Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

Singapore has come a long way since its historic “world-first” regulatory approval of serum-free cultivated meat for sale in the city-state. But what sort of tests are needed to ensure novel food like this is safe to eat? Dr Benjamin Smith, Director, Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH) shares the science behind.

A deep dive into the sensitive geopolitics at the Afghan-Pakistan border. Synopsis: Each fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times' US bureau chief Nirmal Ghosh presents an Asian perspective of the biggest global talking points with expert guests. After 20 years of war, in August 2021, the United States became the most recent superpower to be seen off by Afghanistan. After the US withdrew, the Taliban, whom the United States had kicked out in 2001 after the 9/11 attacks, swiftly seized power again. But since then, the Taliban has challenged the status of the Afghan-Pakistan border and given haven to the anti-Pakistan insurgent group, Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, TTP, which has killed thousands of Pakistanis and wants to establish a Taliban-style Sharia state in Pakistan.  In this episode, to explain the complicated knot in that volatile region, Nirmal Ghosh hosts Javid Ahmad, a non-resident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council South Asia Center, and former ambassador of Afghanistan to the United Arab Emirates; and Bill Roggio, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracy and editor of the foundation's Long War Journal.  Highlights (click/tap above):  2:35 The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is a classic case of reverse insurgency 4:50 Many believe the Pakistani military is in a pre-war stage with the TTP 5:30 Pakistani state, elites seek “strategic depth” within Afghanistan, against India – and continue to support the Afghan Taliban 7:20 The risk from Al Qaeda to the region and the US is very great; the Taliban is not abandoning Al Qaeda 13:10 The Taliban, or Afghans in general, have nothing in common with China 16:10 The wheel of jihad keeps on turning – and could turn into a major problem for the Pakistani state 21:17 Washington should diversify its approach toward the Taliban  Produced by: Nirmal Ghosh (nirmal@sph.com.sg), Ernest Luis, Hadyu Rahim and Fa’izah Sani Edited by: Hadyu Rahim and Fa’izah Sani Follow Asian Insider with Nirmal Ghosh every fourth Friday of the month: 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 Follow Nirmal Ghosh on Twitter: https://str.sg/JD7r Read Nirmal Ghosh's stories: https://str.sg/JbxG Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/wdcC --- Discover ST's special edition podcasts: The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: https://str.sg/wuZ2 Stop Scams: https://str.sg/wuZB Singapore's War On Covid: https://str.sg/wuJa Invisible Asia: https://str.sg/wuZn --- Discover more ST podcast series: Asian Insider: https://str.sg/JWa7 Green Pulse: https://str.sg/JWaf Health Check: https://str.sg/JWaN In Your Opinion: https://str.sg/w7Qt Your Money & Career: https://str.sg/wB2m Music Lab: https://str.sg/w9TX #PopVultures: https://str.sg/JWad ST Sports Talk: https://str.sg/JWRE Bookmark This!: https://str.sg/JWas Lunch With Sumiko: https://str.sg/J6hQ Discover BT Podcasts: https://bt.sg/pcPL Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts! #STAsianInsider

A new global report by Rubrik Zero Labs revealed that over 90 per cent of IT and security leaders in Singapore reported significant emotional impact following cybercrimes.  Steve Stone, Head of Rubrik Zero Labs, Rubrik shares how this can affect the investigation and recovery process when a cyber attack happens. 

With revenge travel is taking over following the lifting of Covid curbs worldwide, Yusri Abu Bakar, First Officer, Emirates shares an insider look at what the life of a pilot is like, from recruitment to actually flying the skies. 

Phan Vee Leung, CIO, Trackrecord shares why the AUD may not be the best way to ride the reopening narrative for China's economy.

In today's Breakfast Brief, we unpack the implications of the US and Germany deciding to step up with their support for Ukraine by sending tanks.

From the latest on the Russia-Ukraine war with Germany confirming that they are sending 14 Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine plus economists saying Europe could possibly dodge a recession this year despite an uncertain global economic climate.  Chris Humphrey, Executive Director, EU-ASEAN Business Council gives us an analysis on those headlines and more. 

Cross-border payments have seen a surge as businesses resume travel and foreign operations post COVID.  Kelvin Lam, Chief Operating Officer, YouTrip shares insights on how SMEs are zeroing in on emerging business opportunities overseas while maneuvering through uncertain economic tides and rising costs.

Protecting your personal data in a world that's advancing digitally is no mean feat. Steven Scheurmann, Regional Vice President, ASEAN, Palo Alto Networks shares tips on how you can better protect your privacy by making a few simple changes to your devices and accounts.

Vasu Menon, Executive Director, Investment Strategy, OCBC Bank discusses the various headwinds that could weigh on China in the coming year, including growing talk of stagflation risks as an "era of security" supports inflationary pressures amid slowing global growth.