This week, the CEO of TikTok, Shou Zi Chew, testified before US lawmakers, putting himself in the line of fire over the platform’s content moderation, data security, and links to the Chinese government. How did this Singaporean born and bred fare on the world stage? Closer to home, there was a big online hooha when a user on TikTok highlighted that a can of Coke has a better Nutri-Grade rating than a can of Milo. Is it true that Coke is healthier than Milo?

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Singaporean TikTok CEO Grilled by US Congress

• TikTok hearing: CEO Shou Zi Chew testifies before US Congress amid looming ban – as it happened

Is Coke Healthier Than Milo?

• S'pore TikToker surprised to see Coke got B Nutri-Grade rating, while Milo got D

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• This Restaurant's Kitchen Is Run by Grandmothers from Around the World

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

This week in Parliament, Minister Edwin Tong answered questions about the Dow/SportsSG shoe recycling fiasco that was brought to light by a recent Reuters investigative report. Are the current measures against greenwashing in Singapore able to prevent incidents like that from happening again? Elsewhere, a stall vendor at the Geylang Serai Ramadan Bazaar revealed that his rent rose from $10K to $18K in recent years, leading food critic KF Seetoh to label it the “world’s most expensive pasar malam stall”. Is the outrage justified?

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Debating Greenwashing After Shoe Recycling Fiasco

• Shoes in recycling project being sold in Indonesia: Edwin Tong says processes tightened and lessons to be learnt across agencies

$18K Rent at Geylang Serai Bazaar

• 200 stalls remain empty at Geylang Serai Bazaar as high rental costs keep vendors away

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• Inside the traumatic life of a Facebook moderator

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A government survey revealed that more than 70% of Singapore residents felt that their overall quality of life was the same or better in post-pandemic 2023, compared with 2019 before COVID-19. With inflation, layoffs and a war going on, is this survey an accurate reflection of sentiment on the ground? Elsewhere, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra phone has come under scrutiny for its AI-driven image enhancement technology which allows it to zoom in and capture detailed pictures of the moon. Why are people making a fuss about this software function?

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7 in 10 Singapore Residents in Good Shape Post-pandemic

• 69% of S'pore residents rate quality of life post-pandemic as 'Good' or 'Very good': MCI poll

Samsung Phone’s Fake Moon Shots

• Samsung’s Moon Shots Force Us to Ask How Much AI Is Too Much | WIRED

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• Providence News site claiming to debunk Netflix documentary “In The Name of God”

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Researchers from the Institute of Policy Studies revealed that they surveyed over 800 food establishments across Singapore to study whether food prices have increased in hawker centres, kopitiams and food courts. While the results between different regions of Singapore have sparked debate, the survey also angered some people. Why so? Elsewhere, Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh made history by being the first Asian woman to win the Academy Award for best actress for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” But why are some Malaysians refusing to celebrate it as a win for their country?

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Where is the Cheapest Place to Dine Out in Singapore

• Study finds eating out cheapest in Toa Payoh, most expensive in Bishan; many stalls didn't raise prices after GST hike

Does Malaysia Deserve Michelle Yeoh?

• Michelle Yeoh’s Oscars win cannot be credited Malaysia, says Malaysian netizens - TODAY

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• Great apes deliberately spin to become dizzy, say researchers - BBC News

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Last weekend, the seismic collapse of Silicon Valley Bank threatened to spread as a “contagion” through the US financial system and send it into a tailspin. We break down what happened, and why the biggest bank collapse since 2008 is giving us feelings of déjå vu. Closer to home, Paralympian Sophie Soon was caught in a social media firestorm when she posted a video shaming Rocky Master’s staff for denying her indoor entry into their Hougang cafe with her guide dog. While we agree that Sophie Soon shaming the staff member was uncalled for, Rocky Master’s official statement didn’t win it any new fans either. What should have been done to de-escalate the situation?

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Silicon Valley Bank Collapse

• Silicon Valley Bank Collapse: What We Know and How It Happened

Paralympian in Dispute with Cafe Over Guide Dog

• S'pore Paralympic swimmer apologises after filming dispute over guide dog in cafe

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• Chris Rock - Selective Outrage | Netflix

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Two days ago, DPM Lawrence Wong released the COVID-19 White Paper as Singapore’s report card on how it handled the pandemic. Was this report just a case of “ownself check ownself”, or was it actually more objective? Also, a new species of cockroach was discovered in Singapore, and it’s officially been named after a Pokemon. Is this Singaporean cockroach someone we can be proud of?

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Surprises in COVID-19 White Paper

• The gist: Tackling ‘crisis within a crisis’ and other Covid-19 lessons for future pandemics

Pokemon Cockroach Discovered in Singapore

• New Cockroach Species Found in Singapore Named After a Pokemon

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• We Cause Scenes (Full Length Improv Everywhere Documentary Film)

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Minister of Education Chan Chun Sing recently announced major changes to A-Level exam scoring for Junior College students in Singapore; for example, the Project Work module will become a Pass/Fail subject. While these changes are meant to benefit students by partially relieving their exam stress, some have said it could have the reverse effect. How so? Elsewhere, certain residents have complained about the bold red facade of a new Tampines BTO block lobby, likening it to a red-light district or a scene in a horror movie. A photographer has come forward and warned that this negative public feedback could end up stifling innovation in Singapore. Who’s right?

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Big Changes to A-Level Scoring

• A-Level scoring in Singapore to change from 2026 to reduce emphasis on grades

Red Tampines HDB Scares Residents

• Red Tampines BTO block gives residents the creeps with its crimson walls, ceilings & floor

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• Srisun Express gives away 6,780 free prata kosong to Man U jersey-wearing diners

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Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean revealed in Parliament that Lee Hsien Yang and his wife Lee Suet Fern are under investigation by the police for lying under oath during disciplinary proceedings against Mrs Lee over her handling of Lee Kuan Yew’s will. What prompted this new twist in the Oxley Road saga? Elsewhere, Singapore Airlines announced a trial of paper serviceware on selected medium- and long-haul flights, triggering snarky comments and criticism. Why did this seemingly environmentally-friendly move not fly with some customers?

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Lee Hsien Yang Under Investigation for Perjury

• The E-Book: The Battle Over Lee Kuan Yew’s Last Will

Singapore Airlines’ Paper Boxes Criticized

• SIA to 'take on board customer feedback' after paper serviceware trial sparks criticism

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• “Hard to listen”, “excruciating”, “combative” - all the comments about our fiery discussion in Ep 371

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• Children’s Museum Singapore

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This week in Parliament, Opposition MP Pritam Singh advocated for an English test as part of the application process for citizenship or PR in Singapore. This led to a rebuttal by Josephine Teo, who expressed “surprise” at his suggestion. We discuss the merits and downsides of the suggestion on YLB, and *spoiler alert* it got dicey. Elsewhere, Brazilian model Adriana Lima was named as FIFA’s first Global Fan Ambassador, but some criticised the appointment as “tone deaf” in light of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament. Why the outrage?

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Pritam Singh Suggests English Test for New Citizens

• Pritam Singh advocates for English test in Singapore citizenship, PR applications

Model Adriana Lima’s FIFA Role Criticised

• FIFA choice of Adriana Lima as ambassador called 'tone deaf'

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• South Park - Season 26, Ep. 2 - The Worldwide Privacy Tour

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak

In the last few days, petrochemicals giant Dow Inc. and SportSG were caught flat-footed by an investigative piece by Reuters which uncovered that a sneaker recycling program they had jointly spearheaded was not actually recycling the donated shoes; the sneakers ended up in flea markets in Indonesia instead. Why is this such a big deal, that Reuters would put so much time and effort into the story? Elsewhere, the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi has shocked the world, and it seems like everyone is talking about it. We go through some of the grisly details of the case.

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Dow and SportSG in Shoe Recycling Fiasco

• Dow said it was recycling our shoes. We found them in Indonesia

HK Socialite Abby Choi’s Gruesome Murder

• After Model’s Gruesome Killing, Suspicion Falls on Ex-Husband and His Family

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• Extraordinary | Official Trailer

Edited and mixed by Tristen Yeak