Topic Reading-Vol.1548-7/7/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The Ultimate 21^st century word

A grammar question. Why “are” is used with a singular pronoun “you”? Isn’t that supposed to be “is”? Then what about “they”? How would you feel if “is” is used with a pronoun “they”?

There are growing number of people who want to be called by their preferred gender pronouns openly these days as LGBT becomes more accepted across the societies and countries in the world.

In fact, as more people prefer being called beyond traditional “he” or “she,” societies are trying to accommodate such preference by creating or authorizing new pronouns.

One idea to accommodate such needs is to use “they” as a singular pronoun to replace “he” or “she.” A linguist thinks it’s easier to accept extending the use of already existing pronoun than creating a new one.

Enjoy reading and thinking if “they” become popular or authentic as a singular pronoun soon.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20160623-the-ultimate-21st-century-word

Topic Reading-Vol.1547-7/6/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Going green: Morocco bans use of plastic bags　　

Who are the largest consumers of plastic bags? This question is easily answered by most of you, Americans (maybe Chinese if there is reliable data available). But who are the next?

Surprisingly, this tiny North-African country with a population of about one-tenth of the U.S. uses more plastic bags than any other country. They seem to be obsessed by this environmentally harmful convenience using as many as 900 bags per person a year.

The country has been trying to take leadership role to become greener and recently made a law that prohibits production, import and distribution of plastic bags. Making such a progressive and aggressive law is remarkable but it is just a start. How the law is practiced is in fact much more important. One question is if they have enough substitutes or practical solutions for 900 bags per person a year.

Enjoy reading and thinking what Moroccans use that many plastic bags for.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/07/green-morocco-bans-plastic-bags-160701141919913.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1546-7/5/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Hajj 2016: Saudi Arabia introduces bracelets for safety

An e-bracelet for all pilgrims. That sounds like unlikely combination for once-in-a-lifetime worshipping obligation. But after the disastrous stampede last year that killed hundreds of worshippers, the hosing country of the Hajj, Saudi Arabia has decided to bring in this up-to-date device and system to monitor and organize millions of pilgrims to Islam's holiest cities, Mecca and Medina.

What will the e-bracelet do? It’ll provide service information to the holders in multiple languages, as well as help authorities identify people where they are at a given time, so that they can organize the traffic.

Enjoy reading and learning about this high tech solution to the traditional event.

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/06/saudi-arabia-introduces-bracelets-hajj-safety-160630131905794.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1545-7/4/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Woman wins appeal to use dead daughter's eggs

Daughter’s last wish. If there were such a thing that could possibly be realized, nothing would prevent her parents to fulfill it, even though it would cost considerable physical and financial burdens.

The 60-year mother of a dead daughter who died of cancer is ready to give birth of her daughter’s child, or her own grandchild using the dead daughter’s egg with donor sperm. The health authority in the UK declined her request to use the frozen eggs due to lack of written consent by the daughter.

Is it ok then if there was a message log on WhatsApp?

Enjoy reading and thinking if the mother’s appeal should be rejected or respected simply by a piece of paper.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-36675521

Topic Reading-Vol.1544-7/3/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Make UK the 51st state

OK. Exit was decided. Now where should the UK go? Should it break up to a few kingdoms, stay as a solitary country or be united with some other party?

Here is an interesting suggestion as to what Brits should do by an American journalist. He argues that the U.S. offers alternative trade, travel and partnership benefits that the EU provided, without heavy financial burden while assuring autonomy to rule the new state.

It sounds too radical but also logical in some extent, though there will be some confusion when they order chips in the restaurant or push a button in the elevator when one visits the other state.

Enjoy reading and thinking what would you say if you were a Brit.

 Note: in case you aren’t familiar with the Kardashians, check this out.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/29/opinions/make-the-uk-the-51st-state/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1543-7/2/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Chinese anger at Lady Gaga-Dalai Lama meeting

How secular an artist should be? Isn’t singing not only artistic but also spiritual? Won’t you expect music not only entertaining but also moving?

Lady GaGa’s meeting with the Dalai Lama went viral in China’s cyber space. Some accused her of not being sensitive to China’s position on Tibet. Others tried to play down such accusations and show respect on her personal conduct.

There were quite a few last-minute cancellations of top musicians’ concerts in China last year because of their previous engagement with, support or comments on un-favored persons or political issues to China.

After all, China is still, and most likely will be for a while, a censored and controlled state by one party.

Enjoy reading and thinking why Lady Gaga took such a considerable risk before her big events in the second largest single market for entertainment.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-36641851

Topic Reading-Vol.1542-7/1/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why female apes are irritable?

The bonobo [bəˈnoʊboʊ] used to be called the pygmy chimpanzee. It is in fact the closest ancestors to humans along with the chimpanzee. Bonobos live south of the Congo River while chimpanzees live north of the river because neither of the apes are good swimmer. The bonobo has longer legs than the chimpanzee and has long hair on head. The species live about 40 years in captivity and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Only little has been known about this rare species because of its small population and remote habitat.

Now a new research was conducted and revealed the life and habit of this little-known ape. Some distinctive differences were observed among the bonobos in their behaviors from the Chimp, which could make primatologists even more encouraged to study this endangered species.

Enjoy reading and learning about this cousin species of humans.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160622-why-female-apes-are-irritable