Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

With Singapore reporting a record 1,504 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, September 23 — the highest since the pandemic began — it looks like the end of Covid-19 might take a while more. The government has been actively rolling out schemes to help both individuals and businesses, but how long more can they last? Elliott Danker and Bharati Jagdish spoke with Dr Felix Tan, Political Analyst, Nanyang Technological University on The Breakfast Huddle to get his thoughts. 

Jack Kouzi, Managing Director, VFS Group discusses what a potential tapering kick off in November will mean for markets, as well as whether he agrees with Fed Chair Jerome Powell who downplayed the potential contagion from China Evergrande.

The government has announced it will progressively tighten the EP and S pass criteria in time to come, after a notable increase in concerns over intensifying competition from these work pass holders. Tonny Loh, Partner at Heidrick & Struggles’ Singapore office shares more about the possible impact on Singapore’s competitiveness with tighter criteria and what can be done to find the right balance.  

Universal Music recently made its debut in the stock market, making it Europe’s largest listing of the year so far. UMG shares soared at around 25 euros per share following its debut, approximately 36% above the reference price of 18.5 euros per share. Eddino Abdul Hadi, Music Correspondent, Straits Times shares how Universal managed to attract such massive talent over the other labels and where they are likely to take its music streaming business into the future. 

Travel-deprived Singaporeans can now take a virtual trip to the scenic Shizuoka prefecture to soak in breathtaking views of the magnificent Mount Fuji, by flying a drone remotely. Akira Hirakawa, Co-Founder, Red Dot Drone shares more about the collaboration with Shizuoka Prefectural Government Singapore Rep. Office to bring Japan to us via drones and how they are making virtual tours as exciting as reality.

Regional Round-up Ep 16: How will the Aukus nuclear trilateral deal affect South-east Asia? 12:22 mins Synopsis: Every week, The Straits Times analyses South-east Asia's top news developments. The Straits Times' regional correspondent Leslie Lopez chats with Money FM's Elliott Danker and Bharati Jagdish about the following points: Worries over potential nuclearisation in South-east Asia due to the Aukus trilateral security partnership agreement between the US, UK and Australia recently announced (1:57) Implications over Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines (4:07) Possible issues that could arise following the multilateral relationship (5:36) Malaysia's new portal for vaccinated travellers to apply for home quarantine (7:12) Indonesia's authorities cracking down on tax evasion to build up government revenues (9:47) Produced by: The Breakfast Huddle, Money FM 89.3, Fa'izah Sani Edited by: Dan Koh Subscribe to our Asian Insider Podcast channel to follow our various shows each week and rate us on your favourite audio apps: 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 Read Leslie Lopez's stories. Asian Insider newsletter. --- 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 Life Weekend Picks Podcast: https://str.sg/JWa2 #PopVultures Podcast: https://str.sg/JWad Bookmark This! Podcast: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko Podcast: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts:  http://bt.sg/podcasts Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

Manpreet Gill, Head of FICC Investment Strategy, Standard Chartered Bank discusses how investors will digest jitters around China Evergrande potential contagion ahead of the Fed's policy decision, as well as what's in store for EUR around the wide open German elections this weekend.

With international standards of clinical and corporate governance led by a professional management team and infrastructure to support its continuing expansion, Oracare Group is eager to continue to fly the Singapore flag high in the region. Andy Cropp, CFO, Oracare Group shares more about the contributing factors that allow Oracare Group to expand internationally amidst the pandemic and their partnership with smaller dental clinics.

The construction sector accounted for 2.7 percent of Singapore’s nominal gross domestic product in 2020. But with ongoing project delays and construction companies facing major issues, many in the sector find themselves struggling to survive. Ng Yek Meng, President, Singapore Contractors Association Ltd (SCAL) shares more about the challenges being faced and whether there is a pressing need to review contract models in the industry.  

Leslie Lopez, Regional Correspondent, Straits Times gives an analysis of the implication of Australia’s recent acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines in a trilateral deal with the United States and the United Kingdom on Southeast Asian countries, how it affects multilateral relationships, Malaysia's new portal for vaccinated travelers to apply for home quarantine, and more.