A: Are so many of the world’s reptile species really at risk of extinction?
B: Researchers have assessed over 10,000 reptile species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ (IUCN) Red List of threatened species.
A: What did they find?
Photo: AFP 照片：法新社
B: They discovered that at least 1,829, or 21 percent, of reptile species were either “vulnerable,” “endangered” or “critically endangered.”
A: 有這麼多爬蟲動物面臨絕種喔？
B: 依據國際自然保育聯盟《瀕危物種紅色名錄》，研究人員評估了一萬多種爬蟲動物的情況。
A: 研究結果如何？
B: 研究結果發現，至少有一千八百二十九種動物、或百分之二十一正處於「易危」、「瀕危」或「極危」狀態。
（Translated by Edward Jones, Taipei TimES／台北時報張聖恩）
Recently, the Iraq parliament’s preliminary approval of a controversial proposal to drastically lower the legal marriage age for girls from 18 to nine has sparked widespread concern. This move has drawn strong reactions both domestically and internationally, as many worry it will exacerbate child marriage issues and severely infringe upon women’s rights. At the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1994, Iraq explicitly prohibited the legalization of child marriage. Currently, the legal marriage age for both men and women is 18, although women can marry at 15 with a guardian’s consent. The newly proposed amendment to the Personal
The chimney cake is a beloved treat with a rich history in Hungary and Romania. While written references to the cake appeared as early as the late 17th century, the earliest known recipe from 1784 is __1__ a noblewoman named Maria Mikes, who wrote about dough wrapped around a spit. Legend has it, however, that the existence of this delicacy actually goes much further back in time, to the Mongol invasion of the 13th century. The cake’s iconic hollow, cylindrical shape, which is reminiscent of a chimney, is achieved by wrapping yeast dough around a wooden spit and roasting
A: Any plans for Valentine’s Day tomorrow? B: I’ll go to karaoke with a group of fans to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the late pop diva Whitney Houston’s debut. A: Sounds like fun. B: She released her eponymous album “Whitney Houston” on Feb. 14, 1985, launching a glorious career that spanned over four decades. A: Can I join you for karaoke? A: 明天情人節你要幹嘛？ B: 我要和一群歌迷去KTV，慶祝流行天后惠妮休斯頓出道40週年！ A: 哇好像很好玩。 B: 她在1985年2月14日發行同名專輯《惠妮休斯頓》，並開啟了輝煌的40年演藝生涯。 A: 我能跟你一起去KTV嗎？ （By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times／台北時報張聖恩）
A: I remember that the late pop diva Whitney Houston’s 1985 debut album “Whitney Houston” is a diamond album, meaning it sold over 10 million units in the US. B: Her 1987 album “Whitney” and 1992 soundtrack “The Bodyguard” have also reached diamond status, making her the only black singer with three diamond albums. A: Many people think that her songs are difficult to sing. B: I challenge you to sing her megahit “I Will Always Love You” at tonight’s karaoke party. A: OK, challenge accepted. A: 我記得流行天后惠妮休斯頓的1985年出道專輯《惠妮休斯頓》還是一張鑽石唱片呢，表示在美國狂賣超過1千萬張。 B: 她1987年的次張專輯《惠妮》、1992年的電影《終極保鑣》原聲帶也獲得鑽石唱片認證，使她成為唯一擁有3張鑽石唱片的黑人歌手！ A: 而許多人覺得她的歌都很難唱。 B: 那我挑戰你在今晚的KTV派對唱她的名曲《我將永遠愛你》。 A: 好啊我接受你的挑戰。 （By Eddy
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