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CNA
4 hours ago
- CNA
Hong Kong Harbour Protection Group Disbands Over Reclamation Law
HONG KONG: A prominent environmental group in Hong Kong said on Friday (Aug 1) it was disbanding after decades of campaigning to protect Victoria Harbour from large-scale reclamation, citing a new law that weakens oversight of such projects. The Society for Protection of the Harbour (SPH) said recent amendments to land reclamation rules had consolidated too much power in the hands of government decision-makers, violating key public law principles. Despite submitting legal advice to authorities, the group said it received no response before the bill passed in May. SPH's closure marks the latest retreat of civil society in Hong Kong since the imposition of a sweeping national security law in 2020, which has led to the arrest or exile of hundreds of democracy activists and the closure of numerous organisations. Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn told the pro-Beijing Wen Wei Po in June that the government had encountered 'soft resistance' a term often used to describe ideological dissent, during the law's amendment process. She cited a social media post by SPH warning that reclamation plans posed risks to the harbour. The Development Bureau on Friday acknowledged SPH's past contributions to harbourfront affairs but defended the new law, saying it had 'strengthened regulations on large-scale reclamation' in Victoria Harbour. In its farewell message, SPH said it hoped the harbourfront would eventually be declared a 'National Treasure of China' and safeguarded 'for the benefit of the present and future generations.'
CNA
7 hours ago
- CNA
Thailand-Cambodia tensions: International media invited to tour affected areas on disputed border
There has been a flurry of media activity on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, days into a ceasefire reached earlier this week. The Royal Thai Army and Foreign Affairs ministry arranged a tour for international media on the Thai side of the border to sites of recent clashes. CNA's Saksith Saiyasombut and Leong Wai Kit report.
Straits Times
7 hours ago
- Straits Times
SG60 plus 60: What Singapore's youngest citizens envision for SG120 in 2085
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The kids of Singapore imagine what the Republic will be like in 2085, 60 years from SG60. SINGAPORE – Singapore, when it celebrates SG120, is a floating green city where robo-animals roam and cars fly. Teleportation, often explored in science fiction, is becoming a reality. Social harmony abounds. Singapore's youngest citizens have imagined these scenarios for 2085, another 60 years from now. Following a call by The Straits Times in July, almost 70 children aged six to 12 have described their hopes and dreams for the future Singapore. While every response is unique, there are four overarching themes: green city, social harmony, advanced technology and cutting-edge transportation. Many of the responses revolve around teleportation. As 11-year-old Tan Hui En points out, with teleportation, there will be 'no more long and tedious flights', whether travel lovers are eyeing Tokyo in Japan or distant Quito in Ecuador. After all, space transportation company SpaceX is envisioning this as well. Founder Elon Musk reposted a Jan 17 post on social media platform X that said SpaceX's future 'Earth to Earth' system could ferry passengers from 'Tokyo to Singapore in 28 minutes'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Tech Reporting suspected advanced cyber attacks will provide a defence framework: Shanmugam Business Singapore's US tariff rate stays at 10%, but the Republic is not out of the woods yet World As China-US tariff truce talks drag on, what are prospects for a 'big deal' for Trump? Singapore Thundery showers expected on most days in first half of August Singapore SPH Media awards three journalism scholarships to budding newsroom talent Singapore Synapxe chief executive, MND deputy secretary to become new perm secs on Sept 1 Singapore 5 women face capital charges after they were allegedly found with nearly 27kg of cocaine in S'pore Business Sumo Salad had valid insurance coverage for work injury claims: MOM While astronautical engineers sort this out, Cedric Ng Jun Xi, 11, suggests taking a cue from the world's most popular video game. 'I predict that scientists will invent real-life Ender Pearls,' he says. 'Ender Pearls are items in Minecraft that you can throw and they will teleport you to wherever you throw them.' Many responses allude to current concerns: climate change, the prevalence of artificial intelligence (AI) and even rising GST (goods and services tax). However, 11-year-old Heng Su Fern believes Singapore's City In A Garden ethos will be undiminished in 2085. 'Singapore will be a shimmering garden city with vertical forests rising alongside solar towers that provide clean energy,' she says. 'Tall, floating greenhouses that grow all the food for Singaporeans will glide gently on the water, adapting to sea level to rise with grace and Singapore's lack of space.' Many children also anticipate that the pursuit of nation-building and pace of urban development will not relent. Still, they wish for peace and harmony. As nine-year-old Wee Jing Wen Abby says: 'Though we do not know what the future holds for us, I choose to believe our future will be bright and beautiful.' Ahead of National Day, when SG60 celebrations crescendo, ST looks ahead to SG120 with a two-part Born Tomorrow series. Read on for part one, featuring pearls of wisdom from the future pioneers of the land, as reinterpreted by ST executive artists Lee Yu Hui and Billy Ker. Sustainable urban growth ST ILLUSTRATION: BILLY KER, LEE YU HUI 'In 2085, Singapore is a city in the sky. I hope that the new homes will have solar panels and greenery on the roof of all new buildings.' Utin Nurqaseh Rina Upu Jallauddin, 12 'We live way up in the sky on floating gardens with trees that glow at night. My school is in a giant glass bubble, and sometimes we learn while flying.' Hugo Veeramallu, nine 'By 2085, Singapore will be a literal city in nature, with green skyscrapers covering every rooftop and actively giving air and giving a home to wildlife.' Queena Ng Suan Lu, 11 'I hope that Singapore can have a machine that sucks up all the smoke and bad air that is not good for our health. I also hope that all our classrooms will have air-conditioning as Singapore is very hot.' Gracelynn Chan Xin Rou, 10 New methods of transport ST ILLUSTRATION: BILLY KER, LEE YU HUI 'Our roads will be multifunctional: one lane of water, another of concrete and a third, a runway, so that Singaporeans have a choice to use a boat, a car or a flying mini-vehicle to go to school or work.' Chugh Hridhaan, nine 'I wish for underwater trains, so we will be able to see all the fishes under the water.' Lim Kun Yuen Daelen, 12 'Power planes will help us travel much faster. For example, the flight from Singapore to Beijing usually takes six hours, but power planes will be able to make that trip in just one hour.' Clare Ho Qi En, eight 'Cars may become obsolete. We will commute by boats instead, as global warming dominates. No more need for bus stops and the MRT.' Anjali Kaur Galvinderpal Singh, 10 Advanced technology ST ILLUSTRATION: BILLY KER, LEE YU HUI 'Schools will disappear and will be replaced with a device that can transfer the parent's knowledge.' Pan Boyu, 11 'Scientists could make drinkable potions. The effects could be to make you stronger, faster or more intelligent, or make you not tired at all.' Aaliyah Mohamad Mazlan, 10 'Future phones and tablets may be miniaturised to fit into small accessories, like jewellery, and can be controlled and interacted with through holographic interfaces and allow for gestures and voice commands.' Wee Jing Wen Abby, nine 'With bio-engineering, Singaporeans will be telepathic and able to teleport.' Zita Elizabeth Nyan Ching Yi, 11 'There will be more new animals, some old animals and robo-animals.' Goh Ruiyang Ryden, eight Social harmony for all ST ILLUSTRATION: BILLY KER, LEE YU HUI 'Singaporeans will live in high-tech kampungs, a way to help preserve history in daily lives as well as incorporate things in the future.' Heng Su Fern, 11 'Hopefully, inflation will not be too bad.' Queena Ng Suan Lu, 10 'There is something I do not want to change, like our teachers giving us lessons instead of AI, and encouraging children to generate their own ideas.' Clare Ho Qi En, eight 'People from all races and ages will live happily together. There will be more parks, kind people and exciting inventions. I hope Singapore will be safe, peaceful and full of joy.' Xue Jin Chen, 12
