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The Cold War – the political, ideological, economic, and military rivalry between the US and USSR – is a topic that fascinates me. Most historians agree that it started in 1945 after World War II and ended in 1991 after the dissolution of the USSR. While the US and USSR were allies during the War, the two nations had divergent political systems. One represented democracy, while the other championed communism. In ideological terms, the conflict was framed as freedom versus repression. Broadly speaking, the West offered freedom and choices; the communist bloc countered that capitalism was evil and that trading freedom for order would lead to happiness. The Cold War encompassed some of the most famous events and conflicts around the world. In Europe, Berlin was a flashpoint. During the 15-month Berlin Blockade (from June 1948 to May 1949), Soviet Union restricted all land and canal access to the portions of the city under Western control. The Allies responded by airlifting supplies to keep residents from starving until the blockade ended. The Berlin Wall, circa 1974. Image: Immo Wegmann, Unsplash Later, the split between East and West in Europe resulted in the partitioning of Germany into East Germany (ironically called the German Democratic Republic or GDR) and West Germany. And during this period, one of the most enduring symbols of the Cold War, the Berlin Wall, was constructed. The Berlin Wall did not divide East and West Germany. It encircled West Berlin to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Germany. And here's an interesting fact: Although Berlin was divided into East and West, the city itself was in East Germany. Why the interest? These are just several significant events that took place between 1945 and 1991. But the Cold War remains interesting because it occurred while I was a child, and learning about what happened and why is fascinating. As a kid, I remember my late grandparents going to Europe for a holiday. When they returned to Singapore, my grandmother told me about how strict the East German border guards were. "Our bus was stopped, and we had to present our passports. From the window, I could see guards using mirrors attached to poles to check under the bus." I didn't realise till much later that this was how they checked for escapees! Closer to home The Cold War shaped modern Asia, too. This struggle between East and West erupted into open conflicts. There was the Korean War, and just a few years later, the Vietnam War. Although an armistice was signed, the Korean War never officially ended since there is no peace treaty between both countries. Today, there are still two Koreas divided along the 38th parallel. But more significantly, East Asia remains a potential flashpoint despite the war ending in 1953. Complex geopolitical tensions still abound between China, North Korea, South Korea, and Japan. China and Russia continue to support North Korea, because without backers, there is a risk of regime collapse. And it's not hard to imagine that neither China nor Russia want to deal with the ramifications of a failed state. The Vietnam War ended not in division, but unification. But this chapter is interesting when you compare how the conflict was viewed. The US saw their involvement as a way of preventing domino theory - the belief that if one state became communist, neighbouring countries would fall to communism as well. In Vietnam, the conflict is viewed as a war against American aggression. North Vietnam fought to bring South Vietnam under its control, unify the country and liberate it from imperialists. But 50 years since the conflict ended, its effects still linger. 'Vietnam' became another name for an un-winnable war. Questions about why the US got involved in the first place continue to be asked. There are other events and open conflicts that occurred during the Cold War, many of which I still haven't learned of. But that's what makes this topic so fascinating. The Cold War supposedly ended in 1991, but much of what happened continues to shape our world today. Main image: Pei Peng, Unsplash – Jeremy

More and more people in Singapore are showing concern over the killing of civilians in Gaza ever since Israel launched its latest military operation on Tuesday. A Facebook page called “Singaporeans Stand with Palestine”, which was created in 2010, saw a surge of up to 10,000 new likes just this week, in a sign of rising concern about the deaths in the war-torn strip. The death toll in Gaza has shot up to close to 90 as of Friday as Israel’s military regime presses on. “To call the situation in Gaza, Palestine a 'war' is an utmost disrespect to the Palestinians. The term 'war' denotes two opposing parties (often at close military strength) fighting it out with each other,” said a Facebook user in one of the more popular posts on the page, which got over 600 Likes. Another user’s comment, “Palestine, we stand with you” got over 1,000 Likes. According to a media report, Israel has no plans for a ceasefire and that their officials seemed to have hinted on a possible invasion by ground forces. Using popular hashtags such as #SaveGaza, #PrayforGaza and #SavePalestine, many people in Singapore have flocked to social media, flooding newsfeeds with posts relating to their concerns over the killing of innocent civilians in Gaza due to Israeli strikes. Some have changed their Facebook profile cover photos to show support for those in Gaza and share political commentaries and news about the conflict on their profiles. Singapore Facebook user Sarah Bagharib who had shared a few posts on the Gaza conflict this week said to Yahoo Singapore, “One can tell when something is outrightly wrong and blatantly evil…I’m concerned for oppressed communities – those who are suffering and reaching out for help but little has been done or rather efforts have been inadequate to help them.” “I don’t think more and more people are only showing concern now. I think it has always been a cause that mainly Muslim Singaporeans have been more vocal about,” the 24-year-old added. Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also shared the government’s concern on Thursday. It said in a statement, “We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence. The rocket attacks on Israel must cease immediately. At the same time, we call on Israel to exercise maximum restraint and do its utmost to prevent the loss of innocent lives. All sides must urgently find ways to de-escalate the situation, work towards a ceasefire and ensure the safety and security of all civilians.” Singapore is not the only country showing concerns over the conflict. According to Al Jazeera, people from many Arab and Muslim countries have condemned Israel for its airstrikes that are taking place as Muslims in Gaza observe the holy month of Ramadhan. Communities such as the ones in the UK have shown their concern and support for Palestine through a “Palestine Solidarity Campaign” Facebook group. Other world leaders have also shared their views on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A US state department spokesperson reportedly said, “No country should be expected to stand by while rocket attacks from a terrorist organisation are launching into their country and impacting innocent civilians.” The United Nations' Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reportedly said rocket attacks from Gaza are “unacceptable” and “condemn” the rising number of civilian lives lost in Gaza. Source: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/what-is-buzzing/sympathy-for-palestine-surges-in-singapore-amid-heightened-israel-gaza-conflict-033837106.html

The Syrian crisis has raised the threat of terrorism in Singapore. Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean gave a sobering picture in Parliament today (July 9) on the impact of the crisis to the country and why the developments go beyond security concerns and threatens social cohesion. The Syrian conflict is into its third year and is a security concern for many countries including Singapore. As many as 12,000 foreigners may have already gone to fight in Syria, and the number is growing. Mr Teo, who is also Home Affairs Minister, revealed that a handful of Singaporeans have also gone to Syria to take part in the conflict. “The Government knows of a handful of Singaporeans who have gone to Syria to take part in the conflict. One of them is Haja Fakkurudeen Usman Ali (Haja), a naturalised Singapore citizen of Indian origin. He brought his wife and three children then aged between two and 11 with him,” he said. “Another female Singaporean is believed to have gone to Syria with her foreign husband and two teenaged children. The whole family is taking part in the conflict in various ways, either joining the terrorist groups to fight, or providing aid and support to the fighters.” Source: http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/handful-singaporeans-went-syria-join-conflict-dpm-teo

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/bitter-internal-c...p--sources.html Shame that SPP is falling apart, and I hope the outstanding members like Jimmy, Wilfred, Benjamin SPP's hope actually until this point, join a party that appreciates them more. Chiam is a icon but he must realise that the party is not about him and him only. During GE, SPP rallies had people chanting "Chiam See Tong Chiam See Tong" and not SPP SPP. Not like in a WP rally when people chanted "Work-ers Par-ty". Sounds like only SPP is Chiam and vice versa, and no space for the upcoming people.

lai lai, gather, I think I'm stuck in Norway haiz maybe we can form a mcf-er online weekly gathering for a game of brinkmanship

Hi bros....want to ask if all mods are compatible with each other????...like some mods dun blend in nicely with other mods ley....is it becos of the different brands???? any bros here got any experience with conflicting mods???...since it is all electronics....it should face problems like computer OS compatibility issues right???