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Japanese government to give scholarships in 2018

2017年3月31日

Education - E

Approximately 20,000 students will be granted state-sponsored scholarsips in Japan in 2018. A monthly allowance of ¥20,000 will be provided to students at public universities who live with their parents; ¥30,000 will be given monthly to students of such schools living away from their parents and students attending private universities who live with their parents; and, students at private universities who live away from their parents will receive ¥40,000. As a precursory action, in 2017, Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) will give financial support to 2,650 students. The academic grants, which will be introduced to students from low-income households, are a far-reaching step in aiding citizens to achieve higher education…
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Apple cider vinegar for weight loss

2017年3月29日

Health - Intermediate

Apple cider vinegar is known for its beneficial effects to our body. Rumors spread that it helps with type-2 diabetes and teeth whitening. But can it also help lose weight? Carol Johnston, a professor from Arizona State University School of Nutrition and Health Promotion, has been studying the effects of apple cider vinegar for almost a decade. According to her, there’s no concrete evidence yet if ACV truly aids with weight loss; although, the acetic acid in vinegar may activate fat metabolism. A study conducted in Japan back in 2009, revealed the significant effect of apple cider vinegar in weight loss. By taking at least two tablespoons of mixed apple…
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Asia’s fastest growing economies have the fastest growing slums

2017年3月29日

Business - E

  World Bank data states that nations such as Cambodia, Mongolia, Myanmar, and the Philippines have a high number of squatters in key cities. Cities such as Manila and Jakarta offer encroached properties for migrants. World Bank senior specialist Makiko Watanabe said that opportunities in cities lead to the boost of migrants. It is said that people migrate because of the notion that cities offer a lot of opportunities such as employment and convenience. World Bank offers two solutions for governments to cope up with the rising urban population. Solutions are either recasting a rural town into an urbanized city or developing areas outside key cities to decongest the population….
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Turrón

2017年3月29日

Lifestyle

Turrón is a popular Spanish dessert made from honey, sugar and nuts. It was invented in Jijona by the Moors over 500 years ago. It is said to have been brought to Spain in the Middle Ages through colonization by the Moors. Manual de Mujeres (Women’s handbook), a 16th century handbook of recipes for cosmetics and food, contains the oldest living Spanish turrón recipe. Today, the Convent of Hermanas Clarisas is known to be the producer of the best turrón in Spain. Twenty-two nuns work together scrupulously to make perfect batches of turrón. Another secret to the prominence of the convent’s turrón is the fact that the nuns have carefully…
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E.U. fines three banks $520 million

2017年3月27日

Business - E

European Union authorities fined multinational banks JPMorgan Chase, Credit Agricole and HSBC for conspiracy over market manipulation. JPMorgan Chase was charged 337 million euros, Credit Agricole with 114 million euros, while HSBC based in London faced a fine of 33 million euros, with a sum amounting to $520 million. Mergrethe Vestager, the commissioner in charge of European competition policy, said that the financial institutions involved illicitly exchanged classified data to collectively bend interest rates with the intention of increasing their revenue. Barclays, Deutsche Bank, RBS and Societe Generale were charged three years ago for the same violation. Vocabulary: conspiracy – the activity of secretly planning with other people to do something…
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People keep their smartphones longer

2017年3月22日

technology

How long do Americans hold onto their smartphones? That’s the question that Kantar Worldpanel’s 2016 report answered. On average, Americans keep their phones for 22.7 months, while Europeans do so for 21.6 months. The data show an increase by almost two months from when Kantar Worldpanel did a similar report back in 2014. There is a stark difference between the data gathered among American smartphone users and Chinese smartphone users. The Chinese upgrade their phones faster at an average of 20.2 months. The report attributes this trend to the fact that the smartphone market in China is liquid. Moreover, online shopping is more extensive in the country. Vocabulary: stark –…
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Blueberry juice helps improve brain function

2017年3月22日

Health - Intermediate

Blueberries – also known as a super fruit. It is known to be the king of antioxidants and is believed to help lower down bad cholesterol. A recent study strongly suggests that this super fruit can aid in cognitive repair, especially for the elderly. Twenty-six elders aged between 66 and 75 have participated in the experiment. Fourteen of them were given a placebo while the remaining consumed at least 30ml of concentrated blueberry juice every day. After twelve weeks, those that have blueberry juice included in their diet exhibited significant changes in their brain activity, as monitored by the MRI scanner. Our brain functions decline as we age. It is…
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Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president

2017年3月20日

World News - Expert

Pre-reading questions: Why do you think a person would want to lead a nation? Do you think the leadership skills required to run a business and that required to run a country are the same? Discuss. Do you think every leader of a nation is a good role model? Explain. Last January 20, President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States of America. The newly elected president and his first lady, Melania Trump, had tea at the White House with the Obamas earlier that day. Present in President Trump’s inauguration were other former US Presidents- Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter, and…
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Japanese public deeply skeptical over its corporate leaders

2017年3月20日

Business - E

Edelman, an American public relations firm, surveyed 28 nations and regions featuring more exposure of corporate honchos to the common public. Japan garnered only 18% in the Trust Barometer survey which placed last on the list. Developed countries such as China and India ranked first in the said survey. Despite being a developed country, Japan expressed skepticism towards their corporate honchos. Edelman Japan noted that the Japanese society are skeptical because of their officials’ low public exposure and because of incidents that happened for the past few years such as corporate scandals and overworking issues. CEOs may emulate United Airlines’ Oscar Munoz wherein his amiability and visibility raised employees morale…
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Sony’s Lifelog app offers new features

2017年3月17日

technology

Sony has recently announced that its fitness app called Lifelog has been upgraded with new features. With the new and improved Lifelog, a user just has to take a picture of his food and the app will give him a comprehensive analysis and calorie count of the food. It can also give nutritional advice tailored to a particular user’s needs. The app is available for download on Google Play. The app uses the technology from Sony Mobile’s Meal Image Analysis software to recognize food. It is compatible with smartphones and wearable devices like Sony’s SmartWatch 3. The software will be launched in Japan to encourage employees to stay fit and…
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