Podcasts · News

Deep Dive

CNA

200 episodes

Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack Singapore news. Listen in as they take a deep dive into hot button issues that matter so that you are always in the know.

Episodes page 1 of 4

  1. Could rogue AI agents evade Singapore's safety guardrails?

    · 33 min · S7 E33

    AI agents can plan gym workouts, book flights and make decisions on our behalf. But granting them greater autonomy may pose serious consequences when AI agents go rogue. With AI researchers calling for tighter…

  2. Making companies behind the haze pay: Can Singapore succeed?

    · 28 min · S7 E31

    Since the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act was enacted in 2014, no company has yet been successfully prosecuted. What is Singapore doing differently this time, to pursue the culprits behind this year’s haze? Ten…

  3. Does air-con keep you safe from haze? What we might be getting wrong about haze safety

    · 27 min · S7 E32

    With Singapore shrouded in unhealthy levels of haze for weeks – and authorities warning of worse conditions before they improve – how can we protect our health? If an air purifier isn’t an option, what hacks can help…

  4. Do civil servants need tighter safeguards against misuse of confidential information?

    · 27 min · S7 E30

    Eight public officers have been referred to the police following a Public Service Division review of 191 officers’ property transactions near then-unannounced MRT stations. While this does not mean that wrongdoing has…

  5. Why is dental care so expensive in Singapore?

    · 41 min · S7 E29

    Is the cost of dental care stopping Singaporeans from going for preventive checks or getting timely treatment? With almost 80 per cent of dental care provided by the private sector, those who cannot afford private fees…

  6. Renovation red flags: What to know from start to finish

    · 31 min · S7 E28

    Ghosted by your interior designer, left with unfinished renovation work or stuck waiting for your furniture to be delivered? For some homeowners, creating their dream home can quickly turn into a costly nightmare. So,…

  7. North-South Corridor delay: Was it avoidable – and can businesses survive the impact?

    · 24 min · S7 E27

    Another delay to the construction of the North-South Corridor means two more years of dust, noise and disruption for affected residents, businesses and pedestrians. For an engineering project of this scale and…

  8. Do racist comments online really reflect what Singaporeans think?

    · 33 min · S7 E26

    Recent controversies over the Nepal-Tibet floods and the debate over Singapore Airlines’ investment into Air India have once again put Singaporeans’ attitudes towards race and immigration in the spotlight. Does this…

  9. Buying food from livestreamers: Can you trust what sellers claim?

    · 29 min · S7 E25

    A convincing livestreamer, thousands of reviews or professional-looking packaging may make an online food purchase feel safe to buy. But none of these can tell you whether the food itself is safe. With more of our…

  10. Roxy Square incident: Have the rules changed on patting a child's head?

    · 25 min · S7 E24

    A pat on a child's head by an elderly man at Roxy Square, which led to a shoving incident, has ignited debate about how a gesture can be seen as friendly affection by one person but viewed as an unwanted touch by…

  11. Will more childcare leave and cash move Singaporeans to have more kids?

    · 35 min · S7 E23

    This year’s National Day Rally brought welcome news for parents. From additional childcare leave and lower childcare centre costs to increased financial support under the new Singapore Child Support Package, the…

  12. Will AI replace musicians, artists and filmmakers?

    · 30 min · S7 E22

    Two AI-generated local films released over the National Day weekend sparked an uproar, with viewers calling them "AI slop". But in the age of generative AI when music, films and images can be created in minutes, what…

  13. Should we be rewarded for doing what's good for us?

    · 24 min · S7 E21

    From getting Healthpoints for donating blood to being paid for reading, Singaporeans are increasingly being incentivised to do what's beneficial for themselves and society. But when the rewards stop, will the good…

  14. Why teenagers become self-radicalised - and the warning signs to look out for

    · 37 min · S7 E20

    The recent arrests of three self-radicalised teenagers under the Internal Security Act (ISA) have sent shockwaves through Singapore, with attacks in schools planned in two cases. What makes young people vulnerable to…

  15. Why are Community Care Apartments struggling to attract older Singaporeans?

    · 27 min · S7 E19

    The government has lowered the minimum age to apply for Community Care Apartments from 65 to 55 and cut the cost of the basic service package to encourage more take-up. But will these changes meet the needs of a fast…

  16. Faishal Ibrahim’s resignation: How far should politicians be judged on their private conduct?

    · 32 min · S7 E18

    The resignation of former Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Associate Professor Faishal Ibrahim, after Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said his interactions with a woman fell short of standards expected of a political…

  17. Can Singapore’s dialects survive or are they becoming history?

    · 24 min · S7 E17

    The release of Chinese film Dear You has reignited the debate over dialects in Singapore after the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) approved limited screenings of its Teochew original version. Has the time…

  18. Beyond regular checks, should nursing home inspection results be made public?

    · 31 min · S7 E16

    As Singapore becomes a super-aged society, more families are facing the difficult decisions about long-term care. But after two nursing homes had their licences revoked over serious lapses in resident safety and care,…

  19. Chan Chun Sing on keeping Singapore safe in an unstable world: 'We are not at war but neither are we at peace'

    · 44 min · S7 E15

    Singapore's security is not just built on military spending and might. With the security landscape evolving and the nature of warfare changing, what does it take to strengthen the country's defence? How can the state…

  20. What Pritam Singh’s re-election means for the Workers’ Party

    · 31 min · S7 E14

    Pritam Singh has been re-elected as leader of the Workers' Party after surviving a resignation call at a special cadres conference and party elections on Sunday. While the results appear to draw a line under years of…

  21. Is the stay-at-home dad becoming Singapore's new normal?

    · 29 min · S7 E13

    More Singaporean fathers are leaving the workforce to become stay-at-home dads and take on more caregiving responsibilities. Amid concerns about lower household income, slower career progression and higher cost of…

  22. When street art meets public complaints: Who decides what's allowed?

    · 30 min · S7 E12

    A complaint led to the removal of power washing artist Marcus Pang’s street artwork on a pavement outside Mountbatten MRT station, sparking a debate on who gets to decide how shared spaces should be used in Singapore.…

  23. Are educators, fresh graduates and employers aligned on AI?

    · 26 min · S7 E11

    From 2027, all tertiary and ITE students will be taught AI skills relevant to their courses. But AI is already transforming classrooms and workplaces today, even as educators and employers scramble to keep pace. How…

  24. Singlish is thriving, but it's also changing. What does that mean for Singaporean identity?

    · 23 min · S7 E10

    A recent survey by the Institute of Policy Studies found a growing acceptance of Singlish among Singaporeans, with many viewing it as an important part of national identity that is worth preserving. But like any living…

  25. Flash sales and countdown timers keep you buying - can we outsmart these tactics?

    · 25 min · S7 E9

    Three online retailers were recently flagged for using misleading marketing tactics known as “dark patterns” such as fake countdown timers or low-stock alerts designed to create a sense of urgency among shoppers. But…

  26. Why some Singaporeans are saying no to having children

    · 29 min · S7 E8

    Singapore's falling fertility rate is now framed as a national problem to solve. But for a growing number of couples, having children simply isn’t part of their plans. How have our attitudes towards parenthood changed…

  27. Singapore's 'red line' on Strait of Hormuz is about survival and sovereignty: Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim

    · 27 min · S7 E7

    As the conflict in the Middle East drags on, Singapore along with the rest of the world, is feeling the strain: rising oil prices, disrupted supply chains and deepening uncertainty. Singapore has long prided itself on…

  28. AI companions and chatbots: Friend or foe?

    · 30 min · S7 E6

    Relationships are being redefined with AI chatbots on the rise. These digital companions are always available, always agreeable - but at what cost? And with the younger generation growing up as AI natives, how will…

  29. Why are younger workers leaving stable careers just a few years in?

    · 32 min · S7 E5

    Employees in Singapore are prioritising work-life balance over pay and benefits, and younger workers are switching careers fast. With attitudes toward work shifting, how can companies and workers close the expectation…

  30. The good and the bad of online reviews - and how to read them

    · 27 min · S7 E4

    A restaurant recently faced a barrage of negative reviews which affected its Google rating. It sparked a conversation on how we leave and read online reviews. Are we too quick to criticise from behind our screens? And…

  31. War on Iran: The hidden costs for Singapore - and best/worst case scenarios

    · 26 min · S7 E3

    Countries are feeling the ripple effects of the Middle East conflict, some bearing the brunt more than others. Are rising food and fuel prices only the tip of the iceberg? What is the hidden fallout we should be…

  32. Impact of some businesses moving out of Singapore - and what it means for jobs

    · 25 min · S7 E2

    Homegrown companies like Yeo's and Tiger Beer maker Asia Pacific Breweries Singapore are shifting their operations to neighbouring countries and some jobs will be cut as part of the move. What does this signal about…

  33. Beverage container return scheme: Will 10 cents change how we recycle?

    · 27 min · S7 E1

    With Singapore's beverage container return scheme (BCRS) now underway, the next few months will test how well consumers, retailers and producers adapt to the new refundable deposit system. Will a 10-cent refund be…

  34. Singapore's restaurant closures: Why is it closing time for some in the F&B scene?

    · 26 min · S6 E58

    Running a business in Singapore is no easy feat, especially in the fiercely competitive F&B scene. For every outlet that closes, another quickly steps in. But does this constant churn signal a thriving industry or does…

  35. Raise kids who can use AI, not rely on it: Janil Puthucheary

    · 29 min · S6 E57

    AI is already transforming the classroom by reshaping the way students learn and teachers teach. But as AI becomes more powerful, how do we protect space for original thought and creative thinking? Steven Chia and…

  36. Singapore's fuel stockpile for electricity 'enough to last for months' in a crisis: Tan See Leng

    · 28 min · S6 E56

    The war in Iran has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, leaving nations scrambling to secure their oil and gas reserves. For Singapore - which generates 95% of its electricity using imported natural gas -…

  37. Crow shooting and wildlife control: How can we co-exist better?

    · 28 min · S6 E55

    Crow shooting is set to resume after an increasing number of reported crow attacks, highlighting the ongoing tension between humans and wildlife. If Singapore wants to be a City in Nature, what needs to change so that…

  38. War on Iran: Trump's goals and what's at stake

    · 26 min · S6 E54

    The joint attack against Iran by the United States and Israel has sent shockwaves across the Middle East and the rest of the world. Why did they decide on military action and how is Iran going to respond? How could the…

  39. Supermarket plastic bag charge: Why public trust matters in Singapore's sustainability push

    · 25 min · S6 E53

    Where does your five-cent plastic bag charge actually go? Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang unpack Singapore's supermarket carrier bag fee after reports that some retailers used the proceeds for business operations. Cheang…

  40. Budget 2026: ‘We are all at the starting line’ – Minister Jeffrey Siow on Singapore’s AI journey

    · 29 min · S6 E52

    This year’s Budget placed a strong emphasis on jobs and AI, with the government identifying key sectors to propel the economy forward. But can workers keep pace with the shifting dynamics? In this week’s Deep Dive,…

  41. Budget 2026: The big push for AI and jobs in a changing world

    · 27 min · S6 E51

    Jobs and AI took centre stage in this year’s Budget, with the government committing significant resources to ensure no Singaporean is left behind. What are the concrete steps to propel Singapore forward and can they…

  42. Budget 2026 wish-list: Job opportunities for fresh graduates and AI for everyone

    · 26 min · S6 E50

    Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong will deliver his speech for Budget 2026 on Feb 12, addressing key concerns from cost of living to remaining competitive in a tough labour market. In this week's…

  43. Living next door to conflict: Finding a way out of neighbour disputes

    · 27 min · S6 E49

    Living in a high-density society like Singapore makes friction with neighbours almost unavoidable. But with more than 90,000 noise complaints reported in the past three years, it raises the question: Are we becoming…

  44. Will the Workers’ Party take up PM Wong's offer to name new Leader of the Opposition?

    · 31 min · S6 E48

    Following Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh’s removal as the Leader of the Opposition, the nation now waits to see whether a new nominee will step into the role. In this week’s Deep Dive, Steven Chia and Tiffany Ang…

  45. Why aren't more Singaporeans using their SkillsFuture credit?

    · 25 min · S6 E47

    Lack of time, too many courses to choose from and a difficult to navigate website – these are some of the reasons why Singaporeans are not using up their SkillsFuture credits to upskill. But with lifelong learning now…

  46. US seizure of Venezuela's president: What it means for smaller countries like Singapore

    · 22 min · S6 E46

    US military strikes on Venezuela and the dramatic seizure of President Nicolas Maduro and his wife have sparked international outrage and discussions about a new global order. Where does this leave countries like…

  47. Best of: Students using AI - cheating or smarter learning?

    · 30 min · S6 E45

    The Nanyang Technological University (NTU) accused three students of academic fraud this year, saying that they used generative AI tools in their assignments. What are the limitations around AI use, when does it cross…

  48. Best of: Silent expectations and fatal outcomes - the suicide risk men face

    · 21 min · S6 E44

    Singapore reported 314 suicides in 2024, with the sharpest increase among adults aged 30 to 39. Nearly two-thirds were men. What pressures do these groups face? And what are the warning signs? Otelli Edwards and Steven…

  49. Best of: Have rising commercial rents reached a tipping point?

    · 26 min · S6 E43

    Amid rising rents and growing competition, some Singapore businesses are closing down or relocating to cheaper premises. A local bakery in Siglap announced on social media it was moving out after its rent was increased…

  50. Best of: More elderly Singaporeans are living alone – should we be concerned?

    · 26 min · S6 E42

    The number of elderly Singaporeans living alone has doubled in the past decade. With Singapore on the cusp of becoming a “super-aged” society, the numbers will only climb further. While support systems exist, are they…

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