As local businesses in Singapore get squeezed by rising rents, many are shutting their doors, and increasingly, what replaces them are Chinese-owned businesses. In neighbourhoods like Kampong Glam, the surge has sparked concerns over the erosion of local heritage and culture. If this trend continues unchecked, are we looking at an economic takeover similar to what’s happened in places like Jeju and London?

(04:33) Review of Ministers’ Salaries

(10:00) Rise of Chinese businesses

(16:35) US’ interest in Greenland

(19:00) Iran Protest

Just days into 2026, global headlines have been dominated by the US’ capture of Venezuela’s then-president, Nicolás Maduro. As Singapore said it is “gravely concerned” by the situation, the episode has raised uneasy questions closer to home. In an era of intensifying great-power rivalry, are small states like Singapore more vulnerable than we think?

(00:50) Dzar’s holiday

(05:27) US’ intervention in Venezuela

(10:00) Responses from other countries

(15:26) Malays as providing “windows for the Chinese”?

(23:30) Changing attitudes among Gen Z

What better way to wrap up the year than with something sweet? In this episode, we sit down with Darren, co-founder of Sugar Mama Lah, the halal tiramisu brand that went from a home-based hustle to a full-fledged storefront. Darren opens up about the “thick skin” mindset behind his success, from live streaming to unconventional marketing, and drops a surprising truth: many kunafa desserts in Singapore use colouring that isn’t halal-certified.

(02:05) What is assorted tiramisu?

(04:50) Home-based to storefront

(11:35) Challenges of being halal-certified

(20:45) Importance of live streaming

(22:55) Meaning behind Sugar Mama Lah

A viral TikTok shows LTA and Traffic Police cracking down on a car meet at Decathlon Kallang, and while many cheered the enforcement, others say it’s exactly why Singapore’s car culture is dying. Compared to places like Japan, where modified cars are celebrated, Singapore feels far more conservative. But as the city pushes towards a car-lite future, is this scene inevitably fading away? And is that really a bad thing?

(05:25) Terrorist threat at St Joseph Church

(09:35) UN (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations?

(13:30) Singapore’s dying car culture

(25:00) Car-lite society

(27:55) Najib Razak fails in bid for home arrest

A devastating tragedy struck Bondi Beach in Sydney when two gunmen killed at least 15 people during a Jewish celebration. While many netizens expressed sympathy and grief, the aftermath quickly spiralled into controversy. From antisemitic and Islamophobic rhetoric to claims of a ‘false flag’ attack, the tragedy has been swept into a fierce online information war.

(00:55) Darren’s Bar Exams

(04:25) Bondi Beach Shooting

(08:25) Start of ‘Information Wars’

(14:00) Hero of Bondi Beach

(17:10) Japan’s relationship with China

(21:12) Predictions for 2026

Everyone’s travelling this year-end, especially to Japan, where the yen has plunged to about ¥120 for S$1. But while Singaporeans are chasing cheap flights and exchange rates, PM Wong is on the move for a different reason. His recent trip to South Africa and the announcement of Singapore’s 1st East African embassy in Ethiopia may seem unexpected but they hint at something bigger: Singapore is quietly deepening its footprint and ties across Africa.

(0:33) Welcome back Darren!

(07:34) Travelling during the holidays

(10:57) PM Wong’s working trips

(16:30) Are Africans the next generation of content creators?

(19:05) Future trips

When influencer Simonboy launched the Forever Megan Charity in honour of his late daughter, some called it heartfelt while others called it clout. And leading the charge was the OG uncancellable content creator herself, Xiaxue. Her takedown earned her a cease and desist letter, and she’s firing back. In this case, do you think Xiaxue has a point, or do you feel sympathy for Simonboy?

(01:25) Feud between Xiaxue and Simonboy

(07:20) Opening a charity in Malaysia?

(13:13) POFMA on MalaysiaNow

(16:53) Future of censorship in Singapore

(21:45) Intruder at Wicked premiere

The job market is changing rapidly, and jobseekers are facing challenges like finding stability, balancing personal commitments, and adapting to AI. At Plan B, our hosts share insights from both employers and jobseekers on their shifting expectations. With programmes mentioned in this year’s National Day Rally like GRIT and SkillsFuture available, we explore how jobseekers can get ahead as they navigate their careers. For more related information, visit: go.gov.sg/2025ndr-planb

(01:00) Uncertainty of today’s job market

(07:38) What are GRaduate Industry Traineeships (GRIT)?

(12:30) Taking stock of your career

(20:15) Using A.I. for a leg up in the workplace

This week, headlines swirled around Ong Beng Seng keeping his PR status, a move that’s raised plenty of eyebrows. In a country where one's PR status can be revoked for criminal convictions, ICA’s decision to issue only a warning has sparked questions about Singapore’s “clean and fair” legal image.

(03:05) Possible Kyrgyzstan trip in 2026

(10:35) Under-the-table payment for Hajj?

(13:00) M’sian man bribed Sg’s traffic police

(19:08) Ong Beng Seng’s PR status

(23:35) Court of Public Opinion

(28:19) Ringgit strengthened

We’ve all seen the shocking videos of youths staggering like zombies, hooked on vapes laced with etomidate. As Singapore clamps down on vaping, we speak with Prof Anantham Devanand, Senior Consultant at SGH’s Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, on why vapes can be are dangerous even without etomidate - and share the real-life cases he’s treated.

For support to quit vaping, visit: gov.sg/quitvape

(02:20) What are the harms of etomidate?

(05:25) Is there such thing as secondhand vaping?

(07:10) Real cases of vaping harm

(11:00) Signs your child might be vaping

(16:00) Doctor’s take on current penalties