Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

Synopsis: The Straits Times analyses the latest developments on the Ukraine crisis in this special podcast.  Russian President Putin has said that Ukraine belonged in the “Russian sphere” and was not entitled to the right to exist as a sovereign country. Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on Thursday (Feb 24), launching the biggest attack by one state against another in Europe since World War II. In an exclusive interview, The Straits Times' foreign editor Bhagyashree Garekar speaks with Kateryna Zelenko, the Ukraine ambassador to Singapore  Highlights (click/tap above): 00:42 What is the view in Ukraine about the shared history between Ukraine and Russia?   05:05 How important are the two self-proclaimed rebel republics of Donetsk and Luhansk to Ukraine? 10:50 Putin has said "Ukraine does not have the right to (its) sovereignty"; how acceptable is that stance for Ukraine? 18:42 Could Ukraine become the prime source of gas to Europe?  Produced by: ST Video team Edited by: ST Video team and Teo Tong Kai Discover The Straits Times Videos: https://str.sg/JPrc Discover ST podcasts: Channel: https://str.sg/JWVR Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2PwZCYU Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2Lu4rPP Google podcasts: http://str.sg/googlestbt Websites: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg    --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsider

Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses the latest developments in Hong Kong. The Straits Times' Hong Kong correspondent Claire Huang speaks with Money FM's Rachel Kelly. In this episode, they analyse Hong Kong's announcement of a S$139 billion budget for 2023, its economic prospects and how its citizens feel. Also, the Hong Kong government has invoked emergency powers to allow personnel from China to help combat the latest Covid-19 outbreak. Produced by: Claire Huang (huangjy@sph.com.sg) & Money FM's Prime Time team Edited by: Nadiah Koh & Fa'izah Sani Follow Inside Hong Kong twice a month on Thursdays on our Asian Insider Podcast channel: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/wQsB  Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/ Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Read Claire Huang's stories: https://str.sg/3xR6 Follow Claire Huang on Twitter: https://str.sg/3xRL Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters --- Discover more ST podcast series: Green Pulse Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check Podcast: https://str.sg/JWaN ST Sports Talk Podcast: https://str.sg/JWRE #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Vasu Menon, Executive Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC Bank discusses why markets are making a massive comeback despite Russia making a further assault on Ukraine, and how investors should position themselves.

Research by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) also showed that while most fathers want to use their paternity leave to be more involved when their child arrives, the key reason they do not is the lack of workplace support. Looi Qin En, Founder & Host, Parents in Tech shares how he thinks the tech industry can power change and progression to better support working parents and greater work-life balance especially in this Covid-19 era. 

Just recently, Singapore-based ergonomics furniture brands ErgoTune and EverDesk+ have been fully acquired by e-commerce roll up startup Una Brands for an 8-figure sum. This all-cash transaction is one of largest for a direct-to-consumer brand in Singapore, and is the largest for Una Brands so far. Lye Yi Hao (Damon), Founder, ErgoTune and EverDesk+ shares how ergonomics furniture are more important than ever now and how his brands are bridging the gap for affordable ergonomic furniture. 

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their lives in the pro-Western neighbour. This had led to Western governments retaliating with sanctions on the likes of those in Russia's defence, banking and financial sector. Yeap Jun Rong, Market Strategist, IG shares some of the potential implications for Singapore and investors and how the spike in commodity prices would impact Singapore’s economic growth. 

In this morning's The Breakfast Brief, we discuss the latest from the Russia-Ukraine crisis and the ad-hoc closures for some businesses in Singapore due to Covid-linked staff crunch issues. 

Joanne Goh, Senior Investment Strategist, DBS Bank discusses the implications from the Ukraine crisis on inflation, and how investors should position themselves to stay ahead.

As we enter year 3 of the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism and entertainment sectors in Singapore are still struggling and the light at the end of the tunnel remains elusive. Budget 2022 saw additional support to some sectors for this year but it seems like nothing much was said for the tourism and entertainment sectors here. Dr Kevin Cheong, Chairman, Association of Singapore Attractions shares some of the challenges that the attractions/tourism scene is still facing right now and to what extent has the SingapoRediscover Vouchers helped cushion the impact of Covid-19 on the attraction scene here. 

Budget 2022, themed "Charting our new way forward together" made a few announcements regarding support and changes for our workforce scene. And it includes a S$500 million package to support jobs and businesses and adjustments to minimum qualifying salaries for Employment Pass and S-Pass holders. Jaya Dass, Managing Director of Singapore and Malaysia, Randstad shares some of the key takeaways businesses should take note of post Budget 2022 and what other gaps she thinks still need attention in Singapore’s workforce.