Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) reported that public transport ridership in the first half of 2025 remains below pre-pandemic levels, averaging 7.47 million daily trips compared to 7.66 million in 2019. While train ridership has continued to grow, supported by an expanding rail network, bus ridership has declined, and weekday morning peak hour travel has not fully recovered. These trends reflec...

Singapore shares nudged higher as at afternoon time today as investors continue to mull the evolving global trade situation.  The Straits Times Index was 0.37% higher at 4,224.17 points at 3.01pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$906.23M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch today, we have Keppel, after the group yesterday amended the terms of the sale of its 70...

With National Day looming large, Sports Minutes celebrates the everyday heroes who shape our sporting culture. Meet Ashok Kumar, the photographer who captures joy, pain and glory, then disappears into the background. Hear what it takes to shoot at the highest level, why trust matters more than fame, and what keeps him coming back for more. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg See...

Foreign money is flooding into Asia. From green finance to AI and crypto, the region’s financial story is evolving fast. A new report by CARMA shows foreign investment and sustainability are dominating headlines, but what’s driving the momentum, and which markets are really leading the charge? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Sabrina Azmi, Research Solutions Director, Carma ,...

Terra Headshots uses AI to enhance portraits, but never to replace the deeply human connection at the heart of their work. Founded by Eddie Lim and Joyce Yeo, the studio treats portrait photography not as a transaction, but as a therapeutic process rooted in empathy and trust. Each session begins with an honest discovery conversation, where clients share their goals, personal insecurities, and how...

The government introduced the Economic Strategy Review (ESR), a comprehensive initiative designed to strengthen Singapore’s economic resilience in the face of mounting geopolitical challenges and rapid technological advancements. To drive this effort, five specialized committees have been established, each focusing on a critical aspect of the economy: enhancing global competitiveness, accele...

Singapore shares moved higher today as investors continue to set their sights on corporate earnings out of the country. The Straits Times Index was up 0.49% at 4,217.68 points at 2.06pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$761.78M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have CapitaLand Ascendas Reit. The industrial property player posted a 0.6 per cent drop in DPU for...

Property tycoon Ong Beng Seng has pleaded guilty on Monday (Aug 4) to abetting the obstruction of justice in a case linked to former transport minister S. Iswaran. A second charge for instigating Mr Iswaran to obtain flights and a hotel stay from Ong will be taken into consideration during sentencing, which has been adjourned to Aug 15. Both the prosecution and defence called for the court to exer...

Thematic investing is having a moment. In 2025, it's no longer just about spotting trends. It's about backing big ideas with sector-level conviction. But with themes evolving fast and products flooding the market, how can investors separate lasting shifts from fleeting hype? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to  Yan Taw Boon, Head of Thematics at Neuberger Berman , to dive into where th...

Nail Deck is a homegrown nail care and polish brand that champions everyday luxury and empowerment through customizable, high-quality colors designed to celebrate individual expression. Founded by Daryl Chew, who questioned why self-expression was celebrated in fashion but often overlooked in nail polish, the brand was born from a desire to offer more than just pretty shades, it’s about help...

Singapore shares moved higher today amid mixed trading in Asia as investors mulled the impact of new US tariffs.  The Straits Times Index was up 0.82% at 4,188.02 points at 2.23pm Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$865.44M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have City Developments Ltd, after its executive chairman Kwek Leng Beng told The Business Times that...

Leaving home isn’t just about distance - it’s about daring. Harhys Stewart’s journey from Singapore to Kosovo (via Thailand) is a story of bravery, belief, and breaking the mould. And speaking to Sports Minutes - he reflects on his late start, adapting to the unknown, and why he hopes his bold move inspires the next wave of Singaporean footballers. Got a story to tell? Get in tou...

Singapore stocks opened slightly up today, following the announcement of US President Donald Trump’s global tariff rates.  Singapore is likely to remain at the 10 per cent baseline rate, which Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said earlier was “not ideal”, but something the country can “live with”. The Straits Times Index had a modest gain of 0.2 per cent shortly afte...

Careerflow.ai is an AI-powered platform that helps job seekers take control of their job search and land roles faster. Designed as an all-in-one career copilot, Careerflow offers tools to build and optimize resumes, track job applications, enhance LinkedIn profiles, and streamline networking, all in one place.  Built by former recruiters and hiring professionals, Careerflow empowers candidate...

In a world rattled by escalating trade tensions and unpredictable tariff moves, investors are once again turning their gaze to gold, the timeless refuge in turbulent times. But with markets constantly shifting and global supply chains feeling the heat, is gold still the bulletproof hedge it’s cracked up to be? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Priyanka Sachdeva, Senior Market Analys...

When you're just starting out in your career, there’s one question almost all of us grapple with: Should you go for the job that pays well or the one that promises growth, passion and potential? With rising costs of living, unstable job markets, and an ever-changing career landscape, that first job can feel like a make or break decision. On The Hot Seat, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Spark Chen, H...

Change is never easy, especially when controversial. The SPL’s new rule allowing seven foreign players per match has sparked uproar, with many fearing it threatens local players’ chances. Yet, this influx could also boost the league’s standards and competitiveness. So, which matters more? Local legend Abbas Saad and former Welsh international Rob Earnshaw join Sports Minutes to s...

What if failure was the best thing that ever happened to your startup? Fathurrahman Faizal co-founded SolanaFM as a student at SMU. It wasn’t a smooth ride but it led to a major acquisition by Jupiter Exchange in 2024. Now, he’s back with Ranger Labs, a decentralized trading platform aiming to give DeFi users the speed of a centralized exchange without compromising control. Backed by a...

Europe’s defense sector is at a critical crossroads. As geopolitical tensions rise, countries across the continent are dramatically ramping up their defense budgets, sparking a wave of innovation in defense and intelligence technologies. This surge is opening fresh doors for investors, especially in alternative assets.  Leading the charge, Lundgreen’s High-Tech Defence Fund offers...

On July 29, 2025, a fire broke out in a 10th-floor unit at Block 229 Lorong 8 Toa Payoh, spreading quickly to the unit above and sending shockwaves through the quiet residential neighborhood. Seven people, including a child and a firefighter, were hospitalized. Dozens more were evacuated as smoke engulfed the building.  For one family, the fire consumed nearly everything they owned &mdas...

Singapore shares moved lower today to track regional movements. The Straits Times Index was down 0.64% at 4,192.32 points at 11.41am Singapore time, with a value turnover of S$782.65M seen in the broader market. In terms of companies to watch, we have Keppel, after the asset manager saw net profit rise 24.2 per cent to S$377.7 million for the first half ended Jun 30, driven by growth in its real e...

It’s all about the banking and wealth management landscape today as we speak to a Wall Street giant that's said to have not slept since the 1800s. Yes – we are talking about Citibank. After all, its slogan is that Citi never sleeps.  Founded in 1812, Citi’s activities range from safeguarding assets, lending money, making payments and accessing the capital markets on behalf o...

A government land site in the new Holland Plain precinct has sparked attention - not for how many bids it received, but for how far the top offer went. Sim Lian Land and Sim Lian Development submitted the highest bid at nearly S$368 million, or about S$1,432 psf ppr, a striking 22% above the next closest offer. Property consultants are calling it a bold, bullish move in a market still finding its...

In the aftermath of the powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, tsunami warnings remain in effect across vast stretches of the Pacific.  While some regions have already experienced smaller surges, the threat is far from over, with authorities closely monitoring the situation as new waves could arrive hours after the initial tremor. On The Big Story, Hongbin J...

Floramis is a sustainability-driven software ecosystem that transforms real-world plants into interactive digital experiences. For individuals, Floramis lets users turn their houseplants into virtual companions by combining movement, mindfulness, and gamification to promote well-being and connection through a mobile game. For businesses, Floramis offers a novel way to use plants as engagement tool...