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Vertical Institute Unveils Generative AI Course to Meet Growing Demand for Digital Proficiency

Angela Sim
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The future of work is undeniably intertwined with artificial intelligence (AI), and Vertical Institute is helping professionals stay ahead of the curve with the launch of its new Generative AI course. Designed to equip learners with the skills necessary to thrive in AI-driven industries, the course comes at a time when companies across Singapore are increasingly adopting AI technologies to boost efficiency, enhance decision-making, and drive innovation.

Vertical Institute has seen a remarkable rise in enrolments for its professional development courses over the past year, particularly in areas related to digital transformation. A combination of government-backed subsidies and a rising demand for advanced AI skills is fueling this growth. In fact, more than 70% of students at Vertical Institute have cited government subsidies as a key reason for enrolling, while flexibility and job placement assistance have also played crucial roles in attracting professionals looking to upgrade their skills.

The Generative AI course is a comprehensive program designed to provide participants with both foundational and advanced AI knowledge. Spanning 21 hours over the course of seven days, students will dive deep into ChatGPT techniques, automation strategies, and the integration of OpenAI APIs to apply AI-driven solutions to real-world problems. The course also emphasizes the ethical and security concerns that come with AI adoption, ensuring that learners are not only technically proficient but also mindful of the broader implications of their work.

“AI is no longer a distant technology of the future—it’s a key part of today’s business operations,” says Dr. Peter Finn, Co-Founder and CEO of Synectify, and one of the course instructors. “Our Generative AI course focuses on practical applications, preparing professionals to use AI to drive efficiencies, optimize processes, and innovate within their respective industries.”

This is particularly relevant in Singapore, where government initiatives such as the National AI Strategy 2.0 are pushing businesses to adopt AI solutions. As of 2024, more than 53% of companies in Singapore have already deployed AI technologies in some form, a figure that is expected to grow as AI becomes integral to industries ranging from healthcare and finance to retail and logistics. Generative AI, which involves the creation of new content and optimization of operations through machine learning, is especially impactful in automating tasks and improving decision-making across these sectors.

Vertical Institute’s course offerings cater specifically to working professionals. Its flexible learning model allows students to complete courses online while maintaining their current job responsibilities. This flexibility, combined with the institute’s personalized support system—including 1-on-1 consultations with instructors—ensures that students receive the hands-on guidance they need to succeed.

Moreover, Vertical Institute’s Job Placement Assistance (JPA) program helps graduates seamlessly transition into AI roles, connecting them with potential employers across various industries. For many, the opportunity to work in AI represents both a stable career path and significant financial gain. According to data from Payscale, AI professionals in Singapore earn an average salary of S$90,000 per year, making it one of the most sought-after fields in the country.

As the digital economy continues to expand, the importance of having future-ready skills cannot be overstated. Vertical Institute has already equipped more than 15,000 alumni with the expertise needed to navigate the changing job market. From AI and data science to cybersecurity and blockchain, the institute’s courses are designed to help professionals stay competitive in a fast-evolving digital landscape.

For those looking to gain a competitive edge and secure a future in AI, Vertical Institute’s Generative AI course is an essential step. With government-subsidized fees and flexible learning options, the institute offers an accessible pathway for anyone eager to future-proof their career in the digital age.

Vertical Institute Unveils Generative AI Course to Meet Growing Demand for Digital Proficiency

Mr Peter Finn, Instructor at Vertical Institute, Co-Founder and CEO @ Synectify

Vertical Institute Unveils Generative AI Course to Meet Growing Demand for Digital Proficiency

Dr. Peter Finn is a highly accomplished technologist, educator, and entrepreneur with over thirty years of experience in systems engineering, including generative AI, distributed systems, security software, and grid computing. As the CEO and Co-founder of Synectify, a Singapore-based leader in distributed carbon-neutral computing, Dr. Finn drives innovation that transforms both industry and society by developing solutions at the intersection of AI, machine learning, and sustainable technology.

Dr. Finn is not just a technology innovator, but an accomplished scholar who holds a PhD from the National University of Singapore. He has a passionate commitment to giving back and sharing his expertise to advance lifelong learning. He is also a

regular speaker and panelist on cutting-edge topics ranging from blockchain and AI to impact- driven technology.

For more details on the Generative AI course and to enroll, visit www.verticalinstitute.com.

Website: www.verticalinstitute.com/generative-ai-course

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LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/school/verticalinstitute

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@verticalinstitute

Steigen: The Smart, Eco-Friendly Solution for Busy Professionals Who Want to Save Time on Laundry

Angela Sim
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Laundry day: For many working professionals, it’s one of the least glamorous aspects of daily life. Between busy work schedules, meetings, and social commitments, spending hours waiting for clothes to dry or running multiple drying cycles isn’t something anyone looks forward to. But what if there was a way to make this routine task more efficient, eco-friendly, and hassle-free?

 

Introducing Steigen, the world’s leading innovator in automated laundry drying systems. With its Zero Drying Blind Spots technology, Steigen is transforming how households approach laundry.

 

Imagine drying up to 50kg of clothes in a single cycle, without the need for repeat drying, and saving both time and energy in the process.

 

The Challenge: Laundry Is Time-Consuming and Energy-Draining

For many, laundry day can be a logistical nightmare. Singapore’s humid climate makes air-drying clothes a time-consuming process, often stretching over several hours or even days. And when you do use a traditional dryer or drying rack, there’s a common problem: damp spots. This means multiple drying cycles to fully dry your laundry—wasting both time and electricity.

 

If you’re already juggling a demanding job, family commitments, and personal time, the last thing you need is to waste precious energy and resources on laundry.

 

This is where Steigen steps in. With its largest fan blades and superior air circulation design, Steigen’s automated drying system ensures uniform drying across your entire load of laundry, no damp spots, and no need for additional drying cycles.

 

Efficiency and Eco-Friendly Design

Steigen’s innovative design is specifically built to maximise drying effectiveness in a single cycle, meaning you won’t have to repeat the process. This is a game-changer, especially when it comes to saving electricity.

 

Traditional dryers or drying racks often require multiple cycles to completely dry clothes, consuming more power and increasing your electricity bills over time. Steigen’s Zero Drying Blind Spots technology solves this by ensuring that all your clothes—up to 50kg—are completely dry after just one cycle. This, combined with its load-cell sensors that adjust the system’s power output based on the weight of your laundry, optimizes energy use, helping you reduce your environmental impact and lower your energy costs.

 

Long-Term Investment in Durability and Design

When you invest in a home appliance, you want something that lasts—and Steigen delivers in both both form and function.

 

Unlike other drying systems that may wear out after a few years of use, Steigen’s drying racks are built to withstand the test of time. With SS304 stainless steel construction and a nano-ceramic coating, Steigen systems are highly resistant to corrosion, wear, and oxidation. This means they will continue looking and functioning like new, year after year.

 

In addition, Steigen’s ergonomic design and sleek, modern aesthetic blend seamlessly with contemporary home décor, making it a stylish addition to any living space. And as an added bonus, the system even doubles as a ceiling light with a 20W three-tone LED light, adding extra functionality to your home.

 

Steigen’s commitment to smart home integration also means that you can control your drying system remotely using their mobile app. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can monitor and control the drying process, even if you’re away at work. It’s all about making your life simpler, so you can focus on the things that matter most.

 

Steigen: The Smart Choice for Your Busy Life

With over 10,000 units sold globally, Steigen has become a trusted name in automated laundry systems, and its advanced technology is now available in Singapore. Whether you live in a high-rise apartment or a landed property, Steigen’s solutions are designed to fit seamlessly into any home setup, making your life easier and more efficient.

 

Steigen offers a free, no-obligation site measurement to recommend the best system for your home’s needs. Whether you’re living in a small apartment or have a larger household, Steigen has a solution that suits your space and lifestyle.

 

Book your site measurement today at Steigen Site Measurement.

For more information, visit Steigen’s official website: www.steigen.com.sg.

 

Upgrade your laundry experience today with Steigen, and make laundry day a thing of the past!

 

Jimmy Carter: The Nobel US president who lived to be 100

Abhijit
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Jimmy Carter: The Nobel US president who lived to be 100

Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who became the 39th president of the United States and later won the Nobel Peace Prize, died on Sunday (December 29) at his home in Plains, Georgia, according to his son, Chip Carter. At 100 years old, he was the longest-living U.S. president in history. Plagued by economic and other problems during his four years in office, he rose to greatness later as a champion of democracy and human rights.

Carter’s death comes just months after he lost his wife Rosalynn, who died in November 2023 at age 96. Their marriage of over 77 years is the longest presidential marriage in American history. They married after he graduated from the US Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree. As a naval lieutenant, he was part of the crew that built and prepared the first US nuclear-powered submarine, the Nautilus, recalls the New York Times. Subsequently, he became a peanut farmer and entered politics.

Elected governor of Georgia, he served a four-year term from 1971 to 1975 before aspiring to the highest office in the land. In 1976, he ran for president and defeated incumbent Republican Gerald Ford. He made history as the first president from the Deep South since 1837, according to the Washington Post. What’s more, he was the only Democrat elected president between the administrations of Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969) and Bill Clinton (1993-2001).

Carter administration problems

As president from 1977 to 1981, Carter faced significant challenges, including economic stagflation, an energy crisis, and the Iran hostage crisis. While his presidency was often viewed critically at the time, historical assessments have grown more favourable, recognising his prescient focus on environmental issues, human rights, and racial equality. His crowning achievement was brokering the Camp David Accords between Israel and Egypt in 1978, a peace agreement that has endured for decades.

After leaving office, Carter carved out an extraordinary post-presidential career focused on humanitarian work and peacemaking. He and Rosalynn founded the Carter Center in 1982, which has monitored over 115 elections in 40 countries and worked to advance democracy, human rights, and public health globally. The Carters also devoted themselves to Habitat for Humanity, personally helping to build or renovate more than 4,300 homes across 14 countries.

Never wanted to be rich

Unlike many former presidents who pursued lucrative speaking engagements and corporate board positions, Carter chose a modest post-presidential life in his hometown of Plains, Georgia. “It just never had been my ambition to be rich,” he said.

Defeated by Ronald Reagan in the 1980 presidential election, he returned with his wife to “the first and only house they had owned — a modest one-storey rancher valued in 2018 at just $167,000 — “a figure that the Washington Post noted was less than the cost of the armoured Secret Service vehicles parked outside day and night”, says the New York Times.

Carter felt at home there. “Until late in their lives, he and Mrs Carter frequently were seen walking hand in hand along Church Street on their way home from Saturday dinners at the home of their friend Jill Stuckey,” says the Washington Post.

He authored 33 books, won three Grammy Awards for audio recordings of his works, and in 2002 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts”. The three other American presidents who won the prize — Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and Barack Obama — all received the honour while still in office.

Vindicated by history

Despite initial criticism of his presidency, Carter lived long enough to see many of his policies and positions vindicated by history, says the Washington Post. Recent biographies have argued that he was “perhaps the most misunderstood president in American history”, noting his forward-thinking positions on issues like climate change and racial justice. Carter remained true to his principles throughout his life, maintaining his characteristic humility and dedication to public service until the end.

His final months were spent at home under hospice care following several hospital stays and treatment for melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. He will be buried next to Rosalynn near a willow tree by a pond he helped dig on their property in Plains, the inseparable couple at everlasting rest in their beloved home.

Reflecting on his life, Carter once said: “I kept our country at peace and championed human rights, and that’s a rare thing for post-World War II presidents to say.” With his passing, America has lost a man whose presidency was a prelude to an extraordinary second act, one defined by grace, generosity, and a steadfast commitment to making the world a better place.

Manmohan Singh: The leader who transformed India

Abhijit
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Manmohan Singh: The leader who transformed India

Manmohan Singh’s story is one of remarkable transformation, both of himself and the nation he served. Born in 1932 in the remote village of Gah (now in Pakistan), Singh rose from humble beginnings, studying under street lights to escape his noisy household in Amritsar after his family’s migration during Partition. His academic excellence earned him scholarships to Cambridge and Oxford, where he completed his doctorate arguing for greater export focus in India’s economy—a revolutionary idea for the 1960s.

Singh’s most profound impact came in 1991 when, as finance minister under Prime Minister Narasimha Rao, he confronted an unprecedented economic crisis. With India on the brink of default and its gold reserves being airlifted to London as collateral for IMF loans, Singh orchestrated a series of transformative reforms. He dismantled the restrictive “licence raj” which dictated the products factories could make, devalued the rupee to boost exports, and opened key sectors to private and foreign investment, the Guardian recalls. His iconic budget speech, quoting Victor Hugo—”No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come”— set India on the road to becoming a major economic power.

Remarkable results

The reforms yielded remarkable results. According to studies by Lant Pritchett and others at the London School of Economics, the additional economic output generated by these reforms between 1993 and 2002 could exceed $1.5 trillion in today’s dollars. Foreign currency reserves grew from a mere $1.1 billion in mid-1991 to over $280 billion by the end of his tenure as prime minister, says The Economist.

Singh’s journey to prime minister in 2004 came unexpectedly when Sonia Gandhi declined the role after Congress’s surprise victory. His first term saw notable achievements: the implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) for rural workers, the landmark India-US nuclear deal, and sustained economic growth averaging 8 per cent. However, his second term proved far more challenging, marked by corruption scandals and accusations of weak leadership, despite his personal integrity never being questioned.

Significant contributions

Throughout his tenure, Singh maintained a distinctive presence with his sky-blue turbans and white kurta pyjamas, becoming India’s first non-Hindu prime minister. While his first term demonstrated effective governance, his second term was plagued by coalition troubles and economic slowdown. Nevertheless, he made significant contributions during this period, including empowering the entrepreneur Nandan Nilekani to develop the Aadhaar biometric identification system, which vastly improved the delivery of welfare payments to poorer Indians, says the Financial Times.

Singh’s legacy remains complex. As finance minister, he was a bold reformer who fundamentally transformed India’s economy. As prime minister, while achieving significant milestones like the nuclear deal and rural employment guarantee, he struggled with political assertiveness. Yet, as he once reflected, “I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media or, for that matter, the opposition in Parliament.” His role in liberating India from economic stagnation and laying the groundwork for its emergence as a global power ensures his place as a pivotal figure in modern Indian history.

Why AI ‘hallucinates’: What’s missing in the models

Abhijit
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Why AI ‘hallucinates’: What’s missing in the models

The American writer Richard Powers’ latest novel, Playground, delves into the complexities of artificial intelligence, mirroring our current fascination with large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini. One particular passage from the novel, where a character expresses scepticism about artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) overreliance on information processing, has sparked an intriguing discussion.

When this passage was shared on social media, a user pointed out a discrepancy in ChatGPT’s attribution of the quote to Dave Eggers’ The Circle. This revelation led to a deeper exploration of these AI models’ capabilities and limitations, writes James Gleick in the New York Review of Books.

‘Hallucinations’

Upon further investigation, it became clear that these language models, despite their impressive ability to generate human-quality text, are prone to errors. They may provide incorrect information, a phenomenon known as “hallucination”. This occurs because these models are trained on vast datasets of text, learning patterns and correlations rather than true understanding.

These models are trained on vast datasets—books, articles, blogs, and tweets—but they don’t store complete texts. Instead, they retain statistical relationships between words and phrases. This process resembles lossy digital compression, as science-fiction writer Ted Chiang aptly observed. The original detail is sacrificed for efficiency, and the result is a blur of plausibility without precision.

How AI responds to questions

When you ask a question, the AI doesn’t search a database for facts. Instead, it constructs a response that sounds plausible. If the training data includes similar phrases linked to certain authors or themes, the AI might “guess” an answer—but guessing is all it’s doing, says Gleick.

The AI’s apparent accuracy comes only from training on human-created content that happened to be truthful.

Many users trust the AI models implicitly, citing them as authoritative sources. This is a grave mistake. AI chatbots simulate expertise but lack the ability to verify facts. As a result, they amplify misinformation, making them ideal tools for disinformation campaigns.

AI models are not oracles

It’s crucial to remember that these models are sophisticated mimics, not omniscient oracles.

Artificial intelligence holds extraordinary promise, but it has limitations. As we integrate AI tools into our daily lives, we must approach them with scepticism, remembering that they are statistical pattern-matchers, not sources of truth.

The line between plausible and accurate matters now more than ever. The future of AI depends on whether we demand tools that prioritise veracity over mere verisimilitude. Until then, we must remain vigilant.

As AI technology continues to advance, it’s essential to maintain a healthy scepticism and to critically evaluate the information they provide. By understanding the limitations of these models, we can harness their potential while mitigating the risks associated with their misuse.

Challenging job market diminishes appeal of postgraduate studies in China

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Challenging job market diminishes appeal of postgraduate studies in China

China is seeing a significant decline in postgraduate entrance exam applications for the second year running, reflecting growing doubts about the value of advanced degrees in a challenging job market. According to data released by the Ministry of Education in November, 3.88 million people have registered for the 2025 postgraduate entrance exam, marking an 11.4 per cent decrease from 2024 and an 18.1 per cent drop from 2023.

More students are taking the civil service exam instead, seeking job security and stability, reports the South China Morning Post.

The national graduate entrance examination, known as kaoyan, has traditionally been viewed as a pathway to better career prospects. However, this perception is changing as China’s sluggish economy creates unprecedented challenges for jobseekers with advanced degrees.

Employment statistics grim

Recent employment statistics paint a grim picture. As of April, only 44.4 per cent of current postgraduate students had secured job offers, slightly lower than the 45.4 per cent rate among bachelor’s degree holders. The situation is even direr for those graduating from non-elite universities, where only 33.2 per cent of master’s and doctoral candidates received job offers – a 17-percentage-point decrease from the previous year.

Hardest hit are jobseekers in the 25-29 age group, which includes the most recent postgraduates. Their unemployment rate rose to 6.9 per cent in August from 6.5 per cent in July, when most graduates entered the job market.

Government raising enrolment quotas

Despite the declining interest in postgraduate studies, the government continues to raise enrolment quotas as part of its strategy to ease youth unemployment. In 2020, during the pandemic, China increased its postgraduate admission quota by 189,000 – the largest expansion since 2017. But even the higher quota can’t accommodate all vying for postgraduate degrees. Only 1.3 million students were admitted to graduate schools in 2023.

Although graduate schools have been attracting fewer applicants since last year, the country is teeming with university graduates. China churned out a record 11.79 degree holders this year, and the Ministry of Education estimates the figure will soar to 12.22 million in 2025. The prevailing sentiment seems to be Bachelor’s, yes, Master’s, no.

Fatherhood changing in East Asia: Dads get into parenting and housework

Abhijit
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A transformation in fatherhood is quietly unfolding across East Asia, challenging decades-old gender roles as more men step into active parenting and household responsibilities. The shift is particularly visible in Japan, where paternity leave uptake has surged to 30% in 2023, a dramatic increase from just 2% a decade ago, reports The Economist.

Ito Tsubasa exemplifies this change. Initially reluctant to take parental leave during his wife’s second pregnancy, he eventually relented, spending six months at home, and it revolutionised his perspective on fatherhood. “I used to think I was a great dad just because I played with the child on the weekends,” says Ito, now father to children aged eight and four. “I couldn’t have been more wrong.” Today, he shares household duties equally with his wife.

Dual-income families

The trend coincides with rising female participation in the workforce. Japan’s employment rate for women aged 25 to 39 exceeded 80 per cent for the first time in 2022, while South Korea reports 74 per cent employment among women aged 25 to 29. Dual-income households now represent over 60 per cent of the families in Japan and Taiwan, and nearly half in South Korea.

Although Japan and South Korea have some of the world’s most generous paternity leave policies— both offer fathers a full year of paid leave—cultural barriers persist. Young employees often hesitate to use these benefits for fear of displeasing their ageing male managers. When men do take leave, it tends to be brief—most Japanese fathers take less than two weeks, while 95 per cent of mothers take six months or more.

Taiwan presents a more progressive picture, with a narrower gender pay gap of 15 per cent compared to South Korea’s 31 per cent and Japan’s 21 per cent. According to the World Values Survey, 64 per cent of Taiwanese men are comfortable with wives earning more than husbands, compared with only 26 per cent of the Japanese and 28 per cent of the South Korean men. However, Taiwan’s parental leave policy caps monthly payments at NT$36,640 (about $1,100), deterring higher earners from taking extended leave.

Men, housework and fertility rates

The evolution in fatherhood could help address East Asia’s demographic crisis. Research by economist Matthias Doepke of the London School of Economics suggests a positive correlation between men’s participation in housework and fertility rates in wealthy nations. This finding gains significance as South Korea’s fertility rate hits a record low of 0.72, with Japan at 1.2 and Taiwan at 0.87.

As demonstrated by Taiwanese father Teng Kai-yuan, who splits housework equally with his wife and dedicates weekends to family activities, the new generation of fathers is determined to break with traditional patterns. “Both my wife and I hated the fact that our fathers did not spend time with us,” he says, reflecting a broader desire for change in paternal involvement across the region.

Featured image by Prexels (for illustration purposes only)

India and China can no longer be treated as developing nations: Objections raised at UN climate talks

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India and China can no longer be treated as developing nations: Objections raised at UN climate talks

Delegates from several developing nations at the COP29 UN climate talks in Azerbaijan are challenging the long-standing classification of China and India as developing countries, arguing they should no longer receive the same treatment as the world’s poorest nations.

Nigeria’s environment minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, has taken a strong stance, stating that China and India are in a “faster phase” of development than countries like Nigeria and should begin contributing to climate finance for poorer nations. This sentiment was echoed by other representatives, including an African negotiator who suggested that countries like China, India, South Africa, and Egypt should be removed from the developing countries list, reports the Guardian.

The current classifications, dating back to 1992 when the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was signed, mean that China and India have no formal obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or provide financial assistance to poorer countries. China, despite being the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitter and second-largest economy, technically qualifies to receive climate aid, though it chooses not to accept it.

Colombia’s environment minister, Susana Muhamad, called the developed and developing country categories “obsolete” and in need of change. The issue has gained particular significance at this year’s talks in Azerbaijan, where nearly 200 governments are discussing how to provide poor countries with access to the $1 trillion annual funding needed for emission reduction and climate adaptation.

While China has provided approximately $4.5 billion annually in climate finance to poorer countries from 2013 to 2022, critics note that developing nations spent nearly $300 billion in 2022 solely on servicing their Chinese debt, says the Guardian.

Indian representatives, meanwhile, point out India’s per capita income is only $2,800 compared with the USA’s $35,000 and insist climate finance is essential for India to transition to a green economy.

As the talks continue into their second week, this debate over national status and financial responsibilities threatens to complicate efforts to forge a new collective agreement on climate finance, a key goal of this year’s conference.

The discussions in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, come as nearly 200 governments grapple with the challenge of mobilizing $1 trillion annually to help poorer nations cut emissions and adapt to climate impacts. Progress has been slow, with developed nations hesitant to meet funding targets and disputes over commitments to phase out fossil fuels.

The growing Gen Z gender divide reshaping politics

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The growing Gen Z gender divide reshaping politics

A dramatic political chasm has emerged among Generation Z voters worldwide, with young men and women increasingly diverging in their political allegiances. This trend came into sharp focus during the 2024 US presidential election, where Donald Trump secured a striking 14-point advantage among men aged 18-29, while Kamala Harris captured young women’s votes by an 18-point margin.

This gender-based political divide extends far beyond American borders, the Guardian reports. In South Korea’s 2022 presidential election, young voters showed a remarkable 25-point gender gap in support for the conservative People’s Power party. Germany has witnessed similar patterns, with young men twice as likely as their female counterparts to support the far-right AfD party.

Dr Alice Evans, a senior lecturer at King’s College London, attributes this global phenomenon partly to a backlash against gender equality initiatives. A 2024 Ipsos study revealed this generational shift: while baby boomers showed minimal gender differences in their views on traditional roles, Gen Z displayed an 11-point gap between men and women on questions about gender equality.

A growing trend towards gender-based media consumption is accelerating this divide. Popular platforms like Joe Rogan’s podcast, which claims an 80 per cent male audience according to YouGov, show how digital media has created separate cultural spheres for young men and women. Trump’s 2024 campaign strategy capitalised on this trend, focusing heavily on male-dominated podcast appearances with hosts like Rogan, Logan Paul, and Theo Von.

These patterns have manifested dramatically in various national elections. Poland’s far-right Confederation, despite its overall underperformance in 2023, found its strongest support base among young men while promoting explicitly anti-feminist positions.

Experts suggest that addressing this growing polarisation requires fundamental changes in social infrastructure. Evans calls for phone bans in schools and increased investment in youth centres to foster greater interaction between young men and women. “If young people spend more time with the opposite sex, become friends and form relationships, they will start to see just how much they could have in common,” she told the Guardian.

The deepening gender divide among young voters poses significant challenges for democratic societies, which must find solutions to bridge this chasm.

China’s defence minister ‘under investigation’ like his predecessors: Powerful military, vulnerable leaders

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China’s defence minister ‘under investigation’ like his predecessors: Powerful military, vulnerable leaders

China is one of the world’s most powerful nations, but its defence ministers are proving strangely vulnerable. Dong Jun is the third Chinese defence minister to come under investigation, reports the Financial Times, after his two immediate predecessors were found guilty of corruption. Ironically, the billions :Beijing is splurging on becoming a superpower to rival America proved the undoing of its two former defence ministers.

Now, the current incumbent, Dong Jun, has come under investigation, reports the Financial Times, citing current and former US officials.

Dong Jun and his predecessors

Dong Jun assumed office in December 2023 after the dismissal of his predecessor, General Li Shangfu. Li was ousted only seven months after he succeeded Wei Fenghe, who faced several allegations after stepping down as defence minister in March last year. Both Li and Wei were expelled from the Communist Party in June this year for “serious violations of discipline”, a euphemism for corruption, recalls Reuters.

The Communist Party said at the time that Li and Weng were found to have received huge sums of money in bribes and sought benefits for others.

Reuters reported last year that Li was under investigation for suspected corruption in military procurement.

The details of the allegations against Dong remain unclear.

Drive against corruption in PLA

Clearly, however, Chinese President Xi Jinping is on a sweeping drive against corruption in the PLA.

More than a dozen senior military figures have already been unseated since the investigation began last summer into hardware purchases going back to 2017, reports Bloomberg. The probe resulted in the downfall of the last two defence ministers and several officials with ties to the secretive Rocket Force that oversees China’s nuclear arsenal.

Poisoned chalice?

With Dong reportedly being investigated for corruption like his predecessors,  the question arises whether the position of the defence minister in China has become a poisoned chalice.

The Chinese defence minister is not actually in charge of the armed forces – they are under the command of the Central Military Commission chaired by President Xi Jinping – but the minister conducts Chinese military diplomacy with other nations.

Dong, for example, attended a defence ministers’ recently in Laos, where he declined to meet US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin. The refusal followed US approval of advanced weaponry for Taiwan, escalating tensions. This diplomatic snub occurred amid a backdrop of tentative efforts to rebuild military communication channels between the US and China.

While the Chinese defence minister is not the armed forces’ supreme authority, Dong and his two predecessors held top ranks in the military. Dong was the PLA navy chief. He is the first navy admiral to be defence minister. Wei served as a commander of the PLA Rocket Force. Li, an aerospace engineer, was a senior official associated with general armaments and equipment development before his elevation to the rank of a general.

Cost of modernisation

All three served in the top echelons of the world’s largest armed forces, which are rapidly modernising.

“In some areas of military strength, China has surpassed America,” the Economist reported on November 4. China today possesses the world’s largest navy, the newest naval vessels, warplanes that are “near the calibre of those from NATO countries”, and, according to some, the world’s leading arsenal of hypersonic missiles, added the Economist.

China has become a major power at an enormous cost.

China’s military budget

The Associated Press reported on March 5 this year that China announced a 7.2 per cent increase in its defence budget, which is the world’s second-highest behind the United States at $222 billion.

No, it’s spending far more, claims The Hill.

According to The Hill, China’s military budget might have been as high as $711 billion in 2022. It noted that American spy agencies estimated Chinese military spending at about $700 billion.

The US military budget for the fiscal year 2024 as of March 2023,on the other hand, was $842 billion, according to Wikipedia.

“China’s self-reported military budget, which comes directly from the Chinese Communist Party… excludes essential expenditures such as paramilitary organisations, funding for defence research and development, and its illegal South China Sea island-building campaign,” said The Hill on April 30 this year. “Many experts believe China’s public defence budget does not include other military-relevant expenses such as space activities, construction, and research.”

Corruption amid military build-up

In other words, Beijing is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars into a massive military build-up, and there is corruption in the armed forces, which President Xi is trying to stamp out. In the process, he is also strengthening his grip on the military.

Dong’s tenure as defence minister has been marked by uncertainty. Unusually, he was not appointed to the Central Military Commission (CMC), China’s highest military body, nor to the State Council earlier this year—both traditional roles for defence ministers.

President Xi’s anti-corruption campaign aims to strengthen the military’s “war-preparedness”.

The PLA is a behemoth by any standards, with more than two million active personnel and more than 500,000 reserve personnel as of 2022.

It’s a formidable military machine, but experts warn that it could be undermined by corruption. US officials have expressed doubts about the PLA’s ability to meet Xi’s target to be ready to invade Taiwan by 2027. Peace lovers will, of course, never want the PLA to be put to that test.

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