The News Cheat Sheet: Recent Episodes
Mothership.sg
Follow our new podcast, No Short Answers.Mothership.sg is an online news outlet based in Singapore. We bring you all the news and stories that will make you talk, laugh and have an impact on your lives. If you have any feedbacks or questions, you can email us at podcast@mothership.sg
We went out to Chinatown to ask people how they would spend Chinese New Year with all the new restrictions, and whether they're still looking forward to the festive period.
Timestamps:
No mood to celebrate - 0:00:38
A Malaysian who understands precautions - 0:04:05
Not planning to invite relatives over - 0:09:11
On booking slots in advance and e-ang pows - 0:13:15
Deciding who's more important/gives more $$$ - 0:15:36
A quieter CNY, but a good thing - 0:19:30
Outro/final thoughts - 0:22:17
How can Joe Biden affect change in the U.S., and its relations with Asia, as he assumes presidency in a tumultuous time?
Mothership's Managing Editor Martino Tan speaks to Kishore Mahbubani, former Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, to find out.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Is Joe Biden the right man for the moment? (01:27)
- President Joe Biden's priorities in his first 100 days (03:00)
- Professor Kishore's opinion of Joe Biden (04:30)
- Thoughts on the 2020 U.S. presidential election results (05:58)
- Trump vs Biden: On China (07:16)
- The significance of appointing Kurt Campbell as the National Security Council's Indo-Pacific coordinator (12:28)
- Thoughts on President Biden's Cabinet picks so far (14:38)
- The impact of President Biden's team on our region (16:32)
- Capitol Hill incident and the future of U.S. democracy (18:42)
- Social media companies taking a position against Donald Trump (22:40)
- How concerned should we be about influence operations from China? (24:50)
- Advice for young Singaporeans to navigate the global political landscape (26:30)
- The future of American democracy (27:10)
Why are people so upset that TraceTogether data can be used for police investigations? What is the Criminal Procedure Code? How concerned should you be about your data being used? We spoke to Stefanie Yuen Thio, Joint Managing Partner at TSMP Law Corporation, about the recent hullabaloo regarding the usage of TraceTogether data beyond contact-tracing.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- A timeline of TraceTogether usage (01:53)
- Understanding the CPC (Criminal Procedure Code) (04:43)
- What data TraceTogether collects (06:10)
- Other types of data we give up (09:12)
- Can TraceTogether data be used to prove innocence? (11:01)
- Maintaining trust with the public (17:51)
- How this will affect our fight against Covid-19 (24:27)
For most couples in Singapore, having a wedding ceremony and banquet are part and parcel of getting married. Yet Michelle Sng and Eric Yee took a different approach; they decided to forgo a wedding altogether. There wasn't even a proposal at all.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
How Michelle first met her husband (00:39)
Challenging the norms in a relationship (02:44)
Agreeing on a relationship timeline with her husband (06:39)
Support from her mother (08:20)
Why weddings didn't make sense to her (11:23)
The big day (13:38)
Is not having a wedding banquet unconventional? (17:58)
We spoke to Dr Leong Hoe Nam, an Infectious Disease Specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, to help us understand how a vaccine works, if the Covid-19 vaccine is safe, and why you should get vaccinated.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- How does a vaccine work? (1:03)
- Will there any immediate side effects to the vulnerable, such as young children and the elderly? (6:53)
- What are the options for those who have an allergic reaction to the Covid-19 vaccine? (10:22)
- Is the Covid-19 vaccine a cure? (11:37)
- Do vaccines have an "expiry date"? (15:14)
- Why do we need to wear masks and social distance even after being vaccinated? (17:04)
- Reacting to online comments: What happens when the virus mutates? (21:03)
- Reacting to online comments: Is the vaccine safe since it was developed at an unprecedented rate? (23:53)
At 31, Alvin lost his sight abruptly an extremely rare blood disorder. Now 54, he brings us through his journey of adapting to a new reality and how he's now finding hope in the form of his trusty guide dog Seretta.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- The first touch with a guide dog (00:35)
- Suffering from an auto-immune disease and the moment he lost his sight (02:23)
- Coping with his new reality (08:52)
- Being paired with Seretta the guide dog and how it impacts his day to day life (16:31)
- The difficulties of handling a guide dog (24:27)
- What's next for Alvin and Seretta (26:45)
We got a real estate agent in the house to answer some of our followers' burning questions about renting, BTOs and how to sell a flat for $1 million.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Quick fire questions (1:00)
- Her job as a Property Agent (6:14)
- Renting while waiting for BTO? (13:03)
- Things to look out for when buying BTO (28:09)
- Can I sell a flat for $1 million? (32:18)
- BTO vs resale (34:40)
We give out unqualified advice to some of our followers' worries, ranging from school, work and even relationship problems. When stuck, just listen to your mother(ship)!
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Bad PSLE results (0:50)
- Is going to university worth it? (2:39)
- Should I quit my job? Passion vs money (10:53)
- Finding your career path (20:43)
- How to deal with getting ghosted (24:40)
- Friends with benefits with someone who’s attached (26:32)
- Dating apps (29:42)
- How to break up with someone (36:35)
- Seeing a therapist on a tight budget (41:28)
If you are facing any difficulties, here are some organisations you can turn to.
Helplines
- National Care Hotline: 1800-202-6868
- Samaritans of Singapore: 1800-221-4444
- Singapore Association for Mental Health:1800-283-7019
- Institute of Mental Health's Mobile Crisis Service:6389-2222
- Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800-353-5800
- Silver Ribbon: 6386-1928
- Tinkle Friend:1800-274-4788
- AWARE Women's Helpline:1800-777-555 (10am - 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Having battled cancer since he was 8 months old, Raphael was a tenacious and brave young boy who was never beaten down by his circumstances. Despite attending only one semester of school each year since he was Primary 2, Raphael scored 220 for his PSLE exams -- which he never got to collect in person.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Muscle tissue cancer at 8 months old and his parents' reaction (0:36)
- Cancer recurrence on the eve of Raphael's 8th birthday (3:40)
- Amputating his left arm (5:03)
- Coping with bone cancer at 11 and removing his right collarbone (12:07)
- Discovering lung nodules at 12 years old, indicating that his bone cancer had spread to his lungs (13:45)
- Papa's cancer and the return of Raphael's lung nodules (16:16)
- Raphael's final moments, collecting his PSLE results posthumously (18:01)
Having an unexpected pregnancy and being a single mother, Shermaine's path took an abrupt turn in her life, filled with challenges and hefty demands. Without a husband by her side, the responsibilities of raising her daughter carried more weight. Despite the challenges, Shermaine shares how she carried the weight on her shoulders to raise her daughter.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Shermaine's journey in an unexpected pregnancy (0:48)
- Labour, carrying the responsibilities as a new mother and its challenges (10:55)
- Stigmas of a young single mother, being looked down and sexualised (23:47)
- Dating as a single mother (27:53)
- Managing between raising her daughter, work and her passion outside work (33:03)
- Shermaine's relationship with her daughter (37:01)
- How her passion, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu strengthen her (41:36)
- What she learnt after becoming a mother and her advice (45:18)
We went to Clarke Quay to find out people's most memorable drunk stories, and what they think of the restricted reopening of selected nightclubs under the pilot programme.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Kenneth lost his wallet and keys and ended up in a police station (3:54)
- Anonymous lady's clubbing experience who saw people wearing masks pre covid-19 (9:52)
- George found himself waking up in the toilet after clubbing (13:49)
- Break time: Drew's Hooter's date story (19:08)
- Anonymous lady's experience with bad covid-19 pick up lines (22:04)
- DJ's crazy clubbing story and his take on night and entertainment industry (25:37)
- Mary’s bad first kiss experience in the club (29:55)
This week we speak with Janice Lee, a sexual wellness advocate, and we ask questions you’re too shy to Google.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Lack of sex in a relationship (1:49)
- Addiction in sex (7:24)
- Pornography and sex positive films (12:25)
- Insecurities in sex (19:35)
- Kinks that are awkward and where to draw the line in sex (22:57)
- Why is it more taboo for women to talk about sex (25:42)
- Discussion on how sex can be a pleasurable experience (28:20)
- Psychological barriers in sex (32:10)
- Humour and laughter in sex (36:38)
- Masturbation and addiction (39:45)
- Sex education and improving it in the future (46:42)
- What happened after the elevator game (49:55)
What are some hot topic issues that emerged throughout the U.S. presidential election campaign period?
A Democrat and Republican living in Singapore share their thoughts.
Part 1 here:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/1iuIR8atvwFi5S49D4bKB0?si=udoMFgLcTDOqqBhhA3i_qw
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Current administration's handling of the coronavirus (0:54)
- Police brutality in the United States. (11:34)
- The media landscape in America, and how it shapes their political views (21:09)
- What makes a good president and their views on the presidential candidates (28:58)
As election day on November 3rd approaches, the United States is set to choose a president who will lead the country for the next 4 years.
In this first part of a two part episode, a Democrat and Republican share with us what their political affiliations mean to them, their impressions of the opposing party, and what they think is needed now to unite the American people.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- What does it mean to be a Democrat and Republican, and their views on the opposing parties (0:52)
- Understanding of how American politics is viewed internationally (8:12)
- Thoughts about how they see each other as individuals in opposing parties (12:17)
- Thoughts on how to unite America (21:00)
Do you believe in ghosts? Have you had ghostly encounters before? In this episode of stories of us, the Halloween edition, we got 2 of our colleagues to share their own spooky experiences before trying out the elevator game.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Siti's haunted phone call at USS Halloween Horror Night (0:42)
- Siti's ghost sighting at university (8:17)
- Siti's haunted experiences during her teens (13:31)
- Kane's National Service ghost story (25:55)
- There's a ghost entity in Mothership office? (29:00)
- The elevator game (35:06)
The stigma of being an ex-convict can lead to self-stigmatizing beliefs and hinder second chances in life. From being a latchkey kid, vice activities and imprisonment, Darren Tan's journey to becoming a lawyer was filled with twists and turns. Despite falling several times, he opens up on how he overcame daunting challenges and turned his life around.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Formative years surrounded by vice activities, violent and drug related offences (0:56)
- Downfall and Imprisonment (9:24)
- Reflection in solitary confinement and the turning point (13:53)
- The pursuit to Darren's dream of becoming a lawyer (17:42)
- Becoming a lawyer, helping others and giving back (37:44)
Do you have neighbours from hell or are you the neighbour from hell? We discuss the recent case of couple hanging raw pork outside the kitchen window and our experience with neighbours from hell.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Couple hangs raw pork outside their kitchen window (0:26)
- "You can die alone." Our colleague Fas's experience with a neighbour from hell (4:57)
- Proposed ban on smoking near balconies/windows (7:00)
- Drew's crazy cat neighbour that stole his McDonald's (18:56)
- How we resolved our neighbourly disputes (25:35)
- Tips to be a better neighbour (29:01)
We speak to a cyber-security expert to discuss the recent leaked security camera footage, why we should keep changing our passwords and what exactly is in the dark web.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Home security cameras in Singapore hacked (0:55)
- How to identify reliable security cameras (7:11)
- Why we need to keep changing our passwords (12:05)
- VPNs (20:24)
- Should you cover your webcams? (21:45)
- Dark web and the 3 layers of internet (30:02)
- Tips to protect yourself in today's digital age (36:26)
Being a professional athlete not only requires rigorous training to maintain peak physical fitness, but the mental strength to confront the pressure to perform. In this episode, Quah Ting Wen opens up about her journey as a professional swimmer, facing depression, and what's next for her swimming career.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Origins story and her break out year (1:10)
- The disappointment of Rio, figuring out who she was and depression (9:14)
- Pursuing swimming seriously, now and the future (17:50)
S$100 worth of tourism vouchers? In this week's episode we discuss how we plan to spend our SingapoRediscovers Vouchers, whether staycations are for sex, and how else we spend our leave since we can't travel.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- S$100 tourism vouchers (2:24)
- Are staycays just for sex? (9:20)
- Staycay, yay or nay? (13:01)
- What we do on leave (17:14)
- Geocaching - global treasure hunt (21:21)
- NG: Kenna spam call (24:14)
Is living with HIV a death sentence? 24-year-old Calvin, who contracted HIV at 19, walked us through the moment he discovered he had the virus, the dark place he descended to, and how he plans to live his life from now on.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- Introduction (0:34)
- Family and Friends, The first few years into HIV (11:11)
- Changes in life, Challenges and living with HIV (19:30)
Up to 100 people are now allowed at weddings, but how will couples choose who to invite? We also discuss how to decline invitations if you're on a budget, zoom weddings and cringey gatecrashing games that everybody secretly hates.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- New updates on weddings (0:13)
- Expensive ang pows (8:06)
- Zoom weddings (12:15)
- Cringey gatecrash games (21:52)
SIA is planning to offer flights to nowhere in a bid to keep their business afloat, and people's reactions were divided. We discuss how viable these flights to nowhere are, and brainstorm of some other ways to make SIA great again.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
- On flights to nowhere (3:03)
- What we dislike about flights (11:20)
- Online reactions (22:28)
- Asking people on the street (31:23)
- Our wacky ideas (33:45)
"Just because the worker is paid doesn't negate the fact that the work done is not illegal. It still adds to her overall workload and it will affect her well-being."
We discuss the Parti Liyani case this week, and speak to Jaya Anil Kumar, the casework manager from HOME who helped with the case, to find out more about how the power imbalance between an employer and a foreign domestic worker often works to the helper's disadvantage.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the segments:
Timeline of the case (01:45)
How the acquittal came to be (03:01)
Call with Jaya, HOME casework manager (08:53)
What's next for Parti Liyani (16:48)
We discuss the recent Facebook post on the 7 interviewees for a job at an SME, how the different generations perceive work, and the importance of writing a good job description. Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the stories. Conversation and reactions to job interviewees described in Delane Lim's Facebook post (0:35). Discussion on how different age generations roll in their job responsibilities and work-life balance (5:40). Considerations for job seekers and employers for a new job position (10:36). Dialogue on writing a job advertisement and what to to look out for (16:27).
If you're guilty of flushing ~hard~ tissue paper down the toilet (yes, got such thing as hard tissue paper), Vinod and his team would like to have a word with you. With more than 3,500km of public sewers forming the sewer reticulation system in Singapore, it is important that sewers are regularly maintained and cleared of chokes. Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the sections: Introduction of what our engineers do during inspection of our sewer systems (0:18). Manholes, inspection and chokes in sewer systems (2:28). Lowdown of Singapore's sewer system (5:22).
Hungry Ghost Festival is here, and we find out how the practices affect both believers and non-believers, as well as what are some of the more unusual 7 month taboos. Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the stories. What are some of the 7th month practices and how does it affect people's lives, believers and non-believers (1:25) Phone call with our Muslim colleague on how 7th month practices affects his life (18:03) What are some of the most unusual 7 month taboos (22:02) Phone call with our Chinese colleague to chat about some of the 7th month practices (27:11) Mothership.sg office ghost story (39:53)
What does Korean boyband BTS and politicians like Justin Trudeau or Jamus Lim have in common? Answer: They have ‘stans’. But what is a ‘stan’? And how did politicians start to have them? Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the sections: Introduction to stan culture (0:17). The use of stan culture in politics (2:38). The ups and downs of stan culture in politics (6:01).
With the legal dine-in limit of 5 people per table, incidents of customers socialising across tables and flouting safe-distancing rules have made the news recently. Can more be done in ensuring Singaporeans dine safely? Would you keep to the rules? Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the sections. Diners challenging the maximum-5 rule (0:26) Don’t play the system (13:26) What other countries are doing (23:23)
BTO first or proposal first? HDB launched 7,862 BTO flats on Aug. 12. As of Aug. 14, there have been more than 18,000 applicants gunning their shot at owning their marital homes. Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the stories. (1:41) Personal BTO experience and pricing (9:38) Considerations for unit selection (12:48) Waiting time and relationship challenges
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from the past week, rounded off with a soundbite from an interview with Royston Tan, this year's NDP creative director. If you were with us last week, we did this week's ep a lil' differently so let us know what you think! Timestamps in case you wish to skip to the stories. (1:53) Female personal trainer calls out male personal trainer for repeatedly touching female trainee's butt in S'pore gym (10:25) Dengue on the rise, claims its youngest victim, 25, this year (20:45) Beirut explosion (24:29) S'porean picks up trash on ECP beaches, inspires others to do so through Telegram group (28:25) More about NDP2020
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from the past week, and at the end we hit the streets to find out what older folks think about cancel culture. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here.
Timestamps in case you wish to skip the stories: [0:35] M'sian comedian Uncle Roger meets BBC host in real life after mocking her rice-cooking method [02:03] McGriddles available in McDonald's S'pore again [02:55] Indonesian woman, 29, arrested for allegedly abandoning baby in recycling bin at Tai Keng Gardens [04:12] Everything you need to know about PM Lee's 2020 Cabinet reshuffle [05:50] Xiaxue files protection order & harassment suit against online mob, locks blog, Twitter account
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Cooling Off Day. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here. Here are the timestamps in case you wish to skip the stories: [0:28] Police report lodged against Xiaxue over alleged racist tweet from 2010 01:55] Australia to impose new 6-week Covid-19 lockdown in Melbourne city affecting 5 million residents [02:42] Sportslink in S'pore closes after 37 years [03:40] Serious brain damage linked to Covid-19, new research shows [04:43] GE2020: 6 things for S'pore voters to note on July 10, Polling Day
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Campaigning Day. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here. Here are the timestamps in case you wish to skip the stories. [0:19] Tharman cites popular Hokkien song 'Ai Pia Cia Eh Yia' to illustrate importance of community. [02:06] Nicole Seah shares moment taxi driver cried & gave her 'small donation' of S$200. [02:42] Exclusive interview: We go straight to the point with PSP's Secretary-General Dr Tan Cheng Bock. [13:56] Police: Heng Swee Keat's comment that S'pore not ready for non-Chinese PM disclose 'no offence'. [14:39] Bali to lift travel ban & allow international tourists from Sept. 11 2020
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Campaigning Day 7. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here.
[UPDATE: The Workers' Party called for a doorstop to address the issue on the night of July. 5.
Raeesah Khan has apologised for making alleged racial comments.
According to Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh, Khan will continue with the election campaign, and he has no regrets fielding her in GE2020.]
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Campaigning Day 6. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here.
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Campaigning Day 5. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here.
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Campaigning Day 3. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here.
Here's a quick recap of the top stories from Campaigning Day 2. In case you didn't have time to read the news, you can listen to it here.
It was Nomination day yesterday, and here’s a quick recap of the most shocking moves and developments. In case you didn't have time to go through the barrage of information yesterday and still want to be an informed voter.
News Cheat Sheet: Catch up with the top 5 news stories from Monday, so you won't be a clueless bean. From a boy who was denied entry to JB and had to walk back to Singapore to Lee Bee Wah retiring from politics, as well as updates on Nomination Day today.
News Cheat Sheet: here are the top 5 news stories of the past weekend, ranging from more free masks to TraceTogether tokens, as well as general election updates.
Whether you’re a first time voter, or just not sure what to expect in the upcoming GE, we walk you through all the things you should know about the various stages from campaigning to polling day. Timestamp -- top 5 news recap (0.21), nomination day (7.32), campaigning period (8.07), polling day (13.17).
We speak to Dipa from Itsrainingraincoats to discuss the recent outbreak of Covid-19 in foreign worker dorms, xenophobic letters, plus what Singaporeans as a society can learn from this.