Succulent & Cactus Society to hold first assembly (Philstar.com) - May 6, 2019 - 12:00am (As released) The Succulent & Cactus Society of the Philippines Inc. will hold its first General Assembly meeting on May 11, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Gancayco Hall at the Quezon City Circle. The newly formed club at present is comprised of past presidents of the defunct Cactus and Succulent Society of the Philippines Inc. and long-time members. The common aim is to spread the love and appreciation for collecting and growing cacti and succulents by sharing their experiences and knowledge in cultivating these beautiful, bizarre and unusual plants in our tropical climate. … [Read more...] about Succulent & Cactus Society to hold first assembly
Society
Asean civil society seeks meeting with leaders
The Asean Civil Society Conference and Asean People’s Forum organising committee made the decision during a meeting last week to propose an interface meeting with Asean leaders when they gather for the summit in June in Bangkok. Representatives of Asean civic groups have never met in person with Asean leaders for three consecutive years but they expect to get a chance when Thailand is chairing the regional grouping. The Asean Summit in Thailand is scheduled for June 22-23, well behind the normal timetable due to political difficulties after the March 24 election in the host country. The official results of the election are due to be announced tomorrow and the new government is expected to sworn in by mid-June. Asean civil society organisations will submit a proposal for the interface meeting with both Asean leaders and senior officials of the group. The proposal has been sent via the Thai Foreign Ministry and the Social Development and Human Security Ministry. Meetings … [Read more...] about Asean civil society seeks meeting with leaders
Secret society member jailed for ‘ferocious violence’
In an outbreak of violence, a group viciously attacked three men at Tanjong Pagar last year. One of the victims was so badly beaten, his left eyeball now needs to be propped up by a metal plate in his cheek. The video of the seven men pummelling two of the victims was so shocking, the judge postponed sentencing one of them last week, citing the need to process what he had seen. Yesterday, that man, Mohammad Hasli Abdul Hamed, 36, a bouncer and senior member of a secret society, was jailed for three years and 10 months and given 12 strokes of the cane. District Judge Mathew Joseph called the group a wild marauding mob that behaved like animals. On May 23 last year, Hasli and six friends met for drinks at Superstar KTV at 47 Duxton Road. He argued with his girlfriend outside and she left. But during the argument, Hasli thought a man had stared at him and confronted him inside the pub next door. The group went in and attacked the man and his friend, punching and kicking them. They kicked … [Read more...] about Secret society member jailed for ‘ferocious violence’
Leading the way in male-dominated Myanmar society
For her work in media and communications, Ma Thinzar Shunlei Yi has been named the winner of the Women of the Future Award for Southeast Asia. She was chosen from among six finalists from Myanmar, Cambodia, Singapore and Malaysia, who included two company directors, an insurance executive, a marketing manager, and an actress. The award ceremony for the Southeast Asia region was held for the second time in Singapore. The awards were started 13 years ago in Britain to find and recognise inspirational women across diverse sectors. “This award is crucial for a grass-roots young woman activist like me, as it highlights the importance of my work with youth, farmers, workers, former political prisoners, villagers and other activists in Myanmar,” she said. “Our voices will be heard internationally and recognised worldwide. I’m thrilled to be named as winner alongside other talents in Southeast Asia. It has boosted my confidence and hope for the future and for our … [Read more...] about Leading the way in male-dominated Myanmar society
Fake news must be curbed before it affects society: PM Lee
There is wide scope for discourse in Singapore, but fake news is a distinct and specific problem that must be curbed before it affects society, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He made this point in an interview, when asked for his response to concerns that proposed laws to tackle fake news would curb free speech. There is no society in which free speech is absolute or uncontrolled, he said, noting that it exists within appropriate boundaries. For example, speech that is defamatory or threatening in nature lies outside of these boundaries, said PM Lee in an interview conducted in Mandarin with variety show host Kym Ng and news presenter Evelyn Lam that was broadcast on Mediacorp's Channel 8 last night. "We must set an appropriate boundary that would allow us to protect free speech and allow people to exchange information, thoughts and opinions in a meaningful way," he added. Other countries, like the United States and those in Europe, are also grappling with the problem of fake … [Read more...] about Fake news must be curbed before it affects society: PM Lee