World Archives - The Singapore Post

CCP’s expanding influence in the U.S.: A growing concern

2Apr

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

CCP’s expanding influence in the U.S.: A growing concern

As awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) influence in the United States continues to rise, concerns about the extent of Beijing’s reach into American political, economic, and social structures are being brought to the forefront. Former congresswoman Michelle Steel, in a recent interview with The Epoch Times, highlighted the CCP’s pervasive presence in California, across the United States, and even on a global scale. Her insights offer a sobering look at the strategic maneuvers employed by the CCP to extend its influence, raising questions about national security, economic independence, and the safeguarding of democratic values.CCP’s influence in CaliforniaCalifornia, with its vast economy and significant political sway, has been a primary target of CCP inf

China’s Shadow in the Pacific: The Battle for Palau’s Sovereignty

25Mar

By Grace TsoiNo Comments

China’s Shadow in the Pacific: The Battle for Palau’s Sovereignty

China has been steadily working to increase its influence in Palau, using media, economic leverage, and political tactics as part of a broader strategy to expand its global presence. One key aspect of China’s strategy involves the Overseas Chinese Big Data Group (OCBD), a Chinese company that backed the Palau Media Group, founded by Moses Uludong. The OCBD has ties to China’s military and public security organizations, raising concerns about espionage and Chinese influence in Palau. Uludong, a prominent figure in Palau and founder of the island's first newspaper Tia Belau, has long advocated for closer relations with China. This stance contrasts with the Palauan government’s position, as Palau remains a strong ally of the United States and one of only 13 nations globally tha

African countries seethe over illegal and exploitive mining by Chinese

5Mar

By Joanne SerriehNo Comments

African countries seethe over illegal and exploitive mining by Chinese

China's involvement in the illegal and exploitive mining practices in African countries that have caused socio-economic problems. The African countries have expressed concern over robbing them of their rightful share and promised infrastructure development by China. Three Chinese nationals were arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in relation to illegal mining activities, possession of gold bars, and money laundering earlier this year. Last year, 17 Chinese people were arrested for running an illegal gold mine in the DRC. There are more than 450 illegal mines in the DRC that are mostly run by the Chinese. Jacque Purusi, governor of DRC’s South Kivu province expressed concerns over the involvement of organised network and the plunder of the country’s precious mi

Days after being referred to as a “bitter guy” by Donald Trump, US Senator Mitch McConnell announced his retirement. Everything you should know about the rift

23Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Days after being referred to as a “bitter guy” by Donald Trump, US Senator Mitch McConnell announced his retirement. Everything you should know about the rift

McConnell, the longest-serving Senate party leader in U.S. history, chose his 83rd birthday to reveal his decision to retire when his current term concludes in Kentucky. He informed The Associated Press of his decision before delivering a speech to his Senate colleagues. “Seven times, my fellow Kentuckians have sent me to the Senate,” McConnell said, as aides lined the back chamber and senators listened from seats. “Every day in between I’ve been humbled by the trust they’ve placed in me to do their business right here, as reported by the Associated Press. “Representing our commonwealth has been the honor of a lifetime. I will not seek this honor an eighth time. My current term in the Senate will be my last.” McConnell's careerMcConnell, who was first elected in 1984, plans to serve

Federal employees are advised by some US agencies to disregard Musk’s communication.

23Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Federal employees are advised by some US agencies to disregard Musk’s communication.

Several US federal agencies told employees not to respond to a demand by President Donald Trump’s adviser Elon Musk to list their accomplishments in the last week or be fired. Federal agencies gave the memo on Sunday, a day after Musk’s team sent an email to hundreds of thousands of federal employees giving them about 48 hours to issue their reports. Musk leads the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, which in the first weeks of Trump’s administration has laid off more than 20,000 workers and offered buyouts to another 75,000, across large segments of the United States government. Following Musk’s move, Trump administration-appointed officials at the FBI and State Department sent their staff emails telling them not to respond outside their chains of command, in a possib

How Trump’s Immigration Policies Affect Schools

21Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

How Trump’s Immigration Policies Affect Schools

When Alex Marrero, superintendent of Denver Public Schools, went to visit some of the classrooms in his district on Feb. 5, the same day that ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raided apartment buildings in the city, he noticed significant changes to the environment. Upon walking into one classroom that had over 30 students enrolled, Marrero saw only seven children present. He says that one young student did not recognize him and asked the teacher if Marrero was “one of them” in Spanish—referring to an ICE agent—since he was wearing a suit and tie. In that moment, Marrero recognized that the district needed to act on what he says is their most important core value: “Students first.” So on Feb. 12, Marrero led Denver Public Schools to become the first U.S. school district to s

Erratic and Charismatic Leadership: Similarities in US Politics, Shamanism, and Squid Games

20Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Erratic and Charismatic Leadership: Similarities in US Politics, Shamanism, and Squid Games

The enduring influence of shamanism in South Korean politics, reflected in Squid Game‘s portrayal of Seon-Nyeo, reveals deeper tensions between tradition, governance, and ideology. Similarly, the rise of religious conservatism in the U.S. highlights how cultural beliefs shape political landscapes, raising urgent questions about democracy’s susceptibility to supernatural and ideological forces. Upon its release in 2021, Netflix’s Squid Game took the world by storm, with its brutal critique of capitalism, class struggle, and the desperation that is underlying the socioeconomic inequalities of South Korea. While most of the discourse around the show has revolved around the dystopian commentary of the show, one of its most intriguing elements can be found in its characterisation, especiall

America under Trump is suddenly Putin’s friend.

19Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

America under Trump is suddenly Putin’s friend.

The thing about a war is it forces people to pick a side. And Donald Trump, it seems to many in Europe, is siding with Vladimir Putin. Seven days of presidential interventions in the Russia-Ukraine conflict have made real the nightmares of Ukrainians and many of their allies, upending the transatlantic relationship that has underpinned European security since 1945. Europe’s politicians are beginning to grasp how profoundly their world has changed: They must now deal with an America that is at best skeptical and at worst hostile to the old world they represent. If there were any lingering doubts about the extent of Trump’s willingness to make enemies in Europe, he ended it Tuesday night when he blamed Ukraine for having “started” the war with Russia. Such blatant defiance of the f

Donald Trump’s additional tariffs foils the dastardly plan of China to use the Mexico route to invade the U.S.

19Feb

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

Donald Trump’s additional tariffs foils the dastardly plan of China to use the Mexico route to invade the U.S.

With United States President Donald Trump announcing a 25 percent tariff on all imports from Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on all Chinese imports, the Mexican route to invade the American market has been effectively shut for Chinese companies. The previous Joe Biden administration had imposed a 100 percent tariff on the entry of Chinese electrical vehicles and taken effective steps to prevent the entry of synthetic opioid drug fentanyl to the U.S. from China. Since then, Chinese companies have been investing heavily in Mexico in facilities for the manufacture of EVs and fentanyl and using the Mexican route to access the American market; taking advantage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement which is a free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada....

A new age of anti-intellectualism in American politics is heralded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination.

30Jan

By Stuart WhiteNo Comments

A new age of anti-intellectualism in American politics is heralded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination.

The many controversial people appointed to the Trump administration, from Elon Musk to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have at least one thing in common: They dislike and distrust experts. While anti-intellectualism and populism are nothing new in American life, there has hardly been an administration as seemingly committed to these worldviews. Take President Donald Trump’s decision to nominate Kennedy, a well-known vaccine skeptic, to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy, whose Senate confirmation hearing is Jan. 29, 2025, epitomises the new American political ethos of populism and anti-intellectualism, or the idea that people hold negative feelings toward not just scientific research but those who produce it. Anti-intellectual attacks on the scientific community have b