英倫翻譯社/ Trsmaster

◎國際新聞中心

A mother’s high blood pressure during pregnancy may affect her child’s brain power throughout its life, the American Academy of Neurology journal suggests.

美國神經學期刊指出，母親在懷孕期高血壓，可能影響孩子的大腦功能。

About 400 men had their cognitive ability tested at the age of 20 and then again at the average age of 69. Those whose mothers had hypertension when pregnant scored lower marks.

約400名男性在20歲時接受認知能力測驗，接著在平均69歲時再度接受測試。母親懷他們時有高血壓的男性分數較低。

Hypertension may alter conditions in the womb which impairs foetal growth.

高血壓可能改變子宮狀況，有損胎兒成長。

Risks to children born to mother’s with hypertension have previously been reported, but this study is the first to show possible long lasting affects on cognitive ability.

過去已有研究顯示母親高血壓對小孩的風險，但這份研究是首度顯示對認知能力可能有持續性影響。

新聞辭典

◎張沛元

Uganda’s parliamentary speaker said she wanted to pass as a "Christmas gift" for Ugandans an anti-gay law, which rights groups have criticized for its draconian penalties against homosexuals.

烏干達的國會議長說，她要通過一項反同志法律，做為送給烏干達人的「耶誕禮物」。該法以其對同性戀者嚴刑峻罰而遭人權團體批評。

The bill had initially proposed the death penalty for gays in the conservative east African country but still presents an array of jail terms for convicted homosexuals, including life imprisonment in certain circumstances.

這個原本提議對這個保守東非國家的同志處以死刑的法案，如今仍會對遭定罪的同性戀者處以各種徒刑，包括在特定情況下處以無期徒刑。

Denounced as "odious" by U.S. President Barack Obama, the bill has left veteran President Yoweri Museveni struggling to balance the demands of the evangelical church on one side and aid donors on the other.

隨著該法案遭美國總統歐巴馬譴責為「可憎」，在位多年的（烏干達）總統約韋里．穆塞維尼不得不想辦法平衡一邊是福音教會、另一邊是援助機構的需求。

Some international donors have threatened to cut aid if the legislation, which is now before a parliamentary committee and was first introduced in parliament in 2009, becomes law.

部分國際援助機構已揚言，倘若該法案順利立法，就削減援助。此一反同志法最早在2009年時致呈國會，如今已送交一個國會委員會。

"Ugandans want that law as a Christmas gift. They have asked for it and we’ll give them that gift," parliament speaker Rebecca Kadaga said. （Reuters）

◎陳成良

Most toddlers can feel a sense of accomplishment when they graduate to the big boy or girl potty, but some people in Japan voluntarily going back to wearing diapers.

大多數兒童在能自己使用廁所時都有成就感，但一些日本人卻自願重新穿上紙尿褲。

Japanese media report the trend of wearing adult diapers is becoming increasingly popular, especially for women looking to save time.

日本媒體報導，穿成人紙尿褲的潮流越來越風行，特別是對那些想省時間的女性來說。

Japanese magazine SPA described the trend in an article titled "The Ultimate Form of Slob." In the article they talk about the masculinization of women who don’t clean their rooms as often as they used to, don’t shave and wear diapers.

日本《SPA》雜誌在一篇題為「懶漢的終極形態」的文章中描述了這一流行趨勢。這篇文章探討了女性的男性化，比如不像以往的女性那樣愛打掃房間，不剃毛，還穿紙尿褲。

One 25-year-old woman, who would only be identified under a pseudonym, has been wearing a diaper to work at a real estate agency almost every day for the last six months. She does it to save time and the trouble of going to the washroom. She doesn’t wear one when she’s with her boyfriend and only wears them under a skirt because pants make it too obvious.

一位不願透露姓名的25歲女性，過去半年幾乎每天都穿紙尿褲在一家房地產仲介公司工作。她這樣做是為了節省時間，也省去了去洗手間的麻煩。她和男朋友在一起時不會穿，而且穿紙尿褲時一定會穿裙子，因為穿褲子會很容易被看出來。

This woman is far from alone. Sales of adult diapers surpassed sales of diapers for babies for the first time in Japan this past May. However, a big part of this is Japan’s quickly aging population, meaning there is an increasing number of people who require the diapers.

Rather than mope around at home, legions of unemployed Spaniards are riding out the economic crisis on some of the best waves in Europe, driving a surf boom on the country’s northern breaks.

與其成天在家裡落寞終日，大批失業的西班牙人乾脆利用全歐最佳的海浪協助他們度過難關，也在西國北部的衝浪勝地掀起一股衝浪熱潮。

With one in four now out of a job in Spain, surf professionals say the number of surfers has jumped these past two to three years on the stretch of rugged coastline from western Galicia to the border with France.

西國目前有4分之1的人失業，衝浪業者表示，自西部加利西亞到法國邊界之間這段崎嶇海岸線的衝浪人口在過去兩三年內暴增。

"I think people are taking their unemployment money and just deciding to surf as much as they can," said Michael Dobos, who runs a surf school in the village of Mundaka, home to some of the continent’s most sought-after waves.

「我想大家都是拿著失業救濟金，決定儘可能地多去衝浪，」在擁有全歐最熱門海浪之一的小村子蒙達卡開設衝浪學校的多伯斯說。

"Since the crisis broke there are three times more people in the water," said Federico Ibazetor, who runs a surf school in nearby Plentzia. "They don’t have work, so they have more time to surf. They are mainly young because it is easier to lay off young people than older ones," he added.

在鄰近的普倫特西亞經營衝浪學校的伊巴澤托也說，「經濟危機爆發後，來衝浪的人多了三倍。」「他們不必工作，所以更有時間衝浪。衝浪的人多半是年輕人，因為年輕人比年長者更容易被解雇，」他說。

For the last two summers schools say classes were not only full, but business continued right up to and past, the mid-Autumn holidays, as cash-strapped families apparently decided to take domestic holidays rather than travel abroad.

這些學校表示，這一兩年夏天的衝浪課不但額滿，而且生意旺季一直持續到八月中的假期以後，因為許多手頭拮据的家庭顯然決定放棄到國外旅行，改留在國內渡假。

◎管淑平

Britain’s top code-breakers say they are stumped by a secret code found on the leg of a dead pigeon.

英國頂尖的密碼破解人員說，他們被一份在死亡信鴿腳上發現的密碼難倒了。

The remains of the bird were found in a chimney in Surrey with a message from World War II attached.

這隻鴿子的屍體是在蘇里郡一座煙囪內被發現的，遺體上附有一份二次世界大戰的訊息。

Experts at the intelligence agency GCHQ have been struggling to decipher the message since they were provided with it.

情報機構「政府通信總部」的專家被交付這份密碼後，始終無法解譯這份訊息。

The message was discovered by David Martin when he was renovating the chimney of his house in Surrey.

這份訊息是大衛．馬丁在整修他蘇里郡住家煙囪時發現的。

Among the rubbish, he found parts of a dead pigeon including a leg. Attached to the leg was a red canister. Inside the canister was a thin piece of paper with the words "Pigeon Service" at the top and 27 handwritten blocks of code.

◎陳維真

An assassin slit the throat of Egypt’s last great pharaoh at the climax of a bitter succession battle, scientists said Monday in a report on a 3,000-year-old royal murder.

科學家週一公布長達3000年之久的王室謀殺案報告，指出埃及最後一位偉大的法老王在激烈的王位繼承爭奪戰高潮中，遭刺客割喉喪命。

Forensic technology suggests Ramses III, a king revered as a god, met his death at the hand of a killer, or killers, sent by his wife and ambitious son, they said.

科學家表示，鑑識技術顯示拉美西斯三世，一位被當作神祇般尊敬的國王，遭妻子與野心勃勃兒子派來的一名或多名殺手暗殺。

And a cadaver known as the "Screaming Mummy" could be that of the son himself, possibly forced to commit suicide after the plot, they added.

他們提到，名為「尖叫木乃伊」的遺骸，或許就是拉美西斯三世的兒子，可能在密謀殺父後被迫自殺。

Computed tomography（CT）imaging of the mummy of Ramses III shows that the pharaoh’s windpipe and major arteries were slashed, inflicting a wound 70 millimetres wide and reaching almost to the spine, the investigators said. The cut severed all the soft tissue on the front of the neck.

調查人員表示，電腦斷層掃描影像顯示，拉美西斯三世的氣管和主動脈遭劃開，出現70公釐寬的傷口，而且幾乎深至脊椎。這一刀割斷拉美西斯三世前頸所有軟組織。

"I have almost no doubt about the fact that Ramses III was killed by this cut in his throat," palaeopathologist Albert Zink of the EURAC Institute for Mummies and the Iceman in Italy told AFP.

◎魏國金

Scientists say there is an "overwhelming lack of evidence" that ingredients in energy drinks, other than caffeine, enhance physical or cognitive performance.

科學家表示，「極度缺乏證據」證明機能飲料裡的成分，除咖啡因外，能提升身體或認知表現。

In a new study published in the Nutrition Reviews journal, researchers suggested the main benefit of energy drinks is probably down to a generous dose of caffeine.

在一份刊載於「營養綜論」期刊的新研究中，研究人員認為機能飲料的主要好處，可能在於大量的咖啡因。

Researchers found that while energy drinks often contain ingredients such as taurine, guarana and ginseng, there is an "overwhelming lack of evidence to substantiate claims that these ingredients boost performance".

研究人員發現，儘管機能飲料通常包含諸如牛磺酸、瓜拿納與人參等成分，然而「極度缺乏證據證明這些成分可提升表現之說是有根據的」。

Energy drinks often contain taurine, guarana, ginseng, glucuronolactone, B-vitamins, and other compounds.

機能飲料通常包含牛磺酸、瓜拿納、人參、葡萄糖醛酸內酯、維他命B群與其他複合物。

The researchers went through dozens of articles that examined the effects of energy ingredients alone and/or in combination with caffeine, the ’Daily Mail’ reported.

◎國際新聞中心

Smoking may worsen a hangover after drinking heavily, a US study reports, although the reason why is unclear.

根據一份美國研究報告，抽菸可能讓喝了很多酒之後的宿醉更嚴重，但原因不明。

Researchers asked 113 US students to keep a diary for eight weeks, recording their drinking and smoking habits and any hangover symptoms.

研究人員要求113名美國學生寫日記8週，記錄他們的飲酒與抽菸習慣，以及有沒有宿醉症狀。

When they drank heavily - around six cans of beer an hour - those who also smoked suffered a worse hangover. Addiction charities hope this study may motivate smokers to cut down over the festive season.

當他們喝下很多酒—約1小時喝6罐啤酒—那些也抽菸的人宿醉更嚴重。嗜酒慈善團體希望，這份研究能促使癮君子減少節慶季的飲酒量。

One of the paper’s authors, Dr Damaris Rohsenow, from the Centre for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University said： "At the same number of drinks, people who smoke more that day are more likely to have a hangover and have more intense hangovers.

研究報告作者之一、布朗大學酒精與成癮研究中心的羅熙諾博士說：「同樣的飲酒量，當天抽菸抽較多的人，比較可能宿醉，嚴重宿醉的機率也較高。」

新聞辭典

◎張沛元

Three primary school age children in one English city reaped more than the usual harvest of sweets and chocolates on Halloween when they emptied their trick-or-treat goody bags and found several bags of cocaine.

英國一座城市的3名唸小學年紀的小孩在萬聖節當天的收穫，遠比一般的糖果與巧克力還要多：他們清空他們的「不給糖就搗蛋」的禮物袋時，發現了幾包古柯鹼。

On Monday, the man who had mistakenly handed out his cocaine stash to the children instead of candy was given a community service sentence in court, the Press Association reported.

英國聯合社報導，這名不小心把古柯鹼、而非糖果收藏分發給小孩的男子，週一被法院判處社區服務。

Apprentice panel-beater Donald Green fished in his pockets for a bag of chewy sweets to give to the youngsters at his door on Halloween, but instead pulled out a plastic pack containing eight bags of cocaine he had bought for 200 pounds earlier that day.

汽車鈑金學徒唐納德．葛林從口袋裡翻找出一袋軟糖，送給那些在萬聖節來到他門前的小孩，不過他掏出的卻是一個裡面裝有他當天稍早以200英鎊買來的8小包古柯鹼的塑膠袋。

He dropped the drugs into the goody bags carried by the three children, aged eight, six and five, who were out trick-or-treating escorted by their father, an off-duty policeman.

他把這些毒品投入3名分別8、6與5歲、由當時沒當班的員警父親陪伴出門玩「不給糖就搗蛋」的小孩所攜帶的禮物袋內。

The 23-year-old defendant then closed the door, went back inside the house and put his hand in his pockets to get out his drugs - but instead pulled out the sweets.（Reuters）

美國網站公布全球百大性感女性，其中七名入選者是運動選手，19歲的澳洲跨欄妹珍妮珂，靠著一支賽前熱身的影片，不但在網站創下兩千萬觀看人次的紀錄，也奪下運動選手最高的總排名第10名，另外巴拉圭鏢槍公主佛蓮珂，美國足球女將索蘿等選手，也都榜上有名。

超短上衣，配上俏臀小熱褲，左右扭動身體，這樣的美女，加上這樣的健美身材，在運動場上，讓你不多看兩眼都很難。

這是19歲跨欄選手Michelle Jenneke，今年在巴塞隆納世青賽女子，比賽前的熱身影片，在youtube點閱率，衝破兩千萬人，引起網友熱烈討論，Jenneke也被美國網站選為，全球最性感的運動美女。

有倫敦奧運第一美女之稱的，巴拉圭標槍公主Leryn Franco，也被網站選為百大美女之一，是說田徑好像都出美女，來自美國的Lolo Jones，也獲得了第41的前百名名次。

美國足球女將Hope Solo，不只幫美國踢下奧運金牌，美貌更被評選為，全球女運動員第二，而克羅埃西亞，籃球女將Antonija Misura，滑雪金牌Lindsey Vonn，以及2008年法網女單冠軍Ana Ivanovic，也都在百大美女榜上有名。

Not long ago few people knew who Michelle Jenneke was, until the Australian hurdler’s sexy warm-up routine went viral. It was enough to land Jenneke at number 10 in a poll of the world’s 99 most desirable women by the US online magazine AskMen.com. Tonight, as 2013 approaches, we look at the female athletes who made the cut. 

Images of this young woman in a sports bra and tiny spandex bottom have enticed the web. People are enthralled at the dance moves she shows at the track, along with her fit figure. It’s hard to look away.

This is 19-year-old Michelle Jenneke at the Junior World Championships in Barcelona. More than 20 million people have viewed this clip on YouTube. The exposure is only expected to grow after Jenneke finished highest among all athletes on a poll of the world’s most desirable women conducted by the website AskMen.com.

Another athlete who finished in the Top 99 is Paraguay’s Leryn Franco. Continuing the trend of track and field beauties is America’s Lolo Jones, who was ranked number 41.

Performing even better, on and off the field, was Hope Solo. She not only helped the US women’s soccer team win gold at the Olympics but also finished second among athletes in AskMen’s poll. Other beauties recognized included Croatian basketball player Antonija Misura, skiing gold medalist Lindsey Vonn and tennis champion Ana Ivanovic.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

以身高來界定要不要買票的規定將有所改變了。兒少法修正草案初審通過，將以年齡取代身高。

有立委建議，公營單位包括台鐵、博物館等以四歲為標準，為了避免爭議，小朋友的證件一定要帶著。至於民營企業，因為成本壓力，則是鼓勵業者以三歲為標準。

Public enterprises typically offer free admission or discounts to children under a certain height. But that could soon change with an amendment that would require them to instead consider the child’s age. 

A lawmaker feels the current law can be unfair and wants Taiwan Railways, museums and other public enterprises to offer special discounts to children 4 years old or younger. Some private enterprises which could follow suit are open to the change, but are lobbying for a cutoff age of 3.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

五都市長任期過半，民進黨籍的台南市長賴清德和高雄市長陳菊，未來動向同樣備受關注，今天兩人分別舉辦上任兩週年記者會，陳菊說她努力拚市政，希望中央下放資源，賴清德則是播放影片細數任內政績，強調會爭取連任。

台南市長賴清德就職兩週年，記者會像是成果發表會。

[[台南市長 賴清德]]
“如果市民有需求，或者工作上有需要，我常常清晨四點多出門，五點多出門也大有所在”

拚政績不分日夜，高雄市也有一位"拚命三娘"，強忍喪母之慟，該跑的行程都沒缺席。

[[高雄市長 陳菊]]
“公務優先，但是絕對不會減少，我們對母親的弔念”

陳菊和賴清德的拚勁，讓兩市的民調滿意度屢屢居於領先，怎麼看待三位藍營直轄市長可能入閣，兩人很淡定。

[[高雄市長 陳菊]]
“台中、新北我想他們，每個縣市所面臨的問題不一樣，如果任何人有機會組閣，我想我們都會高度的祝福他們”

[[台南市長 賴清德]]
“現在就是把市政做好，我已經宣佈了，我要尋求連任，不作他想”

儘管當事人低調，但黨內對南二都市長的前途可是充滿期待。

There were also two DPP mayors who today celebrated the end of their second year in office. Both stressed their hard work and achievements. 

To mark his second anniversary in office, Tainan Mayor William Lai held a press conference, which seemed more like a presentation of his achievements.

William Lai
Tainan Mayor
If the residents need me or the job requires, I often leave home at four or five o’clock in the morning, says Lai.

His counterpart in Kaohsiung, Chen Chu, says she is equally hard-working. Chen fulfilled all her duties despite recently going through the grief of losing her mother. 

Chen Chu
Kaohsiung Mayor
Official business comes first, says Chen. But that doesn’t mean I miss my mother any less.

The two DPP mayors enjoy high ratings in public polls. While there is speculation that one of the three KMT municipality mayors may accept an invitation to join the cabinet, Chen and Lai will stay put.

Chen Chu
Kaohsiung Mayor
As for Taichung and New Taipei, I think each city and county faces different questions, says Chen. If anyone has a chance to join the cabinet, I wish them the best.

William Lai
Tainan Mayor
My priority now is to focus on city administration, says Lai. I have announced my re-election bid and that’s my only goal.

Although the two mayors remain low profile, the party harbors high hopes for their future political careers.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

今天是聖誕節也是行憲紀念日，不過對五都市長來說，代表他們的任期過半，政壇就傳出三位國民黨籍的市長，郝龍斌、朱立倫跟胡志強，取得組閣門票，可以換跑道又不用改選，成了熱門的閣揆接任人選，隨時能取代現任的陳?，不過三位市長都說，他們力挺陳?，現在只想把工作做好。

台北市長郝龍斌為百年古蹟修復竣工揭幕，第二任市長就職滿六週年的今天，他跟其他的五都市長，任期邁入過半，即使換跑道，也不必改選，和朱立倫以及胡志強，成為取代民調低迷的行政院長陳?，最熱門的接替人選。

[[台北市長 郝龍斌]]
“我個人覺得，最適合來當閣揆的就是現任的陳?院長，因為他現在大家可以看到，慢慢地經濟的狀況也回穩，而且這幾個月來，他的表現也越來越好”

[[新北市長 朱立倫]]
“我想我們繼續加油努力吧，不管是哪一天，對我們來講都是一樣的，我們要持續進行市政工作，陳院長在拚經濟上面，也越來越努力，也有一些成效， 我們給他加油”

[[台中市長 胡志強]]
“心中沒有雜念，只有台中， 所以不管是大家好心的祝福，還是沒有證據的猜測，都不會影響我的決心，我是一定會留在台中”

三位準閣揆熱門人選口徑一致，對陳?全力相挺，更不會市長做一半就落跑，畢竟牽動到2014七合一選舉，跟2016總統大選，還是步步為營，一動不如一靜。

Today marked the midway point of terms in office for the five special municipality mayors. It also heated up speculation that one of the KMT mayors could replace the embattled premier, Sean Chen. But all three are singing the same tune – they say they support the premier and are committed to serving out their terms. 

Today Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin attended a ceremony to mark the end of restoration to an ancient monument. It also marked his sixth year in office. Hau, along with the other four special municipality mayors, entered the second half of their current terms today. That means if any one of them is chosen to join the cabinet, a by-election would not be held. Speculation is growing that Hau, or one of the other KMT municipality leaders, could replace Premier Sean Chen.

Hau Lung-bin
Taipei Mayor
Personally, says Hau, I feel the person most qualified to serve as premier is one we have now, Sean Chen. Because of his actions, everyone can see that the economy is slowly beginning to improve. Also over the past few months, his performance has gotten better and better.

Eric Chu
New Taipei Mayor
I think we need to show support and work hard, says New Taipei Mayor Eric Chu. Each day is the same for us – we need to continue on with our jobs as mayor. Premier Chen is also working harder to improve the economy, and we have seen some success. We need to support him.

Jason Hu
Taichung Mayor
I don’t want any distractions, says Taichung Mayor Jason Hu. For me, there is only Taichung. Whether people are giving me their blessings or simply raising speculation, they won’t influence my decision. I definitely will remain in Taichung.

Each of these possible candidates to replace the embattled premier says the same thing – they support Sean Chen and will finish out their terms as mayor. In any case, all three could have their sights set on the local elections in 2014 or an even bigger prize – the presidency in 2016.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

為了拚有感經濟，財政部帶頭衝，從明年起試辦停發紙本扣繳憑單，主要針對薪資、股利和利息三大部分，預計先從公家機關和公股銀行推動試辦，預估能省下12億郵費和紙張成本，不過民眾卻抱怨，這跟拚有感經濟，根本是兩碼子事！

每到報稅時間，國稅局總是大排長龍，財政部打算從明年二月起，試辦停發紙本扣繳憑單，鼓勵民眾網路報稅。

[[財政部長 張盛和(2012.12.24)]]
“明年會做一些讓納稅人有感的措施，因為扣繳義務人有七、八十萬家，如果他們徵得納稅義務人的同意，不用扣繳憑單，像我就不需要，那雇主就可以不用發扣繳憑單，可以省紙”

停發扣繳憑單試辦，將先從公家機關和公股銀行配合，明年試辦的扣繳憑單約有六千多萬張，省下的郵費和紙張成本，約是12億。

As part of its efforts to improve to the economy, the Ministry of Finance has announced a pilot program for taxpayers to opt out of receiving tax withholding statements by mail. The ministry estimates the program will save over NT$1 billion in paper and postage expenses, but many people feel it’s hardly a strong enough pill to cure Taiwan’s sluggish economy. 

National Tax Administration offices are packed during tax season. To encourage taxpayers to file online, the Ministry of Finance will launch a pilot program next February to stop mailing hard copies of tax withholding statements.

Chang Sheng-ford
Finance Minister
We have some changes in store next year that taxpayers will find convenient, says Finance Minister Chang Sheng-ford. Around 700,000 to 800,000 businesses and government departments could benefit. It’s completely optional and will only take effect with the consent of taxpayer. Take myself, for example. I don’t need hardcopies of my tax withholding statements. So my employer doesn’t need to send them to me and it can save paper. 

The pilot program will start with government departments and state-owned banks, which were expected to mail more than 60 million tax withholding statements next year. The ministry believes the change will save about NT$1.2 billion in postage and paper.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

繼韓國央行上個月大舉拋售韓元之後，即將出任日本首相的安倍晉三，也提出日圓匯率要貶值到90日圓兌換1美元，才能確保出口商獲利，今天台經院提出警告，如果日圓貶值太過劇烈，包括晶圓代工和IC封測等科技廠商將受到衝擊，央行不能輕忽。

日本準首相安倍晉三，26日才要走馬上任，不過他先對國際匯率市場丟出震撼彈！安倍要求日本央行"硬"起來，兌換美元匯率必須貶值到90日圓，才能幫出口商賺錢，換個角度，對台灣進出口勢必造成影響。

[[台經院景氣預測中心主任 孫明德]]
“我們的央行要特別關注，日圓貶值的幅度，如果它貶值幅度太大，可能就會對台灣產品，造成競爭的影響”

包括晶圓代工、IC封測、被動元件和PCB軟板等科技廠業績壓力不小，至於半導體、光電等廠商，因為原料進口成本降低，成為受惠一族。

[[經建會主委 尹啟銘]]
“整體產業的利弊得失，這個必須要總體來看，這個我們會內部來做，這方面分析，這需要一點時間，貨幣往往是一個刀的兩刃，所以不可不慎啊”

至於民間消費，雖然現在日系家電，和日本零食店的價格還沒反應，但如果日圓繼續走貶，明年搞不好會掀起一股降價風。

Incoming Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe is pressing the Bank of Japan to keep the yen low relative to the dollar. A local think tank warns that a weaker yen could impact many of Taiwan’s IT companies. 

Shinzo Abe is returning as Japan’s premier on Dec. 26. But he has already been asking the central bank of Japan to take aggressive steps to keep the yen around 90 to the dollar to help exporters make a profit. According to Gordon Sun of the Taiwan Institute of Economic Research, this move could affect Taiwan’s importers and exporters.

Gordon Sun
TIER Forecaster
Our central bank should pay extra attention to the extent of yen depreciation, says Sun. If the yen depreciates too much, it would create increased competition for Taiwanese manufacturers.

A weaker yen would hurt foundry businesses, IC assembly and testing firms and makers of passive components and flex PCB. But semiconductor manufacturers and photonic industry enterprises could take advantage of cheaper Japanese yen, since the prices of imported raw material will be lowered.

Yiin Chii-ming
CEPD Minister
We need to evaluate both the positive and negative impacts on industry, says CEPD minister Yiin Chii-ming. It will take some time for us to do an internal report to analyze the impacts. A national currency is a two-edged sword and we need to take very cautious steps. 

So far the yen devaluation has not been reflected on prices of Japanese electronics and snacks. But if the currency continues to stay at low levels, the prices of Japanese products may drop by next year.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

就在黃季敏被起訴，求處無期徒刑的前夕，檢方再爆黃季敏不只貪污致富，還懷疑他可能運用贓款投資，拿4千萬元插股補習班，每年坐收紅利上百萬。案件爆發至今，檢方七度搜索，不只找出黃季敏的"黃金窟"，搜出近20公斤黃金，還另外查扣現金、外幣與存款等，共價值好幾千萬的財產。

檢方查出，黃季敏砸四千萬插股開封街的補習班，據傳這家補習班，過去曾有消防安檢不合格紀錄，黃季敏是否以安檢為由，向業者施壓要求插股，黃季敏始終沒明講。

2009年11月，黃季敏以健康因素，請辭消防署長。當年他在監察院的財產申報，只有黃金3公斤，存款3680萬，證券部份也只有435萬。幾年過去，黃季敏身價翻漲，名下財產暴增。

檢方在他住處與辦公室，發現不只一處「黃金窟」，先後搜出19塊金條，總重將近20公斤，換算市價超過2700萬元。

甚至在他家裡，找到一處8坪大的房間，裡頭堆滿要價不斐的愛馬仕、LV等名牌包，數量至少有30個。

檢方不只查扣新加坡帳戶，匯回國內的3500萬台幣，還查出他好幾個銀行帳戶裡，總共6百多萬的活動資金。其他像是日幣、美金、港幣等外幣，也不在少數。錢從哪裡來，是不是貪污所得，檢方逐條釐清、搜集證據，以利後續案件偵審。

Before requesting a life sentence for Huang, prosecutors released more details about the former National Fire Agency chief’s extensive holdings. Huang had stashes of gold bars, a stake in a cram school and numerous bank accounts in Taiwan and overseas. 

Among Huang’s many holdings, the cram school investment was most surprising. Prosecutors accuse Huang of coercing a Taipei cram school into letting him buy a NT$40 million stake in the company. Apparently this school had trouble passing fire inspections, and there is suspicion that Huang used his authority to put pressure on it.

In November 2009 Huang left the National Fire Agency, citing health reasons. At the time when reporting his possessions to the Control Yuan, Huang listed only 3 kilograms of gold, savings of NT$37 million and share holdings worth about NT$4 million. Over the next few years, his personal worth jumped considerably.

Prosecutors uncovered gold stashed in his home and office. They found 19 gold bars with a total weight of close to 20 kilos. Their value is around NT$27 million.

At Huang’s home prosecutors also found an 8-ping large room with dozens of Hermes and LV bags.

They seized NT$35 million in a Singapore bank account in Huang’s name, and found more than NT$6 million in several other bank accounts. Huang also had extensive foreign cash holdings in Japanese yen, US dollars and Hong Kong dollars. Prosecutors have seized the money and are trying to determine how this former government official amassed such extensive wealth.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

號稱「忠勇軍風」的憲兵，近期針對將近800位軍士官，進行忠誠測謊！誇張的是，測謊題目不斷詢問「是否洩漏業務給媒體」！憲兵司令吳應平澄清，並沒有對全體官士兵測謊。

攤開最新一期週刊，國軍近期對全台21個憲兵隊、將近800位軍士官進行測謊，問題中卻不斷出現「與媒體關係為何」、「是否將經辦業務洩漏給媒體」，如果兩次測謊都沒通過，將被調離原單位，甚至列入淘汰對象！

有綠營立委痛批國軍太誇張，畢竟以往受測對象，僅限涉及機密情報，尤其是軍情局和國安局等單位。

而憲兵司令吳應平回應時, 強調測謊的政策, 並沒有改變過。

[[憲兵司令 吳應平]]
“我們官兵實施忠貞儀測人員，他們都是實際參與國家安全情報人員，並不是對所有憲兵官兵同仁都做儀測，我們測試的項目主要是有無洩密”

吳應平還說, 如果被媒體誤會是在對媒體做一些查洩密行為，會去做檢討精進。

A report claims 800 members of Military Police Command were recently asked about their relations with the media in lie detector tests. The commanding officer of the unit responded by saying safeguarding intelligence is its focus, not the media. 

The latest issue of Next Magazine made some surprising claims: it says that lie detector tests were given to 800 soldiers in 21 military police units.A common theme ran through much of the questions: the media. Examples included: “What is your relationship with the media?” and “Have you ever leaked information about your duties to the media?” Failing two tests put soldiers at risk of demotion or even discharge.

The DPP slammed Military Police Command. Previously lie detector tests were reserved for units handling classified information, such as the Bureau of Military Intelligence and National Security Bureau.

The Military Police Command insists that policy hasn’t changed. 

Wu Ying-ping
Military Police Command
Loyalty tests are only given to staff involved with national security and intelligence gathering, says Military Police Command chief Wu Ying-ping. Not all officers and soldiers are tested. Most testing categories ask whether any classified information was leaked.

Wu says his unit will launch a review to find out why the media believes the goal of these tests was to stem the flow of information to reporters.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

今年跨年有四天連假，看準連假商機，超商和速食業者也各自推出促銷來應戰，讓跨年足?搶好康。不過氣象局帶來壞消息，不但跨年當天又冷又濕，元旦曙光也機會渺茫。

氣象局昨天才預估跨年夜這一天，不只有可能下雨，恐怕還會特別冷，今天又有不好的消息。元旦大家最想看到的曙光，氣象局說，機會渺茫！

[[氣象預報員 林智暉]]
“在跨年那一天，天氣狀況並不是很理想，所以在元旦的清晨要看日出，可能狀況也不是說非常好，大概就是要碰運氣了”

不過想跨年的民眾，還是有好康可以撈，看準今年跨年有四天連假的商機，超商和速食業者也各自推出促銷來應戰。

速食業者除了有全新的分享組合餐外，從連假前一天晚上十點，到1月2日凌晨四點，大薯買一送一！

[[速食店發言人 周怡寧]]
“連續102個小時不間斷，歡度民國102年，預估就是一成的業績成長，所以我們在薯條備貨上面，也會滿足這一成業績的成長”

炸雞、薯條、蛋撻的外送歡樂餐，如果二天前網路預訂再加送一罐可樂。

24小時營業的超商，有時間的優勢，當然不會錯過跨年商機，紛紛針對飲品或是零食推出優惠來應戰。

Convenience stores and fast-food chains have special offers planned for New Year’s revelers this holiday season. It will be a bright spot on what looks like a damp New Year’s Day where the first sunrise of the year could be hidden behind the clouds.

The Central Weather Bureau yesterday forecast a rainy and cold night on New Year’s Eve. Today it has more disappointing news. It says there’s only a slim chance of seeing the first sunrise of the New Year.

Lin Jhih-huei
CWB Forecaster
The weather on New Year’s Eve likely won’t be good, which could make it hard to see the first sunrise on Jan. 1, says forecaster Lin Jhih-huei. We have to try our luck. 

But at least there is something in store – convenience stores and fast-food chains have launched many promotions to cash in on crowds during the four-day holiday.

Besides a brand new combo meal, this fast-food chain will offer a buy-one-get-one free promotion on large french fries.

Chou Yi-ning
Restaurant Spokeswoman
To celebrate the Republic of China’s 102nd anniversary, the promotion will last for 102 hours, says spokeswoman Chou Yi-ning. We estimate a 10 percent revenue increase and have prepared enough french fries to accommodate the crowd.

For combo meals including fried chicken, french fries and egg tarts, this restaurant will offer a complimentary can of coke if customers order online for delivery two days in advance.

Taking advantage of long operating hours, convenience stores have to come up with special offers to maximize revenue on New Year’s Eve.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

美國運動畫刊今天公佈了今年的年度經典時刻，排名第一的，是由差點引爆NFL封館的裁判誤判事件，至於第二名，就是多次登上運動畫刊封面的林來瘋，另外，今年終於圓了冠軍夢的熱火看板球星LeBron James，則是奪得第三名，來看這些令人難忘的精彩片段。

全球發行量最高的運動媒體美國運動畫刊，選出了年度經典時刻，9月24日NFL綠灣包裝工對西雅圖海鷹這終場倒數十秒發生的誤判事件，榮登No.1，不但搞掉包裝工的勝利，近一億五千萬美金的全球賭盤也因而大翻轉，更讓NFL緊急跟裁判公會進行協商，還有全球體育迷印象深刻的，我們頒給這一位。

就是Linsanity，都叫林來瘋了，豪小子在二月引爆的全球旋風，而NBA整年除了林來瘋現象，頭牌男主角應該還是被自己帥醒的那位。

[[邁阿密熱火前鋒 詹姆斯]] 
“我有我的動機熱情，我用了這樣的企圖心，我也很高興我們有足夠的表現，來幫助我們得到冠軍這樣的位置”

LeBron拿下NBA冠軍年度和冠軍戰MVP，外加上敦奧金牌這塑立第一人的表現，入選前三甲應該也不意外。

Sports Illustrated has named its picks for the 112 most memorable sporting moments of 2012. Ranking near the top of the list was the Taiwanese-American basketball sensation, Jeremy Lin. 

What was the most memorable sporting moment of 2012? For American football fans this certainly ranks near the top: Sept. 24, on the last play between the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, replacement refs blew a game-deciding call. The Packers lost, the web exploded and US$150 million in bets went the wrong way. For the NFL, it was a turning point in negotiations with regular refs. The moment even beat this man, who set the sporting world on fire.

“Linsanity” was the term used to describe the movement that exploded in February when Jeremy Lin went from benchwarmer to star. Lin finished second, one ahead of LeBron James’ winning ways.

LeBron James
Miami Heat
I use it as motivation. And you know I’m happy that I was able to make enough plays to put ourselves in a position to win the championship.

James won his first NBA championship, an MVP and Olympic gold. It was enough for him to round out the Top 3.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞

號稱全球最長高鐵的中國京廣高鐵，今天早上全線通車。北京廣州分別開出首發列車，來往兩地車程只需8小時。

而首日所有車票都銷售一空! 高鐵票價在台幣4千到1萬3間，開通後，中國南北將成為一日經濟圈，至於安全問題，鐵道部表示，會將最高時速暫定在300公里。

China inaugurated the world’s longest bullet train line this morning. The train cuts travel time between Beijing and Guangzhou to eight hours. 

Tickets for the first day were sold out. Prices on the high-speed line range between the equivalent of NT$4,000 and NT$13,000. For safety reasons, the trains will initially run at a speed of 300 kilometers per hour.

文章出處 ：民視英語新聞