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Here's how an overnight supply chain brings Kelantan’s beloved dishes to feed hungry diners in Kuala Lumpur. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in. In this episode of Asian Insider, host Li Xueying speaks with Malaysia correspondent Hazlin Hassan as she uncovers the high-speed logistics behind the massive daily food deliveries that bring authentic tastes straight from Kelantan to the capital city every morning. Hazlin shares her discovery of what drives this booming culinary phenomenon, the distinct flavours that keep food lovers waiting before dawn and why a simple breakfast can spark a cross-country operation. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:36 Vans replaced by air travel to deliver dishes 4:30 Kelantan dishes go viral in Malaysia 8:30 Surge in demand and daily deliveries 9:54 Following the supply chain to KL 15:51 Yearning for culinary authenticity 17:08 Geographic reach and limits across the border Read Hazlin Hassan’s articles here: https://str.sg/NbFG  Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR  Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x   Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz  Host: Li Xueying ([email protected]) Edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX  YouTube: https://str.sg/rF3qR  Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Should you secretly record your workplace meetings, even if it’s legally allowed? A recent case, where a PR firm director was fired after secretly recording an internal meeting, has brought into focus the issue of how employees can document such meetings without putting their jobs at risk. Also, should employment contracts now spell out the rules on recording conversations? The director brought a wrongful dismissal claim to the Employment Claims Tribunal (ECT) - and it was thrown out. In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha asks Angel Kilian, the founder & CEO of Career inFocus, and corporate lawyer Jennifer Chih from Nair, Jen and Tan whether keeping receipts of all workplace conversations is the way to go. We also look at what a “contemporaneous record” is, and when you should write one. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:25 Do employees need creative ways to protect themselves? 5:59 How to make a “contemporaneous record” 11:36 Should contracts spell out recording rules? 15:28 Employer vs employee: an unequal balance of power? 17:44 Is keeping receipts a smart habit or a career risk? 21:41 Treated unfairly? What to do instead of recording 26:53 Can you come back after trust is broken? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected]) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast  Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: [email protected] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Republican Party’s crushing defeat could reshape American politics, but Asia should not expect US politics to return to what it was before President Donald Trump, says the Blackbox Research CEO David Black.  In this conversation with The Straits Times' senior columnist Bhavan Jaipragas - recorded on Nov 4, hours after polls closed - Black explains why he sees Trump's defeat as an extraordinary act of political self-sabotage.  With Democrats projected to take control of both chambers of Congress, what comes next for President Donald Trump? Will he moderate his approach, or become even more combative? Black also discusses what this means for Asia, and how Beijing might read the election results. Highlights (click/tap above):  3:48 Republican midterm loss is the worst result since 1974  7:21 Why voters turned up in large numbers  9:32 Why Trump might ditch MAGA 11:47 Are Republicans distancing themselves from Trump?  13:03 Trump’s scapegoat: Pete Hegseth  14:40 Potential Democrat front-runners for the US presidency 20:22 Democrats “can’t do much about” tariffs  23:47 Impact of midterm results on the Iran war and US foreign policy  26:03 Would Asian diplomats and leaders change their approach towards the US?  28:05 China’s response to the US midterm election results Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Bhavan Jaipragas ([email protected])  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh, Hadyu Rahim and Yang Jiesan Cruz Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IPS research fellow Melvin Tay discusses the changing nature of religion in Singapore. More Singapore residents report having no religious affiliation, rising from one in five in 2020 to one in four in 2025, according to the Department of Statistics’ latest General Household Survey 2025.  But a separate report by US-based think tank Pew Research found that almost nine in 10 Singapore adults surveyed still believe in God or unseen beings, higher than other South-east Asian countries such as Cambodia and Thailand.  Is this growth in non-affiliation a cause for concern for Singapore, one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world? And what does religion do for us today? In this episode, host Zachary Lim speaks with Dr Melvin Tay, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, to examine the changing religious landscape in Singapore. They also discuss whether religious institutions are losing relevance, and the implications of alternative spiritual practices gaining traction among young people. Highlights (click/tap above):  1:40 Changes in perception of religion over time 5:59  Shift away from institutionalised religion 10:41 Changing modality of engaging with faith 16:05 Singapore’s fast pace of life on religious affiliation 18:37 Young residents on needing tangible benefits from religious experiences  20:32 The global push towards secularisation  26:28 Is Singapore’s religious diversity in jeopardy? 29:46 Emergence of alternative divination and spiritual avenues in Singapore 37:42 Morality, healing, and community beyond institutionalised religions 47:00 Is increasing non-affiliation to religion a cause for concern?  Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Zachary Lim ([email protected])  Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Editorial producer: Elizabeth Law Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The scheme could help to improve Singapore’s low domestic recycling rates. Blue recycling bins filled with non-recyclable trash have become a common sight around Singapore. This contamination has resulted in poor domestic recycling rates in the country, as food and liquid waste thrown into the commingled bins taints the other recyclables.  In 2025, the Republic logged its highest amount of waste disposed of, at about 3.36 million tonnes, up from about 3.33 million tonnes in 2024. This is in tandem with economic and population growth, according to the National Environment Agency (NEA). To overcome this challenge, the National Environment Agency on Oct 1 fully implemented its Beverage Container Return Scheme (BCRS) to ensure that plastic bottles and cans are segregated for recycling. But this initiative has also been plagued with complaints.  In this episode, host Audrey Tan chats with Ang Qing and Shabana Begum, environment correspondents at ST, on whether these criticisms are warranted, and whether Singapore should continue pushing ahead with the scheme.  Highlights (click/tap above): 2:31 Observations on the ground 6:00 Why we need this 10-cent incentive at this stage? 7:55 Why Singapore needs this scheme now 9:11 Why the blue bin scheme is not sustainable given poorer habits in Singapore 11:05 Why BCRS is worth persevering with 13:00 Observations of current and various recycling operations in Singapore 13:56 Not ideal conditions: Seeing discarded syringes among recyclables 15:35 Shabana on the more automated processes at a BCRS recycling facility 17:25 Qing on the need for the public to sort better upstream 18:25 Behind-the-scenes additional costs that SME retailers face 23:25 Is 10 cents enough of an incentive for the public? 25:35 Should more drinks such as glass bottles be worked into BCRS scheme? 26:15 Dumpster diving? Side hustles using the BCRS scheme? Read more: Shabana Begum’s articles: https://str.sg/5EGd Ang Qing’s articles: https://str.sg/i5gT Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Host: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Ernest Luis  Follow Green Pulse Podcast every Tuesday as we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag YouTube: https://str.sg/fapS Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ETFs, REITs, SSBs, T-bills - what do they all mean? In this episode, SGX director of capital market development Emelia Tan breaks down different investment assets and compares which ones are suitable for you.  Hosts Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss why ETFs are so popular now, how to diversify your investment portfolio, and whether the SGX or US stock market gives higher returns.  Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction and discussion of ETFs 7:41 Types of ETFs on the SGX  9:03 Are there drawbacks to buying ETFs 12:03 STI or S&P 500 16:27 Exploring SSBs and T-bills 26:24 REITs and the dividend play 35:50 How to build an investment portfolio Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See Kai Wen ([email protected]) and Sue-Ann Tan ([email protected]) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producer: Danson Cheong Follow the Headstart On Record Podcast here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 YouTube: https://str.sg/3psqrx Feedback to: [email protected] Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties. --- #headstart See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How to better connect with a child offline and online.  Synopsis: Join us for a five-part limited-edition podcast series this November by The Straits Times where we discuss the challenges of raising kids in a world that's always plugged in. For many children and teens, there is little distinction between the online and offline world.  Many parents worry that screens are getting in the way of their relationship with their children.  But instead of pulling our children away from their digital worlds, should parents step into them, and journey with our children? In this episode, Host Elisha Tushara is joined by Natalie Pang, a professor at the National University of Singapore.  Having done research on digital well-being and online harms, and as the mother of a teenage boy, she recommends gaming with your children. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Intro  4:05 Why the online world is important to our children 7:42 Being offline and being left out 8:30 Bringing online rules into the offline world 10:50 What I learned about my child by gaming together: Natalie Pang 14:21 Screen use: Measuring by purpose, instead of time 17:55 What happens when parents are glued to their screens themselves? 21:22 It’s natural for children to get upset when screentime is over 26:02 Why do some parents find it hard to set screentime boundaries? — Read more ST Screen Timeout articles: https://str.sg/screentimeout  Host: Elisha Tushara ([email protected]) Read Elisha’s articles: https://str.sg/5VVJ Follow Elisha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/94WA Produced and edited by: Studio+65 and Fa’izah Sani Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Amelia Teng — Follow Screens Down, Look Up limited series every Monday (Nov 2 - 30): Channel: https://str.sg/bKan  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/57aK  Spotify: https://str.sg/agZP  YouTube: https://str.sg/yxuv  Feedback to: [email protected] — Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts — Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX #screensdownlookup See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Or has US economist Stephen Roach changed his mind about Hong Kong’s survival and identity?  Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times gets its US Bureau Chief to analyse the hottest political and geopolitical talking points. In this episode, US Bureau Chief Bhagyashree Garekar chats with Dr Stephen Roach, a prominent economist with expertise on Asia.  He spent three decades at global investment bank Morgan Stanley, serving as the firm's chief economist and later as chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia. He is currently a Senior Fellow at Yale Law School's Paul Tsai China Center. In this wide-ranging conversation, he says the “unfriendly takeover” by mainland Chinese has changed the character of Hong Kong dramatically. This has left the market-based city - once idolised by iconic American economist Milton Friedman - in tatters, he adds. While that might drive his critics crazy, the idea that his remarks are rooted in any bias against Hong Kong is “absolutely ludicrous,” he insists. Roach also has a word of caution for China’s President Xi Jinping, who made a state visit to Washington for a summit with US President Donald Trump in September 2026. The concept currently favoured by both the US and China to define their relationship - constructive, strategic stability - is also a bit of a mirage, he says. “There's nothing strategic about it, the best I think the Chinese can hope for would be stability,” he adds. Roach is not among those anticipating a turning of the page with the Nov 3 midterm elections, even if the Democrats seize a majority in the Congress. Roach also takes an axe to Trump’s frequent assertions of America being the “hottest economy”. “He calls it an “exaggeration” that also reflects the poor state of growth elsewhere in the world. But a Great Depression-scale collapse is not in the cards, according to him. “I don't think we're gonna have a replay of the 1930s-styled bank-driven collapse,” he says. Highlights (click/tap above): 00:50 "Hong Kong is over?": Stephen Roach clarifies the controversial headline in a Financial Times column in 2024 6:40 What’s not going right between the US and China? 7:40 Why Trump’s “shallow thinking” on AI hurts 10:28 His warning to China about a deal with Trump 14:00 Will a strong Democratic show in the Nov 3 midterm elections constrain Trump? 18:10 Is Trump’s claim of a "golden age” for America true? 24:20 As the 100th anniversary of the Great Depression nears, could there be a repeat? 30:00 Will US dollar primacy be seriously challenged? 33:00 When he sees China coming out of the slowdown 38:20 Lastly, on India: Will its economy continue to over-promise and under-deliver? Read Bhagyashree Garekar’s articles: https://str.sg/whNo  Bhagyashree Garekar’s LinkedIn: https://str.sg/gD6E  Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz  Host: Bhagyashree Garekar ([email protected])  Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX  YouTube: https://str.sg/rF3qR  Feedback to: [email protected]  --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB  Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX  --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Would you eat 2kg of durian in one go to sell a batch of the fruit? How about yapping for eight hours straight to hit your sales numbers? Live-streaming is booming, and for some, it looks like an easy gig with easy money. But seasoned live-sellers say the market is saturated and only the top sellers get high commissions. In this episode of The Usual Place, Natasha chats with social media personality Xiaxue (@xiaxue) and fellow live-streamer Yin Peiying (@officially.poopa) about the reality of selling on platforms like TikTok or Shopee. We talk about banned words, “violations” that can hurt your viewership numbers, and why not every live-seller makes it big. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:45 Most extreme thing Peiying has done on a livestream 3:49 Why did live streaming get so big? 7:14 Why merchants give huge discounts 11:15 Can you sell anything in a live stream? 13:55 No idea if I’m a good live streamer: Xiaxue 26:04 $20k-$30k commission possible, but outlier 34:33 Why live streamers are treated differently from influencers 41:18 Does live streaming encourage drama? 45:26 Uneven rules on who gets flagged: Xiaxue 48:50 The words that you can’t say on a stream 51:10 Is the “limited stock” warning always true? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected]) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast  Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: [email protected] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After 16 years at McDonald's, Chagee APAC CMO shares how Chinese companies operate differently in the global arena Synopsis: Conversations and interviews that give you something to think about. Each Wednesday, In Your Opinion speaks to thinkers, leaders, and the people shaping our lives and the issues of the day. What does it take to turn a Chinese tea chain into a global brand? And what can China's new generation of consumer companies learn from the likes of McDonald's and Starbucks? Eugene Lee has seen both sides of the divide. After 16 years at McDonald's, where he rose to become international chief marketing officer, he joined Shanghai-headquartered Chagee as its Asia-Pacific chief marketing officer in 2025. In this conversation with The Straits Times’ senior columnist Tan Dawn Wei, Lee describes the culture shock of moving from an 86-year-old American multinational to a fast-moving young Chinese company, where ideas can become reality within days. He explains how Chagee uses automation, standardisation and lessons borrowed from competitors to expand rapidly, and why building emotional connections with consumers matters as much as selling a good product. He also addresses Chagee’s falling market valuation, slowing sales and the risk of becoming another passing fad in the food and beverage industry. Beyond tea, the conversation explores China's remarkable transformation from the world's factory into a creator of increasingly ambitious - and desirable - global brands. Highlights (click/tap above):  2:40 A culture shock from McDonald’s to Chagee 5:12 The Chinese lack of fear of failure 15:01 Becoming “the Starbucks of tea” 18:26 The secret behind scaling a business quickly 23:14 How Chagee localises for different markets 28:19 Is Chagee expanding faster than consumer demand can keep up? 31:15 Taking lessons from other successful Chinese F&B brands  34:05 Will Chagee be yet another F&B fad? 39:57 The influx of Chinese retail brands to Singapore and the anxiety it brings  42:50 How China is building global brands Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH Host: Tan Dawn Wei ([email protected]) Produced and edited by: Teo Tong Kai Executive producers: Danson Cheong & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV YouTube: https://str.sg/GjMT Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can Singapore balance economic survival & climate action as ASEAN chair in 2027?  As Singapore prepares to take over the ASEAN chairmanship in 2027, the region faces a delicate balancing act between economic uncertainties and climate action. According to recent regional survey data from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, many in Southeast Asia are prioritising economic survival, inflation, and recession fears over climate action. But with pressing issues like transboundary haze, coal phase-outs, and rising energy costs, how can Singapore use its leadership to align economic resilience with green initiatives? In this episode, Green Pulse host Audrey Tan sits down with veteran diplomat and climate researcher Sharon Seah. They explore the real power and limits of the ASEAN chair, how the long-awaited ASEAN Power Grid could unlock regional energy security, and why framing climate solutions around economic survival, such as carbon credits and peatland restoration, is the key to uniting the region. Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:03 The power and limits of the ASEAN chair 2:55 When cutting emissions becomes crossing a red line 4:05 How can Singapore as ASEAN chair balance economy and climate change issues 6:21 Singapore as a technocratic chair v consensus builder 8:13 Can ASEAN cooperate on haze issues?   12:17 Unlocking carbon credits through peatland conservation 15:59 Economy and climate change - can ASEAN 2027 balance both? 17:36 ASEAN power grid, microgrid and financing hurdles 22:43 Plans to adapt to climate change 26:02 Impacts of Iran war and Trump at ASEAN in Nov 2026  31:40 Could ASEAN negotiate as a unified voice at COP? 33:10 Why everyday citizens should care about ASEAN Summits Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 Host: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producer: Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast every Tuesday as we discuss how environmental issues intersect with business, politics and society: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag YouTube: https://str.sg/fapS Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7  Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts  --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Labubus, blind boxes, bubble tea. Why do we keep buying things we don’t need? In this episode, Kai Wen and Sue-Ann discuss why people buy trendy but “useless” things as a way to treat themselves. Is there a limit to how much a person can spend before it becomes indulgent? Find out about the “little treat” economy, and why people sometimes shift their spending towards small luxuries when bigger purchases start feeling out of reach. Highlights (click/tap above): 0:00 Introduction to treating yourself and small joys 4:37 "Little treats" vs major life milestones  9:30 Doom spending, instant gratification, and the "little treat” economy 15:10 Balancing present enjoyment with long-term financial security 19:12 Underconsumption core vs collecting and hoarding 23:20 Practical budgeting strategies Follow See Kai Wen on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/qfwqQ Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa Hosts: See Kai Wen ([email protected]) and Sue-Ann Tan ([email protected]) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim and Yang Jiesan Cruz Executive producer: Elizabeth Law Follow the Headstart On Record Podcast here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 YouTube: https://str.sg/3psqrx Feedback to: [email protected] Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties. --- #headstart See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

East Malaysia’s assertiveness and fiscal demands are growing. This is reshaping its federal relationship with Putrajaya. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the hottest political and trending talking points in Malaysia. For our October episode, ST's Malaysia bureau chief Shannon Teoh and host Zurairi A.R. are joined by Dr Arnold Puyok, deputy director at the Institute of Borneo Studies at Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and visiting fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute. Highlights (click/tap above): 03:50: Budget 2027 allocations for Sabah and Sarawak and whether funds bridge development gaps 08:20: Changing expectations in Sarawak: Moving from federal funding amounts to financial autonomy and decision-making 13:25: Political calculus of Budget 2027: Securing the Borneo vote bloc ahead of general elections 21:30: Sarawak's regional assertiveness, and the question of effective autonomy amid secession call 30:30: Federal establishment and Putrajaya's uneasy dynamic with East Malaysian resource push 34:10: Personalistic politics in Borneo: Why individual leadership matters more than party brands 38:50: News nugget: Syed Saddiq and Bella Astillah's viral future-focused betrothal gifts Read more: In the final lap, Malaysia’s PM Anwar returns to base with reformist budget: https://str.sg/EpEu  From colonial-era crests to its own airline, a founding partner redraws its place in Malaysia: https://str.sg/dDuM  Malaysian politician Syed Saddiq and singer-actress Bella Astillah tie the knot: https://str.sg/AUTN Read Zurairi A.R.’s articles: https://str.sg/DCfr  Read Shannon Teoh's articles: https://str.sg/wzyK  Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz  Host: Zurairi A.R. ([email protected])   Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX  YouTube: https://str.sg/rF3qR  Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Amid fears that the war on Iran could worsen after the US mid-term polls, a question: Is Tehran overplaying its hand? Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode he speaks with Prof. Vali Nasr, the globally renowned expert on Iran and Middle East about where the War on Iran is currently, and what lies ahead.  Ravi and Vali also discuss US failure to protect its Gulf allies, the Houthi attacks that have pushed Saudi Arabia to the back foot, how Israel is rearranging the region, and chances of the war turning into a global conflict. Highlights (click/tap above) 08:00 A bigger war after US mid-terms? 13:00 What if Trump nukes Iran? 22:00 Tehran’s lessons from North Korea 25:00 Houthis, and a Saudi ‘Vietnam’ 35:00 Time to think of a post-US Middle East 41:00 Gulf rivalries will sharpen 45:00 Israel’s rearranging the region 50:00 Hard lessons for East Asia Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz  Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected]) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani & Amirul Karim Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX  YouTube: https://str.sg/rF3qR  Feedback to: [email protected] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsider See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singapore’s Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) has been criticised for being toothless, but is that criticism fair? And if the anti-haze law is not working, can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice? As Singapore finds ways to tackle its worst haze crisis in over a decade, Scott Tan, a partner in the International Arbitration practice of Rajah & Tann, says diplomacy - not litigation - would be a more durable solution to this perennial problem. In this episode, he joins Audrey Tan, assistant news editor at The Straits Times and host of ST’s environment podcast, Green Pulse, to talk about why Singapore’s anti-haze law has been criticised, and whether that’s warranted. We also chat about other possible ways to penalise haze-causing companies and how consumers can put pressure on such firms. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:57 What’s unique about the THPA? 7:24 Is the THPA ‘toothless’? 12:48 The “Asean way” of handling the haze 15:52 Getting banks to stop financing polluters 18:50 Can Singapore take Indonesia to the International Court of Justice? 23:25 The Government’s response: now vs 2015 29:03 Does the soft diplomatic approach work? 31:46 Addressing the root cause: peatlands and cash crops 33:39 Will climate change make the haze worse? Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah ([email protected]) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://str.sg/8KNT Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG:   / theusualplacepodcast  Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh & Yang Jiesan Cruz Executive producer: Danson Cheong Producers: Natasha Ann Zachariah, Elizabeth Law & Zachary Lim Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast Feedback to: [email protected] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX -- #tup #tuptr See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.