In today's news, with Nancy and Paz:
Ghost month in New York, new paint on the Eiffel Tower, and taxis in the air.
All that and more, coming up next.
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紐約的台灣節 慶祝中元節
TaiwanFest Brings Ghost Month to New York
Do you believe in ghosts?
Are you scared of ghost tales?
On August 7th, the TaiwanFest market was held in Washington Square Park in New York City.
The market usually has lots of Taiwanese cuisine and culture for people to enjoy.
紐約的華盛頓廣場在8月7日舉辦了紐約台灣節，讓遊客了解台灣傳統文化及美食。
But this year, the market also had a "Ghost Month flavor".
People set up a traditional altar.
There was no music and dance performances (表演), because it was in a residential area (住宅區).
However, there were other types of entertainment.
There was also a sign in the shape of Taiwan at the entrance (入口) to the event.
Many people held incense sticks and prayed at the altar.
Other people demonstrated Chinese calligraphy.
Hsu Puo-chen (許伯丞), one of the main organizers of the event, says Washington Square Park use to be a cemetery (墓園).
That gave him the idea of setting up an altar at the market.
So, hungry souls at the market were able to enjoy Taiwanese staples such as boba tea, steamed buns, and Hakka lei cha.
Many people also enjoyed shopping and buying jewelry, cosmetics, and other cultural knick-knacks (小擺飾).
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有名的古蹟 艾菲鐵塔
The Famous Eiffel Tower
Did you know?
The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most famous sights!
Do you know how old it is?
你知道世界上有名的艾菲鐵塔幾歲了嗎？
The 324-meter-tall iron (鐵) tower attracts millions of tourists to Paris every year.
It is one of the most iconic (指標性的) buildings in the world.
And it is now 133 years old!
324公尺高的鐵塔每年為巴黎吸引了上百萬的遊客，它是世界上最有指標性的建築物之一喔! 而如今，它已經133歲了！
Engineers recently found that its metal is full of rust (銹).
Engineers say that there are many cracks (裂縫), and the tower needs many repairs (修補).
Construction of the Eiffel Tower started in January 1887.
It opened to the public (公眾) on March 31st, 1889.
It was built to celebrate the 1889 World's Fair in Paris.
The tower was supposed to be taken down (被拆除) after 20 years.
However, the French government decided to keep the tower.
The tower is now being repainted (重新粉刷) for the 2024 Olympics.
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會飛的計程車要來了
Flying Taxis Could Be Here in the Next Three Years
Here's something you may not have imagined.
A new way of getting around could be with us in the next few years… flying taxis!
一個新的交通工具即將登場…會飛的計程車!
Many of us grew up watching sci-fi movies (科幻電影) with airborne (空中的) taxis.
Science fiction (科幻小說) is now becoming science fact (科學事實).
Japanese airline ANA is working with a U.S. tech start-up called "Joby Aviation".
The two companies want to start operating air taxis at the 2025 World Expo (世界博覽會) in Osaka.
Right now, they are trying to build the flying vehicle (交通工具).
They also need to work out what traffic rules (交通規則) the taxis will need to follow, and what kind of training (訓練) flying taxi pilots (機師) will need.
The five-seat, all-electric taxi will be able to take off and land vertically (垂直地).
It will be able to fly 241 kilometers.
And it will have a top speed (最高速度) of 321 kilometers per hour.
Joby's CEO said the taxis would help people save time.
He says the taxis would also help people reduce their carbon footprint (減少碳足跡).
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So, in today's News Bites:
The TaiwanFest market in Washington Square Park had a "Ghost Month flavor" this year.
People set up a traditional altar.
Many people held incense sticks and prayed at the altar.
And there was also boba tea, steamed buns, and Hakka lei cha.
________________________________
The Eiffel Tower is now 133 years old!
Engineers recently found that its metal is full of rust.
The tower is now being repainted for the 2024 Olympics.
________________________________
And,
Japanese airline ANA and Joby Aviation want to start operating air taxis at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka.
Right now, they are trying to build the flying vehicle.
They also need to work out what traffic rules the taxis will need to follow, and what kind of training flying taxi pilots will need.
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And that's today's episode of News Bites!