CNA938 Rewind

Inside the Pokémon card craze: Is it still a hobby or an investment?

Pokémon cards have evolved from childhood collectibles into a thriving trading scene in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, with enthusiasts spending thousands on rare and graded cards. Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng explore what's driving the craze, how big the local community has become and whether rising prices are turning a nostalgic hobby into a speculative bubble with Darrell Tan, Founder, PokePals See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#TalkBack: Can somebody next to you scan your information off your wallet or phone?

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 Ask: NextDC performance; not the start of data centre bubble popping, but indicative of things getting unsustainable ~ economist #SGToday

On The Ask on Singapore Today, shares of Australian data centre operator NextDC have fallen sharply, raising questions about investor appetite for data centres. Daniel Martin spoke to Denise Cheok, Economist at Moody’s Analytics, about what’s behind the sell-off and whether it signals a temporary setback or a broader shift in data centre investment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Market Watch (21/10): Does AI / Tech dictate whether market boom or decline? #SGToday

In Business, Japan and South Korea report strong export growth, while the U.S. dollar faces pressure and oil markets remain sensitive to supply risks in the Middle East. Daniel Martin spoke to Denise Cheok, Economist at Moody’s Analytics, about these developments and the latest moves in Asian markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#HazeHealth: How could the haze worsen or improve? What are the signs to look out for? #SGToday

Singapore’s air quality has improved slightly, but could the haze worsen again? Daniel Martin spoke to Dr Erik Velasco, Associate Research Scientist and Research Fellow at the Molina Center for Energy and the Environment, about the weather conditions that influence haze, the signs to look out for, and what it would take for conditions to improve. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The Wellness Hour - Rethinking what “clean” beauty can be

Would you know what “clean”, “natural” or “botanical” on a beauty label actually tells you? Cheryl Goh speaks with Patricia Wong, founder of Patrichory, who unpacks what matters when it comes to ingredients and safety, and hear how one founder started over at 55 to build a new chapter around purpose and wellness. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eat, Drink, Singapore - From heritage hawkers to Michelin-recognised names: Food Opera's new chapter at ION Orchard

White lor mee, Hakka yong tau foo and fragrant ayam berempah are among the dishes bringing together generations of culinary traditions at ION Orchard. Cheryl Goh explores Food Opera's biggest makeover yet, the stories behind its heritage hawkers and how Singapore's food court experience is evolving with Andy Kiu, General Manager of Food Opera, and Chen Yiwen, Founder of Hakka Bond. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mind Your Money - What SMEs can learn from Singapore’s AI Impact Award winners

AI is becoming a practical growth tool for smaller businesses, from automating accounting workflows to helping lean teams handle marketing and analytics. Cheryl Goh hears from two Singapore SMEs moved beyond experimentation, where AI delivered measurable gains, and what other businesses can learn from their approach with Ying Hu Tianying, Partner at Accountingbpo, and Lim Yi Ying, Founder of IYLA Collective - winners at the IMDA AI Impact Awards. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mind Your Money - Can trust be exported? Australian Made turns to Singapore at 40

As the Australian Made logo marks 40 years, country-of-origin branding is taking on new weight in a market where consumers care more about provenance, quality and trust. Cheryl Goh speaks with Ben Lazzaro, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Made Campaign Limited to explore what the label means to Singapore shoppers today, and how Australian brands are building recognition in this region. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

3 deadly diseases under watch in Singapore: What you need to know

With potentially high fatality rates and no approved vaccines, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, Lassa fever and Marburg virus disease are now receiving greater attention in Singapore. How dangerous are they, what symptoms should you watch for, and how can you protect yourself? Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng break down the risks and explain why Singapore is strengthening surveillance with Dr Hsu Li Yang, Director, Asia Centre for Health Security, Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore electricity demand to rise: How EMA, SP Group are preparing the power grid

⁠Based on EMA’s 2026 demand projections, Singapore’s peak electricity demand is expected to grow by between 2.9% and 6.5% annually over the next ten years, driven in part by energy-intensive industries. Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng speak to Eugene Toh, Assistant Chief Executive (Energy Technologies), Energy Market Authority & Quek Swee Xian, Vice President, Asset Planning & Strategy, SP Group about plans to expand electricity generation, strengthen the power grid and balance energy security, affordability and sustainability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How a friend's lonely death spurred Raj Kumar to build stronger community connections

Raj Kumar is president of the Rotary Club of Singapore and founder of the travel company IPC Group, which marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. Raj shares how the sad discovery that a friend and Rotary Club staff member had passed away alone in her flat, motivated him to initiate a new programme, the Queenstown Legacy Project, to support the wellbeing and safety of vulnerable seniors living alone in the precinct. Raj also shares how the early hardship of losing his father when he was a teenager, imbued in him a sense of resilience that led to his entrepreneurial drive and definition of success. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ask: What will it take for SGX's dual-listing push to win over major listings? #SGToday

On The Ask on Singapore Today, fintech firm Mynt has made its stock market debut in the Philippines, while Singapore-based Sea Limited is reportedly looking to list its financial services arm, Monee, in New York. Daniel Martin spoke to Adeline Gao, Research Analyst at FSM Global, about why major regional tech firms are choosing to list overseas and what it would take for the Singapore Exchange to attract more such listings. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#TalkBack: Can we turn our super aged society into a plus point for our economy?

A new SMU study finds that friendships play an important role in encouraging regular cancer screening among older Singaporeans. Daniel Martin spoke to Professor Paulin Tay Straughan, Professor of Sociology (Practice) at SMU’s School of Social Sciences and Director of the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing, about how Singapore can turn its ageing population into an economic advantage, from healthier ageing to new opportunities for older workers and businesses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Market Watch (20/10): China holds lending rates steady for 17 months; what's behind this prolonged pause? #SGToday

In Business, Asian markets face uncertainty over interest rates and geopolitical tensions, while China prepares new export controls on drone technology and oil prices remain elevated. Daniel Martin spoke to Adeline Gao, Research Analyst at FSM Global, about these developments and the latest moves in Asian markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Explainer: How the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act works #SGToday

Singapore has served notices to three more Indonesian companies under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act, bringing the total to 10. Daniel Martin spoke to Sharon Chong, Partner and Head of the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Practice at RHTLaw Asia, about how the Act works, Singapore’s jurisdiction over companies linked to transboundary haze, and how it can be enforced. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Wellness Hour - Mental health, family relationships and the importance of feeling heard

Reaching out for help isn't always easy, especially when we're navigating mental health challenges, family relationships or difficult life experiences. Ahead of President's Challenge Night 2026, Cheryl Goh speaks with Sharon Ng, Cluster Head of Family, Counselling and Mental Health Services at REACH Community Services about how approaches to mental health care have evolved, what it takes to build trust, and where more support is needed for individuals and families in Singapore. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eat, Drink, Singapore - SHAO and SHIRAZI bring new flavours to Dempsey

From Teochew roe crab to Persian kebabs and fragrant stews, two new openings are bringing different cuisines to Dempsey. Cheryl Goh digs into the flavours and personal stories behind SHAO and SHIRAZI, and how they showcase these distinct culinary traditions with Chef Jack Ding, Founder of SHAO, and Chef Mohammad Hosseini, Co-Founder of SHIRAZI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mind Your Money - Mastercard's Dreamonomics Report: Are more financial tools giving SMEs greater control?

SMEs across Asia Pacific remain optimistic about growth, but financial stability and managing increasingly complex operations are high on their agenda. Mastercard's Dreamonomics Report examines how businesses are navigating digital tools, payment methods and cash-flow pressures. Cheryl Goh speaks with Anouska Ladds, Executive Vice President, Commercial and New Payment Flows, Asia Pacific, at Mastercard to unpack the findings and what they mean for Singapore SMEs heading into 2027. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Letter to Myself: Using games and movies, Shaun Low helps students manage their dyslexia and learn better

Shaun Low is the founder of Swords and Stationery, a learning centre catering to the needs of students with dyslexia. Shaun shares how his own passion for video games as a youth resulted in his love for language and later on, inspired him to use them as a tool to help students with dyslexia feel more engaged and confident about learning English. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.