Topic Reading-Vol.1404-2/14/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The secret to cooking the perfect steak

The secret recipe sounds too simple. It seems too easy that anyone can do, provided that the beef is tender, aged and cut in perfection. But that’s what “secret” is supposed be, isn’t it?

Simplicity is the key for success for business, politics and even art. But how to get to be simple takes long time and many failures. And not everyone can get through complexity to simplicity.

Anyway, whether you’re a steak fan or not, this easy-to-follow recipe seems worth trying.

Enjoy finding this short guidance to perfection.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/12/foodanddrink/how-to-cook-perfect-steak/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1403-2/13/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

China to surpass US to be top film market in two years

What a drive by investment and the Internet.

China’s box office sales grew 30% in 2015 to US$6.7 billion and are expected to go over $10 billion in a couple of years, surpassing the US.

Around 8,000 movie screens were added last year to a total of over 30,000 screens nationwide, second only to the US’s 40,000. And the number of screens is expected to reach 50,000 in a few years. Also, thanks to the smartphones, more tickets were sold online than at the theaters especially among the young. More economical and effective marketing promotions will be shown on smartphones to grow the market.

The total revenue generated by foreign movies was roughly the two-third of the total. This is because there are only 34 foreign movies were shown last year due to the country’s quota system, which was agreed by the WTO valid until 2017.

Enjoy reading and guessing what will happen when the current quota is expanded or lifted in 2017, in not only China’s movie market but also the storyline, location, characters of the movies in the future.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2016-02/04/content_23397743.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.1402-2/12/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The TPP Controversy explained

The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, or the TPP, is a trade agreement between 12 pan-pacific countries. It is designed to establish common trade, communication and legal standards to enhance trade exchanges among the participating countries. Though the agreement has been signed by all the participants already, it still needs to be ratified by each country, which is expected to take some time and hardships.

There are strong supporters and opponents to create this largest-ever scale economic zone with a combined population of 800 million, which is larger than the EU’s 500 million. Duties on foods are one of the major disputes within each member states. Safety regulations on foods and drugs are also big concerns as well as jobs and wages in such a highly integrated market.

Enjoy reading what arguments are on the table for this historic agreement.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/interactive/2016/02/tpp-controversy-explained-160204095936498.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1401-2/11/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

World's largest concentrated solar plant switches on in the Sahara

A bold move by an African kingdom, Morocco. The country locates in north-western Africa and has a population of 34 million. It spans from the Atlantic Ocean, to mountainous areas, to the Sahara desert where unlimited sunshine is available. So why not making use of the renewable energy to power up the homes in the area? It’ll reduce the imported fossil fuels that currently provides 97% of the country’s energy source as well as carbon emissions.

When this project is completed in 2018, it’ll be the world largest solar plant and provide enough energy for over a million homes. It is partly financed by the World Bank expecting this project initiates a clean energy future by a greener, cutting edge solar technology.

Enjoy reading and learning about this mega plant for a greener future in the desert.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/08/africa/ouarzazate-morocco-solar-plant/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1400-2/10/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

New protein could help burn fat faster

Which sounds better to you to control your weight, eating less or burning more?

A new study has found that protein called sLR11 undermines the functioning of brown fat cells which create heat and burn energy. People who are overweight or obese tend to have less brown fat than lean people. Therefore, if this protein is reduced, brown fat works more and burns more energy. Also, people will feel warmer when brown fat is burnt, which could help conserve energy for heating. Leaner and greener. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it?

The question is how to reduce this evil protein?

Enjoy reading and learning about this new study that could make people fitter and healthier.

(another hundred volumes to reach the 1,500 mark)

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/01/health/new-protein-fat-burn-feat/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1399-2/9/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why the sun is setting on the Boeing 747

Have you ever air-traveled on one of the B747 jets, or a jumbo jet? The four-engine, wide body partly double-decker passenger aircraft was introduced back in 1969 when men stood on Moon for the first time. It was a game changer for air-travel industry because of the capacity and range it covered. Until then, only narrow body aircraft, which has just one aisle in the cabin, had been carrying limited number of passengers and the range, which kept the ticket price too expensive for most travelers. Because of the power and size, the aircraft was also used to carry a Space Shuttle.

However, as new fuel efficient and economical and reliable two-engine wide body aircraft emerged, such as B777 or A330, and also full double-decker super-jumbo A380 came to the market, the demand for this half-century old aircraft declined. It’ll be used by many airlines for some time to carry passengers and cargo, but will gradually disappear.

Enjoy reading the legacy of this iconic aircraft and learning a bit of commercial aviation industry.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/02/01/aviation/sun-setting-boeing-747-conversation/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1398-2/8/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Dramatic first look at world's highest, longest glass-bottom bridge

Like walking on a bridge? How about this one with heart-stopping view and thrill in China?

These photos show a newly constructed (open in May 2016) glass-bottom bridge over a river 300 below. You can walk 430 meters to the other side of the canyon while looking down the river through the glass-bottom of the bridge. As many as 800 people can walk on the bridge at a time. If you want a more thrilling experience, you can also bungee-jump from the bridge.

Enjoy seeing these amazing photos, and think if you’d like to add this bridge walk to your travel wish list.

Oh, by the way, cracks were found in another newly opened glass walkway in Yuntaishan Scenic Park but the officials said the damage was superficial and there is no safety concern.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/28/travel/zhangjiajie-glass-bridge-construction/index.html