Singapore does not allow any religious group to be insulted: Minister

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Again, note the comparison of the French approach vs Singapore's....

France faced greater immigration post-World War II. But the French government did not engage in any active efforts to integrate the new immigrants, nor did it look at whether its approach needed to be reconsidered in the light of the changing demographics of the population.

Qns:

1.  ‘In a free society, there should be no restrictions on freedom of speech.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2020)

2. How far can prosperity and uncontrolled population growth go hand in hand? (Cam. 2020)

Lesson for Singapore from US election

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In a way, this article exhibits what is required of you in AQ -- the transplanting of what u read in the passage into the Singapore context to gauge whether it has any relevance or applicability....Constantly do this for every article u read and u will be on ur way to sharpening your critical thinking skills and acing your AQ in GP! 

the US became incomprehensible to me, after mask-wearing became a political issue, and the President openly contradicted the advice of health officials.

the more important reason is that when people are divided and feel so strongly about issues that they demonise their opponent as a result, they will overlook their own candidate's moral flaws. Winning at all costs becomes the only objective because you are so afraid of losing.

The good news is that at moments of great crisis, people tend to look for such unifying figures to lead them out of peril.

When people are divided over identity, they will follow a leader who fights for their cause, never mind his moral character.

Relate also to the ASRJC Prelim 2020 P2 AQ on leadership.

Qn: How far is it important for people to be aware of current events in countries other than their own? (Cam. 2014)

Northern India chokes on toxic smog day after Diwali festival

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Compare with the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, where lots of incense paper and joss sticks are burnt during the Chinese seventh month, contributing to pollution and fire hazards....

Hundreds of millions of Indians in north India woke up on Sunday (Nov 15) to toxic air following Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, after many revellers defied bans on using firecrackers to celebrate.

Qn: How important is it for people in your society to retain a sense of tradition? (Cam. 2010)

McDonald's to launch the McPlant

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consumers become more aware of their health, the impact of livestock farming on the environment and animal rights.

Such substitutes, like soya, have existed for a long time, but new companies such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Burger have developed products that closer resemble meat in taste, texture and colour.

Qn: ‘We should adopt a non-meat diet for the planet’s health.’ Comment. (JPJC Prelim 2020)

France fumes as books declared non-essential in latest lockdown

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Recall how a survey in Singapore during the lockdown period revealed that many here regard arts as a 'non-essential' good....[see HERE and HERE]

Note that books, being part of literature, are considered a component of the arts....

Unlike many of its neighbours that have issued stay-at-home orders, France decreed bookshops among "non-essential" businesses under the latest lockdown rules.

"Bookstores play a unique role in... transmitting culture and knowledge," it said in a statement. "They are also one of the most effective ramparts against ignorance and intolerance."

Qn: 'For the majority of people, the Arts are irrelevant to their daily lives.’ How true is this of your society? (Cam. 2014)

HK national security hotline gets '1,000 tips on Day 1'

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Note Singapore context where citizens are urged to perform their civic/national duty by report those who are terrorist suspects, or even 'trivial' matters like high-floor littering, people contravening the 'fewer than 5' gathering law under the current Covid-19, unauthorised people using handicapped parking lot, etc.....i.e. be the eyes and ears of the police. The neighbourhood police watch programme is a case in point. They are in some ways more effective than the installation of  CCTVs. 

facilitating members of the public to provide or report national security related information", including photos, audio and video clips...Residents will be able to send such information over e-mail, texts or the Chinese social messaging platform WeChat

While many law enforcement agencies - including the US Department of Homeland Security and the London Metropolitan Police - direct citizens to terrorism tip lines, Hong Kong's national security law also includes political crimes such as supporting independence or inciting hatred against the government.

Qn. Should ordinary citizens be involved in the policing of others? (NJC Prelim 2020)

Scientists say urgent to cut global food production emissions

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Food production results in emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other planet-warming gases in many ways, including land clearing and deforestation for agriculture and grazing, digestion by cattle and other livestock, production and use of fertilisers and the cultivation of rice in flooded paddies.

Overall emissions are equivalent to about 16 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, or about 30 per cent of total global emissions.

A plant-rich diet is a realistic goal. We're not saying in this paper to hit these targets we have to give up animal products. But there need to be some dietary shifts towards the healthier diets

Qn. ‘We should adopt a non-meat diet for the planet’s health.’ Comment. (JPJC Prelim 2020)

Statistics, lies and the virus: 5 lessons from a pandemic

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Qns: 

1. How reliable are statistics as a guide for planning the future? (Cam. 2020)

2. Discuss the view that too much faith is placed in statistics. (Cam. 2008)

Robotic couriers shifting into higher gear in Chinese cities

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several roadblocks to widespread adoption of the technology. Unmanned driving technology was still "not yet fully mature" and China lacked a legal framework to regulate these machines on the road...In the event of an accident, how would you delineate responsibility? This technology is basically still in the trial stage, I think it'll take another five years before we see any explosive growth.

Nature loss will result in deadlier future pandemics, UN warns

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habitat destruction and insatiable consumption made animal-borne diseases far more likely to make the jump to people in future

"The same human activities that drive climate change and biodiversity loss also drive pandemic risk through their impacts on our environment."

These include unsustainable exploitation of the environment through deforestation, agricultural expansion, wildlife trade and consumption - all of which put humans in increasingly close contact with wild and farmed animals and the diseases they harbour.

It acknowledged the difficulty in counting the full economic cost of Covid-19. But the assessment pointed to estimated costs as high as US$16 trillion (S$22 trillion) as at July.

"Our health, wealth and well-being relies on the health, wealth and well-being of our environment,"

Roomies v Zoomies

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"We often forget that many people go to their workspace to be seen," ...Employees are keenly aware that having a relationship with the boss through in-person conversations is crucial to building trust and career progression. "People don't just go to a workspace to work. They go so that other people can see them doing work and be seen as valuable,

      Qn: Consider the view that most work these days could, and should, be done from home. (Cam. 2010)

The office has a future

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Casual encounters in the office cafe, lounge or hallway - or "water-cooler moments" as they are known - have long been associated with the increased collaboration and innovation that contributed to the success of technology firms like Google and Apple.

"With these research and development-driven companies, unplanned interactions between people of different backgrounds are important for innovating and creating new ideas...Digital water-cooler moments do not work, in the same way that enforced fun doesn't work. You say to people: 'Right now we're going to have fun and here's what you will do to have fun.' That's rarely a recipe for success."

collaboration involving various departments will be more effective and efficient when done in-person.

Qn: Consider the view that most work these days could, and should, be done from home. (Cam. 2010)

Wildlife populations shrink as forests are cut to grow food

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harming ecosystems hikes the risk to humans of infectious diseases like Covid-19

"Deforestation and in the larger sense, habitat loss - which is driven by how we produce and consume food - is the main cause of this dramatic decline

large-scale commercial agriculture mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics, including the production of palm oil, soy and beef.

the rapid pace of deforestation is also a major factor in the spread of zoonotic diseases - which are passed from animals to humans - such as the coronavirus causing Covid-19

Forests really act as buffers to keep those diseases away from humans - and the more we destroy them, the more chances there are that we are going to unleash something that can have dire impacts on humanity.

respected British naturalist and veteran broadcaster David Attenborough urged people to "work with nature rather than against it". The time for a pure focus on national interests had passed, he wrote. "The wealthier nations have taken a lot and the time has now come to give," he added.