Paint the world white to save energy

LONDON (AFP) – US Energy Secretary Steven Chu said Tuesday the Obama administration wanted to paint roofs an energy-reflecting white, as he took part in a climate change symposium in London.

The Nobel laureate in physics called for a “new revolution” in energy generation to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

But he warned there was no silver bullet for tackling climate change, and said a range of measures should be introduced, including painting flat roofs white.

Making roads and roofs a paler colour could have the equivalent effect of taking every car in the world off the road for 11 years, Chu said.

It was a geo-engineering scheme that was “completely benign” and would keep buildings cooler and reduce energy use from air conditioning, as well as reflecting sunlight back away from the Earth.

For people who found white hard on the eye, scientists had also developed “cool colours” which looked to the human eye like normal ones, but reflect heat like pale colours even if they are darker shades.

And painting cars in cool or light colours could deliver considerable savings on energy use for air conditioning units, he said.

Speaking at the start of a symposium on climate change hosted by the Prince of Wales and attended by more than 20 Nobel laureates, Chu said fresh thinking was required to cut the amount of carbon created by power generation.

He said: “The industrial revolution was a revolution in the use of energy. It offloaded from human and animal power into using fossil fuels.

“We have to go to a different new revolution that can severely decrease the amount of carbon emissions in the generation of energy.”

Kes pertama selsema babi H1N1 di Malaysia

Seorang petugas Hospital Sungai Buloh yang berpakaian khas memeriksa ambulans dipercayai membawa mangsa disyaki menghidap influenza A (H1N1). – UTUSAN\Mohd. Saifudin Rashid

PUTRAJAYA 15 Mei (Utusan Malaysia)– Kementerian Kesihatan hari ini mengesahkan seorang pelajar menjadi penghidap pertama virus influenza A (H1N1) di negara ini.

Pelajar lelaki berusia 21 tahun yang berasal dari Lembah Klang itu dimasukkan ke wad pengasingan di Hospital Sungai Buloh, manakala lima ahli keluarganya dikuarantin di rumah.

Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan yang memangku tugas Menteri Kesihatan, Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha berkata, pelajar itu baru pulang dari Amerika Syarikat pada 13 Mei lalu.

Beliau berkata, pelajar terbabit mengalami demam, sakit tekak dan sakit badan semalam serta dimasukkan ke Hospital Sungai Buloh pada pukul 6.45 petang hari yang sama.

‘‘Pelajar itu telah dimasukkan ke Hospital Sungai Buloh dan telah disahkan positif influenza A (H1N1) melalui ujian makmal yang dilakukan pada hari ini.

‘‘Dia telah diberi rawatan antiviral dan berada dalam keadaan yang baik dan stabil,” katanya pada sidang akhbar di sini hari ini.

Beliau seterusnya memberitahu, pelajar tersebut tidak mengalami demam atau kepanasan badan semasa saringan kesihatan di Lapangan Terbang Antarabangsa Kuala Lumpur (KLIA).

‘‘Seseorang pesakit yang dijangkiti selesema mungkin tidak mengalami tanda-tanda demam pada peringkat awal,” katanya.

Mengenai lima ahli keluarga pelajar yang dikuarantin di rumah, Cho Ha berkata, mereka akan dibenarkan keluar dari rumah jika tidak mempunyai tanda-tanda penyakit itu dalam tempoh tujuh hari.

‘‘Kuarantin di rumah bertujuan melihat sama ada mereka mengalami tanda-tanda penyakit itu atau dijangkiti virus influenza A,” katanya.

Dalam pada itu, Ketua Pengarah Kesihatan, Tan Sri Dr. Mohd. Ismail Merican dalam kenyataannya hari ini berkata, selain satu kes yang disahkan sebagai H1N1, Kementerian Kesihatan turut menerima 11 pemberitahuan mengenai kes itu semalam.

Beliau berkata, enam pesakit telah diasingkan di Hospital Sungai Buloh, dua di Hospital Tuanku Ja‘afar, Seremban dan masing-masing satu kes di Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainon, Ipoh; Hospital Pulau Pinang dan Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bahru.

‘‘Kesemua kes menunjukkan tanda jangkitan virus influenza A dan mempunyai sejarah melawat negara yang dilanda wabak, manakala sampel klinikal mereka telah dihantar untuk ujian makmal,” katanya.

Malaysia’s First Influenza A(H1N1) Case

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By: Ramjit

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KUALA LUMPUR, May 15 (Bernama) — Following the confirmation of the first influenza A(H1N1) case in Malaysia, all passengers on Malaysia Airlines flight MH091 from Newark, United States which arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Wednesday (May 13), are advised to contact the Health Ministry.

Director-general of Health Tan Sri Dr Mohd Ismail Merican said they should call the ministry at 03-88810200 or 03-88810300 for follow-up action.

He said Malaysia’s first influenza A(H1N1) case involved a 21-year-old male student who returned from the United States two days ago and started having fever, sore throat and body aches yesterday, and was admitted to Sungai Buloh Hospital at 6.45pm the same day.

“He has been given anti-viral treatment and is in stable condition,” Dr Mohd Ismail said in a statement Friday.

Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai, who was in transit in London enroute to Geneva to attend the World Health Organisation (WHO) General Assembly, had earlier confirmed to Bernama the case.

Dr Mohd Ismail said the ministry had taken preventive and control measures, including contact investigation into the case and informing the student’s family about his H1N1 infection and his contact history with the passengers and crew members on the same flight.

— BERNAMA

Swine Flu: Information and How the Muslim Community Can Help*

from ISNA.net

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses (as opposed to bacteria) that causes regular outbreaks in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Swine flu viruses have been reported to spread from person-to-person, but in the past, this transmission was limited and not sustained beyond three people. Therefore one can become infected with the virus even if she/he has no contact with pigs or does not eat pork.

Is swine flu virus contagious?

Yes. It has been determined that this virus is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

How does swine flu spread?

Spread of this virus is thought to be happening in the same way that seasonal flu spreads. Flu viruses are spread mainly from:

• Person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza.
• Touching something with flu viruses on it and then touching your mouth or nose.
• An important and often overlooked mode of transmission (for Muslims) is during sujud – someone making sujud on a place after an infected person made sujud earlier and unknowingly contaminated the area for sujud.
• Infected people may be able to infect others beginning 1 day before symptoms develop and up to 7 or more days after becoming sick. That means that you may be able to pass on the flu to someone else before you know you are sick, as well as while you are sick.
• We know that some viruses can live 2 hours or longer on surfaces like cafeteria tables, doorknobs, and desks – thus an infected person need not be in your presence to infect you.

What should I do to keep from getting the flu?

• Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.
• Try not to touch surfaces that may be contaminated with the flu virus.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or other disinfectants to which you are not allergic.
• Use your personal rug or small mat (even if it is small enough for only your head to make sujud) for prayers in masjids or public places.

What is the best way to keep from spreading the virus?

• Muslims (as everyone else) have a responsibility to protect others. The health and welfare of a community takes precedence over personal conveniences.
• If you are sick,

• Limit your contact with other people as much as possible.
• Do not go to work or school.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
• Put your used tissue in the waste basket. Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing if you do not have a tissue. Then, clean your hands, and do so every time you cough or sneeze.
• Do not go to the masjid or any other public gathering place.

What are the symptoms of swine flu?

Symptoms include:

• Influenza-like illness symptoms such as fever, cough or sore throat
• Other symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
• Severe disease can result in pneumonia and respiratory failure

What to do if you think you have swine flu

• Protect others by coughing or sneezing into a facial tissue.
• Avoid going to public places.
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Contact your physician who will then direct you what to do next, since she/he knows your medical history.
• If you decide to go to an emergency room, call before you go.

NOTE:
It may be necessary that Imam and other leaders of your masjid will be required to close the masjid and center – even for jumma and other congregational prayers, including taraweeh. This decision should be made in consultation with appropriate health and government agencies. The situation and required actions may differ from state to state and from local community to local community. Please cooperate.

For more information go to the CDC web site http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu

*Adapted in part from the Centers for Disease Control and prevention

Fatwa on Swine Flu Safety

from ISNA.net

Swine Flu is spreading very fast and causing a lot of public concern in United States and other countries of the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control in US (CDC) have already issued advisories to the general public. We urge Muslims to exercise necessary precautions in this matter.

It is an Islamic teaching that in the situation of wide spread infections, people living in infected areas should be careful not to move around in order to avoid spreading infections. Similarly those who are healthy should avoid traveling to infested areas in order to protect themselves, unless they are needed as doctors or health workers.  Allah says in the Qur’an, “Do not contribute to your destruction with your own hands…” (2:195) The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, “If you are in a land and plague breaks out there, then do not leave that place. If you are told that it is spreading in some land and you are not there, then do not go there.” (Muslim, Hadith no. 5731)

In the light of these instructions the Fiqh Council of North America emphasizes that Muslims should take CDC advisories seriously. Those who are affected by any symptoms of this flu should avoid shaking hands and coming into close contacts with others. They are allowed in this situation to pray at home and not go to the Masjid for congregational prayers, until they are healthy. The Prophet –peace be upon him- said, “A sick person (with contagious disease) must not be brought among the healthy.” (Abu Dau’ud, Hadith 3911)

In case there is a Swine Flu pandemic, public assemblies might be curtailed. In that situation it will be allowed for the Masajid to issue special instructions regarding Jama’ah (congregational) and Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers considering the general welfare of their communities and cooperating with local authorities to maintain public health and safety.

We must also make individual and collective du’a asking Allah to remove this affliction and bless us all.

Fiqh Council of North America

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More info:

Swine Flu: Information and How the Muslim Community Can Help

Program “A Moment With English” Di SK Padang Hiliran

dari blog alamakademik –http://alamakademik.wordpress.com/2009/05/03/program-a-moment-with-english-di-sk-padang-hiliran/

Hari ini, Alam Akademik telah berjaya menganjurkan program “A Moment With English” bertemakan “Enjoying English” di Sekolah Kebangsaan Padang Hiliran, Kuala Terengganu dengan kerjasama pihak pengurusan sekolah dan guru panatia Bahasa Inggeris Teacher Siti Roslina.

Program selama dua jam tersebut dipimpin oleh En. A. Karim Omar, perunding di Alam Akademik, dengan penglibatan empat anak-anaknya dalam pelbagai persembahan yang memukau pelajar yang hadir termasuk para guru. “Enjoying English” bertujuan untuk menarik minat kanak-kanak kepada mata pelajaran Bahasa Inggeris serta memupuk keyakinan mengguna Bahasa Inggeris dengan cara yang menyeronokkan.

Pelbagai aktiviti dan persembahan dilakukan antaranya ialah bercerita (story telling) oleh Aeshah Adlina, membaca buku (book reading) oleh Aiman Amani, membaca dari laman blognya sendiri oleh Ahmad Ali (yang dikatakan blogger termuda) nyanyian oleh Anisah Afifah serta nyanyian beramai-ramai lagu “Khalifah Allah”.

Penglibatan dari murid-murid SK Padang Hiliran dalam pelbagai aktiviti turut juga memberangsangkan. Setiap kali diminta untuk ke depan para pelajar berebut menyahut menandakan keyakinan diri yang ada pada para pelajar SK Padang Hiliran.

Alam Akademik turut mengadakan jualan buku dan peralatan-peralatan sekolah di luar dewan dengan memberi pelbagai tawaran promosi.

Pengurusan Alam Akademik merakamkan ucapan terima kasih kepada pihak SK Padang Hiliran, terutama kepada Guru Besarnya, Tuan Haji Md. Sidek Bin Besar di atas kesudian mereka memberi peluang kepada kami untuk menganjurkan program seumpama.

Mana-mana sekolah yang berminat untuk mengadakan majlis yang serupa diminta menghubungi pengurusan kami untuk perbincangan lanjut.

Damage Done But Who Cares

On Monday, 27th April, most mainstream newspapers were carrying “Saravanan upset by ‘napping’ A & E doctors” as their headlines or main news. Of course, it seemed nice for a deputy minister to be checking and “trying” to ensure the government machinery are always tip-top.

But then, a few days later, Health Minister has different thing to say “Liow: Doc did not do anything wrong“. Is Liow trying to protect his ministry from intruding deputy minister?

For those in the medical profession – especially those with the government – surely they were frustrated with such remark by Saravanan. I know (and can appreciate) how hectic a doctor’s life is? Is Saravanan going to stand by his findings or is he accepting Liow’s official reply? Will he apologise to the particular doctors? Does he need to apologise to those in the fraternity?

Or he does not care? And who cares too. Saravanan had several similar encounters of this nature before. But was there anything substantial done or improved? And Liow was not the first minister to defend his or her people when provoked. Even Pak Lah, the former PM, made comments about various government agencies, poor maintenance of buildings, and many more. But sometimes they themselve are at fault too. How many ministers are punctual with their meetings? How many ministers or deputies smoke in office (and some openly during meetings)? … again who cares?

But I wonder why in the first place must he (Saravanan) goes to the media? Why not report it to the proper channel first and ensure proper investigation done and action taken then. I am sure the cabinet by giving him the assignment would have the mechanism of following up his reports and for him to check on complains by the public. There should be sort of SOP. Do we always enjoy punishing and making judgment before proper investigation?

Was he Saravan trying to show something since Najib had been talking about KPIs? Or Liow defending his KPIs? What was KPI meant to be? Kerja Pikir Insentif sahaja ke?