Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong

US President Donald Trump has announced a two-week suspension of attacks on Iran—a tense, last-minute pause in a conflict that has already rattled the Middle East and global markets. The ceasefire hinges on Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint carrying one-fifth of the world’s oil. With talks set to begin on April 10, key disagreements remain over nuclear enrichment and sanctions relief. Is this a genuine step toward lasting peace, or a fragile pause in a high-stakes standoff? What are the risks if negotiations falter, and how much leverage do Washington and Tehran really hold? On The Big Story, Debbie Yong speaks with Dr Jessica Genauer, Academic Director of the Public Policy Institute & Associate Professor in International Relations, University of New South Wales, to find out more.

Singapore has introduced a fresh round of support measures worth close to $1 billion as rising energy prices and global instability threaten to push inflation higher. At the same time, a newly announced ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran offers a brief window of relief for global markets, but uncertainty remains. So how far can these measures go in cushioning the immediate impact and is Singapore prepared for a more prolonged period of global volatility? On The Big Story, Debbie Yong speaks with Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore and a concurrent Senior Lecturer at the National University of Singapore, to find out more.

According to CNN, Singapore’s Le Freeport—a climate-controlled vault usually reserved for extreme wealth — is now home to a 66‑million-year-old Triceratops skeleton, standing just feet away from billions in gold and priceless contemporary art. Dinosaurs, gold, and masterpieces, all under one roof? Behind the spectacle lies a complex story. Families holding these alternative assets must navigate structuring their holdings, complying with Singapore’s strict regulations, verifying provenance, valuing unusual assets, and planning for taxes and succession. On The Big Story, Debbie Yong speaks with Neil Synnott, Regional Chief Commercial Officer for APAC at IQ-EQ, to explore how family offices and advisors help these families manage risk and regulation, while preserving the excitement and prestige of owning something truly exceptional.

Move over dating apps, South Korea has found a new hotspot for singles: bookstores. On What’s Trending, Debbie Yong and Nadiah Koh dive into Seoul’s Kyobo Book Center, where young romantics are turning the aisles into matchmaking grounds, complete with viral videos of people holding books and ‘waiting for love’. Then, they hop over to China, where a teahouse in Hainan learned the hard way that viral moments aren’t always glamorous. The restaurant left actual leftover food from a celebrity visit on display, sparking online horror and a lesson in fan tourism gone wrong.

Energy markets remain a key concern. After weeks of heightened focus, the question now is whether prices are entering a more stable phase or if volatility will persist. For Asia, potential shifts toward alternative oil sources such as the US raise structural questions, particularly around the mismatch between heavier crude exports and the region’s refining configurations. Apple also comes into focus after reports that its foldable iPhone has encountered engineering challenges, potentially delaying its launch. The stock fell sharply on the news, just as it appeared to be building upward momentum. With key technical levels holding, the question now is whether this setback disrupts its trajectory or presents a temporary pause. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to Tareck Horchani, Head of Trading and Sales Trading at Maybank, to discuss about the latest market movements.

Starting April 15, a new rule out of Singapore could catch many travellers off guard — you’ll only be allowed to carry two power banks in your hand luggage. Any extras? You’ll have to throw them away before boarding. The move, announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, follows updated global safety guidelines from the International Civil Aviation Organization aimed at reducing the risk of lithium battery fires mid-flight. Why have power banks become a focus of aviation safety regulations? And will limiting the number of power banks on flights actually make flying safer? On The Big Story, Debbie Yong speaks with Dr Teo Tee Hui, Senior Lecturer in Engineering Product Development at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, to find out more.

Stablecoins are no longer just a niche experiment, they’re a rapidly growing cornerstone of global finance. In 2025 alone, these digital assets processed $33 trillion in transactions, far surpassing traditional platforms like PayPal. From fintech startups to financial giants like BlackRock, Visa, and JPMorgan, companies are racing to stake their claim in this new frontier. How will they reshape the financial landscape, and what should individual investors know as machines move money faster than ever? On Wealth Tracker, Debbie Yong speaks with Gracie Lin, CEO of OKX Singapore, to find out more.

Would you let your partner plan your wedding convoy? Well, one groom in China did exactly that and showed up with nine septic tank trucks on his big day. Plus, if your partner takes terrible photos, don’t worry, it might actually earn you a free trip to Iceland worth S$68,000. On What’s Trending, Debbie Yong and Alexandra Parada talk about a viral septic truck wedding that’s dividing opinions, and Icelandair’s search for the world’s worst photographer.

Market activity held relatively firm, with S$1.45 billion in value turnover, but sentiment stayed fragile as attention turned to ongoing discussions around a potential 45-day ceasefire involving the US, Iran and regional mediators. With no clear outcome and a tight 24-48 hour window, markets, particularly oil, are bracing for possible volatility depending on how events unfold. Oil prices have so far shown measured reactions, suggesting that recent tensions may already be partially priced in, supported by existing inventory buffers. However, if the situation drags on or escalates, these buffers could begin to erode, potentially triggering sharper moves in energy markets. On Market View, Sean Cheong speaks to Kelvin Wong, Senior Analyst, OANDA, to unpack the latest market movements.

After Albirex's stunning comeback to defeat Tampines Rovers, could the past weekend in the Singapore Premier League prove to be pivotal in the title race? Plus, with Tanjong Pagar suffering yet more misery...do good players necessarily make good coaches? Plenty of questions, Sports Minutes has the answers in the company of Deepanraj Ganesan, sports reporter with The Straits Times. READ MORE: https://spl.sg/news/refereeing-review-incidents-from-two-spl-matches/ Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg