Technology to mitigate dangers of air turbulence? There’s a possible solution

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Experts advise staying small and holding onto an seat or anything close, according to Talking Point host Shrey Bhargava, if they happen to stretch their legs during a lengthy flight and unintended turbulence strikes.

” If you happen to be in the restroom, and the seat belt mark is switched on, hang onto the covers provided for situations”, he added.

There are also manages in the kitchen, where cabin staff prepare the meals. However, customers should be cautious with the service wagons because they could be harmful during turbulence.

The seats in the middle “may be a little less volatile because they’re closer to the aircraft’s center of gravity,” according to the report.

” But ultimately, seat selection should n’t have that much of an impact”, said Bhargava. Even when the seat belt signal is off, “what’s more important is to always stay our seat belts fastened”

See the Talking Point episode right here. The project premieres on Channel 5 every Thursday at 9: 30 p. m.

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Huang Jie: The ‘eyeroll goddess’ who became Taiwan’s first gay MP

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Huang Jie stands out despite her passion for cosplay and the passionate world of Japanese politicians.

The 31-year-old became the region’s first openly gay legislator in January, making history with her flaming speeches and liberal views.

” I think it’s a new step for Taiwan”, Ms Huang told the BBC lately. ” I’m very appreciative that Japanese people are willing to go this far,” he said.

” Of training, as the first for legislator, I furthermore bear a certain obligation, which is to work harder and show all my work in pushing for LGBTQ right”, she added.

Taiwan is one of Asia’s most liberal countries for gay right. It was the first place in the country to allow same-sex unions in 2019 and was the first. It then allows gay people to adopt and acknowledges multinational LGBTQ couples.

There are currently more than a dozen Chinese lawmakers who identify as LGBTQ , according to activists.

Miao Poya, a gay council for Taipei City, and Ms. Huang, one of the two most well-known gay politicians, made up the pair in January’s elections. In 2016, when Tsai Ing-wan appointed Audrey Tang as the island’s online affairs minister, the beach and the world had its first transgender cabinet secretary.

However, some people worry about a revival of conservative politics, while others envision a time when discussing sexuality wo n’t even be a topic of conversation.

A turbulent some years in Ms. Huang’s political career are over with her victory, in which she takes the helm of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party in its enclave in Kaohsiung. After short stints in climate health research and news, she joined a little democratic political group and in 2018 won a seat in Kaohsiung’s local government.

She rose to fame the next year when she engaged questionable conservative politician Han Kuo-yu in a toe-toe conversation. She was caught rolling her eyes before giving a witty rejoinder during a council meeting during a fighting session.

That instant of uncontrolled exasperation earned her the happy interest of the Chinese internet, the moniker “eyeroll goddess”, and a fresh following. But it also attracted investigation. Ms. Huang was forced to refute some of the allegations in a news article about her passionate life and state that she was bisexual.

She claimed that the press forced her to reveal her sexuality; her parents did n’t know until they discovered it in the media. Given a choice, she would not have revealed it.

” I have not shied away from talking about my sexual preference. But I also do n’t think I have the obligation to explain my sexual orientation in particular”, she said. ” When we have to present that I am a physical minority, it conveys to society that gay people are the exception, unique, and no normal”.

Since moving on from being a publicly queer people figure, Ms. Huang has discussed her experience in discussions.

She has even stated her desire to support LGBTQ justice in parliament. One of her best priorities, she told the BBC, is to argue for identical- sex couples to own genetic children. IVF, an assisted reproductive technology, is currently being considered for Taiwan.

However, Ms. Huang anticipates that critics “may use my sexual orientation and identity against me” because she is the only gay member in Taiwan’s famously combative parliament, which is currently led by the target of her infamous eyeroll Mr. Han.

” I can already think of scenarios where, if my performance is not as good as they expected, they will say it’s because I’m a gay legislator… it is a common situation that sexual minority public figures face”.

It is an example, she said, of a” social environment that is not friendly enough”. In fact, there are still many public figures or people in charge who are still very afraid to reveal their identity, which is why Taiwan, where everyone thinks gay people are already very open, is this.

Ms. Huang noted that she appears alone, in contrast to her straight counterparts, who frequently show up in public with their partners. Because they “feel they have to bear a negative gaze,” her partner is afraid to accompany her.

Other LGBTQ politicians have also reported obstacles.

When Ms Miao first became a politician, senior party members told her to “play down my gay identity.” They advised her to use more pink campaign materials and longen her hair. She refused.

The challenge, Ms Miao said, lies in convincing voters to view her as more than just her sexual preferences:” Once you disclose your identity, then the voter’s perception of you will be focused on your sexual orientation … to put it simply, you will be labelled”.

In a society that appears to have embraced the LGBTQ community, it is a subtle conflict.

Taiwan used to be deeply split on gay rights, but government polls show a rise in support in the last five years. About 69% are now in favour of same-sex marriage while some 77% support same-sex adoption.

Tens of thousands attend Taiwan’s annual pride parade, the biggest in Asia. Taipei is known as” the San Francisco of the East” because of its vibrant LGBTQ scene, which attracts even more gay tourists year round to its capital.

In May, Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind who won popular reality show Rupaul’s Drag Race was hosted by then- President Tsai Ing- wen at her office- a sign not just of recognition, but also acceptance.

While Taiwan’s government has led the way, there are still some parts of society that are not as accepting, say observers. Although younger parents are changing, Liu Wen, an associate fellow with Academia Sinica who studies queer issues in Chinese-speaking communities, said, “in Taiwanese society, we think it’s okay if other kids are LGBTQ- but not mine.”

Some people worry that the lingering conservatism will grow after the recent election. ” I’m not 100 % optimistic we will continue to become even more progressive… we cannot be complacent because we do see conservative ideology rising”, said Rita Jhang, an academic and activist with LGBTQ group Taiwan Tongzhi Hotline Association.

The issue of homosexuality can still be manipulated by conservative political elites, according to Joyce Teng, executive director of the Taiwan Equality Campaign.

During the election a candidate from the up- and- coming Taiwan People’s Party ( TPP ) questioned Ms Miao’s appearance and gender presentation. Separately, a conservative group warned against casting ballots in LGBTQ lawmakers while a small party campaigned against an anti-transgender platform.

The TPP leader, Ko Wen-je, who attracted a lot of youth support in the January election, has been criticized for making sarcastic claims that portray homosexuality as a psychological issue. He was accused of flip-flying on the issue in order to win votes, and he also voiced contradictory opinions on same-sex unions. Mr. Ko claims he never opposed it.

The advancement Taiwan has made may be one factor in the rise in conservative attitudes. Ms Miao said:” It is precisely because of this … that some opposition opinions will become more intense”.

But she hopes that Taiwan’s democracy can overcome this. Taiwanese society is “very diverse; it can coexist with extremely open and conservative viewpoints.”

Could Taiwan one day have a gay president and become the first country in Asia with an out-of-touch leader?

Some hope this becomes an irrelevant question. ” What I hope is that in the future, Taiwanese voters will not consider personal identity, such as whether they are a boy or a girl, or whether they are heterosexual, as a key deciding factor when choosing a president”, Ms Miao said.

Ms Huang agreed. She has fought for a variety of issues, not just LGBTQ rights, since taking office. She chairs a parliamentary group that has established contacts with Hong Kong as China tightens its grip on the city and has recently led protests against parliamentary reforms.

Her aim, she said, is to show” I am not different from everyone else, I can still work hard in the public sphere and gain recognition for my performance”.

She envisions a Taiwan where “my identity would cause me to feel like I’ve hit a wall everywhere,” and there would be no” so-called glass ceiling.”

Additional reporting by Joy Chiang.

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Man accused of concealing woman’s corpse in Hougang flat

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A person has been accused of intentionally concealing a woman’s body in a Hougang apartment.

The woman’s body was merely discovered four weeks after the alleged hiding, by which time it was in a degraded condition.

Jason Hong Kai Qi, a 33- year- ancient Singaporean, was second charged in April with one matter of knowingly concealing a human body.

On April 23, reportedly at around 4.10 p.m., he allegedly chose to leave the apartment at Block 43 Hougang Avenue 7, and had reasons to review and seek assistance for the body.

The body of Ms. Nallur Yang Hui Ying’s decomposing system was not discovered until April 27th, 2014.

According to the command, Hong “prevented the finding of a mortal body”.

His command strip did not specify how or when Ms. Yang passed away, nor did it express how or when.

The situation was adjourned until a Health Sciences Authority report was completed to determine the person’s cause of death when he was foremost charged. &nbsp,

However, this was left out when Hong went back to court on Monday ( Jun 24 ) for a second instance of his case.

Because he did n’t bring his bailor and had no identification with him, his case dragged from morning to evening.

Hong, who did not possess a solicitor, claimed that his card and Circuit had been taken during a search.

The attorney asked if it was the officers or Immigration and Checkpoints Authority who seized his card, but Hong said:” Uh, it’s vague. However, I’ve previously contacted the police about it.

Hong claimed that since he had lost it, he had no idea whether an organization had taken it or not.

Around 5 p.m. on Monday, the trial identified him as his bailiff, asking for a six-week injunction, claiming that the Central Narcotics Bureau was looking into Hong and that the Attorney-General’s Chambers were anticipating reports.

Hong is out on bail of S$ 20, 000 ( US$ 14, 790 ) and will return to court in August.

If convicted of intentionally concealing a human body and preventing its identification, Hong may be jailed for up to seven times, fined, or both.

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Man accused of concealing woman’s corpse in Hougang condo unit

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SINGAPORE: A person has been accused of intentionally concealing the body of a person in an apartment&nbsp, in Hougang.

The woman’s body was merely discovered four weeks after its admitted concealment, by which time it was in a degraded condition.

Jason Hong Kai Qi, a 33- year- ancient Singaporean, was second charged in April with one matter of knowingly concealing a human body.

On April 23, reportedly at around 4.10 p.m., he allegedly chose to leave the condominium building where he had reasons to review and seek assistance for the dead body.

The body of Ms. Nallur Yang Hui Ying’s decomposing figure was not discovered until April 27th, 2014.

According to the cost, Hong “prevented the finding of a mortal body”.

His command sheet did not specify how or when Ms. Yang passed away, nor did it express how or when.

The event was adjourned until a Health Sciences Authority report was completed to determine the person’s cause of death when he was foremost charged. &nbsp,

However, this was left out when Hong went back to court on Monday ( Jun 24 ) for a second instance of his case.

Because he did n’t bring his bailor and had no identification with him, his case dragged from morning to evening.

Hong, who did not possess a solicitor, claimed that his card and Circuit had been seized during a search.

The attorney asked if it was the officers or Immigration and Checkpoints Authority who seized his papers, but Hong said:” Uh, it’s vague. However, I’ve previously contacted the police about it.

Hong claimed that since he had lost it, he had no idea whether an organization had taken it or not.

Around 5 p.m. on Monday, the trial identified him as his bailiff, asking for a six-week injunction, claiming that the Central Narcotics Bureau was looking into Hong and that the Attorney-General’s Chambers were anticipating reports.

Hong is out on bail of S$ 20, 000 ( US$ 14, 790 ) and will return to court in August.

If convicted of intentionally concealing a human body and preventing its identification, Hong may be jailed for up to seven times, fined, or both.

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Oil spill clean-up to take around 3 months before affected beaches progressively reopen: Grace Fu

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According to Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, oil spill clean-up operations are expected to last for three months before beaches are gradually reopened to the public on Monday ( Jun 24 ). &nbsp,

In a joint press conference with Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat and Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, she provided an upgrade on the clean-up activity.

Oil from a broken goods container on the ship’s side drew into the water on the evening of Jun 14 after a Netherlands-flagged dredger hit a fixed bunker vessel.

Over the next few weeks, fuel washed up along several shores including Sentosa, East Coast Park, and Labrador Nature Reserve, as well as shores at St John’s, Lazarus and Kusu islands. At Marina South Pier, you can also see fuel slicks.

According to Ms. Fu, more than 700 washing staff members have been dispatched, and a significant portion of the beachfront fuel has been removed. &nbsp,

” About 550 tonnes of oil- washed sand and dirt from the damaged beaches has been removed”, she added. &nbsp,

To stop crude from being washed ashore or into interior rivers, more than 3,400m of surges have also been deployed.

Without the indefatigable and coordinated work of our cleaning staff from organizations and their service providers, Ms. Fu said. &nbsp,

UP AFTER THE NEXT Step OF CLEANING

According to Ms. Fu, the second stage of clean-up work will be under way.

She said that the first phase of the clean-up focused on removing oil slicks and contaminated dust from the affected beaches ‘ floor and using booms to prevent further contamination. &nbsp,

” This is making good progress and approaching completion” .&nbsp,

Seven organizations involved in the oil clean-up effort, including the Maritime and Port Authority ( MPA ) and the National Environment Agency ( NEA ), jointly stated in a statement on Monday that no oil slick along East Coast and Changi has been observed since Jun 18 based on satellite and drone images.

With the exception of Tanjong and Palawan beach in Sentosa, the authorities reported that the majority of the oil-soaked dust had been sanded out of the majority of the damaged open beaches. &nbsp,

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Government agencies have done well in oil spill clean-up, SOPs effective: Chee Hong Tat

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BOOMS COULD NOT HAVE INTERRUPTED OIL SPREAD.

Mr Chee said that there is” some misunderstanding” that the boom could have prevented the fuel from floating away and going onto Singapore’s coasts.

According to the secretary, spilling caffeine onto the surface is different from spilling oil.

” If you spill caffeine on the floor, the caffeine may be that, you can go get a broom and clean”, he said. ” Oil that spills into the sea, specially if it’s a sudden release, a large amount, like what happened on Jun 14, the fuel will not be stable.

We must anticipate that a considerable amount of oil that is sloshed in the water will be transported by coastal currents and waves to other places because it would take several hours to deploy the containment growth around the oil flow.

Therefore, the main goal of the confinement around the broken vessel is not to “fence” the spilled oil but as a preventative measure to prevent further leaks from the ruined vessel.

Some of the oil flow that is still floating in the vicinity of the incident site may be aided by the containment growth. Because the coastal currents and waves allow the oil to flow both below and above the booms, he said,” this is also not 100 percent flawless.”

He questioned why the boom were n’t strategically placed to stop oil from entering beaches because it was just unfavorable to place them along Singapore’s entire coastline.

He said,” It would require more than 46 kilometers of booms if you were going to deploy booms along the entire southern coastline from Pasir Panjang to the East Coast.”

Because some booms you jump and are content to the elements, maintenance and replacement would also be required.

Before deploying the surges, MPA may first check the oil’s activity.

He claimed that MPA had thus dispatched crew and vessels to monitor oil-stained surroundings while urging other agencies to increase their coastal monitoring.

Additionally, it used satellite imagery and coastal forecasting to predict where the crude would move in addition to forecasting using real-time weather data and satellite imagery.

This targeted strategy is in line with international training and places the booms available where they can be most useful, he said.

About 3.4 kilometers of boom have been constructed since Jun 14 to prevent oil from returning to the ocean and from being washed into interior canals.

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Singapore still assessing visa application of shipping CEO who claimed he was denied one over Russia sanctions

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The Ministry of Manpower ( MOM) clarified on Monday ( Jun 24 ) that the chief executive officer of a shipping company’s visa application was rejected because supporting documents were not provided by the deadline.

After the United States discovered Red Box Energy Services ‘ CEO Philip Adkins had violated sanctions against Russia, Singapore “refused” to renew his work card earlier this month, according to The Financial Times.

The unwillingness to renew his card “in effect forces him to move over,” Mr. Adkins told the Financial Times. Red Box’s headquarters are in Singapore. &nbsp,

” I accept the consequences of the sanctions, even though I do n’t agree with them” ,&nbsp, he added.

In response to CNA questions, the Manpower Ministry reported that Red Box requested Mr. Adkins ‘ employment pass ( EP ) renewal application in December of last year.

However, the application was turned down in February of this year because the “necessary supporting documents” were n’t provided by the deadline set forth in the application process, according to MOM.

On March 6, 2024, Red Box Energy Services submitted a subsequent EP registration request to Philip Adkins along with the necessary paperwork. This program is already being assessed”.

According to the Financial Times, Red Box was subject to US sanctions in May for allegedly delivering materials for a Russian-led venture in the Arctic Circle.

Red Box was added to the United Kingdom’s punishment list earlier this month, the company claimed.

According to the post, Mr Adkins, who is himself not under any restrictions, argued at that time that the building material were” plain steel images” and therefore the company did not breach restrictions.

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COVID-19 cases down but remain elevated, MOH calls for more to get booster jabs

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MOBILE Immunization

Before moving to new places, portable vaccination teams are stationed at each location for a few days. They operate from 9am to 5pm, with a crack between 11.30am and 1pm.

People can move in without making an appointment, with casinos allocated on a first come first served basis, content to place and vaccine supply. Seniors over the age of 60 may receive goal.

Patients were able to get a shot in the arm in less than ten minutes when CNA visited one smart vaccination place in Bedok over the weekend.

” I saw the page nearby, so I thought why not just cut by? It’s convenient, I do n’t need to travel further out. One shot is one part of defence”, 76- yr- ancient native Lau Hang Sia, who received his boost shot, told CNA.

Another native Ng Choi Meng, 74, who was waiting in line for her move, said:” I got COVID- 19 two days now. Because I’m old, maybe if I get another day, ( it’ll be ) major already. That’s why I need ( the ) protection”.

Minmed Group, a chain of clinics that currently operates two mobile teams, reported that each area can take in about 75 patients per day. If there is a rise in demand, it may set up additional booths and train more personnel correctly.

The facilities ‘ productions of Moderna and Pfizer are up-to-date. A dentist is available to assist with inquiries at each location.

Both Pfizer and Moderna have comparable levels of efficacy for mRNA vaccines. People who have questions about the vaccines may speak with our on-site doctor for more discussion, according to Dr. Lock Jing Zhan.

They might want to talk about their medical history or previous interactions with past mRNA vaccines, where our on-site doctors can produce additional suggestions.

In order to meet demand, MOH stated that clubs will continue to be stationed at more locations in the coming days.

EXTENDED Days

The five Singaporean Joint Testing and Vaccination Centres ‘ working time have also been extended until the end of the month.

The facilities at Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Kaki Bukit, Sengkang and Woodlands today run from 9am to 7pm, instead of the usual final day of 1pm.

During the recent wave of infection, MOH reported that more people have gotten their photos.

About 49, 000 persons received jabs between May 20 and Jun 16, five times more than the month before.

Dr Lock said that keeping up with vaccinations is essential, as COVID- 19 – like all viruses&nbsp, – mutates and generates novel variants.

Regular boost pictures “help to stimulate the immune system,” he said, which may lessen transmission and a person who is infected.

This is even more so for the defenseless people including the elderly, those with serious problems and the immunocompromised.

HOSPITAL Power

In comparison to earlier this year, the number of COVID- 19 situations in Singapore is still what MOH refers to as “elevated.”

The health department said it will remain to closely monitor the situation as many Singaporeans leave for foreign countries for the summer.

People hospital ability also remains sparse.

The National University Health System, which runs three facilities, said it has seen more people at its emergency agencies, although ICU power remains firm. &nbsp,

The heath grouping added that it is attempting to maximize resources and is reviewing the options available for inpatient care.

It advised patients to attend general practitioners and even explore hospitals if they are suffering from serious or life-threatening conditions and that an extended waiting period might be expected in its emergency departments.

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South Korea lithium battery factory fire kills several workers

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Numerous employees have lost their lives in a massive fire at a North Korean lithium battery manufacturer.

The blaze broke out on Monday morning at the Aricell plant in Hwaseong city, about 45km ( 28 miles ) south of the capital Seoul.

Local television images showed little bombs occurring as rescuers attempted to extinguish the flames.

South Korea is a leading manufacturer of sodium batteries, which are used in a variety of products, including laptops and electric cars.

According to a fireplace official, a fire official and Reuters reported that at least 16 people have died in the fire so much, though the death toll may be higher. Around 20 systems have been discovered, according to the Yonhap news agency.

The Aricell stock housed an estimated 35, 000 cell cell on its second floor, where the batteries were inspected and packaged, with more stored elsewhere.

The fire’s source is still unknown. Around the time the fire broke out, authorities claimed witness had heard a number of explosions on the next surface.

At the time, there were about 100 employees waiting.

Local fire national Kim Ji-young said initial apprehensions led to “furore of bombs.” He continued, noting that the fire’s quick disperse was caused by the numerous power cell explosions.

Due to the intense water-reaction of lithium fires, firefighters had to use dried dust to put an end to the fire, which erupted after several hours.

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