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Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Number of atomic bomb survivors falls below 100,000 for first time
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Visitors stopping to look at the Atomic Bomb Dome in the centre of Hiroshima in June 28. TOKYO - The total number of officially recognised Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bomb survivors has fallen below 100,000 for the first time since the certification system began in fiscal 1957, government data showed July 1. The number of survivors holding a health book, which entitles the holder to free lifetime medical care, stood at 99,130 as at the end of March, down 7,695 from the previous year, according to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. Their average age rose 0.55 years to 86.13. As the 80th anniversary of 1945 US atomic bombings and the end of World War II approach, questions are being raised about how best to support aging survivors and pass on their stories. According to the ministry, Hiroshima Prefecture had the highest number of health book holders at 48,310, followed by Nagasaki at 23,543 and Fukuoka at 3,957. There were around 200,000 health book holders in fiscal 1957, with the number peaking at over 372,000 in fiscal 1980 before beginning a steady decline. The number of holders fell below 300,000 in fiscal 1999, and 200,000 in fiscal 2013. Individuals are recognised as 'hibakusha,' or survivors of the atomic bombings, if they were within designated areas or in utero at the time of the attacks, entered either of the two cities within two weeks of the attacks, or were exposed to radiation under conditions likely to affect their health. While hibakusha are entitled to receive medical care and may receive allowances depending on their illnesses, there are some individuals who decide not to apply for the health book despite qualifying for fear of discrimination. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US Senate approves divisive Trump spending Bill World Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla and SpaceX support Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Business Binance to keep hundreds of staff in Singapore despite crackdown, sources say Sport FAS introduces 'enhancements' to SPL, with increase in prize money and foreign player quota Multimedia Right on track: Meet the new JB-Singapore RTS Link train World Trump urges Hamas to accept 'final proposal' for 60-day Gaza ceasefire In 2021, the Hiroshima High Court ruled that people exposed to radioactive 'black rain' outside the government-recognised area were eligible to receive health care benefits. The government updated their recognition criteria in 2022 as a result. KYODO NEWS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Teenager Amie Donald has the moves as the killer robot in M3GAN 2.0
On-screen, Amie Donald is best known for her role as the killer robot M3GAN in the sci-fi horror franchise. But in real life, the 15-year-old spends a majority of her days in the idyllic, sun-soaked setting of lushly forested New Zealand, where kiwi roam and she is apt to take a bush walk outside her parents' home in suburban Auckland. 'I really enjoy all the nature here,' she said on a video call from the house on a recent morning. Her long brown hair fell in beachy waves as sunlight danced on her white sweater. Framed photos of her and her parents and her older brother filled the walls behind her. Amie is about the farthest you could get from the cut-throat killer robot returning in the new sequel, M3GAN 2.0. For one thing, she smiles far too much. Other people, she said, would describe her as 'very caring'. She was not a fan of horror films until landing M3GAN, though she has since started watching them with her father, and now counts It (2017) and The Purge (2013) among her favourites. M3GAN , the robot that becomes frighteningly protective of a young girl named Cady (played by Violet McGraw), was Amie's first role in a film , following her TV debut as Maya Monkey, an acrobatic girl with simian features, in Netflix's post-apocalyptic series Sweet Tooth (2021 to 2024). But despite the fact that another actress – 21-year-old Jenna Davis – provides M3GAN's voice, and a synthetic mask serves as her face, this was not simply a plug-and-play operation, Amie said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US Senate approves divisive Trump spending Bill World Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla and SpaceX support Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Multimedia Right on track: Meet the new JB-Singapore RTS Link train Business Binance to keep hundreds of staff in Singapore despite crackdown, sources say Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 World Trump urges Hamas to accept 'final proposal' for 60-day Gaza ceasefire She got the chance to shape the character's physicality, working with director Gerard Johnstone to develop moves like the 'cobra rise' from the ground that M3GAN pulls off without using her arms, as well as figuring out how to run on all fours through the woods. 'My dance background definitely helped,' said Amie , who worked with her long-time dance teacher and choreographer Kylie Norris to develop the M3GAN dance scene that went viral in 2023. In an interview, she shared her favourite stunt from the new film and the most challenging aspect of the role. These are edited excerpts from the conversation. In the M3GAN franchise, the titular robotic doll played by Amie Donald and voiced by Jenna Davis. PHOTO: UIP How did this part first come across your radar? I have been dancing since I was five and my dance teacher, Kylie, kept telling me that I needed to go for auditions because she thought I would do really well. I was like, 'Okay, I'll give it a try.' It took only a week for them to cast me, and it was so exciting when I got the role. What was the reaction to the first movie like? I was not expecting this movie to be as big as it was. And because the dance was never in the script for the first movie, it was really shocking. I felt really honoured that people were doing the dance and adding their own choreography. What was the most challenging part? I had to wear this silicone mask, and I had to see out of these tiny holes. When I was in it for a while, it would start to fog up because it had a little glass covering, so I couldn't see. On the second movie, I had a lot more vision. You worked with Kylie Norris to create that viral dance in the original M3GAN. Did you have any other ideas that were incorporated into that movie or the sequel? Gerard and I discussed how we wanted M3GAN to move. We ended up that she starts off really robotic, but the more that she hangs out with Cady, the more slow and childlike she gets with her movements, because, as her programming, she has been set to learn about a child. So, she is adapting to what she is learning. Teenager Amie Donald had kickboxing and wing chun training to prepare for her role in the sequel. PHOTO: MEGHAN MARIN/NYTIMES Even though you have a stunt double, it is an incredibly physical role. How did you prepare? They had me training in kickboxing and doing wing chun training (a form of close combat) for the second movie because it is a lot more physical this time around. I really enjoyed it, and I had a lot of people helping me throughout. Was that you or your stunt double, Megan Morrison, in the scene in the new one where she does the splits while sliding under the table? That was my stunt double, Megan. She is amazing. You did get to do some of your own stunts though, too, right? Me and my stunt double both did quite a lot of stunts, so they had me in stunt training as well. I would warm up with the stunt team every day before I went on set, because I love doing my own stunts. That was one thing I was talking to Gerard about and he was, like, 'We'll make sure that you get to do some.' What was your favourite? I really enjoyed the wing chun sequence on the wooden dummy because I trained for so long doing that. It was so nice to just finally do it in front of the camera and see how it turned out. I also loved the scene where M3GAN is flying. It was really fun to film because I was on the big rig wire. How do you feel about M3GAN? Is she good? Bad? Somewhere in between? She is a very complicated robot. She really loves Cady and she would do anything to protect her. But she is very sassy. When you aren't playing a killer robot, what do you do for fun? I love to get out my sketchbook and just draw. I like to draw in pen because you can't erase anything. It is more of a challenge. It has been only three years since the first film came out, but the AI-goes-rogue plotline resonates much more strongly now. Do you use ChatGPT or any kind of AI in your classes? I don't use AI, but I have seen a lot of videos online that I think are real people, but they are not. It is an AI-generated image. It is so crazy how much AI has evolved. How do you feel about AI? Are you excited? Curious? Scared? I'm excited. I can't wait to see how AI can be evolved even more and become part of our lives on a day-to-day basis. NYTIMES
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Hong Kong steps up defence of currency's US dollar peg as fixed range tested again
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Hong Kong's currency peg has been strained by volatility in the US dollar. - Hong Kong's de facto central bank ramped up purchases of the city's currency as it sought to defend a peg that has been strained by volatility in the US dollar. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) said on July 2 that it bought HK$20.02 billion (S$3.25 billion) of the city's currency after indicative pricing suggested the local dollar touched the weak end of its permitted trading range in late New York trading overnight. That is more than double the HK$9.42 billion it purchased last week. The Hong Kong dollar was little changed at 7.8497 on July 2, after the intervention. The Hong Kong dollar has been through a roller-coaster ride in recent months, swinging between both ends of its trading range. And for the first time since the current band came into effect in 2005, the authorities had to defend the peg on both sides within just one year. The wild swings have also intensified debate about the sustainability of the currency's peg, even though there are no signs that a change is imminent. Market watchers had talked about the possibility of widening the narrow peg, linking the Hong Kong dollar to China's renminbi or even free-float the currency altogether. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US Senate approves divisive Trump spending Bill World Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla and SpaceX support Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Multimedia Right on track: Meet the new JB-Singapore RTS Link train Business Binance to keep hundreds of staff in Singapore despite crackdown, sources say Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 World Trump urges Hamas to accept 'final proposal' for 60-day Gaza ceasefire In May, a slump in the US dollar spurred a rush for Hong Kong's currency, prompting the HKMA to flood the financial system with cash in an effort to cool the rally that threatened the 7.75-per-US dollar strong end of the band. The operation, however, triggered a sharp reversal of the city's dollar, and it plunged all the way to 7.85, the opposite end of the trading range. Still, even after latest round of intervention this week, Hong Kong's aggregate balance – a component of its monetary base – will only fall to HK$144.2 billion. That means the supply of cash will remain abundant and local funding costs are still low. Therefore, the so-called carry trade, which involves traders borrowing the Hong Kong dollar cheaply and selling it against higher yielding greenback, is still lucrative. So the local currency can still hit the weak end of the band soon again, analysts say. 'It may take more time for liquidity conditions to normalize this time around, and intervention will go on as long as flush liquidity condition continues,' said InTouch Capital Markets strategist Andy Ji. Now, all eyes are on Hong Kong's interbank rates, known as Hibor, which has remained low despite the HKMA's liquidity drainage. The spread between one-month Hibor and its US counterpart stood near a record high earlier this week. BLOOMBERG
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Quad ministers condemn April attack in Indian Kashmir without naming Pakistan
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar speaks as Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stand together at the start of their meeting of the Indo-Pacific Quad at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 1, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque WASHINGTON - The Quad grouping of the United States, India, Japan and Australia called on Tuesday for the perpetrators of an Islamist militant attack that killed 26 in India-administered Kashmir to be brought to justice without delay. The April 22 attack sparked heavy fighting between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan in the latest escalation of a decades-old rivalry as India blamed it on Pakistan, which denied responsibility while calling for a neutral investigation. The U.S. State Department issued a joint statement by the foreign ministers of the grouping, who met in Washington, but stopped short of naming Pakistan or blaming Islamabad. "The Quad unequivocally condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism," the ministers said in the statement. They called on all members of the United Nations to cooperate actively with "all relevant authorities" in delivering justice to the "perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act", without any delay. India is an increasingly important U.S. partner in Washington's effort to counter China's rising influence in Asia while Pakistan is a U.S. ally. On May 7, Indian jets bombed sites across the border that New Delhi described as "terrorist infrastructure", setting off an exchange of attacks between the two countries by fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery that killed dozens until a ceasefire on May 10. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US Senate approves divisive Trump spending Bill World Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla and SpaceX support Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Multimedia Right on track: Meet the new JB-Singapore RTS Link train Business Binance to keep hundreds of staff in Singapore despite crackdown, sources say Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 World Trump urges Hamas to accept 'final proposal' for 60-day Gaza ceasefire The ceasefire was first announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on social media after Washington held talks with both sides, but India has differed with Trump's claims that it resulted from his intervention and threats to sever trade talks. India's position has been that New Delhi and Islamabad must resolve their problems directly and with no outside involvement. On Monday, India's foreign minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, restated its position that trade was not a factor in the ceasefire. "Relationships will never be free of issues," he said, referring to the United States, adding, "What matters is the ability to deal with it and to keep that trend going in the positive direction." REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Vietnam approves dual citizenship law to attract skilled foreign workers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Vietnam is undergoing the largest reform in nearly 40 years. Vietnam has approved amendments to its nationality law, permitting both Vietnamese citizens living abroad and foreigners to hold dual citizenship, as part of efforts to attract more skilled workers to the country. According to Nikkei Asia, the legal changes, enacted last week, have removed requirement to renounce foreign citizenship for nationality applicants. Furthermore, the amendments eliminate the language proficiency and minimum residency requirements. Vietnam is undergoing the largest reform in nearly 40 years, which includes changes to laws, government structures, and a relaxation of investment regulations to stimulate economic growth. This year, Vietnam aims for an 8 per cent economic growth rate, with expectations of double-digit growth in the coming years, aiming to become a high-income nation by 2045. Vietnamese leaders see advanced technology as the key to progress, but the country is currently lacking individuals with cutting-edge experience in science and technology. The change in nationality law is seen as the first step in attracting more foreigners to live and work in Vietnam. The Vietnamese government believes this move will allow the country to leap ahead of its competitors in technology by 2030, especially in artificial intelligence and semiconductors. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World US Senate approves divisive Trump spending Bill World Trump escalates feud with Musk, threatens Tesla, SpaceX support Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore 3,800 private candidates in Singapore to take O- and A-level exams in 2025 Multimedia Right on track: Meet the new JB-Singapore RTS Link train Business Binance to keep hundreds of staff in Singapore despite crackdown, sources say Singapore 'He fought till the end': Man who survived acid attack as a baby dies of cancer at 26 World Trump urges Hamas to accept 'final proposal' for 60-day Gaza ceasefire On June 30, Mr To Lam, the General Secretary of the Communist Party and the highest-ranking leader in Vietnam, said: 'I urge overseas Vietnamese to return to their homeland, reconnect with their roots, support each other, and engage with the people in the country to make Vietnam stronger.' He added: 'The homeland is always open to welcome 'citizens far from home' to work together in building and developing the country.' Vietnam has historically been concerned about the security risks posed by dual nationals, as the country has faced long periods of foreign invasions. In the past century, Vietnam has fought wars against France, Japan, the US, Cambodia, and China, and the country was only unified 50 years ago. Additionally, Vietnam was involved in military conflicts until the 1980s. Today, many Vietnamese families send their children abroad to study, with many choosing the US, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Europe. A significant number of young Vietnamese have stayed abroad, working for major tech companies such as Google, Meta, IBM, and Microsoft, and are heavily involved in science, technology, and finance. Some have also immigrated permanently. According to a report from the state committee on overseas Vietnamese, there are approximately 6 million Vietnamese living in 130 countries and territories, with 80 per cent residing in developed countries. In reality, dual nationality holders can still live in Vietnam, but they face bureaucratic challenges and are restricted in certain rights. Foreigners living in Vietnam also face various restrictions, including stringent visa requirements, limited access to real estate, and restrictions on banking services, such as stricter requirements for opening bank accounts, accessing home loans, or obtaining attractive interest rates for savings accounts. However, last week, lawmakers relaxed name regulations to make it easier for foreigners to apply for Vietnamese nationality. Previously, Vietnam had strict regulations regarding the names of its citizens. Resolution 57, one of the key pillars of the country's reforms issued in December, focuses on developing science and technology and states that Vietnam will create a 'special mechanism' to attract skilled Vietnamese expatriates and foreigners to live and work in the country. This includes adjustments to nationality policies, granting the right to own homes and land, offering attractive salaries, and improving the work environment. However, government officials, military personnel, and security staff will still be required to hold Vietnamese citizenship, with some exceptions. THE NATIO N/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
