Headline news for December 16, 2025: Ford slashes its EV ambitions, Brussels retreats on its 2035 combustion-car ban, and border clashes escalate in Southeast Asia, as Japan edges toward a rare rate hike and Singapore inks major deals with China.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times. 

Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) 

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

---

Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp

YouTube Music: bt.sg/lensyt

Website: bt.sg/lenson

Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg

Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice. 

Discover more BT podcast series:

BT Mark To Market at: bt.sg/btmark2mkt 

WealthBT at: bt.sg/btpropertybt

PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcasts

BT Lens On: bt.sg/btlenson

Headline news for December 16, 2025: Ford slashes its EV ambitions, Brussels retreats on its 2035 combustion-car ban, and border clashes escalate in Southeast Asia, as Japan edges toward a rare rate hike and Singapore inks major deals with China.
Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.&nbsp;
Written by: Howie Lim / Claressa Monteiro (<a href="mailto:claremb@sph.com.sg">claremb@sph.com.sg</a>)&nbsp;
Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities
---
Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:
Channel: <a href="http://bt.sg/btlenson">bt.sg/btlenson</a>
Amazon: <a href="http://bt.sg/lensam">bt.sg/lensam</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="http://bt.sg/lensap">bt.sg/lensap</a>
Spotify: <a href="http://bt.sg/lenssp">bt.sg/lenssp</a>
YouTube Music: <a href="http://bt.sg/lensyt">bt.sg/lensyt</a>
Website: <a href="http://bt.sg/lenson">bt.sg/lenson</a>
Feedback to: btpodcasts@sph.com.sg
Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party&rsquo;s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.&nbsp;
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Mark To Market at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmark2mkt">bt.sg/btmark2mkt</a>&nbsp;
WealthBT at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btpropertybt">bt.sg/btpropertybt</a>
PropertyBT at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmktfocus">bt.sg/btmktfocus</a>
BT Money Hacks at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks">bt.sg/btmoneyhacks</a>
BT Market Focus at: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmktfocus">bt.sg/btmktfocus</a>
BT Podcasts at: <a href="https://bt.sg/podcasts">bt.sg/podcasts</a>
BT Lens On: <a href="http://bt.sg/btlenson">bt.sg/btlenson</a>

Get a big-picture overview of the latest business events, societal issues and policy changes.

Catch up on the biggest news from around the world at the start of every business day with Lens on Daily. In Lens on Singapore, we take a monthly big picture look at current affairs, societal issues and government policies.

Podcaster: BT Podcasts

The Business Times, SPH Media.

Catch up on the biggest news from around the world at the start of every business day with Lens on Daily. In Lens on Singapore, we take a monthly big picture look at current affairs, societal issues and government policies.
Podcaster: BT Podcasts
The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Lens On

Lens on Daily from The Business Times is a micro podcast to catch you up on the biggest news at the start of every business day. Lens on Singapore is a monthly big picture feature on current affairs, societal issues and government policies.

Podcaster: BT Podcasts

Produced by: The Business Times, SPH Media 

Lens on Daily from The Business Times is a micro podcast to catch you up on the biggest news at the start of every business day. Lens on Singapore is a monthly big picture feature on current affairs, societal issues and government policies.
Podcaster: BT Podcasts
Produced by: The Business Times, SPH Media

Advertisement