The Business Times

BT Lens On

News EN ↓ 577 episodes

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

Korea Freezes Rates, Taiwan-China tensions; Singapore Expands Africa Ties 25.11.2025 5:12

Headline news for November 25, 2025: US judge tosses high-profile case against Comey as France battles budget chaos. Asia watches Taiwan–China tensions and Korea’s rate pause, while Singapore expands diplomatic reach and steps up its mosquito-control programme. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monte...

US Shutdown Bite Grows; Asia Focuses on Trade, Tech 24.11.2025 4:48

Headline news for November 24, 2025: Washington and Kyiv refine a new peace framework as the US counts the economic cost of its shutdown. Vietnam’s housing crunch, revived Canada-India trade talks, and Singapore boosts digital safety tools. 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 )&...

Japan Slumps, Korea’s Chips Hold, Singapore Stands Firm 21.11.2025 5:03

Headline news for November 21, 2025: Asia markets sink as global tech jitters return, Japan’s factory slump drags on, as South Korea’s chip exports hold firm. Singapore upgrades 2025 growth and narrows NODX forecasts amid cooling global momentum. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@s...

Middle East Strikes, UK Consumer Slump; SGX–Nasdaq Pact Takes Shape 20.11.2025 5:03

Headline news for November 20, 2025: Regional markets watch fresh Middle East tensions, UK consumer gloom and US legislative infighting, Malaysia’s time-zone debate, and Singapore pushes dual listings and accelerated MRT upgrade closures. 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 )&nb...

Japan Warns Citizens in China; South Korea Backs UAE AI Campus 19.11.2025 4:46

Headline news for November 19, 2025: Fresh geopolitical strain as Japan warns citizens in China, South Korea signs on to a UAE-led AI mega-campus, and Singapore urges deeper China ties amid global shifts, against a backdrop of US political turbulence. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com....

Japan–China Rift Widens, Ringgit Climbs, HK Lenders Face Property Stress 18.11.2025 4:46

Headline news for November 18, 2025: UN backs the Gaza plan, rising UK refugee tensions, China blocking Japanese films, RBA policy ambiguity, a stronger ringgit, Hong Kong’s property strain, and higher ERP charges in 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 )  Produce...

Tariffs Drag Japan Into Decline While Singapore’s Export Engine Roars Back 17.11.2025 4:46

Headline news for November 17, 2025: Asia opens the week on a mixed note as Japan slips into contraction, Bangladesh faces political unrest, and Singapore posts a surge in exports with markets watching U.S.–China rare-earth talks. 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 )  Prod...

Asia Slides on Fed Jitters as Japan Retools Workforce, Singapore Housing Dips 14.11.2025 4:46

Headline news for November 14, 2025: Asian stocks slid as Fed hawks dashed rate-cut hopes, while Japan faces a wave of early retirements and Thailand’s economy slows. Singapore’s HDB resale market slumps to its lowest sales since 2020. 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 )...

Asia Opens Balanced as Japan Slows Hikes, Malaysia Poised for Strong Q3 13.11.2025 4:52

Headline news for November 13, 2025: Asia markets steady as Japan signals patience on rate hikes and Malaysia readies upbeat GDP data. Singapore launches a new pandemic agency, while the U.S. inches toward ending its record shutdown. 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 )  Produce...

Asia Steadies as U.S. Gridlock Eases; Tensions Flare in South East Asia 12.11.2025 4:14

Headline news for November 12, 2025: Asia markets steady as the U.S. shutdown nears resolution. Deadly blasts shake India and Pakistan, while Malaysia eyes a cabinet reshuffle. Singapore urges pay hikes for lower-wage workers amid cautious economic optimism. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@s...

Shutdown Fallout, Fiscal Pivots, and Storm Recovery 10.11.2025 4:37

Headline news for November 10, 2025: The U.S. inches toward ending its 40-day shutdown as air travel chaos deepens. Asia grapples with storms and fiscal shifts, while Singapore sees rising insurance premiums and leadership renewal signals from PM Lawrence Wong. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( clarem...

Asia Keeps Calm Amid Global Ambition and Economic Crosswinds 07.11.2025 4:33

Headline news for November 7, 2025: Elon Musk secures record shareholder backing as Tesla eyes an AI future. President Trump courts Central Asia for critical minerals, Asia sees mixed economic signals, and OCBC posts steady earnings amid easing rates. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@sph.com....

US Flight Cuts and Tariff Showdown Escalate, Singapore Banks Slide 06.11.2025 4:43

Headline news for November 6, 2025: US flight cuts deepen shutdown chaos as Supreme Court debates Trump’s tariff powers. Australia flags risky retirement advice. Japan’s services sector stays strong. DBS and UOB profits drop amid macro headwinds. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro ( claremb@s...

US Stocks Dip as Shutdown Continues and Russia-Ukraine Keep Fighting 05.11.2025 4:05

The Russian-Ukraine war stretches into 4th year; Aus adds more platforms to social media ban for teens; US government shutdown the longest and US stocks dip.  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 edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Busin...

Chinese PMI Slips, Indonesia Grows, and Singapore’s Grab Beats Forecast 04.11.2025 3:40

Headline news for November 4, 2025: President Trump’s administration outlines a partial funding plan for November’s food-aid benefits amid the US government shutdown. China’s factory growth slows. Indonesia likely grows in Q3, while South Korea’s inflation accelerates. In Singapore, Grab upgrades earnings forecast as manufacturing hovers at neutral. Synopsis: A round up of...

EV Boom in Singapore, Factory Slowdown in South Korea 03.11.2025 3:31

Headline news for November 3, 2025: Former President Obama rallies Democrats in key US governor races, Mr Trump warns China over Taiwan, South Korea’s factory activity contracts, and Singapore’s electric vehicle adoption 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 ( claremb@sph...

Flights Delayed, Refugees Curbed, Markets Watching China-US Thaw 31.10.2025 3:34

Headline news for October 31, 2025: Trump Administration caps US refugee admissions at a record low, China and US agree to a trade truce, and Singapore joins Chile and New Zealand in green trade pact talks. 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 edited by: Claressa M...

Israel Strikes Continue, Youngest Dutch PM, SG-Vietnam MOC 30.10.2025 3:20

Headline news for October 30, 2025: Israel continues its strikes on Gaza even though it maintains commitment to the ceasefire; Samsung posts profits; Singapore and Vietnam sign an agreement on rice trade and the Fed cuts rates. 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...

Senate Pushback, Dutch Vote and Singapore’s Trade Watch 29.10.2025 4:09

Headline news for October 29, 2025: The U.S. Senate moves to overturn President Trump’s Brazil tariffs, Dutch voters head to the polls, Australia’s inflation jumps, markets await a Fed rate cut, and Singapore eyes clarity on US semiconductor tariffs.   Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro...

ASEAN-China Boost Trade Ties; Gold Slips, Amazon Trims Workforce 28.10.2025 3:34

ASEAN-China Boost Trade Ties; Gold Slips, Amazon Trims Workforce Headline news for October 28, 2025: President Trump meets Japan’s new PM on trade and security, ASEAN and China upgrade their free trade pact, Amazon cuts 30,000 jobs, gold prices dip, and Singapore–Thailand reaffirm bilateral ties. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Wr...

Wall Street Advances, Trump and Xi Will Meet, Putin Defiant, SG Inflation Up 24.10.2025 3:23

Headline news for October 24, 2025: Putin remains defiant in the face of oil cuts; North Korea pledges allegiance to Russia; Singapore's inflation is up, as is gold prices and Wall Street. 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 edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced b...

US Hits Russian Oil, North Korea Tests New Weapons and Tesla Up 23.10.2025 3:42

Headline news for October 23, 2025: Q3 earnings season is underway; gold prices keep falling; North Korea tests hypersonic weapons and the US sanctions Russia’s largest oil companies. 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 edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced...

Gold and Silver Drop, Cancelled Summits and Military Threats 22.10.2025 3:42

Headline news for October 22, 2025: Gold and silver prices tumble; Russia delays summit with the US and PM Wong congratulates the Japanese PM. 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 edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times , SPH Media...

Platinum Prices Soar, US and Oz Minerals Deal and Oil Dips 21.10.2025 3:38

Headline news for October 21, 2025: Oil prices settle at their lowest since early May; platinum prices jump more than 10%; US envoys meet Israeli PM and the US and Australia sign critical minerals agreement. 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 edited by: Claressa...

US-Russia to Talk, Gold Soars, China Chastises US 17.10.2025 3:34

Headline news for October 17, 2025: Gold hits new highs for fourth straight session; China accuses US of stoking panic and US and Russia agree to meet. 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 edited by: Claressa Monteiro Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times ,...