Has the Singapore dream become harder to reach?

ICC Judges Sue Trump, Japan Hit by Earthquake and Oil Falls

Headline news for June 25, 2026: Three International Criminal Court judges sue President Trump in Manhattan, calling his sanctions a financial death penalty. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes northern Japan this morning with no casualties reported but Shinkansen services suspended. Oil falls to its lowest level since the Iran war began as more tankers prepare to exit the Strait of Hormuz.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg]) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Has the Singapore dream become harder to reach?

By many measures, Singapore continues to perform strongly economically. Yet some Singaporeans feel their personal aspirations are becoming more difficult to realise. In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks with Professor Wei-Jun Jean Yeung, director of Social Sciences at A*STAR Institute for Human Development and Potential (A*STAR IHDP), and Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences. From unpacking the idea of the broad middle class to examining falling birth rates, they explore the factors shaping perceptions of the Singapore Dream today. Highlights of the conversation:  01:49 Problems with the middle class concept 03:45 Shifting expectations of what success is 09:13 Singapore’s low fertility rate 15:33 The cause of rising financial pressures --- Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg [btpodcasts@sph.com.sg]. We’ll look into it for future episodes. --- Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg]) With Professor Wei-Jun Jean Yeung, director of Social Sciences, A*STAR Institute for Human Development and Potential (A*STAR IHDP); and Walter Theseira, associate professor, Singapore University of Social Sciences Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro Producer: Nicole Teo Coordinating producer: Chai Pei Chieh Video production: Studio +65 A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Lens On and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt [https://bt.sg/btcobt] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Congress Rebukes Trump on Iran, Peace Talks Story Unravels and Asian Markets Bounce Back

Headline news for June 24, 2026: Both chambers of Congress have passed a war powers resolution directing President Trump to end the Iran war though it carries no binding legal force. The US and Iran offer conflicting accounts of what was agreed in Switzerland, casting doubt on the peace framework. Asian markets bounce back after Wall Street's tech-led selloff.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg]) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Iran Sanctions Waived, SpaceX Loses US$6 Billion in Three Days and Malaysia's Rulers Meeting Is Called Off

Headline news for June 23, 2026: The US formally waives Iran sanctions as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz resumes but full oil flow recovery could take until December. SpaceX shares fall sixteen per cent in a single session, wiping out more than six hundred billion US dollars over three days. Malaysia's Conference of Rulers is cancelled at the last minute.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg]) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Fragile Diplomacy, Nervous Markets, and Fresh Investment in Singapore

Headline news for June 22, 2026: As US-Iran peace talks enter a critical phase, investors remain wary of the risks to global energy supplies and economic stability. Closer to home, Singapore's currency outlook remains resilient, while AI firm Databricks signals continued confidence in the Republic with plans for a major expansion.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg [claremb@sph.com.sg]) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Howie Lim Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities --- Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on: Channel: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] Amazon: bt.sg/lensam [http://bt.sg/lensam] Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap [http://bt.sg/lensap] Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp [http://bt.sg/lenssp] YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt [http://bt.sg/lensyt] Website: bt.sg/lenson [http://bt.sg/lenson] Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.  Discover more BT podcast series: BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt [https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt]  WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt [https://bt.sg/btpropertybt] PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks [https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks] BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus [https://bt.sg/btmktfocus] BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts [https://bt.sg/podcasts] BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson [http://bt.sg/btlenson] See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.