In today's news, with Nancy and Paz:

The sweet taste of Taiwan chocolate, Indonesia islands up for sale, and the effects of air pollution on young kids.

All that and more, coming up next!

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Taiwanese Wins 10 International Chocolate Awards

台灣巧克力師傅勇奪「世界巧克力大賽」10項大獎

Chocolate.

It's a sweet and bitter food that is loved by many people around the world.

When we think of chocolate, we usually associate (聯想) it with countries like Belgium, Switzerland, and others.

They make a lot of chocolate.

But Taiwan is making some delicious chocolate too!

A Taiwanese chocolate maker, Queenie Wu (吳葵妮), recently became the most celebrated Asian chocolate maker.

She owns chocolate brand "Q Sweet".

Her chocolates received 1 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze, and 2 special awards at the International Chocolate Awards in November.

Wu said she wanted her chocolate brand from Taiwan to be recognized and appreciated (讚賞) over the world.

In recent years, the quality of Taiwanese cacao (可可豆) and the ways it's processed (處理) have improved.

And the quality of Taiwan cacao has been making international news lately.

Cacao farmers and chocolate makers from Taiwan have been winning multiple international awards over the last few years.

近年來，台灣的可可農與巧克力師傅在許多國際大賽上都得到好成績。

Who know? Maybe Taiwan's chocolate brands will be able to rival (競爭) international chocolate giants in a few years.

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Indonesia Archipelago Up for Auction

印尼將拍賣超過100個島嶼的群島

It's many people's dream to own an island.

How about over a hundred islands?

The development rights to an entire Indonesian archipelago (群島) with more than 100 tropical islands is to be auctioned (拍賣) this month.

The island are in the uninhabited Widi Reserve, north-east of Bali, spread out over 10,000 hectares.

It is in a marine-protected zone in the "Coral Triangle" area.

According to Indonesian law, foreigners are not allowed to buy islands.

Therefore, buyers will bid for shares (股份) in a development firm on a Sotheby's auction (蘇富比拍賣會).

The development firm has licensed the rights to build an eco-resort (生態渡假村) and luxury residential properties on the reserve.

The auction has prompted concerns among some conservationist (保育人士).

The area was described as "one of the most intact coral ecosystems (珊瑚生態) left on the planet".

It is also home to hundreds of rare and endangered species, among them blue whales, white sharks, and species yet to be discovered.

但是環境的開放一定會對原生生態造成影響。

The development firm claims that it will not only help build the resort, but also help protect the environment

They have plans for security patrol and research programs.

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Air Pollution Affects Young Kids in School

研究發現空氣污染會使孩童課業落後。

We all know that breathing polluted air cause certain diseases.

But recent studies show that air pollution can affect children's development during early childhood.

One study published recently dived deeper, focusing on the impact that air pollution have on children's learning.

They found out that cognitive gaps (認知差距) are formed as early as 6 months.

These gaps are entrenched (根深蒂固) when the children turn 2 years old.

The neurotoxic (神經毒素) air pollutants (污染源) affects reading and math abilities around the time of school entry.

Researchers found that exposure to fine particulate matter (懸浮微粒) may influence information processing, learning and memory.

科學家認為孩子的身心健全都需要乾淨的空氣。

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So, in today's News Bites:

A Taiwanese chocolate maker, Queenie Wu, recently became the most celebrated Asian chocolate maker.

She owns chocolate brand "Q Sweet".

Her chocolates received 1 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze, and 2 special awards at the International Chocolate Awards in November.

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Indonesia is putting 100-island archipelago up for auction.

This has made some people worried about the environment.

One of the earth's most well-preserved coral ecosystem might be converted into a vacation resort.

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And…

A study finds that young kids who breathe polluted air can fall behind in school.

Clean air is not only essential for children's physical health, but also mental health.

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And that's today's episode of News Bites!