Philippine equities are among the stronger performers in ASEAN this year, but questions remain over whether the rebound signals a lasting recovery. Alfred Dy, Head of Philippines Research at CLSA, joins us to assess market valuations, slowing bank lending, and where investors may find opportunities and sectoral strength in the months ahead.

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Philippine equities are among the stronger performers in ASEAN this year, but questions remain over whether the rebound signals a lasting recovery. Alfred Dy, Head of Philippines Research at CLSA, joins us to assess market valuations, slowing bank lending, and where investors may find opportunities and sectoral strength in the months ahead.

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More than 19 million Nepalese voters went to the polls yesterday in the country’s first general election since the 2025 protests that toppled the government. How will this vote shape Nepal’s political future? We’ll discuss this with Dr. Amit Ranjan, Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore.

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Bank Negara Malaysia has kept the OPR unchanged at 2.75%, maintaining the level set after last year’s July rate cut as policymakers judge the current stance supportive of growth and price stability. But with fresh geopolitical risks emerging and global markets facing renewed volatility, what could this mean for Malaysia’s growth outlook, inflation and the path of interest rates? We discuss this with Woon Khai Jhek, Vice President and Senior Economist at RAM Ratings.

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Putrajaya has warned that the main contractor for the LRT3 Shah Alam Line could incur RM475 million in penalties for the continued delay in the operation of this line. Dato’ Professor Dr Ahmad Farhan Mohd Sadullah of Universiti Putra Malaysia explains how complex system integration and land acquisition to coordination challenges, might be behind these delays.

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As the Israel-Iran War intensifies, Europe is faced with big questions. University of Nottingham Malaysia's Dr. Benjamin Barton unpacks the continent's deep divide: Spain's refusal to aid US strikes, Germany's strategic silence to protect Ukraine funding, and Donald Trump's retaliatory tariff threats against the EU. Are we witnessing the limits of European strategic autonomy?

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The government has renewed Lynas’ operating license for 10 years, allowing the Australian firm to continue producing rare earths at its Gebeng plant. Datuk Chang Lih Kang, Science, Technology & Innovation Minister, explains the rationale for this decision from the need to secure a non-Chinese supply chain to explaining to voters why this decision was taken.

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Since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, Brent crude has surged past $80 a barrel, reigniting the geopolitical risk premium. Sim Moh Siong, a commodity strategist at OCBC explains how the protracted disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, OPEC+’s production response, and what elevated oil prices could mean for global growth and Asian economies.

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The debate for the bill to separate the AG and PP was put on hold after the government announced a Parliamentary Special Select Committee to discuss this matter after opposition from even within the government. Member of Parliament for Muar, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman who is also a member of this PSC gives us his views.

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Middle East tensions are driving oil higher, lifting volatility and reviving safe haven demand. How far could this shock spill into global growth, inflation and financial markets? And what does it mean for rate cuts, the US dollar, and Asean FX? We speak with Barnabas Gan, Group Chief Economist and Head of Market Research at RHB Bank, on the risks, scenarios and policy implications.

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