From sniffing out narcotics to maintaining public order, Singapore's police K-9s undergo extensive training to serve alongside their human handlers.

But beyond their police duties, these dogs also have their own personalities, habits, and relationships with the people who care for them.

For Inspector Samuel Shue, 47, that means building a working partnership with his four-year-old German Shepherd, Jango.

Meanwhile, 42-year-old fashion designer Max Tan has been helping Dodger, a seven-year-old retired Belgian Shepherd, settle into a quieter life at home.

Mothership visited the unit headquarters to find out more about what life is like caring for these four-legged officers, both on and off duty .

Learning to understand man's best friend

Shue has spent 26 years with the Singapore Police Force (SPF), working with several police dogs in the K-9 Unit throughout his career.

But his first experience as a handler was far from smooth sailing.

Shue recalled that his first police dog had a difficult history and even bit him several times during their initial training.

For Shue, who was then new to handling police dogs, the experience was intimidating.

However, as he spent more time with the dog, Shue gradually learnt to recognise what triggered his behaviour and how to work around it.

The experience taught him an important lesson that would stay with him throughout his career.

"Building [a] bond with dogs, it's actually a bit like bringing up children," Shue reflected.

Every dog has its own personality, he explained, and handlers need time to understand their behaviour, just as the dogs learn to understand theirs.

Meet Jango, his current partner

Today, Shue works alongside Jango, a German Shepherd trained for public order and security duties.

The pair have been working together since 2024.

Despite common perceptions of police dogs as aggressive, Shue described Jango as sociable, friendly, and fond of human company.

As it turns out, the pair also share the same birthday, something Shue only discovered after noticing the date on Jango's name tag.

Their personalities, however, are quite different.

While Shue described himself as indecisive, Jango is quite the opposite–a very focused dog, whether at work or play.

And while Jango is still very much on duty, other police dogs have already begun the next chapter of their lives.

Adjusting to life after service

For Dodger, retirement has meant trading police duties for walks and plenty of time lounging around.

Earlier this year, he was adopted by Tan, a local fashion designer with a soft spot for senior and rescue dogs.

Dodger is the second retired police K-9 Tan has adopted, following the death of his first earlier this year.

But bringing Dodger home came with its own challenges.

"I don't think he knows the concept of retirement," Tan joked.

Tan recalled that on Dodger’s first day home, he was friendly towards almost everyone, including Tan's family and friends.

Everyone, that is, except Tan himself.

“He probably thought I was the one who took him out of his home over here, and I was a bad guy.”

Through a routine of daily walks, meals and plenty of belly rubs, Dodger gradually warmed up to Tan over the next three weeks.

Four months later, the dog that once kept his distance has become Tan's constant companion.

"He's my walking buddy, my new buddy, and he's literally my shadow now," Tan said.

Old habits die hard

Despite settling into retirement, some habits from Dodger's working days have stuck around.

Having previously served as a narcotics detection dog, Dodger still insists on inspecting Tan's shopping parcels.

“[Dodger] needs to give them a good whiff first, and once it's all clear, he'll go back to his bed, and that's when I can open my parcels,” Tan shared.

Otherwise, Dodger is quite content lounging around the house and keeping Tan company while he works.

The experience has also challenged some of Tan's initial perceptions about police dogs.

Having once worried about their size and whether they would be difficult to handle, Tan has since come to appreciate their affectionate nature.

"They are the most incredible gentle giants you'll ever meet.”

Schedules

While Dodger has settled into a more relaxed lifestyle, Tan has also had to make adjustments of his own.

His mornings can begin as early as 5:30 am, with walks, meals and other responsibilities to account for.

Rather than impose a strict schedule, Tan said he gradually learnt to recognise his dogs' habits and needs.

"I think the dogs inform me of what I should do instead of me setting a very tight routine," he said.

Finding the right retirement home

While retired police dogs come with years of training, welcoming one home still requires preparation and commitment.

Before adoption, SPF assesses each dog's needs and prepares them for life at home by gradually reducing their operational duties and introducing more relaxed routines. A spokesperson said:

Some dogs adapt quickly while others need more time and reassurance, and their handler's familiarity with their temperament and triggers is valuable here.

We are not trying to erase their training or instincts; we simply want them to enjoy being companions.

Despite having previously cared for a retired K-9, Tan said he still had to undergo a thorough screening process when he expressed interest in adopting Dodger.

According to Tan, the police K-9 Unit assessed his lifestyle, habits and willingness to take on the responsibilities of caring for a retired working dog.

He explained that prospective adopters are matched with suitable dogs based on their profiles, with opportunities to interact with them before adoption.

Shue also highlighted the importance of considering the adopter's living arrangements, dog-handling experience and ability to meet the dog's exercise requirements.

“Having a place to stay is one thing, but they also need to cater [for] the environment, the training, the movement, the exercises that the dog needs,” Shue explained.

Tan similarly encouraged prospective adopters to consider the time, healthcare costs, and long-term responsibilities before bringing a retired K-9 home.

Adopting a pet is a heavy responsibility, but bringing home a retired K-9 has the added satisfaction of helping these hardworking officers close a chapter of their lives spent in service to the country, a choice both men hope more people will take up.

"We are happy to see them go home for a second life," Shue said.

A Malaysian man has been sentenced to eight months' jail for breaking into a unit in Spottiswoode Park Road and stealing S$34,897 worth of gold jewellery in March 2026.

The jewellery belonged to the man's former colleagues who were living in the unit, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The man, 38-year-old Deva Seelan Sati Veloo, reportedly used to work with them at Outram Park Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh, a popular eatery not far from the unit.

He used to live in the house as well, but moved out after he resigned from the eatery in December 2024.

On Nov. 10, Deva pleaded guilty to two counts of theft, while two other charges for housebreaking and criminal trespass were taken into consideration for sentencing.

The theft

Deva was caught on CCTV footage going up and down the lift of the Spottiswoode Park Road building on Mar. 28, 2026.

He broke into the unit and stole the jewellery in about 17 minutes, according to court documents.

Soon after exiting the lift at 2pm, he went to the Singapore Cruise Centre and took a ferry to Batam at 2:43pm.

The theft was discovered by one of the victims at 3pm.

When he returned to the unit, he saw that the metal gate padlock was missing, and later realised that the two gold bracelets and a gold ring had been stolen from his room.

They were valued at about S$21,084 in total.

He called another tenant, who lived in a separate room in the same unit, to tell him what happened.

This second man hurried back to the unit, and discovered that a gold necklace valued at RM44,040 (about S$13,813) was also missing from his room.

The necklace had been kept in an unlocked drawer, the victim told Shin Min. There were no signs of the room being searched, he added.

The victims lodged a police report at 4:11pm, and a police gazette arrest notice was issued.

Deva was arrested on Apr. 24, upon his return to Singapore from Batam, and has been remanded since.

No restitution

The prosecution sought a sentence of eight months, which was imposed by the court.

The stolen items could not be recovered, and Deva has not made any restitution for them, the prosecution said.

The court did not order Deva to compensate his former colleagues, who attended the Nov. 10 court hearing, Shin Min reported.

However, they were informed that they could pursue a civil action to seek compensation.

The boss of Outram Park Ya Hua Bak Kut Teh, who did not attend the hearing, told Shin Min he believes Deva would never return to work in Singapore again.

"The victims will probably not forgive him, as [the stolen items] were their hard-earned money," he said.

Over 540 customers shared cash prizes totalling over US$90,000 (S$115,840) in Bundle’s first-ever Singapore campaign.

The first Bundle campaign’s winners event was held in Singapore in October 2026, with the final draw held on Oct. 15, 2026.

The top two reward recipients, Faiz H. and Vicky (not her real name), discovered their reward amounts during their cheque reveals with the co-founder and CEO of Bundle, Bader Al Kalooti.

Faiz won the US$50,000 (S$63,875) top reward through Drive lah just by renting a car and completing a trip, while the second winner received US$20,000 (S$25,550) through Revit by buying their hangover gummies.

Small actions big reveal

Upon the reveal, Faiz admitted that he was initially sceptical, but after hearing from Al Kalooti and the team, he decided to come down.

“I really appreciate it. The money will be put to good use, and it will help my financial stability. Definitely give Bundle a try.”

Al Kalooti added that Faiz, who had just gotten engaged, could put the reward towards his wedding fund.

When it came to Vicky’s turn, she said, “(I was) overwhelmed. When I was asked what I'd do with the money, the first thing I thought was to invest. So now I need to work out where. I'll also share part of it with my friends and family.”

For anyone who’s thinking about giving Bundle a shot, she encourages them to “just try it”, as she wasn’t expecting to be rewarded.

How Bundle works

Bundle lets brands pool together a shared reward pool, combining their incentive budgets, allowing them to offer big rewards instead of boring discounts.

Customers simply join a participating brand’s promotional campaign, complete the qualifying action directly with that brand, and receive an entry through Bundle.

Bundle CEO and co-founder Bader Al Kalooti remarked that most customers won’t call their family members for a 10 per cent discount.

Rather, both winners simply did the same things they always do, with brands they like, and ended up walking away with life-changing rewards and a story for life.

“That’s what we’re building: rewards that can actually change something, not another 10 per cent off,” said Bader.

Bundle helped small businesses bring back customers

Bundle’s model allows for a greater sales and customer conversion rate instead of offering routine discounts that eat into profit margins.

The co-founder and CEO of Drive lah, Dirk-Jan Ter Horst, said that he was very happy to have partnered with Bundle, “I can speak for our customers: they’re very happy. Over 440 of them were rewarded. It’s amazing.”

For Revit’s co-founder and CEO, Damian Cheong said that after running Bundle for a month, “sales picked up drastically” with an uplift in conversion and average order value, exceeding his expectations.

Next campaign cycle planned for January

Bundle’s next campaign cycle and draw is slated to start in January.

To learn more, follow @joinbundle on Instagram and check out their website here.

This branded article by Bundle made this writer wonder if her next Bundle-affiliated purchase could make her richer.

When I think of void deck mini marts, what comes to mind is a chain brand or a quaint shop that’s run by an elderly couple who started the business ages ago.

Which is why Huat Huat Mini Mart appeared to defy expectations.

The convenience store, tucked away under Block 608 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5, was started by a young 33-year-old.

Like many younger folks, she documents her journey on TikTok.

One month in

I arranged to meet the owner, Tan Sheau Jing, who goes by SJ, to find out more about her provisions business and how she got into it.

She greeted me cheerfully at 8am on a Thursday while I was still rousing up for the day.

As we moved from a nearby coffee shop to her mini mart, which was right next door, she got right to opening her store.

She raised the shutters, turned on the lights, unlocked the fridges and rolled several retail racks into place outside the shop.

She paused only to quip about the crate of green and under-ripe bananas she received from a supplier.

It was not the first time, she said, but it was part and parcel of supplier management.

Everything else ran like clockwork. Nothing betrayed the fact that SJ had been running Huat Huat Mini Mart for only a little over a month.

After the initial rush of setting up, a calm set in. Huat Huat was now ready for its first customer of the day.

SJ told me it took a “village” to open Huat Huat, with her family pitching in time and labour to help set things up.

“It took us about one to two months to get things sorted out,” SJ recalled.

Although she has experience running an F&B place, a mini mart is a whole different ball game.

In total, Huat Huat Mini Mart stocks over 2,000 unique items, each with their own expiry date that needs to be tracked and managed.

These items come from almost 60 suppliers.

“So, having to deal with all these small things, small but necessary things, I think it’s where the tedious work comes in. And also finding the right supplier so that you can have the correct price point to serve the needs of the neighbourhood,” she explained.

Why mini mart?

The 33-year-old’s first career was in customer service in the travel industry, where she spent eight years.

She also dabbled in e-commerce, before going on to manage an F&B establishment with her business partners.

All these only made running a void deck mini mart stand out in her resume.

“Opening a mini mart has a very personal meaning for me,” SJ replied when I asked her why she decided to join the trade.

For one, she used to to play pretend as a cashier when she was young.

Hearing the clanking of the cash register as it opens is something like a “childhood dream” for her, SJ said while excitedly toying with the point-of-sale machine.

The digital touchscreen which replaced the click-clack of mechanical buttons made it less satisfying, but the popping of the cash tray still scratched an itch.

Grandma's resilience

The more profound motivation, however, was memories with her 93-year-old grandmother.

Growing up, SJ’s grandmother spent a great deal of time and effort caring for her and her cousins while their parents were at work.

Visiting a mini mart was part of that childhood.

As with all grandparents, kids got away with more when with them.

With grandma, sweet treats like ice pops made the day for young SJ and her cousins.

But it was grandma’s resilience that made a lasting impression on her.

“She did multiple jobs when she was younger, raising her six kids,” SJ recounted.

Grandpa was, as SJ described it, “pretty absent”.

“So my grandmother had to carry the whole family,” she said.

To keep the family going, grandma had to be entrepreneurial.

One of grandma’s endeavours was selling love letters and kuehs, which SJ and her cousins would pitch in to bake as helpers.

She also made a living washing clothes and being a seamstress.

“Taking care of six kids is not easy. And apart from that, she still has to do all sorts of things. And she doesn’t complain. She just does it wholeheartedly, because she knows it’s for survival,” SJ remarked.

Besides resilience, SJ knows grandma for her altruism.

“She really just loved us in the best way that she could then,” she added.

Huat Huat's registered business name is named after SJ's grandma.

You can find SJ’s childhood memories with her grandma on the shelves of Huat Huat, among the 2,000-odd items.

SJ gave me a tour down the aisles of these memories, picking up classic gem biscuits in a tin box, ice pops from the refrigerator and a variety of candies.

These “retro” goodies sat alongside modern toys, like Pokémon cards and squishies.

"So when I see actually a lot of kids coming with their grandparents, and how the grandparents are like, 'buy lah, buy lah', it reminds me of my grandmother," SJ said.

SJ's 93-year-old grandma doesn’t cook for the family on the weekends like she used to, but the cousins still gather at her place each Saturday nonetheless.

Sitting behind the entrance of the convenience store by the cash register, surrounded by hints of her childhood and time spent with grandma and her cousins, I asked SJ what was something she would want to tell the elderly woman.

Appearing to fight back tears, SJ said,

“I hope I have made her proud, and that she realised that she raised a granddaughter that encapsulates her best attributes. She has been through a lot in her life, but she has never backed down from any challenge or whatever life throws at her. Maybe in her circumstances then, she didn’t have the option to say, ‘I quit’.

I hope she realises the influence she has on me.”

Appreciating the 'small' things in life

On top of all this, SJ also said it felt like the “right season” for such a venture.

“After you have experienced all the hustle and bustle, although this is also a hustle, it allows you to appreciate a lot of the small things,” she said.

With Huat Huat, SJ said she could slow down and go “back to basics”.

“I really enjoy this process, like talking to the neighbours and talking to the elderly people with [a] wealth of life experience to share,” she elaborated.

One memorable interactions was when schoolchildren visited Huat Huat with a S$5 note to split between them.

“So when the kids come, it’s very cute. Then they will say, for example, I have S$5. So let’s share and see what we can buy,” she recounted.

“They will actually collaborate and then do budgeting together to see how they can maximise the S$5 to get as many sweets or drinks out of the S$5.”

The other involved an elderly man who spoke only dialect, putting SJ’s language skills to the test.

During our interview, we also had to pause a handful of times for SJ to attend to customers.

“Do you have coconut shavings? For rendang?” One uncle asked SJ.

The uncle lived right above in Block 608, he told me.

Seeing that the uncle was on a personal mobility aid which made entering the store inconvenient, SJ hurried to the back to help him locate the ingredient.

Turns out, Huat Huat did not yet carry the product.

“Ok, you show me what you are looking for, I stock for you,” SJ told him.

In another instance, an auntie who strolled by paused to take home a watermelon.

“Good. Now I don’t have to go all the way to the market,” she commented as she headed off.

“For the elderly, I think the heavy lifting is the concern,” she said, adding that convenience is what they appreciate.

More than just business

With the time and commitment SJ has put into the mini mart, you might be surprised to know that she is still juggling that with managing her F&B business.

When SJ isn’t minding the store, an experienced full-time staff helps run the show.

When I asked SJ what her plans or aspirations were for the mini mart, she told me that expansion was something she would definitely explore, but it was still too early for that.

Above all, she hopes Huat Huat will be able to serve the needs of the community in more ways than one.

Rather than just being a space of convenience, SJ hopes that bonds — communal, friendship and familial — will blossom at Huat Huat, much like how mini mart visits became formative of the days spent with her grandma and cousins.

"I hope that this will be a place for families to create bonding time," SJ shared.

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Porta Porta Italian Restaurant will close for good on Dec. 31, 2026, after 33 years.

The family-run restaurant opened in 1993.

An announcement of its impending closure was posted on Instagram.

Co-founder Rozianah Baharudin Laino wrote: "It is with a heavy heart that after 33 years of being open, we are announcing that we will be closing for good."

Found by husband-wife duo

Rozi, as she is known, founded the restaurant with her late husband, Antonino Laino, or Nino.

He passed away from lung cancer in 2012, Berita Harian reported previously.

The establishment was previously in Changi and is now located in Bedok.

It serves mainly Italian cuisine, such as tagliatelle in squid ink sauce and meat lasagna.

Rozi wrote on Instagram:

Nino and I opened this restaurant because we wanted to bring Italian homely traditions to Singapore, sharing food together as a family at the dinner table, laughing and filling our bellies.

We ended up with more than just our tiny family of three, everyone who's come by became  a part of that family and you've all lit up our lives.

Open to offers

Danesh Laino, 37, the son, told CNA Lifestyle the restaurant is closing as his mother wants to retire.

Danesh, who is in fintech, said there have been offers to operate out of other premises, but the family is open to another person taking over the business.

If not, the restaurant will shutter for good.

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A 29-year-old Singaporean man was arrested at Sultan Azlan Shah Airport in Ipoh, Malaysia, after police discovered about 19kg of suspected cannabis flowers in his luggage.

The man had allegedly responded to an online job offer promising RM12,685 (S$4,010) to transport luggage to London, which he was led to believe contained counterfeit luxury goods, according to Malay Mail.

The suspected drugs had an estimated value of RM1.52 million (S$480,500).

Suspect was headed to London via Singapore

The suspect was scheduled to fly from Ipoh to Singapore before continuing to London, Perak police chief Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said at a press conference.

According to The Star, Mohd Alwi said: "From our investigation, the individual was on his way to deliver contraband to London via transit in Singapore."

Police suspect the syndicate used less busy airports to transport drugs in passengers' luggage and avoid detection.

36 packages found in luggage

The suspect was arrested after his luggage was flagged during a check by auxiliary police personnel at the airport at around 6:20am on Nov. 8.

A subsequent inspection uncovered 36 plastic packages containing dried leaves suspected to be cannabis flowers, or buds, weighing approximately 19.04kg.

Police estimated that the seized quantity could have supplied about 47,900 drug users.

The case was referred to Perak's Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department, along with the confiscated items, for further investigation.

Suspect travelled from Kuala Lumpur to Ipoh

The Star reported that the Singaporean man had arrived in Malaysia on Nov. 7.

He initially flew to Kuala Lumpur and stayed at a hotel in Kajang, Selangor, before travelling to Ipoh in an e-hailing vehicle.

Police believe he collected the luggage containing the suspected drugs while in Kajang.

Mohd Alwi said preliminary urine tests on the suspect returned negative results for drugs, according to Malay Mail.

Police checks also found that he had no previous criminal record.

The man was remanded for seven days to assist investigations.

SPH Media has been struck by a series of coordinated cyberattacks that compromised approximately nine per cent of its customer database, exposing subscriber contact details and personal information, the company announced today (Nov. 10).

Preliminary investigations suggest the intrusions, which targeted five internal systems between Nov. 4 and Nov. 8, may have been artificial intelligence-enabled operations orchestrated by a single threat actor, reported The Straits Times.

The publisher confirmed that the compromised data predominantly comprised email addresses, along with some names, mailing addresses, and phone numbers. Certain employee email addresses were also accessed.

SPH Media stressed that no financial data, payment card details, banking information, passwords, or customer accounts were compromised in the breach, and no corporate customer data was affected.

“SPH Media takes the security and confidentiality of customers’ information very seriously, and has been working very closely with the relevant authorities and third-party specialists,” a company spokesman said.

According to the group, the vulnerabilities stemmed from a combination of software bugs and system configuration weaknesses.

The first breach was detected on Nov 4, followed by subsequent activity culminating in the latest detected incident on Nov 8.

Upon detecting the intrusions, the organisation engaged third-party cybersecurity specialists to contain the breach and secure the compromised systems. SPH Media has since patched software bugs, updated system configurations, reinforced perimeter defences against further network probing, and raised internal threat-monitoring levels.

The incident has been formally reported to the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC), the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA), and the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA).

A police report has also been lodged.

Subscribers urged to look out for scam attempts

In direct notifications sent to affected subscribers, SPH Media issued an apology and urged readers to stay alert against potential phishing campaigns and scams exploiting the leaked information.

“While the exposed information does not include financial details or passwords, it could potentially be used for phishing or scam attempts,” the company warned in an email to subscribers.

Recipients were advised to watch for unsolicited messages, avoid opening suspicious links or attachments, verify delivery-related notices through official channels, and enable multi-factor authentication across their online accounts.

Affected subscribers seeking assistance or looking to verify suspicious communications can contact SPH Media's customer service team via its official website or at 6388 3838.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang reportedly engaged a public relations firm experienced in handling high-profile scandals in 2025, a year before he publicly acknowledged an extramarital affair.

According to Wired, Heller Inc. has previously advised high-profile individuals embroiled in personal scandals and allegations of sexual misconduct.

Huang acknowledged the affair in a statement published by Nvidia, following reports that he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

PR firm reportedly involved since 2025

Founded by Risa Heller, Heller Inc. has previously represented former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner, and former New Yorker writer Jeffrey Toobin.

Nvidia reportedly instructed its communications team to copy Heller Inc. on media queries concerning Huang shortly after an October 2025 New York Times report, according to TechCrunch, citing Wired.

The New York Times report examined whether Nvidia was helping Chinese companies circumvent U.S. chip export restrictions.

It also looked into Singapore-based data centre operator Megaspeed, which reportedly has links to China and purchased almost US$2 billion (S$2.6 billion) in Nvidia chips.

The report also identified Megaspeed's chief executive, Alice Huang, as the woman subsequently linked to Jensen Huang in reports about his extramarital affair.

The reason Huang initially engaged the firm has not been established.

However, Wired reported that the public relations consultants were initially believed to have been hired to oversee matters related to Huang’s personal life and his family’s philanthropic endeavours.

The firm frequently communicated with Huang and his daughter Madison, a product marketing director at Nvidia.

Her prominence is growing within the company, Wired added.

Huang apologises for affair

On Nov. 8, Nvidia released a statement containing an email Huang had sent to employees, in which he admitted to being unfaithful to his wife.

"I was unfaithful to my wife. My actions hurt her and our children. There is no excuse for what I did," he wrote.

Huang apologised to his family, colleagues and shareholders, acknowledging that he had fallen short of his responsibilities.

He also pledged to cooperate with an independent investigation launched by Nvidia's board following reports that he had been targeted by a foreign intelligence operation.

Nvidia launches independent investigation

In a separate statement on Nov. 8, Nvidia's board announced that it was investigating reports that Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort.

A committee of independent directors, supported by external legal counsel, will oversee the investigation.

The board said it had no reason to believe that national security or Nvidia's confidential information had been compromised, but would examine all available information.

The board also expressed confidence in Huang and Nvidia's leadership team, and said it would provide further updates where appropriate.

Yah Lah But (YLB) podcast hosts Haresh Tilani and Terence Chia will be hosting a 24-hour non-stop podcast marathon from Nov. 13 to 14, at OCBC Square, The Kallang.

Featuring 24 guests over 24 hours, the livestream will explore Singapore’s culture of winning and what that really means.

Members of the public can watch the marathon in person or through the livestream on YouTube.

24 guests in 24 hours

According to their press release, YLB will be holding the podcast from 5pm on Nov. 13 to 5pm on Nov. 14, with a different guest joining every hour.

Guests include three-time Olympian and national swimmer Quah Ting Wen, TikTok Education Creator of the Year Kong Man Jing (Biogirl MJ), and Football Association of Singapore general secretary Badri Ghent.

Here's the full lineup, according to YLB's microsite:

The conversations will explore whether winning is defined by medals, achievements, and honours, or whether success can look different, and who gets to decide it.

The marathon will coincide with the Mizuho Blue Challenge - The Kallang Football Series Singapore, which features the national football teams of Singapore, Brazil, Japan, and Paraguay.

“Singapore sports, especially football, is going through a once-in-a-generation moment, and with the YLB podcast marathon, we want to be there to capture it,” Chia said.

Tilani acknowledged that staying awake and talking for 24 hours would be a challenge, but that they're "stoked" with the "epic lineup of guests".

Catch the marathon

The marathon will take place inside a container studio at OCBC Square, The Kallang.

Members of the public can drop by at any time during the event, with no registration required.

Those who prefer watching from home can follow the livestream on YouTube.

The container studio will remain at OCBC Square until Nov. 17.

Event details

Yah Lah But 24-hour Podcast Marathon

Date: Nov. 13 to Nov. 14

Time: 5pm to 5pm

Venue: OCBC Square, The Kallang

Admission: Free, no registration required

Livestream: YouTube

More information: YLB Podcast Marathon website

Did you know that Singapore used to have its own superhero duo? No I’m not talking about the legendary VR Man.

Back in the old days when there were only two lines on the MRT, McDonald’s Singapore unveiled the super-powered duo of Flash Fry and Steam Marinate, along with the debut of the OG McCrispy Fried Chicken.

I remember being a super excited kid, begging my mum to take me to McDonald’s just so we could try out the new menu item. I remember the long queues, the brightly-coloured boxes, and the crunch of the chicken as I bit into a piece.

It tasted rather novel to my young taste buds, unlike other fried chicken I had previously tried. It delivered on its twin promises of being crunchy and juicy, and not being noticeably spicy, it was perfect for a kid like me.

Please watch this video as proof I was not hallucinating.

New recipe

But now, at long last, McDonald’s will be relaunching its McCrispy Fried Chicken with a new recipe.

It promises to take everything great about the OG and make it even better, with more crunch, more juice, and more spice with every bite.

Now as a (much) older man, I am something of an expert when it comes to fried chicken. It’s often my go-to menu item when I’m in a foreign land and unsure of what’s good to eat.

I’ve had tremendous fried chicken from Sapporo to Sydney, but there’s something about the innately spicy McCrispy that is hard to find anywhere else. If I want a little bit of a kick to my chick, I usually have to dip it in hot sauce, but the McCrispy does the job all on its own.

So it was with much anticipation that I greeted the super secret delivery to the office of McDonald’s McCrispy Fried Chicken with its new and improved recipe.

Would it live up to my childhood nostalgia? Could it even exceed those treasured memories? Or would it not be up to par?

Friends weigh in

In order to find out, I enlisted the help of my very willing colleagues.

My strategy was to entice them with the promise of free food and let them taste the chicken first, one by one, before I weighed in with the final bite. That way, I could ensure maximum objectivity.

First up was Hannah, whose chicken-eating credentials include (allegedly) a fast-food run before every pickleball game.

“It’s very spicy!” she enthused, before clarifying that she wasn’t a habitual eater of spicy food. So maybe someone who wasn’t a wuss would welcome the spicy kick.

Hannah also specified that it was “much nicer” than the original, comparing it favourably to a McSpicy burger, but on the bone.

Next up was GZ, who compared it to yet another McDonald’s menu item, the McWing.

“It’s like a spicier, bigger McWing,” she said. GZ was another non-spicy eater, but she did note that the spicy taste didn’t kick in immediately, but instead spread with a delicious heat.

So far so good, but to truly gauge the chicken’s credentials, I would need someone who laughs in the face of heat, spice and elevated Scoville units. Enter Swarn.

Now Swarn is a certified spice king, able to down the hottest of hot food without breaking a sweat. So I was quite curious as to how he would rate McDonald’s latest offering.

“It tastes different,” he said, while still chewing. “The coating is considerably less salty (than the previous Chicken McCrispy).

“It’s [very] delicious,” he added, using an expletive which I have euphemistically substituted.

Swarn also helpfully tried out each of the dipping sauces available to the discerning customer, Honey Mustard, Curry and Barbecue. His verdict? All were great.

Our next taste tester Gawain agreed, saying that Curry sauce is “always a hit.”

He also gave the chicken coating props for its exceptional crispiness.

“It’s a good balance between [the coating] and the softness of the meat,” he added.

Our final volunteer is Mikayla, who grew up in Korea and as such is someone I trust when it comes to rating fried chicken.

She went straight for the Honey Mustard, calling it “flavourful but strong,” and complementing the taste of the chicken nicely.

But what of the spice?

“It’s spiciness that won’t hurt your stomach after, but still has the flavour of the crispy chicken that I like,” she said, as she went back for another bite.

The final verdict

Soon enough, it was time for me to finally get my hands on the chicken. I had read up on the briefs. I had listened to the peer reviews.

There was nothing else left to do but to try it myself.

As soon as I crunched down, I was assailed by a delicious combination of heat, spice and juice.

The new McCrispy Fried Chicken was immediately recognisable as different from the earlier version with the old recipe.

The earlier comparison was apt, it really did taste like a bigger version of a McWing, which I really enjoy.

But the spice! This wasn’t the slow suffusion of a well-made curry, or the biting hot kick of a chilli pepper. This was something quite unique altogether.

A blast of spice that makes your eyes widen, but it doesn’t linger on the tongue, bringing pain and agony like other spice-laden dishes.

The crunch of the crispy coating was also just right, not overly salty and not too rigid that would prevent a good bite.

The meat itself was just as good as before, tender and juicy, standing in a nice contrast to the coating.

In the interest of fairness, I dipped into all three sauces available.

My preference would be Honey Mustard, but maybe you’re more of a BBQ or Curry devotee. I just think the Honey Mustard is just the right flavour to balance the spice and flavour of the crispy chicken coating.

So while the new and improved Crispy Fried Chicken took a long while to get to us hungry diners, I can definitely say it was worth the wait.

No time machines exist to bring us back to a bygone era, but this new Crispy Fried Chicken recipe is doing its part to make the future fun.

This branded article is brought to you by McDonald’s.

Top image by Mothership.