Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is a country located in south-east Asia. It has four official languages English, Tamil, Malay, and Chinese. Singapore fought for independence in 1965 from Malaysia. Prior to Maylasia’s control, both Britain and Japan colonized and took control of Singapore. As of now, Singapore is controlled by a parliament under the Constitution of Singapore.

The economic globalization of Singapore started during the early 1900s with World War 1 and World War 2. Early on Singapore was a commercial and economic hub for both greater Southeast Asia and the British Empire. Singapore was under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 where it was a war zone during the second world war. After 1945 Singapore was returned to the British Empire and stayed under its control until 1963. When Singapore gained independence from Britain there were economic losses. Without the British Empire, Singapore wasn’t used as an economic hub any longer. In an effort to reinstate itself as an economic power, it joined forces with Maylasia in 1963. However, in 1965 it left and began to build economic stability as its own republic.

The history of Singapore is very complicated between colonizers and great political forces demanding power over the land. The economic globalization set Singapore up to become the economic power it is today. After it gained independence it quickly rose to power with now one of the fastest-earning GDPs the International Bank has seen. Leading the path of technological advancements in transportation and infrastructure, many claim that Singapore is an economic success.

Recent News of Singapore’s Economic Standing

The Edge Singapore, a local news outlet, informs the world that Singapore is on the up even with the international economic crisis that has begun post-pandemic. Even though it’s become increasingly more expensive to live and function in Singapore, the nation is leading the way out of the global economic crisis by being optimistic about its future.

XOXO, V

 

Sources

Singapore: The Reasons Behind Its Economic Success (ehl.edu)

Singapore’s Economy – Most Open Economy in the World (3ecpa.com.sg)

Singapore Overview: Development news, research, data | World Bank

Singapore gives economic optimists some succour (theedgesingapore.com)

 

What to learn more about Singapore? Here are a few local news sources

The Straits Times – Breaking News, Lifestyle & Multimedia News

联合早报 | 联合早报 (zaobao.com.sg)

Latest news in Singapore and around the world – TODAY (todayonline.com)

The Edge Singapore | Investment strategies for you

– Meredith Triplett

My country of focus this week was Vietnam. Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia. It boarders Laos, Cambodia, and China, it is also located near the South China sea. Vietnam is currently a communist state, though Vietnam’s early history comprises of periods of occupation by outside forces and eventual power consolidation under Vietnamese dynastic families. Now, Vietnam has a relatively neutral relationship with the rest of the world, including China, who they have had some tension with regarding the maritime claim that overlaps with the South China Sea.

The story out of Vietnam that I will be focusing on today is related to hair donations towards pediatric cancer patients. On Sunday the 8th of October, a program called Tram Toc Uoc Mo (Dream Hair Station) was held across Vietnam to donate hair for pediatric cancer patients. As of now, there have been nearly 3,100 women and children who have donated hair, and upwards of 150 hair kits that have been created. These hair kits have helped young cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy regain confidence at school as they wait for their hair to regrow.

To read more in depth about this story:

https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20231009/hair-donations-give-strength-to-pediatric-cancer-patients-in-northern-vietnam/76071.html

To learn more about Tram Toc Uoc Mo (Dream Hair):

Trạm Tóc Ước Mơ

 

XOXO

• Nex

The region we are focused on this week is south-eastern Asia and Oceania. I have chosen to focus on Thailand.

Thailand is a South-East Asian country located on the continent of Asia. Formerly known as Siam, Thailand was never brought under European colonial domination, therefore the Thai language has stayed consistent throughout the nation’s history. Since 1932 Thailand has been a constitutional monarchy, after a revolution overthrowing its previous absolute monarchy.  

News from The Nationthailand – a local source of news

Sangkarak Suraya Thirasutho, the abbot of Wat Woraprot Sanghawaas is a religious leader who has taken it upon himself to create easy and accessible ways for individuals to take from the donations he receives. Located in the Chonburi’s Phan Thong district, one of the most northern districts in Thailand, Chonburi abbot has started to feed and assist those in need, claiming that if you have the ability you should help those around you who are less fortunate.  

To learn more: https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40031750

 

If you wish to learn more about Thailand and its recent news, the following are reliable, local news sources.

The Bangkok Post

Thaiger

The Nationthailand

 

XOXO, Viv