Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

By the middle of the century, global emissions from plastic production could triple to account for one-fifth of the Earth’s remaining carbon budget. But one Indonesian social enterprise by the name of Plana, is working hard at turning back the clock on our plastic waste. It has developed innovative solutions to convert plastic and waste from rice husks into sustainable materials, called Plana Wood and Plana Brick - which serve as a durable substitutes for building and furniture. On this episode of 2024 OCBC Emerging Enterprise, Joshua Christopher Chandra, Co-Founder and Chief of Sustainability & Relation Officer at Plana and Winner of the 2024 Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Award shares how Plana is making positive waves in the construction and architecture industries. Presented by: Audrey Siek  Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

Earlier this year, there were several incidents in Singapore involving bees, including one where over 20 homes in Punggol were invaded by bees, and another where five were taken to hospital after getting stung by bees at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. Bees conventionally strike fear in people because they can sting, but our guest for today’s Morning Shot isn’t one who’s easily fazed by these winged creatures.  After retiring from his 37-year teaching stint, John Chong, Founder of BEE AMAZED Garden, is keeping himself bee-sy, educating others about beekeeping and even helps to rehouse bees from homes and offices so that they can continue thriving in locations suitable for them.  And for the first time ever, John has harvested honey from his swarm of over 100,000 Asian honeybees from his rooftop bee farm at the Singapore University of Social Sciences - the country’s first bee-friendly university! Presented by: Audrey Siek & Emaad Akhtar Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: ST

While developed markets often take the Asian spotlight, there is an increasing focus on emerging Asia markets. That’s especially so with the potential spillover benefits of companies taking a China +1 strategy. Ong Xun Xiang, ETF Business Lead at Lion Global Investors shares how investors hoping to get exposure to these opportunities have another avenue with a new exchange traded fund - the Lion-China Merchants Emerging Asia Select Index ETF, the world’s first emerging Asia ETF traded in SGD. Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

Most financial experts would suggest that budgeting is a prudent way to keep track of one's spending habits. And rightly so. But budgeting can often feel burdensome, especially if you feel restricted when doing so. If this is the case for you, perhaps "intuitive" spending is the way to go. Emaad, Ryan and Audrey explain! Presented by Emaad Akhtar, Ryan Huang & Audrey Siek Produced and Edited by Emaad Akhtar Photo & music credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

Adam Wong, Editor-in-Chief, Fifthperson discusses how AI themed stocks are likely to repeat their performance in 2025, as well as what investors can look at beyond the Magnificent 7. Presented by: Emaad Akhtar

Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, Carson Group shares his insights on key takeaways as markets move into December, whether Trump's Treasury Secretary pick in hedge fund manager Scott Bessent will push for Trump to consider a softer approach to tariffs, strip back regulation to boost economic growth and target a reduction in deficit spending. He also shares his expectations surrounding the Fed's decision later in December. Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors

Competition is fierce in the Korean beauty industry, and brands must constantly innovate to stand out. But that didn't stop the trio behind Kskin, which provides express Korean facial services. The franchise has since ballooned, with multiple outlets, in Singapore and abroad. On this episode of 2024 OCBC Emerging Enterprise, Brian Ng, Co-Founder of Kskin Management and Winner of the 2024 Emerging Enterprise Award shares about his journey and how they are working to take their brand to a whole new level. Presented by: Audrey Siek Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

Earlier in 2024, the UK government announced a series of measures aimed at laying the foundations to grow its economy - through what’s known as the central growth mission.  As part of those growth efforts, the Scottish Secretary has been championing Brand Scotland around the globe, helping Scottish businesses export for the first time, and funding trade missions to key global markets to unlock jobs and investment, including Singapore. On this episode of Morning Shot, Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray shares more insights on how Scotland is furthering that mission and how they are supporting Scottish businesses that are interested to put that front foot forward to explore other regions. Presented by: Audrey Siek Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: METROMBA

South Korea's cabinet has lifted the martial law just hours after it was announced by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who imposed it in a bid to quell what he called "anti-state forces". Yoon backed down after lawmakers voted to oppose the unexpected declaration, which caught even South Korea's closest allies, such as the United States, off guard. The entrance to South Korea’s National Assembly remains heavily guarded by police, but the atmosphere has become much calmer compared to the night’s chaos, though a small group of protesters continues to chant, “President Yoon should step down.” Yoon is yet to make a public appearance since declaring the martial law but opposition lawmakers have signalled their intention to put forward a bill to potentially impeach him in the coming hours if he doesn't resign. On this episode of Breakfast Special, Dr Ryu Yongwook, Assistant Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS shares his insights. Presented by: Emaad Akhtar Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images; Reuters; BBC

From Lord of the Rings, to vampires and Taylor Swift, let's look at some interesting and unusual courses you can take nowadays in universities all around the world. If you were offered a class all about Klingon, would you go for it? Presented by Audrey Siek, Emaad Akhtar & Ryan Huang Produced and Edited by Audrey Siek Photo & Music credit: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors