CNA938 Rewind

On today's (26 Oct) markets analysis on Open For Business, Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng speak  Abhilash Narayan, Investment Strategist, HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Oil prices are soaring, but freight rates are climbing even faster. What's driving the surge in shipping costs, and could consumers end up paying more for everyday essentials? Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng examine the pressures on global trade, supply chains and businesses across the region with Niki Frank, CEO, Asia Pacific, DHL Global Forwarding  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

As smartphones get more expensive, a NielsenIQ study found that new phone sales in Singapore fell nearly 14 per cent between 2023 and 2025, while retailers reported a rise in repairs. On TalkBack, Daniel Martin spoke to Johar Alkhatib, Owner of Pronto Arigato Repair Hub, about how easy it is to repair today’s smartphones, when repairs are worth the cost, and whether Singapore needs stronger...

In Business, Japan’s manufacturing growth slows, South Korea’s economy shows signs of an uneven recovery, and India sees strong interest in a major IPO. Back home, Singapore’s core inflation eased in September. Daniel Martin spoke to Louise Loo, Head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics, about these developments and the latest moves in Asian markets. See omnystudio.com/listener...

On The Ask on Singapore Today, renewed doubts over AI investments have triggered a sell-off in US tech stocks, with the Nasdaq recording its steepest daily fall since June. Daniel Martin spoke to Louise Loo, Head of Asia Economics at Oxford Economics, about whether the pressure could force Big Tech to cut spending, the risks for AI infrastructure firms and semiconductor suppliers, and what it coul...

As Indonesia sanctions companies linked to forest and land fires, questions remain over the causes of the haze affecting Singapore. Daniel Martin spoke to Associate Professor Yu Liya, an air quality science and environmental engineering expert from NUS’ Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, about the practice of slash and burn, why it continues, and its environmental and economi...

When a boss makes a mistake, how much difference can an apology really make? We explore what goes into a sincere workplace apology, why employees may expect more than words, and how taking responsibility can help build trust and accountability at every level of the workplace. Cheryl Goh speaks with Nat Fetalvero, Host of CNA's Work It podcast to find out more. See omnystudio.com/listener for priva...

Matcha may be everywhere right now, but there’s far more to it than lattes and desserts. Cheryl Goh speaks with Chai Karim, Principal of Gaia Lifestyle Group to explore the cultivars, growing regions and craft behind the tea, and how a new Star Vista atelier is bringing the journey from Shizuoka’s tea fields to the cup.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

AI is changing what employers look for, but not every new skill will carry the same value. We unpack which AI capabilities are in demand, where they could open up new opportunities, and how workers can stay relevant as jobs continue to evolve. Cheryl Goh speaks with Dr Blair Chapman, Chief Economist at SEEK to find out more.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mass demonstrations over rising food prices, expensive housing, stagnant wages and strained public services are spreading across parts of Europe. Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng unpack what's driving the unrest, why France has seen some of the most serious clashes and whether governments can address the underlying economic pressures with Julie Fette, Professor of French Studies, Rice University Se...

On today's (23 Oct) markets analysis on Open For Business, Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng speak with  Aadil Ebrahim, Group Head of Equities, Klay Group See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With natural gas supplying most of Singapore's electricity, the country is exploring imported biomethane as a lower-carbon alternative. But where will supplies come from, is existing infrastructure ready, and can imports scale up sustainably? Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng explore whether biomethane can strengthen Singapore's energy security while advancing its climate goals with Leanne Chew, Res...

In Business, South Korea holds interest rates steady and raises its growth outlook, while the Philippines announces a bigger-than-expected rate hike. Daniel Martin spoke to Desmond Chua, Investment Counselor at Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore, about these developments, oil supply concerns in the Middle East and the latest moves in Asian markets. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy...

The Ministry of Health has released N95 masks from its stockpile to retailers amid increased demand, despite earlier warnings about the risk of haze. On TalkBack, Daniel Martin spoke to Dr Rayner Tan, Assistant Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health and Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, and Vice-President of the Society of Behavioural Health Singapore, about why people may wait...

On The Ask on Singapore Today, Tesla and SpaceX are reportedly exploring a potential merger worth nearly US$5 trillion. Daniel Martin spoke to Desmond Chua, Investment Counselor at Citigold Private Client, Citibank Singapore, about how feasible a deal of this scale would be and what it could mean for the electric vehicle, AI, robotics and space industries. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i...

Police have warned of phishing scams involving fake SIMBA websites appearing as sponsored results on Google, with at least 62 cases reported since March. Daniel Martin spoke to David Alfred, Director and Co-Head of Data Protection, Privacy & Cybersecurity at Drew & Napier, and Co-Head and Programme Director of the Drew Data Protection & Cybersecurity Academy, about whether search engin...

In ‘Culture Club’, Melanie Oliveiro speaks with author Kasan Goh about his debut and semi-autobiographical novel “Billy, Seetoh & Co”. Goh discusses protagonist: Singaporean undergraduate Billy Chan, his Malaysian friend Seetoh and their colourful friends living penniless and homeless in London during the politically turbulent 1980s and early 1990s. See omnystudio.com/l...

Mental health conversations are becoming more open in Singapore, but stigma and barriers to seeking support remain. From the pressures facing young people to loneliness among older Singaporeans, mental health needs can vary across generations. Cheryl Goh explores where the gaps in understanding and acceptance still lie, how digital connectedness shapes our relationships, and what it takes to turn...

Pineapple on pizza is divisive enough. This one uses it three ways. At La Bottega Enoteca, Chef Antonio Miscellaneo is leaning into the debate with Antonio’s Nightmare, alongside his biggest menu refresh yet. Cheryl Goh gets into the ideas behind the new pizzas, handmade pastas, alcohol-free drinks and desserts, and how far he is willing to push Italian tradition with Chef Antonio Miscellane...

Singapore's labour market continues to grow, but 51 per cent of employers plan to moderate or freeze wages in 2027. Meanwhile, AI and data skills are in demand across all 14 functions and industries covered in PERSOL Singapore's latest Salary Guide, while specialised talent in banking, healthcare and sustainability continues to command a premium. Cheryl Goh speaks with Ken Tan, Head of Sales and S...

On today's (22 October) markets analysis on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman speak with Homin Lee, Senior Macro Strategist at Lombard Odier. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From laksa to chicken rice and wanton mee, Singaporeans love the familiar flavours of their favourite hawker dishes. But with 95 per cent consuming too much sodium, hawkers are being encouraged to make healthier food. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine why reducing sodium is difficult for food businesses, whether healthier recipes can still taste good and what it will take to change Singapore...

When a cloud provider goes down, banking services can grind to a halt. A recent Google Cloud outage has exposed the vulnerabilities of financial institutions relying on just a few major technology providers. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore why backup systems may not be enough, who should be held accountable when services fail, and whether Singapore's banks are prepared for similar disrupti...

Pokémon cards have evolved from childhood collectibles into a thriving trading scene in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, with enthusiasts spending thousands on rare and graded cards. Hairianto Diman and Andrea Heng explore what's driving the craze, how big the local community has become and whether rising prices are turning a nostalgic hobby into a speculative bubble with Darrell Tan, F...

A man was charged after allegedly using a concealed device to obtain customers’ bank card information at Mustafa Centre. Daniel Martin spoke to Professor Zhou Jianying, Centre Director of the iTrust Centre for Research in Cyber Security at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, about whether someone nearby can scan information from your wallet or phone, and how to protect yoursel...