All HDB estates to use heat-reflective paint to mitigate urban heat

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

In an effort to reduce urban heat and improve residents ‘ comfort, heat-reflective paint will be applied to all existing Housing and Development Board ( HDB) estates in Singapore. &nbsp,

The S$ 60 million ( US$ 43.8 million ) initiative will be rolled out by 2030, building on a successful pilot in Tampines. &nbsp,

During the Tampines test, which began in October 2022, the particular color- which contains chemicals that reflect the sun’s warmth- has been applied to 88 out of 130 blocks. By the end of this year, the remaining stones will be painted, according to HDB. &nbsp,

The trial’s results demonstrated that external temperatures could be lowered by up to 2 degrees Fahrenheit. People in prevents painted with cool coatings even saw a reduction in energy use, as reduced temperature intake decreased the need for air-conditioning, HDB said.

Senior Minister of State for National Development Tan Kiat How stated in a visit to an HDB block in Woodlands on February 3 ( Monday ) that” we will be scaling up the cool coatings pilot to the rest of Singapore estates by 2030.” ” It’ll cost the government an additional S$ 60 million, so there’s no cost to our citizens. “, &nbsp,

The 10-year Green Towns Programme, which started in 2020, aims to implement more extensive eco-friendly functions in all existing Housing towns to encourage responsible lifestyle. The effort includes heat-reflective paint.

The project focused on five key areas: Reducing energy consumption, recycling water, reducing waste, promoting alternative walk and chilling HDB cities. &nbsp,

” We are reinforcing our commitment to make our lands greener, more responsible and more sustainable, and we are making good progress on all sides”, Mr Tan said. &nbsp,

NEW INITIATIVES Told

Additionally, HDB made more sustainability recommendations for the Green Towns Programme. &nbsp,

Smart electronic sub-meters may be installed in HDB block’s customer switch rooms starting in the second quarter of this year.

” These will allow the town council and HDB to better collect data on the common services, for example, water pumps ( and ) lifts, so we can better optimise the maintenance regime and also reduce energy consumption”, Mr Tan said. &nbsp,

Additionally, it will help town councils compare electricity consumption across HDB blocks to better predict maintenance intervals for common services and identify equipment failures. &nbsp,

Also, 38 HDB-managed complexes may be upgraded to include thermal panels and water-efficient fittings, which may reduce energy and water usage- both by 10 per cent. To decrease waste by 30 %, devices that convert food waste to soil will also be installed. &nbsp,

By 2030, these changes may be completed in an average of eight complexes per month. &nbsp,

In an effort to encourage recycling, HDB may increase more than 1, 000 drink container returning points islandwide starting in April 2026.

Continue Reading

As Myanmar military rule drags on, son of ousted former leader Aung San Suu Kyi pleads for her freedom

By:
On:
In: Asia

The only thing he has spoken to her since she was detained is handwritten letters from his family, which is one year old. &nbsp,

She couldn’t say a lot in that letter because we are aware that our letters will be read and censored, Kim Aris told CNA on Friday ( Jan 31 ), four years after a military coup that strewn into the country. &nbsp,

” But I am aware that she was being held in were she was experiencing heat and cold, and she was having continuing wellness issues.”

Since then, Aris, who lives in London, has made several efforts to restore contact with the long-time democracy image and Nobel prize. &nbsp,

” I’ve sent papers and care plans. I’ve asked to be allowed to see her in people, as is her animal rights. And after all of these efforts, I haven’t received any answer”, he added. &nbsp,

” I haven’t been led to believe that I may ever hear from her again.” I haven’t had any answer from the military to any of my calls”.

Continue Reading

Over 3,000 Singapore F&B outlets closed in 2024, highest in almost 20 years

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Over 3, 000 F&amp, B organizations in Singapore closed in 2024, the highest in about two years since 2005.

A&nbsp, CNA report&nbsp, shed light on the shutdown, which are mostly attributed to dwindling company amidst higher operating expenses.

“WE’RE AT THELANDLORD’S MERCY”

Wine RVLT, a wine club that will close in the middle of this year after its latest lease expires, is another example. It had been operating at Carpenter Street for about eight years, and it had trouble juggling higher fees with fewer buyers.

In an&nbsp, Instagram post, the restaurant’s users announced that their company was” no more sustainable and we’ve decided to call it quits”.

Continue Reading

Ong Ye Kung on not joining the opposition, his language struggle and more, on The Assembly

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

When asked what the biggest was, he responded that there were occasions when he was “in a position to make a change,” but he was held up due to what had already been started.

” You don’t want to throng the plan. You push it off, and therefore you miss the chance”, he said without going into detail. ” It’s a mistake of absence, never a miscalculation of payment”.

Joel Lee, 27, who has dementia, asked if Ong — previously considered a possible candidate for the championship — ever aspired to the position.

” Not that you want to be ( prime minister ), but you’re prepared to take it up”, replied the minister. ” Having … decided to enter politics, I think if you’re entrusted ( with the role ), you have to try to take it up”.

But it involves” a lot of compromises”, which apply to ministers and MPs to, he said. ” We have no vacation”, he continued. In terms of protection, “your home ends up sacrificing as well, and you don’t get enough time with them.”

Continue Reading

China’s youth are skipping Chinese New Year. Here’s why

By:
On:
In: Asia

SINGAPORE: Ah La, a 31-year-old marketing communications director, chose to spend the holidays in a digital nomad group in Shenzhen, along with nine people, playing games and having late-night gatherings over cuisine by the water. &nbsp,

Chinese New Year may be a day for family gatherings but for youngsters, the annual vacation is growing increasingly&nbsp, “repetitive”. &nbsp,

Going home ( every year ) means repeating events from the previous year all over again, she said, adding that the festive atmosphere “had truly faded.”

Being able to communicate with others who have related hobbies is what I value most, she said. &nbsp,

Like Ah La, more youths are opting to invest the eight-day people getaway- from Jan 28 to March 4- in different ways.

According to experts, China’s most significant trip is increasingly being upended by the monthly turbulent journey rush, changing family interactions, and new lifestyles. &nbsp,

Jiang Ningzhi, a 35-year-old business specialist from Suzhou area in the northeast Jiangsu province, is also celebrating the Chinese New Time away from home. &nbsp,

His family travels to a nearby resort each year to prepare a lavish reunion dinner for friends and family, a custom he claims has since become monotonous.

He traveled to Shuiku Village in Shanghai, a remote location that has grown mainly well-known with fresh digital nomad looking to reconnect with nature and get away from the stresses of city life this year because he wanted to celebrate the new year in a more traditional means.

He had a basic supper, a chat with locals, and watched fireworks in the peaceful town.

Continue Reading

‘My hopes were 50-50’: Families await return of 5 Thai hostages released from Hamas captivity

By:
On:
In: Asia

Pongsak, who left his tribal Buriram state five years ago in search of better opportunities, did just that.

His quest brought him to Israel, where he often livestreamed on Facebook his work picking produce, with Thai rock songs blowing in the background.

But on Oct 7, 2023, instead of posting on social media, he called his parents.

When we first visited him in October of last year, on the first anniversary of the invasion, Wilas told CNA that his brother had picture called to inform me that there was a battle in progress and that there were bombings and firings.

” He was shouting,’ Hide, cover, cover from the weapon initially. There are more forthcoming. We may hide earliest.’ During the video phone on October 7 he was saying something like that for about 10 minutes.

” After that, the message was cut.”

THAI VICTIMS OF OCT 7 Strike

The cross-border invasion killed 41 Thais, in one of the deadliest time for Thais worldwide in recent history.

Pongsak was one of 32 Thais who were taken to Gaza and taken by insurgents. He was one of six Thai captives who remained in prison for 15 weeks, despite the release of the majority of the Thai hostages.

The hostages and casualties in Thailand are “oublied victims” of the Hamas assault, according to a top diplomat.

Behind the scenes, efforts to secure their transfer continued slowly.

Continue Reading

‘Raw and real’: This photographer captures the joys and messiness of childbirth in pictures

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Lin’s part also involves being on backup around the clock from week 37 through 42 of her employer’s pregnancy. When her buyer calls her at 2 a.m. to let her know it’s day, Lin must be prepared to go, whether it’s at 2 a.m. or at 1 p.m. during a family gathering. &nbsp,

She costs by each baby, so it doesn’t matter how long it takes – she’ll be there throughout the entire workers. &nbsp,

” I’m proud to say I’ve never missed a birth”, Lin said. There are times when I arrive just as the girl exits, but those times are very few.

Over the years, Lin has often witnessed home births that required medical transfers, either as a result of the family choosing to use medical pain relief or the labor lasted too long. &nbsp,

Sadly, she said, there has never been an incident that resulted in a horrific experience for the family. ” And I pray it remains that way”, Lin added.

” In my line of work, I’ve missed birthday, Chinese New Year and Christmas events, community groups, hangouts with associates and so on”, she said. &nbsp,

” It’s hard emotionally sometimes, but it’s part and parcel of my job and I’m glad to have my friends, family and spouse be so understanding”.

Continue Reading

‘I worry if he’s taken care of’: The tears and fears of millennial caregivers to siblings with special needs

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Ms Chandramogan, a independent psychological doctor, had much decided that she would take care of her elder stepson, 37-year-old Balamurugan Chandramogan, for the rest of her career.

Their glycemic mother was left wheelchair-bound after having a below-the-knee amputation seven years ago, and their father quickly passed away in his sleep, making Ms. Chandramogan the primary caretaker.

She previously considered placing her brother in a facility for adults with disabilities, but the lengthy waiting lists and overpowering” sense of guilt” led her to reconsider.

She told CNA, “I’ll inquire myself why I’m not ready to do enough for him so I have to move to houses for assistance.” And I worry about whether he is being properly cared for because he will be there for a long time with tight visiting restrictions.

Her nephew has the mental age of a three- to four-year-old, and can do simple everyday functions like showering, eating and wearing clothes. However, learning how to handle money, feel secure, and understand social signals are still difficult. &nbsp,

” I know his medications, how comfortable he is feeling and even his spice tolerance when he comes to food” ,&nbsp, said Ms Chandramogan. &nbsp,

” So it’s a combination of being the younger child, the older child, and the parent at the same time,” he said.

Continue Reading

Meltdowns and moments of joy – the journey of millennial caregivers to siblings with special needs

By:
On:
In: South-East Asia

Ms Chandramogan, a independent psychological doctor, had much decided that she would take care of her elder stepson, 37-year-old Balamurugan Chandramogan, for the rest of her career.

Seven years ago, their diabetic family had to have her legs amputated below the knee, which made her wheelchair-bound, and in 2023 their father passed away quickly in his slumber, making Ms. Chandramogan the primary carer in the family.

She previously considered placing her brother in a facility for adults with disabilities, but the lengthy waiting lists and overpowering” sense of guilt” led her to reconsider.

She told CNA, “I’ll inquire myself why I’m not ready to do enough for him so I have to move to houses for assistance.” And I regret knowing that he will be there for a long time with tight visiting restrictions, and that I would be concerned if he is being cared for.

Her nephew has the mental age of a three- to four-year-old, and can do simple everyday functions like showering, eating and wearing clothes. However, learning how to handle money, feel secure, and understand interpersonal signals are still difficult. &nbsp,

” I know his medications, how comfortable he is feeling and even his spice tolerance when he comes to food” ,&nbsp, said Ms Chandramogan. &nbsp,

” So it’s a combination of being the younger child, the older child, and the family at the same time,” he said.

Continue Reading