Topic Reading-Vol.1305-11/7/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Morocco to build world's largest concentrated solar power plant

On the fringe of the Sahara desert, a mega solar project has been taken place. When the construction is completed in 2018, the plant will supply electricity to over one million people of the 33 million population of the country. This is part of the nation’s ambitious initiative to install various types of clean-energy plants to supply 42% of its power consumption, 14% of which is by solar in 2020.

If you look at Sub-Saharan Africa, only 24% of the population have access to electricity. That includes rather developed South Africa. But in rural areas, power is available only a few percentage points such as Kenya, Mali and Ethiopia. How are they going to supply power in Africa? Will they simply pick economical ways like people did in the last century and heat up the globe? Or, will they be wise enough to choose renewable or cleaner source for energy? It seems to be the responsibility of other part of the world as well.

Enjoy reading and learning about this small African nation’s shining investment.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/11/03/africa/noor-ouarzazate-solar-complex-morocco/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1304-11/6/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

China opens drone schools as demand for pilots soars

China produces, exports and uses more commercial drones than any other country. DJI, the world largest producer of commercial drones, alone sold approximately 70 percent of commercial drones in 2014. In its domestic market, the demand for maintenance, mapping, filming and agricultural industries is increasing rapidly.

So, what do they need to meet such an exploding market? Licensed pilots. More than 10,000 drone pilots are needed this year alone. In fact, there are already 42 schools that teach and train drone pilots. Even though new models are likely to self-fly with GPS and tracking technology, there are still huge opportunities for drone pilots and operators, and programmers to auto-pilot drones.

Enjoy reading and learning about this new type of school that trains people to fly for the future.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/11/china-opens-drone-schools-demand-pilots-soars-151104132143426.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1303-11/5/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Australia drops knights and dames from honours system

Knights and Dames. You may think this honoring system only exists in England or the United Kingdom. Actually, Australia, a former colony of Great Britain, has honored people of great achievements or service time to time, depending on the government.

Most notably, the recently ousted PM resumed the system in 2014, which is thought to be one of the main reasons he lost supports from his own party.

Now, the newly elected PM, who once campaigned to abandon the monarchy and become a republic, scrapped the system.

How much respect today’s people pay to those who are honored a knighthood or dame hood?

Enjoy reading and learning about this controversial topic in a country that plays a key role in the Pan Pacific region now rather than keeping a colonial tradition.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-34695549

Topic Reading-Vol.1302-11/4/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

The private lives of 'Star Wars' Stormtroopers

Do they have names or identities? What gender or how old are they? What do they eat? Stormtroopers all look the same. Little attention has been paid to the corps of Star Wars despite their frequent appearances throughout the movie series.

A Spanish photographer created images of their everyday life scenes shortly before the release of the long-awaited new episode, “The Force Awakens.” All of the troopers wear the usual white armor but don’t carry or fire the light-gun. Instead, they eat cereal, pee, take a Jacuzzi, and do laundries. They look like human soldiers or ordinary civilians.

By the way, they aren’t good at shooting their light-rifles in the movie, are they?

Enjoy seeing the photos of their off-duty lives.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/10/30/entertainment/stormtroopers-higuera-star-wars-feat/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1301-11/3/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

China to allow two children for all couples

Now you can have two children. A radical and long-expected change was suddenly announced by the nation’s top policy planning meeting, the Fifth Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

The famous one-child policy was officially in place since 1979, has prevented 400 million births. Parents have faced fines and other punishments for having more children.

The policy was relaxed in 2013, allowing pairs to have a second child if one the pair is a single child. However, this change hasn’t caused any surge in the number of new born babies because of the change in lifestyle and high education cost.

Gender selective abortions have been another cause of China's unusual gender imbalance. It is said that there are approximately 1.16 to 1.26 boys per girl, depending on the source of data. Men have difficulty finding their partners.

Enjoy reading and guessing how this policy change will affect the family planning of Chinese couples.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-10/29/content_22312495.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.1300-11/2/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Pumpkins’　Surprising Origin

Calabaza, the Mexican word for pumpkin and squash. It’s one of the most popular

Are you a pumpkin lover? Whether you are or not, Mexico seems to be a great place to visit to enjoy both tasting and seeing it. It’s their traditional food, called Calabaza locally, used in variety of local cuisines. It is also a popular and essential decorative item or Halloween, or Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). As a matter of fact, now world-popular pumpkin is originated in Mexico back in pre-history days and were enjoyed by Aztecs and the Mayans.

So, Mexico isn’t just yellow of the corn, their favorite crop, but also orange of pumpkin.

Enjoy reading and learning how essential pumpkins are in Mexico.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20151027-pumpkins-surprising-origin

Topic Reading-Vol.1299-11/1/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Processed meats do cause cancer – WHO

How bad is it? This new WHO report says that and regular consumption of processed meat increases the risk of getting bowel cancer by 18%.

What is processed meat? It includes bacon, sausages, salami, corned beef, beef jerky, ham, canned meat and meat-based sauces. Wow. Sounds like a menu of a fast food restaurant, doesn’t it?

How much is too much? Well, what matter is the balance. If you relay too much on processed meat to fill your stomach, that’s definitely too much. Just a slice or two of ham or bacon won’t matter match, but not every day.

What about red meat, tobacco and alcohol? Yes, they also increase the chance of getting cancer. However, while tobacco is solely harmful and has no health benefit, moderate consumption of red meat and alcohol doesn’t seem to cause much problem.

Enjoy reading and learning what matters to your health.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-34615621