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As smartphones get more expensive, a NielsenIQ study found that new phone sales in Singapore fell nearly 14 per cent between 2023 and 2025, while retailers reported a rise in repairs. On TalkBack, Daniel Martin spoke to Johar Alkhatib, Owner of Pronto Arigato Repair Hub, about how easy it is to repair today’s smartphones, when repairs are worth the cost, and whether Singapore needs stronger right-to-repair protections. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ministry of Health has released N95 masks from its stockpile to retailers amid increased demand, despite earlier warnings about the risk of haze. On TalkBack, Daniel Martin spoke to Dr Rayner Tan, Assistant Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Vice-President of the Society of Behavioural Health Singapore, about why people may wait until haze arrives to prepare, and whether earlier warnings were enough to prompt action. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man was charged after allegedly using a concealed device to obtain customers’ bank card information at Mustafa Centre. Daniel Martin spoke to Professor Zhou Jianying, Centre Director of the iTrust Centre for Research in Cyber Security at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, about whether someone nearby can scan information from your wallet or phone, and how to protect yourself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The National Wages Council has recommended pay increases of 6 to 8 per cent for lower-wage workers, even as growth remains uneven across industries. Daniel Martin spoke to Associate Professor Ong Ee Cheng from the Department of Economics at NUS about whether businesses can afford these increases, and what the recommendations could mean for workers and employers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With N95 mask distribution kicking off, could fears of another haze crisis trigger a repeat of the panic buying and hoarding we saw in 2013? Daniel Martin discusses further with Professor Leonard Lee, a behavioural scientist at the Institute for the Public Understanding of Risk (IPUR), a research institute at NUS, and at NUS Business School, on how Singaporeans can be encouraged to take only what they need. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has raised concerns about AI potentially replacing entry-level jobs. We discuss what happens if the bottom rung of the career ladder disappears, and how Singapore can preserve opportunities for those entering the workforce. Daniel Martin discusses further with Terence Ho, Executive Director, Institute for Adult Learning, SUSS. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Singapore Grand Prix drew over 301,000 spectators this year, the second-highest attendance on record. That was despite the PSI hitting 192 during the race weekend, the highest reading of this year’s haze season. So how much did the haze actually affect the F1 experience? And beyond the race itself, how did Singapore fare on the crowds, concerts, costs and overall visitor experience? Daniel Martin discusses further with Christopher Khoo, Managing Director for international tourism consultancy Masterconsult Services. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid the ongoing haze situation, Education Minister Desmond Lee says schools are prepared, with closures and exam postponements to be considered if air quality reaches hazardous levels. But with N-, O- and A-Level exams underway or coming up, are parents and students ready for possible disruptions? Daniel Martin discusses with Dr Wong Hwei Ming, Senior Education Research Scientist and Assistant Centre Director at the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, NIE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Land Transport Authority has launched a public consultation on proposed COE changes, including merging Categories A and B and introducing a fee-and-rebate system based on car values. Daniel Martin spoke to Say Kwee Neng, automotive industry veteran and consultant, about how the proposed “feebate” system could affect car prices, affordability and the range of models available in Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The issue of people rummaging through rubbish bins for refundable containers came up in Parliament, with Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu setting out what is and isn’t allowed. Daniel Martin spoke to Chan Mun Wei, Founder and Principal Consultant of SustainableSG, about what to do if you come across it, and the possible issues around litter and hygiene. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 5,000 people turned up when part of Joo Chiat Road went car-free for six hours. Daniel Martin spoke to Djoko Prihanto, Director of DP Urban and former President of the Singapore Institute of Planners, about where else a car-lite approach could be considered, and the practical trade-offs for residents, businesses and motorists. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With haze affecting visibility on Singapore’s roads, how should motorists adjust? Daniel Martin spoke to Clifford Chow, Founder of automotive news channel Asphalt Singapore, and Desmond Chan, Growth and Revenue Strategy Manager at Sgcarmart, about staying visible and safe on the roads, reducing exposure to haze, and looking after cars and motorcycles when air quality worsens. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 2 of our discussion on easing the move from Primary 6 to Secondary 1, we ask whether competition for the same popular schools is adding to the pressure. Daniel Martin spoke with Howard Yu, Founder and Principal of 1Academy and a former MOE primary school teacher, about school choice, affiliations and what could make the transition less stressful. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Second Minister for Education David Neo says MOE will study public feedback on the primary-to-secondary school transition, where young students face the most acute pressure. Daniel Martin speaks to Assistant Professor Cheung Hoi Shan from NIE’s Psychology and Child & Human Development Department about what else could make the transition smoother, beyond changes to the PSLE and DSA. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bus and rail fares will rise by 7 per cent overall from 26 December. Daniel Martin spoke with Professor Raymond Ong, Transport Analyst and Deputy Head of Research in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at NUS, about what’s driving the increase and what commuters should expect in return for paying more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.