Mountains of debt deepening human and environmental crises

Developing countries are in a vicious debt cycle with little relief in sight, undermining social progress. Synopsis: The Straits Times' global contributor Nirmal Ghosh shines a light on Asian perspectives of global and Asian issues with expert guests. Some 3.3 billion people live in countries tha…

The new AI stands for Asean and India

Factors to watch are increasing population, workforce and productivity. 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 James Cheo, chief investment officer for Asean…

Dreams of Indonesia's informal workers

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 a…

Brace for turbulence: China, South-east Asia and Trump 2.0

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 manufa…

How Asean is bracing for Donald Trump’s tariff tactics

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 tariff…

Tariffs, deportation, Musk: 3 words could define US' Trump 2.0 era

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 elect…

What lies beneath: Chongqing’s subterranean world

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…

What next after Japan's political earthquake?

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, Rav…

Concern over potential post-election instability in the US

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 ele…

10,000 miles in Trump country

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…