CNA Correspondent

Can rice farming ever be climate friendly? 02.06.2026 25min

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 be cut by up to half, without hurting farmers’ incomes. Arnold Gay speaks to CNA Senior Correspondent Saifulbahri Ismail about the science behind low-methane rice, the challenges of changing long-held farming practices and if consumers will go for a more climate-friendly grain.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jensen Huang: The tough boss of Nvidia who is 'exhausted all the time' 26.05.2026 23min

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 this special episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast, Genevieve Woo speaks to Senior Correspondent Victoria Jen after her wide-ranging interview with the Nvidia co-founder, covering everything from AI anxiety and job losses to China, Taiwan and what really drives the world’s most powerful chipmaker.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

South Koreans who left home to build two nations 19.05.2026 21min

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 behind South Korea’s rise - and the lives built between two countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump meets Xi: Who came out ahead? 15.05.2026 19min

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 question, the shadow of Iran and global energy tensions, we ask - who came in with the upper hand and did that balance of power shift by the end?  Genevieve Woo unpacks the two-day meeting with Tan Si Hui in Beijing and Nick Harper in Washington. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Speed and strain: The impact of Asia's EV surge 12.05.2026 34min

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 the Philippines’ copper reserves, the EV revolution is creating new opportunities alongside environmental strain, social tensions and questions over long-term sustainability. Arnold Gay speaks with CNA correspondents Bong Xin Ying and Jack Board about China’s dominance, the hidden costs of the transition and whether the rest of Asia can build its own EV ecosystems.  Editor's note: This episode of CNA Correspondent has been edited to remove an incorrect soundbite.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

168 lives, a chain of failures: What Hong Kong’s Wang Fuk Court fire exposed 05.05.2026 21min

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 continues, Genevieve Woo speaks to CNA correspondent Deborah Wong to understand what went wrong.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Japan’s tourism rebounds, but where are the Chinese tourists? 28.04.2026 18min

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, can these new markets make up for the drop from China? And how are they reshaping the Japanese tourism industry’s growth, earnings and competitiveness? Arnold Gay finds out from senior correspondent Michiyo Ishida.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do social media bans really protect kids online? 21.04.2026 34min

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. But do these measures actually work? Or are the authorities always a step behind the tech giants and curious young people?  Arnold Gay speaks to Natashya Gutierrez, Chandni Vatvani and Neha Poonia about what’s driving this shift, how enforcement is playing out and if these bans can really reduce the risks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Energy shock: How the war on Iran is reshaping global power 14.04.2026 25min

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? Could this accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels or deepen dependence? And how might the conflict reshape the balance of power in favour of China? Arnold Gay speaks to Roland Lim and Toni Waterman about how the war will impact economies, geopolitics and the search for energy security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BTS comeback: Iconic K-pop band aims to once again conquer the world 07.04.2026 23min

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 culture, economics and global influence.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iran war fallout: Neighbouring Iraq pushed to the brink 01.04.2026 19min

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 of northern Iraq. Arnold Gay speaks to Olly Barrett in this episode to understand what the Kurds and Iraqis fear most, even after the war ends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How China is shaking up the world of pharmaceuticals 24.03.2026 19min

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 Correspondent Tan Yew Guan joins Otelli Edwards in this week’s episode of the CNA Correspondent podcast to explore China’s biotech ambitions and its push to make breakthrough treatments both accessible and affordable.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Life on the line: Taiwan’s death penalty debate 17.03.2026 17min

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 people caught in between, from victims’ families seeking justice to those who say the risk of irreversible error is too great to ignore. Through their stories, we examine why trust, fallibility and competing ideas of justice continue to divide Taiwanese society.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside the Two Sessions: China’s next move in a turbulent world 13.03.2026 21min

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 centre stage. What do these signals reveal about Beijing’s next moves? And why should the rest of the world be paying close attention? Senior Correspondent Olivia Siong sits down with CNA’s China correspondents to unpack the key takeaways and what they mean for Asia and beyond.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

China’s bold drive to counter desertification 03.03.2026 19min

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 scale of China’s long-running anti-desertification drive, the people on the front lines and the trade-offs involved.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump’s State of the Union address: Rhetoric, reality and the push for a reset 25.02.2026 22min

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 Party in a position of strength ahead of the November midterm election. But beyond the headline claims, what does this speech mean for American alliances, global stability and trade with the rest of the world? Genevieve Woo breaks it down with senior correspondent Simon Marks.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From revolution to reset: What's next for Bangladesh after its historic election? 19.02.2026 17min

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 Woo speaks with senior correspondent Afifah Ariffin on the CNA Correspondent podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Thailand's election: Deal-making and coalition-building 12.02.2026 32min

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 new government be the change that Thailand seeks? Genevieve Woo speaks with CNA Correspondent Saksith Saiyasombut and Senior Correspondent Leong Wai Kit to parse through the fine print of Thai politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Takaichi's time: Where is Japan headed under its emboldened 'Iron Lady' leader? 11.02.2026 23min

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 Takaichi has made bold pledges on everything from industry and the economy to immigration and national security. But how quickly and aggressively will she move, and what does it mean for Japan and its neighbours? Arnold Gay gets insight from CNA's Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The long emergency: Myanmar since 2021’s military coup 01.02.2026 27min

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 politics arrived at an uneasy state of limbo.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.