Gunman who killed 11 in US synagogue likely acted alone

Click HERE

potential current example that can be used in ur intro or conclusion BANG! for qns on discrimination...:

The suspected gunman who killed 11 worshippers at a Pittsburgh synagogue in the most deadly attack ever on the Jewish community in the United States likely acted alone, officials said yesterday.

Qn: Assess the view that attempts to combat discrimination can never be truly effective. (DHS Prelim 2018)

Disney film sends wrong messages?

Click HERE
-Interesting -- even hilarious! -- examples of the dangers of fairytales.....link also to impact of foreign films on local culture....if u think about it, it makes sense...the Snow White example goes against the conservative practices in Islamic societies where men and women of the opposite sex are not allowed to have any intimate contact if they are not married, and by intimiate contact, I mean not just sex or kissing, but even something innocuous like holding hands! A guy was given 90 lashes of the cane under the Syriah Law for kissing a girl in a shopping mall! No kidding! (See HERE)

-Potential excellent Bangs for ur essay using those bolded and underlined below....

"Don't you think it's weird that the prince kisses Snow White without her permission? Because you cannot kiss someone if they're sleeping!"

"Every time we close Snow White I look at my girls and ask, 'Don't you think it's weird that Snow White didn't ask the old witch why she needed to eat the apple? Or where she got the apple?'" Bell told Parents......."I say, 'I would never take food from a stranger, would you?' And my kids are like, 'No!' And I'm like, 'OK, I'm doing something right.'"

children's stories such as Snow White promote sexual violence....."When you think rationally about Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, that tell of a 'princess being woken up by the kiss of a prince', they are describing sexual assault on an unconscious person

Excellent example of how Disney cartoons perpetuates the "damsel in distress" syndrome in girls instead of empowering them....but of coz, the recent Disney cartoons are evolving with the time; think Pocahontas, Mulan, and others  that portrays strong women...:
"Cinderella - banned," said Knightley, who played Robin Hood's daughter in Disney's Princess Of Thieves (2001)...."Because, you know, she waits around for a rich guy to rescue her. Don't. Rescue yourself, obviously."

"And," she added about 1989 animated film The Little Mermaid, "this is the one that I'm quite annoyed about because I really like the film. I mean, the songs are great, but do not give your voice up for a man. Hello."

Qn:  To what extent do foreign television programmes have a negative impact on the culture of your country? (DHS Prelim 2018)

Now we can create blue roses, but our real talent is destruction

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

-Note how the closing BANG makes reference to the opening BANG anecdote...

-an interesting anecdote/eg of how we have used science to overcome mother nature to create something that is previously impossible or non-existent....

We're farming disease-resistant livestock. We're growing unnaturally nutrient-rich crops. Someday, we might even eradicate inherited diseases from the human race. But this newfound, godly power is also profoundly disappointing: All the technological advancements in the world have been dwarfed by the pace of our expanding power to destroy.

We watch this collapse of Earth's biodiversity in slow motion, captured most presciently by the last remaining northern white rhinos - of which there are two females left ....

This is hubris. We go about our lives stretching our intellectual capacity to bend the possibilities of nature to meet our desires. And we ignore the human-made crises we inflict upon our planet because they are inconvenient to our lifestyles. Sooner or later, society will recognise all the damage we are inflicting upon our planetary paradise.

Meritocracy and the paradox of success

Click HERE

Take meritocracy. It recognises talent and ability over wealth and circumstance of birth, and motivates society and people to work hard. But as families do well, they spare no effort in investing in the abilities of their children, especially when they believe in meritocracy. As a result, children from different family backgrounds are pushing off blocks from different starting lines. So meritocracy, arising from a belief in fairness, seems to have paradoxically resulted in systemic unfairness.

So we need to double down on meritocracy, move away from a narrow focus on past academic merit, to recognise and celebrate a broader range of skills, talents and strengths. It should translate into tangible changes in the way we hire people, admit students to tertiary institutions, grant awards and scholarships, and accord respect to fellow Singaporeans

As for reducing achievement inequality, a tempting solution is to chop down the tall poppies to equalise outcomes. This goes against the nature and instinct of Singaporeans, who always strive to do our best. So let's not cap the top, but do even better in lifting the disadvantaged.
(Note that this goes against the grain of meritocracy, as you are effectively punishing one for being talented!)

One way is to foster a better mix of students in every school. For example, from next year's Secondary 1 posting exercise, MOE will reserve 20 per cent of school places for students without affiliation to the secondary school.
(Note this policy on secondary school admission; currently, there is also a similar one for primary school admission, where 40 places are reserved for children from families not affiliated to the primary school.....these measures help to prevent elite schools from becoming close circles where there is little or no social mixing among students from different social economic status)

In addition, we are investing heavily in pre-school education, with one-third of MOE Kindergarten places reserved for students from lower income families.

China's Belt and Road Initiative: Debt trap or hope?

Click HERE

Qn: Does the presence of a foreign power ever help a country with problems? (Cam. 2008)

Microplastics finding their way to your gut: Study

Click HERE

Useful stats for BANGING:

In the next 60 seconds, people around the world will get one million plastic bottles and two million plastic bags.

By the end of the year, we will produce enough Bubble Wrap to encircle the equator 10 times.

The main idea for this article is that like other than envmtal concerns, it is not just about saving mother nature but also ourselves, coz the microplastics are now entering our guts and may pose potential threats to our body.....

Useful Examples of Singapore Politicians

I notice some of you have very vague idea of who's who in our government.....there are a few you need to know as they are useful for ur essays...note their useful attribute in brackets below their name:

Halimah Yacob -- first female President of Singapore; highest office holder in the government
(female/ minority race)

Ms Grace Fu -- Minister for Culture, Community and Youth
(female)

Mrs Josephine Teo -- Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Home Affairs
(female)

Ms Indranee -- Minister, Prime Minister's Office, Second Minister for Finance and Second Minister for Education
(female / minority race)

Mr Tharman -- Deputy Prime Minister 
(minority race)

Dr NG Eng Hen -- Minister for Defence 
(accomplished surgeon roped in from private sector)

Mr Chan Chun Sing -- Minister for Trade and Industry
(grew up and rose up the ranks from a poor, single-parent household)

Mr K Shanmugam -- Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Law 
(accomplished lawyer roped in from private sector)

Mr Masagos  -- Minister for the Environment and Water Resources 
(minority race)


There will be essays requiring examples of:
1) local female politicians
2) ministers from minority race as evidence that meritocracy operates in the highest echelons of the government; the example of Halimah Yacob may be a bit tricky though as she won in an election that is not just a walkover, but also reserved for minority race candidates.
3) proof of meritocracy in the govt cabinet is not just about having minority races, but also having minsters who hailed from non-elite background like Chan Chun Sing
3) PAP government actively recruiting from the private sector to create diversity of views in the Cabinet to overcome blind spots created by the echo chamber effect

Cases of gender, disability bias deal big blow to Japan

Click HERE

the practice of unfairly docking marks in entrance exam scripts of female applicants appeared to be "quite widespread".....Tokyo Medical University's disclosure this August that it has been deliberately making it tougher for female applicants to enrol.

Separately, the government was found to have padded the number of employees with disabilities in its hire so that it can meet its own legal quota. The inflated count of 3,700also included dead and retired people, a probe on Monday found

Qn:   Assess the view that attempts to combat discrimination can never be truly effective. (DHS Prelim 2018)

A rough guide to work, meaning and motivation

Click HERE

If can't access above link, click HERE

An interesting read, esp in the way the writer uses an interesting anecdote involving imagery / figurative language in the opening and closing BANG, where the closing echoes the opening.....

In the rush of daily life, who has the luxury to stop to ask such questions, and to stay attentive long enough to listen to the answers?

"This uniqueness is not only rooted in how she was created (for instance, her DNA) but in the freely chosen actions that have shaped her life. Her self-creative actions, especially when they bring joy

It gives you confidence to assess a job offer not on the basis of other people's benchmarks - whether pay, prestige or progression - but in terms of whether the work is likely to give you joy, and a sense of purpose.

Fascinating fried rice imagery:

A person who lacks motivation can be as attractive as a plate of cold leftovers - which is not at all....But cooks all over the world know tricks that help them bring out the best flavours of even leftover ingredients.....In Chinese cooking, for instance, there are few dishes as comforting or as delectable as fried rice.....Helping people discover and tap into their core motivation is akin to turning overnight rice into a dish everyone is eager to have at their table.

Climate of fear: Time for change? It boils down to you acting on global warming

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

Whether it involves eating less meat, reducing food waste or using less power, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report released in Incheon, South Korea, last Monday emphasises that "behaviour change and demand-side management can significantly reduce emissions" and keep global warming to just 1.5 deg C instead of 2 deg C above pre-industrial levels.

"Because the issue we are tackling is so enormous, we sometimes forget that as an individual, we can make an impact. If each one of us reduces our meat consumption, uses fewer single-use items, and opts to use greener technology, it will help in our fight against climate change."

While the Republic (Singapore) contributes just 0.11 per cent to global emissions, Singapore ranks 26th out of 142 countries in terms of emissions per capita - higher than China, India and the European Union

Under the Paris Agreement, Singapore pledged to reduce its emissions intensity (emissions per dollar of gross domestic product) by 36 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030


For the Republic (Singapore), a key strategy to meeting these targets is improving industrial energy efficiency - understandable, since the sector is responsible for 60 per cent of emissions here. Singapore has a raft of measures to help it achieve this, including investing and deploying solar energy, and implementing a carbon tax.

Singapore has also moved to reduce transport-sector emissions. This is the country's second-largest source of emissions after the industrial sector, contributing about 15 per cent to total emissions.... investments in public transport infrastructure, or rebate schemes to encourage hybrid or electric vehicle ownership, as ways to help reduce emissions in the transport sector

In terms of carbon abatement, there are low-hanging fruit: taking public transport, buying energy-efficient appliances or not wasting food. But there are loftier goals too, involving lifestyle changes like eating less meat - a major point highlighted in the IPCC report. ....eliminating meat from the diet reduces food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent. 

People can also vote with their dollar.... for individuals to collectively urge government to take leadership, buy from companies that are sustainable, bank with financial institutions that invest responsibly...

"I was often told that as just one person, I can't make a difference. But I always replied with this quote: I'm only one but still I'm one. I cannot do everything but still I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do."


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

A city's future is built - literally - on its past; many ways to approach conservation

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

Note some of the good current local examples mentioned in article...

the price society pays for unyielding urban construction, the merits of good architecture, and the consequences of the loss of heritage and social memory.

We must not confuse conservation with leaving old buildings as they are and doing nothing at all. Neither is it turning a building into a monument that prohibits commercial use or does not generate economic value.

There are many approaches and levels of sensitive intervention, including the integration of a new building with the old. When done purposefully, such interventions not only increase land-use efficiency, but express the realistic changing socio-economic constitution of a city.

Architecture serves an important role in the branding of a city, its social development and economic growth. A city's cultural heritage can enhance its charm as a vibrant and attractive tourism destination.

Note for Q1 below, 'traditional buildings' does not necessarily have to be old buildings....it can be new buildings built in the traditional style or design...

Qns:

1.  Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society. (Cam. 2016)

2. Only modern architecture and modern art have a place in today’s world. How far is this true of your society? (Cam. 2011)

Pamela Anderson protests against caged farm animals

Click HERE

serving foie gras in his restaurants...The item is made by force-feeding geese or ducks until their livers swell to up to 10 times their usual size.

"I don't think any animal belongs in a cage for entertainment or for what we wear or what we eat," she told reporters.

For qns on celebrity influence, animal rights...

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

Keeping the flame alive after the Games

Click HERE

If can't access link above, click HERE

The location of Stratford in a forgotten and neglected backwater area of east Lonodn was deliberately chosen as the venue for the 2012 London Olympics with the hope of giving the area a much-needed boost....

It was 2005 and the British capital needed to redevelop a Victorian industrial area in the Stratford district of east London that had faded into a down-at-heel combination of small businesses and warehouses

Note also the argument on infrastructure when it comes to hosting games....one of the pros is the boost to infrastructure...but now due to the fear of creating 'white elephants', there appears to be a rethink on building new infrastucture when hosting major games events:

Similarly, Los Angeles will not build any new venues...."LA 2028 is about what we have, not what we're going to build," the organising committee said on its website.

Qn: "Hosting major sporting events creates more problems than benefits." Do you agree? (Anderson Sec Prelim 2018 / Cambridge 'A' level 2005)

Duo found guilty under new contempt of court laws

Click HERE

the pair's Facebook posts had impugned the integrity and impartiality of the Singapore courts, and posed a risk that public confidence in the administration of justice would be undermined.

"Contempt of court in its various forms harms the proper administration of justice in Singapore. Left unchecked, such conduct can obstruct the determination of the truth and erode respect for our judicial institutions. This would in turn harm the public interest in the proper administration of justice

For qns on free speech....

Melaka trishaw riders losing their way in heritage journey

Click HERE

A useful example of how tourism leads to the comemrcialization of cultural heritage

"The trishaws we have now are decorated with characters from cartoons and movies and blare out Western songs. Can we say that these are truly reflective of Melaka?..."They may attract children and tourists, but over time, Melaka's heritage value will be lost."

They will have seen, even sat in, trishaws that sport characters such as Anna and Elsa from the movie Frozen and Japanese characters like Doraemon.

Popular Western songs like Let It Go from Frozen and the Doraemon theme song have replaced Malaysian traditional tunes to catch the ear of tourists.

But Mr Arshad is doing his bit to pull the brakes on such practices. His own trishaw flaunts fauna and flora designs to promote the state's heritage and he prefers to play traditional songs.

it's hard to find a traditional trishaw as many operators have commercialised their services and prefer to decorate their trishaws with designs (from) movies like Snow White

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

Jokowi defends cost of hosting meetings of IMF-World Bank

Click HERE

Much of the spending was not only for the high-profile event, he said on Monday, but also went to strengthening infrastructure on the island, including expanding the tarmac at Ngurah Rai International Airport and the building of an underpass to ease road congestion...."After the meetings, we will continue to use these. These are not things that will just disappear," said Mr Joko.

the government was hoping the event would help promote Indonesia as a tourist destination.

Many countries fight for the chance to host such an event, said Mr Joko..."Because a meeting like this will have an impact, will give the host country a good image," he said.

Qn: 'Hosting international events brings more harm than benefits.' Do you agree?

Ordinary people can play a big part, says expert

Click HERE

Note the various ways in which ordinary people can play a role....

Qn: 'The government, rather than the people, should play the main role in saving the environment.' Discuss.

KL government mulls over halting controversial raids on Muslims

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE


Pakatan Harapan government may not, in the future, conduct controversial house raids to arrest unwed Muslim couples, or Muslims drinking beer, if they were within their "personal, individual sphere".

"Let's say you commit something within your personal, individual sphere - I will not interfere," Mr Mujahid was quoted as saying by The Star newspaper last Saturday in an interview. "For example, consumption of alcohol is wrong for a Muslim, but if you consume it within your sphere, then as part of the government, I will not interfere."

My concern is what goes on in public that encroaches on sensitivity, legality or criminality. Only then does the government come in, not because we want to be moral police but because we want to secure the public sphere."

syariah (Islamic) criminal laws must strike a balance between retribution and rehabilitation...."It is a new way forward for the enforcement of syariah criminal laws so that it is not abused, misinterpreted where they spy on people (suspected of offences such as khalwat) without having any solid proof


Compare this to Singapore govt's position on the Penal Code 377A where the govt states that it does not pro-actively invoke the law and prosecute people under it....


Qns: 
1. How far should the government be involved in the private lives of its people? (VJC Prelim 2016)

2. ‘Rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the purpose of the justice system.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2017)

Seoul's war on fake news puts free speech in peril, say critics

Click HERE

fake news has spread so widely in South Korea that it was stymying not only citizens' privacy but also the country's national security and foreign policies - including its relations with North Korea.

Mr Lee called the misinformation "vicious". He said: "Fake news is a public enemy hiding behind the cover of free speech." 

Relate to the recent CJC Prelim compre on how free speech undermines democracy.....

When stars attract more than fans on social media

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

It is the second break-in in recent months for Rihanna, who is closely tracked on Facebook by 75 million fans and 88 million followers on Twitter. Back in May, a stalker was arrested after he spent about 12 hours inside the house before he was discovered by the pop star's assistant.

"The victims' homes had been selected based on social media postings and touring or travel schedules of the owners."

The perils of celebrities giving away too much online also came under the spotlight after American reality television star Kim Kardashian West was robbed of millions in jewellery at gunpoint in her Paris apartment in 2016. It happened while she was in France for the Paris Fashion Week...There was speculation that the robbery could have been triggered by her social media posts flaunting her expensive jewellery, including a US$4 million ring from her rapper husband Kanye West. It also wasn't too difficult to track her movements, given her regular updates on Snapchat and Instagram.

For some background on the Kardashian robbery incident, click HERE

Relate also to the AQs on freedom, rights, privacy we've been discussing recently.....

Qn: To what extent has technology had an impact on both privacy and security in your country? (Cam. 2009)

How women got crowded out of the computing revolution

Click HERE

Came across this article recently which was used in a recent Sec 4 prelim compre....thought of the qns below...
Note that the Silicon Valley (the cradle of IT) is today a 'boys club', notorious for discriminating against women...there were some high profile legal suits on this....but note that there are exceptions....Sheryl Sandberg is the female COO of Facebook; had a high profile career in Google before she was poached to join FB.....and of course Marissa Mayer, ex CEO Yahoo....

Who wrote the first bit of computer code? That honour arguably belongs to Ada Lovelace, the controversial daughter of the poet Lord Byron....Her notes on this are widely considered to be the first computer program.

this original team of women made many signal contributions, effectively inventing the field of computer programming. 

personnel managers in 1963 believed that "women have greater patience than men and are better at details, two prerequisites for the allegedly successful programmer". 

Women dominated programming at one time, but got pushed aside once men discovered the field's importance. That messy history, not simple biology, accounts for the gender imbalance bedevilling Silicon Valley.

Qns:

1.   Consider the view that some careers are better suited to one gender than the other. (Cam. 2014)

2.  Evaluate the claim that equality of opportunity for females is a desirable, but unrealistic goal. (Cam. 2016)

India's top court rules adultery no longer a crime

Click HERE

- the need for laws to be updated and stay relevant (and fair) as society changes across time.....
- the law as signpost for morality (given this, how do you think the change in law here will affect societal values?)

Bali to curb tourist access in temples

Click HERE

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

Total population 5.64m, with number of citizens up 1% to 3.47m

Click HERE

Update yourself accordingly:

Singapore's population: 5.64m

Residents: 4m
a) Citizens: 3.47m (61% of population)
b) PRs: 0.52m (9% of population)

Non-Residents: 1.64m (29% of population)

About 40% are non-citizens (i.e. PRs + non-residents)

(im)migrants = non-residents + PRs

Fertility Rate: 1.16 in 2017 (replacement rate is 2.1)

For heritage sites to have a future, they must be present in people's lives

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

On the argument that conervation of old buildings can retain their relevance, there is the rebuttal that it is not only about the preservation of their facade, but their integration into our daily lives that is going to make them relevant. Hence, real conservation is confined not only to the facade but also the the use of the building, how it fits into not just the landscape but also the lives of the people living there.....Otherwise, we will end up with massive 'white elephants'  that are only 'for show' or worse, having the facade retained while the interior is used for something totally at odds with original use of the building (think how the old ACS building at Amoy Street is today a night club!)

the general public often takes a very utilitarian approach in appreciating heritage sites - if it is useful and relevant to their lives, they are more likely to evaluate it as important, and vice versa.

unlike architects, historians or heritage interest groups, the general public often lacks expert and specialised knowledge about specific heritage sites....their basis of evaluation was simply based on the superficial attributes (such as the looks or the usefulness) of the sites, given their limited knowledge about them.

repurposing of the Boat Quay shophouses and Chijmes to their current use as dining and leisure spots can be considered as an effective strategy to preserve the relevance of these heritage areas to the lives of people today.


Qns:
1. Only modern architecture and modern art have a place in today’s world. How far is this true of your society? (Cam. 2011)

2.  Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society. (Cam. 2016)

Most people say they can spot fake news but falter when tested: Survey

Click HERE

90% of Singaporeans identify at least one out of five fake headlines as real in online survey

"By definition, news is something we haven't heard before. So, if we don't have a reason or opportunity to search for verification, it is really very hard to decide on one's own whether news is true, especially if it is something we want to believe."


taking time to verify news that resonates with what people believe "goes against our nature, but if we want to avoid spreading misinformation, it is something we should do".

For qns on social media and fighting fake news.....

Scammers resort to fake news to bait victims, names of high-profile figures being used to trick people

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

Under a picture of Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the article quotes him on how extremely profitable investments in bitcoin, a form of electronic cash, can be. "Some literally hate me for investing in this!" Mr Lee is quoted as saying, with the headline blaring out how a $100 investment in 2010 would be worth $75 million.

When people see it again and again on the Internet and social media, the fake ads will gain their 'credibility'."


Some use fake profiles, including names and pictures of others. "It is very hard to identify such criminals as they conceal their identities to avoid prosecution,

high-profile figures who command a high degree of credibility are targets of fake news stories.

"If the prime minister tells you to invest in cryptocurrency, you are more likely to believe him than you are to believe in a random person off the street telling you the same thing,"

For qns on social media and fighting fake news.....