Topic Reading-Vol.4115-7/31/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Beethoven skull fragments return to Vienna
Ludwig van Beethoven was born in December 1770 in Bonn, Germany, and died on March 26, 1827, in Vienna, Austria at the age of 56. He is regarded as one of the most admired composers in Western music history, and his works are still being played the most in classical music concerts. He had been suffering from ill health for many years in his life, including hearing loss and abdomen problems. After his death, his brain was preserved and his death masks were created. In recent years, scientists have been studying Beethoven’s remains to determine his physical condition and the cause of his death. Indeed, many people are interested to know what caused his death. Also, Beethoven himself wanted his body to be examined after his death. Now, 10 fragments of his skull were donated by a US man to a Vienna university for further study. The more we find out about his health and death, the more we might admire his works and life.
Enjoy reading the article about the skull of a man who died nearly 200 years ago.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66261623

Topic Reading-Vol.4114-7/30/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Afghanistan: Women protest against beauty salon closures
Since the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, Afghanistan's women have been wholly excluded from public and NGO offices. Girls have been banned from secondary school and women from higher education or vocational schools. Women and girls are required to obey the strict dress code and are not permitted to travel more than 75 km without a husband, father, or male relative. They are compelled to stay at home. Also, they have been banned from entering amusement parks, public baths, gyms, and sports clubs. Now the Taliban ordered to close thousands of beauty salons across the country because it is against Islamic values to wear wigs and put cosmetics on their faces. Afghanistan’s beauty salons had been closed between 1996 and 2001 when the last time the Taliban ruled the country. After two decades of business, those salons are going to be closed again, leading to the loss of 60,000 jobs. Only a small protest took place in Kabul but most women and beauty salon workers remain silent. Indeed, the power of the AK-27, the Taliban’s favorite Russian assault rifle, seems to silence people.
Read the article and learn about how oppressed women and girls are under the Taliban’s rule.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-66244408

Topic Reading-Vol.4113-7/29/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Lean times hit the vertical farming business
Vertical farming is the practice of growing crops in vertically stacked layers in a controlled environment such as buildings, shipping containers, and tunnels. There are several advantages of vertical farming, such as increased and constant crop yield, location close to the market, quality, and economy, if it’s managed and operated properly. Also, because of its limited land usage, vertical farming is friendly to the environment, local flora, and fauna. In the meantime, vertical farming requires energy to control the environment, including light, temperature, and humidity. If non-renewable energy is used, it could produce more pollution and greenhouse gasses than conventional farms or greenhouses. There have been many start-ups that claim to use the best vertical farming technology, but many of them have failed. In theory, ideas and technology work. But in practice, it is still farming living things, which requires constant attention and care just like farmers do. Also, what to grow is essential to keep the business going. They need to choose what is valued and sold higher in the market rather than the ones they can technically or economically grow.  It seems that vertical farmers can learn some lessons from land farmers.
Enjoy reading the article and learn about what challenges vertical farming faces.
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66173872

Topic Reading-Vol.4112-7/28/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Iran's morality police to resume headscarf patrols
The morality police, or guidance patrol, is an Islamic religious police force of the Islamic Republic of Iran. They enforce Sharia, Islamic law, particularly the dress code that requires women to cover their hair with a hijab (headscarf) and wear long, loose clothing to disguise their figures. Last September, they arrested and detained a 22-year woman for wearing her hijab improperly. Three days later, she died in their custody with bruises on her face and legs, which suggested that she had been beaten by the police. The incident sparked nationwide protests against the morality police, which lead to the deaths of hundreds and the detention of thousands by security forces. Since then, the deployment of the morality police had been suspended to ease the tension, but recently, their patrols resumed. Since more people now disobey the strict dress code, the strict enforcement of the dress code is questionable. How effective the patrol will be?
Read the article and think about what the next move is going to be in Iran.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-66218318

Topic Reading-Vol.4111-7/27/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
AI can threaten your personal identity – but it doesn't have to
This is not really the first time that humans are threatened by technology. Manpower and horsepower were both switched to machine power like the steam engine in the 18^th century. Manual labor like putting parts together in an assembly line was replaced by machines. Also, skilled jobs like painting and sewing were taken over by robots and automation. Even tasks that require intelligence, such as calculations and forecasting have been done by computers. Now because of the rise of AI, especially generative artificial intelligence, people who believe they do skilled, intelligent, and creative jobs feel threatened. Indeed, education, skill training, and experience have been thought to offer higher value in the workplace. But it seems that those intelligent and creative workers need to move further ahead to learn to use and work with AI. As AI keeps improving and becoming more common in workplaces, people also need to improve themselves to keep up with AI and other arising technologies.
Enjoy reading the article and learning about how workers should deal with the world with AI.
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230712-ai-can-threaten-your-personal-identity-but-it-doesnt-have-to

Topic Reading-Vol.4110-7/26/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Some 300 children drowned trying to reach Europe so far this year

It is estimated that nearly 2,000 migrants have died trying to reach Europe by sea in the first six months of this year, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration. Most of them died of drowning when their overloaded boats capsized in the Mediterranean Sea. Just in one incident in June, nearly 600 people perished when a boat from Libya crammed with hundreds of migrants. In a conservative estimate by the UN’s child agency (UNICEF), nearly 300 children died in the same period while 11,600 children made the crossing in six months, three times more than in the same period last year. They were all desperate to escape from conflicts and climate change. Those children are so vulnerable to violence, crime, and exploitation as many of them are unaccompanied or separated from their parents. As the number of migration attempts is increasing this year, swift and effective actions are needed.

Read the article and learn about children dying in the Mediterranean Sea.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/14/some-300-children-drowned-trying-to-reach-europe-so-far-this-year

Topic Reading-Vol.4109-7/25/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Remote-sensing satellite system to be built by 2030

The China Aerospace Science & Industry Corporation Limited is a Chinese state-owned company that designs, develops, and manufactures a range of spacecraft, launch vehicles, missile systems, and ground equipment. Recently, it announced a plan to deploy 300 remote-sensing satellites in extra-low orbits, less than 300 kilometers, to build a remote-sensing satellite network. Once completed, the satellite network will provide real-time, high-resolution pictures, data, and images that would be used for emergency response, disaster relief, and weather forecasting. This also means that the satellite network will be able to monitor close, precise, and detailed objects and movements on the ground, in the air, and above water. If the service is available for anyone fairly, it’ll benefit the world. In the meanwhile, it will certainly give China great advantages in business, politics, and military. The world is going to be closely monitored by Chinese satellites by the end of the decade.

Enjoy reading the article and learning about China’s low-orbit sensing satellites.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202307/14/WS64b0967fa31035260b8165d2.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4108-7/24/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
How the cost-of-living crisis is fuelling job quits
During inflation, the cost of living usually increases faster than earnings. There are only a few options for average workers can take to make ends meet, cut expenses, ask for a raise, or get a new job that pays better. But under the fast-paced, across-the-board inflation, there is only so much you can do to reduce the cost of living especially when energy bills are surging. Asking for a raise could help but not as much as the rising expenses as your employer is also under inflation pressure. Then, how about getting a job that pays better? Possible, if you can provide higher value to the new employer or get a job that is highly demanded. So, it may be the time to skill up yourself not only to cope with inflation but also to live up to the fast-changing job market through AI.
Enjoy reading the article and think about your strategy to manage inflation.
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230713-how-the-cost-of-living-crisis-is-fuelling-job-quits

Topic Reading-Vol.4107-7/23/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
An Indian culinary must-have is off the menu as prices jump 400%
Tomatoes are one of the most essential foods for Indian cooking. As basic Indian curry sauce is made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices, it makes Indian cooking extremely difficult without tomatoes. Also, it is estimated that over 30% of India’s 1.4 billion population, the largest in the world, are vegetarians, and tomatoes play a vital role in vegetarian cooking. But this summer, the subcontinent has been suffering scorching heat waves and unprecedented heavy rains, which affected the agriculture, economy, and health systems severely. And tomatoes are one of the most badly affected crops due to the heat. Furthermore, most of the tomatoes harvested were infected by seed-borne viruses. As a result, tomato supplies are down significantly and prices are up sharply, as high as 400%. People in India are struggling to manage their cooking and menu without tomatoes. Then what about other tomato-loving countries like Italy? As parts of the country have already experienced 40-degree heat this summer, the shortage of tomatoes, also essential culinary for Italian food, might not be limited only to India.
Global warming is surely affecting people’s lives seriously this summer.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/12/business/india-tomato-shortage-climate-mcdonalds-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4106-7/22/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
How often should you poop? The answer might not be what you think
A bowel movement is the last stop in the movement of food through your digestive tract. Some think daily bowel movement is a sign of good health, but experts agree that healthy bowel movement frequency can range from three times a day to three times a week. But less than that frequency may be considered constipation, which could be caused by food imbalance, dehydration, pregnancy, aging, environment, or stress. When you feel constipated, you not only don’t feel right but also lose your appetite. Eating enough fiber from vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and nuts can enhance your bowel movement as well as exercise. Also, instead of sitting upright, raising your knees above your hips by using a toilet stool could allow poop to pass through more easily. However, even more importantly, checking the form and appearance of the stool helps you find your physical condition. In ancient China, imperial doctors check the royal family’s stool to check their health and gave advice and medication accordingly. Indeed, pooping and poop are both physically and mentally essential for our healthy life.
Enjoy reading the article and learn about your bowel movement and stool.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/12/health/how-often-should-you-poop-constipation-tips-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4105-7/21/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

Too much’: Burger King’s new offering in Thailand has no meat and 20 slices of cheese

Founded in 1953, Burger King is an American multinational chain of hamburger fast-food restaurants. The chain’s signature burger is the Whopper, which comes with a flame-grilled beef patty, sesame seed bun, mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, pickles, ketchup, and sliced onion. Recently, the chain’s Thai operator introduced a new jaw-dropping menu, called real cheeseburger. It comes with 20 slices of American Cheese but no meat. As cheese is very popular among young Thailanders, the cheese sandwich was sensational and went viral online. It surely seems to have brought a lot of customers to the restaurants. Then, it won’t matter so much to the restaurant operator how many Real Cheeseburgers are actually sold. It seems more like a marketing campaign than new merchandise.

Enjoy reading the article and think how many slices of cheese in a sandwich you can comfortably enjoy at a time.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/11/business/thailand-burger-king-cheeseburger-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4104-7/20/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
From trauma to training - new lives for North Korea’s defectors
When defectors from North Korea arrive in South Korea, they spend three months in a special facility in Seoul, called Hanawon, the Settlement Support Center for North Korean Refugees. It functions as a training hub, medical facility, and also education center to help North Koreans adjust their lives in a place where things look so advanced and different from the closed country. So, those defectors need to get used to modern living standards, tools, and the environment before they start living in the real world, just like time travelers arrived in the future from the past. As they are mentally fragile because of the stress of escape, fear of being caught, and guilt of having their family in the North, psychiatrists are there to support them. Hanawon is the place where North Korean defectors learn how to settle in South Korea.
Read the article and learn about the challenges that North Korean defectors face.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66154263

Topic Reading-Vol.4103-7/19/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Covid pandemic linked to surge in child and teen diabetes
Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels by allowing glucose (sugar) to enter cells and be used for energy. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. As people with this disease have little to no insulin production, they require external insulin to survive. The exact cause of this type of diabetes is not fully known. Recently researchers have found a rise in the number of children and teenagers in many countries diagnosed with type 1 diabetes since Covid. Though the exact cause of the increase is still unclear, experts suspect lockdowns and social distancing during the pandemic might have children miss out on the chance to get sufficient exposure to some germs. Since there is no cure for type 1 diabetes, it requires lifelong treatment, such as insulin injections or pumping, and self-care to maintain proper blood sugar control and prevent complications. It is then quite essential to notice typical symptoms of the disease, such as tiredness, thirst, frequent urination, and weight loss.
Read the article and learn about rising cases of chronic disease after the pandemic.
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-66054946

Topic Reading-Vol.4102-7/18/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Authorities swoop on Chinese restaurant that challenged customers to eat 108 dumplings
In China, people used to order more food than they could possibly finish when they had a special occasion to show the hospitality and generosity of the host. If no food is left on the table, people might have suspected that food wasn’t enough for the guests. But such custom has been viewed differently ever since China’s leader, Xi Jinping, declared war on the “shocking and distressing” squandering of food in 2020. Then the Communist Party’s “clean plate” campaign targeted live-streaming extreme eaters, wasteful diners, and others amid concerns about China’s ability to feed its 1.4 billion people. Recently, a restaurant in a city in Sichuan province was investigated by the local authority if its “king of big stomach challenge” violated the food waste law, which was enacted in 2021. The restaurant advertised that it would offer a free meal to its customers who would eat 108 dumplings quickly. While binge eating or eating contests, such as Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in New York, aren’t uncommon in other parts of the world, China now has a law against wasting food. Should how much to order be regulated by law or left to the discretion of people? Whichever the case might be, binge eating is unhealthy for the individual, and food waste is unfriendly to the environment.
Enjoy reading the article and think about how many dumplings are too many for you.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/08/china/china-eating-contest-investigation-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4101-7/17/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The legal drinking age in 21 popular destinations

There are several countries that prohibit or have strict regulations on alcohol consumption, such as Afghanistan, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, and Saudi Arabia, mainly due to religious and cultural reasons. But most countries allow the sale, purchase, and consumption of alcoholic beverages with a legal drinking age. So, before traveling abroad, it might be advisable to check such regulations. Here are some examples of legal drinking age in popular travel destinations.

Enjoy reading the article and learning about the different drinking age restrictions by country.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/legal-drinking-age-destinations-world/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4100-7/16/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers
The world can cut plastic pollution by 80% by 2040, the UN says. Here’s how
Plastic is a synthetic material that is created through a chemical process known as polymerization. We extract crude oil or gas from underground, refine and process it, and form plastic, which then is used for packaging, consumer goods, construction, electronics, medical, and agriculture. Once used, around 90% of the plastics are incinerated, put into landfill, or discarded somewhere including the natural environment. Indeed, the way we produce, use, and dispose of plastic is polluting ecosystems and affecting the climate. The problem is that we’re so used to the convenience and economy of plastic, especially single-use plastics, such as plastic bags, straws, food packaging, beverage bottles, food containers, and packaging wraps. The report from the United Nations Environment Program published in May states reusing plastics would have the greatest impact to reduce plastic pollution, as much as 30% by 2040. Also, enhancing recycling levels and using alternative materials for single-use plastics would further help reduce pollution. As the world’s population is increasing in the coming decades, plastic waste will just keep increasing unless more effective efforts are made on a global scale.
Read the article and learn about how seriously plastic pollution needs to be reduced.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/05/16/world/plastic-pollution-unep-climate-intl/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4099-7/15/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers
What are the cluster munitions the US is supplying Ukraine with and why are they so controversial?
The progress of Ukraine’s counteroffensive against Russian forces has been slower than expected. So, Ukraine’s forces need more weapons and ammunition to advance. But there is a limitation in the supply of already-used conventional weapons and ammunition by the US and its allies. So, the US has decided to provide a highly controversial weapon called cluster munitions. Cluster munitions are a class of weapons that contain multiple explosive bomblets called submunitions. The ones the US has decided to send to Ukraine are to be fired from Howitzer artillery weapons already deployed by the Ukrainian army. Each shell contains 88 bomblets, which are fused by a timer to explode and spread shrapnel to kill troops or take out armored vehicles like tanks. The munitions are controversial because of their failure, or dud, rate of the bomblets. Unexploded bomblets can linger on the ground for years and can be detonated later on, often by civilians by accident. Over 100 countries ban cluster munitions but the US, Ukraine, and Russia don’t.
So, what’s next? Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) such as chemical, biological, or nuclear? In modern history, leaders have made crucial decisions during wars in the name of defense. How will Russia react?
Read the article and learn about another scale-up of the war in Ukraine.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/07/europe/cluster-munitions-us-ukraine-aid-explainer-intl-hnk-ml/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4098-7/14/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers
Last month was the planet’s hottest June on record by a huge margin
Our planet has experienced an extremely hot June, hotter than the previous record for the month. That is not surprising as the last nine years have been the hottest nine years on record. Indeed, the planet has been warming rapidly, especially in the last two decades. The major driver of extreme heat, which has been experienced in North America, Europe, and China is no doubt global warming, which has been caused by human activities. Also, on July 5, Earth’s average temperature remained at an unofficial record high, 17.18 degrees Celsius, set the day before. How hot is this summer going to be? Furthermore, El Niño, which is developing in the tropical Pacific for the first time in seven years, setting the stage for a likely surge in global temperatures and disruptive weather and climate patterns as El Niño warms the oceans, expands and heightens sea levels, and causes larger storms. In addition, Antarctic sea ice hit its lowest extent for June. How heavy the floods will be in coastal regions?
Read the article and learn about the rapidly increasing temperatures around the world.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/07/06/world/warmest-june-global-record-climate/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4097-7/13/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers

New Zealand bans plastic bags for fresh produce in supermarkets

New Zealand has saved over one billion plastic bags since it banned take-home plastic bags in supermarkets in 2019. The environmentally conscious country now bans the use of thin plastic bags to hold vegetables and fruits in supermarkets. Shoppers are now expected to bring their own bags for fresh produce in addition to shopping bags. Yes, single-use plastics pose environmental and social problems, including gavage, litter, marine pollution, and health impacts on people and animals. The ban might encourage the retail industry to come up with more environmentally friendly packaging solutions than single-use plastics, especially at convenience stores whose merchandise is mostly packed in plastic. Though it might be a matter of convenience and economy how soon and how much single-use plastics are replaced by other bags or containers, the environment is one of the top priorities that humans need to work on in this century.

Enjoy reading the article and think about how we should bring fresh produce home.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-66083337

Topic Reading-Vol.4096-7/12/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers

Towering sea cliff in Norway opens jaw-dropping tourist route

A via ferrata (iron path) is a protected climbing route in the Alps and other Alpine locations. The protection includes steel fixtures like cables, railings, and steel ladders and steps. Mount Hornelen sits along the Frøysjøen strait, in the Nordfjord region of Norway. At 860 meters, it is the highest sea cliff in Europe. If you climb up the cliff via ferrata, you’ll enjoy magnificent views of the big and open ocean, the islands, the fjord villages, the narrow fjord arms, the snowcapped mountains, and the glaciers further into the fjords. There are three routes to choose from depending on your physical conditions and emotional ambitions, all of which are guided. Though it is only about one-tenth of the height of Mount Everest, it seems as challenging and thrilling as climbing one of the highest mountains. However, it is not easy to get there. From Oslo, the capital of Norway, you’ll need to take a flight to Bergen, or take a seven-hour train ride or drive. Then, you’ll drive for about three hours to Bremangerlandet to start climbing. Also, because of the climate, Hornelen Via Ferrata has only been open for guided climbs for a few days. If you want to enjoy the climbing and the views, you definitely need to book way in advance.

Enjoy reading the article and seeing the images of the via ferrata of Mount Hornelen.

https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/hornelen-via-ferrata-climbing-route-mountain-norway/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4095-7/11/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

What scientists say keeps mosquitoes at bay

As summer is nearing in the Northern Hemisphere, people tend to expose their skin more. This gives the chance for mosquitoes to bite human skin and suck the blood, which makes the person feel itchiness and discomfort from the bite. But not all mosquitoes bite us. Mosquitoes usually drink planet nectars and juices but female mosquitoes that are going to lay eggs need extra nutrition from blood, so they bite us. The problem is that mosquitoes spread diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. In fact, mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal on the planet. How can we avoid mosquito bites? Mosquitoes smell you first, carbon dioxide in particular from your breath, and sense sweat and heat from your body, which makes some people more attractive to mosquitoes than others. Depending too much on mosquito repellents and exposing your body may not be such a good idea as they are actually insecticides. Instead, body cover, window screens, and bed nets help you from mosquito bites better. Modern science is there to find the nature and behavior of mosquitoes, but effective solutions for mosquito bites seem to have been the same.

Enjoy reading the article and learn about mosquito bites for this summer.

https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/24/health/how-repel-mosquitos-scientifically-wellness-scn/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4094-7/10/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers

Climate change: China's green power surge offers hope on warming

China emits around 27% of global carbon dioxide and a third of the world’s greenhouse gases, the majority of which stems from coal burning for generating electricity. Indeed, China is the world’s biggest coal user, and nearly 70% of China’s carbon dioxide emissions come from coal. Last year, China built about two new coal-fired power plants a week mainly to back up newly installed nearby solar and wind farms. Yes, China has been expanding the solar and wind energy sector rapidly. In fact, over 50% of the worldwide spending on wind and solar power last year was in China. The country is also working on doubling its solar and wind capacity by the end of 2025. So, China’s green energy is increasing more and faster than any other country but at the cost of coal burning. Still, it seems much better than generating electricity by coal to meet the increasing demand. For example, China’s new EV sales are expected to reach nearly 10 million this year, the largest share in the world.

Enjoy reading the article and learning about how China is increasing green power.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-66043485

Topic Reading-Vol.4093-7/9/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers
Affirmative action: US Supreme Court overturns race-based college admissions
Affirmative action, also known as positive action or positive discrimination, refers to policies or programs that are designed to provide equal opportunities for historically underrepresented groups, including racial and ethnic minorities, women, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. The goal of affirmative action in college/university enrollment is to provide diversity and reflect the broader society on campus. Supporters of affirmative action say diversity benefits students and broadens their perspectives. Critics argue that it could lead to reverse discrimination because of the preferential treatment or allotment to certain groups based on their race or ethnicity. On June 29, US supreme court ruled that such consideration of race or ethnicity for enrolment that has been practiced at Harvard University and the University of North Caroline should no longer be used because it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the US Constitution. The ruling was supported by six conservative justices of the nine members of the US Supreme Court. As the interpretation of any law is often highly political and sometimes emotional or personal, democrats and liberalists, including President Joe Biden, expressed strong disagreement with the ruling. Meanwhile, military academies are exempted from the affirmative action ruling in part to ensure racial diversity. What will Harvard and other colleges and universities in the US do? Will US campuses be dominated by students from affluent families?
Read the article and think about what affirmative action could do to college campuses.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65886212

Topic Reading-Vol.4092-7/8/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
South Koreans become younger under new age-counting law
As of June 28, some Koreans became one or two years younger than before. In the past, there were three age-counting methods in South Korea. One is the so-called Korean age system, in which a person turns one at birth and adds a year to each new year, January 1. Another one doesn’t give one at birth but adds a year to each new year. Then there is the international standard system, which adds one on each birthday. Now, only the international standard system is used in South Korea, which seems to please many South Koreans. However, that doesn’t mean one can undermine the seniority system, “nunchi”. It is a cultural practice that emphasizes age-based hierarchy and respect for elders, which is an integral part of Korean culture and is deeply ingrained in various aspects of life, family, education, the workplace, and society. For example, their language system is based on age, which includes honorific expressions when talking to seniors. So, yes, their ages are now clear but their relationship with each other won’t change. Can everyone adopt the new system overnight?
Enjoy reading the article and learn about the change in the age system in South Korea.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66028606

Topic Reading-Vol.4091-7/7/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Humans pump so much groundwater that Earth’s axis has shifted, study finds
The Earth revolves around the Sun in a slightly tilted orbit. This earth’s axis tilt, which is approximately 23.5 degrees relative to its orbital plane, causes the seasons and the variation in daylight hours throughout the year. For example, when one hemisphere is tilted towards the Sun, it experiences summer, with longer days and more direct sunlight. At the same time, the other hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun, leading to winter, with shorter days and less direct sunlight. So, the axial tilt is responsible for the changing seasons and plays a crucial role in determining climate patterns on Earth, influencing temperature variations, weather patterns, and the distribution of sunlight across different regions throughout the year. And this earth’s rotational pole changes from time to time. A recent study found that the extraction of groundwater, whether for drinking, irrigation, or manufacturing, seems to have shifted the axis nearly 80 centimeters between 1993 and 2010. That figure alone might not be that significant but along with the weight shift caused by ice sheets melting and sea level rise, humans seem to have caused some impact on the earth’s axis tilt, which could affect global and regional climate and geological changes.
Enjoy reading the article and learning about how groundwater extraction affects the earth’s axis tilt.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/26/world/pumping-groundwater-earth-axis-shifting-scn/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4090-7/6/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Passenger shot and killed Uber driver she believed was taking her to Mexico, police say
On June 16, a 52-year-old Kentucky woman fired multiple shots at her Uber driver’s head in El Paso, Texas. She was on her way to her boyfriend but thought she was being driven to a border town in Mexico. The driver’s life support was disconnected a few days after the incident as doctors expressed no chance of survival. The woman hadn’t called the police for support before she shot the driver’s head from the back seat. This incident suggests that she had carried a loaded handgun with her all the way from Kentucky unless she purchased it in El Paso. She most likely flew to El Paso as the distance between Kentucky and El Paso is over 2,400 kilometers. She might have put her gun in the checked-in baggage and extracted it when she picked up the baggage at El Paso airport. She must have thought the act was self-defense. But she could have called for help with her phone before firing a gun. Shoot first before talking or warning. She wasn’t a police officer on duty.
Read the article and think about how easily guns are fired in the US.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/passenger-shot-killed-uber-driver-believed-was-taking-mexico-police-sa-rcna90901

Topic Reading-Vol.4089-7/5/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Putting salt in tap water and drilling wells in parks: one city’s desperate quest to avoid running dry
Uruguay is a small country that lies between Brazil and Argentina. Of the 3.4 million population, nearly two million live in the metropolitan area of its capital city, Montevideo. Uruguay has a climate that is relatively mild and fairly and experiences four seasons, with summer from December to March and winter from June to September. Seasonal variations are pronounced, but extremes in temperature are rare. However, the lack of rainfall at the beginning of the year has caused a significant reduction in the availability and access to water in the country. In May, an extended drought in Uruguay forced the water-treatment plant that supplies 60% of the population to start processing and distributing brackish, non-potable water. Since two main water reservoirs have already dried up, authorities have been mixing salty water from Río de la Plata, a river that behaves as an estuary in which freshwater and seawater mix with fresh water from the reservoir to increase supplies. The tap water in the metropolitan area is now too salty to drink, even for pets.
Uruguay isn’t the only country that is vulnerable to drought. Droughts are set to become more frequent and intense in many places of the world due to climate change, better and earlier preparation is essential to avoid catastrophic water crises.
Read the article and learn about how serious the water shortage is in a small South American country.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/25/americas/uruguay-water-crisis-climate-intl/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4088-7/4/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
Why Chinese students are taking graduation photos looking ‘more dead than alive’
Over 11.6 million new college graduates have entered the job market in China this summer with bachelor’s or master’s degrees, but over 20% of them still haven’t found their jobs yet. China’s job market has become too competitive, especially after the Covid pandemic as many college students extended their academic careers to avoid competing in limited job opportunities. But now, the increased number of college graduates is competing in an even tighter job market where their degrees and expectations don’t match the available job opportunities, especially at a time when AI and other technologies are transforming job requirements. Indeed, employers now are seeking individuals who have specific skills to meet the needs of the changing business environments and requirements, thanks to AI and other technological advancements. If more young college graduates are unemployed, they won’t economically contribute to society. Also, they won’t be able to get married and have children, which would worsen the already low birth rates. In the meantime, there are some industries that need more hands, such as hospitality and manufacturing, where college degrees aren’t always required. Indeed, jobs aren’t necessarily scarce now in China but there seems to be a considerable mismatch between available jobs and job seekers.
Read the article and learn about how desperate many college graduates are in China.
https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/23/china/china-graduation-photos-youth-unemployment-intl-hnk-dst/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4087-7/3/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
The A380 was nearly extinct. Now a new airline says it’s building a superjumbo-only fleet
The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body commercial aircraft known for its impressive size and passenger capacity, which could seat over 500 passengers. The aircraft also offers a comfortable flying experience, such as larger cabin space, wider seats, better headroom, and quiet and smooth flight. However, it was commercially disastrous and led to Airbus announcing the discontinuation of its production in 2021, only 14 years after the first commercial flight by Singapore Airlines. There are several reasons why the superjumbo jet wasn’t used as Airbus hoped. Combined factors of hanging market dynamics, high operating costs, miscalculated demand, limited fleet flexibility because of the size and compatibility, competition from more efficient aircraft like Boeing’s 787, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As of December 2022, there were only 237 aircraft in service with 16 operators worldwide, about one-third of what Airbus hoped to produce. Now, Global Airlines, a British startup, is preparing to offer transatlantic flights using only used A380s. The CEO of the ambitious airline is a world traveler who holds the Guinness world record for the youngest person to visit every country in the world and flew around 280 different airlines. He surely has extended experience flying as a passenger. But will he be able to keep flying the jumbo aircraft commercially successfully? How do people decide which airline to fly, price, schedule, connections, mileage program, comfort, or carbon footprint?
Enjoy reading the article and learning about another airline that is going to use unwanted jumbo jets.
https://edition.cnn.com/travel/a380-global-airlines/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4086-7/2/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,
5 ways to repair a friendship (or leave it behind if toxic)
When you encounter difficulty in maintaining a good friendship, should you try to mend it or end it? If the friendship has been and will be valuable in your life, any effort is worth it. But how? Experts suggest several ways to repair friendships, such as writing down the good, choosing different ways to communicate, or changing the expectations of the friendship. But if you don’t try anything and let the friendship go, such a breakup might happen again with your partners or loved ones. Indeed, your attitude toward keeping or improving the relationship matters for your life as none lives only by themselves. Also, if you try to repair the relationship, you’ll feel better and won’t regret it. In the meanwhile, it is also important to be aware that no one controls other people’s minds. So, what’s important isn’t always the result but the effort.
Enjoy reading the article and learning about maintaining or repairing a friendship.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/18/health/how-to-repair-a-friendship-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4085-7/1/2023

Dear MEL Topic Readers,

The workers already replaced by artificial intelligence
You might think AI helps you do your jobs much faster and better, but it won’t take over my job because it requires creativity and human touch. That wasn’t the case for a copywriter who had been working with AI until his job was eliminated. The value one thinks created by humans might not be as great as he or she hopes as AI does its job faster and even better 24/7 without complaining or taking paid vacations like humans. Also, AI is getting smarter and more dependable every day as it learns. So, what jobs are more likely to be replaced by AI? If you ask ChatGPT the five jobs that are most likely to be replaced by AI, it’ll say data entry and administration, transportation and delivery driver, customer service administration, and financial and accounting professions. In addition, ChatGPT tells you that while automation and AI may replace certain job functions, they also create new opportunities and roles. Many jobs will likely undergo a transformation, requiring workers to adapt and acquire new skills to work alongside AI systems effectively. So, AI literacy might save you from being replaced by AI.

Enjoy reading the article and ChatGPT’s response about the jobs that could be replaced by AI.

https://www.bbc.com/news/business-65906521