Hello everybody!  How was your summer vacation? Please tell us all about any interesting activities you did when you had your break from work or school.  Unfortunately, this summer, a tragedy occurred recently in Asia.  Today, we will take a closer look at what happenened. 

 

 

A serious flood hit the border area between Nepal and China on August 26, 2026. The disaster happened in the Himalayan Mountains after a large amount of ice and rock collapsed from a glacier. The ice, rocks, mud, and water moved quickly down the mountains and into rivers. The flood destroyed homes, roads, bridges, and other buildings. More than 600 people have died, and almost 3,000 people are still missing.

 

Rescue teams are working in both Nepal and China. In Nepal, more than 90,000 people have been affected by the disaster. Helicopters are being used to rescue people and bring food and water to areas that are difficult to reach. However, many roads and bridges were destroyed, making the rescue work very difficult. Some people are still waiting for news about family members who are missing.

 

There is also a danger of more flooding. The collapse of the glacier helped create a new lake in the mountains, and officials are watching it carefully. If too much water leaves the lake at once, another flood could happen. Rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors and help people who have lost their homes. Scientists are also studying what caused the glacier and mountain to collapse.

 

This is an unbelievable situation that nobody could have predicted.  Let's all pray for the family and friends of the victims and for anybody who is still missing.  Hopefully, as many people as possible can still be rescued.  Next time you come to BRIDGE, feel free to discuss this topic with your teacher and share any difficult experiences you have had related to naturual disasters.  

 

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Hello everybody!

 

I think many people are enjoying their summer vacation right now, but if you are still working or studying in this heat, I hope you find time to take a break. One of my favorite ways to stay cool and get out of the sun is to go to the movies. Although it hasn't been released in Japan yet, I'd like to discuss a film that is currently popular in many countries.

 

 

Christopher Nolan's new movie The Odyssey has become one of the biggest movies of 2026. It has broken box office records around the world. One cinema in London made more than $290,000 from the movie in just one weekend, the best opening in its history. In the United States, it had the biggest opening weekend of the year for a live-action movie. Some theaters even showed the film at 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., and 6:00 a.m. because so many people wanted to see it.

 

The movie is a three-hour action fantasy written and directed by Christopher Nolan. It is based on The Odyssey, a famous poem written about 2,700 years ago by the ancient Greek poet Homer. The story follows the Greek king Odysseus as he tries to return home after the Trojan War. During his ten-year journey, he faces storms, monsters, and other mythical creatures. The cast includes Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, and Travis Scott.

 

The movie has received many positive reviews, and critics have praised Nolan for bringing an ancient story to modern audiences. Film expert David A. Gross said Nolan is the only director who could turn such an old story into a major pop culture event. In Japan, The Odyssey will be released on September 11, 2026, including IMAX screenings. Nolan highly recommends watching the movie in an IMAX theater because it was filmed entirely with IMAX cameras!

 

Does this sound interesting to you? If so, let's talk about this and other films when you visit BRIDGE again. Take care and stay cool!

 

 

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Hello everybody!  It is now July, and summer is moving right along.  Also, the World Cup is in full swing right now in North America!  Today, we would like to discuss an aspect of Western culture, especially in America, which has been confusing for tourists from other countries.  

 

Many people from around the world have traveled to North America to watch the World Cup. While they are excited to enjoy the games, some visitors are surprised by the tipping culture in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In many countries, tips are included in the bill, but in North America, customers are often expected to leave a tip of about 20%.

 

For many fans, tipping makes meals even more expensive because they have already spent a lot of money on travel, hotels, and match tickets. Some visitors also feel tired of being asked to tip for small purchases, such as buying a bottle of water.

 

Restaurant workers depend on tips because their hourly pay can be very low. In the United States, some restaurant workers earn as little as $2.13 per hour before tips. Without tips, many workers do not earn enough money to live on. To help international visitors understand the custom, some restaurants automatically add a tip to the bill, while others ask their staff to politely explain why tipping is important in North America.

 

What do you think about this situation?  Have you ever experienced problems related to tipping in other countries?  Tell us about your experiences and opnions when you come to BRIDGE again.  Have a great weekend. 

 

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