Topic Reading-Vol.3709-6/7/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The New Yorkers in crisis over skyrocketing rents

Good news seems to have brought very bad news for working-class renters in major cities like New York. The good news for New Yorkers is that business is back to normal after the pandemic. As schools, offices, restaurants and bars, and theaters opened their doors, many ex or new residents are coming back to the city. Also, because of the recent housing price increase, many homebuyers have decided to keep renting their places. Though it is natural that prices rise when demand increases, when the rent goes up by over 50% or even higher, what the renter can do? There are only a few choices for them besides earning more money, moving out to a cheaper place, sharing a room or two with someone, or bearing the increase. The problem is that there aren’t any affordable options in the city because everyone is in the same boat. Also, moving and initial costs to a new place may cost as much as or even higher than the rent hike in the short term. Having a roommate is possible only if there is another room to share. Such a situation is extremely hard for those whose incomes are moderate or aren’t increasing at the same pace as the soaring inflation or rent. Indeed, inflation hits the medium and low income earners the hardest. And this isn’t limited to New Yorkers. Dwellers of other major cities around the world are facing similar problems.

Read the article and learn about how New York renters are struggling with the recent rent hike.

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220531-the-skyrocketing-rents-that-are-crippling-renters

Topic Reading-Vol.3708-6/6/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Biden: US will not send Ukraine rockets that can reach Russia

Even before the Russian invasion on Feb.24, Ukraine had been provided military aid of various forms from the USA and western countries, including intelligence, internet access, weapons, ammunition, and training. Over the course of the last three months, Ukraine has been pushing off Russian forces with these resources that seem to have prevented the invading troops from advancing. And the Western allies are committed to supplying more weapons and ammunition for Ukraine to keep resisting. However, the US declined the desperate request by Ukraine for long-range rocket systems that can hit Russia to turn the tide in the war. Russia warned the US seriously that such a provision of weapons would threaten Russia’s security and escalate tensions between them. No one wants a catastrophic use of a weapon of mass destruction, such as nuclear or chemical, both of which Russia owns. Indeed, the war beyond Ukraine could cause World War III. It is such a pity that people in Ukraine have to fight against the invader only by themselves even though they receive substantial aid.

Read the article and learn about the aid Ukraine can expect from the Western allies.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/5/30/biden-us-will-not-send-ukraine-rockets-that-can-reach-russia

Topic Reading-Vol.3707-6/5/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Nepal plane crash: Rescuers find 21 bodies from wreck

The Tara Airlines plane, which was on a 15-minute scheduled flight to the mountain town of Jomsom, took off from Pokhara, 200km east of Kathmandu, Nepal lost contact with the airport tower shortly after takeoff on May 29. Onboard the aircraft were 19 passengers and three crew members. The wreckage of the aircraft was found on a mountainside the day after. It is a popular route with foreign hikers who trek on the mountain trails, and also with Indian and Nepalese pilgrims who visit the revered Muktinath temple. In fact, two of the passengers onboard were Germans and four were Indians. The cause of the accident is being investigated but the visibility was so poor when the crash occurred. The popular route has a record of multiple air accidents.

In 2012, an Agni Air plane also flying from Pokhara to Jomsom crashed, killing 15 people. Six people survived.

In 2014, a Nepal Airlines plane flying from Pokhara to Jumla crashed, killing all 18 on board.

In 2016, a Tara Airlines Twin Otter flying the same route crashed after takeoff, killing all 23 people aboard.

Maybe travel websites should show the safety record of the route when they sell tickets.

Read the article and learn about another air accident on this popular mountain route in Nepal.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-61560787

Topic Reading-Vol.3706-6/4/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Have scientists discovered how to read our thoughts?

Will science be able to figure out how and what we think in the future? A project was launched in 2013 involving more than 500 laboratories around the world to develop new tools for brain research and neurotechnology. One of the researchers used ultrafast lasers to record and alter the brain activity of mice. In other words, they read what the mice had in their minds and changed it. Such therapies using electronic devices for stimulating and recording activity in the nervous system are called electroceuticals. As research advances, it may become possible for wearables to read humans’ minds within a decade. Some scientists expect to come up with cures for brain disorders, like bringing back the memories of those who suffer from Alzheimer’s. Sound like a science fiction story, doesn’t it? But if such technology becomes available, will our privacy be protected? Also, what could happen if someone’s brain was given misleading or malicious alterations?

Enjoy watching the video to learn about this ongoing research on human brains.

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p0c9j6wm/have-scientists-discovered-how-to-read-our-thoughts-

Topic Reading-Vol.3705-6/3/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Smart gyms in Guiyang moved outdoors

A simple question. Does it have to be indoor to pedal an exercise bike? What if there are exercise bikes in a public park that anyone can pedal like sitting on a bench? Well, the bureau of sports of the capital of Southwest China’s Guizhou province believes so and has already set up 15 outdoor smart gyms in the city. Each smart gym consists of a physical examination area, a muscle training area, and a competition area. Just like any other service in China, a smartphone app gives users customized guidance. Well, it may be as simple as a swing or seesaw for kids. Anyone can just stop by and do some exercise without going into a facility or getting a membership. The city hopes it will improve public health and wellness and add more outdoor smart gyms.

Enjoy reading the article and think if you would use it if you find one in your neighborhood.

http://tyj.english.guiyang.gov.cn/2022-05/26/c_756993.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.3704-6/2/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

23 of the world's best sandwiches

The sandwich is named after the said-to-be inventor, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich in the 18^th century. It usually consists of ingredients, such as vegetables, sliced cheese, meat, or whatever, between slices of bread or any wrapper that hold the ingredients. Sandwiches are especially popular for lunch as they can be taken out to work, school, or outdoor. Some popular variations are hot dogs and open sandwiches. There are so many different types of sandwiches around the world, such as hamburgers, pita sandwiches, and baguette sandwiches only to name a few. Also, there seems to be a different focus on which the main part of the sandwich is, the thing outside (usually bread) or the thing inside (ingredient). Where the bread is main, the ingredients tend to be simpler, like premium ham or cheese. Good sandwiches usually have a good balance between the bread and the ingredients. One thing common for any sandwich is that it is eaten by hand.

Enjoy seeing 23 popular sandwiches around the world and their descriptions.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/worlds-best-sandwiches/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.3703-6/1/2022

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Female avatar sexually assaulted in Meta VR platform, campaigners say

The metaverse refers to a virtual world where people can live, work and play via an avatar. Tech companies are investing billions of dollars into developing the technology and creators, marketers, advertisers are jumping on the bandwagon to explore new business opportunities even though there still are only a few metaverse platforms available. In 3D virtual environments, users can experience the environment, engage in activities, and interact with others through their avatars. This virtual world allows users to enjoy activities they can’t actually or physically do in the real world. This could mean one can harass or intimidate others like an SNS but much more realistically. True. Though metaverse is virtual, it offers real-time engagement with others. Meta, former Facebook which offers a metaverse platform, has safeguards in its virtual worlds called Personal Boundary, which prevents avatars that are not on the friends’ list from coming within a set distance, currently 1.2 meters. But no safeguard is 100% safe. And what happened to a female researcher was …

Read the article and learn about what harassment in a virtual world is like.

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-61573661