On June 13th, Israel launched the 'Rising Lion' military operation and Iran has now retaliated with its own fire, resulting in severe loss of life and damages for both countries. Despite their war-filled history, these attacks saw scales of unprecedented destruction. We talk to James Dorsey, adjunct senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies about what the future looks like for Iran-Israel negotiations in the light of these attacks.

Other stories we covered:

• Malaysia’s poor food security: The 2024 Agriculture Census Interim Report concluded that we are not reaching our food security goals by looking at the self-sufficiency level (SSL) of products. We speak to Professor Muhammad Firdaus Sulaiman, senior lecturer of the Faculty of Agriculture at UPM for a better insight into these shortcomings.

• Controversial Melaka reclamation project: The approval of the Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone will see over 1,123 hectares from the sea reclaimed for commercial and industrial development. With the project facing massive backlash from locals and environmental groups, we talk to Martin Theseira, chairman of Save Our Seashores Melaka about the environmental concerns that have been raised.

• The Media Council gets to work: The Malaysian Media Council Act goes into effect today, with twelve members from a variety of media categories coming together to address press freedom and promote ethical journalism. We talk to Premesh Chandran, director and co-founder of Malaysiakini as well as Gayathry Venkiteswaran, an assistant professor from the University of Nottingham for a better understanding on what the council intends to do.

• Malaysian Mind Your Language star passes: Penang-born Lim Pik Sen, best known for her role as Chung Su-Lee on Mind Your Language passed away in her hometown just last week. Once described by the British Film Institute as the most familiar Chinese actor on British television in the 70s, we look back on her life and career in honour of the legacy she leaves behind.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Produced by: Sudais Ferhard, Sneha Harikannan, Juliet Jacobs, Dashran Yohan

Presented by: Dashran Yohan, Sharaad Kuttan

This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  markets,  economy,  managing,  controversies,  Law/Activism,  environment,  politics,  government,  international,  performing arts,  film,  culture,  food

Tags:  mind your language,  Lim Pik Sen,  Malaysian Media Council Act,  Straits of Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone,  sea reclamation project,  sea reclamation,  agriculture census interim report,  actress,  british television,  malaysian media council,  press freedom,  ethical journalism,  environment,  ocean conservation,  food security,  malaysia food security,