Trump, Putin and the Anchorage summit at the end of the world
Countries which understand that our new multipolar world order involves living with a brazenly self-interested US may do best at adapting.
The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will undoubtedly be an exercise in great power politics.
All eyes are fixed on Anchorage, Alaska and the
putative summit between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin .
The meeting will undoubtedly be an exercise in great power politics. On the table: the land grab from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, despite the latter's
glaring omission from the summit.
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Straits Times
11 minutes ago
- Straits Times
NDR 2025 a rallying cry amid significant challenges facing Singapore, say analysts
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox PM Lawrence Wong's emphasis on a 'we first' society signalled it is not just the Government that sets Singapore's direction. SINGAPORE – At the heart of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on Aug 17 was a rallying cry for Singaporeans as the country faces near- and medium-term challenges, from an ageing population to issues confronting young people, political analysts said. PM Wong's emphasis on a 'we first' society also signalled that it is not only the Government that sets the direction for Singapore. It wants to actively involve Singaporeans in shaping the country's future, they added. The speech was a rallying call around the Singapore spirit, said Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS). 'Being SG60, the PM laced the speech with robust references to what built the nation – the sense of purpose, grit and agency,' Dr Koh said. Associate Professor Eugene Tan, a political analyst and law don at the Singapore Management University, agreed. 'At a time of pervasive gloom globally, the PM's National Day Rally speech sought to be reassuring, optimistic, encouraging, and a call to action. It is a rallying cry for the country to be united,' he said. In his speech at ITE College Central in Ang Mo Kio, PM Wong said Singapore must be a 'we first' society to keep the country going, and the Republic is finished if everyone thinks only about 'me' and puts 'me' ahead of 'we'. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong World European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump Sport Third time's the charm as Aaron Liang dethrones Samuel Kang en route to national squash title Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Asia 'Rats from the sky': Urban India finds itself divided on pigeons Dr Mathew Mathews, a principal research fellow at IPS and head of its Social Lab, said it is a much-needed refrain, especially with Singapore being home to people from around the world. 'What binds all of us will not be where we were born, or our ethnicities, but the common spirit to defy the odds and trust in the people around us who call this home,' said Dr Mathews. Invoking what he called the 'Singapore spirit' , PM Wong called on Singaporeans to partner the Government and fellow citizens to 'roll up our sleeves, come up with solutions, and turn good ideas for a better Singapore into reality'. These words, said Dr Koh, are a strong signal of the Prime Minister's belief that citizens and civil society have an integral role in governance under his leadership. '(It) again fleshes out this notion of a 'we first' society. This is not the 'state-led' Singapore that we used to think of,' she added. Prof Tan said what stood out to him was PM Wong's emphasis on what it means to be Singaporean. 'It is values – and not economic value alone – that will keep Singapore exceptional,' he said. Prof Tan said this reflects again that PM Wong's approach to governance emphasises inclusivity and being more consultative. The mention of a 'we first' society also makes clear the expectation that it is not only the Government that articulates what is important for society, which was prominent in the early years of Singapore's development, said Dr Mathews. 'Instead, the 'we first' approach involves Singaporeans themselves actively discerning what matters, and being recognised as equal partners in shaping and pursuing collective goals,' he added. Adjunct associate professor in practice Terence Ho from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS said the message 'suggests collective responsibility and co-creation'. The Republic could see more initiatives to co-create government policies, such as citizen panels under the Forward Singapore exercise , which was aimed at forging a new social compact. He added that the focus on young people and seniors suggests that the Government is particularly cognisant of the concerns and challenges facing these two segments of society. Dr Mathews agreed, saying that the challenges Singapore is facing and will face in the near and medium term are significant. The Government must seriously consider the needs of an ageing population, which will constitute 'a very significant portion of the electorate'. At the same time, it cannot forget the crucial work of guarding the future of young Singaporeans. Support for young and old Prof Ho said PM Wong's focus on young people stood out for him. 'This segment may not have received as much attention as other demographic groups previously,' he said. PM Wong brought up vaping and excessive screen time as among the challenges facing the younger generation. Dr Koh said the initiatives to support seniors in ageing well stood out in the rally speech. 'This is a very large demographic as we are becoming a super-aged society,' she said. The Age Well Neighbourhoods initiative , for instance, aims to provide seniors with convenient access to social activities and healthcare in their neighbourhoods. It extends care arrangements offered in Community Care Apartments to the wider neighbourhood, and provides home care services and care facilities for seniors who need rehabilitation and physiotherapy in the neighbourhood. Dr Koh said encouraging seniors to care for one another through active ageing centres will also lighten the load on working-age adults. Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst at consultancy Solaris Strategies Singapore, noted the emphasis on a greater involvement of the people in governing Singapore. 'The Government and society will have to work even more closely together in a sensible and realistic way to keep Singapore going as an inclusive and prosperous country,' he said. Dr Hamid Razak, an MP for West Coast-Jurong West GRC, noted that the Prime Minister spoke about how 60 years ago, Singapore was a fledgling nation that 'took the plunge with independence and separation'. 'We were a country of many races, villages and religions, but we all chose to be Singaporeans and we decided to work together,' he said. 'This is a moment that we all can be encouraged by, as we chart the next journey (for) Singapore.' Additional reporting by Gabrielle Chan Read more: Key announcements from PM Wong's first National Day Rally Watch PM Wong's National Day Rally speech here:
Straits Times
11 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Arrested for drug abuse, former DJ now works for anti-drug group as part of DRC scheme
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Former DJ Kyrul Ashrie Hans Daud (left) and Richard, a representative from the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association, work together to advocate against the abuse of drugs. SINGAPORE – Former DJ Kyrul Ashrie Hans Daud was a rising star in 2023 at Malay radio station Ria 89.7FM, but a drug habit ended his career. He was 31, and partying hard with friends who were regular drug users. Hans, as he prefers to be known, said he had been abusing drugs for seven years at that point in his life, even smoking methamphetamine, or Ice, every day at the height of his addiction. 'At first, the drug use was just once in a while, but it (eventually) became more frequent – from once every two months, once a month, and then every day,' he told The Straits Times. Hans is now a social media executive at the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (Sana), where he advocates against the abuse of drugs. He said: 'I've seen many different types of people in the Drug Rehabilitation Centre. (Drug addiction) can happen to anyone. 'Addicts may not be aware that they have a problem. But if the people around them can spot the problem, someone's life could be saved.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong World European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump Sport Third time's the charm as Aaron Liang dethrones Samuel Kang en route to national squash title Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Asia 'Rats from the sky': Urban India finds itself divided on pigeons Hans knows this well. The road to recovery has not been smooth for him, he said. He was arrested the first time in June 2023, just seven months after he tied the knot. The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) had picked him up for drug consumption. Hans was released in December 2023, but relapsed when he lost his career and after his marriage ended in September 2024. Hans was sent to the Drug Rehabilitation Centre (DRC) a second time that month. He is now on the verge of completing his second stint at Institution S2, a step-down facility at Selarang Park Complex. Inmates staying in the dormitories are allowed to leave for work or study or to attend skills training in the community before returning in the evening. The Day Release Scheme is one of four community-based programmes that the Singapore Prison Service (SPS) offers to eligible inmates at the tail end of their sentences. It is part of efforts to help them reintegrate into society. Mr Kyrul Ashrie Hans Daud is now a social media executive at the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN For Hans, it means he is allowed to leave the compound to go to work at Sana. In the evenings, he returns to the dormitory, which he shares with 15 other male inmates. The facility has 16 dorms, which can house 16 supervisees each. As at June 30, 123 supervisees, aged between 19 and 81, were residents. Speaking to ST at Institution S2 on July 3, Hans said he decided to share his story to help others who are fighting addiction. After his release the first time, he said, he struggled to cope with the loss of his career as a DJ and his marriage. With no other coping mechanisms, Hans called up a friend who supplied him with drugs. 'I took a few puffs, and I realised, 'Damn, I am an addict, even after 10 months (of being clean), I couldn't let this go'. 'I didn't like the term 'addict', but I knew I had to acknowledge it and do something about it.' Although he got rid of the drugs that very night, his then wife had already alerted the authorities. A urine test came back positive, and he was back in the DRC. This time, Hans said, he started taking his rehabilitation seriously. He participated in rehabilitation programmes inside the DRC, including psychology-based correctional programmes, which help drug abusers change their mindsets and teach them skills to resist drugs. 'I learnt about my past traumas, which could have led to my drug use, and I began to understand how to love myself. 'With drugs, it's the high that people are chasing, but there's a lot of psychological and emotional damage.' He said: 'The more drugs you take, the more you feel like isolating yourself, and these are unhealthy things that addicts do.' Hans also decided to cut contact with friends who were drug users. 'Drug-using friends are a huge hurdle (to recovery),' he said. 'But I needed to let them know that I didn't want to be associated with drugs any more. It was not an easy thing to do because I've known them for so many years.' SPS said about 600 supervisees are placed on the Day Release Scheme every year. Supervisees in the community-based programmes are supported by reintegration officers, counsellors and case managers. If needed, they are referred to the relevant agencies for financial assistance or help with accommodation. Once they are released, supervisees are placed under the CNB 's supervision for up to five years. For Hans, his social support now comes mainly from his colleagues at Sana. They lend him a listening ear whenever he has something to get off his chest. He said: 'What I try to do now is focus on the positive aspects of my life because I don't want to go back to DRC again. 'Recovery is not a one- or two-year thing; it's (going to be) my whole life. So I want to focus on rejecting the idea of drugs, and hopefully I'll succeed eventually.'
Straits Times
11 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Forum: Pay increase for lower-wage retail workers a welcome move
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox I refer to the article ' Lower-wage retail workers to receive up to 6% pay bump from Sept 1 ' (Aug 11). As a former retail employee in a management role, I welcome the Progressive Wage Model recommendations for the sector. Amid rising costs of living, there are still some jobs, including those in retail, where wages have remained largely stagnant or seen little increment. While global e-commerce is popular, brick-and-mortar shops remain vital for many, including seniors, students, families, foreign workers and tourists. Physical outlets offer trust and assurance, letting us see, touch, and feel items before buying them. In emergencies or for late-night needs, there are 24-hour convenience stores and supermarkets within walking distance. Retail employees on the ground are important – providing assistance and stocking shelves. Employers should match their contributions with fair pay, proper support, and opportunities for training, better welfare, and balanced shifts. As customers, we could also brighten their day by just smiling, acknowledging their presence and thanking them when we make a purchase. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Singapore NDR 2025: CDCs to spearhead new effort to match job seekers to roles nearer to home, says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: US baseline tariff of 10% on Singapore offers 'little comfort', says PM Wong Singapore NDR 2025: More avenues for S'poreans to be heard, get involved will be opened up, says PM Wong World European leaders to join Zelensky for Ukraine talks with Trump Sport Third time's the charm as Aaron Liang dethrones Samuel Kang en route to national squash title Asia Mandarin with Taiwanese characteristics: Taipei leverages language as soft power tool Asia 'Rats from the sky': Urban India finds itself divided on pigeons Muhammad Dzul Azhan Sahban
