NDR 2025: PM Wong lays out his vision for a shared future
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Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox KHARKIV - Russia hit a residential area in Kharkiv with a ballistic missile, injuring at least 11 people, Ukrainian authorities said late on Sunday, as the U.S. president presses Kyiv to accept a quick deal to end the war that Moscow had started. Among the injured in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, was a 13-year-old girl, Oleh Synehubov, governor of the broader Kharkiv region said on the Telegram messaging app. Kharkiv, which lies in northeastern Ukraine near the border with Russia, has been the target of regular Russian drone and missile attacks since the start of the war that Moscow launched with a full-scale invasion in February 2022. "The blast wave shattered windows in nearby apartment buildings," Ukraine's State Emergency Service said on Telegram. It added that some residents had to be evacuated. Reuters' witnesses saw medics attending to residents on a street and rescuers inspecting damage in residential buildings. A 57-year-old woman was injured in Russia's guided aerial bomb strike on the northeastern region of Sumy that also damaged at least a dozen residential houses and an educational institution building, regional authorities said. "The enemy continues to deliberately target civilian infrastructure in the Sumy region — treacherously, at night," Oleh Hryhorov, head of the regional administration in Sumy, said on Telegram. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDR 2025 a rallying cry amid significant challenges facing Singapore, say analysts Opinion A 'we first' Singapore is the hardest policy for PM Lawrence Wong to deliver Singapore NDR 2025: The case for growing old at home in super-ageing Singapore Business Will Trump's tariffs end the bull run? Singapore Singapore-developed device for diabetics measures long-term average blood sugar levels within 6 mins Singapore N(T) students more likely to finish school, do as well in job market as N(A) peers: Study Business Singapore companies' debt surge in 2024: Sustainable or risky gamble? Singapore Arrested for drug abuse, former DJ now works for anti-drug group as part of DRC scheme Reuters could not independently verify what weapons Russia used. There was no immediate comment from Moscow. Both sides deny targeting civilians in their strikes, but thousands of people have died, the vast majority of them Ukrainian. President Donald Trump, who hosted President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday for bilateral talks aimed at ending the war, has urged Kyiv to make a deal with Moscow, stating, "Russia is a very big power, and they're not." REUTERS
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Polls close in Bolivia following steady turn out, few disruptions
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Electoral workers count votes at a polling station during the general election, in Entre Rios, Cochabamba, Bolivia. LA PAZ - Ballot stations have closed in Bolivia after millions took to the polls in a general election on Aug 17 that has been overshadowed by inflation at a four-decade high and the absence of former leftist President Evo Morales, who is barred from running. Initial results are expected after 9pm locally (9am Singapore time on Aug 18). If no presidential candidate wins more than 40 per cent support with a 10 percentage point lead, the election will head to a run-off on October 19. Voter turnout on Aug 17 was steady, authorities said. Despite earlier concerns that the electoral process in Bolivia could be obstructed by supporters of Mr Morales, who had called on the public to boycott the race, international observers said the vote took place without major disruptions. 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Singapore Arrested for drug abuse, former DJ now works for anti-drug group as part of DRC scheme Singapore NDR 2025: New govt-funded traineeship scheme for ITE, poly, university graduates Leading the race are opposition conservative contenders Samuel Doria Medina, a business magnate, and Mr Jorge 'Tuto' Quiroga, a former president, but neither commands more than 30 per cent support, opinion polls show, with around a quarter of Bolivians undecided. The August race marks the first time in almost two decades that polling indicates Bolivia's incumbent Movement for Socialism, or MAS, could face defeat. Support for MAS-affiliated and other left-leaning candidates trails the opposition, totalling around 10 per cent, according to the latest August Ipsos Ceismori survey. Nr Morales, who co-founded MAS and governed the country from 2006 to 2019 under its banner, has been barred from running for another term as president. Early on Aug 17, Mr Morales took part in the electoral process. He said he planned to annul his vote and criticised the elections for excluding his political movement. Full official results are due within seven days. Voters also elected all 26 senators and 130 deputies, and officials assume office on November 8. With a crowded field and no dominant MAS party candidate, the election marks a 'crossroads moment' for Bolivia, said Southern Andes analyst Glaeldys Gonzalez Calanche of the International Crisis Group. Bolivia's fragile economy is top-of-mind for voters. Price rises have surged past other Latin American countries in 2025, and fuel and dollars have run scarce. Annual inflation doubled to 23 per cent in June, up from 12 per cent in January, with some Bolivians turning to cryptocurrencies as a hedge. Many Bolivians, especially those who work in the informal economy, were now struggling to make ends meet, said economist Roger Lopez. 'Prices of the basic food basket are going up fast,' said Mr Lopez. 'Suddenly the math doesn't add up anymore.' They may choose to punish MAS on Aug 17, creating a window of opportunity for centrists, the right, or a leftist faction led by Senate President Andronico Rodriguez. 'Every year the situation has got worse under this government,' said Ms Silvia Morales, 30, from La Paz, who works in retail. A former MAS voter, she said this time she would cast her vote for the center-right. Mr Carlos Blanco Casas, 60, a teacher in La Paz, said he intended to vote for change. 'This election feels hopeful. We need a change of direction,' he said. Mr Quiroga has promised 'radical change' to reverse what he calls '20 lost years' under MAS rule. He supports deep public spending cuts and a shift away from alliances with Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua. Mr Quiroga was president for a year in 2001-2002 after the then-leader resigned. Ms Doria Medina, meanwhile, offers a more moderate approach, pledging to stabilise the economy within 100 days. On the left, the vote is split between the official MAS party candidate Eduardo del Castillo, who is backed by outgoing President Luis Arce, and Mr Rodriguez, who has distanced himself from the party and is running on his own ticket. Mr Morales, 69, has called for a boycott of the election, but analysts said his influence is waning. 'There is widespread support for these elections,' said Ms Calanche. 'Most Bolivians see them as key to leading the country towards economic recovery.' REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours 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. 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'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:
