The world is expected to add another 2 billion people from 2025 to 2060, increasing global population from around 8 billion to around 10 billion... "Over one-half of that growth (1.148 billion) is projected to come from an increase in the population aged 65 and over," the report states. "By contrast, the population at younger ages (age 0-19) is projected to stay relatively constant due to persistent low fertility. As the size of the older population grows rapidly and the youthful age population remains roughly the same, the percentage of the population aged 65 and over is projected to increase."
The report notes that the birthrate in 71 percent of countries is now below the replacement level of 2.1. China, in particular, has seen its birthrate plummet. In 2023, birth rates per woman in China hit 1.06...
Aside from lower birth rates, the fact that people are living longer is one of the primary driving factors. The report notes that people are also living a healthier, more active life for a longer time.
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on the water photography has added a photo to the pool:
The TOTO Museum (TOTO ミュージアム, Tōtō Museum) in Kitakyushu was opened on the occasion of the company's 100th anniversary and showcases the evolution of the business and its products. The elegant two-story building stands on the grounds of the company headquarters, has a showroom on the first floor and the museum on the second floor.
The museum leads visitors through the history of TOTO, beginning with the first ceramic flush toilet seat developed in 1914 and the company's formal establishment in 1917 as a pioneer player in the ceramic sanitation industry at a time when most of Japan was still without a sewerage system. Old toilet seats are on display, as well as exquisite porcelain tableware that the company used to produce as a side business in the past.
Old toilet bowls in the museum gallery
The exhibition moves on to washlets, arguably TOTO's most famous product today. Not only do modern washlets simply wash and dry toilet users, they also come with heated seats and automated flushing capabilities, play sounds to mask toilet noises, and automatically open and close lids. Another exhibition room is dedicated to the pioneers in the business and how their ideas and contributions led the company to where it is today.
One of the museum's highlights is the gallery showing the evolution of toilets and other TOTO products over the decades. These include toilet bowls, washlets, urinals, bath tubs and fittings. The last gallery displays bathroom units sold overseas, tailored to suit the different regions.
Source: Japan-guide website
The TOTO Museum ... was designed by Azusa Sekkei to reflect the corporate philosophy of "Lush Earth and a Drop of Water".
Architectural and Eco-Friendly Features
Concept Form: The building features a pure white, rounded shape that symbolizes sanitary ware and a droplet of water set against a backdrop of extensive greenery.
Sustainable Design: Designed with over 100 eco-friendly initiatives, it incorporates high-insulation architecture, solar panels, and solar chimneys for natural ventilation and energy efficiency.
Material Recycling: Pavement and exterior elements creatively utilize recycled ceramic shards and scraps sourced directly from TOTO’s manufacturing process.
Natural Lighting: Large windows maximize daylight penetration throughout the interior spaces, reducing daytime artificial lighting needs.
Duty falls by precedent to William to attend service of late monarch, alongside Princess Royal, who is godmother to new king Haakon VIII
The Prince of Wales is to represent his father at the funeral of King Harald V of Norway next week, Buckingham Palace has announced.
William, the heir to the throne, will be joined by his aunt the Princess Royal, who is attending in a private and personal capacity as godmother of the new king, Haakon VIII.
Continue reading...Latest data from Gallup, showing 49% leaning Democrat and 39% Republican, marks sharp reversal from 2024
More voters are identifying as Democrats and shying away from calling themselves Republican, according to the latest quarterly data published by Gallup.
Some 49%of voters surveyed leaned Democrat, including independent voters asked to pick one party or the other. Only 39% of respondents leaned Republican.
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Macr1 has added a photo to the pool:
Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve is a 984-hectare woodland protected area in north-eastern Canberra. The reserve adjoins Goorooyarroo Nature Reserve to the south, and together these form a contiguous protected area extending across more than 18 km² of woodland.
Mulligans Flat Nature Reserve protects part of a large expanse of critically endangered Yellow Box–Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland in the northern ACT, providing important habitat and enabling wildlife movement through to the Majura Valley, the Molonglo River valley and into NSW.
Wetlands Walk: A 3.5km return boardwalk loop around the large dam/wetland area, ideal for sunset viewing and spotting birds, kangaroos, and wallabies.
LONDEN (ANP) - Prins William woont volgende week namens zijn vader koning Charles de uitvaart van de Noorse koning Harald bij. De Britse troonopvolger reist voor de plechtigheid op 9 september naar Noorwegen, heeft Buckingham Palace zaterdag bekendgemaakt.
Het is gebruikelijk dat de Britse monarch zich bij de uitvaart van een buitenlands staatshoofd laat vertegenwoordigen door een ander lid van de koninklijke familie. Ook prinses Anne woont de uitvaart bij. Zij doet dat op persoonlijke titel als peetmoeder van Haralds zoon en opvolger, koning Haakon VIII.