Thousands of papal souvenirs sold as Singapore prepares to welcome Pope Francis

PROCEDURES May SUPPORT PAPAL VISIT

With the priest’s visit looming, hundreds of souvenirs– including T-shirts, umbrellas, tumblers, hats and wrap bags– have already been sold at a pop-up shop at the Catholic Centre in fundraising efforts for the Catholic area.

School bags and other products for younger children are other items for sale, all of which are in the colors of the Vatican symbol.

To further increase fundraising endeavors, limited-edition things – featuring the upcoming papal size at the National Stadium on Sep 12 –&nbsp, will soon be available for purchase.

According to Ms. Lilian Kong, the Catholic Foundation’s executive director and head of the Pope Francis Singapore Fund’s charity and souvenirs committee, the team behind the work has spent months on these styles.

She claimed that the committee created the logo to elicit a unity and hope theme that derives from biblical text.

The five stars of ( the Singapore flag ) are also incorporated in a very meaningful cross emblem, Ms. Kong continued.

Some products are currently sold out, she said.

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Teenage rapist to be jailed and caned after prosecution wins appeal against reformative training sentence

After the trial successfully appealed on Friday ( Sep 6), a 16-year-old boy who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old child will have to go through an eight-year prison term and three wood strokes instead of reformative training.

The young man, now 20, had filed an appeal against the sentence, arguing that rape was the most serious of sexual crimes, and that his youth should n’t be at the forefront of matters.

The Court of Appeal, comprising Justices Tay Yong Kwang, Steven Chong and Debbie Ong, agreed with the trial.

Justice Tay delivered the ruling following a day of arguments, stating that the judge is typically ready to take into account a 16-year-old rape or even probation.

” But, the accused was no common 16-year-old”, said the judge. &nbsp,

He said the young gentleman had a series of fraud crimes from time 13, stealing bike, electric scooters and batteries.

He had retaliated by stealing while awaiting bail for fraud charges. While he was receiving a higher loan sum, he raped his classmate in a disabled toilet while her boyfriend held her down, and he did it on June 27, 2020.

” He was warned that if he committed new crimes, there will be no more bail”, said Justice Tay. Because he continued to undertake the current murder infraction and two more thefts, the re-arrest and caution had no impact at all on him.

The criminal received his first stint of corrective training (RT ) in October 2020 because the assault offence only became public in February 2021.

” It is correct that when the accused committed the murder on Jun 27, 2020, he had not yet undergone the second RT,” said Justice Tay.

Although it cannot be said that RT had no impact on his criminal tendencies, treatment is not the best course of action in this situation given his history of crimes and his total disrespect or disobedience of the law.

Justice Tay said the young gentleman had raped a 14-year-old colleague who was obviously intoxicated and afraid, and that he did but” with drop” without protection.

” Specific punishment is obviously needed to instill some fear and respect for the law into this young man,” said Justice Tay.

Context OF THE CASE

After pleading guilty to one count of murder, the offender was given a maximum detention phase of a time in January and was sentenced to reformative teaching.

Justice Pang Khang Chau once said to him,” This is your last chance.”

All parties may become named to guard the murderer’s identity.

After learning on cultural advertising that they were having a drinking program it, the offender had traveled to Admiralty Park to go with the victim and her partner.

Her partner and the perpetrator went to the girl’s location to find her while she was urking in the public restroom.

The criminal raped the child while her partner held her down before holding her jacket over her face and keeping it there until she was done.

Eventually, the boyfriend placed the blame on the woman for having intercourse with the criminal, and she ended her relationship with him. Eventually, her family reported to the police.

The partner was accused of assisting murder.

Quarrels BY Prosecutors AND Army

On Friday, deputy public prosecutor Yvonne Poon and Sheldon Lim argued that the corrective training should be replaced with a sentence of eight to ten years in prison and six to eight cane strikes.

Ms Poon said youth only is” no guarantee” that remedial rules should be at the forefront of a prosecutor’s punishment factors.

We contend that this is the situation because there are cases where punishment and retribution are required to take precedent, she said.

She said murder was the gravest of all physical offences, and cited three worsening factors in this case: The murderer’s risk in terms of her age and alcohol, the party element of the attack, and the fact that no condom was used.

She claimed that the criminal “certainly exploited that risk afterward,” even though the victim had not yet rendered the victim resilient through alcohol.

The prey was clearly incapable of sustaining herself physically and was inebriated, according to Ms. Poon.

Military doctors Mato Kotwani and Wong Min Hui from PDLegal argued against the prosecution’s proposals, but said if a prison term had to be imposed, not more than seven-and-a-half years ‘ prisons should be given, along with four strokes of the wood.

Mr Kotwani said he did not deny that rape is the most serious sexual offence, and that inherently, rape is a serious offence.

However, he said the severity of rape offences can “vary across a wide spectrum”.

He claimed that his client only sexually assaulted the victim because her boyfriend had repeatedly invited him to do so.

According to Justice Chong, the offender may have initially been receptive.

” But I find it challenging to accept that he was coerced, or that he did it out of fear.” He was definitely encouraged, but he accepted the encouragement. He responded to it. Otherwise, we wo n’t be here”, said the judge.

THE VICTIM-BLAMING

He requested that the defense address the court regarding the young man’s alleged victim-blaming.

According to Justice Chong,” That is important because you are not a suitable candidate for rehabilitation if you do n’t take responsibility for your own actions and try to assign some responsibility to the victim,” she said.

The report that evaluated the young man’s suitability for reformative training contained the prosecution’s allegations that the young man had engaged in victim-blaming.

Mr. Kotwani claimed that the statements his client had made were made from a “historical perspective,” meaning he was presenting his past views to the interviewer.

The offender had provided the interviewer with a historical perspective on various factors, including his poor academic performance, his alcohol and drug use, and how he stole because” saving money takes very long”

” When we come to the attitude and orientation for the current offence, we see that the author writes that he presented attitudes that minimize responsibility for his actions,” said Mr. Kotwani.

The author’s specific questions and responses are what we do n’t have, the author asserts. It’s very likely that he could have been giving the perspective that this is why I did these things in the past, according to the attorney, given the interview process and the need to explain why he did them in the past.

Justice Chong cited a section of the report where the author claimed that the young man had “minimized the impact of the crime on the victim and shifted the blame to the victim”

The offender had said the victim appeared to be “enjoying” herself.

” If you say this is historical, it would mean that what he agreed to in the statement of facts is false, because in the statement of facts, he says she did not consent”, said Justice Chong. ” To say she was enjoying the sexual act… you ca n’t have it both ways”.

He continued, noting that the offender never used that phrase to express his disapproval.

Mr. Kotwani pointed to a different section of his client’s statement in which he acknowledged that it was inappropriate for him to have had sex with the victim. It would be strange if he initially acknowledged this but later admitted guilt to the victim, he said.

” No, it’s trying to minimise his blameworthiness, obviously”, replied Justice Chong.

The defense attorney then urged the court to take into account his client’s behavior throughout the entire process because he had cooperated, been honest, and admitted guilt right away.

” I think all of this counts for something, and it shows that he is in fact remorseful and he accepts what he did was wrong”, said Mr Kotwani.

We have a situation where we have to weigh his entire behavior against some statements he made during the interview process, and we want to make it sound that there is some doubt about how true the statements were interpreted and what was said.

Justice Chong told Mr. Kotwani that “we’ve got to take the report as it is and draw the appropriate inferences” and that it was” not fair” to cast doubt on the report’s accuracy at this point.

Had the defense asserted that there were doubts about the report’s accuracy, they could have requested a Newton hearing, a hearing to decide on disputed issues, and the report’s author could have been brought before the court.

In continuing, Mr. Kotwani stated that age is” a very important factor” and that the lack of maturity that young offenders exhibits is demonstrated in their thinking and behavior,” and that’s the very reason reformation is so important.”

The prosecutor, Ms Poon, responded on the victim-blaming arguments and said there was one clear paragraph in the RT report to show it was not historical.

The offender had mentioned in the report that the victim had continued to hang out with him and that she had presented her with a negative view of how she had slept and sat on the same bed as him and his girlfriend.

These things have nothing to do with the offense being committed. They relate to the way he handled himself following the offense, according to Ms Poon.

” For him to continue to hold these beliefs and bring them up after he had pleaded guilty and unreservedly apologised… shows that he is indeed hardened and did not internalize any remorse or accountability of his actions at all.”

The offender appeared depressed as the verdict was read out. He observed his family members, who had supported him in court.

He was given the opportunity to begin his jail term three weeks later, on September 27, because he has to support his family after a fire broke out at their apartment on August 27.

Justice Tay initially inquired as to why his five siblings were unable to assist, but the judges decided against it after Mr. Kotwani explained that his client’s older sister was married, his brother was in the military, and his younger sisters were still attending school.

Until then, the offender remains out on bail of S$ 10, 000. &nbsp,

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‘100% handmade’: The Singaporean carpenter who built two chairs specially for Pope Francis

You leave your studio in Sembawang and start making small furniture pieces for family and friends one day. The second, you’re approached to create two custom-made seats for Pope Francis ’ future visit to Singapore.  

At the end of July, Govindharaj Muthiah received the coincidental call from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore. The 44-year-old Singaporean woodworker, who took his passion for woodworking full-time in 2019, did not expect to get presented the best contrast to his Resume to date.  

And for the record, even though he completed both” 100 per cent handmade” chairs within a whirlwind month, the news still had n’t sunk in when he spoke to CNA Lifestyle on Thursday ( Sep 5 ) about his initial shock.

“ When I got the visit, the first question was: ‘Hi, we knew you do equipment. We were introduced by people. And I was asked if I could create a seat. I was like, ‘Okay, do you have the proportions? I’ll work on it, ’” recalled Raj, as he prefers to get known.

“Then ( the caller ) said, ‘No it ’s more than that, there’s a lot of specific details. ’ And I said, ‘Okay, give me the gathering. I typically say to consumers,” If you can pull it and show me how to build it for you,” But also, I said that, thinking he’s on the same site.

” He paused for a while and said, ‘It’s for the Pope. ’ I was like, ‘Sorry? Who? ’ He ( repeated himself ): ‘For the Pope. ’ ”

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Singaporean director Yeo Siew Hua’s Stranger Eyes to open 2024 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival

Stranger Eyes, a video from Singaporean director Yeo Siew Hua, has been chosen to open the 2024 Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, where it will even make its Eastern debut. The festival runs from November 7 through November 24.

The film, a Singapore-Taiwan-France-UK co-production, stars Golden Horse best actor winner Lee Kang-sheng ( Stray Dogs ), Wu Chien-ho, Vera Chen, Annica Panna and Xenia Tan.

Ellis stated in a press release shared by the celebration,” It is a true honor for us to have our video available for the Golden Horse Film Festival, which as a Foreign director holds such an essential place in my heart.” &nbsp,

Stranger Eyes is also up for the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion award on September 5th, where it had its world debut. It is competing for the show’s highest glory against Todd Phillips ‘&nbsp, Joker: Folie A Deux and Halina Reijn’s Babygirl, among other movies.

The 2024 Golden Horse Film Festival describes the movie as such:” A young couple begins receiving odd videos after the strange departure of their baby girl, realizing someone has been filming their normal life, even their most intimate moments. The family begins to crumble as the identities of the weirdo and the reality behind these films are revealed.

Yeo had earlier directed A Land Imagined&nbsp, – another video that boosted Singapore’s status in the world video picture. The 2018 video clinched the top prize at the 71st Locarno Film Festival, and won best initial report and best classic story at the&nbsp, 56th Golden Horse Awards. &nbsp,

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7-Eleven owner rejects .7bn buyout offer from rival

A$ 29.2 billion takeover offer from a Canadian enemy has been rejected by the Chinese user of convenience store chain 7-Eleven.

In a letter addressed to the Circle K user Alimentation Couche-Tard (ACT), Seven &amp, I Holdings said the French company’s offer “grossly” undervalued the company and was fraught with governmental danger.

The 7-Eleven user added, but, that it remains open to conversations and ready to contemplate a better plan.

A BBC News request for comment was never instantly responded to by ACT.

The Special Committee, in conjunction with a special committee it established to take the offer into consideration, believes that your proposal is strategically timed and greatly undervalues our standalone path and the more practical avenues we see to recognize and access shareholder value, according to Seven &amp, I’s letter.

Seven & is more economical to foreign buyers as a result of ACT’s present, which comes at a time when the Japanese yen’s exchange rate is significantly lower against the US dollar.

Your plan fails to adequately address the numerous and significant difficulties that US competition law enforcement agencies might encounter as a transaction, according to Seven &amp, I’s letter.

7-Eleven is the world’s biggest pleasure shop chain, with 85, 000 stores across 20 countries and territories.

If a deal were to go back, ACT’s footprints in the US and Canada would more than twice to more than 20 000 websites.

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Kim’s Convenience: Play creator says it’s a love letter to immigrant parents

Mark Douet Ins Choi performing in Kim's Convenience, holding up a business cardMark Douet

Kim’s Convenience, a heart-warming comedy-drama perform about a Asian immigrant community running a corner store in Toronto, inspired a hit show and is now on level in London.

” This is a love letter to my parents and all first-generation immigrants who have made the country they have settled in their home”, says the movie’s creator, Ins Choi.

He wrote the play, which centers on the daily activities of a Vietnamese family-run business, and he played the role of the child when it was first staged in Toronto in 2011.

He therefore co-wrote the Screen series, which premiered in Canada in 2016 and gained acclaim international after being picked up by Netflix in the following year.

Choi is now back on the stage playing the lead role in Appa ( Dad in Korean ), this time in the lead role.

A community play

In the perform, the mother’s happy, hard-working father grapples with the changing village and the growing split between his first-generation expat ideals and those of his children.

For instance, Appa tries to convince daughter Janet ( Jennifer Kim ) to take over the shop, instead of pursuing her dream of becoming a photographer.

He also warns that her “expiration date is over,” noting that she is a 30-year-old single woman who does n’t intend to marry.

Although this all-Asian head cast gives an insight into the lives of one East Asian family, Choi claims that it also appeals to people of all ages and cultures.

” In the end, it’s a sitcom. It’s a tale about a home.

” Irrespective of your history, I think people can relate to kids who they feel they disappointed. Or if you’re a parent, kids who do n’t appreciate you.

” So it’s both sides of that dynamic”.

Mark Douet One male and one female cast member in a convenience store set on stage surrounded by sweets on shelves and the wallsMark Douet

When it was first on step, a display with an all-Asian direct put was unique.

” When I played ]son ] Jung 14 years ago, there were n’t many Asian actors”, Choi says.

” But then, when we do a cast call, there are many Janets that we can choose from. I was so pleased to learn that we now have choices.

In fact, Choi’s lack of opportunities as a young artist contributed to Kim’s Convenience.

He auditioned for numerous jobs after graduating from play school, but he never lost out. Finally, he decided to write his own account, which became his debut perform- and after a Netflix hit.

While he is aware that today’s managers are looking for fresh Asian voices, he believes that some theater companies have a” white programme,” which also helps plays like Kim’s Convenience stand out.

” I think it’s still kind of a unique item in an English-speaking area to have an Asian-led sing on phase”, he says. Therefore, that’s undoubtedly been a compelling reason to watch because it’s still the most interesting thing to watch.

” It’s a small unique, not a light family’s living space. How often do you acquire that?”

Getty Images Kim's Convenience TV series cast pose at the CBC World Premiere VIP ScreeningGetty Images

Offensive voices?

Throughout the play, Appa and Umma ( Mum, played by Namju Go ) speak in a fairly strong Korean accent. This was also the situation with the TV show, and some people have argued that large tones are a product of stereotype perpetuation.

Choi strongly disagrees”. Perhaps because they do n’t want people to be perceived as offensive, producers do n’t want them to speak accents. But next they’re really dismissing and erasing]it], which, in my opinion, is more insulting.”

He has put both charaters center phase, celebrating their three-dimensional characteristics.

There is a large segment of society that is underrepresented in the media, whether or not people want to confess it or not. For dread of reaction, they are not seen and heard, “adds Choi.

He claims that he is doing his best to imitate what he was raised reading and his own kids. And he says he is, in truth, pulling back from the dialect, but a” American ear” you know him much.

” When my kids watched the play, they could n’t stop laughing. They loved it. They said I was just like Halabeoji]Grandad]. And I was like,’ Congratulate you.’ “

Mark Douet A man and a woman are behind a convenience store counter looking at a business cardMark Douet

The game’s theatrical debut in the UK comes one year before its beloved Toronto Soulpepper Theatre’s praised return. That will be 14 times since it won the Patron’s Pick honor at the Toronto Fringe Festival, where it premiered.

Choi first appeared in Jung, but it has been a while since the first move that he has been playing Appa.

” Going back to Soulpepper Theatre did feel almost like a natural, geographic whole group, in terms of the child becoming the parent, “he says.

He acknowledges that his first performance as the father was a” sequel but normal feeling” as his real-life children have matured and he has since developed into the role. He continues to practice as a father for the past ten years.

” I love the sound of Appa- it’s so warm and conjures great feelings, “he says.

” So now, when I get called Appa by Janet and Jung, I already respond to that name.”

My family is exactly like yours.

What else does he hope the audience will take away from the play besides laughter and tears?

” This is me being idealistic but I hope a play like this brings communities together, where it’s like,’ Yeah, my family’s just like your family, guys. My father resembles exactly like your father.

” It can actually build bridges and people realise we’re all dysfunctional. Yeah, I think it has that power- art, in general”.

And having helped out at his uncle’s corner shop as a child, he has one more wish.

” I hope that when people visit this store and see the show, they will run into this family.

And that when they enter an off-licence the next time, they can tell if the person has spent their entire life working behind the counter. And ideally, you treat them with more compassion or understanding.

Kim’s Convenience is at Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, London, until 26 October.

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The Italian town that banned cricket

BBC Miah BappyBBC

A group of Bangladeshi friends are practicing their baseball skills on a small piece of masonry while the sun is scorching on the Adriatic coast of Italy.

They are playing on the fringes of Monfalcone, near to Trieste Airport, because the president has in effect forbid them from doing so in the city itself.

They say those who try can face fines of up to €100 ( £84 ).

” If we were playing inside Monfalcone, the officers would have already got around to stop us”, says staff captain Miah Bappy.

He mentions a group of Bengali teenagers who were” caught” playing their country’s national sport in a nearby park. Their game was ended by a police patrol who fined them because they were n’t aware that security cameras were being used to record them.

” They say bowling is not for Italy. But I’ll tell you the truth: it’s because we are europeans”, Miah says.

The restrictions on baseball serves as a metaphor for the deep seated conflicts that are roiling in Monfalcone.

The city has an cultural make-up distinct in Italy: of a population of just over 30, 000, almost a third are immigrants. The majority of them are Muslims from Bangladesh who started building massive cruise ships in the late 1990s.

In effect, according to president Anna Maria Cisint, who is a member of the far-right League group, the social nature of Monfalcone is in risk.

She seized the opportunity to “protect” her city and uphold Christian values after winning the election for president due to anti-immigration attitude.

” Our story is being erased”, she tells me. ” It’s like it does n’t matter anymore. All is deteriorating in a negative way.

Italians in American clothing interact with Bangladeshis wearing shalwar kameez and veils in Monfalcone. A network of cycle paths, which are mostly used by the South Eastern society, is present, along with Bangladeshi restaurants and kosher stores.

Ms. Cisint has rebuffed what Muslim women wearing at the beach and removed the seats in the village square where Bangladeshis used to relax during her two terms in office.

” There’s a very powerful method of Islamic fundamentalism around”, she says. ” A society where people oppress and treat people badly.”

The president claims there is no money or space to create a new ball and that cricket balls pose a threat when it comes to her restrictions on cricket.

She claimed that Bangladeshis are denied the right to execute their country’s national sport and that they offer “nothing in return.”

” They’ve given nothing to this town, to our society. Zero”, she says. ” They are free to go and play cricket anywhere else … outside of Monfalcone”.

The Fincantieri shipyard

The president has received death threats because of her opinions on Muslims- and that’s why she’s then under 24-hour police security.

Miah Bappy and his brother batsmen have relocated to Italy to construct boats at the Fincantieri factory, which is one of the largest in the world and one of the biggest in Europe.

The mayor accuses the business of “wage dumping,” which is the practice of paying wages lower than the market, frequently to foreign workers, while claiming that because the company’s salaries are so small no Roman may want to do the same amount of work for the same amount of money.

However, the shipyard’s director, Cristiano Bazzarra, insists that the company’s and its architects ‘ salaries are in compliance with Roman law.

” We are not able to get trained staff. He claims that it’s very hard for young people in Europe to operate in shipyards.

Italy has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe. Last year just 379, 000 babies were born in Italy with an average of 1.2 children per woman.

Italy is also experiencing labor shortfalls, and according to experts, it will need 280, 000 overseas staff annually until 2050 to make up for a declining labor force.

Anna Maria Cisint

Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who leads the far-right Brothers of Italy, has increased the number of grants for non-EU staff despite previously saying she wanted to reduce emigration.

But Anna Maria Cisint firmly believes that the way of living of the Bangladeshi Muslim community is “incompatible” with the existence of native-born Italians.

The tensions in Monfalcone reached a brain when the president in effect forbade group prayer at the two Islamist centers in the city.

The president claims that” a large number of folks are praying in the two Islamist centers in just one building” after “people from the city started sending me stunning photos and videos.

” There are so many scooters left on the road, and loud prayers five days a moment- even at day”.

Mayor Cisint claims that this was cruel to the area’s residents and that the city’s ban on social prayer is related to industrial planning regulations. She claims it’s certainly her job to provide the Muslim centers because they are not intended for religious worship.

Due to the difficulty of constructing places of worship, Islam is not one of the 13 official religions that are recognized by European law.

Bangladeshis in Monfalcone claim that the president’s choice has had a significant influence on the Sunni population.

” The president thinks that Bengalis are trying to Islamify Italy- but we are really minding our own company”, says 19-year-old Meheli. She was born and raised in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but raised in Italy and grew up in Western clothing. She speaks Italian fluently.

She claims that her Bengali identity has caused her to face harassment and swear swearing in public.

Miah Bappy is hopeful that his Roman card will be issued this year, but he is unsure whether he will stay in Monfalcone.

” We do n’t cause any trouble. We pay fees”, says the port employee. ” But they do n’t want us here”.

The president believes the way of living of the Bangladeshi area is “incompatible” with the existence of local born Italians.

However, Miah Bappy points out that if they all left their respective countries tomorrow, “it would consider the port five years to build a second ship.”

A local court overturned the town council’s decision to forbid shared prayer over the summer.

But Monfalcone’s president has vowed to continue her campaign against what she calls” the Islamisation of Europe” beyond Italy.

She has now been chosen to represent the EU in a debate in Brussels.

Bob Howard provided further monitoring.

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Deep Dive Podcast: Is it a problem when able-bodied people use PMAs?

People like seniors and younger children might find it quite risky to walk along for paths because of how unpleasant that will turn out to be.

Crispina Robert:
For this group of people, this system, in my mind anyhow, saves money, because they buy it once&nbsp, off Carousell or TikTok store or whatever, probably$ 1, 000, under$ 2000- no diesel, no income. It’s such an easy means for them, and even, quite a lot of them do sales as well.

Therefore, it doubles as a group of people’s cheap transportation option. Do you think this will go away, yet if we say,” PMAs can only be used for medical reasons, and only 6kmh”. Do you believe that we should take a closer look at this?

Florence:
Because more people have been complaining about how the PMAs have been misused and misused, I believe this is a very serious problem. This needs to be addressed very immediately.

Crispina:
But, there’s a genuine have, is what we’re saying? &nbsp,

Steven:
It only means that instead of using PMAs, they will have to consider other options.

Michael Kuan:

Not because a disabled person is seated on the couch, but because it was specifically designed for the handicapped. My kind of hair is very lightweight and small.

People with disabilities must enter searching centers and stores. We must be able to switch on the money and squeeze into tight paths.

It’s those great chair that’s super, super great. Even I wo n’t call them as PMAs—they are PMDs. I notice a lot of elderly citizens reclining in those tiny chair.

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The duo behind this Singapore silk label includes a former in-house artist at LV and Goyard

Pets are prominent in Ang’s models, a smile to her earlier work in the industry, where clients frequently requested paintings of their favorite animals or pets.

Their most popular printing thus far? The” Classic Porcelain Cat is doing very well. The pareos ( sarongs ) are sold out”, shared Tan. The printing, which features the Singapura Cat frolicking among blue and white florals inspired by traditional Chinese porcelain, exemplifies Ang’s name humor and a smile to the brand’s Taiwanese history. It’s joy, but even elegant.

When asked to pick a favorite design, Jasline hesitated. ” It’s so hard to choose”, she admits before eventually picking up a blanket. ” I truly love the qilin, because we’re Studio Qiling”, she said with a smile.

ART MADE PRACTICAL

With her business background, Tan brings a consumer’s attention to the innovative approach. She is very helpful in establishing the overarching elements that underpin each set.

She suggested we use the safari design for our first launch and a mythical beast design for Chinese New Year. Her input does n’t end there, she’s also her partner’s go-to sounding board for colour decisions. ” I’ll inquire her – blue and green, or blue and pink? She picks the combo”, Ang shared.

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Why protecting Australia’s surf breaks is crucial to the country’s economy

Surfing was first introduced to Australia more than a century before.

Since therefore, the game has grown both as a cultural and commercial giant.

Research from the Australian National University (ANU) estimates surfing injects at least A$3bn ($2bn; £1.5bn) into the national economy each year.

However, the review includes a clear notice that surf breaks, or areas where the waves start to decline or fall, should not be taken for granted and require more legal safety.

The elements that make these high quality tides probable are frequently in threat, according to Dr. Ana Manero, a professor of water economics and management at ANU’s Crawford School of Public Policy.

” I do n’t think the lack of protection right now is deliberate. It is just sea breaks, and they just fall into a blind spot for policy manufacturers right now.

Global heat and inadequate water quality are surfing ‘ key problems, according to the report published in the journal, Marine Policy.

Although Bells Beach in Victoria and about a hundred beach breaks in the state of New South Wales are protected legally, researchers want much more.

” Those waves may not appear on a world-class image but they do offer price for people like you and I,” Dr. Manero told the BBC from her business in Perth, Western Australia.

The waves we need to focus our attention on are the ones that do n’t catch the attention of the world.

Waves off the area of Mundaka in northeastern Spain vanished after a dredging operation in a local river.

Additionally, studies revealed that development of a pier in Perth resulted in the departure of three browse breaks in 2022, and that an artificial reef has been suggested.

Some responses for Australia may be found far ahead in South America or far away from home.

” In Peru they established what they call La Ley de Rompientes, which means the laws of sea falls, that protects these property”, added Dr Manero.

In New Zealand, protections are provided by an already-existing act of parliament and a distinct, comparable legislation that acknowledges the importance of local, regional, and national search areas. They are protected in accordance with how significant their value is to surfing.

Using data from the Australian Sports Commission, a government agency, the ANU review estimates there are more than 720, 000 active child surfing in the country. On average they spend about A$ 3, 700 each month.

However, it is likely to be a conservative figure because it does n’t take into account children, foreign visitors, or money made through professional surfing.

” It is like this great business, cafes, restaurants, surf shops, hotel. Yeah, it’s great. Like it”, said Matt Grainger, who runs the Masculine Surf School in Sydney.

” I’ve had the company for 30 times. Just looking forward, I pretty much see it]with ] just a slow growth. So, we make an effort not to grow too quickly here, like we do with the surf school, because you do n’t want to crowd out the ocean with too many surfers.

” When you’ve got your table, it’s free and it’s always different, the sea, the storm, the swell”, he told the BBC.

On a bright and sunny winter’s night on Australia’s Pacific coastline, Mika Flower, an trainer, is preparing to take cost of another session.

The labor to win, or attempt to learn, a flood begins with repeated drills on the sand.

” I have surfed my entire career. It’s very fun”, Ms Flower explains.

It’s good not to work in an office, and I thought I had like to be able to share the joy of surfing with others. Working at the beach and being immersed in the water are good things. Australia is, kind of, seen as the land to sea. Everyone wants to climb on the wagon”.

Surfing is about embracing the power of character, for those looking for the perfect wave. For them, it’s a product that should be protected.

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