Topic Reading-Vol.1998-9/30/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Iraqi Kurds decisively back independence in referendum

Iraqi Kurdistan, or the Kurdistan Region, is an autonomous region located in the north of Iraq. Of the estimated 30 to 40 million Kurdish people in the world, approximately five to six million live in this region. There are millions of Kurdish people live in Turkey, Iran, and Syria respectively.

On 25^th September, a referendum was held in this Kurdish region to ask if they should become independent from Iraq. Though the referendum was neither authorized by the central government nor in line with the constitution, the turnout reached 72% among those eligible to vote, and over 90% of the voters favored independence.

Though the referendum is not legally binding, Iraq government has to deal with the united voice from the autonomous region that is rich in oil. The governments of the neighboring countries are also worried if this referendum could spur a movement for secession in their turfs.

On October 1, Catalonia in Spain is going to have their own referendum on independence.

Enjoy reading and learning about a referendum in an autonomous region.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-41419633

Topic Reading-Vol.1997-9/29/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Nine charts which tell you all you need to know about North Korea

Is South Korea really ahead of North Korea in every aspect?

The economic output per capita of the North hadn’t been behind to the South until 1973. However, most of the roads are unpaved, both average height and life expectancy are shorter than the ones of the South.

While the size of the population is only about a half of the South’s, the size of the North’s military is nearly comparable with the South’s. However, mobile phones are hardly available and only closed intranet within the country is accessible for ordinary citizens.

There is a hope, though, The birth rate. Though the rate has been declining like any other country in the world, it still has been way above the South’s.

Enjoy finding factual figures to learn more about the secretive dynasty.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-41228181

Topic Reading-Vol.1996-9/28/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Is cheese healthy?

Cheese is of course made from milk and is produced in a wide range of flavors, textures, and forms. There are hundreds of types of cheese in the world and each has distinct color, flavor, taste, and texture. It is rich in calcium, protein, vitamin B12 and zinc, but the nutritious balance varies widely by type of cheese. For example, softer cheeses, such as ricotta or mozzarella have fewer calories per gram than hard ones like cheddar or parmesan. Also, the amount of saturated fat and salt needs to be minded.

All in all, though cheese is not guilt-free, it is good food in both taste and nutrition. It’s just a matter of how you enjoy it with your dish.

Enjoy reading and say “Cheeeeese!”

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/25/health/cheese-healthy-food-drayer/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1995-9/27/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Hainan: Is this where Hawaii meets Dubai?

Hainan is the southernmost province of China. The main island measures 155 km long and 169 km wide, which is just about the size of Belgium. Ever since it was made the largest Special Economic Zone in 1988 as part of the Opening Up of China, the island has been heavily invested especially by the tourism industry. Various tourist destinations have been developed including beaches and resorts in the southern part of the island, scenic area in Five Finger Mountain, and modern attractions in Haikou, the capital of the province. It was visited by over 60 million tourists in 2016.

Visitors can enjoy both the beaches and tropical climates like Hawaii and the contemporarily developed city like Dubai, and of course, delicious local Chinese dishes.

Enjoy reading the article and seeing the photos of this beautiful and enjoyable tourist destination in China.

http://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/hainan-china-tourists-hawaii-dubai/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1994-9/26/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The power of not to do list

Are you a goal oriented person who always tries to work hard to achieve good results in the tasks or own-set goals?

Whether you are or not, here is a useful tip that you may want to try deploying. Stop doing things that are disturbing to your work, schedule or even your mind. Sounds simple, doesn’t it?

In fact, some people become more efficient and productive in their work by removing unwanted things from their things-to-do list and achieved more results. It is so-called an inversion strategy that focuses on reducing the negatives rather than extending positives. In a way, what you don’t do determines what you can do.

Enjoy reading and thinking what event or task should be on the top of your thing-not-to-do list.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20170919-the-power-of-a-not-to-do-list

Topic Reading-Vol.1993-9/25/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Mexico quake: Why rescuers are using hand signals

What do you think is the most effective and immediate communication in a situation where many people work in dust and noise? It has to be simple and clear to everyone, right?

Rescue workers who are searching for survivors after the devastating earthquake in central Mexico are using hand signals to send urgent messages to other workers, such as to silence, stop, and back to work. When some worker hears a voice or noise from the rubble, they raise their fist in the air to ask for immediate silence, so that they can listen out for the voice or noise. Others around them then stop making any move or noise and raise theirs, too.

Though it is not too hot or too cold at this time of year in Mexico, there is only so long that even an uninjured person can survive in the rubble without any water or food.

In a case such as this major earthquake, it’s the people and their ingenuity that make a difference.

Read the article and see the photos of the desperate workers in a devastated area.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-41331582

Topic Reading-Vol.1992-9/24/2017

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How Myanmar's Buddhists actually feel about the Rohingya

The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, also known as Burma, is located in the Southeast Asian region bordered by India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Laos, and China. Of the estimated 50 million population, nearly 90% are Buddhists. Although Aung San Suu Kyi's party won a majority in both houses in 2015 election, the Burmese military and its supporters remain a powerful force in politics and economy.

Despite the rising criticism from the international community, the de-facto leader, Aung San Suu Key’ hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing to or ethnic cleansing of the Rohingya. Things happening to an ethnic minority group, whose belief is different from theirs, haven’t arisen sympathies to ordinary Myanmar citizens, most of whom are the Bamar and Buddhists.

The country still seems to be under transition from military disciplined democracy to liberated democracy. And neither the military or civilians seem to be interested in treating the Rohingya as their fellow citizens. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate doesn’t seem to get any support to solve this problem in her own country.

Enjoy reading and find what some, not all, people in Myanmar think of the Rohingya issue.

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/09/19/asia/myanmar-yangon-rohingya-buddhists/index.html