The Straits Times Podcasts

Health Check Ep 35: Why Singapore's Covid-19 circuit breaker measures cannot be lifted so early 14:06 mins Synopsis: This is a fortnightly podcast series on Wednesdays by The Straits Times. For the latest state of Singapore's health in its Covid-19 fight, ST senior correspondent Joyce Teo speaks with Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang. He is the infectious diseases programme leader at the National University of Singapore's Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health. Singapore has extended its circuit breaker period to June 1, and has seen its coronavirus cases shoot past the 10,000-mark as of April 22, after recording about 500 in March. He talks us through the following points: 1. What is the extent of the spread in the foreign worker dormitories? How does that ratio compare with the spread in the local community? (1:42) 2. Singapore could continue to see a high number of cases emerging from the dormitories for the next few weeks, but is there a silver lining? (2:45) 3. Why it is important to control the outbreak in the migrant worker communities before there are considerations to lift circuit breaker restrictions (5:13) 4. What is the difference between asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic cases? (8:31) 5. When is the viral load highest? (9:13) 6. What's the difference between a PCR test and a serology test? Why we cannot just use any serology test available out there (11.32) Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Ernest LuisEdited by: Adam AzleeFollow more Health Check podcasts and rate us on:Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGYApple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oeXPGoogle Podcasts: http://str.sg/oeLNPlaylist: https://str.sg/Jw7R Website: http://str.sg/stpodcastsFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg    Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 81: SPL footballers get pay cut reprieve; initiatives aiding S'pore sports, fitness and wellness professionals 11:43 mins Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. Money FM's Rachel Kelly calls up ST sports correspondent Sazali Abdul Aziz and ST sports reporter Nicole Chia. They discuss the following topics: Almost two weeks after ST reported that some Singapore Premier League (SPL) clubs were mulling pay cuts for players as a result of disrupted revenue during the league's suspension because of coronavirus, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced that all club employee salaries would be retained in full. What led to the call being made? With the entire sports industry grinding to a halt because of the Covid-19 virus, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu took some time to speak to the local sporting community over Facebook, and shared initiatives available to those in the sports and health and wellness industry, such as freelance fitness coaches and private gym owners, whose livelihoods have been affected. Produced by: ST Sports Desk Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts and rate us on: Spotify: https://str.sg/ovjR Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MK Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeS Playlist: https://str.sg/Ji3k Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#PopVultures Ep 25: Celebrity couples with large age gaps - creepy or true love? 32:42 mins Synopsis: A podcast by The Straits Times that examines all the ins and outs of pop culture, be it Asian entertainment or Hollywood. This week, following the news of South Korean star So Ji-Sub, 42, and his marriage to a 26-year-old former TV presenter, the #PopVultures dive into celebrity relationships with large age gaps. They talk stars like Jay Chou, Mariah Carey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Elva Hsiao and even director Woody Allen and disgraced singer R. Kelly. While some of these stars found love with partners very much younger than them - others have been accused of predatory behaviour. The #PopVultures talk about how our views on celebrity relationships reflect societal ideals and share their own feelings. When does a large age gap become disturbing? Produced by: Jan Lee & Yeo Sam Jo Edited by: Penelope Lee Follow more #PopVultures podcasts on: Spotify: http://str.sg/otU9 Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLi Google Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLw Playlist: https://str.sg/JiyK  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg janlee@sph.com.sg yeosamjo@sph.com.sg Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green Pulse Episode 22: The Great Barrier Bleach 12:36 mins Synopsis: Green Pulse is an environmental podcast series at The Straits Times which analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.  In the first of two episodes, ST’s environment correspondent Audrey Tan and climate change editor David Fogarty chat with Dr David Wachenfeld, chief scientist at the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority in Townsville, Queensland, on the ongoing bleaching event at the Great Barrier Reef. For the first time, severe bleaching has struck all three regions of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef - the northern, central and now large parts of the southern sector. It is the third bleaching event in five years and scientists say climate change is playing a direct role.  Tune in to find out why bleaching is such a threat and what it means for the reef’s future.  Listen to Pt 2:  Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) & Ernest Luis Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter Follow David Fogarty on Twitter Edited by: Adam Azlee Discover more Green Pulse podcast episodes on: Spotify: http://str.sg/oCXj Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLk Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLZ Playlist: https://str.sg/JwRh  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 80: How national athletes stay fit at home; coronavirus effects on Singapore athletes 12:46 mins Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. Money FM's Howie Lim calls up ST sports correspondent David Lee, ST sports reporter Nicole Chia and Olympian shooter Jasmine Ser. They discuss the following topics: The Singapore Government's circuit breaker measures have led to national athletes finding creative ways to work out while at home. Find out how the likes of Olympian shooter Jasmine Ser and netball Aqilah Andin are using household items to exercise. How has the coronavirus pandemic affected Singapore athletes both here and overseas?  Produced by: ST Sports Desk Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts and rate us on:Spotify: https://str.sg/ovjRApple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MKGoogle Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeSPlaylist: https://str.sg/Ji3kWebsite: http://str.sg/stpodcastsFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Money Hacks Ep 69: Is 2020 the year for savvier DIY property hunters and sellers? 9:54 min Synopsis: In this fortnightly podcast series on Mondays, The Business Times breaks down actionable financial tips. This episode is aimed at younger and savvier homeowners and buyers who want to explore "DIY" property transactions and save some money. In this episode, Chris Lim hosts Lewis Ng, chief commercial officer of Carousell, who breaks down property trends for new homeowners in 2020. 1. Is there a growing preference for do-it-yourself (DIY) property listings - directly done by homeowners? (1:40) 2. What are the cost savings to be enjoyed with DIY platforms? (2:48) 3. Property shopping and buying 101: Understand your finances, speak to a bank to explore your affordability, explore agent fees or a DIY approach, public and private housing options, know income ceilings for public housing (4:01) 4. Do you also need a longer-term mindset when buying your preferred property? Check URA master plans for the area (7:26) Produced by: Chris Lim and Ernest Luis Edited by: Adam Azlee Discover Money Hacks Podcast fortnightly on Mondays and rate us on: Channel: http://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks Apple Podcasts: http://bt.sg/oeXe Spotify: http://bt.sg/oeGN Google podcasts: http://bt.sg/oeGd Website: http://bt.sg/moneyhacks Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Do note: Any financial or investment information in this podcast is for use in Singapore only and is intended to be for your general information. Any particular investment or decision should only be made after consulting with a fully qualified financial adviser. Thank you for your support! ST & BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bookmark This! Ep 14: Pandemic novels for stay-home reading 31:29 mins Synopsis: A podcast by The Straits Times, where we talk about titles in the headlines and sizzling reads. Bored out of your mind while staying at home during the coronavirus circuit breaker? In the latest episode of this Straits Times literary podcast, journalists Olivia Ho and Toh Wen Li pick out some pandemic novels that may resonate with you, from Albert Camus’s seminal The Plague to Emily St John Mandel’s post-apocalyptic Station Eleven, as well as books by Singaporean authors Danielle Lim and Thea Lim. 0:55 The Plague by Albert Camus 6:33 Severance by Ling Ma 13:51 Love In The Time Of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez 17:44 An Ocean Of Minutes by Thea Lim21:03 Trafalgar Sunrise by Danielle Lim 24:50 Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel Produced by: Olivia Ho, Toh Wen Li and Penelope Lee Edited by: Penelope Lee Discover more Bookmark This! podcasts and rate us on: Spotify: http://str.sg/oeGgApple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oeXNGoogle Podcasts: http://str.sg/oeLG Playlist: https://str.sg/JZnGFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Thank you for your support! ST & BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5T See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green Pulse Ep 21: Making Singapore's cleaning industry more sustainable in wake of coronavirus 11:52 minsSynopsis: Green Pulse is an environmental podcast series at The Straits Times which analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.Tune in to this episode to find out how Malaysia's restrictions on cross-border movement to help battle Covid-19, will have an impact on the sustainability and future of cleaning services in Singapore.  Do public cleaning companies here have the right business continuity plans, given that the existing pool of cleaners here are seniors? Should cleaners be recognised for their front-line efforts in anti-coronavirus efforts? In the final podcast episode based on The Straits Times' The Big Story video, ST’s environment correspondent Audrey Tan chats with a panel of experts to discuss the importance of personal and public hygiene, as Singapore continues its battle against Covid-19. Subjects covered are the drive for cleanliness amid disease, the existing state of hygiene, the need for a greater appreciation of cleaners and life beyond Covid-19.The panel includes: 1. Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources 2. Professor Wang Linfa, infectious diseases expert at Duke-NUS Medical School 3. Mr Edward D'Silva, chairman, Public Hygiene Council 4. Mr Tai Ji Choong, director of the Department Of Public Cleanliness, The National Environment Agency (NEA) Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) & Ernest Luis Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter Follow David Fogarty on Twitter Edited by: Adam Azlee Discover more Green Pulse podcast episodes on: Spotify: http://str.sg/oCXj Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLk Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLZ Playlist: https://str.sg/JwRh  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

#GameOfTwoHalves Ep 79: Should professional footballers take pay cuts? Coronavirus effects on Singapore sports 11:36 mins Synopsis: #GameofTwoHalves is The Straits Times' weekly sports podcast that is out every Tuesday. Money FM's Bernard Lim calls up ST sports correspondents Sazali Abdul Aziz and David Lee. They discuss the following questions: Top football professionals in Spain, Italy and Germany have accepted pay cuts during the global coronavirus epidemic, but the Professional Footballers’ Association in England has been slow to act. Will players in Singapore, on much smaller wages, face the same fate? The Singapore Government's new circuit-breaker measures effectively bring sports to a grinding halt in the country, as almost all sports and recreational facilities will be closed for at least a month. What is the reaction and how can people still exercise and stay active in Singapore? Produced by: Bernard Lim & ST Sports Desk Edited by: Aw Yao Feng, Nadiah Koh & Penelope Lee Follow #GameOfTwoHalves podcasts and rate us on:Spotify: https://str.sg/ovjRApple Podcasts: http://str.sg/o8MKGoogle Podcasts: http://str.sg/oXeSPlaylist: https://str.sg/Ji3kWebsite: http://str.sg/stpodcastsFeedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Green Pulse Ep 20: Singapore's battle against dual invasion of coronavirus and dengue virus 11:56 minsSynopsis: Green Pulse is an environmental podcast series at The Straits Times which analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.Tune in to this episode to find out about Singapore's efforts to bring forward an increased fight against dengue in 2020, which has so far already recorded double the number of dengue infections compared to last year, in the midst of the developing Covid-19 crisis. Tackling the spread of the two different viruses requires two different approaches. But they both need individual citizens to play their part, whether in terms of stepping up personal hygiene to combat the spread of Covid-19, to reducing breeding grounds for the Aedes aegypti mosquito. These efforts would all help to ensure that Singapore does not have two crises to fight.  In the fourth of a series of podcast episodes based on The Straits Times' The Big Story video, ST’s environment correspondent Audrey Tan chats with a panel of experts to discuss the importance of personal and public hygiene, as Singapore continues its battle against Covid-19. Subjects covered are the drive for cleanliness amid disease, the existing state of hygiene, the need for a greater appreciation of cleaners and life beyond Covid-19.The panel includes: 1. Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Minister for the Environment and Water Resources 2. Professor Wang Linfa, infectious diseases expert at Duke-NUS Medical School 3. Mr Edward D'Silva, chairman, Public Hygiene Council 4. Mr Tai Ji Choong, director of the Department Of Public Cleanliness, The National Environment Agency (NEA) Produced by: Audrey Tan (audreyt@sph.com.sg) & David Fogarty (dfogarty@sph.com.sg) & Ernest Luis Follow Audrey Tan on Twitter Follow David Fogarty on Twitter Edited by: Adam Azlee Discover more Green Pulse podcast episodes on: Spotify: http://str.sg/oCXj Apple Podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLk Google podcasts: http://str.sg/oyLZ Playlist: https://str.sg/JwRh  Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg  Thank you for your support! ST and BT Podcasts picked up a silver medal for Best Digital Project to engage younger and/or millennial audiences at 2019 Asian Digital Media Awards by Wan-Ifra: https://str.sg/Jw5TSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.