Hey folks, it's time for a new episode of News Bites…
I'm Paz Bueno.
And I'm Trevor Tortomasi.
In today's stories…
Fireworks by the river in Taipei, protesters turn a fountain black in Rome, and a lizard climbs out of a toilet in Florida.
Let's check it out!
________________________________
大稻埕夏日節將持續至七八月份
Dadaocheng Festival To Continue Through July and August
Dadaocheng Wharf (大稻埕碼頭) is a great place in Taipei.
Years ago, it was the city's main wharf (碼頭).
These days, it's a lovely riverside park.
In summer, people come here to share a snack, ride bicycles, or catch the ferry (搭乘渡輪).
The most special time of year at Dadaocheng Wharf is Lunar Valentine's Day (七夕節).
Every year on this weekend there is a fireworks show (煙火表演).
But this year, it will be different.
Instead of one weekend, this year's festival will continue through the summer.
The festival will start on July 1st and continue until August 20th.
Visitors can go see the wharf and the boats decorated with lights (用燈光裝飾).
Shops will be selling food from all over the world.
But without a doubt, the highlight of the festival is the fireworks.
但毫無疑問，節日的亮點是煙火。
Last year, more than 80,000 people saw the fireworks show.
This year, there will be not one, but eight shows.
They will take place every Wednesday night at 8:30.
他們將在每週三晚上 8:30 舉行。
The biggest fireworks show will be on the last day of the festival, August 20th.
If you're in Taipei this summer, find a nice evening to come visit Dadaocheng.
________________________________
羅馬著名噴泉的水變黑了
Water in Rome's Famous Fountain Turns Black
The city of Rome (羅馬) in Italy is famous for its beautiful architecture.
Every year, millions of tourists (觀光客) come to Rome to see its streets and buildings.
One of the most famous places in Rome is the Trevi Fountain (特雷維噴泉).
Many tourists follow the tradition of throwing a coin into the fountain's water (把硬幣扔進噴泉), to make sure they will return to Rome one day.
But recently, tourists saw the water in Trevi Fountain turn black (變黑).
It started when a group of seven people waded into the fountain.
They poured charcoal (木炭) into the water, to turn it black.
Standing in the black water, they held up signs that said, "We won't pay for fossil fuels" (化石燃料).
They also shouted, "Our country is dying."
These people were activists, and they were protesting climate change.
他們在抗議氣候變化。
They are part of a group called Last Generation (最後一代).
They want Italy's government to stop using public money (公共資金) to pay for fossil fuels.
After a while, police pulled the activists out of Trevi Fountain.
The environmentally-friendly (環保) charcoal they put in the water began to clear up.
But many tourists noticed their message, and Last Generation is planning more protests.
________________________________
佛羅里達男子在馬桶裡發現鬣蜥
Florida Man Finds Iguana in Toilet
John Riddle lives in Florida (佛羅里達州).
Recently, he heard a splashing noise (濺水的聲音) coming from his bathroom toilet.
John looked inside the toilet bowl (馬桶), and…
An iguana (鬣蜥) was looking up at him.
First, John tried to grab it with a net, but that didn't work.
Then, he tried to grab it with his hands, but the iguana swam back down the pipe (水管).
So, John waited a while.
Finally the iguana climbed out of the toilet, and John was able to shoo it out (趕出) of his house.
Iguanas have become a big problem in Florida.
They are an invasive species, and many people see them as pests.
它們是入侵物種，許多人將它們視為害蟲。
These lizards climb on roofs, dig under houses, and even swim up out of toilets.
Iguanas are great swimmers, and they can hold their breath (屏住呼吸) for a long time.
So they have no problem moving through the narrow toilet pipes.
As for John, he just hopes (希望) that it doesn't happen again.
He says, "I'm used to iguanas, but I'm not used to them in my toilet bowl."
________________________________
So, in today's newsbites…
In Taipei, Dadaocheng Wharf will hold a festival from July 1st to August 20th.
People can see fireworks there on Wednesday evenings at 8:30.
________________________________
And,
In Rome, activists turned the water in the Trevi Fountain black.
They are part of the activist group "Last Generation", and they wanted to protest climate change.
________________________________
And,
A Florida man found an iguana in his toilet.
Iguanas are an invasive species in Florida, and many people see them as pests.
________________________________
And that's today's episode of News Bites!