IN THE next 50 years, Singapore will dramatically ramp up its desalination and NEWater capacity in a bid to become self sufficient in its water supply. Over the next half century, the nation's water demand is projected to double from 380 million gallons per day (mgd) to 760 mgd.

Most of it will be met by the increased production of the reclaimed used water NEWater, and desalinated water. These two forms of water currently meet only 40 per cent of the country's water needs. By 2060, national water agency PUB aims to increase this proportion to 80 per cent, it announced on Monday evening at the Singapore International Water Week conference and trade show.

Singapore's two other sources of water are from catchment areas like reservoirs as well as imported water from Malaysia. The drive to produce more NEWater and desalinated water will enable Singapore to be self-sufficient in water by 2061, when its water agreement with Malaysia runs out. An earlier water agreement, signed in 1961 to allow Singapore to buy water from its neighbour at 3 sen per 1,000 gallons (about 1.3 Singapore cents), will run out next year (2011) and is not being renewed.


Besides desalination and reclaiming used water, the PUB will also increase Singapore's water catchment from the current two-thirds of land area to a whopping 90 per cent. It will tap even minor rivulets across the island and treat water there with variable salinity plants, which can treat fresh water and desalinate brackish water and saltier sea water.

Afterthoughts:
I think that Singapore Government is forwardlooking and always planning for the future. We should not rely on other countries for resources as one day, the countries may chose not to provide and share their resources with us. If the water contract with Malaysia expires, Singapore will not have to worry about its water resources with NEWater. By expanding on the water catchment area, Singapore will be able to store more water in its reservoirs and produce more NEWater. By producing our own supply of water, Singapore will never have to be in fear of a shortage of water. However, even with NEWater, we should not be complacent and waste water. We should make fulll use of each drop of water, t0 allow more generations to enjoy NEWater.

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North Korea's ruling communist party is to hold a rare meeting of its political bureau, state media have said.

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Voting has begun in Poland's presidential elections, two months after a plane crash killed President Lech Kaczynski.

The late president's identical twin, Jaroslaw Kaczynski, and acting president Bronislaw Komorowski are among the 10 candidates. A run-off will be held if no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote.Mr Kaczynski and 95 others died in the crash in Smolensk in western Russia on 10 April.The dead included many of Poland's political and military leaders, and the disaster has overshadowed the election campaign, making it one of the least aggressive ever.It has also boosted the ratings of the late president's twin, Jaroslaw, a combative conservative former prime minister who was voted out of office three years ago.

His personal loss has changed him, he says, and he is presenting himself as a man of compromise. But the front-runner is the government's candidate, Bronislaw Komorowski, who is a member of the governing Civic Platform party. The centre-right parliamentary speaker, who is now the acting president, says his whole career proves that he is a man who can unite the nation. _______________________________________
Afterthought:

Labels: Chandra

MYANMAR

YANGON - At least 46 people have died in landslides triggered by heavy rain in western Myanmar near the border with Bangladesh, state media reported on Thursday.

Bridges, homes and other buildings were damaged after record rainfall of more than 13 inches (33 centimetres) Wednesday in parts of Rakhine State, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper said.

The landslides swept away huts on hillsides. Some areas have seen floods as high as two feet (60 centimetres) after several days of torrential rain, the report said.

Landslides caused by heavy rains are not uncommon in Myanmar owing to deforestation.

Across the border in southeastern Bangladesh, at least 55 people have been killed and thousands more left homeless after the heaviest rain in decades triggered flash floods and landslides, according to police there.

The hardest-hit area, Teknaf, is home to hundreds of thousands of ethnic Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

SINGAPORE



SINGAPORE: Flash floods caused by heavy rain on Wednesday morning left a trail of damage and disruption in parts of Singapore.

In just three hours, between 8am and 11am, 100 millimetres of rainfall were recorded. That is 60 per cent of the average rainful for June.

Hardest hit were the downtown areas, as businesses came to a halt, people scrambled for a way out, and the authorities swung into damage control.

Business at a cafe in Liat Towers in Orchard Road ground to a halt. Motorists and commuters are stuck in traffic in Thomson, while part of the CTE had to be closed for about two hours due to a fallen tree.

Bus services were disrupted for a few hours, from about 10am to 1pm.



The hardest hit was Orchard Road, as viewers sent in pictures of the early scenes when the skies opened. One showed the intersection between Orchard and Scotts Roads made it impassable for vehicles and pedestrians.

And those who were caught in the downpour did not expect it to be so serious.

Singapore's national water agency PUB maintains that its drainage systems are developed for Singapore's rapid urbanisation.

Yap Kheng Guan, 3P Network Director, PUB, said: "In 1984, when we expanded the Stamford Canal, it served this area and served us very well. So we have to really get down to this root of today's flooding."

He added: "You have to look at the nature of the flooding that has taken place. You compare it with the previous years, where we have 2,000 hectares of flooding. Now it's 66 hectares.

"There are still areas that will be subjected to floods. But the nature of the flood is very different from the previous flood. In the past, it used to be very extensive, and for a longer duration, and the depth of the water is a lot of worse. And those floods can be very disruptive and disabling.

The PUB said it will investigate the cause of the flood. But before that, the debris and water will have to be cleared from the drainage system.



Older buildings like Lucky Plaza will have to be cleared of the flood water. However underground, MRT trains did not see an extra flow of passengers or rainwater. That is because the PUB had advised the operator to ensure that the stations are flood-resistant.

A flight of stairs can prevent rainwater from overflowing into MRT stations underground.

PUB said such anti-flooding features are being built into MRT stations based on the highest flooding level ever recorded in the past 20 to 30 years.

Afterthoughts

There have been quite a number of issues regarding heavy rains around the world. Above two articles stated are just two of them. Landslides happened due to the heavy rain and caused at least 46 deaths. Lots of damages are done to the surroundings. As for Myanmar, heavy rains are often seen as deforestation occurs every now and then.

However, Singapore experienced floods too and it has received lots of unexpected reactions from the locals. Hardest hits are the downtown areas,thus businesses are badly affected too. Traffic jams are unavoidable due to this.

Nobody would think of such a heavy downpour would result in such tragedies in Mynamar. We,Singaporeans should not take this incident lightly. In conclusion, we ought to reflect on our own actions which might be part of cause caused.

Labels: Gladys

INDIA : A severe heat wave in India has already claimed several lives, and is disrupting normal life and business. At many places, the temperatures have broken records for the month of May, and are inching closer to an unprecedented 50 degrees Celsius.

Shimla in the hills of north India is a favorite getaway for those living on the hot and humid plains. But this year, even the so-called Queen of Hills is experiencing sweltering heat. The roads are deserted, as residents unused to such heat, stayed indoors.

"We have never seen the temperature crossing 27 to 28 degrees (Celsius), but this time it has crossed 30 degrees, so it is a very unexpected. It has never happened before," said Ashok Kureja, a resident at Shimala.

In western Ahmedabad city, hundreds have fallen ill due to the heat and dehydration.There is a severe water shortage as rivers are drying up.At least 20 people have died and scores have been hospitalised due to heat stroke.

"Around 350 patients have been admitted till now because of heat wave and around 20 people have died. Mainly those people suffering from diabetes and blood pressure are the victims," said Mayur Dave, spokesperson of Vadilal Sarabhai Hospital.

According to meteorological officials, the lack of thunderstorm activity that precedes the monsoon showers, could be the reason that temperatures are four to five degrees above the norm. People are eagerly awaiting the onset of the monsoon season.

Last year the country faced the driest monsoon season in nearly four decades. This year, the rains are predicted to be at normal levels. The summer rains which run from June to September will not only cool the sub-continent but also bring respite to the government trying to battle burgeoning prices because of last year's drought.



Views: This heatwave is an environmental, serious temperature issue in India. The temperature is around 50 degree Celsius, which is totally hard for anyone to withstand. Many fall sick were partially because of the drastic weather which they can't adapt, causing at least 20 deaths. Severe water shortage as rivers are drying up.

I pity them, nevertheless, weather and temperature are unpredictable. Drought could be one of the factor that contributes to the extremely hot weather. Majority of the residents stayed indoor because of this matter. Many are waiting for the monsoon session to be here, so that they can enjoy and get rid of the humid heat. I hope that those staying in India will take great care and hydrate themselves now and then. Thus to prevent tragedy things to happen.

From this news, i can see that weather is unpredictable .Sometimes, the weather can be too hot or too cold. I shall learn not to complain anymore as out there people are suffering because of weather.

Labels: Gladys

SYDNEY : An Australian restaurant has ditched printed menus and now hands diners the latest tech-craze, Apple's touch-screen iPad computer, from which to choose and order their meals.

Risking damaging wine spills and customers taking an iPad 'to go', the Global Mundo Tapas eatery at the Rydges Hotel in North Sydney introduced its new menus three days ago -- within a week of the iPad's Australian release.

"One of the points of difference for our restaurant was to have a unique menu," the hotel's general manager Craig Simpson said Friday.Hundreds of people queued round the block in central Sydney to buy the iPad when it went on sale outside the United States for the first time on May 28.

Simpson bought 15 of the sought-after tablets, flying to Adelaide to pick up 10 of them on launch day, which retail from AUS$629 Australian dollars (US$531).

An iPad application developed ahead of the tactile device's launch allows diners at the 50-seat restaurant to browse the menu -- complete with photographs and tasting notes -- with a flick of a finger.

Order a steak and the application asks how you would like the meat cooked, and placing your order can be done with the press of a button. Planned features include pop-up boxes that will suggest wines to match meals, and stock-control mechanisms to delete sold-out items from the menu.

"Hotels used to be cutting-edge food and beverage," Simpson said. "We are trying to bring the pizzazz back."

"It's something to play with while you order," he said. "With a menu, you don't really know what you're getting," lunch customer David Wisemantel told AFP on Friday. "I would be far more inclined to order... if I knew what it looked like."




Views:
The globe is constantly spinning , advanced technology are created now and then. Personally, i think that the houses, tourist attractions and all stuff around us are always changing to satisfy human unwanted satisfaction. Technology is just another factor too. I'm totally amazed and awed by the changes in this particular place.In Sydney,there is a Aussie restaurant which changed the whole concept of menus. This act of their was totally brillant and innovative.

Apparently, they used Apple iPads for their menus. This allows people to play while they order their foods. Interesting way to order their food and pop up button to recommend them which wines to go with.

Fast,easy and appealing are the 3 simple words i would describe.

Firstly, FAST as to the customers don't have to wait for the waiters to attend to others before serving them . They have the iPads to take their orders.

Secondly, EASY as to the iPads will delete those sold out items just to inform the customers before they make their decisions. Nevertheless, it is light and just a flick of a finger, their orders can be make known.

Lastly, APPEALING as to there are photographs of what the food looks like. Though normal menus have pictures too, their might not look as appealing to those food on the iPads, the more advanced technology.

An innovaative and useful tool for menus such as Apple iPads is indeed brillant.

Labels: Gladys

Portion of the sunken South Korean naval ship Cheonan is salvaged off Baengnyeong Island, South Korea. An explosion from a N.Korean torpedo left 46 sailors dead.
A part of the sunken South Korean naval vessel Cheonan is lifted by a giant crane off Baengnyeong island.

South Korean Navy's Ship Salvage Unit members on rubber boats return from search for survivors from the sunken South Korean navy ship near South Korea's Baengnyeong Island.
South Korean artillery soldiers take positions during an exercise against possible North Korean attacks, in Paju, north of Seoul, South Korea, near the DMZ between the two Koreas. South Korea resumed propaganda broadcasts into North Korea in response to a deadly torpedo attack that sank a South Korean warship, officials said on Tuesday, amid a report that North Korea's leader ordered troops to be ready for combat.
South Korean K1 tanks conduct an exercise to prepare for a possible surprise attack by North Korea, near the demilitarised zone separating the two Koreas in Yeoncheon, South Korea.
South Korean soldiers patrol along the military fence near the DMZ separating South Korea from North Korea in Yanggu. South Korean President Lee Myung Bak said North Korea would pay the price for sinking a South Korean naval ship and that the South would invoke its right to defend itself if Pyongyang waged aggression again.

SEOUL - NORTH Korea has flatly rejected evidence showing it torpedoed a South Korean warship with the loss of 46 lives, saying it does not own a midget submarine allegedly used for the March attack.

The North's powerful National Defence Commission (NDC), chaired by leader Kim Jong Il, held a rare press conference on Friday and denied Pyongyang's involvement, according to official North Korean media.

Major General Pak Rim Su, director of the policy department of the NDC, said the North does not have a 130-tonne 'Salmon-class' submarine, which the South says torpedoed its 1,200-ton corvette, the Cheonan, in the Yellow Sea. 'We don't have anything like a 130-tonne Salmon-class submersible,' Gen Pak was quoted by Pyongyang's Chungang TV as telling reporters. A multinational investigation led by Seoul concluded earlier this month that the March 26 sinking was caused by a torpedo attack from the North. South Korean investigators said a Salmon-class midget submarine had intruded into South Korean waters via international waters.

But Gen Pak said: 'It does not make any sense militarily that a 130-tonne submersible carrying a heavy 1.7-tonne torpedo travelled through the open sea into the South, sank the ship and returned home.' He also rebutted Seoul's allegation that salvaged fragments of the torpedo matched design specifications that appeared on brochures the North allegedly sent to an unidentified potential buyer of North Korean torpedoes.

'Who in the the world would hand over torpedo designs while selling torpedoes?' he said. Senior Colonel Ri Son Gwon dismissed as a 'fabrication' a serial number hand-written on a torpedo fragment reading '1 bun' or number one. South Korea said the serial number handwritten in Korean was strong evidence of Pyongyang's involvement in the sinking.

'When we put serial numbers on weapons, we engrave them with machines,' Col Ri said. 'We use 'bun' only for football or basketball players,' he said. Col Ri said the blame for the incident rested with the 'commander-in-chief of the puppet armed forces and military bosses'. Gen Pak said the Seoul-led multinational investigation team was not in a position to conduct an objective probe, attacking Seoul for rejecting Pyongyang's demand that it will dispatch its own investigation team.

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Modern science has shown that nature is not always “red in tooth and claw”, but rather that cooperation is often the norm. Human beings often act as if we are in direct competition with every other form of life, when in truth our very survival depends on a myriad of species from simple bacteria to complex mammals.

Today, human activities are causing a massive extinction of species, the full implications of which are barely understood. Rising ocean temperatures reduce the ability of plankton to reproduce, thereby undermining the entire oceanic ecosystem. Commercial fishing’s increasing size and scope threaten to empty of the ocean of fish within several decades.

Modern agricultural practices strip the Earth of its thin layer of topsoil through water and wind erosion, destroying this precious micro ecosystem that takes centuries to form and supports all life on land. Furthermore, bee populations are plummeting as a result of mite infestations and a mysterious problem called Colony Collapse Disorder. Over 70% of our food is pollinated by bees; if bee populations fall too far, our food supplies will be seriously threatened. . .




Around the world, habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate, putting many wildlife species in danger of extinction. Threatened and endangered wildlife live in throughout the globe and you're likely to find some in your own backyard. To protect endangered animals, think both globally and locally.

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