Commentary: Japan is living in the shadow of the megaquake

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NO ONE KNOWS IF IT’S TIME TO Anxiety

The dilemma is exacerbated by the fact that the alert arrives just as the Japanese prepare to depart in droves for Obon, the illegal summer holiday interval when city dwellers usually make their way back to their hometowns.

It’s another looming but inanimate risk in a state that&nbsp, in the last week has faced the possibility&nbsp, of higher mortgage costs for the first time in over&nbsp, a century, and a business fall and rise that few have actually experienced

There will be plenty of conversation going on with family members around the dining table. Ideas will return to the last big quake, which struck on New Year’s Day this January simply as&nbsp, individuals were&nbsp, napping off vacation meal comas.

No one is sure when to start panicking right away. &nbsp, For some, it was a good&nbsp, reminder&nbsp, to check on the status of disaster supplies and equipment. The Nankai Trough was the subject of humorous responses from some website users, with one wit online suggesting that since Google Maps permits reviews, we should appease it with a number of five-star reviews.

Others still, like Robert Geller, professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo, believe any prediction is a waste of time, and distracts authorities from preparing for disasters that ca n’t be anticipated- a category into which all the country’s recent devastating catastrophe, from Kobe to 2011, have fallen.

One&nbsp, more major danger is that of the boy who cried dog. This alert is disturbing, if nothing happens, does a potential warning be ignored, even though the actual danger may have significantly increased? The attitudes toward North Korean missiles, which previously stopped traffic and then elicit yawns, are something that is less natural.

In all likelihood, the megaquake does not happen this day, and this season will remain forgotten. The alert serves as a reminder that nature does n’t move to  such timelines despite the time we spend thinking about slow-moving issues like exercising to lower the risk of heart disease, reducing carbon emissions to combat climate change, and creating a nest egg to withstand the next recession.

For residents in Japan, it’s a good opportunity to do what we can to be prepared&nbsp, and check evacuation routes. And for all of us, it’s a moment to think about the fragility of the world we’ve built, and how quickly it can be upended. &nbsp,

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Anti-China content being inserted into Chinese students’ overseas university applications, warns spy agency

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Federal safety agencies eventually became interested in the agency’s actions. After examinations, the company and its nose were dealt with according to the law in May this time, the government stated. What kind of punishment was imposed, it did n’t say.

USING OVERSEAS Research AS “BAIT”

Despite these nations tightening their international student admissions policies, the government claimed that some nations have been using international studies as “bait” to entice students to engage in anti-China activities in recent years.

No single country was identified or singled out in it. European nations are regarded as common destinations for Chinese students studying abroad.

According to a report from Chinese academic support service New Oriental Education &amp, Technology Group, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia were the top three selections this time.

There are currently 289, 000 Foreign students in the US this year, according to a China Daily statement from March. This means that China will continue to be the top exporter of international students to the US for the 15th consecutive time.

Also in Australia, a total of 162, 826 pupils came from China alone in the 2022 to 2023 academic year, the Chinese outlet reported, citing a record by the Beijing-based think tank Center for China and Globalization.

Some international research organizations were criticized by the Ministry of State Security for having a “weak sense of national safety,” following protocols, and focusing solely on profit.

“( These agencies ) do not hesitate to cater to anti-China rhetoric and become accomplices of such anti-China forces. ( They ) mislead students into fabricating false resumes and images, spreading rumours for profit, posing hidden risks that endanger the country’s national security” .&nbsp,

The government slammed some companies for having poor supervision, leaving space for the “malicious tampering” of software documents. Additionally, according to the article, weak hiring practices allow foreign instructors with uncertain backgrounds and credentials to apply.

These “foreign educators” apparently “ghostwrote” or “polished” the app documents of Chinese students to obtain registration advantages and also cater to international anti-China forces, the recognize wrote. &nbsp,

The ministry concluded by urging international students, potential international students and their parents to remain vigilant, and be watchful of “polishing and processing services” provided by international study agencies.

China has previously warned international kids about the dangers of national security. In February, the government’s spy agency warned Chinese studying overseas against working with foreign spies.

Foreign citizens were instructed to be wary of interfering with foreign intelligence agencies, whether it be for studying, traveling overseas, or visiting alone.

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Indonesian minister’s shock resignation as Golkar party chairman sparks speculation over links to palm oil graft case

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JAKARTA: Indian Cabinet minister Airlangga Hartarto’s shock withdrawal as president of Golkar, one of the region’s biggest political parties, has sparked debate he is under investigation for graft.

Mr. Airlangga stated in a cryptic video statement on Sunday ( Aug 11 ) that he is stepping down” to ensure the stability of the government transition that will take place soon” to maintain the integrity of the Golkar party.

Ahmad Doli Kurnia, the deputy chairman of Golkar, claimed that Mr. Airlangga should concentrate on carrying out his duties as Indonesia’s monetary affairs coordinating minister and that he freely and without any external coercion resigned to maintain party solidarity.

” Because there are so many schemes prepared as follow-up initiatives to preserve the consistency of the vision and mission under Jokowi-Ma’ruf Amin … in the future with Mr Prabowo and Mr Gibran”, he explained, as quoted by information site Kompas.com. &nbsp,

On October 20, former presidents Joko Widodo and Ma’ruf Amin may succeed evil president-elect Gibran Rakabuming Raka as interim defense ministers Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Mr Gibran is even Mr Widodo’s older brother.

Golkar, the country’s oldest party, came in second in February’s legislative elections with 15.29 per cent of the vote, behind the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle ( PDI-P) ( 16.72 per cent ) and ahead of the Great Indonesia Movement Party or Gerindra ( 13.22 per cent ).

Knocked IN A Problem CASE

Mr Airlangga’s sudden departure has led to speculation in Indonesia’s social circles.

According to an investigation by Tempo on Monday, Mr. Airlangga was forced to resign over alleged links to corruption in the Ministry of Trade’s 2021 and 2022 negotiations to obtain export permits for crude palm oil ( CPO ) and its derivatives. Indonesia was experiencing a lack of cooking fuel at the time, and deliveries were slowed.

More than seven unnamed Golkar leaders told the outlet that Mr Airlangga, 61, has been summoned for questioning by the Attorney General’s Office ( AGO ) on Tuesday.

The AGO had formerly interrogated Mr. Airlangga as a witness in the case in July of last year. According to a report released last year by The Jakarta Post, five persons, including a senior official from the industry ministry, have been imprisoned for plotting to get grants to import crude palm oil and its derivatives improperly from January 2021 to March 2022.

However, the AG O’s Legal Information Centre head, Mr Harli Siregar, told local media outlet Disway on Monday there are no plans to summon Airlangga in the near future.

Mr. Harli even refuted Mr. Airlangga’s claim that he is a believe in the AGO.

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‘We must accept this result’: Post-Olympics, Malaysia to look at plans to boost sporting performance, says Anwar

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ALLEGED Bullying OF MALAYSIAN Players

Individually, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil stated on Saturday that he was conscious of some of the whines some of the Malaysian Olympic athletes had experienced after being allegedly abused online by users.

Mr. Fahmi did not provide examples of the comments, but he did warn that some of them might be viewed as cybercrime if they had had a negative effect on the mental health of Malaysian athletes.

” I have not yet received the latest report, hence, I do not have the updated information ( on athletes being cyberbullied ).

According to Mr. Fahmi,” I will look into the matter if players feel that their well-being is affected by, for example ( according to such situations ), because we occasionally hear harsh feedback from users, regardless of whether they are coming from fake addresses or not,”

Mr. Fahmi added that there have been cases where players have been criticized online for their behavior.

The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission does occasionally get information, but it’s important to point out that some bullying offenders conceal themselves behind false addresses. ” Bernama reported him as saying that social media platforms ‘ actions have failed to stop fraudulent transactions.

In response to the death of influential woman Rajeswary Appahu, who allegedly committed abuse, local media had recently reported that there were no particular laws in place to combat bullying in the nation.

Indonesian authorities have since stated that they are considering a plan to alter the country’s penal code to make certain provisions for cyberbullying.

The Indonesian government has even taken a tougher stance against big technology and social media companies in recent days. It had previously stated that all social multimedia and internet communications services with at least eight million registered users in the nation must apply for a class-actions license as of 2025 in order to avoid fines.

Mr. Fahmi had previously stated to CNA that the new school licensing system will strengthen Malaysia’s congressional muscle to make the internet safer for both children and their families.

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Tropical Storm Maria hits Japan with record rain

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TOKYO: Tropical Storm Maria made landfall in northern Japan on Monday (Aug 12), having dumped the most rain in some areas since records began and forced the cancellation of dozens of flights. Maria came ashore around 8.30am (7.30am, Singapore time) near Ofunato city in Iwate prefecture, the Japan Meteorological AgencyContinue Reading

Thai PM faces possible ouster in court case

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Bangkok: Srettha Thavisin, the country’s prime minister, may be forced to step down this year as a result of the country’s Constitutional Court’s decision to appoint a cabinet minister with a legal faith. The case comes a week after the exact court disbanded the kingdom’s key opposition political party andContinue Reading

Why are dengue cases on the rise in India, even during non-peak seasons?

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INDIA RISE SINCE 2020

Since 2020, dengue cases have increased rapidly in India. More than 32, 000 cases were reported in the first quarter of 2024, which is nearly twice as many as they were during the same time next year.

The country recorded about 290, 000 cases last month – 50, 000 more than the year before.

The subcontinent’s ongoing rain season, which usually lasts from June to September, has contributed to the increase in infections. In nations like Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, instances have been reported in much higher amounts throughout the year.

According to authorities, global warming is to blame for the longer rainfall time and higher humidity levels.

The Aedes mosquitoes thrives in ideal conditions thanks to the subtropical climate and common waterlogging during the rain season.

Some also cited South Asia’s fast, unregulated urbanization.

Hundreds live in densely populated communities without appropriate water supply, sanitation, or waste management techniques. Mosquitoes can easily reproduce in sluggish water that frequently collects in the streets.

Adarsha Kapoor, an industrial planner, suggested ensuring a constant supply of piped water so that no one needed to keep water in bottles and jars. Places that are prone to waterlogging could also be improved through repair, he added.

However, Ms. Bimla claimed that these methods do not address her and her neighbors ‘ issues right away.

They want authorities to make sure that all years, not just when circumstances rise, are treated for dengue and the drains are covered.

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After Selangor’s success in Klang River cleanup, advocates hope more Malaysian states follow suit

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According to Slaat, the technology is the quickest and most affordable method for removing debris from rivers before it enters the open ocean, where waste would be much more difficult to control.

” It will take a while before you have actually good equipment to handle the waste,” says the spokesperson for “preventing plastic from entering river and on the streets.” But until that happens, we may at least stop it from going into the seas… and help generate the change more”, he added.

There are already 16 like warships deployed along 15 river in eight locations, including Indonesia and Thailand.

Together, they have managed to prevent less than 2 per cent of the country’s cheap spare from flowing into the sea. Thus, the non-profit hopes to fully broaden its operations.

A Solution KLANG RIVER

The Klang River’s liquid quality has improved since the Ships ‘ cleaning procedures five years ago began.

The river’s Water Quality Index ( WQI ) was class five in 2016 and, as a result, was generally thought to be highly contaminated. &nbsp,

Now, the score is at school three for about 60 per share of the year. The classification indicates that the water is fairly polluted but still appropriate for livestock feeding after treatment.

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