Saturday, September 14, 2024

 

Residents of Mexico City suburb are anxious after living over a month in black sewage water

AP |
Sep 14, 2024

With the receding liquid now down to her ankles, Salazar waddled into her furniture-less bedroom, where only a water pump hummed in the corner. Large black blotches stained the once white walls.

Sewage-infused floodwaters have invaded streets, homes and businesses in Salazar’s Culturas neighborhood of Chalco for over a month.

The low-lying area at the edge of what was once an ancient lake has long been plagued by seasonal flooding, but residents say this year has been worse, a combination of unchecked growth and failing infrastructure.

According to Chalco’s government, more than 2,000 homes and over 7,000 residents have been affected. The water was as deep as 5 feet in some areas.

Over the past several weeks, Salazar has used four pumps running around the clock to clear water from her home. Her hands and legs are stained with black and gray streaks from coming into contact with the tainted floodwaters.

“Day and night we couldn’t sleep, the water just rose and rose,” she said.

“I’ve been saying for years that the drain systems have collapsed,” said Salazar. “I haven’t been able to work because I have to take care of my things, my daughter hasn’t been able to take her son to school … we’re just surviving.”

Omar Arellano-Aguilar, a biologist and expert in environmental toxicology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, said the combination of drainage failures and the geological structure of the area makes it more vulnerable to floods.

“All of these urban areas have grown haphazardly over the last 50 years,” he said.

A city of more than 400,000, since the late 1980s Chalco has grown to become one of the largest cities in the State of Mexico, but it still lacks basic water and power infrastructure.

Mexico’s President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has downplayed the crisis in Chalco and said he wouldn't pay the disaster zone a visit.

“It's being taken care of,” he said during one of his daily press briefings last month. “It's the same reason I didn't go to Acapulco,” referring to the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Otis that killed at least 48 people. “It's like vulture season,” he said regarding the press asking him about it.

State Gov. Delfina Gómez has visited the neighborhood a handful of times. The governor and Chalco’s government did not respond to requests for interviews from The Associated Press.

Local, state and federal officials have been working in the area, using massive pumps to lower the water, vaccinating residents and providing potable water.

Outside of Salazar's home, the sun pounded on the neighborhood as the acidic stench of the sewage water and silt stretched for miles.

A block away, Oscar Martínez Hinojosa, 49, adjusted the hose for one of his water pumps.

Martínez said that when the flooding started they weren’t given any boots or protective clothing by the government. “They didn’t give us anything, no food, not a single pair of overalls ... and we asked for them," he said.

Martínez lives with his five family members crowded into a top floor room where there is no damage. Downstairs, the courtyard and other bedrooms are swamped with ankle-deep water.

Another resident, Guadalupe Sarai Islas García, 32, said health problems have abounded from the sewage water. Her baby was throwing up and experiencing diarrhea for over a week when the flooding persisted.

“None of the politicians know what it’s like to live like this,” she said. “They get to go home, have a shower, dine in peace and sleep without a care in the world.”

Since her home flooded weeks ago, she sent her kids to stay with her mother so they wouldn’t be exposed to any more filth. Other residents have taken similar precautions and even started renting rooms in neighboring Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl.

However, the dozens of trucks from the state and local governments lined up on Chalco's main street pumping tons of water from the neighborhood have helped reduce the water.

Residents who have managed to lower their water levels are now removing debris and silt from their homes.

As of last weekend, authorities reported there were no flooded streets remaining and that they had removed 245 tons of silt. They have also extracted more than 264 million gallons of water. They also began cleaning and disinfecting 28 streets affected by the flooding.

At a primary school located off the main intersection, Principal Maria Luisa Molina Avila said she felt positive about the latest renovations they had done to the grounds after flood damage to the school. The flooding delayed the start of the school year by two weeks for thousands of students.

“This has been like a rollercoaster, however fortunately many of the streets are now dry,” she said. Along with her daughter and son they drained, swept and cleaned the school to prepare for students' arrival.

“It's a relief for the kids they get to go back to school,” said resident García. “Now that our stress has been at an all time high.”

Back across town, Salazar made her way to a street corner accompanied by her dog “Oso” or “bear” to attend a neighborhood meeting. She gathered with others waiting for further updates about the construction of a drainage pipe that was set to start that morning.

As the afternoon rain started to sprinkle, a crowd of residents grew frustrated at the officials leading the construction. “Where’s the solution to this?” one person said. “We want you to start working! Look it’s already raining,” another yelled.

Standing patiently at the edge of the crowd with “Oso,” Salazar took in the scene silently. Like many of her neighbors, she’s patient for a solution.

But Arellano-Aguilar doubted retroactive fixes would work in the ever-sinking terrain. “For all the pipes they add, nothing is going to change," he said. "On the contrary, all the infrastructure that's put in now will suffer the effects of subsidence.”

Besides investing in more capable drainage systems, Arellano-Aguilar said stakeholders need to think about areas in the basin where they can redirect rainwater.

“We need to start learning how to live alongside the water and accept that there are areas that have to be flooded,” he said.

Germany To Ease Migration Laws For 250,000 Kenyans, In Labour Deal

51 minutes agoSat, 14 Sep 2024 03:41:11 GMT


Germany and Kenya have reached an agreement to enable 250,000 semi-skilled and skilled Kenyans to work in Europe’s biggest economy. As part of the deal, Germany will ease some of its immigration laws.

Semi-skilled people include buss drivers, while skilled people include teachers, nurses, and doctors.

The deal was signed in Berlin by Kenya’s President William Ruto and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz this month. It is aimed at addressing a shortage of skilled labour in Germany and a shortage of jobs in Kenya.

Here are some of the things agreed in the deal:Kenyans will get long-term visas to study or get vocational training in Germany. Some bus drivers, for example are now receiving training in Germany
Some specific professions will also get relaxed migration requirements. For example, IT specialists from Kenya will be allowed to enter and work in Germany, even if they do not have formal qualifications.

On the expiry of the long-stay visa, Kenyans may receive a temporary residence permit for study purposes in Germany for up to two years

The temporary residence permit may be extended if the purpose of residence has not yet been achieved but is achievable within a “reasonable” period

Kenyans in Germany illegally will have to return to Kenya and efforts made to reduce illegal immigration

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) supports the deal saying it will increase access to decent foreign jobs for Kenyan workers in Germany.

Said ILO in a statement before the signing:


“This agreement is designed to address the labour market needs of both countries, providing a structured framework for the migration of skilled workers. It includes mechanisms to protect the rights and welfare of Kenyan migrant workers in Germany, ensuring safe, orderly, and productive migration.”

Kenya’s unemployment rate is about 10%, with the majority of the unemployed being the youth.

There have been some criticism in Kenya that the deal would result in brain drain. At a joint press conference in Berlin, Ruto said about the concerns:

“I want to assure you that we have skills, we have developed a huge human capital. As you may be aware, Kenya is a young country.

We have a huge young population that cannot only satisfy our industrialisation agenda in Kenya but also here in Germany. In fact, it will provide an avenue for us to tap the skills here,”
Netherlands announces toughest asylum policy ever to curb illegal migration

The new government, led by nationalist  FASCIST
Geert Wilders, said it would declare a national asylum crisis, enabling it to take measures to curb migration without parliamentary consent.


Dutch far-right politician and leader of the PVV party Geert Wilders is eyeing to curb migration. (Reuters)


Reuters
Amsterdam,
UPDATED: Sep 14, 2024


In Short

Dutch government to declare 'asylum crisis'

Says curbing migration needed to fix housing market, healthcare

To seek exemption on EU asylum rules


The Dutch government said on Friday it aimed to implement measures to limit migration in the coming months, including a moratorium on all new applications, days after Germany announced new border controls to keep out unwanted migrants.

The new government, led by nationalist Geert Wilders' anti-Islam PVV party, said it would declare a national asylum crisis, enabling it to take measures to curb migration without parliamentary consent.

Opposition parties have questioned whether the move is necessary or even legal, but the PVV's migration minister Marjolein Faber said she was acting on opportunities granted by the country's own migration laws.

"We are taking measures to make the Netherlands as unattractive as possible for asylum seekers," Faber said in a statement.

The Netherlands received two first-time asylum applications per 1,000 inhabitants in 2023, equal to the EU average, Eurostat data shows. Ten European countries had a higher relative number of asylum seekers last year.

But after years of budget cuts, the country's only registration center for asylum seekers has been struggling to deal with the flow of migrants, forcing hundreds of refugees at times to sleep in the rough.

Despite the relatively moderate numbers,
Prime Minister Dick Schoof said curbing the flow of migrants was necessary to deal with problems on the housing market and to improve access to healthcare and education.

"I don't want to label it the only problem, but the fact is, it isn't helping," Schoof said.

The government reconfirmed its aim to seek an exemption of EU asylum rules, even though Brussels is likely to resist, as EU countries have already agreed on their migration pact.

"We have adopted legislation, you don't opt out of adopted legislation in the EU, that is a general principle," EU spokesman Eric Mamer said.

Among its first moves, the government said it would stop granting open-ended asylum permits, while significantly limiting options for those who have been granted asylum to reunite with their families.

It would also start working on a law that would suspend all decisions on new applications for up to two years and that would limit facilities offered to asylum seekers.

Wilders won an election last year with the promise of imposing the strictest migration rules in the EU. He managed to form a cabinet with three right-wing partners in May, but only after he gave up his own ambition to become prime minister.

The cabinet instead is led by Schoof, an unelected bureaucrat who has no party affiliation.

The Netherlands will also impose stricter border controls to combat human trafficking and curb irregular migration.




Arizona's 1864 abortion ban is officially off the books

Arizona’s Civil War-era ban on nearly all abortions is officially repealed

BySEJAL GOVINDARAO 
Associated Press
September 13, 2024, 


PHOENIX -- Arizona’s Civil War-era ban on nearly all abortions officially is being repealed Saturday.

The western swing state has been whipsawed over recent months, starting with the Arizona Supreme Court deciding in April to let the state enforce the long-dormant 1864 law that criminalized all abortions except when a woman’s life was jeopardized. Then state lawmakers voted on a bill to repeal that law once and for all.

Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill in May, declaring it was just the beginning of a fight to protect reproductive health care in Arizona.

“I will continue doing everything in my power to protect reproductive freedoms, because I trust women to make the decisions that are best for them, and know politicians do not belong in the doctor’s office,” Hobbs said in a statement.

Abortion has sharply defined Arizona’s political arena since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. As the November general election approaches, the issue remains a focus of Democratic campaigns, and it will be up to Arizona voters to decide whether to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.


It was after the state Supreme Court cleared the way for enforcement that Hobbs urged the state Legislature to take imminent action to undo the ban before it went into effect. Republican lawmakers, who hold a narrow majority in both chambers, derailed discussions about repealing the ban. At one point, the roadblocks resulted in chants of “Shame! Shame!” by outraged Democratic colleagues.

Emotions on the House floor and in the gallery ran high as House Democrats were able to garner the support of three Republicans to pass the repeal legislation two weeks later, sending the measure to the Senate for consideration. Two GOP senators joined with Democrats a week later to grant final approval.

Democrats were advocating for the repeal long before the Supreme Court issued its ruling. Even Hobbs called for action in her January State of the State address.

The battle in Arizona made national headlines again when Democratic state Sen. Eva Burch told fellow lawmakers in a floor speech in March that she was going to get an abortion because her pregnancy was no longer viable. She said in an interview that it was her chance to highlight that the laws passed by legislators in Arizona “actually do impact people in practice and not just in theory.”

In the weeks between the high court’s decision and Hobbs signing the repeal into law, Arizonans were in a state of confusion about whether the near-total ban would end up taking effect before the repeal was implemented.


A court order put the ban on hold, but questions lingered about whether doctors in the state could perform the procedure. California Gov. Gavin Newsom weighed in on the issue in late May, signing legislation allowing Arizona doctors to receive temporary, emergency licenses to perform abortions in California.

With the territorial ban no longer in play, Arizona law allows abortions until 15 weeks. After that, there is an exception to save the life of the mother, but missing are exceptions for cases of rape or incest after the 15-week mark.

Arizona requires those seeking an abortion prior to the 15-week mark to have an ultrasound at least 24 hours before the procedure and to be given the opportunity to view it. Minors must have either parental consent or authorization from a state judge, except in cases of incest or when their life is at risk.

Abortion medication can only be provided through a qualified physician, and only licensed physicians can perform surgical abortions. Abortion providers and clinics also must record and report certain information about the abortions they perform to the department of health services.

Voters will have the ultimate say on whether to add the right to an abortion to the state constitution when they cast their ballots in the general election.


Arizona for Abortion Access, the coalition leading the ballot measure campaign, was successful in securing the measure's spot on the ballot. The Arizona Secretary of State verified 577,971 signatures that were collected as part of the citizen-led campaign, well over the 383,923 required from registered voters.

If voters approve the measure, abortions would be allowed until fetal viability — the point at which a fetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks. It also would allow abortions after that time in cases where the mother’s physical or mental health is in jeopardy.
Africa’s youth ‘losing faith in authority’


Saturday September 14 2024
The East African


Protesters during the Anti-finance bill demonstrations along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on June 25, 2024. File| Nation Media GroupAdvertisement


By CHRIS ERASMUS
More by this Author


A civil sector ‘white paper’ on the hopes and aspirations of Africa’s youth across 16 Sub-Saharan states, including Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa, has shown declining trust in nearly all figures and institutions of authority.

The recently published African Youth Survey 2024 by the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, a private research institute headed by South African entrepreneur and philanthropist Ivor Ichikowitz, surveyed views and opinions of 5,604 Africans, half male and half female, aged 18-24.

In face-to-face interviews, almost exclusively conducted in country nationals’ home languages, the survey – the third conducted by the foundation since 2020 – found a marked loss of trust in almost all authorities, formal and informal, with the partial exception of some religious leaders.

Read: Consider Gen Z: Young, national, and progressive

Traditional and political leaders across the spectrum were among those who have increasingly lost favour with the surveyed group, the interviews revealed.

Africa’s youth constitute the fastest growing demographic on the planet, said the survey overview.

Related

42 Ugandan youths charged over anti-graft protestAdvertisement


“One of the most important demographic shifts happening across the world today is Africa’s burgeoning youth population,” commented Ichikowitz in his summary assessment.

“Our continent’s total population stands at 1.4 billion – by 2050, it will add (over) another billion people, by which time young Africans will constitute the world’s largest source of labour.

“By the end of the century, the population in Africa is projected to reach 4.2 billion –40 percent (of the global total) – and most of them will be in their twenties,” added Ichikowitz.

In its investigation of African youth attitudes and views, the survey observed that there is a “remarkable transformation” taking place in Africa, the total continental population nearly doubling to 2.5 billion over the next 25 years.

“This change will not only revolutionise many African nations but also significantly alter their global relationships,” it states.

While wealthier country birth rates are falling, Africa’s reproduction rate remains high, “driving the most youthful and rapidly expanding population worldwide”.

Already, Africa boasts the world’s youngest population, with 70 percent of those living in the Sub-Saharan region under 30 years of age. By 2050, African youth are expected to account for over a third of the world’s youth and will make up 75 percent all Africans under 35 years of age.

“This considerable youth population offers significant opportunity to drive the continent’s current and future growth, but only if these emerging generations are sufficiently empowered to maximise their full potential,” says the survey.

There are also problems embedded in Africa’s burgeoning youth contingent.



Anti-government protesters protesting along Moi Avenue in Nairobi on July 23, 2024. File| Nation Media

The key difficulty is the loss of faith of the African youth in their leadership, systems of governance and prospects for their own futures, the survey’s overall findings show.

But, on the positive side, “the respondents painted a picture that was the polar opposite of the prejudices of the developed world ... showing that Africans, especially the next generation of leaders, actually believe in themselves and their continent.”

Claiming to be an “important” and “accurate” indicator of trends, from domestic to global politics, the survey says conditions in a disrupted geopolitical order, with increased volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, have made African youth perspectives more than merely “important”.

“Against this backdrop, the voice of the African youth becomes even more significant since the continent once again is becoming a proxy battleground for the competing ideologies of an increasingly multipolar world.

"Where do the loyalties of the next generation of African leaders lie; are they blindly pro-American or slavishly pro-Russian? Is it as simple as a binary concept or is it more nuanced? What is the effect of China’s extensive Belt and Road initiative?” were among the questions put before survey respondents.

The answers are “fascinating” and “fly in the face of accepted beliefs.”

“There is much to warm the hearts of Africa’s supporters (in Africa) and abroad, as confidence returns to pre-pandemic levels. But there is much that continues to vex today’s youth,” it adds.

Young Africans want a greater role on the world stage, specifically a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, and action on climate change, corruption, migration, quality of life, crime, terrorism and security.

Many also want profound changes in social structures and governance.

Read: Kenya police use tear gas to clear pockets of protesters in Nairobi

If Africa is to fulfil the promise that the 21st century would mark the continent’s global emergence as a major powerhouse, say the survey authors, the unlocking of the “potential that lies within Africa and properly harnessing it – organically and sustainably – to the benefit of not just the people who live there, but to the whole world” has to occur.

But achieving that outcome is fraught with difficulties.

For example, despite a largely robust rebound from the negative economic and social impacts of the Covid pandemic, there still a widespread perception among African youth that their economic prospects are poor.

“Most African youth believe their governments should do more to combat unemployment in the region, and although there has been slight improvement, only two-fifths of young people in Africa currently feel they have a good quality of life,” says the survey.

Nevertheless, and despite significant economic challenges, African youth generally remain a hopeful and ambitious cohort, it adds.



Protestors chant slogans during a rally against what they say are rampant corruption and human rights abuses by the country's rulers in Kampala, Uganda on July 23, 2024. PHOTO | REUTERS

“The majority plan to build their own business in the future, and four-in-five have a strong sense of what they want to do with their lives.

"Youth are more likely to report feeling ‘concerned’ than ‘pessimistic’ about the future of their country, and there is ... confidence that their standard of living will improve.

"Many young Africans believe ... that their quality of life will surpass that of their parents, and they increasingly feel that the continent is moving in the ‘right direction’.”

Yet there many others – the majority – who still say, “things across the continent” are heading in the ‘wrong direction’.

There is a broad sense that youth have not resigned themselves to expect the worst about the long-term, and still believe that things can be turned around.

“At this moment, they are using their voices to call on leaders in their countries to take action in order to address current and future challenges facing Africa,” says the report in summary of its numerous detailed findings.

Read: Ah, the selective world conscience on the Africans

While expressing “bold ambitions,” “African youth are also pragmatists,” it adds.

That said, young Africans “are acutely conscious of significant roadblocks hindering progress in their countries.”

“There is a sense among a significant proportion that diplomacy is fragile, with corruption cited as the most pertinent concern. It is strongly regarded that corruption is rife within political and civil institutions including government, business, and the police.

"It is therefore no surprise that when asked to pick a key priority for decision-makers, African youth unequivocally state that governments must address, and adequately sanction, corruption.”

Levels of satisfaction with government efforts to address corruption remain consistently low across the continent.


A protester is arrested by police during Nane nane anti-government protests along Kimathi Street in Nairobi, Kenya on August 8, 2024. FILE | NMG

“There is a sense that youth are at an inflection point, calling on their government to address key issues and right the long-term trajectory of their country or, failing this, using their own agency to improve their current and future prospects,” says the survey, reflecting youth-led “rebellions” seen recently in countries such as Kenya.

“Despite strong belief that it is (a) government responsibility to improve conditions for African populations, only half of eligible youth across Africa have registered to vote – a proportion which has remained consistent over time.

"This may be because a growing segment of young Africans feel that non-democratic systems could be preferable for the region, and that African countries should design their own democratic structures,” conclude the researchers.

“In many African countries, young people fear political instability, and those living in Kenya, Nigeria, and Ethiopia are most likely to feel the negative impact of terrorism, insurgency and armed conflict.

“Concerningly, there is a growing trend across the continent of young people being approached for recruitment by terror groups, and an increase in African youth reporting acquaintance with someone supporting terrorism in their local context.

"Despite this significant increase, the majority of African youth are still confident in their (own) government’s capabilities to deal with terrorism and insurgency.”

These issues create the “risk that young people living across Africa may look elsewhere for opportunities to prosper”.

“A significant and increasing proportion of African youth currently say they are planning to emigrate within the next five years. Africa may find itself losing out on young ambition, particularly to the allure of North America and Europe, where prospects are deemed by youth to be more appealing.”

As a positive counterpoint to this trend, “African youth who intend to move overseas to pursue opportunities see this as a temporary measure, (although) a growing proportion feel that a move abroad could become a permanent relocation.”


Protesters during the Anti-finance bill demonstrations along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi on June 20, 2024. File | Nation Media Group

The survey also found that African youth are not only concerned for their own prospects; there is also growing concern for the interests of minority groups in their countries.

“For instance, three-quarters of young people are now worried about gender-based violence, and the lack of protection for women’s rights.”

Attitudes towards people from the LGBTQ+ community are less straightforward, “with a smaller proportion expressing concern for this cohort”.

“Additionally, the majority of African youth agree that their country has a moral obligation to accept refugees. This is despite expressing high levels of concern for immigration and asylum across Africa.”

To ‘level the playing field’ in the global arena, “African youth are looking to their politicians to do more to enhance their country’s global influence.”

Read: Youth triggered overdue talk on the state of nationhood

“Young people across Africa hold the belief that their leaders have a voice to drive change on the global stage, and they want to see their governments taking more direct engagements on global issues.”

Despite a maintained interest in spotlighting Africa on the global stage, the majority of African youth remain sceptical of outside influence, out of fear of exploitation of their countries’ natural resources.

“Youth continue to identify China and the United States as the two most influential foreign powers in the region, (even though) their perceived influence has trended down over time.

“Regardless of the perceived downward trajectory of influence, positivity towards (foreign) influence has remained high with around three-quarters agreeing that the impact of most foreign actors in their country has been ‘very positive’ or ‘somewhat positive’,” says the survey.
SUPER TYPHOON YAGI
Myanmar junta makes rare request for foreign aid to cope with deadly floods

 September 14, 2024 
By Agence France-Presse
Flood-affected residents use bamboo rafts as they move to higher ground in Taungoo, Myanmar's Bago region, on Sept. 14, 2024, following heavy rains in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi.

Taungoo, Myanmar —

Myanmar's junta chief made a rare request Saturday for foreign aid to cope with deadly floods that have displaced hundreds of thousands of people who have already endured three years of war.

Floods and landslides have killed almost 300 people in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand in the wake of Typhoon Yagi, which dumped a colossal deluge of rain when it hit the region last weekend.

In Myanmar, more than 235,000 people have been forced from their homes by floods, the junta said Friday, piling further misery on the country, where war has raged since the military seized power in 2021.

In Taungoo — around an hour south of the capital, Naypyidaw — residents paddled makeshift rafts on floodwaters that reached the roofs of some buildings.

Around 300 people were sheltering at a monastery on high ground in a nearby village.

"We are surrounded by water, and we don't have enough food for everyone," one man said. "We need food, water and medicine as priority."

Outside another temple, Buddhist nuns in pink and orange robes waded through knee-deep water.

"I lost my rice, chickens and ducks," said farmer Naing Tun, who had brought his three cows to higher ground near Taungoo after floodwaters inundated his village.

"I don't care about the other belongings. Nothing else is more important than the lives of people and animals," he told AFP.

Flee by any means

The rains in the wake of Typhoon Yagi sent people across Southeast Asia fleeing by any means necessary, including by elephant in Myanmar and Jet Ski in Thailand.

"Officials from the government need to contact foreign countries to receive rescue and relief aid to be provided to the victims," junta chief Min Aung Hlaing said on Friday, according to the Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper.

"It is necessary to manage rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures as quickly as possible," he was quoted as saying.

Myanmar's military has previously blocked or frustrated humanitarian assistance from abroad.

Last year it suspended travel authorizations for aid groups trying to reach around 1 million victims of powerful Cyclone Mocha, whixh hit the west of the country. At the time the United Nations slammed that decision as "unfathomable."

AFP has contacted a spokesperson for the U.N. in Myanmar for comment.

After Cyclone Nargis killed at least 138,000 people in Myanmar in 2008, the then-junta was accused of blocking emergency aid and initially refusing to grant access to humanitarian workers and supplies.

'Terrible experience'


The junta gave a death toll on Friday of 33, while earlier in the day the country's fire department said rescuers had recovered 36 bodies.

A military spokesperson said it had lost contact with some areas of the country and was investigating reports that dozens had been buried in landslides in a gold-mining area in central Mandalay region.

Local media reported that six people had been killed in a landslide Friday in Tachileik in eastern Shan state.

Military trucks carried small rescue boats to flood-hit areas around the military-built capital, Naypyidaw, on Saturday, AFP reporters said.

"Yesterday we had only one meal," farmer Naing Tun said near Taungoo. “It is terrible to experience flooding because we cannot live our lives well when it happens. It can be OK for people who have money. But for the people who have to work day-to-day for their meals, it is not OK at all."

More than 2.7 million people were already displaced in Myanmar by conflict triggered by the junta's 2021 coup.

Vietnamese authorities said Saturday that 262 people were dead and 83 missing.

Images from Laos’ capital, Vientiane, meanwhile, showed houses and buildings inundated by the Mekong River.


Vietnam typhoon death toll rises to 233 as more bodies found in areas hit by landslides and floods

By AP
Published : Sept. 14, 2024 - 
People wade in a flooded street in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, in Hanoi, Vietnam on Thursday. (AP-Yonhap)


HANOI, Vietnam — The death toll in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam climbed to 233 on Friday as rescue workers recovered more bodies from areas hit by landslides and flash floods, state media reported.

Flood waters from the swollen Red River in the capital of Hanoi were beginning to recede, but many neighborhoods remained inundated and farther north, experts were predicting it could still be days before any relief is in sight.

Typhoon Yagi made landfall Saturday, setting off heavy rains that have triggered flash floods and landslides, particularly in Vietnam's mountainous north. Across the country, 103 people are still missing and more than 800 have been injured.

In a village on the outskirts of Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Loan returned to the home that she'd hastily fled on Monday as the floodwaters rose. Much of A Lac village was still under water, and as she surveyed the damage, she wondered how she and others would manage.

“The flood has made our lives so difficult,” she said. “Our rice crop has been destroyed and at home the electrical appliances like the washing machine, TV and fridge are under water.”

Most fatalities have come in the province of Lao Cai, where a flash flood swept away the entire hamlet of Lang Nu on Tuesday. Eight villagers turned up safe on Friday morning, telling others that they had left before the deluge, state-run VNExpress newspaper said. However, 48 others from Lang Nu have been found dead, and another 39 remain missing.

Roads to Lang Nu have been badly damaged, making it impossible to bring in heavy equipment to aid in the rescue effort.

Some 500 personnel with sniffer dogs are on hand, and in a visit to the scene on Thursday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh promised they would not relent in their search for those still missing.

“Their families are in agony,” Chinh said.

Coffins were stacked near the disaster site in preparation for the worst, and villager Tran Thi Ngan mourned at a makeshift altar for family members she had lost.

“It's a disaster,” she told VTV news. “That's the fate we have to accept.”

In Cao Bang, another northern province bordering China, 21 bodies had been recovered by Friday, four days after a landslide pushed a bus, a car and several motorcycles into a small river, swollen with floodwaters. Ten more people remain missing.

Experts say storms like Typhoon Yagi are getting stronger due to climate change, as warmer ocean waters provide more energy to fuel them, leading to higher winds and heavier rainfall.

The effects of the typhoon, the strongest to hit Vietnam in decades, were also being felt across the region, with flooding and landslides in northern Thailand, Laos and northeastern Myanmar.

In Thailand, 10 deaths have been reported due to flooding or landslides, and Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra flew to the north on Friday to visit the border town of Mae Sai. Thailand's Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation warned of a continuing risk of flash floods in multiple areas through next Wednesday, as new rain was expected to increase the Mekong River's levels further.

In Myanmar, the army said Friday that at least 33 people died across the country since Wednesday. It said 187 relief camps have been established for nearly 240,000 flood victims from 34 townships.

There are fears the death toll may rise sharply as local news outlets reported dozens missing in floods and landslides in the central regions of Mandalay and Bago, as well as eastern Shan State and the country's capital, Naypyitaw.

International aid has been flowing into Vietnam in the aftermath of Yagi, with Australia already delivering humanitarian supplies as part of $2 million in assistance.

South Korea has also pledged $2 million in aid, and the US Embassy said Friday it would provide $1 million in support through the US Agency for International Development, or USAID.

“With more heavy rain forecast in the coming days, USAID’s disaster experts continue to monitor humanitarian needs in close coordination with local emergency authorities and partners on the ground,” the embassy said in a statement. “USAID humanitarian experts on the ground are participating in ongoing assessments to ensure US assistance rapidly reaches populations in need.”

The typhoon and ensuing heavy rains have damaged factories in northern provinces like Haiphong, home to electric car company VinFast, Apple parts suppliers and other electronic manufacturers, which could affect international supply chains, the Center for Strategic and International Studies said in a research note.

The center said 95 percent of businesses in Haiphong were to resume some activity on Sept. 10 but that "repair efforts will likely lower output for the next weeks and months.” (AP)

 

Chile files intervention in South Africa genocide case against Israel
Chile files intervention in South Africa genocide case against Israel

Chile filed a declaration of intervention Friday in South Africa’s genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The South American country submitted its declaration under Article 63 of the Statute of the ICJ, which gives states a right to intervene in the interpretation of a multilateral convention. Chile’s intervention highlights several key issues, including the duty to prevent and punish genocide under the Genocide Convention.

First, Chile challenges Israel’s claim that the ICJ lacks jurisdiction over Gaza, arguing that a dispute exists when “two sides holds clearly opposite views concerning certain international obligations.” It also contends that the erga omnes partes character of the Convention allows any state party to hold another state party accountable for violations, making Israel’s argument about the lack of bilateral interaction with South Africa irrelevant.

Chile also asserts, which the ICJ’s recent advisory opinion on the occupation of Palestine similarly held, that Palestinians are a protected group under the Convention and that genocidal intent involves the specific aim to physically or biologically destroy such a group.

On the duty to prevent genocide, Chile contends that Article I imposes on Israel a due diligence obligation to prevent genocide and Israel should be held accountable if it failed to take effective measures, regardless of whether genocide has occurred. Chile also stated that Israel must be aware of the serious risk that genocidal act might be committed from the provisional measures ordered by the ICJ.

On Israel’s duty to punish genocide, Chile maintains that the duty to punish extends to the temporary holder of occupied territories. To hold otherwise would frustrate the purpose of the Convention and exempt Israel from fulfilling its obligations, as the occupying power of Gaza, under the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Lastly, Chile calls on the ICJ to assess whether the public appeals made by several Israeli authorities amounted to direct (a call for criminal action) and public incitement. Chile particularly highlighted the use of dehumanizing language by Israeli officials and the importance to assess them in the cultural context. The failure to punish all individuals responsible for direct and public incitement to commit genocide breaches the state’s obligation under the Convention.

After Chile filed its declaration, the ICJ has invited South Africa and Israel to submit observations on Chile’s declaration.

South Africa initiated the case in December 2023, accusing Israel of violating the Genocide Convention during military operations in Gaza. Since then, the ICJ has issued multiple provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocide in the Gaza Strip.

Several countries, including NicaraguaColombiaLibyaMexicoPalestineSpainTürkiye have already filed their declarations of intervention. Egypt also announced its intention to intervene in May 2o24. Chile’s intervention adds to international scrutiny and legal interpretation of the Convention’s provisions.

Friday, September 13, 2024

We're all living in a black hole: The bold theory scientists can't disprove

Here's one to get your head spinning.


Image credit: Alamy

Dr Alastair Gunn

Published: September 13, 2024 at 9:00 pm

This possibility has been seriously considered by modern science, prompted by a number of facts.

Perhaps the most notable one is that if we calculate the size of a black hole with mass and energy equal to all the mass and energy we can see in the Universe, we get a surprising result: it’s almost the same size of the observable Universe!

If this seems odd, remember that a black hole’s radius is directly proportional to its mass, while its volume is proportional to its radius cubed.

So, the more massive a black hole is, the less dense it is.

So a black hole with the Universe’s radius would have roughly the average density we observe in the Universe.

The Universe has other similarities with black holes. For example, if we run the Universe’s expansion backwards, it’s clear that it began with a ‘singularity’ – the Big Bang – a point in time when densities, temperatures and energies were so extreme that the laws of physics break down.

This is mathematically the same as the singularities in black holes.

Black holes also have event horizons beyond which all light and matter is trapped. The Universe has something similar; the cosmological ‘event horizon’, beyond which we can’t see because light from there can’t reach us.

And, mathematically speaking, the properties of space outside of a black hole’s event horizon are simply an inversion of those within.

Other studies have also suggested that the creation of a black hole can produce ‘baby universes’.

But, despite these theoretical oddities, none of these ideas has resulted in a testable prediction or any observable evidence.

Hence, the question of whether we live inside a black hole can’t yet be answered.

This article is an answer to the question (asked by Jae Cohen, via email) 'Could we be living in a black hole?'
Impact of 2020 Labor Day wildfires on highway infrastructure: a historical perspective on megafires and roadway damage in Washington, Oregon, and California

13-Sep-2024 
 by Chinese Academy of Sciences




Credit: The authors

Figure 6. Length of highway (km) per state vs estimated overall damage costs due to the 2020 Labor Day wildfires.PreviousNext
Credit: The authors

Figure 2. (a) Location of 2020 Labor Day wildfires in OR. (b) Location of Highway 224 within the 2020 Riverside wildfire. (c) Location of Highway 22 within the 2020 Beachie Creek wild.fire. (d) Location of Highway 22 within the 2020 Lionshead wildfire[37]. (e) Location of Highway 126 within the 2020 Holiday Farm wildfire. (f) Location of Highway 138, within the 2020 Archie Creek wildfireA research team examines the extent of damage and associated costs on the 2020 Labor Day wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and California, comparing with the historical impact of megafires in these states. By analyzing data from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the study provides critical insights into the vulnerabilities of highway systems to wildfire events.

 Megafires, defined as wildfires burning over 100,000 acres, have become increasingly common in recent decades, driven by climate change, altered land use, and human fire practices.     These fires can devastate landscapes, threaten lives and property, and significantly impact transportation infrastructure. The rise of megafires has also been marked by even larger gigafires (over 100,000 hectares) and terafires (over 1,000,000 hectares), underscoring the growing challenge of wildfire management. The 2020 Labor Day wildfires in Washington, Oregon, and California caused unprecedented damage to roadways, resulting in extensive economic losses and infrastructure challenges.

A study (DOI: 10.48130/emst-0024-0016) published in Emergency Management Science and Technology on 07 August 2024, underscores the need for proactive measures, such as pre-emptive hazard tree removal and slope stabilization to reduce future repair costs.

This study assesses roadway damage from the 2020 wildfires in comparison to the history of megafires from 1902 to 2023 in Washington, 1845 to 2023 in Oregon, and 1889 to 2023 in California, focusing on the causes, extent, and impact on highway infrastructure from the 19th century to the present.  The research categorizes the types of damage, including traffic control, slope-rock scaling, hazard trees, and structural impacts. The anticipated costs from the 2020 fires include over $24 million for hazard tree removal, $17.5 million for slope-rock scaling, $43 million for structural repairs, and over $3 million for traffic control, with an average repair cost of $127,783 per kilometer of impacted route.

Results showed that the 21st century has seen a dramatic increase in megafires, with Washington experiencing 71%, Oregon 64%, and California 86% of their total recorded megafires since 2000. Lightning was the primary cause, responsible for 49% of the fires, followed by human activities at 26%. Despite the extensive historical occurrence of megafires, significant roadway damage was only documented in the 21st century, primarily due to the 2020 Labor Day fires, which collectively burned over 5.4 million hectares and impacted 18 highways across the three states. California incurred the highest costs, largely due to the longer duration and greater number of megafires affecting more highways, with structural damage and slope-rock scaling being the most costly repairs. Although similar lengths of highway were affected in each state, the cost discrepancies highlight the complex relationship between fire size, frequency, and location relative to infrastructure. The study emphasizes that megafires started by lightning, though common, tend to cause the most substantial infrastructure damage compared to other causes, indicating the critical need for targeted preventive measures and improved fire management strategies.

According to the study's lead researcher, Dr. Jane Doe, “Understanding the historical context of megafires helps us better anticipate and mitigate future infrastructure damage. The findings from the 2020 Labor Day fires highlight the urgent need for improved wildfire risk assessment and resilience planning for our critical highway systems.”

The 2020 Labor Day wildfires exemplify the growing threat of megafires to transportation infrastructure in the western United States. By placing the damage in historical context, this study aims to inform local, state, and federal agencies about the economic and physical impacts of wildfires on highways. Enhancing data collection, improving predictive models, and increasing resilience measures are crucial steps toward mitigating future wildfire damage and protecting critical transportation networks.

###

References

DOI

10.48130/emst-0024-0016

Original Source URL

https://www.maxapress.com/article/doi/10.48130/emst-0024-0016

About Emergency Management Science and Technology

Emergency Management Science and Technology (e-ISSN 2832-448X) is an open access journal of Nanjing Tech University and published by Maximum Academic Press. It is a medium for research in the science and technology of emergency management. Emergency Management Science and Technology publishes high-quality original research articles, reviews, case studies, short communications, editorials, letters, and perspectives from a wide variety of sources dealing with all aspects of the science and technology of emergency.

POSTMODERN ALCHEMY
A Green Chemistry Breakthrough:Sustainable Collagen Extraction from Sardine Bones Using Banana Peel Water Extracts

14-Sep-2024 
 by Chinese Academy of Sciences



Credit: The authors

Fig.4 Hierarchical structure of fish bone and amino acids found in collagen structure



A research team has developed an innovative and sustainable method to extract collagen from sardine bones using water extracts from banana peels, a common agricultural waste in Malaysia. This method addresses environmental concerns associated with traditional collagen extraction methods and offers a new approach to valorizing waste materials.

The global fisheries industry plays a crucial role in food security, producing significant volumes of waste from inedible parts such as bones and scales. Sardine bones, rich in collagen, present an underutilized resource with immense potential for various industries, including medical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, and food sectors. Traditional extraction methods often involve harsh chemicals and generate harmful waste, necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives.

study (DOI: 10.48130/fmr-0024-0015) published in Food Materials Research on 03 September 2024, provides a sustainable alternative to mammalian-derived collagen, reducing reliance on traditional extraction processes that harm the environment.

The research employed a statistical modeling approach to optimize the collagen extraction process from sardine bones using water extracts from banana peels. A quadratic regression model was developed using experimental data to explore the relationship between extraction temperature (T), sardine bone-to-water extract ratio (R), and extraction time. The model included linear, interactive, and quadratic terms to provide a comprehensive understanding of these variables' effects on collagen yield. Statistical analysis, including T- and p-values, revealed that extraction time was the most significant factor, with longer times increasing yield until degradation occurred at extended durations beyond 72 hours. The model’s validity was confirmed through ANOVA, which indicated a significant regression fit (p-value of 0.000), with the lack-of-fit test suggesting the model adequately explained the data (p-value of 0.062). Extraction time emerged as the most influential variable, positively affecting yield, followed by the sardine bone-to-solvent ratio, which increased yield up to a ratio of 1:25. Temperature was the least influential but still showed a positive correlation with yield, optimizing around 40 °C. The overall goodness of fit, represented by an R² value of 0.9835, indicated that the model accounted for 98.35% of the variability in extraction yield. The response optimizer tool predicted that the optimal extraction conditions—40 °C, a bone-to-solvent ratio of 1:24, and 74 hours—would achieve a maximum yield of 9.21%, closely aligning with the experimental validation yield of 9.82%. These findings demonstrate the effectiveness of using statistical modeling to refine and predict optimal extraction conditions, providing valuable insights into the parameters that most significantly impact the sustainable extraction of collagen from marine waste.

The water extracts were also tested on other fruit wastes, including mango peel, coconut husk, and pineapple pomace, yielding collagen extraction rates of 11.79%, 2.10%, and 13.58%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of using diverse agricultural waste materials for sustainable collagen extraction.

According to the study's lead researcher, Dr. Azlan Hassan, “This research demonstrates the potential of using fruit waste to extract valuable compounds like collagen. It’s a great example of how we can turn waste into wealth while promoting environmental sustainability.”

This research highlights a promising method for extracting collagen using environmentally sustainable solvents derived from agricultural waste. By turning fruit waste into valuable resources, this approach aligns with the principles of green chemistry and waste valorization, offering significant benefits for the environment and various industries. As the world seeks sustainable alternatives, this method could pave the way for more eco-friendly production practices in the future.

###

References

DOI

10.48130/fmr-0024-0015

Original Source URL

https://doi.org/10.48130/fmr-0024-0015

Funding information

This research was supported by the Research Management Office (RMO) at Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, through Talent and Publication Enhancement-Research grant (TAPE-RG, Vot. No. 55497) and partial fund by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia through the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS) FRGS/1/2020/STG01/UMT/02/4 (Vot. No. 59631). The authors would like to thank Maperow Sdn Bhd for providing the sardine processing waste.

About Food Materials Research

The open-access journal Food Materials Research (e-ISSN 2771-4683) is published by Maximum Academic Press in partnership with Nanjing Agricultural University. The article types include original research papers, reviews, methods, editorials, short communications, and perspectives. All articles published in Food Materials Research represent significant advances in the genetic, molecular, biochemical, physiological processes and pathways related to food materials and sources and will provide scientific information towards overcoming technological limitations in developing conventional and alternative foods.