Global Icons 2025 – People Who Inspire the World

The Global Icons 2025 Ceremony, taking place in Singapore this November, aims to honor individuals (1) __________ contributions have changed millions of lives. This year's theme, “Leading with Heart”, focuses on people who use their fame for social good.

Among the winners is Vietnamese singer Le Mai, well-known for her charity concerts (2) __________ to raise funds for underprivileged children. Her performances combine talent and compassion, showing that art can truly make a difference.

Organizers hope the event will (3) __________ young people to follow their passions and help others. Every story shared on stage is carefully (4) __________ to remind audiences that success means more than wealth or power.

The ceremony will also include workshops on leadership and creativity, offering (5) __________ activities to engage future change makers. These inspiring individuals prove that even small acts of kindness can (6) __________ a big impact on the world.

(Adapted from Success Magazine)

Healthy Morning Habits for Students

If you want to start your day with more energy, here are some simple tips to help you build a routine for the morning:

✔ Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up (1) __________ it helps your body rehydrate after a long night. This small habit is useful (2) __________ the long run because it prepares your body for an active morning.

✔ Prepare your school bag the night before and avoid carrying (3) __________ that may slow you down.

✔ Give yourself time to have a balanced breakfast and avoid rushing from one task to the next. If you finish early, use the extra minutes to check your schedule or prepare (4) __________ activities for the day.

✔ Choose foods that provide long-lasting energy, supporting your body to stay active and (5) __________ throughout the morning.

✔ Try to begin your day early enough so you are not against (6) __________ every morning.

Taking selfies, a cultural phenomenon, (1) __________. A selfie is a self-portrait taken with a smartphone or camera. This trend has gained immense popularity, especially among younger generations, (2) __________. The ease of taking and sharing selfies has made them a staple in modern communication.

Selfies serve various purposes beyond just capturing images. (3) __________. Additionally, selfies can be a form of self-expression, as individuals often choose specific angles, filters, and settings to convey their mood or personality. This ability to curate one's image has led to the rise of social media influencers who rely on selfies to connect with their audiences and promote brands.

However, the selfie trend is not without its criticisms. Constantly judged by others on social media, (4) __________. Some argue that the obsession with selfies can lead to unrealistic beauty standards and a distorted self-image. (5) __________.

The hidden environmental cost of AI: A drain on Vietnam's resources

1. Professionals across Vietnam increasingly use AI tools for emails, presentations, and content creation. Few realize that each interaction carries an environmental cost, placing additional pressure on the country's already challenged power grid and water resources.

2. AI systems require far more energy than traditional digital tools. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, a single AI search consumes roughly ten times more electricity than a standard Google search. Research conducted by the University of California, Riverside in 2023 reveals that generating a 100-word email using generative AI consumes about 519 milliliters of water, mainly for cooling the data centers that power these systems. Although the impact of one request seems minimal, the cumulative effect of millions of users is substantial.

3. Vietnam currently operates dozens of small data centers with a combined capacity of 182 megawatts, far below the national target of 870 megawatts by 2030. However, the sector is quickly expanding due to multi-billion-dollar investments from global technology companies as well as local firms such as Viettel, in response to rising demand from a tech-savvy population.

4. This rapid expansion is expected to put increasing strain on power grids and water supplies. Electricity demand in Vietnam is projected to grow by 10–12% annually through 2030, while the country already experiences seasonal power shortages. Hydropower, which provides more than a quarter of national electricity, is becoming increasingly vulnerable to drought, and coal-fired power remains a major source of emissions.

5. The solution is not to abandon AI, but to use it more responsibly. Reserving AI for high-impact tasks, reducing unnecessary content generation, and using energy-intensive features sparingly can help limit its environmental footprint. A notable example in Vietnam is Viettel's 30-megawatt data center in Hoa Lac, which boasts of using green technologies providing 30% renewable energy for its operations. As Vietnam continues rapid digitalization, understanding the real-world impact of our virtual tools becomes increasingly crucial.

(Adapted from https://www.rmit.edu.vn/)

1. The population aged over 65 is the fastest growing demographic worldwide. This group is also known as the “silver generation”, “baby boomers”, the “grand-generation” in Japan, and the “grey wall” in China.

2. Engaging the over-65s as consumers offers significant economic opportunities. In France, people aged 50 and above hold nearly half of the country's purchasing power, while seniors are expected to account for 45% of total demand. Germany's silver purchasing power is estimated at €316 billion. But Europe will soon no longer be the only ‘Old Continent'. Asia is also ageing rapidly; by 2050, one in four people – around 1.2 billion – will be over 60. [I] Euromonitor International reported that the global spending power of the silver generation reached over $12 trillion in 2020, which significantly exceeded the GDP of Latin America. Notably, the global average gross income of the silver consumer is around $14,500 annually, compared to the global average of $12,300.

3. The silver economy is expected to create millions of jobs by 2030. [II] According to BNP Paribas Cardif, people over 65 will represent more than 40% of total consumption by 2030. Communication, home and transport sectors will receive the biggest silver boost, while sectors such as e-autonomy, nutrition, health and security will also reap the opportunities offered by the silver economy.

4. [III] Critics of these predictions may argue that the shrinking labor supply may lead to a decrease in potential output, and the decreasing workforce will drag on per capita income. However, in some cases the quality of labor can increase productivity despite the shrinking workforce. As the population ages, the shrinking workforce will lead to high demand for workforce and therefore higher wages. Higher wages incentivize firms to invest in technology to make labor more productive. This productivity boost will offset the reduction in economic growth.

5. OECD and Global Coalition on Ageing recommend addressing age-related prejudices, supporting technological solutions, adjusting financing models for the silver economy, and creating flexible career models and pensions. [IV] Policies and market solutions have the potential to turn the silver tsunami into silver lining.

(Adapted from https://www.bruegel.org/)