Money Matters with Hongbin Jeong and Chua Tian Tian

From kids chasing unconventional dreams to world leaders turning heads with fashion, and Japan’s auctions breaking all records, on What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada dive into the extraordinary. We meet 12-year-old gaming prodigy Tarou, who plans to quit school to pursue esports full-time—with his parents fully on board. Then, we look at Nicolás Maduro, whose viral Nike Tech Fleece outfit after his capture had the internet buzzing. And if that’s not enough, we explored Japan’s New Year auctions, where a single tuna sold for US$3.2 million and cherries went for over S$200 each. 

The world is watching closely after the US carried out a military operation in Venezuela, capturing President Nicolás Maduro. But the story doesn’t end there. In the days since, President Donald Trump has sent a series of sharp warnings to other countries. He hinted at possible military action in Colombia, told Mexico to “get its act together” on drugs, suggested the US “needs Greenland” for national security, and even name-checked Iran as a potential concern. These statements raise urgent questions: why is the US targeting these particular countries? Is this a serious threat or political posturing?  On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Kevin Chen, Associate Research Fellow with the US Programme at IDSS, RSIS, to find why these countries are on Trump’s wish list, and whether this marks a new era of US imperialism.

Ageing populations are often seen as a drag on growth, but new research suggests they could be one of the biggest investment opportunities ahead. So which markets and sectors stand to gain as technology steps in where labour falls short? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Maria Vassalou, Head of the Pictet Research Institute,to find out more.

Over the weekend, the United States carried out its most direct intervention in Latin America in decades, capturing Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in a military operation that stunned the world. President Donald Trump says Washington will now “run” Venezuela, as both Maduro and Flores face criminal charges in New York, including terrorism and drug-related offences. But can a superpower legally seize a sitting head of state? Does international law allow this or has a dangerous new precedent just been set? On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks with Juan Zahir Naranjo Cáceres, a Colombian-Australian scholar and lecturer at the University of the Sunshine Coast, to unpack the legality of the operation, the geopolitical shockwaves across Latin America, and what this moment means for the global balance of power. 

What if retirement didn’t have to wait until your 60s? A growing number of Singaporeans are choosing to press pause on their careers earlier, taking purposeful breaks known as “mini-retirements”. It’s a shift that’s changing how people think about money, work and what a successful life really looks like. On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Harpreet Bindra, CEO for HSBC Life Singapore,to find out more.

Was 2025 the year markets finally found their footing… or just the calm before another storm? US stocks wrapped up the year on a high, but as 2026 begins, geopolitics is back in the spotlight. An unexpected US strike, rising tensions, and fresh uncertainty are already shaking investor confidence. So what’s really driving Wall Street right now, and how should investors be positioning themselves for what comes next? On Market View, Willie Keng speaks to Cedric Ho, Founder and Portfolio Manager, MAD Partnership, to find out more.

On What’s Trending, Hongbin Jeong, Nadiah Koh and Alexandra Parada discuss three very different stories that are trending today, from romance and creativity, to thrill-seeking retail, to serious population policy. First, a filmmaker went viral after proposing to his girlfriend by editing himself into a wedding scene from Shrek, then re-entering the room in the same suit to propose in real life. Over in Tokyo, a pop-up store is turning shopping into a silent adrenaline sport, charging customers to “steal” whatever they can carry in one minute, as long as they make absolutely no sound. And finally, in a much more contentious move, China has begun taxing condoms and other contraceptives in a bid to boost its falling birth rate.

They’re blamed, booed, and rarely praised, but what’s it really like to be a referee? Former Singapore Premier League official Andrea Verolino joins Sports Minutes to tackle VAR debates, referee reviews, and fan misconceptions head-on. From “referee kayu” chants to high-pressure nights at the National Stadium, this is an unfiltered look at football’s most scrutinised role. Got a story to tell? Get in touch! raushan@sph.com.sg

Singapore ended 2025 on a strong note. The economy grew by 4.8 per cent, beating earlier forecasts and clocking its fastest pace since 2021. Manufacturing surged, jobs stayed resilient, and exports were boosted by the AI boom. But here’s the real question, what do these big numbers actually mean for Singaporeans? Does stronger growth translate into better job prospects, higher pay, or a lower cost of living? And if growth is expected to slow in 2026, should we be preparing for tougher times ahead? To help us make sense of it all, on The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Selena Ling, Chief Economist and Head of OCBC Group Research at OCBC.

Tech stocks have carried the market for years, fuelled by AI hype, blockbuster earnings and sky-high expectations. But as 2025 draws to a close, investors are starting to ask some uncomfortable questions. Are tech stocks still the engine of growth, or are warning lights flashing beneath the surface? On Wealth Tracker, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Danish Lim, Senior Investment Analyst, Phillip Nova, to take a closer look at whether the rally has more room to run, the risks hiding behind those valuations, and where investors might want to look as we head into 2026.