‘My entire family was gone’: Aceh thrives 20 years after tragic tsunami, but anguish remains

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Countries have since improved their earthquake and tsunami planning, including having early warning systems and rigid building codes, according to Earth science professional Don Melgar of the University of Oregon.  

“The truth is that with increasing sea levels, tsunami impacts will become progressively deadlier, ” he told CNA’s Asia First on Monday ( Dec 23 ).  

“That’s things that we’re starting to take into account when we make arrangements and estimates. ”

There is also greater local engagement, including data posting, he added.  

“That’s not something that was happening in 2004,” said Melgar. So that makes it simpler to warn people when quakes occur.  

Additionally, it makes it simpler to exchange knowledge and information in the form of computer models, training, and preparations, but that, nevertheless, the whole region can be strengthened and made more resilient than just this or that nation. ”

He cautioned against complacency when preparing for the next big hazard.  

“We’re in a better place, but we’re not at our place, ” he said.

“We may think about our kids and our children’s children. That’s the kind of thinking that will enable us to prevent tragedies like the one from 2004 from occurring again. ”

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‘New approach to addressing corruption’: Indonesia plans to pardon graft convicts who return stolen assets

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In what a minister called” a fresh approach” to combating corruption, Indonesia plans to forgive graft criminals and suspects who agree to transfer stolen goods to the state.

According to Chief Legal Affairs Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra, the main goal of the new strategy is to recover stolen goods for public use.

We want legislation enforcement to use the stolen funds to benefit the people by returning them to the state’s funds. What is the advantage of our people if bone criminals are just put in jail? Minister Yusril made the announcement to BTV last Friday ( Dec 20 ).

Some critics have disputed the idea, which President Prabowo Subianto brought up on Wednesday ( 18 December ) during his trip to Egypt ). &nbsp,

Mr. Prabowo said his government does offer ways for graft suspects and convicts to covertly returning what they stole in the coming weeks or months.

I’m allowing them to turn their heads. Hey you corrupters, or those who feel that you have stolen from the people, if you return what you stole, we may pardon you, but please return it”, Prabowo said in a statement at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University that was attended by thousands of Indonesian college students. &nbsp,

The government is working on a presidential order, which will include a date, according to Minister Yusril.

According to Yusril,” The political pardon may be granted if they return the stolen goods by August 1, 2025 at the latest,” according to news outlet Jakarta Globe. The president has the authority to forgive criminals or suspects under Article 14 of the 1945 Constitution, which supersedes legal norms, noted Yusril.

He claimed that the broader program aimed at addressing the nation’s overcrowded prisons is the cause of the proposed forgive of bone criminals. &nbsp,

Earlier this month, it was reported that Prabowo plans to give asylum to over 40, 000 individuals, or about 30 per cent of the region’s prison population. Pharmaceutical criminals, those with mental illnesses, and those imprisoned in Papua province for criticizing the government are among those who may be pardoned. &nbsp,

Without providing figures, Yusril said bone defendants make up only a small percentage of the 44, 000 prisoners who could receive a political pardon.

He said that transplant suspects under investigation who agree to return the stolen funds may be eligible for pardons as well, noting that those who do so won’t face charges and won’t be identified.

According to him,” Those who are being investigated or tried for corruption will get cleared of charges if they return the stolen position assets,” according to the Jakarta Globe. &nbsp,

” After years of focusing on disciplinary measures, it’s obvious that we need a fresh approach to address this enduring issue”, added Yusril, highlighting Indonesia’s “worsening” efficiency in global problem positions.

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Singaporean parents shell out thousands of dollars to send preschoolers on Japan exchange programme

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” Singapore’s knowledge is different, and we really wanted her to experience the land and fringes a little. For example, her class in Singapore is air-conditioned, but the Chinese school is not”, he said.

In Singapore, the kids are “more protected, with a bigger perception of self-entitlement”, he added.

The courses also had a lower teacher-to-students proportion than in Singapore, where the Early Childhood Development Agency’s laws imply one staff member to every 20 to 25 babies for Eden’s time party.

” Each course had 13 individuals including her. The education included a half day of scientific work and a half day of outdoor play, according to Mr. Sim.

Singapore, according to him, places a higher emphasis on intellectual teaching, and the curriculum begins earlier in the school year.

” But in Japan, it is about personal development and the softer aspects, such as motor skills and interpersonal skills” .&nbsp,

Mr Chia also said the Chinese education is “more nature-based and experienced” compared to up in Singapore, where Leanne is enrolled in Zion Bishan Kindercare Child.

For example, Leanne experienced something new every day during each of her five weeks of classes that, according to Ms. Chia.

” There was a time when they prepared the food and served their own meal. Therefore because it was Halloween, they even had a tiny Halloween rally, walking around Omori area. On another day, they went on a nature walk.

It kind of broadened her frontiers and made it easier for her to understand the differences between them.

OVERCOMING THE Speech Hurdle

Both kids informed CNA that neither of their children nor they do not talk Japanese. However, their kids were able to survive despite the language barrier.

First, Eden and her colleagues relied heavily on brain vocabulary and the teachers ‘ versions to communicate, said Mr Sim.

” But after a while, she started to be able to brand her companions, and began to pick up Chinese phrases like’ hello’ and greeting people before eating, “he said.

” She even learnt some basic words while playing, like as ‘ please’ and’ excuse me’.”

In past, Eden’s two-week project was a little short, said Mr Sim, as his child was really starting to get used to her colleagues at the end of the first week.

Ms. Chia added that they were able to communicate with the neighborhood through the use of cellular language apps.

” The teachers both communicate in Chinese. So when the teacher wanted to ask her ( Leanne ) something, or when she wanted to tell them something and they didn’t understand, they would use Google Translate. ” &nbsp,

WORTH THE MONEY

Ms Chia forked out about S$ 3, 000 ( US$ 2, 200 ) for Leanne’s week-long programme, including school fees and accommodation for both of them. Another expenses, such as flight reservations, meals and everyday needs, were not covered.

” A bit costly, to be honest, but for it. It’s a journey she will often recall,” she told CNA.

The programme’s head Ms Chiyu said prices can go up to 3 million yen ( US$ 19, 500 ) for two adults and one child for three months.

True costs vary based on the type of school and the type of lodging.

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‘Finally, we made it!’: Ho Chi Minh City celebrates first metro

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It took 17 times for Vietnam’s professional money to reach this point. The initiative, funded mainly by Chinese state funding, was first approved in 2007 and slated to cost only US$ 668 million.

When construction began in 2012, officials promised the series would be operational in five years.

But as difficulties mounted, vehicles and scooters multiplied in the area of 9 million people, making the district greatly congested, increasingly polluted and time-consuming to understand.

According to deputy president Bui Xuan Cuong, the rail “meets the growing travel requirements of people and contributes to reducing transportation congestion and economic waste.”

Cuong acknowledged that” many obstacles” had to be overcome by the authorities in order to move forward with the job.

“FRUSTRATING” DELAYS

According to state media reports, the metro was delayed because of” slower capital allocation, unexpected technical difficulties, staff problems and the COVID-19 pandemic”.

With only 14 place ceases, the route’s “impact may be limited in the little work,” warned Professor Vu Minh Hoang of Fulbright University Vietnam, who “has been frustrated by the difficulties and cost overruns.”

Nevertheless, it is still a “historic success for the city’s industrial advancement”, he added.

With instructions learnt,” the development of future lines may be extremely easier, faster, and more cost-efficient”, Hoang told AFP.

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Pakistan military courts convict 25 of pro-Khan unrest

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Former baseball legend Khan was in office from 2018 to 2022 until he was removed by the parliament following a no-confidence vote. He blamed the then-head of the powerful&nbsp, military&nbsp, formation for his death. &nbsp, Pakistan’s commanders are considered the region’s political kingmakers and have explicitly ruled the country forContinue Reading

Taipei’s sniffer dogs help detect sick trees to improve urban safety

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HOW DO CANINES MAKE THE CITY SAFE?

Soft and good-natured, Lucy is part of an elite group of scent puppies, specially selected and trained for the work.

She sits next to the trees to show her consider when she smells the condition.

A treatment must be confirmed by at least two recognition cats.

” After one dog detects a good trees, we will install a second dog to double-check. If both dogs sit down by the trees, then we can get quite certain that the tree is sick”, said Sung Fu-hua, chairman of the Taipei City administration’s Floriculture Experiment Center.

There are about 200, 000 branches across Taipei, and Lucy and her staff can assess around 8, 000 branches per month.

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Football: Singapore hold Malaysia to draw, progress to ASEAN Championship semis

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A STALEMATE TO ATTACH IT

The Lions knew that advancing may require either a gain or a pick.

Prior to the fit, Singapore led Group A with six positions, while the Thais were at the top with nine. Malaysia and Cambodia each won four factors.

The tournament style requires that teams ‘ points are first determined by their head-to-head document, followed by general purpose difference, respectively. &nbsp,

The Lions did not previously hold this position.

At the last model of the game, they travelled up to Kuala Lumpur needing a pick to advance. The Lions had seven positions, while Malaysia had six.

But, Singapore may succumb in stunning style, losing 4-1 as the Harimau Malaya moved on.

On Friday, it was Malaysia which looked the more likely of the two groups, buoyed by their vocal supporters.

On the other hand, the Lions appeared much more anxious and were unable to hang onto their position for extended periods of time. &nbsp,

A fast Malaysia counter-attack served as a sign of purpose as a Stuart Wilkin shot flashed across Izwan Mahbud’s purpose in the 28th moment as Singapore struggled to find their foundation.

Four days before halftime, Malaysia was within feet of breaking the impasse, but Daniel Ting’s failed to convert from the far post with Izwan beaten. &nbsp,

At half-time, Tsutomu Ogura threw on Shawal Anuar, the tournament’s leading scorer, but Malaysia would take the lead with an Endrick freekick that ripped the top of the Singapore net. &nbsp,

And he might launch a cannon into the area netting from a distance a moment later.

Amirul Adli’s folder was the only thing that Amirul Adli could do to turn Singapore’s first clear-cut chance into the net.

The Lions ‘ resolve would be tested by a number of subsequent sides, but the bar would finally step in.

Amirul Adli’s long-range energy forced Malaysia’s Haziq Nadzli to come to a magnificent stop before the home team hit the crossbar once more after a corner.

The Lions, however, remained enthralled by their traveling dependent and will now have a chance to roar once more.

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