Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

Amazon has surpassed its 100% renewable energy goal seven years ahead of schedule, reflecting its leadership in sustainability. With significant investments in solar and wind projects globally, including impactful initiatives in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, Amazon is paving the way towards its Climate Pledge commitment of net-zero carbon by 2040. This achievement highlights Amazon's dedication to advancing renewable energy and addressing the challenges of modernising the energy grid. We speak with Ken Haig, Head, Energy and Environmental Policy, Asia-Pacific & Japan (APAC), Amazon Web Services about their strategies and what's next. Presented by Ryan Huang and Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Health-tech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.

A new strain of the mpox virus, known as clade Ib, has the world's attention again.  Faced once again with a rapidly spreading mpox epidemic, the World Health Organisation had declared an international health emergency, following a surge in cases linked to a new mpox strain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has since spread beyond its borders. Scientists studying the new mpox strain say the virus is changing faster than expected, and often in areas where experts lack the funding and equipment to properly track it. Questions about vaccine effectiveness and equity remain, with concerns over WHO’s regulations and when the afflicted regions can get their hands on the vaccines. On this episode of Morning Shot, Professor Dimie Ogoina, Chair, WHO Emergency Committee regarding the upsurge of mpox 2024, and Chief Medical Director & Infectious Disease Physician at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital shares his first-hand insights on the mpox epidemic. Presented by: Audrey Siek Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: NIAID/ Dado Ruvic/ Reuters

Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist, Carson Group shares his insights on America's employment landscape, and how markets are pricing in the rotation away from tech once again, the US Presidential Election, and why the recent refinancing surge could unlock a big part of the economy that has struggled. Presented by: Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: AFP

Liao Yi Ping, Assistant Portfolio Manager, Franklin Templeton Emerging Markets Equity explains why South Korean companies trade at valuations which are on average the lowest among emerging market peers, even though the market hosts some of the most globally dynamic and innovative companies in the semiconductor and materials industries.  Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

Making and sharing mooncakes is one of the hallmark traditions of the Mid-Autumn festival. The sharing and eating of round mooncakes among family members signifies unity, and coming together. Plus, they're delicious! Audrey and Ryan chat about the interesting history of this treat, as well as the most popular type to gift and share. Plus: how much should you eat?? Presented by Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced and Edited by Audrey Siek  Music and photo credits: Pixabay & its talented community of contributors

A new report by the World Intellectual Property Organisation is shedding new light on the rapidly growing field of Generative Artificial Intelligence. Along with the advancement of technology over the last decade, the number of patent families in GenAI has grown from just only 733 in 2014 to more than 14,000 in 2023. Since the introduction of the transformer in 2017, the deep neural network architecture behind the Large Language Models that have become synonymous with GenAI, the number of GenAI patents has increased by over 800%. On this episode of Morning Shot, Phanish Puranam, Professor of Strategy at INSEAD and The Roland Berger Chaired Professor of Strategy and Organisation Design shares his perspectives on the surge in GenAI patenting activity and how that’s driving innovation in the startup landscape.  Presented by: Audrey Siek & Ryan Huang Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: pixabay & its talented community of contributors 

The Philippines’ standing as an emerging startup hub has been bolstered by the recent doubling of  Manila’s startup ecosystem valuation. According to the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Report, Manila’s startup ecosystem was valued at US$6.4 billion, nearly double the previous year’s valuation of US$3.5 billion. On this episode of Breakfast Special, Minette Navarrete, President, Kickstart Ventures and Joan Yao, Vice President, Investments, Kickstart Ventures share their insights on what’s fueling growth and opportunities for tech and fintech entrepreneurs in the Philippines. Presented by: Audrey Siek Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg)

Singapore’s Gifted Education Programme (GEP) in primary schools is set to be overhauled to become more inclusive. This was announced during Lawrence Wong’s maiden National Day Rally speech. The school-based programmes for higher-ability learners, which now cater to 7 per cent of each cohort, will expand to take in 10 per cent, or 3,000 students a year.  There’ll also be after-school supplementary modules aimed at further developing students in their areas of strength and interest, that are not intended to replace regular curriculum. These are part of a series of changes to the 40-year-old GEP. On this episode of Morning Shot, Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education’s Policy, Curriculum and Leadership Department shares his insights on the latest developments.   Presented by: Audrey Siek Produced & Edited by: Yeo Kai Ting (ykaiting@sph.com.sg) Photo credits: ST File

Daphne Tan, Director of Business Development, CMC Markets Singapore discusses how markets are reacting to the latest dovish comments by Fed Chair Jerome Powell who has set the stage for September rate cuts. Produced/Presented: Ryan Huang

The cost of dental care is a significant barrier for many people worldwide, leading them to delay or avoid necessary treatments, especially as one ages. Driven by a mission to ensure every Singaporean can smile confidently into their senior years, a passionate dental leader is transforming the industry with the 8020 Movement. This vision comes to life with the launch of the Advanced Implant Strategies (AIS) Centre of Excellence, in partnership with T32 Dental Group. This initiative is set to unify dental care across the nation, making high-quality treatment accessible to all, one smile at a time. We find out more in this conversation with Dr Wong Keng Mun, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dontia Alliance. Presented by Audrey Siek This podcast is produced and edited by Anthea Ng (nganthea@sph.com.sg) She produces Mind Your Business, Biz-How-To and Breakfast Special segments on the Breakfast Show. Do contact her for topics: C-Suite, SME, Startups, Health-tech, Sustainability, Property, Intergenerational Family Business, Industry Outlook, Fintech and trending businesses in town.