Questões Militares de Inglês

Singapore overtakes US as world’s most competitive

economy

Sherisse Pham

    Singapore has knocked the United States out of the top spot in the World Economic Forum’s annual competitiveness report.

    The index takes stock of an economy’s competitive landscape, measuring factors such as macroeconomic stability, the infrastructure, the labor market and the innovation capability.

    Singapore pushed the world largest economy down to second place this year. Hong Kong, the Netherlands and Switzerland rounded out the top five. Hong Kong climbed four spots from last year’s report, despite the political crisis taking a toll on its economy. The financial hub received high marks for its macroeconomic stability and financial system, but fell short on its capability to innovate.

Adapted from CNN.com

Oil contaminating Brazil’s beaches very likely from

Venezuela

Anna Jean Kaiser

    Thick crude oil that has stained hundreds of miles of pristine Brazilian beach in recent weeks probably originated in Venezuela, the Brazilian government has said, in an accusation likely to further strain relations between the two countries.

    Brazilians authorities have been investigating the growing disaster for more than a month, as the oil has spread to more than 130 beaches across nine states.

    Ricardo Salles, the country’s environment minister, told that a study by Petrobrás had concluded that the oil “is very likely from Venezuela. He said that a foreign ship near Brazil’s coastline appeared to have caused the spill.

    There was no immediate response from Venezuela.

    Social media users have shared shocking images of the spill, showing kilometers of white sand stained with oil blotches and dead, oil-covered turtles and dolphins. One shows thick black oil lapping up against a rocky jetty.

Adapted from The Guardian.  

Diplomat

    There are three main aspects to this profession: a diplomat has to keep his country informed about pertinent international events, promote a favorable image of his country and protect his country’s interests.

    Whoever is interested in a diplomatic career has to be extremely familiar with political, economical, scientific, cultural and administrative issues. To be a diplomat, it is essential to have a good knowledge of English, not only the conversational language, but also the technical terms in international law and diplomacy itself.

    To follow this career, besides being fluently bilingual, one needs a standard college education and has to take and do well in the Rio Branco Institute examination in Brasilia.

    English is so important in this career that in the first part of this selection exam, the applicant has to demonstrate his or her proficiency in the English language. Then, during the course, foreign language classes become a priority, giving future diplomats the necessary expertise to deal with the areas of official correspondences, diplomatic negotiation and international media.

Adapted from Inglês no mundo do trabalho.