Topic Reading-Vol.375-4/21/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Samsung probed in Taiwan over 'fake web reviews'.

How many companies or businesses do you think are paying or hiring people to praise their products or services, or to post negative comments or reviews on their competitors ’ online?

As often seen on user reviews, there are quite a few very favorable and unfavorable comments on top of the lists, which make viewers puzzled and confused.

Here is an example of the one which has been probed, and interestingly, the accused company admitted its misconduct and even apologized.

Enjoy reading and learning about the latest online cheating practice by the world most powerful electronics company. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22166606

Topic Reading-Vol.374-4/20/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

China reveals army structure in defense white paper.White Paper is an official report or guide to reveal or publicize an issue, solve a problem, or make a decision. This time, China, usually a very secretive state, has revealed in its white paper what it’s usually considered the most sensitive issue, defense. The purpose or motive for such disclosure is still unknown but it outlines what their forces consist of and what bothers them.

Enjoy reading and learning about what China wants to present to other countries.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-22163599

 

Topic Reading-Vol.373-4/19/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Why I fled North Korea.

Even seeing a public execution under the age of 10, a North Korean girl thought her country was something she was proud of and things happening around her were quite normal, until at a later time she learned that people were dying of famine. That tells how difficult it is for people to know what’s normal and what’s not.

Enjoy reading and learning about a short story about how a girl and her family escaped from their mother country.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/14/opinion/lee-north-korea-refugee/index.html?hpt=hp_c3

Topic Reading-Vol.372-4/18/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

'Harry Potter' sport stages World Cup in Florida.

Do you remember the ball game Harry Potter played fiercely in his book series, which the students of witches and wizards’ school all excitedly loved, played and even died for?

The fictional sport, or even fight some may say, has been played in the real world by some of the fanatic readers of the book series, and/or the watchers of the movie series for several years, some are casually but others are seriously or even diehardly.

Judging just from the photos, the sport (or game) looks similar to rugby, except for the brooms, which won’t fly the players like the story but seem to play a vital role to make it unique and enjoyable.

Enjoy reading and seeing the photos of the game and its players. 

http://news.yahoo.com/harry-potter-sport-stages-world-cup-florida-202944619.html

 

Topic Reading-Vol.371-4/17/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Samsung unveils 6.3in Galaxy Mega smartphone.

How big is enough, or how small or light is enough? Depending on how you view this Samsung, not only the world largest but also the most innovative and aggressive mobile device manufacturer, has just revealed it latest model of its smartphone fleet with either 5.8 or 6.3 inch screen.

Those new models offer almost or even more features than slightly larger 7-inch mobile tablet models such as Google’s Nexus 7 or iPad Mini, not to mention the phone function.

Enjoy reading and learning about the latest model of the hottest product category. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-22107787

Topic Reading-Vol.370-4/16/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

Watch out street racers, Dubai cops have Lamborghini.

How fast is enough to win a street race or escape from a car chase on very flat but sandy roads?

Dubai, which already has world tallest building, biggest shopping mall and the largest artificial archipelago (view what the largest man-made archipelago in the world is like, check this out; http://om911.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/3725_thumb.jpg) has just added the world fastest cop car like Italy or Qatar. Why? There seem to be numbers of street racers or cruisers who are fined for excess speed of over 200km/h, which means if the speed limit is 100km/h, those who were charged the fine must have sped over 300km/h, almost as fast as bullet trains! How did the police chase and catch those haste drivers and cars?

Enjoy reading and learning about Dubai’s latest move.

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/04/11/world/meast/dubai-police-lamborghini/index.html?hpt=hp_c4

 

Topic Reading-Vol.369-4/15/2013

Dear MEL School’s Topic Readers,

PC sales worldwide have tumbled, data from IDC shows.

The new OS, Operating Software, by Microsoft seemed have not only failed to boost the overall PC sales but also helped shrink the PC market because of its upgrade to compete against or coexist with rapidly expanding tablet PCs and smart phones.

Neither technology nor investment seems to be able to save any business once something with higher value and more tangible benefits are provided by another.

Enjoy reading and learning how PC sales have been falling. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-22103079