Let's Talk, Singapore

From China’s reaction so far to US lawmakers' visit to Taiwan, details of the country’s new White Paper on Taiwan and China’s central bank unexpectedly cutting their key interest rates. 

We analyse these headlines and more with Dr Oh Ei Sun, Senior Fellow, Singapore Institute of International Affairs. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Breakfast Brief, we discuss with Vasu Menon, Executive Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC Bank on the slew of data coming out from China, PBOC surprising markets with a rate cut and Chinese US-listed stocks under pressure once again. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After riding a high of low interest rates and market liquidity for the past decade, startups now find themselves in a different environment where securing equity investment is likely to become more challenging. So how can venture debt aid startups with this issue?

Paul Ong, Partner, InnoVen Capital SEA shares more on how venture debt works and its potential importance to the startup scene moving forward. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asia’s most advanced digital advertising network for kids, teens, and families, TotallyAwesome has recently announced the launch of TotallyPlay. The platform will be engaging brands to reach over 450 million under-18 gamers in APAC.

Will Anstee, Chief Executive Officer, TotallyAwesome shares more on TotallyPlay and how it can help advertisers and marketers make the online realm a safe place for youths. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the US Congress passing a new Democratic Party’s climate and health care bill to Biden’s preparing to launch his re-election bid to the country’s reaction to author Salman Rushdie stabbing attack.

We discuss with Steve Okun, Senior Advisor, Mclarty Associates on these headlines and more. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Breakfast Brief, we discuss with Vishnu Varathan, Head of Economics & Strategy, Asia, Mizuho Bank about signs of inflation easing up from last week’s data, what to expect from China's data dump that will include new home prices, retail sales and industrial production. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Synopsis: This podcast series is based on selected chapters from a book detailing Singapore’s experience battling the Covid-19 pandemic. The book - written by journalists of The Straits Times and edited by ST’s executive editor Sumiko Tan - is titled In This Together: Singapore's Covid-19 Story and is available in major bookstores. Details online: https://www.stbooks.sg/

In this sixth and final instalment, ST's executive editor Sumiko Tan looks at how thousands of Singaporeans celebrated the country’s 57th birthday on Aug 9, 2022 at the Marina Bay floating platform. The day before, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said in his National Day message that Singapore was in a much better place in its fight against the coronavirus.

Highlights (click/tap above): (Headphones recommended)

1:43 Spectators at the parade say life has returned to normal, as they relish being among more than 25,000 attendees

2:45 PM Lee on why Singapore is in a "much better position". This follows a key turning point on April 26, 2022

5:15 Permanent secretary Pang Kin Keong, who heads the Homefront Crisis Executive Group, on how it had been more than two long years of high alert for public servants

6:46 Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on why Singapore will not declare a "Freedom Day" from Covid yet; Omicron subvariants fail to shake confidence

11:00 When will Covid-19 end? Mr Ong on booster shots becoming part of regular life and Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on "feeling the stones" as Singapore "crosses the river"

13:32 PM Lee on why unity as a nation is crucial to move beyond this "test of a generation"

Produced by: Sumiko Tan ([email protected]), Ernest Luis and Hadyu Rahim

Edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Audio snippets: Courtesy of MCI SINGAPORE, PSD Singapore & GOVSG YouTube

Closing music courtesy of NDPeeps' Spotify - Lo-fi cover of Home: https://str.sg/wRhu

Follow Singapore's War On Covid podcast series here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wuJa

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wu3n

Spotify: https://str.sg/wuJy

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: [email protected] 

Read Sumiko Tan's stories: https://str.sg/Jbhe 

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#stcovidbook

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's Breakfast Brief, we discuss the contraction in the US producer price index supporting the peaking-inflation narrative which is also reflected in the US weekly jobless claims with the softening of the labour market despite tight conditions.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lee Kian Soon, CEO, Astral Asset Management discusses the market sentiment and what investors should take note from the latest earnings season performance. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GERMS Digital is a marketing consultancy agency that aims to make Singaporeans understand NFTs better and they are doing so with their We Are SG NFT project. How will this project help Singaporeans understand NFS better.

James Chua. Founder & Managing Director, GERMS Digital shares more on their NFT project.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.