Topic Reading-Vol.4724-3/31/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Why are a growing number of airlines banning power banks on flights?

The world of inflight entertainment has been changing from airline-provided services like featured movies and music to individual passengers’ devices such as smartphones and tablets. Even for long-haul transcontinental or transoceanic flights, more passengers nowadays are enjoying themselves with downloaded or streaming content on their devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used not only for mobile devices but also for drones, e-bikes, and EVs, and some passengers use portable power banks to charge their mobile devices during flights. The problem with lithium batteries is that they can overheat and even cause fire or explosion because they are made with highly reactive and flammable materials. It is suspected that a lithium battery was the cause of the fire on an Airbus plane in South Korea earlier this year. Now, more airlines in Asia are tightening rules on lithium power banks on their flights. As more aircraft are equipped with power outlets like USB ports and AC outlets, passengers might check the airline’s regulations and services before packing. 

Read the article and learn how lithium-ion batteries are being regulated by airlines. 

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/26/travel/airline-power-bank-rules-explainer-intl-hnk/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4723-3/30/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

A simple illustrated guide to zakat, answers to 7 common questions

These practices are referred to as the Five pillars of Islam because they form the foundation of Muslim life; the declaration of faith (shahada, lifetime), prayer (salah, five times a day), alms-giving (zakat, after Ramadan or any time), fasting (sawm, a month in Ramadan), and pilgrimage (hajj, once in a life). After a month of annual fasting (Ramadan), many eligible Muslims fulfill another pillar of their faith-giving Zakat, which means to purify wealth, promote social justice, and help those in need. It is mandatory for Muslims whose wealth exceeds a certain amount throughout the year. The Zakar rate is 2.5% of the wealth, which includes money, valuables, investments, and assets, but not the house they live in. Zakat is given directly or indirectly to those who need financial support but not to the immediate family members of the giver. Zakat is tax-deductible like donations in most Islamic states. 

Read the article and learn about Zakad, one of the five pillars of Islam.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/23/a-simple-illustrated-guide-to-zakat-answers-to-7-common-questions

Topic Reading-Vol.4722-3/29/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Chinese tourists redefine bucket list

According to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of China, domestic tourism saw nearly a 15% increase in 2024 with over 5.6 billion visits. Accordingly, travelers spent 17% more than the previous year. In general, Chinese people tend to travel extensively during the Lunar New Year (Spring Festival) in Jan/Feb, the National Day holiday (Golden Week) in May, and the summer months. Yes, there still are a lot of tourist groups being led by tour guides with flags in popular tourist destinations. However, instead of just visiting travel destinations and seeing popular things, people are now more interested in diverse activities and immersive experiences, such as local dining, unique accommodations, and leisure activities. These things and activities are introduced not by travel guidebooks or websites but more likely by short video platforms. Also, some travelers prefer visiting lesser-known destinations (reverse tourism) and others seek budget-friendly substitutes (alternative tourism). With a nearly 50,000 km high-speed rail network, more than 250 civil airports, and over 180,000 km highway length, People in China are more mobile both physically and digitally. 

Read the article and learn how people in China enjoy traveling these days.

https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202503/24/WS67e09caba310c240449dc63c_1.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4721-3/28/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Amazon forest felled to build road for climate summit

Belém ([beˈlẽj], Portuguese for Bethlehem) is a northern Brazilian city that lies about 100 km upriver from the Atlantic Ocean. It is the gateway to the Amazon River with a population of a little over two million and is known as the city of the Metropolis of the Brazilian Amazon region.  This is where the 2025 UN Climate Change Conference, the 30th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30) will convene in November this year. The Brazilian president expects the COP30 in Belém to be a historic summit because it is "a COP in the Amazon, not a COP about the Amazon" as the conference will focus on the needs of the Amazon and present what the Brazilian government has done to protect it. In order to host over 50,000 people at the climate summit, a new four-lane highway is being constructed through the protected Amazon rainforest. Also, the airport capacity is being expanded from seven million to 14 million even though it has been used by fewer than four million passengers a year. The COP summit is surely going to have impacts on the Amazon’s climate, biodiversity, and the lives of inhabitants. 

Read the article and learn about how the COP 30 climate summit is being prepared in Brazil.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9vy191rgn1o

Topic Reading-Vol.4720-3/27/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

What’s ‘sleepmaxxing’? Experts weigh in on the social media trend

Goodnight’s sleep is essential for your health and daytime performance (Vol.4719). There are tips and tricks to improve sleep quality and quantity, called “sleepmaxxing” on the web. Some of them are basic and proven practices for better sleep, such as sleeping in a dark, and quiet room at a cool temperature between 15 and 19 degrees. Also, limiting screen time, and avoiding bright lights, alcohol, or caffeine helps you fall asleep easily and have sound sleep. For some people, weighted blankets might make them feel cocooned during sleep, while others find eating kiwi before bedtime helps their sleep. However, mouth taping to avoid mouth breathing or nostril expanders to prevent nasal congestion or snoring might be harmful to health. After all, the very basics for a good night’s sleep seem simple; keeping regular hours, doing exercises, and sleeping in a sound environment. Checking sleepmaxxing videos on your smartphone at midnight certainly won’t help you sleep any better or longer.

Read the article and learn how to maximize your sleep.

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/09/health/sleepmaxxing-benefits-risks-wellness/index.html

Topic Reading-Vol.4719-3/26/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Seven ways to improve your sleep

Do you usually get a good night’s sleep? We are supposed to sleep about one-third of each day, between seven and nine hours. But around the world, many people today don’t sleep well or long enough because they are busy working or having fun and suffer from sleep impairment. One study found those who slept for only six hours a night for two weeks had as many naps as those who hadn’t slept a whole night. 

Sleep is essential to your brain. When you sleep, your brain clears out accumulated debris and toxins. Also when you’re in deep sleep, your body repairs muscles and tissues. But you don’t have to sleep for eight hours straight. If you cannot sleep that long at a time, you could take a catnap for not longer than 15 minutes, or sleep in two shifts. If you have difficulty falling asleep, having a sleeping companion might help. Of course, a comfortable bed, a dark and noiseless room, and daytime exercises all help you sleep better, if not longer. The key to healthy sleep is not just how long you sleep but how well you sleep.

Read the article and learn tips to sleep better.

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240315-the-ultimate-guide-to-optimising-your-sleep

Topic Reading-Vol.4718-3/25/2025

Dear MEL Topic Readers, 

Iran using drones and apps to enforce women's dress code

The hijab, head coverings worn by Muslim women, has been a mandatory dress code for all women in Iran since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The head covering is a sign of piety before God and modesty in front of men outside their families. Morality police enforce the law by monitoring, arresting, and even punishing women who don’t comply with the law. Now, Iranian women and girls face increased fines, prison terms of up to 15 years, and possible death sentences for failing to wear a hijab in both physical and online spaces through a new strict law on religious dress and behavior that took effect last December. To monitor hijab compliance, Iran’s security officials are using security cameras, facial recognition software, and drones. They also encourage people to use mobile phone apps to report women’s dress code violations. In the Islamic Republic of Iran, modern technologies are being used to enforce ancient traditions and customs.

Read the article and learn about reinforced women’s dress code in Iran.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kg15jkpdeo