Christmas Tree Ablaze at Orchard Road

I just read the news that a christmas tree outside Ngee Ann City Tower A caught fire last night at about 8.36pm. Pictures and videos are posted at Yahoo Singapore. Unfortunately, the fire destroyed the christmas tree. No report out yet on the cause of the blaze.

There were three christmas trees outside of Ngee Ann City that I remembered. From the videos and picture, it looked to be the tree on the extreme left. For comparison, these pictures were taken last thursday night before the fire destroyed the tree.

Three Chrismas Trees outside Ngee Ann City 5 days before the Fire

Vertical View of Christmas Trees outside Ngee Ann City

Thursday night, there were maintenance or repairs done to that christmas tree on the far side. If that was the christmas tree on fire last night, I wonder if there are any faulty wiring. Sad to see it go up in a blaze of glory. So very very glad I got pictures before its destruction.

Hope there is a replacement soon.

Punggol Waterway Official Opening – 23 October 2011

Well folks, here’s the breaking news for today. Punggol Waterway otherwise known as My Waterway @Punggol will be opening on 23 October 2011. Here’s the online Straits Times weblink :

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_718009.html

Needs subscription though. Can’t read the whole story since I don’t have a subscription. I expect it will be in the news in tomorrow’s papers.

Another link via Channel News Asia : http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1156272/1/.html

 

2nd Update – News from Eco-Business : http://www.eco-business.com/news/punggol-waterway-ready-next-month/

Read all about it!

Aftermath of Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

Wednesday News Highlight

As predicted, more earthquakes are expected to hit Japan. On Tuesday night,15 March 2011 at 10:31 pm, an earthquake hit eastern Shizuoka Prefecture in central Japan with a magnitude of 6.4.

In Fujinomiya City, Shizuoka Prefecture a quake struck with an intensity of 6-plus on the Japanese scale of zero to 7 and was felt across the Tokyo and Tohoku areas.

On Wednesday, the level of radiation near the Fukushima Daiichi’s main gate rosed to 10 millisieverts per hour at 10:40 AM, but dropped to 2.7 millisieverts per hour within 30 minutes the Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said.

At least 1.6 million households were still without water Japan’s health ministry said.

Death Toll and Missing

As of today, there are confirmed 3,676 deaths with 7,558 people missing. The death toll and missing had exceeded 11,000 – the first time that Japan had recorded so many victims in a natural disaster since World War Two.

• Miyagi Prefecture : 1,816 deaths confirmed, 2,011 people remain missing.
• Minami-sanriku Town : roughly 1,000 bodies discovered. About 8,000 people missing, nearly half the town’s population.
• Iwate Prefecture: 1,296 deaths confirmed, 3,318 missing.
• Rikuzen-takata and Ofunato : 373 deaths confirmed
• Onagawa Town on the peninsula : about 5,000 people remain missing, half of its population.
• Rikuzen-takata :1,282 missing.
• Fukushima Prefecture : 509 deaths confirmed, 2,220 missing.
• Namie Town : about 900 residents whereabouts remain unknown.
• Oshika Peninsula : several hundred bodies were found on the beaches.

The rest of the survivors, over 440,000 people were scattered in 2,400 shelters in northeastern and central prefectures. More help are needed as some shelters have yet to receive food and water and other essential supplies.

Source : NKH World

So, for everyone of us, please do your part to help by donating to the local Red Cross.

Tuesday News Update Japan Earthquake

News Highlights

All residents within 20 kilometers of the quake-damaged Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant had been evacuated.

On Tuesday, 15 March 2011, 9.38 am local time, a fire started at No. 4 reactor near the northwestern part of the 4th floor of the building that houses the reactor at the Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant. An explosion was heard prior to the fire. The fire had since been put out.

Meanwhile all Fukushima No. 2 plant reactors had safely been halted. However the jury is still out for No.1 reactor of its Fukushima No. 1 nuclear power plant.

So far the death toll had been confirmed to be nearly 2,500 people with more than 17,000 others missing.

Source : NHK World

Monday News Update for Japan Earthquake

Another blast at Fukushima nuclear plant

On Monday, 14 March 2011, 11.01am, what was believed to be another hydrogen blast occurred at No. 3 reactor of the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima No.1 nuclear power plant injuring 11 people – including 4 employees and 4 Self-Defense Force members.

The Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency said that so far there was no abnormal rise in radiation around the compound of the plant.

Death Toll

Miyagi police feared that 1,000 bodies had been washed ashore following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan on Friday, 11 March 2011. About 10,000 out of Minami-sanriku’s Town 17,000 residents are unaccounted for.

In Miyagi, 700-850 people had been confirmed dead though police expected the final death toll to exceed 10,000.

In Iwate Prefecture, 574 people had been confirmed dead.

In Fukushima Prefecture, 420 people had died and 1,200 people remain missing.

In Rikuzen-takata City, the search for survivors and retrieval of victims’ bodies are still on but officials are facing  difficulties due to changing seawater levels.

In total, 1,834 people were confirmed dead with more than 10,000 missing in northern and eastern Japan.

Fear of major aftershocks

Japan had been striken with aftershocks nearly 200 times since Friday. Within the next 3 days, Japan’s Meteorological Agency expect major aftershocks to follow with magnitude of 5 and higher (Japanese scale of zero to seven). The likelihood of that happening remains at 40 percent,  said agency expert Takashi Yokota. He warned that if the focus is close to the epicenter of the initial earthquake, the aftershock may be from six minus to six plus and may trigger another tsunami.

Source : NKH World

News Highlights of Japan Earthquake

It is heartrending to see the images of destruction from the earthquake and tsunami. No amount of preparation and past experience can prepare for such an avalanche. Our hearts go to the people of Japan.

Japan Earthquake

• The 8.9 9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan – under 400 kilometres northeast of Tokyo – on Friday, 11 March 2011 at 2.46pm, bringing on a tsunami with reported heights of over 10 metres and destroying all in its path at Sendai.
• Aftershock of 6.8 magnitude was felt on Saturday, 12 March 2011
• Another aftershock of 6.3 magnitude was felt on Sunday, 13 March 2011

Edit : The 8.9 magnitude quake on Friday, 11 March 2011, had been revised to 9.0 magnitude after watching videos on the damage done during the quake.

Fears of Nuclear Meltdown

An explosion was heard at the Fukushima No. 1 Atomic Plant on Saturday, 12 March 2011.On Sunday, 13 March 2011, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco) reported that the cooling system of No. 3 reactor had failed. On Sunday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said that a hydrogen explosion could occur at Unit 3 of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear complex. More fears of radiation contamination.

News Highlights

NHK World

AFP News – Blast at Japan nuke plant; 10,000 missing after quake

Reuters – Blast at Japan nuke plant; 10,000 missing after quake

Associates Press – Scenes of devastation at heart of Japan disaster

AsiaOne News/Reuters – Developments after major Japan earthquake

Associated Press – Japan quake causes emergencies at 5 nuke reactors

2 Minutes Silence in Christchurch

Today, 1 March 2011, at 12.51pm New Zealand time (7.51am Singapore time), the nation observe two minutes silence in honour of the Christchurch victims, exactly a week after the event.

People stood at the intersection of Montreal and Worcester Streets looking toward the Cathedral and the CBD, heads bowed in emotions. We joined them in remembrance and unity.

Source : NZHerald

It will be a long road ahead in rebuilding the city. But it will be rebuilt. Stay strong, friends.

2 Minutes Silence at 12.51pm (NZ time) on 1 March 2011

This is a picture of Lake Manapouri in New Zealand. A new day, a new beginning, hope and aspiration.

To the people who lost family and friends in the recent event, my heart goes to you.

In honour of the quake victims, Prime Minister John Key had asked all New Zealanders to observe two minutes of silence from 12.51pm on Tuesday, 1 March 2011 – exactly one week after Christchurch’s earthquake.

Source : NZherald

Singapore is about 5 hours behind New Zealand, so the time is about 7.51am. Let us all join the silence in unity and solitary.

Time Zone Converter

For those searching for time zone in your own country, click below to convert time :

Time Zone Converter

Christchurch Earthquake Day 3 : 98 Dead 226 Missing

It is Day 3 since the earthquake hit Christchurch, New Zealand on Tuesday, 22 February 2011. Official quake toll is now 98, with at least 92 held in a temporary morgue. The missing is listed as 226.

In the badly damaged CTV Building, up to 122 people are feared missing and unaccounted for – among them, more than 80 students and staff from King’s Education Ltd.

Safety concern remains over Hotel Grand Chancellor that is on the verge of collapse. Should that happen, it will cause a domino effect on the surrounding buildings and unstabilise the grounds. Keep your prayers and fingers crossed.

News Highlights

Christchurch earthquake: Official death toll now 98
No survivors in cathedral after earthquake – police
Twenty-one Chinese listed as missing in Christchurch quake
Rescuers switch to recovery mode at PGC building
Christchurch earthquake: Victim’s legs amputated at PGC
Christchurch earthquake: Rescuers’ focus remains on the living
Christchurch earthquake: Updates

Update : Christchurch Earthquake

It was only late last night did I realised the full devastation of this earthquake. I had stayed in Christchurch for at least two nights here each time I was in New Zealand. I had walked these streets and stand in awe of these places. My heart aches and goes out to the people in New Zealand. Stay strong, keep the faith and hopes alive.

Listed below are some of the news highlights.

Christchurch Cathedral
Hotel Grand Chancellor on verge of collapse
CTV building ‘not survivable’ – police
Miracle rescue a ray of hope amid despair
Key warns quake death toll will climb
Christchurch quake day two: As it happened

What you need to know