◎管淑平
They say the Germans have no sense of humour. But as a video of a pillow fight posted on YouTube shows, when it comes to flying at least, they have finally learned to lighten up.
大家說德國人沒有幽默感。但正如一段張貼在YouTube上的枕頭戰影片所顯示的，至少在飛行途中，他們終於學會放輕鬆。
A spontaneous pillow fight broke out on a Lufthansa flight as a stewardess handed out the complimentary pillows.
一場臨時而起的枕頭戰在一班漢莎航空班機上爆發，就在一名空服員發放免費枕頭時。
Rather than order everyone to stop she joined in and could not stop grinning as she threw the white cushions around.
她加入這場枕頭戰，而非要求每個人停止，而且一邊四處丟這些白色靠枕，一邊止不住地笑。
The passengers responded by throwing them back before an all-out pillow war across the cabin broke out to whoops and shrieks of joy.
乘客則以丟回枕頭回應，然後一場枕頭戰就在機艙內伴隨著笑鬧聲全面開打。
As the pillow fight ended and the stewardess ran off to the galley where a colleague pretended to haul her to safety, applause broke out and passengers rocked back and forth with laughter and slapped their thighs.
當這場枕頭戰結束時，這名空服員逃到廚房，一名同事在那裡作勢要把她拉到安全地方避難，此時乘客爆出一片掌聲，並拍著大腿、笑得前俯後仰。
The impromptu incident took place at 20,000ft onboard the Lufthansa flight LH687 from Tel-Aviv to Frankfurt earlier this month.
這場即興而起的事件是本月稍早漢莎航空編號LH687從特拉維夫飛往法蘭克福的班機，在2萬英尺高空飛行時發生的。
A male passenger who was in the cabin said："It certainly relieved the tension," "everyone had a grin on their face and for the rest of the flight we were all in a good mood."
一名當時在飛機上的男乘客說：「那當然舒緩緊張，」「大家臉上都露出笑容，我們在這趟飛行剩下來的旅程中，心情都很好。」
新聞辭典
lighten up：動詞片語，放輕鬆。例句：Just lighten up and don’t worry so much. We’ll cross the bridge when we get there!（就放輕鬆，別那麼擔心，船到橋頭自然直。）
run off：動詞，逃跑。例句：The robbers disguised as cops and ran off.（搶匪偽裝成警察跑掉了。）
impromptu：形容詞，即興的、臨時的。例句：He hastily arranged an impromptu dinner party for the unexpected guests.（他倉促地為這群意外的訪客臨時安排了一場晚宴。）
2010/08/30
This Day in History August 30… 歷史上的今天8月30日
On this date in 1797, the creator of one of literature's most famous monsters was born to Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin in London. Mary Shelley's mother died when she was very young, but she grew up cherishing her mother's memory. Shelley was educated at home, and although her education was limited, she was exposed to many different subjects. Writing was at first just a hobby for Shelley until inspiration for her most successful novel came. At age 18, Shelley began writing Frankenstein. It is one of the most well-known stories in the world and Shelley's greatest success.
1797年的今天， 文壇上最著名怪物之一的創造者出生於倫敦，她的母親是瑪莉．吳爾史東克拉芙特，父親是威廉．戈德溫。瑪莉．雪萊的母親在她很小的時候就去世了，但她在成長 過程中非常珍惜對母親的記憶。雪萊在家裡接受教育，雖然受教有限，但她卻接觸許多不同的科目。一開始寫作只是她的嗜好，直到後來她文思泉湧，寫下自己最成功的一部小說。18歲時，雪萊開始撰寫《科學怪人》。這部小說是世上最有名的故事之一，同時也是雪萊最成功的著作。
知識大補帖
;)
《科學怪人》（圖，資料照片）的故事主要是在描述一個名叫弗蘭肯斯坦（Frankenstein）的科學家（scientist），他計劃靠自己的力量創造一個生命，目的是想打造一個完美的人類。於是他從墳場（charnel house）挖出屍塊，再以專業知識進行挑選，將還能使用的部分拼成人型，並賦予他生命。不久，弗蘭肯斯坦便發現這是個嚴重的錯誤，他製造了一個怪物，於是，他開始追殺這個怪物，怪物也本能地逃亡，導致雙方發生了許多衝突（conflict）。
單字片語
◎monstern. 怪物
◎be born to/of + 夫婦／某人
是某對夫婦／某人所生
例：The successful businessman was born of a poor couple.
（這名成功商人是一對貧窮的夫婦所生的。）
◎cherish
vt. 珍愛，珍惜
例：I cherish the time I spend with my parents.
（我十分珍惜和父母相處的時間。）
◎be exposed to + N/V-ing
接觸……；暴露於……
例：Children should not be exposed to too much violence on TV.
（孩子不該接觸過多電視暴力。）
◎hobby
n. 嗜好
例：Joe cultivated his hobby of gardening and eventually turned it into a career.
（喬養成從事園藝的嗜好，最後還把它變成職業。）
◎inspiration
n. 靈感
例：I couldn’t write anything due to my lack of inspiration.
（我寫不出任何東西，因為我缺乏靈感。）
2010/08/29
Britain being "overrun" by street signs 英國街頭標誌「氾濫」
◎ 俞智敏
The British government has declared war on the profusion of unnecessary road traffic signs, railings and advertising boards, saying they blight towns’ English character. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has written to local council leaders in England, calling on them to cut the number of unsightly signs and other "street clutter". Even traffic lights are in the firing line.
英國政府已向毫無存在必要的大量道路交通標誌、欄杆及廣告告示板宣戰，聲稱這些標誌破壞了各城鎮的英格蘭特色。社區事務大臣皮克斯與交通大臣漢蒙已致函給英格蘭各市議會領袖，呼籲他們減少難看標誌及其他「街道雜物」的數量。就連交通號誌燈也難逃被批評的命運。
Ministers want the public to inform local authorities of particularly bad examples of excess signage, to clean up the national landscape.
官員們希望民眾能通知地方當局哪裡有特別糟糕的標誌過多案例，以利清理全國景觀。
"Our streets are losing their English character," Pickles said. "We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed-off roads -- wasting taxpayers’ money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council （local） tax down."
「我們的街道正失去英格蘭特色，」皮克斯說。「我們的城市被骯髒標語、霸道的分隔路柱、拼拼湊湊的路面及被圍欄圍住的道路所氾濫——浪費納稅人的金錢，而這些錢原本可用來修補道路坑洞，或降低地方議會稅金。」
Hammond said the abundance of so-called street furniture often makes towns resemble "scrapyards", confusing motorists and obstructing pedestrians.
漢蒙說，所謂的街頭家具充斥街道，讓城鎮看起來像「廢料回收場」，更讓汽車駕駛人感到迷惑，還妨礙行人行走。
For signs to be most effective, ministers say, they should be kept to a minimum. When busy Kensington High Street in central London was stripped of excess road furniture, for example, it helped reduce accidents by 47 percent.
官員們表示，如果想讓標誌達到有效目標，就應該精簡標誌數量。例如當位於倫敦市中心、交通繁忙的肯辛頓大街移除過度的街道家具後，就有助於降低交通意外發生次數達47％之多。
新聞辭典
blight：動詞，指使……枯萎，或破壞、摧毀，如A broken leg blighted her chances of winning the championship.（她贏得冠軍的機會被斷腿意外所破壞。）
be in/on the firing line：片語，指某人或某事遭到批評、攻擊或丟棄，如The judge found himself in the firing line from women’s groups after his controversial comments about sexual assault.（這名法官在發表有關性侵害的爭議性評語後，遭到女性組織的全面砲轟。）
street furniture：名詞，道路家具，指包括路燈、路標與電話亭、巴士候車亭等設置在路邊供大眾使用的設備。
The British government has declared war on the profusion of unnecessary road traffic signs, railings and advertising boards, saying they blight towns’ English character. Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has written to local council leaders in England, calling on them to cut the number of unsightly signs and other "street clutter". Even traffic lights are in the firing line.
英國政府已向毫無存在必要的大量道路交通標誌、欄杆及廣告告示板宣戰，聲稱這些標誌破壞了各城鎮的英格蘭特色。社區事務大臣皮克斯與交通大臣漢蒙已致函給英格蘭各市議會領袖，呼籲他們減少難看標誌及其他「街道雜物」的數量。就連交通號誌燈也難逃被批評的命運。
Ministers want the public to inform local authorities of particularly bad examples of excess signage, to clean up the national landscape.
官員們希望民眾能通知地方當局哪裡有特別糟糕的標誌過多案例，以利清理全國景觀。
"Our streets are losing their English character," Pickles said. "We are being overrun by scruffy signs, bossy bollards, patchwork paving and railed-off roads -- wasting taxpayers’ money that could be better spent on fixing potholes or keeping council （local） tax down."
「我們的街道正失去英格蘭特色，」皮克斯說。「我們的城市被骯髒標語、霸道的分隔路柱、拼拼湊湊的路面及被圍欄圍住的道路所氾濫——浪費納稅人的金錢，而這些錢原本可用來修補道路坑洞，或降低地方議會稅金。」
Hammond said the abundance of so-called street furniture often makes towns resemble "scrapyards", confusing motorists and obstructing pedestrians.
漢蒙說，所謂的街頭家具充斥街道，讓城鎮看起來像「廢料回收場」，更讓汽車駕駛人感到迷惑，還妨礙行人行走。
For signs to be most effective, ministers say, they should be kept to a minimum. When busy Kensington High Street in central London was stripped of excess road furniture, for example, it helped reduce accidents by 47 percent.
官員們表示，如果想讓標誌達到有效目標，就應該精簡標誌數量。例如當位於倫敦市中心、交通繁忙的肯辛頓大街移除過度的街道家具後，就有助於降低交通意外發生次數達47％之多。
新聞辭典
blight：動詞，指使……枯萎，或破壞、摧毀，如A broken leg blighted her chances of winning the championship.（她贏得冠軍的機會被斷腿意外所破壞。）
be in/on the firing line：片語，指某人或某事遭到批評、攻擊或丟棄，如The judge found himself in the firing line from women’s groups after his controversial comments about sexual assault.（這名法官在發表有關性侵害的爭議性評語後，遭到女性組織的全面砲轟。）
street furniture：名詞，道路家具，指包括路燈、路標與電話亭、巴士候車亭等設置在路邊供大眾使用的設備。
This Day in History August 29… 歷史上的今天 8月29日
The US is no stranger to natural disasters. On this date in 2005, America was hit with one of the most destructive hurricanes in its history. With gusts of wind of up to 282 kilometers per hour, Hurricane Katrina made landfall on the Gulf Coast near New Orleans, Louisiana. The Category 5 storm flooded over 80 percent of the city and left thousands stranded without electricity or basic supplies. All in all, the disaster resulted in over 1,800 deaths, more than US$80 billion in damages, and one million people becoming homeless. To this day, many Americans are still trying to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.
美國對天災並不陌生。2005年的今日，美國受到其歷史上最具破壞力的颶風之一侵襲。陣風風速強達282公里的卡崔娜颶風，在路易斯安那州紐奧良附近的墨西哥灣沿岸登陸。這場5級的風暴淹沒了整座城市百分之八十以上的面積（圖，資料照片），造成上千人在斷電或缺乏日常生活用品的情況下孤立無援。總之這場災難導致1千8百人死亡以及超過8百億美金的財物損失，還有一百萬人無家可歸。時至今日，許多美國人仍在試圖從卡崔娜颶風的摧殘中恢復。
單字片語
●disaster n.災難，災禍●destructive a.破壞性的，毀滅性的
例：Hundreds of people were killed in the destructive earthquake.（上百人在這場毀滅性的地震中喪生。）
●landfall n.登陸，著陸
●category n.種類，級數，範疇
●leave sb/sth stranded 使某人或某物受困／擱淺
例：A small fishing boat was left stranded on that stretch of beach.（一艘小漁船擱淺在那片海灘上。）
●devastation n.摧毀，毀壞
2010/08/28
Want to keep the weight off? Get on your bike 想減肥？騎單車吧
◎陳成良
Just five minutes of riding a bicycle each day can help a younger woman keep the pounds off, U.S. researchers have reported in a study offering one potentially easy way to help Americans slim down.
只要每天騎單車5分鐘，就能幫助年輕女性減輕體重，美國研究人員指出。這項研究提供一個潛在的簡單方法協助美國人瘦身。
The heaviest women benefited the most, the team at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston reported. "Small daily increments in bicycling helped women control their weight. But the more time women spent bicycling, the better," said Harvard’s Rania Mekary, who worked on the study.
哈佛公共衛生學院和波士頓布萊根婦女醫院的研究團隊發現，體重越重的女性用這種方法減肥受益最多。「每天少量的增加腳踏車運動，能幫助女性控制體重，但女性騎車時間越長越好」，投入這項研究的哈佛學者蘭尼亞．麥卡蘭說。
"Women with excess weight appeared to benefit the most. This is encouraging for women with weight problems because they could substitute bicycling for slow walking or car driving."
「超重的女性看似受益最多，這對有體重問題的女性是一項激勵，因為她們可以將開車或慢走改成騎車。」
The research could help public policymakers trying to find ways to slow the U.S. obesity epidemic, the researchers wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and 16 percent of children and adolescents are overweight.
這項研究有助於公共政策制定者，嘗試找出延緩美國人過胖成為流行病的方法，這些研究人員在《內科醫學文獻》期刊中寫道。3分之2的美國成年人過重或過胖，有16%的兒童和青少年過胖。
新聞辭典
obese：形容詞，過胖的；肥胖的。obesity則是名詞，例句：Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.（過重和肥胖與第二型糖尿病有密切關係。）
substitute︰動詞，取代、代替。Substitue honey for sugar.（用蜂蜜代替糖。），也可做名詞，替代品。
epidemic：名詞，流行病，指一種疾病在某一地區某一時間內發生，且病例數超過正常預期值。pandemic（大流行），則是指一種傳染病的流行經由人與人間傳播擴散而蔓延至其他地區如一個洲或全世界。
Just five minutes of riding a bicycle each day can help a younger woman keep the pounds off, U.S. researchers have reported in a study offering one potentially easy way to help Americans slim down.
只要每天騎單車5分鐘，就能幫助年輕女性減輕體重，美國研究人員指出。這項研究提供一個潛在的簡單方法協助美國人瘦身。
The heaviest women benefited the most, the team at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston reported. "Small daily increments in bicycling helped women control their weight. But the more time women spent bicycling, the better," said Harvard’s Rania Mekary, who worked on the study.
哈佛公共衛生學院和波士頓布萊根婦女醫院的研究團隊發現，體重越重的女性用這種方法減肥受益最多。「每天少量的增加腳踏車運動，能幫助女性控制體重，但女性騎車時間越長越好」，投入這項研究的哈佛學者蘭尼亞．麥卡蘭說。
"Women with excess weight appeared to benefit the most. This is encouraging for women with weight problems because they could substitute bicycling for slow walking or car driving."
「超重的女性看似受益最多，這對有體重問題的女性是一項激勵，因為她們可以將開車或慢走改成騎車。」
The research could help public policymakers trying to find ways to slow the U.S. obesity epidemic, the researchers wrote in the Archives of Internal Medicine. Two-thirds of U.S. adults are overweight or obese and 16 percent of children and adolescents are overweight.
這項研究有助於公共政策制定者，嘗試找出延緩美國人過胖成為流行病的方法，這些研究人員在《內科醫學文獻》期刊中寫道。3分之2的美國成年人過重或過胖，有16%的兒童和青少年過胖。
新聞辭典
obese：形容詞，過胖的；肥胖的。obesity則是名詞，例句：Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.（過重和肥胖與第二型糖尿病有密切關係。）
substitute︰動詞，取代、代替。Substitue honey for sugar.（用蜂蜜代替糖。），也可做名詞，替代品。
epidemic：名詞，流行病，指一種疾病在某一地區某一時間內發生，且病例數超過正常預期值。pandemic（大流行），則是指一種傳染病的流行經由人與人間傳播擴散而蔓延至其他地區如一個洲或全世界。
This Day in History August 28 歷史上的今天 8月28日
Up until the 1960s in America, black Americans were not allowed the same freedoms as whites. What's more, many were treated like second-or third-rate human beings. One man was fed up, so he spent most of his life trying to change this. This man was Baptist minister Martin Luther King, Jr. With over 200,000 supporters, King marched on Washington, DC on this date in 1963. From the Lincoln Memorial, King delivered one of the most notable speeches in history－I Have a Dream. King called for racial equality and an end to discrimination. This event became one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights Movement.
在1960年代以 前，美國的黑人都無法享有和白人一樣的自由權利。尤有甚者，許多黑人都被當成次等或三等人類來對待。有一名男子對這樣的情形再也忍無可忍，因此幾乎用盡了 畢生時間來試圖改變現況。這名男子就是浸禮會的牧師－馬丁．路德．金恩。在1963的今天，金恩與20萬名支持者在華盛頓特區進行一場遊行。金恩在林肯紀 念堂發表了史上最著名的演說之一《我有一個夢想》。金恩在演說中疾呼種族平等，並呼籲人們停止歧視。這場活動最後成了美國民權運動邁向成功的決定性一刻。
單字片語
★be fed up (with...) （對……）忍無可忍，受夠了
例：Vicky was fed up with all the noise that her neighbor was making.（薇琪已經受夠了她鄰居所製造的噪音。）
★defining moment n.某種情況明顯要開始改變的決定性時刻
★notable a.著名的，顯著的
例：One of Thomas Edison's most notable achievements was the improvement of the light bulb.（湯瑪斯．愛迪生最著名的成就之一就是改良電燈泡。）
★discrimination n.歧視，不公平待遇
★deliver vt.發表（演講、談話等）
例：Peter delivered a touching speech in front of a huge crowd.（彼得在一大群聽眾之前，發表了一段感人的演說。）
★racial equality 種族平等
例：Vicky was fed up with all the noise that her neighbor was making.（薇琪已經受夠了她鄰居所製造的噪音。）
★defining moment n.某種情況明顯要開始改變的決定性時刻
★notable a.著名的，顯著的
例：One of Thomas Edison's most notable achievements was the improvement of the light bulb.（湯瑪斯．愛迪生最著名的成就之一就是改良電燈泡。）
★discrimination n.歧視，不公平待遇
★deliver vt.發表（演講、談話等）
例：Peter delivered a touching speech in front of a huge crowd.（彼得在一大群聽眾之前，發表了一段感人的演說。）
★racial equality 種族平等
知識大補帖
;)
2010/08/27
Ever sent a racy text to the wrong person? 曾把香豔簡訊傳錯人嗎？
◎張沛元
Twenty percent of Britons have managed to send racy texts to the wrong person, and nearly one in 10 has been caught red-handed "sexting," according to a poll.
根據一份調查，20%的英國人曾把香豔簡訊傳錯人，而將近10分之1的人曾被當場逮到收發色情簡訊。
Under-25s are the most careless, with 43 percent admitting to sending fruity texts to the wrong contact. Men and women were equally guilty.
25歲以下的人最漫不經心，其中43%的人坦承曾把淫穢簡訊傳錯對象。做這種事的人男女都有。
"Text and picture messaging has now become so second nature that people are less cautious, leading to messages frequently going astray," said Keir McConomy, Managing Director of SellMyMobile.com which commissioned the survey.
「傳發簡訊與照片如今宛如成為第二天性，人們的警覺性也沒有那麼高，以致簡訊經常發錯對象，」委託進行這項調查的SellMyMobile.com總經理克爾．麥克康諾姆說。
"A key aspect of text messaging is that it allows a more detached method of communication. This was part of its initial popularity and a likely explanation for the large number of people willing to send out explicit content."
「發簡訊的主要層面之一，在於能讓人進行更超然的溝通方式。這是簡訊當初廣受歡迎的原因之一，以及會有這麼多人願意發送露骨內容的可能解釋。」
新聞辭典
fruity：形容詞，水果的；好色淫穢的（英式用法）。
catch someone red-handed：慣用語，人贓俱獲，逮個正著。red-handed，形容詞，意指正在進行犯罪行為。例句：I caught the man red-handed trying to break into my house.（那個男人正要闖我家空門時被我逮個正著。）
go astray ：慣用語，1）字面意義，迷路；2）引申形容，東西弄丟或錯置；3）引申形容，誤入歧途。例句：I’m afraid your daughter has gone astray and gotten into a bit of trouble.（我擔心你女兒怕是已誤入歧途惹上麻煩了。）
Twenty percent of Britons have managed to send racy texts to the wrong person, and nearly one in 10 has been caught red-handed "sexting," according to a poll.
根據一份調查，20%的英國人曾把香豔簡訊傳錯人，而將近10分之1的人曾被當場逮到收發色情簡訊。
Under-25s are the most careless, with 43 percent admitting to sending fruity texts to the wrong contact. Men and women were equally guilty.
25歲以下的人最漫不經心，其中43%的人坦承曾把淫穢簡訊傳錯對象。做這種事的人男女都有。
"Text and picture messaging has now become so second nature that people are less cautious, leading to messages frequently going astray," said Keir McConomy, Managing Director of SellMyMobile.com which commissioned the survey.
「傳發簡訊與照片如今宛如成為第二天性，人們的警覺性也沒有那麼高，以致簡訊經常發錯對象，」委託進行這項調查的SellMyMobile.com總經理克爾．麥克康諾姆說。
"A key aspect of text messaging is that it allows a more detached method of communication. This was part of its initial popularity and a likely explanation for the large number of people willing to send out explicit content."
「發簡訊的主要層面之一，在於能讓人進行更超然的溝通方式。這是簡訊當初廣受歡迎的原因之一，以及會有這麼多人願意發送露骨內容的可能解釋。」
新聞辭典
fruity：形容詞，水果的；好色淫穢的（英式用法）。
catch someone red-handed：慣用語，人贓俱獲，逮個正著。red-handed，形容詞，意指正在進行犯罪行為。例句：I caught the man red-handed trying to break into my house.（那個男人正要闖我家空門時被我逮個正著。）
go astray ：慣用語，1）字面意義，迷路；2）引申形容，東西弄丟或錯置；3）引申形容，誤入歧途。例句：I’m afraid your daughter has gone astray and gotten into a bit of trouble.（我擔心你女兒怕是已誤入歧途惹上麻煩了。）
This Day in History August 27 歷史上的今天 8月27日
It all came about from the question, "What was Europe's fastest game bird?" This question was asked by Sir Hugh Beaver, the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, in 1951. Since nobody could give him a definite answer, Beaver got the idea to create a book with useful superlative facts and answers. On this date in 1955, The Guinness Book of Records was first published in the UK. By Christmas of that year, it had become the number one best-seller in Britain. Since then, the book has been renamed Guinness World Records, has been translated into 26 languages, and has sold over 115 million copies worldwide. Now that's one for the record books.
這一切都源自於一個問題：「歐洲速度最快的獵鳥是哪一種？」而這個問題是健力士啤酒釀造廠的執行長休．比弗爵士在1951年所提出的。因為沒有人能夠給他一個明確的答案，比弗爵士便有了一個想法要出一本書，關於各式世界之 最的事實和答案。1955年的今日，《金氏紀錄大全》首次在英國發行。到了同年的聖誕節，這本書已成為英國暢銷書排行榜上的冠軍。自此之後，這本書更名為 《金氏世界紀錄大全》，並翻譯成26種語言，全球銷量達1億 1500萬本。而這個銷售數字也被列入《金氏世界紀錄大全》之中。
單字片語
★come about 發生
例：Does anyone have any idea how this accident came about?（有人知道這起意外是怎麼發生的嗎？）
★game bird n.獵鳥；獵禽
★brewery n.啤酒廠；釀造廠
★definite a.明確的，確切的
★superlative a.最高的；最好的
★publish vt.出版，發行
例：Our company publishes magazines and books.（本公司出版雜誌及叢書。）
★best-seller n.暢銷書，暢銷品
★rename vt.為……重新命名
例：St. Petersburg was renamed Leningrad in honor of Lenin.（為了紀念列寧，聖彼德堡被重新命名為列寧格勒。）
★translate vt.翻譯
★translate A into B 將A翻譯成
例：Does anyone have any idea how this accident came about?（有人知道這起意外是怎麼發生的嗎？）
★game bird n.獵鳥；獵禽
★brewery n.啤酒廠；釀造廠
★definite a.明確的，確切的
★superlative a.最高的；最好的
★publish vt.出版，發行
例：Our company publishes magazines and books.（本公司出版雜誌及叢書。）
★best-seller n.暢銷書，暢銷品
★rename vt.為……重新命名
例：St. Petersburg was renamed Leningrad in honor of Lenin.（為了紀念列寧，聖彼德堡被重新命名為列寧格勒。）
★translate vt.翻譯
★translate A into B 將A翻譯成
知識大補帖
;)
2010/08/26
Climate change will increase heart deaths氣候變遷會增加心臟病死亡機率
◎國際新聞中心
Many more people will die of heart problems as global warming continues, experts are warning. Climate extremes of hot and cold will become more common and this will puts strain on people’s hearts, doctors say.
專家警告，隨著全球暖化持續，越來越多人會因為心臟問題死亡。醫生說，氣候冷熱極端會越來越普遍，也會對人的心臟帶來壓力。
A study in the British Medical Journal found that each 1C temperature drop on a single day in the UK is linked to 200 extra heart attacks. Heatwaves, meanwhile, increase heart deaths from other causes, as shown by the events in Paris during summer 2003.
英國醫學期刊刊登的研究發現，英國的溫度每降低攝氏1度，就會多讓200人心臟病發。同時，熱浪會增加因其他因素造成的心臟病死亡，就像2003年夏天巴黎發生的情況一樣。
Over 11,000 people died in France’s heatwave in the first half of August of that year when temperatures rose to over 40C. Many of these were sudden cardiac deaths related to heart conditions other than heart attack.
那一年的8月上半月，法國有1萬1000多人在氣溫飆破攝氏40度的熱浪中喪生。喪生的人當中，有許多是心臟病發以外的心臟相關疾病引發心因性猝死。
That same summer, record-breaking temperatures led to 2,000 excess deaths in the UK. And experts predict that by the 2080s events similar to these will happen every year.
同年夏天，英國創紀錄的高溫導致額外2000人死亡，專家預測，到2080年代為止，類似的狀況每年都會發生。
新聞辭典
strain：名詞，壓力。例句：Their constant arguments were putting a strain on their marriage.（他們的頻繁爭吵讓婚姻緊繃。）
cause：名詞，原因，理由。例句：The police are still trying to establish the cause of the fire.（警方正嘗試了解起火原因。）
cardiac：形容詞，心臟的。如：cardiac arrest（心跳停止）。
Many more people will die of heart problems as global warming continues, experts are warning. Climate extremes of hot and cold will become more common and this will puts strain on people’s hearts, doctors say.
專家警告，隨著全球暖化持續，越來越多人會因為心臟問題死亡。醫生說，氣候冷熱極端會越來越普遍，也會對人的心臟帶來壓力。
A study in the British Medical Journal found that each 1C temperature drop on a single day in the UK is linked to 200 extra heart attacks. Heatwaves, meanwhile, increase heart deaths from other causes, as shown by the events in Paris during summer 2003.
英國醫學期刊刊登的研究發現，英國的溫度每降低攝氏1度，就會多讓200人心臟病發。同時，熱浪會增加因其他因素造成的心臟病死亡，就像2003年夏天巴黎發生的情況一樣。
Over 11,000 people died in France’s heatwave in the first half of August of that year when temperatures rose to over 40C. Many of these were sudden cardiac deaths related to heart conditions other than heart attack.
那一年的8月上半月，法國有1萬1000多人在氣溫飆破攝氏40度的熱浪中喪生。喪生的人當中，有許多是心臟病發以外的心臟相關疾病引發心因性猝死。
That same summer, record-breaking temperatures led to 2,000 excess deaths in the UK. And experts predict that by the 2080s events similar to these will happen every year.
同年夏天，英國創紀錄的高溫導致額外2000人死亡，專家預測，到2080年代為止，類似的狀況每年都會發生。
新聞辭典
strain：名詞，壓力。例句：Their constant arguments were putting a strain on their marriage.（他們的頻繁爭吵讓婚姻緊繃。）
cause：名詞，原因，理由。例句：The police are still trying to establish the cause of the fire.（警方正嘗試了解起火原因。）
cardiac：形容詞，心臟的。如：cardiac arrest（心跳停止）。
This Day in History August 26\n 歷史上的今天 8月26日\n
On September 5, 1997, the world lost one of its most blessed Mother Teresa. On this date in 1910, Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. At the age of 12, she felt God's calling, and six years later, she left home and joined the Sisters of Loreto. Mother Teresa dedicated her life to helping the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying in Calcutta, India. She created the Missionaries of Charities, whose focus was to love and care for people nobody was prepared to look after. In recognition of her efforts, Mother Teresa was honored with numerous awards, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. Her spirit and compassion live on today.
1997年的9月5 號，最受上帝祝福的其中一人──德蕾莎修女向世人永別了。原名為艾格妮絲．剛察．博亞邱的德蕾莎修女於1910年的今日誕生。12歲時，德蕾莎修女感受到 上帝的號召，6年後，她離家並加入愛爾蘭羅雷托修會。德蕾莎修女把一生都奉獻在幫助印度加爾各答的窮人、病患、孤兒及垂死之人。她創立了仁愛傳教修女會， 其宗旨是關愛和照顧那些欠缺照料的民眾。爲了表彰她的成就，德蕾莎修女獲頒無數的獎項，包括1979年的諾貝爾和平獎。她的精神和悲天憫人至今仍留存於世。
知識大補帖
1969 年英國記者馬肯．蒙格瑞奇（Malcolm Muggeridge）拍攝了一部名為Something Beautiful for God 的紀錄片（documentary），記載了印度街頭貧困的情景，和德蕾莎修女（圖，資料照片）無私奉獻的精神。這部片感動了無數人，也讓德蕾莎修女成為世界名人（international celebrity）。1983年德蕾莎修女在拜訪教宗約翰．保羅二世（Pope John Paul II）時心臟病發作，雖然之後裝設了人工心臟（artificial pacemaker），但她仍在1997年因健康惡化而過世。
單字片語
◎dedicate A to B將 A 奉獻給 B
例：Richard has dedicated his whole life to education.
（理查將一生奉獻在教育上。）
◎orphan
vt. 使成為孤兒 & n. 孤兒
例：The accident left Tina orphaned at the age of two.
（這場意外讓蒂娜兩歲時就成了孤兒。）
◎missionary
n. 傳教士
◎in recognition of...
表揚／表彰……
例：In recognition of Kevins contributions, the committee has decided to give him an award.
（為了表揚凱文的貢獻，委員會決定頒獎給他。）
◎compassion
n. 憐憫；同情（心）
例：Lisa has compassion for people less fortunate than she.
（麗莎同情那些比自己還不幸的人。）
2010/08/25
Africans text message to check if drugs are real非洲人將可用簡訊查明是否是真藥
◎ 魏國金
For Africans wondering whether the malaria drugs they’ve bought are real, there may soon be a quick way of finding out： sending a text message.
對於想知道買到的是否是真的瘧疾藥的非洲人，或許不久就有快速查明的方式︰發送簡訊。
Across the continent, more than 30 percent of malaria medicines are estimated to be fake, and many look identical to the real thing.
整個非洲大陸，估計逾30％的瘧疾藥是冒牌貨，而許多看起來與真藥一模一樣。
A new project called mPedigree lets consumers send in a code via text message that lets them check if their drugs are genuine. It was recently adopted in Nigeria, with plans for wider use elsewhere in Africa.
稱為mPedigree的新計畫，讓消費者以簡訊傳進一個代碼，讓他們核對買的是否是真藥。此法最近在奈及利亞被採用，計畫更廣泛用於非洲其他地方。
Ghanaian entrepreneur Bright Simons developed the mPedigree system; its technology and security infrastructure is now being provided by Hewlett Packard. The system assigns a unique code to genuine malaria medicines, printed on the back of medicine blister packs under a sheet that is scratched off like a lottery ticket.
迦納企業家布萊特．席蒙斯研發出mPedigree系統；其技術與安全基礎設施目前由惠普公司提供。該系統分派獨特代碼給真的瘧疾藥物，並印在透明塑膠包裝藥盒背面的一個覆蓋層下，像樂透彩般將覆蓋層刮除。
Customers send a text message to a central hot line with the code and instantly get an "OK" response telling them if the drug is registered and thus real. If the drug isn’t registered and potentially fake, people receive a text message that says "No. Please recheck code." The system is free for consumers.
消費者將代碼簡訊傳送至一個中央熱線，如果該藥有註冊，因而是真藥，將立即獲得「OK」回應。如果藥物未註冊而可能是偽藥，人們將得到「不，請再查明密碼」的簡訊。該系統是消費者免付費。
Health officials say the innovative system could help Africa curb the tide of fake drugs and potentially save hundreds of thousands of lives. Rich countries have long employed expensive methods, like tracking systems or sophisticated equipment, to verify whether drugs are authentic.
衛生官員指出，這個創新系統能協助非洲遏止假藥歪風，並可能拯救數十萬條人命。長久以來富國使用昂貴的方法，比如追蹤系統或精密設備來確證藥品是否是真的。
新聞辭典
scratch︰抓、搔、刮。例句︰Scratch my back and I will scratch yours.（你挺我，我就挺你。）
curb︰抑制、控制、遏止。比如︰curb an impulse（抑制衝動）、curb one’s anger（按捺怒火）。
verify︰證實、核實。例句︰Subsequent events verified my suspicions.（接續發生的事件證實了我的懷疑。）
For Africans wondering whether the malaria drugs they’ve bought are real, there may soon be a quick way of finding out： sending a text message.
對於想知道買到的是否是真的瘧疾藥的非洲人，或許不久就有快速查明的方式︰發送簡訊。
Across the continent, more than 30 percent of malaria medicines are estimated to be fake, and many look identical to the real thing.
整個非洲大陸，估計逾30％的瘧疾藥是冒牌貨，而許多看起來與真藥一模一樣。
A new project called mPedigree lets consumers send in a code via text message that lets them check if their drugs are genuine. It was recently adopted in Nigeria, with plans for wider use elsewhere in Africa.
稱為mPedigree的新計畫，讓消費者以簡訊傳進一個代碼，讓他們核對買的是否是真藥。此法最近在奈及利亞被採用，計畫更廣泛用於非洲其他地方。
Ghanaian entrepreneur Bright Simons developed the mPedigree system; its technology and security infrastructure is now being provided by Hewlett Packard. The system assigns a unique code to genuine malaria medicines, printed on the back of medicine blister packs under a sheet that is scratched off like a lottery ticket.
迦納企業家布萊特．席蒙斯研發出mPedigree系統；其技術與安全基礎設施目前由惠普公司提供。該系統分派獨特代碼給真的瘧疾藥物，並印在透明塑膠包裝藥盒背面的一個覆蓋層下，像樂透彩般將覆蓋層刮除。
Customers send a text message to a central hot line with the code and instantly get an "OK" response telling them if the drug is registered and thus real. If the drug isn’t registered and potentially fake, people receive a text message that says "No. Please recheck code." The system is free for consumers.
消費者將代碼簡訊傳送至一個中央熱線，如果該藥有註冊，因而是真藥，將立即獲得「OK」回應。如果藥物未註冊而可能是偽藥，人們將得到「不，請再查明密碼」的簡訊。該系統是消費者免付費。
Health officials say the innovative system could help Africa curb the tide of fake drugs and potentially save hundreds of thousands of lives. Rich countries have long employed expensive methods, like tracking systems or sophisticated equipment, to verify whether drugs are authentic.
衛生官員指出，這個創新系統能協助非洲遏止假藥歪風，並可能拯救數十萬條人命。長久以來富國使用昂貴的方法，比如追蹤系統或精密設備來確證藥品是否是真的。
新聞辭典
scratch︰抓、搔、刮。例句︰Scratch my back and I will scratch yours.（你挺我，我就挺你。）
curb︰抑制、控制、遏止。比如︰curb an impulse（抑制衝動）、curb one’s anger（按捺怒火）。
verify︰證實、核實。例句︰Subsequent events verified my suspicions.（接續發生的事件證實了我的懷疑。）
This Day in History August 25… 歷史上的今天8月25日
Just call him "Bond, James Bond." The man who made this one of the most famous lines in movie history is none other than Sean Connery. Born on this date in 1930, Connery came out of a working class background to make a name for himself in the world of acting. Connery starred in a total of seven James Bond films as well as countless other blockbusters, including The Hunt for Red October and The Rock. In 1987, he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in The Untouchables. In 2000, he was knighted by the Queen of England. Now, instead of calling him Bond, he is Sir Sean Connery.
就叫他「龐德，詹姆士．龐德」。讓這句話成為電影史上最出名台詞之ㄧ的人正是史恩．康納萊。康納萊出生於1930年的今日，來自勞工階級的他卻在演藝界揚名立萬。康納萊總共主演7部《007》電影，以及其他無數的賣座電影，其中包括《獵殺紅色十月》和《絕地任務》。他於1987年以《鐵面無私》一片贏得奧斯卡最佳男配角，2000年則被英國女王加冕為爵士。現在請別叫他「龐德」，因為他是「史恩．康納萊爵士」。
知識大補帖
;)
史恩．康納萊（圖，資料照片）原名湯瑪士．史恩．康納萊（Thomas Sean Connery），出生於蘇格蘭首府愛丁堡（Edinburgh），小時候家裡十分貧窮，所以他13歲時就輟學（drop out of school）開始謀生。他16歲時進入皇家海軍（the Royal Navy）服役，但因為罹患嚴重的十二指腸潰瘍（ulcers），所以從軍不到3年就被迫退伍。因為學歷太低，所以康納萊找不到理想的工作，直到1961 年英國電影界打算開拍007情報員的系列電影，身材高大、體格健壯的康納萊獲得演出詹姆士．龐德一角的機會，結果大受歡迎，之後又接演了6部該系列的電 影，奠定其巨星地位。近年來，這位被英國女王受封為爵士的男星開始熱衷於政治，積極參與蘇格蘭公民投票脫離英國的活動，令英國當局相當不悅。
單字片語
◎be none other than...不是別人，正是……
例：The general manager of that company is none other than the founders daughter.
（那家公司的總經理不是別人，正是創辦人的女兒。）
◎countless
a. 無數的，數不清的
例：Reckless driving results in countless deaths each year.
（開車橫衝直撞每年都造成無數人死亡。）
◎blockbuster
n. 賣座電影
◎untouchable
n.（正直而）無可非議的人
& a. 管不得的；批評不得的
例：The head of the gang was untouchable because he had the local police in his back pocket.
（這名黑幫老大沒人敢動，因為當地的警察都被他收買了。）
◎knight
vt. 封……為爵士 & n. 騎士
2010/08/24
Rent a friend website launches for lonely in UK 英國成立租友網站，服務寂寞人士
◎羅彥傑
A new service is being launched in the UK for lonely people to hire a "strictly platonic" friend to go to the movies or a restaurant with them.
英國將推出給寂寞人士聘請「純柏拉圖式」友人看電影或陪吃飯的新服務。
The‘Rent a friend’service has already become a hit in the US where more than 218,000 people have signed up to spend time with strangers.
「租友」服務已在美國大行其道，當地超過21萬8000人已報名要和陌生人共度時光。
Now UK members can pay £；15 to join the site and browse potential friends in their area before hiring them out for a friendship session.
現在英國會員付15英鎊就能加入該網站，並瀏覽所屬地區的潛在友人，之後聘請他們來一場友誼活動。
However, don’t get the wrong idea, you really are only hiring a platonic friend to spend time with… if you turn up expecting more you might need to call a lawyer.
不過，別想歪了，你真的只能聘請柏拉圖式友人一起共度時光……如果你最後有非分之想，可能就必須打電話找律師了。
A spokesperson for the site said： "You can rent a local Friend to hang out with, go to a movie or restaurant with, someone to go with you to a party or event, someone to teach you a new skill or hobby, or someone to show you around an unfamiliar town."
該網站一名發言人說：「你可以租一名當地友人一起閒晃廝混，看電影或上館子，和你一起跑趴或參加活動，教你新技巧或嗜好，或者是帶你逛陌生鄉鎮。」
新聞辭典
get the wrong idea：片語，產生誤會、把事情想歪了。例句：My girlfriend will definitely get the wrong idea if I start shopping for baby seats.（如果我開始採買嬰兒座椅，我的女友肯定會想歪了。）
turn up：片語，證明是、結果是。例句：They turned up having done no preparatory work.（結果證明他們沒做過準備工作。）
hang out：片語，閒晃、廝混。例句：Don’t hang out with that guy any longer.（別再和那個傢伙鬼混了。）
A new service is being launched in the UK for lonely people to hire a "strictly platonic" friend to go to the movies or a restaurant with them.
英國將推出給寂寞人士聘請「純柏拉圖式」友人看電影或陪吃飯的新服務。
The‘Rent a friend’service has already become a hit in the US where more than 218,000 people have signed up to spend time with strangers.
「租友」服務已在美國大行其道，當地超過21萬8000人已報名要和陌生人共度時光。
Now UK members can pay £；15 to join the site and browse potential friends in their area before hiring them out for a friendship session.
現在英國會員付15英鎊就能加入該網站，並瀏覽所屬地區的潛在友人，之後聘請他們來一場友誼活動。
However, don’t get the wrong idea, you really are only hiring a platonic friend to spend time with… if you turn up expecting more you might need to call a lawyer.
不過，別想歪了，你真的只能聘請柏拉圖式友人一起共度時光……如果你最後有非分之想，可能就必須打電話找律師了。
A spokesperson for the site said： "You can rent a local Friend to hang out with, go to a movie or restaurant with, someone to go with you to a party or event, someone to teach you a new skill or hobby, or someone to show you around an unfamiliar town."
該網站一名發言人說：「你可以租一名當地友人一起閒晃廝混，看電影或上館子，和你一起跑趴或參加活動，教你新技巧或嗜好，或者是帶你逛陌生鄉鎮。」
新聞辭典
get the wrong idea：片語，產生誤會、把事情想歪了。例句：My girlfriend will definitely get the wrong idea if I start shopping for baby seats.（如果我開始採買嬰兒座椅，我的女友肯定會想歪了。）
turn up：片語，證明是、結果是。例句：They turned up having done no preparatory work.（結果證明他們沒做過準備工作。）
hang out：片語，閒晃、廝混。例句：Don’t hang out with that guy any longer.（別再和那個傢伙鬼混了。）
This Day in History August 24 歷史上的今天 8月24日
The whole world got its first taste of the power of atomic bombs at the end of World War II. After that, the race to be armed with nuclear weapons was on, and France was not going to be left behind. By the early 1960s, France had already tested nuclear weapons underground, but things didn't stop there. On this date in 1968, France detonated a powerful 2.6-megaton hydrogen bomb over a tiny island in the South Pacific. Known as Operation Canopus, this was the largest nuclear weapon that France would ever set off. The success of this test made it the fifth nation in the world to become a nuclear power.
第二次世界大戰接近尾聲時，全世界頭一次體驗到 原子彈的威力。之後，一場核武的軍備競賽就此展開，而法國也不落人後。1960年代初期，法國已在地底測試過核子武器，但事情並沒有到此結束。1968年 的今日，法國在南太平洋的某個小島上引爆了一顆260萬噸、威力強大的氫彈。這次事件稱為「Canopus行動」，是法國所引爆過威力最強大的核子武器。 此次試爆成功也使得法國成為世上第五個擁有核子武器的強權。
單字片語
★atomic bomb n. 原子彈
★be armed with... 用……武器裝備；備有……
例：The police officer was armed with two pistols.（那名警察身上佩有兩把手槍。）
★detonate vt. 引爆，使爆炸
例：The soldier tripped on the wire and detonated a landmine.（那名士兵踩到纜線而引爆了一顆地雷。）
★megaton n. 百萬噸級（氫彈或原子彈爆炸力的計算單位）
★hydrogen n. 氫
★operation n.（計劃好的整個）行動
例：Many volunteers went to earthquake-stricken areas to help with rescue operations.（許多志工紛紛前往地震災區協助救難行動。）
★be armed with... 用……武器裝備；備有……
例：The police officer was armed with two pistols.（那名警察身上佩有兩把手槍。）
★detonate vt. 引爆，使爆炸
例：The soldier tripped on the wire and detonated a landmine.（那名士兵踩到纜線而引爆了一顆地雷。）
★megaton n. 百萬噸級（氫彈或原子彈爆炸力的計算單位）
★hydrogen n. 氫
★operation n.（計劃好的整個）行動
例：Many volunteers went to earthquake-stricken areas to help with rescue operations.（許多志工紛紛前往地震災區協助救難行動。）
知識大補帖
;)
2010/08/23
UK men fret about hair, weight, looks but do little 英國男人為頭髮、體重和外貌苦惱卻無所作為
◎管淑平
Hair color is the number one appearance concern for British men today, with more than half of British men worrying about graying hair, and 45 marks the age when panic really sets in, according to a poll from market research firm Mintel.
髮色是今日英國男性最關心的外貌問題，有逾半數英國男人擔心日漸灰白的頭髮，而45歲是真正開始為此感到恐慌的年紀，根據市場研究公司Mintel的一份調查。
"Although grey hair is traditionally seen as a mark of distinction in men, the reality is many men are unhappy with their newfound gravitas," the research said.
「儘管傳統上灰白頭髮被視為男性一個特色象徵，實際上是，許多男人並不喜歡這個他們新得到的莊重感」，這份研究說。
"The physical changes associated with aging can act as a catalyst to mid-life crisis and our research has discovered that men become less content with their appearance after the age of 45."
「這種與老化有關的生理變化，可能是導致中年危機的催化劑，我們的研究發現男人過了45歲之後，變得對他們外貌比較沒有信心。」
Hair loss or thinning, is the second most common concern, worrying 40 percent of the respondents to the survey of 2000 British men.
掉髮或頭髮變稀疏，是第二被擔心的事情，困擾這份針對2000名英國男性所做調查的40%受訪者。
Unsightly nose or ear hair preoccupied 38 percent of respondents, being overweight bothered 37 percent and 30 percent were worried about yellowing teeth.
38%的問卷回覆者煩惱鼻子或耳朵裡難看的毛髮，體重過重困擾37%的人，30%的人擔心黃板牙。
Despite the high level of concern many men display about their appearance, as many as 45 percent of all men remain unengaged with toiletries and this rises to over half of those aged between 45 and 54.
儘管許多男人表現出對外貌高度關注，所有男性中卻同樣有45%的人仍然不碰化妝品，45歲到54歲的人，這個比例更增加到超過一半。
新聞辭典：
fret：動詞，苦惱。例句：Many soon-to-be college graduates fret about being jobless.（許多即將畢業的大學生擔心失業。）
preoccupy：動詞，盤據（心思）。例句：He is preoccupied with his work.（他滿腦子都想著工作。）
unsightly：形容詞，難看的。例句：The newly completed skyscraper is unsightly.（這棟新完工的摩天大樓很醜。）
Hair color is the number one appearance concern for British men today, with more than half of British men worrying about graying hair, and 45 marks the age when panic really sets in, according to a poll from market research firm Mintel.
髮色是今日英國男性最關心的外貌問題，有逾半數英國男人擔心日漸灰白的頭髮，而45歲是真正開始為此感到恐慌的年紀，根據市場研究公司Mintel的一份調查。
"Although grey hair is traditionally seen as a mark of distinction in men, the reality is many men are unhappy with their newfound gravitas," the research said.
「儘管傳統上灰白頭髮被視為男性一個特色象徵，實際上是，許多男人並不喜歡這個他們新得到的莊重感」，這份研究說。
"The physical changes associated with aging can act as a catalyst to mid-life crisis and our research has discovered that men become less content with their appearance after the age of 45."
「這種與老化有關的生理變化，可能是導致中年危機的催化劑，我們的研究發現男人過了45歲之後，變得對他們外貌比較沒有信心。」
Hair loss or thinning, is the second most common concern, worrying 40 percent of the respondents to the survey of 2000 British men.
掉髮或頭髮變稀疏，是第二被擔心的事情，困擾這份針對2000名英國男性所做調查的40%受訪者。
Unsightly nose or ear hair preoccupied 38 percent of respondents, being overweight bothered 37 percent and 30 percent were worried about yellowing teeth.
38%的問卷回覆者煩惱鼻子或耳朵裡難看的毛髮，體重過重困擾37%的人，30%的人擔心黃板牙。
Despite the high level of concern many men display about their appearance, as many as 45 percent of all men remain unengaged with toiletries and this rises to over half of those aged between 45 and 54.
儘管許多男人表現出對外貌高度關注，所有男性中卻同樣有45%的人仍然不碰化妝品，45歲到54歲的人，這個比例更增加到超過一半。
新聞辭典：
fret：動詞，苦惱。例句：Many soon-to-be college graduates fret about being jobless.（許多即將畢業的大學生擔心失業。）
preoccupy：動詞，盤據（心思）。例句：He is preoccupied with his work.（他滿腦子都想著工作。）
unsightly：形容詞，難看的。例句：The newly completed skyscraper is unsightly.（這棟新完工的摩天大樓很醜。）
This Day in History August 23… 歷史上的今天8月23日
Adolf Hitler and his German army had already invaded the Soviet Union, but he wanted more. Hitler dreamed of controlling the city of Stalingrad, which was a vital industrial and transportation center. On this date in 1942, hundreds of military aircraft in the German air force, or Luftwaffe, started dropping bombs to begin the Battle of Stalingrad. The heavy bombing reduced the city to a graveyard of destroyed buildings and factories. The battle went on to become one of the bloodiest in human history, with an estimated 1.5 million casualties.
阿道夫．希特勒和他 的德國軍隊已經入侵了蘇聯，但他的野心卻不僅於此。希特勒夢想要掌控史達林格勒這座城市，因為那是一處重要的工業中心及交通樞紐。在1942年的今天，上 百架Luftwaffe（也就是德國空軍）的戰機開始進行轟炸，就此揭開了史達林格勒戰役的序幕。如此密集的轟炸將整座城市摧毀殆盡，宛如毀壞建築和工廠 的墳地一般。這場戰役後來成為人類史上最血腥的戰役之一，估計造成了150萬人的傷亡。
知識大補帖
;)
史達林格勒戰役（圖，翻攝網路）歷時約7個月之久，戰事的初期因為大規模 的空襲（air strike）而使德軍佔上風。但後來蘇聯軍隊改變戰略，開始在史達林格勒的瓦礫堆中進行城鎮戰（urban warfare），因此逐漸取回優勢而獲得最終勝利。由於史達林格勒戰役是德國在第二次世界大戰中的首次大規模戰敗，所以也被視為是大戰中的轉捩點 （turning point）之ㄧ。
單字片語
◎vitala. 極其重要的
例：A balanced diet is vital to your health.
（飲食均衡對你的健康來說非常重要。）
◎industrial
a. 工業的；工業用的
例：The plants around that chemical factory are dying because of industrial pollution.
（那座化學工廠附近的植物因為工業污染的關係都快要死光了。）
◎reduce sth to...
將某物（尤指建築物）化為／夷為……
例：The fire reduced the house to ashes.
（那場大火將整棟房子燒成灰燼。）
◎graveyard
n. 墓地
◎an estimated + 數字 + 複數名詞
估計有……（數目的）……
例：An estimated US$10 million were spent building the concert hall.
（蓋這座音樂廳估計花了一千萬美元。）
◎casualty
n.（戰鬥或事故中的）死傷人員，傷亡人數
2010/08/22
Two-tailed dog livens up Hungary’s election 雙尾狗讓匈牙利選舉更熱鬧
◎俞智敏
Two-tailed dog livens up Hungary’s election
雙尾狗讓匈牙利選舉更熱鬧
A two-tailed cartoon dog offering free beer and eternal life has galvanised Hungary’s latest election campaign.
一隻號稱可提供選民免費啤酒與永生的雙尾卡通狗，炒熱了匈牙利最近的競選活動。
The dog is the symbol of a party that has grown out of Hungary’s rock-bottom regard for its politicians as the country lurches from one crisis to another.
這隻狗是匈牙利某政黨的象徵，該黨的起源則是由於匈牙利政局危機不斷，選民對政客的尊敬已降到谷底所致。
"We just elect these people to represent the gangsters and the rich," said Gergely Kovacs, chairman of the Two-Tailed Dog Party （TTDP）. "This kind of democracy is ridiculous."
「我們選出這些人，好讓他們來代表黑道跟有錢人，」雙尾狗黨（TTDP）主席柯瓦奇表示。「這種民主簡直荒謬透頂。」
Founded as a street-art spoof in 2004, the TTDP has mocked campaigns before. Now it has entered the political arena for real as the public mood has sinks even further.
雙尾狗黨誕生於2004年的街頭藝術諷刺行動劇，過去也曾對大選冷嘲熱諷。隨著民眾對政局的觀感愈來愈低落，該黨決定正式踏入政壇。
A government scandal ignited bloody street violence in 2006. In 2008, the country faced financial meltdown and the global crisis caused a deep recession last year, toppling the government.
匈國政府於2006年爆發醜聞，曾引爆街頭血腥衝突。2008年，匈國面臨金融危機，而全球金融危機更在去年導致匈國經濟嚴重衰退，迫使政府下台。
Disgusted, the Two-Tailed Dog Party decided to run for office in Budapest and the southern Hungarian town of Szeged with the slogan： "Eternal life! Free beer! Tax cuts!" "Money without work!" is another popular cry.
出於對政局強烈不滿的心態，雙尾狗黨決定在首都布達佩斯及南部大城塞格德參選市長，該黨的競選口號為，「永生！免費啤酒！減稅！」「只拿錢不用工作！」則是另一句熱門口號。
新聞辭典
galvanise/galvanize： 動詞，原指在…上鍍鋅或用電流刺激，文中引申為指刺激、引起某人採取意外行動，如Western charities were galvanized by TV pictures of starving people.（受到電視播出的飢民畫面所刺激，西方國家的慈善組織開始採取行動。）
rock- bottom：文中作形容詞，名詞則為rock bottom，指最低點、最低潮、谷底，如Confidence in the government is at rock bottom.民眾對政府的信心已經降到最低點。或Alcoholics often have to reach/hit rock bottom before they can recognise that they have a problem.（酗酒者在認清自己有酗酒問題前，通常得先跌至谷底。）
lurch：動詞，指步態蹣跚、東倒西歪地持續向前，如He just lurches from one bad relationship to another.（他老是不斷掉進糟糕的感情關係裡。）
Two-tailed dog livens up Hungary’s election
雙尾狗讓匈牙利選舉更熱鬧
A two-tailed cartoon dog offering free beer and eternal life has galvanised Hungary’s latest election campaign.
一隻號稱可提供選民免費啤酒與永生的雙尾卡通狗，炒熱了匈牙利最近的競選活動。
The dog is the symbol of a party that has grown out of Hungary’s rock-bottom regard for its politicians as the country lurches from one crisis to another.
這隻狗是匈牙利某政黨的象徵，該黨的起源則是由於匈牙利政局危機不斷，選民對政客的尊敬已降到谷底所致。
"We just elect these people to represent the gangsters and the rich," said Gergely Kovacs, chairman of the Two-Tailed Dog Party （TTDP）. "This kind of democracy is ridiculous."
「我們選出這些人，好讓他們來代表黑道跟有錢人，」雙尾狗黨（TTDP）主席柯瓦奇表示。「這種民主簡直荒謬透頂。」
Founded as a street-art spoof in 2004, the TTDP has mocked campaigns before. Now it has entered the political arena for real as the public mood has sinks even further.
雙尾狗黨誕生於2004年的街頭藝術諷刺行動劇，過去也曾對大選冷嘲熱諷。隨著民眾對政局的觀感愈來愈低落，該黨決定正式踏入政壇。
A government scandal ignited bloody street violence in 2006. In 2008, the country faced financial meltdown and the global crisis caused a deep recession last year, toppling the government.
匈國政府於2006年爆發醜聞，曾引爆街頭血腥衝突。2008年，匈國面臨金融危機，而全球金融危機更在去年導致匈國經濟嚴重衰退，迫使政府下台。
Disgusted, the Two-Tailed Dog Party decided to run for office in Budapest and the southern Hungarian town of Szeged with the slogan： "Eternal life! Free beer! Tax cuts!" "Money without work!" is another popular cry.
出於對政局強烈不滿的心態，雙尾狗黨決定在首都布達佩斯及南部大城塞格德參選市長，該黨的競選口號為，「永生！免費啤酒！減稅！」「只拿錢不用工作！」則是另一句熱門口號。
新聞辭典
galvanise/galvanize： 動詞，原指在…上鍍鋅或用電流刺激，文中引申為指刺激、引起某人採取意外行動，如Western charities were galvanized by TV pictures of starving people.（受到電視播出的飢民畫面所刺激，西方國家的慈善組織開始採取行動。）
rock- bottom：文中作形容詞，名詞則為rock bottom，指最低點、最低潮、谷底，如Confidence in the government is at rock bottom.民眾對政府的信心已經降到最低點。或Alcoholics often have to reach/hit rock bottom before they can recognise that they have a problem.（酗酒者在認清自己有酗酒問題前，通常得先跌至谷底。）
lurch：動詞，指步態蹣跚、東倒西歪地持續向前，如He just lurches from one bad relationship to another.（他老是不斷掉進糟糕的感情關係裡。）
This Day in History August 22…歷史上的今天 8月22日…
Before a Swiss businessman from Geneva came along, there was no aid for the wounded during times of war. Henry Dunant witnessed firsthand the lack of treatment facilities and medical personnel for fallen soldiers. In 1863, these shocking atrocities were brought to light in his book, A Memory of Solferino. By creating awareness and calling for action, Dunant helped establish the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1863 and later the First Geneva Convention. On this date in 1864, 12 European nations signed this treaty, which set the international guidelines for the protection and humane treatment of not only wounded prisoners of war but also civilians and medical personnel as well.
歷史上的今天 8月22日…
在 某位來自日內瓦的瑞士商人出現前，在戰亂中的傷患得不到任何援助。亨利．杜南（圖，翻攝網路）親眼目睹了倒臥在地的士兵缺乏醫護設施及醫療人員的情景。在 1863年，這些令人震驚的慘況透過他的著作《蘇法利諾回憶錄》攤開在世人眼前。藉由引起社會注意並呼籲採取行動，杜南於1863年協助成立紅十字國際委 員會，隨後也幫助訂定首部的日內瓦公約。在1864年的今天，共有12個歐洲國家簽訂了這份條約，不僅為受傷戰俘，還有平民百姓與醫療人員的保護及人道對 待設下了國際間的行為準則。
單字片語
◎come along出現；到來；發生
例：You need to seize every job opportunity that comes along.（你必須緊抓住所有出現在你眼前的工作機會。）
◎firsthand
adv. 直接地，第一手地
例：The senior reporter has experienced war firsthand.（那名資深記者曾親身經歷過戰爭的洗禮。）
◎facilities
n.設施，設備（恆用複數）
◎atrocity
n.（尤指戰爭中的）慘況；暴行（常用複數）
◎awareness
n. 意識
例：The goal of this event is to raise people's awareness about environmental issues.（這場活動的目標是要喚起人們的環保意識。）
2010/08/21
Beautiful people launch sperm and egg bank 「俊男美女」網站推出精卵銀行
◎陳成良
A controversial dating website which only allows beautiful members has launched an online sperm and egg bank for people desperate to have attractive children.
一個只招收容貌出色會員的爭議交友網站，已針對迫切想生下俊美子女的民眾，推出一項線上精子與卵子銀行服務。
Beautifulpeople.com, which bans ugly or fat people from joining its ranks, has now launched a Beautiful Baby service, with the same stringent beauty requirements for donors.
謝絕醜陋或肥胖人士加入其行列的「俊男美女」網站，如今推出「漂亮寶寶」服務，對捐贈精卵者採取同樣嚴格的審美要求。
And they have even, grudgingly, allowed normal looking people to benefit from the service.
他們甚至是很勉強地才容許長相平凡的人，從這項服務中獲益。
Founder Robert Hintze said："Initially, we hesitated to widen the offering to non-beautiful people. But everyone - including ugly people - would like to bring good looking children in to the world and we can’t be selfish with our attractive gene pool."
創辦人羅伯．辛茲說：「起初，我們猶豫是否要放寬這項服務給不好看的人，但每個人，包括醜人，都想要把好看兒女帶到這個世界，我們不能對我們俊美的基因庫存有私心。」
The website, which claims to be a game reserve of "leopards and gazelles", compared with other dating sites it describes as "jungles of hippos and warthogs", recently culled 5000 members for gaining weight over Christmas.
該網站自詡是「獵豹與瞪羚」的動物保護區，相較之下，其他交友網站被它形容為「河馬與疣豬的叢林」。該網站最近才剔除5000名在耶誕期間體重增加的會員。
They claim 600 beautiful babies have been born to members who met through the site, and have now set up the beautiful DNA bank to accelerate the process.
他們宣稱，透過這個網站而相識的會員，已產下600名漂亮寶寶，如今以設立這個美麗DNA銀行來加速這個進程。
新聞辭典
desperate：形容詞，極想要的；渴望得到的。另外常見的意思是（在絕望中）不顧一切的。用法如：a desperate measure（孤注一擲的措施 ）。
stringent：形容詞，（規則等）嚴格的，嚴厲的；（貨幣等）緊縮的、銀根緊的。用法如：operating under a stringent time limit（在緊迫的時間內進行）。
grudgingly：副詞，勉強地；不情願地。He gave his permission grudgingly. （他勉強同意。）
A controversial dating website which only allows beautiful members has launched an online sperm and egg bank for people desperate to have attractive children.
一個只招收容貌出色會員的爭議交友網站，已針對迫切想生下俊美子女的民眾，推出一項線上精子與卵子銀行服務。
Beautifulpeople.com, which bans ugly or fat people from joining its ranks, has now launched a Beautiful Baby service, with the same stringent beauty requirements for donors.
謝絕醜陋或肥胖人士加入其行列的「俊男美女」網站，如今推出「漂亮寶寶」服務，對捐贈精卵者採取同樣嚴格的審美要求。
And they have even, grudgingly, allowed normal looking people to benefit from the service.
他們甚至是很勉強地才容許長相平凡的人，從這項服務中獲益。
Founder Robert Hintze said："Initially, we hesitated to widen the offering to non-beautiful people. But everyone - including ugly people - would like to bring good looking children in to the world and we can’t be selfish with our attractive gene pool."
創辦人羅伯．辛茲說：「起初，我們猶豫是否要放寬這項服務給不好看的人，但每個人，包括醜人，都想要把好看兒女帶到這個世界，我們不能對我們俊美的基因庫存有私心。」
The website, which claims to be a game reserve of "leopards and gazelles", compared with other dating sites it describes as "jungles of hippos and warthogs", recently culled 5000 members for gaining weight over Christmas.
該網站自詡是「獵豹與瞪羚」的動物保護區，相較之下，其他交友網站被它形容為「河馬與疣豬的叢林」。該網站最近才剔除5000名在耶誕期間體重增加的會員。
They claim 600 beautiful babies have been born to members who met through the site, and have now set up the beautiful DNA bank to accelerate the process.
他們宣稱，透過這個網站而相識的會員，已產下600名漂亮寶寶，如今以設立這個美麗DNA銀行來加速這個進程。
新聞辭典
desperate：形容詞，極想要的；渴望得到的。另外常見的意思是（在絕望中）不顧一切的。用法如：a desperate measure（孤注一擲的措施 ）。
stringent：形容詞，（規則等）嚴格的，嚴厲的；（貨幣等）緊縮的、銀根緊的。用法如：operating under a stringent time limit（在緊迫的時間內進行）。
grudgingly：副詞，勉強地；不情願地。He gave his permission grudgingly. （他勉強同意。）
This Day in History August 21… 歷史上的今天 8月21日
One of the world's most famous artworks, the Mona Lisa, was almost lost forever. That's because on this date in 1911, the painting was stolen from the Louvre in Paris. After a guest notified a gallery official, the museum was closed for a week as the investigation got under way. It wasn't until two years later, when the painting was put up for sale in Italy, that the thief was caught. The culprit was Vincenzo Peruggia, a former Louvre employee that felt Leonardo da Vinci's masterpiece rightfully belonged in its home country. Fortunately, the Mona Lisa was returned and is now safely and securely encased in glass inside the Louvre.
世界上最著名的其中一項藝術品《蒙娜麗莎的微笑》曾經差點永久消失不見。那是因為在1911年的今日，這幅畫從巴黎的羅浮宮中被偷走。在一名訪客通知館內的工作人員後，羅浮宮休館了一個星期以展開調查。直到兩年後，當這幅畫在義大利被拿出來拍賣，竊賊才被逮捕。這名雅賊名叫Vincenzo Peruggia，是羅浮宮的前任員工，他認為達文西的這幅鉅作理當回歸它的故土。幸好《蒙娜麗莎的微笑》被歸還，並安全無虞地放置在羅浮宮內的玻璃夾層中。
單字片語
artwork n.藝術品
notify vt.通知，告知
例：Daniel notified the police that his daughter had been missing for 24 hours.
（丹尼爾通知警方他的女兒已經失蹤24小時了。）
gallery n.（美術作品的）陳列室；美術館；畫廊
investigation n.調查
under way 在進行中
例：Construction on the new skyscraper is under way.（那棟新摩天大樓正在興建中。）
be put up for sale 被拿出來拍賣
culprit n.罪犯
masterpiece n.傑作，名作
例：The great writer is known for having created many masterpieces.
（這位偉大的作家因創作出許多名著而聞名。）
rightfully adv.正當地；合法地
belong vi.應在（某處）；屬於
securely adv.安全地；牢固地
notify vt.通知，告知
例：Daniel notified the police that his daughter had been missing for 24 hours.
（丹尼爾通知警方他的女兒已經失蹤24小時了。）
gallery n.（美術作品的）陳列室；美術館；畫廊
investigation n.調查
under way 在進行中
例：Construction on the new skyscraper is under way.（那棟新摩天大樓正在興建中。）
be put up for sale 被拿出來拍賣
culprit n.罪犯
masterpiece n.傑作，名作
例：The great writer is known for having created many masterpieces.
（這位偉大的作家因創作出許多名著而聞名。）
rightfully adv.正當地；合法地
belong vi.應在（某處）；屬於
securely adv.安全地；牢固地
知識大補帖
;)
李奧納多．達文西（Leonardo da Vinci）在1503年文藝復興（Renaissance）時期開始動筆創作《蒙娜麗莎的微笑》（圖，資料照片），據稱耗時4年才完成。現今我們看到的 《蒙娜麗莎的微笑》，畫中女子並沒有眉毛和眼睫毛，因此有些研究員表示當時的婦女有拔除這些毛髮的習慣。但2007年一位法籍科學工程人員 Pascal Cotte利用超高畫素掃描（ultra-high resolution scan）後，顯示達文西原先是有畫上眉毛和眼睫毛的。
2010/08/20
’Bouquet Bandit’ busted in Brooklyn： police 警方在布魯克林逮捕「花束搶匪」
◎張沛元
’Bouquet Bandit’ busted in Brooklyn： police
警方在布魯克林逮捕「花束搶匪」
Cops were the ones who came up roses today after nabbing the "Bouquet Bandit" for pulling off two Chelsea bank robberies.
警方逮捕了在卻爾喜搶劫兩家銀行的「花束搶匪」，成為今天的最大贏家。
Edward Pemberton, 44, was busted just days after cops said he robbed a pair of Chelsea banks while carrying flowers or potted plants as props, police sources said.
警方消息人士指出，44歲的艾德華．潘姆伯頓在帶著充當道具的花束或盆栽植物搶劫兩家卻爾喜的銀行數日之後，遭到警方逮捕。
Cops said Pemberton, who worked several odd jobs in Chelsea where the robberies took place, lives in Brooklyn. He has had 14 previous arrests, mainly for drugs.
警方表示，目前住在布魯克林的潘姆伯頓，在銀行搶劫案發生地卻爾喜曾經打過一些零工。他過去有14次被捕紀錄，大多與毒品有關。
Cops used fingerprints left on the pink paper around the flowers to nab Pemberton.
警方利用留在包裹花束的粉紅色紙張上的指紋，循線逮捕潘姆伯頓。
The chrome-domed Pemberton packed fresh flowers and potted plants instead of a weapon for two heists, and even whipped out a threatening note from a bunch of sweet-smelling perennials demanding that a teller fork over a different kind of green.
禿頭的潘姆伯頓在兩次犯行中帶著新鮮花束與盆栽植物而非武器，他甚至從一束芬芳的多年生植物中掏出一張威脅字條，要求一名銀行行員拿出另一種綠色的東西給他。
新聞辭典
come up roses：俚語，結果相當順利或成功。例句：Those were difficult times but now everything’s coming up roses.（過去有過苦日子，但如今一切已否極泰來。）
fork something over （to someone）：俚語，把某物交給某人（通常指的是錢）。例句： Fork over the cash you owe me!（把你欠我的錢交出來！）
a different kind of green：此處的green（綠色）在俚語中指的是錢，也就是綠色的美鈔。文中所提及的兩種green，分別是綠色植物與美鈔。例句：I’ve run out of green stuff. Can you loan me a few bucks?（我沒錢了。借些來花花好吧？）
’Bouquet Bandit’ busted in Brooklyn： police
警方在布魯克林逮捕「花束搶匪」
Cops were the ones who came up roses today after nabbing the "Bouquet Bandit" for pulling off two Chelsea bank robberies.
警方逮捕了在卻爾喜搶劫兩家銀行的「花束搶匪」，成為今天的最大贏家。
Edward Pemberton, 44, was busted just days after cops said he robbed a pair of Chelsea banks while carrying flowers or potted plants as props, police sources said.
警方消息人士指出，44歲的艾德華．潘姆伯頓在帶著充當道具的花束或盆栽植物搶劫兩家卻爾喜的銀行數日之後，遭到警方逮捕。
Cops said Pemberton, who worked several odd jobs in Chelsea where the robberies took place, lives in Brooklyn. He has had 14 previous arrests, mainly for drugs.
警方表示，目前住在布魯克林的潘姆伯頓，在銀行搶劫案發生地卻爾喜曾經打過一些零工。他過去有14次被捕紀錄，大多與毒品有關。
Cops used fingerprints left on the pink paper around the flowers to nab Pemberton.
警方利用留在包裹花束的粉紅色紙張上的指紋，循線逮捕潘姆伯頓。
The chrome-domed Pemberton packed fresh flowers and potted plants instead of a weapon for two heists, and even whipped out a threatening note from a bunch of sweet-smelling perennials demanding that a teller fork over a different kind of green.
禿頭的潘姆伯頓在兩次犯行中帶著新鮮花束與盆栽植物而非武器，他甚至從一束芬芳的多年生植物中掏出一張威脅字條，要求一名銀行行員拿出另一種綠色的東西給他。
新聞辭典
come up roses：俚語，結果相當順利或成功。例句：Those were difficult times but now everything’s coming up roses.（過去有過苦日子，但如今一切已否極泰來。）
fork something over （to someone）：俚語，把某物交給某人（通常指的是錢）。例句： Fork over the cash you owe me!（把你欠我的錢交出來！）
a different kind of green：此處的green（綠色）在俚語中指的是錢，也就是綠色的美鈔。文中所提及的兩種green，分別是綠色植物與美鈔。例句：I’ve run out of green stuff. Can you loan me a few bucks?（我沒錢了。借些來花花好吧？）
This Day in History August 20
In Warsaw, Poland in 1955, a treaty had been made among eight communist countries in Eastern Europe. This became known as the Warsaw Pact, which ensured that each member state would defend the others if attacked. No one would have expected the members of the Pact to attack one of its own, but that's exactly what happened on this date in 1968. Roughly one hour before midnight, military forces from five Pact countries, predominately from the Soviet Union, invaded Czechoslovakia. The reason was that the leader of Czechoslovakia was promoting democracy by way of political reform, which was contrary to the spirit of communism.
歷史上的今天 8月20日…
1955 年8個東歐的共產國家在波蘭華沙簽署一項協定，這就是後來眾所皆知的「華沙公約」，目的是確保其中的會員國遭受攻擊時，其他會員國必須協同抵禦。沒人能預 料，他們竟會攻擊自己其中的一個會員國，但在1968年的今天，這樣的事確實發生了。大約在晚上11點，5個會員國軍隊（其中大多數來自蘇聯）入侵捷克斯 洛伐克，原因是捷克斯洛伐克領導人正藉由政治改革推動民主，而這和共產主義的精神背道而馳。
知識大補帖
;)
1968年1月5日，捷克斯洛伐克境內的一場政治民主化 （democratization）運動正式展開，時稱「布拉格之春」（Prague Spring）。在國家領導人亞歷山大．度布切克（Alexander Dubček）的領導下，捷克斯洛伐克愈來愈有強烈獨立（independence）傾向，他當時提出「帶有人性面孔的社會主義」構想，但蘇聯卻視它為對 其領導地位的挑戰，也對東歐地區的政治穩定造成威脅，便於同年8月20日和華沙公約組織（Warsaw Treaty Organization）的會員國，以武裝入侵捷克斯洛伐克（圖，網路照片），結束了這場民主化運動。
單字片語
◎treatyn.協定，條約
˙peace treatyn.和平條約
◎communist
a.共產主義的& n.共產主義者
◎communism
n.共產主義
◎pact
n.協定；條款
◎ensure
vt.確保，保證
˙ensure + that子句
保證／確保……
˙ensure sth 確保某事
例：The company took measures to ensure its products success.（該公司採取措施以確保其產品大賣。）
◎defend
vt.保衛；防禦
◎roughly
adv.大致地，大約
◎predominately
adv.佔絕大多數地
◎invade
vt.入侵，侵略
◎democracy
n.民主
2010/08/19
Childhood stress leads to adult ill health, studies say 研究：兒時壓力導致成年後健康不佳
◎國際新聞中心
Adversity and stress early in life leads to long-term ill health and early death, a group of psychologists warn. A series of studies suggest that childhood stress caused by poverty or abuse can lead to heart disease, inflammation, and speed up cell ageing.
心理學家們警告，年少時經歷的逆境與壓力，會導致長期健康狀況不佳與早逝。一系列研究顯示，孩童時期因貧窮或虐待所造成的壓力，會導致心臟病、發炎，並加速細胞老化。
The American Psychological Association meeting heard that early experiences "cast a long shadow" on health. One UK expert said more and more evidence was suggesting a physical impact of stress in childhood.
專家在美國心理學會的會議上指出，年少時的經歷，會讓健康蒙上長期陰影。一名英國專家表示，越來越多證據顯示，孩童時期的壓力會衝擊身體。
In one study, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh looked at the relationship between living in poverty and early signs of heart disease in 200 healthy teenagers. They found that those from the worst-off families had stiffer arteries and higher blood pressure. A second piece of research by the same team showed children from poorer homes were more likely to interpret a series of mock social situations as threatening.
在一份研究中，匹茲堡大學的研究人員觀察200名健康青少年生活在貧窮與心臟病早期跡象之間的關係。他們發現，來自非常貧困家庭的青少年，動脈較僵硬，血壓也較高；同一團隊的第2份研究顯示，來自較貧窮家庭的孩子，更可能將一連串模擬的社會狀況解釋成有威脅。
They also had higher blood pressure and heart rates and higher hostility and anger scores during three laboratory stress tasks.
他們血壓也較高、心跳較快，在3份實驗室壓力任務中，敵意與憤怒的得分也較高。
新聞辭典
speed up：片語，加快。例句：This drug may have the effect of speeding up your heart rate.（這種藥可能會加速你的心跳。）
worst-off ：形容詞，非常貧窮的，是badly-off的最高級，badly-off的比較級為worse-off。例句：They’re not badly-off but they don’t have much money to spare.（他們並不算窮，但是沒有太多錢可以花。）
cast a shadow over/on sth：片語，為……蒙上陰影。例句：The event cast a shadow on our friendship. （這件事讓我們的友誼蒙上了陰影。）
This Day in History August 19… 歷史上的今天 8月19日
Before there was Chanel, there was just Coco. Born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel on this date in 1883, Coco would eventually become a fashion icon. She lived in a small French town until the age of 12, when her mother died and her father left. Coco spent the next six years in an orphanage, where she learned to sew. At 18, she tried to be a professional singer but failed to get steady work. She started designing hats and soon had her own boutique in Paris. From there, Coco pioneered many fashion trends of the 20th century and founded her world-renowned fashion brand, Chanel.
在香奈兒這個名號大 紅大紫之前，可可只是一般人而已。原名嘉布麗葉兒．波納．香奈兒的可可於1883年的今日誕生，爾後更成為時尚界的指標性人物。可可到12歲之前都住在法 國一個小鎮上，直到那一年她母親去世、父親出走。接下來的6年，可可都住在孤兒院裡，並在那裡學會了縫紉。18歲那年，她嘗試當一名職業歌手，卻沒能得到 穩定的工作。後來她開始設計帽子，並且很快就在巴黎開了一間自己的精品店。從這間店，可可開始引領許多20世紀的時尚潮流，並創立世界聞名的時尚品牌─香奈兒。
單字片語
●orphanage n.孤兒院
●sew vi.&vt.縫紉，縫補
例：My mom taught me how to sew buttons onto shirts.（我媽教我如何把釦子縫在襯衫上。）
●steady a.穩定的，固定的
例：Sandra and Sean have been in a steady relationship for the past 10 years and plan on getting married next month.（珊卓和尚恩穩定交往了10年之久，因此計劃在下個月結婚。）
●boutique n.精品店
●found vt.創立；開設
例：The hospital was founded by a priest 10 years ago.（這間醫院於10年前由一位牧師所創辦。）
●sew vi.&vt.縫紉，縫補
例：My mom taught me how to sew buttons onto shirts.（我媽教我如何把釦子縫在襯衫上。）
●steady a.穩定的，固定的
例：Sandra and Sean have been in a steady relationship for the past 10 years and plan on getting married next month.（珊卓和尚恩穩定交往了10年之久，因此計劃在下個月結婚。）
●boutique n.精品店
●found vt.創立；開設
例：The hospital was founded by a priest 10 years ago.（這間醫院於10年前由一位牧師所創辦。）
知識大補帖
;)
2010/08/18
Muuuum, it’s my turn now! 媽……，現在輪我了！
◎魏國金
Just when you get a chance to lay your hands on the latest computer game, along comes mum and hogs it. This comical scene took place after a young zoo visitor accidentally dropped his Nintendo DS games console into the gorilla enclosure.
正當最新款的電腦遊戲有機會到手之際，母親大人卻來了，而且還霸佔著不放。這個詼諧景象在一名年輕的動物園訪客，突然將他的任天堂DS遊戲機掉進大猩猩圍欄後發生了。
One of the western lowland gorillas – a 300lb female called Bawang – picked up the device and began to examine it, even fiddling with the buttons.
一頭重達300磅、名叫芭望的母西部低地大猩猩拾起這台遊戲機，並開始詳加檢查，甚至胡亂碰觸按鈕。
To the delight of crowds, she soon attracted the curiosity of the one-year-old baby ape called Hasani that she has adopted. The spectacle prompted one of the keepers at San Francisco Zoo to joke that she was playing the game Donkey Kong, a 1980s video game featuring a gigantic ape.
令群眾高興的是，她很快的引起所收養的一歲幼猩猩哈珊尼的好奇。這番景象令舊金山動物園一名管理人員戲稱，她正在玩「大金剛」遊戲；這是1980年代以一頭巨猿為主角的電視遊樂器。
But the ape’s attention span was fairly short lived as she was soon enticed into giving the DS back in exchange for an apple. And fortunately for the owner, his precious device was in full working order.
但是大猩猩的注意力相當短，因為她很快的被誘使交還這台DS遊戲機，以換取一顆蘋果。而對物主而言堪稱幸運，他寶貴的遊戲機完全運作正常。
新聞辭典
hog︰動詞，貪心攫取、霸佔。例句︰She always hogs the whole sofa while she’s watching TV.（她看電視的時候總是霸佔著整張沙發。）
lay one’s hands on︰片語，找到、得到。例句︰If I lay my hands on that book, I will let you know.（如果我拿到那本書，我會告訴你的。）
working order︰名詞，（機械等的）正常運作、運轉狀況。例句︰Everything is in working order. （一切正常。）
Just when you get a chance to lay your hands on the latest computer game, along comes mum and hogs it. This comical scene took place after a young zoo visitor accidentally dropped his Nintendo DS games console into the gorilla enclosure.
正當最新款的電腦遊戲有機會到手之際，母親大人卻來了，而且還霸佔著不放。這個詼諧景象在一名年輕的動物園訪客，突然將他的任天堂DS遊戲機掉進大猩猩圍欄後發生了。
One of the western lowland gorillas – a 300lb female called Bawang – picked up the device and began to examine it, even fiddling with the buttons.
一頭重達300磅、名叫芭望的母西部低地大猩猩拾起這台遊戲機，並開始詳加檢查，甚至胡亂碰觸按鈕。
To the delight of crowds, she soon attracted the curiosity of the one-year-old baby ape called Hasani that she has adopted. The spectacle prompted one of the keepers at San Francisco Zoo to joke that she was playing the game Donkey Kong, a 1980s video game featuring a gigantic ape.
令群眾高興的是，她很快的引起所收養的一歲幼猩猩哈珊尼的好奇。這番景象令舊金山動物園一名管理人員戲稱，她正在玩「大金剛」遊戲；這是1980年代以一頭巨猿為主角的電視遊樂器。
But the ape’s attention span was fairly short lived as she was soon enticed into giving the DS back in exchange for an apple. And fortunately for the owner, his precious device was in full working order.
但是大猩猩的注意力相當短，因為她很快的被誘使交還這台DS遊戲機，以換取一顆蘋果。而對物主而言堪稱幸運，他寶貴的遊戲機完全運作正常。
新聞辭典
hog︰動詞，貪心攫取、霸佔。例句︰She always hogs the whole sofa while she’s watching TV.（她看電視的時候總是霸佔著整張沙發。）
lay one’s hands on︰片語，找到、得到。例句︰If I lay my hands on that book, I will let you know.（如果我拿到那本書，我會告訴你的。）
working order︰名詞，（機械等的）正常運作、運轉狀況。例句︰Everything is in working order. （一切正常。）
This Day in History August 18 歷史上的今天8月18日
On this date in 1992, the man people called the “Great White Hope” or “Larry Legend” retired from playing the game he loved basketball. After shining as a high school and college basketball star in his native Indiana, Larry Bird made a name for himself with the Boston Celtics. He won the 1980 Rookie of the Year award and numerous MVP trophies, not to mention the loyalty of fans throughout the US. However, after playing on the 1992 Olympic “Dream Team,” Bird decided to hang up his jersey due to a back condition that made it extremely painful for him to play.
在1992年的今 日，這位素有「白人希望」或「傳奇博德」之稱的球員從他最愛的籃球比賽退休。賴瑞．博德先是在故鄉印地安那州以高中及大學籃球明星的身分發光發熱，後來便 在波士頓塞爾提克隊中揚名立萬。他贏得1980年的最佳新人獎及無數個最有價值球員的獎杯，更別提還擄獲全美各地球迷對他的忠誠支持。但是博德在1992 年為奧運的「夢幻一隊」效力後，因為長期背傷令他在打球時劇烈疼痛之故，所以決定從此高掛球衣。
知識大補帖
;)
賴瑞．博德（圖，資料照片）因其姓氏Bird之故，因此在台灣也常被稱為 「大鳥博德」。他在1978年的選秀會（draft）裡以首輪的第六順位被塞爾提克隊挑走，在為該隊效力的13個球季中，他主打的位置為小前鋒 （small forward）或強力前鋒（power forward）。在1980年代，由博德率領的塞爾提克隊更是屢屢在NBA冠軍賽中與魔術強森（Magic Johnson）領軍的洛杉磯湖人隊狹路相逢，創造出至今仍為所有球迷津津樂道的經典對抗（rivalry）。
單字片語
◎retire from...自……退休／退役
例：The highly decorated general retired from the military at the age of 60.
（那位功勳彪炳的將軍在60歲的時候退役。）
◎make a name for oneself
（某人）揚名，出名
例：The scientist made a name for himself in the field of astrophysics.
（那位科學家在天體物理學的領域中闖出了名號。）
◎rookie
n.（第一年參加比賽的）新人；菜鳥
◎condition
n.（長期）疾病
例：Zack has had a heart condition since childhood.
（柴克從小就有心臟病。）
◎extremely
adv.非常地；極端地
2010/08/17
Berlusconi ’appreciates’ pretty girls 貝魯斯孔尼「欣賞」美女
◎羅彥傑
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lived up to his "playboy" reputation on Monday, saying men from Latin countries can "appreciate pretty girls" and asking foreign ambassadors to bring some over.
義大利總理貝魯斯孔尼週一讓他的「花花公子」名聲名實相副，聲稱拉丁國家的男人們懂得「欣賞美女」，並要求外國大使們帶一些過來。
"Bring some good-looking girls over some time. We would appreciate them because we are Latins," the 73-year-old told a gathering of ambassadors and business leaders from nearly 30 Mediterranean countries in Milan.
「找個時候帶一些正妹過來。我們因為是拉丁民族，懂得欣賞她們，」這位73歲歐吉桑在米蘭向近30個地中海國家的大使與企業界領袖們表示。
"But not playboys, as in my case, I’ve become a ’play-old’," he added with a grin.
「但這不是花花公子，正如同我的個案，我已成為『花心老頭』，」他咧嘴而笑地補充說。
Last year, Berlusconi’s wife filed for divorce over revelations that the media tycoon attended the 18th birthday party of an aspiring model who called him "Daddy".
去年，貝魯斯孔尼妻子訴請離婚，因為有人爆料，這位媒體大亨參加一名叫他「爹地」、想出名的女模18歲生日趴。
Berlusconi was also forced to deny paying for sex after a call-girl disclosed publicly she had spent the night with him, recorded conversations with him and filmed his bedroom with her cellphone.
在一名應召女郎公開揭露她和他過夜，錄下與他的對話並用手機拍下他的臥室後，貝魯斯孔尼也被迫否認花錢召妓。
新聞辭典
live up to：片語，遵守、符合，與…相配。例句：The new house didn’t live up to expectations.（這幢新房子不符合預期。）
bring over：片語，把…帶來。例句：You might bring him over tomorrow.（明天你不妨把他帶來。）
grin：動詞，咧嘴而笑、露齒而笑。例句：He grinned at her.（他對著她咧嘴而笑。）
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lived up to his "playboy" reputation on Monday, saying men from Latin countries can "appreciate pretty girls" and asking foreign ambassadors to bring some over.
義大利總理貝魯斯孔尼週一讓他的「花花公子」名聲名實相副，聲稱拉丁國家的男人們懂得「欣賞美女」，並要求外國大使們帶一些過來。
"Bring some good-looking girls over some time. We would appreciate them because we are Latins," the 73-year-old told a gathering of ambassadors and business leaders from nearly 30 Mediterranean countries in Milan.
「找個時候帶一些正妹過來。我們因為是拉丁民族，懂得欣賞她們，」這位73歲歐吉桑在米蘭向近30個地中海國家的大使與企業界領袖們表示。
"But not playboys, as in my case, I’ve become a ’play-old’," he added with a grin.
「但這不是花花公子，正如同我的個案，我已成為『花心老頭』，」他咧嘴而笑地補充說。
Last year, Berlusconi’s wife filed for divorce over revelations that the media tycoon attended the 18th birthday party of an aspiring model who called him "Daddy".
去年，貝魯斯孔尼妻子訴請離婚，因為有人爆料，這位媒體大亨參加一名叫他「爹地」、想出名的女模18歲生日趴。
Berlusconi was also forced to deny paying for sex after a call-girl disclosed publicly she had spent the night with him, recorded conversations with him and filmed his bedroom with her cellphone.
在一名應召女郎公開揭露她和他過夜，錄下與他的對話並用手機拍下他的臥室後，貝魯斯孔尼也被迫否認花錢召妓。
新聞辭典
live up to：片語，遵守、符合，與…相配。例句：The new house didn’t live up to expectations.（這幢新房子不符合預期。）
bring over：片語，把…帶來。例句：You might bring him over tomorrow.（明天你不妨把他帶來。）
grin：動詞，咧嘴而笑、露齒而笑。例句：He grinned at her.（他對著她咧嘴而笑。）
This Day in History August 17… 歷史上的今天8月17日
Who would have thought that a barn full of farm animals could ever represent the real world? In fact, that’s what British author and journalist, George Orwell, accomplished in his short fictional novel, Animal Farm. First published on this date in England in 1945, this novella uses pigs, horses, and other common farm animals to describe what should be a utopia. However, there is one fatal flaw the corruption of its leaders. Animal Farm reflects Orwell’s satirical take on communism and Joseph Stalin. Despite its initial difficulties in getting published, Animal Farm went on to become one of the most widely read books in the Western world.
誰可曾想過一個充滿許多農莊動物的穀倉能代表現實世界？事實上，那正是英國作家兼記者喬治．歐威爾在他的短篇虛構小說《動物農莊》裡所呈現的。這本短篇故事在 1945年的今日於英國首次出版，故事內容利用了豬、馬及其他常見的農莊動物來描寫烏托邦應有的樣貌。然而烏托邦裡卻有一項致命缺陷，那就是其領導人的腐 敗。《動物農莊》反映出歐威爾對共產主義及喬瑟夫．史達林所抱持的諷刺看法。儘管剛開始在找人出版時遇到了一點困難，但《動物農莊》後來仍成為西方社會最 廣泛閱讀的書籍之一。
知識大補帖
;)
喬治．歐威爾以《動物農莊》（右圖，翻攝網路）和 《1984》（Nineteen Eighty-Four）這兩部作品享譽全球。在這兩篇小說中，他以敏銳的目光來觀察和批判以史達林時代的蘇聯為代表、掩蓋在社會主義 （socialism）名義下的極權主義（totalitarianism），並以辛辣的筆觸諷刺泯滅人性的極權主義社會。其中，《動物農莊》為歐威爾奠 定國際地位，使他成為著名的評論作家；而《1984》則被《時代雜誌》（Time）評為1923年至今最好的100本英文小說之一。
單字片語
◎accomplishvt. 完成，實現
例：The secret agent successfully accomplished the mission.
（那位秘密探員成功完成了任務。）
◎fictionala. 虛構的；小說的
例：The fictional characters in this movie were inspired by real people.
（這部電影中虛構角色的靈感來自於真實人物。）
◎novella
n. 短篇故事；中篇小說
◎corruption
n. 腐敗；貪污
例：The investigation uncovered widespread corruption inside the police force.（這項調查揭發警方內部的大規模貪污。）
◎satirical
a. 諷刺的；挖苦的
Dick wrote a satirical essay about the problem.
例：Dick wrote a satirical essay about the problem.（迪克寫了一篇有關該問題的諷刺文章。）
2010/08/16
’I’m not talking Britain down’, Cameron insists.「我不是在貶低英國」，卡麥隆堅稱。
◎管淑平
’I’m not talking Britain down’, Cameron insists.
「我不是在貶低英國」，卡麥隆堅稱。
David Cameron refused to apologise over his declaration that Britain should show ’humility’ to India. The Prime Minister insisted he was not talking down the UK but argued it was right to be ’realistic’ about Britain’s place in the modern world.
卡麥隆拒絕為他宣稱英國應該向印度展現「謙遜」這番話道歉。這名首相堅稱他不是在貶低英國，而稱「務實」面對英國在現今世界的地位是正確的。
Mr. Cameron tried to quell a row over his suggestion as he arrived in India on 28th. July that the UK should bend its knee to its former colony. He has raised eyebrows by being so trenchant during his
first spate of international visits since taking power in May.
卡麥隆在7月28日抵達印度之際，試圖平息有關他暗示英國應向前殖民地卑躬屈膝的爭議。他已因為在5月上任後首次出訪展現的尖酸刻薄而令人側目。
He wrote in The Hindu newspaper that he came ’in a spirit of humility’. ’I know that Britain cannot rely on sentiment and shared history for a place in India’s future. Your country has the whole world beating a path to its door,’ he said.
他在印度報撰文表示，他是「抱著謙遜的精神」來的。「我知道在參與印度的未來上，英國不能靠感情和對一個地方的共同歷史。全世界都爭相前來貴國敲門。」他說。
The PM stood by his comments and said： ’I’m not in any way talking Britain down... We do still punch above our weight in the world.... But at the same time, if you want to win strong relationships with countries like India and China, you have got to talk about the future. Taking a realistic view of our position and place in the world and how we are going to build those relationships, I think, is a very sensible thing to do.’
這位首相堅持他的論點表示，「我並未有任何貶低英國之意…我們的確仍對世界有超過外界預期的影響力…但在此同時，若你想贏得與像 印度、中國這樣的國家有堅強的關係，你得著眼未來。務實看待我們在世界上的地位和處境，以及我們要如何建立那些關係，我想，這是非常合理的事情。」
◎新聞辭典：
talk down：動詞片語，用言詞貶損某件事或某人。例句：The mayor’s political opponents tried to talk down his achievements during the election campaign.（市長的政治對手在選戰期間試圖貶低他的政績。）
trenchant：形容詞，（言語上）尖銳的、刻薄的。例句：He is famous for trenchant critics/criticisms.（他以辛辣的批判出名。）
punch above one’s weight：動詞片語，發揮超過預期的影響力，自不量力。例句：Do not punch above your weight.（你別自不量力！）
’I’m not talking Britain down’, Cameron insists.
「我不是在貶低英國」，卡麥隆堅稱。
David Cameron refused to apologise over his declaration that Britain should show ’humility’ to India. The Prime Minister insisted he was not talking down the UK but argued it was right to be ’realistic’ about Britain’s place in the modern world.
卡麥隆拒絕為他宣稱英國應該向印度展現「謙遜」這番話道歉。這名首相堅稱他不是在貶低英國，而稱「務實」面對英國在現今世界的地位是正確的。
Mr. Cameron tried to quell a row over his suggestion as he arrived in India on 28th. July that the UK should bend its knee to its former colony. He has raised eyebrows by being so trenchant during his
first spate of international visits since taking power in May.
卡麥隆在7月28日抵達印度之際，試圖平息有關他暗示英國應向前殖民地卑躬屈膝的爭議。他已因為在5月上任後首次出訪展現的尖酸刻薄而令人側目。
He wrote in The Hindu newspaper that he came ’in a spirit of humility’. ’I know that Britain cannot rely on sentiment and shared history for a place in India’s future. Your country has the whole world beating a path to its door,’ he said.
他在印度報撰文表示，他是「抱著謙遜的精神」來的。「我知道在參與印度的未來上，英國不能靠感情和對一個地方的共同歷史。全世界都爭相前來貴國敲門。」他說。
The PM stood by his comments and said： ’I’m not in any way talking Britain down... We do still punch above our weight in the world.... But at the same time, if you want to win strong relationships with countries like India and China, you have got to talk about the future. Taking a realistic view of our position and place in the world and how we are going to build those relationships, I think, is a very sensible thing to do.’
這位首相堅持他的論點表示，「我並未有任何貶低英國之意…我們的確仍對世界有超過外界預期的影響力…但在此同時，若你想贏得與像 印度、中國這樣的國家有堅強的關係，你得著眼未來。務實看待我們在世界上的地位和處境，以及我們要如何建立那些關係，我想，這是非常合理的事情。」
◎新聞辭典：
talk down：動詞片語，用言詞貶損某件事或某人。例句：The mayor’s political opponents tried to talk down his achievements during the election campaign.（市長的政治對手在選戰期間試圖貶低他的政績。）
trenchant：形容詞，（言語上）尖銳的、刻薄的。例句：He is famous for trenchant critics/criticisms.（他以辛辣的批判出名。）
punch above one’s weight：動詞片語，發揮超過預期的影響力，自不量力。例句：Do not punch above your weight.（你別自不量力！）
This Day in History August 16… 歷史上的今天8月16日
She is a singer—songwriter, dancer, actress, and more. She has reinvented herself countless times through her looks, style, and music. This versatile female has influenced numerous artists throughout her career. She is none other than the Queen of Pop—Madonna. Born on this date in Michigan in 1958, Madonna Louise Ciccone worked as a dancer in New York City before she hit it big with her debut album Madonna in the early 1980s. However, it wasn't until Like a Virgin, the title track from her second album, that Madonna achieved global recognition. For the world's most successful female recording artist of all time, the rest is history.
她是名創作歌手、舞 者、演員，而且還有其他身分集於一身。她透過外貌、風格和音樂一再打造新形象。這位多才多藝的女性在其工作生涯中影響了無數名藝人。這個人不是別人，她就 是流行天后—瑪丹娜。瑪丹娜．路易斯．西康尼於1958年的今日出生於密西根，在1980年代初期讓她大紅大紫的首張專輯《瑪丹娜》發行前，她是一名紐約 的舞者。不過，直到第二張專輯的同名單曲《宛如處女》才讓瑪丹娜擁有全球的知名度。對於這位史上最成功的女性歌手而言，她的音樂成就其實早已眾所皆知，無 須贅述。
知識大補帖
;)
瑪丹娜在樂壇活躍至今已近30年之久，擁有多首暢銷單曲，像是 Holiday、Like A Virgin《宛如處女》、Material Girl《拜金女孩》和Vogue，皆是她早期的熱門單曲（single）。求新求變的瑪丹娜在2005年發行專輯Confessions On A Dance Floor《娜語錄》，以復古舞曲風格為主調，主打單曲Hung Up《心神不寧》在45個國家拿下單曲榜第一名，打破金氏世界紀錄。而她在2007年和歌手賈斯汀合唱的4 Minutes更讓她超越貓王，成為史上擁有最多前十名暢銷單曲的歌手（圖為2009年瑪丹娜在巴塞隆納的巡迴表演）。
單字片語
◎reinvent vt. 再次發明；獨立創造◎versatile a. 多才多藝的
例：Mandy is versatile. She sings very well and also excels at painting.
（曼蒂多才多藝。她很會唱歌，而且畫畫也很拿手。）
◎none other than... 不是別的，正是……
例：The speech was delivered by none other than the vice president of the company.
（發表這場演講的正是公司的副總裁。）
◎hit it big 成功
例：The actor hit it big after he starred in the summer blockbuster.
（這名男演員在演出那部暑期賣座強片後大紅大紫。）
◎debut a.首次露面／登台的
◎recognition n.賞識，讚揚
The rest is history.
剩下的大家都知道了／都是眾所皆知的。
例：I first met my wife at church when I was at college, and the rest is history.
（念大學時，我和我太太在教堂初次相遇，接下來的大家都知道了。）
2010/08/15
PM baffled as ’Mr. Rabbit’ pops up in Aussie election 「兔子先生」加入澳洲選戰讓總理大惑不解
◎俞智敏
Surreal shades of "Alice in Wonderland" crept into Australia’s election campaign recently when Prime Minister Julia Gillard was forced to deny that "Mr. Rabbit" had appeared on the hustings.
澳洲國會大選最近突然冒出了幾許「愛麗絲夢遊仙境」的超現實色彩，因為總理吉拉德被迫否認「兔子先生」出現在造勢活動上。
The nation’s first woman leader was asked in a radio interview to answer charges that she was deliberately calling her opponent Tony Abbott "Mr. Rabbit" instead of Mr. Abbott.
這位澳洲首位女性領袖在電台訪問中，被要求回應她故意把競選對手艾伯特稱為「兔子先生」，而非艾伯特先生的指控。
But Gillard appeared genuinely baffled when asked to answer some listeners’ claims she was making a point of running the ’r’ of "mr" into the ’a’ of Abbott to give her rival a humorous new moniker.
但當被要求回答聽眾指稱她刻意把「先生」（mr）裡的字母r與艾伯特（Abbott）姓氏字首字母a連在一起唸，好替她的對手起一個可笑的新綽號時，吉拉德看起來真的非常困惑。
"Mr. Rabbit? What do you mean?" asked the leader who has in the past been criticised for her broad Australian style of speech.
「兔子先生？這是什麼意思？」這位領袖問道，她過去也曾因為說話時澳洲口音太重而招來批評。
When she was told that talkback radio listeners were speculating about her pronunciation of her conservative rival’s name, she said： "I wasn’t conscious of that at all. If I am doing it, I’m not intending to," she said adding very slowly and carefully that she would try to be more precise in the future.
當她被告知，政論廣播節目聽眾正猜測她對保守派對手姓名的發音時，她說，「我完全沒有意識到這件事。假如我有這樣唸，也絕非故意的。」她還用緩慢、謹慎的口氣表示，以後她會試著發音更標準一點。
In a campaign that features two candidates from opposite sides of the political spectrum offering broadly similar agendas, local media has frequently been forced to focus on minutiae and small details of the battle.
由於這場選戰中，兩位代表政壇相反立場的候選人提出的政見都大同小異，當地媒體經常被迫把焦點集中在選戰的枝微末節上。
新聞辭典
hustings： 複數名詞，指政見發表會場、選舉造勢演說與活動，如Three weeks before the election the candidates are all out on/at the hustings.（距離選舉僅剩三週，候選人紛紛在造勢活動中卯足全力拉票。）
make a point of sb/sth：片語，指刻意把某人或某事視為必要的、不可或缺的、特別注意某人或某事，如She made a point of thanking everyone in the department for their efforts.（她特地感謝部門裡所有人的努力。）
broad：形容詞，指帶有（某地）明顯口音或腔調的，如He spoke with a broad Australian accent.（他說話帶有很濃重的澳洲腔。）
Surreal shades of "Alice in Wonderland" crept into Australia’s election campaign recently when Prime Minister Julia Gillard was forced to deny that "Mr. Rabbit" had appeared on the hustings.
澳洲國會大選最近突然冒出了幾許「愛麗絲夢遊仙境」的超現實色彩，因為總理吉拉德被迫否認「兔子先生」出現在造勢活動上。
The nation’s first woman leader was asked in a radio interview to answer charges that she was deliberately calling her opponent Tony Abbott "Mr. Rabbit" instead of Mr. Abbott.
這位澳洲首位女性領袖在電台訪問中，被要求回應她故意把競選對手艾伯特稱為「兔子先生」，而非艾伯特先生的指控。
But Gillard appeared genuinely baffled when asked to answer some listeners’ claims she was making a point of running the ’r’ of "mr" into the ’a’ of Abbott to give her rival a humorous new moniker.
但當被要求回答聽眾指稱她刻意把「先生」（mr）裡的字母r與艾伯特（Abbott）姓氏字首字母a連在一起唸，好替她的對手起一個可笑的新綽號時，吉拉德看起來真的非常困惑。
"Mr. Rabbit? What do you mean?" asked the leader who has in the past been criticised for her broad Australian style of speech.
「兔子先生？這是什麼意思？」這位領袖問道，她過去也曾因為說話時澳洲口音太重而招來批評。
When she was told that talkback radio listeners were speculating about her pronunciation of her conservative rival’s name, she said： "I wasn’t conscious of that at all. If I am doing it, I’m not intending to," she said adding very slowly and carefully that she would try to be more precise in the future.
當她被告知，政論廣播節目聽眾正猜測她對保守派對手姓名的發音時，她說，「我完全沒有意識到這件事。假如我有這樣唸，也絕非故意的。」她還用緩慢、謹慎的口氣表示，以後她會試著發音更標準一點。
In a campaign that features two candidates from opposite sides of the political spectrum offering broadly similar agendas, local media has frequently been forced to focus on minutiae and small details of the battle.
由於這場選戰中，兩位代表政壇相反立場的候選人提出的政見都大同小異，當地媒體經常被迫把焦點集中在選戰的枝微末節上。
新聞辭典
hustings： 複數名詞，指政見發表會場、選舉造勢演說與活動，如Three weeks before the election the candidates are all out on/at the hustings.（距離選舉僅剩三週，候選人紛紛在造勢活動中卯足全力拉票。）
make a point of sb/sth：片語，指刻意把某人或某事視為必要的、不可或缺的、特別注意某人或某事，如She made a point of thanking everyone in the department for their efforts.（她特地感謝部門裡所有人的努力。）
broad：形容詞，指帶有（某地）明顯口音或腔調的，如He spoke with a broad Australian accent.（他說話帶有很濃重的澳洲腔。）
This Day in History August 15歷史上的今天 8月15日…
Most people today don't doubt the fact that India is an independent country. However, this wasn't always the case. For more than 200 years, India was under British rule. By the 20th century, the country's native citizens had had enough. Through the efforts of the Indian National Congress and Mahatma Gandhis campaigns for non-violent civil disobedience, the nationwide struggle for independence finally came to an end. It was on this date in 1947 that India gained its freedom and the first Indian prime minister proudly hung the tri-color flag of an independent India for the world to see.
歷史上的今天 8月15日…
現 今大部分的人都不會否認印度是個獨立國家，但是情況並非一直都是這樣。印度有200多年的時間為英國所統治。但是到了20世紀，該國的國民覺得受夠了。透 過印度國會和甘地非暴力的不合作運動，舉國上下為求獨立所做的努力終於有了結果。印度在1947年的今天迎向自由（圖為2005年印度民眾慶祝獨立紀念 日，資料照片），第一任印度總理驕傲地升起印度獨立後的3色國旗，讓全世界的人都看見。
單字片語
◎doubtvt.懷疑& n.疑問
there is no doubt + that 子句毫無疑問地，……
例：There is no doubt that Jim will bring his girlfriend to the party.（毫無疑問地，吉姆會帶他的女友去參加派對。）
◎independent
a.獨立的
◎be (not) the case
情況正是／並非如此
例：Many people enjoy roller coasters, but this is not the case for me.（很多人都喜歡搭雲霄飛車，但我不喜歡。）
◎have had enough (of...)
受夠了（……）
例：I've had enough of his complaining.（我真是受夠了他的抱怨。）
2010/08/14
U.S. withdraws ‘pain ray’ from Afghan war zone 美國將「痛光」撤出阿富汗戰場
◎陳成良
A ‘pain ray’ that blasts the enemy with unbearable heat waves has been pulled out of Afghanistan by the US military.
一種能以令人無法承受的高溫波轟擊敵軍的「痛光」，已被美軍從阿富汗撤出。
The Active Denial System （ADS）, which cost about £￡42 million to develop, was on the brink of being deployed to disperse members of the Taliban as they attacked US forces.
斥資約4200萬英鎊開發的「主動阻絕系統」（ADS），原本已接近部署邊緣，以擊退攻擊美軍部隊的神學士成員。
The weapon, which causes immense pain to subjects but no lasting physical damage, was pulled from the war zone last week but US army chiefs in Afghanistan have stayed silent about the reason for the U-turn.
這種能讓目標感到極大疼痛，但不會造成持續性身體傷害的武器，上周撤出戰區，但駐阿富汗美軍指揮官沒有說明決策急轉彎的理由。
The ADS, which has been in development for almost 20 years, works by firing a beam of high-frequency waves at the speed of light. The beam can cover a person’s entire body, causing agonising pain as it heats water and fat molecules beneath the skin’s surface.
已發展了近20年的ADS，以光速發射高頻波光束。這種光束可完全覆蓋人體，並加熱其皮膚表面下的水和脂肪分子，從而帶來劇痛。
The beam can hit someone up to a third of a mile away, and they are only relieved of the pain when they move out of the way.
這種射線可從遠在3分之1英里外擊中人，他們唯有脫離光束射擊的範圍，才能解除痛苦。
A spokesperson from the American Department of Defence said： ‘The decision to recall the weapons back to the US was made by commanders on the ground in Afghanistan.’
美國國防部一名發言人說：「將這種武器撤回美國，是阿富汗戰場指揮官所作的決定。」
Dictionary 新聞辭典
on the brink of： 片語，瀕於； 在…：之邊緣。例句：The stock market was on the brink of collapse. （股市已到崩盤的邊緣。）
U-turn：名詞，（車輛等的）迴轉；（方針、政策等的）急速轉變。例句：No U -turn! （禁止汽車掉頭行駛）。
agonising：形容詞，同 agonizing，苦惱的；痛苦難忍的。例句：It is a most agonizing sight.（這種景象真是慘不忍睹。）
A ‘pain ray’ that blasts the enemy with unbearable heat waves has been pulled out of Afghanistan by the US military.
一種能以令人無法承受的高溫波轟擊敵軍的「痛光」，已被美軍從阿富汗撤出。
The Active Denial System （ADS）, which cost about £￡42 million to develop, was on the brink of being deployed to disperse members of the Taliban as they attacked US forces.
斥資約4200萬英鎊開發的「主動阻絕系統」（ADS），原本已接近部署邊緣，以擊退攻擊美軍部隊的神學士成員。
The weapon, which causes immense pain to subjects but no lasting physical damage, was pulled from the war zone last week but US army chiefs in Afghanistan have stayed silent about the reason for the U-turn.
這種能讓目標感到極大疼痛，但不會造成持續性身體傷害的武器，上周撤出戰區，但駐阿富汗美軍指揮官沒有說明決策急轉彎的理由。
The ADS, which has been in development for almost 20 years, works by firing a beam of high-frequency waves at the speed of light. The beam can cover a person’s entire body, causing agonising pain as it heats water and fat molecules beneath the skin’s surface.
已發展了近20年的ADS，以光速發射高頻波光束。這種光束可完全覆蓋人體，並加熱其皮膚表面下的水和脂肪分子，從而帶來劇痛。
The beam can hit someone up to a third of a mile away, and they are only relieved of the pain when they move out of the way.
這種射線可從遠在3分之1英里外擊中人，他們唯有脫離光束射擊的範圍，才能解除痛苦。
A spokesperson from the American Department of Defence said： ‘The decision to recall the weapons back to the US was made by commanders on the ground in Afghanistan.’
美國國防部一名發言人說：「將這種武器撤回美國，是阿富汗戰場指揮官所作的決定。」
Dictionary 新聞辭典
on the brink of： 片語，瀕於； 在…：之邊緣。例句：The stock market was on the brink of collapse. （股市已到崩盤的邊緣。）
U-turn：名詞，（車輛等的）迴轉；（方針、政策等的）急速轉變。例句：No U -turn! （禁止汽車掉頭行駛）。
agonising：形容詞，同 agonizing，苦惱的；痛苦難忍的。例句：It is a most agonizing sight.（這種景象真是慘不忍睹。）
This Day in History August 14歷史上的今天 8月14日
Although the US had yet to enter World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt seized an opportunity to meet with Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of Britain. Their goal was to create a blueprint to help put the world back on its feet after the war. On this date in 1941, the two leaders gave the world the Atlantic Charter. This joint declaration contained eight points including people’s right to self-determination, lowering trade barriers, and no territorial gains for either nation. Little did Roosevelt or Churchill know that their Atlantic Charter would go on to set the foundation for many of the world’s current international agreements.
歷史上的今天 8月14日
僅管美國當時尚未參與第二次世界大戰，美國總統富蘭克林．羅斯福仍把握機會去會見英國首相溫斯頓．邱吉爾。他們的目標是要打造一份能幫助重整戰後世界的藍圖。1941年的今日，兩大巨頭對世界發表了《大西洋憲章》，這份聯合聲明共有8點事項，包括人民享有自治權、降低貿易壁壘，以及兩國皆不得尋求領土擴張。不過羅斯福和邱吉爾當時都不知道，他們的《大西洋憲章》在往後會成為目前世界許多國際公約的基礎。
知識大補帖
;)
德蘇戰爭爆發後，史達林（Joseph Stalin）在1941年7月3日的廣播演說中表示，蘇聯的衛國戰爭不僅是為了保衛蘇聯，更要幫助那些囚禁於德國法西斯主義（Fascism）枷鎖下的 歐洲各國人民。這促使英、美政府要針對法西斯的侵略和戰爭目的表明自己的態度。1941年8月初，羅斯福（右二，網路照片）、邱吉爾（左二）分別率領他們 的政府官員，搭乘軍艦在紐芬蘭（Newfoundland）的阿金夏港舉行會談，最後在8月13日簽署聯合聲明，於 14 日正式公布《大西洋憲章》。
單字片語
◎have yet to V尚未（做）……
例：You are not allowed to go outside because you have yet to finish your homework.
（你還沒做完功課所以不准出門。）
◎seize
vt. 抓住（機會）；抓住
例：The thief was seized by a police officer while trying to escape.
（那名小偷試圖逃跑時被一名員警給逮個正著。）
◎prime minister
n. 首相
◎blueprint
n. 藍圖
◎put...back on its feet 改善……（國家、組織等的）狀況
例：It was Jerry who put the company back on its feet.（改善了公司營運狀況的人正是傑瑞。）
◎charter
n. 憲章，章程
◎joint
a. 聯合的，共同的
例：Through our joint efforts, we managed to complete the project on time.（經過我們的共同努力，我們按時完成了這件案子。）
2010/08/13
Giant burgers cause jaw injuries in Taiwan巨無霸漢堡在台灣造成下顎受傷
◎張沛元
Giant burgers cause jaw injuries in Taiwan
巨無霸漢堡在台灣造成下顎受傷
Taiwanese dentists have urged fast food chains to drop over-sized hamburgers from their menus following a growing number of jaw injury cases, a report said.
一份報導指出，隨著下顎受傷病例數量逐漸增加，台灣牙醫呼籲速食連鎖店業者將超級大漢堡從其菜單中除名。
Patients have developed sore jaws or had difficulties opening their mouths after consuming giant burgers, the China Post quoted professor Hsu Ming-lung of the School of Dentistry at National Yang-Ming University as saying.
英文中國郵報引述陽明醫學大學牙醫學系系主任許明倫的話說，病患在吃了巨無霸漢堡後，會有下巴痠痛或張嘴困難等問題。
Problems can arise when fast-food fans tuck into hamburgers larger than eight centimetres （three inches） high, Hsu said according to the paper.
根據該報，許明倫說，當熱愛速食的消費者把超過8公分（3英寸）高的漢堡塞進嘴裡時，就會發生問題。
A human mouth is designed to gape over objects measuring up to four centimetres, and overextending can hurt the joint between the jawbone and the temporal bone in front of the ears, Hsu said.
許明倫表示，以人嘴的設計而論，張開時最多只能包覆4公分高的物體，過度張嘴會對頜骨與耳朵前方的顳骨之間的關節造成損害。
新聞辭典
jaw： 名詞，下巴。one’s jaw drops，下巴掉下來，指非常驚訝。jaw dropper，令人感到驚訝或震驚的人事物。例句：My jaw dropped when I heard she’d filed for divorce from her husband of 40 years.（當我聽說她申請跟結縭40年的老公離婚時，震驚得不得了。）
drop someone or something from something：某人或某物從高處掉落；摒除某人或某物。例句：We were forced to drop Sally from our guest list.（我們不得不把莎麗從賓客名單中除名。）
sore：形容詞，疼痛，痠痛。例句：I’ve got a sore throat.（我喉嚨痛。）
Giant burgers cause jaw injuries in Taiwan
巨無霸漢堡在台灣造成下顎受傷
Taiwanese dentists have urged fast food chains to drop over-sized hamburgers from their menus following a growing number of jaw injury cases, a report said.
一份報導指出，隨著下顎受傷病例數量逐漸增加，台灣牙醫呼籲速食連鎖店業者將超級大漢堡從其菜單中除名。
Patients have developed sore jaws or had difficulties opening their mouths after consuming giant burgers, the China Post quoted professor Hsu Ming-lung of the School of Dentistry at National Yang-Ming University as saying.
英文中國郵報引述陽明醫學大學牙醫學系系主任許明倫的話說，病患在吃了巨無霸漢堡後，會有下巴痠痛或張嘴困難等問題。
Problems can arise when fast-food fans tuck into hamburgers larger than eight centimetres （three inches） high, Hsu said according to the paper.
根據該報，許明倫說，當熱愛速食的消費者把超過8公分（3英寸）高的漢堡塞進嘴裡時，就會發生問題。
A human mouth is designed to gape over objects measuring up to four centimetres, and overextending can hurt the joint between the jawbone and the temporal bone in front of the ears, Hsu said.
許明倫表示，以人嘴的設計而論，張開時最多只能包覆4公分高的物體，過度張嘴會對頜骨與耳朵前方的顳骨之間的關節造成損害。
新聞辭典
jaw： 名詞，下巴。one’s jaw drops，下巴掉下來，指非常驚訝。jaw dropper，令人感到驚訝或震驚的人事物。例句：My jaw dropped when I heard she’d filed for divorce from her husband of 40 years.（當我聽說她申請跟結縭40年的老公離婚時，震驚得不得了。）
drop someone or something from something：某人或某物從高處掉落；摒除某人或某物。例句：We were forced to drop Sally from our guest list.（我們不得不把莎麗從賓客名單中除名。）
sore：形容詞，疼痛，痠痛。例句：I’ve got a sore throat.（我喉嚨痛。）
This Day in History August 13歷史上的今天 8月13日…
Who could ever forget the shower murder sequence in the movie Psycho or the sense of falling in Vertigo? These and many more haunting scenes were presented to movie-goers by the master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock. Born in a suburb of London on this date in 1899, Hitchcock began his film career in 1919. The Lodger, released in 1926, was where Hitchcock debuted his trademark directing style. After his success in the UK, Hitchcock moved to the US in 1939 and took Hollywood by storm. He pioneered many filming techniques along with the psycho-thriller genre. No wonder Alfred Hitchcock is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of all time.
歷史上的今天 8月13日…
誰 能忘得了電影《驚魂記》裡浴室殺人的那一連串鏡頭、或是《迷魂記》中那種向下掉落的感覺？上述這些及更多令人久久揮散不去的畫面，都是由緊張大師亞弗烈˙ 希區考克呈現在電影觀眾面前。希區考克在1899年的今天生於倫敦郊區，並於1919年開始他的電影生涯。在1926年上映的《房客》這部電影裡，他首度 運用了他招牌的導演手法。希區考克在英國成名後，於1939年移居美國，其作品更是風靡整個好萊塢。希區考克引領了許多新的電影拍攝技巧，並且開創心理驚 悚片這種電影類型，也難怪他會被視為史上最偉大的製片家之一。
知識大補帖
;)
希區考克常運用蒙太奇（montage）的剪輯風格來營造他片中的驚悚感 覺。所謂的蒙太奇，就是將一連串短時間的特寫鏡頭（close-up）拼湊起來，希區考克正是利用此點來製造觀眾視覺上凌亂及心理上緊張的感覺，《驚魂 記》裡浴室殺人戲就是最好的例子。女主角先是在浴室內淋浴（圖為劇照，資料照片），突然浴室門被打開，一把刀的特寫出現，然後攝影機從女主角的角度拍攝到 浴簾（shower curtain）後的人影，預告了接下來的謀殺，接著出現一連串刀子揮動及女主角驚嚇尖叫特寫，結束的經典畫面就是鮮紅的血水流入浴缸的出水孔。
單字片語
◎sequencen.（電影中描述同一主題或動作的）連續鏡頭
◎psycho
n.精神失常且行為狂暴的人 & prefix 與精神有關的，心理的
◎debut
vt.&n.（使）首度公開，（使）首度亮相
◎haunting
a.縈繞於心的，不易忘懷的
◎suspense
n.懸疑；緊張感
keep sb in suspense使某人一直處於懸疑狀態；吊某人胃口
◎thriller
n.驚悚電影；驚悚小說
◎take...by storm
在……大獲成功／造成風潮；席捲……
例：The movie Avatar took the whole world by storm with its amazing 3-D effects.（電影《阿凡達》以其驚人的 3D 效果在世界各地造成風潮。）
2010/08/12
Getting fit in midlife, better late than never 中年保健 亡羊補牢猶未晚
◎國際新聞中心
Exercising in your 40’s,50’s and 60’s is like saving for your retirement, experts say. Starting early is money in the bank, but even late bloomers can reap astonishing benefits.
專家說，40、50、60幾歲時運動，就像為退休儲蓄一樣，早點開始，錢就落袋為安，不過即使是晚起步，也可以獲得讓人驚訝的好處。
"The game isn’t over, even if you haven’t been active,"said Dr. Angela Smith, past president of the American College of Sports Medicine. "Aerobic fitness, bone health, agility, you may be able to catch up."
美國運動醫學院前院長史密斯表示：「遊戲還沒結束，即使是你一直不愛活動。有氧體能、骨骼健康、靈活，你可能可以趕上。」
Smith, a physician at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, said studies have shown that even octogenarians can double their strength with weight training. "There’s good evidence that among people who have arthritis, the stronger have less pain, and that getting fit decreases the chance of having cancer," she said.
史密斯是費城兒童醫院的醫師，她說，研究指出，即使是80幾歲的人，也可以藉著重量訓練讓力氣加倍，「有證據證明，關節炎患者之中，較強壯者較不感到疼痛，而且保持健康能降低罹癌機率。」
But if you’re a former high school athlete who became sedentary as your temples grayed, don’t expect your history to save you.
但如果你高中時曾是運動員，但隨著兩鬢花白變成久坐型，別期望你的經歷能解救你。
新聞辭典
late bloomer：名詞，大器晚成的人，英式用法寫成late developer。例句：At school she was a late developer, and it wasn’t until she went to university that her talents became apparent.（她求學大器晚成，直到上了大學才展現天份。）
reap：動詞，收穫。例句：She studied every evening and reaped the benefit at exam time.（她每個晚上用功唸書，考試終於獲得成果。）
temple：名詞，寺廟，指身體部位時，是指太陽穴或鬢角。
Exercising in your 40’s,50’s and 60’s is like saving for your retirement, experts say. Starting early is money in the bank, but even late bloomers can reap astonishing benefits.
專家說，40、50、60幾歲時運動，就像為退休儲蓄一樣，早點開始，錢就落袋為安，不過即使是晚起步，也可以獲得讓人驚訝的好處。
"The game isn’t over, even if you haven’t been active,"said Dr. Angela Smith, past president of the American College of Sports Medicine. "Aerobic fitness, bone health, agility, you may be able to catch up."
美國運動醫學院前院長史密斯表示：「遊戲還沒結束，即使是你一直不愛活動。有氧體能、骨骼健康、靈活，你可能可以趕上。」
Smith, a physician at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, said studies have shown that even octogenarians can double their strength with weight training. "There’s good evidence that among people who have arthritis, the stronger have less pain, and that getting fit decreases the chance of having cancer," she said.
史密斯是費城兒童醫院的醫師，她說，研究指出，即使是80幾歲的人，也可以藉著重量訓練讓力氣加倍，「有證據證明，關節炎患者之中，較強壯者較不感到疼痛，而且保持健康能降低罹癌機率。」
But if you’re a former high school athlete who became sedentary as your temples grayed, don’t expect your history to save you.
但如果你高中時曾是運動員，但隨著兩鬢花白變成久坐型，別期望你的經歷能解救你。
新聞辭典
late bloomer：名詞，大器晚成的人，英式用法寫成late developer。例句：At school she was a late developer, and it wasn’t until she went to university that her talents became apparent.（她求學大器晚成，直到上了大學才展現天份。）
reap：動詞，收穫。例句：She studied every evening and reaped the benefit at exam time.（她每個晚上用功唸書，考試終於獲得成果。）
temple：名詞，寺廟，指身體部位時，是指太陽穴或鬢角。
This Day in History August12 歷史上的今天 8月12日
Movies and even a play by Shakespeare have been made about this unforgettable female. Queen Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh to rule Egypt. She brought her beloved Egypt out of famine, economic difficulty, and political conflict. She was famous for her beauty and charm as well as her relationships with Julius Caesar and Marc Antony. Then on this fateful date in 30 BC, Cleopatra killed herself to avoid a humiliating defeat by her captor. Legend has it that she let a venomous snake hidden inside a basket of figs bite her. By this act, she achieved immortality and enduring celebrity status.
數部電影，甚至莎士 比亞的某個劇本中都曾描述過這位令人難忘的女性。埃及豔后克麗奧．佩特拉是統治埃及的最後一位法老。她讓她心愛的祖國脫離飢荒和經濟困境，並遠離政治紛 擾。她因美貌和迷人魅力而聞名，而她與凱薩和馬克．安東尼之間的情史也讓她聲名大噪。西元前30年的今日，在這個不幸的一天，埃及豔后結束了自己的生命， 以避免被俘虜所帶來的羞辱。據說她讓一隻藏在無花果花籃裡的毒蛇咬她。結果這個舉動使她獲得永垂不朽的聲名以及無可動搖的地位。
單字片語
★Pharaoh n.（埃及的）法老王
★conflict n. 鬥爭；衝突
例：The incident was a classic example of a cross-cultural conflict.
（這次事件是跨文化衝突的典型例子。）
★humiliating a. 羞辱的，恥辱的
例：It was humiliating when Tom made a scene at my mother's birthday party.
（湯姆在我母親的生日派對上胡鬧真是令人感到丟臉。）
★venomous a. 有毒的；分泌毒液的
★enduring a. 持久的
例：Michael Jackson's music has an enduring appeal.（麥可．傑克森的音樂擁有歷久不衰的吸引力。）
★conflict n. 鬥爭；衝突
例：The incident was a classic example of a cross-cultural conflict.
（這次事件是跨文化衝突的典型例子。）
★humiliating a. 羞辱的，恥辱的
例：It was humiliating when Tom made a scene at my mother's birthday party.
（湯姆在我母親的生日派對上胡鬧真是令人感到丟臉。）
★venomous a. 有毒的；分泌毒液的
★enduring a. 持久的
例：Michael Jackson's music has an enduring appeal.（麥可．傑克森的音樂擁有歷久不衰的吸引力。）
知識大補帖
;)
2010/08/11
Dog chews off Michigan man’s toe, saves his life 狗嚼掉密西根男子的趾頭，救了他的命
◎ 魏國金
A Michigan man credited his dog with saving his life by chewing off his diseased big toe as he lay passed out in a drunken stupor.
一名密西根男子認為他的狗在他酩酊大醉而昏睡之際，嚼掉他有病的大腳趾頭，而救了他一命。
Jerry Douthett, 48, woke up on a Saturday night in late July in his Rockford, Michigan home to find his Jack Russell Terrier, Kiko, had gnawed off his right big toe.
48歲的傑瑞．杜塞特於7月底的一個星期六晚間，在密西根洛克佛德的家裡醒來時，發現他的傑克羅素梗犬「基柯」已啃下他的右大腳趾。
"The dog always lays with me on the bed," said Douthett. "That night, I woke up and looked down at my foot, and it was wet. When I looked it was blood, and there was the dog looking at me with a blood mustache."
「這條狗向來與我同睡床上，」杜塞特說。「那晚，我醒來往下看我的腳，腳溼溼的。我定睛一看是血，而狗狗望著我瞧，嘴毛則沾有血。」
Douthett’s wife, Rosee, rushed him to a hospital where doctors found he was suffering from Type 2 diabetes. His toe was badly infected and surgeons amputated the remainder of the digit.
杜塞特的妻子蘿希將他急送入院，醫師發現他患有第二型糖尿病。他的腳趾嚴重感染，外科醫師截掉該腳趾其餘部分。
Douthett’s wife had been urging him for weeks to have his infected toe examined by a doctor. "I was self-medicating at this point," he said. "The moral of the story is that the dog saved my life, because otherwise I never would have gone in to see a doctor."
杜塞特的妻子數週來敦促他讓醫師檢查他受感染的腳趾頭。「當時我正自行治療，」他說︰「這件事的寓意就是狗救了我的命，否則我絕不會去看醫生。」
The couple said they were amazed that Kiko appeared to know Douthett had an infection that needed treatment. "He kind of chewed off the infected part and stopped at the good bone," said Rosee.
這對夫婦說，他們訝異基柯似乎知道杜塞特有感染，需要治療。「牠有點是咬掉感染部分，並在好的骨頭上停住，」蘿希表示。
新聞辭典
credit（with）︰動詞，認為（有某種優點或成就）。例句︰They credited him with the discovery.（他們認為這項發現是他的功勞。）
stupor︰名詞，昏迷、不省人事、恍惚。例句︰He lost his wallet while he was in a drunken stupor.（他醉得不省人事時丟了皮夾。）
moral︰名詞，（故事、事件引出的）寓意、教訓。例句︰I don’t know what moral to draw from all this.（我不知道從這一切中應得出什麼教訓。）
A Michigan man credited his dog with saving his life by chewing off his diseased big toe as he lay passed out in a drunken stupor.
一名密西根男子認為他的狗在他酩酊大醉而昏睡之際，嚼掉他有病的大腳趾頭，而救了他一命。
Jerry Douthett, 48, woke up on a Saturday night in late July in his Rockford, Michigan home to find his Jack Russell Terrier, Kiko, had gnawed off his right big toe.
48歲的傑瑞．杜塞特於7月底的一個星期六晚間，在密西根洛克佛德的家裡醒來時，發現他的傑克羅素梗犬「基柯」已啃下他的右大腳趾。
"The dog always lays with me on the bed," said Douthett. "That night, I woke up and looked down at my foot, and it was wet. When I looked it was blood, and there was the dog looking at me with a blood mustache."
「這條狗向來與我同睡床上，」杜塞特說。「那晚，我醒來往下看我的腳，腳溼溼的。我定睛一看是血，而狗狗望著我瞧，嘴毛則沾有血。」
Douthett’s wife, Rosee, rushed him to a hospital where doctors found he was suffering from Type 2 diabetes. His toe was badly infected and surgeons amputated the remainder of the digit.
杜塞特的妻子蘿希將他急送入院，醫師發現他患有第二型糖尿病。他的腳趾嚴重感染，外科醫師截掉該腳趾其餘部分。
Douthett’s wife had been urging him for weeks to have his infected toe examined by a doctor. "I was self-medicating at this point," he said. "The moral of the story is that the dog saved my life, because otherwise I never would have gone in to see a doctor."
杜塞特的妻子數週來敦促他讓醫師檢查他受感染的腳趾頭。「當時我正自行治療，」他說︰「這件事的寓意就是狗救了我的命，否則我絕不會去看醫生。」
The couple said they were amazed that Kiko appeared to know Douthett had an infection that needed treatment. "He kind of chewed off the infected part and stopped at the good bone," said Rosee.
這對夫婦說，他們訝異基柯似乎知道杜塞特有感染，需要治療。「牠有點是咬掉感染部分，並在好的骨頭上停住，」蘿希表示。
新聞辭典
credit（with）︰動詞，認為（有某種優點或成就）。例句︰They credited him with the discovery.（他們認為這項發現是他的功勞。）
stupor︰名詞，昏迷、不省人事、恍惚。例句︰He lost his wallet while he was in a drunken stupor.（他醉得不省人事時丟了皮夾。）
moral︰名詞，（故事、事件引出的）寓意、教訓。例句︰I don’t know what moral to draw from all this.（我不知道從這一切中應得出什麼教訓。）
This Day in History August 11… 歷史上的今天8月11日
In general, summers in Paris are pleasantly warm, with daytime highs typically in the mid-20s. However, on this date in 2003, the city recorded its highest nighttime low of 25.5 degrees Celsius. This was due to the fact that Paris as well as other parts of Europe was suffering from a massive heat wave. The city was already into its second week of temperatures of over 40 degrees. Many of the city's residents, especially the elderly, were caught unprepared because many homes did not have air conditioning. As a result, the heat wave led to the death of over 14,000 people in France.
一般來說，巴黎夏天的氣候相當溫暖宜人，白天最高溫通 常落在攝氏25度左右。然而在2003年的今日，這座城市記錄到晚間最低溫竟然達攝氏25.5度。這是因為巴黎和其他歐洲地區深受大規模的熱浪所苦。巴黎 已經連續兩個星期溫度超過40度。大多數的市民，尤其是老年人，因為家中未裝設冷氣而來不及應變。結果，這場熱浪最後造成法國境內超過1萬4千人死亡。
知識大補帖
;)
近年來全球極端氣候（extreme weather）日趨明顯，北半球不少地區受到熱浪（heat wave）侵襲（圖為兒童在噴水池戲水消暑，資料照片），今年夏季許 多歐洲地區出現高溫不降的狀態，而這種天氣形態可能造成乾旱（drought）、作物欠收（crop failure）或引起森林大火（wildfire），人類也可能因此中暑（heat stroke/hyperthermia）。而正值冬季的南半球則飽受寒流（cold wave）所苦，多人因失溫（hypothermia）而死亡。
單字片語
◎typicallyadv. 一般地，通常
Typhoon season in Taiwan typically starts in July.
（台灣的颱風季節通常從 7 月開始。）
◎suffer from...
受……之苦；罹患……疾病
例：My aunt has been suffering from diabetes for more than 10 years.
（我阿姨罹患糖尿病已經十幾年了。）
◎massive
a. 大規模的；巨大的
例：The difference in rent in the countryside and the city is massive.
（城鄉間的租金差異甚大。）
◎temperature
n. 溫度
◎unprepared
a. 無準備的
例：We were unprepared for the typhoon that hit last week.
（我們對上星期來襲的颱風毫無準備。）
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)