moon rekindled the debate on whether it’s a good idea to "barcode" infants at birth in an interview on a BBC radio program.
科幻小說作者伊莉莎白．穆恩在英國廣播公司（BBC）一個廣播節目訪問中，重新點燃有關在嬰兒出生時在身上加「條碼」是不是好主意的辯論。
"I would insist on every individual having a unique ID permanently attached--a barcode if you will--an implanted chip to provide an easy, fast inexpensive way to identify individuals," she said on "The Forum" .
「我會堅持每一個人身上都永久地附上一個獨一無二的身分證─條碼，如果你要這麼說的話─一個植入式晶片，以提供簡單、快速又不貴的辨識個人身分的方法」，她在「論壇」節目上說。
In her opinion, human barcoding would save a lot of time and money.
她的看法是，人體條碼會節省很多時間和金錢。
The proposal isn’t too far-fetched--it is already technically possible to "barcode" a human--but does it violate our rights to privacy?
這個構想並非太過不切實際，要在人體「打上條碼」，技術上已經可行，但這違反我們的隱私權嗎？
"Once we let the government and businesses go down the road of nosing around in our lives...we’re going to quickly lose all our privacy," Stanley, senior policy analyst at the American Civil Liberties Union, told the Daily News.
「一旦我們讓政府和企業在我們的生活中四處查探…我們很快地就會失去所有的隱私權」，美國公民自由聯盟資深政策分析家史丹利向「每日新聞」說。
新聞辭典：
rekindle：動詞，重新點燃，重新挑起。例句：His letter rekindled my memories of those good old days.（他的信重新喚起我那些往日美好時光的記憶。）
far-fetched：形容詞，牽強的、勉強的、不切實際的。例句：Your far-fetched excuses are not convincing.（你的牽強藉口說服不了人。）
nose around：動詞片語，查探、打聽，四處查看。例句：Police officers are nosing around in the neighborhood for clues.（警察正在這社區四處查探線索。）