PODCAST · news
CNA Correspondent
by CNA
Teresa Tang dissects the biggest global news stories. Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind-the-scenes of their dispatches from Asia and the world.The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.
Episodes
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Can Japan stop bear attacks without culling?
Two decades ago, Japan killed more than 4,000 black bears in a single year and conservationists feared for the species. Last year, it culled more than 12,000 after bears killed 13 people. Our Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida explains why bears are turning up in cities such as Sendai and...
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From zombie vapes to drug driving - Taiwan's new narcotics crisis
Drug-driving cases in Taiwan have surged more than 200-fold since 2021. But the accidents are only the visible part of a much bigger problem. Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA Senior Correspondent Victoria Jen, who investigated a drug market that is growing increasingly digital - from teenagers...
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What durian reveals about the China-Vietnam border
China has a huge appetite for durian and Vietnam wants a bigger bite of the market. But getting the fruit across the border is only part of the challenge. From winning over Chinese consumers to improving quality and speeding up customs, CNA's Otelli Edwards speaks with Shenzhen Correspondent...
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Foreigners in Malaysia - who gets to stay and who doesn't?
Malaysia is dealing with two very different groups of foreigners - Chinese and Korean players squeezing local businesses on price, and tens of thousands of stateless Rohingya refugees it never recruited but has hosted for years. Now, as local resentment rises, and talk of repatriations to Myanmar...
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Trump-Xi summit: Did they both win?
Donald Trump gave Xi Jinping a lavish welcome for their summit in Washington, but expectations of a major breakthrough were low even before the Chinese leader arrived. With both presidents facing pressures at home, how much of this meeting was about changing the US-China relationship and how much...
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With extreme heat getting worse, why aren't cities ready?
Deadly heatwaves in Europe. Floods, typhoons and scorching temperatures across Asia. Extreme weather is no longer just an environmental story. It's reshaping economies, disrupting livelihoods and exposing how prepared or lacking some countries really are. From Brussels to Bangkok, correspondents...
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Why haze has Southeast Asia in a chokehold
Indonesia has warned that its wildfires may last until early November, with the haze expected to keep air quality in parts of the region in the unhealthy range. As the country combats stubborn peat fires that can smoulder underground and flare up again, Malaysia is battling blazes of its own…
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Will Thailand pass stricter gun laws?
Thailand is now looking at clamping down on firearms, following a spate of shootings, including a 14-year-old student who went on a killing spree in his school. But with millions of legal and illegal firearms circulating through the country and deeper problems around violence, will the new…
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Nepal-Tibet floods: What recovery really means
Thousands remain missing after catastrophic floods swept across the Nepal-Tibet border. Correspondents Jack Board and Rebecca Bundhun look beyond the devastation to the people living through the aftermath - families searching for loved ones, survivors returning to what is left of their homes and...
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The future of Indonesia's last whale hunters
In the remote fishing village of Lamalera, on Indonesia's Lembata Island, whale hunting isn't sport or industry - it's survival. This tradition has been practised the same way for hundreds of years and passed down the generations. CNA Senior Correspondent Saifulbahri Ismail spent part of the...
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Is China's livestreaming boom creating careers or fuelling burnout?
A fast-growing livestream industry is giving young people in China a new way to earn a living and pursue their dreams. But behind the polished performances are long hours, intense competition, emotional labour and an algorithm that can make or break careers. In this episode of the CNA…
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China dominates global matcha supply but can Japan protect its premium edge?
For centuries, Japan has defined matcha through ritual, craftsmanship and the legendary tea-growing town of Uji. But today, China has quietly become the world's biggest producer, supplying around 70 per cent of global output. As global demand soars, which country will shape the future of matcha?...
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Blue sweep in Negeri Sembilan and Johor - what it means for Anwar's Pakatan Harapan
Two state elections, three weeks apart, where Malaysia's own governing coalitions ended up as rivals rather than partners, each hoping to boost their power in Putrajaya. First came Barisan Nasional's sweep in Johor, its best result since 2008. Then came Negeri Sembilan, where Pakatan Harapan's...
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Is China's economic success creating a domestic paradox?
China is producing advanced technologies at lightning speed, from AI to electric vehicles. But can rapid innovation translate into stronger domestic consumer confidence? CNA Senior China Editor and Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong joins Robin Pomeroy, Podcast Editor at Radio Davos, on this…
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The 'cockroach' party that shook Indian politics
An education minister has resigned. India's Cockroach Janta Party is claiming victory. What began as an online satirical campaign has become one of India's most talked-about youth movements, tapping into frustrations over jobs, opportunity and political representation. Genevieve Woo speaks to...
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The politics of borders: Who decides where countries end?
Borders aren't just lines on a map, but clearly defined countries and territories with sometimes messy stories. From Greenland and Alberta to the South China Sea, Cyprus and Kaliningrad, their histories reveal why territorial disputes continue to shape politics and identity. Genevieve Woo joins...
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World Cup 2026: What's next for the beautiful game?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup began amid fears of immigration raids, political hostility and a tournament defined by controversy rather than competition. But something else entirely played out when football lovers from across the globe showed up. Norway fans did Viking rows, Scotland fans drank cities...
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China’s bigger bet on South Africa
For years, China's presence in Africa was defined by railways, roads and mega infrastructure projects. But a quieter transformation is underway. Through the lens of South Africa, Genevieve Woo and Senior China Editor and Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong explore how Chinese companies are shifting...
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Is Hangzhou the Silicon Valley of China?
From robot patrol dogs to AI doctors, Hangzhou is fast producing some of China's most talked-about tech companies. The city is best known as the home of Alibaba and, more recently, DeepSeek. But beyond the headlines, what makes Hangzhou such a powerful engine for innovation? CNA Senior...
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America at 250: United or divided states?
As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, it stands as the world's largest economy and commands the most powerful military. Yet confidence in its institutions has eroded, political divisions run deep and many question the nation's trajectory. From symbolic shifts on the White House…
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Can toys and companions fill China's emotional needs?
China has a new buzzword: Emotional value. It is used to explain everything from blind box obsessions and AI companions to why young people are hiring strangers to climb mountains with them. In this episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo and Correspondent Krystal Chia explore the...
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Is this really the World Cup of chaos?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 was always going to be unprecedented. Three host nations, 16 cities and 48 teams across an entire continent. What nobody quite expected was how much drama would happen off the pitch. The tournament kicked off amid an ongoing US-Iran conflict, Africa's top referee was…
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Australia vowed to change after Bondi. Has it?
Almost six months ago, two gunmen opened fire on hundreds of Jewish families celebrating Hanukkah near Sydney’s Bondi Beach. Fifteen people were killed and more than 40 wounded in the December 14, 2025 attack - Australia's worst mass shooting in nearly 30 years. In the aftermath, Parliament…
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Aviation was flying high. Then the war in Iran changed everything
The numbers going into 2026 were some of the best in aviation history. Then, US and Israeli strikes on Iran led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, choking off a fifth of the world's oil supplies. Carriers saw jet fuel prices surge by more than 120% and braced for supply shortages, cancelling...
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Can rice farming ever be climate friendly?
Traditional rice farming is a major climate problem. Flooded paddy fields release methane, a greenhouse gas 27 times more potent than carbon dioxide. But a Singapore-led project in Indonesia is testing a new way forward. By changing the way rice is planted and grown, researchers say emissions can...
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Jensen Huang: The tough boss of Nvidia who is 'exhausted all the time'
Jensen Huang is one of the most influential men in the world right now - the CEO and face of Nvidia, the company powering the global AI boom. But beyond the black leather jacket and rockstar status is a deeply candid story about immigrant sacrifice, fear of failure and relentless ambition. In…
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South Koreans who left home to build two nations
In the 1960s and 70s, tens of thousands of South Koreans went to what was then known as West Germany as miners and nurses under a labour-for-loan deal. They were meant to stay for three years. Many never left. Genevieve Woo speaks to CNA Senior Correspondent Lim Yun Suk about the sacrifices…
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Trump meets Xi: Who came out ahead?
The Trump–Xi summit has just wrapped in China. But beyond the handshakes and official statements, what really happened behind closed doors? We break down the key moments, the surprises and the strategic stakes with insights from Beijing and Washington. From trade and tech rivalry to the Taiwan...
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Speed and strain: The impact of Asia's EV surge
China has raced ahead in electric vehicle adoption, building vast charging networks, scaling production and reshaping how cars are bought and used. But across the rest of Asia, the shift is unfolding in far more uneven ways. From Mongolia’s hybrid-driving herders to Indonesia’s nickel boom and…
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168 lives, a chain of failures: What Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court fire exposed
The Wang Fuk Court fire left 168 people dead and thousands displaced, making it one of Hong Kong’s deadliest disasters in decades. Months on, investigations are uncovering deeper failures, from alleged substandard materials to possible corruption in the tendering process. As the inquiry…
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Japan’s tourism rebounds, but where are the Chinese tourists?
Japan’s tourism industry is back, with a record 10 million visitors in early 2026. But a major shift is underway: Chinese arrivals, once the backbone of Japan’s tourism boom, remain well below pre-pandemic levels. With visitor arrivals from South Korea, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US surging,...
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Do social media bans really protect kids online?
When it comes to social media policing, governments are no longer waiting for tech companies to act - they’re stepping in. Australia has an under-16 social media ban, Indonesia is cracking down on non-compliant platforms and pressure is growing in India, as a new wave of regulation takes shape.…
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Energy shock: How the war on Iran is reshaping global power
The war on Iran was expected to showcase military might, but it quickly turned into a battle over energy. With oil and gas flows disrupted, the crisis is rippling across the globe, hitting economies and households from Asia to the US. Why does the world remain so vulnerable to energy shocks?…
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BTS comeback: Iconic K-pop band aims to once again conquer the world
Fans are rejoicing over the long-awaited return of boy band BTS. But beyond the spectacle, the ultra-famous K-pop group is expected to bring in billions of dollars to South Korea. Genevieve Woo speaks to Lim Yun Suk and Grace Shin about the Bangtan Boys' growing role at the intersection of…
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Iran war fallout: Neighbouring Iraq pushed to the brink
The conflict in Iran has pushed Iraq into a precarious position. Oil exports have been impacted and the country is caught in the middle of US-Israeli attacks on Iran-backed militia based in Iraq. Many of Iran's retaliatory attacks on US and coalition assets have taken place in the Kurdish region…
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How China is shaking up the world of pharmaceuticals
China is fast becoming a global leader in producing cutting-edge medicine, with nearly half of the world’s new drugs in testing now emerging from its labs. But can it replicate in pharmaceuticals what it has achieved in electric vehicles and robotics with faster and cheaper innovation? CNA Senior...
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Life on the line: Taiwan’s death penalty debate
Taiwan’s long-standing debate over the death penalty has resurfaced after a landmark court ruling and the island's first execution in five years. In this week’s episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo sits down with Senior Correspondent Victoria Jen to discuss her reporting on...
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Inside the Two Sessions: China’s next move in a turbulent world
Amid rising global tensions and economic uncertainty, China’s biggest annual political event - the Two Sessions - has laid out the playbook for the world’s second-largest economy. From navigating the rise of AI to creating new jobs and enhancing childcare subsidies, domestic priorities took…
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China’s bold drive to counter desertification
Once seen as unstoppable, northern China’s deserts are now being reclaimed by forests, sprawling solar farms and even tropical fruit plantations. While officials hail it as a triumph, how durable is this green transformation? Genevieve Woo sits down with correspondent Tan Si Hui to discuss the...
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Trump’s State of the Union address: Rhetoric, reality and the push for a reset
In the longest State of the Union address in modern history, US President Donald Trump laid out his achievements and made the economy a key pillar of his speech. Over nearly two hours, Mr Trump also touched on immigration, national security and foreign policy as he aimed to put his Republican…
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From revolution to reset: What's next for Bangladesh after its historic election?
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party won a landslide victory in a long-awaited general election. Voters were promised a fresh start for democracy, jobs and the country's power structures. However, can the South Asian country move forward given some old, entrenched forces still hold sway? Genevieve…
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After Thailand's election: Deal-making and coalition-building
Thailand's recently concluded election delivered a decisive lead for Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s Bhumjaithai Party, setting the stage for intense coalition bargaining in the weeks ahead. With voters expressing fatigue and exasperation after years of political instability, will this...
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Takaichi's time: Where is Japan headed under its emboldened 'Iron Lady' leader?
A snap election bet paid off in a very big way for Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. She and her Liberal Democratic Party now hold a supermajority in the country’s Lower House. This gives them the power to override the opposition, push through legislation and even amend the Constitution. Ms...
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The long emergency: Myanmar since 2021’s military coup
Five years after Myanmar’s military coup ended a decade of democratic rule, the country remains deeply divided and scarred from its ongoing civil war. CNA's Genevieve Woo and Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit revisit the day the coup unfolded, the brutal crackdown that followed and how Myanmar’s...
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The hidden costs of Indonesia's seaweed success
Indonesia is the world’s second-largest producer of seaweed, supporting tens of thousands of coastal families. Yet behind the strong export numbers are farmers struggling with unstable incomes, environmental pressures and a precarious dependence on a single overseas market – China. Genevieve Woo...
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The Greenland showdown: 2026’s hottest real estate bid
Greenland has become the hottest geopolitical real estate of 2026. The United States wants it. Denmark and Greenland say it’s not for sale. Now European allies are sending troops to the Arctic, not to fight, but to send a message. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has raised the stakes with...
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How the US handed control of rare earth minerals to China
After ceding the rare earth market to China, the US is playing catch-up as it tries to loosen Beijing’s grip on global supply chains for these minerals. These are critical to manufacturing everything - from smartphones to wind turbines and missile defence systems. Arnold Gay speaks to Executive...
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How safe is Japan's nuclear comeback?
Japan plans to restart the world's biggest nuclear plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, sending nuclear power back to Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures for the first time since the 2011 Fukushima accident. The plant has been offline for more than a decade amid safety concerns and mistrust of operator...
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Best of: The last surviving Taiwan-born Japanese of WWII
When Japan retreated from occupied lands after its surrender in World War II, a large group of Japanese citizens was painfully repatriated to a land they didn’t identify as home. They are the wansei, those who were born in Taiwan during the 50 years of colonisation. Genevieve Woo speaks to…
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Best of: Why South Korea is pinning its economic hopes on BTS’ return
One BTS concert has the power to inject hundreds of millions of dollars into the South Korean economy. It's that star power that businesses are banking on as the K-pop sensation regroups after a military service hiatus. Teresa Tang speaks to Lim Yun Suk about the economic potential of the band's...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Teresa Tang dissects the biggest global news stories. Our host speaks to CNA correspondents on the frontlines to bring you behind-the-scenes of their dispatches from Asia and the world.The views and opinions shared during this podcast series are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views of Mediacorp Pte. Ltd. or its group of companies.
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