Author: AFP

Resource-starved Singapore turns sewage into ultra-clean water

SINGAPORE: Giant pumps whir deep underground at a plant in Singapore that helps transform sewage into water so clean it is fit for human consumption while reducing ocean pollution. The tiny island nation has little in the way of natural water sources and has long had to rely principally on

‘Tiny homes’ spring up for Los Angeles’ homeless

LOS ANGELES: In a parking lot in Los Angeles, a village of miniature prefab houses has sprung up, one of several sites in America’s second-largest city where so-called “tiny homes” are being put up to help the homeless get back on their feet. The City of Angels has a large

Spielberg signs major streaming deal with Netflix

LOS ANGELES: Steven Spielberg will produce multiple new films for Netflix every year, the company said Monday, in a major deal that highlights how fully Hollywood has embraced streaming platforms. The partnership with arguably Tinseltown’s top director is a coup for Netflix at a time when competition with streaming rivals

Singaporean woman gets 30 years jail for torturing, killing maid

SINGAPORE: A Singaporean woman who starved, assaulted and ultimately killed her domestic worker was sentenced to 30 years in prison Tuesday, with the judge describing the case as “among the worst types of culpable homicide”. The affluent city-state is home to about 250,000 domestic workers who mostly come from poorer

‘World’s happiest country’ seeks migrants

HELSINKI, Finland: Repeatedly dubbed the happiest nation on the planet with world-beating living standards, Finland should be deluged by people wanting to relocate, but in fact it faces an acute workforce shortage. “It’s now widely acknowledged that we need a spectacular number of people to come to the country,” recruiter Saku

All a boar-d! Wild pig takes Hong Kong subway journey

HONG KONG: A young wild boar in Hong Kong has sparked delight by hopping onto a Hong Kong subway train and leading staff on a merry cross-harbour chase that included boarding two separate trains. The plucky piglet slipped under the ticket barriers of Quarry Bay station on Hong Kong Island on

‘Super Blood Moon’ celestial show over the Pacific Rim

SYDNEY: Stargazers across the Pacific Rim can cast their eyes skyward on Wednesday night and behold a “Super Blood Moon”, as the heavens align to bring a rare celestial twin treat.  The first total lunar eclipse in two years is happening at the same time as the moon is closest

vaccine passport

The European Covid certificate, a user’s guide

BRUSSELS, Belgium: It has been through a series of name changes and much scientific and political discussion, but the “EU digital Covid certificate” comes into use on July 1. How will it use data on coronavirus vaccinations, tests and immunity to usher in a return to summer tourism and non-essential

China’s ‘father of hybrid rice’ dies

Shanghai: An agronomist hailed as a Chinese national hero for helping develop hybrid rice and easing hunger for millions worldwide died on Saturday at the age of 90, state-run Xinhua news agency said. Yuan Longping, known in China as the “father of hybrid rice”, is credited with cultivating the world’s

What is ‘black fungus’ and why India?

NEW DELHI: Several thousand coronavirus patients in India have contracted a deadly and aggressive fungal infection, compounding the country’s woes as it reels from the pandemic. What is the fungus? Mucormycosis, dubbed “black fungus”, is caused by a mould found in soil and in decaying organic matter like rotting leaves,