World’s most innovative country

Singapore tops global innovation ranking of over 70 countries

Singapore tops global innovation ranking

THE republic has been named the world’s most innovative country, taking first place in a ranking of nations based on wide-ranging indicators such as workforce education level and new business creation rate.

It overtook the United States to top the latest Global Innovation Scorecard, a biennial ranking of 74 countries and the European Union that the Consumer Trade Association (CTA), a US trade body, has tabulated since 2019.

Out of 25 countries that were named global innovation champions, Singapore received the highest composite score, a jump from its 15th position in 2023.

Rounding off the top five innovative countries were the United States, New Zealand, Sweden and Switzerland.

Singapore was presented with the Global Innovation Champion award on Thursday at CES, the world’s largest tech fair where companies showcase their latest products and prototypes, in Las Vegas.

The exhibition, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, concluded yesterday.

CTA said its scorecard measures countries on the basis of their political, economic and demographic realities to see how well-placed they are to fuel tech innovation, with the latest edition evaluating countries on a wider range of metrics than before.

While the 2023 scorecard had 40 indicators, the latest one had 56, comprising a range of data sources from agencies such as the World Trade Organisation, the World Intellectual Property Organisation and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development.

Singapore achieved top scores in four of the 16 categories measured: business environment resilience and data transparency; the pro-innovation nature of its legal environment; its friendliness towards start-ups and small businesses; and its tax policies for companies.

It also scored well in other categories, such as the ethnic and immigrant diversity of its workforce; openness to telehealth and cross-border data flows; and broadband speeds.

CTA chief executive officer Gary Shapiro said that the scorecard looked at whether countries have the conditions that catalyse their innovators to invent a better future.

“That means not just evaluating the investment in cutting-edge sectors or red tape for start-ups, but also recognising that countries that ensure freedom of speech create opportunities for workforce diversity and respect people’s fundamental freedoms.

“By celebrating the best of the best, our innovation champions, we encourage other countries to follow their lead,” he said.

As always, the countries that rank highest on the scorecard demonstrate the best of collaboration between government and industry, added Shapiro.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Enterprise Singapore said the country is proud to be the highest-scoring innovation champion of all the countries evaluated.

“This top honour recognises Singapore’s skilled workforce, advanced broadband connectivity, entrepreneurial climate and openness to new technologies,” it said. — The Straits Times/ANN

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BASIC MEASURES WILL KEEP HMPV AT BAY

Understanding HMPV (Human Metapneumovirus) helps us stay ...

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Experts: Virus is common and no cause for panic

 GEORGE TOWN: Despite the spread of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) that brings runny noses to common influenza-like illnesses, Malaysians can still go on their Chinese New Year holidays with peace of mind, say health experts.

Most of the viruses that cause these respiratory disorders are present in Malaysia throughout the year but infection spikes in temperate countries during their winter months can increase local infection rates due to international travel, they said.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian said HMPV, which is recording a significant number of cases in China, had affected Malaysia due to the heavy flow of travellers between the two countries.

She said genetically, HMPV shares similarities with Covid-19, as both are ribonucleic acid (RNA) based viruses.

“HMPV is not as severe as Covid-19, particularly in terms of transmission risk. It doesn’t spread as quickly nor is it as dangerous as Covid-19.

“While its structure is somewhat similar, the replication process and other genetic factors differ, making it less impactful compared with Covid-19,” she said.

Dr Mastura said the basic precautions learned during the pandemic years are enough to keep HMPV at bay – these include frequent hand-washing, wearing masks, avoiding crowded places and limiting activities in enclosed spaces like malls.

ALSO READ: Health Ministry monitoring rise in acute respiratory infections

USM virologist Dr Kumitaa Theva Das said HMPV is a common virus and most adults would have been infected by it at least once.

“They might not realise it because the symptoms are so much like the flu. There have been cases where the symptoms can progress to bronchitis or pneumonia in those who are very young or elderly with a weakened immune system, but these are rare.

“Like any virus, HMPV can spread when in close contact with droplets left by an infected person, through coughing and sneezing.

'CLICK TO ENLARGE'

“We could also become exposed if we touch our mouth, nose or eyes after touching an infected surface.

“Since HMPV infections occur in younger children, families travelling with kids can be more mindful and seek medical help if a respiratory infection is prolonged or gets more severe,” she added.

State health committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said so far the situation in Penang is under control and tightly monitored by health authorities there.

He advised the public to take the same safety measures they did during the Covid-19 pandemic as a precaution and to prevent further spread.

He said those who experience prolonged or worsening symptoms should seek medical attention immediately at the nearest healthcare facility.

Gooi added that the public can use the same techniques they used during the pandemic, like always covering the mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, either by using a tissue or wearing a face mask.

He said wearing a face mask is highly recommended, particularly for people at high risk of infection or those showing symptoms.

This is especially important in enclosed or crowded spaces where the risk of transmission is higher.

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Exercise your fingers to stimulate your brain

 

Getting your fingers to do a movement pattern is like a secret handshake between your brain and your fingers. — Pexels

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As cliche as it sounds, it’s that season again to start making fitness goals as another new year rolls around.

Instead of just focusing on the usual resolutions to get your body fit and healthy in 2025, why not add in some simple workouts for the brain as well?

This “brain gym” is fun, can even be a party game and doesn’t require much – only your fingers.

Numerous studies show that finger coordination exercises can activate the cerebral cortex and delay the decline of cognitive function.

No matter our age, we all have the occasional memory lapse, but ageing alone is generally not a cause of cognitive decline.

Like working out your skeletal muscles, the brain needs to be exercised too – without gadgets.

Challenging your brain with mental exercises is believed to activate processes that help maintain individual brain cells and stimulate communication among them.

You won’t work up a sweat, but don’t be surprised as to how tired your brain feels afterwards.

The seemingly simple, but brain-challenging exercises require both hands to be engaged simultaneously and are intended to enhance coordination, focus and dexterity, as well as stimulate vital neural connections.

Remember, it’s not just about moving your fingers, but moving them with fluidity and without any kinks.

For kicks, I asked a few of my much younger colleagues to attempt the exercises and they burst out laughing in embarrassment when they realised they couldn’t do them!

With regular practice, you will get better and will discover that your brain (hopefully!) works better too.

There are four exercises demonstrated on this page for you to try.

Do each exercise 10-20 times.

Start slowly and pick up speed once your brain starts adapting to the exercise.

Initially, you’ll notice that your eyes will dart from one hand to the other to watch the movements.

Eventually you should focus in front, not on the fingers.

Rope in a partner and do it together.

Laugh, but don’t give up when the going gets tough.

See you all in the new year!

Revathi Murugappan is a certified fitness trainer who tries to battle gravity and continues to dance to express herself artistically and nourish her soul. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

1a) Start by placing both hands on a flat surface or table. — Photos: FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

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Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival kicks off

 

The opening ceremony of the 41st China Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is held in Harbin, capital city of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on January 5, 2024. Photo: VCG

 

 The 41st China Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival kicked off at Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, capital city of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Sunday. Themed "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia," the festival offers visitors a diverse range of activities, some of which are related to the upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games, further enriching the festival's cultural legacy, according to a press release the local publicity department sent to the Global Times on Sunday.

During the opening ceremony, Harbin Ice-Snow World was bustling with crowds. 

Sun Zemin, a deputy director of the Sales and Marketing Department of Harbin Ice-Snow World Park Co, Ltd, told the Global Times that this year's Harbin Ice-Snow World is larger than it has ever been and features the greatest number of ice sculptures in its history. 

According to Sun, the scenic spot covers an area of 1 million square meters and uses 300,000 cubic meters of ice and snow. The design and planning of this edition focus on the 9th Asian Winter Games, meticulously creating iconic landscapes from 42 countries and three regions. 

Also on Sunday, the official song of the 9th Asian Winter Games, "Light Up Asia" was released. The song closely adheres to the theme of the festival, further promoting the vigorous development of ice and snow sports in Asia. 

One of the standout events of the festival is the 41st public ice and snow collective wedding set to take place at the park on Monday. One of the key activities of the festival, this collective wedding tradition is the first wedding ceremony in China to use ice and snow as a medium. Successfully held for 41 years, it has attracted 1,320 newlywed and anniversary couples from over 20 countries across the five continents, showcasing its international influence, the press release noted.

Li Chen, the director in charge of the event, told the Global Times that for this iteration, a total of 42 couples from 17 provinces and regions across China, including the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in South China and East China's Jiangsu Province, are participating in the wedding ceremony.

"Many young couples nowadays prefer to have destination weddings, and this public collective ice and snow wedding offers them a unique experience. Many of them are drawn to the symbolism of 'pure love' behind an ice and snow wedding," Li said, adding that in just over 30 days, the 9th Asian Winter Games will be held. The couples will hold the mascots of the 9th Asian Winter Games - "Binbin" and "Nini" - as they make their promises of love.

Su Xin, a local citizen, told the Global Times on Sunday that Harbin, his hometown, is also offering many new travel products to attract tourists from around the world. For example, the K5197 train from Harbin to Yabuli South, the first train under the China Railway Harbin Group to take ice and snow tourism as its theme, started operation on Thursday. 

"The train ticket is only 20 yuan [$2.70], and I could see many passengers dressed in different costumes taking photos in cabins sporting different themes," he said.

According to the China Ice and Snow Tourism Development Report (2025) released on Sunday, in the 2024-25 ice and snow season, the number of ice and snow leisure tours is expected to reach 520 million, with tourism revenue anticipated to exceed 630 billion yuan. The report also notes that during the 2023-24 ice and snow season, the number of ice and snow leisure tours was 430 million, with tourism revenue hitting 524.7 billion yuan. This highlights a significant stimulation effect in ice and snow tourism consumption. 

Li noted that Harbin's ice and snow tourism boasts a history of over 40 years, giving it a rich tourism foundation. The local government and residents' emphasis and maintenance of their hometown's ice and snow tourism brand have made Harbin a top-level destination for winter tourism in China.

"I can truly sense that an increasing number of locals are taking the initiative to contribute to the development of our hometown's ice and snow brand. The atmosphere is incredibly harmonious," Li remarked. 

He further noted that Harbin is actively sharing its winter tourism expertise with other cities in China that are developing their own tourism models, adopting an "open and inclusive attitude."

The China Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival is the first international festival in China's history to focus on ice and snow activities and has become the world's longest-running ice and snow festival. It is not just a festival but a symbolic event for Harbin's winter tourism, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists each year, the press release noted.

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