The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) is an interim deal between Iran and the UN Security Council's permanent members (P5+1), namely China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America plus Germany, that requires Iran to lessen its uranium deposits and centrifuges. The agreement includes the assurance of lifting nuclear-related economic sanctions on Iran which will allow economic and social development in Iran and its neighboring countries. 

Prior to the agreement, Iran was isolated from international banking systems because its revenues from oil and other products were severely affected by its nuclear-related sanctions. The country’s economy was crippled by the UN Security Council sanctions as well as the economic and financial embargoes imposed on Iran's banks, insurance, investment, petrochemical, oil, gas, and automobile industries by the United States and the European Union. 

Because of these sanctions, the GDP of Iran significantly decreased which led to the increase in the prices of basic commodities and the loss of employment for many Iranians. However, through the new nuclear deal, it is predicted that Iran’s GDP may increase by up to 10 percent in the next few years which will snowball into creating better living conditions and opportunities for Iran and its citizens.

In terms of international relations, if Iran is able to live up to its end of the deal, then foreign investors may bring back their trust and confidence in the country. This would pave the way for more investments and business deals that will once again be advantageous to Iran’s economy. Also, without the sanctions, Iran will be more capable of funding its oil production. This would bring Iran back as a major player in the oil market as it is expected to produce 5 percent of the international daily output of oil.

The benefits of the JCPOA are also believed to affect other countries positively. The increased oil production of Iran will increase the supply in the market and lower retail prices for consumers. Moreover, with business flourishing in Iran, neighboring countries in the Middle East will also get international attention which may lead to a more positive international view of the Middle East as a whole.

People, especially Iranians, have high hopes for the JCPOA. Experts also think that if this deal proves to be successful in the future, it can be used as a framework for other countries that still have high nuclear deposits like North Korea.

心から祈る: 마음으로부터 기원한다

いつも祈っています: 항상 기도하고 있습니다

祈りは?かなかった: 소원은 이루어지지 않았다

Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., more popularly known as Muhammad Ali, was one of the most iconic sports figures of his generation. The name Muhammad means “the one worthy of praise” while Ali is a name of an important figure in Shia view, a branch of Islam. People also call Muhammad Ali “the greatest,” “the people’s champion,” and “the Louisville lip.” 

He was a professional boxer whose influence extends beyond the ring. He first became interested in boxing when a police officer witnessed him get angered by a thief who was stealing his bicycle.He wanted to beat up the thief, but the police officer told him he needed to learn how to box first. 

Ali’s boxing style is characterized by his superior hand speed, excellent reflexes, jabs from unpredictable angles, strong footwork, and constant movement around the ring. As an amateur boxer, Ali’s boxing career took off in 1954. He bagged six Kentucky Golden Gloves titles, two national Golden Gloves titles, and an Amateur Athletic Union national title. In 1960, he won the Light Weight gold medal in the Summer Olympics held in Rome. As a professional boxer, his career began to flourish in 1960 when he won the match against a professional boxer named Tunney Hunsaker. 

The boxing era during Ali’s time is often called the golden age of heavyweight boxing during which he defeated all top heavyweights. He was a three-time heavyweight champion. He received numerousacclamations from major sports magazines. He was also an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee. On top of all these, a street was also named after him—the Muhammad Ali Boulevard in Louisville, Kentucky. 

Outside the ring, Ali was famous for his defiant stance against the Vietnam War. He cited that war is against the teachings of Quran. For this reason, he refused to serve in the army. His defiance to step forward during his induction into the Armed Forces in 1967 led to his arrest and his loss of his boxing license and title. Knowing what were at stake, Ali’s resistance became an inspiration to many African Americans including Martin Luther King, Jr.

On June 3, 2016, the world was saddened by the death of the great fighter Muhammad Ali. People from around the world mourned his death. American presidents, celebrities, other known American personalities, his Muslim brothers and sisters, and his fans paid their respects to the fallen American icon.

心に感じる: 마음으로 느낀다

寒さを感じる: 추위를 느끼다

気持ち悪く感じた: 징그러웠다, 역겨웠다

Permanent sterilization is one kind of contraception that involves surgical or other invasive procedures that would prevent individuals from having children. This procedure is available for men and women. For men, the procedure is called a vasectomy – a permanent form of contraception wherein the vas deferens aresevered or tied to prevent sperm cells from moving. For women, it is called tubal ligation – a procedure wherein the fallopian tubes are clamped, tied, or cut to prevent eggs from reaching the uterus for fertilization.

This kind of contraception is not widely accepted by society because of identified pros and cons. It is even surrounded by controversy because some people consider it immoral and unacceptable. They have identified several points that explain why they are against permanent sterilization. Some of them are as follows:

First of all, permanent sterilization completely takes away the body’s ability to reproduce. It can be irreversible, so there can be no way for people to change their minds when the procedure is done. It is such a big commitment that one should not decide to undertake in his or her lifetime.

Second, it is an invasive procedure that destroys a part of the body that is functioning properly. It is irrational and immoral to remove a perfectly functional body part just to prevent it from continuing to perform its purpose. 

Third, it affects people’s self-esteem and confidence because the procedure takes away something that physically defines masculinity and femininity. Being sterile may pose risks of depression and other undesirable psychological problems in the long run.

On the other hand, supporters of permanent sterilization rebut the statements mentioned by opponents by identifying some of its positive points and advantages. For these supporters, permanent sterilization is moral, acceptable, and even recommended.

First, choosing to undergo permanent sterilization is a decision made by an individual. It is a contraceptive method chosen from many other options, so that decision should be respected. Besides, people will always have different preferences and inclinations.

Second, permanent sterilization is a one-time procedure that requires minimal time and effort. It is a procedure that has to be done in one day, and its effectiveness is guaranteed to last a lifetime. It is a smart and practical choice to make, especially for those who are sure that they no longer want to have children.

Lastly, permanent sterilization makes people more secured and comfortable because they won’t be worried about unexpected pregnancies. Compared to other forms of contraception, permanent sterilization is the most effective one.

思いっきり叩いてください: 온 힘을 다해 때려주세요

机を叩く: 책상을 두들기다

ドアを叩いてみる: 노크를 해본다

Lastly, marriage provides security and empowers couples. A relationship that is recognized by the law guarantees a lot of benefits. For instance, a partner can make decisions on behalf of the other partner on issues including health care and finances. On the contrary, single people who do not have significant others do not have anyone to depend on in times of dire need.

あの人は恐ろしい人です: 저 사람은 무서운 사람입니다

なんと恐ろしい…: 너무 무서운 것...

ガンは恐ろしい病気だ: 암은 무서운 병이다

The Academy Awards has been around since 1929 when it was first held in a private dinner function with 270 attendees. Since then, it has had its moments of glamor and controversy. Amidst the glamorand excitement that surrounds the atmosphere on every Academy Awards night, it has seemed like there is always a catch. Every awards night has become a night where the media watch out for the announcement of the winners, their acceptance speeches, and yes, even the best and the worst dressed celebrities. 

There were rare instances when nominees opted to boycott the event. Some even refused to accept their awards due to various reasons such as discrimination and bias. This 2016, the most recent blow that the Oscars has suffered is the accusation of lack of diversity which is nothing new. Around the time that the nominees were released, African-American actress Jada Pinkett Smith was one of the first celebrities to take note that no African-Americans were nominated this 2016. She further criticized the lack of diversity in the acting category. This year’s event was given an alternative title, “#OscarsSoWhite.” 

Adding more insult to injury, African-American comedian Chris Rock hosted the awards night and confronted the diversity issue head on, promising that he would not shy away from the issue. Before the awards night, people were already on the edge of their seats, anxious to witness how Chris Rock would handle the longstanding issue of lack of diversity in the Academy nominations. He started the night with a feisty monologue that would forever be remembered. 

He mentioned some thought-provoking sentiments by asking rhetorical questions, while still managing to keep the audience entertained by his use of humorous metaphors in between. He also criticized other celebrities who asked him to boycott the event. However, he also made it clear that he understood why actresses like Jada boycotted the awards night. Over the years, he added, African-Americans had other more important protests than not getting nominated for an Oscar. 

In the end, he capped his monologue on a serious note that what African-Americans really want is to get more acting opportunities. His stand became clearer in his sentiment that Leonardo DiCaprio gets a great part every year, while African-American actors do not. However, some netizens criticized Chris Rock for only speaking in behalf of African-Americans while other races were not nominated as well. Nevertheless, many people thought that what he did was brave and brilliant.

会えて嬉しいです: 만나서 반갑습니다

たくさん休めて嬉しいです: 많이 쉴 수 있어서 기뻐요

嬉しいのにどうして泣くんですか？: 기쁜데 왜 우는 건가요