BT Lens On

Update on the New Year's attack in New Orleans, Tesla's decline in deliveries, South Korea's political turmoil, China's probable interest rate cuts and Singapore's rainy forecast. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited...

An Israeli airstrike in Gaza, Romania and Bulgaria joining the Schengen free-travel area, South Korea's flexible monetary policy, Singapore's fourth-quarter economic growth, and stocks to watch like Nio and SingPost.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer...

The passing of former US President Jimmy Carter, a deadly airline crash in South Korea, Japan's manufacturing sector stabilising, and discounts in Singapore's FairPrice Group. Asian markets show mixed performance. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann C...

Chinese workers are victims of human trafficking in Brazil. Asian stocks wobble as investors eye 2025's interest rates. In Australia, two sailors die in a boat incident. India mourns the death of Dr. Manmohan Singh. Singapore public transport fares rise. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.c...

A cyberattack on Japan Airlines, deadly Israeli strikes on Gaza, Taiwan's defense budget cut amid Chinese threats, a fatal plane crash in Kazakhstan, and financial crime investigations against a Singaporean billionaire in Bangladesh.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  R...

Russia’s Vladimir Putin meets Slovak PM as Russian gas contract nears expiry, Trump supports TikTok in the US, and Asian stocks rally post-US inflation data. Singapore Post fires three senior executives over whistle-blower complaint, and local stocks rise.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (...

A failed US spending bill leading to potential government shutdown, Japan's rising inflation, ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, Australia's funding for Solomon Islands' police, and Singapore's focus on NRIC numbers.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engin...

US interest rate cuts, Ukrainian security talks, a potential Israel-Hamas agreement, Hong Kong's interest rate adjustment, and rising certificate of entitlement prices in Singapore. Yeo Hiap Seng announces layoffs.   Snopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer:...

Intensified Russian attacks on Ukraine, efforts to revive the Iran nuclear deal, worsening German business sentiment, Australia's budget concerns, and profitability challenges for Singapore's digital banks.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Ch...

Are you ready for the future of work? Singapore's new guidelines on flexible work arrangements require employers to establish a process for employee requests. It’s not just about ditching the commute, it's also about flexi-time and even sharing your job. But are these changes a way forward for better work-life balance, or a career risk? Claressa Monteiro dives into the complexities of flexi-...

Donald Trump's upheld conviction, Germany's early election, a mass grave in Syria, Anwar Ibrahim appoints Thaksin Shinawatra as his personal adviser, anticipated salary increments in Singapore, and Singapore stock updates. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer...

Germany's political turmoil, US dollar performance, Bitcoin's record high, violent conflicts in Gaza, South Korea's presidential impeachment, and Singapore's rise in arrests related to immigration offenses.   Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann C...

An Israeli strike in Gaza, US arms aid to Ukraine, Russian support for a Christmas ceasefire in Ukraine, China's reaction to Philippine actions in the South China Sea, and its plans for economic stimulus. In Singapore, property agent regulations are under review.   Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro...

Taiwan's diplomatic efforts, a Ukrainian drone strike in Chechnya, a pivotal change in Syria, Australia's surprising jobless rate drop, South Korea's political tensions, and Singapore's town council ratings.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann C...

Potential new US sanctions on Russia just before Trump's return, France's political upheaval, Syria's new transitional government, China's increased naval activity, and Singapore's improving adult skills.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)  Recording engineer: Joann Chai P...

Taiwan signs an inaugural trade deal with the US. The UN tackles Syria's crisis. India investigates Starlink's illegal use in a major meth bust. Korea's President Yoon faces legal scrutiny. Singapore shows strong hiring trends in transport and logistics. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.c...

Syrian rebels have seized Damascus, US President-elect Trump comments on Federal Reserve leadership, and South Korea faces political turmoil. In Asia, Indonesia's opposition wins Jakarta's gubernatorial race. Locally, Singapore's East-West Line progresses on track work. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( cl...

Global headlines include the resignation of the French prime minister, Boeing's legal challenges, a deliberate fire at a Melbourne synagogue, and political unrest in South Korea. In local news, retail sales in Singapore show an uptick.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engi...

Highlights include France's political turmoil, rising oil prices ahead of an OPEC+ meeting, South Korea's impeachment motion, and leadership changes in Singapore's People’s Action Party.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced and edited by...

Lens on Singapore is now bigger and better. The same deep dive exploration of socio-economic and geopolitical issues which impact our lives here in Singapore and the region is now a video podcast. If watching a conversation is your thing, join Claressa Monteiro in monthly conversations about things that matter. Subscribe to the BT Lens On playlist in the podcasts tab of The Business Times YouTube...

Russia-US tensions at the UN, Trump’s legal battles, and political instability in South Korea. In Asia, tensions rise between China and the Philippines. In Singapore, a fugitive tycoon is captured.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Produced an...

Discussions on US and Ukrainian defense, Taiwan's Trans-Pacific trade concerns, Australia's significant government spending, US restrictions on Chinese semiconductor companies, and Malaysia's decision on water agreements with Singapore. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engi...

Protests in Georgia over EU membership suspension, US President Biden pardons his son Hunter, New Zealand confirms highly pathogenic avian influenza, and Singapore's Gift-A-Family initiative empowers vulnerable families.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Cha...

Russia unleashes its second big attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure this month; US President Joe Biden hopes President-elect Donald Trump would rethink his plan to impose tariffs on Mexico and Canada and wages in Singapore increased and inflation eased in 2024. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( clare...

French judges to rule on Marine Le Pen's misappropriation case; Biden's $725 million weapons package for Ukraine; Taiwan's air defense drill amidst tensions with China; PM Lawrence Wong's visit to Bangkok. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com.sg )  Recording engineer: Joann Chai Pei Chieh Prod...