Topic Reading-Vol.1671-11/7/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How well do you know Japan?

Sushi, Mount Fuji, sumo and kimono. These may be some of the things you may think when you are asked about Japan. But just like in your country, there are many things that are interestingly unique in Japan. There are 20 quizzes about Japan that you can test your knowledge (or rather guess). You don’t need to be so serious. Even Japanese people have never heard or thought of some of the questions.

Enjoy challenging the quizzes and learning some interesting facts about Japan.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/02/world/on-japan-culture-quiz-nov-3/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1670-11/6/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Russia's different reality

Danger of propaganda. Nothing seems to prevent propaganda from becoming belief, if not fact. What is being said repeatedly over time tends to become what people perceive or believe, whether it is true or not. As the number of younger generations increase, the pain of the wars fade away. If they don’t learn from history, they may be easily influenced by media and social network. In that case, more radical opinions or messages are reached to the young who are still vulnerable to moral attack, criticism or temptation.

Russia suffered a few devastating wars against the west in the last two centuries by Napoleon, German Empire and Hitler’s Nazis. After the last world war, the Soviet Union, the former body of Russia, was pressured by the U.S. and NATO. No wonder why Russians want to distant themselves from the west.

Enjoy reading and thinking what would you think of the west if you were a Russian.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37766688

Topic Reading-Vol.1669-11/5/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Can science stop the looming banana extinction?

Hard lesson learned from the devastating epidemic. In 1950s and 60s, a fungal disease wiped out then popular Big Mike bananas, which is said to have been more palatable than today’s bananas. The industry was on a brink of destruction. But human ingenuity saved banana growers, traders and eaters by developing a new genetically different species, which are eaten mostly around the world. The problem is that most of the commercially planted bananas now are genetically identical. This means bananas are extremely vulnerable to new diseases.

Never put all the eggs into one basket. The lesson learned doesn’t seem to have been applied yet.

Enjoy reading and thinking how essential bananas are to you and your family.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/25/health/banana-extinction/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1668-11/4/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

US election: Why does the US have such low voter turnout?

55%. This was the turnout in the last presidential election in the U.S. despite the heated campaigns and debates along with more-than-enough media coverage, only about half of the eligible voters cast their votes for the last few decades to choose President. Even when the first African-American was elected in 2008, the turnout was 57%. These figures look much lower than the ones of other democratic states like Australia, Israel, or France. Why so?

First, it’s not mandatory like Australia or Turkey. Second, people must register to vote. Third, elections are held on Tuesday when most people work on.

No wonder why US planted democracy doesn’t seem to work in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Enjoy reading and guessing high low the turnout will be on next Tuesday.

http://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37634526

Topic Reading-Vol.1667-11/3/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Party ramps up supervision

Xi Jinping is now head of the CPC, Communist of China, the military and the nation. This is the order of importance, significance and influence of the China’s leader.

It was announced by the Sixth Plenary Session of the 18th Central Committee of the CPC that President Xi Jinping as the Party's "core." It means that he now is an unshakable leader of the world most populous country, also that his absolute leadership is officially confirmed. It is a move to consolidate the top leadership to lead the country forward while western democratic countries are shaken by populism. Another significant issue discussed and adopted was intra-Party democracy. It is essential for the CPC to ensure healthy political environment and maintain its integrity to lead the country only by one ruling party.

Enjoy reading and thinking which democracy is more essential to bring prosper to the nation and its citizens, public democracy or party democracy.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-10/28/content_27198831.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.1666-11/2/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Your favorite rice dishes are ...

Rice is one of the most grown crops in the world along with maize and wheat. It is eaten as main dish in many cultures and often accompanied by various local delicacies such as curry in India, kimchi in Korea or row seafood in Japan. It is also cooked with cheese, coconut milk or chicken broth to produce special flavor and taste.

How many rice dishes have you tried or known? There seem to be surprisingly many and distinct dishes that people enjoy in each culture. And some people are even willingly to fly their homeland to eat their favorite dish.

Enjoy reading and seeing the most craved rice dishes around the world and think if you want to fly to taste one. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/10/23/foodanddrink/cnnfood-challenge-rice-results/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1665-11/1/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

From gay sex being illegal to teachers hitting you: Seven things you'll be glad you didn't live through

In the U.K., to be sure. Though they are either out of question or unquestionably legal these days, there were conducts and practices that had not been illegal or quite common until a few decades ago such as smoking on airplanes, hitting a student or having a gay sex.

Basic human rights and gender equality are respected in most democratic countries now but they weren’t until late last century, long after the last World War. Those who were born in early or the mid-20^th century most likely experienced or witnessed such now-uncommon practices or punishments. Nowadays, even smoking or non-smoking question is becoming obsolete because the all flights and school premises, and more restaurants or hotels are entirely smoke-free.

Well, cowboys were carrying guns in America, some are still, and Samurais were carrying swords in Japan until the 19^th century. Customs don’t seem to change so fast even in today’s fast-paced world.

Enjoy reading and thinking if you’ve ever witnessed or experienced the examples in the text.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/37716791/from-gay-sex-being-illegal-to-teachers-hitting-you-seven-things-youll-be-glad-you-didnt-live-through