Topic Reading-Vol.2643-7/7/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The fiction that predicted space travel

Born in England in 1917, Sir Arthur Charles Clarke was a renowned science fiction writer. The stargazing child worked as a radio engineer during WWII and later became a science fiction writer, futurist and undersea explore in Sri Lanka.

His first novels were about space explorations, the first flight to the Moon and colonization of Mars both of which were published in 1951 during when the world was still stuck in the aftermath of WWII.

His most famous work, A Space Odyssey was written in 1968 when the world was divided by ideology and nuclear weapons. It was made into one of the greatest films of all time directed by Stanley Kubrick. The story was about encounters with an alien monolith that sparks a technological and intellectual leap, which was succeeded by three sequels, 2010: Odyssey Two in 1982, 2061: Odyssey Three in 1988, and 3001: The Final Odyssey in 1997.

Another famous alien encounter story is Rendezvous with Rama in 1973, whose sequels were published in 1991, The Garden of Rama and in 1993, Rama Revealed.

In these futuristic books, Clarke introduced iPad like communication and information device, computer software that reads human lips, space tourism, space elevators, and space stations.

Over a decade after his death, only a few of these have been brought into life. Humans still have a long way to catch up his extrapolations.

Enjoy reading the article about one of the most profound science fiction writers.

http://www.bbc.com/culture/story/20190621-the-man-who-created-our-vision-of-space

Topic Reading-Vol.2642-7/6/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

San Francisco becomes first US city to ban e-cigarettes

An electronic cigarette also called e-cigarette or vapor is a battery-operated device that emits doses of vaporized nicotine. Users of e-cigarettes can enjoy a similar sensation to inhaling tobacco smoke without smoke. Though the manufacturers claim that e-cigarettes offer a more healthful alternative to cigarettes, there is growing evidence that vaping may be harmful. It contains nicotine that is addictive especially to the young and hazardous during pregnancy. Also, the aerosol contains harmful solvents, flavorings, and toxicants.

The most alarming problem seems to be teenage vapers who tend to do what others do. With alluring assorted flavors, such as menthol, peach pit, vanilla, chocolate, and mango tango, along with fashionable packaging and cool brand names, more and more teenagers are attracted to this smoking alternative.

Now, San Francisco is going to prohibit sales of e-cigarettes in and delivery to the city. It sounds controversial because San Francisco is where Juul Labs, the most popular e-cigarette manufacturer in the US, is located. They claim that the ban will drive their customers back to their competitor’s products, traditional cigarettes.

Isn’t it like staring at smartphones instead of TV screens? Both are addictive. In either case, how do kids get money to buy a smartphone or vaper?

Enjoy reading the article and think how much monthly allowance is appropriate for high school kids.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48752929

Topic Reading-Vol.2641-7/5/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

A guide to 4th of July for non-Americans

Yesterday, The United States of America celebrated its 243rd birthday. It declared independence from Great Britain on the fourth of July 1776 and became the first European colony to be recognized by the international community after the American Revolutionary War that ended in 1783. Other countries in the American continents followed suit and became independent in the next century, like Mexico from Spain, Brazil from Portugal, and Canada from Britain.

On the fourth of July, Americans celebrate their birthday party and enjoy ceremonial events across the country. Firework displays, parades, and barbeque parties, to name a few. Somehow, hot dog is the most popular food to celebrate this birthday, and over 150 million hot dogs were eaten last year, according to an industry organization. Actually, a single man ate 71 hot dogs in 30 minutes at the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest to defend his title.

The original form of the US consisted of 13 former British colonies. The number of states expanded and finally became 50 when Alaska and Hawaii were added to the list in 1959. The country has now the strongest economy, military, and stomach for junk food.

Enjoy reading and learn what you can expect to see on this happy birthday.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/07/04/us/us-independence-day-for-non-americans-trnd/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2640-7/4/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The Arab world in seven charts: Are Arabs turning their backs on religion?

Do you have any idea how people in Arab countries think about religion, women’s rights, foreign influences, social practices, migration, or wellbeing? Do you think most of them are conservative, traditional theists?

BBC recently conducted a survey across 10 countries in North Africa and the Middle East and the Palestinian territories. It found that;

- the number of people who identified themselves as not religious increased over the last five years

- most people think it's ok to have a female leader in their respective state but not in their houses

- an honor killing, a practice to kill a family member who brought dishonor onto the family is more accepted than homosexuality

- Israel and the US are identified as the most threatening powers and Erdogan and Putin are more supported than Trump

- and more than one in five people are considering moving out to their countries mainly due to economic reasons.

If you are interested in the survey results, enjoy reading the article.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-48703377

Topic Reading-Vol.2639-7/3/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Norway island wants to be world's first time-free zone

Sommarøy is an old fishing village on a small island in Norway with a population of just over 300. It is located on the 69^th parallel north, well north of the Arctic Circle, where the sun doesn’t set for nearly 70 days between May and July. In return, the sun doesn’t appear over the horizon from November to January. So, the villagers work or enjoy outside activities as long as they can beyond the time clock in the precious summer. Kids play football at 2:00 am and parents mow the grass after dinner.

This summer, the villagers signed a petition to be a time-free zone, hoping to be free from traditional time-restricted lifestyle while boosting tourism. Indeed, tourism and fishing are their main source of income in the small island village.

When do they sleep? Well, they can catch up with their sleep in the long winter.

Worry about your body clock when you visit there? You’ll eat when you become hungry and sleep when you feel sleepy. Sounds like an ultimate vacation experience, doesn’t it?

Enjoy reading and think if you want to try a life in the Arctic Circle, whether in summer or winter.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/norway-sommaroy-island-time-free-zone/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2638-7/2/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Breakfast around the world: How different countries start the day

Do you eat breakfast? If yes, what do you usually eat for breakfast? Breakfast is, of course, the first meal of the day eaten in the morning. Some people want to start their days with a decent and balanced meal with a newspaper and others prefer something to get energized quickly with their eyes on their smartphone. But when you allow yourself an extra sleep on the weekend, you may feel like eating something special to break the fast, such as a three-egg omelet, a mountain of pancakes, or strips of juicy bacon instead of the regular, monotonous cereal and fruit or bread and butter. Indeed, breakfast represents the lifestyle of the person.

In the meantime, breakfast also showcases the culture of the region or country. Rice, bread, noodles, pancakes, beans, sausage, eggs, and cheese, you name it. It is quite exciting to eat out in the morning at a busy street restaurant or stand that is filled with local people. Yes, that is when a foreigner can be part of the local culture and life. Why not taste a local breakfast before going out for sightseeing?

Enjoy finding the delicious diversity of our world's breakfast cultures.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/breakfast-food-around-the-world/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.2637-7/1/2019

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Electric planes herald new era for aviation at the Paris Air Show

The Paris Air Show is the world’s largest air show and aerospace-industry exhibition event. Both military and civil aircraft are shown and demonstrated at this biannual aviation trade fair. As more cars go electric and hybrid on the ground, so are the aircraft in the air. It’s time to realize cleaner air travel, and electric and hybrid propulsions were the highlight of the show. They no longer are just concept but are going to production as early as this year.

One such cleaner aircraft is a battery-powered propeller plane that can carry nine passengers up to 1,000 km on a single charge, enough range and capacity for regional carriers or as a short-range transporter. And there already are 170 electric aircraft under development by technology startups, aero design companies, and mega manufacturers. Aero industry is becoming like the automotive industry where new startups with innovative technology could become a key player overnight.

Indeed, the world is depending more and more on batteries for smartphones, automobiles, and now airplanes. Whoever comes up with more dependable, longer lasting, and lighter battery is going control the designs of electronically powered products.   

Enjoy reading the article and think when you will fly in an electric airplane.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/06/20/business/electric-planes-paris-air-show/index.html