Lens On

Headline news for October 22, 2026: Russia agrees in principle to resume trilateral peace talks with the US and Ukraine around November 10, releasing American detainee Stephen Hubbard as a goodwill gesture. The US orders diplomats out of Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks kill three and wound eight. Singapore ranks second in the world for order and security in the World Justice Project’s most recent Rule of Law Index.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Climate change is hitting closer to home, from rising fuel prices to the return of the haze. But financing the climate transition remains a challenge. In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks with Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment (BII), about why climate funding is not reaching the projects that need it most, how development finance institutions operate, Singapore’s role in mobilising climate finance, and how AI could shape the transition. Highlights of the conversation:  02:40 Addressing the gap in climate finance 07:40 Can developing economies grow without increasing emissions? 09:36 How Singapore can drawn in more capital for climate investments 13:19 How AI is reshaping our climate 17:10 Why climate finance must focus more on resilience --- Now, we want to hear from you! Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg. We’ll look into it for future episodes. --- Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) With Leslie Maasdorp, CEO of British International Investment (BII) Executive producer: Claressa Monteiro Producer: Nicole Teo Coordinating producer: Chai Pei Chieh Video production: Studio +65 A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media --- Follow Lens On 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 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 Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks BT Correspondents at: bt.sg/btcobt BT Market Focus at: bt.sg/btmktfocus BT Podcasts at: bt.sg/podcastsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 21, 2026: Malaysia’s Registrar of Societies deregisters Perikatan Nasional; the main opposition coalition as the Melaka state election looms on October 31. PN has filed a High Court challenge and won a stay pending the legal outcome. South Korea’s exports surge 105 per cent in early October on AI-driven semiconductor demand. India’s Jio Platforms opens its US$3.2 billion IPO today.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 20, 2026: Singapore’s NEA issues preventive notices to three more Indonesian companies linked to the haze bringing the total to ten. South Korea’s central bank is expected to pause rate hikes on Thursday with another move forecast for November. France imposes overnight curfews in Paris, Nice and Lille after its worst urban unrest in decades.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 19, 2026: Singapore’s haze remains in the unhealthy range across four of five regions with rain forecast to bring some relief today. France suffers its worst urban violence in years with at least 2,400 arrested and 1,000 police injured as riots and looting spread across Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux. President Donald Trump signals a possible Russia sanctions waiver but says no final decision has been made.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 16, 2026: Singapore is investigating which companies may be responsible for fires causing the haze, and will explore joint action with other countries. A report highlighted two Singapore-listed palm oil companies that have been linked to Indonesian plantation areas where fires were detected. Indonesia has accepted foreign assistance to fight forest fires, with arrangements now being discussed at the technical level. And Ukraine struck a Russian oil refinery overnight, after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy abandoned an energy-site ceasefire proposed by the US. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 15, 2026: Singapore could take action against companies responsible for haze pollution as air quality remains unhealthy across the island. A Singapore-registered container ship has sunk, and a second was damaged after being hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. And a long-delayed bridge linking China and North Korea is set to open today, in efforts to boost trade between the two countries.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 14, 2026:  Singapore’s economy grows 5.4 per cent in Q3 beating forecasts as MAS surprises markets by pausing its tightening cycle after two moves this year. Iran deploys new Hormuz tactics to keep oil prices elevated ahead of US midterm elections. Bank of America is fined US$1.21 billion for suspicious transaction failures.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 13, 2026:  Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport remains closed after a week of attacks kills at least twenty people and wounds more than three hundred, the deadliest sustained assault on Saudi Arabia since the Iran war began. Singapore’s haze remains in the unhealthy range as Indonesia orders more action on land fires. Global smartphone shipments fall to their lowest third-quarter level since 2012.  Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Headline news for October 12, 2026:  US President Donald Trump announces an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. 1 person has been killed and 11 others injured, in an attack on Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh international airport. And Singaporeans can start to receive subsidised care at polyclinics and participating GP clinics for treatment for haze-related conditions. Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.  Written by: Nicole Teo (nicolet@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo 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/btlensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.