Want a dress ironed? A facial? A shirt darned? Or perhaps a coffee freshly brewed, right on your doorstep? Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s global correspondents about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. More services are being offered by Indonesians on motorcycles and bicycles. Mr Subban has a sewing machine affixed to the table in front of his bicycle. Madam Desri Muliati irons clothes on a motorcycle, using a steam ...
Dec 05, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 10
The US’ President-elect inherits a world different from that in his first term. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Tariffs - as a weapon to restore and rejuvenate American jobs and manufacturing - will be back with a vengeance in Donald Trump’s second term. So will competition with China, in the course of which performative support for Taiwan by hawks in Congress and Washington DC securi...
Nov 28, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 9
While there is concern over trade policy, US investors remain bullish on business with Asean. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. With President-elect Donald Trump intent on using tariffs as a weapon - with the larger strategy of rejuvenating American manufacturing - there is concern that the US could retaliate against countries that have a big trade surplus with the United States. Within...
Nov 21, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 8
We examine the impact of the recent US presidential election result. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ associate foreign editor Lim Ai Leen and senior columnist Lin Suling meet up in the studio with Bhagyashree Garekar, The Straits Times’ United States bureau chief who covered the US presidential election all year long, and is back in Singapore for a short break. In this episode, they discuss how Bhagya arrived at her early prediction of a Trump win before the Nov 5 election, how Trump played to the ...
Nov 15, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Its warren of underground bunkers and tunnels, which sheltered the city’s residents during the heavy bombing of the Second Sino-Japanese war, are turned into lifestyle destinations today. Synopsis: The Straits Times chats with ST’s global correspondents about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. Chongqing bears a grim wartime history. As China’s wartime capital which Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang government decamped to in 1937, it was heavily bombed during the Sec...
Oct 31, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Political upheaval in Japan as its snap elections see the ruling party lose its majority, reshaping its ties with the US and Asia. Synopsis: Join The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the Asian continent. In this episode, Ravi speaks with Tobias Harris, founder of political risk consultancy Japan Foresight on the fallout from the stunning electoral reverses suffered by Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba following his deci...
Oct 29, 2024•25 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Unless one candidate wins swing states decisively, a quick settlement is unlikely in America’s cliffhanger election. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. The United States’ presidential election, which polls show is currently in a statistical tie, is unlikely to be settled quickly unless one candidate decisively wins enough swing states - which remains a possibility. Short of that however,...
Oct 24, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Navigating the US election scene - from Trump's rise to economic worries and the shifting tides of masculinity in politics. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ assistant foreign editor Clement Tan catches up with US bureau chief Bhagyashree Garekar to share her insights into the US presidential elections on Nov 5, 2024. Clement Tan speaks with Bhagyashree Garekar, ST’s US bureau chief, about her experiences covering the US elections. They discuss the changes in American society, the rise of Trump, and ...
Oct 22, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1
US trade policy and US-China competition concerns are high on the minds of South-east Asia observers. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Hardening strategic competition with China will remain front and centre of the foreign policy focus of the next US Administration in Washington DC. But while Asian countries have a mixed response to this superpower competition, most seek to stay on the ...
Oct 17, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Some are holding fast to their mother tongue, even with migration overseas, and are coming up with creative ways to spread the learning and use of Cantonese. Synopsis: The Straits Times chats with ST’s global correspondents about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. Want to pick up Cantonese? Some Hong Kongers - from a software engineer to a playgroup teacher based in Britain - have created new ways of learning the Chinese dialect such as through apps, videos and...
Oct 03, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Why action is needed to avoid some countries being labelled as 'scam states'. Synopsis: Every third and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. With their heavy security, territorial control and global reach, we look at South-east Asia’s industrial-size scam compounds, where thousands are lured from low-employment countries to work as forced labour stealing billions of dolla...
Sep 26, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 114
The seasoned Singapore diplomat is bullish on India and Asean but says the US should not be underestimated. Synopsis: Every third and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Veteran Singapore diplomat Kishore Mahbubani, never shy about sharing his views, is bullish on India and Asean, believes China will not invade Taiwan unless the island declares independence - and warns t...
Sep 19, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 113
Revered as soldiers, the Gurkhas are Nepalis who are recruited into the British Army, the Singapore Police, the Indian Army, and recently, even the Russian army. Synopsis: Join The Straits Times' senior columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the Asian continent. In this episode, Ravi speaks with one of the most highly decorated officers of the Indian Army, retired Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan, on the future of Gurkhas, the famous warriors from the hill trib...
Sep 12, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 34
The bitter aftertaste though, is the story of how Chinese Indians are struggling to fit in. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. There is a popular sauce in India, which involves massive amounts of green chillies, salt and Indian spices such as turmeric. And it is sold as a Chinese sauce, in Kolkata’s Chinatown. From paneer chi...
Sep 05, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Aggression from China is driving Manila and Washington closer, spurring a loose coalition against Beijing. Synopsis: Every third and fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Despite talks between China and the Philippines regarding resupply of the small contingent of Philippine marines aboard the World War II era ship Sierra Madre which Manila had grounded on the disputed Sec...
Aug 22, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 112
ST sports reporters and the SG bronze medalist look back at memorable moments in the Paris Olympics. Synopsis: The Straits Times tackles the talking points in sport every second Wednesday of the month. History was made on Aug 9, 2024, when kitefoiler Maximilian Maeder became Singapore’s youngest Olympic medallist after he clinched a bronze in the Formula Kite event. In this episode, ST's sports reporter Deepanraj Ganesan is joined by assistant sports editor Rohit Brijnath and sports corresponden...
Aug 13, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 19
We chat with Mayank Chhaya, Chicago-based veteran chronicler of the Indian diaspora, on Kamala Harris’s appeal and chances in the upcoming Nov 5 US presidential election. Synopsis: Join The Straits Times' senior columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. In this episode, Ravi speaks with the veteran journalist, author and broadcaster Mayank Chhaya, a former staffer with India Post in California and India Abroad, New York, on the rise in US p...
Aug 07, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Hengdian, in Zhejiang province, is booming as the location set for two-thirds of China’s period dramas. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s global correspondents about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. They come with stars in their eyes, hoping to become the next Fan Bingbing or Jackson Yee. In Hengdian, they put their names down and hope to be picked - to deliver a line, to stand next to an actor, or even just to be a ...
Aug 01, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Hear why this policy is in jeopardy on several levels, including the risk of being outmanoeuvred and encircled by China in its near east. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. It may have been called a “forgotten” war - but the civil war in Myanmar triggered by the military’s February 2021 coup d’etat, has grave implications for India’s national security, a...
Jul 25, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 111
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry wants to take action to get people to return to brick-and-mortar stores. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. The Japanese are sentimental about bookstores, viewing them as precious communal spaces that do more than just sell books. And yet, fewer and fewer are going to these stor...
Jul 18, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Analysing this is our guest - Ambassador Peter Tesch, the veteran Australian diplomat and policy strategist. Synopsis: Join The Straits Times' senior columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. In this episode, Ravi speaks with the eminent Australian diplomat Peter Tesch, a former ambassador to Russia and Germany for his country as well as policy strategist for the Australian defence ministry. They discuss the recent Putin visits to North Kor...
Jul 11, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Our guest expert offers a striking insider look at what it was like to cover Donald Trump’s presidency, and lessons learnt from it. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Notwithstanding a conviction, and other cases against him, Donald Trump remains the frontrunner for the Republican nomination - and has a realistic chance of being elected President again i...
Jun 27, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 110
Our expert guest on what to expect on the external front from Modi 3.0, India’s challenges, and options. Synopsis: Join The Straits Times' senior columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. In this episode, Ravi speaks with the eminent foreign policy thinker C Raja Mohan, the noted scholar and close friend of India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. They discuss Indian foreign policy in the wake of the recent elections that returned Pr...
Jun 13, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 31
The affordable luxury of personalised car licence plates are proving an enduring and endearing avenue for self-expression in a changing Hong Kong Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. HEY YU, DREAMER, ADD OIL. The messages on Hong Kong's vanity car plates can draw nods of appreciation or chuckles for the city’s motorists. They c...
Jun 06, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Swiping for love used to be the way for millennials to find a connection, but there seems to be growing dating app disillusionment among the young. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives. Bernice Fong, Dhareeni Shanmugam and John Lim are three under-30s who have had different experiences with dating apps over the years. John, who runs a content agency, finds that with everyone having many options, he feels “like a piece of...
Jun 05, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 5
South-east Asian countries appreciate there is no strategic balance in the region without the US, so they will find ways to deal with whoever is in the White House. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. How South-east Asia - situated at the crossroads of Asia and the Pacific - sees and navigates growing tensions between China and the United States, is littl...
May 23, 2024•17 min•Season 1Ep. 109
Singapore’s most well-known OnlyFans creator Titus Low is slowly moving on from the platform that has brought him fame, money and drama. Lots of it. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives and digs deeper into issues of the day. Sitting down with The Usual Place’s host Natasha Ann Zachariah, Titus opens up about asking to work with his family’s business and pursuing his childhood dream of becoming a real estate agent. He sh...
May 15, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Hear from our guest expert on Singapore’s stakes in seeing a stable government rule the world’s fifth biggest economy. Synopsis: Join The Straits Times' senior columnist Ravi Velloor, as he distils his experience from four decades of covering the continent. The world’s most populous nation began voting on April 19 in a seven-phase election in which nearly one billion people are eligible to vote, with ballots set to be counted on June 4. In this episode, Ravi speaks with the political scientist A...
May 09, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 30
The rise of home bars in cities across China shows how young Chinese are craving for companionship but without having to invest in relationships. Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times chats with ST’s correspondents in the Asia-Pacific, the US and Europe, about life as it goes on, amid the screaming headlines and bubbling crises. #family-style bars is now a search term for listings of home bars, not just for first-tier cities Beijing and Shanghai, but also Zhengzhou in cent...
May 02, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong becomes Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15, 2024, when he succeeds current PM Lee Hsien Loong. Synopsis: The Straits Times’ Natasha Ann Zachariah explores contemporary societal choices and youth perspectives and digs deeper into issues of the day. The upcoming leadership transition - when Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong becomes Singapore’s fourth prime minister on May 15 - has ignited discussions about where Singapore goes from here. In particular...
May 02, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 3
