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Top 5 at 5: How Data Centers Might Cause a Water Crisis

Charles Santiago, Chairman, National Water Services Commission (SPAN)

24-Jan-25 17:00

Top 5 at 5: How Data Centers Might Cause a Water Crisis

The National Water Services Commission (SPAN) has raised concerns about the unsustainable water usage of data centers as the country sees a surge in billion-ringgit investments. Charles Santiago, SPAN Chairman, discusses the risks and what needs to change.

Is the Gaza ceasefire holding?: Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, but questions remain about its effectiveness. Assal Rad, scholar of Middle East History and Politics, examines what this deal means for Gaza and what will happen next.

Free HPV vaccines available now: The National Cancer Society Malaysia (NCSM) is offering free HPV vaccines until January 26 to those aged 13-26 to prevent cervical cancer. Walk into their office at Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz between 8:30 AM and 10 PM to get your jab. If you're older, you might still be eligible—WhatsApp +60 10-350 1833 to check. For more on why this initiative is crucial, we hear from Dr. Leevyadhashiny Ganasan, NCSM Health Promotion Lead.

Planets "align" in the night sky: A planetary "parade" is currently happening until mid-February, which means we get to see a smattering of planets in the night sky, all visible to the naked eye. Chong Hon Yew, member of the Penang Astronomical Society, shares what to expect.

2025 Oscar nominations announced: Leading the nominations is the Spanish-language French musical crime comedy, Emilia Pérez, with 13-nominations. Following closely behind are The Brutalist and Wicked with 10-nominations each. We discuss the nominations that excite us most.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sneha Harikannan, Dashran Yohan, Lim Sue Ann, Alia Zefri

Presented by: Lee Chwi Lynn, Dashran Yohan


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Categories:  politicsgovernmentinternationalenvironmentfilmculturemanaging diseasehealth policy

Tags:  planetary alignmentwaterdata centresgazagaza ceasfireisrael-gaza conflictcervical cancervaccinevaccine roll-outastronomyoscarsoscars nominations





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