Hard Drive Worth £5M in Bitcoins Lost in a Landfill

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. regret [ri-GRET] (v.) – to feel bad or be sorry for something

Example: Dan regrets that he bought expensive but useless things.

2. spill [spil] (v.) – to make something fall or spread

Example: The keyboard is not working anymore because he spilled water on it.

3. retrieve [ri-TREEV] (v.) – to get something back

Example: The programmer retrieved the files by clicking the “restore” button.

4. mud [muhd] (n.) – soft and wet soil or dirt

Example: The computer room of our school was filled with mud because of the typhoon.

5. access [AK-ses] (v.) – to enter or open

Example: Computer hackers can fully access even the most secured websites.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

An Australian IT worker regrets throwing away a computer hard drive that could make him an instant millionaire. James Howells of New South Wales garnered 7,500 units worth of virtual currency called Bitcoins. Bitcoins were designed by a Japanese programmer in 2009 to be used for buying products online. A Bitcoin’s rate is dependent on people’s demand for it. From the rate of £1.50, its rate reached £664 or around one thousand US dollars today. Howells accidentally spilled lemonade on his laptop, seriously damaging it. He disassembled the computer in 2010 and kept the hard drive where the digital cash is stored. In the middle of 2012, he decided to throw it away thinking that it has no importance anymore. He admitted how bad his idea was when he learned that the current value of his Bitcoins could make him earn approximately £5 million. When the workers from a dumpsite in Newport, South Wales, told him that it could be buried under four feet of mud and garbage, it became almost impossible to retrieve the hard drive. Despite the value of the hard drive device, Howells is not worried about someone finding it. However, he hopes that the lucky person who will get it will share a decent amount to him. On another note, the hard drive will need a digital key to access the digital wallet stored in it, and only Howells has the code.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think someone will get Howells’ hard drive? Why or why not?

         If you were Howells, will you start generating Bitcoins again with its current value? Please explain.

Discussion B

         How did the Internet change business transactions?

         With the internet, is it more efficient to conduct business today? Please explain your answer.

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Algae May Solve Acne Problems

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. emerge [i-MURG] (v.) – to come out and be noticed

Example: The symptoms of the virus emerged after only two weeks of infection.

2. treat [treet] (v.) – to cure or to give medical care for something

Example: Skin infection must be treated immediately.

3. excessive [ik-SES-iv] (adj.) – too much or far from normal

Example: Excessive eating of oily food may cause pimples.

4. potential [puh-TEN-shuh l] (adj.) – possibility of something

Example: Stress is a potential cause of some illnesses.

5. present [PREZ-uh nt] (adj.) – exists or located in something or some place

Example: Harmful bacteria are present in dirty spoiled food.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Scientists from Scotland have recently discovered that marine algae [AL-jee] can be an effective treatment for problems related to acne [AK-nee]. Acne, scientifically known as Acne Vulgaris, is a skin disease common among many people, especially among teenagers. Acne usually starts to emerge during puberty, a period in which the oil glands of the skin are most active. Excessive oily liquids produced by the skin often lead to the growth of harmful bacteria that cause acne. Experts have already discovered treatments for acne that involve the use of formulated acids and drugs to fight pimple-causing bacteria. However, a group of marine scientists from the University of Stirling found a more natural solution through the use of marine algae or seaweeds. Marine Biotechnology professor Dr. Andrew Desbois [DES-bwah] and his co-researcher recognized how marine algae can help in skin and hair care. During their study, they learned that algae can produce a natural substance that aids in treating acne and in preventing its spread. The results of the study revealed how algae can boost the production of fatty acids on the skin as defense against unwanted bacteria. Researchers discovered six fatty acids present in the marine algae that can be very helpful in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and in preventing the growth of acne. Some of these components are consumed by eating fish and seaweeds. However, researchers plan to make a potential ointment out of the marine algae that can be applied on skin parts affected by acne.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Which acne treatment would you prefer, the formulated drugs or the marine algae? Why?

         How else do you think acne can be avoided?

Discussion B

         Do you think using natural treatment is better than synthetic (artificial) medicine? Why is that so?

         In your opinion, should researchers focus more on finding natural remedies? Why or why not?

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Meet Sanct Herr 'cholas

Saint Nicholas of Myra

"Yes, Virginia," the letter starts, "there is a Santa Claus."

And this is an icon of Saint Nicholas, known in this country as Santa Claus.

In Europe, he's still Father Christmas or Saint Nicholas - it's only in the U.S. that he's known as Santa Claus.  More on this in a moment.

Nicholas was the son of two Bishops of the Catholic Church, born in the 4th Century, who was eventually Sainted by the Church after a lifetime of remarkable charity.

It is from Nicholas's act of dropping gold coins into the stockings of three young girls through the hole in the roof of their shanty through which smoke of the cooking fire escaped, which is where we get "up on the rooftop".  The girls had each washed their one pair of socks and had "hung them by the chimney with care" to dry.   Nicholas knew that the girls father could not afford doweries for them, and the father - too proud to accept charity -- was putting off the inevitable -- selling them into slavery.

Yes, his parents were two Bishops, obviously one a man and one a woman.  This was before the Catholic Church began teaching that women were inherently evil, and that only celibate men could ascend to power within the church.

Please, if that historical fact offends any reader, my apology.  But the truth is the truth, and the truth should never be denied.

Saint Nicholas spread to Russia in the 10th Century, then across the far North where among other things, he picked up a team of Reindeer.  Eventually, he was celebrated across Europe from where he immigrated to the U.S. with the early English, German, Dutch and other settlers.

Our name for the gentleman, Santa Claus, is a mispronunciation of his name in Pennsylvania Dutch/German,  Sanct Herr 'cholas.  Or Saint Mister Nicholas.

Enjoy your holidays as will I.  We're going to be on a short hiatus until January 6th.  Best wishes to all, and to all, a good night.

Picasso Painting Raffled Off in Paris

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. depict [di-PIKT] (v.) – to illustrate or show visually

Example: The painting depicts human love.

2. overlap [o-ver-LAP] (v.) – to occupy a same part or area

Example: Intersecting lines overlap.

3. proceeds [PROH-seeds] (n.) – amount of money earned; income

Example: The proceeds from the exhibit will be used to improve the museum.

4. handicap [HAN-dee-kap] (n.) – disability of a person

Example: His physical handicap did not stop him from painting.

5. sympathize [SIM-puh-thahyz] (v.) – to be concerned with others’ state

Example: Artists often gain inspiration by sympathizing with others’ experiences.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A raffle draw for a million dollar worth of painting by Pablo Picasso was recently held in Paris to raise funds for the restoration of the ancient city of Tyre in Lebanon. Picasso is known for his Cubist masterpieces that depicted various geometrical shapes and overlapping lines. He finished his artwork titled “L'Homme au Gibus” or “Man in the Opera Hat” in 1914. An unknown donor bought the 99-year-old painting from a New York museum and gave it to the UNESCO-registered charity group called International Association to Save Tyre (AIST). Out of an estimated fifty thousand tickets released, all were sold except 10,000 of it. Tickets were sold for 100 euros or 135 dollars each on the website 1picasso100euros.com, and all the proceeds from the raffle draw were given to AIST. The institution’s goal is to give jobs to the people in Tyre, specially the women, youth, and those with handicap. Doing so will help preserve the ancient handicrafts of the city. An institute for Phoenician [fi-NISH-uh n, -NEE-shuh n] studies is also planned to be set up in Lebanon’s capital, Beirut. Oliver Picasso, the painter’s grandson, completely approved of the activity as it provides help for a compelling cause. He is assured that his late grandfather would also agree to let his work be raffled in the event. As Oliver recalled, Pablo Picasso was a generous man who usually donated cash and gifts to people in need. He added that Pablo deeply sympathized with others’ problematic situations.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         If you were Pablo Picasso, would you let your painting be raffled off for charity?

         Given the chance, would you participate in the raffle? Why or why not?

Discussion B

         What is the importance of protecting ancient cities like Tyre?

         How can the next generation be more concerned with ancient cities?

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Social Workers in Copenhagen Wake Students at Home

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. wake up [WEYK-ap] (v.) – to get out from sleep

Example: Rick always arrives first in class because he wakes up early.

2. social worker  [SOH-shuhl  WUR-ker] (n.) – people who work to improve the quality of life of others

Example: Social workers teach children who can’t attend school.

3. welfare [WEL-feyr] (n.) – a government department that serves the public’s needs and monitors moral conduct

Example: Poor families often get assistance from various government welfares.

4. extreme [ik-STREEM] (adj.) – very far from the average or normal

Example: The school has extreme punishment for students who violate the rules.

5. method  [METH-uhd]  (n.) – a way of doing things

Example: Research method should be scientific.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Social workers in the district of Oesterbro [OO-ster-bo] in Copenhagen [koh-puh n-HEY-guh n, -HAH-, KOH-puh n-hey-, -hah-], Denmark have initiated a wake-up call project to solve the problem of absenteeism among children in the district. A group of social workers make phone calls to check if children will attend their class. But typically, children are visited in their homes to make sure that they really wake up. The practice is targeted to students between seven and 15 years old who are often absent in school. After testing the method for one year, 33 percent of the students who usually skip school are now attending classes regularly. This improvement has made the project permanent in Oesterbro, but it is expected to be applied in other districts as well. According to Barbro Lundqvist [luh ndk-vist], a social worker, a student’s excessive absences may be a symptom of a family problem. The state’s welfare department is concerned with this problem; so, it tries to help these children with the wake-up call project. But critics of the project say that Oesterbro’s idea of welfare is extreme. Local politician Heidi Wang argued that one’s personal responsibility in the family should not be handled by a municipality representative. However, Lundqvist said that although conflicts and resistance of families are evident,   social workers are prepared to handle these kinds of situation. She explained that the project’s purpose is to gradually make the parents diligent in waking up their children.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         Do you think the wake-up call project is extreme? Why or why not?

         Why do you think some students are frequently absent in school?

Discussion B

         If you were a school principal, how would you solve frequent absences of students?

         How do you think parents can encourage their kids to go to school every day?

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Famous Boxer Accused of Not Paying Taxes

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. unanimous [yoo-NAN-uh-muh s] (adj.) – based on the agreement of all parties involved

Example: The boxer won by a unanimous decision from the judges.   

2. top-billed [TOP-bild] (adj.) – popular or characterized as the main attraction in an event

Example: Top-billed matches are the matches people look forward to in a boxing event. 

3. garnish [GAHR-nish] (v.) – to put owed money or properties on hold

Example: The man cannot withdraw because the bank garnished his accounts.

4. single out [SING-guhl out] (v.) – to bring special attention to someone from a group

Example: The mayor feels singled out because he is the only politician being accused of corruption. 

 5. sweat and blood [swet and bluhd] (idiom) – a great amount of effort or hard work

Example: His big house was a result of years of sweat and blood.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Manny Pacquiao, one of the world's best boxers and congressman of Sarangani, Philippines, is being accused of not paying taxes. Forbes ranked Pacquiao as the 14th highest paid athlete globally, with estimated earnings of $34 million. He came home from a unanimous decision victory against American opponent Brandon Rios in Macau last November 24. After his victory in Macau, Pacquiao is being accused of not paying ₱2.2 Billion ($50.3 million) worth of taxes from prize earnings in his top-billed matches in 2008 and 2009. The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) garnished ₱1.1 Million ($25,160) from his bank accounts and is requiring him to comply with the investigation. However, Pacquiao claims that he is not evading his taxes in the Philippines because he paid taxes in the US instead. He submitted his Internal Revenue Services access code and a certification from his promoter Top Rank that he paid taxes. However, the BIR did not accept the unofficial documents. Pacquiao feels like he is being singled out with BIR’s accusations. He told reporters that he earned his money from sweat and blood and not from stealing, like what other corrupt politicians do. He angrily said that he was not warned before his bank accounts were garnished. He even needed to borrow money in order to help out typhoon victims because he could not withdraw from his own accounts. Tax chief Kim Henares replied that BIR gave Pacquiao two years to comply, which is significantly longer than what is given to others. She also clarifies that there is no tax evasion case against Pacquiao, as they are only collecting the taxes that the athlete owes.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

         If you were in Manny Pacquiao’s shoes, how would you deal with the accusation?

         How do you think Pacquiao can avoid this problem in the future? Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

         In your opinion, why are taxes important?

         What do you think the government should spend people’s taxes on? Please explain briefly.

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