The Online Citizen

17606 posts

The last thing we want is a referee kayu for a President

Augustine Low questions Presidential candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s football referee analogy with concerns arising about potential bias given his long-standing affiliation with the People’s Action Party. Low argues that Singapore needs an independent President who serves the people, not their former party.

Europe takes lead over US on crypto regulation

The EU has taken the lead in crypto regulation with the adoption of comprehensive rules, while the United States has cracked down on major crypto exchanges. The EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation aims to combat illegal practices and protect investors, receiving praise for bringing clarity to the industry. In contrast, the US regulatory landscape remains uncertain, prompting some companies to flee to Europe. The US must resolve its regulatory situation quickly to retain its position as the largest market. The industry hopes that American legislators will realize the potential loss of business, jobs, and revenues without proper regulation.

Japan lawmakers advance controversial LGBTQ bill

Japan’s lower house approved a bill opposing “unjust discrimination” against sexual minorities, but activists criticized its watered-down language. The bill, expected to become law, faces disappointment for not meeting expectations of LGBTQ advocates. Despite public support for same-sex marriage, Japan’s legal framework lags behind, leading to divided court rulings.

Singapore boosts AI development through strategic partnership with Run:ai

Singapore’s national initiative, AI Singapore (AISG), partners with Run:ai, a leader in compute orchestration for AI workloads, to deliver scalable infrastructure solutions for diverse AI projects. The collaboration aims to expedite the adoption of AI in various industries, supporting Singapore’s vision to be a global AI leader by 2030.

Sustainability legislation and business actions lead the way in APAC, reveals ERM-GlobeScan survey

New research from ERM-GlobeScan survey emphasizes the need for businesses to integrate sustainability into their core strategies, highlighting significant legislative actions and rising corporate responsibility.

K Shanmugam defends Tharman’s bid for presidential candidacy amid concerns over political pluralism

K Shanmugam, Law and Home Affairs Minister, staunchly defended Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s presidential candidacy amid debates about political diversity, asserting that the strength of a candidate and their connection with the ruling party shouldn’t undermine the essence of political pluralism. “Does that become the PAP’s fault that he’s a strong candidate? I think some things are probably properly laid at our door and some things I think we shouldn’t be responsible for. Good candidate comes forward. Well, that’s pluralism. And, you know, Singapore has other good candidates.”

Singapore’s National Day Rally Speech set for August 20th

The Singapore Prime Minister’s Office announced that the annual National Day Rally in Singapore will be held on 20 August at the Institute of Technical Education College Central.

George Goh asserts confidence in meeting eligibility for presidential bid despite questions

Despite concerns over his company’s financial standing, entrepreneur George Goh confidently asserts his qualification for Singapore’s Presidential Election. Collecting his certificate of eligibility application on Tuesday, Goh vowed, “I believe I am qualified.” He maintains that his diverse business background will suffice, despite none of his companies individually meeting the S$500 million equity requirement.

Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister pitches a new approach to success and skills for the nation’s refreshed social compact

In his speech at the Institute of Policy Studies’ 35th anniversary conference, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong presented a new vision for Singapore’s social compact. He proposed a holistic, inclusive approach to success and societal roles, emphasizing fulfillment and purpose over material wealth. Mr Wong advocated for greater recognition of diverse contributions and a revamped social support system to aid different segments of society. The ideas Mr Wong spoke about echo the key focus of the Forward Singapore initiative, which Mr Wong launched last year, which is set to conclude with a policy recommendation report in mid-2023.

Trump’s own words used to build case against him

US prosecutors built their case against former President Donald Trump using his own words and notes from his lawyers. The indictment accuses Trump of hoarding classified documents and endangering national security. It relies heavily on statements made by Trump, including instances where he disclosed confidential information to individuals without security clearances. Trump’s meetings with his lawyers are also recounted, with notes suggesting an effort to mislead investigators. Trump is set to appear in a federal court in Miami.