英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

◎管淑平

A woman who was injured while having sex in a Autralian hotel during a work trip has won the latest round in her legal battle for industrial compensation.

一名出差期間在澳洲一家飯店做愛時受傷的婦人，在爭取工作傷害賠償的官司中贏得最新一回合勝利。

The woman, who was a public servant, was hospitalized after being injured in 2007 during sex with a male friend while staying in a motel in the town of Nowra.

這名婦人是公務員，她2007年投宿諾拉鎮一家汽車旅館，與一名男性友人做愛時受傷就醫。

She suffered injuries to her nose and mouth when a light fitting above the bed was ripped from its mount and landed on her face.

她因為床上方燈具從燈座斷裂，掉在她臉上，鼻子和嘴被砸傷。

Her claim for worker’s compensation for her physical and psychological injuries was initially approved by government insurer Comcare, then rejected after further investigation.

她因其身心傷害申請工傷賠償，起初獲得承保政府員工保險的Comcare公司核准，但Comcare進一步調查後拒絕。

Comcare claimed the injuries were not suffered in the course of her employment, and they were therefore not required to pay any damages. They argued the government had not induced or encouraged the woman’s sexual conduct.

◎陳維真

A Swedish cleaning lady on Tuesday commandeered an empty Stockholm commuter train, which careered off the tracks when it reached the end of the line and smashed into a block of flats, police said.

警方表示，一名瑞典清潔女工週二偷開一輛空無一人的斯德哥爾摩通勤火車，火車開到軌道盡頭時脫軌撞入一戶平房。

The woman’s condition was "serious but stable", Stockholm police spokesman Lars Bystroem said. She was detained on suspicion of destroying public property, a crime punishable by up to eight years in jail.

斯德哥爾摩警方發言人畢斯特隆表示，該名女子的傷勢「嚴重但穩定」。她因涉嫌毀損公共財產遭到拘留，這項罪名最高可處以8年徒刑。

The train slammed into a three-storey building in the upscale Saltsjoebaden neighbourhood. It was unclear why the woman stole the train from a Stockholm depot. "The train was wrecked," Stockholm Public Transport spokesman Jesper Pettersson said.

火車撞入薩爾特舍巴登高級社區的3層樓建物，該名女子為何要從斯德哥爾摩車廠把火車偷開走仍不清楚。斯德哥爾摩公共運輸發言人彼得森表示，「火車撞爛了」。

Travelling at 80 kilometres per hour, it bolted off the tracks when it reached the end of the line and hurtled 25 metres in the snow before crashing to a final halt.

火車以80公里的時速疾行，抵達軌道終點時，衝出鐵軌，並在雪地中猛衝25公尺，最後撞毀才停下來。

The woman, born in 1990, had worked for a cleaning company contracted by the transport group "for a few months, with good results," Arriva spokesman Tomas Hedenius said.

◎國際新聞中心

Solo rock stars are twice as likely to die prematurely as counterparts who perform in groups, a study published in the journal BMJ Open said.

刊登在英國醫學期刊的研究說，單打獨鬥的搖滾明星，早死機率是在團體演出的同儕的2倍。

British researchers examined the fate of 1489 rock and pop performers who had risen to fame in a study period that spanned half a century. A total of 137, or 9.2 percent, died prematurely, at 45.2 years of age on average for North American stars and 39.6 for those in Europe.

英國研究人員檢視1489名搖滾與流行歌曲藝人的命運，他們在這份涵蓋半世紀的研究期間成名。其中共有137人，也就是9.2%早死，北美明星平均45.2歲，歐洲明星平均39.6歲。

Substance abuse and car crashes accounted for nearly 40 percent of deaths, according to the probe.

根據這項調查，近4成的死亡是因濫用毒品與車禍引起。

Among the 114 US soloists documented in the study, 23 percent died at a younger age than the general population. In Europe, too, 9.8 percent of soloists died young, compared to 5.4 percent of group performers. Stars who became famous before 1980 were much likelier to have died young. （AFP）

研究記載的114名美國單打獨鬥的藝人，23%死亡的年齡比一般人早，在歐洲也一樣，9.8%的單打獨鬥藝人早死，團體藝人早死的比率則是5.4%。1980年前成名的明星，早死機率較高。（法新社）

新聞辭典

◎張沛元

Detectives have made an appeal for witnesses after a complete driveway was stolen from a house in Florida.

在佛羅里達州一棟住宅的車道整個被人偷走後，警探已呼籲證人（出面指認）。

The alert was issued after the 300 sq ft entrance was taken from the home in Reddick, 80 miles northwest of Orlando.

此一警告是在這條300平方呎的入口，被從位於奧蘭多西北方80哩處的雷迪克的這棟住宅拿走後所發布。

According to the Ocala Star-Banner newspaper, a woman told sheriff’s deputy Michelle Wright that she left her house at about 7.30am.

根據「奧卡拉星旗報」，一名婦女告訴該郡員警蜜雪兒．萊特，她在早上約7時30分離家。

But when she returned home at 6pm she felt a large "bump" as she turned off the main road.

但當她晚間6時返家時，一從主車道轉到自家車道，就發現有一大坨「隆起物」。

The paper said："She said she got out of her vehicle and noticed that the concrete pavers used to make the driveway were missing."

◎陳成良

Underpants which are claimed to neutralise the smell of flatulence are proving a hit in Japan, whose hard-working businessmen seem to like the idea of breaking wind without getting rumbled.

號稱可以消除腸胃脹氣臭味的內褲正在日本掀起一陣熱潮，這個放了屁卻不被人識破的構想，似乎頗受辛勤工作的商人歡迎。

A Japanese textile company has developed a range of underwear which it says prevent unwelcome odours.

一家日本紡織公司已開發出一系列據稱能防止不受歡迎異味的內褲。

"It took us a few years to develop the first deodorant pants that are comfortable enough to wear in daily life but efficient in quickly eliminating strong smells," said Nami Yoshida, a spokeswoman for the company, Seiren.

精練公司發言人吉田奈美（譯音）表示：「我們花了幾年的時間，開發出第一款防臭褲，平日穿著這種褲子夠舒適，也能有效快速消除強烈氣味。」

"At first we thought about selling them to those who require nursing care and to hospitals. "But to our surprise, lots of ordinary people, like businessmen who are in positions that require them to see people on a daily basis, bought them," she said.

「一開始，我們是想將產品賣給需要照護的人以及醫院，但出乎我們意料的是，有許多一般民眾，像是每天必須與人會面的商人前來購買」，她說。

The underwear is manufactured with niff-absorbing ceramic particles in the material fibres.

◎俞智敏

Schools in crisis-hit Greece are proving a fertile ground for Golden Dawn, the neo-Nazi group suspected of orchestrating attacks on migrants whose popularity is on the rise, anti-racism activists warn.

反種族歧視運動人士警告說，在遭逢金融危機襲擊的希臘，學校現正成為新納粹組織「金色黎明」的滋長溫床，該組織涉嫌主使攻擊外來移工，但民調支持率卻不斷上升。

Capitalising on popular anger with the perceived decades-old corruption of mainstream parties, the group elected 18 lawmakers in the 300-seat Greek parliament and is now the party of choice for one in 10 Greeks, polls show.

抓住民眾對主流政黨長年貪腐怒氣爆發的機會，該組織一口氣把18名議員送進共300席的希臘國會，民調更顯示目前有10分之1的希臘選民支持金色黎明。

Still thin on numbers, Golden Dawn now seeks to spread the word to the next generation.

雖然人力仍嫌單薄，金色黎明現正試圖把其主張傳播至下一代。

In various schools "there are organised gangs harassing foreign pupils and their parents, verbally so far but with an intensity that could at any minute turn into physical violence", said Nicodemos Maina Kinyua, the editor of Athens-based African magazine Asante.

在許多學校裡「都有組織幫派專門騷擾外國學生及其家長，到目前為止僅是言語衝突，但情況隨時可能轉劇為肢體暴力，」住在雅典的非洲「亞桑提」雜誌編輯基尼烏亞說。

◎管淑平

A cat has been detained in the grounds of a jail in Brazil with contraband goods for prisoners strapped to its body with tape.

一隻貓身上用膠帶綁著要送給囚犯的違禁品，在巴西一座監獄內遭到拘押。

The incident took place at a jail in Arapiraca city, Alagoas state. The white cat was apprehended crossing the main prison gate.

這起事件發生在阿拉戈阿斯州阿拉皮拉卡市一座監獄。這隻白貓在穿過監獄大門時被逮捕。

The guards saw the cat walking towards them with tape wrapped around its back and stomach. When they looked closer they saw the cat was carrying a range of items.

當時獄警看見這隻白貓走向他們，牠的背、腹部纏著膠帶。當他們更近一點看時，發現這隻貓帶著一些物品。

The confiscated items included drill bits, a memory card, a mobile phone, a charger and batteries, plus earphones.

被查獲的物品包括鑽頭、一張記憶卡、一支手機、一具充電器和電池，還有耳機。

Officials said the items could be used to effect a means of escape or for communicating with criminals on the outside.

◎陳維真

North Korea has finally responded to persistent rumours that leader Kim Jong-Un had plastic surgery to look like his revered grandfather, issuing an angry denial criticising "sordid" media reports.

傳聞北韓領導人為了讓自己更像他尊敬的祖父，動過整形手術，北韓終於回應，憤怒地否認，批評媒體報導「卑鄙」。

Speculation that Kim’s resemblance to the country’s founding leader, Kim Il-Sung, is not 100 percent natural has been around for some time, though with little or no supporting evidence.

傳聞金正恩與北韓建國領導人金日成神似的外貌，並非百分百渾然天成，這段傳聞已有一段時日，儘管證據很少或根本付之闕如。

The rumours have been partly fed by the undeniable fact that Kim Jong-Un has sought to evoke memories of his grandfather in numerous ways, through his dress, haircut, gestures and public appearances. And there is a clear physical resemblance. But Pyongyang’s patience with reports of plastic surgery appears to have run out.

但金正恩以服裝、髮型、手勢等不同方式，試圖要讓民眾想起他的祖父，卻是不爭的事實，且更助長傳聞。而且，兩人外貌的確明顯相似。不過，平壤當局容忍整形報導的耐性似已消磨殆盡。

"The false report... released by enemies is a hideous criminal act which the party, state, army and people can never tolerate," the official Korean Central News Agency （KCNA） said in a commentary Wednesday.

北韓官方中央通信社週三在評論中表示：「敵人公布的不實報導是醜惡的犯罪行為，北韓黨政軍及人民絕對無法容忍。」

Insisting that the very idea of Kim undergoing plastic surgery was "unimaginable," KCNA flatly rejected what it described as "sordid hackwork by rubbish media." （AFP）

◎國際新聞中心

For those who like their coffee with a strong nose Thailand could be the ideal destination, after a blend made from elephant dung was put on sale by an upmarket hotel chain.

泰國一家高檔連鎖酒店販售象糞製作的咖啡後，對喜愛濃咖啡的人來說，泰國可能是個理想去處。

The Black Ivory blend, made from coffee beans digested and excreted by Thai elephants, is billed as producing a particularly smooth cup.

這種「黑色象牙」咖啡，是由泰國大象消化並排泄出來的咖啡豆製成，號稱味道特別溫和。

But it is not cheap, with Anantara Hotels saying the "naturally refined" coffee costs a staggering $1,100 per kilogram -- making it one of the most expensive blends in the world.

但象糞咖啡所費不貲，安娜塔拉酒店表示，這種「天然精釀」的咖啡豆每公斤要價讓人咋舌的1100美元，是世界最貴的咖啡之一。

"Research indicates that during digestion, the enzymes of the elephant break down coffee protein," the Thai-based hotel group said in a statement.

這家泰國酒店集團在聲明中說：「研究指出，在消化過程中，大象體內的酵素會分解咖啡豆裡的蛋白質。」

◎國際新聞中心

For those who like their coffee with a strong nose Thailand could be the ideal destination, after a blend made from elephant dung was put on sale by an upmarket hotel chain.

泰國一家高檔連鎖酒店販售象糞製作的咖啡後，對喜愛濃咖啡的人來說，泰國可能是個理想去處。

The Black Ivory blend, made from coffee beans digested and excreted by Thai elephants, is billed as producing a particularly smooth cup.

這種「黑色象牙」咖啡，是由泰國大象消化並排泄出來的咖啡豆製成，號稱味道特別溫和。

But it is not cheap, with Anantara Hotels saying the "naturally refined" coffee costs a staggering $1,100 per kilogram -- making it one of the most expensive blends in the world.

但象糞咖啡所費不貲，安娜塔拉酒店表示，這種「天然精釀」的咖啡豆每公斤要價讓人咋舌的1100美元，是世界最貴的咖啡之一。

"Research indicates that during digestion, the enzymes of the elephant break down coffee protein," the Thai-based hotel group said in a statement.

這家泰國酒店集團在聲明中說：「研究指出，在消化過程中，大象體內的酵素會分解咖啡豆裡的蛋白質。」

玫瑰花車遊行，向來是美國南加州每年元旦，最盛大的活動。今年洛杉磯玫瑰花車的主題是"你想去的地方"，華航於是端出了充滿台灣特色的日月潭實景。

此外，花車旁還環繞著8位自行車騎士，象徵單車遊台灣。結果，華航今年的創意又連續第8年，抱回國際首獎。

The Tournament of Roses Parade is a California New Year’s Day tradition. China Airlines continued its participation with the float “Cycling Through Paradise.”

China Airlines won the top international award for the eighth consecutive year. Its float featured Sun Moon Lake encircled by eight cyclists. 

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

募兵制元旦上路，民國82年次以前的役男，未來不用當兵，改服一年的替代役，只是目前許多替代役不是只做打掃、看門等沒意義的工作，就是替公務員做份內的工作，資源錯置。內政部長李鴻源坦承，現行確實有檢討空間。

為新北市運動中心拍代言廣告，藝人阮經天以替代役男的身分，幫公家機關做宣傳，不過能像他一樣發揮專長的役男，可能只是少數。

因為大部分替代役的工作，不脫打掃、澆花、看門，不然就是幫公務員完成工作。

[[前替代役男 林先生]]
“就是資源錯置的狀況，像是有的公務員去貼海報，然後替代役男打公文，就是當替代役的過程中，其實都有點"浪費生命"”

目前服一般替代役的役男有1.6萬到1.8萬名，但募兵制實施後，未來兩年，替代役男人數，將暴增到5、6萬人。內政部長李鴻源也坦承，確實有問題。

[[內政部長 李鴻源]]
“在擬辦法就是說，低收入戶，或是中低收入戶，在什麼樣的狀況下，就可以免服替代役，這個辦法我們已經簽到院裡面去，院裡面通過應該就可以實施了”

內政部拋出低收入戶役男免役的想法，希望解決人力浪費的問題，但怎麼善用替代役男，讓人力適得其所,恐怕才是更大的挑戰。

In 2015 Taiwan will switch to an all-volunteer military. But there will still be tens of thousands of young men born in 1993 or before who owe a year of service. Their imminent arrival into the alternative service ranks has led the Ministry of the Interior scrambling to devise useful deployments. 

Actor Ethan Ruan is serving his country. He was spokesman for the New Taipei sports center. It is part of the alternative service duties Ruan must carry out, in lieu of joining the military. But few young men his age have the appeal or skill to do such a meaningful work.

Most of these jobs are far more menial: sweeping floors, watering plants, securing entryways and helping civil servants do their work.

Alternative Service Member
Resources aren’t being used properly. Some civil servants put up posters then alternative service members help them prepare documents. Alternative service feels like you’re wasting your life away.

At present there are 16,000 to 18,000 alternative service members. But two years from now when the military becomes entirely voluntary, their numbers will swell to as many as 60,000. Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan admits the government faces a problem.

Lee Hong-yuan
Interior Minister
We are considering situations where young men from mid- to low-income households would not need to do alternative service. We’ve sent relevant regulations to the cabinet. If the cabinet approves them, we should be able to implement a new plan.

The minister’s goal is to end wasteful deployment of labor. But finding meaningful work for all these young men is sure to present a challenge.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

今年跨年晚會很不一樣，藝人紛紛宣揚社會運動理念，張震嶽反美麗灣開發案，青峰反對媒體壟斷，反核的陣仗最大，包括五月天、陳昇還有信，都表明反對核電，不過有環保團體在101煙火最後10秒，將反核標誌投影到大樓外牆，可能會吃上侵權官司。

101法式煙火告別2012，但就在最後10秒鐘，眼尖民眾發現，低樓層外牆上，赫然出現反核標誌「核輻人」的投影。反核團體藉由101煙火，向全球播送理念，雖沒有影響煙火施放，但101表示不排除採取法律行動。

[[101發言人 劉家豪]]
“在事先沒有溝通的情況之下，其實是個很失當的行為，所以我們也積極跟律師討論”

藝人紛紛藉著跨年舞台大力反核，五月天在高雄演唱時，每一段串場影片都傳達反核概念；新竹跨年晚會男歌手信也一樣。

[[歌手 信]]
“全世界前三名最危險的核能發電廠，台灣佔了兩座，希望大家仔細努力好好想一想，我們有必要在往核能發電這條路走下去嗎?”

除了五月天和阿信；還有反核不遺餘力的歌手陳昇；在台東開唱, 並為美麗灣環評發聲的張震嶽；及在高雄晚會壓軸,勇敢說出反媒體壟斷的蘇打綠主唱青峰,都宣揚社會運動理念。

New Year's Eve celebrations took on a social conscious this year as entertainers used the stage to oppose nuclear energy, development projects and a growing media monopoly. 

The French-led fireworks at Taipei 101 bid a brilliant farewell to 2012. However, the lasting impression could be the final 10 seconds when an anti-nuclear image was projected onto the lower floors of the building. The action was part of a global protest and did not affect the fireworks show, though Taipei 101 said it did not rule out pursuing legal action.

Michael Liu
Taipei 101 Spokesman
There was no prior communication (with this group). In fact, we consider it misconduct and have discussed the issue with our lawyers.

Performing artists joined in anti-nuclear protests across the island. During Mayday’s performance in Kaohsiung, a video backdrop showed anti-nuclear images. In Hsinchu the singer Shin made an impassioned plea to end nuclear energy in Taiwan.

Shin
Singer
Taiwan has two of the three most dangerous nuclear power plants in the world. I hope everyone can take a moment to consider this carefully. Do we have to continue relying on nuclear power for our future? 

Singer Bobby Chen joined the anti-nuclear protest in his New Year’s performance and Chang Chen-yue voiced his opposition to a Meiliwan development project. Sodagreen lead singer Wu Ching-feng lent his voice to oppose the monopolization of Taiwan’s media at a Kaohsiung New Year’s Eve concert.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

第一夫人周美青，剛成為總統夫人時每天都用計程車代步，不過現在傳出，為了保護周美青的安全，國安局特別去改裝特勤座車成計程車，還讓特勤人員擔任駕駛，在總統官邸附近徘徊，只要看到周美青招車，就會立刻上前搭載，保護她的安全。不過藍綠立委聽了，直呼這種方式，未免太矯情！

第一夫人周美青，出門不搭特勤中心的維安座車，只搭公車、甚至計程車代步。這個親民舉動，卻讓國安局傷透腦筋。

週刊爆料，國安單位把座車改成計程車，在官邸周圍stand by，只要看到周美青叫車，就會立刻上前搭載。駕駛也請特勤人員偽裝，為了真實性，還真的照錶收費。

[[立委(民) 蔡煌瑯]]
“這個我認為民眾，認為社會觀感不好，而且太矯情了，太假了，不應該這個樣子，我希望國安局，要適可而止喔”

[[立委(國) 羅淑蕾]]
“有制度規定，有法律規定，那就去做，不要特別與眾不同，這樣就顯得太矯情了”

對於外界批評，國安局低調說，「對警衛對象安全部署情形，不便證實。」

From lunch boxes to savings accounts, the first family goes to incredible lengths to show the frugal life it leads. First lady Chow Mei-ching is known to opt for public transport, but a report today claims the taxis she takes are hardly the cheap, public vehicles they seem to be. 

In the past when first lady Chow Mei-ching left the Presidential Palace, she tended to take a bus or a taxi, not the secured vehicles provided by the Special Service Center. It showed solidarity with the people, but caused headaches for the National Security Bureau.

This week’s issue of Next Magazine makes a surprising claim. It says the bureau has a specially modified “taxi” that is on standby outside the palace. When Chow hails a cab, it rushes to her side. The driver is no ordinary driver: he or she is a member of the security bureau. The farce even extends to asking Chow to pay the cab fare.

Tsai Huang-liang
DPP Legislator
I don’t think the people or society will look on this too well. It’s phony. They shouldn’t be acting this way. I hope the National Security Bureau takes the appropriate action and ends this practice.

Lo Shu-lei
KMT Legislator
There are institutional and legal regulations that need to be followed. You shouldn’t purposely put a gap between you and the people, but this is too phony.

In response, the bureau said it could not comment on its security deployments as it would neither confirm nor deny the report.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

四天的元旦假期結束後的第一個工作天，來看看一些民生相關的消息。

申辦護照多
今年1月1日開始，晶片護照規費正式降價300百元，護照規費從1600，降到1300元，小孩則從1200，降價為900塊，外交部領務局第一個上班日，馬上湧入比平日多了兩倍以上申辦護照的民眾。

陸客限購物
去年中國遊客來台超過兩百萬人次，觀光局做問卷調查，中國遊客最不滿的就是一直購物、時間太長，甚至有店家強迫推銷，傳出觀光局研擬要限縮購物點，每次購物時間不能超過五十分鐘，但消息傳出，從購物店、旅行社甚至到學界，都有反對的聲音。

山莊漲太兇
才剛結束元旦四天連假，包括合歡山、太平山、 奧萬大和八仙山等山莊住宿費，可能都要漲價！其中又以熱門賞楓景點，南投奧萬大的住宿費漲最兇，原本一間四人房，平日價只要2300元，一口氣要漲到6800元，漲幅快兩倍。

It’s back to business following the New Year holiday. Here are some changes to expect in 2013. 

Passport Rush
On Jan. 1 the price of ROC passports with a computer chip fell by NT$300, to NT$1,300 for adults and NT$900 for children. On the first work day since the New Year’s holiday, applicants at the Bureau of Consular Affairs were more than triple the usual number.

Too Much Shopping
After more than 2 million trips to Taiwan last year by Chinese tourists, the Tourism Bureau conducted visitor surveys. The number one complaint: too many shopping trips and too much time spent shopping. Some even said shopkeepers compelled them to buy goods. The bureau is apparently considering reducing shopping spots and limiting time spent at each to 50 minutes. Predictably shops and tour operators are opposed. 

Villa Rate Hike
Government-run mountain villas could soon become more expensive. The Forestry Bureau wants to hike prices at its villas on Hehuan, Taiping and Basian mountains. If the cabinet approves the plan, the highest increases would be seen at Nantou’s Auwanda. A four-person suite at the popular maple tree forest costs NT$2,300 on weekdays but could go up to NT$6,800.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

2013的第一天，美國國會朝野終於達成協議，讓政府免於墜落財政懸崖。美國眾議院，以257票對167票，在最後一刻，通過妥協方案，美國總統歐巴馬也立刻簽署生效。其中包括對高收入族群的增稅條款。

美國眾議院在2013元旦，以257對167票，通過參院版的妥協方案，避免美國墜落財政懸崖。

[[美國總統 歐巴馬]] 
“新年快樂，感謝朝野兩黨議員的投票，我將簽署立法，對最富有的2%美國人增稅，同時避免增加中產階級的稅賦”

本來要從元旦開始生效的，刪減政府支出計畫，如今延後兩個月才實施。失業救濟金，也延長一年。而小布希時期的所得稅減免優惠，則是把門檻定在個人年收入40萬美金，或家庭年收入45萬美金。不足者可持續享受優惠，超過的，稅率調高到39.6%。

對有錢人增稅，是歐巴馬的一貫立場，也是共和黨始終不願棄守的底線，但不想背上把政府推下懸崖的罵名，佔據眾院多數的共和黨，最終讓法案闖關成功。

US lawmakers provided temporary relief today. Bipartisan support in the House of Representatives passed legislation to avert the automatic spending cuts and tax increases that have been characterized as a “fiscal cliff.” Soon lawmakers will head back to the negotiating table to try to reach a broader deal. 

The US House of Representatives voted in favor of a compromise bill passed by the Senate intended to avoid the fiscal cliff.

Barack Obama
US President
Happy New Year everybody. Thanks to the votes, the Republicans and Democrats in Congress, I will sign a law that raises taxes on the wealthiest 2 percent of Americans while preventing a middle class tax hike. 

Failure to pass legislation would immediately have enacted budget cuts on New Year’s Day. Now the biggest of these cuts will be postponed for two months, with unemployment benefits extended for one year. The bill also ends George W. Bush era income tax benefits for individuals earning more than US$400,000 or couples earning in excess of US$450,000. These groups will face a higher tax rate of 39.6%. 

President Obama has repeatedly called for increasing taxes on the rich, though Republicans have been reluctant to support such a position. Their compromise today to avoid the fiscal cliff was welcome news for investors.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

紐約時報，日前報導中國國務院總理溫家寶的家人聚財27億美金後，該報的中英文網站隨即遭中國封鎖，現在又傳出中國不讓紐時派駐中國的記者更新簽證，使得記者被迫離開中國。

紐約時報在12月31日對外表示，駐北京記者儲百亮申請更換記者證和延長居留簽證，但中國政府遲遲不在元旦前核發許可，導致記者的簽證過期不得不離開中國，暫時棲身香港。

這是繼去年5月半島電視台駐北京記者陳嘉韻之後，再度有外國媒體因簽證問題、無法待在中國工作。

儲百亮在中國從事新聞工作15年，原本任職於路透社，在去年10月加入紐時，他的妻子和女兒因為都依附於他的記者簽證，因此也必須一併離開中國。

中國外交部尚未說明，為何不讓儲百亮更新簽證，不過，紐時在去年10月揭露溫家寶的家族聚財27億美金，溫家寶的家族還特地發出聲明駁斥，同時中國也封鎖了紐時的中英文網站，這次又不讓記者更新簽證，不免讓紐時猜測這是中國的新一波報復。

The Chinese government failed to approve a visa for a reporter working for the New York Times. The move comes after the government blocked the New York Times in China after it reported on the vast hidden wealth of Premier Wen Jiabao's family. 

The New York Times announced on Dec. 31 that its application to accredit and extend the residence visa for its Beijing correspondent, Chris Buckley, was not approved before Jan. 1. This meant he was required to quickly depart for Hong Kong before his journalist visa expired.

This follows similar troubles for Al Jazeera Beijing correspondent Melissa Chan, who was unable to renew her visa and continue her work in China.

Buckley worked as a journalist in China for 15 years, previously employed by Reuters. He joined the New York Times in October last year, and the failure to renew his correspondent visa meant his wife and daughter also needed to leave China.

China’s Foreign Ministry has not commented on why Buckley’s visa was not renewed. Some believe it is retribution for a New York Times report last October which put Premier Wen Jia-bao's family wealth at US$2.7 billion dollars. The report was written by Buckley’s colleague. Wen refuted it, and the New York Times website was subsequently blocked in China.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

馬總統在元旦祝詞中，呼籲中國新領導人習近平，在[九二共識一中各表]的基礎上，推動兩岸和平發展，習近平出席中國政協新年茶會，也首度發表對台談話，但是卻重申和平統一，一國兩制，這樣的內容，立委質疑，根本是打馬總統一巴掌

元旦祝詞，馬總統談兩岸，首度對中國新領導人習近平喊話。

[[總統 馬英九]]
“盼望與中國大陸新領導人習近平先生，在鞏固九二共識，一中各表的基礎上，持續推動兩岸和平發展，全面擴大與深化兩岸交流”

元旦這一天，習近平也有公開活動，他出席中國全國政協新年茶會。

習近平還首度針對對台政策，發表看法，不僅沒有附和馬總統，反而直接重申統一跟一國兩制的方針。

[[立委(民) 趙天麟]]
“一中各表在中國，一向都不是官方公開承認的主流，所以習近平講的還是一國兩制，還是在高談統一的基調，這種情況之下，就會把台灣陷入一個相當不利的狀態”

[[立委(國) 紀國棟]]
“如果只是一味靠著老共的善意，自己不發奮圖強的話，我看我們未來的國際處理，會越來越艱困”

被視為知台派的習近平，掌權後首次對台政策講話，不見九二共識模糊的彈性，只有統一，跟一國兩制強硬的底限。

President Ma Ying-jeou’s New Year's address called on China’s incoming leader, Xi Jinping, to pursue cross-strait development based on the 1992 consensus. But in Xi’s first public comments on cross-strait relations since becoming General Secretary of the Communist Party, he stuck to the hard line of “one China, two systems.” 

In his New Year's address, President Ma discussed cross-strait relations, and for the first time he referred to China’s incoming leader Xi Jinping.

Ma Ying-jeou 
President
I also hope to cooperate with the new leader of mainland China, Mr. Xi Jinping, in continuing to promote peaceful development across the Taiwan Strait on the basis of the "1992 Consensus," whereby each side acknowledges the existence of "one China" but maintains its own interpretation of what that means.

On New Year's Day Xi Jinping also hosted an event that brought together current and former party leaders, as well as top political advisors and representatives of leading social groups. 

At the event, Xi made his first comments regarding Taiwan. Rather than cite the 1992 Consensus, Xi reaffirmed the principle of "one country, two systems."

Chao Tien-lin
DPP Legislator 
One China with two different interpretations has never been publicly acknowledged by officials as the main principle of cross-strait relations. Therefore, when Xi Jinping stresses one country, two systems, it takes on the tone of unification. It puts Taiwan in an unfavorable position.

Chi Kuo-tung
KMT Legislator
If you just blindly rely on the good faith when dealing with the Communist Party and don’t strive for a better bargaining position, when it comes to international issues we will face increasing difficulty.

Analysis of Xi Jinping’s first comments on cross-strait relations confirm fears that he won’t follow the hazy logic of the 1992 Consensus, but instead follow the hard line of the one country, two systems.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

跨年這波寒流，在元旦起已經減弱成冷氣團。##

但是各地低溫仍然只有12到15度，明天低溫會再回升到15度，不過, 東北季風增強，北部, 東部轉為有雨天氣，而且週四又有新一波冷氣團南下，到時低溫又要跌回12度。

The cold air system that arrived before New Year’s Day has eased. 

But low temperatures across Taiwan on Tuesday still remained at a chilly 12 to 15 degrees. They will be slightly higher Wednesday but will be accompanied by stronger northeast seasonal winds that could bring more rain to the north and east. Forecasters say another cold air mass will arrive on Thursday, bringing lows back to 12 degrees.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

跨年狂歡後，全台清晨都有迎接曙光的活動。原本預估，2013年本島第一道曙光，會出現在南台灣-墾丁。不過，和所有到東台灣等日出的民眾一樣，南台灣，也因為雲層太厚，看不到太陽升起。反倒是攻上阿里山的民眾很幸運，在今早7:09分，看到了今年、第一道曙光！

不畏只有"3度"低溫，許多民眾清晨三點多，就來到阿里山上、邊聽音樂、邊等著迎接2013年、第一道曙光。

就在早上7:09分，第一道日出光芒露臉。儘管才出現一分鐘，又被雲給遮住，不過，8分鐘後，太陽再度露臉，照亮了整個阿里山。

[[民眾]]
“可以看到就是雲上的日出，不錯，不一樣的體驗

[[民眾]]
“第一次到阿里山看日出，我從高雄上來覺得滿好玩的”

只是，同樣在等日出的各地民眾，就沒那麼幸運了。

台東縣政府從三仙台、太麻里到海濱公園，都有舉辦活動，陪大家等日出。但除了厚厚的雲，什麼也看不到。

新北市府首度將升旗典禮、移師「三貂角」燈塔。不料，天空卻飄下濛濛細雨！看不到曙光，五千多位民眾一樣難掩失望。

After the New Year’s Eve parties ended there were events to welcome the first sunrise of the year. Unfortunately Mother Nature didn’t comply. The sun was only visible for brief moments in a few places. 

Braving temperatures as low as 3 degrees, people began heading to Alishan at a little past 3 o’clock in the morning to see the first sunrise of 2013.

At 7:09, the sun briefly appeared before being masked by cloud. Eight minutes later it rose again, shining on the mountain. Here’s what some spectators had to say:

Spectator 
I can see the sunrise over the cloud. It’s good. It’s a different experience.

Spectator
It’s my first time to see the sunrise in Alishan. I came all the way from Kaohsiung and thought it was quite fun.

But not everyone across Taiwan was as lucky.

The Taitung County government organized several events in Sansiantai, Taimali and the waterfront park for people to witness the first sunrise. But there was nothing but thick cloud.

New Taipei held its first flag-raising ceremony at Sandiaojiao Lighthouse. But the drizzle masked the view and more than 5,000 visitors returned home in disappointment.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞