nmnwiki - User contributions [en]

A Visit To Wat Arun The Temple Of The Dawn In Bangkok Thailand

2020-12-31T07:40:17Z

KeishaI19633: Created page with "id="mod_48410766"> It is no secret that Bangkok and Thailand as a whole is bursting with stunning temples in different forms. One of the most famous and most visited tem..."

id="mod_48410766"> It is no secret that Bangkok and Thailand as a whole is bursting with stunning temples in different forms. One of the most famous and most visited temples in Bangkok is the magnificent Wat Arun. When searching online about Thailand's popular tourist spots, it was almost always a part of the top 10 results. Unlike my previous solo tours around Bangkok, my most recent one was with the husband and there never would have been a more perfect time. If you're planning to include Wat Arun in your next Thailand itinerary, read all about our touring experience so you will know what to expect. How to Go to Wat Arun Wat Arun is located along the Chao Phraya River. It can be reached by taking a ferry boat across the river from Tha Tien Pier near Wat Pho and Grand Palace. One of the easiest route is to travel via BTS Skytrain Silom Line from your location to BTS Saphan Taksin Station. You can then take a ferry to Tha Tien Pier and wait for a smaller ferry to take you across. "lat":13.743054000000001,"lng":100.487106,"zoom":16,"mapType":"ROADMAP","markers":[],"moduleId":"48411886" We took a bus from BTS Un Not Station to the bus station nearest the Grand Palace, taking our time to check out the historical sections of the palace walls because we wanted to visit Wat Arun in the late afternoon. From the Grand Palace, we walked around eight minutes passing by Wat Pho and a small market until we reached Tha Tien Port. We tried to check out some of the merchandise being sold in the market but decided to fall in line before the ferry even arrived because of the tourist influx. Prepare 3 to 5 Baht for the ferry ride to take your across. The Ordination Hall Our ferry ride itself was uneventful. As expected, heaps of tourists were already taking photos of the wat from different angles. The sight of the wat basking in the afternoon sun was classically charming. I can't help but be excited to finally see it in real life. Expect hundreds of tourists to join your sightseeing as the site is one of the most visited wats. According to research from Sciencedirect, the wat is visited by 5 million tourists per year. As we alighted the ferry, we walked through a series of wood planks then several steps of stairs leading to a medium-sized gate, tourists filling the way in both directions. Tourists at Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand As soon as we entered the exterior gate, we were welcomed by a much smaller decorated temple surrounded by a deliberately designed flora. It was the Ordination Hall with two temple guardian figures in front. Definitely an eye candy, even the space surrounding Wat Arun was definitely well taken care of and picture-perfect. Ordination Hall at Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand The Wat Arun Fees and Must Haves After taking tons of pictures, we followed the crowd and slowly moved towards the center where Wat Arun is situated surrounded by its own walls and gates. Visitors who were done with their [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan] were seen lounging in the grassy area outside of the inner walls. We toured in August and it was still hot despite some occasional rains as we experience the summer tail transitioning to the rainier and colder months. Water is a must have especially during a summer [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan giá rẻ] but make sure to properly dispose your bottles. Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand The dress code was not very strict when it came to the men and they were allowed to wear knee-length shorts but women strictly need to wear modest clothes; no shorts and no see-through and sleeveless tops. I was wearing shorts and came prepared with a wrap-around tube skirt with me, something I had bought along the road during one of our escapades in case something like this comes up during our [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan giá rẻ]. We paid 100 Baht for the entrance ticket per person. Wat Arun is open from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The History of Wat Arun Just a piece of the temple's history, Wat Arun or Wat Arun Ratchawararam Ratchawaramahawihan was named after Aruna, a Hindu god personified as the radiation of the rising sun. The temple was located at first in grounds of the Royal Palace until it was moved by Rama I to the other side of the river and went through a series of restoration under several rulers from early 1800's up to the most recent undertaken from 2013 up to 2017. Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand Exploring Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn The temple consists of the central tower and surrounded by four smaller ones on its corners. We toured in the late afternoon but it was still difficult to take some decent photos without some strangers being captured in it although some were polite enough to stop before they get included in the frame. The center tower of Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand The main tower was decorated with bits of porcelain and seashells and the bottom sections were designed with animals and ancient Chinese soldier statues. There were center stairs leading up the main tower but the gates were closed after a few levels and the guards do not allow tourists on the other side of the enclosures. There were also gated Buddha statues on some sections of the tower. The towers of Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand We took as many photos and explored every bit of crevice of the public section of the wat. At around 15 minutes to six in the evening, the guards started leading the tourists out as the temple is about to close its [http://www.houzz.com/?search=internal%20enclosures internal enclosures] at exactly six. Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand I was excited to see the temple in all its lighted glory. We waited at the grassy area at the front of the wat with the other tourists. The place was relaxing, the grounds landscaped and filled with well-kept flower beds. The country's flags and a huge photo of King Maha Vajiralongkorn were also positioned at the front to welcome all visitors. I was enjoying the flower beds when the husband made me realize the temple lights were already lit up. I took my time and enjoyed a few more minutes taking in all its beauty. Wat Arun was gorgeous! As we sailed back to the other side, I snapped a few more photos hoping I would be able to capture its grandeur even just a tiny bit. I was only using my phone so we all know how that turned out. As darkness slowly tried to swallow and engulf its wholeness, Wat Arun became even more stunning and highlighted with the night sky as its backdrop. And with that magnificent view, we closed our Wat Arun adventure. Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn in Bangkok, Thailand © 2019 Sheila Navio-Pornan Relat[ ][[ ][ ]by Peter Dickinson13 [ ][ ]by Paul Richard Kuehn11 Comments [ ] or [ ] and post using a HubPages Network account. 0 of 8192 [http://www.empowher.com/search/site/characters characters] used[# Post Comment]No HTML is allowed in comments, but URLs will be hyperlinked. Comments are not for promoting your articles or other sites. sendingAUTHORSheila Navio-Pornan  12 months ago from Manila, Philippines Definitely one of the nicest "wats" to spend your late afternoon in Bangkok. Thanks, Liz! [ ]Liz Westwood  12 months ago from UK This looks like a very interesting place to visit. It's a very well-illustrated article.

Planet apos;s Life-support Systems Need Care To Avert apos;the Next Wuhan apos;

2020-12-31T05:08:17Z

KeishaI19633:

By Laurie Goering LONDON, Nov 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - When the coronavirus pandemic hit early this year and countries began competing for [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tua du lịch thái lan] a limited global supply of medical masks and other protective equipment, Finland didn't join the hunt. Instead it turned to its national stockpile of medical gear and food, which it had developed during the Cold War era and maintained with an annual budget, even as Scandinavian neighbours like Sweden had dismantled their stores to cut costs. "Finland could just open its closet and supply all the hospitals - and Sweden was chasing (equipment) on the market," said Johan Rockstrom, Swedish co-director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, based in Germany. As the world faces increasingly frequent and severe shocks - from the COVID-19 pandemic to extreme weather linked to climate change - it will need to re-evaluate its priorities, from a focus on efficiency to the value of interconnectedness, he said. That might extend as far as fundamentally rethinking how key planetary life-support systems - such as the fast-disappearing Amazon rainforest - are governed as a global resource, said Rockstrom, an earth scientist and leading thinker on resilience. "If the Amazon rainforest crashes, we will lose jobs in Germany," he said. "It will create so much havoc in the climate system" as temperature increases accelerate and rainfall shifts, he warned. "When something unacceptable happens in one corner of the planet, it sends invoices across the whole world," he added. "We cannot allow wet markets that lead to zoonotic mutations and, in the same way, we cannot allow the West Antarctic ice sheet to collapse", raising sea level an estimated 3.3 metres (10 feet) globally, he said. Harnessing a growing ability to digitally monitor what is happening around the world minute-to-minute - using everything from satellite data to mobile-phone tracking systems - could help provide earlier warnings and greater protection for threatened systems, he said. "The next Wuhan" - the Chinese city where the coronavirus pandemic emerged - "should be detected much earlier", he said, noting that the global damage caused by the virus "is exactly what can happen" if the Amazon disappears, driving catastrophic climate change. DIVERSIFY AND DUPLICATE To cope with a growing range of threats, human systems need to become more like healthy natural systems - diverse and with plenty of duplication, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in a telephone interview. In nature, when a fire, drought or disease hits, temporarily or permanently wiping out one plant or pollinator, others usually can take its place, Rockstrom said. "Ecological diversity is a way of reducing risks," he said. "If you want to recover in a resilient way after COVID-19, you likely want to invest in diversity". That could mean, for instance, growing a wider variety of food crops, rather than the current few strains of rice, maize, wheat and soy, to ensure a crop pandemic that hits one variety does not wipe out too much of the global food supply. The same principle could also be applied to ways people make a living - particularly where options today are scarce - and to how they source reliable information, he said. Building stronger resilience also could mean broadening the range of countries that produce key items like computer chips, a lesson learned after major supplier Thailand saw production shut down by flooding in 2011, disrupting supply [https://www.biggerpockets.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&term=chains%20worldwide chains worldwide]. "If you have more shocks like that, you want to invest in a certain degree of redundancy - some slack in the system," said Rockstrom, even though that "goes against conventional logic" of running businesses for maximum efficiency and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan] at low cost. Similarly, the value of ever-increasing connectivity may need to be reconsidered in a world where a deadly pandemic can swiftly travel around the world with few barriers. For instance, global connections mean food surpluses in one place can be used to plug shortages elsewhere - but over-reliance on trade can lead to conflict and hunger if exporting countries decide to keep scarce food at home in an emergency. "This balancing of connectivity is fundamental to resilience," Rockstrom said. 'ZERO NATURE LOSS' Perhaps the surest way to boost resilience and cut human risks is to protect the planet's imperilled natural systems, he said. Already, half of nature on land has been destroyed to make way for agriculture, cities and other human needs, he said. Resources that once felt limitless have become scarce and pressure is rising on what's left. "It seems like we've reached a saturation point on what the planet can cope with," Rockstrom said. That is evidenced in hotter temperatures, melting ice, wilder weather, more forest fires and shifting disease threats, he noted. To change that, scientists are pushing governments to commit to protect 30% of land and oceans by 2030 to help stem climate change and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan giá rẻ] halt biodiversity loss. Doing so would save $5 for each $1 spent in terms of boosting farm and forest yields, improving freshwater supplies, conserving [http://www.usatoday.com/search/wildlife/ wildlife] and fighting planetary warming, economists said in a July paper. "The most clever investment we can make is to keep nature intact," Rockstrom said, calling for a "zero loss of nature" goal alongside emerging net-zero emissions goals. Rethinking how to govern the planet's natural systems - from climate-heating methane locked up in melting Siberian permafrost to Greenland's thinning ice sheets - is a sensitive issue but one that is crucial for humanity's future, he said. "The definition of resilience, at the global level, is to keep the living systems that regulate the state of the planet intact," he added. (Reporting by Laurie Goering @lauriegoering; editing by Megan Rowling. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters. Visit website

FAA Lifts Boeing 737 Max Grounding Order

2020-12-31T04:06:23Z

KeishaI19633:

id="article-body" class="row" section="article-body"> Two Boeing 737 Max 8s crashed, killing 346 people. Boeing Twenty months after it grounded the [/tags/boeing/ Boeing] 737 Max over a pair of crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people, the Federal Aviation Administration [/news/boeing-737-max-gets-faa-clearance-to-resume-flights/ has cleared the beleaguered aircraft] to return to return to the sky. As part of the decision the agency has ordered Boeing and airlines to make repairs to a flight control system [/news/investigators-report-on-737-max-crash-blames-boeing-design-lion-air-staff/ blamed for both crashes] and increase pilot training. The Max can't actually carry passengers until those steps are completed, and other reports have identified other potential problems with the airliner's [/news/faa-737-max-needs-additional-computer-changes/ flight control computer], [ wiring and engines]. Airlines operating the Max, however, are pushing ahead with plans to add the Max back into their fleets by the end of the year. For more like this Subscribe to the CNET Now newsletter for our editors' picks of the most important stories of the day. For now the FAA's order affects only the US. Aviation safety agencies in [ Canada], [ Brazil] and the [/news/european-union-begins-737-max-certification-flights/ European Union] are conducting their own reviews of the plane. Until those are completed, the 737 Max will remain grounded in some places. The developments have been a huge blow to Boeing, which has thousands of 737 Max orders on its books. Even once it's flying again worldwide, the company will have to work vigorously to retain the trust of airlines and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan giá rẻ] the flying public for the Max family. Here's everything else we know about the airliner so far. What happened in the two crashes? In the first crash, on Oct. 29, 2018, [ Lion Air flight 610] dove into the Java Sea 13 minutes after takeoff from Jakarta, Indonesia, killing 189 people. The flight crew made a distress call shortly before losing control. That aircraft was almost brand-new, having arrived at Lion Air three months earlier. The second crash occurred on March 10, 2019 when Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 departed Addis Ababa Bole International Airport bound for Nairobi, Kenya. Just after takeoff, the pilot radioed a distress call and was given immediate clearance to return and land. But before the crew could make it back, [ the aircraft crashed] 40 miles from the airport, six minutes after it left the runway. Aboard were 149 passengers and eight crew members. The aircraft involved was only four months old. The 737 Max 9, shown here at the 2016 Paris Air Show, is a larger version of the Max 8, but with the same piloting system that's under investigation. Kent German/CNE[ no longer flew the plane][ no longer flew the plane] by the time of the first crash.) [ Seating between] 162 and 210 passengers, depending on the configuration, it's designed for short- and medium-haul routes, but also has the range (3,550 nautical miles, or about 4,085 miles) to fly [ transatlantic] and between the [ mainland US and Hawaii]. The larger [ ] first flew in 2017, and the Max 10 has yet to fly ([ it made its formal debut Nov. 22], 2019). The smaller 737 Max 7 [ ] in May 2018. A 737 history [/news/boeing-737-much-more-than-just-the-max/ Boeing 737: Much more than just the Max] The design of the 737 Max series is based on the Boeing 737, an aircraft series that [/news/boeing-737-much-more-than-just-the-max/ has been in service since 1968]. As a whole, the 737 family is the best-selling airliner in history. At any given time, thousands of some version of it are airborne around the world and some airlines, like Southwest and Ryanair, have all-737 fleets. If you've flown even occasionally, you've most likely flown on a 737. What's different about the 737 Max series compared with earlier 737s? The 737 Max can fly farther and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tua du lịch thái lan] carry more people than the [/news/boeing-737-much-more-than-just-the-max/ previous generation of 737s], like the 737-800 and 737-900. It also has improved aerodynamics and a [ redesigned cabin interior] and flies on bigger, more powerful and more efficient CFM LEAP engines. CFM is [ ] between [ ] and France's Safran. Those engines, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan giá rẻ] though, required Boeing to make critical design changes. Because they're bigger, and because the 737 sits so low to the ground (a deliberate 737 design choice to let it serve small airports with limited ground equipment), Boeing moved the engines slightly forward and raised them higher under the wing. (If you place an engine too close to the ground, it can suck in debris while the plane is taxiing.) That change allowed Boeing to accommodate the engines without completely redesigning the 737 fuselage -- a fuselage that hasn't changed much in 50 years. But the new position of the engines changed how the aircraft handled in the air, creating the potential for the nose to pitch up during flight. A pitched nose is a problem in flight -- raise it too high and an aircraft can stall. To keep the nose in trim, Boeing designed software called the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System, or MCAS. When a sensor on the fuselage detects that the nose is too high, MCAS automatically pushes the nose down. (For background on MCAS, read these excellent in-depth stories from [ The Air Current] and [ The Seattle Times].) Compared with previous versions of the 737, the Max's engines sit farther forward and higher up on the underwing pylons. Andrew Hoyle/CNET What caused the crashes? Planes crashed rarely have a single factor, which is the case here. On Oct. 25, 2019, the Indonesian National Transportation Safety Committee [/news/investigators-report-on-737-max-crash-blames-boeing-design-lion-air-staff/ published its final report] on the Lion Air crash. The report identifies nine factors that contributed to the crash, but largely blames MCAS. Before crashing, the Lion Air pilots were unable to determine their true airspeed and altitude and they struggled to take control of the plane as [ it oscillated] for about 10 minutes. Each time they pulled up from a dive, MCAS pushed the nose down again. "The MCAS function was not a fail-safe design and did not include redundancy," the report said. Investigators also found that MCAS relied on only one sensor, which had a fault, and flight crews hadn't been adequately trained to use the system. Improper maintenance procedures, confusion in the cockpit and the lack of a cockpit warning light (see next question) contributed to the crash, as well. More on the Lion Air accident report [/news/investigators-report-on-737-max-crash-blames-boeing-design-lion-air-staff/ Report on 737 Max 8 crash blames Boeing design, Lion Air staff] On March 9, 2020, almost one year to the day since the crash in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau [ published an interim analysis]. Like the Indonesian findings, it cites design flaws with MCAS such its reliance on a single [ angle-of-attack sensor]. It also blamed Boeing for providing inadequate training to crew on using the Max's unique systems. (The Seattle Times [ has a great deep dive] on the report.) Unlike their Indonesian counterparts, the Ethiopian investigators do not mention maintenance problems with the plane nor does it blame the flight crew. "The aircraft has a valid certificate of airworthiness and maintained in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures," the report said. "There were no known technical problems before departure." Until [ Ethiopia releases another report], remember that crash investigations are tremendously complex -- it takes months to evaluate the evidence and determine a probable cause. Investigators must examine the debris, study the [/news/airbus-a350-a380-paris-air-show/ flight recorders] and, if possible, check the victims' bodies to determine the cause of death. They also involve multiple parties including the airline, the airplane and engine manufacturers, and aviation regulatory agencies. When was the Max grounded? About 30 airlines operated the Max by the time of the second crash (the three largest customers being Southwest Airlines, American Airlines and Air Canada). Most of them [ quickly grounded] their planes a few days later. Besides the airlines already mentioned that list includes United Airlines, WestJet, Aeromexico, Aerolíneas Argentinas, GOL Linhas Aéreas, Turkish Airlines, FlyDubai, Air China, Copa Airlines, Norwegian, Hainan Airlines, Fiji Airways and Royal Air Maroc. More than 40 countries have also banned the 737 Max from flying in their airspace. China (a huge Boeing customer and [/features/chinas-aviation-future-rests-with-the-comac-c919-aircraft/ a fast-growing commercial aviation market]) led the way and was joined by Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia, India, Oman, the European Union and Singapore. Canada initially hesitated, but soon [ reversed course]. Up until March 13, 2019, the FAA also declined to issue a grounding order, saying in a statement [ tweeted the previous day] that there was "no basis to order grounding the aircraft." That was despite a public outcry from [ ] and [ two flight attendant unions]. But following President Trump's [/news/trump-all-boeing-737-max-8-planes-are-grounded-immediately/ decision to ground] the Max that day, the agency cited [ new evidence] it had collected and analyzed. Older [ 737 models], like the 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900, don't use MCAS and aren't affected. Of the four 737 Max versions, only the Max 10 has yet to fly. Boeing What was the problem with the warning light? [ The Air Current] reported March 12, 2019 that the Lion Air plane lacked a warning light designed to alert pilots to the faulty sensor and that Boeing sold the light as part of an optional package of equipment. When asked about the warning light, a Boeing spokesman gave CNET the following statement: "All Boeing airplanes are certified and delivered to the highest levels of safety consistent with industry standards. Airplanes are delivered with a baseline configuration, which includes a standard set of flight deck displays and alerts, crew procedures and training materials that meet industry safety norms and most customer requirements. Customers may choose additional options, such as alerts and indications, to customize their airplanes to support their individual operations or requirements." But on April 29, 2019, [ The Wall Street Journal] said that even for airlines that had ordered it, the warning light wasn't operating on some Max planes that had been delivered (a fact the Indonesian accident report confirmed). Then on June 7, 2019, Reps. Peter DeFazio, a Democrat from Oregon, and Rick Larsen, a Democrat from Washington, said [/news/boeing-wanted-to-delay-fix-on-737-max-warning-light-say-lawmakers/ they'd obtained information] suggesting that even though the plane maker knew the safety alert wasn't working, it decided to wait until 2020 to implement a fix. Boeing responded to DeFazio and Larsen in a statement sent to CNET the same day. "The absence of the AOA Disagree alert did not adversely impact airplane safety or operation," the statement read. "Based on the safety review, the update was scheduled for the MAX 10 rollout in 2020. We fell short in the implementation of the AoA Disagree alert and are taking steps to address these issues so they do not occur again." The original version of the 737 first flew in 1967. Boeing What kind of MCAS training did 737 Max pilots receive? Not much, which was a [http://www.caringbridge.org/search?q=factor%20cited factor cited] in both crash reports. As the Indonesian report said, "The absence of guidance on MCAS or more detailed use of trim in the flight manuals and in flight crew training, made it more difficult for flight crews to properly respond." Though MCAS was new to the Max, existing 737 pilots didn't have to train on a simulator before they could start flying the Max. Instead, they learned about the differences it brought through [ an hour's worth of iPad-based training]. MCAS received scant mention. The reason? It was because Boeing, [ backed by the FAA], wanted to [ minimize the cost and time] of certifying pilots who'd already been trained on other 737 versions. To do so, Boeing and the FAA treated the Max as just another 737 version, rather than a completely new airplane (which it pretty much is). Pilot [/news/pilots-confronted-boeing-about-737-max-before-second-crash/ complaints about the lack of training] emerged quickly after the Lion Air crash. On Nov. 12, 2018, [ The Seattle Times reported] that Max pilots from Southwest Airlines were "kept in the dark" about MCAS. [ The Dallas Morning News found] similar complaints from American Airlines pilots four months later. The previous model, the 737-900ER, doesn't have the MCAS flight control system. Boeing/Ed Turner Are there any other issues with the aircraft besides MCAS? There are a few. In December, 2019, the FAA said [ it was looking at a potential problem] with two bundles of wiring that power control surfaces on the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer. Because the bundles are close together, there's a remote possibility that they could short-circuit and (if not noticed by the flight crew) send the plane into a dive. Boeing, however, is arguing [ a fix isn't necessary], since earlier 737s have the same wiring design, and has proposed [ leaving the bundles as they are].The same month, the FAA said [ it was investigating software] that verify whether key systems on the aircraft are functioning correctly.Then in February, Boeing [ notified the FAA of a malfunction with an indicator light] for the stabilizer trim system, which raises and lowers the Max's nose. The indicator, which notifies pilots of a malfunction, was turning on when it wasn't supposed to. Boeing also is investigating whether [ it needs to better insulate the engine cowlings] from lightning strikes in flight. Separately, CFM International said there [ may be a potential weakness] with a rotor on the Max's engines.In April, the FAA instructed Boeing [/news/faa-737-max-needs-additional-computer-changes/ to make two additional [ the company issued a safety warning][ the company issued a safety warning] advising 737 Max operators to deactivate MCAS if a flight crew encountered conditions like the Lion Air pilots experienced. It also [ expressed sympathy] for victims' families and [/news/boeing-pledges-100m-to-families-of-those-killed-in-737-max-8-crashes/ pledged $100 million] in support, and [ it quickly backed] the US grounding order. "There is no greater priority for our company and our industry," Boeing said in a March 13, 2019 statement. "We are doing everything we can to understand the cause of the accidents in partnership with the investigators, deploy safety enhancements and help ensure this does not happen again." As is common after a crash, [ Boeing didn't comment] on preliminary findings of either investigation, but the day after the Ethiopian crash the company [ said it would] issue a software update that would include changes to MCAS, pilot displays, operation manuals and crew training. Following the Lion Air accident report, then CEO Dennis Muilenburg said the company was "addressing" its safety recommendations. "We commend Indonesia's KNKT for its extensive efforts to determine the facts of this accident, the contributing factors to its cause and recommendations aimed toward our common goal that this never happens again," he said. The grounding order also caused Boeing to [ halt production] of the Max [/news/boeing-resumes-737-max-production/ for four months] in January, 2020. Did Boeing know about Max problems before the crashes? There is evidence that it did. On Oct. 17, 2019, Boeing revealed [ it revealed text messages] between two of the company's top pilots sent in 2016, which indicated the company knew about problems with the MCAS system early on. In one of the messages, a former chief technical pilot for the Boeing 737 described the MCAS' habit of engaging itself as "egregious." Later that month, [ as he appeared before] two congressional committees, Muilenburg admitted Boeing [ knew of the test pilot concerns] in early 2019. "I was involved in the document collection process, but I relied on my team to get the documents to the appropriate authorities," he said. "I didn't get the details of the conversation until recently." Then on Jan. 10, 2020 Boeing [ released a series of explosive emails] and instant messages to Congress in which Boeing employees discussed the 737 Max. Though [ some expressed regret for the company's actions] in getting the aircraft certified -- "I still haven't been forgiven by God for the covering up I did last year," one employee wrote in 2018 -- others openly discussed the 737 Max's flaws [ and joked about the FAA's approval process]. "This airplane is designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys," another employee wrote. (The New York Times [ has compiled the documents online].) Did Boeing change its leadership? Yes, but it didn't happen quickly. Though Muilenburg [/news/boeing-ceo-says-he-wouldnt-hesitate-to-put-his-family-on-a-737-max/ apologized] to the victims' families in an interview with [ CBS News] in May, 2019, he came under sharp criticism for his response to the crashes. On Oct. 11, 2019, Boeing announced it had [ taken away his role as chair] so that as CEO, Muilenburg could "focus full time on running the company as it works to return the 737 Max safely to service." Muilenburg spent the next two months [ resisting calls] for his resignation from his other position, but on Dec. 23, 2019 the company announced that he had stepped down. "The Board of Directors decided a change in leadership was necessary to restore confidence in the company moving forward as it works to repair relationships with regulators, customers, and all other stakeholders," Boeing [ said in a statement]. Chairman David Calhoun [/news/new-boeing-ceo-takes-over-as-737-max-problems-remain-unresolved/ officially replaced] Muilenburg on Jan. 13, 2020. Calhoun had defended Muilenburg before taking the top role, but in a March 5, 2020 interview [ with the New York Times] he said his predecessor had needlessly rushed production of the Max before the company was ready. "I'll never be able to judge what motivated Dennis, whether it was a stock price that was going to continue to go up and up, or whether it was just beating the other guy to the next rate increase." Separately, on Oct. 22, 2019, the company [/news/boeing-ousts-exec-as-it-announces-significant-progress-on-737-max-fixes/ said it replaced] Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Kevin McAllister, the official overseeing the 737 Max investigation, with Stan Deal, former president and CEO of Boeing Global Services.

Thai Protesters March To Barracks Against King apos;s Military Power

2020-12-30T22:51:15Z

KeishaI19633:

By Patpicha Tanakasempipat and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan giá rẻ] Jiraporn Kuhakan BANGKOK, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Thousands of anti-government Thai protesters marched to an army barracks on Sunday to challenge King Maha Vajiralongkorn's personal control over some army units. It was the latest act of defiance against the king by protesters who have broken taboos by criticising the monarchy. The Thai constitution says the monarchy must be revered and laws ban insulting the institution. Protesters, many carrying inflatable ducks which have become a protest mascot, stopped at the gates of the 11th Infantry Regiment, part of the King's Guard that played a role in the suppression of anti-establishment protests in 2010. Lines of riot police blocked protesters at the gate. "No democratic country sees a king control an army. In any democratic country with a king as head of state, armed forces report to the government," said Arnon Nampa, a rights lawyer and protest leader who has been a frequent critic of the monarchy. "We've been seeing the monarchy expanding its powers. That´s why we're here today." The Royal Palace has made no comment since protests began, but the king hmself said recently that protesters are loved "all the same" despite their actions. Protesters accuse the monarchy of enabling decades of military domination. There have been 13 successful coups since 1932, when absolute rule by the monarch came to an end. Protests began in July and initially demanded the departure of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former junta leader, and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour đi thái lan] a new constitution. Demonstrators have expanded their demands since then to include curbs on the powers of the king. Arnon is among several protest leaders facing charges under lese majeste laws against insulting the monarchy after speeches he made at previous rallies. The Foreign Ministry said in a statement that [http://www.bing.com/search?q=Thailand%20adhered&form=MSNNWS&mkt=en-us&pq=Thailand%20adhered Thailand adhered] to the rule of law and the right to freedom of speech must stay within those boundaries. "In every case where the law is violated, officials take action with strict adherence to the appropriate legal processes without discrimination," the ministry said. The prime minister has dismissed demands that he quit and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan] rejected accusations that he engineered last year's election to retain power after taking office in 2014. Video shared on social media showed soldiers taking down a giant picture of the king and queen at the entrance to the barracks before the protest. (Writing by Matthew Tostevin; Editing by Robert Birsel)

FEATURE-Football In Hijab: Thai Muslim Lesbians Tackle Stereotypes

2020-12-30T20:04:14Z

KeishaI19633: Created page with " By Rina Chandran PATTANI, Thailand, Nov 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A nticha Sangchai did not come out to her family until she was 30 and married with a chil..."

By Rina Chandran PATTANI, Thailand, Nov 30 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - A nticha Sangchai did not come out to her family until she was 30 and married with a child. It was her own struggle confronting the conservative community in southern Thailand that led her to create a place where women like her might feel more at home. In the bookshop she set up in Pattani city, discussions on gender and sexuality led to the birth of Buku Football Club for lesbian, bisexual and queer (LBQ) girls and women four years ago. Buku means book in Malay - and the club is now thriving. Last month, Buku FC hosted its first LBQ futsal tournament, a hardcourt game similar to five-a-side football. Among six teams from three southern provinces, many players wore hijab and were cheered on by family in the stands. That would have been unthinkable when she was growing up, Anticha said. "Football is very popular in Thailand, yet not many girls play it - especially Muslim girls, who face more hurdles because many consider it a sin," said Anticha, 43, who was raised Buddhist in the Muslim-majority province. "Playing football allows them to be free, be themselves, and also helps them face up to the bullying and bias they face," she said, watching a Buku FC team take on a rival team. Thailand, a largely conservative Buddhist society, is known for its relaxed attitude towards gender and sexual diversity, with homosexuality decriminalised as early as 1956. Yet LGBT+ people face widespread discrimination, particularly outside the country's capital Bangkok, and are often rejected by their families, human rights activists say. Like Safiyah Awea, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan] 22, a member of Buku FC for three years, whose father is an imam - a Muslim religious leader - and had opposed both her playing football and identifying as lesbian. So Safiyah left home, cut her hair short, and only wears a hijab at work and at religious functions. "I don't see a conflict between my faith and my lesbian identity or my playing football," she told the Thomson Reuters Foundation alongside her team mates. "But I don't engage with people who question my belief, as their minds cannot be changed," said Safiyah, dressed in shorts and a Buku FC jersey. OPEN DISCUSSION The Thai cabinet earlier this year approved a Civil Partnership Bill that would recognise same-sex unions with almost the same legal rights as married couples. The legislation, which is awaiting parliamentary approval, would make Thailand only the second place in Asia to allow registration of same-sex unions, with couples able to adopt children, and with rights to inheritance and property ownership. LGBT+ Thais are increasingly visible in politics, with last year's election bringing four LGBT+ first-time lawmakers, as well as the first transgender candidate for prime minister. Young LGBT+ Thais have also been a big part of ongoing anti-government protests, pressing their demand for equality. These are key to greater acceptance, said Anticha, who wants to marry her partner as soon as the law allows. She and other LGBT+ campaigners favour an equal marriage law, which the government has shied away from, as it would require a change to the Civil Code to amend the description of marriage, now defined as between a man and a woman. "Our goal is equal marriage at the end. But we choose to go step by step - like many other countries have done," said Nareeluc Pairchaiyapoom, director of the international human rights division in the Ministry of Justice. "It is a big change for Thai society. People will take time to understand and accept - and we need to reach a compromise with religious groups and others," she said, without giving a timeline for the bill's passage. Anticha said religion - particularly Islam - complicates the question for the LBQ players at Buku FC. "The question of reconciling being Muslim and LBQ comes up often, and the takeaway generally is that they should have the right to be themselves, no matter what religious belief they have," she said. "In making my intention of marrying my partner public (on social media), I wanted to show the community you can choose how to live your life and live openly," said Anticha, who teaches religion and [http://www.shewrites.com/main/search/search?q=philosophy philosophy] at a university in Pattani. SHINY SEQUINS The Buku FC club began with about 20 members, and now has more than 70. Members meet for three hours on Saturday and Sunday, except during the holy month of Ramadan. Anticha and other staff also offer counselling for families if requested. With two regional tournaments this year, which Anticha hopes will become a regular annual feature, Buku FC has secured the support of local authorities, as well. "A tournament like this helps us reach the larger community, who otherwise don't acknowledge or accept us," she said. "It is a chance for them to see how confident the girls are, how we are not that different from anyone else," she said. Fadila Ponsa, 16, is among the newest members of Buku FC, having joined just a month earlier. "It feels very empowering to play football, and to be with other girls like me who are not straight," she said. "I don't think Islam has a problem with girls playing football or being gay," said Fadila, who wore a black hijab with coloured sequins, and shorts over black leggings. For others in Buku FC, the tug of war between religion, their sexual identity and football takes longer to resolve. "Islam does not allow my identity, and says it's a sin. My family also think it's wrong. But I want to be myself," said Najmee Taniong, 26, dressed in shorts and [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tua du lịch thái lan] a jersey. "Being Muslim is who I am. Being lesbian and a footballer is also who I am. I don't think there should be a conflict between these, or that I should be forced to choose between them." (Reporting by Rina Chandran @rinachandran; Editing by Lyndsay Griffiths. Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers the lives of people around the world who struggle to live freely or fairly. Visit website

User:KeishaI19633

2020-12-30T19:58:48Z

KeishaI19633: Created page with "I'm Keisha and I live in Bachleiten. I'm interested in American Studies, Surfing and Italian art. I like travelling and watching Grey's Anatomy. Look into my blog:..."

I'm Keisha and I live in Bachleiten. I'm interested in American Studies, Surfing and Italian art. I like travelling and watching Grey's Anatomy. Look into my blog: [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-thai-lan-bangkok-pattaya-5-ngay.html tour thái lan]