Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network-What to Do If Your Long-Unused Bag Has Become Moldy? 4 Emergency Maintenance Tips to Easily Save Your Beloved Bag

No AC but the ‘greenest’ ever Games? Inside Paris’ landmark Olympic Village

When Paris last hosted the Summer Olympics 100 years ago, organizers were so keen to bring athletes under the same roof that they built the first-ever Olympic Village.It was spartan, made up of furnished wood huts, and it was razed shortly after.The competition is back in the City of Lights a century later, but French officials are doing something completely different this time around. As part of their effort to make Paris 2024 the “most responsible and sustainable games in history,” they’re building something that’s meant to last.“This village was thought up as a neighborhood, a neighborhood that is going to have a life afterwards,” said Georgina Grenon, the Paris 2024 director of sustainability. “Paris 2024 is renting it for a few months.”Instead of rooming in apartments tailor-made for them, athletes in the Olympic Village this summer will be living in what will become someone else’s home or workplace.Once the Paralympics have finished on September 8, the village — which contains 82 buildings — will be converted into office space for 6,000 workers and apartments to house another 6,000 people.Like the Olympics themselves — which organizers say will run 100% on renewable energy — everything built for the village was done with sustainability in mind. To minimize the amount of construction, organizers temporarily or permanently retrofitted several existing structures on the site, including an old electric factory that’s been turned into a “resident center.”／Wikimedia Commons‘It’s a huge test lab’Like the Olympics themselves — which organizers say will run 100% on renewable energy — everything built for the village was done with sustainability in mind. To minimize the amount of construction, organizers temporarily or permanently retrofitted several existing structures on the site, including an old electric factory that’s been turned into a “resident center.” They also rented existing movie studios in the area to be used as training facilities for athletes instead of building new training facilities which has been done at some other Games.The buildings that were erected were built with wood and recycled materials, employing processes that, according to Grenon, reduced the project’s carbon footprint by 30% per square meter — more than French ecological regulations require.Keeping coolThe most scrutinized innovation will likely be the geothermal cooling system, as athletes in Paris could face the same level of sweltering heat and humidity that broiled Tokyo during the Summer Olympics there three years ago.“Climate change should increasingly be viewed as an existential threat to sport,” Sebastian Coe, the president of World Athletics, said in a report published last week (June 18) examining the heat risks associated with this summer’s games.The most scrutinized innovation will likely be the geothermal cooling system, as athletes in Paris could face the same level of sweltering heat and humidity that broiled Tokyo during the Summer Olympics there three years ago.／FlickrFor delegations concerned about the system’s efficacy during a heat wave, the village will offer them the option to rent individual air conditioning units.Asked about the lack of air conditioning in the Village by news agency Reuters in March, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said the village was “designed to avoid the need for air conditioning, even in very, very high temperatures.”“We are on the brink of a precipice. Everyone, including the athletes, must be aware of this,” Hidalgo said. “We have to trust the scientists when they help us to construct buildings in a sober way that allows us to make do without air conditioning.”

2024-06-29 09:00

World’s best airline for 2024 named by Skytrax

Human beings weren’t designed to fly through the sky at 40,000 feet in a pressurized metal tube – with our aching limbs, burbling gastric systems and willful propensity to annoy other airborne human beings.If, however, we absolutely must, the way to make that experience the best it can possibly be is to fly with Qatar Airways.For the eighth time in the 25-year history of the prestigious awards – known as the Oscars of commercial aviation – Qatar was named the World’s Best Airline, in recognition of the quality of service it offers passengers on its modern fleet.／Wikimedia CommonsAt least that’s the verdict from this year’s Skytrax Awards, which were announced Monday.For the eighth time in the 25-year history of the prestigious awards – known as the Oscars of commercial aviation – Qatar was named the World’s Best Airline, in recognition of the quality of service it offers passengers on its modern fleet.“This is a remarkable achievement for Qatar Airways to win this World’s Best Airline title for 2024, the eighth time they have triumphed,” Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted said in a statement to mark the award ceremony, which gathered airline execs and cabin crew in a manor house near London’s Heathrow Airport.“We congratulate Qatar Airways on this success which should be a source of great pride and satisfaction for the airline management and staff.”The Middle Eastern carrier has built a strong reputation over the past decade, helping Qatar’s award-winning Hamad International Airport establish itself as a global aviation hub to challenge regional rivals Dubai and Abu Dhabi.ANA, meanwhile, picked up the accolade for World’s Best Airport Services, as well as Best Airline Staff Service in Asia. Saudia was named World’s Most Improved Airline, beating Taiwan’s Starlux and Iceland’s Play into second and third places.Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.／PxHereAt the budget end of flying, AirAsia was once again crowned the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline – repeating an achievement it has made every year since 2010. Singapore’s Scoot was named the World’s Best Long Haul-Low Cost Airline.AirAsia boss Tony Fernandes said his airline’s unwavering success was thanks to the work of its “Allstars” cabin crew coupled with strong brand loyalty.“No other companies come to my mind in achieving such a winning streak, and we are very proud of it,” he said in a statement. We dedicate this award to all of our Allstars who work tirelessly to make today happen, and also to everyone who has remained loyal to us through the ups and downs AirAsia has experienced.”Still in Asia, Bangkok Airways picked up the World’s Best Regional Airline prize for the eighth consecutive year, while Vistara was named best India/South Asian carrier and Fiji Airways was Best Airline in the Australia/Pacific region.Ethiopian Airlines was named Africa’s best, for the sixth year in a row. Turkish Airlines was Europe’s best, airBaltic was Eastern Europe’s winner and Hainan Airlines was best in China.Delta Air Lines was declared the Best Airline in North America, also picking up the award for Best Airline Staff Service for the region.The post-Covid world of heightened germ awareness, the top 10 of the World’s Cleanest Airlines were mostly based in Asia. Cathay Pacific took the top spot, with ANA, EVA, Qatar and Singapore lining up next.

2024-06-29 09:00

What to Do If Your Long-Unused Bag Has Become Moldy? 4 Emergency Maintenance Tips to Easily Save Your Beloved Bag

When going out, it's common to carry a bag, and different styles are chosen depending on the occasion and outfit of the day. Therefore, proper storage and maintenance of bags are crucial to prevent fuzzy mold from appearing!https://news.immigration.gov.tw/NewsSection/Detail/be1cf716-e1c8-4084-a3db-9c79594bc556?category=1&lang=TWDue to Taiwan's humid and hot island climate, leather items like bags and shoes are prone to mold, especially after long periods of disuse or exposure to rain. It's a pity to throw away your beloved bag due to mold. Here are some emergency and maintenance measures to help you save your favorite bag.Proper storage and maintenance of bags are also very important. (Image source: Heho Health)Dehumidification If your leather bag gets wet from rain or splashes, immediately wipe it with a dry cloth and avoid using tissue paper to prevent scratches on the leather surface. Then, let it air dry in a ventilated area, avoiding the use of a hairdryer to prevent damage from high temperatures. If not used immediately after drying, do not put it directly in the closet. Instead, keep the bag in a dry space with a humidity level below 50% to prevent mold from reappearing.https://news.immigration.gov.tw/NewsSection/Detail/be1cf716-e1c8-4084-a3db-9c79594bc556?category=1&lang=TWTo prevent bags from getting moldy, it's best to clean them weekly and maintain them at least once a month. (Image source: pxhere)Storage Proper storage involves finding the right place to keep your bag. To prevent deformation, stuff the inside with ink-free white newspaper to help maintain its shape, as the newspaper can also absorb moisture from the air, serving as a dehumidifier.Cleaning and Maintenance To prevent mold, clean your bag weekly and maintain it at least once a month. If it gets stained, clean it immediately. Use a cotton pad or swab dipped in makeup remover or a special cleaner to gently wipe the stain. After cleaning, apply maintenance oil. The maintenance steps include using a dry cloth to apply petroleum jelly or maintenance oil to the surface of the bag, letting it sit for 30 minutes before storing it.

2024-06-22 09:00

What to Do If Your Long-Unused Bag Has Become Moldy? 4 Emergency Maintenance Tips to Easily Save Your Beloved Bag

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No AC but the ‘greenest’ ever Games? Inside Paris’ landmark Olympic Village

World’s best airline for 2024 named by Skytrax

What to Do If Your Long-Unused Bag Has Become Moldy? 4 Emergency Maintenance Tips to Easily Save Your Beloved Bag