Thailand's mega maize farms: The cost of feeding the world's appetite for meat
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Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Straits Times
Deadly disasters in Indian Himalayas over the years
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Houses are partially buried by a mudslide, amid flash floods, in Dharali, Uttarakhand, India, August 5, 2025. Indian Army Central Command via X/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo At least four people were killed and more than 50 were missing after flood waters swept through a village in India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Here are similar disasters in the mountain range, which experts have previously blamed on climate change and widespread developmental activities on its slopes. NOVEMBER 2023 A road tunnel under construction in Uttarakhand caved in, trapping 41 people inside. The men - low-wage workers from some of India's poorest states - were rescued 17 days later. Authorities did not give a reason for the structure's collapse. OCTOBER 2023 A glacial lake outburst triggered by torrential rain led to devastating floods in India's northeastern state of Sikkim, leaving at least 179 people dead. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore East-West Line MRT service resumes after delays lasting around 5 hours; track point fault fixed Singapore Hidden vapes and where to find them: Inside ICA's clampdown at land checkpoints Singapore Sorting recyclables by material could boost low domestic recycling rate: Observers Singapore SM Lee receives Australia's highest civilian honour for advancing bilateral ties Asia Trump's sharp India criticism corners Modi as rift deepens Singapore More train rides taken in first half-year, but overall public transport use stays below 2019 levels Singapore BlueSG needs time to develop software, refresh fleet, say ex-insiders after winding-down news Asia Cambodia-Thailand border clash a setback for Asean: Vivian Balakrishnan JANUARY 2023 Nearly 200 people were evacuated from their homes in the Himalayan town of Joshimath after hundreds of buildings in the area developed cracks. The unsafe structures were later demolished. Geologists, residents, and officials blamed rapid construction in the mountains, which they said had weakened the buildings and the land beneath them. OCTOBER 2021 Unseasonal heavy rain flooded roads and washed away bridges in Uttarakhand, killing at least 46 people. FEBRUARY 2021 More than 200 people were killed as a flash flood in Uttarakhand swept away two hydroelectric projects and sent water, rocks, and debris surging down the Dhauliganga river valley. Scientists said the deluge could have been triggered by a large avalanche of glacier ice. SEPTEMBER 2014 The Himalayan region of Kashmir saw its worst flooding in 50 years as the Jhelum river, which flows from India to Pakistan, surged due to unusually heavy rain. About 200 Indians and 264 Pakistanis were killed in the incident. JUNE 2013 A total of 580 people were killed in northern India and nearly 6,000 went missing as flash floods and landslides unleashed by early monsoon rains swallowed houses, apartment blocks, and vehicles. REUTERS
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Maid in SG seeks advice after elderly charge complains about every meal
SINGAPORE: A domestic helper took to social media to seek advice after growing frustrated with her elderly charge, who constantly complained about the food she prepared. Posting anonymously in the 'Direct Hire Transfer Singapore Maid / Domestic Helper' Facebook group, the Filipina helper said she has been working in Singapore for four months, caring for an elderly woman whom she refers to as 'lola.' 'If I cooked noodles, she would complain. When I cooked chow mein, she complained. If I cooked rice with a viand, she would also complain. If I cooked lugaw, she would complain too,' the helper wrote on Friday (Aug 1). '[She would even] complain about macaroni soup. Spaghetti or puto, she complains as well. If I give her bread and biscuits, she complains to me, [and] she can only drink one litre of water a day, not too much because she has a kidney problem.' At first, the helper said she tried to remain understanding, brushing off the remarks as part of the job. But as time went on, the constant criticism began to wear her down. See also Domestic helpers forbidden from using Thomson Rd condo facilities 'Sometimes I ask myself, what should I cook that she won't complain about?' she said. The helper ended her post by asking fellow domestic workers for advice or encouragement, saying she was doing her best to remain patient and respectful. 'Any experiences, mga kabayan (a term referring to fellow Filipinos)? I need some advice and positive feedback or responses. Thank you, and please respect my post.' 'The elderly are like that. You just need to be more patient.' In the comments section, several netizens offered practical suggestions, with many advising the helper to directly ask her employer or lola what she would like to eat before preparing any meals. One wrote, 'Before you cook, sis, you can ask them what they want to eat so they won't complain. If they still complain, maybe it's time to change employers after your two-year contract.' Another suggested, 'Try searching for Chinese food recipes and show her the picture before you cook it. Just follow the recipe exactly, with no changes, and make sure to choose dishes that she's allowed to eat. If she still complains, you can tell her maybe she should consider getting a new helper.' A third commented, 'The elderly are like that. You just need to be more patient. Soon, she will realise how much you care, [and] she will be okay. This is just a test.' 'That is how some elderly Singaporeans are; they need a lot of attention. Even if they like the food you cook, they might still complain. As long as she is eating what you prepare, just keep going. Try to be more patient and find ways to get her attention, too.' In other news, a local took to social media to share that he feels like he's 'drowning' as his job search continues to go nowhere. Posting on the r/askSingapore subreddit on Wednesday (Jul 30), he said he believes he has already applied to every available job opening in the advertising and creative field he could find, yet despite his efforts, he has not received any positive responses or seen any progress in his job hunt. Read more: Local says he's 'drowning' after nearly 5 months of unsuccessful job hunting
Independent Singapore
5 days ago
- Independent Singapore
'No, we don't chew gum': What people really get wrong about Singapore
SINGAPORE: When people think and picture the Lion City, certain stereotypes come to mind: It's part of China, it's impeccably clean to the point of being sterile, and no one dares to chew gum, but talk to long-time residents, and a far more distinct, culturally rich depiction emerges—one that's frequently misjudged or disregarded by those on the outside looking in. A post on Reddit asking, 'What do people who live outside of Singapore misunderstand about Singapore?' triggered a spate of responses from both locals and expats. Their perceptions depicted a fascinating representation of a nation far more encrusted than the trivialities imply. Myth #1: 'Singapore is part of China' This is perhaps the most insistent and erroneous supposition. For many strangers, predominantly those unacquainted with Southeast Asia, Singapore gets lumped in with its much bigger northern neighbour. 'I've had people ask if Singapore is in China,' one netizen wrote, reflecting an annoyance that's become too common. Another added, 'Some Filipinos think Singapore is a Chinese country, people- and culture-wise. When they hear you're Malay, they assume you're from Malaysia.' Chinese Singaporeans undeniably comprise the ethnic mainstream, but that doesn't mean the country is culturally or politically Chinese. Singapore is an autonomous, multi-ethnic city-state, home to a rich combination of Chinese, Eurasian, Malay, Indian, and other communities. Each ethnicity contributes to the national distinctiveness in noticeable and expressive ways. Myth #2: 'Everyone in Singapore speaks Chinese' In Singapore, English is the main language of training, business, and day-to-day communication. 'People outside who have never visited Singapore think everyone here speaks Chinese,' one Redditor noticed. 'Even though people here mostly speak English.' Malay, remarkably, holds the position of national language, a detail that amazes many foreigners. Singapore's national anthem, Majulah Singapura , is chanted in Malay. While the regular Singaporean may not speak the language confidently, it remains an essential element of the nation's heritage. Myth #3: 'It's all glitz, glam, and Crazy Rich Asians' The global success of the movie Crazy Rich Asians brought Singapore onto the world stage—but at a cost. 'I think the movie did more harm than good for the cultural identity of Singapore,' one commenter noted. The film's portrayal of the super-rich select few living an extravagant lifestyle in unspoiled environs left many with the idea that Singapore is an adventure playground for the affluent. The truth? While Singapore is undoubtedly contemporary and industrialised, it's also an authentic place with real people wrestling with socioeconomic issues, just like other people in any other country. Myth #4: 'Singapore is immaculately clean and harshly controlled' Yes, Singapore has a character of being a 'fine city'—both in terms of sanitation and in terms of issuing penalties for littering, jaywalking, and, yes, chewing gum, but as some Redditors pointed out, this repute can be deceptive. 'Only to be surprised when they see people spitting on the sidewalks,' one local remarked. Another added, 'There's rubbish lying around and in the bins—Japanese people tweet about it!' While it's more hygienic than most global cities, Singapore isn't a germ-free paradise. It's a lived-in place, with all the inadequacies, defectiveness, and inconsistencies that come with city life. Myth #5: 'There's a 'Singaporean look'' One of the more understated fallacies revolves around physical looks. 'I've had people say 'you don't look Singaporean' when I tell them where I'm from,' said one Redditor. This postulation originates from an inadequate understanding of what a 'typical' Singaporean looks like, habitually defaulting to Chinese physical attributes. Essentially, Singapore is proudly diverse, and its people mirror that multiplicity. From Indian shrines to Malay celebrations to Chinese New Year carnivals, Singapore's cultural calendar is as wide-ranging as its food and its inhabitants. So, what is Singapore? It's not a slice of China. It's not a monument and not a movie set. It's a multilingual, religiously diverse, multi-ethnic society that harmonises order with sincerity, innovativeness with tradition. It's where learners study in English but sing their national hymn in Malay, where Muslims break fast during Ramadan next to hawkers vending pork noodles, and where street food is a national gem served underneath gigantic high-rise buildings. As one Redditor summed it up: 'I wish they would promote our history and culture more. It's something to be proud of.'
