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Business Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Times
Resorts World Sentosa commits S$200,000 to newly launched Sustainability Arts Fund
[SINGAPORE] Resorts World Sentosa (RWS) and National Arts Council (NAC) launched the Sustainability Arts Fund on Monday (Jun 16), with RWS committing S$200,000. The fund will support local arts organisations in creating immersive art forms and experiences at Singapore Oceanarium to advocate for marine conservation. RWS and NAC will reach out to local arts groups via open calls for proposals and work with them to develop visual installations, performances and other creative expressions. Lee Shi Ruh, chief executive of RWS, said: 'Through the Singapore Oceanarium by RWS Sustainability Arts Fund, we are creating a dynamic platform where artistic expression sparks deeper understanding of our oceans, cultivating both an appreciation for marine biodiversity and the creative arts.' This fund comes under NAC's Sustain the Arts Fund, which aims to enhance the sustainability of small arts organisations while fostering a culture of giving to support the arts. Following an open call in 2024, two local arts groups have been selected. The first is Mural Lingo, a mural art studio established in 2014. It has developed Between Wonder and Waste, a mural experience combining traditional paint work, sculptural installations and motion-sensor technology that reacts to guests when they draw nearer. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The artwork showcases the interconnectedness of human activity and marine biodiversity. It features a 22-m-long wall art mural that artistically incorporates debris collected from beach cleanups. Sharon Soh, creative director of Mural Lingo, said: 'It is an invitation for visitors to pause and reflect on their impact on the ocean through a thought-provoking mural – where the artwork transitions from an idyllic and thriving ocean to a stark and dystopian interpretation of reality adversely impacted by ocean waste.' The second art group is TRDOco, a contemporary dance company that will present Guardians of the Sea. This is a three-part immersive dance performance exploring the cause, effect and solution of marine conservation challenges. RWS will continue to select more arts groups in the coming months. Between Wonder and Waste will be on display from Jul 23 – the day Singapore Oceanarium, previously known as SEA Aquarium, officially opens to the public – while Guardians of the Sea's performances will start on Jul 31. Both can be experienced at the Open Ocean zone in Singapore Oceanarium.
The Print
13-06-2025
- Politics
- The Print
Clash in Odisha: Internet suspension in Bhadrak extended till 6 pm on Friday after man's death
The district collector said the situation was 'well under control and there is no untoward incident so far'. The internet services will remain suspended in Bhadrak, Tihidi and Dhamnagar blocks, and areas under the Bhadrak Municipality and the Dhamnagar Notified Area Council (NAC) till 6 pm, district magistrate-cum-collector Dilip Routrai told PTI. Bhubaneswar/Bhadrak, Jun 13 (PTI) The Odisha government extended the suspension of internet services in parts of the Bhadrak district by 12 more hours till 6 pm on Friday, a restriction imposed since June 12 following the death of a man during a clash over cattle smuggling. 'We are on alert and keeping a close watch on the situation,' he said. The administration suspended the internet services in the five localities in order to prevent the spread of misinformation and maintain peace, said Eastern Range Director General of Police Satyajit Nayak. The suspension of internet services was enforced after the death of Santosh Parida (45) of Kasati village under the Tihidi police station limits during a clash over cattle smuggling. Parida was critically injured in the clash on May 30 and was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Bhubaneswar. He succumbed to injuries on Wednesday. The DIG said that altogether 12 people, including the prime accused in the Parida's death, have been arrested, and urged the citizens to maintain peace and not to believe in social media posts. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi directed the officials to ensure that all the accused persons were arrested. He had announced a compensation package for the next of kin of the family of the deceased. The compensation package includes Rs 10 lakh in cash, a job for one of his family members and financial cover for his children's studies. PTI CORR AAM AAM BDC This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
GMA Network
13-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Nearly 3,000 rebels applied for amnesty — NAC
Close to 3,000 rebels from various groups have applied for amnesty with the Philippine government, the National Amnesty Commission (NAC) reported Friday. NAC Chairperson Leah Tanodra-Armamento said most of the amnesty applicants were from the Communist Party of the Philippines, its armed wing, the New People's Army, and the National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). This was followed by members of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), and Rebolusyarnong Partido ng Manggagawa ng Pilipinas/ Revolutionary Proletarian Army/ Alex Boncayao Brigade (RPMP-RPA-ABB). "Ang pinakamarami po yung CPP/NPA/NDF na members at ito po sila ay mostly coming from Caraga Region, Eastern Visayas, at saka Northern Mindanao," Armamento told Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon in an interview. (Most of them are members of the CPP-NPA-NDF and they are mostly coming from Caraga Region, Eastern Visayas, and Northern Mindanao.) "Ang sunod na pinakamarami ay 'yung MILF natin. Ang MILF natin is 778. Tapos yung ating MNLF. At sunod ang pinakakaunti po natin yung RPMP/RPA/ABB. Ito ay mga 67," she added. (The next highest number is from the MILF. Amnesty applicants from the MILF numbered 778. Then, the MNLF. And the fewest are from RPMP-RPA-ABB with around 67.) The NAC is targeting to accommodate 10,000 applications for amnesty. Before this year's Independence Day last Thursday, Armamento said the NAC issued a "safe conduct pass" to 25 amnesty applicants. A safe conduct pass protects amnesty applicants from arrest, detention, and prosecution. It guarantees freedom of movement of the applicants while their amnesty applications are being considered. In November 2023, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. granted amnesty to rebels through Proclamation Nos. 403, 404, 405 and 406, which cover the RPMP-RPA-ABB, CPP-NPA-NDF, MILF, and MNLF. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
GDP figure based on old data
Listen to article Pakistan's Chief Statistician Dr Naeemuz Zafar said Thursday that the 2.7% economic growth estimate for this fiscal year is based on a 15-year-old livestock survey and assumes full utilisation of the Rs1.1 trillion development budget. While responding to questions about the controversy over this year's economic growth figure along with Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, Dr Zafar claimed that there would be no major downward revision in the 2.7% figure for the outgoing fiscal year. Iqbal also proposed a new formula for resource distribution under the National Finance Commission (NFC), moving away from the current population-centric model. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS)'s chief statistician called objections to the 2.7% growth rate "unfortunate" and said if a committee is formed to investigate, the PBS is ready to appear. The government claims a 2.7% GDP growth this year, which independent economists have disputed, estimating it to be closer to 2%. A major objection concerns the 4.8% livestock sector growth. The livestock sector's 4.8% growth was based on a survey conducted back in 2010, admitted Dr Zafar, adding that there was no deviation from the standard methodology. When asked how the agriculture sector showed 0.6% growth despite a 14% output decline in major crops, Dr Zafar said the growth was driven by livestock, forestry and minor crops. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth figure has been worked out in a transparent manner by following a methodology endorsed by the United Nations and the international financial institutions, he said. He also confirmed a new agriculture and livestock census has been completed but awaits the planning minister's approval due to his budget commitments. He added that the Household Integrated Economic Survey, Labour Force Survey, and agriculture census would be ready by October for the next National Accounts Committee (NAC) meeting. Leader of the Opposition Omar Ayub Khan raised the disputed GDP issue during the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance meeting held on Thursday. In a statement, the statistician also stated PBS used the full Rs1.1 trillion federal Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) figure for GDP calculationshighlighting a glaring methodological flaw. However, Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal told the same committee that against the Rs1.1 trillion PSDP allocation, only Rs662 billion had been spent so far. He added that by June-end, spending would remain below the revised Rs967 billion figure. When asked whether the GDP would be drastically revised in the next NAC meeting, Dr Zafar again said no major revision was expected. Speaking at the meeting, the planning minister said the country was on a path to steady economic recovery with a goal of sustainable economic growth. Iqbal added that Pakistan continues to face structural problems of fiscal constraints. Due to limited space, next year's federal PSDP will be just 0.8% of GDPdown from 2.6% seven years ago. The planning minister noted that the federal government's Rs11 trillion net revenues were barely enough to cover defence and debt servicing. "With limited tax contributions, people cannot hope for international standard facilities," said Iqbal. He also called for reforming the NFC award by shifting away from the predominantly population-based distribution formula with broader indicators like education and forestation. Iqbal is the second federal minister after the finance minister to propose a shift in the NFC criteria this week. Currently, 82% of total resources are allocated based on population, which Iqbal argued incentivises population growth, harming national interests. He said the Planning Commission would recommend shifting to a broader formula that rewards education and forest preservation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he added, has decided to constitute a Pakistan Population Council, comprising provincial chief ministers, to design strategies for population control. Pakistan's annual population growth rate stands at 2.6% — nearly equal to this year's GDP growth rate. Responding to a question whether the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) took him into confidence before imposing taxes on the digital economy, Iqbal said these were levied with the intent to create a level playing field for conventional retailers. Commenting on the upcoming PSDP, Iqbal said Rs230 billion had been allocated for Balochistan projects from the Rs1 trillion envelope. Despite limited resources, the government would invest more in water reservoirs. He said Diamer Basha Dam with 6 million acre-feet capacity and Mohmand Dam with 1 million acre-feet would be completed by 2030 to mitigate water shortages caused by potential Indian efforts to block Pakistan's share of water. Iqbal added that construction of Diamer Basha Dam would be advanced by two years with increased investment, aiming for completion by 2030 in response to regional water developments. Due to budget constraints, funding for the Higher Education Commission (HEC) has been reduced to Rs39.5 billion. Iqbal suggested provinces should bear the responsibility of funding universities.
Cision Canada
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Cision Canada
Media advisory - Governor General to present Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 11, 2025 /CNW/ - Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, will present the 2025 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards (GGPAA) to seven laureates during a ceremony at Rideau Hall, on Friday, June 13, 2025. She will then honour the laureates the following evening when she delivers remarks at the 2025 Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Show at the National Arts Centre (NAC), in Ottawa. Here are the 2025 laureates of Canada's highest distinction in the performing arts: Bob Ezrin, O.C. – Music and entertainment producer, music education advocate and serial activist (Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award – Popular Music) Denis Gougeon – Composer (Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award – Classical Music) Graham Greene, C.M. – Actor (Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award – Screens and Voices) Patrick Huard – Comedian, film and television actor, host, screenwriter and producer (Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award – Screens and Voices) Sandra Laronde, M.S.C., O.M.C. – Multidisciplinary artist, artistic director, choreographer, producer and author (Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award – Dance) April Hubbard – Performance artist, arts administrator, and Mad Disability advocate (Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Voluntarism in the Performing Arts) Jeremy Dutcher, M.S.M. – Composer, performer, language carrier, ethnomusicologist and activist (National Arts Centre Award Recipient) GGPAA Ceremony Date: Friday, June 13, 2025 Time: 6 p.m. Location: Rideau Hall Ballroom, 1 Sussex Dr., Ottawa GGPAA Show Date: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Time: 8 p.m. (red carpet begins at 7 p.m.) Location: NAC, 1 Elgin St., Ottawa About the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards Created in 1992, by the late Right Honourable Ramon John Hnatyshyn, then-Governor General, and his wife, Gerda, the awards are presented annually to Canadians whose extraordinary achievements have contributed significantly to the enrichment of Canada's cultural life. Learn more about the Governor General's Performing Arts Awards. Notes for Media: To guarantee your access to the Rideau Hall ceremony, we ask that you please confirm your attendance with the Rideau Hall Press Office at [email protected]. Media are asked to arrive at the Princess Anne Entrance no later than 5:45 p.m. on the day of the ceremony. Photos of the ceremony taken by the Governor General's official photographer will be made available upon request. Stay connected: Follow GovernorGeneralCanada on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. SOURCE Governor General of Canada
