About 200m Wolbachia Aedes mosquitoes released from 'mosquito factory' to fight dengue

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For qns related to science and technology....

Qn: "Science is Man's best hope for creating a better world." How far would you agree?

Beijing ramps up COVID-19 quarantine, Shanghai residents decry uneven rules

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Relate China's Zero-COVID Strategy with the notion of 'takes no prisoners in the virus battle' and relate this further to the notion of perfectionism in HCI prelim AQ 2018.

WTO chief urges countries not to block food exports

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Qns: 

1. How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient?

2. Discuss the extent to which global and national interest can be balanced. (Cam. 2001)

Agriculture minister warns world will feel loss of Ukraine's grain exports by summer

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Fears of a global food crisis are intensifying amid concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using food as a potent new weapon in the conflict.

Qn: How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient? (Cam. 2011)

Singapore has been working to secure food supply: PM Lee

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For qns on sufficiency, food security, and the need for cooperation; globalization......

Qn: How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient? (Cam. 2011)

Artefacts come to life after dark at selected museums this school holiday

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Qn: ‘Children should be banned from visiting museums.’ Discuss. (ACJC Prelim 2014)

The Kashmir Files movie banned in Singapore over potential to cause enmity, disrupt harmony

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A good local example of censorship of the arts; regulation of the media; example of film.....

Relate also to the local film "To Singapore With Love"; the Prophet cartoons; Charlie Hebdo.....

The film will be refused classification for its provocative and one-sided portrayal of Muslims and the depictions of Hindus being persecuted in the on-going conflict in Kashmir

These representations have the potential to cause enmity between different communities, and disrupt social cohesion and religious harmony in our multiracial and multi-religious society

Films that are refused classification in Singapore are effectively banned and cannot be legally sold, rented, possessed, imported or made public in the country.

Its supporters say it sheds light on an often overlooked chapter of the history of Kashmir, which both India and Pakistan claim in full, but have controlled only parts of since Partition in 1947. Critics of the movie say it is loose with the facts and fans anti-Muslim sentiment.

Qns: 

1. Examine the claim the artists should have complete freedom of expression.

2. Assess the view that films are nothing more than mindless entertainment. (NYJC Promo 2020)

Singaporeans should be careful, apply own judgment on foreign preachers and their teachings: Shanmugam

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Somad's airing of the issue on social media saw his supporters make online threats against Singapore, as well as hold protests at Singapore's foreign missions in Jakarta and Medan.

if you watch videos from some of the Western preachers, they attack Muslims unreasonably. They say all sorts of unspeakable things about Islam and the Quran

examples of Somad's divisive teachings, including how he had told Muslims not to travel in Red Cross ambulances because they have a cross. The preacher had also said that Muslims should not wish others "Merry Christmas".

Earlier this month, Singapore also banned the Hindi-language film The Kashmir Files because of its provocative portrayal of Muslims.

ormer Ngee Ann Polytechnic lecturer Tan Boon Lee was charged over racist comments about an inter-ethnic couple - as well as over insensitive remarks about religion during a lecture and on an online forum.

Indonesian preacher denied entry had radicalised people in Singapore: Shanmugam

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Somad has claimed suicide bombings are legitimate martyrdom operations. They also noted that Somad had made highly derogatory, denigrating remarks about Christianity, by saying "infidel spirits" live on the crucifix.

Somad has also labelled non-Muslims as kafirs, or infidels, and preached that Muslims should not accept non-Muslims as their leaders, saying non-Muslims could conspire to oppress Muslims and "slit their throats"

The language, the rhetoric, as you can see, is very divisive - completely unacceptable in Singapore

The reason given by Somad, in a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, was that Singapore was "Tanah Melayu" (Malay land) and part of Riau, as well as a "Temasek Malay Kingdom". "Therefore, our sovereignty is irrelevant. We are not a separate country from his perspective

we take a zero-tolerance approach and even-handed approach towards any form of hate speech and divisive ideology.

Qn: To what extent is conflict between countries due to differences in ideology?

Ukraine crisis moves geopolitics to front of business agenda: Edelman survey

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Today, while people still see the key responsibility of business as contributing to the economy and societies, businesses are adding geopolitics to their list of responsibilities as well.

People are now evaluating where a company operates and what actions it takes in situations of conflict, and there is support for business activism in geopolitics.

Qn: 'Profit should be the sole objective when it comes to doing business.' Discuss.

Work/Life: Man v woman, or is it woman v woman?

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Out of neutral, F1 drivers shift debate as well as gears

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Sport is now political, it’s not neutral. It’s impossible to be neutral.....And they (the drivers) have learned in a very short period of time to actually take the responsibility and represent values we all want to see

Afghan women TV presenters cover faces on air

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Qn:  ‘The past is not dead; it is not even past.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2017)

Forum: Knowing how to deal with losing is important too

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But if all of one's life, one is accustomed to winning and seldom experiences what it is like to lose, one may be handicapped in facing life's challenges. 

Sport is an excellent arena to develop strength of character if we learn how to win and how to lose. Learning how to deal with losing can be critical in developing true sportsmanship.

For Qns on why sport is important....

Regional power grids a cost-effective solution to meeting renewable energy needs: IEA report

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Think of the five national switches Singapore has....as opposed to the four national taps...

regional grids allow resources to be shared, reducing overall system costs

The Republic had earlier announced plans to import 30 per cent of its energy needs - or 4 gigawatts of electricity - by 2035.

This is especially important for Singapore as 95 per cent of its electricity is generated from natural gas - a fossil fuel - which accounts for 40 per cent of its total national emissions.

For a country like Singapore, being able to access energy supplies from low-carbon sources from its neighbouring countries through a regionally interconnected grid is very, very important, given the constraints on land that Singapore faces

As each country has its own advantages in different renewable technologies - some in hydropower, geothermal, and others in wind, for instance - having a diverse mix of resources could help to reduce variability in factors such as weather conditions

For qns on international cooperation/collaboration....

India bans wheat exports as food security comes under threat

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Qns:

1. Discuss the claim that in the modern world people should care more about international than national issues. (Cam. 2013)

2. Discuss the extent to which global and national interest can be balanced. (Cam. 2001)

'I didn't want anyone to be injured': Boy, 14, alerts neighbours in Bedok North fire

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Good local example on kindness, selfless youth.....

Australia's PM vows to 'empathise' more if re-elected

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Can the point be made that during an emergency where the govt is required to act first, consulting the public's opinions can be deemed too time-consuming an option? 

he had been a "bulldozer" to get things done during the Covid-19 pandemic.....I know there are things that are going to have to change with the way I do things because we are moving into a different time

The Australian leader said he would seek to "explain my motives and my concerns and empathise a lot more - but I tell you what, at the end of the day what matters is I get the job done."

Morrison said he had to make unpopular decisions and act quickly during the pandemic, adding: "I am looking forward to changing the gears of our government."

Qn: Should a government always listen to its people?

A TV, mobile data, a maid - needs or wants for a poor family?

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The argument here is how the poor are poor due to the poor (i.e. bad) choices they make in life.....For a rebuttal of this, click HERE to see how it is not so much the poor choices they make, but the poor options/choices they are given in life that cause them to make these bad choices.....

the difficult circumstances of these families' lives could also shape their seemingly questionable choices.

What makes the task also more of an art than a science is that there is no hard and fast rule about what is a need or a want; this has evolved with the pace of Singapore's development

Qn: 'Poverty is a result of personal failure.' To what extent is this true of your society?

Why the poor are poor: Barriers, bad choices and bad luck

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Their experiences suggest that a combination of institutionalised barriers, dubious choices and sheer bad luck all contribute to a family's deepening into poverty.

But after setting aside money for medical bills, rent, groceries and expenses for their two teenage girls, there is little left for long-term plans.

Some say that bad choices can cause people to sink further into poverty.

Some have questioned his choice to spend on cigarettes too, but Mr Chong says it is his only coping mechanism for the pressure of providing for his family.

Factors beyond their control play a role in how the lives of the poor pan out too. These include medical issues like those that plague Madam June's and Mr Chong's families, and divorce as in the case of Ms Rosilah.....We should also recognise there are other causes of poverty that are not within the control of the people in poverty like misfortune, bad luck, illnesses, job loss."

Qn: 'Poverty is a result of personal failure.' To what extent is this true of your society?

Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop attracts internet outrage with fake luxury diapers

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Gwyneth Paltrow's lifestyle and wellness company, Goop, was the talk of the Internet after the company posted a listing for luxury disposable diapers costing US$120 (S$167) for 12 pieces on Wednesday (May 11).

some noted that the company has been trying to raise awareness about diapers being taxed in some parts of the United States, with one person pointing out: "Goop have been speaking out an urging the US government to remove the tax on diapers - they are currently taxed as luxury items in 33 states. This is satire to raise awareness."

Many on Instagram praised Paltrow and her company for cleverly shedding light on the issue

Birds fall from the sky as heatwave scorches India

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Catchy opening/closing BANG for environment-related qns to show the urgency of the global warming and climate change....

Britney Spears' nude selfies on Instagram goes viral

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An excellent example to show how social media has made us self-absorbed, where in a bid to chase after more likes, we resort to ways and means to keep others glued to our site.....This causes us to think only about ourselves -- narcissism.....a kind of situation where u r under the impression that the whole world revolves around you, and that only you yourself matters.....

Qn: 'Teenagers today are selfish.' What are your views? (BPGHS Prelim 2020)

Better work, care options needed as S'pore set to be 'super-aged' society

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Singaporeans now top the world when it comes to the longest life spans - with a life expectancy of 83 years for men and 87 years for women

proportion is expected to increase to about 23.8 per cent in 2030, when Singapore will join the ranks of super-aged societies, like Japan and Italy where over 20 per cent of the population are aged 65 and older

A dramatic rise in life expectancy, coupled with a sharp fall in birth rates, has led to the rapidly greying society

In 2015, the Government unveiled its Action Plan for Successful Ageing, a road map to help Singaporeans age confidently. It set out plans in 12 areas from employment and healthcare to retirement adequacy and volunteerism.

In 2012, the Retirement and Re-employment Act came into force. It marked a major shift for it meant workers could continue to work beyond the retirement age if they were able and wanted to, and employers were required to keep hiring them up to the re-employment age. Last year, the Government announced the next extension, which will see the retirement age progressively raised to 65 by 2030, and the re-employment age to 70.

Besides changes to the law, Singapore has also launched a massive push to help its workforce stay economically relevant, through skills upgrading, mid-career transition schemes, job placement and job redesign grants for firms.

ageism - like racism and sexism - affects all workplaces and forms of work

Qn: Nowadays, people live longer than ever before. What problems does this present and how can these problems be dealt with? ('O' level 2007)

Recent spate of workplace deaths is 'far too many, and not acceptable': PM Lee

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Qn: How far should firms be allowed to limit their workers’ rights when profits are at stake? (Cam. 2014)

Cost of enlisting women into NS, even in non-military roles, far outweighs benefits: Ng Eng Hen

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enlisting women into NS would delay their entry into the workforce, and this would have the immediate effect of accentuating a decline in the local manpower pool and a reduction of household incomes.

Even if women are enlisted for non-military national service roles to augment our healthcare and social services, it may make manpower shortages in other industries worse

called for NS to be made gender-neutral, and expanded beyond the traditional domains of the army, navy, air force and police

It is very far off from the proposals to conscript women to serve in roles such as caregivers and healthcare workers, or to send a signal, a powerful signal, of gender equality

While he acknowledged that birth rates have continued to fall, Dr Ng said the use of technology and the optimisation of resources have produced a modern SAF that is more lethal and effective despite a smaller number of soldiers.

S'pore exploring petition platform where 10,000 signatures guarantee ministry response

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For those who just did the social media AQ from RI Prelim 2019 compre....

PetitionsSG was created with the goal of empowering citizens to push for change and to connect the most important sentiments from the ground to ministries. 

PetitionsSG offers the option to sign a petition anonymously, because we understand public civic participation in Singapore on certain topics could come with some social stigma attached.....these features prevent anyone, including the Government and Open Government Products, from personally identifying a user who has signed a petition anonymously

The platform was created as part of the Open Government Products' annual Hack for Public Good 2022 initiative

having an online space for petitions may allow more people to participate in civic affairs, including those who have been deterred by the difficulties they perceive in doing so

the platform is potentially useful but Singapore must be mindful about developing what he called a "petitionary culture"....This would be a situation where we have a mechanical process of a government response being secured with a certain threshold number of signatures obtained for a petition. Ultimately, policymaking cannot be a numbers game and one where a vocal minority prevails

Qn: ‘Power these days lies more with the people than the politicians.’ To what extent is this true? (Cam. 2021)

Skills training must improve on 4 fronts for S'pore workforce to stay competitive: Chan Chun Sing

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Mr Chan also spoke on rethinking adult education, noting that it is fundamentally flawed and inadequate to approach adult education with the idea that adults should go back to school, or by making minor adaptations to pre-employment training. Instead, the workplace must be used as a conduit for continual learning, he said. "It is also at the workplace, where learning is most authentic and relevant. The workplace setting allows for customised on-the-job learning that will directly benefit both the employee and the employer."

we cannot just rely on the annual pipeline of fresh graduates to meet our industry needs for emerging skills

Qn: To what extent is lifelong learning beneficial to your society?

Sporting Life: Best gift for kids is to see a diversity of heroes

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I think it helped me a lot in my confidence because I think if I didn't have sport and have the success of being good at something, then I'd probably really be shy. I think my whole outlook on life would be a lot different. I owe a lot to sport and now I'm very lucky that I found my niche and I've been able to have a career in it. If not, I would literally just be on minimum wage

This is surely what we want from sport, its ability to unshackle people, to accommodate every type, to appreciate difference

Cancelling events in Russia, or banishing Russian teams which represent the state, is legitimate. But, as King continued, "I cannot support the banning of individual athletes from any tournament, simply because of their nationality". To do so would be to endorse exclusion.

Manufacturers and retailers report packaging use for new scheme to cut waste

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Judge reverses decision to redact names of 6 trainee lawyers who cheated in 2020 Bar exam

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10 football pitches a minute, that's the rate of tropical rainforest loss in 2021: Study

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Sporting Life: When a small island is big on sporting inspiration

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Note the beautiful closing BANG using a figurative language to depict inspiration:

"And each bold step taken is akin to a stone tossed into a pool. It sets off lovely and large ripples of inspiration."

Women's development in Singapore: An explainer for kids

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