Asian Insider

Why It Matters

Episode 7

Duration: 12:20 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

The Singapore summit on June 12 will go down in global history as the first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, and one which produced a denuclearisation deal.

Join host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong as he hosts three guests in this episode.

ST's Tan Tam Mei reported on the security arrangements for the summit, while Tiffany Fumiko Tay covered the hospitality plans.

Did North Korean leader Kim Jong Un bring his own chef and food to The St Regis Singapore, where he stayed? How did the summit venue - the Capella Singapore - ensure more neutral colours for flower arrangements? Why were thermal cameras placed within the 12ha of lush vegetation around the Capella?

Senior political correspondent Tham Yuen-C reported on what local authorities had to consider, to ensure a smooth and successful summit for both the US and North Korean delegations - right down to what would be considered visually equal treatment when it came to motorcade arrangements or the receiving party at the airport.

Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong and Ernest Luis

Feedback to: [email protected]   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 7

Duration: 12:20 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

The Singapore summit on June 12 will go down in global history as the first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader, and one which produced a denuclearisation deal.

Join host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong as he hosts three guests in this episode.

ST's Tan Tam Mei reported on the security arrangements for the summit, while Tiffany Fumiko Tay covered the hospitality plans.

Did North Korean leader Kim Jong Un bring his own chef and food to The St Regis Singapore, where he stayed? How did the summit venue - the Capella Singapore - ensure more neutral colours for flower arrangements? Why were thermal cameras placed within the 12ha of lush vegetation around the Capella?

Senior political correspondent Tham Yuen-C reported on what local authorities had to consider, to ensure a smooth and successful summit for both the US and North Korean delegations - right down to what would be considered visually equal treatment when it came to motorcade arrangements or the receiving party at the airport.

Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong and Ernest LuisFeedback to: [email protected] Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 6

Duration: 13 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

The Singapore Summit on June 12 will go down in global history as the first meeting between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader, and one which produced a denuclearisation deal.

Join host Ernest Luis as he sums up the Trump-Kim Summit with ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong and the foreign desk's deputy editor Tan Dawn Wei.

What were their key takeaways from the Summit and how well did Singapore score as host?

Produced by: Ernest Luis

Feedback to: [email protected]   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 6

Duration: 13 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

The Singapore Summit on June 12 will go down in global history as the first meeting between a sitting US President and a North Korean leader, and one which produced a denuclearisation deal.

Join host Ernest Luis as he sums up the Trump-Kim Summit with ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong and the foreign desk's deputy editor Tan Dawn Wei.

What were their key takeaways from the Summit and how well did Singapore score as host?

Produced by: Ernest LuisFeedback to: [email protected] Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 5

Duration: 8:36 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has already announced that his government intends to scrap the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR), in a move to control government spending and reduce the nation's RM1 trillion (S$337 billion) debt burden. The Mahathir administration said that the cost of building the line, at RM110 billion (S$37 billion), is prohibitive considering the state of Malaysia's finances.

The Singapore Government has said it is continuing to incur costs on the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project while it awaits clarification from Malaysia regarding its intention to scrap the HSR. The 350km rail link was expected to cut travel time between the two cities from four hours by car currently to 90 minutes when completed in 2026.

Should Malaysia cancel the project, Singapore will study the implications and exercise its rights - including any right to compensation for expenses - in accordance with the terms of a bilateral agreement signed in 2016.

Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's deputy political editor Royston Sim and transport correspondent Adrian Lim.

Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis

Feedback to: [email protected]   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 5

Duration: 8:36 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has already announced that his government intends to scrap the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail (HSR), in a move to control government spending and reduce the nation's RM1 trillion (S$337 billion) debt burden. The Mahathir administration said that the cost of building the line, at RM110 billion (S$37 billion), is prohibitive considering the state of Malaysia's finances.

The Singapore Government has said it is continuing to incur costs on the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project while it awaits clarification from Malaysia regarding its intention to scrap the HSR. The 350km rail link was expected to cut travel time between the two cities from four hours by car currently to 90 minutes when completed in 2026.

Should Malaysia cancel the project, Singapore will study the implications and exercise its rights - including any right to compensation for expenses - in accordance with the terms of a bilateral agreement signed in 2016.

Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's deputy political editor Royston Sim and transport correspondent Adrian Lim.

Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest LuisFeedback to: [email protected] Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 4

Duration: 9:40 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

The issue of Singapore's top schools becoming closed circles instead of social levellers has again come under scrutiny after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the problem of stratification in Parliament recently.

Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's senior education correspondent Sandra Davie.

Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis

Feedback to: [email protected]   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters

Episode 4

Duration: 9:40 mins

Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.

The issue of Singapore's top schools becoming closed circles instead of social levellers has again come under scrutiny after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the problem of stratification in Parliament recently.

Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's senior education correspondent Sandra Davie.

Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest LuisFeedback to: [email protected] Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters  Episode 3  Duration: 10:30 mins    Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.    Recent remarks from National Development Minister Lawrence Wong that the Government is looking into the ageing Housing Board flat lease issue have been mostly welcomed by observers of the housing and property scene here in Singapore. This, even as as concerns remain over the fate of older flats. What could be the possible scenarios and solutions to consider, for both the Government and Singaporeans? Are there more ideas being explored?   Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's political correspondent Ng Jun Sen and housing correspondent Grace Leong.   Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis   Feedback to: [email protected]   Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts   On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts   On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU   On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP   On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why It Matters Episode 3 Duration: 10:30 mins  Synopsis: In this new podcast series for 2018, The Straits Times takes a close look at one key news talking point each week.  Recent remarks from National Development Minister Lawrence Wong that the Government is looking into the ageing Housing Board flat lease issue have been mostly welcomed by observers of the housing and property scene here in Singapore. This, even as as concerns remain over the fate of older flats.What could be the possible scenarios and solutions to consider, for both the Government and Singaporeans? Are there more ideas being explored? Host and ST's deputy news editor Jeremy Au Yong dissects the issue with ST's political correspondent Ng Jun Sen and housing correspondent Grace Leong. Produced by: Jeremy Au Yong & Ernest Luis Feedback to: [email protected] Download ST & BT podcasts for offline listening: http://str.sg/stbtpodcasts On website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts On Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU On iTunes: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP On Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.