The Straits Times Podcasts

How geopolitics is pushing manufacturers from China to South-east Asia and India. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 40 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode, Ravi hosts Mridula Iyer, Asia South Head of Services at Citi, the global financial services firm, on shifts in Asia’s supply chain and how it matters for ordinary people. They discuss how manufacturing is moving toward South-East Asia, which countries are gaining, and the US dollar’s continued dominance in trade settlement. They also discuss prospects for South Asia, where countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are seeing an increase in manufacturing activity. This episode is brought to you by Citi [https://www.citibank.com.sg/]. Highlights: (click/tap above) 1:45 Demystifying the supply chain; smartphones as examples 7:30 The shift to South-east Asia 9:12 How a financial institution such as Citi figures in supply chain, trade 11:07 "We have the globality of a global bank, but we're embedded like a local bank" 12:45 China’s export thrust to South-east Asia 14:10 Why Vietnam is booming 17:00 The tariff situation: India and South Asia 19:30 Dollar dominance even as supply chains shift Read more Citigroup - Singapore: https://www.citigroup.com/global/about-us/global-presence/singapore [https://www.citigroup.com/global/about-us/global-presence/singapore] Citigroup - Services: https://www.citigroup.com/global/businesses/services [https://www.citigroup.com/global/businesses/services] Citibank.com.sg: https://www.citibank.com.sg/ [https://www.citibank.com.sg/] Host: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg [velloor@sph.com.sg]) Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP [https://str.sg/3xRP] Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor [https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor] Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters [https://str.sg/stnewsletters] Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 [https://str.sg/JWa7]  Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 [https://str.sg/JWa8]  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX [https://str.sg/JWaX] Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg [podcast@sph.com.sg] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg [https://www.awedio.sg] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 [https://str.sg/wvz7] Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts [http://str.sg/stpodcasts] The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa [https://str.sg/4Vwsa] --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB [https://str.sg/icyB] Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX [https://str.sg/icyX] --- #STAsianInsider #STAI See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Hybrid work arrangements were once widely seen as the future of work, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic upended the daily grind we were used to. Synopsis: Join Natasha Ann Zachariah at The Usual Place every Thursday as she unpacks the latest current affairs with guests. Now, some businesses and employers appear to be changing course. Last week, the National University of Singapore raised eyebrows when it was reported that all full-time staff were required to work from the office five days a week, starting Oct 1. The move follows similar return-to-office mandates by big companies, both in Singapore and abroad, including Grab and Amazon. The discussion over where work should happen has been going on since the pandemic. However, if staff are pushing back on a full return, why do some employers still insist on moving ahead with these mandates? If returning to the office becomes a requirement, how should the workplace accommodate different work styles? In this episode of The Usual Place, I spoke with: * Ives Tay, a learning and development consultant who has experience with adult education, training quality assurance and workforce development, and * Nicole Chua, director in workplace consulting and People Strategy Lead in Asia-Pacific for global real estate services company JLL Highlights (click/tap above): 6:57 We can be productive in the office - and at home 9:12 WFH allows workers to break their day into focused blocks 13:52 Have the courage to speak with managers about policies 18:07 Are some ruining WFH for the rest? 19:45 Employees should be transparent about their movements 22:57 Government should address tensions over flexible work arrangements 29:31 Ensuring the WFH benefits remain 31:53 Is WFH short-changing fresh graduates? 35:27 Consequences for employers enforcing RTO measures Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg?ref=inline-articlenatashaz@sph.com.sg [natashaz@sph.com.sg?ref=inline-article]) Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/iSXm [https://str.sg/iSXm?ref=inline-article] Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this topic: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast?ref=inline-article] Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/v6DN [https://str.sg/v6DN?ref=inline-article] Filmed by: Studio+65 Edited by: Eden Soh, Teo Tong Kai and Chen Junyi Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis Editorial producer: Lynda Hong Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday: Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/5nfm [https://str.sg/5nfm?ref=inline-article] Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/9ijX [https://str.sg/9ijX?ref=inline-article] Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/cd2P [https://str.sg/cd2P?ref=inline-article] YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast [https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast?ref=inline-article] Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg?ref=inline-articlepodcast@sph.com.sg [podcast@sph.com.sg?ref=inline-article] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/?ref=inline-articlehttps://www.awedio.sg [https://www.awedio.sg/?ref=inline-article] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/wvz7 [https://str.sg/wvz7?ref=inline-article] Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts?ref=inline-articlehttp://str.sg/stpodcasts [http://str.sg/stpodcasts?ref=inline-article] The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/4Vwsa [https://str.sg/4Vwsa?ref=inline-article] --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB?ref=inline-articlehttps://str.sg/icyB [https://str.sg/icyB?ref=inline-article] Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX [https://str.sg/icyX] -- #tup #tuptr See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Buying new iPhones, wardrobe makeovers and single-use products have become social norms. But what happens to the old, replaced items?  Synopsis: Every second Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests. Annual launches like Apple’s iPhone have spurred the desire to own the latest piece of technology, as consumers face up to marketing tactics from smartphones to fast fashion.  Usually, older items that are replaced are being tossed away to make way for the new. What else can be done to the replaced items apart from sending them to the landfill?  In this episode, ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong examines whether we have a throwaway culture that’s grown despite years of public education and outreach and whether we are too quick to chuck stuff to make way for new ones. She also explores if the iPhone 17 is worth the upgrade from the iPhone 16.  Her guests are Mr Tan Ching Hwee, founder of myhalo, a platform allowing users to trade-in, repair, sell, and buy used digital devices; and Mr Lionel Dorai, executive director of Zerowaste SG, an NGO that advocates for Singapore to go zero waste through public education.  Highlights (click/tap above):  9:03 Upgrading from iPhone 16 to 17 12:53 Batteries in phones can be replaced 17:03 Pairing earbuds from different sets - does it work?  23:44 The repairing culture in curbing throwaways in fast fashion  31:46 How to decipher green washing tactics 35:34 Would CDC vouchers to subsidise repair costs encourage more to repair?  Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH [https://str.sg/w7sH] Host: Lynda Hong (lyndahong@sph.com.sg [lyndahong@sph.com.sg])  Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt [https://str.sg/w7Qt] Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb [https://str.sg/wukb] Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV [https://str.sg/w7sV] Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg [podcast@sph.com.sg] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg [https://www.awedio.sg/] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 [https://str.sg/wvz7] Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts [http://str.sg/stpodcasts] The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa [https://str.sg/4Vwsa] --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB [https://str.sg/icyB] Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX [https://str.sg/icyX] --- #inyouropinion See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Tune in for a discussion on whether there is an environmental and business case for Asia’s ocean crop. Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change. As discussions on the blue economy pick up, one particular area has garnered plenty of attention: Seaweed.  Environmental groups have pointed to the environmental benefits of restorative seaweed aquaculture, while investor interest in the crop has also grown. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN has also noted that seaweed production can generate socio-economic benefits to coastal communities.  But given the world’s long history of seaweed aquaculture, why has this crop suddenly gained so much attention? And what promise does this emerging area have for South-east Asia and its coastal communities? Host Audrey Tan chats with Mr Simon Davis, founder of seaweed biotechnology company Seadling, on this issue.  Highlights of conversation (click/tap above): 1:52 What accounts for the resurgence of interest in seaweed?  3:50 What are the environmental benefits of farming seaweed?  16:00 What are the challenges to scaling up seaweed farming?  19:48 How is Seadling working with farming communities to upskill them?  23:38 Are there negative environmental impacts of seaweed farms?  Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W [https://str.sg/848W] Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2 [https://str.sg/JLM2] Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy [https://str.sg/jcvy] Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu [https://str.sg/JLMu] Hosts: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg [audreyt@sph.com.sg]) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg [dfogarty@sph.com.sg]) Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops: Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf [https://str.sg/JWaf] Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY [https://str.sg/JWaY] Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag [https://str.sg/JWag] Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg [podcast@sph.com.sg] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg [https://www.awedio.sg] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 [https://str.sg/wvz7] Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts [http://str.sg/stpodcasts] The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa [https://str.sg/4Vwsa] --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB [https://str.sg/icyB] Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX [https://str.sg/icyX] --- #greenpulse See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Investing your CPF might be exciting, but ensure you have enough too for housing and retirement.  Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times. Retirement seems like ages away for a young person, and the CPF that accumulates can feel like money just sitting in a fund.  But what can we use CPF for? And should we all invest our CPF?   In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to use your CPF, whether for investment or housing needs.  Her guests are Angeline Teo from CPF Board and Gen Z undergrad Quang Long. 2:58 What are the different CPF accounts? 9:54 How do CPF savings grow?   11:50 Using CPF for housing 14:55 What CPF cannot be used for  16:28 How to invest your CPF 20:05 Other considerations when investing your CPF   Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa [https://str.sg/mvSa] Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X [https://str.sg/A86X] Host: Sue-Ann Tan (suetan@sph.com.sg [suetan@sph.com.sg]) Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here: Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m [https://str.sg/wB2m] Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3 [https://str.sg/wuN3] Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9 [https://str.sg/wBr9] Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg [podcast@sph.com.sg] Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl [http://str.sg/headstart-nl] SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg [https://www.awedio.sg] --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 [https://str.sg/wvz7] Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts [http://str.sg/stpodcasts] The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa [https://str.sg/4Vwsa] --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB [https://str.sg/icyB] Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX [https://str.sg/icyX] --- Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties. --- #headstart See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.