A) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY No. 1.

Examples INTERNET: -Kenya is a ground zero for a broadband movement thats changing Africa and the world (TIME July 11 2011) Cell phones have taken all the world forward, but they are positively transforming Africa. Lack of infrastructure- few hospitals, landlines and roads; little power, education or running water; small banks; sparse insurance; tiny stock exchanges- is a large part of what economists mean when they say poverty. Kenya erupted in violence in the aftermath of a disputed general election in late 2007, a hand full of Nairobi code writers created Ushahidi, a data-mapping platform to collate and locate reports of unrest sent in by the public via text message, email and social media. The idea was simply to find out what was happening. The desire to know what was going on turned out to be universal and Ushahidi quickly became the worlds default platform for mapping crises, disasters and political upheaval. Internet traffic in Africa is among the fastest growing in the world. As the most developed country on the continent, Africa is the obvious hub for online Africa. The Internet is a basic human right and a necessity for economic growth. There is a liberating aspect to Internet that gives it an edge. The more people connect, the more they know people who also think infrastructure and government support are missing. Thats when people start demanding services and when they do not get them, you get situations like Egypt. INTERNET IN CHINA: -China with more than 450 million internet users, exercises tight control over the Web at home with a vast censorship system known as the Great Firewall of China, designed to prevent access to sites ranging from pornographic ones to those deemed politically objectionable. -The foreign websites blocked include Facebook, Twitter and Google, which in March last year effectively shut down its Chinese search engine, saying it would no longer bow to government censors. -The Chinese government claims that China meets international norms in cyber censorship, regulating the Internet to ensure its healthy development and to safeguard public interest. -Beijing had actively encouraged the development of the Internet and protected freedom of speech online. Sina Weibo, Chinas version of Twitter (Chinese microblogging website) has more than 250 million registered users as of October 2011. Due to the Internet censorship in China, Sina set strict controls

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over the posts on its services. Posts with links using some URL shortening services (incl. Googles goo.gl), or containing blacklisted keywords or in Tibetan language are not allowed on Sina Weibo. Posts on sensitive topics forbidden in China (e.g. Human right, Liu Xiaobo) would be deleted after manual checking On March 9, 2010, the posts by Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei at Sina Weibo to appeal for information on 2008 Sichuan earthquake going public was deleted and his account was closed by websites administrator. Any account with a name possibly relevant to Ai Weiwei has then been blocked to be created. However compared to other Chinese media formats, weibo services are considered freer. Criticism against the Chinese government is more widespread on Sina Weibo and other weibo services. After the July 2011 Wenzhou train collision, many dissatisfied posts concerning governmental corruption were posted throughout the Sina Weibo. While weibo services might not always be in favor of government officials, many Chinese officials opened weibo accounts

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Internet in Singapore: - The Internet is playing a role, it is not just a passive medium but it also shapes our interactions and redefines our sense of belonging and affinity. - Saw the effects this year in two elections: the General Election in May and the presidential election in August. It is necessary and healthy for our politics to adapt to changes and to be up-to-date and in sync with the times because if you dont adapt, its brittle and one day it will break. SMARTPHONES: Myth 1: Smartphones apps help us forge closer connections within our social web. Truth: They do enable connections on social networking sites, but often make it impossible to enjoy meaningful conversation in the here and now. Dinner companions voices have trailed off in the midst of making a point as their fingers seek vibrating phones to check Facebook updates or quickly send off a Twitter chain message to a dozen other users. Text messages to eat iodine tablets and stay out of the rain before the nuclear fug from Japan engulfs South-east Asia, the fake message, purportedly (claims to be) from the BBC, apparently caused such panic in the Philippines that the gov and the British news agency had to issue denials. Many people in Singapore first reaction to a suspect piece of info was not to use their smartphones Web capability to check back with the primary sources, but to forward it hastily. -> smartphones technology actually erodes brain cells and fosters unthinking behavior. Myth 2: Smartphone apps make life more convenient. Undeniable, able to book movie tickets or taxis But it seems that the smartphone technology is so much fun that the cool factor

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replaces common sense. Fear that we are forcing ourselves to cut up the world into bitesized chunks for other people to digest instead of enjoying our lives to the fullest. Why else are users not looking at each other during meals, unless it is to exchange grins after photographing their meals and instantly updating their food blogs? It is predicted that in 2015, advanced capability phones will drive all stolid (dependable) feature phones into extinction. Smartphone technology might soon be the cleverest thing around but it has already made many of my acquaintances a lot sillier.

B) EDUCATION No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Examples

C) HUMAN RIGHTS AND ETHICS No. 1. Examples Death penalty: -This has been a much contested issue in many societies and is an ethical dilemma for most states. -Many governments and advocates of the death penalty espouse that they can deter social or even federal crimes by executing prisoners whom they feel have committed heinous crimes. -However, human- rights activists feel that the death penalty is an inhumane, brutal punishment that violates peoples right to life and the right to protection from degrading punishment as spelt out in the constitution of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. AGAINST: -The death penalty is largely criticized because it has been used in a discriminatory manner, disproportionately against the poor, powerless, marginalized communities and people whom repressive regimes want to eliminate. -The death penalty is also oftentimes considered an assault on human dignity and a violation of the rights laid down by the Universal Declaration

of Human Rights, as rights, by definition, apply to all people, even those whose acts are condemned by society. - Death penalty exemplifies societys approval of killing and goes against the teachings of major religious on love, forgiveness and mercy and justice should not mean punishment that imitates the crime. -Capital punishment is an expensive way to deal with crime as length trials, appeal procedures, the expenses of maintaining maximum security on death row and carrying out the execution are all wasteful, unnecessary use of taxpayers money. Moreover, studies have found that there is no conclusive evidence that the death penalty deters would-be offenders. -Nonetheless, family members of convicts on death row would argue that far from ensuring justice, the death penalty is an empty gesture that only affirms vengeance and more hate, and serves as a sentence of shame for generations to come. FOR: -On the flip side, states that are pro capital punishment would assert that the death penalty deters violent crime and that those who commit heinous crimes must be severely punished in order to register societys condemnation of capital offences. -Moreover, people who have witnessed family members being killed brutally and mercilessly may sometimes also feel that the death penalty is necessary in order to ensure retribution, justice and a sense of closure. Conclusion: -As more states adopt a more liberal, democratic stance and strive to be progressive, it is important that they also reassess the relevance of capital punishment in future. -States must work to find alternatives to the death penalty and stakeholders such as parents, educators, community groups, religious organisations, the mass media and grassroots organisations must work in tandem to ensure that crime is kept in check. Awareness, education and rehabilitation remain better solutions than capital punishment. -Mahatma Gandhi said that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. As such the death penalty is not a viable solution to crime in this day and age. States must look to other alternatives and turn their backs on this medieval, barbaric practice. 2. Chinas Ai Weiwei incident: Ai Weiwei, an artist, is an outspoken critic of Beijing and he was seized for nearly three months while trying to board a flight to Hong Kong. Chinese authorities claimed to be investigating him for alleged tax evasion but it was meant to send a message. His was the highest- profile detention in a crackdown on dissent triggered partly by fears that the revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt could inspire protests in China. Ethical dilemmas- hard to make judgments Clash of interests between different stakeholders Organ trading

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-HOTA (Human Organ Transplant Act) regulates the selling and buying of organs in Singapore 1) organ donation; allows removal of cadaveric organs to be used for transplantation unless you opt out (kidney, liver, cornea, heart) hospital death, good working condition 2) Regulates organ donation in affective relationships Problem: Shortage (supply does not meet demand), number of suitable organs scarce, but demand increasing exponentially annually 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Animal testing Euthanasia/ Mercy killing Stem cell research/ genetic engineering Plastic surgery Child labour

D) VIOLENCE AND CONFLICTS No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Examples

E) GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

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Examples Global issues/US: -Occupy Wall Street movements around the world sprung from peoples anger over growing income inequality and social injustice. -According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) s own ranking of countries by income inequality, the United States is more unequal a society than either Tunisia or Egypt. Three factoids underscore that inequality: -The 400 wealthiest Americans have a greater combined net worth than the bottom 150 million Americans; -The top 1 per cent of Americans possess more wealth than the entire bottom 99 per cent Death of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi: -Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, the self- proclaimed King of Kings of Africa who ruled Libya for 42 years, was killed on 20 October 2011 in his home town of Sirte. -A tyrant executed while crying for mercy in the dust- reflection of a fallen regime and the reaction of an oppressed people. -The apparent end of Col Gaddafi marked the latest turn in a number of events that have seen authoritarian governments in the Middle East ousted (drive out or expel someone from a position or place) in a remarkable series of popular uprisings dubbed the Arab Spring. -The dictators reported death marked the end of a violent struggle that began in Feb to rid the country of its authoritarian government. Japan: -Seen as high level of income, high technology, very disciplined, very welleducated people but missing a certain zest(great enthu & energy) that tomorrow will be better (exciting journey) America: -The US is still the worlds largest economy and is easily its pre-eminent military and diplomatic power. However, the moment at which China becomes the worlds largest economy is coming into view. Of course, it is true that China has its own grave political and economic problems. Yet the fact that there are roughly four times as many Chinese as there are Americans means that- even allowing for a sharp slowdown in Chinese growth- at some point, China will become No. 1. -Even after the US has ceded its economic dominance, Americas military, diplomatic, cultural and technological prowess will ensure that the country remains the worlds dominant political power. As China and other powers rise economically, they will inevitably constrain Americas ability to get its way in the world. -US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton insisted that America will remain a major power in Asia. TRADE: -US slipping behind in trade: US has engaged Asia for most of the time since the end of the WW2 with its unquestioned economic strength and military power. That, however, has been changing in recent years, as China and other emerging Asian economies rise and their military clout

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increases. CHINA: -CHINA AS A GLOBAL PLAYER: Usual stance is non- interference; but calls for China to become a responsible stakeholder are getting louder. Currently China has more peacekeeping troops in the UN than any of the other permanent members of the UN Security Council. Since 1999, China has not taken loans from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, and in 2007, China went from being a receiver of the aid to becoming a contributor to the IDA. The Chinese gov, by the end of 2009, has exempted 25.6 billion yuan of debt for heavily indebted poor countries and the least developed ones. Zero- tariff treatment to the exports from 33 less developed countries, Africa received the largest amount of aid, followed by Latin America and lastly South-east Asia. Often been accused of manipulating its currency, despite the fact that after the currency peg ended in 2005, the yuan rose 21 per cent in the following three years, ad the appreciation was subsequently halted for two years to help Chinese exporters during the global financial crisis. In the AFC in 97-98, China chose not to depreciate the yuan, partly in order not to enjoy an unfair advantage over its South-east Asian neighbours, but also because having a stable currency was a requisite to join the World Trade Organisation. Heavy criticism has been leveled at Chinas relationship with rogue states. Its r/s with countries like Iran are clearly tactical; depend on them for oil. Iran is perhaps Chinas most stable strategic option Currently straddling two identities- it is a developing country by many measures and yet, due to the size of its gross domestic product and phenomenal rate of economic growth, it plays in the league of developed countries. It is still wounded by history, but at the same time has demonstrated its new- found clout(influence) and power. The world is at once confronted by a China that is outwardly assertive, confident and powerful, and a country inwardly- focused on internal problems it considers must be prioritized above anything else. -TRADE: China expanded to overtake Japan and became the worlds second largest economy after the US, its trade with South-east Asia jumped six-fold to US$193 billion China- Asean FTA came into force early last year -RECYCLING: China will invest 2 trillion yuan to promote a low-carbon economy in the next five years. Chinese cities which have succeeded in promoting low-carbon development and eco-city (Tianjin Ecocity)

planning would set an example for developing countries. -CORRUPTION: Some 28,000 people were found guilty of corruption last year, an almost 10 per cent rise compared to the year before. More officials were also investigated, an increase of 6 per cent to about 44,000 last year. Most feel that not enough has been done, a view bolstered by the recent news tat even a junior county official can amass huge fortunes. -POLITICAL REFORMS: China seems much to be disturbed in the current turmoil in the Arab world. People wondered will China be hit by a similar upheaval, after all, the conditions that precipitated (cause) the Arab uprisings, such as lack of political freedom, unemployment and corruption, also exist in china. To Chinas communist leaders, the scenes in Cairos (capital of Egypt) Tahrir Square were a reminder of the events leading up to the 1989 military crackdown at Tiananmen Square. One of the things that the upheaval in Tunisia and Egypt showed is that economic success alone is not enough to bring about social harmony. The Arab revolts are a reminder to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that its standard defence against political reform- that freedom and democracy are alien to Chinese society- is not teanable (maintainable)

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JASMINE REVOLUTION: -It refers to the December-January mass uprising in Tunisia that overthrew president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali on January 15. It was sparked off by the self-immolation(burning) of vegetable vendor Mohamed Bouazizi, when he was humiliated by a woman constable on December 17. -Christened the Jasmine Revoluion by the media in keeping with the geopolitical nomenclature of 'colour revolutions' . The movement grew over the issues of unemployment, food inflation, corruption, lack of freedom of speech and poor living conditions and overflowed into Egypt where it has been raging. The impetus (force that make it happen quicker) of the Arab Spring Chinese pro-democracy protests in the People's Republic of China were inspired by the 2011 Tunisian Revolution. Activists, possibly from outside China, have called on citizens in China to express their displeasure at the countrys lack of reforms and officials corruption by silently meeting in front of department stores or other public areas for a Jasmine Revolution, a named borrowed from the Tunisian revolt that set off the Middle East unrest. Organizers have now called for the protests to continue each Sunday, and gave a list of spots in a dozen major cities where people could go for a

stroll this coming Sunday at 2 p.m. Because the calls are made via Twitter and other services widely blocked in China, they circulate only to those who know how to bypass Internet censors. But Chinese authorities have been responding with their customary zeal. On Sunday, a protest in Beijing was overwhelmed by police officers. And the word jasmine has been blocked on popular social networking sites and chat rooms. The authorities might have a hard time eradicating the word completely. Jasmine is also the name of a popular Chinese folk song. 7. F) MASS MEDIA No. 1. Examples The father of the World Wide Web, Mr Tim Berners- Lee, did not patent his idea in 1989 as he did not want to stifle the spirit of the Internet, a spirit of openness and sharing creativityof doing research and thinking up new ideas, new industries and new enterprises. The Internet has a dramatic impact on the world of business across the globe and economies may be more productive as a result. For individuals, email and the freedom of information have enlightened and empowered many in the various fields of education, research and interests. -Use and abuse go hand in hand for technology -The Internet contains so much information, requires adequate checks and balances.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. (F) ENVIRONMENT

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Examples USE OF NUCLEAR POWER: -China and other Asian nations are shying away from nuclear safety crisis following Japans nuclear safety crisis, thus it would intensify the impact of climate change on the region. Many governments have announced reviews or delays of programmes to use nuclear reactors to generate electricity. -Whether warranted or not, each new report of radiation leakage from the stricken Fukushima plant in Japan is increasing opposition to expansion of nuclear power. One of the attractions of this technology is its ability to produce large amounts of electricity over long periods of time without emitting huge quantities of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels. CO2 is the main man-made global warming gas.

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