Headline news for July 2, 2026: Qatar reports positive progress in indirect US-Iran talks in Doha but the Strait of Hormuz remains designated a war zone under international shipping agreements until at least July 9. South Korea's market falls more than 5 per cent as a chipmaker selloff rattles Asian markets. Singapore's High Court sends the 1MDB-linked Standard Chartered case to trial.

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 Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Headline news for July 1, 2026: South Korea's exports surpass one hundred billion US dollars for the first time ever in June, up 70.9 per cent on AI-driven chip demand. Iran refuses to meet US envoys in Doha saying ceasefire terms must be resolved first. Singapore's HDB resale prices fall for a second consecutive quarter.

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 Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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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.

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Headline news for June 30, 2026: The U.S. Supreme Court blocks President Trump from firing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook while dramatically expanding his power to fire all other independent agency heads. Iran and the US send delegations to Doha this week but Tehran says the two sides are not actually meeting each other.

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 Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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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.

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Headline news for June 29, 2026: Iran fires on US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain over the weekend before both sides agree to stand down and resume talks in Qatar on Tuesday. South Korea is set to unveil a semiconductor mega-hub that could attract hundreds of billions in Samsung and SK investment. Venezuela's earthquake death toll nears fifteen hundred.

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 Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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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

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PropertyBT at: bt.sg/btmktfocus

BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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Headline news for June 26, 2026: The UN pauses its Strait of Hormuz evacuation operation after a cargo vessel is struck near Oman, two U.S. officials say Iran fired the projectile, even as overall tanker traffic hits its highest daily flow since the war began. Five million people in southern Taiwan are off work as Tropical Storm Mekkhala brings torrential rain.

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 Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

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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

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BT Money Hacks at: bt.sg/btmoneyhacks

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Headline news for June 25, 2026: Three International Criminal Court judges sue President Trump in Manhattan, calling his sanctions a financial death penalty. A magnitude 6.9 earthquake strikes northern Japan this morning with no casualties reported but Shinkansen services suspended. Oil falls to its lowest level since the Iran war began as more tankers prepare to exit the Strait of Hormuz.

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 Howie Lim

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

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Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

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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

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By many measures, Singapore continues to perform strongly economically. Yet some Singaporeans feel their personal aspirations are becoming more difficult to realise.

In this episode of Lens on Singapore, Claressa Monteiro speaks with Professor Wei-Jun Jean Yung, director of Social Sciences at A*STAR's Institute for Human Development and Potential, and Associate Professor Walter Theseira from the Singapore University of Social Sciences. From unpacking the idea of the broad middle class to examining falling birth rates, they explore the factors shaping perceptions of the Singapore Dream today.

Highlights of the conversation:

01:49 Problems with the middle class concept

03:45 Shifting expectations of what success is

09:13 Singapore’s low fertility rate

15:33 The cause of rising financial pressures

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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.

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Written and presented by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)

With Professor Wei-Jun Jean Yung, director of Social Sciences, A*STAR's Institute for Human Development and Potential; and Walter Theseira, associate professor, Singapore University of Social Sciences

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

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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.

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Headline news for June 24, 2026: Both chambers of Congress have passed a war powers resolution directing President Trump to end the Iran war though it carries no binding legal force. The US and Iran offer conflicting accounts of what was agreed in Switzerland, casting doubt on the peace framework. Asian markets bounce back after Wall Street's tech-led selloff.

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 Howie Lim

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

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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

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