[Post 708] 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 707] 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 706] 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.

[Post 705] Riding the global stock market rollercoaster | Money Talks podcast

Summary

Global financial markets were in a spin recently when the Japan's main stock index suffered its worst day in 37 years and stocks on Wall Street faced their sharpest decline in nearly two years.

Eddy Loh, chief investment officer of Maybank Group Wealth Management, tells Andrea Heng what this means for economies and for investors.

[Post 704] The Singapore watch strap brand winning over Ed Sheeran and watch lovers worldwide

Summary

Singapore watch strap brand Delugs has grown from a small bedroom operation to an international brand. The brand’s founders, husband-and-wife duo Kenneth Kuan and Chia Pei Qi, want to make strap changing a lifestyle. 

[Post 703] I'm A Disabled Dive Photographer: How My Work Protects Marine Life | On The Red Dot - Secret Heroes

Summary

Kelvin Pung is an avid dive photographer whose artistic captures of underwater critters aim to promote and protect Singapore’s marine life. His work is all the more impressive because Kelvin had lost the use of one arm in an accident years ago. This makes suiting up before each dive a real challenge, which only deepens the respect for his dedication to dive photography. Kelvin’s personal journey of discovering the gems that live in Singapore’s waters serves as an inspiration.

[Post 702] Pulau Ubin's Last Malay Taxi Driver: Holding On To Singapore Kampung Life | On The Red Dot

Summary

Azman Hamid fell in love with Pulau Ubin while growing up on the island. Even though he has moved to the mainland more than three decades ago, his heart remains on Ubin. He has been taking a boat to the island daily ever since to work as a taxi driver. He calls himself the last Malay driver in Pulau Ubin, because he literally is. Together with 6 other drivers of taxi vans on the island, Azman is committed to preserving Pulau Ubin’s kampong life in the face of urban development and dwindling visitor numbers.