[Post 765] Impact of providing better protection for Singapore's 70,000 platform workers | Deep Dive podcast

Summary

No video this week as the recording was done online and the quality was not the best. But the conversation is still important and relevant to anyone who uses the services of platform workers. We hope you enjoy the audio experience.

[Post 764] The realities of raising 5 kids in Singapore | Commentary

Summary

During the National Day Rally 2024 speech, a slew of announcements were aimed at making Singapore more family-friendly. One of the support measures will be for families with three or more young children. Freelance writer and mother-of-five Kelly Ang tells CNA about the realities of raising a large family in Singapore.

[Post 763] Ask Work It: More work but no promotion. Should I say no?

Summary

You are taking on more projects every year, yet the career jump remains out of reach. What’s holding your boss back from promoting you and what can you do to break this cycle? 

[Post 762] Why near-expired food is sought after by young people in Taiwan

Summary

More young Taiwanese are turning to near-expired food items sold at steep discounts as a way to cope with the island's soaring cost of living. It has become a popular topic on social media, with netizens sharing tips and experience of buying these discounted goods. CNA's Victoria Jen with this report.

[Post 761] How I Made It: PropNex CEO Ismail Gafoor, PropNex on making and spending money | Money Talks podcast

Summary

In this special two-part series, Andrea Heng asks Singapore’s money makers about their relationship with money.

Real estate mogul Ismail Gafoor shares how his childhood shaped his attitude towards money, the number one financial rule he and his wife live by, and why it took years for him to finally enjoy spending money on himself. 

[Post 760] Housing cluster pilot for PWDs to live independently

Summary

A cluster of public rental flats for persons with disabilities (PWDs) will be launched next year. The pilot is among plans by an inter-agency taskforce that is looking into how PWDs can live independently, with onsite support from community programmes and services. CNA's Syahida Othman speaks to Eric Chua, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, and Chia Yong Yong, a member of the Taskforce on Community Living for PWDs, on whether these recommendations are enough and what they are looking forward to.

[Post 759] Never Too Old: Meet the seniors in Singapore who choose not to retire | Full series

Summary

From healthcare to football, to modelling and education, we spoke to some seniors in Singapore who choose to spend their golden years working instead of retiring. 

[Post 758] Rethinking Retirement In China: Why This Retiree Needs A Side Hustle To Make Ends Meet | Money Mind

Summary

How can you help yourself to have a better retirement when you've already stopped working? For one retired truck driver in Beijing, the answer was to shift gears - and look for the perfect match.

[Post 757] China's Ticking Pension Time Bomb: When Young People Give Up On Saving For Retirement | Money Mind

Summary

China is facing a pensions time bomb, with warnings that the state pension fund will run out of money by 2035. But just when China needs its workers to work longer and save more, some young Chinese are doing the very opposite. 

[Post 756] Market Correction Or Bear Market? How To Spot The Warning Signs | Money Mind | Investment

Summary

As world markets brace for volatility, how can investors navigate selloffs? 

[Post 755] The Banana Pie Feud Between Dona Manis & Auntie Peng: Which Pie Is Better? | On The Red Dot

Summary

In the heart of Katong Shopping Centre, two bakeries are locked in a battle over banana pie. Dona Manis Cake Shop faces tough competition from rival Auntie Peng, the original baker, who has opened a shop, Auntie Peng Banana Pie, next door.

As both shops claim to be the original creators, this sweet rivalry has locals and food lovers alike divided. Who will win the ultimate pie showdown? Food Feud uncovers the history, taste and original recipe behind this delicious rivalry in "The Pie Wars.

[Post 754] How To Beat The Heat Without Aircon: Paint Your Roof For A Cooler House | Money Mind | Cool Roof

Summary

Painting a house's roof with a special coating is a low tech, low cost way to keep cool without air conditioning. 

[Post 753] Saving On Mooncake Costs This Mid-Autumn Festival: Is DIY An Option? | Money Mind

Summary

Saving on mooncake costs this mid-autumn festival. Is DIY an option? Host Andrea Heng finds out if her homemade mooncake hack passes the taste test.

[Post 752] New 'Premium' Durian Varieties: Are They Just Mao Shan Wang Remarketed? | Talking Point

Summary

It's that time of the year again – the durian season. In recent years, we've seen new durian varieties entering the market, with each durian varieties offering unique flavours and textures. From lesser-known types like Tupai King to the increasingly popular Black Thorn and Black Gold – what are these new varieties, and what exactly are you paying for? Host Diana Ser heads to a durian plantation in Penang, where some of these newer varieties are cultivated, in search of answers. 

[Post 751] The hidden tech that builds a world-class airport | Building Singapore

 

Summary

How do you redesign an airport terminal to handle 5 million more passengers a year? And at the same time ensure that everyone's bags get on the right flight, at the right time? Read the story at https://str.sg/4CFmT for more. 

Host Chua Enlai enters "the heart" of Changi Airport Terminal 2 to discover the world of "roller coasters" and robotic cranes handling your luggage, as well as the simulation software used to predict passenger traffic at the planning stage. 

This is the third in a five-part series, Building Singapore, which features the people and technology shaping our built environment. 

[Post 750] Completing the Circle Line | Building Singapore

Summary 

How are MRT tunnels built underground without causing disruption above? 👷🚧

Chua Enlai discovers the engineering innovations, including a 100m-long "factory" deployed into the ground, used to expand Singapore's rail network in a safer, more efficient way. This is the second in a five-part series, Building Singapore, which features the people and technology shaping our built environment. 

[Post 749] Building the home that keeps 3,000 birds happy

Summary 

Ever wondered how penguins stay cool in tropical Singapore? 🐧🌴

Join Chua Enlai as he uncovers innovative solutions in the construction of Singapore's first eco-paradise.

This is the first in Building Singapore, a five-part series that features the people and technology shaping our built environment. READ MORE: https://str.sg/Awai

[Post 748] The Chinese and Japanese Gardens reopen: Attractions to look out for #JurongLakeGardens

Summary

After extensive rebuilding works over the last five years, the Chinese and Japanese Gardens in Taman Jurong were officially reopened on Sept 8 by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as part of Jurong Lake Gardens. 

Familiar landmarks such as the Twin Pagoda, Grand Arch and Stoneboat remain – alongside new spaces such as Water Wall Court and the Japanese Garden’s Guesthouse, a multipurpose hall that can accommodate up to 1,000 people.

The Straits Times highlights some of the key attractions visitors can look forward to on their next visit.  

[Post 747] India sees rise in demand for gold

Summary

A new sparkle has come to India’s gold market after the government in July slashed the import duty on the precious metal by more than half. The move has cooled prices and heated up demand. Local media is reporting as much as a 30 per cent increase in sales for some jewellers. CNA's Rebecca Bundhun reports from Mumbai. 

[Post 746] Driving schools taking action against bots booking practical lessons

Summary

Driving schools in Singapore are taking action against a growing army of Internet bots paid for by students to reserve and book lesson slots on their websites. This comes amid a post-COVID wave of sign-ups and an apparent lack of available sessions for hands-on driving. At least one driving school has put up a notice recently warning people against using these services on Telegram and other sites like Carousell. Claudia Lim reports.

[Post 745] Bus and train fares for adults to climb by 10 cents per journey from Dec 28

Summary

Public transport fares have risen for a third consecutive year. Bus and train fares for adults will climb by 10 cents per journey, starting from Dec 28. Concession card fares for groups, such as students and senior citizens, will see a smaller increase of four cents per journey. Singapore will fork out an additional $250 million to help cushion the hike for commuters. At its annual fare review exercise, the Public Transport Council said the adjustment was driven by growth in core inflation and wages, but was moderated partially by a drop in energy prices from their peak in 2022. Charlotte Lim reports.

[Post 744] Schools exploring catering services, vending machines amid shortage of canteen stallholders

Summary

Multiple schools in Singapore are still finding it difficult to get stallholders to fill their canteens. Currently, around 40 schools are looking for operators, with a handful missing more than one stall. Stallowners staying the course are struggling with rising costs and getting on in years. Meanwhile, catering services are being looked at as a way to cope with the lack of canteen stalls in more schools. So far, at least three schools have made the switch to caterers. CNA's Rebecca Metteo reports

[Post 743] Ask Work It: Why did HR withdraw a job offer?

Summary

After months of anticipation, you finally hear back from HR only to learn that the indicative job offer has been withdrawn. What might have caused such a u-turn and could you have done anything different? 

[Post 742] Singapore to ration electricity as a 'last resort' during emergencies

Summary

The Energy Market Authority will ration Singapore's electricity supply during an emergency, but this will be done as a "last resort". This is among new measures to ensure the country's energy security and stability. A central gas buying entity (Gasco) will also be formed by year-end. Fully owned by the government, it will undertake all future natural gas contracts. MPs questioned if this would hinder the freedom of current generation companies to decide who they buy from. Singapore's power sector currently needs around six to seven million tonnes of natural gas annually. Nasyrah Rohim reports.

[Post 741] Behind Bars: What life is like in Singapore's Changi Prison | Full series

Summary

We take a look at how Changi Prison inmates receive medical treatment, live in senior- and infirm-friendly cells and work at a call centre to stay employable - all from behind bars. 

[Post 740] The must-see spots for mainland Chinese travellers in Hong Kong

Summary

A basketball court, an old police station - why are these unlikely destinations becoming the latest hotspots for mainland China tourists in Hong Kong? Shifts in the age, priorities and perspectives of mainland tourists in Hong Kong are posing unique challenges for businesses in capturing their attention and spending. 

[Post 737] Sightseeing train in Japan to offer passengers a taste of Singaporean cuisine

Summary

A sightseeing train in Japan connecting Tokyo and Saitama prefecture will offer passengers a taste of Singaporean cuisine from January. The Singapore-themed train, where they will be served Singaporean culinary delights while enjoying the changing seasonal scenery of Japan from their window, will run for three months. The tie-up between Seibu Railway and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) seeks to promote awareness of rural Japan to visitors, while encouraging more Japanese to travel to Singapore. CNA's Michiyo Ishida reports.

[Post 462] We Discuss BTO: Is It Worth Waiting For Your BTO, And What If You Forfeit Your Flat? | Money Mind

Summary

Is it still worth waiting for your BTO, and what do you do if you break up before collecting your keys?

[Post 461] Gen Z internship race: Fear of missing out or path to success? | Work It podcast

Summary

There is a growing trend of university students juggling multiple internships, even taking time off school to get valuable experience and a foot in the door of industries. Undergraduates Syauqina Amalyn and Toh Yan Yun explain their hustle mentality. 

[Post 460] Why Japan's Gen Zs Are Struggling With Loneliness - And Yet, They Wouldn't Change A Thing

Summary

There’s a growing trend in Japan, solo katsu, where more young people in their 20s and 30s prefer doing things alone rather than with company. And their reasons? Experts suggested one of them could be the Japanese mentality of not wanting to bother anyone. 

[Post 459] Top Money Mistakes People Make In Their 20s, And How You Can Avoid Them | Money Mind | Adulting

Summary

What are the top spending and saving mistakes people make in their 20s – and what are some simple ways to avoid these pitfalls? 

[Post 458] US Fed Might Pull Off A "Soft Landing". Why Does It Matter For You & What Happens Next? | Money Mind

Summary

The US Federal Reserve’s anticipated rate cuts are raising hopes of a soft landing for the world’s biggest economy. So what is a soft landing, and how can you benefit from one? 

[Post 457] US Interest Rate Cuts Coming? How Borrowers and Savers Can Prepare | Money Mind | Interest Rates

Summary

With rate cuts expected from the US Federal Reserve, what are the savvy money moves for borrowers and savers? 

[Post 456] Deep-Fried Food: How Many Times Can We Reuse Our Cooking Oil? | Talking Point | Full Episode

Summary

Who doesn’t enjoy crispy, golden deep-fried foods? But have you ever looked at the pot of oil it has been cooked it and wondered when was the last time it was changed? Recently, a Talking Point viewer wrote in to us with exactly this concern! He’s worried about how often cooking oil is reused in food establishments here in Singapore.

Join host Diana Ser, as she investigates how often hawkers and home cooks are changing their deep-frying oil and if it is in fact safe to consume food cooked in this oil. So she sends reused oils for a lab test and confronts hawkers with the shocking results. Could it be potentially dangerous to try to replace oil in a fryer full of hot deep-frying oil and is there a way to tell that food has been fried in oil used one too many times? 

[Post 455] I Pay $2,100/Month To Live With 23 Roommates in NYC | Unlocked

Summary

Ishan Abeysekera, 33, wanted to make friends when he moved to New York City. His solution? Communal living in Brooklyn.

Unlocked is a home tour series focused on how much people across the globe spend on their housing, what they get for the money and what they had to sacrifice to make it happen.

[Post 454] I'm Much Happier Living in Iceland Than In The U.S.— Here's How Much it Costs

Summary

Jewells Chambers is a 38-year-old American expat who lives on $73,000/year in one of the world's most expensive countries. She's lived in Iceland for eight years and has no plans to move back to the U.S.

This is an installment of CNBC Make It's Millennial Money series, which profiles people across the globe and details how they earn, spend and save their money.

[Post 453] Smash hit 'Black Myth: Wukong' triggers buying spree for gaming components

Summary

From game consoles to processors, global hit video game Black Myth: Wukong has triggered a buying spree for more advanced computers and upgrades in China. While the boom plays into China’s desire to boost domestic consumption, as CNA's Lauren Ong finds out, it may even have a bearing on how China sees the gaming industry amid the ongoing tech war with the West.

[Post 452] 'They’re Not Filial': China's Eldercare Problem And Nursing Home Stigma | Insight | Full Episode

Summary

China is facing an aging population. Over the next decade, about 300 million people are set to retire. This is nearly equivalent to the size of the US population. 

As the silver tsunami buffets China, the country has started to tackle this issue, aiming to build basic elderly care systems in every province by 2025. Services will include material assistance, nursing, and caregiving. But in a country where filial piety is considered a core virtue, sending one’s parents to a care facility is a social stigma. There is an expectation that children should look after their parents, a view particularly held among the rural population. But in the face of economic headwinds, caring for the aged is becoming an increasing burden on China’s sandwich generation.  

How will China navigate this cultural shift around eldercare?

[Post 451] Key Changes Coming To Singapore REITs: Is It Time To Buy? | Money Mind | Singapore REITS

Summary

Despite being a popular choice among investors, REITs have taken a beating all year. So could three key changes in Singapore, and from outside Singapore, be a turning point?

[Post 450] 8 places to explore the hidden side of Hong Kong: Island-hopping, a monastery and more

Summary

If you’re planning a trip to Hong Kong but want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city – or simply want to experience something beyond the usual tourist traps, shopping and eating, here are a few places to visit. (Video: Wallace Woon)

[Post 449] Glamping at Singapore’s Lazarus Island for a quick, relaxing break from the city

Summary

Looking for an island staycation near Singapore? Here’s what to expect from Into The Woods' boutique glamping experience. (Video: Wallace Woon)

[Post 448] How sustainable is it for Singapore hawkers to offer budget meals? | Deep Dive podcast

Summary

To help alleviate cost of living pressures, all coffee shops leased from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) will need to offer budget meal options by 2026. But how do such meals, which cost about S$3.50, affect incomes of hawkers?

Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Dr Teo Kay Key, research fellow at IPS Social Lab, and Fabian Lim, co-owner of JOFA Meepok, JOFA Grill and JOFA-Oji Donburi.

[Post 447] What is it like to stay in Hoshinoya Tokyo, a luxury hotel inspired by a ryokan

Summary

Stripping away all the Western notions of luxury, what would a high-end hotel in modern Japan look like? The answer to that was Hoshinoya Tokyo, a Ryokan reimagined in the form of an urban, high rise building. But with all the elements of an authentic and traditional ryokan.  

[Post 446] China's "ghost" railway stations prompt questions about rapid expansion of high-speed network

Summary

China has the world’s most extensive high-speed railway network, and it is still rapidly expanding. But the system has come under scrutiny, with 26 decommissioned train stations scattered across the country. Observers point to over-investment, low passenger flow and remote locations as key reasons. CNA’s Tan Si Hui visits some of these so-called ‘ghost’ stations.