Topic Reading-Vol.1725-12/31/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Photos of Chinese students taking test in heavy smog draw outrage

Putting a pollution mask on is no new news in Beijing. But wearing one to take tests on the school playground is not a common practice even in this air-pollution-accustomed city in central part of China.

Staggering photos of students taking exams on the school playground with pollution masks on went viral and the school principal was suspended from his duty.

But why the students were taking exams on the playground in the first place? Is that a traditional practice in the region or a measure to prevent students from cheating?

Enjoy reading and thinking what it’s like to take on a task outside in polluted air.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/21/asia/china-smog-student-test/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1724-12/30/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

You need to go back to school to relearn English

Is that just the language that needs to be shared when one speaks to another,? When you speak to someone in your family, school or work place, you share a lot in common, such as history, experience, knowledge, backgrounds and situations. For example, you can talk about the phrases that are used in a popular TV show or mentioned by a comedian. You may also use proverbs, metaphors or examples that are specific to the group or society.

So, it is often not understood well, or at all, if a native speaker of some language talks to someone whose mother tongue is different or who doesn’t share the same cultural backgrounds, in a way or at a speed that he or she usually does to their friends or colleagues. This is true to even English that is commonly used and also well learned by non-native speakers.

Now there are programs to make native English speakers communicate better in English to non-native speakers.

Enjoy reading and thinking if you are thoughtful to speak to someone whose mother tongue or dialect is different from yours.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161215-you-need-to-go-back-to-school-to-relearn-english

Topic Reading-Vol.1723-12/29/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Snow falls in Sahara for first time in 37 years

The Sahara is the largest hot desert in the world. It is nearly as large as the U.S. and spreads across most of Northern African countries; Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia. The temperature might reach 50 degrees during the day but could fall below zero at night in the desert. The temperatures also vary by season and place. The highest point of the desert is over 3,000 meters and the lowest is below the sea level. So there is no wonder why they occasionally get some snowfalls in not only those highest points but also in and around inhabited areas.

Enjoy reading and seeing the photos of snow on the desert.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/21/travel/sahara-snow/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1722-12/28/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

How long is China's Great Wall? 21,196 km

The Great Wall. It’s one of the wonders in the world and in history, such as Machu Picchu in Peru and Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. The original wall was built over 25 centuries ago and has on and off been rebuilt, maintained, and enhanced until the 17^th century. It has recently been measured that the total length goes beyond 21,000 km, a little over the half of Earth’s circumference.

Though the wall was built to protect China from enemies outside, it has been ruined by natural erosions, human acts and negligence of their own people. It is one of the world heritage sites but there are endangered sections that need urgent repairs. Chinese government has been putting a lot of effort, work and money to conserve this historic asset and inherit it to the future. Modern technologies such as drones are playing important roles to inspect and patrol this ancient structure.

Enjoy reading and learning how significant this great wall is.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/culture/2016-12/02/content_27549811.htm

Also, if you’re interested in a human story of the wall, check this out.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2034800/

Topic Reading-Vol.1721-12/27/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Pakistan International Airlines goat slaughter mocked

Ridiculed widely but not criticized seriously.

A black goat was killed right next to an airplane that was about to take-off in the airport in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. It was the first flight since the national airline had grounded the fleet of the same aircraft that crashed on the seventh of the month, killing all 47 people on board. The goat was a sacrifice to keep off evil that might have caused the fetal accident.

According to the airline’s spokesperson, it wasn’t an organized event by the airline but was initiated by the ground staff. But is it allowed to bring in a live goat to the airport and kill it alive?

Though it is unclear whether the meat of the sacrificed goat was put on the inflight menu or not, the flight took off and returned from the destination safely.

Enjoy reading and hoping all the safety inspections had been completed before the slaughter.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38368667

Topic Reading-Vol.1720-12/26/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The man who looks after 735 dogs

How a person finds his or her happiness varies. When this successful founder of a software company in Bengaluru, the capital of IT in India, met his first dog, he was thrilled. When he found a stray dog in the rain, he didn’t hesitate to bring the dog home. Since then, he has been taking care of abandoned or stray dogs in his dog farm. He not only dedicates three to four days a week working in the farm but also employs ten people to take care of over 700 dogs there. Many of those dogs were abandoned by their previous owners because of illness, aging or whatever other reasons.

In fact, there are a lot of stray dogs in India but no one seems to care so much even in major train stations or busy streets. So, his farm is the last resort for those poor dogs in Bengaluru. No wonder why he is called “Dog Father.”

Enjoy reading and thinking how you found or will find your happiness.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38303320

Topic Reading-Vol.1719-12/25/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Nursing home visitors earn coupons

Care and attention. Both are essential for happiness, no matter how old a person is. When a person retires from work and lives in a nursing facility, he or she is taken care by the staff to eat, sleep and live. They are also offered medical care when needed. But they feel lonely if they aren’t visited by their children or relatives. They are the ones who can provide mental attention to those who live apart from the family and relatives, especially for seniors.

A nursing home in China started offering monetary coupons, which are only redeemable to pay for the expenses in the facility, to those who visit their senior family members more often. Though the amount is not that substantial, more seniors are now visited than before. Also, some local governments are offering monetary incentives or paid vacations to their citizens to visit their senior family members. 

Just like kids expects a Santa to give them presents on Christmas day, seniors look for someone to give them attention at anytime. 

Enjoy reading and thinking if there are other tactics or encouragement to increase attention to senior residents in nursing homes.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2016-12/17/content_27695992.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.1718-12/24/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The invisible credit card of the future

Barter to currency, and currency to personal credit or debit. Also, metal coins to paper banknotes, and to plastic cards. In stores, the cash register to the bar-code scanner, and soon the microchip reader. How will you be paying or completing your transactions tomorrow, whether instore or online?

It is predicted that all of personal payments and transactions can be integrated into one digital wallet, such as cash, bank accounts, credit or debit cards, or even reward points earned from your purchases. But how? Many smartphones users are already enjoying the convenience of mobile payment platforms like Alipay or Apple Pay. And now credit card issuers are also working on developing wearable devices such as a ring, bracelet or even eye scanner to replace plastic cards they’ve making business of for the last half century.

While the benefits and convenience of new payment methods are going to be enjoyed by consumers, there will be new and serious battles between tech companies and banks because the integration could create a zero-sum game.

Enjoy reading and thinking of benefits, convenience, and also the risk of privacy and security when everything is integrated into one account or device.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38174011

Topic Reading-Vol.1717-12/23/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Electric Car Charging Etiquette

Free of charge, priority parking space and tax break. Some of you might have been enjoying these perks that are offered to plug-in electric vehicle or PEV, drivers. It might not have been a problem finding a free charging spot that is waiting for you to charge as there aren’t so many PEVs per charging spot. However, things are changing rapidly as more affordable and battery-efficient PEV appear on the streets.

Sometimes, you may have to wait in line to get your PEV charged. Since charging a PEV takes longer than pumping gas into a conventional vehicle, the time to complete the charging process seems to be increasing. Therefore, when there are waiting lines, rules, etiquettes and consideration are expected and respected. In the meantime, those who newly bought a PEV to conserve the planet and save money, such requirements may not be so difficult to abide by.

Enjoy reading and thinking if and when you will get an Electric Vehicle.

http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20161214-electric-car-charging-etiquette

Topic Reading-Vol.1716-12/22/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Legal-Marijuana Activists Celebrate New Massachusetts Law

It was illegal yesterday but it’s ok today. Things like this are occasionally seen in states where an absolute ruler or party reigns. But it seems that liberalism moves others to make changes in democratic societies. For example, the civil right movement for LGBT, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, is spreading across the world. But what about something that was not only illegal but also taught not to by parents and teachers?

The US state of Massachusetts joined a group of liberal states, such as Colorado, Washington, Oregon and newly approved California, that allow smoking, growing and possessing a limited amount of marijuana. Though whether the sale of Marijuana will become intact as voted, this controversial practice that hasn’t been allowed in neighboring states is permitted in the state.

Enjoy reading and thinking about the line between legality and ethics for this sensitive topic.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/recreational-marijuana-law-takes-effect-massachusetts-44204240

Topic Reading-Vol.1715-12/21/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Spain is trying to kill the siesta

Jamon is one thing that makes Spain distinctive, as covered in yesterday’s Topic Reading Vol.1714. There are another traditions that Spaniards love, Siesta and late dinner.

If you visit Spain, you’ll find people get up in the dark, enjoy long lunch, followed by siesta for some and have late dinner at night. One reason for this rather unusual practice is the time zone. Most part of Spain belongs to Central European Time, or CET, that is an hour ahead of the Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, though the country lies in almost the same longitudes as the U.K. In fact, they used to use GMT before the Second World War but the time zone was changed to CET during the war and has remained so since then.

 (The current time zone in Europe, click or touch this.)

In order to finish working, have dinner and go to bed earlier for healthier life, the Spanish government is considering moving its clocks back an hour to GMT.

Enjoy reading and thinking which time zone you’d prefer if you lived in Spain.

http://money.cnn.com/2016/12/14/news/economy/spain-time-zone-siesta/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1714-12/20/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Secrets of a ham-carving master

Jamon refers to certain types of dry-cured ham from Spain. Either of the two majority types, Jamon Serrano or Jamon Iberico, is carefully produced and certified. But however good the quality of this specially produced ham might be, what determines the taste seems to be how well it is sliced and served, not to mention the bread and wine to go with it.

Like sushi chefs in Japan, there are experienced ham-caring masters in Spain. They carefully choose the best Jamon for their client restaurants and taverns, slices and serves the ham into perfection. There are even contests for ham-carvers to take part in.

Enjoy watching the video and learn how important Jamon is in Spain.

http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20161207-secrets-of-a-ham-carving-master

Topic Reading-Vol.1713-12/19/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Chinese retirees could fuel the overseas property boom

Golden age. For some, it’s the time to do what they’ve long wanted to or to live in a way they’ve dreamed of. For others, it’s the time to start a new life in a way that is very different from the present one or in a place where they feel more comfortable than their hometown. For the growing wealthy Chinese seniors, such golden-age perks are no longer a dream.

It is estimated that the population of senior citizens, 60 and older, will go over 360 million by 2030, more than the present population of the U.S.A. Their priorities for retirement years are good medical and living services along with comfortable environment and weather, which are scarcely available in China. That’s why many wealthy senior Chinese or their children are looking for overseas property to live in and invest, especially in America, Canada and Australia. Also, they’ve already outnumbered the Japanese and Korean retirees living in warm South Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in the number of long-term, renewable visa applications.

Enjoy reading and thinking if you’d like to welcome a newly forming Chinese community in your neighborhood that pushes up the property value rapidly.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161215-chinese-retirees-could-fuel-the-next-overseas-property-boom

Topic Reading-Vol.1712-12/18/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Polar bear cubs’ swimming lesson

They look cute but they are desperate. Ice is the place and house where the polar bear lives on. They follow the ice when it retreats in summer. They seem to have to swim longer and better these days as the precious land space is shrinking because of the global warming.

Their main meal is the seal. Polar bears usually hunt them by waiting for them around their breathing holes, or pursue them on the ice. Either way, polar bears must be able to swim from an ice sheet to another that they can inhabit and hunt.

Those cute little cubs seem to know that they can and must swim.

Enjoy watching this rare scene when cute cubs jump into the water for the first time.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161206-polar-bear-cubs-swimming-lesson

Topic Reading-Vol.171１-12/17/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Japan tests innovative magnetic tether for slowing space junk

Fishing net in space? Sounds very conventional to collect something but it is indeed innovative to make space safer for astronauts and satellites.

There are uncountable number of potentially harmful pieces orbing the planet. They are abandoned parts, tools and pieces of no-longer used satellites or rockets, as well as destroyed objects by space weapons. Enormous number of debris are traveling around Earth over 20 times faster than the speed of sound, or about 30 times as fast as the cruising speed of a jetliner. If any of these high-speed orbiting objects of any size hit a rocket, satellite or space station, the damage would be catastrophic.

In order to reduce the risk of this clear and present danger, Japan came up with an idea to use a specially made magnetic fishing net to catch such debris to slow them down, so that they would be pulled into atmosphere by Earth’s gravity and be burnt.

Enjoy reading the article and think if this solution is innovative or primitive.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-38265676

Topic Reading-Vol.1710-12/16/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Bouncing bird may be the funniest clip from Planet Earth II

It is indeed quite common and natural for a man try to get woman’s attention, seriously. Some show off their muscles or spend their fortune, others sing songs or dance at their best. In some cases, men contest or even fight.

Some of these practices are of course common among animals and birds, even usually-pacifist giraffes as shown in Vol.1695 on December 1.

You probably have witnessed male birds singing beautifully in mating season to attract females’ attention. But these little birds in the tall grasses of Kenya's Maasai Mara do those things quite differently from others. To make them visible and audible to female birds, male birds try to jump higher and sing while they are in the air because otherwise they won’t be recognized by female birds.

Enjoy seeing the video and judge which one looks and sounds most attractive.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161205-bouncing-widow-birds-compete-for-a-mate

Topic Reading-Vol.1709-12/15/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Highlights of China's scientific and technological achievements in 2016

Just take a look. These are just a dozen snapshots of China’s scientific and technological achievements of the year 2016 alone. Stealth fighter jet, super computer and space station only to name a few, all of which used to be America’s icons of technological supremacy.

There are other superior factors China has over the U.S., the speed, scale and determination. As over nine million students enter colleges and universities every year and several hundred thousands students are studying in U.S. colleges, they seem to have enough intelligent resources to advance research and development potentials. They also possess financial muscle to materialize such projects and products.

Enjoy seeing the photos and think what will be shown a year from now.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2016-12/10/content_27629988.htm

Topic Reading-Vol.1708-12/14/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Shopping a sale gives you the same feeling as getting high

Do you like shopping, either on-site or online? Do you usually buy things on impulse? Do you often regret after buying something you didn’t plan to? Do you think you’re somewhat addicted to shopping or a sale? Do you consider yourself a shopaholic?

Many people seem to feel an irresistible impulse when they find a sale sign, especially the ones with higher discount tags on like 50% off or two for one (the price of one). Some people are even addicted to hunting bargains like drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes.

Enjoy reading and learning why shopping a sale creates such a sense of urgency.

http://www.bbc.com/capital/story/20161123-shopping-a-sale-gives-you-the-same-feeling-as-getting-high

Topic Reading-Vol.1707-12/13/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Did Greig Tonkins break the law when he punched the kangaroo?

You might have seen a cartoon or animation that shows a kangaroo is wearing boxing gloves. Whether the animal actually punches others like human boxer does, you might have presumed that they might do so when they need or want to. But you probably never have imagined that a kangaroo is punched by a human. Also, you might have thought dogs might chase or harass kangaroos but not the other way around.

These are what exactly happened in New South Wales, Australia. A hunting dog was head-locked by a wild kangaroo and the owner of the dog punched the roo to rescue his dog.

As this video went viral, some animal activists became very critical of the man’s conduct while many praised him as a hero.

Enjoy watching the video and reading the article about the reactions by Australians.

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/home/pets/did-greig-tonkins-break-the-law-when-he-punched-the-kangaroo/news-story/4b4b84b147e5851fc2b9280fa2d1dc61

Topic Reading-Vol.1706-12/12/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why India's train network is so deadly

There was a deadly train collision in India on 20^th of November, killing around 150 passengers on board. The derailment occurred in the early morning when most of the packed passengers were asleep. It was one of the express trains that run across the subcontinent. Some of the passengers spend more than a day and night on the train to reach their destinations. Thanks to the government’s subsidization, train fares are reasonably priced to accommodate ordinary citizens, over 23 million passengers a day between 8,000 stations across the country.

However, the convenience also poses dangers. In 2014, over 24,000 people were killed by railway accidents, many of whom were hit while they were walking on, along or across the railroads.

Also, the infrastructure of India’s railway networks is aging and overused. Major lines were built over 150 years ago by the colonial British government and trains running on the rails look quite outdated. The Indian government seems to modernize this inherited treasure soon.

Enjoy reading and thinking if you’re interested in traveling the subcontinent by train. 

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/22/asia/india-railway-system/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1705-12/11/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

12 incredible African tribal traditions

In Africa, some extraordinary and distinctive rituals are still being practiced by indigenous tribes to commemorate, celebrate, compete, prove or simply to decorate. Some of them are just to wear unique clothes or put special materials on people. Others make the participants or qualifiers challenge extreme tasks. Many of those rituals have been practiced for pride or prize especially among nomads who usually live only within their own community. But as the waves of modernization and conservation spread across the continent, some of the rituals are being performed for money and others are less practiced these days.

Enjoy seeing these extraordinary photos that have captured indigenous traditions in Africa.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/12/05/africa/incredible-tribal-traditions-africa/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1704-12/10/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Lord of the dance: The Sufi mystic who has got the world whirling

Any idea who is the most popular poet in America? Despite the long diplomatic woe and hostility since 1980, Americans seem to admire this Persian poet, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. He’s a 13th-century Persian Sunni Muslim poet, jurist and Islamic scholar whose verses and poems influenced people beyond borders and ethnic division. His poems express the deepest longings of the human heart for its beloved, which never change in time or by place.

Every year, a festival is held to admire and appreciate Rumi in a town in southern Turkey. The main event of the festival is the whirling dance performed by the members of Sufi religious order.

Enjoy seeing this distinctive dance and reading some of his renowned poems.

http://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/30/travel/rumi-revival/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1703-12/9/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Nestle says will cut sugar in chocolate by 40%

Any idea how much sugar is used in chocolate? There is no one clear answer for it as it varies widely by type, color and product. But unless you eat chocolate to get energy to survive in the winter mountain or starvation, you most likely wish less sugar per bite. One solution to reduce sugar use is to substitute it with some other substance such as aspartame or saccharin, neither of which provides the same level of satisfaction as sugar does. If you simply cut the amount of sugar per serving, chocolate won’t taste as sweet as you expect, thus you eat more of it or choose something with more sugar in it.

The world food giant and also the largest chocolate products producer, Nestle, has come up with a breakthrough technology to reduce the amount of sugar while maintaining the same level of sugary taste in their chocolates. Wow. How do they do that?

Enjoy reading and thinking which would be your choice of chocolate regular or reduced-sugar.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38167241

Topic Reading-Vol.1702-12/8/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

India cinemas ordered to play national anthem

It was ruled by the nation’s supreme court that the national anthem to be played before a movie is presented in every cinema. Sounds similar to numbers of ads shown before the featured film, which most of the audience pay little attention. But in India, it is mandatory that the audience shall stand to attention whenever the anthem is sung or played, except when it is played as a part of the film.

Playing the national anthem before a movie is one thing and standing in a cinema seems another thing, though the audience in a football field or baseball stadium seem to be more willing to stand and even sing the anthem. In the U.S., civilians are expected to stand to attention with right hand over heart and military personnel in uniform and veterans should salute throughout. But they don’t play the anthem in movie theaters.

Enjoy reading the article and comments, and think if playing the national anthem before a movie show does any good or harm to the audience.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-38155630

Topic Reading-Vol.1701-12/7/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Pearl Harbor Attack, December 7^th 1941

On this day three-quarter century ago, the U.S. military base in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked by hundreds of Japanese war planes. As many as 2,000 US service men were killed and many others were wounded. It was the beginning of the Pacific Theater of World War II which changed the political and geographical map of Asia.

(December 8^th in Japan time because of the International Date Line)

45 months after the attack, the US dropped two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki to cease the war as well as to show off the might.

Despite these hostilities, the two countries have been close allies ever since the war ended. Seventy years from the attack, a US aircraft carrier was sent to off the coast of Fukushima and Miyagi to help the earthquake devastated and radiation threatened areas by the major earthquake and tsunami deal with the crisis and recover from the damages. This support operation was called “Operation Tomodachi (friendship).”

Enjoy reading and thinking of the hostility and alliance between countries.

http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/pearl-harbor

Topic Reading-Vol.1700-12/6/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Road, Street or Avenue?

“Where is Times Square?” “It’s at the junction of Broadway and Seventh Avenue.”

When you get directions to go somewhere in America, you’ll find quite a variation of titles for the roads, such as street, avenue and of course road to name a few. But there are many more titles like boulevard, parkway, lane, place, plaza and court. Are they given just randomly or deliberately?

Though there are plenty of exceptions, general codes behind those titles seem to exist. Knowing some of these general descriptions may help you predict what kind of road you’ll be traveling on.

Enjoy reading the introductory text and watching a video that presents never-thought-of titling codes beneath the roads.

Oh, lastly, but not the least, thank you for reading this 1700^th Topic Reading.

http://www.bbc.com/autos/story/20161123-the-difference-between-roads-streets-and-avenues

Topic Reading-Vol.1699-12/5/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Why female genital mutilation still exists in modern Singapore

It may be quite surprising to many of you to find that circumcising is still a popular practice in some religious communities. One estimate shows that as many as 200 million women and girls are circumcised worldwide. But you may be more surprised to find that the practice is still popular among certain religious communities in Singapore.

The city-state was just awarded again the highest-achieving primary and secondary students in international education tests in math and science. You may wonder why such a huge gap exists between the ancient tradition and modern education.

Enjoy reading and thinking of the rationales for this ancient practice in modern societies.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37819753

Topic Reading-Vol.1698-12/4/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Kondapalli toys face modernisation and cheap imports

Did you have any handcraft toys when you were a child? Have you given one to someone? Though handcraft toys may not draw children’s attention so much these days, they look charming to some adults, especially ethnic and colorful ones.

Here in the southeastern region of India, there is a remote village called Kondapalli where a group of ethnic minority people dwell. They have been handcrafting these traditional toys ever since they settled in the place in the 16th century. It is such a labor-intensive work that the whole family works in each house. All of them had used only locally obtained natural materials until recently but now some are using modern glues and paints purchased from other part of the world because they are more economical and practical.

They are facing stiff competition with cheap Chinese toys like any other industry. But they also need to deal with more serious challenge. Their children are moving out of the village looking for better jobs and different lives. The remaining family members seem to have no choice but to keep making these toys.

Enjoy reading and thinking what the life is like to inherit a tradition that is not going to be inherited.

http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/inpictures/2016/11/kondapally-toys-face-modernisation-cheap-imports-161110070550178.html

Topic Reading-Vol.1697-12/3/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The Ten Toughest Border Crossings in The World

In yesterday’s Topic Reading Voc.1696, you might have seen a video about the world busiest border crossing point, Tijuana. Yes, it takes some time to go across the check point but the process is strictly done according to the laws and regulations, no need to, in fact you shall never try to, pay bribes to the officials. All in all, it is basically accommodating for legitimate and documented travelers and commuters.  

But some border crossings are naturally and officially demanding. Some have jungles, desert, rough surface and even land mines between the two border posts totally unguarded and unmaintained. Others require unlimited inspections and questions by the officers until they are satisfied by not valid documents but reasonable bribes.

These situations change accordingly to the territorial governance and bilateral relationship.

Enjoy reading and thinking what will the border crossing will be like between the US and Mexico when the new administration takes place in the White House in 2017.

http://jalopnik.com/the-ten-toughest-border-crossings-in-the-world-1440128765

Topic Reading-Vol.1696-12/2/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

A day at the world's busiest land border crossing in Tijuana, Mexico

Crossing a border everyday doesn’t seem like a popular way to commute. But there are many land borders that are crossed by large number of commuters, merchants, traders and truck drivers around the world such as China and south Asian countries like Vietnam, Myanmar and Laos, US-Canada and US-Mexico.

Among such border crossing points between two neighboring countries, Tijuana is the busiest in the world. As many as 50 million people cross this border every year. Many of them do every day to work in the other side of the border, which takes considerable time in the long line for customs and immigration, especially from Mexico to the U.S.

Why do they sacrifice so much time for traveling? Well, things are much cheaper in Mexico than in the U.S. and wages are much higher in the U.S. than Mexico. Living in Mexico and working in the U.S., or working and living in the U.S. and spending money in Mexico seems quite advantageous financially.

Enjoy watching the video and thinking what the life is like to have a family in Tijuana and work in San Diego.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38017733

Topic Reading-Vol.1695-12/1/2016

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Giraffes in epic battle

For what do giraffes fight each other? How do they fight? These are the questions that are rarely asked or answered. They are plant eaters, so they usually don’t need to fight for a prey. They possess neither sharp fangs to bite or strong tail to whip others. Furthermore, you probably think the giraffe is a peaceful animal.

This rare video footage shows you why and how they fight each other. It’s well organized and edited with a touch of spaghetti, or macaroni western film.

When you finished seeing this video, you may be inclined to imagine how the gigantic plant-eating dinosaurs have fought against each other or its predators.

Enjoy watching this amazing video and think why male animals or humans fight for a female so furiously.

http://www.bbc.com/earth/story/20161121-giraffes-in-epic-battle