What Zelensky’s Oval Office spat has to do with Singapore’s foreign policy

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The optics of that episode vividly illustrate the vulnerability of nations without sufficient leverage – whether fiscal, military, or diplomatic. Without these “cards in your hand”, countries outside the major power echelon are exposed to coercion, intimidation and the indignity of having to bend the knee.

That Singapore has assiduously cultivated its position of strength – through nuanced diplomacy, robust public finances and the maintenance of a formidable, consistently funded Singapore Armed Forces serving as a credible deterrent – cannot be overstated.

financial muscle allows Singapore to negotiate on equal footing, free from having to seek concessions. ...“Anything we want, we buy, and we pay full market price for. So we can say we are your partner. We are not your vassal state or your tributary. Therefore, hopefully, no one treats us shabbily. They treat us with some reasonable respect, because we are a partner or we are a client – a customer, a high-value customer. That is an enormous advantage.”

Ukraine’s predicament serves as a stark reminder of what is essential for preserving sovereignty in an era seemingly governed by the maxim “might is right and big is beautiful”

Qns:

1. Examine the extent to which expenditure on arms and the armed forces is justified in the modern world. (Cam. 2014)

2. Given greater levels of international cooperation, how necessary is it for countries to engage in the arms trade?

‘A record that may remain unbroken’: Ne Zha 2 continues scaling heights beyond commercial triumph

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The film’s technical mastery is staggering, featuring nearly 2,000 special effects shots and contributions from 138 animation studios. This collaborative effort exemplifies the strength of China’s creative ecosystem and heralds a new era of aesthetic and industrial standards for the country’s film industry

Beyond its commercial triumph, Ne Zha 2 is poised to serve as a cultural bridge, offering global audiences a window into China’s rich mythology and traditions.

Just like Black Myth: Wukong, the country’s first 3A video game which took the world by storm in 2024, Ne Zha 2 has become another cherished domestic creation rooted in traditional Chinese culture.

Sales of its merchandise on Taobao, a leading e-commerce platform in China, surpassed 50 million yuan earlier in February.

 The film has also inspired renewed interest in Chinese museum artefacts among viewers. Through repeat viewings, zealous fans have uncovered its intricate Chinese cultural references, prompting them to visit museums nationwide in search of its sources of historical inspiration.

Qns:

1. How important is it for people in your society to retain their traditional culture?

2. Do films offer anything more than an escape from reality? (Cam. 2014)

Farming, volunteering, dancing: Why some employees are ‘micro-retiring’ in their 20s

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challenges the long-held belief that enjoyment should be deferred until retirement age

choosing to pause their careers to enjoy the perks of retirement while they still have their youth, good health and energy

unlike previous generations of workers who were focused on career-building and long-term savings, Gen Zers and millennials often seek a balance between career success and personal well-being. This includes a focus on “living in the moment”

micro-retirements may become more common, especially as Gen Zers are projected to work into their 70s. In Singapore, retirement age and re-employment age will be increased to 65 and 70 respectively by 2030

“I learnt that one should live for oneself, not for the expectations of others.”

For qns on youth....

Singapore Aquatics adopts drone technology and artificial intelligence in training

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The system – comprising a drone, gaming laptop and tablet – segments an athlete’s body into 17 different points and helps human coaches like Tan to optimise training programmes and improve performance by identifying, in real time, critical factors that influence a swimmer’s speed.

From where coaches stand on the side of the pool, we can’t get a top view of certain things like the hands in different angles. This system gives us a more enhanced view during our practices to see if a kid is swimming in a symmetrical or non-symmetrical way.

For qns on the impact of technology on sports....

Singapore to buy new submarines, infantry fighting vehicles and maritime patrol aircraft for the SAF

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“We are not a threat to anyone and wish all to be friends. But as the saying goes, strong fences – and I would add defences – make good neighbours,” 

Qn: Given greater levels of international cooperation, how necessary is it for countries to engage in the arms trade?

Singapore believes in keeping lines of communication open on Israel-Palestine conflict: Maliki

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the Republic’s decision to preserve diplomatic ties with Israel has allowed it to candidly share views on the conflict with Israeli leaders and to get aid into Gaza

engagement, rather than isolation, is the best path forward to keep the prospects of a two-state solution alive for Israel and Palestine.

Qn: How far should countries have relations with others whose human rights record is poor? (Cam. 2019)

Indonesians swindled by scams using President Prabowo deepfakes

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Reducing carbon emissions not only healthy for planet, but can also fuel economic growth: SM Teo

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The US – the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter after China – is pulling out of the Paris Agreement for the second time. This prompted other countries, like Argentina and Indonesia, to question the wisdom of maintaining their climate commitments.

Climate change is no longer a future threat; it is already here with us.” Climate impacts are already being felt around the world, from widespread heatwaves to severe storms.

the timeline to respond and adapt is being set not by us mere humans, but by nature [useful for closing BANGs!!!]

The average cost of solar energy is now 50 per cent lower than that of fossil fuels.

the green transition is an increasingly important driver of growth, and therefore crucial not just to the health of the globe, but also to the prosperity of their people

Bhutan became the third country that Singapore can eventually buy carbon credits from....This marks Singapore’s first carbon-trading pact with a carbon-negative country, as Bhutan is one of a few countries that absorb more greenhouse gases than they emit. Since late 2023, Singapore has completed such agreements .... with Papua New Guinea and Ghana.

Buying carbon credits means that Singapore does not have to rely solely on cutting emissions domestically, but can offset its carbon footprint by investing in carbon projects elsewhere. However, the Republic is expected to use these credits as a form of last resort, to shave off the residual emissions to meet its climate targets in 2035, and reach net zero in 2050.

Other forms of international collaboration that Singapore is pushing for include importing green electricity from its neighbours to cover about a third of its electricity needs by 2035, and exploring cross-border carbon capture and storage.

For qns on climate change and international collaboration....