GE2025: Focus is on Tanjong Pagar residents, not opposition coming to contest, says PAP’s Chan Chun Sing
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing stated on Thursday ( Apr 24 ) that the People’s Action Party ( PAP ) team’s focus is not on the candidates in Tanjong Pagar GRC, but on the residents.  ,
After a haywire in the Telok Blangah Mall property, Mr. Chan addressed the media with his electorate team-mate Rachel Ong, saying,” Our main focus is often resident-centric.”
” Our work continues therefore, whether folks come or don’t, regardless.” That’s why the most crucial thing is a regular, steady work schedule rather than a nine- or 10-day plan.
Alvin Tan, the Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Culture, Joan Pereira, and Foo Cexiang, the new face on PAP’s stone in Tanjong Pagar, are the other people on the party’s Tanjong Pagar stone.
Prabu Ramachandran, a commercial banker, Nadarajan Selvamani, Nadarajan Selvamani, Rickson Giauw Joon Chai, a safety officer, and Soh Lian Chy, a senior logistics assistant, will join them in a People’s Alliance for Reform ( PAR ) side.
Mr. Chan led his team in a wander around Telok Blangah, which was formerly represented by Ms. Ong when it was governed by West Coast GRC on Thursday. Additionally, Radin Mas and Mr. Melvin Yong were among the prospects for PAP for , Queenstown SMC, Mr. Eric Chua, and , Mr.  ,
Any candidate is encouraged to battle, we welcome that, Ms Ong said regarding the upcoming vote. For myself, I will concentrate on the requirements of this place so that I can continue to learn about our people, our position, and how to get to understand them more and more deeply each day.
GE2025: Five one-term MPs step down as PAP seeks refreshed team, highest number in recent polls
NEO SOON GRC CARRIE TAN
Ms. Carrie Tan is the leader of Daughters of Tomorrow, a non-profit organization that aids people in poverty. She recently stated that she didn’t think she suited the PAP candidate mold.
A” modify” in Ms. Tan’s personal life, according to Miss Soon anchor secretary K Shanmugam, would require her to go “quite a little.”  ,
Ms. Tan stated in a statement to the media that she felt it was the “right choice” to move away and let someone younger and more ambitious rule. She confirmed that she would not work for a second term.
She added that she is pleased that she assisted in the establishment of a caregiver resource center in Nee Immediately.
Ms. Tan’s name was mentioned 191 times in the most current name of parliament according to a search conducted on Hansard.
This report shows how many questions, speeches, and participants in disputes on bills, the resources, motions, adjournment motions, and other topics were raised.  ,
DERRICK GOH ( NEE SOON GRC )
The group’s chief operating officer is DBS Bank, led by Mr. Derrick Goh. When he was formally declared a candidate for the PAP in 2020, he stated that he hopes to improve the working relationships between the state, companies, and individuals to improve the lives of Singaporeans.
His most recent occupation advancement required him to go “extensively,” according to Mr. Shanmugam. Mr. Goh agreed that having a “full commitment” may be required to serve as an MP.
Mr. Shanmugam claimed that Mr. Goh had made sure that the Nee Quickly Town Council’s finances remained in a “healthy place” as chairman.
According to a research on Hansard, Mr. Goh’s name appeared 92 days.
DON WEE ( CHUA CHU KANG GRC )
Mr. Don Wee, who is now UOB’s head of development planning, stated during his prospect entry that he hopes to assist small and medium-sized businesses in overcoming the difficulties they encountered during the crisis.
Mr. Wee expressed his confidence in the fresh team’s ability to continue to “build on the solid foundations we have laid along” by addressing his term-end on social media.
The brand” Mr. Wee” appeared 264 days in a Hansard research.
MOHD FAHMI ALIMAN ( MARINE PARADE GRC )  
Mr. Mohd Fahmi Aliman is the original deputy chief executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the president of South East District. He stated in 2020 that he wanted to promote low-wage staff ‘ happiness in important service.
On April 20, Mr. Fahmi posted a video on social media showing how his neighbors have praised him for the changes to their holdings. He wrote,” It’s been a true honor to serve and develop alongside this community.”  ,
According to a search on Hansard, his name was mentioned 86 times for the most current term in the legislature.
NG LING LING ( ANG MO KIO GRC ),
In her member history, Ms. Ng Ling Ling, who was formerly Community Chest’s managing director, stated that social factors have always been something she loves.
Ms. Ng stated in a social media post on April 19 that while she could not fix every issue, she hopes that people will benefit from her “humble work” through specific projects, community activities, and meet-the-people events.
According to a research on Hansard, her name was searched for 170 days.
GE2025: What the main political parties’ manifestos say about addressing the rising cost of living
SINGAPORE: Political parties are responding to the rising cost of living by offering a range of coverage thoughts in response to one of the defining issues of the 2025 General Election. CNA examines key proposals to ease Singaporeans ‘ burden as the five functions in the race for the mostContinue Reading
China better built for a trade war – and Trump knows it – Asia Times
Donald Trump made a rare agreement this week following months of price threats and aggressive posturing. He claimed that the 145 % tariff on Chinese goods “won’t become that high… it’ll come over significantly.”
No official discussions or breakthroughs are held, just a sudden change in the president’s tone. And this change is powerful.
Trump is accepting a difficult truth in spite of his bluster: China is more functionally insulated, better organized, and ultimately more resilient than the US to a prolonged trade war.
The conceit that tariffs would pressure Beijing to resist is being gradually dissected by economic reality. China has never slowed down. It has shown a determined mix of resilience and flexibility in response to US aggression, offering to discuss but refusing to retaliate.
It is not required to. Beijing has spent decades slowly lowering its risk to American force. Trump’s levies may go in, but they didn’t destabilize China.
China’s social structure, for one, gives it a significant advantage in a drawn-out financial contest. Trade wars are a source of hostility for election cycles, interest parties, and social media winds in Washington. Beijing’s plan is dictated by the top with persistence in terms of strategy.  ,
With no delay or political consequences as a result of this consolidated control, China may absorb financial pain without flinching while implementing specific stimulus, subsidies, and countermeasures. It has a long-term use. Under Trump, the US cannot.
Then there is the deal balance. Last year, China and the US exchanged close to US$ 300 billion deficit. About 15 % of its exports were made by Americans, which seems like leverage for Washington until you realize how much of that business is already being reversed.  ,
China’s manufacturers have moved their creation to Southeast Asia since Trump’s initial string of tariffs on steel, copper, and solar panel in 2018.  ,
Companies in Vietnam and Cambodia now operate under a different symbol and properly share the same source chain. China’s 17 % increase in exports to Vietnam in March is not a coincidence. The US currently has a$ 124 billion trade deficit, which is not good.
Trump may be hesitant to impose a 46 % reciprocal tariff on Asian goods, but even that threat has been quietly stymied. Beijing is aware of the fact that Washington doesn’t need a trade war to break out on several sides.
In addition, China is cultivating solutions while Trump speaks tariffs. New business passageways have been created thanks to its Belt and Road Initiative, which spans Central Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
It has forged multilateral trade agreements that do not include the US. China’s exports to America are declining, dropping from 21 % of total exports in 2016 to just 13.4 % last year. China’s growth and management of its US coverage are successful.
Compare US dependence to that. Low-value-added goods like soybeans, cloth, and beef are the mainstay of American exports to China. These can all be replaced, and Argentina, Brazil, and Australia is most help.  ,
In the meantime, several Chinese export to the US, including processed minerals, consumer electronics, and technology, are not so simple to swap out. They are firmly rooted in US supply stores. Hiring them with levies hurts US companies, not just Chinese manufacturers.
Then there is the unique world cards. These crucial minerals are necessary for everything from electric cars and smartphones to advanced defense systems, and China accounts for the majority of the world’s production of these crucial minerals. It could have used that leverage in its fullest form, but it has never done so.  ,
International businesses are stung by the risk alone. No US deterrent could meet that kind of corporate skepticism.
What we’re seeing is recognition that Trump has no failure. He waggled the flair of a real estate dealmaker to start this tax war.  ,
He is presently negotiating with a condition that is unafraid of being bullied or conned. The business pain has revolved into US inflation, supply chain issues, and suburban farmers staring at lost Chinese markets while holding pitchforks in hand.
Trump is undoubtedly not giving up. However, the restraint in his language indicates that he is reevaluating and looking for a way to declare victory without further escalation. China is, however, holding its ground. Its plan is simple: don’t inspire, don’t supply, and don’t hold back while watching the drama.
One of the many causes Beijing is in a stronger position is because of that. It has diversified export, reduced US dependence, insulated its business with commercial policy, and remained neutral about rare earths restrictions.  ,
China is built to outlast the US, despite the business dispute continuing. Trump is aware of this despite all his speech. And that’s why Washington, no Beijing, is showing the first indicators of retreat.
Man convicted of showing and letting daughter touch his genitals
After a trial, a man was found guilty on Thursday ( Apr 24 ) for exposing his genitalia to his young daughter and allowing her to touch them. He was charged with “educational” reasons.  ,
Due to a joke order, the 40-year-old man was found guilty of one count of coercing an inappropriate action on a child.  ,
When the man’s child was between the ages of five and six, this happened in 2016. According to court records, she had inquired about the distinctions between boys and girls.
Later that year, the 31-year-old man noticed her staring in his manner and inquired if she was still interested.  ,
When she nodded her head, the gentleman turned to face her. Finally he inquired as to whether she wanted to touch his personal details. She therefore nodded before continuing.
District Judge Carol Ling, who delivered the view on Thursday, said she was able to take the accuser’s say that he had done this to “educate” his child and not to sexually abuse her, adding that his justifications did not make it right or reasonable.  ,
According to her, “objective standards” are used to determine whether an act is inappropriate or no, adding that the accused’s showing his privates to any five or six-year-old was undoubtedly an inappropriate action.  ,
It was irrelevant whether the accused was the child’s parents, whether the accused was the father of the child, whether his child was continually interested, or whether he had permission from his family to do it, she said.
The circumstances surrounding the incident, such as whether the boy’s wife was aware of his intentions before he acted, or whether she learned about it just after it happened, were upheld during the tests.
The accused acknowledged telling his wife about the event after it occurred, according to court records. His wife reportedly reacted by requesting that he refrain from doing it again.  ,
In his written closing arguments, Deputy Public Prosecutor Yohanes Ng and the man “ultimately maintained” that the family was the one who told them to display their daughter their genitalia during the test. “ultimately maintained” that he did not tell his wife until the event occurred.  ,
Mr. Ng claimed that the couple’s records were untrue, making them not reputable.  ,
They are now presenting a self-serving edition of the event to help themselves, he added, “because they both know that what happened during the event was bad.
Additionally, Mr. Ng argued that it was useless whether the accused’s woman gave him permission to show his genitalia to their child and whether she allowed her to reach them.
According to him,” an act that would otherwise be indecent would not be rendered decent simply because the victim’s parent( s ) permitted the act to take place, in the same way that a victim’s parent( s ) ‘ consent is irrelevant as to whether an act of rape, molest, or even underage sex constitutes a crime,” he said.
According to the article, “having such a conception would effectively grant parents carte blanche ( complete freedom ) to permit others to sexually abuse their children.”
The man is also accused of inflicting two other offenses, one of criminal intimidation and the other of causing harm freely.  ,
His punishment has been postponed until May 7.  ,
Beijing says claims of ongoing US-China trade talks ‘groundless’
When asked if Washington was talking to Beijing, Trump claimed that “everything is effective” and that his nation would have a” reasonable deal with China.” Trump responded,” Every day,” when asked if there is immediate US contact with China on business. On Thursday, China’s foreign government responded to the allegations,Continue Reading
China military says it monitored US warship in Taiwan Strait
Beijing: On Thursday ( Apr 24 ), China’s military announced that it had dispatched naval and air forces to monitor and warn a US-guided missile destroyer that sailed through the delicate Taiwan Strait. The US Navy travels the sea about once a month, often accompanied by boats from allies. TheContinue Reading
Thai police bust illegal crypto trading operations
Eight sites raided in Bangkok, Chon Buri, and Phuket, and five arrests made.
PUBLISHED: 24 Apr 2025 at 16: 26
In raids on eight areas in Bangkok and two tourist provinces, police have detained five suspects who are involved in improper crypto trading. Some of the suspects are alleged to possess laundered money for drug and smuggling networks.
According to Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Jaruphat, commander of the Economic Crime Suppression Division (ECD ), the crackdown was a part of” Operation Crypto Phantom,” which targets illegal crypto trading companies that are involved in laundering money for illegal businesses.
Last year, eight spots in Phuket, Chon Buri, and Bangkok were raided. According to Pol Maj Gen Thatphum, numerous currency exchange companies in the three tourist cities allegedly provided illegal cryptocurrency trading, mainly Tether ( USDT), to help consumers avoid paying taxes and avoiding financial transaction checks.
” Some businesses have been discovered laundering cash for illegal activities, particularly systems of those engaged in illicit drugs, call center connivance, and online gambling,” according to Pol Maj Gen Thatphum.
More than 1, 000 monetary transactions with links to illegitimate companies, with over 14 billion ringgit in circulation, were discovered by investigators, he added.
Five people were detained by ECD officials during the raids for engaging in illegal blockchain trading. The eight spots also contained computers, cellular phones, bank accounts passbooks, and other items.
The Economic Crime Suppression Division’s captain, Pol Maj Gen Thatphum Jaruphat, discusses the results of a assault on illegal crypto trading in three Thai tourist places. ( Photo provided/Wassayos Ngamkham )
Is China suddenly cool? – Asia Times
A 20-year-old American YouTuber and digital star named ShowSpeed just live-streamed hourslong tour of Chinese locations, including Beijing and Shanghai, to show his almost 40 million viewers the locations.
IShowSpeed, whose true name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., admired friendly locals, flawless streets, and the high-speed Wi-Fi on the train, and Chinese fans heckled him for selfies on the Great Wall during the March activities.
Beijing’s state media seized the spotlight, with one Foreign blog claiming that the American apex had “eliminated all American misinformation about China” in the eye of a new era.
This analysis is confirmed by IShowSpeed’s YouTube site.
One leading comment reads,” China is therefore underappreciated wtf.” Another person writes,” I realized how foolish my earlier sights on China were after watching this picture.”
Such feedback don’t provide any information. However, as someone who studies the impact of Chinese soft strength, I find the sight of a young American burning China’s picture to Western audiences to be incredibly important.
It provides an illustration of how smooth energy standards have been altered in recent years, and how China appears to be having some success appealing to the world’s children.
blending politicians and music
Soft power refers to a nation’s capacity to shape people’s preferences through society, values, and diplomatic relations by influencing others through attraction rather than coercion. The phrase was coined by political professor Joseph Nye to describe how nations job authority by imposing demands on others through military or economic stress.
US sweet energy didn’t have to make that much of itself throughout the Cold War and into the 21st century. It exploded from surge boxes after being broadcast on MTV and sported fabric. Rock music crossed the Iron Curtain when politics don’t, with painters like Madonna and Bruce Springsteen reaching Russian children more efficiently than any adviser.
And in China, Michael Jackson gained a following also before McDonald’s or Hollywood films, bringing about a beautiful, open America that so many people desired.
American society wasn’t really leisure to some growing up in China in the 1990s; it was persuasion, aspiration, and even subversion.
The blockbusters from Beijing
The US is still, of course, a cultural powerhouse, and American actors and musicians are still recognizable all over the world. However, there are indications that China is attempting to erode that position.
Take the movie. Chinese movies were once viewed as niche films in other countries. An animated Chinese feature film called” Ne Zha 2” broke box office records in January 2025. A stunning retelling of a mythic boy-god’s story, the film has grossed an astonishing US$$ 2 billion worldwide, outperforming many Hollywood studios.
It is now the highest-grossing animated film of all time, and it was produced by a Chinese studio with hundreds of local animators.
Beijing made a quick decision to incorporate” Ne Zha 2″ as a representation of China’s creative rise and” soft power moment” in terms of culture. The success of the movie was praised by state media as evidence that Chinese folklore and artistry can captivate audiences around the world just as effectively as Marvel superheroes.
” Ne Zha 2″ isn’t a one-off. The Beijing-based Wanda Films ‘” Detective Chinatown 1900,” which was released in January, is the year’s third-highest-grossing film to date.
Hollywood, which was once confident in its cultural monopoly, now faces a massive new rival on the global stage, one supported by 1.4 billion people and a government determined to overthrow Western pop culture dominance. Additionally, there are some international audiences. Ne Zha 2 also had a positive impact when it first aired in the US.
Gamers travel to the east in search of adventure.
Additionally, it includes non-profits.
Video games have been a stronghold in American and Japanese culture for decades. Black Myth: Wukong, a Chinese-developed game that was created by a Hangzhou studio, has become popular worldwide.
When its first gameplay trailers for Black Myth: Wukong first appeared in 2020, they were so popular that they were immediately followed along with its promising AAA-level graphics and action that drew inspiration from China’s well-known” Journey to the West” tale.
Skeptics questioned whether the finished product could quite possibly compete with the likes of the well-known series God of War or the Elden Ring in George R. R. Martin’s style. But those doubts vanished when the game finally debuted in 2024. In the summer of 2024, Black Myth: Wukong debuted to a great deal of worldwide support, instantly claiming a spot alongside the biggest Western franchises.
It is China’s first true blockbuster video game, and it is evidence that the nation can produce world-class entertainment, according to critics all over the world.
It’s about narrative power for the Chinese state, according to me, not just about snagging titles in China’s gaming industry.
Instead of, say, a Marvel superhero or a Tolkien epic, millions of young people around the world subtly shift the cultural center of gravity eastward as they spend 30 or 40 hours a week immerse in Sun Wukong’s adventures.
It suggests that Chinese myths are evolving to appeal to people around the world as cool as Western ones. And that is soft power.
Small screen, big impact
In the meantime, another Chinese export has deeply ingrained itself into global culture on the smaller screens we carry in our pockets: TikTok.
TikTok has over 1.6 billion monthly users in over 160 countries as of 2025.
TikTok’s cultural reach is even more impressive. The app’s algorithm has helped songs by musicians from South Korea or Nigeria reach the top of the global charts, and it has inspired grandmothers in Italy to try Mexican recipes from grandmothers in Italy who were previously featured on a popular Chinese app. Teenagers in Kansas are learning Indonesian dance moves.
In essence, TikTok has created a brand-new transnational pop culture commons, one that is owned by a Beijing-based business. Yes, users all create the content on TikTok, not dictated by the Chinese government, but the platform’s very existence is a testament to Chinese tech entrepreneurship and global ambition.
Every second spent scrolling TikTok by Western youths is a moment they are residing in a cultural sphere created by China. It’s no wonder the US government is worried about TikTok’s influence because it’s about cultural security more than just data security.
Since outright banning it has proven to be politically challenging, TikTok has continued to steadily firmly established itself as a staple of global youth culture.
Blockbuster movies, popular video games, and viral apps all feature a larger truth: China is rapidly gaining soft power as America runs the risk of letting its own erode. China expands its influence through the Belt and Road Initiative and development loans at a time when the US reduces foreign aid.
And while the US enacts visa restrictions for students and scientists, China’s universities, some of which are now in the top 20 on the world, are becoming more appealing.
Can the US maintain its cultural diversity?
It is notoriously difficult to assess the impact of soft power because most countries that use it play a very long game.
Beijing’s push for soft power is not guaranteed to succeed everywhere. Many societies continue to doubt Beijing’s intentions, and its authoritarian system limits the appeal of its political model in democratic societies.
However, there are obvious indications that younger generations are buying into China’s cultural exports.
The US once almost automatically set the pace for global culture. However, as China invests a lot in its creative industries and digital platforms, it is increasingly shaping the narrative and themes for a growing global audience.
The question is no longer whether China has the ability to compete for soft power power, but whether America has a strategy to hold its ground.
Shaoyu Yuan is a research scientist at Rutgers University – Newark’s Division of Global Affairs.
This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the text of the article.
K-pop: Bain of group Just B comes out at concert
Bain, a member of K-pop group Only B, has revealed to his fans that he is “proud to be a part of the LGBT community,” which is a rare move in a genre where stars generally keep details of their private lives private, especially those that involve relationships.
The 23-year-old is one of only a select group of K-pop painters to formally address the issue.
Bain made the announcement while performing a piano at a concert in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening in front of the crowd.
According to films that are available on social media, the group cheered up loudly at the time.
Before jumping into a performance of Born This Way by pop icon Lady Gaga, whom he referred to as “my queen,” he continued,” You are seen, you are loved, and you were born this way.”
The news was welcomed by his colleagues. Siwoo, a part of Only B, claimed that he was crying while watching Bain’s efficiency. He said,” I know how hard it was for him, and that made me want to cry more,” he told the Korean media outlet News1.
Supporters of the band have also shown their help. Under his Instagram post, a top-liked post reads,” We love you so much and are therefore proud of you for being yourself.”
You truly deserve love. I’m so happy to support you. Be happy for who you are, wrote another lover.
A six-member band that was founded in 2021, Just B has released five Chapters and numerous songs.
In South Korea’s highly competitive pleasure sector, coming up is still incredibly unique. Gay marriage is not permitted in the country, but it is still forbidden, and same-sex relationship is not permitted.
In a statement from Human Rights Watch for 2022, the discrimination against LGBT people in South Korea was described as “pervasive.”
Bain is not the first K-pop artist to have a solo career. Lara, an Indian-American representative of the lady group Katseye, made her debut as a gay person on a K-pop lover site just last month. Jiae from the now-disbanded child party Wassup revealed on Instagram that she is lesbian in 2020.