Australian Prime Minister John Howard assured Asia Pacific leaders at the start of the APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) week that they would not have to parade around Sydney in tiny swimsuits and flip-flops for the official APEC photograph.
But there was much advance speculation as to what the 21 government leaders would don when they lined up for the obligatory APEC photograph in the host nation's traditional costume.
As Australia lacks a distinctive national outfit, wags had a field day making helpful suggestions about how to clothe the leaders in a manner that reflects life Down Under.
Some wanted to see them clad in men's lycra Speedo swimming trunks, sometimes known locally as "budgie smugglers," paired with the flip-flop sandals or thongs that are must-have wear for the Australian beach.
Howard quickly ruled out any such affront to the dignity of his honored guests, revealing only that the APEC outfit would be "very Australian".
"The only Australian garb I'd rule out is Speedos and thongs," Howard told commercial television. "I don't think I'd do that, that wouldn't be very diplomatic."
Howard admitted the often colorful costumes selected for APEC meetings sometimes raised the eyebrows of the leaders who had to wear them, including US President George W. Bush.
"George Bush once said to me, looking at me and me looking at him in one of the less memorable (outfits) - he said, 'Thank heavens I've just had my election.' The suggestion being that he wouldn't win very many votes being photographed in that," Howard said. (AFP)
亞太經濟合作會議週開始時,澳洲總理約翰·霍華德向亞太領袖們保證,不會安排領袖們穿著緊身泳衣泳褲與夾腳拖鞋在雪梨趴趴走,並拍下亞太經合會團體照。
但外界對於二十一國領袖一字排開留影合照時,會穿什麼樣的主辦國傳統服裝,有諸多揣測。
由於澳洲缺乏象徵國家的獨特服裝, 好事者逮到機會針對與會領袖應該穿什麼服裝才能反映澳洲特色,提出多項建議。
部份人士希望領袖們穿著萊卡布料做成的Speedo男性緊身泳褲,除了俗稱「走私鸚鵡」的緊身泳褲,還要外加在澳洲海灘必穿的平底人字拖。
霍華德立刻排除這類公然侮辱尊貴賓客的提議,但透露領袖的服裝將會「非常澳洲」。
霍華德告訴商業電視台說:「我排除掉的唯一一種澳洲特色服裝是緊身泳褲與人字拖。我想我不會選這個,因為太不符合外交禮儀。」
霍華德承認亞太經合會選擇的服裝常常太花俏,讓必須穿上這些衣服的領袖們目瞪口呆,其中包括美國總統布希。
霍華德說:「有一次,布希和我身著不太稱頭的服裝,相互對看─然後他說:『感謝老天,還好選戰已過了』。意思是說,如果他穿著這身衣服拍照,他不可能贏得那麼多選票。」
(法新社╱翻譯:林亞蒂)
Although shaved ice can be found even in fall and winter, douhua is a dessert that can be enjoyed year round in both hot and cold weather. Douhua is made from soy milk which is set by using coagulants such as gypsum or bittern. The resulting texture of douhua is soft and silky. It is often served with a sweet syrup and various toppings. Each shop selling douhua has many toppings for customers to choose from, such as peanuts, mesona jelly, tapioca balls, mung beans, adzuki beans and taro paste. 刨冰雖然秋冬也吃得到,但有什麼甜品冷暖皆宜,豆花是好選擇。豆花是在豆漿中拌入石膏、鹵水等促凝劑製成,白嫩絲滑,舀入糖水享用。每間豆花店還有許多種配料任君選擇,如花生、仙草凍、粉圓、綠豆、紅豆和芋泥等。 coagulant (n.) 促凝劑 gypsum (n.)
With extreme heat gripping much of the Northern Hemisphere last week, authorities and public health experts have issued heat warnings to help keep people safe. Parts of China, India, the Middle East, southern Europe and the United States are bracing for the possibility of new record highs. WHAT ARE THE HEALTH RISKS? Heat affects health in several ways. Heat exhaustion, which can include dizziness, headaches, shaking and thirst, can affect anyone, and is not usually serious, providing the person cools down within 30 minutes. The more serious version is heatstroke, when the body’s core temperature goes above 40.6 degrees Celsius. It is a medical emergency
A: This year’s Special Contribution Awards go to singer Cheng Hua-jiuan and composer Liu Ching-chi. B: Cheng was not only a singer, but also wrote hundreds of hits in both the Chinese and Taiwanese languages. I listened to her music show on the radio when I was young. A: It was so sad to hear of her death in March. B: But why doesn’t the organizer present a Special Contribution Award to the late singer CoCo Lee? A: CoCo was not a Republic of China national, so she’s not eligible for this category. A: 今年金曲獎特別貢獻獎頒給歌手鄭華娟、編曲劉清池! B:
A: The 35th Golden Melody Awards ceremony will take place at the Taipei Arena on Saturday. B: Who are this year’s nominees for Best Male Singer? A: The nominees are Xu Jun, JJ Lin, Marz23, MC HotDog and Jude Chiu. B: How about the nominees for Best Female Singer? A: The nominees are Faith Yang, Shi Shi, 9m88, Su Yunying and Tia Ray. A: 第35屆金曲獎本週六即將在台北小巨蛋登場! B: 今年入圍最佳男歌手的有誰啊? A: 入圍的有:許鈞、林俊傑、Marz23、熱狗、裘德。 B: 最佳女歌手呢? A: 入圍的有:楊乃文、孫盛希、9m88、蘇運瑩、袁婭維。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)