It's been a news-packed couple of days, from the frivolous to the fireworks-filled. Here are the hot topics in Singapore this week.

Photo credit: Stuff TV

Hot: Pokemon Go
Not: Perspective

It's not even in Singapore (yet?) but global augmented reality sensation Pokemon Go is a hot-button topic, with everyone from civilians to ministers weighing in. An Australian national unleashed a rage-filled tirade online against Singapore for not having the game (he was subsequently fired from his gig at 99.co) and the Singapore Police Force's recent anti-theft campaign also riffed on the game. A sobering response to the pop culture craze was this campaign involving Syrian refugee children holding up Pokemon images, asking people to come save them.

Two Michelin star restaurant Odette

Hot: Michelin stars
Not: Local chefs

In case you've been living under a rock, the first edition of the Michelin Guide in Singapore came out a few days ago, with some hotly contested inclusions, including the two hawker stalls that were also awarded single stars. Among the many criticisms of the list was the relative underrepresentation of restaurants helmed by Singaporean chefs. Of the 29 restaurants awarded stars, only six are helmed by Singaporean chefs. These did not include local biggies like Iggy's and Wild Rocket.

Darius Cheung of 99.co, right, with Eduardo Saverin

Hot: Righteous start-ups
Not: Racist landlords

Local startup 99.co was not just in the news for firing its consultant over a Pokemon Go-fueled, anti-Singapore rant. Its founder Darius Cheung wrote a blog post on the rental search engine website, recounting the evasiveness and difficulties he and his wife Roshni Mahtani, who is of Indian descent, faced when attempting to rent a flat in Singapore, on account of Roshni's race. In response, he announced the All Races Welcome campaign on 99.co, allowing landlords and agents with inclusive policies better placement on the website (we'd like to see discriminatory listings removed from the site altogether, frankly). Coming just a week after another post, where Darius explained his reasons for firing a consultant for a Pokemon Go-fueled, anti-Singapore rant but also called out critics for the xenophobic nature of their response (see "Hot: Pokemon Go / Not: Perspective", above), we're starting to wonder if Darius is going to be a voice of reason and nuanced discourse in the general Singapore blogosphere.

Photo credit: Land Transport Authority

Hot: Bikes on the MRT
Not: Space on the MRT

Part of several initiatives to make Singapore more "car-lite", the LTA recently announced that folks will be able to carry their personal mobility devices and foldable bikes onto trains and buses throughout the day, not just during off-peak hours. While we applaud the move (our bikes don't fold, though!), we do wonder where these machines will fit on already crowded rush-hour trains.

National Day fireworks over Marina Bay

Hot: National Stadium on National Day
Not: Marina Bay on National Day

For the first time in a decade, the National Day Parade will take place at the new National Stadium and not downtown, costing a whopping $39.4 million, double what it would cost to have it at the Padang or the Marina Bay Floating Platform. While the parade itself, also boasting the stadium's largest indoor fireworks display ever, is going to be way more expensive, it's certainly going to be cheaper to watch the displays from Tanjong Rhu and estates around Beach Road than fancy bars in Marina Bay. Silver lining?