Sports chiefs face losing battle to keep sport separate from politics

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Athletes can inspire us only if they are able to compete...They can do so only if we keep sport strictly neutral ground, if politics does not take over on the field of play

sport is again open to political interference. “Over the last decade, politicians have again turned to using sport as a tool to sanction, declaring who can and who cannot participate

Politics and sport have occasionally combined to offer hope. Both involved North Korea and South Korea, technically still at war, but who paraded together at the 2000 Sydney Games and fielded a joint ice hockey team at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang. Though hopes of a lasting improvement in relations failed to materialise

Removing these bans would send a terrifying signal to any future aggressor: that you can invade a neighbour, commit atrocities and still be welcomed at global tournaments as if nothing happened

For issues on separating sports from politics....

Qn: 'Politics and sport should not mix.' Discuss.

Better balance between development and conservation with revised Maju, Gillman plans: Nature groups

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Qn: 'No country should sacrifice its economic development in favour of preserving the environment.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2025)

S’pore to drill deeper into geothermal energy after promising results of its potential: Tan See Leng

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Singapore continues to explore cleaner, low-carbon energy options that are not yet commercially viable, including advanced nuclear and geothermal energy, to beef up its energy security.

Emerging technology, including nuclear and geothermal energy technology, could potentially supply around 10% of Singapore’s energy needs by 2050... Both these emerging energy sources could improve Singapore’s energy security, as they are resources that the country can tap from within its own borders, instead of relying on imported fuel.

Singapore’s geothermal resources underground could potentially generate more than 60 times the nation’s annual electricity consumption, which currently is around 60 terawatt-hours.

Qn: To what extent is a future without fossil fuels realistic? (RVHS 2026 Prelim)

S’pore to tap diverse energy sources, explore new tech, to weather resource nationalism: Tan See Leng

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Just like our 4 national taps, we also have four 'national switches':

1) imported natural gas (with diesel as a backup for major disruptions)

2) solar

3) external power grids (importing of electricity generated by renewable energy from other countries)

4) emerging technology (nuclear, geothermal, clean hydrogen, carbon capture, etc)

Singapore’s power plants to also run on diesel, allowing them to tap the Republic’s reserves when there is a severe disruption to gas supplies....an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Singapore on Oct 26, which aims to enable the storage of Saudi crude oil in the Jurong Rock Caverns from the second half of 2027. Crude oil can be refined into diesel for power generation. Located 150m beneath Jurong Island, the facility has a total storage capacity of 1.47 million cubic metres, enough to fill 600 Olympic-sized swimming pools.

the Republic is seriously studying tapping nuclear and geothermal energy. While Singapore has not yet decided whether it will tap nuclear energy, it is working to build up its local expertise to help the country make an informed decision.

the import of electricity from sources elsewhere from 2035, including solar power from Malaysia and offshore wind in Vietnam, through connected infrastructure.

Qns: 

1. How far is it acceptable for a government to fully exploit energy resources when the interests of other countries are at stake? (DHS 2026 Prelim)

2. How far do you agree that environmental protection is more of a political problem than a scientific one? (NJC 2026 Prelim)

S’pore to raise retirement age to 65, re-employment age to 70 in 2029; expand flexi work for seniors

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flexi-place arrangements allow employees to work from different locations, such as from home, while flexi-time arrangements allow employees to vary their working hours, such as staggered start and end times.

Flexi-load arrangements, meanwhile, allow employees to take on different workloads with corresponding adjustments to their remuneration.

Qn: How far do you agree that the government bears the greatest responsibility in meeting the needs of an ageing population in your society? (DHS 2026 Prelim)

Gas supply cut from Indonesia accounts for less than 2% of S’pore’s daily gas demand: EMA

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=Compare with how Malaysia had in the past threatened to cut off our water supply despite an ongoing water agreement....

=relate to S'pore's current study on the feasibility of small modular nuclear reactors

Qns:

1. ‘Fossil fuels should no longer have a part in the production of energy.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2023)

2. How far is it acceptable for a government to fully exploit energy resources when the interests of other countries are at stake? (DHS 2026 Prelim)

Why 1 in 8 young people in UK is not studying or working

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Note echoes of 'tangping' here...

Nearly a million young people in the UK are classified as NEETs, a term referring to people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment or training.

only one in four Brits aged 16 to 27 agrees that everyone has a fair chance to go as far as their hard work and talent will take them – the lowest share of all the age groups.

For a sense of how deeply this is impacting young people, consider the rise of so-called loneliness influencers, who romanticise being single, friendless and living alone. You can find their videos on TikTok and Instagram with captions such as, “POV: you live alone in NYC and have no friends so your nights look like this”, showing 20-somethings, typically women, eating a sad solo meal at home and drinking soda out of wine glasses in front of the TV.

Even the act of applying for jobs – an essential one for those hoping to escape NEET-dom – has been sapped of human contact. ....Rejection e-mails are automated or absent, and it is never clear if anyone has actually looked at the application. In a truly dystopian twist, video interviews are now being conducted by artificial intelligence. For those stuck in a rejection cycle, this eliminates the chance for constructive feedback – or just the reassurance that their efforts are recognised by another person.

Studies show that extended social isolation is associated with health risks comparable to those of obesity and smoking. It can also interrupt cognitive development and critical milestones such as identity formation.

For issues on loneliness and youth

SAF’s first woman sniper hones stealth, marksmanship skills at Exercise Wallaby

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

Australian migration cuts to take heavy toll on economy with worker shortages expected

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For issues on migration...

Consumers can put pressure on haze-linked firms by buying green-labelled products: Experts

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Singapore residents affected by the haze cannot directly douse the flames in Indonesia causing the pollution, but they can exert pressure on errant firms behind the fires by voting with their wallets,

the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) issued Asia Pulp & Paper (APP) a Notice of Temporary Restrictions on the company’s green label.

Green labels are a supply-chain tool, and consumers can pressure the companies by using these labels

But Tan noted that purchasing decisions are still influenced by factors such as price, availability, convenience and trust in the certification.

Qn: To what extent has consumerism improved people’s quality of life? (NYJC 2026 Prelim)

‘Sportswashing’ or investment? Rwanda F1 stirs debate and doubts

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A landlocked country still widely associated with a horrific genocide in 1994, Rwanda has used sport to revamp its image, attract tourists and impress investors with its organisational efficiency.

accuses Kigali of “buying into the world’s biggest sports to polish its image and deflect from its appalling human rights record”

an “investment in Rwanda’s future” that would bring “jobs, skills, tourism and new business to our country and our region for decades to come”.

Critics question whether the hundreds of millions of dollars required to build a modern race track might be better spent on healthcare or education – not to mention the tens of millions of dollars F1 grand prix organisers typically charge host countries for the privilege of holding the event.

The economics of hosting F1 in Rwanda will not be for everyone, but for a tiny percentage of the already rich

Qns:

1. To what extent has the commercialisation of sport undermined its values? (ASRJC 2026 Prelim)

2. Assess the view that sport has suffered due to commercialisation? (MI 2026 Prelim)

3. Considering the money involved, should developing countries be allowed to host major sporting events? (Cam. 2016)

Mobile clinics battle Mongolia’s childhood dental ‘disaster’

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Securing funding is “constant hard work

Qn: To what extent is charity able to solve the problem of poverty? (TMJC 2026 Prelim)

NEA has sent legal notices to 7 companies under haze law, will take further action where warranted

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The National Environment Agency (NEA) has sent these companies preventive measure notices under Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA), which targets those responsible for causing or condoning fires.

Can we please be rid of haze by 2030?

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The centrepiece of ASEAN efforts in combating the haze is the 2002 Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution (AATHP), which seeks to prevent and monitor transboundary haze pollution through concerted national efforts and strong regional cooperation.

seeks to facilitate cross-border exchanges of firefighting technology, expertise and resources, and to manage requests and mobilisation for regional emergency assistance.

But cooperation seems to have stopped there and has not extended to the critical phase of bringing the perpetrators to justice. Without cross-border legal mechanisms to hold polluters accountable, national laws are toothless.

Singapore, which has enacted its own laws, can achieve only so much without the cooperation of neighbours. A key piece of legislation is the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA), enacted in 2014. It asserts extraterritorial jurisdiction to prosecute entities – foreign or domestic – whose offshore burning causes hazardous smoke at home. Yet more than a decade after its enactment, there has been no prosecution.
For issues on cooperation btw nations......

Will the US really go through with its outlandish public execution plan?

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Unhealthy air quality in S’pore enough to trigger haze pollution law; NEA is monitoring situation

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the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act can serve as a deterrent to companies, but can be challenging to enforce.

The Act can impose fines and allows for damages, but it would matter only if the errant entity had physical assets or subsidiaries in Singapore. Oftentimes, they may not.

Olympic freestyle skiing champion Eileen Gu discusses sport, success and uplifting others

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Gu was exposed to a wide range of interests from a young age. She took up ballet and piano, and even tried archery at one point when her fascination with dystopian novels convinced her that it would be a good skill to have. There was also basketball, football and skiing, as well as maths and science camps. Dispelling the notion that her mother is a “tiger mum”, Gu said: “She really gave me the freedom to find out who I am and to really support me and guide me in ways that make sense

It’s not about beating other people, but uplifting the entire community so that every single person ends up being better in the way that a rising tide raises all ships

Qn: ‘Adults should give teenagers more freedom.’ What are your views?

What China sees in Jane Eyre, which is now required reading for ninth graders

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Hegseth’s call for public execution a sign of moral decay

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The joys of solo driving: Leave me alone to cry

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Research into human well-being suggests that people need a “third place” – a refuge beyond home and the workplace. This is especially true in a dense city-state like Singapore. And this is where they can mentally reset and reduce stress.

While neutral spaces such as community gardens or hawker centres offer brief moments of relief, the car cabin gives you far more control over your environment as your mobile third place. You control the air-conditioning, the playlist and the sound volume. Or you can simply switch off the infotainment entirely. The silent cabin of EVs seems particularly useful here.

Qn: Assess the view that privacy is no longer a realistic expectation. (YIJC 2026 Prelim)

New third space opens for young people in Yishun to form friendships and connections

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Third spaces are places where young people can hang out, pursue their hobbies and interests, and take part in activities.

Fam said Chop was set up amid growing concerns around youth social isolation in Singapore.

building meaningful relationships takes time, and having a familiar space where people can keep showing up makes it easier for these connections to grow

For issues on loneliness....

Social media: What if children could grow up with no one watching?

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Queenstown, Marine Parade to pilot more inclusive spaces for people with disabilities

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make spaces such as parks and hawker centres more disability-friendly, while public education efforts will encourage residents to interact more confidently and respectfully with PWDs.

working on “finer details” such as ensuring pathways are wide enough to accommodate two wheelchairs.

focus on creating employment opportunities for PWDs. SG Enable will work with mall operator Lendlease and its tenants to identify suitable jobs, with on-site job coaches.

Inclusion should not mean creating separate spaces for persons with disabilities,...PWDs and their caregivers said living well was not just about having access to services, but feeling accepted and understood in everyday spaces

Qn: 'Not enough is being done for people with disabilities in your society.' Discuss. (ASRJC 2023 Prelim)

US v China: What if an AI system started a war that no one wanted?

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At the start of the US war against Iran, the US Air Force used intelligence synthesised by Project Maven to select targets in deadly bombing raids. Project Maven is led by Palantir and supported by American technology behemoths like Amazon and Microsoft. Its use led to the bombing of the Minab school in Iran’s southern Hormozgan province, which killed more than 150 people in an incident described by experts as a war crime.

Meanwhile, militaries around the world are also quickly trying to acquire and adapt Ukrainian drone technology, which this year marked the first use of a lethal autonomous system in battle.

Outside of military conflict, AI models pose a threat to national information systems and critical infrastructure. The recent breach of Australia’s Medicare system exposed a new threat vector in critical systems: that a hack is no longer just the domain of foreign intelligence services or cyber criminals. A hack can now happen accidentally, without human control, emerging from a friendly country. This raises the possibility that such an accident might happen between the US and China, which together control 90% of global AI capacity.

In the first documented instance in which OpenAI hacked Australian government servers, OpenAI itself was unaware of the breach for two months and then waited another month to inform the Australian government via a public e-mail.

Qns:

1. To what extent should governments regulate the development of emerging technologies? (RI 2026 Prelim)

2. To what extent should governments regulate artificial intelligence? (NYJC 2026 Prelim)