Save money, be cool: Indonesian project shows how 'cool' roofs can help Asia beat the heat - CNA

The project will set aside 10 per cent of production for corporate social responsibility purposes, which would cover about 14,400 sq m annually, she shared. The product is free for public buildings like schools, orphanages and religious institutions, she said.

For commercial customers, the product, marketed under the BeCool brand, is still cheaper than other brands on the market, she added. “We just want the product (to be widely adopted) in Indonesia and … at an affordable price.”

A set of 20 kg of primer and 20 kg of coating costs 2.73 million rupiah (S$247), which can cover 120 to 160 sq m in area, depending on the absorbency of the roof material.

A low-cost housing unit in Indonesia — at an average of 36 sq m — with a clay roof would need 13 kg of primer and coating each, estimated Beta.

With the US$750,000 prize money to be disbursed in five tranches over three years, the plan is also to set up a national laboratory to study the properties of building materials, such as how much heat they reflect and absorb, she said.

AIR CIRCULATION, BUILDING DESIGN ALSO MATTER

Since the Money Mind video appeared on YouTube, more people have visited BeCool’s website and contacted the manufacturer, which is a company registered under UPI, she said.

Purchases in Indonesia are usually made via WhatsApp, and the company also receives requests to distribute the product overseas and is looking into it.

Although the BeCool coating has been well received, Beta has had some less positive feedback from journalists who said indoor temperatures have not dropped as much as desired.

She cautioned that cool roofs may not be a surefire way to significantly reduce indoor temperatures as other factors are also at play, such as the building’s design, orientation and quality of air circulation.

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2023-05-23 22:00:00Z
CBMieWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vY25hLWluc2lkZXIvc2F2ZS1tb25leS1pbmRvbmVzaWFuLXByb2plY3QtY29vbC1yb29mcy1oZWF0d2F2ZS13ZWF0aGVyLXRlbXBlcmF0dXJlLTM1MDg0ODbSAQA

Last emperor of China's watch sells for record US$5.1 million in Hong Kong auction - CNA

HONG KONG: A watch that was once owned by the last emperor of China's Qing Dynasty, whose life formed the basis of Oscar-winning film "The Last Emperor", sold for a record HK$40 million (US$5.1 million) at Hong Kong auction on Tuesday (May 23).

An anonymous buyer bought the rare Patek Philippe watch that had belonged to Aisin-Gioro Puyi. The price did not include the auction house fee.

Thomas Perazzi, head of watches at auction house Phillips Asia, told Reuters that it is "the highest result" for any wristwatch that once belonged to an emperor.

It was one of only eight known Patek Philippe Reference 96 Quantieme Lune timepieces and was gifted by Puyi to his Russian interpreter when he was imprisoned by the Soviet Union, the auction house said. It easily beat a pre-sale estimate of US$3 million.

Other watches owned by emperors and sold at auction include a Patek Philippe timepiece that belonged to the last Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, which sold for US$2.9 million in 2017.

A Rolex watch that belonged to the last Emperor of Vietnam, Bao Dai, fetched US$5 million at an auction in 2017.

Born in 1906, Aisin-Gioro Puyi was the last Emperor of China's Qing dynasty, who began his reign at two years old.

After Japan’s defeat in World War II in 1945, Puyi was captured at China's Shenyang Airport by the Soviet Red Army. He was detained as a war prisoner and incarcerated in a detention camp in Khabarovsk, Russia, for five years.

The auction house said it spent three years collaborating with watch specialists, historians, journalists, and scientists to research the watch's history and verify its provenance.

Perazzi told Reuters that the watch was the finest that Patek made at the time.

Journalist Russell Working, who interviewed Puyi's interpreter Georgy Permyakov in 2001, said he gave the watch to Permyakov on his last day in the Soviet Union, shortly before he was extradited back to China.

“These were the kind of things he sometimes did to people that were very special to him,” Working said.

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2023-05-23 13:59:00Z
2046062797

Last Chinese Emperor's Patek Philippe Watch Sells for $6.2 Million - Bloomberg

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1. Last Chinese Emperor's Patek Philippe Watch Sells for $6.2 Million  Bloomberg
2. Last emperor of China's watch sells for record US$5.1 million in Hong Kong auction  CNA
3. Watch once owned by last emperor of China sells for HK$40 million in Hong Kong  South China Morning Post
4. Here’s China’s Last Emperor’s Watch—Which Sold For $5 Million  Forbes
5. Watch again: Wristwatch owned by last Chinese emperor goes up for auction in Hong Kong  The Independent
6. View Full coverage on Google News

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2023-05-23 11:36:09Z
2046062797

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific suspends flying duties of crew accused of discrimination - South China Morning Post

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Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific suspends flying duties of crew accused of discrimination  South China Morning PostView Full coverage on Google News
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2023-05-23 05:22:14Z
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Thai coalition seals deal, pledges to rewrite Constitution and recognise same-sex marriage - The Straits Times

BANGKOK - Eight political parties that won a majority of seats in Thailand’s May 14 general election signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, pledging to rewrite the Constitution, recognise same-sex marriage, and end military conscription except in times of emergency.

The three goals were among 23 outlined in a deal drawn up after negotiations led by the Move Forward Party (MFP), which won the most seats and the biggest proportion of votes in the election.

In a press conference on Monday, MFP leader Pita Limjaroenrat, whom the coalition plans to support for the position of prime minister, described talks among the parties as “fruitful” and “comprehensive”, but stressed: “Today is only the first step.”

Missing from the document was any mention of the lese majeste law, which the MFP had pledged to amend during its election campaign.

The law penalises each count of insult or defamation against the king, queen, regent or heir apparent with a jail term that can stretch to 15 years. Royalists argue that amending it would affect the standing of the monarchy, but critics allege that the law has been abused for political reasons.

The MOU’s preamble, however, mentioned that the government’s actions must not affect “the inviolable status of the monarch”.

Mr Pita said his own party would continue to push for an amendment of the law.

The other seven parties in the coalition are Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Sang Thai, Seri Ruam Thai, Fair, Pue Thai Rumphlang and Plung Sungkom Mai.

Although the coalition wields 313 seats in Thailand’s 500-seat House of Representatives, it cannot guarantee that Mr Pita, its choice for prime minister, will eventually attain that position. This is because 250 senators appointed by Thailand’s former ruling junta will vote alongside the Lower House on the choice of prime minister, requiring any bloc to muster 376 seats to secure premiership.

Asked by reporters what would happen if it could not obtain the 376 votes required, Mr Pita said it was not something that he was worried about at present.

He said the coalition was publicising the MOU for accountability, though he added that it was too early to talk about the allocation of Cabinet positions.

Other goals outlined by the coalition government include reform of the military, police and civil service, as well as introducing regulations on cannabis to rein in the current free-for-all environment.

On Sunday, Mr Pita tweeted a message in English and Burmese, calling on Thailand’s caretaker government and the international community to expedite assistance to those in Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha.

“This is in line with my new foreign policy agenda as PM-elect,” he wrote. ”My policies on Myanmar will engage with all stakeholders, focusing on human security considerations, including humanitarian and economic aspects. These will be implemented with a view to achieving mutual peace and prosperity for Thailand, Myanmar, Asean and beyond.”

Asked to elaborate on his foreign policy on Monday, Mr Pita said his government would ditch quiet diplomacy so that Thailand can assume greater leadership in the international sphere.

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2023-05-22 13:35:00Z
2052255030

Thailand's Move Forward party coalition signs MOU after electoral victory - CNA

BANGKOK: Thailand's Move Forward party and its seven political allies signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday (May 22) to affirm a mutual agreement to drive 23 agendas once their coalition government is formed.

The MOU - coming on the heels of Move Forward's unexpected win in the May 14 general election - aims to create a basis for the forming of Thailand’s next government, and to determine the common direction of work among the eight member parties.

“It is a compilation of agendas we mutually agreed upon and are ready to bring forth through the governmental and parliamentary mechanisms,” said Move Forward's leader and prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat.

“It also shows the responsibilities shared by the parties that will form a government together.”

Among the key missions are drafting a new constitution, legalising same-sex marriage, placing cannabis back on the banned narcotics list and replacing compulsory enlistment with voluntary recruitment during peacetime.

“All the parties agreed that every mission the government will bring forth must not affect the status of the state under the constitutional monarchy or the inviolable status of the monarch,” said Mr Pita.

The coalition currently comprises Move Forward, Pheu Thai, Prachachat, Thai Liberal Party, Thai Sang Thai, Fair, Plung Sungkom Mai and Pue Thai Rumphlang.

Together, they have 313 seats in the 500-member House of Representatives.

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2023-05-22 12:35:42Z
2052255030

CNA Explains: How do you know if your COVID-19 vaccinations are 'up to date'? - CNA

SINGAPORE: The Expert Committee on COVID-19 Vaccination on Monday (May 22) recommended that those aged 60 and above, and medically vulnerable people who have yet to receive the updated bivalent vaccine booster to do so around one year after their last booster dose. 

The government-appointed committee noted that hospitalised patients were more likely to not be updated with their COVID-19 vaccinations, and had yet to receive a bivalent vaccine booster.

A "substantial number" of patients also had yet to achieve the minimum protection. This comprises three complete mRNA or Novavax doses or four Sinovac-CoronaVac doses - regardless of any past infections.

The expert committee added vaccinations could have potentially prevented hospital admissions. 

As Singapore continues to live with COVID-19 as an endemic disease, there have been repeated calls for people to keep up to date with their vaccinations. 

"Please continue to keep your vaccinations up to date, as it reduces the risk of severe illness,” Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday (May 22) when he revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19.

What is considered up-to-date COVID-19 vaccination and when will you require booster doses? Here's what you need to know.

WHAT IS THE UP-TO-DATE VACCINE STRATEGY?

Singapore transitioned to a new strategy for COVID-19 vaccinations towards the end of 2022, with a focus on keeping up to date with the latest vaccination recommendations rather than tracking the number of vaccine doses taken.

People will generally be considered up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination if they achieved the minimum protection. 

There are, however, booster dose recommendations for certain groups of people, including people aged 60 and above.

DO I NEED A BOOSTER SHOT?

Besides achieving minimum protection, the Ministry of Health (MOH) recommends an additional booster shot in 2023, one year after their last booster dose for three groups of people.  

These are people aged 60 and above, those who live in aged care facilities, as well as people aged 12 and above who are medically vulnerable and at risk of severe disease. 

The expert committee said on Monday those aged 60 and above, and medically vulnerable people can start to receive one booster dose of the updated bivalent vaccine from five months after their last booster dose.

MOH had said previously that the Pfizer-BioNTech and the Moderna bivalent vaccines are recommended as the additional booster shot for these groups of people. 

Those who are not medically eligible for the two mRNA vaccines may receive the Novavax vaccine or the Sinovac-CoronaVac jab as an alternative. 

People aged 12 and above who do not fall into the recommended groups above may also receive one booster dose at the same interval if they choose to, said MOH. 

WHY IS THE BOOSTER SHOT RECOMMENDED FOR CERTAIN GROUPS?

The expert committee said on Monday that vaccination is essential to achieve a good level of protection against severe disease. 

Those aged 60 and above are particularly vulnerable as they are "significantly" more likely to require medical care and be admitted to hospital should they fall ill with COVID-19.  

The risks of severe illness from COVID-19, including breathing difficulties and even death, can be as high as around seven in 100 persons among unvaccinated seniors.

Seniors and medically vulnerable people should have minimum protection at the very least and achieve optimal protection by being updated with the bivalent vaccines, the expert committee added.

The bivalent vaccine boosters provide better protection against the Omicron variants circulating both in Singapore and overseas, and the most at-risk groups will get the "greatest benefit" from getting the jab.

The protection the boosters provide will reduce the risk of severe disease, the worsening of underlying medical conditions and hospitalisation, said the expert committee.

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2023-05-22 11:26:55Z
2051104954