The Business Times

BT Lens On

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Catch up on the biggest news from around the world at the start of every business day with Lens on Daily. In Lens on Singapore, we take a monthly big picture look at current affairs, societal issues and government policies. Podcaster: BT PodcastsThe Business Times, SPH Media.

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The Business Times

Episodes

US Escalates on Venezuela as Japan Pushes Back on China 08.01.2026 3:43

Headline news for January 8, 2026: Washington escalates pressure on Venezuela’s oil trade and revives its Greenland push, as Japan pushes back against China’s export curbs, wage pressures deepen, and Singapore revamps food safety oversight. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com...

Greenland in Play as Asia Watches Closely 07.01.2026 3:50

Headline news for January 7, 2026: Washington revives its push for Greenland, Asia questions US power after Venezuela, markets shift as Saudi Arabia opens up, and Singapore’s Orchard Road faces its first major collective sale. 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 )  Produced...

Maduro Charged, Greenland Pushed Back, Southeast Asia Cracks Down 06.01.2026 4:00

Headline news for January 6, 2026: Maduro pleads not guilty after his U.S. arrest, Denmark rebuffs Trump’s Greenland ambitions, Indonesia criminalises unnotified protests, Malaysia promises term limits, and Britain’s inflation pressures return. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph...

A President Detained, Missiles Tested, and Classrooms Rewired 05.01.2026 3:34

Headline news for January 5, 2026: Washington’s seizure of Venezuela’s president jolts global politics, Russia protests, North Korea tests hypersonic missiles. Japan’s factories stabilise, and Singapore pushes generative AI into classrooms today. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( cla...

Power, Policing and Pressure Shape the Global Agenda 24.12.2025 4:21

Headline news for December 24, 2025: US courts block troop deployments at home, Syria deepens ties with Russia, Australia tightens gun laws, Washington readies chip tariffs on China, and Singapore outlines major transport upgrades for 2026. 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 ) ...

US Renews Arctic Push as Europe, Asia Grapple With Crisis and Control 23.12.2025 4:11

Headline news for December 23, 2025: President Trump revives Greenland ambitions and naval expansion, Syria de-escalates in Aleppo, France scrambles to fund government, Cambodia and Thailand reopen ceasefire talks, while Australia tightens gun laws. 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...

US Tightens Immigration, Australia Acts on Guns, Cambodia Talks 22.12.2025 4:05

Headline news for December 22, 2025: Washington hardens its immigration stance, Australia rewrites gun laws after a mass shooting, Southeast Asia scrambles to halt border fighting, China holds rates steady, and Singapore moves to shore up retirement savings. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@s...

A Sale for TikTok, Turmoil in Dhaka, and the BOJ’s Big Call 19.12.2025 4:18

Headline news for December 19, 2025: TikTok’s US buyer found, Syria–Kurdish talks race to an end-year deadline, Australia prepares a nationwide vigil after the Bondi shooting, Bangladesh erupts in protest, and Japan’s inflation steadies ahead of a pivotal BOJ decision. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim /...

Ukraine Presses Europe, Taiwan Arms Up and ASEAN Seeks Calm 18.12.2025 4:11

Headline news for December 18, 2025: Ukraine pushes Europe to unlock frozen Russian assets as Washington advances a major defence Bill; Taiwan secures a record U.S. arms package while ASEAN scrambles to calm Thai-Cambodian tensions, and Singapore extends essential-goods support. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa...

Strikes in England, Stumbles in Washington and Strategic Moves Across Asia 17.12.2025 4:50

Headline news for December 17, 2025: England’s doctors strike amid winter strain, Trump’s approval dips, and Warner Bros faces a pivotal takeover decision, while Asia sees carrier manoeuvres, a major Malaysian reshuffle, and stronger export readings from Japan and Singapore. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim /...

Ford’s EV Reversal, Europe’s Policy U-Turn and Border Clashes 16.12.2025 4:45

Headline news for December 16, 2025: Ford slashes its EV ambitions, Brussels retreats on its 2035 combustion-car ban, and border clashes escalate in Southeast Asia, as Japan edges toward a rare rate hike and Singapore inks major deals with China. 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 )&...

From Australia’s Tragedy to Asia’s Clashes: A World Strained on Multiple Fronts 15.12.2025 4:45

Headline news for December 15, 2025: Australia mourns deadly antisemitic shooting, Ukraine signals a major concession in peace talks, Thailand’s border conflict escalates, and Japan’s business sentiment climbs as Singapore employers brace for cautious pay rises in 2026. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Clare...

Strikes in Europe, Asia Shifts and Investors Hold Their Nerve 12.12.2025 4:52

Headline news for December 12, 2025: Political upheavals in Europe, sanctions pressure in Venezuela and early polls for Thailand, while Asian markets steady after the Fed’s cut and Singapore buyers chase smaller landed homes. 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 )  Produced...

Rate Cuts, Rising Tariffs and a Border on Edge 11.12.2025 4:52

Headline news for December 11, 2025: The Fed cuts rates again but signals restraint, US bombers fly with Japan, Mexico slaps tariffs on Asian imports, fighting flares on Thailand’s border, and Singapore trains with China in urban counter-terror drills. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@s...

From AI to Web3: Dubai’s model for a future economy 09.12.2025 21:42

Dubai is engineering its future with uncommon precision. In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks with Dr Marwan Al Zarouni, CEO of Artificial Intelligence at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, and Mohammad Alblooshi, CEO of DIFC Innovation Hub, to unpack how AI, governance and digital assets are being built into Dubai’s economic architecture.  From the D...

Peace Talks, Border Clashes and a High-Stakes Media Bidding War 09.12.2025 4:55

Headline news for December 9, 2025: Japan and China trade barbs as Ukraine revises its peace pitch, Thailand and Cambodia clash anew, media giants battle for Warner Bros, while Singapore hikes postal rates and cracks down on deceptive online retail tactics. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sp...

Ukraine, Gaza Peace Talks Edge Forward as Asian Tensions Resurface 08.12.2025 4:47

Headline news for December 8, 2025: Ukraine and Gaza peace talks inch forward, Hong Kong’s tightly controlled election draws thin turnout, Thai-Cambodian tensions flare again, Japan’s wage squeeze deepens ahead of a likely rate hike, and Singapore restores East-West Line services early. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by:...

Russia Courts India, Europe Eyes Crypto Risks as Asia Nabs Scam Fugitives 05.12.2025 4:26

Headline news for December 5, 2025: President Putin heads to India to shore up trade, Europe tightens crypto oversight, Britain and Norway deepen sub-hunting defence ties, Southeast Asia cracks down on scam networks, and Singapore and Malaysia advance long-standing bilateral projects. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Cl...

Pentagon Flags Messaging Lapses; US Eases Car Standards; Thai Asset Seizures 04.12.2025 4:55

Headline news for December 4, 2025: A Pentagon probe flags mishandled strike data, President Trump moves to weaken fuel economy rules, Hong Kong’s fire toll rises, Thailand seizes major scam assets, and GXS Bank job cuts. 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 )  Produced and...

Ukraine Talks Falter, Trump Scraps Autopen Acts, Japan Services Strengthen 03.12.2025 5:05

Headline news for December 3, 2025: U.S.–Russia talks fail to advance a Ukraine peace deal; President Trump scraps all President Biden autopen documents; Malaysia juggles China–U.S. pressures; Japan’s services stay resilient; and Singapore employers brace for hiring freezes and wage restraint. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. ...

Zero-Tariff Drug Pact, Macron’s China Visit, Asia’s Deadly Floods 02.12.2025 4:52

Headline news for December 2, 2025: US–UK strike a tariff-free pharma deal; Macron heads to China as Asian floods kill thousands; Hong Kong blaze triggers nationwide safety checks; Korea inflation holds steady while Australia and New Zealand signal steadier policy paths. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa M...

Netanyahu seeks Pardon, Hong Kong Outrage, China Slowdown 01.12.2025 5:09

Headline news for December 1, 2025: Netanyahu seeks a pardon as President Trump touts Ukraine peace prospects; Hong Kong reels after its deadliest fire; Sri Lanka faces catastrophic cyclone losses; China’s factories contract again as silver surges to record highs. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro...

Putin’s Ultimatum, UK Budget Backlash, Asian Economic Updates 28.11.2025 4:49

Headline news for November 28, 2025: Russia demands Ukrainian withdrawal to end the war, Britons pan Reeves’ budget, and France revives military service. Asia reels from Hong Kong’s deadly fire, while India’s growth and Japan’s inflation remain firm. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Mont...

Hong Kong Fire Tragedy Leads a Heavy Asia News Day 27.11.2025 5:09

Headline news for November 27, 2025: A deadly Hong Kong tower fire dominates regional headlines as Japan seeks to cool tensions with Beijing. South Korea holds rates. In Singapore CEOs outlast global peers, and new rules will curb near-full health-insurance coverage. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (...

Taiwan Signals Harder Line, Australia Inflation Surprises; SEZ Talks Advance 26.11.2025 5:00

Headline news for November 26, 2025: Bolsonaro starts a 27-year sentence as the Trump Administration leans on Beijing for bigger purchases. Taiwan’s defence splurge, hotter Australian inflation and Singapore–Malaysia SEZ progress, while MFA warns against travel to flooded Songkhla. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie...