Topic Reading-Vol.1145-5/31/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Singapore Airlines jet loses power in a storm

When you’re on-board a flight cruising at 12,000 meters above the ground, the worst thing you could imagine is the engines go silent. Actually, passenger aircraft can fly and land only with one of the engines. But what if both of the two engines stop in the air? That’s what exactly happened to a flight from Singapore to Shanghai on May 23^rd. The airplane had descended approximately 4,000 meters before the crew successfully rebooted the engines. None of the 180 passengers nor 12 crew members was injured and it landed at its destination safely.

How many of the passengers noticed the silence? What did they think of during the descend? What were they told by the captain? What would you do if you were on-board?

Enjoy reading about this amazing incident.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/27/asia/singapore-airlines-jet-power-loss/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1144-5/30/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Food #fail: 10 items in your fridge you've been eating incorrectly

You may be getting only half the benefits of the foods you are eating. If you want to get full or most of the benefits of healthy and nutritious foods such as broccolis, grains, strawberries, yogurt or garlic, you should pay attention to how to prepare and consume them.

Steaming rather than frying or boiling. That sounds simple enough to remember and carry out. But when it comes to the effect of oxygen, strawberries and garlic are totally opposite.

How much do you remember or care?

Enjoy reading and learning what makes difference to your health and nutrition.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/25/health/eating-foods-wrong/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1143-5/29/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

China to construct two large lighthouses in the South China Sea

China officially issued its first 9,000-page white paper on military strategy. What noted is that "some offshore neighbors take provocative actions and reinforce their military presence on China's reefs and islands that they have illegally occupied". "It is thus a long-standing task for China to safeguard its maritime rights and interests." It also states that they will never take offensive actions unless they are attacked, which sounds pretty reasonable as long as the territorial boundaries are agreed by its neighbors.

Now they are building two lighthouses in the disputed waters. From China’s point of view, this move complies with their self-claimed defense and security policy. And their newly clarified defense policy justifies any military actions to protect their proclaimed land, waters and facilities.

Enjoy reading and thinking what these maritime traffic lights and the runway they are building on the artificial island could provoke.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-05/26/content_20822992.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.1142-5/28/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Massive India heatwave 'kills 430'

Can you imagine what the air feels like at 48 degrees? Most of you probably have never experienced what the 40 degrees temperature is like. But that is what the people in India have suffered for the last few days and will for the next few days.

It seems too dangerous to do any outdoor activities as usual. People stay inside and take breaks more often under the shades. Still, nearly 500 heat-related deaths have been reported.

This extreme heatwave, even in India, is caused by lack of rain, which makes farmlands dry up. Consequently there will be food shortage in a later time. Is there sufficient water at least for now?
By the way, by this continuing heatwave, the number of casualties have already passed 1,000 mark as of 26th of May and is expected to rise even higher.

Learn what extreme heat is like in India.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-32872846

Topic Reading-Vol.1141-5/27/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

German grandmother, 65, gives birth to quadruplets

It’s not just how old but also how many babies give birth to, on top of the fact that she already has seven grandchildren. So the newly born four babies are younger than their direct nephews and/or nieces! In other words, those newly born babies are already uncles and an aunt!

When they start attending school, their accompanying mother will be over seventy and when they turn 20, she’ll be 85. Those new members of her family must be very proud of their mother, not to mention their 13 sisters and brothers.

Enjoy learning about this amazingly courageous woman.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/24/europe/germany-grandmother-quadruplets/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1140-5/26/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Can cooking make you happier?

While the average time for cooking has been cut in half for the last two decades, the number of stress-related illnesses has doubled. Is there any link between cooking and smiling?

That’s all depending on how you take it. If you cook just because you have to, you may not become any happier by doing so. But if you enjoy cooking to please yourself or others, or to challenge something new to your regular menu, it seems to offer a great time before, during and after the process. There is no golden rule or anything. No big budget or fancy material is needed. Your attitude seems to be the best recipe for a good meal for your mental health.

Enjoy reading the text and thinking of the next menu.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zxrf34j

Topic Reading-Vol.1139-5/25/2015

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Why most of the world's jobseekers will be from one continent

Which continent will that be? The one least developed until now but its population growth is expected to outpace any other continent. Africa. In fact, among the 10 fastest-growing economies in the world, seven of them are in Africa.

As population and economy grow, more job opportunities are supposed to be created. But the rates of increase of these factors aren’t always balanced. Actually, unemployment ratio of the young is much higher than that of the older generations in Africa. Those who are entering the job market need to be educated or skilled to meet and fill the demand. Also, it is becoming crucial that innocent young people are provided jobs and hope for the future because those who enter the dark side are mostly unemployed and unsatisfied youngsters.

Enjoy reading and thinking of the future of the bright continent.

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/05/07/business/africa-jobseekers-rise/index.html