Pandemic leaves bookshops in a bind

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'O' level students note the catchy title via the word 'bind' (associated with books)

But for most bookstores, online gains have not been enough to make up for lost footfall. 

many senior customers still prefer to browse in person.

A bookstore owner's biggest enemy is rental,

"We cannot go fully online...Our customers, old people especially, want to walk around Bras Basah Complex, look at books and have tea downstairs. They need this sense of community."

"It's like (athletic shoe brand) Nike. You can get its shoes online, but it still needs to have a physical store so you can try them on before you buy."

the digital landscape can allow us to reach more people.

Qn: To what extent is online shopping a blessing? (TJC Prelim 2020)

China vows carbon neutrality by 2060 in major climate pledge

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Compare Singapore's commitment to cut carbon emissions by 36% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement.

"Humankind can no longer afford to ignore the repeated warnings of nature and go down the beaten path of extracting resources without investing in conservation, pursuing development at the expense of protection and exploiting resources without restoration

Qns:

1. ‘Nature must always give way to man.’ What is your view? (TJC Prelim 2020)

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

Hong Kong govt task force proposes changes to liberal studies

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Critics blame the subject for radicalising the young who played a key role in last year's unrest on the city's streets. They say the subject has been used as a tool to spread the extreme views of some in the opposition even though the intent is to equip students with critical thinking abilities.

Qn: Can we eliminate violence with education? (CJC Prelim 2018)

Good Rebuttals to SIA's Flight-to-Nowhere

Some good rebuttals to the public outcry from environmentalist groups upon the news that SIA may embark on flights to nowhere....

1) Click HERE: No need to be so harsh on SIA

2) Click HERE: Many plus points to SIA's flights to nowhere

Qn: Air travel should be discouraged, not promoted. To what extent do you agree? (Cam. 2008)

Will robots take over jobs at restaurants?

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Robots ...are now posing as a serious competition for jobs in this service industry due to the coronavirus pandemic which discourages close human contacts.

Haidilao's first flagship smart restaurant in Beijing, which opened almost two years ago, showcases how robots can save money. It has a cold room that houses nine robotic arms made by Panasonic. These appendages pick fresh meat and vegetables from a shelf, place them on a conveyor belt, and pass them for human inspection before being placed on Keenon's robot waiters.

Is it such a bad thing that robots are replacing humans? We don't have to frown over a stray hair or unwanted pieces of corn in our salad bowls.

in China's big cities, millennials are not willing to wait tables, anyhow. They'd rather open stores on Ali- baba's e-commerce site Taobao or strive to become social influencers via livestreaming. China's US$671 billion (S$912 billion) catering industry has no choice but to be smart, antisocial and robotic.

Qns: 

1. How far do you agree that technology is the solution to today’s major problems? (EJC Prelim 2020)

2. To what extent is artificial intelligence replacing the role of humans? (Cam. 2019)

Trump, Biden clash over role of climate change in wildfires

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Mr Joe Biden branded US President Donald Trump a "climate arsonist" on Monday for refusing to acknowledge global warming's role in deadly wildfires sweeping the western United States, while Mr Trump blamed lax forestry and declared: "I don't think science knows."

"I think this is more of a management situation," Mr Trump answered, when asked by a reporter if climate change was a factor behind the fires.

Mr Trump has referred to climate change as a "hoax", and in 2017 pulled the US out of the Paris accords laying out an international approach to global warming.

"We come from a perspective, humbly, where we submit the science is in and observed evidence is self-evident - that climate change is real, and that it is exacerbating this

Catchy Quote by Trump:

"It'll start getting cooler, you just watch," he said. "I don't think science knows."

Qns: 

1. Is it true that the environmental crisis is exaggerated? (ACJC Prelim 2020)

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

3. Assess the view that most natural disasters are the result of human activity. (Cam. 2016)

4. ‘Human actions should be based on scientific fact, not religious faith.’ How far do you agree with this statement? (Cam. 2015)

ArtScience Museum: Life in plastic, far from fantastic

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'O' level students: note the catchy title using rhyming of 'plastic' and 'fantastic'

'A' lvl students: note how museums can create awareness of such issues 

"We are talking about a disturbing topic, but we are doing it in a way that's visually arresting, that will hit people in the heart and in the head

Qns: 

1. ‘Museums have no place in today’s world.’ Discuss. (ACJC Prelim 2020)

2. Assess the view that there is no future for museums. (ASRJC Prelim 2020)

Some brands grow bricks and mortar presence amid slump

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people's need for a tangible experience."Everyone can shop online, but when you go out, you want something special and to enjoy human connection,

 "Would you buy a fridge without opening it or a bed without feeling it?"

"We've all heard the view that people are not going to dine out and that the restaurant industry is dying. But I've always believed that people absolutely still need to gather and share a meal."

"When a consumer walks in, they don't simply want to buy. They are expecting you to provide an experience that activates the hedonistic side of them."

Qn: How far do you agree that traditional businesses have lost their relevance in your society? (ACJC Promos 2019)

'Kill all you see': In a first, Myanmar soldiers tell of Rohingya slaughter

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Qn: Assess the view that international efforts are more effective than national efforts in protecting human rights. (ACJC Prelim 2020)

Stamp of approval for 'superhero' teachers

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'O' level students:

Note the implication for ur P1 and P2:

P1 SW: pun or word play in the catchy title for articles

P2 SAQ: effect/intention qns on the phrasing of the title

'A' level students:

note this term 'token': As a token of gratitude for their efforts, the ministry will give all teachers, numbering about 33,000, an envelope with the set of stamps from Monday.

Qns:

1. Consider the appeal and value of superheroes today. (MJC Prelim 2014)

2. ‘The increasing focus on superheroes is detrimental to the development of children.’ Discuss.  (YJC Prelim 2016)

Viral wefie an attempt to stir up issue of foreign staff in banks: PM Lee Hsien Loong

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A useful recent example of how people use photos to deliberately mislead others online (i.e. disinformation) ....and also how social media can shape or influence our perception of reality....

This is how Singapore will face its challenges

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MUST-READ to get a very thorough background on current Singapore climate and the thinking behind some of the govt's policies.....very useful for 'your society' qns and AQ using Singapore....

Mongolians in China protest against switch to lessons in Mandarin

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Compare with the Chinese govt's plan to implement the use of Mandarin (putonghua) in schools in Hong Kong, that is seen to undermine the use of Cantonese, which is the native language of the Hong Kongers...

What about the Singapore govt's 'Speak Mandarin Campaign' that led to the demise of dialects?

Qn: Is there any value in preserving minority languages in the world? (Cam. 2012)

House takes up issue of foreigners competing for local jobs

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It was a highly charged issue, in which statistics and logic could not address all of the grievances borne out of experiences on the ground.

Despite the numbers showing that the situation was under control, there was no lack of examples from MPs of residents who found themselves surrounded by foreigners in multinational companies, or who were passed over for job opportunities despite having relevant work experience.

Both ministers acknowledged that the statistics were not always congruent with experiences on the ground, and pledged that the Government would do its best to protect workers.

Qn: Consider the importance of statistics. (TJC Prelim 2020)

Parliament: Sylvia Lim calls for open review of race-based policies

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various race-based policies, including the Chinese, Malay, Indian and Other (CMIO) model of ethnic classification as well as the Housing Board's Ethnic Integration Policy (EIP)

move Singapore along in its "journey towards being a race-blind society"

despite the Government defending the CMIO model as necessary to safeguard minority rights, she said the concept of minority rights itself is problematic. So, it would be better to discuss citizenship rights

Furthermore, with more and more inter-ethnic marriages, where the bride and groom are themselves of mixed parentage, I wonder how the CMIO classifications can withstand the test of time

The four race-based self-help groups, namely the Chinese Development Assistance Council, Singapore Indian Development Association, Mendaki and the Eurasian Association, are informed by the CMIO model

Since 1988, Singapore's group representation constituency system has required political parties to field candidates from designated minority communities, and more recent changes have been made to the elected presidency to introduce an ethnic requirement

Qn: ‘Race has no place in politics today.’ How far do you agree? (RI Prelim 2020)

Rise of the machines at Changi Airport

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Fairness in hiring, skills transfer help ensure locals benefit: Chan Chun Sing

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Companies with discriminatory hiring practices will be put on the Fair Consideration Framework watch list, and their applications for foreign work passes curtailed. The framework was introduced in 2014 after Singaporeans voiced unhappiness about foreigners taking away good-paying professional, managerial, executive and technician (PMET) jobs from them.

Of Singapore's 25 FTAs, the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (Ceca) has often been fodder for critics of the Government who say it opened the floodgates for Indian nationals to enter Singapore. A lot of the misgivings about Ceca centre on the belief that it grants Indian nationals and their dependants unfettered entry into Singapore. Mr Chan countered that Ceca does not grant Indian nationals unconditional access into Singapore and immigration privileges.

The latest effort to level the playing field was the announcement on Thursday that the minimum qualifying salary for EPs and S Passes, which allow foreign professionals and mid-skilled workers to work here, will be increased. From Tuesday, firms applying for new EPs for foreign professionals need to pay them at least $4,500 a month, up from $3,900.

Relate to qns on collaboration and the need to embrace foreign talent/migrants....

Jedi Masters needed, but padawans must be groomed too: EDB MD

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Note the colourful figurative language here alluding to Star Wars....

In the tech sector, for example, not every Singaporean starts off knowing how to design products for fast-moving markets that serve billions of people around the world.

Using an analogy from the science fiction movie franchise Star Wars, Mr Chng said: "You need the Jedi Masters around, because some of these (heads of companies) have international experience.

"It's important to have them, otherwise you're not going to learn from the best, or be exposed to the best."

Note the idea of collaboration with other countries and the need to embrace top tier talent to allow for skills transfer that can benefit locals....

Protests led by frustrated, defiant youth gain momentum in Thailand

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Free People demands that the government stop harassing its critics, amend the military-backed Constitution and dissolve the House of Representatives for fresh elections. It also has what it calls a "dream" of a democracy with the monarch under the Constitution.

They are "frustrated about the longstanding political and economic suppression", said Tattep. "They cannot see what their future will be like. That's why they have come out."

Thailand has a lese majeste law which punishes those who insult or defame the monarchy with up to 15 years in jail. While this has not been used against the protesters yet, several activists, .... have been charged with sedition and other offences.

Anti-monarchy activists in recent years have met grimmer fates. Last year, the bodies of two such exiles washed up on the banks of the Mekong River. They had been disembowelled and stuffed with concrete.

Asked about the possible dangers ahead, Ms Panusaya, who is leader of a group called United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, said: "I'm prepared. I've told my colleagues what to do if I die, and how they can contact my family."

Compare with the youth protestors in Hong Kong....and possibly those in the BLM in the US? Contrast with the more subdued response of the youth in Singapore and China. Why do u think this is so? In some situations, could the protests have moved on to cyberspace instead? Think keyboard warriors.....

Qns:

1. How important is it for young people to be involved in political activism? (ACJC Prelim 2020)

2. ‘The only concerns of young people today are self-centred ones.’ Is this a fair statement? (ASRJC Prelim 2020)

3. Consider the view that activism is more noise than substance. (EJC Prelim 2020)

4. Evaluate the claim that youth activism is more about being trendy than having a genuine concern about politics. (NJC Prelim 2020)

5. To what extent do young people in your society take an interest in politics? (Cam. 2006)

Cypork: Elon Musk's firm unveils pig with chip implant in brain

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After Dolly the sheep, we now have "Gertrude" the pig, otherwise known as 'Cypork' (pun on 'cyborg')

aims to implant wireless brain-computer interfaces that include thousands of electrodes into the most complex human organ to help cure neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's, dementia and spinal cord injuries, and ultimately fuse humankind with artificial intelligence.

Qns:

1. Can the use of animals for scientific research ever be justified? (Cam. 2017)

2. 'Scientific advancement has made us less human.' Discuss.