Deep Dive

There are still families stuck in an intergenerational cycle of poverty and while the government can provide essential safety nets, real sustained change can only happen when society pitches in too, says Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli. Mr Masagos and senior social worker at Care Corner, Flora Tan, join Crispina Robert for a discussion on tackling poverty in Singapore.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this lively discussion, Grace Fu, Singapore's Sustainability and Environment Minister, explores the future of hawker culture. She shares insights on a massive S$1 billion initiative aimed at modernizing hawker centres while preserving their cultural significance. Grace emphasizes the challenges of cleanliness and accessibility, particularly for the elderly and disabled. The conversation touches on adapting to changing consumer preferences and the importance of the Hawker Succession Scheme, showcasing a collaborative approach to keep this beloved culinary tradition thriving.

From 2028, students who want to go to a junior college will only need a total of five subjects instead of six. The change is meant to ease academic load but whether it reduces stress for students and parents remains to be seen. Singapore's Education Minister Chan Chun Sing sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to unpack the changes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some cinemas which have existed for decades have shut as some people prefer to watch films at home. Can the experience of watching a movie on the big screen be saved? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert discuss with Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector and Ben Slater, senior lecturer at NTU’s School of Art, Design and Media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The government is providing more resources in this year’s Budget for parents who choose to have three or more children. Second Minister for Finance Indranee Rajah sits down with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert to talk about families, jobs and what ideal ageing looks like.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Annie Koh, Professor Emeritus of Finance at Singapore Management University, teams up with Assistant Professor Chua Yeow Hwee to unpack the implications of Budget 2025. They reveal how the budget's generous provisions aren't merely election gimmicks but crucial responses to the cost of living crisis. The conversation covers the balance of supporting families in a declining birthrate environment, the economic impact of community vouchers, and the strategic shift towards innovative and sustainable energy solutions.

It’s an SG60 Budget in an election year with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong set to lay some priorities for this year. What could be on the list? Business owner Pulse Tan, parent of two and elderly caregiver Serene Chew, and labour economist Walter Theseira give their take in a conversation with Steven Chia and Crispina Robert. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An AI model developed by a little-known Chinese hedge fund that reportedly rivals OpenAI's ChatGPT at a significantly lower cost has triggered a deep “freak out” among the global tech industry. Why was there a big reaction to DeepSeek and what are the implications for Singapore? Dr Leslie Teo, senior director of AI products at AI Singapore and Jianggan Li, founder and CEO of venture outfit Momentum Works break it down for Steven Chia and Crispina Robert.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the latest SPCA data, the number of confirmed animal cruelty and welfare cases in Singapore reached its highest point in 2024. What’s driving these numbers? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert find out from Samantha Chia, owner of ChubbyBuddy Cats and Sabrina Ng, communications and advocacy manager at SPCA Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone will sit on an area four times the size of Singapore, with nine zones covering everything from manufacturing to financial services. What are the opportunities and challenges of this ambitious agreement? Steven Chia and Crispina Robert speak to Thilan Wickramasinghe, head of research in Singapore and regional head of financials at Maybank Investment Banking Group and Serina Rahman, lecturer at the department of Southeast Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.