The Straits Times

It's been about six months since Jasmin Lau and Goh Hanyan made the big leap from civil and public service into politics.

In this episode of The Usual Place podcast, they share what the couple of months have been like and the biggest adjustments they have had to make.

2 days ago | [YT] | 8

The Straits Times

How can we get Singapore consumers to buy locally farmed produce?

In this episode of The Usual Place podcast, host Natasha Ann Zachariah speaks with Ken Cheong, CEO of the Singapore Agro-Food Enterprises Federation, and Ray Poh, founder of the indoor farm Artisan Green to understand the high costs, consumer demand, land scarcity, and other challenges facing the local farming sector.

1 week ago | [YT] | 20

The Straits Times

A crime story about a major scam operation took an unexpected turn, when one detail about a suspect’s school background stirred a debate about identity, prestige and fairness.

The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah speaks with social commentators Rishi Budhrani and Benjamin “Mr Miyagi” Lee about why Singaporeans are so fixated on brand-name schools, and how school pride shapes our public conversations.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 15

The Straits Times

5 years after the death of 4-year-old Megan Khung, an independent review panel’s findings have exposed lapses across multiple agencies that could have intervened to save her. The report raises questions about accountability, communication, and the protection of vulnerable children.

In this episode of The Usual Place, host Natasha Ann Zachariah speaks with senior social affairs correspondent Theresa Tan and Pave Integrated Services director of clinical services Soh Siew Fong to find out what went wrong, what the panel’s recommendations mean, and how Singapore can better safeguard children from abuse.

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 15

The Straits Times

[str.sg/BLkk] 27 Singaporeans and 7 Malaysians are wanted for their suspected roles in 438 scam cases involving losses of at least $41 million.The alleged masterminds of the gang that ran the operation in Cambodia were a pair of brothers and their cousin.

#Singapore #Cambodia #Scam #Gang #StraitsTimes

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 78

The Straits Times

Many smokers turn to vaping, believing it’s a safer or cheaper alternative. For private-hire driver Muhammad Dandiar Rosli, that decision led to a rare and life-threatening lung condition.

Just a month after he started vaping in 2020, he was hospitalised with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, a disease that clogs the lungs with protein and fat, making it hard to breathe. What followed were two hospital stays lasting for months and four intensely painful lung washing procedures.

Five years on, he joins The Usual Place podcast to share his story. From the moment things went wrong, to the long road to recovery, and the ongoing struggle to quit vaping for good.

4 weeks ago | [YT] | 8

The Straits Times

[WATCH] Most Singaporeans – about 70 per cent of those eligible – have yet to tap the one-off $500 SkillsFuture Credit top-up that will expire on Dec 31, 2025, with just over six months to go. Here’s how to maximise it.

1 month ago | [YT] | 17

The Straits Times

When Parliament convened in September, a familiar face - PSP secretary-general Leong Mun Wai - was missing.

After his team’s loss in West Coast–Jurong West GRC, the party now faces a new challenge - staying relevant without a voice in Parliament.

In this episode of The Usual Place podcast, host Natasha Ann Zachariah speaks with Mr Leong about leading PSP into its next phase, how the party plans to evolve its outreach and policy communication, and what it means to keep pushing for change without a Parliamentary presence.

1 month ago | [YT] | 12

The Straits Times

[WATCH] Ryan Lim, 32, has autism and does not speak. When he began experiencing more meltdowns, up to four times a day, his family’s search for answers led them to Dr Chen Shiling, a physician who treats patients with special needs. Her diagnosis that Mr Lim had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was a life-changing moment for him and his family.

1 month ago | [YT] | 50

The Straits Times

[str.sg/bGRS] A meteor shower called Orionid will hit peak activity in Singapore skies between Oct 21 and Oct 22, said The Observatory at Science Centre.

It's believed to be among the most impressive meteor shower displays visible to the naked eye, as stargazers can expect to see about 10 to 20 Orionids an hour.

"The Orionids occur when Earth passes through debris left behind by Halley’s Comet," said the observatory, adding that the celestial show tends to peak after 2am.

No special equipment is needed to view the meteor showers, though light pollution and cloud cover can affect their visibility.

📸: Kelvin Chng

#Orionids #Orionid #ScienceCentreSG #ScienceCentre #astronomy #meteorshower #meteorshowers #Singapore #StraitsTimes

1 month ago | [YT] | 60