In this special edition of Regional Roundup, Leslie Lopez, Regional Correspondent, The Straits Times gives us his take on the biggest headlines that came out from the region this year.

Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Asian Insider newsletter.

Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/JoVb

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

In this special edition of Regional Roundup, Leslie Lopez, Regional Correspondent, The Straits Times gives us his take on the biggest headlines that came out from the region this year.
Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us:
Channel:&nbsp;https://str.sg/JWa7
Apple Podcasts:&nbsp;https://str.sg/JWa8
Google Podcasts:&nbsp;https://str.sg/Ju4h
Spotify:&nbsp;https://str.sg/JWaX
Website:&nbsp;http://str.sg/stpodcasts
Feedback to:&nbsp;podcast@sph.com.sg
Asian Insider&nbsp;newsletter.
Asian Insider videos:&nbsp;https://str.sg/JoVb
SPH Awedio app:&nbsp;https://www.awedio.sg/

Get a head start to your work day with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6am to 9am. 

Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Get a head start to your work day with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6am to 9am. 
Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.

In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore&rsquo;s first and only Business and Personal Finance station. MONEY FM is a 24-hour English talk format station featuring local and international business and financial news. We provide you with financial market and currency updates and insights from analysts, economists, policy makers, industry experts and business owners.
In the lighter hours, listen to discussions on social issues and features on topics that include health, education, arts and music.

MONEY FM 89.3 is Singapore’s first and only Business and Personal Finance station.

MONEY FM 89.3

Insightful discussions on the latest market events and the top companies to watch.

Get a head start on your workday with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6 am to 9 am. 

Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Get a head start on your workday with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek from 6 am to 9 am. 
Listen to insightful discussions on the stories and issues that matter the most to you and be apprised of the markets and the companies to watch.

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek (6am-9am)

Asian Insider: Regional Roundup (29 DEC)

Artificial intelligence sits at the heart of Budget 2026, with new AI missions aimed at accelerating adoption across Singapore’s economy the establishment of a new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to drive the nation’s AI agenda.

But translating ambition into real change raises practical questions. How can policymakers ensure AI adoption does not end up concentrated among large corporations? And as companies integrate AI into core operations, are business leaders and boards prepared to manage the risks, governance challenges and cybersecurity implications that come with it?

In this special MONEY FM 89.3 SG Budget Conversations panel, Ryan Huang speaks with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance & Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.

Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8

Artificial intelligence sits at the heart of Budget 2026, with new AI missions aimed at accelerating adoption across Singapore&rsquo;s economy the establishment of a new National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Council chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to drive the nation&rsquo;s AI agenda.
But translating ambition into real change raises practical questions. How can policymakers ensure AI adoption does not end up concentrated among large corporations? And as companies integrate AI into core operations, are business leaders and boards prepared to manage the risks, governance challenges and cybersecurity implications that come with it?
In this special MONEY FM 89.3 SG Budget Conversations panel, Ryan Huang speaks with Shawn Huang, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance &amp; Manpower, Lee Sze Yeng, Managing Partner, KPMG in Singapore, Ang Yuit, President at ASME, and Max Loh, Vice-Chair, Singapore Institute of Directors.
Watch the full discussion on MONEY FM 89.3's YouTube channel: <a href="https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1773352627426000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2LZAxiL-DsrfxnR5pYKL_a">https://youtu.be/_ZIxGRaoCY8</a>

Budget 2026 Roundtable: Is Singapore Ready for the AI Economy?

As tensions escalated across the Gulf region, some Singaporeans living there suddenly found themselves facing missile alerts, airspace closures and uncertain routes home. With commercial flights disrupted, the Singapore Government activated evacuation efforts, including a Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft flown into Riyadh to bring Singaporeans safely back.

Among the passengers were Nisar Keshvani, Assistant Dean, Communications and Public Affairs, Northwestern University in Qatar and his wife, Malathi Keshvani, Mental Wellness Coach, Soul Elevate, who had been living in Doha when the conflict intensified. They join The Breakfast Show to share what those tense days were like — from sheltering during missile alerts and weighing their options to leave, to the moment they stepped onto the RSAF evacuation flight in Riyadh and heard the words: “Welcome home.”

As tensions escalated across the Gulf region, some Singaporeans living there suddenly found themselves facing missile alerts, airspace closures and uncertain routes home. With commercial flights disrupted, the Singapore Government activated evacuation efforts, including a Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft flown into Riyadh to bring Singaporeans safely back.
Among the passengers were Nisar Keshvani, Assistant Dean, Communications and Public Affairs, Northwestern University in Qatar and his wife, Malathi Keshvani, Mental Wellness Coach, Soul Elevate, who had been living in Doha when the conflict intensified. They join The Breakfast Show to share what those tense days were like &mdash; from sheltering during missile alerts and weighing their options to leave, to the moment they stepped onto the RSAF evacuation flight in Riyadh and heard the words: &ldquo;Welcome home.&rdquo;

Breakfast Special: “Welcome Home”: A Singaporean Couple’s Journey on an RSAF Evacuation Flight

Think you’ve “trained” your body to survive on five hours of sleep? Or that you can catch up on lost rest over the weekend? This World Sleep Day, Audrey and Emaad bust some of the most common sleep myths — from sleeping with the TV on to lying awake in bed. With Singaporeans among the most sleep-deprived in the world, we look at what the science actually says!

Presented by Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar

Produced by Audrey Siek

Edited by Trisha Yeong

Music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

Think you&rsquo;ve &ldquo;trained&rdquo; your body to survive on five hours of sleep? Or that you can catch up on lost rest over the weekend? This World Sleep Day, Audrey and Emaad bust some of the most common sleep myths &mdash; from sleeping with the TV on to lying awake in bed. With Singaporeans among the most sleep-deprived in the world, we look at what the science actually says!
Presented by Audrey Siek &amp; Emaad Akhtar
Produced by Audrey Siek
Edited by Trisha Yeong
Music credit: Pixabay &amp; its talented community of contributors

Asian Insider: Regional Roundup (29 DEC)

In 2 playlist(s)

Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek (6am-9am)

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips