There is no shame in being a victim of bullying

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For those of us who recently did the single-word essay on bullying, take a look at this...
It uses the flashback technique where the flashback was activated using a trigger -- the photo.....
When u want to end the flashback to return to the starting point, either to continue the story or go into some kind of reflection (i.e. mixed genre approach -- narrative recount followed by expository reflection), u need to signpost the change in time frame...Note how the writer did this via the following signposts:
1. Looking back, more than 50 years later...

2. I look at the photo again, at my tiny frown and my fine, furrowed brow....[this is a particularly useful technique as it makes mention of the trigger used earlier, i.e. the photo]

I will say more about this if time permits in whatever's left of our lessons....

Delhi's refusal of foreign aid in flood crisis sparks debate

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Qn: Is there still a place for charity in today’s world? (Cam. 2006)

China's debt traps a trademark of its imperialist goals

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Qns:
1. "Cooperation, not competition, is the key to success." Discuss.
2. Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (Cam. 2008)

Everything's got a price

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Qns: 
1. "Sport is too closely associated with money." Discuss.
2.  Does sport merit the vast sums of money that are spent on it? (Cam. 2010)

ISIS emerging stronger as an idea

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Qn: Can terrorism ever be eradicated?

Battle stations: Asia's arms race hots up

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Annual defence spending in the Asia-Pacific has more than doubled since the turn of the century to US$450 billion (S$614 billion)

The US is budgeting to spend US$717 billion on defence in 2019, an almost 8 per cent year-on-year increase and its highest spending since 2011. Beijing's spending is scheduled to rise to US$207 billion this year, consolidating its position as the world's second-largest spender on defence and boosting investment in high-tech weapons ranging from artificial intelligence to aircraft carrier killer missiles to drone swarms.

Qn: Examine the extent to which expenditure on arms and the armed forces is justified in the modern world. (Cam. 2014)

BRI to be based on spirit of cooperation and mutual benefit: Xi

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Qns:
1. "Cooperation, not competition, is the key to success." Discuss.
2. Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (Cam. 2008)

Kerala's flood lessons and the Asia project

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Kevin Kwan wanted for defaulting on NS obligations

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It has been hailed as a breakthrough for racial representation in Hollywood and as a good showcase for Singapore.

"We expect the exposure from the movie to help bring greater global awareness of our destination and this could potentially attract more visitors over time.

"Moreover, the movie has profiled Singapore's talents, including the huge cast and crew who were involved in the production," STB added.

Qn: Do films offer anything more than an escape from reality? (Cam. 2014)

Are Singaporeans ready for Ah Kong to age in place?

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Note closing BANG:
It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes a community to care for the aged.

Useful stats:
As Singapore prepares for a silver tsunami - by 2030, one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 years and above

UK court clears way for StanChart robbery suspect's extradition

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Later that month, Singapore gave the assurance to Britain that Roach would not be caned even if he is convicted of robbery, a crime which carries mandatory caning here.

British laws prohibit the authorities from extraditing Roach without such an assurance. Britain abolished caning as a punishment for criminals in 1948.

Note also how the CCTV that identified him as the criminal was powerless in preventing him from escaping to another country where our laws have no jurisdiction over....At the end of the day, we still need the police to go down to arrest the criminals; technology can only do so much in facilitating law-enforcers.

Qns: 
1. To what extent is it possible ‘to make the punishment fit the crime’? (Cam. 2013)
2. To what extent has technology had an impact on both privacy and security in your country? (Cam. 2009)

Google erases 'Don't be evil' from code of conduct after 18 years

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Googled this after I heard it on the radio....

USeful BANG: Google motto of "Don't be Evil"
-seems like an ethics code for the company to abide by...this is significant if u recall examples of unethical businesses and how they impact consumers, exploit workers, harm mother nature etc....Think Sanlu milk powder, palm oil plantations in Indonesia that burn forests and causes haze, Volkswagon lying about its carbon emission engines being environmentally friendly, and garment factories that exploit workers in 3rd world nations working in sweatshops...


but in recent years, Google has been involved in some controversial businesses that appear to be at odds with its motto, the most prominent of which is dipping its toes into the area of war by collaborating with Pentagon (US military):

The 4,000 staff protesting Google's work for the Pentagon's AI Project Maven referred to the motto to highlight how the contract conflicted with the company's values. 

"The Google Code of Conduct is one of the ways we put 'Don't be evil' into practice. It's built around the recognition that everything we do in connection with our work at Google will be, and should be, measured against the highest possible standards of ethical business conduct.

Interestingly, Google pulled out this motto earlier this year....

Qn: Is it realistic for businesses to be socially responsible when profits are their main concern? (NYJC J2 MidYr 2018)

A place where kids have aged before their time

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Note end of article where it is mentioned that the Rohingyas will not be allowed to work in Bangladesh even if they are educated and have the skills.....

"And even if he studies, so what? Is he ever going to be allowed to work here?"

Qns:
1. 'There is no such thing as childhood any more.' Discuss.
2. T what extent does education help to eradicate poverty?

Face transplant operations in Singapore a possibility

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Medical resreach involving face transplant and viruses and vaccines can have repercussions on national security...Imagine Osama going for a face transplant to evade capture! And of course, terrorists getting their hands on viruses to be used in bio-terrorism  -- unleashing deadlily viruses to be spread among the people in a targeted country.....Given this, facial transplant technology and reseach on viruses and vaccines should be treated in the same vein as nuclear research to ensure they do not fall into the wrong hands....
Of course, facial transplant technology is still in its infancy stage, and it's going to be a while before it is perfected to such a stage that terrorists and other criminals want to avial themselves to it to escape the from the clutches of law. Nevertheless, given that sci and tech advances by leaps and bounds these days, it may be safer to keep an eye on the way the research in this field is turning out... -- better be safe than sorry....

Qn: To what extent should medical research be regulated?

Women try to look 'filthy' to avoid harassment by S. Korean director

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Relate this to the Me Too Movement involving sexual harassment...

Note also the role of the media here as the watchdog to redress injustice, esp against powerful influential people and organization -- a case of David vs the Goliath....
But note how this can be abused in what has been called 'trial by the media' instead of by the court....In the event if the accused is actually innocent, then the media would have been guilty of a miscarriage of justice since everyone should be presumed innocent until proven guilty by the court....To expose it in the media and condemned the accused as guilty before the court has even said anything can be unfair to the accused as the resultant defamation can destroy people's career and life...Only when the judiciary is corrupt can this trial by the media be justified, as in the case of high profile rapes cases in India where the rapists were eventually sentenced to death when the media applied pressure on a judiciary which is discriminatory towards women. (women in India have low social status, particularly those form low social caste, and the court tend sto be lenient towards the rapists)

Sometimes, a gag order is imposed on the media by the court to prevent people from discussing it and the media from reporting it so that it would not prejudice the delivery of justice. This is a case in point where censorship of the media may be justified in the name of justice.


"the truth is revealed through an official legal procedure, not through a court of public opinion".

Asian Games 2018: Indonesians swell with pride

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As with the recently concluded Russian World Cup, staging the Asian Games provides an opportunity to stoke the pride in their national identity for the Indonesians....

For qns on sports, esp hosting of sporting events...

How S'pore is tackling plastic bag problem

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Our efforts focus on three waste streams - food waste, e-waste and packaging waste, which includes single-use plastics.

the implementation of mandatory reporting of packaging data and reduction plans will be brought forward to 2020.

Individuals can also make a positive difference by consciously choosing to use fewer plastic bags, using reusables instead of disposables, recycling plastic waste, and choosing products with reduced packaging.

Limiting global warming easier said than done

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Qn: Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective. (Cam. 2017)

Marie Curie voted most influential woman in history

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Good example for BANGs for gender qns...

Only natural to see red over pink tax

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Note 
- the pun in this catchy title....
-the opening BANG using a quote by Mao Zedong: Women hold up half the sky.


-interesting example/info in closing BANG! A group of South Korean women has done this by deciding to stop spending money on the first Sunday of every month.

Qn: “Women and Men should always be regarded as equals.” Do you agree?

Nooyi's PepsiCo exit means one fewer female CEO

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Some good examples of female CEOs, including one that just stepped down.

PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi, who announced on Monday that she will leave the post in October

After Ms Nooyi's departure, there will be just 23 female CEOs leading Fortune 500 companies, making up less than 5 per cent of all CEOs at these companies, down from 32 female CEOs last year.

Among the high-profile women who remain at the helm of Fortune 500 companies: Ms Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, Mrs Ginni Rometty, CEO of IBM.....

Qn: “Women and Men should always be regarded as equals.” Do you agree?

Useful Quotation for Environmental Issues

Another colourful quotation on environmental issue.....note the imagery employed....

Terrorism by joystick: The growing threat of weaponised drones

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Some good examples on the dangers of sci and tech...useful for BANGs...note how the examples are used in the opening BANG of f the article:

A failed assassination attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro last Saturday was mounted with explosive-armed drones, according to news reports. Nine days earlier, and on the other side of the world, terrorists claimed to have sent an armed drone to attack the international airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Qn: Does science and technology always improve the lives of the people?

Forgetting the child, in the marriage

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A good example to show how traditional practices can be harmful, and that certain harmful actions and practices are legitimized and sacntioned by traditions and cultures...Consider also traditional practices like the dowry practice in India, religious attitudes towards LGBT, cultural preference for sons instead of daughters, cultural practice of having women wear the niqab and the burqa.....

For qns concenring pros and cons of traditional practices and culture....

Melting of Swedish glacier builds up climate change fears

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good example for ur BANGs for climate change qns... Note how it is also used as an opening BANG in this article:

the rapid pace of climate change, after a glacier on Sweden's Kebnekaise mountain melted so much in sweltering Arctic temperatures that it is no longer the country's highest point.

Also, the fact that Sweden, a Scandinavian country right up there near the Arctic, is plagued by wildfires and high summer temperatures, is also a startling piece of info that makes for a good BAAANNNGGGG!!!!

Qn. Assess the view that attempts to control climate change can never be truly effective. (Cam. 2017)

E-waste is more pressing issue than plastics: Masagos

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note the solutions proposed by the govt....

Why are celebs going into politics?

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Note the role of social media in this....and the various examples of celebrities who dabbled in politics -- Trump being one of these....

Qn: "Politics and celebrity should not mix." Discuss.

Anger in Japan over bid by med school to keep women away

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Qn: “Women and Men should always be regarded as equals.” Do you agree?

Women see red over 'pink tax'

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excellent article! note some of the examples (esp the recent CareShield Life premiums saga: see HERE) and the valid justifications in some cases for the discrimination.....

Qn: “Women and Men should always be regarded as equals.” Do you agree?

Useful Quotations on the Environment

Some useful BANGs:

Man's attitude and treatment of Mother Nature has been seen as irresponsible...Trump even dismisses the whole climate change phenomenon as a 'Chinese hoax' and pulled the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Some interesting metaphors have been used regarding man's treatment of Mother Nature, such as 'rape on Mother Nature' (in which case it becomes an unnatural act as it is incest!) as well as 'unfilial' since we are destroying the 'Mother' that feeds and sustains us -- biting the hand that feeds us....but we're not just 'biting', we causing her to develop 'fever' , dumping tonnes of wastes on her, depleting all her resources, and ultimately killing her

Note these beautiful imagery in these quotations...

1) the way man treats the environment is akin to setting the house on fire while he is still living within it.....

2)

New agency to oversee food security

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update yourself on the latest changes....
No more AVA (Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority?) AVA is in charge of food and animal issues.

Now the food-related issues will go to new organisation The Singapore Food Agency (SFA), whereas the animal-related issues like animal abuse and wild boars roaming around will go to the existing National Parks  Board.

Singaporeans take family, humour and fun seriously

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Useful characteristic features of Singapore for ur AQ and 'your society' qns...

Move to give Jews special status sparks controversy

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For those familiar with the example of the Palestinie issue, this makes for a good example of how the law/legislation actually legitimises discrimination by making it accpetable in the eyes of the law -- that is a very powerful statement!
To understand the gravity of the situation, just think how it would be like if Singapore passes a law that says only the majority Chinese can have a say in the decisions affecting the country, thereby excluding the rights of the Malays and Indians! Then look at how the Minority Representative Act in Singapore does the actual opposite by guaranteeing them a voice in Parliament under the law.

"we now have a law that confirms the Arab population as second-class citizens. It therefore is a very clear form of apartheid".....
Israel "has passed a law of Jewish supremacy and told us that we will always be second-class citizens".

Accordingly, the Nation State Law provides that only the Jewish people have the right of self-determination in Israel. No wonder the law has provoked a storm of protest in Israel, given that 1.8 million of its citizens are Arab.

Qn: 
1. Can discrimination ever be eliminated?
2. In your society, how far is equality for all a reality? (Cam. 2012)

Nostalgia has stolen the future

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Note how politicians harness nostalgia for political effect, esp in the Brexit Referendum and the US Presidential Election which saw Trump become President.....note his clarion call : Make America Great Again!

Qn: 'There is no value in nostalgia.' Comment. (ACJC Prleim 2011)

The deadly results of mistranslation

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Note the various useful examples, including the ones on "Satanic Verses" where translation issues gave the impression that the author was insinuating that the Koran/Quaran is written by Satan!

Note also how the Closing BANG echoes the Opening BANG!

For qns on the importance of clear communication, given that we live and interact with others in a world where we speak different languages, esp crucial in diplomacy btw coutnries....

Qns:

1)     The pen is mightier than the sword. Can written language really be so powerful? (2007)

2)     The world would be a better place if everyone spoke the same language. Discuss. (2006)

China's battle with 'dark water armies'

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The Internet was meant to widen friendship circles and amass the wisdom of crowds. Although the tools are there, the trust is not.

Interesting and useful idea on how the internet generates distrust among people despite the wealth of info it makes available to us....

Lombok villagers face uncertain future

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For qns on the problems of tourism....

Qn: Should poorer countries develop their tourist industry when the basic needs of their own people are not being met? (Cam. 2007)

Recommended by Denmark ban on face veil takes effect

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In May, the Danish Parliament banned the wearing of face veils in public, joining France, Austria and other European countries to uphold what some politicians say are secular and democratic values.

"I see this as the government reaching into places it doesn't belong and as a cheap hit on an already stigmatised group to score cheap political points."


For qns on how multiculturalism or migration affects the integration and cohesion of a society, the forging of a common national identity...

Qn: To what extent should the state be allowed to interfere with the private lives of its people?

Woman jailed for killing pet parrot of stepdaughter

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Not the Singapore law against animal cruelty:
For animal cruelty, Hang could have been jailed for up to 18 months and fined up to $15,000.

Qn: To what extent are the rights of animals protected in your society? (Cam. 2012)

Supermarket chains see drop in use of plastic bags

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"It's encouraging that some supermarkets are reporting a drop in plastic bags used, but businesses have to take more responsibility to reduce demand. For example, a levy has been proven to work in many markets around the world.

Single-use supermarket plastic bags contributed 820 million to the 1.76 billion plastic items used yearly in Singapore

Qn: Is it realistic for businesses to be socially responsible when profits are their main concern? (NYJC MidYr J2 2018)